Crocus Technology Develops Its First Secure Microcontroller Based on Novel Magnetic Logic Unit(TM)
The CT32MLU(TM) secure microcontrollers will bring smartcard makers new advantages in enhanced security and faster performance for mobile applications
Grenoble, France - Crocus Technology, a leading provider of secure microcontrollers for the mobile and security industry, announces today the development of CT32MLU(TM), the first in a category of SIM and secure element microcontrollers for mobile payments, access control, tag reading and other critical applications needing enhanced security and faster performance.
Nano-SIM format CT32MLU is based on Crocus' disruptive technology Magnetic Logic Unit (MLU) that will bring important new advantages to next-generation smartcard designs.
An MLU(TM) is a CMOS based rugged magnetic technology capable of offering advanced embedded security. Crocus' MLUs read and write ten times faster than Flash memory. It has a smaller footprint and is among the first SE microcontrollers offering 1.2 Mbyte of memory to meet the nano-SIM format, the new form factor that is 40 per cent smaller than the current micro-SIM format.
Together, these attributes bring significant advantages in performance, security and cost-effectiveness to makers of smartcards and other embedded memory products.
"CT32MLU breaks the barrier of traditional non-volatile memory that will provide smartcard makers with best-in-class secure element microcontrollers with a 20 to 30 per cent smaller footprint," said Alain Faburel, VP security business unit at Crocus Technology. "The CT32MLU product family is the culmination of Crocus' long-term investment in Magnetic Logic Unit, a performance-driven technology that is gaining attention. We are pleased to announce our first product development at CARTES Paris to global leaders in security, payment, ID and mobility and confirm our entry into the smartcard market."
CT32MLU1200, the lead product in the CT32MLU family, complies with the highest industry quality and security standards. EMVco and Common Criteria EAL5+ certification are in progress.
The fast read and write speeds it attains enables optimized personalization and over-the-air updates. These are important as the chips will be used in NFC-enabled smartphones that need to support many applications.
Availability
Crocus will first make the CT32MLU1200, a 1.2MByte SIM and Secure Element, available in both SIM and embedded form factors. The development kit is available from January 2013.
About Crocus Technology
Crocus Technology is a leading provider of secure microcontrollers for the mobile and security industry. The company develops Magnetic Logic Unit, a CMOS based rugged magnetic technology capable of offering advanced embedded security. Crocus' MLUs read and write faster than Flash memory and have a smaller footprint. This enables Crocus' MLUs to offer significant advantages in performance, security and cost-effectiveness, making them ideal for use in smartcards and other embedded memory products.
Crocus has already sampled engineering parts from its manufacturing supplier Towerjazz semiconductor and is entering the battery backed SRAM market. Crocus is also preparing its entry in the high-end smartcard market.
In 2011, Crocus achieved two milestones. First, a joint development agreement with IBM to further advance the MLU architecture that includes coverage of a comprehensive patent portfolio. Secondly Crocus and Rusnano formed a joint venture, Crocus Nano Electronics (CNE), to build and operate an advanced manufacturing facility for magnetic semiconductors. Founded in 2006, Crocus is led by a senior management team with high-level industry experience from Motorola, AMD, Intel and Gemalto. It has offices in Santa Clara, US, Grenoble and Gardanne, France. For more information, please visit: www.crocus-technology.com
Mark Tidmarsh
ANDREW LLOYD & ASSOCIATES
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