HID Global, NXP offer ultra-thin inlays for smart cards

BENGALURU: Texas headquartered secure identity solutions provider, HID Global has introduced an ultra-thin Polycarbonate (PC) ePrelaminate inlay for electronic ID (e-ID) cards. The company claims that the inlay is more than 30 percent thinner than existing alternatives. HID Global has partnered with NXP Semiconductor to incorporate secure microcontroller IC in new HID Global ultra-thin Polycarbonate (PC) ePrelaminate inlay solution.

The inlay uses a patented HID direct bonding platform technology that is available for high frequency (HF) systems. NXP Semiconductors is HID Global’s first qualified partner supplying IC chips for this product. HID Global’s new inlay takes advantage of its proven process of directly bonding chips to wire-embedded air-coil antennae for low-frequency animal ID and automotive applications, without the bulk of added modules.

The company has successfully leveraged its direct bonding technology for HF applications, enabling manufactures to develop the smallest HF formats available in the market while delivering uncompromised performance. By using this method in its new ultra-thin inlays, HID Global is providing smart cards with a durable and reliable connection between the card’s intelligence – the IC chip – and its antennae.

Commenting at the launch of the new inlay, Rob Haslam, Vice President of Government ID Solutions for HID Global, said, “This is representative of the strong collaboration between HID Global and NXP, who share the mutual goal of assuring the best inlay quality and reliability for secure, long-lasting smart cards.”

In addition, the thinner inlay offers e-ID and smart card manufacturers more flexibility in card construction. The narrow dimensions of HID Global’s ultra-thin inlays – 200 microns instead of the typical 350 microns – provide manufacturers with room to add more security features on both sides of an e-ID card during construction, while still complying with international ISO thickness standards.

“This is an important step in our shared goal of offering smart card manufacturers the thinnest, most durable, reliable and flexible inlay solutions possible for today’s space-restricted high-frequency smart card solutions,” said Ulrich Huewels, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Secure Identification Solutions, NXP Semiconductors. “Working with an innovative company like HID Global ensures our market leading secure microcontrollers are available in versatile form factors for use in a wide range of smart card applications.”

NXP Semiconductors successfully qualified its SmartMX2 P60D080 secure microcontroller IC for inclusion in HID Global’s new ultra-thin PC e-Prelaminate inlay that adapts well to the HID direct bonding technology. Additionally, the companies partnered to create a special Megabump design to elevate the benefits of the direct bonding process (patent pending) and offer customers a solution that can be applied to many ID card applications.