Dual-interface NFC tags to bridge smart devices
In addition to a conventional NFC contactless interface, the new Inside dual-interface, NFC Forum Type 4, tag also provides a one-wire interface that allows the tag to provide a low-cost wireless communications bridge between two devices, opening the door to an array of new NFC applications. The addition of the one-wire interface to the NFC type 4 tags, turns basic storage devices into a versatile communication channel that can be a very cost effective alternative to Bluetooth or other connectivity technologies, the company says.
For example, a single tap of an NFC phone to a Bluetooth wireless headset containing one of these tags can initiate the pairing operation. The tag detects the NFC field on the contactless interface and sends a pulse over the one-wire interface to the controller inside the headset to start the pairing process.
You could use the same kind of field sensing to quickly and automatically establish Wi-Fi connectivity for the first time between an NFC device, such as a tablet, and a new wireless access point, or to start transferring data, through the tag, between the NFC and host devices.
The dual-interface NFC Type 4 Tag comes in two memory configurations. The VaultIC 151D offers a 1.5-kByte file system size, while the VaultIC 161D has a 16-kByte file system size, the largest in the industry. Each tag integrates a standard contactless interface with full ISO14443 Type B protocol support for communicating with NFC devices and an Inside Secure proprietary one-wire interface for connection to a host processor (using just one GPIO). Accessing the data contained within the file systems from either interface is performed using the standard NFC Forum command set.
The large 16-kByte storage capability of an embedded VaultIC 161D NFC tag makes it suitable for use in home medical monitoring devices, where it is able to store a day’s worth of medical data from the device’s host processor through the one-wire interface. At the end of the day, a simple tap on the device with an NFC smartphone can transfer all of the information stored in the tag through the NFC interface into the phone, which can then transmit it to the medical centre.
These VaultIC dual-interface tags are actually high-security modules designed to be used as NFC tags. They feature several hardware security protection/detection mechanisms to prevent tampering and a variety of external attacks, including dedicated hardware for protection against SPA/DPA/SEMA/DEMA attacks, advanced protection against physical attacks, environmental protection systems and secure memory management/access protection. In addition to standard NFC Forum Type 4 Tag operations, the dual-interface VaultIC tags can also authenticate the NDEF content stored in the tags, which can be digitally signed using on-chip asymmetric cryptography.
French company Inside Secure is a designer, developer and supplier of semiconductor and software solutions for securing transactions, content and digital identity. Its mobile NFC, secure payment, embedded security and digital security solutions provide security for a wide range of information processing, storage and transmission applications.
Inside Secure, www.insidesecure.com
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