Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that allows two devices to connect by emitting and, at the same time, receiving a signal. It enables bidirectional read-write communication.
NFC operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz and allows a distance of less than 10 cm (NFC devices need to be in close proximity to transmit data). It operates at a transmission speed of up to 424 kbit/s and takes around 200 microseconds to establish an NFC link.
NFC devices communicate through a dialogue. One is the Initiator device, and the other is the Target, which must respond before initiating another request, similar to how Bluetooth operates.
The main components of an NFC-enabled mobile device include the NFC chip, a coil or antenna built into the phone, and the SIM card as a secure element. Additionally, it is essential for the device’s battery to be NFC-compatible. The NFC standard includes the NFC application layer, where security is a fundamental element, applied to especially sensitive use cases such as contactless payments.
As for the mobile device’s software, it consists of a series of applications called MIDlets that are downloaded to the NFC-enabled smartphone’s memory using the Over-The-Air (OTA) protocol. These applications include support for services such as contactless payments, customer loyalty programs, public transportation passes, etc. These apps, in turn, interact with the NFC applications of the secure element (SIM card), resulting in NFC services.
It is a technology with almost limitless capabilities. It naturally connects the offline world with the online world; you only need to touch an NFC chip with your smartphone to transition from reality to the virtual world:
- Reading/writing tags on smart posters, stickers, or any other medium to access information or configure your NFC-enabled device (e.g., turning on or off Wi-Fi with a tag), and peer-to-peer data exchange (transferring a photo or a song between two NFC devices).
- Identification on the subway or bus (an evolution of RFID technology used in magnetic stripe cards).
- Physical access to the car, with the simple gesture of touching the car door with the smartphone, it opens, activates the air conditioning with the pre-programmed temperature, and even plays the song that was being listened to on the mobile before getting into the vehicle.
- Loyalty cards. Various smartphone applications in development will integrate NFC technology for identification in certain places, allowing users to enjoy promotions.
- Payments. The mobile phone will replace the wallet: by bringing the smartphone close to an NFC-enabled device, you can now make payments, from a coffee to a movie ticket.
Transparent round NFC tags with NTAG216 chip.
The NTAG216 chips are faster in data transmission and have a wide reading range; they are compatible with all NFC devices.
- Available memory: 888 bytes
- Dimensions: diameter 38 mm
- Medium-level water resistance: can resist contact with moist fabrics
Technical specifications
- Chip: NXP NTAG216
- Standard ISO14443 A
- Standard NFC Forum Type 2
- Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz
- Antenna dimensions: Ø 35 mm
![](https://tokenizart.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/nfc_1.jpg)