SAN JOSE, California, December 4 /PRNewswire/ --

- The only reliable way to protect against counterfeiters - locking 
product authenticity in hardware

Atmel(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today CryptoRF(R), the 
world's first 13.56 MHz RFID devices with a 64-bit embedded cryptographic 
engine, mutual authentication capability, and up to 16 individually 
configurable zones. These devices prevent product counterfeiting; a problem 
assessed at over US$600 billion in seized fakes in 2007. One of the most 
reliable ways to protect against counterfeiters is to lock product 
authenticity in hardware. Atmel's CryptoRF devices create unique "signatures" 
based on information that is never transmitted or allowed to be accessed in 
any way.

CryptoRF product labels and tags are virtually impossible to copy. These
devices are ideal for applications that are 1) prone to counterfeiting such
as high value consumer items and software, 2) require a permanent record of
the chain of ownership such as pharmaceutical tracking, or 3) represent cash
transactions like bus passes, loyalty or campus cards.

Secure Dynamic Mutual Authentication Capability. Conventional RFID tags
can be copied using a low cost RFID tag reader, the information is then used
to create phony tags for counterfeit products. In contrast, CryptoRF devices
have a 64-bit embedded hardware cryptographic engine; with 64 Kbit keys that
are completely inaccessible. CryptoRF supports a mutual authentication
protocol to establish a trusted link between itself and a host reader. The
CryptoRF device and the host reader demonstrate knowledge of respective
non-readable secrets stored within them without actually transmitting the
secrets. A unique cryptogram is generated for each transaction, so a
cryptogram intercepted during a transaction cannot be used to effect a second
transaction. The likelihood of a "fake" device creating the appropriate
cryptogram is about one in a quintillion. Each CryptoRF device has its own
set of authentication keys therefore every device is unique. Fuse bits are
blown to permanently lock the security information within the device.

Chain of Ownership Tracking. A complete history of a product's ownership,
distribution, and disposition can be contained on a single device. CryptoRF
devices are available with densities from 1-Kbit to 64-Kbits of user memory
to accommodate a wide range of information storage. The user memory itself
may be divided into as many as 16 separate zones, each of which can be
customized to allow different levels of read and write access, including read
and write, read-only, one-time-programmable or requires authentication.

ISO14443-B Standard. Atmel's CryptoRF devices integrate a 13.56 MHz RF
interface with a range up to 10 cm.

Development Tools. Atmel offers a comprehensive range of CryptoRF
reference designs, libraries, demonstration kits and application software
that simplifies the implementation of CryptoRF into existing products.

Availability and Pricing

CryptoRF devices are now available. Pricing for the CryptoRF devices
starts at US$0.75 in quantities of 25,000 units.

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory and radio
frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's broadest
intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is able to provide
the electronics industry with complete system solutions focused on consumer,
industrial, security, communications, computing and automotive markets.

(C) 2007 Atmel Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Atmel(R), logo and
combinations thereof, CryptoRF(R) and others, are registered trademarks of
Atmel Corporation or its subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be
trademarks of others.

Information:

Atmel's CryptoRF product information may be retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/products/SecureMem/

Press Contacts:
    Sharon Harnisch, Marketing Communications Manager
    Phone: +1-719-540-1723, Email: sharnisch@cso.atmel.com

    Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
    Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com



Web site: http://www.atmel.com