NFC, or near field communication, is a popular wireless technology that is used to transfer data, share media and more between two devices that are in proximity. NFC is a faster and more secure alternative to QR codes for many short-range applications, including mobile payments.
Here’s all you need to know about the technology and how to use it.
How do NFC tags work?
NFC tags come in a variety of shapes and sizes and the simplest ones are often built in the form of squares or circular stickers for ease of use.
These tags consist of a thin copper coil and a microchip for storage. The coil allows the tag to wirelessly receive power from an NFC reader through electromagnetic induction.
That means when you bring a powered NFC reader near the tag, the latter gets energised and transmits any stored data within its microchip. Tags can also employ public-key encryption if sensitive data is involved.
Since the structure of an NFC tag is simple and small, it comes in various forms and stickers. NFC technology can be found in hotel key cards and NFC-equipped credit and debit cards for contactless payments.
Smartphones are also powered NFC devices that are capable of acting as an NFC tag.
NFC is a subset of RFID
NFC is essentially a subset of radio frequency identification (RFID). Unlike RFID, which allows one-way communication, NFC allows two-way communication. However, NFC is limited to a smaller range of mostly 10 cm area whereas RFID can be read at a much larger distance.
Types of NFC tags
Most NFC tags comply with the ISO 14443 standard for wireless, proximity-based data transmission. There are five subtypes of NFC, labelled type 1 to 5. Type 1 tags are the least advanced and can store less than one kilobyte of data whereas Type 5 is more advanced and can store up to 32KB. The transmission speeds also vary drastically between the two.
Type 1 and 2 NFC tags are more common, inexpensive and can be purchased in bulk even from online stores.
How to use NFC tags?
NFC tags can be used in a variety of creative ways. They can be used to automate tasks and for better communication between devices. NFC tags can even turn your home into a smart home.
Here are some ways to use NFC tags:
