Maxim Integrated Products has introduced a new line of RFID keys and cards designed for the automatic identification, access control, and e-cash markets. This new contactless RFID product family (the MAX66000/020/040/100/120/140) leverages the company's 1-Wire secure authentication ICs, which protect intellectual property in embedded systems. The new RFID devices have a 13.56MHz interface that is currently becoming the international interface for secure applications.

As the critical data found inside many RF credentials becomes more and more valuable, efforts to crack, counterfeit, and duplicate cards and credentials will increase. System integrators are already looking for increased security and authentication techniques to protect those assets. Maxim’s new RF devices are packaged in a laminated plastic key fob or ISO thin card format and are available in either the ISO 14443B or ISO 15693 HF protocol. Each protocol family offers three products: 64- bit ROM ID only, ROM ID plus 1K-bit, or ROM ID plus 1K-bit EEPROM and SHA-1 authentication.

The RF keys and cards are custom programmable to match the requirements of new and existing tag populations. They work with most 13.56MHz readers on the market, thus providing an alternative tag source for existing systems. [www.maxim-ic.com]