RFIDnfc

RFIDNFC refers to the overlap between radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC) technologies, and to systems that combine or exploit both. RFID is a broad class of wireless identification methods that use radio waves to read tags attached to objects. Tags can be passive, powered by the reader’s field, or active with their own power source, and they operate across multiple frequency bands, including low frequency (LF) around 125 kHz, high frequency (HF) at 13.56 MHz, and in some cases ultrahigh frequencies or microwave bands for longer ranges.

NFC is a specialized subset of RFID that operates at 13.56 MHz and emphasizes short-range, bidirectional communication between devices, such as a reader and a tag or two devices like smartphones. NFC adds capabilities beyond traditional one-way RFID, including three operation modes: reader/writer, card emulation, and peer-to-peer. It relies on standardization through ISO/IEC specifications such as ISO/IEC 14443 for contactless cards and ISO/IEC 15693 for vicinity cards, with the NFC Forum coordinating additional tag types and profiles.

In practice, NFC is commonly used for contactless payments, access control, transit tickets, and quick data exchange, while broader RFID is used for inventory, asset tracking, and automation across longer ranges. Implementation considerations for RFIDNFC deployments include choosing the appropriate frequency and tag type, ensuring compatibility with readers and devices, and addressing security and privacy concerns such as encryption and authentication. Cost, read range, and reliability also influence deployment decisions. Smartphones with built-in NFC hardware enable many NFC-focused applications, often leveraging existing RFID infrastructure for broader compatibility.