Atmel Introduces a Cost-Optimized Smart Card Reader IC for USB Keyboards

Atmel Introduces a Cost-Optimized Smart Card Reader IC for USB Keyboards

September 14, 2006

    NANTES, France, Sept. 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the
release of the AT83C22OK106, a smart card reader product
targeting USB smart card keyboard. The AT83C22OK106 was
developed in partnership with OMNIKEY(R), a major smart
card reader manufacturer. 

    The new AT83C22OK106 is an updated and optimized
version of the previous AT83C22OK. It includes 8051 core,
USB interface, and ISO7816 UART smart card interface, as
well as a high-efficiency DC/DC converter. Therefore, it is
compliant with the major smart card standards such as EMV
& PC/SC. It supports 5 V, 3 V and 1.8 V cards
regardless of the input voltage. The AT83C22OK106 is
designed to provide a solution for a reader system with
only a few additional external components mounted on a
single sided PCB. 

    Arnaud Ruchon, Product Marketing Manager for Smart Card
Reader ICs at Atmel stated, "The AT83C22OK106, combined
with the state-of-the-art firmware developed by OMNIKEY, is
a unique solution for keyboard manufacturers. It allows
them to implement a keyboard with smart card functionality
in less than two weeks."  He added, "Thanks to
its optimized size, the AT83C22OK106 allows us to be even
more price competitive."

    The firmware supports all types of smart cards with
high baud rates up to 433 kbits/s with full CCID
compatibility and includes BIOS support. Keyboards up to
160 keys using any OEM specific keyboard matrix are
supported. Furthermore, the firmware features a common
criteria certified secure PIN-entry functionality.  

    According to Kurt Schmid, Chief Executive Officer from
OMNIKEY, "Thanks to its complete set of features and
its reduced price, the new version of the AT83C22OK will
help to win new smart card reader businesses in the
keyboard area. Atmel and OMNIKEY partnership offers the
best solutions for the keyboard OEM market."  

    Pricing and Availability

    The AT89RFD-02 reference design kit is available, for
$250, to facilitate a PCB design. Included is a reference
board, software, and all required documentation.

    The AT83C22OK is available now in QFP64 and QFN64
packages. Pricing in 10k unit-quantities is $ 2.60 USD. 

    About Atmel

    Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and
manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic,
mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF)
components.  Leveraging one of the industry's broadest
intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete
system solutions.  Focused on consumer, industrial,
security, communications, computing and automotive markets,
Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).

    NOTE:  Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof,
Everywhere You Are(R) and others, are registered
trademarks, or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its
subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be
trademarks of others.

    Information:

    Atmel's AT83C22OK106 product information may be
retrieved at
   
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?PN=AT83C22OK
.

    For further information on smart card readers, go to 
    http://www.atmel.com/products/scr .

    For more information, please contact:

     Philippe Faure, 
     Marketing Communications Manager -- Microcontrollers
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Helen Perlegos, 
     Public Relations -- USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

     Veronique Sablereau, 
     Corporate Communications Manager -- Europe
     Tel:   [phone]
     Fax:   [phone] 
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Atmel Corporation