Smart card definition
This is a portable electronic card, mostly the same size as a credit card, that features an integrated circuit vital for its functionality. The smart card features an electronic chip for processing information, depending on how the card is programmed. Because of this, the cards can have multiple uses, including controlling access, loyalty cards, membership cards, and more.
Smart cards work differently based on the type and technology. That is why you can come across options such as contact-based and contactless smart cards. Contactless smart cards use RFID or NFC technology for wireless co mmunication.
Components of A Smart Card
To understand how smart cards work, we have to explain the components the smart cards would have. Below are the common components of a smart card.
– Microprocessor chip
You may refer to the chip as the brain of the smart card. This is because it features the central processing unit of the smart card. This makes it responsible for executing various instructions programmed into the smart card.
The chip can still process data and run cryptographic algorithms to encrypt the smart card and make it secure.
– Memory
Memory is also part of a smart card. It stores information crucial for the functioning of the smart card. The memory can be ROM or RAM. ROM is for holding the card’s operating system, while RAM is easily modified depending on the current instructions running on the card.
– Antenna
For the smart card to communicate with the reader, it needs an antenna. Antennas are key for establishing communication with the reader, depending on the type of smart card.
For example, if it is an RFID smart card, the antenna establishes contact with an RFID reader. Once the communication is established, the requested information by the reader is relayed through the antenna.
– Plastic covering
This is an option most people consider as what covers the delicate parts of the card. In most cases, the plastic material would be PVC or PET. The material can also be cut to size depending on your needs. The standard size is like that of a credit card.
The covering can also be wood, rubber, and other custom materials depending on smart card manufacturers.
Types Of Smart Cards
Smart cards can be categorized differently based on the smart card supplier. However, there are still main ways of categorizing smart cards, such as the ones mentioned below.
1. Contact-based smart cards
These smart cards require a physical contact with the card reader to exchange data. The cards have electrical contacts inserted in a card reader to establish a connection.
Such smart cards are mostly used in applications such as banking, secure access, and identification systems.
2. smart cards
Sometimes contactless is better, so we have them as an option. These smart cards use RFID or NFC technology to communicate with the readers wirelessly. The reading range is mostly 10cm which is good for effective, convenient, and fast access to a facility.
Because of how fast these cards are, they are suitable for public transport, access control, and payment systems.
3. Dual-interface smart cards
In the case of dual-interface smart cards, you get the best of both worlds. This is because they feature both contact-based and contactless cards in one card.
You would likely find many uses for such cards since they allow for varied ways of communicating with the readers. How you use these smart cards depends on the type of reader system available.
How Smart Cards Work
Smart cards work based on their programming. This determines what kind of action happens after the card is read and authenticated. Below is a quick overview of how to expect the smart chip cards to work.
- The first step is the initialization of the smart card. The process involves inserting the smart card into a reader or getting it close enough to a reader for the contactless smart cards.
- The card reader will read the content easily from the contact-based cards since there is a physical electrical contact. The radio frequencies of the card reader activate the contactless card so that information can be read from the card.
- The card reader will quickly read the information on the card and further authenticate if that is what is in the database. This is followed by data processing of the information to know what action to do next. If the card is supposed to open the door and the details show it is right, then the reader will execute a command to open the door and other functionalities depending on how the smart card is programmed.
This process is usually fast and does not take long before you see something happen. Most people prefer buying the contactless smart cards because of their speed and can be secure too.
Benefits of Smart Cards
Even when you get creative RFID smart cards with the best designs, something made you consider them. Below, we want to see why you may consider a smart card supplier after understanding the benefits of smart cards.
1. Enhanced security
You can never go wrong with smart card security. They will always provide you with high security, ensuring that only those with the right PVC smart cards can get in if you use them for access control.
Smart cards will have data encryption and digital signatures crucial to prevent unauthorized access and counterfeiting.
2. Convenient and efficient
Smart cards are highly convenient in terms of how they work. You can always use them to easily open a door, manage subscriptions, and so much more. With such convenience, they can eliminate the need for carrying additional documents such as payment credentials and personal identification, especially when working for a company.
3. Better accuracy and integrity
You would also get better accuracy and integrity of the information stored on the smart cards. The smart cards contain built-in data validation systems that verify whether the smart card is authentic. This helps reduce the chances of errors and fraudulent activities.
4. Cost savings
th e smart cards are generally cheaper, and it will not cost much to secure a building from smart card manufacturers. Also, the savings can be realized on the cost of infrastructure. When upgrading your smart cards, you do not have to spend so much money on infrastructure again. So long as it is the same technology, they can still use the same card readers.
5. Privacy Protection
Smart cards can have their information heavily encrypted to protect your data. Expect that only authorized readers can read and decrypt the information. This helps reduce the chances of your details not being easily accessed by unauthorized readers.
Applications Of Smart Cards
A smart chip card can have many uses. You need to know how best to use these cards ensuring you get the most out of them. Below is what you expect with smart card China options.
Financial transactions
The financial sector is the biggest user of PVC smart cards. That is why smart card manufacturers do a lot of business with banks. This is because a good smart card supplier would offer smart cards for debit and credit card applications. The best part is how the smart cards are highly encrypted for the best security.
Identification and authentication systems
The smart card supplier may also offer smart chip cards for authentication and identification purposes. This is where the cards store personal identification data, including biometric information and digital certificates. Once the card reader checks the card and identifies the details, a certain action is performed.
For this reason, the cards can be used to manage to access a room or not.
Healthcare
The healthcare system could also use smart cards for the storage and access of patients’ health records. The same works well for insurance card information. So, expect smart cards to have more roles in the healthcare system.
Transportation
Public transport systems have also adopted smart chip cards from various smart card suppliers. In this case, the passengers now have a more convenient way of paying for their fares on transportation systems. Also, it reduces the need for carrying cash when there is a chance of simply using a card.
Loyalty and Membership Programs
It is not uncommon to see stores having loyalty cards. The same goes for membership cards that the club or gym might issue to its members. The idea is to make it easy to control to may use their facilities. Just like that, you should find that smart cards have many uses right now.
Conclusion
We can see that smart cards will always make our lives easier. The best part is how many companies are adopting this type of technology. Because of this, there is a rise in the number of brands ordering smart cards. Their compact size, better security, and flexibility have made adopting them easy for many companies.