NFC vs RFID similarities, differences and applications

This time we are focusing on technical issues related to RFID and NFC technologies. What do they have in common? What are the differences between them? Please read the article.

RFID

RFID is a wireless communication technology between the reader and the tag. Most often, an RFID TAG (tag) is powered by a reader wirelessly using emitted radio waves. However, this is not the rule, as there are active RFID tags equipped with battery power.

RFID identification

The extension of the abbreviation RFID (radio-frequency identification) comes from the practical purpose of RFID technology. RFID tags are intended to identify objects that are in the reader's field of operation. The identification itself consists in reading the unique identifier stored in the label's memory.

NFC

NFC (

English

Near Field Communication

) is a technology for wireless communication over short distances. NFC is based on RFID technological solutions, while being an autonomous wireless communication standard.

NFC vs. RFID: Which came first?

Definitely RFID. NFC, using solutions used in industry, provides solutions commonly used by individual customers.

NFC vs. RFID: Frequency and range

NFC devices operate using the 13.56 MHz frequency. The theoretical range of labels is 20 cm. In practice, it usually does not exceed 5 - 6 cm.

The RFID technology specification defines several operating frequencies:

- Low frequency RFID (LF 125 kHz) with a theoretical range of up to 10 cm

- High frequency RFID (HF 13.56 MHz) with a theoretical range of up to 1.5 m

- Ultra high frequency RFID (UHF 865 – 868 MHz, 902 – 928 MHz) with a range of up to 12 m

- RFID using active tags (2.5 GHz) with a theoretical range of up to 100 m

NFC vs. RFID: Communication

RFID technology enables one-way communication (reader -> tag) with the ability to read and write information.

NFC extends the RFID standard by offering three information transfer modes:

- Writing/reading information stored in a passive NFC tag

- P2P communication between two active devices

- Emulation of a passive NFC tag by an active device

NFC vs. RFID: Application

A common application of NFC technology is contactless electronic payments and all applications using wireless reading/writing of information using mobile phones and tablets, such as advertising (posters, leaflets, interactive stickers), device pairing, automation of device configuration...

RFID technology has a number of industrial applications:

- RFID LF: access control, animal identification

- RFID HF: access control, electronic tickets, tolls, micropayments, loyalty programs…

- UHF RFID: product identification, warehouse management, logistics and transport, supply chain control…

- RFID 2.4 GHz: identification and location of goods