Do you ever use a tap card for train ticket payment, or use your employee ID card for your daily clock in and out at your office, or use a tap card for your hotel room door look, or access card to enter some sort of building? I think most of peoples now use this kind of technology nowadays. It is a Near Field Communication technology (NFC), it offers simplicity and versatility in our lives and has been used widely in many sectors. This technology has revolutionized the systems which offer the ability of data exchanges, security systems, retail technology, transportation, and healthcare that are already enhancing convenience in everyday life.
What is NFC Technology and how it works?
NFC is classified in short range device that enables seamless data exchange between devices without any wire connection and contactless. It operates using radio frequency at 13,56MHz that can work without pairing method or using internet connection. The basic principle of this technology that there should be 2 devices act as the reader and the tag.
These two devices create the system that consist of 3 components:
- Initiator: it is the device that initiates the communication by transmitting the radio frequency, it usually has the ability to write and read data from the tag device.
- Tag Device: it is the targeted device that acts passively that contains the microchip to save the data for the reader/writer unit to read.
- Data exchange: it is the data information that is exchanged between the above devices. Its information can be used for numerous implementations like payment, security, data access, and etc.
From the 3 components above, NFC has several operating modes, including:
- Card Emulation Mode: The device behaves like an NFC card or tag
- Reader/Writer Mode: The device has the ability to read data from or write data to NFC tags.
- Peer-to-Peer Mode: Two NFC-enabled devices can communicate with each other and exchange data or to activate some specific functions.
Examples of NFC implementations
- Contactless Payments
The most widely implementation of NFC technology is in contactless payments. It allows users to make convenient payments using NFC-enabled smartphones by simply tapping it on a payment terminal. The transaction is completed via NFC, with the mobile device transmitting encrypted payment information to the payment terminal, It significantly reduces the use of physical cards or cash.
Contactless payments are not limited to NFC-enabled smartphones, NFC-enabled debit and credit cards can also support this technology.
- Public Transport and Ticketing
NFC technology is also widely used for public transportation. Almost all transportation providers utilize the contactless payment process for the ticketing system. The user can simply tap the NFC-enabled smartphones or cars to the gate minimizing the queue and creating faster payment process.
- Smart Devices
Smart devices like printers, cameras, smart door lock are now also equipped with NFC technology to enable faster pairing process instead of pairing with Bluetooth settings or connecting via Wi-Fi, users can instantly pair NFC-enabled devices by just bringing them close together to initiate quicker pairing process.
- Access Control and Security
NFC is commonly used in offices, hotels, and secure areas. NFC-enabled cards or smartphones are used to unlock doors or gain access to secure areas, offering a high level of security.
- Healthcare Applications
In this sector, NFC can also be used for tracking medication, patient identification, and medical equipment management. It provides easier work for the doctors and nurses.
Advantages and Limitations of NFC Technology
Advantages:
- NFC allows for fast, easy, and contactless transactions or data transfers.
- With encrypted data exchange, NFC technology provides more secure way to exchange data.
- NFC devices consume very little power, making them ideal for small devices such as contactless cards and tags.
Limitations:
- NFC is classified as a short range device product, it operates in short distance. So, it can only be used in some localized area.
Regulatory Control.
In Indonesia, NFC is also regulated by DJID taking reference from the international standard. All device or product that utilize this technology is mandatory to obtain DJID certificate as the proof that the product has complied with Indonesian standard. As its working frequency operation is below 30MHz, almost all local testing lab in Indonesia can conduct the RF, EMC, or Electrical Safety testing process for this product.