ARM targets larger slice of security market
1 min read
ARM has unveiled SecurCore SC000, the latest addition to its portfolio of processors for smart cards. The 32bit core, based on the Cortex-M0, is targeted at a range of applications where lowest cost, area and energy consumption are critical. Haydn Povey, marketing director with ARM's processor division, said: "The core is based on the Cortex-M0, but we've taken the basic rtl and extended it significantly for the security market. Potential applications include SIM cards, transportation and identity cards. It's a big market."
Demand for security is growing across the board, said Povey. "More than 4billion smart cards shipped in 2009 and this is forecast to grow to 6bn by 2013. But all applications are cost sensitive and the target cost is 30cents or less."
Most of the growth being forecast is likely to be met by 32bit processors. "We expect SecurCore SC000 to accelerate the migration from existing 8 and 16bit devices," Povey contended.
The move to 32bit is being driven by increased memory requirements, power budgets, cost concerns and rapidly evolving applications. "It's a balance between performance and the need to do more and more things in the processor," Povey explained. "Physical security mechanisms built into the rtl make attacks harder and beyond economic viability."
ARM says it is working with four of the top five smart card silicon vendors and expects to see volume shipments of smart cards featuring the SecurCore SC000 by the end of 2011.
