NFC Definition
Near
Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that
enables the communication between devices over a distance of less than
10 cm. The NFC standard is defined in ISO/IEC 18092.
NFC operates at 13.56 MHz and supports the existing ISO/IEC standards
14443 (Types A/B/Felica) and 15693 (tags). An NFC device can work in two
modes: active (battery powered) and passive (radio energy powered).
There are three main ways to use NFC:
- Card emulation: the NFC device behaves exactly like a
contactless card and can be used in transport fare payment systems
based on MiFare, Calypso or Felica as well as open banking payment
systems based on Visa payWave, MasterCard PayPass or American
Express ExpressPay
- Reader mode: the NFC device is active and reads a passive RFID
tag; for example reading and storing a Web address or coupon from a
poster for interactive advertising
- Person-to-person (P2P) mode: two NFC devices communicate with
each other exchanging information
The key benefits of NFC are:
- Compatible with the existing contactless infrastructure
- Simplicity. NFC is characterized by a natural and intuitive
“just touch” movement
