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NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION (NFC)
What is NFC?
Near Field Communication or NFC, is a short-range high frequency wireless communication technology which enables the exchange of data between devices over about a 10 centimeter (around 4 inches) distance.
Easy to use wireless communication interface for a few centimeters
Easy to use target selection, by simply holding two devices close to each other
NFC is as easy as….
.... a touch.
Wireless Short Range Communication Technology
Based on RFID technology at 13.56 MHzOperating distance typical up to 10 cmCompatible with today’s field proven
contactless RFID technology Data exchange rate today up to 424
kilobits/s
13,56MHz RF Link
Features:NFC is designed for short distance wireless
communicationAllows intuitive initialization of wireless
networks NFC is complementary to Bluetooth and
802.11 with their long distance capabilitiesNFC also works in dirty environment
NFC does not require line of sight.Easy and simple connection method.Provides communication method
for non-self powered devices.
Near Field Communication Applications
Low cost solution to distribute info / services -e.g. by passive loops embedded in paper media
Smart Key
- for mobile local payment
payment
Peer to Peer communication, Virtual Connector
- either directly or by establishing wireless links
NFC enables a unique blend of valued applications
Key points:The NFC communication is based on an
inductive RF link on 13.56 MHzActive and passive NFC mode at different
transfer speeds from 106 to 424 kbpsBackward compatibility with RFID systemsAllows communication between
○ Two powered devices○ Powered and non self-powered devices
Standardization of ○ Communication signal interface○ General protocol flow
What is NFC forum?
NFC Forum was co-founded by NXP, Sony and Nokia in 2004 to promote the NFC technology.
It works jointly with other 140 members to develop specifications and standards.
Inter-operability. The forum comprises chip makers,
telecom operators, application developers and financial service providers.
Microsoft Corp, NTT Docomo, Panasonic, Samsung, Visa, Mastercard are some of the other members.
Tech facts:
NFC technology specifications: A short range wireless communication –
10cm. Standards based (RFID 13.56MHz, ISO
14443A/B, 18092, ETSI, ECMA). Consumes low power. Speed – 106, 212, 424kbps.
NFC Forum specifications: NFC data exchange format (NDEF) defines
common data format for NFC compliant devices.
Four specific record type definitions (RTDs) for building standard record type.
Four tags type (type 1/2/3/4), which enables core interoperability.
Connection handover defines structure and sequence of interactions between NFC devices.
Application modes
Peer-to-Peer model
It involves data transfer between two devices using short range wireless technology, much like IR and Bluetooth technologies.
Tag reader or Card emulator In card emulation mode, the NFC acts as
a tag itself with some stored information. Eg: Credit card details on a phone used to make payments.
Applications
Mobile ticketing in public transport — an extension of the existing contactless infrastructure.
Mobile payment — the device acts as a debit/ credit payment card.
Smart poster — the mobile phone is used to read RFID tags on outdoor billboards in order to get info on the move.
Bluetooth pairing — in the future pairing of Bluetooth 2.1 devices with NFC support will be as easy as bringing them close together and accepting the pairing. The process of activating Bluetooth on both sides, searching, waiting, pairing and authorization will be replaced by a simple "touch" of the mobile phones.
Electronic ticketing — airline tickets, concert/event tickets, and others
Electronic money Travel cards Identity documents Mobile commerce Electronic keys — car keys, house/office
keys, hotel room keys, etc. NFC can be used to configure and
initiate other wireless network connections such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or Ultra-wideband.
Comparison with other short range technologies:
Security aspects: Eavesdropping:
Its relatively easy to pick up the signals from antennas.
Data modification:
Data can be damaged by RF jammers or it can be modified.
Relay attack:
For this attack the adversary has to forward the request of the reader to the victim and relay back its answer to the reader in real time, in order to carry out a task pretending to be the owner of the victim’s smart card.
Lost property:
Once the NFC enabled device is lost, any unauthorized person can use it.
Walk off:
Once lawfully opened access to secure function or data is usually protected with time out closing on pausing the usage. Modern attack concepts may interfere despite the intention to shut down access when the user turns inactive.
NFC hardware and software: NFC communication IC. Antenna for RF communication. Secure Element (SE) which is a secured
crypto memory chip that stores all information.
An application written inside a Java J2ME compliant mobile phone.
Trusted service manager (TSM) is written/loaded in the SE.
It works in challenge-response mechanism wherein the reader sends the challenge it is responded in a certain way by the other device. Thus, both the sender and the receiver authenticate themselves.
Growth avenues and challenges: When a new technology is introduced its
very necessary to create an ecosystem. Interoperability is guaranteed only if the
devices comply to the standards. Business issues of relating NFC support
infrastructure. Retrofitting the existing phones is a
technological challenge.
Desired types of changes are happening worldwide in the market.
By 2011, nearly 450 mobile handsets will be NFC enabled.
Contactless payments facilitate over $36 billion consumer spending worldwide.
This is a significant technology which would change the way consumers live work and pay.
References:
EFY Magazine. www.efymag.com ECMA international.
www.ecma-international.org NFC Forum Inc. www.nfc-forum.org Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Near_Field_Communication
Thank you.