Semiconductor device, carrier, card reader, methods of initializing and checking authenticity

摘要

The semiconductor device has a security coating with embedded magnetic particles and magnetoresistive sensors. This renders possible a measurement of the impedance of security elements defined by magnetoresistive sensors and security coating. If initial values of the impedance are stored, actual values can be compared therewith to see if the device has not been electrically probed or modified. Such a comparison can be used to check the authenticity of the device.