Trusted Logic, a provider of trusted execution environments for embedded systems, today announced the launch of new features for its Trusted NFC software platform. Major enhancements in security and application framework are specifically designed for the Google Android operating system.
Trusted NFC is a complete software platform enabling mobile phone applications to use Near Field Communication (NFC) connectivity, and provides simple interfaces for developing applications for the various application frameworks of the mobile Operating Systems.
Enhancing last year's Android Trusted NFC release, a new version of the NFC interface for Android applications has been released to fit with the latest market requirements. Trusted Logic says it has been working closely with several customers and partners to validate the latest extensions. The new features include the support of an Android NFC Service Manager, which provides key features such as an NFC control user interface and multiple application handling. Trusted Logic also integrates a controlled access to UICC and Secure Elements from Android applications in order to completely address NFC payment use cases.
Specifications of the NFC Android API are directly available from Trusted Logic. Trusted Logic and its partners have initiated a standardization effort for the NFC Android API to provide the industry with a widely accepted and proven solution.
The goal is to drive a smooth evolution of the emerging NFC market towards open source application frameworks, which requires a mature NFC Android API proposal in order to become integrated in the Android base line.
An NFC Android reference implementation has already been successfully validated with NXP's PN544 NFC controller. With this reference implementation Trusted Logic enables NFC integration with the most common operating systems and facilitates the integration process for handset manufacturers.
Henri Ardevol, general manager Secure Transactions, NXP Semiconductors, comments: "NXP is pleased to see Trusted Logic providing a complete solution for Android phones based on the NXP NFC host SW stack. NXP supports this initiative to standardize the NFC Android API, which enables an immediate and mature roll-out of NFC on Android phones."
Dominique Bolignano, President of Trusted Logic, comments: "Trusted NFC is now reaching maturity, as it has been through several cycles of design review with our partners. We are keen to collaborate with leading industry players to support standardization initiatives that ensure interoperability in the NFC ecosystem, as per our customers' expectations."
Using its Trusted Foundations software Trusted Logic has also defined an architecture to secure NFC applications such as mobile payment. Trusted Foundations is already used in several Android handsets and can provide a Trusted User Interface to applications and security policy enforcement for the access to sensitive APIs.
Trusted NFC is a complete software suite that includes a generic protocol stack for device host processors as well as firmware specific to NFC controllers, and NFC SIM. Trusted NFC supports standards from recognized organizations such as NFC Forum, ETSI and GlobalPlatform. The first Trusted NFC version has been released in 2008, and the first reference implementation on Android was released in November 2009.