NFC Glossary

Near Field Communication (NFC)

Short-range wireless protocols enabling device communication at 13.56 MHz within ~4 cm

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)

Electromagnetic identification technology; NFC is a specialized HF RFID subset

NFC Tag

Passive unpowered device storing data, powered by reader's RF field

NFC Reader

Active device generating RF field to initiate communication with tags

NFC Forum

Industry body developing NFC standards, specifications, and certifications since 2004

RF Field (Radio Frequency Field)

Electromagnetic field powering tags and establishing 13.56 MHz communication

Inductive Coupling

Magnetic field induction enabling power transfer and bidirectional communication

NFC-Enabled Device

Device with embedded NFC controller and antenna for tag interaction

Tap-to (Interaction)

User interaction pattern: tapping device to tag for data exchange

ISO 14443

Standard for contactless smart cards at 13.56 MHz (Types A and B)

ISO 15693

Standard for vicinity-range smart cards, 1+ meter read range

NFC-A (Type A)

NFC protocol using ISO 14443 Type A with ASK modulation

NFC-B (Type B)

NFC protocol using ISO 14443 Type B modulation

NFC-F (FeliCa)

Sony FeliCa-based NFC protocol for high-speed transit and payments

NFC-V (Vicinity)

NFC protocol for long-range communication based on ISO 15693

NFCIP-1 (ISO 18092)

First NFC protocol standard for active device peer-to-peer communication

NFCIP-2 (ISO 21481)

Multi-protocol extension enabling communication across NFC-A/B/F/V

Operating Frequency

13.56 MHz ISM band frequency used by all NFC communications

User Memory

Tag memory portion available for user data storage

Total Memory

Complete chip memory including configuration, UID, and reserved areas

Memory Block (Page)

Smallest addressable memory unit (4 bytes for Type 2/5 tags)

UID (Unique Identifier)

Factory-set unique serial number for chip identification

OTP (One-Time Programmable)

Write-once memory bits that cannot be reversed to 0

Lock Bits

Control bits making memory blocks permanently read-only

Capability Container (CC)

Data structure describing tag capabilities and NDEF configuration

Data Retention

EEPROM data storage guarantee period (typically 10 years)

Write Endurance

Maximum write/erase cycles before memory degradation (typically 100K)

Password Protection

32-bit access control for memory areas (plaintext transmission)

AES Encryption

128-bit symmetric encryption for strong NFC chip security

DES / 3DES (Triple DES)

Legacy encryption: DES (56-bit) and Triple DES (112/168-bit)

Crypto-1

Broken proprietary cipher in MIFARE Classic (reverse-engineered 2008)

Mutual Authentication

Two-way identity verification between reader and tag

Originality Signature

ECC digital signature proving chip authenticity (NXP)

SUN (Secure Unique NFC)

Dynamic per-tap URL authentication preventing replay attacks

SDM (Secure Dynamic Messaging)

Dynamic NDEF authentication with per-tap changing content

Anti-Cloning

Technologies preventing unauthorized NFC tag duplication

NFC Antenna

Coil antenna creating electromagnetic field for NFC communication

NFC Chip (IC)

Integrated circuit with memory, logic, and RF front-end

NFC Controller

Dedicated IC managing NFC protocol stack in readers/smartphones

NFC Inlay

Chip-antenna assembly laminated between substrates

Form Factor

Physical shape/packaging of NFC tags: stickers, cards, wristbands

EEPROM

Non-volatile memory technology retaining data without power

Passive Tag

Batteryless tag powered by reader's electromagnetic field

Active Device

Powered NFC device that generates its own RF field

Read Range

Maximum communication distance between reader and tag

NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format)

NFC Forum standard format for tag data storage and exchange

NDEF Message

Complete data unit containing one or more NDEF records

NDEF Record

Single data element with TNF, type, ID, and payload

TNF (Type Name Format)

3-bit field indicating NDEF record type interpretation

URI Record

NDEF record encoding URIs with compact prefix compression

Text Record

NDEF record for human-readable text with language code

Smart Poster

Compound NDEF record combining URI with title and action metadata

TLV (Type-Length-Value)

Encoding scheme for NDEF data with type, length, value structure

Android Application Record (AAR)

NDEF record forcing specific Android app launch on tag scan

Reader/Writer Mode

Primary NFC mode: active device reads from or writes to passive tag

Card Emulation Mode

Device acts as contactless smart card for payments and access

Peer-to-Peer Mode

Bidirectional data exchange between two active NFC devices

Anti-Collision

Protocol for selecting individual tags from multiple in RF field

ASK Modulation

Signal amplitude variation encoding data on 13.56 MHz carrier

Modified Miller Coding

Bit encoding for NFC-A reader-to-tag communication

Manchester Coding

Self-clocking bit encoding using signal transitions

Load Modulation

Passive tag response technique varying load impedance

LLCP (Logical Link Control Protocol)

Transport protocol enabling NFC peer-to-peer data exchange

Contactless Payment

NFC tap-to-pay via phones, cards, or wearables (EMV)

HCE (Host Card Emulation)

Software-based card emulation on Android without secure element

Secure Element (SE)

Tamper-resistant chip storing payment credentials and crypto keys

EMV (Europay, Mastercard, Visa)

Global payment card standard including NFC contactless payments

N-Mark

Official NFC Forum certification mark for compliant products

NFC Forum Certification

Interoperability testing program for NFC products and devices

Smart Poster (Application)

Physical surfaces with embedded NFC tags for contextual content

UID Mirroring

Automatic UID insertion into NDEF messages for tracking

Authentication

Identity verification of NFC tags/readers via passwords or cryptography

Die (IC Die)

Semiconductor chip cut from wafer for antenna bonding

Wafer

Silicon disc containing hundreds of fabricated NFC IC dies

Bonding

Electrical connection process between IC die and antenna

Wet Inlay

Adhesive-backed NFC inlay ready for surface application

Dry Inlay

Non-adhesive NFC inlay for card body lamination

Encoding

Data writing to NFC tags during manufacturing production

Converting

Transforming NFC inlays into finished tag products

Antenna Design

Engineering NFC antenna geometry for performance requirements

On-Metal Tag

Specially designed NFC tag functioning on metal surfaces

NFC Forum Test Suite

Comprehensive NFC Forum test specifications for compliance

Analog Test

RF interface testing for field strength and modulation

Digital Test

Protocol layer testing for encoding and frame format

SNEP (Simple NDEF Exchange Protocol)

Protocol for NDEF message exchange in peer-to-peer mode

Interoperability

Cross-manufacturer device/tag compatibility guarantee

FCC Compliance

US RF emissions regulations for NFC devices (Part 15/18)

CE Marking

EU conformity marking for NFC products (Radio Equipment Directive)

Access Control Bits

Configuration bits defining per-block read/write permissions

NTAG DNA (Technology)

NXP's chip series with SUN/SDM per-tap authentication