RFID Device With 64-bit Embedded Cryptographic Engine

San Jose, California (ots/PRNewswire) -

- The only reliable way to protect against counterfeiters -
locking product authenticity in hardware

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today CryptoRF(R),
the world's first 13.56 MHz RFID devices with a 64-bit embedded
cryptographic engine, mutual authentication capability, and up to 16
individually configurable zones. These devices prevent product
counterfeiting; a problem assessed at over US$600 billion in seized
fakes in 2007. One of the most reliable ways to protect against
counterfeiters is to lock product authenticity in hardware. Atmel's
CryptoRF devices create unique "signatures" based on information
that is never transmitted or allowed to be accessed in any way.

CryptoRF product labels and tags are virtually impossible to copy.
These devices are ideal for applications that are 1) prone to
counterfeiting such as high value consumer items and software, 2)
require a permanent record of the chain of ownership such as
pharmaceutical tracking, or 3) represent cash transactions like bus
passes, loyalty or campus cards.

Secure Dynamic Mutual Authentication Capability. Conventional RFID
tags can be copied using a low cost RFID tag reader, the information
is then used to create phony tags for counterfeit products. In
contrast, CryptoRF devices have a 64-bit embedded hardware
cryptographic engine; with 64 Kbit keys that are completely
inaccessible. CryptoRF supports a mutual authentication protocol to
establish a trusted link between itself and a host reader. The
CryptoRF device and the host reader demonstrate knowledge of
respective non-readable secrets stored within them without actually
transmitting the secrets. A unique cryptogram is generated for each
transaction, so a cryptogram intercepted during a transaction cannot
be used to effect a second transaction. The likelihood of a "fake"
device creating the appropriate cryptogram is about one in a
quintillion. Each CryptoRF device has its own set of authentication
keys therefore every device is unique. Fuse bits are blown to
permanently lock the security information within the device.

Chain of Ownership Tracking. A complete history of a product's
ownership, distribution, and disposition can be contained on a single
device. CryptoRF devices are available with densities from 1-Kbit to
64-Kbits of user memory to accommodate a wide range of information
storage. The user memory itself may be divided into as many as 16
separate zones, each of which can be customized to allow different
levels of read and write access, including read and write, read-only,
one-time-programmable or requires authentication.

ISO14443-B Standard. Atmel's CryptoRF devices integrate a 13.56
MHz RF interface with a range up to 10 cm.

Development Tools. Atmel offers a comprehensive range of CryptoRF
reference designs, libraries, demonstration kits and application
software that simplifies the implementation of CryptoRF into existing
products.

Availability and Pricing

CryptoRF devices are now available. Pricing for the CryptoRF
devices starts at US$0.75 in quantities of 25,000 units.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2007 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo
and combinations thereof, CryptoRF(R) and others, are registered
trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and
product names may be trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's CryptoRF product information may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/products/SecureMem/

Press Contacts:
Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager
Phone: +1-719-540-1723, Email: sharnisch@cso.atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
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Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager, +1-719-540-1723,
sharnisch@cso.atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos, Public Relations,
+1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel Corporation