The NFC Forum announced earlierNFC Authentication Release 15 (CR15) specificationThe biggest change in this update is that the maximum reading distance of NFC is increased by 4 times from the existing technical specification of 5mm to a maximum of 20mm.
The NFC Forum explains that this move is primarily intended to reduce the stringent alignment requirements for device connections. By extending the reading distance, it is expected to significantly improve the user experience in specific scenarios. For example, when using NFC as a digital door lock, car key, or to initiate a payment, the user no longer needs to precisely place their phone or wearable device on the sensor, resulting in smoother operation.
However, the NFC Forum also stated that implementation of this new standard has hardware requirements. This means that existing devices on the market will not be supported via software updates. It is expected that the first wave of NFC products supporting a 20mm read distance will enter the market "in the coming months."
As the reading distance increases, potential security concerns inevitably arise. NFC technology was initially limited to a very short distance of 5mm primarily for security reasons, ensuring that transactions or connections can only be triggered with the user's explicit intention to "actively approach."
When the sensing range is expanded to 20mm, the possibility of "accidental reads" or unintended triggering in crowded environments also increases. How hardware manufacturers can strike a new balance between convenience and safety will be a challenge they must address when implementing the CR15 standard.
