April 5, 2012, Seoul — STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM), a global semiconductor company for various electronic device applications, has unveiled its second-generation Near Field Communications (NFC) controller. This latest IC combines with ST’s extensive Secure Element portfolio to provide contactless applications and new services through next-generation smartphones.

NFC wirelessly connects smartphones and other portable devices with various contactless cards and devices. The major sector where this technology is expected to be applied soon is mobile payments. Juniper Research forecasts that transactions using NFC will exceed $30 billion globally in 2012. By supporting terminal, peer-to-peer, and card emulation modes, NFC can be used to deliver innovative value-added services and personalized marketing messages to customers' smartphones.
ST's latest NFC controller IC, the ST21NFCA, supports all NFC applications and can coordinate multiple NFC security applications stored in secure locations, such as SWP SIM cards, SWP micro SD cards, or embedded secure elements. The NFC software running on the terminal host supports all versions of Google Android, including the latest Ice Cream Sandwich operating system (OS), and will also support the upcoming Microsoft® Windows 8 OS. The new controller is compatible with various ST security elements.

Laurent Degauque, General Manager of Embedded Security at STMicroelectronics’ Security Microcontrollers business unit, stated, “ST’s complete NFC portfolio provides the technical solution for all NFC business models. Customers can integrate selected applications into smartphones or any portable device and easily and quickly support innovative contactless services for end users.”
ST’s security element product family is based on the Secure ARM® SC300 32-bit core, allows customers to select embedded flash sizes within a wide range from 512 kilobytes to 1.2 megabytes, and has received the latest EMVCo and Common Criteria EAL5+ security certifications. This performance meets today’s most innovative Java Card 3.0.1 and Global Platform GP2.2 security operating systems, which enable access to the security element through various service providers.
These security element ICs are used in all forms of package solutions, including SWP SIM cards, SWP microSDs, and embedded security elements combined with NFC controllers.

STMicroelectronics' security component portfolio offers optional support for MIFARE Classic™ and MIFARE DESFire™ technologies, enabling secure use of the world's most widely used transportation and ticketing programs.

The ST21NFCA controller, combined with the ST33 product family, minimizes development effort, shortens time-to-market, and provides the capability to meet the future requirements of the ever-evolving NFC market. It satisfies all NFC use cases as well as the demands of handset manufacturers and mobile network operators.
All products mentioned in this press release are currently in mass production. ST21NFCA is available in various package options, including 4.5 x 4.5mm BGA64 or 5 x 5mm QFN32. Packages with custom systems featuring built-in security elements are also available for special order.