NFC is a short-range high frequency wireless communication
technology that enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 cm
distance. Near field communication (NFC) is a set of standards for smartphones
and similar devices to establish radio communication with each other by
touching them together or bringing them into close proximity, usually no more
than a few centimeters. Present and anticipated applications include
contactless transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex
communications such as Wi-Fi. Communication is also possible between an NFC
device and an unpowered NFC chip, called a "tag”.
NFC is an upgrade of the existing proximity card standard
(RFID-radio frequency identification) that combines the interface of a
smartcard and a reader into a single device. It allows users to seamlessly
share content between digital devices, pay bills wirelessly or even use their
cellphone as an electronic traveling ticket on existing contactless
infrastructure already in use for public transportation.
The significant advantage of NFC over Bluetooth is the
shorter set-up time. Instead of performing manual configurations to identify
Bluetooth devices, the connection between two NFC devices is established at
once (under a 1/10 second).
Due to its shorter range, NFC provides a higher degree of
security than Bluetooth and makes NFC suitable for crowded areas where
correlating a signal with its transmitting physical device (and by extension,
its user) might otherwise prove impossible.
NFC can also work when one of the devices is not powered by
a battery (e.g. on a phone that may be turned off, a contactless smart credit
card, etc.).
Uses (Elaborated)
NFC builds
upon RFID systems by allowing two-way communication between endpoints, where
earlier systems such as contactless smart cards were one-way only. Since
unpowered NFC "tags" can also be read by NFC devices, it is also
capable of replacing earlier one-way applications.
Commerce
NFC devices
can be used in contactless payment systems, similar to those currently used in
credit cards and electronic ticket smartcards, and allow mobile payment to
replace or supplement these systems. For example, Google Wallet allows
consumers to store credit card and store loyalty card information in a virtual
wallet and then use an NFC-enabled device at terminals that also accept
MasterCard Pay Pass transactions. Germany, Austria, Finland, New Zealand, and
Italy have trialed NFC ticketing systems for public transport.
India is
implementing NFC based transactions in box offices for ticketing purposes.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections
