ACR1281U-C1

DualBoost II USB Dual Interface Reader

The second generation of ACS’s ACR128 DualBoost Reader, ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is a dual interface reader that can access any contact and contactless smart cards following the ISO 7816 and ISO 14443 standards. It is a device that allows one to access contact and contactless applications using a single device and a single card. The DualBoost Series has PC/SC compliance for both contact and contactless interfaces. It has intelligent support for hybrid and combi cards, such that it is capable of identifying a contactless card that has been incorrectly inserted in the contact card slot. The DualBoost Series also has a built-in SAM slot for added security in both contact and contactless applications. With additional features such as USB firmware upgradability, contact memory card support and extended APDU support, ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is a truly cost-effective, powerful all-in-one device that provides smart card applications with maximum convenience and flexibility.

About ACR1281U-C1

ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is the second generation of ACS’s ACR128 DualBoost Reader. It is a dual interface reader that can access any contact and contactless smart cards following the ISO 7816 and ISO 14443 standards. ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II enables one to integrate conventionally separate and independent applications for contact and contactless technologies into one device and one card. It can be used for online transactions to settle payments securely using credit cards, and it can also be used for topping up contactless cards in automated fare collection systems. It provides the perfect complement to the all-in-one card concept that combines many kinds of smart card applications in just a single card.

The DualBoost Series has PC/SC compliance for both contact and contactless interfaces. It makes use of high-speed communication for contactless cards at a maximum of 848 kbps, which makes it suitable for highly demanding applications. It also provides intelligent support for hybrid and combi cards, such that it detects a contactless card even that has been incorrectly placed in the contact card slot. Lastly, the DualBoost has a built-in SAM slot for added security in both contact and contactless applications.

With additional features such as USB firmware upgradability, contact memory card support and extended APDU support, ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is a highly cost-effective, powerful all-in-one device that offers convenience and flexibility to many smart card applications.

ACR1281U-C1 Standard Features

  • USB 2.0 Full Speed Interface
  • CCID Compliance
  • Contactless Smart Card Reader:
    • Read/write speed of up to 848 kbps
    • Built-in antenna for contactless tag access, with card reading distance of up to 50 mm (depending on tag type)
    • Supports ISO 14443 Part 4 Type A and B cards and MIFARE® series
    • Built-in anti-collision feature (only one tag is accessed at any time)
    • Supports extended APDU (max. 64 kbytes)
  • Contact Smart Card Reader:
    • Supports ISO 7816 Class A, B and C (5 V, 3V and 1.8 V)
    • Supports CAC (Common Access Card)    
    • Supports PIV (Personal Identity Verification Card)   
    • Supports microprocessor cards with T=0 or T=1 protocol
    • Supports memory cards
    • ISO 7816-compliant SAM slot
  • Application Programming Interface:
    • Supports PC/SC
    • Supports CT-API (through wrapper on top of PC/SC)
  • Built-in Peripherals:
    • Two user-controllable LEDs
    • User-controllable buzzer
  • USB Firmware Upgradability

ACR1281U-C1 Typical Applications

  • e-Government
  • Banking & Payment
  • Network Security
  • Access Control
  • e-Purse & Loyalty
  • Transportation

ACR1281U-C1 Technical Specifications

Dimensions

120.5 mm (L) x 72.0 mm (W) x 20.4 mm (H)

Weight140 g
Compliance / Certifications
  • ISO 14443, ISO 7816, FIPS 201, PC/SC, CCID, CE, FCC, RoHS, USB Full Speed,Microsoft ® WHQL
InterfaceUSB Full Speed
Operating DistanceUp to 50 mm (depends on the tag type)
Supply VoltageRegulated 5V DC
Supply Current200mA (operating); 50mA (standby)
Operating Temperature

0-60⁰ C

Operating Frequency13.56 MHz
Smart Card Interface Support
  • Contact
    • ISO 7816 Class A, B and C (5V, 3V, 1.8V)
  • Contactless
    • ISO 14443 Type A & B
    • MIFARE
Operating System Support
  • Windows®
  • Linux®
  • Mac OS®
  • Android™ 3.1 and above
Release Date Drivers OS Support Version File Size Notes
  USB Interface
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
USB Interface
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
21-Nov-2022

Windows®

4.4.2.0 3.65 MB
04-Aug-2023

Linux®

1.1.10 3.17 MB
26-Aug-2024

macOS®

1.1.11.1 279.71 KB
21-Dec-2023

Android™ 3.1 or above

1.1.6 1.56 MB
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
31-Dec-1969
Product Presentation

Product Presentation of ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II Dual Interface Smart Card Reader

Technical Specification

Technical Specification of ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II Dual Interface Smart Card Reader

Application Programming Interface

API Driver Manual of ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II Dual Interface Smart Card Reader

ACR1281U-C1 SDK

ACR1281U-C1\ DualBoost II Smart Card Reader Software Development Kit

ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II is the second generation of ACS’s ACR128 DualBoost Reader. It is a dual interface reader that can access any contact and contactless smart cards following the ISO 7816 and ISO 14443 standards. ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II enables one to integrate conventionally separate and independent applications for contact and contactless technologies into one device and one card.

ACR1281U-C1 DualBoost II comes in a complete Software Development Kit (SDK), which contains vital components for facilitating the development of contact and contactless smart card applications. The SDK provides the user with tools and utilities, and sample codes, enabling them to conveniently and effectively incorporate ACR1281U-C1 into their solutions.

The development kit is priced at only US$199.

ACR1281U SDK

Smart Card Reader(s)
  • 1 x ACR1281U-C1 Dual Interface Smart Card Reader
Test Card(s)/ Token(s)
  • 5 x Mifare 1K Cards
  • 5 x ACOS3 Contact Smart Cards
  • 1 x ACOS6-SAM Secure Access Module Card
Software Installer
  • Reference Manual(s) 
  • Tools and Utilities: 
    • PC/SC Learning Tool
    • QuickView 
    • EasyKey
    • Script Tool 5
    • Smart Card and Reader Tool 
  • Sample Codes: 
    • Demonstrates basic commands used to communicate with the cards and readers
    • Available in the following programming languages:
      • Java
      • MS Visual Basic.NET 2013
      • MS Visual C#.NET 2013
      • MS Visual C++.NET 2013 
SDK Operating System Support
  • Windows® 7
  • Windows® 8.1
  • Windows® 10

Contact Us

Hong Kong Headquarters

Advanced Card Systems Ltd.

Units 4108 - 4110, 41st Floor,

Manhattan Place,

23 Wang Tai Road, Kowloon Bay,

Hong Kong


Tel: +852-2796-7873

Fax: +852-2796-1286

Email: info@acs.com.hk






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