Capture Tips
NFC can be a tricky protocol to capture reliably. NFC operates over a range of a few inches at most and it is often difficult to know where to place the antenna to get the best result. The location of the antenna in NFC devices varies from device to device making it even more difficult to find the proper location. In this section, we present a few tips to help you more reliably capture NFC data.
The following image illustrates good antenna positioning.
Antenna Positioning - Good
The device, Frontline NFC unit antenna, and tag are within an inch or two of each other and all are oriented parallel to each other. This ensures all devices are within NFC’s read range and that the maximum signal is available to all devices.
In the following image, the devices are too far apart for reliable operation.
Antenna Positioning - Too Far Apart
In the following image, the analyzer antenna is not parallel to the device and tag. This reduces its ability to reliably capture data.
Antenna Position Not Parallel
In most cases, placing the antenna between the device and the tag gives the best results. However, for some combinations of device and tag, performance may be improved by placing the antenna directly behind or next to the tag as in the image below.
Antenna Positioning - Behind or Next To Tag
Often, a device will only be able to read NFC tags in the area immediately surrounding the device’s internal antenna. Often times, you’ll need to experiment with the reading device in order to locate its antenna and determine the best location for the antenna and the tag. In the following image, the antenna of the device on the left is in the lower portion of its enclosure but the device is incorrectly positioned so the upper portion of the enclosure is near the analyzer’s antenna. This reduces the quality of the capture.
Antenna Positioning - Adjust for Internal Device Antenna
