SLE88CX720P

SLE 88CX720P is the  first product of the SLE 88CXxxxP family. This new high-end security controller family in 0.22 µm CMOS technology incorporates a dedicated 32-bit smart card core. In this product family, 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 provides a platform for modular multi-application and multi-tasking  operating systems. The Memory Management and Protection Unit (MMU) serves as a firewall to enable secure separation of adjacent application programs and data. Furthermore, the MMU is the hardware basis for secure downloading of applications in the field, even after card personalization.

A very efficient context/application switching mechanism allows fast switching between multiple tasks. The flexible MMU concept also shortens development cycles for additional applications. 

The SLE 88CX720P high execution performance of  the CPU is achieved by a smart card dedicated 32-bit RISC core.  Efficient support and an additional performance increase of multi-application schemes is gained by a hardware acceleration of Virtual Machine languages like Java CardTM or MULTOSTM.

The SLE 88CX720P is fabricated in a 0.22 micron CMOS process, which allows for largest on-chip memories. We cover the voltage classes B and  C of the 3 rdgeneration specification for mobile communication TS31.101. The IC offers 240  Kbytes of ROM, 8  Kbytes of RAM  and 80  Kbytes EEPROM, in total including PSL. The virtual address range of the MMU is 4 Gbytes. Program and data modules are organised as packages. Each package has a defined memory range of 16 Mbytes and dedicated access rights for memories and peripherals. 

Powerful peripherals offer hardware support for time and code intensive operations. The Advanced Crypto Engine (ACE) is equipped with its own RAM of 700 bytes and supports all of the known public-key algorithms based on large integer modular arithmetic. It allows fast and efficient calculation of e.g. RSA operations with key lengths up to 2048 bit. For symmetric crypto operations, a DES accelerator supporting Triple-DES is implemented. Using the ACE and DES module a secure transmission for downloading of additional applications can be ensured. 

The UART supports the chip card protocols T=0 and T=1 and is also able to manage full-duplex data transfer. The Random Number Generator (RNG) is able to supply the CPU with true random numbers. An interrupt control unit supports a programmable interrupt system with UART, timers, and the other peripherals as interrupt sources. To minimise the overall power consumption the chip card controller IC offers a sleep mode. 

As security was the first priority for the new core d esign, Infineon Technologies integrated an entirely new security concept instead of adding additional security features to an existing design. The SLE 88CX720P takes a quantum leap in terms of improved on-chip security. A variety of different trap vectors informs the operating system about exceptions (e.g. access violation). A broad range of hardware and software based development tools offers the userthe facilities for high-end operating system development and validation.

In conclusion, the 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 a completely new chip card era.