32.6.3.7 ISO 7816 for Smart Card Interfacing
The SERCOM USART features an ISO/IEC 7816-compatible operating mode. This mode permits interfacing with smart cards and Security Access Modules (SAM) communicating through an ISO 7816 link. Both T = 0 and T = 1 protocols defined by the ISO 7816 specification are supported.
- ISO 7816 format (CTRLA.FORM = 0x07)
- Inverse transmission and reception (CTRLA.RXINV = 1 and CTRLA.TXINV = 1)
- Single bidirectional data line (CTRLA.TXPO and CTRLA.RXPO configured to use the same data pin)
- Even parity (CTRLB.PMODE = 0)
- 8-bit character size (CTRLB.CHSIZE = 0)
- T = 0 (CTRLA.CMODE = 1) or T = 1 (CTRLA.CMODE = 0)
ISO 7816 is a half-duplex communication on a single bidirectional line. The USART connects to a smart card as shown below. The output is only driven when the USART is transmitting. The USART is considered the host of the communication as it generates the clock.
ISO 7816 characters are specified as 8 bits with even parity. The USART must be configured accordingly.
The USART cannot operate concurrently in both receiver and transmitter modes as the communication is unidirectional. It has to be configured according to the required mode by enabling or disabling either the receiver or the transmitter as desired. Enabling both the receiver and the transmitter at the same time in ISO 7816 mode may lead to unpredictable results.
The ISO 7816 specification defines an inverse transmission format. Data bits of the character must be transmitted on the I/O line at their negative value (CTRLA.RXINV = 1 and CTRLA.TXINV = 1).
Protocol T = 0
- One start bit
- Eight data bits
- One parity bit
- One guard time, which lasts two bit times
If no parity error is detected, the I/O line remains ‘1’ during the guard time and the transmitter can continue with the transmission of the next character, as illustrated in the following figure.
If a parity error is detected by the receiver, it drives the I/O line to ‘0’ during the guard time, as illustrated in the following figure. This error bit is also named NACK, for Non Acknowledge. In this case, the character lasts ‘1’ bit time more, as the guard time length is the same and is added to the error bit time, which lasts ‘1’ bit time.
When the USART is the receiver and it detects a parity error, the parity error bit in the Status Register (STATUS.PERR) is set and the character is not written to the receive FIFO.
Receive Error Counter
The receiver also records the total number of errors (receiver parity errors and NACKs from the remote transmitter) up to a maximum of 255. This can be read in the Receive Error Count (RXERRCNT) register. RXERRCNT is automatically cleared on read.Receive NACK Inhibit
The receiver can also be configured to inhibit error generation. This can be achieved by setting the Inhibit Not Acknowledge (CTRLC.INACK) bit. If CTRLC.INACK is ‘1’, no error signal is driven on the I/O line even if a parity error is detected. Moreover, if CTRLC.INACK is set, the erroneous received character is stored in the receive FIFO and the STATUS.PERR bit is set. Inhibit Not Acknowledge (CTRLC.INACK) takes priority over disable successive receive NACK (CTRLC.DSNACK).Transmit Character Repetition
When the USART is transmitting a character and gets a NACK, it can automatically repeat the character before moving on to the next character. Repetition is enabled by writing the Maximum Iterations register (CTRLC.MAXITER) to a non-zero value. The USART repeats the character the number of times specified in CTRLC.MAXITER.
When the USART repetition number reaches the programmed value in CTRLC.MAXITER, the STATUS.ITER bit is set and the internal iteration counter is Reset. If the repetition of the character is acknowledged by the receiver before the maximum iteration is reached, the repetitions are stopped and the iteration counter is cleared.
Disable Successive Receive NACK
The receiver can limit the number of successive NACKs sent back to the remote transmitter. This is programmed by setting the Disable Successive NACK bit (CTRLC.DSNACK). The maximum number of NACKs transmitted is programmed in the CTRLC.MAXITER field. As soon as the maximum is reached, the character is considered correct, an acknowledge is sent on the line, the STATUS.ITER bit is set and the internal iteration counter is Reset.Protocol T = 1
When operating in ISO7816 protocol T = 1, the transmission is asynchronous (CTRL1.CMODE = 0) with one or two stop bits. After the stop bits are sent, the transmitter does not drive the I/O line.
Parity is generated when transmitting and checked when receiving. Parity error detection sets the STATUS.PERR bit and the erroneous character is written to the receive FIFO. When using T = 1 protocol, the receiver does not signal errors on the I/O line and the transmitter does not retransmit.