Basic NFC knowledge lecture

Q1: What is NFC?

NFC (near field communication) is a short-range wireless communication technology that uses the 13.56mhz band. Although the communication distance is only about 10cm, just like the non-contact IC Card Technology, you only need to touch it to exchange data between different electronic products.

Unlike non-contact IC cards, NFC supports bidirectional communication. Data can be read or written as long as NFC products and IC cards are supported. It can also communicate with other portable products such as mobile phones. The data transmission speed is not high. There are four speeds available: 106 kbit/second, 212 kbit/second, 424 kbit/second, and 848 kbit/second.

NFC standard onlyCommunication partRules, including"Felica", "Type A", and "Type B"Three methods.No data encryption method specified. NFC standard andFelica developed by Sony"And NXP semiconductor (NXP Semiconductors) "Mifare"The non-contact IC Card Technology is compatible on the physical layer.

For example, the transport card "suica" of the East Japan Passenger Railway Corporation (JR East Japan) and the electronic currency "Edy" of the Japanese bitwallet all adopt the physical layer and encryption processing method of felica. The wireless part of felica adopts one of the NFC standard specifications, "iso18092". The high-end middleware responsible for encryption processing is Sony's proprietary product.

Q2: What can I do with NFC?

NFC has three functions: "card simulation", "Reader simulation", and "Inter-product communication (P2P.

The first is the card simulation function, just like its name, which is a function that can be used as an IC card and a tag. "Wallet mobile phone" is an example of its application. It can be used to replace cash, tickets, and concert tickets. It can also be used as a point card for shopping ).

The second is the reader simulation function. Scan NFC-enabled mobile phones at the tags on the posters to obtain URL and other information and display the web site. You can also use an NFC mobile phone to scan the tag to obtain how to use restaurant coupons.

Finally, the product-to-product communication (P2P) function enables easy exchange of email addresses between mobile phones that support NFC. Not only mobile phones, but also data exchange with PCs, televisions, and digital cameras. Therefore, some people call NFC "wireless USB ".

Q3: How can I enable mobile phones to support NFC?

First, you need to control the IC (NFC Communication Control IC) and antenna for wireless communication.

In addition,Security components (SE)You can use e-currency settlement and other services. Security components can be installed in portable products, SIM cards, or SD memory cards.

Two s to know

Se (secure elements, security component)

This area stores the confidential information required for electronic settlement with a mobile phone like a wallet mobile phone, and stores the key information and a processor for encryption. In terms of encryption processing steps, felica is defined by Sony, and Mifare is defined by XP semiconductors.

SWP (single wire protocol, single line Protocol)

The interface standard between the NFC Communication Control IC and SIM card in the mobile phone. It is mainly for settlement and other purposes that require high security for data communication. ETSI, the European Telecommunications Standardization group, has standardized it.