Glossary
M-SPI
MULTOS Service Provider Interface. Interface tool designed for data requesting from issuers/bureaux to the MULTOS KMA. M-SPI consists of client software and a smart card used for authentication of the requester.
MAC
Message Authentication Code. Cryptographic checksum for data. Registering if any data manipulation during transmission.
Magnetic Stripe
The stripe of magnetic data recording material on an ID card.
Magnetic Stripe Card
Plastic card that has embedded on one side a magnetic stripe, which can store electromagnetically data necessary to complete a transaction.
Mailbomb:
The mail sent to urge others to send massive amounts of email to a single system or person, with the intent to crash the recipient's system. Mail bombing is widely regarded as a serious offense.
Malicious Code:
Hardware, software, of firmware that is intentionally included in a system for an unauthorized purpose; e.g. a Trojan horse.
MAOS
multiapplication operating system.
A smart card operation system licensed by MAOSCO that is also known as MULTOS. For more information, go to www.multos.com.
MAOSCO
The standards body that promotes and maintains the Multos specification
Mapping
Also called memory map. A functional representation of the different blocks in the memory of a chip.
Mask (smart card)
Microcontroller Rom personalisation, which, in conventional " proprietary " architectures, covers the joint development of the operating system and of the interfaces with the microcontroller, but also the card-related application. This term is no longer used in open systems (JavaCard type) where the operating systems and applications are well differentiated when personalising the card electrically.
Masking
During the manufacturing process, solidifying COS (Card Operating System) mask implemented onto chips’s Rom is known as hard mask process. COS may also be installed into chip's Eeprom (soft mask).
MASS
Multi-Application Smart card Solutions
Mb
Megabit (128KB).
MB
Megabyte. 2 20 bytes represents 1024 KB.
MCD
MULTOS Carrier Device. MULTOS implemented IC chip, or smart card with the MULTOS chip.
MCU
Microprocessor Control Unit OR
Memory Control Unit
ME
Mobile Equipment.
MEL
MULTOS Executable Language. An assembler language to write MULTOS application program
Memory Card
Smart card that stores and retrieves data that are sent to or received from the semiconductor chip. memory cards contain large storage capacity but have little or no processing capabilities. Smart card equipped with a memory component Rom type (256 bits, 8 Kbits or more) where the application is stored (token meter like in the phonecard, for instance). Its performance in the area of security remains limited.
memory chipcard
A memory card in which access to the data in the EEPROM is controlled by security logic. See also intelligent memory card.
MF
Master file. The MF of a smart card file system is a special type of file. It is the root directory of the file tree and is automatically selected whenever the smart card is reset.
MFC
multifunction card.
A smart card that contains more than one application.
MGI
McKinsey Global Institute
Microcircuit Card
Smart card equipped with a microcontroller, i.e. a programmable circuit including several types of Rom, Ram and Eeprom memories (or Flash or Fram) where the card's security operating system (Rom) and its applications (Eeprom, Flash or Fram) are stored.
Microprocessor Card
Contains a microprocessor chip with a microcode that defines a command structure, a data file structure and a security structure in the card.
Middleware
A general tem in the computer industry for any programming that serves to "glue together", mediate between, or enhance two separate and usually already existing programs. A common application of middleware is to allow programs that are written for access to a particular database to access other databases. Some also may use the term to describe programming between a software program and hardware logic.
MIDlet
Mobile Information Device [App]let. An applet designed to run on a mobile device under the MID profile of J2ME.
MIME
Multipurpose Internet Multimedia Extension, an Internet protocol for sending e-mail and attachments
MIP
Million instructions per second.
MMC
Multimedia Card. A standard for very small (24 x 32 x 1.4 mm) memory units that can be used in portable devices (e.g., PDAs, mobile phones, etc.). They can store up to 64 MB of data. See http://www.mmca.org/ for more information.
MMS
Multimedia Messaging Service OR
Memory Management System
MNO
Mobile Network Operators
Microprocessor Card
m-commerce. This relates to trading decisions or purchases made using the data functions of a normal or enhanced digital mobile phone. All the telephone banking and similar functions that you can do from a normal phone or PC will also be possible from your mobile. You'll also be able to confirm hotel reservations, sell shares and much more. According to consultancy Logica, mobile commerce will help electronic commerce become reality - people will use new-breed mobile phones to send and receive electronic cash, tickets and loyalty points.
Mobile Telecommunications
Telecommunications by means of wireless devices.
Module
The component formed of a chip and a contact plate to protect the chip in a chip card from external threads and to electronically connect the chip with devices. It is embedded in a cavity in the card body.
Mondex
An e-cash application for Smart Cards
Mono-application smart card
A smart card that can handle only one application.
Montgomery multiplication
An efficient way to do binary multiplication based on shifting and adding. Montgomery multiplication is particularly useful in multiplying the arbitrarily large integers used in some cryptographic algorithms on the 8-bit microcontroller in a smart card.
Moréno, Roland
The French journalist who received a patent on smart cards in 1974.
mother card
A smart card holding a transport key and used to unlock all the cards in a batch or shipment of cards. See also batch card, daughter card.
MPA
MULTOS Promotion Association. A non-profit organization for the MULTOS promotion in Japan.
MRAM
Magnetic Random Access Memory.
MRP
Machine Readable Passports
MRTD
Machine Readable Travel Documents
MRV
Machine Readable Visas
MRZ
Machine Readable Zone
MS
Mobile Station (handset and Sim card).
MSM
MULTOS Security Manager. Security module for the MULTOS card management
MSM-CD
MSM Controls Data. A data provided by MULTOS KMA, required to enable the MULTOS security
MSS
Mobile Signature Standards
MTA
Metropolitan Transit Authority
Multi-application smart card
Smart card that can handle a diversity of applications. Refers to smart cards that are able to store several applications in their memories (identity, electronic wallet, debit, credit, transport, loyalty, games, etc.) or to upload or deleted applications in the card, in the form of applets (mostly JavaCard).
MULTOS / MAOSCO
Multi Application Operating System. Maosco Ltd. A multiple applications operating system for smart cards. Open multi-application-oriented programming language and operating system (MAOS) for smart cards, integrating a virtual machine, originally developed by Mondex International. Its specification development and promotion are now handled by the MAOSCO Consortium, which includes about fifteen members including smart card component suppliers, card manufacturers and operators.
MULTOS Consortium
Consortium founded for international MULTOS promotion
MULTOS KMA
MULTOS Key Management Authority. A certification authority dedicated for MULTOS card base
MULTOS RA
Registration Authority. A Registration authority to manage MULOTS scheme players, such as card issuers, bureaux, etc.