STMicroelectronics (ST) provides technology for implementing secure and convenient contactless transactions in popular wristbands and fashion products such as watches and jewelry. The SiP (System-in-Package) solution ST53G combines ST's industry-leading Near Field Communication (NFC) expertise with a secure payment chip.

As consumers become increasingly familiar with secure payments using smart devices, existing card manufacturers are looking to expand their business into contactless wearable products for applications such as payments, ticketing, and access control. However, implementation is challenging due to tight size constraints and cost limitations. This is because conventional NFC wireless chips and security chips have required additional space and complex designs when added separately. Additionally, due to the nature of wearable form factors, only small antennas can be used, which limits communication performance.

ST's new SiP-based ST53G addresses these issues by integrating a secure financial chip and enhanced compact NFC wireless functionality into a single small module of 4 x 4mm. With ST's boostedNFC, an industry-leading patented technology, wearable devices equipped with small antennas can provide an excellent user experience when interacting with card readers at distances beyond typical contactless range.

Thanks to the simplicity of this all-in-one module, card manufacturers can launch practical and attractive wearable products ranging from fashion items to disposable devices such as event wristbands. Additionally, ST provides an extensive development ecosystem including wireless tuning tools and pre-defined antenna configurations. The ST53G meets all card-related industry standards including EMVCo compliance and ISO/IEC-14443 NFC card emulation, as well as MIFARE ticketing specifications.

With the ST53G, ST configures various SoC (System-on-Chip) products and provides the ready-to-use STPay smart card operating system and, as an option, Visa/Mastercard/JCB-certified financial applications pre-loaded on secure microcontrollers.

Laurent Degauque, Senior Vice President of Marketing for ST's Secure Microcontroller Division, stated: "With our new chip module that enables secure payments on various wearables from disposable products to fashion items, consumers can experience more convenient and seamless financial and ticketing functionality. We are already working with customers to develop products based on the new ST53G and supporting market-friendly implementation cases."

In addition to wireless-tuning tools, ST simplifies development and reduces time-to-market by providing an SDK (Software Development Kit) platform, reference designs and expansion boards, and pre-authenticated services that enable card service implementation on various wearable device architectures.