Summary of Getting Started With NFC
NFC extends RFID technology by adding processing and authentication, enabling secure interactions between mobile devices and various objects like smart posters, tickets, and access systems. Operating at 13.56 MHz, it supports interoperability across multiple standards and vendors to create a broad ecosystem. This facilitates low-traffic tasks such as establishing Bluetooth links or transferring web addresses via Wi-Fi, while supporting four tag types defined by ISO standards for diverse applications including payments and data sharing.
Parts used in the Near-Field Communication Project:
- Mobile device
- NFC tags
- Contactless smartcards (Type A and B)
- FeliCa format tags (Sony)
- Tag readers
- Smart posters
- Location based check-in signs
- Ticketing terminals
- Payment terminal contactless readers
- Secure access systems
Near-Field Communication (NFC) is an evolution of radio frequency identification (RFID) tag technology that allows objects to respond to the tap of a mobile device. Although the tags are being used for making payments from a wireless bank card or a mobile phone, there are many more applications. NFC takes the identification and low cost capabilities of RFID and extends them with processing and authentication within the NFC tag. This transforms the already dynamic mobile user experience in a way that enables the “Internet of Things”. Tags in “smart posters” or location based check-in signs, games or media content on a friends’ tablet, and ticketing or payment terminal contactless readers can now interact with your mobile device in a secure yet simple way. NFC technology is even being used in secure access systems to replace locks and to provide information on the label of a wine bottle.
There are a number of NFC standards available, operating in the 13.56 MHz unlicensed band, but the new generation of tag readers supports a wide range of bands to allow designers to implement systems that read a wide range of different tags. This interoperability creates the broad ecosystem that is essential to increase the volume usage of the tags and so bring the costs down to the point where NFC can be ubiquitous.
NFC standardizes a super set of technology from three vendors, including NXP, and provides links up to 424 kbit/s for low traffic applications such as setting up links for faster links such as Bluetooth or transferring a web address that can be downloaded via a Wi-Fi or 3G network.
Four types of tag have been defined, based on ISO 14443. Types A and B are defined for contactless smartcards. A flexible reader should be able to handle each type. The FeliCa format from Sony conforms to the passive communication mode standard, ISO 18092.
For more detail: Getting Started With NFC
- What is NFC?
Near-Field Communication is an evolution of RFID that allows objects to respond to the tap of a mobile device with added processing and authentication. - How does NFC differ from RFID?
NFC extends RFID capabilities by adding processing and authentication within the tag itself. - What frequency band does NFC operate in?
NFC operates in the 13.56 MHz unlicensed band. - Can NFC link up to other networks?
Yes, it provides links up to 424 kbit/s to set up faster connections like Bluetooth or transfer web addresses for Wi-Fi or 3G networks. - How many types of NFC tags are defined?
Four types of tags have been defined based on ISO 14443. - Which formats do Type A and B tags support?
Type A and B are defined for contactless smartcards. - Does FeliCa conform to ISO standards?
Yes, the FeliCa format from Sony conforms to the passive communication mode standard, ISO 18092. - What is the purpose of interoperability in NFC?
Interoperability creates a broad ecosystem essential to increase usage volume and reduce costs to make NFC ubiquitous. - Can NFC replace physical locks?
Yes, NFC technology is used in secure access systems to replace locks.
