NFC is wireless technology which provides communication between two mobile phones which
contain NFC tags, using short range radio waves. It uses the magnetic field induction for this purpose. Both devices can communicate with each other using NFC technology when they touch each other or brought very close to each other. It requires short range of approximately ten centimeters to perform the exchange of information between two devices.
We can do payment using our NFC enabled phone by swiping it out in front of the phone reader and then the purchase price will automatically paid from credit card or debit card. Our mobile phone can be used in place of wallet, credit cards, debit cards etc. We don’t need to carry our credit card or debit card with us. But with these advantages, we will have to face disadvantages too. There are some security threats to NFC technology, which should be prevented.
NFC technology uses RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for data/information exchange between two devices over a short distance like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi technology. NFC enabled smartphone users can make transactions and access information with only a simple touch. NFC devices can send and receive data simultaneously. So this technology has a very bright future scope. Since it is a new technology, so NFC enabled mobile users need to be educated on how it will work for them to make payment or exchange any information. But there is a requirement of a protected infrastructure for NFC technology so that it could be widely adopted all over the world. This technology has several advantages over other wireless technology because it provides bidirectional communication for exchanging information.
For example if someone have a laptop and cell phone equipped with NFC, then he/she can easily download data from Internet into the cell phone by simply touching
the cell phone with laptop. Like that you may take pictures by the cell phone and if you want to show those pictures to your friends on big screen then you may just touch your phone with TV and show them. Or if you want to print those pictures then by touching the cell phone with NFC equipped printer will give you the prints of those pictures. This principle works with any kind of
devices equipped with NFC to communicate with each other.
It’s operating frequency is 13.56MHz. Working distance with compact standard antennas is up to 10 cm. The rate of transfer of data is around 106 to 424 Kbit/s. For two devices to communicate using NFC, one device must have an NFC reader/writer and one must have an NFC tag.
3. What is NFC?
NFC or Near Field Communication is a short range high frequency wireless
communication technology.
A radio communication is established by touching the two phones or keeping
them in a proximity of a few centimeters.
NFC is mainly aimed for mobile or handheld devices.
It allows for simplified transactions, data exchange, and wireless connections
between two devices.
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4. Features
NFC is an extension of Radio frequency identification or RFID technology.
It’s operating frequency is 13.56MHz.
Working distance with compact standard antennas: up to 10 cm.
Supported data rates: 106 to 424 Kbit/s.
For two devices to communicate using NFC, one device must have an NFC
reader/writer and one must have an NFC tag.
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5. History
2004NFC Forum was formed by Nokia, Philips, Sony, to set standards for
NFC. Every NFC enabled device will have “N-Mark” trademark ,developed by
NFC Forum.
2006NOKIA 6131 was the first NFC phone.
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6. Contd.
2010First android phone SAMSUNG NEXUS S with NFC
support was released.
2011NFC support became a part of the Symbian mobile
operating system with the release of Symbian Anna version.
2013 Samsung announces major partnership to develop
mobile payments.
2014Apple announces Apple pay, an NFC payment feature for the iPhone 6
and iPhone 6 Plus.
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7. NFC Tag
NFC tags are small microchips which can store a small amount of information
that can be transferred to another NFC device.
NFC tags works by an active device generating a magnetic field which induces
an electric current in the antenna of the passive device which powers up the
NFC Chip.
The antenna on an NFC tag is made of etched aluminium or occasionally
copper.
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8. Contd.
The bonding bit is the connection between the chip and the antenna.
This bit will break when the tag is bended too much.
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9. Operation of NFC
NFC works using electromagnetic Induction between two loop antennas.
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10. Contd.
Faraday’s 1st law - Any change in the magnetic field of a coil of wire will cause
an emf to be induced in the coil.
Faraday’s 2nd law - It states that the magnitude of emf induced in the coil is
equal to the rate of change of flux that linkages with the coil.
Considering Lenz’s law,
E = N
𝑑𝜙
𝑑𝑡
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E = -N
𝑑𝜙
𝑑𝑡
12. Contd.
ACTIVE MODE -
In this mode both devices generate RF field
to transfer data. In this situation any of the
devices can be the initiator and other will
be the target.
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13. Contd.
PASSIVE MODE -
In Passive mode, there is only one active device and the other uses that field to
exchange information.
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14. Application of NFC
SMART POSTERS -
An object that has, affixed to or embedded in it, one or
more readable NFC tags with NDEF messages stored in
them.
Each tag is read when an NFC device is held close to the
“N-Mark” shown.
Garment tag, magazine page, movie posters etc.
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15. Contd.
MOBILE PAYMENT -
NFC phone will open wallet application. Wallet will
display product cost when user clicks “Buy”.
At check out, wallet will display all credit/debit cards
in wallet for payment.
Customer will select card for payment
Wallet will show the confirmation page.
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16. Other applications
Access- Ensure secure building area access for personnel with NFC device.
Parking- Use NFC to authenticate parking entry and keep record .
Maps- An interactive NFC Smart Poster map allows the user to download the
map, get additional information on relevant services.
Connection with different devices like Bluetooth headset, printer, camera etc.
NFC Parking >>>
<<<Security Gate
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17. Comparison with Bluetooth
Aspect NFC BLUETOOTH
Set-up time <0.1 msec ~6 sec
Range Upto 10 cm Upto 30m
Frequency 13.56 MHz 2.4-2.5 GHz
Bit rate 424 Kbit/sec 2.1 Mbit/sec
Power consumption Less power Varies with class
Consumer experience Touch, wave & simply
connect
Configuration needed
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18. Advantages of NFC
No special software
No manual configuration and settings
No search and pair procedure
High convenience to the user, because the data exchange is done by bringing
two mobiles together.
Secure communication
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19. Disadvantages of NFC
The system has the limitation that it can be operated only with devices under a
short range i.e around 10 cm.
The data transfer rate is very less.
Expensive
NFC technology is relatively new, so not every mobile phone will be compatible
with this technology.
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20. Future of NFC
New generations of iPhone, iPod and iPad products would reportedly be
equipped with NFC capability which would enable small-scale monetary
transactions.
Google wallet is Google’s smartphone program that allows users to load credit
card information and pay with the swipe of their phone.
Visa is expanding its horizons and testing the use of NFC as a means of
smartphone payment using Visa credit cards.
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21. Conclusion
Mobile handsets are the primary target for NFC and soon NFC will be
implemented in most handheld devices.
Even though NFC have the shortest range among radio frequency technologies,
combining them with existing technologies like Bluetooth or Infrared can
increase its range of applications.
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22. Reference
[1] http://www.nfc-forum.org
[2] http://www.nearfieldcommunication.org
[3] http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/near-field-communication2.htm
[4] http://www.nfcworld.com/nfc-phones-list/
[5] International Journal of Computer Science and Network Security, VOL.12
No.2,Feb 2012 by Hussein Ahmad Al-Ofeishat , Mohammad A.A.Al Rababah
[6] Beginning NFC by Tom Igoe, Don Coleman & Brian Jepson
[7] http://www.electrical4u.com/faraday-law-of-electromagnetic-induction/
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