ABSTRACT
The work described in this paper was developed a system, which allows the use of smart cards as a contactless cards, without physical contact with any terminal. This system is composed of two blocks: a card control terminal and a special wallet, where you may put in the smart card when contactless operation is necessary. This wallet is powered by a solar cell array, when illuminated from a light source into the card control terminal. Contactless operations are especially suitable for quickly data transactions, hands-free operations and applications in high security areas. The system works as a bi-directional infrared data-interface between the smart card and the card control terminal. The operational range is of up to one meter, with an angular mismatch within emitter and receiver of ± 30° in both horizontal and vertical planes. The data rate is 9.6 Kbauds, although the data interface is able to work up to 115 Kbauds. The actual operational range is voluntary limited. We are developing new strategies to improve this limitation.
