NFC

1
NFC

• Near Field Communication

2
Goals

• Simple information transfer
• Very short range (nearly touching)a virtual
  connector
• A contactless card a contactless reader
• Initialization and configuration of other
  wireless technologies as needed

3
Advantages of Short Range!

• Security, based on where you are and what you
  have
• Very low power requirements, particularly in
  passive mode
• Minimal interference with other devices
• Context, based on what you touch (e.g., touch
  here for 4-by-6 prints . . .) or how you gesture.
  Browsing the physical world!

4
Applications

• Digital cameras (step up and display/print . . .)
• PDAs (getting a downtown map . . .)
• Set-top boxes and remote controls (buy kitsch on
  HSN . . .)
• Computers (smart-card-type authentication . . .)
• Phones (download ring tones, pay at vending
  machines . . .)
• Replacing smart cards (board a train, login to a
  computer . . .)

5
Technology

• Range up to 20 cm at most, usually less
• Half-duplex, with target responding to
  initiator
• Active or passive mode
• Active both devices generate RF field
• Passive target uses load modulation to transfer
  data
• 106, 212, or 424 kbps (speed adaptation possible)
• 13.56 MHz (ISM in US, same range as
  high-frequency RFID)
• The requisite protocol diagram (pdf)

6
Standards

• The NFC Forum (Nokia, Philips, Sony later
  Motorola, Samsung, MasterCard, Microsoft, and
  others)
• Various from ECMA and ISO/IEC

7
Products

• Philips Mifare
• Transit passes
• Access control
• Sony FeliCa
• Transit passes
• Electronic wallets
• Secure authentication