Microchip Technology SEC1210I-CN-02NC

Overview

SEC1210I-CN-02NC from Microchip Technology is a dual Smart Card bridge IC integrating an enhanced 8051 core, two ISO/IEC 7816-compliant Smart Card interfaces, USB 2.0 Full-Speed (12 Mbps) interface, UART, and SPI host controller. It delivers programmable 1.8V/3.0V/5.0V card power regulation, 261-byte full-packet FIFO per interface, and EMV 4.2/4.3 timing compliance for secure financial terminal applications.

For engineers reviewing the SEC1210I-CN-02NC datasheet, SEC1210I-CN-02NC pinout, SEC1210I-CN-02NC application, or SEC1210I-CN-02NC equivalent, key selection criteria include dual-card support, OTP-based firmware security, self-clocking operation (no external crystal), 3.6–5.5 V supply range, and industrial temperature rating (–40°C to +85°C).

Technical Context

The SEC1210I-CN-02NC implements two independent ISO/IEC 7816 physical layers with hardware-managed activation/deactivation sequences, guard/CWT/time-out protocol timers, and synchronous card support via GPIO-controlled signaling. Its 8051 core executes from 16 KB OTP ROM and 1.5 KB RAM, with reduced instruction cycle time (~9× standard 80C51) and 9.6 MHz max clock speed.

USB functionality is handled by an integrated FS PHY with 1.5 kΩ pull-up resistor and D+/D− series termination, coupled to a device controller supporting five programmable bulk/interrupt endpoints (8/16/32/64 byte buffers). The UART supports up to 3 Mbaud, while SPI1 operates at ≤12 MHz in host mode with configurable MISO/MOSI/CLK/CE pins.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SEC1210I-CN-02NC is housed in a 24-pin QFN package (4 mm × 4 mm, 0.5 mm pitch) with exposed thermal slug connected to VSS. All pins are electrically verified per Microchip DS00001561E.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar Smart Card bridge applications.

Compared with SEC1210-CN-02, the SEC1210I-CN-02NC adds industrial temperature qualification and NC marking for no-connect pins, while ST8008B lacks dual-card capability, OTP-based firmware protection, and hardware EMV timing enforcement - making SEC1210I-CN-02NC uniquely suited for certified payment hardware.

Availability

SEC1210I-CN-02NC is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for POS terminals, secure identity readers, USB smart card dongles, and industrial payment gateways requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle support, and traceable sourcing.

Supply support for SEC1210I-CN-02NC includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Microchip Technology Inc. is a global provider of microcontrollers, analog devices, and Flash-IP solutions, serving automotive, industrial, communications, and computing markets with high-reliability semiconductor products.

The SEC1210 product line delivers secure, standards-compliant Smart Card bridge functionality targeting PCI PTS-certified payment terminals, government ID systems, and enterprise access control hardware.

FAQ

What is the primary function of the SEC1210I-CN-02NC in a smart card system?

The SEC1210I-CN-02NC serves as a dual-interface Smart Card bridge IC that connects host processors to two independent ISO/IEC 7816-compliant smart cards via USB, UART, or SPI. It integrates an enhanced 8051 core, programmable card power supplies, hardware EMV timing enforcement, and full-packet FIFOs - enabling secure, standards-compliant card communication without external timing or protocol logic. The SEC1210I-CN-02NC handles all low-level card activation, reset, ATR parsing, and T=0/T=1 protocol exchange autonomously.

Does the SEC1210I-CN-02NC require an external crystal or oscillator?

No, the SEC1210I-CN-02NC does not require an external crystal or oscillator. It incorporates a self-clocking internal 48 MHz oscillator that drives the USB PHY, Smart Card interfaces, and 8051 core. This eliminates the need for external timing components, reduces bill-of-materials cost, and improves layout simplicity - a key advantage confirmed in Microchip's DS00001561E datasheet section 15.0 "Clock and Reset".

How does the SEC1210I-CN-02NC support EMV compliance?

The SEC1210I-CN-02NC supports EMV 4.2/4.3 compliance through dedicated hardware timers (guard timer, CWT timer, time-out timer), automatic card deactivation on removal, hardware-enforced activation sequences, and built-in current limiting for Smart Card power outputs. These features ensure strict adherence to EMV-defined timing parameters (BGT, EGT, WWT, BWT, WTX) without software dependency - directly referenced in DS00001561E sections 1.2 and 10.0. The SEC1210I-CN-02NC is validated for use in PCI PTS v6.0-certified terminals.

What are the voltage options supported for Smart Card power outputs on the SEC1210I-CN-02NC?

The SEC1210I-CN-02NC supports three programmable Smart Card supply voltages: 1.8 V, 3.0 V, and 5.0 V - corresponding to ISO/IEC 7816 Class C, Class B, and Class A cards respectively. Both SC1_VCC and SC2_VCC outputs are independently configurable and include over-current detection with interrupt reporting. An internal 4.8 V comparator disables Class A (5.0 V) support if the VDD5 input falls below specification - details confirmed in DS00001561E section 1.2 and Table 5-1.

Can the SEC1210I-CN-02NC operate in both USB and UART modes simultaneously?

No, the SEC1210I-CN-02NC cannot operate in USB and UART modes simultaneously. As stated in the "Host/Smart Card Interface Overview" section of DS00001561E, the SEC1210 supports host connectivity via USB *or* UART - not both concurrently. Mode selection is determined at power-on via configuration pins and firmware initialization; switching requires reset. This architectural constraint ensures signal integrity and resource allocation consistency across the 8051 subsystem and endpoint buffers.