Overview

The ACS Smart Card Reader ACR30 is an interface for the communication between a computer (for example, a PC) and a smart card. Different types of smart cards have different commands and different communication protocols. This prevents in most cases the direct communication between a smart card and a computer.

The ACR30 Reader establishes a uniform interface from the computer to the smart card for a wide variety of cards. By taking care of the card specific particulars, it releases the computer software programmer of getting involved with the technical details of the smart card operation, which are in many cases not relevant for the implementation of a smart card system.

The ACR30 Smart Card Reader/Writer is connected to the computer through a serial asynchronous interface (RS-232) or USB interface. The reader accepts commands from the computer, carries out the specified function at the smart card and returns the requested data or status information. The ACR30 is a compact, very cost-effective, single chip reader which supports all MCUbased cards with T=0 or T=1 protocols as well as the popular memory cards in the market today. It is ISO 7816-1/2/3 compliant, EMV and Microsoft PC/SC certified, and supports all major PC platforms.