What Is a CPU Card?

In general terms, a CPU card chip means that the chip contains a microprocessor, which functions as a microcomputer. The metal piece on the integrated circuit card (IC card) that people often use is the CPU card chip. The CPU card can be used in many fields such as finance, insurance, traffic police, government industry, etc. It has the characteristics of large user space, fast reading speed, and support for one card for multiple uses. In terms of appearance, the CPU card is no different from the ordinary IC card and radio frequency card, but the performance is greatly improved. The security is much higher than the ordinary IC card. Usually, the CPU card contains a random number generator, hardware DES, and 3DES Encryption algorithms, etc., in conjunction with the operating system, namely the on-chip OS, also known as SoC, can reach a financial level security level.

CPU card

The entire process from the manufacture of a card to its destruction is called the life cycle. The life cycle of an IC card can be generally divided into:

1. Chip manufacturing: IC card manufacturers arrange the circuits on the silicon chip neatly through a specific manufacturing process.

2. Module package: many kinds of chips are mounted on a printed circuit board with 8 contacts.

3. Card manufacturing: mask the card control system such as the operating system of the card into the module.

4. Card packaging: The masked module is embedded in a plastic substrate.

5. Card initialization: Set the basic parameters of the card.

6. Install the release key: write the key of the issuing unit to the card.

7. Card personalization: Create application files and write cardholder basic information.

8. Card application: Cardholders use cards to complete various card functions.