ARM's foundry program target 32bit smart card IP

ARM has announced the launch of SecurCore, a foundry program focusing on 32bit smart card IP, with fabless design houses TMC and HED, and pure-play foundry HHNEC, as the first partners.

The initiative enables fabless design companies to license the ARM SecurCore SC100 processor technology, optimised for smart card and secure applications, and have their designs manufactured with the support of accredited foundries.

The project is an adaptation of ARM's established Processor Foundry Program, expanding the availability and supply of 32bit smart cards.

"We are seeing a strong demand from our partners, particularly in China, for ARM solutions targeting the next-generation 32bit smart card market," Jun Tan, president, ARM China, said in a statement. "Our partners are aggressively seeking significant design enhancements for their secure applications and we are now able to provide our partners around the world with IP targeted to the smart card industry."

According to market research group IMS Research, by 2010 more than 6oo crore smart cards will be in use worldwide with 50 per cent of those deployed in Asia, and around 350 crore will be sold each year. Fabless design companies signing up for the program gain access to the SecurCore design kit with manufacturing enabled through approved foundries. The model ensures the secure details of the design remain solely within the design company and allows innovation through lower barriers to entry.

- John Walko
EE Times Europe