The role of NFC technology in the industry

Today, almost all daily activities are accompanied by our smartphone. This is not surprising, since it allows us to control smart devices present in our homes, such as household appliances, as well as lighting and air conditioning systems. With such dynamic changes in technology, it was only a matter of time before such solutions were introduced to industry, which resulted in the so-called Industry 4.0.

The development of digitalization, network and Internet technologies significantly affected the speed of implementation of new solutions in this area.

Industry 4.0 integrates intelligent machines and systems to make changes in production processes that increase the efficiency of the entire industrial facility. The main idea is to connect devices and machines vertically and horizontally into a single network using Internet standards. An additional aspect is the use of artificial intelligence to provide machines with the ability to learn and self-improve.

In today's article we will focus on one of the technologies used in Industry 4.0, namely NFC technology. We will tell you what NFC technology is, what is its role in the industry and what solutions are based on this technology.

What is NFC?

NFC (Near Field Communication) is a technology that provides a convenient and secure transmission of digital data over short distances (up to 20 cm) using high frequency radio waves. Such a solution makes it possible to connect smart devices with a technology platform for the implementation of various services. The most popular solution using NFC technology is to support cashless payments.

NFC technology distinguishes between two modes of operation: active and passive. The active mode operates a device that is capable of emitting an electromagnetic field that is used when sending and receiving data. However, the second mode does not produce its own radio signal, but only relies on the energy it acquires from another active module. Active systems need power to operate, while passive systems do not.

By default, NFC works in three different modes:

• Read/Write – The device reads information from special electronic tags, such as smart posters;
• Peer-to-Peer – data exchange between two devices;
• Card Emulation – the devices work as everyday cards, e.g. a bus ticket or a payment card;

NFC applications in industry

In addition to the previously mentioned applications, NFC technology is also being used more and more in industrial sectors. Thanks to its ability to transmit data over short distances, NFC is used in authentication systems. In order to open doors, gates and wickets, it is enough to put a smart device, such as a phone to the reader. Depending on the access granted, the lock will open or not. This directly affects the comfort and speed of access to a particular room.

The use of specially programmed tags can enable a machine or device manual to be opened on a mobile device after it has been scanned.

Another application is to protect goods from counterfeiting. By placing a specific NFC tag on the goods, we are able to identify its authenticity and check the legitimacy of the product.

Examples of implementation:

Logistics and Warehouse Management

• Quick identification of products and materials e.g. wood, packaging, containers, clothing;
• Monitoring of goods - including products stored in harsh environments.

Person/animal identification

• Identification and monitoring of people and animals, e.g. with wristbands, cards, microchips or key rings.

Process automation

• Connecting Bluetooth devices;
• Wi-Fi network sharing;
• Activation of configuration profiles and various functions on the phone.