In its Contactless Transaction IC Vendor Matrix rankings, ABI Research has given the no. 1 slot to NXP Semiconductors (News - Alert). The survey takes into account the innovation and implementation of technology in areas such as payment, ticketing and Near Field Communication, or “NFC,” applications.

 

The Vendor Matrix is an analytical tool developed by ABI Research (News - Alert) to provide a clear understanding of vendors’ positions in specific markets. To assess the vendors, ABI used parameters such as “innovation” and “implementation” across several criteria unique to each vendor matrix.

 

According to ABI officials, NXP has been placed on the top due to the combination of strengths in the contactless IC market of the company. Other factors that tilted the balance in company’s favor were market share and market leadership; contactless IC product investment and development; partnerships and support for industry forums; good customer base; and support for emerging applications are all key strengths in NXP’s approach to contactless transaction ICs.

 

“At NXP we are committed to provide our partners in the contactless markets around the world with high performance mixed signal-based IC solutions,” Ruediger Stroh, general manager, Identification business, NXP Semiconductors, said. “ABI Research’s Contactless Transaction IC Vendor Matrix has established itself as a tool which gives the market a clear understanding of each of the vendor’s strengths within these essential contactless applications areas.”

 

NXP has always received the top positions in ABI contactless IC vendor matrix since its first publication in 2007. The report selects vendors based on analyst research, vendor interviews and industry feedback from various stakeholders, which includes hardware vendors, integrators, and end-users.

 

Recently, the company’s SmartMX security chip was selected by the Chinese government to power the country's first ePassport scheme. Utilizing the latest developments in cryptography and security to protect the chip at both hardware and software level, NXP's portfolio of SmartMX products enables data to be securely stored on the passport, creating an even stronger link between the document and its owner.