MagTek TRIPLE TRACK Delta ASIC - Manual (Page 5)

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INTRODUCTION
MagTek is pleased to offer a high-performance low-cost three-channel fully integrated magnetic stripe
decoder chip or ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). This innovative, yet low-cost card
reading solution offers many important advantages over the conventional less-integrated approach.
Packaged in a 14 pin MLF
TM
(MicroLeadFrame
TM
), this miniaturized Triple-Track Delta ASIC provides
a “Shift-Out” protocol for extracting data that significantly simplifies the card-reader to micro-controller
interface.
In addition to the 14 pin MLF
TM
Packaged Triple-Track ASIC as a stand-alone chip, MagTek also offers
the Shift-Out IntelliHead, a magnetic head with the chip actually built-in. The Shift-Out IntelliHead uses
the same Triple-Track ASIC, but completely encapsulated in a low-profile magnetic head, offering further
integration and excellent noise immunity by shielding the low-level analog signals inside the head.
Unless your application dictates the use of a particular separate or custom magnetic head, MagTek
recommends the Shift-Out IntelliHead for best performance, best miniaturization, and best economy. See
MagTek specification 99875258 for information on the Shift-Out IntelliHead product family.
For applications that can limit the supply voltage to the ASIC to 3.6V, the 21006540/41 ASIC is
recommended instead of the 21006529/39 ASIC described in this manual. The 21006540/41 ASIC is a
newer chip that will provide reduced power consumption and additional features at a reduced cost. It is
also available integrated into a head as part of the Shift-Out IntelliHead product family. See MagTek
specification 99875337 for information on this newer ASIC.
FEATURES
• Low cost solution for single, dual, or triple track readers – one triple-track chip works for all
• Compact design – 4 mm x 5mm 14 pin MLF TM
(also called QFN) surface mount package
• Minimal external components – only a decoupling capacitor is required. Only 2 signals, DATA,
and STROBE, to connect to your micro-controller for up to 3 tracks
• Data buffer with Shift-Out – allows full card data to be locally stored on ASIC. Retrieve when
desired. Use a low-cost controller with no interrupts, limited memory, low-speed, low pin-count,
etc.
• High noise immunity – with proper PCB layout, the ASIC can withstand noisy PC monitors, cell
phones, switching power supplies, etc.
• High performance decoding – reads badly damaged cards; compensates for poor head mounting
• Low voltage operation – 2.8 Vdc to 5.5 Vdc
• Low operating current – less than 4 mA maximum total current at 3.3V (for up to 3 tracks) while
card is being swiped
• Ultra-low Sleep current – less than 75 μA maximum total current when no card is being swiped