Abstract:
Near
Field Communication (NFC) Technology is an intuitive and highly secure wireless
communication technology that allows seamless interaction between electronic
devices within a short range of approximately 4 cm. By simply touching
NFC-enabled devices together, users can effortlessly engage in various
applications and share data. While NFC is technically based on Radio Frequency
Identification (RFID), its practical application resembles Bluetooth, enabling
communication between two active devices.
NFC holds tremendous potential as a contactless electronic payment solution, as its limited range prevents unauthorized access to NFC-enabled transactions. However, it's important to note that attackers can extend the range using specialized systems. In this article, we delve into the advantages, limitations, and challenges of NFC technology, along with its wide range of applications that introduce exciting new usage scenarios for mobile devices.
Introduction:
Near
Field Communication (NFC) stands as an indispensable technology that is rapidly
becoming an essential feature for every gadget. It seamlessly integrates Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) with mobile devices, facilitating smooth communication
through proximity or touch. While RFID primarily serves identification purposes
without requiring a direct line of sight, NFC enables more advanced and secure
transactions, such as contactless access and payment. NFC is the fruit of
collaboration between NXP Semiconductors (formerly Philips Semiconductors) and
Sony Corporation [1]. Although NFC has already found its way into numerous
smartphones, its utilization is still somewhat limited due to a lack of
awareness. However, with the surging popularity and demand for Android
applications, NFC is poised to become omnipresent, complementing existing
technologies in various ways. This article aims to provide a comprehensive
understanding of different communication modes, NFC's operational principles, as
well as an in-depth exploration of its advantages, limitations, and potential
future enhancements.
NFC
Standards:
The NFC
standards were initially developed by the NFC Forum, a collective effort
between Nokia, Sony, and Philips, with the goal of promoting NFC awareness [2].
In December 2003, NFC was granted the ISO/IEC 18092 (NFC IP-1) standard, which
defines the interface and communication rules for simple wireless exchanges
between closely positioned devices, with transfer rates of 106, 212, and 424 kbps.
In 2005, NFC further received the ISO/IEC 21481 standard, signifying its
potential as a globally recognized technology with diverse applications.
According to the ISO standard, NFC does not encrypt data, ensuring
compatibility with previous RFID technologies.
Modes
of Communication:
NFC
facilitates communication between two active devices, known as active mode, as
well as between an NFC device and a passive tag, referred to as passive mode
[3]. In active mode, both the initiator and target devices generate the RF
signal that carries the data. In passive mode, the initiator generates the RF
signal, while the target communicates back to the initiator using a technique
called load modulation (similar to smart cards used in metro travel) [4].
Additionally, battery-less rewritable NFC tags are available, capable of
storing up to 4096 bytes of data. Consequently, modern mobile phones come
equipped with NFC readers and writers, enabling data transmission to and from
these tags.
NFC
Modes of Operation:
NFC operates in three modes: Peer-to-Peer, Reader/Writer, and Card Emulation. These modes were defined by the NFC Forum to standardize and promote NFC by addressing the unique communication requirements of each mode.
- Card emulation mode involves duplicating data from an NFC-enabled mobile device to an NFC reader. This mode holds significant importance as it eliminates the need for physical cards and provides access control through users' smartphones, making it the most widely used NFC mode.
-
Reader/writer mode facilitates data transfer between NFC tags and cell phones,
or vice versa. This innovative technology introduced by NFC is likely to become
a key selling point in the future.
- Peer-to-peer
mode allows data exchange between two NFC-enabled active devices. However, this
mode sees less usage due to stiff competition from other wireless technologies,
such as Bluetooth.
During an
ongoing transaction, the mode of communication, whether active or passive,
cannot be changed unless the target device is removed or deactivated.
Advantages:
NFC
technology offers numerous advantages over other wireless communication
technologies, making it a preferred choice in various applications:
- Bi-directional
communication: NFC enables simultaneous data exchange between two devices,
unlike Bluetooth, which supports one-way communication.
- Power
efficiency: NFC consumes less power compared to Bluetooth in active mode, and
even more so in passive mode. Additionally, NFC operates at lower transfer
speeds ranging from 106 kbps to 424 kbps [2].
- Easy
and spontaneous connection: Unlike Bluetooth, NFC does not require a complex
setup process to establish a connection between devices. This ease of use proves
especially beneficial in crowded environments.
-
Handshaking capability: NFC allows for quick device pairing without the need
for manual configurations. Once the connection is established within
milliseconds, other wireless technologies can be employed for data transfer and
other tasks.
- Limited
risk of unintended connections: Due to its short communication range, NFC
reduces the likelihood of unintended connections, eliminating the need to reset
a device simply because it came into proximity with a smart tag. Deliberate
connection is required for communication to occur.
-
Simplicity for non-technical users: NFC's user-friendly nature simplifies
integration with other wireless technologies, making it accessible even to
non-technical individuals.
-
Information storage and retrieval: Mobile devices can function as information
storage devices or NFC readers, retrieving data from NFC tags that can then be
manipulated and utilized accordingly. Additionally, sensitive information such
as website passwords can be securely stored, effectively serving as a digital
storage solution.
- Compact
and versatile: NFC enables the development of compact devices, as there is no
need for an embedded display unit. An NFC-enabled device can simply be touched
to another device, and relevant information can be displayed.
-
Compatibility with contactless approaches: NFC is compatible with other
contactless approaches, such as ISO 14443A (e.g., Philips' Mifare) and ISO
14443B (e.g., Sony's FeliCa), as they all operate within the 13.56 MHz
frequency range.
-
Built-in security: NFC's communication range is limited to approximately 4 cm,
ensuring secure and reliable communication. When devices are separated by even
a slight distance, communication ceases.
- Integration
feasibility: NFC module components can be integrated onto a single chip, as
depicted in Figure 3, optimizing device space for additional functionalities
while maintaining a compact form factor.
Contactless
Payment:
With NFC-enabled smartphones, contactless payment methods can replace physical wallets, credit cards, and debit cards. Contact smart cards require physical contact with a reader to exchange data, whereas contactless smart cards, like NFC, utilize electromagnetic waves as an energy source and employ wireless communication for data exchange. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, essential in cell phones, authenticate users and contain a secure storage area for value-added services provided by mobile network operators and service providers, including mobile financial services, e-government services, and digital signature services. NFC facilitates electronic payments by enabling SIM cards to function as contactless smart cards, while smartphones serve as mobile wallets.
Transit and Ticketing:
The introduction of contactless tickets through NFC technology enhances the speed and convenience of public transport usage, such as buses, as well as access to controlled environments like parking garages and transportation gates, improving efficiency and reducing paper waste. This eco-friendly option offers greater flexibility in choosing sources and destinations compared to traditional formats and promotes better monitoring and transparency within the system.
NFC-enabled
smartphones can serve as room keys in hotels, eliminating the need for
traditional check-in and check-out procedures. Instead, guests can make their
bookings, receive a soft key to their rooms, and directly access their allotted
accommodations, bypassing queues and waiting times.
Conclusion:
Near
Field Communication (NFC) is already shaping the future of electronic devices
and their integration into people's lives. As chip manufacturing costs
decrease, NFC-enabled mobile phones are becoming increasingly common, with
their applications becoming an integral part of everyday life. Surveys indicate
that NFC technology is preferred over alternative technologies such as
Bluetooth Beacons and QR codes. NFC operates on the basis of RFID technology,
utilizing magnetic field induction for close-range communication between
electronic devices operating at 13.56 MHz, an unlicensed frequency capable of
transmitting data at a maximum rate of 424 kbps [4]. While NFC technology may
currently be less popular compared to other technologies, its usage is expected
to grow with the rising prevalence of Android applications. In a world where
digital transactions are commonplace, users may initially have concerns about
the security of their personal data stored on NFC devices. However, with
increased awareness and understanding, NFC technology will undoubtedly become a
necessity.
Hashtag/Keyword/Labels:
Near Field Communication, NFC,
RFID, wireless communication, contactless payment, mobile devices, smart
phones.
References/Resources:
1. Kevin Curran, Amanda Millar,
Conor Mc Garvey, (2012) "Near Field Communication", International
Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering (IJECE), Vol.2, No.3, pp.
371-382.
2. ISO/IEC 21481:2005 -
Information technology - Radio frequency identification device performance test
methods - Part 1: Test methods for system performance.
3. NFC Forum: https://www.nfc-forum.org/
4. NXP Semiconductors: https://www.nxp.com/
5. Sony Corporation: https://www.sony.com/
For more such Seminar articles click index
– Computer Science Seminar Articles list-2023.
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…till
next post, bye-bye and take care.
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