What is NFC?

Did you know that you probably already use NFC technology every day? Every time you pay contactless in the supermarket, an NFC chip is activated. But what exactly is NFC and how does it work? We're going to tell you all about it in this article! Are you curious? Then read on quickly.

What is NFC?

NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows devices to exchange data at a distance of a few centimeters. It is used for various purposes, such as contactless payments, data transfer between devices and reading information from NFC tags.

What does NFC stand for? 

The meaning of NFC is "near-field-communication. Also, "short-range communication. This means that an NFC chip is activated when it gets close to another device. At that point, a rapid transfer of information takes place. The big advantage of NFC chips is that they are fast and energy efficient, much faster and more economical than bluetooth, for example. In addition, you can incorporate NFC chips into various products. Think of NFC tags, NFC cards, NFC keychains, NFC bracelets, NFC stickers and so on. Do you already understand our enthusiasm for NFC?

How does NFC work? 

NFC works by exchanging data between two NFC devices through magnetic induction. This is done by holding the devices close together, usually at a distance of a few centimeters. One device then emits electromagnetic waves, which are captured by the other device and converted into data. This allows the devices to exchange information and perform functions, such as contactless payments or transferring data.

Did you know that an NFC chip itself does not need a power supply? So you never need a battery or battery to recharge it. An NFC chip is so smart that it picks up a tiny bit of power from the device it's near, such as a cell phone. So an NFC chip can never run out of power and you never have to charge it yourself, and power is exchanged within a distance of about 2 to 3 centimeters.

What does an NFC chip consist of? 

An NFC chip roughly consists of two parts, a microchip and an antenna. The microchip is incorporated in the center of the tag. This is where the data that can be transferred is located. Next to the microchip is the antenna. This part provides the energy the chip needs to function.

An NFC (Near Field Communication) chip typically consists of the following components:

1. Antenna: This is responsible for sending and receiving signals between devices.
2. NFC controller: This manages communication between the chip and the host device, such as a smartphone or payment terminal.
3. NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory): This stores small amounts of data, such as payment information or NFC tag data.
4. Security component: This provides secure storage of sensitive data and may include encryption and authentication functionalities.
5. Interface: This connects the chip to the host device and allows communication between the various components.
6. Power Management Unit: This manages the power consumption of the chip and ensures that it consumes as little power as possible.

What can you use NFC for? 

NFC (Near Field Communication) can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

1. Contactless payments: NFC technology is used in mobile devices for contactless payments through services such as Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
2. Data transfer: NFC enables the exchange of data between devices, such as photos, contacts and files.
3. NFC tags: Small, passive NFC tags can be placed on objects to provide information or trigger actions when scanned by an NFC-enabled device.
4. Access control: NFC can be used for physical access control to secure buildings, doors and other restricted areas.
5. Public transportation: NFC can be used for transportation payments, such as buying transportation tickets for trains, buses and subways.

You can program different things on an NFC tag. You can put information on it such as name and address details, e-mail, a URL to your website or a link to your social media. This information can easily be added to our NFC business cards, for example. This way you can exchange data with others in no time. You can also use NFC to make wireless payments and send various files. Think of:

-User manuals
-Writingpages
-Menu cards
-Product information
-Registrations
-Reviews
-Video
-WIFI connectors

How do I program an NFC chip? 

There are two ways to program an NFC chip, either through your cell phone or through an NFC reader/writer. With an NFC reader/writer you can program NFC chips easily and quickly. Of course, you can also program using your cell phone. There are several apps for this. We recommend using the application ''NXP TagWriter'' or ''NFC Tools''.

Programming with NFC Tools

Programming NFC tags using "NFC Tools" involves the following steps:

1. Buy an NFC tag or sticker.
2. Download and install the NFC Tools app from the Play Store on your Android device or from the Apple store.
3. Launch the app and select the "Write tag" option.
4. Select the type of data you want to store on the tag, for example, a URL, phone number or text.
5. Enter the desired data and select "Save."
6. Place the NFC tag on the NFC reader of your device.
7. Confirm the data you want to store on the tag.
8. Place the tag on your NFC reader and verify that the data is stored and read correctly.

Programming with an NFC Writer (ACR122U)

Programming NFC tags using an ACR122u NFC reader involves the following steps:

1. Download and install the drivers for the ACR122u from the ACR Systems website.
2. Connect the ACR122u and computer: Connect the ACR122u to your computer via USB.
3. Open the NFC programming app and use it to write data to the tag, such as URLs, phone numbers or contact information.
4. Place the tag on the ACR122u and verify that the data is stored and read correctly.

Paying with NFC

To pay with NFC, you need an NFC-enabled debit card or an NFC-enabled cell phone with a digital wallet app such as Google Pay, Apple Pay or Samsung Pay on it. Here are the steps to pay with NFC:

1. Unlock your cell phone or remove your debit card from your wallet.
2. Keep your cell phone or debit card near the contactless payment terminal.
3. Wait for the device to display the amount on the screen.
4. Confirm the payment by placing your finger on the fingerprint scanner or by confirming the payment on the screen.

You don't need a PIN for amounts up to a certain maximum amount, depending on the bank and device you use. For amounts above the maximum amount, you must enter a PIN.

How secure is NFC?

NFC is generally considered a secure technology. Communication between NFC chips and NFC readers is short-lived and usually requires a physical proximity of less than 10 centimeters. In addition, NFC supports encryption and authentication to ensure the security of communication. However, there are always risks associated with using wireless technologies, and it is important to ensure that the NFC applications you use come from trusted sources.

Want to learn more about using NFC tags?

NFC tags can be used in many different ways, depending on the content of the tag and the device that reads it. Here are some examples:

1. Contactless payment: Many banks and credit card companies now offer NFC-enabled debit cards that can be used to make contactless payments.
2. Stored data: NFC tags can be used to store data, such as URLs, phone numbers, text and contact information, which can then be read by an NFC reader.
3. Automatic settings: NFC tags can be programmed to trigger automatic settings for a device when they are read, such as changing the volume, switching to airplane mode or launching a specific app.
4. Quick Pairing: NFC tags can be used to quickly pair devices, such as pairing a phone with a Bluetooth speaker.
5. Marketing: Companies can use NFC tags to call customers to action, such as visiting a particular website or installing a specific app.

These are just a few examples of the ways NFC tags can be used. The potential is endless, depending on the creativity of the user and the support of the specific device.

Want to learn more about NFC? Then watch the video below. Or request a sample.