NFC solution enables wireless charging of wearables

Infineon Technologies AG has launched the SECORA Connect X, a complete turnkey NFC solution. The payment solution, which provides digital payment options, security and protection for smart wearable applications, adds NFC wireless charging for smart wearables including smart rings, wristbands and smartwatches.

The addition of NFC capabilities to wearables means they can be used to pay in stores and for public transportation and office building entry. For these applications, a small form factor, high security and trusted consumer and payment data protection is required, according to ABI Research. The market researcher expects the smart wearable market will reach 700 million units by 2027.

(Source: Infineon Technologies)

To help meet these applications, Infineon’s ultra-low-power and boosted NFC solution provides EMVCo certification. EMVCo creates and manages EMV specifications and programs, enabling seamless and secure card-based payments globally.

“NFC wireless charging will become increasingly important to power ever smaller devices, both for increased user convenience and to enable slim designs,” said Tolgahan Yildiz, head of payment solutions at Infineon’s Connected Secure Systems Division, in a statement. “Our SECORA Connect X solution supports this trend by turning ultra-small passive wearables – which can be everyday objects such as rings or wristbands – into smart connected devices that enable digital payment transactions.”

The SECORA Connect X features include advanced secured remote management capabilities, the use of only one single NFC antenna to integrate payment and NFC wireless charging into ultra-small devices, and a simple user interface and easy host integration via a PSoC-based evaluation kit. Consumer device cardholder verification method (CDCVM) capabilities are also supported to reduce transaction times, increase security and facilitate seamless customer authentication. Payment data is stored on Infineon’s Secure Element for best-in-class security.

Given the solution’s connectivity to a single tiny antenna with a small footprint, more space is available for other components. The antenna brings battery charging from a 20 to 80 percent charging level in less than 45 minutes. There are no more than seven capacitors enabling a highly optimized, compact form.

The low-power solution delivers a battery charge for three to four days. Standby mode of the payment solution has little impact on battery life, requiring only 4 to 6 µA with Infineon’s boosted NFC design.

An evaluation kit is available upon request. Infineon also supports customers with a design-in service. The company demonstrated the new NFC solution at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023.