Silicon-based fingerprint chips have been in development for over a decade and are the industry standard. However, there is one problem that has never been fully resolved: fake fingerprints.

The principle behind silicon-based fingerprint recognition is to compare a captured fingerprint image with a pre-stored template to determine if they match. It only assesses whether the images “look alike”; it neither cares about nor can distinguish whether the object pressed against the sensor is a real finger or a prosthetic. As fingerprint recognition expands into smart locks, financial payments, and customs checkpoints, this fundamental limitation has become a hurdle that must be overcome.

Glass-based technology was developed precisely to overcome this hurdle.

The choice of glass hinges on three key factors:

Low dielectric loss: Enhances the image signal-to-noise ratio

High light transmittance: Provides the physical foundation for infrared liveness detection

Process compatibility: Ensures the capability for large-scale mass production.

A breakthrough in glass-based technology: integrating liveness detection with fingerprint matching.

When a finger is pressed against the glass-based chip, it captures a fingerprint image while simultaneously using infrared technology to detect the absorption rate of near-infrared light by oxygenated hemoglobin in the blood. Verification is granted only when both conditions are met: “infrared reflectance matches human characteristics” and “fingerprint features align.” A fake fingerprint must pass both tests to be accepted—and vital signs are something a prosthetic can never replicate.

Thanks to the low parasitic effects of the glass substrate, the sensor achieves a higher signal-to-noise ratio, significantly improving image clarity. It accurately recognizes fingerprints regardless of whether the finger is dry or wet, or if the fingerprint is cracked or dirty.

From customs checkpoints to bank counters, and from smart door locks to prison verification systems, glass-based solutions are replacing silicon-based ones to become the preferred choice for high-security applications.

As the first company in China to achieve mass production of glass-based fingerprint chips, Xingqihang has demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of this technology through more than 180 patents and authoritative certifications from the Ministry of Public Security, Microsoft, and other organizations.