ACS ACK30 Smart Keyboard - Manual (Page 5)

ACR30 Reference Manual
Version 3.3 January 2009 Page 5 of 44
ACR30
1.0. Introduction
The ACS Smart Card Reader/Writer ACR30 is an interface for the communication between a
computer (for example, a PC) and a smart card. Different types of smart cards have different
commands and different communication protocols. This prevents in most cases the direct
communication between a smart card and a computer. The ACR30 Reader/Writer establishes a
uniform interface from the computer to the smart card for a wide variety of cards. By taking care of the
card specific particulars, it releases the computer software programmer of getting involved with the
technical details of the smart card operation, which are in many cases not relevant for the
implementation of a smart card system.
The ACR30 Smart Card Reader/Writer is connected to the computer through a serial asynchronous
interface (RS-232) or USB interface. The reader accepts commands from the computer, carries out
the specified function at the smart card and returns the requested data or status information.
NOTE - Although the ACR30 is a true card reader/writer as it can read and write smart cards, the terms card reader or reader
will be used indifferently to refer to the ACR30, for the sake of readability and because these designations are commonly in use
for this kind of devices.