introduction to contactless technologies

Introduction to Contactless Technologies

12th November 2007

Xavier Appé

Proximera, 12/11/07 2

Plan

�Introduction to Contactless applications

�The different Contactless protocols

�Protocol ISO 14443 Type A Description

�Protocol ISO 14443 Type B Description

�Contactless Tools at Gemalto


� Payment� Paypass� VSDC

� Transportation� Calypso

� Access� Gemalto Corporate Badges

Contactless Applications Some examples

� Three main features:� No contact with the validator� Fast transactions, generally below

500ms� Operates in short ranges


� ISO 14443 Type A� With Phillips proprietary encryption&authentication => Mifare

� ISO 14443 Type B� Same Block Transmission Protocol as Type A (ISO 14443-4) � Physical layer and initialization procedure (anticollision and selection)

are different from Type A

� ISO 14443 Type B’ or Innovatron� Same physical layer as Type B� Above layers are proprietary

� Felica from Sony (Proprietary) also called type C

� ISO 15693Use for RFID Tags

Contactless protocol standardsMost common protocol standards

ISO 14443 Division:

ISO 14443-2Physical Layer

ISO 14443-3Initialization and

Anticollision

ISO 14443-4BlockTransmissionProtocol


� Contactless Reader/validator� When switched-on, the contactless reader generates a Radio

Frequency (RF) field.� It starts polling for a contactless device by sending requests

(REQA,REQB,…) periodically.� If a correct answer is received, it executes an anticollision loop in order

to detect all devices in the field. Then it selects one of them and starts data communication.

� Contactless cards� The power is provided by the RF field� An RF antenna is connected to the card to retrieve this power.

� Contactless mobile phones� Specifications of the NFC Forum to address use cases related to a

contactless mobile phone environment� Antenna in on the mobile connected to a NFC chip, this NFC chip

forwards contactless data to the SIM card.

Contactless protocol standardsCommon Behavior

ISO 14443 Division:

ISO 14443-2Physical Layer

ISO 14443-3Initialization and

Anticollision

ISO 14443-4BlockTransmissionProtocol


ISO 14443 Type A protocol descriptionInitialization Flowchart

Application parameters (This data may change depending on the application in the card, example Paypass, VSDC, …)

• UID in ATQA

• Historical Bytes in ATS


ISO 14443 Type B protocol descriptionInitialization Flowchart

Application parameters

• PUPI in ATQB

•Application Data in ATQB


ISO 14443 Type A/B protocol descriptionContactless Data Communication

� Once the initialization and anticollision phases are over, the data communication begins

� RF Reader sends the first command (generally an APDU)� The APDU protocol is similar to the one of T=1 protocol

– Data is always included in response– No GetResponse()

� The protocol is Half Duplex, the RF does not reader send the next APDU before the card answers the previous one

� When the transaction is over, the RF reader sends an Halt or Deselect Command.

� All communication stops� The card then waits for a Wake-UP signal or a field exit.

� Risk of “tearing” or “field exit” before the end of the transaction is high. It is the role of the application to prevent corruption in those cases.


ISO 14443 Type A/B protocol descriptionContactless Data Communication Example


� GemProx PU

� Micropross MP 300 CL2

� Micropross Class 185

� Inside Reader

� Vivotech 3000/5000 for Paypass/Visa

Gemalto Contactless ToolsRF Readers


� GemProx Manager

� WinSPI

� MP300 Scope

� Inside MXStudio

Gemalto Contactless ToolReader Software (To manage reader, send APDU, run scr ipts…)


� Micropross ClassScope – RF Spy

� Oscilloscope

� SWP Spy with Xsmart Board

Gemalto Contactless ToolDebug Tools


� Timings too short

� Field power not strong enough

� Tearings leading to data corruption

Common problems with contactless devices


The End

Thank you

Questions?

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