Surely you are familiar with NFC technology as the protagonist or responsible for payments and travel cards. What you probably didn't know is that it also has great utility in the lighting industry. Thanks to NFC technology we can program LED controllers and wireless switches. Our lighting control system, Casambi, uses this technology to achieve the highest efficiency and comfort in the control and regulation of light.

Near field communication (NFC) is a contactless communication technology based on existing radio frequency identification (RFID) standards. It enables communication between two electronic devices within a range of up to 10 cm. NFC operates on a radio frequency of 13.56 MHz and can transmit data at a rate of approximately 420 kbit/s. Its key features include wireless connectivity, short-range capability and high-frequency operation.

NFC employs inductive coupling between two adjacent loop antennas, generating an electromagnetic field that enables bidirectional exchange of information. Due to the extremely short distances involved, this interaction is described as "near field".

But how does NFC work in lighting control?

Its attributes create a multitude of opportunities, and the lighting industry is also actively participating in this important development. Today, LED luminaire manufacturers employ NFC to set the operating characteristics of LED drivers, including parameters such as operating current, dimming curve type, constant lumen output and dimming levels.

The NFC system consists of a host PC where the parameters are programmed, an NFC reader (despite the name, it can read and write to an NFC tag) and an NFC tag embedded in a controller. The tag is a passive device and is activated by the energy contained in the signal emitted by the NFC reader.

Lighting control from your cell phone thanks to NFC

The figure below illustrates the NFC programming of the controllers and the different types of NFC readers (handheld, desktop and wireless options). As an alternative to dedicated NFC readers, it is possible to perform NFC programming using a simple smartphone. Therefore, instead of the package consisting of a PC + software + NFC reader, it can be replaced by a smartphone with a suitable NFC configuration application.

This process can be achieved on a manufacturing line without the need to apply mains voltage to the conductor, reducing stress on the production line and ensuring the safety of workers from exposure to mains voltage.

The Casambi ecosystem offers a variety of LED drivers that can be programmed using NFC technology.

Other Casambi Ready products that employ NFC technology are wireless energy harvesting switches and sensors, creating the perfect trio for smart lighting control: energy harvesting + NFC + Bluetooth Low Energy.

For example, in the Casambi app, go to "Switches" and press "Add an EnOcean switch". Place your smartphone near the switch and when the NFC reader detects the switch, your device may buzz and the Switches page opens in the app showing the switch. When you touch the switch, a configuration page opens for it and then you can configure the functionality: control individual luminaires, groups of luminaires, all luminaires in a network, elements, scenes and animations.

Due to the flexibility, quick installation and simplicity of pairing and configuration of the battery-less Bluetooth Low Energy switch module with near field communication has become increasingly widespread.

We are surrounded by technologies in this modern world, so why not combine them to improve processes and simplify our lives? As a wireless lighting control system based on Bluetooth Low Energy, Casambi provides ecosystem partners with the wireless technology and expertise to invent and develop their own products by integrating them with other technologies such as NFC.

If you are interested in receiving more information do not hesitate to contact us, our lighting specialists and our technicians will help you understand this system that improves the comfort of our home.