HID unveils iCLASS™ 13.56 MHz contactless technology
01 December, 2002
category: Biometrics, Contactless, Library
HID Corporation, for years known worldwide for its’ 125kHz proximity technology, took a major technological leap this year when the company announced iCLASS. Based on a 13.56 MHz read/write contactless smart card technology, iCLASS can store biometric templates and useful data, and enables new applications to be implemented at any time without issuing new credentials.
The iCLASS card and reader line sports two significant departures from the defacto standard in proximity access control, which offers read only tokens on a 125 kHz frequency. iCLASS offers read/write capability and support for multiple ISO standard frequencies.
iCLASS contactless smart card technology allows HID to capitalize on an install base of 150 million cards, while offering current and prospective customers unique features that enhance traditional RFID technology.
These features include:
- Cryptographic data storage
- Mutual authentication
- Secure reading & writing of data
- User definable access keys
From the buzz at this year’s ISC West and CardTech/SecurTech, HID seems to have struck a nerve. The iCLASS line is one of the first field-deployed examples of a multistandard contactless chip. Standards supported are:
- 15693 – read/write; range is from 6.3cm–11.4cm (2.5″–4.5″) (read/write) to 5.0cm–7.6cm (2″–3″) (read-only)
- 14443A – read only; mifare (serial number); range is read-only up to 10cm
- 14443B2 – read/write; B1 is read-only up to 10cm, B2 range is read/write up to 10cm
HID also offers a second antenna option that provides support for 125kHz proximity on the same card or token in order for existing installations to plan a migration from the old to the new offerings. These offerings can reside alongside other ID technologies including contact chip.