EMV payment terminal certification is a major step for POS manufacturers, before product deployment. Terminal Type Approval process allows to certify the smartcard acceptance products against the latest EMV technology specifications.

The DTE is a must-have tool that POS manufacturers must supply with the sample terminals during Type Approval sessions, to set the most appropriate testing environment. It must embed a range of functions required by the entities implied in the kernel approval process. EMVCo’s objective is to guarantee interoperability while laboratories that perform the tests will expect certain automated commands.

EMVCo’s requirements for contactless Level 1 testing process : 

Interoperability Testing Loopback Application. 

The loopback application generates responses (C-APDU) and send it to the card (in reply to R-APDU). The application shall request the terminal to generate specific indicators (beeps or lights) to indicate the status of the command (Error or Success).

POS manufacturers shall ensure that the DTE provided during EMV Contactless L1 type approval implements this loopback application.

Transaction Send Application.

The DTE must be able to send sets of commands of type A or type B card transaction to the device, after card activation. This mode allows automation of commands and the testing session is shortened, as it is not interrupted by RF communication issues.

In addition to the required functionalities, it is important to set up a tool that can be used by the POS manufacturer to operate some modifications during debug sessions on the hardware part of the device.

Set Registers Values

Although Alcinéo’s DTE L1 is a tool dedicated to the digital testing sessions, it embeds a functionality to allow our customers to set the value of specific RF chip registers during analogic testing session. Antenna tuning is facilitated, as the values set with the command are not permanent, and can be modified easily with a reset of the device.

Using Alcinéo DTE L1 during EMV Contactless Level 1 Type Approval testing sessions help our customers to optimize certification process, comply with international standards requirements, and customize their solution. POS manufacturers just stay focus on their objective, to product and deploy in a cost effective and timely manner, the next generation of payment terminals.