NXP launches next-generation smart paper ticketing IC

SINGAPORE: NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced the MIFARE Ultralight EV1, its next generation of contactless paper ticketing ICs. The MIFARE Ultralight EV1 is an optimized ‘smart paper’ ticket IC with unique features which enable transport operators to enjoy more flexibility in ticketing and tariff schemes, extending options for limited-use applications and ensuring more reliable system operation.

The MIFARE Ultralight EV1 is a non-cryptographic product which addresses the demand for low-value or disposable tickets. Leveraging smart paper tickets, transport operators can offer day passes or limited-use tickets for tourists and occasional travellers.

Additionally, smart paper tickets enable public transport operators to run a fully integrated contactless system with only one reader infrastructure for cards and tickets, freeing them from the need to maintain systems for both mag-stripe and barcode-based tickets. As well as reducing overall system and maintenance costs, the MIFARE Ultralight EV1 enables easy integration of multiple services such as tourist day passes and improves interoperability with the contactless reader infrastructure, which is largely based on NXP’s reader ICs.

The new features of MIFARE Ultralight EV1 – such as three independent 24 bit one-way counters – are enabling transport operators to integrate flexible ticket tariff schemes through enhancing trip counting, reloading, limited stored values and expiry date management.

One application example is the use of multiple counters for a zone- or mileage based tariff scheme in a check-in / check-out system. Another application is the smart combination of trip- and reload-counting. In addition, a new 32-bit-password protects data from being accessed without authorization. The NXP ‘originality signature’ enables vendor verification of each single IC – this contributes to a more reliable system and allows transport operators to identify and reject tickets which are not qualified to work in the specific application.

According to the latest report from ABI Research about drivers and trends in the contactless ticketing market, the total smart paper ticketing market will continue to grow in the next five years with an annual growth rate of 18.6 percent. The main reasons for this are the increase in contactless ticketing solutions with a much higher replacement rate than frequent rider cards, and the growing adoption of contactless ticketing systems worldwide.

NXP leads in the contactless paper ticketing market with 87 percent market share, and in the overall transport ticketing market with a market share of 73 percent. NXP is the industry’s only provider of complete identification as well as transit ticketing solutions, from low-end ticketing to high-end secure controller platforms such as the corresponding reader ICs and SAMs.

“Our MIFARE product portfolio is designed to support transport operators running efficient contactless ticketing systems in order to bring more convenience to their passengers. Our products are defined by market and system requirements, and are built on our experience with more than 650 cities around the world using MIFARE,” said Ulrich Huewels, VP and GM, business line card security, NXP Semiconductors.

“The new MIFARE Ultralight EV1 is a prime example of this approach, where we are defining the features required by smart cities of tomorrow together with leading solution providers. We enable operators to increase the quality of their services while at the same time reducing system complexity.”