I think most of you must have heard the name NFC in context to smartphones from somebody, somewhere written on the mobile box or on the internet. Actually, very few of you might be aware of, how it works? and for what it can be used?
Don't worry you will get to know all about NFC right here in this blog. Just go through it once.
NFC is an Acronym for NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION and as the name suggests, it works within sort range between compatible devices. Here we are talking about communication so, there must be some antenna involved for transmission and reception of the information between two devices communicating with each other.
At the time of communication one device act as a transmitter and other acts as a receiver.
There are mainly two types of NFC devices:
Now we know that what NFC is? then let's find out how does it work?
Like Bluetooth, wifi and other wireless transmission standards NFC also works on the principle of transferring data over the radio frequency. Near Field Communication is also a wireless data transmission and it is used for short-range communication, the two devices should be touched or placed at 4-5 cm distance to communicate with each other.
It works on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and uses electromagnetic induction for the data transfer. This is the reason why passive NFC devices do not need the power of their own because they get powered by the active NFC device in their close proximity. Electric current is induced by the active NFC device into the passive device due to the electromagnetic induction and then these passive devices send data to the nearby active NFC device.
The transmission frequency of the NFC is 13.56 MHz and it can transfer the data with the speed 106 - 42 Kbps which is fast enough to transfer contacts, images, and music files.
Transmission of files is secure in case of NFC as it requires both devices to be in close proximity and hence the accident sharing of files to the third person is not possible like it happens sometimes while sharing through Shareit and other apps.
Don't worry you will get to know all about NFC right here in this blog. Just go through it once.
What is NFC?
NFC is an Acronym for NEAR-FIELD COMMUNICATION and as the name suggests, it works within sort range between compatible devices. Here we are talking about communication so, there must be some antenna involved for transmission and reception of the information between two devices communicating with each other.
At the time of communication one device act as a transmitter and other acts as a receiver.
There are mainly two types of NFC devices:
- Passive NFC Devices: These devices do not require any power of their own to transmit the signals.They do not receives signals from other sources and do not communicates with other passive devices as well. NFC tag is a common example of passive NFC device.
- Active NFC Devices: These devices can act as both transmitter and receiver according to the situation whether it sending or receiving data. They do require power to function. Smartphones, touch & pay terminals and public transport card readers are few examples of active NFC devices.
How NFC Work?
Now we know that what NFC is? then let's find out how does it work?
Like Bluetooth, wifi and other wireless transmission standards NFC also works on the principle of transferring data over the radio frequency. Near Field Communication is also a wireless data transmission and it is used for short-range communication, the two devices should be touched or placed at 4-5 cm distance to communicate with each other.
It works on RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and uses electromagnetic induction for the data transfer. This is the reason why passive NFC devices do not need the power of their own because they get powered by the active NFC device in their close proximity. Electric current is induced by the active NFC device into the passive device due to the electromagnetic induction and then these passive devices send data to the nearby active NFC device.
The transmission frequency of the NFC is 13.56 MHz and it can transfer the data with the speed 106 - 42 Kbps which is fast enough to transfer contacts, images, and music files.
Transmission of files is secure in case of NFC as it requires both devices to be in close proximity and hence the accident sharing of files to the third person is not possible like it happens sometimes while sharing through Shareit and other apps.
Uses of NFC
1) Touch and Pay: These days Android Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay are becoming popular. Now there is no need to carry your cards around because all you need is an NFC enabled smartphone and an NFC enabled Touch & Pay terminal. Select the card which you want to use for making payment and tap on the terminal or bring the phone near the terminal and that's pretty much it.
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| Contactless Payment |
2) Sending Files: Android beam is a feature that uses the NFC for transferring the files like images, mp3s, and contacts. It is easy to transfer the files just open NFC and bring the phone close to the sender's phone and start transferring files.
NFC Tags
Near-Field Communication Tags are the passive device. These tags can be used for storing small information and it can take up to 1 Kb of data. Storing information like your wifi password, important dates, reminders etc.
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| NFC Tag |
For an example, if you have an NFC tag which stores your wifi password and your friend wants to access your wifi then there is no need to tell him the password personally, he can just tap on the NFC tag that houses the wifi password and he will have the access to the wifi.
Other uses of NFC Tags:
- Digital business card
- Launch a website URL
- Get into driving mode
- Turn ON/OFF lights at home
- Set timer and alarm
Now you know what NFC is? and How does it work?
If you have any questions regarding NFC then leave them in the comment section below. I'll get back to you.