STM's Secure Smart Card Chip

Talk about collaboration. NCTI just announced that STMicroelectronics has introduced the ST22WJ64 smart card chip, which was developed from the Smart-J 32-bit RISC platform that was created by Advancel Logic Corp., a subsidiary of NCTI. Samples of this chip, which executes Java code, will be available at the end of 2001. Volume quantities, for which NCTI will receive per unit royalties, will be available in the first quarter of 2002. The ST22WJ64 is built around a 32-bit RISC core, which STM is now combining with security and 0.18 micron process technology. The move to 0.18 micron lets STM build smart card chips with higher memory capacities, smaller die sizes, and more features. For those of you who haven't been paying attention to the American Express Blue advertisements, a smart card contains an embedded IC that can process information on the card when it's stuffed into a card reader. While many smart card apps relate to charging up a card with cash the way you charge up a phone card with minutes, another very viable app for the chips in these interesting times is to use them in ID cards that provide authorized access to networks, buildings, or anything else where you want to let the right folks in and keep the wrong folks out.