Samsung has announced a new Near Field Communications chip with embedded flash memory. The NFC chip is described as the industry's first to adopt flash for its embedded memory, which allows designers to upgrade software or firmware more easily.
Samsung's new chip is intended to be used in next-generation smartphones; the short-range wireless technology allows devices to collect or transmit data without any manual set-up, making it suitable for a wide range of uses including marketing, public transportation payments and mobile banking. The design of Samsung's NFC chip means it can remain active for mobile payment even without battery power.
Tae-Hoon Kim, vice president of DDI and C&M marketing at the System LSI Division of Samsung Electronics, said “NFC is recognized throughout the industry as an easy and effective way to transmit encrypted information between mobile devices or between mobile devices and other stationary NFC-enabled devices such as kiosks. As momentum builds for adoption of NFC technology in next-generation/ upcoming smart phones, we look forward to securing a competitive footing in NFC-based solutions with our new NFC technology, offering powerful mobile characteristics such as low power design and advanced RF sensitivity.”
IMS Research has recently predicted that 26% of mobile phones will have NFC capabilities in 2015. Samsung's chip is expected to reach mass production in the first quarter of 2011.