NFC Technology Overview

1. Technical advantages

NFC combines inductive readers, proximity cards and point-to-point functions on a single chip. Within a few centimeters (usually within 15 centimeters) distance, it operates in the 13.56MHz frequency range. It automatically recognizes target objects and obtains related data through radio frequency signals. The recognition work requires no manual intervention, and any two devices (such as mobile phones, Bluetooth devices) , WiFi devices) close without the need for cable plugs, can achieve mutual communication, can meet the exchange of information between any two wireless devices, content access, service exchange. In addition, NFC-enabled consumer electronics devices can easily exchange or store personal data, including messages, photos, MP3s, and more. For the consumer to achieve easy to use, free installation settings, on-site immediate connection, intelligent gating and other functions, in full compliance with the needs of modern consumers.

2. App types

NFC applications can be divided into four basic types:

Touch and Go: This kind of application is just like access control or tickets and tickets. Users only need to carry the device that stores the ticket or gating code near the reader. It can also be used as a simple data acquisition application. For example, read the URL directly from the smart tag on the poster.

Touch and /confirm/i: This kind of application mainly covers the mobile payment mechanism. Usually the user must enter the password to confirm the transaction behavior, and sometimes only need to directly conduct the transaction.

Touch and Connect: Connect two built-in NFC-enabled devices for point-to-point data transmission, such as downloading music, exchanging images, and processing address books synchronously.

Touch and Explore: The NFC device provides an extremely rich set of features that consumers can explore on their own to find out the potential features and services of an NFC device.

Global consumer electronics giants Sony and Philips, together with Nokia, the world’s largest mobile phone maker, set the standard for wireless technology. The three companies began to integrate NFC technology into mobile phones, digital cameras, compact digital video cameras, and televisions in early 2004. Equipment such as aircraft and car navigation systems are currently standardized in ISO 18092 and ISO 21481, ECMA (340, 352 and 356), and ETSI TS 102 190. In addition, NFC is also compatible with the inductive smart card infrastructure based on ISO 14443A, such as Philips' MIFARE technology and Sony's FeliCa card.

3. Prospects

NFC has the characteristics of low cost, ease of use, and richness of intuition, which makes it appear more potential in some areas - NFC can achieve a variety of devices through a combination of a chip, an antenna, and some software. Communication within centimeters, and costs only 2 to 3 euros. According to ABI Research's latest research on NFC, the NFC market may be launched on mobile handsets. The ABI estimates that by 2005, smart phones and enhanced handheld devices using NFC chips will appear in the market. By 2009, this handheld device will account for more than half of the market. If NFC technology becomes popular, it will greatly change the way people use many electronic devices, and even change the way they use credit cards, keys, and cash.

As an emerging technology, NFC has roughly summarized the shortcomings of the poor ability of Bluetooth technology to work together. However, its goal is not to completely replace other wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, but to complement each other on different occasions and in different areas. Because NFC has a low data transmission rate of only 212 Kbps, it is not suitable for applications requiring higher bandwidth such as audio and video streaming.

What needs close attention is that the Chinese government is setting its own RFID standards, and it is important for consumers that Philips' NFC technology is fully compatible and recognized by the Chinese government. The National Standardization Administration of the People's Republic of China established the National Standards Working Group responsible for drafting and formulating China's national standards for RFID. Allegedly, this will enable China to obtain relevant independent intellectual property rights and integrate RFID development into the standardized and standardized track. The entire certification process will likely require Philips and other companies to disclose some key technologies, which may become a stumbling block for NFC promotion in China.