NFS works. NFC in the phone: what is it, how and where to use the NFC function. What is the advantage of NFC over other wireless modules

NFC has become quite mainstream thanks to the rise of online payment systems such as Samsung Pay and Android Pay. Especially if it concerns even middle-class phones. You've probably heard the term before, but what is NFC in a smartphone? In this article, I will briefly outline what it is, how it works, and what it can be used for.

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. As the name implies, it provides a short communication between devices. This requires at least one transmitter and one to receive the signal. Devices using the NFC standard are divided into passive and active.

Passive NFC devices are small transmitters that can send messages to other NFC devices without the need for a power source. However, they cannot process any information sent from other sources and cannot connect to other passive components. These are usually interactive signs on walls or advertisements.

Active NFC devices can send and receive data, and can communicate with each other as well as with the passive device. Smartphones are the most common form of active NFC device today. An example of the technology is readers of public transport cards and payment terminals.

Now that we know what it is, let's find out how NFC works in a phone.
Very simple, just like Bluetooth and WiFi as well as other wireless signals. NFC works on the principle of sending information over radio waves. Near Field Communication is another standard for wireless data transmission. This means that devices must adhere to certain specifications in order to communicate properly with each other. The technology used in NFC is based on the idea of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), which uses electromagnetic induction to transmit information.

Of course, there is one major difference between NFC and Bluetooth/WiFi. The former can be used to induce electrical currents inside passive components, as well as to transmit data. Instead, they can be powered by an electromagnetic field generated by an active NFC component when it comes into range. Unfortunately, NFC technology lacks enough inductance to charge a smartphone, but QI charging has the same principle.

On the other hand, the read or write mode is a one-way data transfer. An active device, such as your smartphone, connects to another device to read information from it.

The last mode of operation is card emulation. The NFC device here is smart or contactless credit cards, which can be used to pay for travel on public transport or pay for purchases in stores.

Comparable to Bluetooth

Although I answered the question "What is NFC?". Let's compare it with other wireless technologies, shall we? Someone might think that NFC is not needed, since there is Bluetooth. However, there are a few important technological differences between the two, and NFC has significant advantages. The main argument in favor of NFC is that it consumes much less power than Bluetooth. This makes NFC ideal for passive devices such as the advertising tags I wrote about above, as they can operate without a main power supply.

However, low power consumption has one serious drawback. In particular, the transmission range is much shorter than that of Bluetooth. The range of NFC is about 10 cm, and Bluetooth can transmit data up to 10 meters or more. Another downside is that NFC is slower than Bluetooth. It transfers data at a maximum speed of 424 kbps, compared to 2.1 Mbps for Bluetooth 2.1 or about 1 Mbps for Bluetooth Low Energy.

But NFC has its biggest advantage: faster connections. Thanks to inductive coupling and the absence of manual pairing, less than one tenth of a second elapses before information is exchanged. Although modern Bluetooth also connects quite quickly, NFC is still very convenient in certain situations, such as mobile payment.

Samsung Pay, Android Pay, and even Apple Pay use NFC technology, though Samsung Pay works a little differently than the others. Bluetooth is very convenient for transferring files, connecting headphones and other gadgets. My guess is that NFC will always be relevant thanks to mobile payments.

Conclusion

Now, I have answered the question "What is NFC?", but if you do not understand something or you have other questions about this wireless technology. Ask them in the comments below.

Read about how to enable NFC.

Hello everyone, today we will consider what NFC is. This technology has appeared in smartphones for a long time, but many users undeservedly deprive it of attention. Why is it needed? What can she do and where is NFC used? All these questions will be answered in this article. First, let's figure out what this strange abbreviation NFC means. It stands for Near field communication, which translates as near field communication or near non-contact communication.

Distance at which it works NFS technology does not exceed 10 centimeters. And the maximum transfer rate is only 424 kbps. The central frequency of NFC is 13.56 MHz. The technology has been developed since 2004, and the first specification of the standard was approved in 2006. And at the same time, the first NFC-enabled device came out - Nokia 6131.

In a nutshell, the principle of NFC technology can be described as follows. Each device has an induction coil that generates an electromagnetic field. On another device there is another similar coil, in which, under the influence of the field of the first coil, electricity arises, which is subsequently converted into a signal. Devices in turn generate electromagnetic fields and exchange them. This mode of operation is called active. And there is also a passive mode, this is when only one device generates an electromagnetic field. This is how cards or RFID tags work.

Now let's look at why we need NFC in a smartphone. The first and perhaps the most common use is file transfer. There is one common myth here, many people think that the transfer is carried out directly via NFC. But in fact, the data is sent either via bluetooth or via Wi-Fi Direct.

NFC acts as a trusted identifier for devices. For example, Google's Android Bin data transfer technology uses Bluetooth to transfer data, but for everything to work as it should, the devices first need to see each other via NFC. Samsung has its own implementation of sbin, it transfers data many times faster due to the fact that it already works over Wi-Fi.

The second application of NFC, which has become increasingly popular, is contactless payments. At the moment, a number of banks and e-wallets have learned to work with NFC in smartphones. As a result, now with the help of the NSF you can pay for travel in public transport, lunch in a cafe or purchases in a supermarket. This payment method is good because it is very close at hand. If the card can still be forgotten, then we do not part with the phone even in a dream.

In order for all this magic to work, we need to have three things.

Obviously a smartphone with an NFC chip
Special software for payment and data storage (payment system card details).
A terminal in a store that accepts contactless payment.

You probably have a question: “How safe are NSF payments?”. Can any craftsman carry out a transaction remotely without your knowledge? Well, judge for yourself. In order to make a payment, the phone must be brought at a distance of about 5 centimeters to the terminal, while the smartphone must be unlocked. And the probability that these two conditions will be at least somehow rigged by a fraudster tends to zero. But even if the stars do not converge in your favor, then your wallet will be protected by a limit on the maximum payment amount. In most payment systems and wallets, it is set to 10-15 bucks by default. The threshold can be removed if desired.

In addition to payments, NFC allows you to quickly pair with peripherals. You can connect headphones, a speaker or even a TV to your smartphone in a matter of seconds. For example, Sony has TV models to which you can connect your phone via NFC. If you wish, the list of unusual things that can be connected via NFC can be continued for a very long time, and I will give just a few examples. The first thing that comes to mind is a door lock with an NFC chip that can be opened from a smartphone, which is very convenient. You can also use the NFC ring for this.

You simply program the necessary action algorithm and bind it to the label. We got into the car, put the phone to the tag and your smartphone did everything that was needed. You can come up with a whole bunch of similar scenarios for both work and home. Fortunately, these tags are not very expensive on Aliexpress. Most likely, this article does not describe all the ways to use NFC, and if you somehow use this technology in an unusual way, share your ideas in the comments.

NFC technology allows high-frequency wireless communication over short distances. NFC modules are equipped with a large number of modern devices- First of all, the technology is focused on tablets and smartphones. In this article, we will look at what NFC is in a smartphone, how NFC technology works, what advantages it has, and what is the range of its application.

The abbreviation NFC stands for Near Field Communication. The technology is based on the principle of radio signal exchange between two devices - this technology is similar to the well-known Bluetooth. However, there is one important difference - unlike Bluetooth, which is focused on data transmission at a distance of up to hundreds of meters, NFC is designed to exchange data at a distance of about 10 cm and closer.

The technology was announced in 2004 as an extension for contactless cards. After that, the technology gained quite a lot of popularity and can now be used in many areas.

How it works?

Let's try to figure out how NFC works in a smartphone. Two devices communicate with each other when they touch - for example, to pair two smartphones, you just need to put them together.

If we delve into the technical details of the technology, we can say the following.

Communication via NFC is based on magnetic field induction - loop antennas are located within the near field and form a transformer. For the operation of NFC, frequencies in the range of 13.56 MHz are allocated. The supported data rate can reach 400kbps.

NFC operating modes

NFS in a smartphone can work in two modes:

Active mode - both devices transmit information in turn, while both devices must have a power source.
Passive mode - the initiator of the data transmission session, by modulating its field, provides the carrier field and the response of the second device - it uses the power of the field of the first device for data transmission.

Passive mode allows you to create devices that do not need their own battery - for example, a small mark the size of a penny coin or even less can effectively interact with another device over short distances - just bring them closer and the data transfer process will start on its own.

Benefits of NFC Technology

The advantages of NFC include intuitiveness (one touch is enough to initiate a data transfer), versatility (NFC has the widest range of uses), open technology and its compliance with industry standards, as well as increased security due to low transmitter power and short range.

Using NFC, you can configure other wireless technologies - for example, it takes about 100ms to pair two devices via NFC, while connecting them to each other via Wifi or Bluetooth takes significantly longer, while it can be done via NFC.

NFC facilitates the exchange of information - it is possible to transfer a file from one smartphone to another by simply touching it with your smartphone. At the same time, the matter is not limited - you can transfer a payment to the interlocutor, add him to "friends" or start a session of a joint multiplayer game.

Prospects for NFC

NFC as a communication technology has a wide range of applications that can be constantly expanded. So, through NFC, you can implement such contactless technologies as access control to the premises, payments using mobile phone- including in public transport and shops, various solutions in the field of consumer electronics, healthcare, information exchange programs and so on.

Great opportunities open up in the field of e-commerce - an NFC device can act as a wallet, travel ticket, boarding pass, discount coupon, and so on. NFC tags in stores allow you to instantly get additional information about the product and other stores with such goods. An NFC tag can be installed in a museum, gallery or exhibition hall - when you read the tag, you will receive information about the object.

All current Android smartphones have the top line of the screen literally crammed with all sorts of symbols. Many of them are understandable, familiar and even useful: the notification panel informs you about new email messages, file downloads, availability and quality of telephone and WiFi networks, battery level, etc. However, sometimes a mysterious letter N appears there, causing some suspicious users to feel a little uneasy.

In this article, we will talk about the function that is indicated in Android devices by this very letter N, as well as how to disable it, and why you can do it right now.

What does the N symbol stand for, and what is NFC?

On the Android notification bar, an intricately designed letter N appears as a sign that the smartphone (or tablet) has turned on NFC module. NFC - Near Field Communication - is a technology by which two people in close proximity mobile devices can exchange data (sorry for such a simplified definition).

You have probably heard about this technology and even seen it in action. In developed democracies, NFC is used everywhere: for example, in mobile payment systems (of the most famous in our country - Android Pay and Samsung Pay) - this is when it is possible directly from a smartphone, smart bracelets and other smart devices. In addition, through NFC you can also any other data from one smartphone to another.

How to disable NFC in an Android smartphone (and remove the N icon from the notification bar)?

With this, everything is simple. Most likely in your Android you will find the option to disable NFC right in the quick settings menu. That is, we swipe down the screen, and in the drop-down menu, somewhere next to the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth symbols, we find an icon in the form of the same letter N, as in the notification panel, with a signature next to it and, if the function is active, tap on it to turn it off.

If you didn’t find the letter N in the quick settings of your smartphone, then open the usual settings, then click “ More… " In chapter " Wireless networks "and in the subsection" File and data transfer » set the NFC option switch to the « Off “, after which the N symbol will disappear from the notification panel.

Disable or not disable NFC?

Frankly, at present real benefit from NFC for the vast majority of Android users, almost none. Well, as we have already said, pictures or other files can be transferred from one smartphone to another. Contactless mobile payment systems are not yet so popular among the population, and there is such a suspicion that they will not be used for quite a long time. The aforementioned Android Pay and Samsung Pay, despite their very successful debut in the States, will not get to our region soon.

So, if you are not currently in an American store, then you can safely turn off the NFC function in your Android smartphone and save battery power in this way.

Some statistics: retailers have calculated how many NFC-enabled smartphones were sold in 2018. The Svyaznoy and Euroset companies, united into one network, reported that last year the number of phones sold with NFC was more than 11 million, which is 65% of the number of devices sold in 2018. This is due to the growing popularity of contactless payments using the phone, which are carried out by activating NFC sensors.

What is NFC in the phone and why is it needed

What is NFC in a smartphone? NFS is a contactless communication technology, it helps to exchange data at close range. For the first time, NFC technology was launched in 2006, but at that time there were no conditions for using the function, so the popularity came later, after 5 years.

Phones that support contactless payments are actively sold, and the scope of NFC technology has expanded: the owner of a smartphone pays for purchases by touching the terminal, receives information from NFC sensors, buys travel tickets, plays multimedia files and transfers information from one device to another.

The NFC function is provided by a pre-built sensor that receives information by sending and receiving a radio signal at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. The chip is built in by the smartphone manufacturer at the factory, NFC cannot be "downloaded" to the phone through software installation.

The NFC support of the phone makes it easier for the user to perform daily tasks, and for additional benefits, the smartphone owner must understand how to use this feature and how to find out if the phone has NFC.

How to find out if your phone has NFC and how to turn it on

Despite the widespread use of wireless technology, the NFC chip is not placed in all phones. You can find out about the availability of a function in your phone in several ways:

some smartphone manufacturers place a small image of the NFC icon in the form of an N on the back panel or battery if the cover is removed manually;
the instructions for the product indicate a list of smartphone functions, indicated as Near Field Communication or NFC, they write what NFC means in the phone and how to enable it;
in the phone settings, in the item " Network connections” or there should be a function enable button on the quick access toolbar. Some manufacturers put a brief instruction directly on the phone.

If none of the points is fulfilled, then this means that the NFC function is not available in the phone and it is impossible to use this advantage. After buying a new phone that supports contactless technology, the owner should check for NFC in the smartphone.

On Android

NFC on an Android phone is enabled in the settings. The name of the menu items depends on the smartphone model and operating system, there are two ways to enable the function: through the settings in the menu and using the shortcut buttons.

In settings:

in the main menu, the "Settings" or "Options" button;
item "Wireless connections and networks" or "Connections";
enable the NFC function.

Shortcut button:

pull down the "curtain" with notifications at the top of the screen, open the quick access panel;
press the NFC button.

The function does not consume device memory and does not use battery resources.

On iPhone

No additional steps are required from the iPhone owner to enable or disable the NFC function. It works by default on iPhones from iPhone 6 onwards. To work, the user simply brings the smartphone to the device, which itself reads the necessary information.

How to use

Owners of devices with Android OS can count on the following application of NFC:

transferring data from one device to another: files, links to web pages and applications;
reading and creating NFC tags;
payment for purchases by touching the payment terminal;
withdrawal of cash from the card at ATMs.

iPhones greatly limit the work of the NFS: in the iPhone 6, 6s, 7, this chip only works to pay for purchases with a touch. The following models can no longer only pay for goods, but also read tags, the rest is not yet available.

To share information

Devices that support this function may participate in data transmission via NFC. The minimum Android version on both devices is 4.0. To transfer information, the desired file or link is opened, the devices are brought to each other so that the NFC chips are located nearby. Once connected, a beep may sound and the user taps on the screen to send information to the second device.

In this way, you can transfer information: contacts, passwords or keys, GPS coordinates or routes, multimedia. But keep in mind that the NFC transfer rate is 400 Mbps and large files will take a long time to transfer.

For labels

NFC tags are a tool that facilitates everyday activities. With labels, the user can:

launch and activate the alarm clock, calendar and other application on the smartphone;
read information from a preprogrammed label.

To read some labels, a special application is installed on the smartphone. Transport apps report trip counts, travel amounts, and other information, while store apps show product details.

To read NFC tags, your smartphone is factory-equipped with an NFC chip. There are no restrictions for Android, while iOS only allows it on iPhone 8 and above.

Android phones can not only read information from tags, but also program them. To do this, the user installs a special program on the phone, purchases an NFC tag in the store and programs the sensor to perform the desired action.

For payment

Touch payments are a common payment method in stores. In this case, the smartphone is used instead of a card, as a means of payment.

The following conditions must be met for payment:

included NFC function;
payment application: Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay or banking programs;
card connected in this application.

How to use NFC on your phone to pay:

the cashier punches the amount on the terminal;
the buyer selects a card and puts the phone to the reader;
money is debited from the card automatically.

It is important for the client that the application used for payment is reliably protected from outside interference. Some programs require the introduction of security passwords and a fingerprint before paying. These measures help to avoid unauthorized debiting of funds.