The Difference between NFC & RFID

Is RFID the same as NFC?

NFC is not much different from RFID in nature, and it transmits information through electromagnetic signals. However, relatively speaking, RFID operates in more frequency bands, while NFC is limited to a certain frequency band. RFID includes NFC, but NFC does not represent RFID.

1、RFID

Contactless RFID is essentially a wireless communication technology that transmits data through wireless electromagnetic waves. However, unlike ordinary communication technology, its purpose is not to make phone calls or send text messages. RFID is mainly used to identify and track tags bound to objects, thereby achieving object management.

RFID is divided into passive RFID and active RFID. Passive RFID generally refers to passive RFID without batteries, which completely relies on receiving electromagnetic waves to drive the circuit to work, and the identifiable distance of the tag does not change. Active RFID systems generally refer to active RFID tags, whose recognizable distance decreases as the amount of electricity decreases. RFID has a relatively long reading distance, which can reach tens or even hundreds of meters depending on different frequencies.

2、NFC

NFC technology is evolved from RFID technology. In addition to communication protocols, NFC standards also specify data exchange formats. Combining inductive card readers, inductive cards, and point-to-point functions on a single NFC chip, it can identify and exchange data with compatible devices over a short distance. NFC is known as near field communication, and the communication distance is indeed very close, not exceeding 0.1m.

The difference between RFID and NFC

1. Frequency band

NFC can be understood as a subset of RFID technology, using the 13.56 MHz frequency band, while RFID also includes other frequency bands. The frequency band of RFID includes low frequency (125KHz to 135KHz), high frequency (13.56MHz), and ultra high frequency (between 860MHz and 960MHz).

2. Recognition distance

NFC has a smaller transmission range than RFID, with NFC less than 10cm, so it has high security. RFID distances range from a few meters to tens of meters. However, due to the unique signal attenuation technology adopted by NFC, compared to RFID, NFC has the characteristics of short distance, high bandwidth, and low energy consumption.

3. Working mode

NFC integrates contactless card readers, contactless cards, and point-to-point functionality into a single chip, while RFID must consist of a reader and a tag. RFID can only achieve information reading and judgment, while NFC technology emphasizes information interaction.

4. Application direction

RFID is mainly used to identify objects, so it is widely used in logistics, transportation, and warehousing to track goods using RFID technology. NFC chips have a higher degree of integration, including a card reader and a label in one. Therefore, NFC can not only be used as a label for identification, but also as a two-way communication method for data exchange. Currently, NFC is most commonly used in the field of public transportation and payment.

The above is related to whether RFID and NFC are the same. Although NFC is developed based on RFID technology, it faces different application scenarios and does not have a substitute effect. Currently, RFID is still widely used in logistics, warehousing, production lines, and other applications, while NFC is mostly applied to mobile phones and smart devices.

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