User guide

ACR38x – Reference Manual [e-mail]
Version 6.02
www.acs.com.hk
Page 4 of 40
1.0. Introduction
The ACR38x PC-linked Smart Card Reader acts as an interface for the communication between a
computer and a smart card. Different types of smart cards have different commands and different
communication protocols, which in most cases, prevent direct communication between a smart card
and a computer. The ACR38x Smart Card Reader establishes a uniform interface from the computer
to the smart card for a wide variety of cards. By taking care of the card’s particulars, it releases the
computer software programmer for being responsible with smart card operations’ technical details,
which in many cases, are not relevant to the implementation of a smart card system.
1.1. Reference Documents
The following related documents are available from www.usb.org:
• Universal Serial Bus Specification 2.0 (also referred to as the USB specification), April 27,
2000
• Universal Serial Bus Common Class Specification 1.0, December 16, 1997
The following related documents can be ordered through www.ansi.org
:
• ISO/IEC 7816-1; Identification Cards – Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts - Part 1:
Physical Characteristics
• ISO/IEC 7816-2; Identification Cards – Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts - Part 2:
Dimensions and Locations of the contacts
• ISO/IEC 7816-3; Identification Cards – Integrated circuit(s) cards with contacts - Part 3:
Electronic signals and transmission protocols
1.2. Symbols and Abbreviations
Abbreviation Description
ATR Answer-To-Reset
ICC Integrated Circuit Cards
NAD Node Address
PPS Protocol and Parameters Selection
TPDU Transport Protocol Data Unit
USB Universal Serial Bus
Table 1: Symbols and Abbreviations