Near Field Communication, or NFC, is a wireless technology that lets two devices connect when they are brought within a few centimeters of each other. NFC makes use of radio frequency identification (RFID) to transmit data. It follows protocols set by the NFC Forum, an industry group managing standards.

The great advantage of NFC is that it is very simple to use - just tap or wave devices together. No need for manual pairing. This makes it great for mobile payments, quickly sharing contacts or links and other tasks. While payments are the most common use today, NFC has many other applications too. It can be used to pair headphones, access public transit or share files.

NFC relies on a combination of two distinct technologies – Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC). RFID refers to the technology that enables the reader or writer to detect the other device within its range. NFC refers to the protocols and standards developed by the NFC Forum that ensure the devices can actually communicate with each other. Together, these two technologies form the foundation of any successful NFC transaction.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology

Radio frequency identification (RFID) works on a reader-writer principle. A reader or writer is typically attached to a smartphone or payment card. The reader sends out an electromagnetic field in a specific direction. Any device within range of this field will detect this signal and respond back with the appropriate data in accordance with the set protocol. It is through this back and forth communication process that the reader or writer extracts the required information.

Near Field Communication Protocols and Standards

The second component of NFC technology is the protocols and standards developed by the NFC Forum. These standards ensure that all compatible devices can correctly interpret each other's messages, allowing them to carry out successful transactions. One of the latest versions of these standards is called Wireless Charging Specification 2.0 (WLC 2.0), allowing wireless charging by enabling a single antenna in an NFC-enabled device to manage both communications and charging.

NFC technology is being utilized in many different ways, including for payments, data transfer, access control, and authentication.

Payments & Transactions

The most well-known use cases for NFC are payments and other financial transactions. Many banks have released credit cards with embedded NFC chips that allow users to make contactless payments simply by tapping their card against a reader or writer.

Data Transfer & Sharing

In addition to payments and financial transactions, NFC can also be used for other types of data transfer and sharing. Users can easily share photos, music files, contact lists, and other types of data between two NFC-enabled devices simply by tapping them together. This makes it quick and easy to send and receive files without the need for an internet connection.

Access Control & Authentication

NFC is also useful for access control and user authentication. Many companies use NFC tags to control access to certain areas of their premises, such as conference rooms or computer centers. Additionally, NFC can be used to securely store information such as passwords and user credentials. Learn more about Secure NFC solutions.