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Section 1 : General Information
Section 2 : Application feasibility
Section 3 : OS support and drivers
Section 4 : Flash memory
Section 5 : Smart card reader
Section 6: Overall Performance
What are the PC-Linked Reader with Mass Storage that ACS offers?
ACS gives you the ACR100 SIMFlash, a SIM-sized smart card reader and a flash drive into a compact USB token. It is available in two versions – the CCID and HID versions – that both come with 1-GB flash memory.
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What are the differences between the ACR100 SIMFlash (CCID) and ACR100 SIMFlash (HID)?
The main difference between these two versions is, obviously, that their plug and play feature is delivered differently – one complies with CCID and the other has HID support. Aside from that, the CCID version supports both memory and MCU cards while the HID version supports only MCU cards.
Users who do not want to worry about driver installation issues are advised to use the HID version, as HID is already pre-installed in most operating systems. On the other hand, the CCID version is for those who opt to have a plug and play feature especially designed for smart card readers, as the USB CCID class driver is based on the PC/SC platform. Please read Section 3 of this document to know more about CCID and HID. Also see table below for further information on the similarities and differences of the two ACR100 SIMFlash versions:
| ACR100 SIMFLASH |
CCID version
|
HID version
|
| Flash Memory |
| 128MB – 4GB |
 |
|
| Flash Memory Partition |
|
|
| Interface |
| USB 1.1 (12 Mbps) |
(Reader) |
(Reader) |
| USB 2.0 (480 Mbps) |
(Flash Memory) |
(Flash Memory) |
| Supported (SIM-sized) Smart Cards |
| ISO 7816-1/2/3, T=0, T=1 |
|
|
| Memory cards |
|
|
| 5 V, 3 V and 1.8 V MCU cards |
|
|
| Spec 11.11-compliant GSM cards |
|
|
| Compliance, Certification & OS Supported |
| PC/SC |
|
|
| CCID |
|
|
| HID |
|
|
| Windows 2000, XP and Vista |
|
|
| Recommended For |
Memory card users and those who would like to have formal compliance with the USB CCID standard |
Users who know little about PC operations (e.g. typical end-users/customers) as they can enjoy plug and play mobility even without Internet connection |
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Why do I need the ACR100 SIMFlash instead of a simple SIM-sized smart card reader?
More than just a SIM-sized smart card reader, the ACR100 SIMFlash’s flash drive feature allows you to further extend the capabilities of your application, be it for GSM solutions, e-commerce, banking, computer/network security and data/application storage. With various options for partitioning the flash drive, the ACR100 SIMFlash enhances security and flexibility in storing different kinds of software or applications, such as an instant messenger, a PC log-on application or other corporate/government software, wherein the user needs to plug in a valid SIM-sized smart card into the device in order to log in and run certain programs.
The ACR100 SIMFlash works as your companion that allows you to carry more files wherever you go. You can retrieve and edit documents, view transaction histories, and run applications directly from the USB token as long as there is a computer around. Furthermore, you can utilize your smart card to secure confidential files – you can cut out a partition as a protected area, which can only be accessed after smart card authentication, from the flash memory.
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How is the ACR100 SIMFlash used in GSM applications?
The ACR100 SIMFlash supports GSM cards compliant with Spec 11.11 (for plug-in SIM-sized cards). It can be used not only to organize phonebook entries and SMS messages, but also to communicate via VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Simply store Internet telephony software in the flash memory, and then activate it by inserting your GSM card into the card slot.
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Can I implement PKI or other very high-level security applications (such as DES, 3DES, MAC, AES-128, RSA-512, RSA-1024, RSA-2048, secure messaging, customizable PIN and key codes) using the ACR100?
Yes, this can be done through smart card programming with ACS advanced smart cards (ACOS cards). Please contact us for details via email at info@acs.com.hk.
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Can any smart card application access the ACR100 SIMFlash?
Yes, if your system has PC/SC support and if the application is based on PC/SC.
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What programming languages can access the ACR100 SIMFlash?
Any language that can access dynamic libraries (DLL) can control the ACR100 SIMFlash. PC/SC also has its own DLLs that can access the device. Some of these languages are MS Visual Basic, Visual C++, VB.NET, C#, and Borland Delphi.
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What kind of support is available in terms of application development?
ACS provides comprehensive sample codes that demonstrate various commands used to interact with the reader and smart card. Demo programs, as well as additional utility software, are also provided to make application development as easy as possible. All these are available in the SDK CD-ROM. Technical support is also available via email at info@acs.com.hk.
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What operating systems does ACR100 SIMFlash support?
| |
ACR100 (CCID) |
ACR100 (HID) |
| Microsoft Windows |
| Windows Vista |
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| Windows XP |
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| Windows 2000 |
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What is PC/SC?
PC/SC (Personal Computer/Smart Card) is a specification for the communication between personal computers and smart cards. It offers interoperability of products from different vendors by defining an API (Application Programming Interface) for managing smart card readers and communicating with readers and cards.
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What is CCID?
The USB CCID (Chip/Smart Card Interface Devices) specification defines a standard communication protocol for PC/SC smart card readers that connect to a computer via USB, allowing the same host-side driver to communicate with any CCID-compliant smart card reader. This approach to smart card reader communication brings simplified plug and play experience to users.
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Do I need to install any drivers for ACR100 SIMFlash (CCID version)?
For Windows Vista, the Microsoft CCID driver is already pre-installed in the Windows package, so there is no need to install any drivers.
For Windows XP and 2000, there may be a need for driver installation, depending on your Windows package. However, no explicit user action is needed. You just need to sit and wait for a few moments for Microsoft Windows Update to install the driver automatically upon plugging in your ACR100 SIMFlash to the PC for the first time.
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What if Windows Update is not available when I’d be using the CCID version for the first time?
In case Windows Update is not available, please download (or have someone to download) the driver from the ACS website: http://www.acs.com.hk/download.php. Please note that this driver should be used only when the MS CCID driver cannot be installed for some reason.
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What is HID?
From the name itself, a human interface device or HID is a type of computer peripheral that directly communicates with humans, either by taking input from or delivering output to them.
The term "HID" usually refers to the USB HID class, a USB device class that describes HIDs such as computer mice and keyboards. HID support for the ACR100 SIMFlash brings the same plug and play convenience as when you use a mouse or a keyboard that do not require any special driver for most operating systems.
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Do I need to install any drivers for ACR100 SIMFlash (HID version)?
The HID driver is already pre-installed in Windows XP, 2K and Vista that is why there is no need for any driver installation.
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How can I check if my smart card service is running?
The Smart Card Resource Manager is the central program that implements the PC/SC platform. It is built into Windows 2000, XP and Vista and has to be installed in other Microsoft operating systems. It has to be up and running in order to successfully run smart card applications based on the PC/SC platform. Normally, this program is already activated by default in the mentioned OSes. However, if you encounter any problems with a smart card reader (the ACR100 SIMFlash, for example), check or activate your PC’s smart card service first by performing the following steps:
- Go to Control Panel
- Open Administrative Tools
- Open Services
- Open Smart Card Services
- Then set it to Start Automatically
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What is the maximum number of flash memory partitions and what are the possible partitioning combinations for the ACR100 SIMFlash?
The flash memory can be partitioned into up to three drives/areas. You can have combinations among private/security, public and CD-ROM/auto-run, and hidden partitions to make up these drives. Please see table below for a detailed reference on the 8 disk partition options.
| Disk Partition Options |
Area 1 |
Area 2 |
Hidden Area |
Notes |
| 1 |
Public 1 |
|
Upon request |
|
| 2 |
Public 1 |
Public 2 |
Upon request |
|
| 3 |
Public 1 Security |
|
Upon request |
•Key required to turn on Security Partition
•Public 1 is accessible after logout from security area.
|
| 4 |
Public 1 Security |
Public 2 |
Upon request |
•Key required to turn on Security Partition
•Public 1 is accessible after logout from security area.
|
| 5 |
Public 1 |
CD-ROM |
Upon request |
|
| 6 |
Public 1 Security |
CD-ROM |
Upon request |
•Key required to turn on Security Partition
•Public 1 is accessible after logout from security area.
|
| 7 |
CR-ROM Security |
|
Upon request |
•Key required to turn on Security Partition
•CD-ROM is accessible after logout from security area.
|
| 8 |
CD-ROM |
Security |
Upon request |
•Key required to turn on Security Partition
|
Note:
- There are 3 possible areas in the flash memory. The customization of these areas is restricted to the specifications in the above table.
- Public and Security/Private partitions or CD-ROM and Security/Private partitions may share a single drive, and the end-user sees only a single drive at any instance.
- The CD-ROM area, if present, is shown as a separate drive.
- If hidden area is needed, flash memory size must be at least 128 MB.
- Hidden area R/W speed: 2 Mbps/0.2 Mbps
- ACS may give disk partition tool to customer after signing NDA and be the one to partition the drive.
- However, it is ADVISABLE to have ACS do the partitioning. For CD-ROM partition, customer must provide necessary file/s to ACS for production purposes.
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Can I request for other flash memory sizes?
You may do so. The available sizes are from 128 MB to 4 GB.
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Why is the actual memory size less than the indicated size?
This is a normal scenario. The missing memory slots are taken up by NAND flash internal configuration.
Here are the actual sizes of some standard flash memory sizes:
512MB: >= 480MB
1 GB : >= 960MB
2 GB : >= 1.8GB
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What should be noted during smart card insertion?
Make sure that the chip side of the card is facing down during insertion.
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How long will the smart card connector in the ACR100 SIMFlash last?
The connector is guaranteed up to a minimum of 100K insertion cycles.
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Where can I get an updated list of card types supported by ACR100 SIMFlash?
The card types supported are indicated in their respective product manuals, available for download from http://www.acs.com.hk/download.php.
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Given a smart card, how can I determine under which type it belongs to?
There is no way to distinguish among memory card types. However, you can tell if a card is an MCU card if you get a valid ATR string upon card reset.
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What is the read/write speed of the ACR100 SIMFlash?
Up to 9/3 Mbps.
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Can the speed/performance of the ACR100 SIMFlash be enhanced?
Yes. Higher speed is available upon request. Please contact us for details via email at info@acs.com.hk.
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