ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is the second generation of ACS’s ACR128 DualBoost Reader. It is a dual interface reader that can access any contact and contactless smart cards following the ISO 7816 and ISO 14443 standards. ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II enables one to integrate conventionally separate and independent applications for contact and contactless technologies into one device and one card. It can be used for online transactions to settle payments securely using credit cards, and it can also be used for topping up contactless cards in automated fare collection systems. It provides the perfect complement to the all-in-one card concept that combines many kinds of smart card applications in just a single card.

The DualBoost Series has PC/SC compliance for both contact and contactless interfaces. It makes use of high-speed communication for contactless cards at a maximum of 848 kbps, which makes it suitable for highly demanding applications. It also provides intelligent support for hybrid and combi cards, such that it detects a contactless card even that has been incorrectly placed in the contact card slot. Lastly, the DualBoost has a built-in SAM slot for added security in both contact and contactless applications.

With additional features such as USB firmware upgradability, contact memory card support and extended APDU support, ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is a highly cost-effective, powerful all-in-one device that offers convenience and flexibility to many smart card applications.

PC-Linked USB Single Contact Card Slot Contactless Reader SAM Slot(s) Firmware Upgradeable
  • USB 2.0 Full Speed Interface
  • CCID Compliance
  • Contactless Smart Card Reader:
    • Read/write speed of up to 848 kbps
    • Built-in antenna for contactless tag access, with card reading distance of up to 50 mm (depending on tag type)
    • Supports ISO 14443 Part 4 Type A and B cards and MIFARE® series
    • Built-in anti-collision feature (only one tag is accessed at any time)
    • Supports extended APDU (max. 64 kbytes)
  • Contact Smart Card Reader:
    • Supports ISO 7816 Class A, B and C (5 V, 3V and 1.8 V)
    • Supports CAC (Common Access Card)    
    • Supports PIV (Personal Identity Verification Card)   
    • Supports microprocessor cards with T=0 or T=1 protocol
    • Supports memory cards
    • ISO 7816-compliant SAM slot
  • Application Programming Interface:
    • Supports PC/SC
    • Supports CT-API (through wrapper on top of PC/SC)
  • Built-in Peripherals:
    • Two user-controllable LEDs
    • User-controllable buzzer
  • USB Firmware Upgradability
Physical Characteristics
Dimensions (mm) 120.5 mm (L) x 72.0 mm (W) x 20.4 mm (H)
Weight (g) 140 g
USB Interface
Protocol USB CCID
Connector Type Standard Type A
Power Source From USB port
Speed USB Full Speed (12 Mbps)
Cable Length 2.0 m, Fixed
Contact Smart Card Interface
Number of Slots 1 Full-sized Card Slot
Standard ISO 7816 Class A, B, C (5 V, 3 V, 1.8 V)
Protocol T=0; T=1
Contactless Smart Card Interface
Standard ISO 14443 A & B Parts 1-4
Protocol ISO 14443-4 Compliant Card, T=CL
MIFARE® Classic Card, T=CL
SAM Card Interface
Number of Slots 1 Standard SIM-sized Card Slot
Standard ISO 7816 Class A (5 V)
Protocol T=0; T=1
Built-in Peripherals
LED 2 single-color: Red and Green
Buzzer Monotone
Other Features
Firmware Upgrade Supported
Certifications/Compliance
Certifications/Compliance ISO 14443
ISO 7816
USB Full Speed
PC/SC
CCID
Microsoft® WHQL
CE
FCC
RoHS
REACH
Device Driver Operating System Support
Device Driver Operating System Support Windows®
Linux®
MAC OS®
Solaris
Android™
Drivers for ACR1281U-C1
USB Interface OS Support
MSI Installer for PC/SC Driver  5.60 MB
Version 4.3.0.0
02-May-2019
Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11, Windows® Server 2003, Windows® Server 2008, Windows® Server 2008 R2, Windows® Server 2012, Windows® Server 2012 R2, Windows® Server 2016 R2
PC/SC Driver Installer  258.98 KB
Version 1.1.8.3
22-Feb-2022
Mac OS® X 10.6 or above
Android EVK  1.56 MB
Version 1.1.6
18-Jan-2024
Android™ 3.1 or above
MSI Installer for PC/SC Driver  5 MB
Version 4.0.6.0
14-Nov-2014
Windows® 7 (for users who did not install required Microsoft Windows Updates and get driver signature error (Code 52))
PC/SC Drivers  1.05 MB
Version 4.3.0.0
02-May-2019
Windows® XP, Windows® Vista, Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Windows® 11, Windows® Server 2003, Windows® Server 2008, Windows® Server 2008 R2, Windows® Server 2012, Windows® Server 2012 R2, Windows® Server 2016 R2
PC/SC Driver Package  3.04 MB
Version 1.1.8
10-Jan-2020
Linux ®
PC/SC Drivers  458 KB
Version 1.1.8
06-Jan-2020
Linux®, Mac OS® X
CT-API Library  2.04 MB
Version 1.0.1.1
23-Jan-2017
Windows® XP, Windows® Server 2003, Windows® Vista, Windows® Server 2008, Windows® Server 2008 R2, Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows 8.1, Windows® Server 2012, Windows® Server 2012 R2, Windows® 10, Windows® 11
CT-API Library  261 KB
Version 1.0.1
23-Jan-2017
Linux®, Mac OS® X 10.5, Mac OS® X10.6, Mac OS® X10.7, Mac OS® X10.8, Mac OS® X10.9



Manuals & Datasheets for ACR1281U-C1
Product Presentation

Product Presentation of ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II Dual Interface Smart Card Reader

Technical Specification

Technical Specification of ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II Dual Interface Smart Card Reader

Application Programming Interface

API Driver Manual of ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II Dual Interface Smart Card Reader