Introduction
Near-Field Communication (NFC) stands at the forefront of modern connectivity, seamlessly bridging the gap between physical objects and digital devices. Emerging as a refined iteration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, NFC enables the swift and secure exchange of data between a chip embedded in a card or device and a compatible receiver in close proximity. From facilitating contactless payments with services like Apple Pay to streamlining access control systems in hotels and workplaces, NFC has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives, offering convenience, efficiency, and enhanced user experiences. In this article, we will dive into the intricacies of NFC technology, uncovering its significance, applications, and how to present them to a customer.
The Basics
How do NFC's work?
NFC essentially functions like a radio with two important parts: an NFC transmitter (tag) and an NFC reader. The tag sends radio waves to the antenna in the reader, similar to radio reception or phone reception. Unlike RFID, NFC devices have a one- and two-way communication capability, which gives the NFC technology an upper hand in use cases where transactions are dependent on data from two devices.
What's the significance of NFC?
Most commonly NFC is used in contactless payment, i.e. Apple Pay or Android Pay, in which the phone functions as the NFC Tag. They are also commonly used as hotel key cards, in which the NFC data transmission is used as a lock. NFC witnessed a surge in adoption, especially during the pandemic, owing to the popularity of contactless payments. Notably, NFC's versatility surpasses that of RFID, making it a preferred choice in various scenarios.
How to tell an NFC card apart from other cards?
NFC Cards all will have chips in them, visible or not, and must be thick and wide enough to hold them. Most NFC cards will have a wave icon on them to indicate that they are chipped.
How to talk about NFC with customers?
While NFC’s most popular application is in contactless payments, NFC Business Cards are on the rise. Instead of designing a small business card with all of your information and hoping prospective clients and colleagues hold onto it, you can use a chipped NFC card that allows you to send all your important contact information, portfolios, links, videos, products, and more directly to an NFC reader, i.e. their smartphone making it versatile addition to a customers everyday convenience.
What is an RFID?
RFID (Radio Field Identification) technology is a one-way data transmitter, functioning similarly to NFC but with a wider, less precise range. RFID tags are most commonly known from anti-theft systems attached to the more expensive products in stores.
Advanced Information
Breaking down other types of RFID's
Low Frequency (LF) RFID: Provides a short read range of 10 cm, and has slower read speed than the higher frequencies, but is not very sensitive to radio wave interference.
High-Frequency (HF) RFID: Provides read ranges between 10 cm and 1 m, and experiences moderate sensitivity to interference.
Ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID: Provides read ranges as long as 12 m, and UHF RFID has a faster data transfer rate than LF or HF. UHF RFID is the most sensitive to interference.
When and Where are they used?
1. MiFare - Proprietary Systems
MiFare is a widely used RFID technology found in applications such as game cards, car wash systems, and room keys and can vary in antenna sizes. The antenna size affects the distance at which MiFare cards can be read.
Classic: Designed for traditional RFID systems operating in LF, HF, or UHF bands, optimized for specific standards like ISO/IEC 14443 or ISO/IEC 18000-6C.
Compatible: Interoperable with multiple RFID systems or standards, offering versatility across frequencies and protocols.
2. Passive RFID vs. Active RFID
Passive RFID: Powered by electromagnetic fields from RFID readers, suitable for smaller, cost-effective applications but with shorter read ranges.
Active RFID: Equipped with their own power source (usually a battery), enabling longer transmission distances and higher frequencies, ideal for tracking high-value assets or applications requiring extended read ranges.
3. NTag - BitSignal
NTag is a type of NFC technology offering versatile tag solutions for various applications and come with varying range of memory/storage spaces.
NTAG 210: 144 bytes
NTAG 213: 144 bytes (most commonly used by us)
NTAG 215: 504 bytes
NTAG 216: 888 bytes
4. HID - Building Access (Security)
HID RFID solutions are prevalent in access control, asset tracking, and supply chain management. HID Proximity Cards are widely used for access control, these cards operate at low frequencies (e.g., 125 kHz) and seamlessly integrate with existing systems.
They contain an embedded RFID chip for communication with compatible readers to grant access to authorized individuals.
RFID Storage Capabilities
Low-Capacity Tags
Passive RFID Tags: These tags typically have lower storage capacities ranging from a few bytes to a few kilobytes. They are commonly used for simple identification purposes, such as tracking inventory items with basic information like product IDs or serial numbers.
MiFare Ultralight: This type of RFID tag, for example, typically has a storage capacity of a few bytes to a few kilobytes. It's suitable for applications like limited-use tickets and event passes where only basic data needs to be stored.
Medium-Capacity Tags
MiFare Classic: These tags offer medium storage capacities, typically ranging from 1 kilobyte to 4 kilobytes. They are commonly used in access control systems, public transportation cards, and contactless payment cards. MiFare Classic tags can store more data, including user information and access permissions.
MiFare Plus: This enhanced version of MiFare Classic offers additional security features while maintaining compatibility. It also supports higher memory capacities, making it suitable for applications requiring more data storage.
High-Capacity Tags
MiFare DESFire: These tags provide higher storage capacities, ranging from a few kilobytes to several megabytes. They are designed for applications requiring advanced security and larger data storage, such as electronic passports, payment cards, and secure access control systems. MiFare DESFire tags can store extensive user data, cryptographic keys, and biometric information.
What information is being put on it?
If we look at a couple examples, in this case a hotel room key, the room keys are encoded either by the client or at the front desk during check-in. Typically, clients may not be directly involved in this process beyond providing necessary information. Front desk staff handle the encoding procedure, ensuring that the keys are programmed correctly for access to the designated room.
Another example would be digital business cards. Encoding takes place during the fulfillment stage, just before or concurrently with Quality Control, several steps are taken for digital business cards:
Encoding BitSignal URLs: If the digital business card utilizes BitSignal technology, the BitSignal URL is encoded onto the NFC card. This encoding is typically done on an NTAG213 NFC card, ensuring compatibility and efficient data transfer.
Encoding Contact Information: For clients who prefer to have all their contact information encoded onto the card, this process is typically carried out on an NTAG216 NFC card. The NTAG216 card can accommodate larger amounts of data, making it suitable for comprehensive contact details.
Our Capabilities
Shapes: Our NFC chips come in a standard size of 45mmx45mm, arranged in a 3x7 grid on a 12"x18" sheet of paper, facilitating cutting with a 2100 die.
Clear: Only litho printing is available.
Use Cases:
Stickers: Not available.
Paper: Not available.
Plastic: Suitable for integration with plastic materials.