ACR128 Dual Interface Smart Card Reader
1.0 Introduction
The ACR128 is a powerful and efficient dual interface smart card reader which can be used to access
ISO 7816 MCU cards and Mifare, ISO14443 Type A and B Contactless Cards. It makes use of the Microsoft
CCID class driver and USB interface to connect to a PC and accept card commands from the computer
application.
The ACR128 acts as the intermediary device between the PC and the Card where a command issued
from the PC will be carried out by the reader, specifically, to communicate with the contactless tag, MCU
card, SAM card, or the device peripherals (LED or buzzer). It has three interfaces namely the SAM, ICC
and PICC interfaces and all these three interfaces follow the PC/SC specifications. The contact interface
makes use of the APDU commands as defined in ISO7816 specifications. For contact card operations, refer
to the related card documentation and the PC/SC specifications. This API document will discuss in detail
how the PCSC APDU commands were implemented for the device peripherals and the Contactless
Interface of ACR128.
1.1 Features
The ACR128 has the following features:
•
A standard ICC landing type card acceptor is used to allow the user to perform more R/W
operations with the contact card.
•
A SAM socket is provided for highly secure applications.
•
A built-in antenna is provided for PICC applications.
•
User-Controllable Peripherals such as LED and Buzzer are implemented for total device
control.
•
The device is PCSC Compliant for three interfaces namely Contact, Contactless, and SAM
Interface.
•
The device makes use of the Microsoft CCID class driver framework for trouble-free
installation.
•
It makes use of USB V2.0 Interface (12 Mbps).
•
It is firmware upgradeable through the RS232 interface with a special cable.
•
It has intelligent support for Hybrid Cards and Combi-Cards and can detect the PICC even
if it is inserted into the contact slot.
•
It is ISO 7816 Parts 1-4 Compliant for Contact Smart Card Interface.
•
It is ISO 14443 Parts 1-4 Compliant for Contactless Smart Card Interface.
•
It uses the T=CL emulation for MiFare 1K/4K PICCs
•
Multi-block transfer mode is provided for efficient PICC access.
•
It supports high communication speed for PICCs that can reach a maximum speed of 848
kbps for DESFire.
•
It implements an energy saving mode whereby the antenna field is turned off whenever no
PICC is found, or the PICC is inactive to prevent the PICC from being exposed to the field
all the time.
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ACR128 API
Version 1.7 May 2008
