Near Field Communication Systems

Patras, July 2006

What means NFC?

A combination of contactless identification and networking technologies

Is a wireless connectivity technology that enables convenient short-range communication between electronic devices

Area of applications

Touch and GoApplications such as access control or transport/event ticketing, where the user only needs to bring the device storing the ticket or access code close to the reader. Also, for simple data capture applications, such as picking up an Internet URL from a smart label on a poster.

Touch and ConfirmApplications such as mobile payment where the user has to confirm the interaction by entering a password or just accepting the transaction.

Touch and ConnectLinking two NFC-enabled devices to enable peer to peer transfer of data such as downloading music, exchanging images or synchronizing address books.

Touch and ExploreNFC devices may offer more than one possible function. The consumer will be able to explore a device's capabilities to find out which functionalities and services are offered.

Standards and examples

Standards: ECMA 340 and ISO 14443A (transfer speeds up to 424 kbit/s)

Other protocols implemented MIFARE (Philips) and FeliCa (Sony) reader/writer mode can act as a smart card in combination with a security controller IC

Philips: PN511, PN531