Each e-passport contains a chip, protected by shielding material, which contains an encrypted copy of the printed information on the passport  including the bearers name, date of birth, validity period and a digital photo of the individual. The digital photo allows the use of facial recognition technology at border crossings to authenticate the passport holders identity.

Infineon is just one of the companies that will provide the technology to the U.S. government for the project.

The German company is already supplying secure ID chips to about 20 countries that have started to use electronic passports or have started testing the technology, including Germany, Hong Kong, Norway and Sweden. One of the major competitors for the devices is Philips Semiconductors.

Data transmission occurs over a distance of about 10 centimeters. In addition to shielding and Basis Access Control (BAC), which lets immigration controllers pass the passport over a scanner, there are more than 50 individual security mechanisms inside the Infineon chip, including sophisticated computing methods for encrypting data, to help ensure that personal data remains private.

Security mechanisms on the ID chips also include active protective shields on the surface of the chip and sensors that help prevent unauthorized people from being able to read the contents of the chip.

The US began issuing electronic passports to diplomats and other government workers in late 2005, and is now expanding the program to include the widely issued tourist passport used by private citizens. By the end of this year, the government expects that all new US passports will be issued as electronic passports.

By: DocMemory
Copyright © 2023 CST, Inc. All Rights Reserved