Broadcom introduces the industry's best-performing NFC controller for mobile payment and transaction applications

     Broadcom introduces the industry's best-performing Near Field communication (NFC) controller. The launch of the BCM20797 provides greater transaction coverage, enhanced security and faster transaction speeds, making it ideal for mobile payment and mobile transaction applications. This latest device is part of Broadcom's efforts to provide customers with innovative technologies in the NFC market to drive further technology development and improve end-device integration. For more news and information about CES, please visit the Broadcom press room.

     With the most competitive BOM cost and the smallest PCB package, the BCM20797 helps original equipment manufacturers (Oems) seamlessly and cost-effectively integrate NFC into smaller mobile devices and wearables. In addition, the latest BCM20797 features a new innovation called Virtual Runtime Environment (VEE), which significantly improves host card emulation (HCE) performance. VEE cuts HCE transaction times in half, improves security without the need for a security module (SE), and executes transactions when the host is turned off, so users can complete a transaction even when the device is powered off.

     Dino Bekis, vice president of marketing for Broadcom's Wireless Connectivity Portfolio, said: "Broadcom continues to bring more advanced features and better integration to set a new benchmark for NFC applications. By incorporating new features like VEE and reducing the package size of the overall solution, Broadcom is making it easier for customers to accelerate the rollout of this technology to smartphones and emerging device markets like smartwatches."

     The BCM20797 uses a 10x10 square millimeter antenna with a coverage radius of up to 6cm at the time of trading, which is leading the way in the industry. Due to its low spurious emission and the need for additional filters, the controller can reduce its BOM cost by 30% and its PCB package by 50% compared to competing solutions. Another unique feature of the BCM20797 is that it reduces power consumption when polling labels by 50%.