What Is NFC?

Abstract

Conceptually, Near Field Communication (NFC) is a technology that allows two devices to exchange information wirelessly at close range. More precisely, NFC is a set of technical specifications and standards for transferring information between two proximate objects via the inductive coupling of radio frequency fields at 13.56 MHz. NFC evolved out of existing radio-frequency identification (RFID) standards, already familiar to many librarians, such that NFC-enabled devices can be compatible with some existing RFID systems and infrastructure. The primary distinction between NFC and other RFID technologies, however, is its operating range: typically within three to five centimeters. In order to exchange data via NFC, then, two devices must be quite close to physical contact, though they need not actually touch; thus NFC can be categorized as a “contactless” technology even though it is sometimes described as a physical “tap ‘n’ go” interaction. Our discussion of NFC in this section is intended not as a comprehensive review but as an introduction to its functionality and the key characteristics that drive its use and application. For more detailed information on the technical aspects of NFC, see Fischer, 2009; Ok et al., 2012; Halgaonkar et al., 2013; and Coskun et al., 2013.