MAGNETIC STRIPE CARD READER

Magnetic stripe cards, commonly used for credit cards, IDs, and hotel keys, adhere to specifications outlined in ISO/IEC 7811. These specifications cover physical dimensions, magnetic stripe encoding, and data format. The standard card size is 85.60 × 53.98 mm (3.375 × 2.125 inches). The magnetic stripe itself can be HiCo (High Coercivity) or LoCo (Low Coercivity), and typically encodes three tracks of data.

Key Specifications:

Dimensions: Standard credit card size (85.60 x 53.98 mm or 3.375 x 2.125 inches).

Material: Typically PVC or a PVC-PET blend.

Magnetic Stripe: Contains three tracks for data storage.

Coercivity: Can be HiCo (4000 Oe) or LoCo (300 Oe), with HiCo being more resistant to erasure.

Data Encoding: ISO/IEC 7811 specifies the format for data storage on the three tracks.

Track 1: Alphanumeric characters (7-bit encoding).

Track 2: Numeric characters (5-bit encoding).

Track 3: Numeric characters (5-bit encoding), often used for additional information.

Data Format (ISO/IEC 7811):

Start Sentinel: Marks the beginning of data on a track.

Format Code: Indicates the data format (e.g., format B for credit cards).

Primary Account Number (PAN): The card number (up to 19 digits).

Field Separator: Separates different data fields.

Name: Cardholder's name (up to 26 characters).

Expiration Date: Usually in YYMM format (e.g., 2506 for June 2025).

Service Code: Provides information about the card.

Discretionary Data: May include PIN Verification Value (PVV), Card Verification Value (CVV/CVC), etc.

End Sentinel: Marks the end of data on a track.

Other Considerations:

Track Usage:

Credit cards primarily use Track 1 and Track 2. Track 3 is used for additional information like country or currency codes.

Security:

Magnetic stripe technology is considered less secure than newer technologies like EMV chips, which are increasingly used in payment cards.

Durability:

Magnetic stripes can be susceptible to damage from magnetic fields and wear from repeated swiping.

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