scope:

The present document specifies the interface between the UICC and the terminal.

The present document specifies:

• the requirements for the physical characteristics of the UICC;

• the electrical interface for exchanging APDUs between the UICC and the terminal, based on ISO/IEC 7816-3 [11];

• the initial communication establishment and the transport protocols for this interface;

• a model which serves as a basis for the logical structure of the UICC APDU interface;

• communication commands and procedures for the UICC APDU interface;

• application independent files and protocols for the UICC APDU interface.

Starting from Release 17, the UICC may support Logical Secure Element interfaces, which allows it to host multiple logical secure elements. A special form of such a Logical Secure Element (LSE) is a logical UICC. Where required, the lower layers which represent the features common to all LSEs are denoted as LSE base. The applicability of the clauses in the present document to either the LSE base or to the logical UICC is given in the introduction of each affected clause.

The administrative procedures, initial card management and optional communication interfaces between the UICC and terminal are not within the scope of the present document.