In line with the increased interest in securing devices with authentication steps, Digi-Key Electronics has signed a global distribution agreement with Fingerprint Cards. The Swedish biometric company develops sensors for payments and access devices and systems, algorithms, software and hardware. Last year, the company announced it had shopped one billions sensors and launched the Biometric Software platform for payments and an in-display sensor for mobile phones.

The agreement provides the distributor’s customers with standalone, compact, biometric fingerprint sensors for devices and systems requiring secure and convenient identification and authentication.

For the distributor, the agreement will allow more development in a growth area, said David Stein, vice president, global supplier management, Digi-Key. “Biometric authentication is growing as it continues to be implemented into new applications and devices. Digi-Key now offers customers an easy path to develop secure devices with integrated capacitive fingerprint sensor technology,” he said.

Fingerprints’ biometric module, FPC BM-Lite is a capacitive sensor-based, biometric fingerprint embedded design for integration into access control systems, locks, safes, USB tokens and point of sale terminals. It uses simple serial commands for enrolment and verification and has a low current consumption for battery-powered applications. The sensor has a protective coating to protect against ESD above ±15 kV and is scratch- and impact-resistant. It is also waterproof, making it suitable for industrial and outdoor, all-weather applications.

Commenting on the agreement, Michel Roig, senior vice president, payments and access at Fingerprints said: “This is a step for us to be able to scale with FPC BM-Lite and to reach new verticals . . . . Digi-Key will help us reach out and find new potential markets and application areas.”