Microprocessor Chips
Here are the most
common microprocessor smart card technologies available today:
Multi-Application Chips
Multi-application cards
are based on an operating system that allows application management on a card.
It is possible to add, remove or update applications. An application is a set
of functions that can be activated from the smart card reader/interface.
 
The main
multi-application operating systems are Java and
Multos.
Multi-Function Chips
Multi-function cards
offer only a predetermined set of commands. These commands would not normally be
updated during the card lifecycle. The command set is determined by the
target market for the specific card. A multi-function card will generally
have some of the following functions:
-
Debit/Credit (EMV)
-
Electronic purse
-
Cryptographic
functions: symmetric (3DES) or asymmetric (RSA). These cryptographic
functions allow the card to be authenticated by the issuer and the card to
authenticate the issuer and may eventually encrypt/decrypt data.
-
PIN functions
(activation, submission and update)
-
Data management
functions
Mono-Application Chips
Mono-application cards
have a restricted set of functions and/or memory. The card can only manage a
single application such as EMV, electronic purse or loyalty program.
Strengths/Weaknesses Analysis
Mono-Application
The mono-application
cards are most likely not an option in today’s environment: The price difference
between a multi-function card and a mono-application card is not significant in
today’s market.
Advantages of Multi-Application Cards
-
Allow adding or
managing applications on the card after issuance.
-
Personalization is
standard.
-
Permit issuing smart
cards with a non-completed business/implementation plan.
Drawbacks of Multi-Application Cards
-
Require significant
infrastructure at the issuer to manage the applications on the card.
-
The application
run-time has to be loaded in the cards resulting in much longer
personalization time. The price to personalize a card is directly
proportional to personalization duration.
-
Vendors especially in
the Java world have been struggling to deliver standard products. It means
that using some of those cards may bring the same drawbacks as
multi-function cards.
Advantages of Multi-Function Cards
-
The running code is
usually in ROM. It does not have to be loaded during personalization,
meaning fast personalization.
-
The code cannot be
altered by fraudulent attacks.
Drawbacks of Multi-Function Cards
-
Each vendor’s card
has a different personalization scheme and operating system. The
personalization tasks have to be developed to manage different cards.
-
Numerous functions are not standardized. Applications
(outside the card) have to respond to different types of cards.
-
It is difficult to
add or remove applications on the card after card issuance, if not
impossible.
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