It's simply a processor on a plastic card, with a limited number of contacts to the chip (power, ground, clock, reset, and some I/O lines), the processor type depends on the particular card, but some use PIC's - often there's also an EEPROM memory chip on board as well.
The PIC based ones cunningly provide the I/O lines that are used for programming, so you can program it via the card connector - presumably other cards are similar?.
I can only suggest you study manufacturers datasheets for smart cards they manufacture - be aware that they all tend to be completely different, except for the common connections on the card. For instance, the smart cards used for access to the UK digital satellite service (Sky Television) uses a card with both a processor and an ASIC in the card - to further reduce the chance of piracy.
I would expect you will only be able to get information on a limited number of cards?, most probably won't be available for security reasons.
i think that would be a complicated one...actually im looking for an innovative and useful project for our project study...which can be economical also...can you give me some idea? ....that would be a great help...
i think that would be a complicated one...actually im looking for an innovative and useful project for our project study...which can be economical also...can you give me some idea? ....that would be a great help...
Eh Berx,
Check out the siliconchip website as they did a smart card programming kit back in 2004. Mob's like jaycar and alltronics have done a kit and ICprog is the software used to program the board.
Hiya Berx,
Here is the kit I was talking about **broken link removed**. They also sell the smart cards aswell and have a special on the gold wafer card this month for only $7.95. I suggest you grab one of these kits and have a play with the gold card as it's the cheapest way into smart cards for a novice.
actually, im researching about smart cards..im planning to hav this as my project study...but i will not really make a smart card but rather create sumthing which will have d same function as a smart card..im plannng that it wil become an identification card..if the card wud be detected automatically d profile of d person will apear on d pc. d funciton wud be limited only 2 that area..