Near Field Communication (NFC) vs Bluetooth
Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth are both short range high frequency wireless communication technologies integrated with electronic devices for simple and safe interaction between the electronic devices.
Near Field Communication (NFC) is a wireless connectivity technology that can be used for two-way interactions between electronic devices within a few centimetres range. Bluetooth is also a wireless technology that was designed for interaction between communication devices within a 10-meter range without s physical connection.
NFC is a short range high frequency wireless communication technology based on inductive-coupling, where loosely coupled inductive circuits can be used to share power and data between devices in very short range; only within few centimetres. This is an extension of the proximity card standard that supports RF communication requirement for ISO/IEC14443 and FeliCa smartcards and NFC devices.
Bluetooth is a proprietary protocol for short range communication with high level of security. It was developed by Telecom Vendor Ericsson. It operates in ISM band (Unlicensed Industry Scientific and Medical) which is 2.4 GHz. Bluetooth is a packet based communication with Master and Slave architecture and a mater device can connect to seven salve devices.
The setup time for NFC is very much less compare to Bluetooth. NFC devices automatically establishes connection with in 0.1 Sec. NFC operates in 13.56 MHz and can go up to maximum data rate 424 Kb/s, whereas Bluetooth operates in 2.4 GHz frequency and reach maximum data rate 2.1 Mb/s. Distance wide Bluetooth will work within 10 m radius where as NFC works max 20 cm.
Regarding power consumption, NFC uses low power comparing to Bluetooth devices where as when devices are in unpowered mode it consumes more energy.
In NFC, NFC device could be Contactless Card; NFC device is active and reads passive RFID and point to point mode.
Some General Application of NFC
(1)Electronic Money
(2)Electronic Identity Document
(3)NFC device can read NFC tags
(4)Electronic Key
(5)NFC device can connect with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi