In the present digital era, two emerging technologies such as “Near Field Communication” (NFC) and “Radio Frequency Identification” (RFID) are gaining popularity, especially in industries such as oil and mining, truck, logistics, storage, and shipping for asset and inventory tracking activities.
Due to their growing use, choosing between RFID and NFC may be difficult, as they share many similarities. However, this article aims to clarify things, highlighting the strengths of each and helping you choose the right technology for your specific needs. So let’s take a closer look at each technology!
What is RFID?
RFID – Radio Frequency Identification, is a powerful technology that allows wireless identification and monitoring of objects or individuals using radio waves. This is done through the use of unique tags attached to the items or people you want to track. These tags have three main components: a microchip that stores unique identification data and an antenna that helps communicate by sending and receiving radio signals.
RFID technology also includes RFID readers, who broadcast radio waves and communicate with RFID tags within their range. When an RFID tag approaches an RFID reader, the reader’s radio waves activate the tag, which allows them to communicate and exchange information.
To make all these data to be valuable, there is a backend system that processes the information collected from RFID readers. This Backend system generally consists of databases, software applications, or cloud-based platforms that manage and analyze the data collected.
How does RFID technology work?
Each RFID system is made up of three main components, including;
- A scanning antenna
- Transceiver
- Transponder (RFID tag)
The scanning antenna and the transceiver form the RFID reader or RFID interrogator. It can be fixed or mobile and connected to a communication network. The transponder (tag) is an RFID chip activated by energy generated by radio waves emitted by the reader. The reader interrogates the transponder, which returns the requested data.
However, a tag can be active, passive, or semi-active;
- Passive tags: they work by harnessing the energy of electromagnetism, eliminating the need for a battery.
- Active tags: They include a small battery that makes it easy to transmit signals over longer distances and store new information.
- Semi-active tags: these tags are in the middle of above both tags. Like passive tags, they only transmit a signal when activated by an RFID reader. However, unlike active tags, they do not continuously emit signals.
Built-in low-power, non-volatile memory plays a vital role in every RFID system. RFID tags typically contain less than 2000 KB of data.
What is NFC?
The NFC, or near-field communication, is a wireless technology that offers devices to communicate within a short range. Unlike RFID, it needs both a sending and receiving device.
The NFC operates at 13.56 MHz, a frequency also used by some readers with high-frequency RFID readers, which can be confusing. NFC standards are derived from existing RFID, such as ISO/IEC 14443 and FeliCa, which makes it an extension of high-frequency RFID. It is commonly used in access control solutions for nearby interactions.
The NFC uses an alternating magnetic field, avoiding radio wave emission. This prevents interruption between devices at the same frequency. An NFC system usually has a reader (initiator) and a tag (target), with tags that contain data and are often read-only. They can safely store personal information with memory dimensions from 96 to 8,192 bytes.
NFC, such as RFID, comes in two types: active and passive.
Active mode:
When both the initiator and the target are active, they can send and receive data using the alternative signal transmission. Both devices have their own power supply, so the initiator’s power does not need to power the target. Active NFC devices can work in different ways:
- Cards emulation: Allows smartphones to act as smart cards for building access.
- Reader/writer: Allows devices to read data from tags on access cards or key fobs.
- Peer-to-Peer: NFC allows for communication and data exchange, acting as a reader and a label. This flexibility makes it an essential NFC solution for companies.
Passive mode:
Here, the initiator sends the radio frequency power to the target, activating it. The target then modifies and sends this power to the initiator, restructuring the signal’s amplitude.
In contrast to the active mode, the passive mode target reshapes the signal’s original amplitude before sending it back.
Considering these activities and liabilities, it is essential to understand the key differences between NFC and RFID technologies.
Key Differences between RFID and NFC:
1. Basic definition:
- RFID (radiofrequency identification): This is a technology in which information flows in one way, from a tag to a reader.
- NFC (near-field communication): In contrast, NFC allows bidirectional (two-way) conversation. This is a fast exchange where both the tag and the device (as a smartphone) actively communicate.
2. Range and application:
- NFC: The NFC is like a digital handshake with a limited range of approximately 0.1 meters. It requires the user to take measures, which makes it perfect for situations such as mobile payments, access to public transport, and secure entries.
- RFID: Imagine RFID as a megaphone that can be heard over hundreds of feet. This length is easy to use in scenarios such as store inventory management, where many tags need to be read simultaneously.
3. Communication:
- RFID: it is something like sending a message to the vacuum; the tag shares the information, but there is no back and forth. It is a simple and one-sided communication.
- NFC: it is like a friendly chat. The tag and the device speak with each other, creating dynamic contact. This bidirectional communication opens more contact possibilities.
4. Data Storage:
- NFC: NFC tags are like mini digital notebooks. They can store the main IDs and more complex data, up to 4KB. This can be anything, from simple text to URLs or even multimedia files.
- RFID: In comparison, RFID tags often contain basic identification data. Obtaining this data may require specific readers.
5. Accessibility:
- NFC: Here, smartphones are acting as magical keys. They can read and write easily on NFC tags, making contact for intuitive users. It is as if your smartphone becomes a personal decoder for NFC information.
- RFID: In the RFID world, expert readers play the role of translators. These readers are essential to decoding the information stored in RFID tags and often come with additional costs.
Uses of RFID and NFC Technologies:
RFID Uses:
- Assets Tracking: RFID acts as a digital passport for things, which helps monitor articles such as equipment, products, or library books.
- Race Timing: In sports, RFID is like a super accurate stopwatch, which monitors the race time of participants.
- Attendees Tracking: the events get interactive with the RFID, which makes it easier for the attendees to navigate and the organizers to collect data.
- Inventory Management: For companies, RFID is an assistant inventory assistant, providing real-time stock level updates.
NFC Uses:
- Contactless payment: with NFC, your phone and card become a digital wallet, only a tap, and you can pay for things such as coffee, groceries, or public transport.
- Data/ information exchange: NFC simplifies the information to share. Bring two devices close for data exchange without problems, from contact details to photos.
- In-store check-ins: Retail trade becomes a tech boost with NFC, which allows customers to register or access exclusive offers with a simple tap.
- Post-sale Product Experience: The NFC improves the experience after buying a product. You can scan a QR code in a poster to obtain more details about the product.
- Smart home connectivity: NFC simplifies smart living. Tap your phone on home devices to immediately connect and control things like lights or coffee makers.
RFID System for Fleet Management:
For fleet managers who have a variety of properties, tools, and equipment, keeping track of everything can be a great task. But, with RFID technology, things are becoming more accessible and more productive. Here are some main reasons why:
- Read many tags without any effort:
RFID is like a monitoring superhero. You can read many tags simultaneously, even from far away, even from a meter away. The best part? It does not need any user action, which makes it perfect for keeping an eye on assets and inventory without inconvenience.
- No need for additional hardware:
Using RFID is like adding a magical touch to your fleet management. It is easy to start because you don’t have to buy extra gadgets. Simply get some affordable RFID tags, attach them to your assets, and voila! You are ready to see where everything is. And guess what? With wireless RFID system links, you can also use a simple mobile application to monitor things from anywhere.
- Get snapshots:
With RFID, you are in the know immediately. If an asset leaves a vehicle in a workplace or if something is left behind, you will get a quick notification. This information is Gold, as it helps to manage operations better and keep you updated.
- See all clearly:
Place the RFID tags in shipments, and you will have a clear image. You may be sure your shipments are on their way and arrive on time, safe, and sound. Whether these are assets or loads, these tags give you a visual of where things are – making inventory management a breeze.
Future of RFID and NFC:
The use of RFID devices is skyrocketing; it is expected to reach almost 35 billion in the coming year. This growth is promoting technology, with plans to make RFID and readers smarter. Imagine a world where these tags not only verify if a product is in a store, but you can also point out on which shelf it’s on! With the transfer to the NFC, more than two billion devices, such as smartphones, are already equipped with NFC capabilities. This means more than 20% of people worldwide can use NFC technology. The popularity of these devices is paving the way for more advancements and exciting possibilities in the future.