Smart card- an integrated circuit containing data deeply embedded in a plastic card

A smart card is also known as a chip card. A smart card is a card made of plastic or poly vinyl chloride that contains a deeply embedded micro processor or an integrated circuit (IC). So, a smart card is also called a Integrated Circuit card. This smart card is a pocket size card that fits easily in a man’s wallet.

Categories of Smart cards-

Smart cards can be divided into Contact Smart Cards and Contactless Smart Cards.

Contact Smart Card-

A gold plated contact area measuring about 1 square centimeter is the contact pad in a Contact Smart Card. A reader, that works as a communication medium between the host and the Smart card, supplies power to the card when comes into contact with the Smart card’s contact pad. The contact pads provide electrical connectivity when it comes in contact with a reader. The reader reads and communicates the data stored in the microprocessor to the host machine such as a computer, a terminal or a smart phone.

Contactless Smart Cards-

A contactless smart card need not come into contact with the reader to generate information. This card is powered by RF (Radio- Frequency) Induction Technology and the card communicates also through this same technology. This contactless smart cards need to come in the range of an antenna to procure power and communicate. The contactless smart cards use some inductors to capture incident radio frequency interrogation signals.

Hybrid Smart Cards-

Hybrid smart cards are combination of both contact and contactless smart cards. These cards have data storage units of both modules on a single card. It implements both contact and contactless interfaces on a single card.

Uses of Smart Cards

Smart cards have proved to be useful in many ways.

1. Financial Transactions-

The most common uses of smart cards are as ATM cards, Credit or Debit Cards. These cards authorizes the user to make payments for various purposes and transfer the transacted amount directly from the payer’s to the receiver’s bank account. This bank transaction is instant instead of other instruments of bank transaction such as cheques etc which may take number of days to complete the transaction. These smart cards also function like Electronic wallets where the smart card chip is loaded with funds to make payments at desired points.

2. Subscriber Identity Modules-

This is otherwise known as SIM Cards, inserted and used in cellular phones or mobile phone systems.

3. Identification services-

Smart cards are used for identity authentication. This card stores encrypted digital certificate issued from public key infrastructure with complete relevant information for identification. This is of extreme importance in places of highest possible security.

4. Transit Passes-

Smart cards are now frequently and commonly used as transit passes in public transportation systems. It is a popular alternative of ticketing systems used by public transport operators.

5 Cyber Security-

Smart cards are used as security tokens for computer security. Smart cards are also used for "single sign on to log on" to computers.

6 Education and Health care-

Smart cards are effective tools to track student’s activities in their educational institutions. Smart cards also stores complete information of a patient with absolute privacy.

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