Card reader/writer devices and methods for reading/writing both M-cards,
PICCs, and/or S-cards, wherein such devices can comprise a magnetic head
(which can have multiple tracks), an A/D converter, a gated buffer module
associated with the A/D converter, an F2F decoder associated with the
gated buffer module for enabling the integration of multiple discrete
M-card reader formats with decoder functions, and an integral PICC data
processor, which can perform the functions of a PCD, for reading/writing
a PICC along with the M-card. An internal RF analog antenna circuit can
be provided for receiving signals from the PICC, or an external PCD
antenna can be connectable to the RF circuit. The F2F decoder can be
integrated with the PICC data processor, and the A/D converter can
process analog data from both the magnetic head and the RF antenna
circuit. A contact module could also be provided to read/write an S-card.