New Datakey Portable Memory System Achieves 60 Percent Reduction in Size

November 12, 2024 - Eden Prairie, MN, USA – ATEK Access Technologies is proud to announce the release of the Mini-Bar series, the latest addition to its Datakey brand of rugged portable memory products. Consisting of portable memory tokens and mating receptacles, the Mini-Bar series provides embedded systems designers with a robust memory key that can be used as a credential for access control or to store and transfer data. Designed for small, hand-held applications, the Mini-Bar portable memory system minimizes the receptacle footprint while maintaining a memory token size that is easily handled, all while providing robust environmental performance.

As the name suggests, Mini-Bar memory tokens and receptacles are miniaturized versions of the Datakey Bar series of products. Mini-Bar receptacle models are more than 60 percent smaller than the equivalent Bar receptacle models and are offered in two versions. The MBRHN model features an 8-pin header connector and measures 0.64” x 0.58” x 0.53” (16.3mm x 14.7mm x 13.6mm). The MBRFN model measures 0.64” x 0.58” x 0.36” (16.3mm x 14.7mm x 9.1mm) and uses a special interface board with an FFC/FPC connector. The receptacles are available with or without an adhesive gasket and achieve an IP67 seal when properly mounted.

Mini-Bar memory tokens are slightly larger than a microSD card but are thicker, stronger and easier to handle. Currently, there are four memory token models available—all use serial EEPROM. Memory capacity options include 16 Kbits or 256 Kbits with either an SPI or I2C serial interface. In 2025, additional Mini-Bar memory tokens will be introduced featuring Microchip’s CryptoAuthentication™ secure memory ICs.

“Datakey Bar memory tokens and receptacles were released in 2009 and have become a popular choice for credentials in cryptographic products in the United States and Europe,” said Paul Plitzuweit, senior product manager for the Datakey line. “The trend for these cryptographic products, and for many embedded systems, has been toward decreasing sizes over time. The Mini-Bar system aims to strike the perfect balance by reducing the size of the receptacle as much as possible while ensuring that the ‘key’ (or credential) is still easy to handle.”

Customers in North America can purchase Datakey Mini-Bar memory tokens and receptacles and get more information by contacting ATEK Access Technologies (https://datakey.com/). In Europe, the products are available through authorized distributors Nexus Industrial Memory (https://nexusindustrialmemory....) and Milexia (https://milexia.com/).

About ATEK Access Technologies
ATEK Access Technologies (ATEK) designs and manufactures standard and customized sensing, safety, and portable memory solutions with a focus on quality, ruggedness and long product life cycles. Its brands include Larco and Datakey. ATEK’s Larco product line offers high-quality automatic door products and industrial safety mats, all manufactured in our U.S. facility in Central Minnesota. For more information, visit https://larco.com.

ATEK’s Datakey product line features portable memory devices that utilize solid over-molded construction, industrial-temperature electronics, redundant electrical contacts and high cycle-life receptacles for harsh environments. Datakey products also offer a proven history of long-term availability. Since 1976, Datakey has been the preferred portable memory solution for many of the world’s largest defense, medical, and industrial OEMs. For more information, visit https://datakey.com.

Media Contacts:

ATEK Access Technologies
Brian Amundson
President
BAmundson@ATEKCompanies.com

Datakey Contact:
Paul Plitzuweit
Senior Product Manager
PPlitzuweit@ATEKCompanies.com