What's in a name? RFID versus NFC

The terms RFID and NFC are often bracketed together when talking about wireless communication via radio waves to identify and localise objects. However, both technologies are used for different applications and objectives; we listed the main similarities and differences for you. 

Since radio waves perform differently at each frequency, RFID systems are usually classified according to their frequency band (LF, HF and UHF). In order to optimise our customers’ business processes, we usually work with passive UHF technology (no batteries required), enabling an RFID reader to read up until 1.000 tagged assets at the same time, without line-of-sight. UHF RFID is generally the most appropriate technology to trace and count assets in professional environments such as industry, logistics businesses, retail etc.      

NFC, a secure form of data exchange 

NFC (near field communication) is a specific version of passive HF RFID that is usually implemented for contactless consumer transactions such as payments and ticket confirmations. So NFC also works with radio signals, but only at a very short distance, for example when someone pays by holding a bank card or smartphone within a few centimetres from a reader. 
 
The data exchange is definitely secure: an NFC-equipped device assigns a unique code to each transaction, preventing unauthorised attempts to access a cardholder’s account.    

Another strength of NFC is its ability to direct people to additional information by using their smartphone. When a product is equipped with an NFC tag, consumers can scan it and link, for example, through to contact data of the manufacturer of the product they purchased, the menu of the restaurant they are in etc.    

Applications with dual frequency tags are gaining in popularity 

This type of RFID technology works simultaneously in two frequency bands and is compatible with the advantages of these two frequency bands. These dual frequency tags offer an inexpensive possibility to manufacturers and retailers to expand their activities to a better interaction with the end users. RFID tags are sold, for example, which combine HF (NFC) and UHF frequencies in one single tag. In this way, the demanding requirements of retail, industry and logistics businesses can be met. 
 
In combination with the right software, these tags offer a solution for the control of the entire supply chain, stock management for warehouses, product authentication and interaction with the end user.  

Practical examples:

• Soprema, specialising in the development and production of high-end waterproofing solutions for roofs, uses dual frequency UHF/NFC tags in its roofing material:
• Skylux, a manufacturer of (flat) roof windows, skylights and patio roofs, equips its materials with NFC labels linking to the serial numbers of the products. They are also used for internal traceability: