STMicroelectronics, a global semiconductor leader supplying customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, today announced that its Near Field Communication (NFC) controller is being used by NEC CASIO Mobile Communications in the exciting G’zOne CA-201L smartphone, based on Android. The phone is initially targeted to the operator LGU+ in Korea.
ST’s NFC controller IC supports all NFC use cases, and can coordinate multiple NFC secure apps stored in several secure locations, such as the SWP -SIM2 and SWP-microSD Card or Embedded Secure Element. The corresponding NFC software stack from Stollmann E+V GmbH, running on the terminal host, supports all Google Android versions, including the latest Jelly Bean operating system.
“With the growing interest in mobile payment schemes, including NFC capabilities and a compatible Secure Element on our new phones was an important feature,” said Yoshifumi Sakaguchi, General Manager, Common Platform Development Division, NEC CASIO Mobile Communications, Ltd. “The ease of integration, excellent performance, and power profile of the ST NFC controller and secure element made it an excellent choice for our G’zOne CA-201L smartphone.”
ST’s NFC devices enable cost-effective solutions with state-of-the-art RF performance. The optimized device design delivers exceptional value for money. In particular, the RF unit design can decrease the overall system bill-of-materials and therefore minimize the PCB area required for integration. The devices meet the latest requirements in RF performance, ensuring optimal NFC user experiences and shortening time-to-market necessary for various application qualifications.
“We are very pleased to be selected for providing NFC functionality in the G’zOne CA-201L smartphone,” said Marie-France Florentin, General Manager, Secure Microcontrollers Division, STMicroelectronics. “Having quickly passed all necessary interoperability tests, including those for Korea’s T-money e-transport and -payment technology, and leveraging ST’s leadership in SIM Secure Elements hardware that aids interoperability, ST’s NFC controller in the G’zOne CA-201L smartphone will soon enable innovative contactless services to end users in Korea.”