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concurrencysmartcardapduemviso-7816-4

Can I perform concurrent actions on an ISO 7816 card?


I know that ISO 7816 compliant cards, like modern EMV Chip and PIN cards, are typically used in a command response scenario, the reader sends a command APDU to the card, and the latter sends a response. However, can the card perform concurrent activities, such as perform any dummy action while it waits for a command from the reader, or does it have to wait passively?


Solution

  • The card does the action only based on the APDU command request. For a request, a response is expected, and in most cases in a sequence too. To say, you cannot do a GET PO before SELECT, you cannot request a GEN AC before GET PO.

    But I am curious what the 'concurrent activities' possible, could you think aloud?