Client Server Communication

Non-IP based protocols

• Bluetooth
  • Bluetooth is a technology that transmits data using radio waves between devices in close proximity.
  • 2.4 GHz to 2.485 GHz frequency band
  • slow data transfer rate of 1 - 3 Mbps.
  • https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/bluetooth/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth
  • Piconet is a type of Bluetooth network that contains one primary node called the master node and seven active secondary nodes called slave nodes. Thus, we can say that there is a total of 8 active nodes which are present at a distance of 10 meters.
  • Piconet
  • Scatternet
• NFC (Near Field Communication)
  • peer to peer communication mechanism that is unrelated to Internet Protocol
  • It's very lightweight from the user's perspective and useful for transmitting small to medium sided units of data between peer devices
  • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfMX_InfiP0
  • NFC is a subset of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) and operates at 13.56 MHz.
  • How it works
    • Embedded NFC Chip – The card has an NFC chip that securely transmits payment data.
  • RFID Technology – NFC is a subset of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) and operates at 13.56 MHz.
  • Secure Transactions – The payment is encrypted and typically requires no PIN for small amounts.
  • You can also use NFC via mobile wallets like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Samsung Pay, which store your credit card details and use the phone's NFC chip for payments.
  • Older cards had EMV - An EMV chip (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) is a smart chip embedded in credit and debit cards that enhances security by storing and encrypting payment data

NFC vs. Bluetooth: Which is Faster?

NFC is generally slower than Bluetooth, but it is optimized for quick, short-range transactions rather than high-speed data transfer.

Speed Comparison

• NFC: Maximum speed of 424 kbps (kilobits per second)
• Bluetooth (Classic): Up to 3 Mbps (megabits per second)
• Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE): Up to 2 Mbps

Why NFC is Slower but Still Useful

• Instant Connection: NFC connects in less than 0.1 seconds, whereas Bluetooth requires pairing.
• Low Power Consumption: NFC uses very little energy, making it ideal for contactless payments and tap-to-share applications.
• Security: Since NFC operates at very short ranges (~4 cm), it's more secure for financial transactions.

When to Use What?

• NFC: Best for contactless payments, keyless entry, and quick data exchanges (e.g., tap-to-share).
• Bluetooth: Best for audio streaming, file transfers, and continuous data exchange (e.g., wireless headphones, smartwatches).