Number 3 semi-conductor manufacturer texas instruments has developed a wireless microcontroller for processing passports and government IDs. The microcontroller uses FeRAM technology that provides fast read-and-write times, better memory capacity and improved processing times to support biometric identification and other forms of data-intensive authentication.

The FeRAM technology provides EPROM and flash capabilities, and consumes less power than current embedded ID technologies. The Federal government, as well as other authorities worldwide require faster processing capabilities for document creation and inspection. In the US alone, the Federal government estimates that the number of E-passports to reach 17 million, up from just over 12 million in 2006.