We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Hardware

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Different Types of Integrated Circuit Cards?

By L.S. Ware
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 9,897
Share

Integrated circuit cards (ICCs), commonly known as smart cards, are a part of numerous electronic devices, mobile devices, credit cards and the like. The many types of integrated circuit cards fit into two main categories: memory cards and microprocessor cards. Smart cards are utilized in numerous fields and applications throughout the world. They help to provide identification and allow for the storage of data.

A memory card merely stores data, though it might contain some specific security logic. Read-only memory, random access memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable memory and electronically erasable programmable memory are the most often used memory types for integrated circuit cards. Memory cards are divided into three primary types. Straight memory cards are the oldest variation and cannot process data — they can only store it. The addition of built-in security logic creates the protected memory card, and the stored value memory card allows for reading and writing of the date, making the cards rechargeable.

Microprocessor cards not only store data, they also interact and transact. A microprocessor ICC allows for improved cryptographic security and expanded usability. This creates the possibility for multi-functionality and features such as the ability to update the data that is stored on the card.

Memory cards and microprocessor cards are then broken into the two primary types known as contact and contactless. Various combinations of memory, microprocessor, contact and contactless create many additional types of integrated circuit cards. Some examples are hybrid cards, dual-interface cards and multi-component cards.

Mobile phones worldwide make use of a memory only smart card known as a universal integrated circuit card (UICC) or its predecessor, the subscriber identification module (SIM). Smart cards also are used in security settings to facilitate single sign-on (SSO). Microprocessor cards are found in many areas of use, including credit cards, phone cards, access badges and identification cards.

Contact smart cards are integrated circuit cards governed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards ISO 7810 and ISO 7816. The contact card is the most common example of an integrated circuit card, partially because of its usage in prepaid telephone cards. Payment cards are most often contact cards, though some are both contact and contactless.

Proximity cards, as contactless integrated circuit cards that are governed by ISO 14443 are more widely known, are another type of smart card. The proximity card works by transmitting and receiving radio frequencies when in range of an antenna and reader. Examples of this include cards used at automatic tollbooths and automatic security gates.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-are-the-different-types-of-integrated-circuit-cards.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.