Every time an attendee taps a wristband at a gate, pays for a drink without reaching for their wallet, or scans into a VIP lounge in under a second, NFC is doing the work. Most people who use it never think about what is actually happening.
But what is NFC?
This is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to communicate. The chip can be packaged in different items, including wristbands and cards. This article explains everything you need to know about NFC and NFC wristbands work.
What Is NFC and How Does It Actually Work?
This technology uses a process known as electromagnetic induction. When the magnetic field from an NFC reader is activated, any NFC chip within the field receives power from this field and starts transmitting the information stored inside it.
An NFC chip does not have any power supply on board. It will only activate when it comes close to a reader, transmit its information, and then switch off as soon as it exits the field.
This property is why NFC chips are perfect for use in wristbands. The fact that the chip will not need a power supply makes the wristband very reliable; it will always be functional whenever you want to use it.
NFC works at 13.56 MHz. frequency – same frequency as high frequency RFID tags. The speed of transmitting data using this technology varies between 106 Kbps to 424 Kbps per second, ideal for most short-range applications.
The NFC Standards You Should Know About
NFC is not one particular technology; instead, it refers to a group of specifications that define how devices are allowed to communicate with one another and exchange data in accordance with rules defined by the NFC Forum. Four different types of NFC tags have been developed:
- Type 1 and Type 2 tags represent basic chip solutions for applications that require storing of web addresses and engaging in NFC communication with consumers. The most popular tag in event wristbands is the NTAG213 that is capable of storing up to 144 bytes of data and falls under the Type 2 category.
- The Type 3 tags are based on Sony’s FeliCa system that dominates in Japan and some Asian countries. Compared to others, they provide faster processing and greater suitability for high-volume transactions.
- The Type 4 tags feature enhanced memory capacity and stronger security features, and the MIFARE DESFire chips belong to this particular type. These solutions are used in cashless payment systems and access control in different areas of large events.
Thus, it is essential to know what kind of tag is utilized in wristbands because it affects their performance and capabilities.
NFC vs RFID: Clearing Up the Confusion
NFC vs RFID – this question is among the most popular when talking about wristbands. But are they really different?
RFID is the overall term for technologies that use radio frequency for identification and that cover various frequencies and ranges.
- Low frequency RFID operates at 125 kHz and is often found in animal chips and old school access control cards.
- High frequency RFID operates at 13.56 MHz.
- Ultra-high frequency RFID operates within 860–960 MHz and can detect signals at several meters.
NFC, on the other hand, is a subcategory of high frequency RFID that operates at 13.56 MHz but is specifically used for point-to-point communication and short-range applications. The main distinguishing factor here is its compatibility with phones. NFC chips can easily connect with an iPhone or an Android mobile device while standard UHF RFID chips cannot.
Thus, every NFC wristband is an RFID wristband, but not all RFID wristbands are NFC wristbands. If your supplier calls their product RFID, then make sure to ask what particular frequency it uses.
How NFC Technology Powers Your Wristband
Every NFC wristband comes with an inlay, which is a thin layer that encases the chip and the antenna in wristband material. In fact, the antenna is a flat spiral made up of conductive coils and designed to capture energy from the magnetic field generated by the reader and pass it on to the chip.
The chip contains data, which is recorded in NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format), the language that NFC technology uses for data exchange between two devices. A record in NDEF can hold a URL, a string of text, contact details, or other types of data that the chip has been programmed for.
After the guest waves the wristband over an entry gate reader, the latter activates the chip, gets the NDEF record from the chip, reads the ID embedded in the record, and compares it with the records in your event management database within milliseconds. Then the chip goes into hibernation mode until another activation.
The size of the antenna plays a crucial role in the efficiency of the reading process. The larger the antenna, the more energy it is capable of capturing, and the better it works even at a slightly greater distance.
NFC Beyond Events: Where Else the Technology Is Used
The use of NFC wristbands is not confined to festivals and conference venues. The very same chip and antenna combination serves several other functions in various sectors of society, including:
- Hotels and resorts utilize NFC-enabled wristbands as room keys and also as access tokens for pool areas, spas, restaurants, and even cashless payment facilities.
- In hospitals, patients’ medical histories, medication details, and allergy data are encoded in the wristbands for efficient patient management.
- Retail stores can also leverage this technology for embedding NFC tags on their merchandise. Thus, customers can simply tap and obtain product information or even place a new order in a matter of seconds.
- Loyalty programs, gym membership plans, and library access systems all make use of the same basic technology that is used in your festival wristband.
Also, some cities have public transport systems that run completely on NFC technology, enabling passengers to pay contactless fares by tapping their wristbands or smartcards at designated terminals.
Conclusion
NFC technology is a tried and tested form of communications using electromagnetic induction technology that complies with international interoperability standards and works with practically every kind of android and iOS smartphone.
At the center of all this is an NFC inlay.
This is an embedded passive chip and antenna within a wristband which, once activated through a nearby reader or smart phone, does what it needs to do. Get your all your NFC needs here.
