MagnaChip Semiconductor has been selected to manufacture ELAN Microelectronics’ fingerprint sensor IC-based smartcard.
Using biometrics, ELAN claims the smartcard is the first to implement a fingerprint sensor IC to provide secure identification to prevent credit card fraud. The sensor-IC based smartcard will be manufactured using MagnaChip’s 0.35 micron mixed signal thick in-mold decorating (IMD) manufacturing process technology.
Frost & Sullivan forecasts that the biometrics market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.4 percent from 2014 to 2019 with fingerprint-based sensor ICs comprising 66 percent of the market.
Currently, MagnaChip has technologies that include 0.35 micron, 0.18 micron 1.8 volt/3.3 volt and single 3.3 volt mixed signal technology processes. The company plans to expand its portfolio of manufacturing processes to include more advanced technologies such as 0.18 micron slim mixed signal manufacturing process that will allow for fewer mask layers than currently used.
ELAN believes this type of smartcard can be used in payment, medical, transportation and automotive industries.
