STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM} has introduced two new secure
microcontrollers designed specifically for high-volume 2.5G and 3G
(third-generation) mobile-phone SIM cards. The ST21Y036 and ST21Y144
provide 36 Kbytes and 144 Kbytes of user EEPROM, respectively, and they
join the ST21Y068, which was announced towards the end of 2006 and is
already in volume production. Based on an enhanced 8/16-bit CPU core
with up to 16-Mbytes linear addressing capability, the family is
produced in a state-of-the-art 0.13-micron EEPROM technology to meet
industry demands for high volumes, short lead times and competitive
pricing.
Operators need secure SIM products with increased memory capacity
to store and handle the large amounts of data now used in a growing
number of applications and services in mobile communications products,
while maintaining overall performance and user-friendliness. The ST21Y
platform delivers an excellent performance-to-power-consumption ratio,
meeting current GSM consumption standards.
"With more than 20 years smart card experience behind us, and
world-class manufacturing capability, ST can ship these new ST21 devices
in the high volumes and short timescales that the mobile industry
demands," said Andreas Raschmeier, Director of Smart Card Sales and
Marketing. "They're optimized for 2.5G and 3G products,
delivering the high performance with low power drain required by the
latest applications."
The ST21Y036 and ST21Y144 both include a hardware DES (Data
Encryption Standard) accelerator and user-accessible CRC (Cyclic
Redundency Code) calculation block. The user EEPROM areas - which
include 64 bytes of user OTP (One Time Programmable) memory - use highly
reliable CMOS submicron technology, and provide 10-year data retention
with a typical Erase/Write endurance of 500,000 cycles. Software and
firmware generation are supported by a comprehensive set of dedicated
development tools for software design and validation.
The ST21Y036 is entering volume production now; the ST21Y144 is
available in sample quantities, with volume production planned for June
2007. ST has the unique ability to offer smartcard ICs as sawn wafers
and in advanced micro- modules that combine integration and security.
The ST21Y devices are available in 6-contact (D17) and 8-contact (D95)
RoHS-compliant modules, with contact assignment compatible with ISO
7816-2. In wafer form, the ST21Y036 is priced at $0.20 and the ST21Y144
at $0.75, in quantities of 10,000.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering
semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics
applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise,
manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and
strategic partners positions the company at the forefront of
System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in
enabling today's convergence markets. The company's shares are
traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the
Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the company's net revenues were
$9.85 billion and net earnings were $782 million.
For more information, visit http://www.st.com or call 212/821-8959.
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