NFC tags

 Introduction

NFC tags are the mini chips, that are programmed with some sort of information and then plump-down into another product to read them with any smartphone or with some other NFC capable device.NFC tags are also called Smart tags or Info tags. It is one of the major gadgets for future generations to make things easier in their lifestyle.

NFC tags

The NFC tags are wireless radio communication standard. The NFC tags can work only at 10 inches maximum distance. Due to this, it is used for paying money with the NFC tags, unlocking doors, and withdrawing cash from the ATM. NFC tags are small and cheap enough to mix in with all kinds of products. It was mainly used as Business cards, stickers, prescription bottles, Passes in clubs and hotels, and so on. The NFC closes relative is RFID (Radio frequency Identifications). Shipping companies have used this Radiofrequency identification a lot to keep tabs on their supplies. RFID is implemented in every company identity cards of the employees to keep them under control or to monitor their timings. The NFC tracking is too short considering their safety. People can able to pay for their groceries or hotels with these NFC tags by linking their banks to them. Most of the American peoples are using these NFC tags to pay their bills. In simple words, the NFC is the future of the modernized world.

Working of NFC tags

NFC tags don't need any power supply, as they are similar to sd cards. These NFC tags can't do any work and instead of that, they will transfer data to an active device such as mobile phones, atm machines, and other NFC applicable devices. In order to switch on or power up this device, there must be an electromagnetic induction. As we know, electromagnetic waves are created by the coils of wire and these electromagnetic waves will get turned into current to operate NFC tags. The smartphone will generate a magnetic field perpendicular to the flow of alternating current in the wire. Magnetic field strength may vary according to the number of turns of the coil. After the NFC tag gets turned on, it can send data over 13.56 MHz at 212 or 106 or 424 kbps. 

Tag types

There are 4 types of NFC tags available in the market,

• Tag 1 Type: It is based on ISO14443A standard. In this type of tag the user can rewrite the information in the tag to perform some functions and also the owner can make this tag read-only. The memory size is expandable from 96 bytes to 2 kbytes and the speed of the tag is around 106kbit/s.
• Tag 2 Type: The NFC tag 2 type also comes under the ISO14443A standard. These tags also have the ability to rewrite the code according to the owner's needs and also able to change into read-only. The basic memory of the tag 2 types is around 48 bytes and able to expand up to 2kbytes. The communication speed is 106kbit/s.
• Tag 3 Type: The Tag 3 type comes under the Sony Felica system. The current size of this tag is 2kbyte and the speed was a little increased than the previous type (212 kbit/s). These tags are mainly used in compounded applications and the price of this tag is also a little high than the previous types.
• Tag 4 Type: The Tag 4 type was pretty much similar to the first two types, it is based on ISO14443A. The memory size is increased to 32kbytes and the speed of the tag is around 424kbit/s.

The price of the NFC tag was around 0.25 $, which is very cheap.

Advantages

• Easy to perform all kind of payments
• Can be used in different kind of applications like booking tickets, paying bills and so on.
• Doesn't require any special software
• No need for an external power supply
• It can also be used to set alarms in your smartphone and take control of the alarm

Disadvantages

• Can only be used within 15cms
• Hackers may able to steal your money while using these tags as a wallet
• Very low data transfer