An NFC-enabled sensor is ideal for low-power and low-cost applications in which sensor data must be collected without a wired connection. This is because:

  • it requires no external power source, since the sensor interface operates on energy harvested from the NFC reader’s incoming RF emissions
  • it is quick and convenient, because the sensor pairs instantly and automatically with the host device
  • it is tiny
  • it is cheap

This paper describes the architecture of an RF-enabled sensor system. It explains the difference between passive and semi-passive operation, introduces the SL13A sensor tag from ams, and describes some of the applications in which it can be used.