How to use NFC? NFC technology

Let us recall a well-known joke: the engine of progress is laziness. You are tired of shuffling a pack of payment cards of different banks in front of an ATM, confusing, on which of them are the money? Maybe you decided to keep up with the times and do not overload your wallet and pockets with cash? And how do you expect the instant purchase of tickets for transport, without bothering yourself with the waste of time in the queues? All these obvious conveniences characterize the potential of the rapidly developing Near Field Communication non-contact technology.

Bluetooth and NFC

NFC technology is not the first invention to allow wireless file exchange. The principle of near-communication communication technology is based on the interaction of magnetic fields of specialized devices. In this case, the interacting devices are spaced apart from each other at distances up to 10 cm. Its predecessor, the Bluetooth technology, provides communication at a greater distance - up to 100 m. Its operation is based on the reception and transmission of radio waves in the ISM band (2.4-2.48 GHz ).

For Near Field Communication, the maximum transfer rate is 424 Kbps, which is an order of magnitude less than the 2.1 Mbps Bluetooth communication speed. Is there a regression?

Comparing the two technologies mentioned above, we note that reducing the communication range provides a higher level of data transmission security. An important advantage of a newer way of communication than Bluetooth is the instant connection of interacting devices (about 0.1 s). In addition, it involves communication with passive (non-emitting) NFC-devices.

Mass technology

The future expansion of Near Field Communication is defined by the universal and widespread nature of devices - its carriers: the NFC function in a phone, tablet or smart card is available to a mass user. Technology naturally promotes the progress of technology. In the mobile phone market in Russia in 2014, the share of smartphone sales reached 58%. Of these, 80% are equipped with the Android 4.0-adapted operating system. Embedded in it, the short-range NFC Android, offered to smartphone owners, is called the Beam option.

Principle of NFC

Some experts argue that the first version of the technology of contactless communication - Bluetooth - is morally obsolete. It is being criticized for the built-in profiles, which strictly regulate the connection of the headset, file transfer, and the availability of network access. This dogmatic arrangement initially limits the scope of Bluetooth.

The new technology offers more constructive approaches. Emulation of payment cards, reading mode and communication mode of devices are technical possibilities of today. In the future, the concept of how to use NFC will progress.

In fact, NFC is flexible enough because it initially offers a multivariate format: a database with stitched parameters, some of which are redundant. This is important for the development of technology. Themselves, these parameters are involved in the configuration of the proximity non-contact communication, being substituted into the variables of various types of software. This concept provides universality and multivariance.

Potential of NFC

Technology is developing: many owners of smartphones equipped with the Android operating system know how to use NFC to make contactless payments. Sim card from the operator developing near field technology (so literally translated from English), emulates contactless payment cards, discount cards, service documents, reads RFID tags attached to goods, and also connects two devices for the purpose of receiving and transmitting Files in P2P mode.

Let's remind readers why NFC is promising: there is a powerful non-profit association of international corporations that initiates its development and distribution. These are the well-known locomotives of the scientific and technological revolution: Google, Microsoft, Nokia, NXP Semiconductors, Philips, Samsung, Sony.

Near Field Communication technology is actively supported by 14 leading operators of mobile networks, accounting for more than 40% of the global mobile communications market.

An example of a major investment in this technology is equipment in London: 60,000 NFC terminals for the 2012 Olympics.

Purchase devices with NFC function

Buying a modern device, it is logical to determine whether it has support for the method of contactless communication we are considering. It can be recognized by external signs or by directly entering the device menu. What does the NFC smartphone look like?

The availability of the contactless communication function is eloquently evidenced by the NFC logo on the gadget panel or the inscription Near Field Communication on its batteries. However, we recommend that you turn on the smartphone and pay attention to whether there is a sub-item "Technology NFC" in the item "Wireless networks". Among the models of smartphones that implement Near Field Communication functions are Xperia Sola, Xperia P, Sony Xperia S, HTC One X, Google Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus.

However, in addition to the active controller, implemented in a smartphone or tablet, there are also passive. An example of the latter are cards used for multiple payment of travel in transport.

How to use NFC on the Android menu

Using the Beam feature in Android OS involves unlocking the screen of each interacting smartphone or tablet. Then you need a simple setup: in the menu you should enter the "Wireless networks", use the sub-clause "More ...", confirm the permission to exchange data with another device. This will activate the Beam function.

If a device with which your smartphone or tablet interacts, it is detected, you will hear a beep. The repeated sound signal will be heard after the transfer of information is completed. Note that the NFC function transmits data instead of data in the case of applications exchange (ARC-files), web pages, video from YouTube. Using a smartphone and a tablet, it becomes possible to read information from various specialized cards equipped with NFC chips.

Introduction of a new contactless communication

According to statistics, the maximum growth in popularity of smartphones began in late 2011, when the installation of built-in special functions for these devices, in particular, implementing contactless communication, became much more active. The reason for this is obvious: smartphones and tablets equipped with it are becoming even more multifunctional. With their help, it becomes possible to identify the user, implement the electronic wallet function, replace several bank cards, a bonus card, a ticket or an electronic key. The listed methods are not an exhaustive list of how to use NFC: advanced technology develops further. Currently, the possibilities of such a connection between smartphones are widely used.

Security questions

Skimming (the use of fraudulent readouts on ATMs and terminals) of data becomes impossible with non-contact NFC technology, since there is essentially no card entry into technical devices. The owner of the smartphone at the same time exposes the code of his lock. A specialized program (wallet) blocks attempts to unauthorized use of the NFC software.

year 2014. The development of near field technologies in Russia

The largest Russian mobile operators have become pioneers in the development of the NFC market. Megafon realized for its customers the possibility of making non-cash payments by installing NFC terminals in the branches. Also this operator implemented in St. Petersburg non-cash payment for Metro services with the help of this technology.

Beeline, in parallel with Megafon, non-cash serves the Petersburg Metro.

"MTS" together with "Lukoil" became a pioneer in the contactless payment of gasoline at the filling stations.

Sberbank of Russia has already produced MasterCard cards that work without contact with the use of NFC technology.

Nearest prospects for the development of technology

Prospects for the development of near field technology are demonstrated by the British. On Foggy Albion from the end of last year, the Cash on Tap service operates. With his help, customers of the local mobile operator Everything Everywhere received the opportunity to make non-cash payments.

The project was implemented jointly with the MasterCard payment system. At the current time, their sums of money transfers are rather limited in amount - up to 20.00 £. In addition, the service provides all users with a loan of 10.00 £.

Cash on Tap did not come from scratch. For him, a powerful infrastructure was planned and implemented, numbering 230,000 trade and service enterprises. This service should pay attention. It will progress, the remittances will grow.

Conclusion

Consulting company in the field of information technology Gartner considers Near Field Communication a promising direction. However, it emphasizes that the effectiveness of introducing a new and promising technology, whose idea is fast and convenient for users of contactless payment, depends on many factors. After all, NFC quality support is made up of concerted actions by many legal entities - manufacturers of smartphones and tablets, mobile operators, commercial banks, sellers who practice non-cash form of payment.

Banks consider the latter circumstance critical. After all, if this interaction is not synchronized, development will be inhibited. They offer as an alternative to NFC-service contactless payments through QR-codes. Especially, as bankers say, that NFC payment can still be read. The presence in the settlement bank of QR codes of users' readers and, accordingly, the practice of verification inquiries addressed to them, are good barriers against fraud.