Near-Field Communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless technology that allows two electronic devices to communicate when brought very close together, within 4cm. It is commonly used for transferring data, granting access, ticketing or payment etc.
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to identify and track tagged objects. It is commonly used in inventory management, access control, logistics and asset tracking.
The main difference between NFC and RFID is their transmission range. NFC is designed for very close range while RFID is generally used over longer distances.
CCID (Chip Card Interface Device) is a standard that defines how smart card readers communicate with computers. It provides a common protocol, allowing different smart card readers and smart cards to work with a standard operating system drivers without requiring custom software.
PC/SC (Personal Computer/Smart Card) is a specification that standardizes communication between computers, smart card readers and smart card. It provides a common API, allowing applications to work with different smart card readers without custom drivers or vendor-specific code.
APDU (Application Protocol Data Unit) is the standard message format used to communicate with a smart card. It consists of commands sent from a computer or reader to the card and responses returned by the card.
When a card is inserted or tapped, the reader powers the card and establishes communication with it. The reader and card then securely exchange information, allowing the connected system to perform authentication, identification, access control, payment or other transactions.
ISO/IEC 14443 is the international standard defining contactless proximity cards operating at 13.56 MHz. It defines how cards and readers communicate and is divided into four parts:
ISO/IEC 18092 is the international standard defining Near Field Communication (NFC) Interface and Protocol (NFCIP-1) for short-range wireless communication at 13.56 MHz. It defines how NFC-enabled devices communicate with each other in both active and passive communication mode.
ISO/IEC 15693 is the international standard defining contactless RFID cards and tags operating at 13.56 MHz. It is designed for longer reading distances than traditional contactless smart cards. It is divided into:
ISO/IEC 7816 is the international standard defining contact smart cards that communicates through physical contacts between the card and a reader. It is divided into:
Part 1: Physical characteristics of contact smart smarts.
Part 2: Dimensions and location of the card contacts.
Part 3: Electrical interface and communication protocols.
Part 4: Card file structure, security features, and APDU command set.
Part 5: Registration of application providers and identifiers.
Part 6: Standardized data elements used by applications.
Part 7: Structured Card Query Language (SCQL) commands.
Part 8: Security-related commands and authentication mechanisms.
Part 9: Commands for card management.
Part 10: Signals and reset procedures for synchronous cards.
Part 11: Biometric verification methods.
Part 12: USB interface for contact smart cards.
Part 13: Application management in multi-application environments
Part 14: Conformance Test Plan
Part 15: Cryptographic information and key management
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