ST22N256 Doubles Multi-Media Message Storage Capability and Enables Advanced Phonebook and MMS Applications, Allowing Telecom Operators to Provide Enhanced 2.5G and 3G M-Services

STMicroelectronics Will be At Cartes 2004, November 2-4, in Paris, Booth 3E14

GENEVA, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/–STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) has announced a new smartcard MCU in its ST22 range–based on the SmartJ™ Java-accelerated RISC architecture–which integrates 256-kbytes of EEPROM memory with a high performance CPU to support the demands of multimedia applications on the latest mobile phones.

With sales of multimedia-equipped handsets booming, mobile communications operators supporting 3G (Third Generation) and 2.5G mobile phones need (U)SIM cards (Universal Subscriber Identity Modules) that have sufficient memory capacity to store Multimedia Messaging System (MMS) data, video, and photographic images, coupled with the capability to transfer and use this data efficiently to provide advanced phonebooks and audio-visual services. 2.5G is an intermediate level of service that uses an enhanced second-generation technology to provide some of the 3G features over GPRS (General Packet Radio Service).

“The ST22N256 is perfectly in line with the growing demand for secure high-performance chips with high-speed interfaces and a large memory capacity, for use in 2.5 and 3G SIMs,” said Reza Kazerounian, General Manager of ST’s Smart Card ICs Division. “ST already offers the largest range of secure 32-bit processors for smartcard systems, and will remain at the forefront of smartcard silicon suppliers as 3G takes off.”

The SmartJ CPU core at the heart of ST22 Family–which the new ST22N256 now combines with 256-kbytes of EEPROM–is a 32-bit RISC-architecture core developed specifically to provide very fast execution of Java, the programming language commonly used for small applications, or applets, downloaded to mobile phones. The ST22 augments its own highly efficient native RISC instruction set with a hardware decoder that directly converts Java bytecodes into native microcode instructions, thereby eliminating the overhead and lower performance of processors based on Java emulation. The result is not only very fast Java execution but also reduced power consumption.

An essential component of all GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) mobile phones, the SIM card stores critical subscriber authentication information; private data such as personal phone directories, messages, audio, and images; and the operating system and operator’s multimedia environment. With the quantity and size of users’ MMS messages increasing, operators will now be able to provide increased storage for subscriber data without impacting user friendliness, due to the exceptional performance of the ST22N256’s SmartJ processor, and its communication through a fast Asynchronous Serial Interface (ASI) which enables 440-kbit/s communication speeds with mobile equipment, in line with the fastest deployments of ISO 7816 in the GSM world. Two additional serial I/O ports are also provided.

The Java-accelerated CPU ensures that the ST22N256 not only provides the memory needed for today’s multimedia services (M-services), but also the processing power to exploit it. The core, with 24-bit linear memory addressing, is complemented by 368-kbytes of on-chip ROM, 16-kbytes of RAM, and a set of standard peripherals and custom plug-in circuits. Logical and physical security mechanisms are fully integrated into the silicon, including a hardware Memory Protection Unit for application firewalling and peripheral access control, and a protected Context Stack. The core includes dedicated DES (Data Encryption Standard) instructions for Secret Key cryptography, and a fast Multiply and Accumulate instruction for Public Key (RSA) and Elliptic Curve cryptography, plus a CRC (Cyclic Redundency Check) instruction. A firmware cryptographic subroutine library is located in a secure ROM area to save designers the need to code first-layer functions.

The ST22 product platform is supported by a comprehensive Integrated Development Environment, which allows coding, compilation, and debugging using a common interface. It provides a code-generation chain that includes a C/C++ compiler, a native and JavaCard assembler and a linker, plus a SmartJ instruction set simulator, C/C++ source level debugger, and hardware emulation tools. Operating System developers currently working with the 128-kbyte ST22L128 will be able to benefit from the design continuity offered by the ST22N256, as well as its immediate availability and compliance with the fastest communication standard adopted by handset manufacturers.

The SmartJ development methodology allows customers to significantly reduce the time and cost of developing secure applications. It supports concurrent hardware and software development, multiple development teams and IP reuse, as well as security evaluation to the Common Criteria and the use of formal methods for security assurance through executable high-level specifications and model checking techniques.

Development of the ST22N256 follows more than 20 years’ experience in the design of silicon products to the highest levels of security. ST is a major manufacturer for the smartcard market, and is the number one supplier of secure ICs to the financial sector for card applications. Over the years it has evolved a “security culture” across design and manufacturing functions, in addition to meeting the stringent requirements of formal security certification.

The ST22N256 is manufactured using 0.15-micron technology, and is currently the only secure IC to combine 32-bit processing power with 256- kbytes of EEPROM and 368-kbytes of ROM. It is available in sample form now, with volume production starting 2005. US pricing for the product is between $4 and $5, depending on quantity and final packaging.

About STMicroelectronics

STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today’s convergence markets. The Company’s shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2003, the Company’s net revenues were $7.24 billion and net earnings were $253 million. Further information on ST can be found at http://www.st.com.