What is NFC and how does NFC work?

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After all, What is NFC mean ? Full form of NFC is “Near Field Communication”. And as its name suggests, through it short range communication can happen between any two compatible devices.

RF signals are used for this communication. For this communication to be complete, at least one transmitting device is required, and to receive the signal, at least one receiving device is required.

As we have already learned that NFC means Near Field Communication. If we look at its main purpose, then it is mainly used to interact with the surroundings of your phone.

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It operates only with a radius of around 4 cm and provides a wireless connection between your device and others. This technology allows two-way communication, where you can send and receive information on both devices. This NFC connection does not depend on any technologies like Wi-Fi, 3G, LTE or any other and you do not have to pay any money to use it.

NFC originated from RFID. RFID, or radio-frequency identification, is a technology used in shipping companies, large warehouses, and superstores to track goods. It uses electromagnetic induction to transit information in a short space, so that by simply scanning a container, it can be known what is inside it.

NFC is also a similar technology, but it has been standardized for consumer smartphones. NFC standards have been defined by a group also called NFC Forum, and big companies like Nokia, Sony and Philips come under it. Whereas if NFC feature is available in your phone then using it you can transfer data between phones and NFC readers.

SpecificationISO/IEC 14443 (जो की smart cards के लिए है जो की information store करते हैं) और ISO/IEC 18000-3 (जो की smart device के RFID tags में इस्तमाल होता है)
Range0 to 10 CM
Frequency13.56 MHz

Types of NFC

There are mainly two types of NFC.

  • Active NFC Device
  • Passive NFC Device

1. Active NFC Device

Active NFC devices are those devices which can send as well as receive data and can also communicate with each other whether they are active devices or passive devices.

Active NFC devices require a power source to function. They have the ability to process information. For example, Smartphones are the most common form of an active NFC device. Apart from this, public transport card readers and touch payment terminals are also excellent examples of this technology.

2. Passive NFC Device

Passive NFC devices are those devices that can only send information to other NFC devices. They do not require any external power source for their operation. Apart from this, they also do not have the ability to process information.

These cannot even be connected with other passive components. For example, they are used extensively in tags and other small transmitters, which are used as interactive signs on walls or in advertisements.

How does NFC work?

By now we have known what NFC is? But they don’t know how it works. Like Bluetooth, WiFi, and other wireless signals, NFC sends its data via radio waves.

Near Field Communication is a separate standard for wireless data transitions. This means that devices have to follow certain specifications to communicate with each other. The technology used in NFC is derived from older RFID (radio-frequency identification) ideas, which previously used electromagnetic induction to transmit information.

One more thing comes to light from this which indicates the difference between NFC and Bluetooth/WiFi, that NFC is used to induce electric current in passive components and send data.

This shows that a passive device does not require its own power supply to operate. They get power when an active NFC component passes by them or comes within their range, then automatically an electromagnetic field is produced which generates power.

But the sad thing is that with the help of NFC technology, not enough inductance is produced which can charge your smartphones.

In NFC Technology the transmission frequency of data is 13.56 megahertz. You can send data in it at the speed of 106, 212, or 424 kilobits per second. If seen, this is sufficient for small data transfers such as sending contact details, pictures or music, or making payments.

To determine what type of information is exchanged between two devices, the NFC standard is divided into three distinct modes of operation.

This shows that a passive device does not require its own power supply to operate. They get power when an active NFC component passes by them or comes within their range, then automatically an electromagnetic field is produced which generates power.

  • Peer-to-peer (e.g. for file transfers)
  • Reader/writer (e.g. to read tags of NFC posters)
  • Card emulation (e.g. for Payments)

Peer-to-Peer

This is the most used mode. It is mainly used in smartphones. It provides support to exchange information between two NFC-enabled devices. In this mode both the devices switch to active mode while sending data and passive mode while receiving data.

Reader/Writer

Read/write mode, this is a one-way data transmission. Here the active device, which can also be your smartphone, links up with another device to read information from it. This mode is used in NFC advert tags.

Card Emulation

This is the final mode of operation. Here the NFC device can be used as a smart or contactless credit card and payments can be easily made with a tap on public transport systems.

How does NFC work in Android?

NFC transmits and receives data through radio waves. This is an established standard of wireless communication, so if any devices stick to these NFC protocols then they can easily communicate with each other.

It is slightly different in working from Bluetooth because it works through electromagnetic induction. A living example of this is that there are some passive devices, such as posters or stickers, which do not require any external power source to work and can easily transmit data to an active device such as a smartphone. That’s when it comes into their content.

As an active NFC device, a smartphone can send and receive data via NFC. It mainly works in three modes:

  • Reader/writer (e.g. to read tags of NFC posters)
  • Card emulation (e.g. for Payments)
  • Peer-to-peer (e.g. for file transfers)

How to use NFC easily?

Like Bluetooth, NFC requires neither manual pairing nor device discovery to transfer data. In NFC, a connection automatically starts when another NFC device comes within four-inch range of another NFC device.

Once both the devices come within the same range, they instantly start communicating with each other and sending prompts to the user. If we look at it, NFC has a lot of utility. Here below I will tell you about some methods where NFC is used between two devices.

Digital Wallet: When you bring your smartphone close to a payment point or contactless reader (within 4 inches), then your wallet or passbook asks you to confirm the payment. Once you confirm the transaction becomes successful.

Sharing between Android Devices: When you place two NFC enabled devices in range, you’ll see a message prompt asking if you want to share their contents (videos, contact information, or photos) in “Beam.” Whether you want to transfer it to another android device or not. With this you can easily share your files.

NFC Chips: These “taps” can be programmed with the help of some apps like Tasker to perform specific tasks when they are scanned. For example, you place a similar chip on your desk and upon scanning it, it comes and performs scheduled tasks such as vibrating the phone, disabling GPS, or turning on only work-related notifications, etc.

How to know whether your Android smartphone has NFC or not?

This is very simple. For this you will have to follow the instructions given in your phone.

Settings > More or Settings > Wireless & Networks

After doing this, if you see any NFC option then it shows that Smartphones have NFC option. This option is often hidden so it is not visible. Apart from this, nowadays in almost all smartphones you can see a small NFC logo on the rear panels.

Some problems of using Android

  • Not all devices have NFC chip, due to which there is some difficulty in using it, but gradually it has become very common and this feature is being provided in almost all the devices.
  • Often, since NFC chips are not all in one place, they rub against each other.
  • In this, cross-compatibility is not universal within devices, it happens in some specific file types which create compatibility issues.

What are the advantages of NFC?

1. Real Time Updates

Since real time data can be fetched from many places with the help of NFC, many tasks can be easily maintained. This does not require many people.

2. NFC enabled credit cards are more secure than a credit card magnetic strip.

3. In this, PIN is required to process the transaction which makes it more secure.

4. Retailers do not have credit card information because they do not have physical access to your credit card information.

5. Versatility

NFC can be adapted to all situations. You can talk about any situation whether it is using bank cards for transit passes, movie passes, reward systems or keys. Ideally, NFC can be used in a broad range of industries.

6. Convenience

Most consumers want convenience while paying. In today’s society people like spontaneity more. NFC is a much better option in this thing. This helps to merge your mobile device with the wallet. NFC plays an important role in this process because payment can be done with just a simple touch. With this you can imagine how the long lines at the grocery store can end easily.

7. Better Customer Service

With the advent of NFC, many tasks become automated, which speeds up customer service. This gives companies more time so that they can provide even better service to their customers.

What are the Disadvantages of NFC

Now let us know about the Disadvantages of NFC:-

1. Costly

This technology is a little more expensive than others. Due to high cost, many businesses do not like to adopt it.

2. Security

Since NFC merges completely into mobile phones. Therefore, if ever the phone is hacked by hackers then they can leak all your confidential information. Therefore NFC is not considered very secure.

3. Implementation issue

Since many devices do not have NFC feature, it is not easy to implement NFC properly.

4. Problem in Company Agreements

NFC says that it can be used anywhere and anytime. But this is not completely correct because there are many companies that prohibit the use of NFC, hence sometimes problems arise in company agreements.

What is NFC used for?

Although there are many applications of NFC, but here I am going to tell you about some such applications.

1. Smart Cards

Making payments using NFC integrated smart cards is easier and better than the conventional multiple step payment process. Top payment services such as Visa and MasterCard also provide NFC embedded smart cards to their customers nowadays.

NFC integrated smart cards are used for fast payments in grocery shops, parking tickets, adding shopping points, redeeming coupons etc. The use of NFC integrated chips is being promoted in all major banks all over the world.

2. Smart Ticketing

By using integrated smart chips, it is replacing traditional ticketing systems through smart tickets. This is providing a lot of convenience to the passengers of airlines, trains and buses. Along with this, NFC tags are also used in smart posters, movie tickets, tickets to concerts, advertisements, flyers and information links.

3. E-wallet

Cashless payment systems through mobile devices are becoming very popular. These are providing more convenience to the customers. Service providers are now integrating the payment option with smartphones for which they are embedding an NFC tag in the device. Apple pay, Google Wallet (Android pay) and Samsung pay are very popular among these smartphone payment systems.

4. Manufacturing

Smart tags are used more in modern manufacturing industries. With this, any product can be identified in every process stages in a company. Apart from this, the products can be tracked correctly during shipment. Being unique identification numbers, they help manufacturers to manage their products efficiently and in some cases are also used during return or warranty period for replacement, service and maintenance.

5. Theft control

RFID tags can be used to reduce theft. Valuable things can be protected with the help of smart tags. If smart tags are embedded in any object then it will generate a trigger if it passes near any RFID proximity. Due to which information can be obtained about the theft taking place.

I hope you learned something new from today’s blog. Don’t forget to like and share it.

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