ZeitControls Roll Tester ZCRT-2 is a computer-controlled unit to test and personalize smart card modules in endless roll form..

Loading programs and client details takes up more and more production time. The newest processors for smart cards have 32 KByte of FlashROM or OTP for the so-called "mask", as well as up to 64 kBytes of E²prom for the program. In comparison, the German health insurance card is only 256 Bytes in size. 32 kBytes are equal to 132 health insurance cards.

Today's production processes for smart cards means mass production. Modern production lines produce one card each second. During production the smart card can be contacted for a maximum of 4 seconds. This time is not sufficient for larger chips. This is why ZeitControl has transferred testing and personalising to the endless chip module roll. Roll testers work independently and if necessary 24-hour a day.

The system is controlled via a Windows XP computer. Four modules are contacted and started simultaneously. A built-in stamp tool can mark defective modules. A Windows-NT software takes care of basic tasks such as counting, testing, checking and initialisation (coding, preliminary personalising) of the modules. The roll tester works with processor cards with T=0 or T=1, SLE4442, SLE 4428, I²C-Bus from 256 Bytes up to 64 kBytes as well as with ZeitControl's BasicCard. Further modules can be adapted.

ZeitControls Roll Tester stands out for its high speed, for example loading of the 32 kByte OTP of the Emosyn Theseus Gold 48 in only 4 seconds, which means about 3000 modules per hour.

More information at : zcrt2@zeitcontrol.de