Which term describes Near-field communication (NFC), a standard for very short-range wireless communications used for contactless payments and similar technologies?

Which term describes Near-field communication (NFC), a standard for very short-range wireless communications used for contactless payments and similar technologies?

• A. GPS
• B. Ad hoc network
• C. Near-field communication (NFC)
• D. Bluetooth

Answer: (C)

Near-field communication is a standard for very short-range wireless communication, designed for contactless payments and similar close-proximity interactions. It works over only a few centimeters by coupling via a magnetic field between a reader and a tag or device, which allows quick, tap-to-pay style transactions without complex pairing. This short range is a deliberate feature to reduce risk and speed up simple exchanges. GPS, by contrast, provides location data using satellites and isn’t about device-to-device data exchange at close range. An ad hoc network refers to a flexible network topology where devices connect directly to each other, which is about how devices share data rather than the specific close-range communication standard. Bluetooth is another short-range wireless option, but it generally operates over longer distances and uses different connection and security mechanisms, making it less aligned with the direct, tap-to-pay style described. So the term that matches the description is Near-field communication.

Near-field communication is a standard for very short-range wireless communication, designed for contactless payments and similar close-proximity interactions. It works over only a few centimeters by coupling via a magnetic field between a reader and a tag or device, which allows quick, tap-to-pay style transactions without complex pairing. This short range is a deliberate feature to reduce risk and speed up simple exchanges.

GPS, by contrast, provides location data using satellites and isn’t about device-to-device data exchange at close range. An ad hoc network refers to a flexible network topology where devices connect directly to each other, which is about how devices share data rather than the specific close-range communication standard. Bluetooth is another short-range wireless option, but it generally operates over longer distances and uses different connection and security mechanisms, making it less aligned with the direct, tap-to-pay style described.

So the term that matches the description is Near-field communication.