Introduction of WiFi transmission connection scheme based on NFC near field communication
1 Overview
With the increasing popularity of smartphones and the Internet of Things, Near Field Communication (NFC) has emerged as a promising technology that is being integrated into more and more modern mobile devices. As a fundamental system feature, NFC enables the concept of embedding smart RF card functionalities directly into phones. While Bluetooth, a well-established short-range communication technology, has evolved to version 4.0 with improved data transfer speeds and enhanced security, it remains vulnerable to various forms of attacks. On the other hand, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), also known as the wireless LAN standard, offers faster data transmission and a longer communication range compared to Bluetooth. It also features a more robust encryption and authentication system.
As more recent mobile devices incorporate Ad Hoc networks and WiFi Direct technologies, WiFi transmission is expected to gradually replace Bluetooth as the primary method for device-to-device communication. However, WiFi still faces challenges such as time-consuming device connection processes and high power consumption from hotspot devices. If NFC technology can be effectively combined with WiFi transmission, it could offer a secure, low-power, and convenient way to exchange data. This combination would help avoid traditional WiFi password attacks and reduce the time and energy required for pre-connection processes, thus improving the overall efficiency of the system.
Currently, research on integrating NFC with WiFi is still in its early stages. Since NFC hardware is not yet a standard feature in most smartphones, there are no implemented systems or practical applications available. Additionally, there is a lack of theoretical literature proposing the use of NFC to establish secure WiFi connections while maintaining low power consumption. This paper explores the features of NFC and WiFi technologies, analyzes the traditional WiFi pairing process, security authentication, and encryption mechanisms, and proposes two methods for using NFC to initiate WiFi connections. One of these methods has been implemented on an Android-based system for easier testing and demonstration.
2 Wireless LAN Technology and Its Challenges
2.1 Wireless LAN Technology
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) was developed to provide coverage where wired networks are impractical and to support mobile users' roaming access. It serves as an essential complement to traditional wired LANs. From the initial 802.11 standard released in 1997 to later versions like 802.11a/b/g/n/p, six major WLAN standards have been established. Compared to Bluetooth and other personal area network technologies, WLAN offers higher data rates, wider signal coverage, and better performance. An important variant of WLAN is the Ad Hoc network, which is a self-organizing, peer-to-peer, multi-hop wireless network without any infrastructure. Unlike traditional WLAN, which relies on access points (APs), Ad Hoc networks allow devices to communicate directly with each other.
Compared to wired LANs, securing wireless networks is more challenging due to vulnerabilities such as eavesdropping, interference, impersonation, data tampering, and denial-of-service attacks. These threats can compromise the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network systems. To address these issues, organizations like the WiFi Alliance have introduced security protocols such as WEP, WPA, and WPA2. China has also developed its own security architecture called WAPI. However, Ad Hoc networks face additional security challenges due to their dynamic topologies, limited bandwidth, and lack of centralized infrastructure. Research in this area is still ongoing, with some proposed solutions including password-based authentication and hybrid network architectures, but no universal standards exist yet.
2.2 Issues with WiFi Transmission
Although Ad Hoc networks have potential, they are not widely adopted as industry standards. Most mobile devices currently rely on connecting to a shared wireless router (AP) to communicate. This involves searching for signals, selecting a hotspot, entering a password, and establishing a network connection through DHCP. While this method is straightforward and commonly used, it limits the flexibility of the network topology and increases the time and effort required from the user.
In recent years, several manufacturers have attempted to define their own Ad Hoc communication protocols, but none have gained widespread adoption. The WiFi Alliance has instead focused on WiFi Direct, a standard that allows direct device-to-device connections. While this improves speed and range compared to Bluetooth, it is still limited to newer devices and not yet widely used. Another common approach is to set one device as a hotspot, allowing others to connect via IP addresses. However, this method requires manual configuration and consumes significant power, especially when maintaining a hotspot over long periods.
WiFi’s security has improved significantly with the adoption of WPA2, making it more secure than older protocols like WEP. However, the setup process for connecting to a WiFi network is more complex and time-consuming than Bluetooth pairing. Users must manually enable WiFi, search for hotspots, and enter passwords, which can lead to a poor user experience. Additionally, the power consumption of hotspot devices is a major concern, especially for mobile devices with limited battery life.
Given these challenges, this paper proposes a solution using NFC technology to streamline the WiFi connection process and reduce power consumption. By leveraging NFC's low power, high security, and ease of use, the proposed methods aim to enhance the efficiency and user experience of WiFi-based data transmission between devices.
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