Standardization Trends in Proximity Contactless Communication Technology

1.1 Short-range communication

Proximity contactless communication is defined as interactive communication technology in which the maximum communication distance is approximately 10 cm when using a magnetic field of 13.56 MHz. This technology has become prevalent in systems used for such services as access control, railway ticketing, and electronic payment.

In recent years, the use of near field communication (NFC) has expanded, particularly in applications using mobile phones. NFC is an interactive communications technology whose operating principle is based on the proximity contactless communication described above. It has three different modes, which are selected according to their use cases:

- card emulation mode (behaving like an IC card (IC: integrated circuit))

- reader/writer mode (behaving like a reader/writer)

- P2P (peer-to-peer) mode (behaving like transceivers between terminals)

1.2 Potential applications of proximity contactless communication

Proximity contactless communication has a unique feature as a human interface device. By passing a card over a reader/writer, the user is able to access the card's services. Conventionally, the use cases of proximity contactless communication have consisted of using a contactless card and a reader/writer. Recently, however, smartphones and tablet terminals have come equipped with proximity contactless technology that enables them to be used to access a wide variety of services.

New applications will follow these conventional applications (i.e., authentication and payment using contactless IC cards). For example, access to websites related to IC card data and configuration of wireless local area networks and Bluetooth are expected to become easier by passing a terminal in close proximity to an object (such as an IC card and a printer).

3.1 ISO/IEC

The technology of contactless IC cards and NFC is categorized as information technology, so JTC1 leads the international standardization in that field [11].

Within ISO/IEC JTC1, 18 subcommittees (SCs) have been formed. Matters related to IC cards and to NFC are respectively handled by SC17 and SC6. Their international standard specifications are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Standards on contactless interface communication deliberated in ISO/IEC JTC1.

The first editions of ISO standards for proximity contactless IC cards (ISO/IEC 14443 series) were enacted in 2001. The first edition of ISO standards for NFC (ISO/IEC 18092) was enacted in 2004 and was based on the communication methods used in both Europe and Japan. The coexistence and selection of ISO/IEC 18092 and ISO/IEC 14443 were then standardized as ISO/IEC 21481.

ISO/IEC periodically reviews the established international standards. The conventional international standards of proximity contactless IC cards and NFC are currently undergoing revision. The relevant technologies are described below.

(1) Very high bit rate (VHBR)

It is important to implement high-speed data communication in systems that use IC cards containing large amounts of data. The bitrates specified in the ISO/IEC 14443 series are from 106 kbit/s to 848 kbit/s. Specifications for bitrates from 1.70 Mbit/s to 6.78 Mbit/s have been established as amendments for the ISO/IEC14443 series and were enacted in 2012.

(2) Proximity extended device (PXD)

At the time of enactment of the first edition of the ISO/IEC 14443 series, there was an assumption that the functions of contactless IC cards and their reader/writer were separated. Innovations in electronic device technology have enabled portable terminals to implement the functions of contactless IC cards and their reader/writer within them. The need to use both functions with a single portable device has been increasing, and the method of switching between these functions is under development as an amendment to the ISO/IEC14443 series.

3.2 NFC Forum

NFC Forum mainly specifies application layers and their implementation, which are not specified in ISO/IEC. The public specifications of NFC Forum are listed in Table 2. NFC Forum defines the functions of the three modes mentioned previously in combination with the three kinds of contactless interfaces (ISO/IEC14443 Type-A, Type-B, and FeliCa), which is called mode switching.

Table 2. Standards deliberated in NFC Forum.

Since 2010, the program called N-Mark has been underway, where the devices are certified for NFC Forum compliance.

NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) and RTD (NFC Record Type Definition) are the key formats specified in NFC Forum. NDEF is a data format for NFC applications. RTD is the format for NDEF records specified for each type of application. These specifications enable access to websites, NFC smartphone displays, electronic signatures, and other capabilities, which makes it possible to achieve a variety of services using NFC-enabled smartphones.

3.3 GlobalPlatform

GlobalPlatform (GP) is developing and deploying standards with a focus on the management of IC card applications for various fields from an industry-neutral standpoint.

Card specifications developed by GP have been adopted for SIM (subscriber identity module) cards and are a de facto standard of application management in the field of mobile communication. Furthermore, the test specifications are defined through a conformance testing certification process that exists at GP.

In recent years, GP has been working on standardization for the management of devices with a proximity contactless interface. The GP standards related to the proximity contactless interface are listed in Table 3. GP standards will have a stronger influence on the services using proximity contactless cards and NFC-enabled smartphones.

Table 3. Standards on contactless interface communication deliberated in GlobalPlatform.

NTT has greatly contributed to GP activities through its staff serving on GP's board of directors and by hosting GP conferences and seminars.

One of the most remarkable specifications recently deliberated at GP concerned multi-secure elements (SEs). This is a method for managing multiple SEs installed in mobile phones from remote servers. This enables services involving the collaboration of multiple applications in the mobile phone (e.g., e-money charging with the user's ID (identity) in the SIM and an e-money application in the embedded device in the phone).