Embedded Solutions AG has released its UNC20FP Developer's Kit, which it says includes all hardware and software needed to add biometric fingerprint recognition to embedded applications such as access control equipment. The kit provides a simple hardware platform for evaluation, proof-of-concept, and customer demonstrations, according to the company.

Embedded Solutions claims that the market for biometric sensors is growing, with fingerprint recognition the most popular form of biometric recognition due to its ease of use and high security. Fingerprint recognition can be used to control access to buildings, computers, networks, and even vehicles, the company says. Access systems can be standalone or networked and the UNC20FP system supports both types of applications.

The Developer's Kit consists of the ARM7TDMI-based UNC20FP module assembled on a baseboard with the Fujitsu MBF200 fingerprint sensor, an alphanumeric display (2 lines by 20 characters), a keypad, a 10/100 Ethernet interface, and an RS485 interface. Optionally, the Authentec AFS-2 sensor can be ordered instead of the Fujitsu sensor.

Embedded Solutions' UNC20FP Developer's Kit

The kit's Linux-based software includes release 2.2 of LxNETES, a uCLinux development package, as well as a binary distribution of IKENDI fingerprint recognition software. Source code for a program demonstrating the use of the keypad and display is included, as are the standard GNU tools for a Linux host.

Features:

• 32-Bit CPU, ARM7TDMI RISC 55MHz
• 16 MBytes SDRAM
• 8 MBytes Flash memory
• Serial EEPROM
• MBF-200 Fingerprint Sensor
• optional Authentec AFS-2 module
• I2C interface
• 10/100 Base-T Ethernet
• RS232 interface
• RS485 interface
• JTAG interface (20-pin)
• LCD Display (2×20 characters)
• Reset Button
• 4 user-specific push-buttons
• Debug LED

The UNC20FP is a UNC20 module from Embedded Solutions containing a uClinux image and licensed IKENDI software.

Embedded Solutions describes the application flow as follows: IKENDI fingerprint recognition software reads the fingerprint and stores it as a template in flash memory on the UNC20FP module. The template can be stored in a database server connected via the Ethernet interface. When authorization is required, the fingerprint read from the sensor is compared with the template and if the match is sufficient, authorization is granted. The threshold as to when a match is deemed sufficient is determined by the application, which allows users to make a tradeoff between ease-of-use and security.

Embedded Solutions lists features for two available fingerprint sensors as follows:

• Fingerprint Sensor Fujitsu MBF-200 — The fingerprint sensor is placed on a module, which is plugged onto a connector on the developers base board. It communicates via an 8-Bit uC interface with the micro-controller module and achieves 30 frames/sec. The sensor works with 3.3 V.
• Authentec AFS-2 Module (optional) — The Authentec FingerLoc ASF2 sensor is specifically designed for the PC and access control markets. It works with 5V and offers a rate of 15 frames/sec.

The UNC20FP is available at a special introductory price of $599 through the end of Sep., according to Embedded Solutions. The standard UNC20 Developer's Kit uCLinux, without the fingerprint sensor and LCD, goes for $379, the company says.

 
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