What do you need to know when ordering plastic contactless RFID microprocessor cards?

[Carding Forum]

No matter how personalized a smart card with a chip is, its main purpose is contactless identification. Therefore, it is very important that the RFID module (chip) functions correctly and stably. In fact, if the chip module in a smart card fails, it will no longer be a contactless electronic identifier, but simply a beautiful designer piece of plastic. Before ordering, you should correctly determine all the necessary parameters, characteristics and brand of the chip, which will definitely meet all the necessary requirements for your ACS.

International manufacturing company “Country of Cards” is a leading manufacturer of radio frequency contactless electronic media based on RFID technologies. RPC “Country of Cards” specializes in the production of contactless electronic transport cards, key fobs, bracelets and tags. Contactless electronic RFID media (cards, key fobs, bracelets, tags) are produced using chips from NXP Semiconductors, Infineon, EM Microelectronic-Marin, TEMIC and others.

RPC “Country of Cards” performs a full production cycle of all products with chips, such as smart cards, smart key fobs, smart bracelets and smart tags. From the design of electronic identifiers to packaging and delivery. Electronic smart cards, microcircuits and RFID modules for them are also manufactured at our plant. We strictly adhere to production technologies and closely monitor their quality according to ISO and GOST standards. Our own automatic lines for winding copper antennas and their welding with RFID modules (chips) allow us to control high quality, operability, stable reading, compliance with all the characteristics of the Data Sheet of manufactured RFID products, as well as compliance with the ISO 14443 standard. Implantation of chips into contactless electronic RFID carriers is also performed at our plant, which allows us to guarantee the quality and correct functioning of all identifiers.

The automated personalization center for RFID cards RPC “Country of Cards” allows for error-free personalization of any types of contactless electronic media (cards, key fobs, bracelets) almost instantly, namely:

• Print the client’s (customer’s) data under the protective laminate according to the provided technical specifications or database;
• Print a number, barcode, photo, full name, UV personalization under the protective laminate;
• Record , encode and program smart cards according to the client’s specifications;
• Perform electronic personalization of complex multifunctional cards (multi-cards) that work in multiple systems at once, for example: Transport card - ACS - School card - Loyalty card);
• Create the necessary database for the client, which is transmitted via secure communication channels;
• Print the UID number of the card chip or sequential numbering of any size, font and color according to CMYK and Pantone.

Smart card manufacturing and RFID card production​

Contactless smart cards are used as an electronic wallet, identifiers in access control systems and passage to premises, as universal tools in a loyalty program, and for authentication in information systems. RPC "Country of Cards" is a vendor of contactless RFID cards, starting from the manufacture of chip modules and ending with ready-made smart cards. Our own production site allows us to quickly produce multi-million copies of plastic smart cards with the highest quality according to ISO standards.

State-of-the-art high-tech equipment combined with many years of experience and qualified specialists allow us to produce any type of contactless smart cards with RFID tags, such as: transport cards, fuel cards for gas stations, social cards, payment cards, loyalty cards, access control cards, hotel cards, school cards, etc.

The quality of production is controlled by the quality control departments, so we guarantee the highest quality of RFID identifiers. But the parameters of radio frequency modules need to be selected for each specific task. We will help you take into account all the subtleties when ordering chips. That is why the Russian manufacturer "Country of Cards" invites you to familiarize yourself with all the data presented below. They will help you better understand the process of selecting modules and avoid mistakes in this case.

Let's consider the option of manufacturing a contactless microprocessor smart card of the Mifare Plus 2K standard​

Typically, special vending machines for electronic cards for public transport are used to issue RFID microprocessor smart cards of the Mifare standard within the framework of the implemented electronic fare payment system (EFPS) in route passenger transport.

Plastic smart card with RFID chip – personalized plastic card with MIFARE chip and graphic image application according to design layout. BSK is contactless plastic smart card with printing design and graphic marking according to design layout and NXP MIFARE Plus crystal.

Requirements for contactless microprocessor radio frequency smart cards of the NXP Mifare Plus X 2K or NXP Mifare Plus EV1 2K standard:

• A smart card is a contactless electronic plastic card (hereinafter referred to as BEPC) with printed design and graphic information . BEPC is a contactless electronic plastic smart card with printed design and graphic marking in accordance with the technical specifications and design layout.
• Mifare Plus cards contain a microcircuit with an increased level of protection with the following main characteristics:

- using the AES encryption algorithm for authentication and ensuring data integrity and confidentiality;
- EEPROM memory capacity of at least 2 Kbyte ;
- compatibility with chips using the Crypto1 encryption algorithm;
- compliance with Common Criteria certification requirements
of level EAL4+; - use of a contactless interface of the ISO 14443-3 standard;
- ISO 14443-3&4 exchange protocol
; - the memory is divided into 32 sectors of 4 blocks;
- authentication using several sectors and reading several memory blocks;
- the ability to configure access rights to each block;
- protection against connection breaks during recording of cryptographic AES keys;
- storing keys in each sector in the 2 x 48-bit format;
- storing keys in AES format;
- setting up access conditions;
- unique factory number of the 7 UID chip;
- ensuring data transfer speed in the entire range of 106/212/424/848 Kbit/s, using accelerated transactions due to a flexible file structure, support for “Multi” commands;
- checking the authenticity of the chip in the card – Originality check.
- support for the SL3 (Security Level 3) security level, the ability to calculate a signature and encrypt data, programmable access keys.

• The chip in the smart card must be at security level SL0.
• Operating temperature range: from -35°C to +50°C.
• The service life of smart cards (warranty period) subject to operating conditions, without mechanical damage, fractures, thermal, chemical or radiation damage is at least 5 years.
• The microcircuit (chip) in a contactless RFID card must be of increased strength, namely, industrially packaged; the use of industrial packaging methods is permitted, including the COB (chip on board) method.
• Unique UID numbers (no match between UID numbers of cards and UID numbers of cards already in circulation), while UID arrays are confidential.
• Offset printing of cards, printing color is 4+4 (CMYK).
• It is not permitted to apply variable data by indent printing, laser engraving or any other method that violates the surface integrity of the card.
• When producing cards, it is possible to use laminate with a certain texture (textured laminate or selective varnish). The type of required texture (such as "Silk" or "Gloss") is specified individually when sending a request for the supply of identifiers.
• The number must be clearly visible on the surface, remain intact throughout the entire service life of the carrier and be covered on top by a lamination layer of 30–50–80 microns.
• The color of the personalization of the number on smart cards and the corresponding barcode can be selected in accordance with the layout and brand book, and it can also be any color in the CMYK palette.
• The number must be located in the corresponding special window and not cross the boundaries of this window.
• The frame of the special window should be made with a special background image. It can be set in any shape, according to the requirements of the brand book and design. The background image of the window is unique for each card and changes using mathematical transformation methods.
• Providing an output file containing unique UID numbers and the RFID card number: programming (writing/encoding) smart cards according to the instructions using a special device – a programmer equipped with a slot for the SAM (Secure Access Module) module.
• Output control of all produced and programmed smart cards is performed : we check their functionality, reject them and, accordingly, re-manufacture the number of identifiers that were rejected. This guarantees that the customer will receive 100% functional programmed RFID cards.
• The protective coating of smart cards – a glossy laminate with a thickness of 30 – 50 – 80 microns – is applied over the constant and variable graphic information placed on the surface.
• As part of the quality control of the entire batch of manufactured microprocessor cards, the resonant frequency parameter of each unit is measured and the output control log is provided in electronic form in the following text format: "UID; resonant frequency of smart cards"
• The resonant frequency of smart cards with an RFID chip must be no less than 14.2 MHz and no more than 16 MHz. The resonant frequency of contactless cards is determined at the time of testing the BEPC samples and corresponds to the resonant frequency of the provided samples. The resonant frequency value of each sample must not differ by more than 0.2 MHz. The resonant frequency of the delivered batch of goods (each BEPC) is in the range of the resonant frequency of the provided samples, while the plastic RFID cards (each BEPC) must not differ by more than 0.2 MHz.
• The production of RFID cards in terms of ensuring a stable connection between the microcircuit and the antenna should be carried out using the thermocompression welding method. The use of solder or other compounds for connecting the module to the antenna is not allowed.
• When delivering cards with embedded integrated circuits (smart cards), the Supplier, if it has valid certificates of conformity for RFID cards with a chip from an authorized certification partner of the microcircuit manufacturer, which is the copyright holder of the contactless interaction technology, provides the Customer with certified copies of such certificates.
• The manufacturer confirms with certificates the compliance of the plastic used with sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic requirements for goods subject to sanitary-epidemiological supervision (control).
• The manufacturer provides valid certificates of conformity to ISO 7810 and ISO 14343 standards .
• The back side of a contactless smart card may contain: full name, color photo, numbering, QR code, barcode, social number, date of issue, cardholder's date of birth and other graphic personalization
• The microchip (contactless integrated circuit) of the RFID card must be original (analogues are allowed or not) and manufactured by the developer, copyright holder and owner of the trademark of MIFARE technology.
• The serial number of a contactless integrated circuit must have a 4-byte or 7-byte value that is unique within the territory of the Russian Federation.
• Usually, during the personalization process, confidential information on the client’s specifications is entered (recorded) into the memory of electronic smart cards.

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