Description

This issue of Microelectronics TOE covers developments in near field communication (NFC) technology and provides insights on growth drivers, application lanscape, IP, and adoption barriers. Innovations profiled include an integrated connected screen with NFC payment by Think&Go NFC and Ingenico, programmable NFC tags by Tagstand, NFC-enabled SIM cards by Gemalto, and an all-in-one NFC reader by TapTrack.

The Microelectronics TechVision Opportunity Engine (TOE) captures global electronics-related innovations and developments on a weekly basis. Developments are centred on electronics attributed by low power and cost, smaller size, better viewing, display and interface facilities, wireless connectivity, higher memory capacity, flexibility and wearables. Research focus themes include small footprint lightweight devices (CNTs, graphene), smart monitoring and control (touch and haptics), energy efficiency (LEDs, OLEDs, power and thermal management, energy harvesting), and high speed and improved conductivity devices (SiC, GaN, GaAs).

Miniaturization, a move toward lower power consumption, and the need for enhanced features are driving innovations in the electronics sector. Technology focus areas include semiconductor manufacturing and design, flexible electronics, 3D integration/IC, MEMS and NEMS, solid state lighting, advanced displays, nanoelectronics, wearable electronics, brain computer interface, advanced displays, near field communication, and next generation data storage or memory.

Keywords: near field communication, NFC, contactless payment