iOS 13: What’s In for NFC Connected Tags?

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Apple’s recent announcement that iOS 13 includes full support for near field communications (NFC) suddenly makes the infrastructure for NFC far more complete and widespread. Now that just about anyone with a smartphone can read and write to NFC connected tags, it’s time to start putting NFC to broader use in the factory, the field and at home.

Read-only Versus Read/Write NFC Functionality

NFC functionality is added to a smartphone using an IC called an NFC reader . The NFC reader can be configured either as read-only or read/write. With read-only functionality, the smartphone can only read data in from an NFC tag, but with read/write functionality, the smartphone can both read data in from a tag and also update the tag with new data.

The drawback has been that, for some time now, full read/write NFC functionality has only been available on smartphones that use the Android operating system. The Apple iOS supported NFC as a read-only function. Not being able to predict which users would have Android smartphones once a product left the controlled environment of a manufacturing plant created a barrier to entry and slowed adoption for NFC in applications that make use of full read/write NFC functionality.

In September 2019, Apple changed their approach to NFC and began supporting full NFC operation with iOS 13. Now, any iPhone that runs iOS 13 can both read and write to a variety of NFC tag types including NFC connected tags.

Connected NFC Tag ICs for Electronic Systems

Connected NFC tags are chips that can be directly mounted onto the printed circuit board (PCB) of an electronic unit, so as to embed the NFC tag functionality directly into the unit. Connected NFC tags are the easiest and most cost-effective means of adding an NFC interface to any electronic device so it can communicate with NFC-enabled smartphones and tablets.

The NFC antenna is formed by traces on the PCB, so the only additional cost beyond the NFC tag is the PCB space. Like other NFC tags, connected NFC tags can be read and written without being directly supplied with power. The power harvested from the NFC field is sufficient to support read/write operations.

5 New Ways to Use NFC Connected Tags with iOS 13 Devices

OEMs can add NFC tags to their products knowing that NFC is now supported by a solid smartphone infrastructure and consumers can be confident they’ll be able to use their smartphones to interact with any products they buy that have NFC inside.

    1. Production Efficiency
      Interact with any tool, machine or motor on the production line using the touchscreen on a smartphone or tablet. NFC connected tags can be used to update configuration as products move through manufacturing and the supply chain, for advanced logistics, while password protection and AES encryption prevent unauthorized access to device data.
    2. Parametrization and Diagnostics
      Having an NFC connected tag in a device, technicians in the field can set parameters, configure options, perform diagnostics, view error logs and execute firmware updates—even if the device is unpowered.
    3. Interactions with Tiny Sensors
      A small, fully sealed and battery-less sensor unit with an NFC connected tag onboard can communicate with a smartphone, sending data for use in an onboard app or in the cloud. The sensor unit may not even need a microcontroller because of the latest NTAG 5 family introduced by NXP.
    4. Pre-personalization
      Configure the device for use in a particular region or add personal details before the product ships or leaves the store—even while the device is unpowered and still in its package.
    5. Extended User Interface
      Use the large, interactive screen of a smartphone to read out data, access manuals or copy settings from one device to another. The device itself can do away with the screen and buttons for a lower production cost and a smaller footprint. Password protection safeguards personal information while minimizing the risk of hacking.

NXP Leads the Way

As the co-inventor for NFC and a leading supplier for NFC technologies, NXP offers a complete portfolio of NFC tags. In addition to the well-known standalone tag format, which can be attached to virtually any object, we offer connected NFC tags, which are designed to be part of an electronic system.

NXP’s NTAG I2C plus family, now in its second generation, makes it very easy to add tap-and-go connectivity to just about any electronic device. All our connected NFC tags are supported by a full selection of development kits and demo kits, so engineers can explore functionality, get inspired and trigger their creativity.

To learn more about NXP’s connected NFC tags, visit NXP’s NTAG I2C plus explorer kit.

Read on: “Unlocking the untapped potential of NFC with iOS 13 and NXP tag solutions”

Tags: Technologies, Wireless Connectivity

Author

Mubeen Abbas

Mubeen Abbas

Marketing Manager for the NFC Mass Market, Infrastructure and Consumer, NXP Semiconductors

Mubeen is working as a Marketing Manager for the NFC Mass Market, Infrastructure and Consumer at NXP. With 8 years of experience in the electronics and semiconductor industries, Mubeen has a track record of successfully driving new technologies and products into the mass market and growing emerging businesses through various channels. At NXP, he is responsible for the EMEA and Americas market where he is exploring NFC opportunities and creating an awareness for the customers to deploy NFC use cases.