NFC -- The Intuitive Contactless Technology Becomes A Reality

Abstract
Near Field Communication (NFC) is opening-up complete new perspectives for the mobile communication industry. It enables contactless peer-to-peer communication, reading/writing of contactless cards, and, when combined with a smart card IC, emulation of a contactless card. NFC has taken major steps towards market acceptance: ISO standards are in place for the interface and communication protocols, many leading companies in the field are promoting it within the NFC Forum, and numerous field trials are being deployed around the world. Different architectures are being considered for NFC and security mobile phone architectures. The first Philips cellular system solution integrating NFC hardware and software illustrates a successful implementation of one of these architectures.

Introduction to NFC
Jointly developed by Philips and Sony, Near Field Communication (NFC) is a combination of contactless identification and interconnection technologies that enables contactless short-range communication between mobile devices, consumer electronics, PCs, and smart objects.

The NFC experience
Enabling rapid and easy communication, NFC is the perfect solution for exchanging data in our increasingly complex and connected world. Secure mobile payments and transactions, easy peerto- peer communication and simple access to information on the move become possible with NFC. Its intuitive touch-based operation makes it particularly easy for consumers to use.

NFC related applications could be split into four basic categories:

• Touch and go: Applications such as access control or transport/event ticketing, where the user only needs to bring the device storing the ticket or access code close to the reader.
• Touch and confirm: Applications such as mobile payment, where the user has to confirm the interaction by entering a password or just accepting the transaction.
• Touch and connect: Linking two NFC-enabled devices to enable peer-to-peer transfer of data such as music, pictures or synchronizing address books.
• Touch and explore: NFC devices may offer more than one possible function. The consumer will be able to explore a device's capabilities to find out which functions and services are offered.