Toppan Forms creates module for NFC

LONDON, UK: The European analog and mixed-signal chip company NXP BV has provided support to Toppan Forms Co. Ltd. to aid the creation of a reader/writer module for near field communications (NFC). This module has been adopted by Lenovo in its T410, T510 and T610 Thinkpad notebook computers.

Additionally, the TN33MUE002L module can be used to support a number of applications that include online banking, Internet access and log-in for PCs. The module is based on the PN533 NFC IC for contactless communication on the 13.56-MHz.

carrier frequency. NFC technology helps customers to securely exchange and store all kinds of information by bringing two devices close together. It also automatically configures and initiates wireless technologies like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and enable devices that have these technologies to communicate at longer ranges and enjoy data transfer at higher rates.

The module has compatibility with ISO 14443 type A and B cards, which are used worldwide in the fields of banking, government and public deployments and with contactless smart cards such as Mifare, used in Europe, and Felica, used in Japan, NXP said. The reader is Windows Certified and compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The module driver is available through Toppan Forms' NFC software development kit.

Sources say that Toppan Forms plans to expand its position in the area of reader/writer to set the standards in the computer industry for this product. They anticipatethat the introduction of the NFC reader in Pcs will motivate the NFC technology to grow and get a much bigger customer base than it has now. The company has also begun to focus on other applications like cell phones and consumer electronics devices, which can also benefit from many of NFC's features. NXP is transferring the NFC reader infrastructure into the world of PCs, and sources at the company say that this will continue to give customers new possibilities for secure transactions on their PC, such as authentication of payments, secure online banking and a range of government services.

NFC operates on a 13.56-MHz frequency carrier in the unlicensed ISM band, over a distance of typically a few centimeters. NFC technology enables consumers to In addition, NFC automatically configures and initiates wireless connections, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, enabling devices to communicate at longer ranges or transfer data at higher rates, when those services are available.