Combined CEPS compliant contact/contactless card focused on transport and payment activities

Project Information

OMNIPURSE

Grant agreement ID: IST-2000-26081

Start date 1 January 2001

End date 30 November 2003

Funded under

• Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on a "User-friendly information society, 1998-2002"

Total cost € 4 288 308,00

EU contribution € 2 263 981,00

Coordinated by

AXALTO SA
France

Deliverables

Improvement of numerical simulation for coupling optimisation of smart cards and terminals

The electromagnetic modelling software ASERIS-EMC2000 has been used to optimise the design of coupler and contact-less card antennas, in view of maximising the energy transfer: coupler case dimensions, antenna distance and position, number, size and separation of turns, load impedance etc. The 1st result is a performance of the power transfer function between card and reader improved by more than 15dB between the original design and the final design, which finally permits an effective transaction time of the order of 300ms as specified. The 2nd result is the experience gained in the use of the software, based on Method of Moments, initially developed for simulation in the HF range (> 100MHz), in the new application area of low frequency inductive antennas. The ASERIS-EMC2000 software has been improved by a specific development to remain stable even at very low frequencies (< 10MHz) for this application. The ASERIS-EMC2000 software suite is already used by more than 30 customers for design of electromagnetic equipment and systems. Today EADS-CCR is performing the distribution, training, user's support and maintenance directly. More information on the OmniPurse project can be found on the project’s website: http://www.omnipurse.com.

SLE88 developments tools qualified

SLE 88 Software Development Kit is an environment supporting the design, test and verification of card operating systems and applications. This has been developed in collaboration with Tasking/Altium. The toolset includes a C++/EC++ compiler, ANSI C compiler, Safer C, macro assembler, linker/locator, post-locator, libraries and the CrossView Pro debugger, all integrated within Tasking/Altium Embedded Development Environment that provides a user-friendly interface to the complete toolset. More information on the OmniPurse project can be found on the project’s website: http://www.omnipurse.com.

Shift from CEPS focus to EMV pre-authorized focus

Between the time where the Omnipurse project was initiated and the end of the project, financial institutions attention focus has shifted from e-purse to EMV deployment. The results of the Omnipurse project are however also useful in the EMV environment, if one takes the Pre-Authorised approach in EMV as a potential replacement in some cases for e-purse payment. For exploitation purposes, MasterCard is thus going to focus on the EMV approach, in order to give the Omnipurse project outcome maximum opportunity to be used in the financial field. More information on the OmniPurse project can be found on the project’s website: http://www.omnipurse.com.

32bits core chip platform (crypto - non-crypto) secure and capable of high level performance qualified

Infineon 32-Bit Multi Application Security Controller SLE 88CX720P used in Omnipurse project is equipped with 240Kbytes ROM, 8Kbytes RAM, 80Kbytes EEPROM, a powerful Memory Management & Protection Unit, a 1100-Bit Advanced Crypto Engine, and is manufactured in 0.22µm CMOS Technology. This high-end security controller incorporates a dedicated 32-bit smart card core. In this product, Infineon Technologies realises increased security and performance while reducing power consumption. Offering high performance at lowest power consumption, the controller family is well suited for both contactless and contact-based applications. SLE 88CX720P fully meets the requirements for real multi-application operating systems. It allows secure operation of banking, access control, loyalty, GSM/USIM, Pay-TV, health care, and identification applications all in one chip. The advanced 0.22µm technology, the highly developed security concept, the low power optimised 32-bit core supported by various powerful peripherals, and the possibility to adapt the performance to application requirements establish the foundation for the most sophisticated applications. More information on the OmniPurse project can be found on the project’s website: http://www.omnipurse.com.

Review opportunities and impact of Multi-Issuer card operation

One of the key blocking factors for Multi-Issuer card operation, which has been confirmed in the course of the Omnipurse project, is the reluctance of Banks to team with non-banks on a common "image carrier", like a plastic card is. The fact that the technological issue has been taken away thanks to the Omnipurse project allows restarting discussions with Banks on this Multi-Issuer issue. Additional available arguments for Business Model for relationship between banks & transport operators: One of the obstacles to a further cooperation between banks and Transport Operators is the perception that they can't agree on a business model where they would both find their interests. The Omnipurse project allows to re-initiate the discussion on this issue. More information on the OmniPurse project can be found on the project’s website: http://www.omnipurse.com.