STMicroelectronics, multinational electronics and semiconductor manufacturer, and Fidesmo, the contactless-services developer, have created a turnkey active solution for secure contactless payments on smart watches and other wearable technology. ST Microelectronics is partner of the Innovation World Cup Series and the winners of this year´s IOT/WT Innovation World Cup® will be announced at the WT | Wearable Technologies Conference Europe on February 5th.
The complete payment system-on-chip (SoC) is based on ST’s STPay-Boost IC, which combines a hardware secure element to protect transactions and a contactless controller featuring proprietary active-boost technology that maintains reliable NFC connections even in devices made with metallic materials. Its single-chip footprint fits easily within wearable form factors.
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“STPay-Boost, featuring our secure element and performance-boosting active contactless technology, is a unique single-chip payment solution that fits the design constraints of wearable devices,” said Laurent Degauque, Marketing Director, Secure Microcontroller Division, STMicroelectronics. “Fidesmo’s personalization platform provides the vital ingredient to create a turnkey payment solution that device makers can simply take and use with minimal engineering and certification effort.”
The new partnership allows manufacturers to use STMicroelectronics’ STPay-Boost-F to offer payment features to all types of wearables, from smartwatches to pieces of jewelry for example, the Smart Baraka that recently got attention for its implementation of their SensorTile.
- STPay-Boost IC combines hardware secure element with proprietary NFC-boost technology for superior contactless performance
- Fidesmo OTA personalization/tokenization platform completes the solution as a turnkey payment system-on-chip
- Compact single-chip form factor ideal for smart watches, wristbands, connected jewelry: confirmed by Swedish hybrid smart-watch maker Kronaby
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To be able to offer a turnkey solution, ST and Fidesmo had to work closely together. Although, the STPay-Boost hardware and software already meet the security requirements from card issuers, the company also had to implement the necessary features that allow the TSM to integrate its various security schemes. For example, they worked on the creation of secondary security domains, which enables the creation of secure channels to segregate the data and systems that interact with the System-on-Chip, reports ST blog.
“Our cooperation with STMicroelectronics opens up a new market for us with support for lightweight boosted secure elements, and broadens choices for our customers,” said Mattias Eld, CEO of Fidesmo. “Together, we have created a unique offering that is sure to impact the hybrid watch market and drive the emergence of innovative new products such as wristbands, bracelets, key fobs, and connected jewelry.”
