Sharp’s IC Module for E-passports

Sharp Corporation has developed a large-capacity, high-transmission-speed contactless IC module for electronic passports (e-passports). The world’s first IC module based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) e-passport recommendations, this product has just been put into use by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for an e-passport pilot program that began this October.

There is a rapidly growing worldwide interest in e-passports because of their effectiveness in preventing passport forgery, accurately verifying identities, and speeding up customs paperwork. Australia will be the first country to use e-passports on a pilot basis. Using proprietary technology built up through years of experience in flash memory, Sharp has developed an IC module for e-passports based on the ICAO recommendations, which ICAO is working to make the de facto standard. Recognizing the value of this technology, the Australian government has chosen Sharp to provide IC modules for use in this trial e-passport program. Continue >>