The AT83C26 is the industry's first multiple analog smart card interface which can physically handle up to 5 smart cards. It powers the smart cards with the appropriate supply voltage and enables data transfer between the host controller and the smart cards. System designers can use a single chip to develop readers requiring multiple cards, thus reducing system size and cost. The AT83C26 is the ideal solution for Point of Sales (POS) Terminals that typically involve one user card and up to 4 SAM cards, and Health Card Readers that require 2 user cards and 1 SAM card.

The device can interface with any host controller featuring an ISO7816 UART such as Atmel ARM(R) 7, ARM9 and ARM SecurCore(TM) (AT91SO100). Featuring two DC/DC converters and low drop out regulators to power independently each smart card, the AT83C26 is compliant with the EMV and ISO7816 standards.

"It is clear that the need to handle multiple smart cards during various forms of secure transaction will become the norm in the future and the AT83C26 has already been adopted by a major POS manufacturer for its new applications," said Manish Vadher, Marketing Director for Microcontroller products with Atmel.

For evaluation and development, Atmel offers the AT89STK-09 starter kit that allows to quickly connect the AT83C26 to an existing application or to an ARM(R) demo board (SAM7).

Samples are available now in VQFP48 and QFN48 packages. Full production will start in January 2006 with pricing starting at $1.95 each for 10K units.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide the electronics industry with complete system solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, Everywhere You Are(R) and others, are the registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. ARM(R) and others are registered trademarks or are trademarks of ARM Limited. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of others.

    Information:
    Atmel's AT83C26 product information may be retrieved at:
    http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/product_card.asp?PN=AT83C26

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    Tel:  +33 2 40 18 18 87, Email:  Email Contact
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CONTACT: Philippe Faure, Marketing Communications Manager --
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Web site: http://www.atmel.com/