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Hitachi: Hitachi releases AE46C1 Smart Card Microcontroller with large



RELATED SYMBOLS: (HIT)

Tokyo, Jan 29, 2003 (M2 PRESSWIRE via COMTEX) -- Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501)
today announced the AE46C1, a 16-bit smart card microcontroller manufactured
using 0.18um CMOS process that makes possible a large memory capacity and
reduces power consumption to about one-half that of Hitachi previous model. It
is designed for use in smart cards requiring increased functionality and memory
capacity, such as W-CDMA-USIM*1 cards for mobile phones and multi-application
cards. Sample shipments will begin in April 2003 in Japan.

In recent years smart cards incorporating microcontroller chips have been
proliferating rapidly, especially as GSM-SIM*2 cards for mobile phones in
Europe. They have also come to be used for a wide range of other applications,
such as credit cards, bank debit cards, ETC^*3 cards, electronic passenger
tickets, and ID cards. In addition, demand for multi-application cards, which
implement several functions on a single smart card, has been growing recently.
It is anticipated that this will result in increased utilization of general OSs
enabling to execute multiple applications, such as Java Card^TM*4 and
MULTOSTM*5, and also an increase in the size of the application programs stored
on cards. As a result, requirements for smart card microcontrollers now include
fast processing on general OSs and large memory capacity to be able to store
these operating systems and their application programs. In addition, there is a
need for reduced power consumption for use with mobile phones as well as
advanced security functions to prevent card forgery and data tampering.

Hitachi has responded to this demand with the 8-bit AE-3 Series and the 16-bit
AE-4 Series products. The new AE46C1 is a 16-bit smart card microcontroller and
is based on the existing top model AE46C. It is suitable for the smart cards
that require the higher-performance and higher-functionality, such as
W-CDMA-USIM cards for third-generation mobile phones and multi-application
cards. The AE46C1 employs 0.18um CMOS process and it incorporates Hitachi's
high-reliability memory technology and security technology, and its main
features are as follows.

Features

1. Using fine process, achievement of highly reliable EEPROM and large memory
capacity The AE46C1 incorporates 68 kilobytes of highly reliable MONOS (Metal
Oxide Nitride Oxide Silicon) type EEPROM. With finer process, a rewrite speed
(erase and write operations) is 3 milliseconds or less per 1 to 128 bytes and is
approximately 1.3 times as fast as in previous Hitachi model AE46C. In addition,
a fast mode with a rewrite speed of 2 milliseconds or less per 1 to 128 bytes is
provided for the initial data or basic applications, which are rewritten only
infrequently.

This helps to reduce costs associated with the processing required when issuing
smart cards, and also contributes to shorter data processing times in smart
card. In addition to the above, the mask ROM capacity has been expanded to a
368-kilobyte. This makes it possible to store in mask ROM, in addition to the
operating system, applications and data that previously would have to have been
stored in EEROM.

This enables the implementation of multi-application smart cards incorporating
several large-scale application programs. Also, in addition to reducing the time
required to write data to EEPROM when issuing a new card, the entire 68
kilobytes of EEPROM capacity can be used for other applications or data after
the card is issued.

2. Low-power and low-voltage operation achieving smart cards requiring low power
consumption In addition to the use of the 0.18um CMOS process, the operating
voltage of the internal circuitry has been reduced to a mere 1.8 volts.

This results in power consumption roughly one-half that of previous model at an
external operating voltage of 3 volts. This low level of power consumption can
help to extend the battery operating time of mobile products. The AE46C1 also
supports an external operating voltage of 1.8 volts, making it possible to
design smart cards that reduce power consumption even further.

3. Equipped with coprocessors and other functions to realize high -level
security of smart card The AE46C1 incorporates a coprocessor for DES (Data
Encryption Standard) encryption processing and an exponential
multiplication/division algorithm coprocessor. With using these coprocessors, it
supports sophisticated encryption processing. Its built-in high-level security
functions also include detectors of abnormal voltage and frequency to prevent
the attacks. These functions make it possible to develop smart cards
incorporating sophisticated security features. In addition, Hitachi plans to
obtain certification of ISO 15408^*6 international security standard as an
assurance of the AE46C1 security level.

As the development environment, the previously released E6000 emulator is
available to use for the AE46C1. Also the existing AE-4 Series of software
resources can be used.

Hitachi plans to continue to enhance the products employing the 0.18 m CMOS
process in response to market requirements.

Notes:

1. W-CDMA-USIM (Wide band-Code Division Multiple Access - Universal Subscriber
Identity Module): W-CDMA is one of the communication methodologies that are used
in third-generation mobile phones. A USIM card stores user information. Once the
card is inserted into the phone the owner information it contains is used as the
basis for placing calls.

2. GSM-SIM (Global System for Mobile communication - Subscriber Identity
Module): GSM is a wireless communication methodology used in mobile
communication devices such as mobile phones. A SIM card stores user information
in the same way as the USIM cards used for W-CDMA.

3. ETC (Electronic Toll Collection system): A non-stop automatic toll collection
system that records tolls automatically when vehicles pass through tollbooths by
means of wireless communication between a radio device on the roadside and a
device installed in the vehicle.

4. Java and Java related trademarks or logos are trademarks of Sun Microsystems,
Inc. of the United States.

5. MULTOS (Multi-application Operating System) is a trademark of MAOSCO. MAOSCO
is a consortium responsible for the creation and maintenance of the MULTOS
standard, and MAOSCO Limited functions as its business office..

6. ISO 15408: International information technology security evaluation standard
established by the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) in 1999.
It is used to gauge the security strength, which is to say safety, of software
and hardware products as well as systems.

Typical Applications

* Smart cards of various types: W-CDMA-USIM cards, GSM-SIM cards,
multi-application cards, etc.

Prices in Japan (For Reference)

Product Code Shipment Form Sample Unit Price (Yen) AE46C1 HWD65246C1T Wafer
(unsawn) 1,040 HWD65246C1TD Wafer (sawn) 1,060 HD65246C1LB COT (Chip On Tape)
1,120

Specifications

Item AE46C1 Specifications Product Code HWD65246C1T HWD65246C1TD HD65246C1LB CPU
Core 16-bit AE-4 core Memory EEPROM 68 Kbytes Mask ROM 368 Kbytes RAM 6.5 Kbytes
Coprocessors -- Exponential multiplication/division algorithm coprocessor --
Coprocessor for DES encryption Security Functions Detectors of abnormal status
such as voltage, frequency and so on, watchdog timer, random number generator,
etc.

Internal Operating Frequency/Operating Voltage 1 MHz to 10 MHz / 5 V 1 MHz to 10
MHz / 3 V 1 MHz to 10 MHz / 1.8 V Shipment Form Wafer (unsawn, sawn), COT

Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the
press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.

Corporate Communications Division (C) Hitachi,Ltd. 1994,2003. All rights
reserved.

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