NFC Slave Element Coupled to Secure Master for Fast Transactions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC devices integrated into smartcards or SIM cards often lack the necessary interfaces for fast communication and power supply, making it difficult to execute transactions within the short time frame required for contactless transactions, and may not provide a high enough security level.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that include a slave element coupled to a communication component via a first interface for fast data exchange, and to a secure master element via a second interface, allowing the master element to control and secure transactions, with the option to power the slave element using an external radio frequency field, and providing a higher security level through a more tamper-resistant architecture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the master element is integrated into a smartcard or SIM card without specialized interfaces, then the device can use existing security architecture, but the communication speed between the secure element and NFC controller becomes insufficient for timely transaction execution
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two functional segments: a slave element integrated into the smartcard/SIM card that provides security functions, and a separate NFC controller that handles communication. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the slave element uses existing secure architecture while the NFC controller provides fast communication interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication interface acts as an intermediary between the slave element in the smartcard and the NFC controller. This interface enables fast data exchange between the secure element and the communication component, resolving the bottleneck in transaction execution time.
2Ease of manufacture
If the master element is integrated into a smartcard without dedicated power supply interface, then the device can leverage existing card architecture, but the slave element cannot be powered by external radio frequency field
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is segmented from the communication function. The NFC controller handles both communication and power management through its dedicated interface, while the slave element in the smartcard focuses on security functions. This allows the slave element to be powered externally without requiring changes to the smartcard architecture itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC controller serves as an intermediary that provides power supply capability to the slave element through its dedicated interface. This intermediary component enables the slave element to be powered by external radio frequency fields without requiring the smartcard to have dedicated power supply infrastructure.
3Productivity
If a fast communication interface is implemented between slave element and NFC controller, then transaction execution time is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to specialized interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system architecture is segmented to place the complex fast communication interface between the NFC controller and slave element, isolating this complexity from the rest of the device. The smartcard/SIM card integration remains simple using standard interfaces, while the NFC subsystem handles the high-speed communication requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables secure and efficient execution of transactions by ensuring fast communication and secure data exchange, even in devices without specialized interfaces, while maintaining a high security level by leveraging the secure architecture of the master element.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic loop antenna operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz
Implementation Method 2
the NFC controller can be powered by means of the radio frequency field generated by the terminal
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (101) comprising a communication component (103) for contactless short range communication with a terminal (102) and a slave element (107) being adapted to execute at least one application for executing transactions between the communication component (103) and the terminal (102), The slave element (107) is coupled to the communication component (103) via a first interface and the slave element (107) can be coupled to a secure master element (108) via a second interface (113), the master element (108) being adapted to control the slave element (107) before a transaction is executed using the application. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for short range communication.