German smart card manufacturer Giesecke & Devrient says it has developed a suite of mini-sized RFID antennas that comply with the MasterCard PayPass contactless payment specification and can be incorporated into mini-cards and key fobs.
The Munich-based firm says its new contactless product suite features mini and half-size RFID antennas that comply with the PayPass-ISO/IEC 14443 specifications. The new antennas allow contactless payment devices to be manufactured in smaller shapes and sizes.
The vendor has already released a key fob that is available to MasterCard issuers in North America.
Michael Kuemmerle, head of G&D's payment division, says: "We have taken G&D's expertise in both printing and contactless technology and bundled it in a way that benefits financial institutions, who can then use the new, handy formats and innovative marketing concepts to reach new customer segments."
Both MasterCard and Visa currently offer mini-sized contactless payments cards that can be attached to a key ring.