ISO IEC 20060-2010 PDF

Full title and description

ISO/IEC 20060:2010 — Information technology — Open Terminal Architecture (OTA) — Virtual machine. Defines a standard OTA kernel and its virtual machine (VM) including the VM services, token language and the token-module delivery format for terminal software (e.g., point-of-sale and secure terminals).

Abstract

This International Standard specifies the architecture and behaviour of an Open Terminal Architecture virtual machine: the VM definition, the set of services exposed to terminal programmers, the token set representing the VM’s native machine language and the file/module format used to deliver token modules to an OTA kernel. It is intended to enable portable terminal applications and a common kernel implementation across terminal types.

General information

• Status: Published (edition 2.0, replaces ISO/IEC 20060:2001).
• Publication date: 22 June 2010 (publication listed mid‑2010; national adoptions/records also show July 2010).
• Publisher: Joint ISO/IEC publication (ISO and IEC; developed by ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17 — Cards and security devices for personal identification).
• ICS / categories: 35.240.15 (Identification cards; chip cards; biometrics / related terminal and card interfaces).
• Edition / version: Edition 2.0 (2010).
• Number of pages: 138 pages (published file metadata lists 138 pages).

Scope

Specifies a standard software kernel (the OTA kernel) based on a virtual machine and intended for terminal devices. The standard defines the VM architecture and instruction/token set, the programming interface and services offered to terminal applications, and the delivery format for token modules so that high‑level libraries, terminal programs and payment or other secure applications can be developed to run portably on compliant terminals.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition of the OTA virtual machine and its execution model (kernel layers and VM semantics).
• Specification of services and programming interfaces provided by the VM to terminal programmers (I/O, device drivers, basic logical/arithmetic functions).
• Token set definition — a standardized native "token" or bytecode language for portable modules.
• Module/token delivery format — how token modules are packaged and delivered to an OTA kernel for processing.
• Requirements to enable portability of terminal applications and interoperability of kernel implementations across CPU/terminal types.

Typical use and users

Adopted by terminal manufacturers, payment‑terminal and POS vendors, secure terminal integrators, implementers of OTA kernels, application developers who need portable terminal software, and test/certification laboratories assessing conformance to OTA VM behaviour. The standard is primarily relevant to organizations designing or validating terminal firmware and runtime environments in card/payment ecosystems.

Related standards

Closely related to other ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17 work on cards and terminal interfaces — for example the ISO/IEC 7816 series (identification cards / integrated circuit cards) and contactless/contact standards used in payment and secure‑ID environments. Implementers commonly use ISO/IEC 20060 in conjunction with the relevant smart‑card and card‑interface standards from SC 17.

Keywords

Open Terminal Architecture; OTA; virtual machine; VM; token modules; terminal kernel; point-of-sale terminals; payment terminal; smart card; ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO/IEC 20060:2010 is an international standard that defines the Open Terminal Architecture virtual machine and kernel used to provide a common runtime for terminal applications (e.g., payment and secure terminals).

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the VM definition, the services exposed to terminal programmers, the token (bytecode) language, and the module delivery format so that terminal applications and libraries can be portable across compliant kernels.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Terminal hardware and firmware vendors, POS/payment terminal integrators, application developers targeting multiple terminal platforms, and conformance/certification labs.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO/IEC 20060:2010 is the 2010 edition and was published to replace the earlier ISO/IEC 20060:2001 edition. Users should confirm whether a more recent revision exists in authoritative catalogs before specifying it for new procurements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the body of ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17 work on cards and security devices; it is commonly used alongside related SC 17 standards (for example the ISO/IEC 7816 family for integrated circuit cards).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Open Terminal Architecture, OTA, virtual machine, token, terminal kernel, POS, payment terminal, smart card, ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 17.