ASSAM DON BOSCO UNIVERSITY

ASSIGNMENT ON: NEAR FIELD

COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(NFC)

DEPARTMENT: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

NAME: GOURAB DAS MA’AM SMRITI MEDHI
SEMESTER: BCOM 3RD SEMESTER
ROLL NO: DC2023BCM0001
 NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY(NFC)

INTRODUCTION

Near Field Communication (NFC) as its name suggests is a shorter-

range subset of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. It
has gained popularity as the rising development in today’s technical
world. What this wireless communication technology offers are a low
bandwidth with high frequency allowing data transfer in range of
centimetres. 13.56 MHz is the frequency where NFC operates. It can
provide speed up to 424 kbps. NFC tags communication and data
exchanges are based on standards like ISO 14443 A, MIFARE and
FeliCa. It provides high comfort level and ease of use as there are no
further configuration steps required to initiate a session to share data.
Reading from NFC tags is very easy as you just need to bring NFC tag
closer to NFC reader and it will start reading from it without
providing any connection details. Concept of inductive coupling is used
in this architecture. It is also compatible with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
RFID (RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION)

RFID emerged somewhere around in 1980s. Charles Walton invented

an object using RFID in 1983. It basically enables a one-way wireless
communication that is typically between two devices, i.e., a powerless
RFID tag and a powered RFID reader. RFID reader which is enabled
with battery supply is responsible for generating long-distance Radio
frequency waves using which RFID tag will get induced and generates
its own electricity based on the strength of electromagnetic field
received. RFID can be scanned from 100 meters without being in line
of sight and that is why it is being used everywhere for asset tracking
such as in a warehouse or airport and wild animal movement tracker
or livestock identification. As shown in the figure RFID is categorized
in various frequency ranges from 120 kHz to 10 GHz spectrum. NFC
works at High Frequency RFID band that is 13.56 MHz’s. The reason
why this spectrum is accepted globally is because it is unlicensed and
hence anyone can use it freely for transmitting and intercepting data.
 NFC FORUM

The NFC Forum is a non-profit industry association whose

membership draws from all parts of the NFC ecosystem. Working
within the framework of the NFC Forum, member organizations share
development, application, and marketing expertise to develop the best
possible solutions for advancing the use of Near Field Communication,
enhancing the lives of consumers worldwide and advancing members’
business objectives. It was launched in 2004 by leading companies in
the field of semiconductors, communication, and electronics as a non-
profit organization. The forum educates market about NFC and
promotes its usage. They build specifications, standards and maintain
interoperability between devices and services. They have around 200
global partner companies who are working towards modular NFC
device architecture and much more.
The NFC Forum’s Sponsor members are:
Intel, NXP Semiconductors, Qualcomm, Samsung, MasterCard
Worldwide, NEC, Sony Corporation, Broadcom Corporation, Google,
Inc., STMicroelectronics, and Visa Inc.
 PROBLEM DEFINITION
Near Field Communications (NFC) is a short-range wireless
technology that allows mobile devices to actively interact with passive
physical objects and other active mobile devices, connecting the
physical world to mobile services in ways that empower and benefit
users. RFID is a powerful enabling technology that is being applied in
an astonishing range of applications and uses, from supply chain
management and product inventory control to identity authentication
and access control. As RFID technologies become widely deployed, the
possibility of unwanted identification, tracking and surveillance may
increase, as may the likelihood of data interception, cloning and
misuse.

OBJECTIVES OF NFC
NFC has become an attractive research area for many academics due
to its exploding growth and its promising applications and related
services. Due to its nature, large proportion of the NFC research can
be represented as design science research which aims to propose an
innovative design artifact and has a problem relevance and rigorous
nature. As we shall present, for the last few years, there has been a
considerable amount of increase in the number of research papers and
activities concerning NFC.
NFC makes it easier to load multiple cards
into a single phone for payments, municipal transit, building access,
opening car doors and other use cases. However, understanding the
status of NFC research area is necessary to maintain the
advancement of knowledge in NFC.
 NFC OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS
It is capable to form a peer-to-peer network for data communication.
13.56 MHz band is unlicensed in all the countries. The technology works
when NFC enabled devices brought within close proximity i.e., a small
distance around 4 to 20 cm. It can provide transfer data rate of up to 424
Kbps. It also allows data transfer in the chunks of 106 Kbps and 212 Kbps.
It can provide a bandwidth of approximately 2 MHz’s.

NFC STANDARDS
ISO (18092), ECMA (340) and ETSI are popular NFC standards. It
supports smart cards like Mifare and Felica. NFC has two standards:
NFCIP-1 and NFCIP-2. NFCIP-1 is defined in the ECMA-340 standard.
This mode is intended for peer-to-peer data communication between
devices which is divided into two variants: active and passive mode.
NFCIP-2 is specified in ECMA-352 which defines how to automatically
select the correct operation mode when starting communications.
 MODES OF OPERATIONS

1.ACTIVE MODE
NFC device operating in active mode generates its own carrier frequency,
resulting its own RF field for transmission purpose. It is equipped with a
power supply for operation. Active NFC device act as an initiator in
communication. Two active NFC devices can alternatively generate RF
field to form a two-way communication link to transfer data. NFC device
operating in passive mode would not be able to generate its own carrier
frequency.

2.PASSIVE MODE
Passive device acts as a target. Initiator device produces RF field for
communication and Target device use inductive coupling for responding
them back. Target device modulates to initiator’s RF field, for replying to
initiator. Target device uses power from initiator’s generated RF
electromagnetic field and saves energy. Resultant, Passive device can be
provided a small battery for its operation to restrict energy sources
consumption.
 MODES OF COMMUNICATIONS

1.PEER-TO-PEER

Peer-to-Peer mode is defined for device-to-device link-level

communication. This mode is not supported by the Contactless
Communication API. Peer-to-peer mode is a simple or classic mode of
NFC operation. It allows data transfer at a rate of up to 424Kbps. It works
on NFCIP-1 protocol, whose protocol’s detail and electromagnetic
properties are standardized in ISO 18092 and ECMA 320/340.
2.READER-WRITER

Read/Write mode allows applications for the transmission of NFC

Forum-defined messages. This mode is not secure and supported by the
Contactless Communication API. NFC device can also operate as
Reader/Writer for tags and smart cards. In Reader/Writer mode, NFC
active device act as an initiator and passive tag act as target. This mode
allows data transfer rate of 106 Kbps.

3.CARD EMULATION

NFC Card Emulation mode allows the NFC-handset behave as a

standard smartcard. This mode is secure and is supported by the
Contactless Communication API. In emulation mode, NFC device
emulates ISO 14443 smart card chip. These smart chips are integrated in
mobile devices and get connected to NFC module for communication to
occur.
 IMPLEMENTATION
The retailer strategically implemented NFC across various touchpoints
within its stores:

SMART SHELVES: NFC tags were embedded in product labels on

smart shelves. When customers tapped their NFC-enabled smartphones
on these tags, they could instantly access detailed product information,
customer reviews, and even promotional videos .

MOBILE PAYMENTS: NFC technology was integrated into the

retailer's mobile app, allowing customers to make secure and swift
payments at checkout counters by simply tapping their smartphones or
contactless cards.

INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS: NFC-enabled interactive displays

were placed strategically throughout the store. Customers could tap their
devices to access personalized recommendations, in-store promotions,
and loyalty program details.

BENEFITS

1.ENHANCED CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENTS: NFC

technology facilitated a more engaging and personalized shopping
experience. Customers could access relevant information about products,
making informed purchasing decisions.

2.EFFICIENT CHECKOUTS: The integration of NFC-enabled

mobile payments streamlined the checkout process, reducing waiting
times and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.

3.MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES: The retailer utilized NFC

to push targeted promotions and discounts directly to customers'
smartphones, increasing the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
 NFC TAGS
An NFC tag is a small microchip embedded in a sticker or wristband that
can be read by the mobile devices that are within range. Information
regarding the item is stored in these microchips.14 An NFC tag has the
capability to send the information stored on it to NFC enabled mobile
phones. NFC tags can also perform various actions, such as changing the
settings of handsets or even launch a website.15 Tag memory capacity
varies by the type of tag. For example, a tag may store a phone number or
a URL.16 The most common use of the NFC tag function on an object is
mobile wallet payment processing, where the user swipes or flicks a
mobile phone on a NFC tag to make payment. Google’s version of this
system is Google Wallet.
 APPLICATIONS OF MOBILE MEDIA

1. MOBILE PAYMENTS: NFC enables contactless payments

using smartphones or other NFC-enabled devices. Users can simply tap
their device on a payment terminal to make a transaction, eliminating the
need for physical cards or cash.

2. ACCESS CONTROL: NFC can be used for secure access control

systems, such as employee badges or keycards. Users can tap their NFC-
enabled device on a reader to gain entry to restricted areas.

3. TICKETING: NFC can be used for electronic ticketing systems,

allowing users to store and validate tickets on their smartphones. This is
commonly used in public transportation, concerts, sports events, and
other ticketed venues.

4. LOYALTY PROGRAMS: NFC can be used to store loyalty

cards or reward points on smartphones. Users can simply tap their device
at participating stores to earn or redeem rewards.

5. DATA TRANSFER: NFC enables quick and easy data transfer

between devices. Users can share files, contacts, URLs, and other
information by bringing their devices close together.

6. SMART HOME AUTOMATION: NFC can be used to control

smart home devices, such as turning on lights, adjusting thermostats, or
unlocking doors. Users can simply tap their device on an NFC-enabled
control panel to perform various actions.

7. HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS: NFC can be used in

healthcare settings for patient identification, medication tracking, and
access control to secure areas like laboratories or medical storage rooms.
 SECURITY THREATS AND SOLUTIONS

1.EAVESDROPPING
It is a wireless communication interface so eavesdropping is a big issue.
A secure channel must be established. Diffie-Hellman can be used for key
exchange to generate a symmetric key which further can be used with
AES or 3DES encryption.

2.DATA CORRUPTION
Instead of eavesdropping an attacker may disturb the transmitted data.
This can be detected by checking RF field as the power needed for
corrupting data is higher than detected by NFC.

3.DATA MODIFICATION
It is different from data corruption as in this case attacker wants receiver
to get the malicious data. It can be prevented by regularly checking RF
field by active sending device or a secure channel should be used as
described.

4.DATA INSERTION
Attacker sends his own data along with the data transmitted by both
parties. The best solution is to minimize the delay. The attacker cannot be
faster than the active device 20 in this case. A secure channel can also be
used as remedy.

5.MAN-IN-THE-MIDDLE ATTACK
Attacker can easily implement this attack by generating his own
electromagnetic field to induce the receiver. Practically this attack is not
possible but it is good habit by sender to listen to RF field before sending
data to check for any disturbance present in the channel.
 NFC STATISTICS

MARKET SIZE OF NFC FROM 2014 TO 2024

 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, NFC technology has proven to be a versatile and
convenient solution for various applications across different industries.
From mobile payments and access control to ticketing and smart home
automation, NFC offers a seamless and secure way for users to interact
with their devices and surroundings. With its ability to enable quick data
transfer, enhance healthcare practices, facilitate marketing efforts, and
improve public transportation systems, NFC has become an essential tool
in the digital age. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to
see even more innovative uses and advancements in NFC technology,
further enhancing our everyday lives and experiences. FC technology
enables devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, to
communicate with other NFC-enabled devices or NFC tags. It allows for
easy and secure data transfer between devices, making it convenient for
various applications. One of the most well-known uses of NFC
technology is in mobile payments, where users can simply tap their
smartphones on a payment terminal to make a transaction. NFC
technology is also used for access control systems, allowing users to
unlock doors or gates with their NFC-enabled devices.
This case study highlights the successful integration of
NFC technology by a retailer, demonstrating the positive impact on
customer engagement, sales, and overall business performance. The
strategic implementation of NFC across various touchpoints showcases
its versatility and potential to transform the retail landscape.