Background & Application
NFC: A short-distance high-frequency wireless communication technology that allows non-contact point-to-point data transmission between electronic devices, exchanging data within a distance of 10cm. The NFC communication system includes two independent parts: the NFC reader and NFC tag. The NFC reader is the active part of the system that "reads" (or processes) the information before triggering a specific response. It provides power and sends NFC commands to the passive part of the system (i.e. the NFC tag). Typically, in conjunction with a microcontroller, an NFC reader supplies power to and exchanges information with one or more NFC labels. The NFC reader supports multiple RF protocols and features and can be used in three different modes: read/write, peer-to-peer (P2P) and card emulation. The working frequency band of NFC is 13.56 MHz, which belongs to high frequency, and the protocol standards are ISO/IEC 14443A/B and ISO/IEC15693.
NFC labels have a wide range of applications, such as pairing and debugging, advertising posters, anti-counterfeiting, etc.
1. Pairing & Debugging
By writing information such as the name and password of the WiFi to the NFC label via an NFC reader, affixing the label to a suitable location, a connection can be created by simply placing two NFC-enabled devices close to each other. Additionally, NFC can trigger other protocols such as Bluetooth, ZigBee. Pairing actually happens in a split second and NFC only works when you need it, so there won't be any accidental device connections and there won't be any device conflicts like with Bluetooth. Commissioning new devices or expanding your home network is also easier, and there's no need to search for a connection or enter a password.
Analysis of Product Selection
Chip: It is recommended to use NXP NTAG21x series, NTAG213, NTAG215 and NTAG216. This series of chips complies with the NFC Type 2 standard and also meets the ISO14443A standard.
Antenna: NFC works at 13.56MHz, using aluminum etching process coil antenna AL+PET+AL.
Glue: If the object to be adhered is smooth and the usage environment is good, low-cost hot melt glue or water glue can be used. If the usage environment is harsh and the object to be adhered is rough, oil glue can be used to make it stronger.
Surface material: Coated paper can be used. If waterproofing is required, PET or PP materials can be used. Text and pattern printing can be provided.
2. Advertising & Posters
Smart posters are one of the applications of NFC technology. It adds NFC tags to the original paper advertisements or billboards, so that when people see the advertisement, they can use their personal smartphones to scan the embedded tag to obtain more relevant advertising information. In the field of posters, NFC technology can add more interactivity. For example, a poster containing an NFC chip can be connected to content such as music, videos, and even interactive games, thereby attracting more people to stay in front of the poster and increasing brand impression and promotion effects. With the popularity of smartphones with NFC functions, NFC smart posters are also used in more fields.
Information in NDEF format such as smart posters, text, URLs, calling numbers, startup apps, map coordinates, etc. can be written in the NFC label for NFC-enabled devices to read and access. And the written information can be encrypted and locked to prevent malicious changes by other applications.
Analysis of Product Selection
Chip: It is recommended to use NXP NTAG21x series chips. The specific features provided by NTAG21x are designed to improve integration and user convenience:
1) Fast Read functionality allows scanning of complete NDEF messages using only one FAST_READ command, thereby reducing read times in high-volume production environments;
2) Improved RF performance, giving greater flexibility in shape, size and material selection;
3) 75 μm IC thickness option supports the manufacture of ultra-thin tags for easier integration into magazines or posters, etc.;
4）With 144, 504 or 888 bytes of available user area, users can choose according to their needs.
Antenna: NFC works at 13.56MHz, using aluminum etching process coil antenna AL+PET+AL.
Glue: Because it is used on posters and the object to be pasted is relatively smooth, low-cost hot melt glue or water glue can be used.
Surface material: art paper can be used. If waterproofing is required, PET or PP materials can be used. Text and pattern printing can be provided.
3. Anti-counterfeiting
NFC anti-counterfeiting tag is an electronic anti-counterfeiting tag, which is mainly used to identify the authenticity of products, protect the company's own brand products, prevent counterfeit anti-counterfeiting products from circulating in the market, and safeguard the consumer rights and interests of consumers.
The electronic anti-counterfeiting label is affixed to the product packaging, and consumers can identify the electronic anti-counterfeiting label through the APP on the NFC mobile phone, check the authenticity information, and read product-related information. For example: manufacturer information, production date, place of origin, specifications, etc., decrypt the tag data and determine the authenticity of the product. One of the advantages of NFC technology is its ease of integration: the smallest NFC labels are about 10 millimeters wide and can be inconspicuously inserted into product packaging, clothing or wine bottles.
Analysis of Product Selection
1.Chip: It is recommended to use FM11NT021TT, which is a tag chip developed by Fudan Microelectronics that complies with the ISO/IEC14443-A protocol and the NFC Forum Type2 Tag standard and has an open detection function. It can be widely used in fields such as intelligent packaging, item anti-counterfeiting, and material theft prevention.
Regarding the security of the NFC tag chip itself:
1)Each chip has an independent 7-byte UID, and the UID cannot be rewritten.
2) The CC area has OTP function and is tear-resistant to prevent malicious unlocking.
3) The storage area has a read-only lock function.
4) It has an optionally enabled password-protected storage function, and the maximum number of password attempts is configurable.
In response to counterfeiters recycling tags and filling genuine bottles with fake wine, we can produce NFC fragile labels with the tag structure design, as long as the product package is opened, the tag will break and cannot be reused! If the tag is removed, the tag will be broken and cannot be used even if it is removed.
2.Antenna: NFC works at 13.56MHz and uses a coil antenna. In order to make it fragile, a paper base is used as the carrier of the antenna and chip AL+Paper+AL.
3.Glue: Use heavy-release glue for the bottom paper, and light-release glue for the front material. In this way, when the tag is peeled off, the front material and the backing paper will separate and damage the antenna, making the NFC function ineffective.
