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Near Field Communication (NFC)

maker

A set of communication protocols that enable communication between two electronic devices over a distance of 4 cm (1.57 inches) or less.

expanded

Near Field Communication (NFC) allows for the wireless exchange of data between devices in close proximity, enhancing device interactions without the need for a direct line of sight or lengthy pairing procedures. Common applications include contactless payment systems, peer-to-peer data transfer, and access control systems in both consumer and industrial environments.

examples

A contactless payment terminal using NFC technology to process transactions from an NFC-enabled smartphone or card.

Widely deployed in retail environments as part of point-of-sale systems, where rapid and secure transactions are crucial.

An NFC tag used to automate smartphone settings or trigger actions when touched.

Utilized in home automation systems to simplify user interactions with smart home devices.

related terms

Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a wireless communication protocol for short-range data exchange.
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a wireless personal area network technology designed for reduced power consumption compared to traditional Bluetooth.
ZigBee
ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols using low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard.
Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C)
I2C is a multi-master, multi-slave, packet-switched, single-ended, serial communication bus.
ESP32/ESP8266
ESP32 and ESP8266 are low-cost, versatile microcontroller modules with integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities.