ACR1281S-C1 DualBoost II Serial Dual Interface Reader

ACR1281S-C1 DualBoost II is a serial dual interface reader that can access any contact and contactless smart cards following ISO 7816 and ISO 14443 standards. It integrates conventionally separate and independent applications for contact and contactless technologies into one device and one card.

About ACR1281S-C1

ACR1281S-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. ACR1281S-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 banking or e-commerce to settle payments or other transactions securely using credit cards, and it for verifying contactless cards to provide access to specific areas or workstations. 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 ACR1281S-C1 is a plug and play device that does not require any driver installation. It comes with a built-in SAM slot for added security in both contact and contactless applications. Lastly, the ACR1281S-C1 makes use of high-speed communication for contactless cards at a maximum of 848 kbps, which makes it suitable for highly demanding applications.

With additional features such as USB firmware upgradability, contact memory card support and extended APDU support, ACR1281S-C1 Serial DualBoost II is a highly cost-effective, powerful all-in-one device that offers convenience and flexibility to many smart card applications.

ACR1281S-C1 Standard Features

  • Serial RS232 Interface
  • USB interface for power supply
  • CCID-like frame format (binary format)
  • 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 microprocessor cards with T=0 or T=1 protocol
    • Supports memory cards
    • ISO 7816 compliant SAM slot
  • Built-in Peripherals:
    • Two user-controllable LEDs
    • User-controllable buzzer
  • USB Firmware Upgradability

ACR1281S-C1 Typical Applications

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

ACR1281S-C1 Technical Specifications

Dimensions120.5 mm (L) x 72.0 mm (W) x 20.4 mm (H)
Weight150 g
Compliance / Certifications
  • CE, FCC, RoHS Compliant
InterfaceRS232 for data communication
USB for power transmission
Operating DistanceUp to 50 mm (depends on the tag type)
Supply VoltageRegulated 5V DC
Supply Current200mA
Operating Temperature

0 - 60 °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®
Release Date Drivers OS Support Version File Size Notes
USB Interface
18-Apr-2024

Windows® XP, Windows® Server 2003, Windows® Vista, Windows® Server 2008, Windows® Server 2008 R2, Windows® 7, Windows® 8, Windows 8.1, Windows® Server 2012, Windows® Server 2012 R2, Windows® 10, Windows® 11

1.0.2.1 195.00 KB
18-Apr-2024

Linux®, Mac OS® X 10.5, Mac OS® X10.6, Mac OS® X10.7, Mac OS® X10.8, Mac OS® X10.9

1.0.2 987.50 KB
Product Presentation

Product Presentation of ACR1281S-C1 DualBoost II Serial Dual Interface Reader

Technical Specification

Technical Specification of ACR1281S-C1 DualBoost II Serial Dual Interface Reader

Application Programming Interface

API Driver Manual of ACR1281S-C1 DualBoost II Serial Dual Interface Reader

Communication Protocol

Communication Protocol Manual of ACR1281S-C1 DualBoost II Serial Dual Interface Reader

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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