You can update software quickly and easily with high-speed transmission mode.
ST provides NFC solutions including tag IC reader products … diverse expansion is a key advantage.

The era of carrying cash has arrived. Cards are no longer necessary, either, because cards have been integrated into smartphones. When making a payment, simply display the card on your smartphone and tap it against the terminal to complete the transaction. The same applies when using public transportation.

The reason payments can be made with just such a simple tag is that it contains an NFC (Near Field Communication) IC, a type of wireless technology. This contactless communication technology uses the 13.56 MHz frequency band to exchange various wireless data over short distances of within 10 cm. While similar to Bluetooth in that it is a wireless communication method, NFC is limited to communication between nearby objects.

The biggest advantage of dynamic tags, a type of NFC tag, is that they convert radio waves from surrounding devices into operating energy. Therefore, they operate even at low power or without an energy source. When NFC is used in manufacturing, it is possible to check which options were used to manufacture an item inside a box passing along the production line without opening the box. Additionally, it is possible to store product history information and usage instructions, as well as connect to web pages.

Recently, NFC tags are also being utilized for brand protection, as their authenticity can be verified simply by tagging them. Generally, NFC tags are most commonly used in electronic products. Products have also emerged that incorporate NFC technology into lighting hardware platforms, allowing for brightness adjustment by changing software parameters according to the application. In addition, for large electronic products, if the central processing unit transmits a fault mode via NFC, it is easy to determine whether there is a fault and which part is the problem without opening the product.

STMicroelectronics Korea Manager Yoon-seok Jeong

Regarding this trend, Yoon-seok Jeong, a manager at STMicroelectronics Korea, said, “Thanks to NFC, it is possible to check for firmware updates on electronic products without displays using a smartphone without an LCD,” adding, “In the case of ST’s newly released ST25DV, it is now possible to transfer not only data but also files through Fast Transfer Mode.”

ST's NFC-enabled products are divided into three categories: Tag ICs, Dynamic Tags, and NFC Readers. Tag ICs are generally used in transportation cards or door lock cards. Dynamic Tags add communication capabilities with an MCU to these basic tag functions, enabling the implementation of various applications. NFC Readers are NFC devices applied to POS terminals or door locks that operate by exchanging data with Tag ICs.

The newly released ST25DV is a dynamic tag. Using NFC-enabled mobile devices, software can be updated in the field via Fast Transfer Mode without disassembling the product. Using high-speed transmission mode, it takes less than 10 seconds to transmit a single photo.

Another advantage of the ST25DV is its energy harvesting function, which converts radio waves from peripheral devices into operating energy to power nearby MCUs, LCDs, sensors, and more without a separate power source.

Basically, it does not require connectors for downloading products, such as USB connectors, resulting in cost savings, and since it is compatible with all existing ISO 15693 RFID infrastructure, no additional investment is required. In addition, the recognition distance is longer than that of existing NFC tags, making it more convenient to use.

"Currently, NFC is being applied only in the Android market, but I believe the market will expand further in the future. As markets such as IoT, smart factories, smart industries, and smart cars grow and become more segmented, we are preparing to provide a variety of products and services," said General Manager Jeong. He further predicted, "As long as there is customer demand, any other business utilizing NFC can be created."

ST is holding an event to send the ST25DV development board featured in the demo video to 30 applicants. You can apply on the event page ( http://eewebinar.co.kr/stm32/st25dv.asp ).