Near Field Communication - Report Example

?Near Field Communication In this current era, Electronic Commerce has established itself efficiently. Retailers and organizations related to online business are now accompanying a new way of electronic shopping by incorporating brick and mortar companies. As per the research conducted by ABI, consumers located in America will spend $ 119 billion only by utilizing their cell phones as compared to $ 1.2 billion in 2009 (BEER 2011). John Jones, who is a retail expert of the international advertisement agency R/GA, says “Mobile is increasingly becoming the way people interact with each other and with information, the more retailers can deliver products, recommendations and discounts right to the customer, the more likely customers are to come back” (BEER 2011). This is the reason for focusing mobile based services, as they are assumed to be an attractive and profitable business. However, there are many domains that can be categorized, one of them is called a mobile payment system. Researchers are continuously working to enhance mobile experience, consequently adding more services in to an affordable handheld device that can be convenient and cost efficient for both business and consumers. Previously, many mobile embedded services are launched. For instance, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Skype equipped with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Bluetooth communication radio, Infrared communication, Built-in Modems, browsers, online access to bank accounts via Internet etc. This shows that the researchers are constantly working to provide a one-time solution for the customers. For instance, a hand held device will become multipurpose device that may also eliminate security issues, as a single device is easy to manage. In the same context, mobile payment methods are in reach, as new field communication (NFC) is embedded in many mobile chipsets around the globe (Ondrus, Pigneur 2009). This technology will revolutionize the way of utilizing services that are provided on the cell phone. Consumers can use their cell phone for mobile payments, ticketing and bus fares etc. moreover, NFC also facilitate cell phones for device to device communication, retrieving signals from other chipsets and sensors. For instance, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and card emulations (Ondrus, Pigneur 2009). Overall, NFC is considered to be an efficient communicator for proximity interactions between any two or more devices. Likewise, NFC comprises of contactless smartcard and the cell phone. One significant advantage of using a contactless smartcard from the traditional smart cards made of plastic embedded with a magnetic strip or security chip is that the card reader becomes faulty. The reason for becoming faulty is the dust and grease that can degrade the capability of the reader. Moreover, cost is the second factor i.e. there is no requirement to produce a physical smart card. Furthermore, the contactless smart card is more convenient, as it travels with the consumer due to its integration in the cell phone. As NFC uses a very short range of communication i.e. approx. 1.5 inches, it is safe and secure for conducting an online transaction with such a small distance. No one can disrupt of hack in between the two communication nodes i.e. the contactless smartcard and the responder. Moreover, an organization named as Molo Rewards has recently introduced a program that is utilizing NFC technology. Consumers can download different coupons by swiping their cell phones at the point of purchase (…, Early days but wallet-less payments are the future « As I learn 2011). Moreover, NFC supported phones are now widely available in many countries; organization has started to integrate RFID tags on the back cover or casing of the cell phone (…, Early days but wallet-less payments are the future « As I learn 2011). Furthermore, organization has mentioned these lines on their website “Want to send a coupon to a consumer who purchased a box of cereal on the 21st of December at 11am EST. MoLo Rewards can provide you with the capability to do just that.” (…, Early days but wallet-less payments are the future « As I learn 2011). Retailers will receive an advantage for tracking the coupon details including the usability of the coupons along with the customers, who downloaded it. NFC has also contributed to the healthcare sector, as NFC enabled tags facilitate medical professionals to monitor and control treatment of a patient. Moreover, NFC also provides tracking of proper visits of nurses and doctors, in order to ensure that the patient get medical attention and treatment on time. In an event named as NFC forum that was held last year, a program that facilitate and administer patient treatment in areas where there are few resources won a price of 5000 Euros. The program was deployed in Pakistan, where each child was equipped with a bracelet on which RFID tag was embedded. Likewise, whenever the child visits the participating health care organization. Moreover, data pertaining to clinic and laboratory was collected and transmitted to a secured server in real time. ISO/IEC 18092 / ECMA-340 Standard ISO/IEC 18092 / ECMA-340 define the standard of peer to peer communication. Moreover, the standard has also defined its own protocol that will allow data to be exchanged from one device to the other for peer to peer communication. Differentiation between protocols associated with communication is indicated by Sel_res or Pol_res bytes. The standard named as ISO/IEC 18092 / ECMA-340 defines Type –A which will be utilized for communication among active and passive devices with a bandwidth or communication speed of 106 Kbits /sec. Likewise, Type –F will be utilized for bandwidth or communication speed of 212 and 424 Kbits /sec. Moreover, a typical ISO/IEC 18092 complaint device, as per the functionality and compatibility point of view, works similarly as the standard named as ISO/IEC 14443-A. a typical reader emulates and read ‘Felica cards’, as they are capable of establishing a connection on a physical layer. Question arises in mind on whether an ISO14443 complaint card can emulate a ‘Felica card’ similarly to the process of a typical smartcard or not. It is possible by sending the frames over the RF layer. The reader will detect the transmission including the reader and smartcard. Likewise, the transmission of frames over the RF layer is possible by accessing the lower level to the communication interfaces of NFC chip. Moreover, the standard named as ISO/IEC 18092 / ECMA-340 also defines a protocol named as NFCIP1 that facilitates the exchange of data between the two devices that is known as the NFC. By comparing NFC, ISO 14443 and Felica conclusive points are mentioned below (Anonymous): NFC IP-1 is in passive communication mode at 106 kbit/s compliant to ISO 14443-A and MIFARE communication on the RF interface and during the initialization and selection. NFC IP-1 is in passive communication mode at 212, 424 kbit/s compliant to FeliCa communication on the RF interface and during the initialization and selection. A contactless smart card cannot be NFC IP-1 compliant as it cannot support the active Communication mode ISO 14443-A uses its own transmission protocol MIFARE uses a fixed command set being not compliant to the ISO14443A -4 NFC IP-1 compliant devices can act as a reader/writer for ISO 14443A, (with support of additional SW that implements the ISO14443-4, MIFARE and FeliCa protocols). NFC IP-1 compliant devices can emulate a contactless smart card protocol TM and FeliCa functionality (ISO 14443-4A, MIFARE) either by software only or by a combined software and hardware approach. DIF(Dual InterFace) card combine a contact card and a contactless card in one chip. Currently the contactless interface is compliant to ISO14443 (typeA or typeB) and no DIF with Felica interface. Moreover, a typical NFC card reader device supports the following factors divided in to three separate domains. These are (Anonymous): TICKETING Compliant to ISO/IEC 14443 A/B and ISO/IEC 18092 (NFC). Support for a wide range of contactless standards in public transport, including the entire Mifare family. Support for NFC mobile applications, smart posters and tickets, including both passive reader mode and active peer to peer (P2P) mode. PAYMENT Compliant to EMV contactless 4 x triple coloured LED lights for card interaction/payment confirmation. Audio buzzer. FEATURES Easy integration in a number of smart card applications, terminals and kiosks USB or RS232 for host communication. Slave device for flexible adaptation to different ticketing and payment systems. Designed for onboard and stationary use 4 x SAM ISO 7816 slots for improved smart card security. Air data transfer rate up to 424 kBit/s. Conclusion Near Field Communication is a new revolutionary technology that needs awareness in people. As not many countries are adopting NFC compliant devices that may eliminate use of physical plastic based credit cards, debit cards etc. The reason is probably the economy. Countries with stable economy are welcomed for use of an NFC complaint device. As per the standards, the technology has defined its own protocols and communication procedures. Moreover, these protocols are only meant to use with NFC complaint devices. As per security, the technology plays a significant role for eliminating the requirement of carrying a credit card or smart card that may be lost. Moreover, due to a very short distance, none can breach in between the transactions performed by the two devices. However, as the technology widespread worldwide, there may be some issues that may emerge in terms of threats and cybercrimes. Summary In this paper we have discussed what NFC is, as it stands for Near Field Communication. We have discussed the impact of this technology in the words and ease of use for the consumers, in order to pay just by facing the back cover of their cell phones to the NFC complaint devices. This new revolutionary technology will contribute towards electronic commerce and may become a big player for businesses to earn revenue. As per the standards we have discusses the semantics in terms of technical, positive and negative factors. One example of a typical NFC reader is also demonstrated along with its specifications, features and support for NFC technology. References Ondrus, J. & Pigneur, Y. 2009, "Near field communication: an assessment for future payment systems", Information Systems & e-Business Management, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 347-361. BEER, J., 2011. The Future is Mobile. Canadian Business, 84(4), pp. 40-40. …,Early days but wallet-less payments are the future « As I learn 2011, "By: Early days but wallet-less payments are the future « As I learn … ", Comments on: NFC Technology: 6 Ways It Could Change Our Daily Lives, . , Nokia Developer Blogs . Available: http://www.developer.nokia.com/Community/Blogs/ [2011, 9/10/2011]. , Arcontia . Available: http://www.arcontia.se/ [2011, 9/10/2011]. Read More