NFC stands for Near Field Communication.
Developed from contactless Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) combined with wireless interconnection technology, NFC provides a highly secure and fast communication method for the increasingly popular electronic devices in our daily lives.
The term “near field” in NFC refers to radio waves in the adjacent electromagnetic field.
Since radio waves are essentially electromagnetic waves, they follow Maxwell’s equations: during transmission from the transmitting antenna to the receiving antenna, electric and magnetic fields continuously alternate energy conversion and reinforce each other.
For example, radio signals used by mobile phones are transmitted based on this principle, known as far-field communication.
Within 10 wavelengths of an electromagnetic wave, however, the electric and magnetic fields are independent.
In this case, the electric field is of little use, but the magnetic field can be used for short-distance communication — this is called near-field communication.
I. Working Principle
NFC is a short-range, high-frequency wireless technology.
According to the NFCIP-1 standard, NFC operates within a communication distance of under 10 cm, at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, with three transmission rates: 106 Kbit/s, 212 Kbit/s, and 424 Kbit/s.
The NFCIP-1 standard specifies the transmission speed, encoding and decoding methods, modulation schemes, and RF interface frame formats of NFC devices.
It also defines NFC transmission protocols, including activation protocols and data exchange methods.
NFC has two operating modes: passive mode and active mode.
In passive mode, the NFC initiator (master device) requires a power supply to generate an RF field and send data to the NFC target device (slave device), using one of the three transmission speeds.
The slave device does not generate an RF field and thus may not need a separate power supply; instead, it harvests energy from the RF field generated by the master device to power its circuits, receives data, and uses load modulation to send data back to the master device at the same speed.
Because the slave device only passively responds to the RF field from the master, this is called passive mode.
In this mode, the NFC initiator can detect contactless cards or NFC target devices and establish a connection.
In active mode, both the initiator and the target device must actively generate an RF field when sending data to each other, hence the name active mode.
Both require power to generate the RF field.
This mode is the standard for peer-to-peer communication and enables very fast connection speeds.
II. Main Features
- Short-range secure communication: within 10 cm
- RF frequency: 13.56 MHz
- RF compatibility: ISO 14443, ISO 15693, Felica standards
- Data transmission rates: 106 kbit/s, 212 kbit/s, 424 kbit/s
III. Comparison Between NFC and Other Technologies
| NFC | RFID | Bluetooth | |
| Transmission Speed | Low | High | High |
| Transmission Range | Short | Medium | Far |
| Frequency | 13.56MHz | 2.4GHz | 2.4GHz |
| Power Consumption | 10mA | Low | 20mA |
| Security | Extremely High | Medium | High |
| Cost | Low | Medium | High |
IV. Applications of NFC
- NFC Payment: Mobile phones with NFC are virtualized as bank cards, public transport cards, etc.
- NFC Security: Mobile phones are used as access cards, electronic tickets, etc. An NFC virtual access card stores existing access card data in the phone’s NFC chip, allowing door access without a physical card.
- NFC Tags: Information is stored in an NFC tag; users can simply tap the tag with an NFC-enabled phone to instantly retrieve the information.
V. Application of NFC in 313FM Cloud Inspection
As an intelligent inspection system, 313FM Cloud Inspection supports NFC as checkpoint identification, effectively preventing fraud while enabling easy and convenient installation.
Using cloud-based information technology, we provide a new management tool for daily security and cleaning operations in various properties, including commercial buildings, residential communities, government agencies, schools, hospitals, hotels, theme parks, logistics warehouses, enterprises, and more.
It solves key problems in traditional patrol management and completely upgrades the outdated patrol stick + standalone software model, making inspection management more intelligent, user-friendly, and platform-based.
Sign up for our Enterprise or VIP package now, and we will provide free NFC electronic tags.
VIP plans with over 200 inspection points also include free custom NFC tag design.
For details, please visit our official website.
