TransferJet Tutorial: Features, Working, Frame Structure & Comparison
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TransferJet is an advanced wireless communication technology designed for high-speed, close-proximity data transfer. Its unique features make it ideal for secure and fast exchanges between devices.
This TransferJet tutorial covers its core features, working principles, protocol stack, frame structure, and comparison with other wireless technologies such as WiFi and NFC, including its advantages in wireless communication. TransferJet is basically a wireless technology used for large file transfer between two electronic products at high speed. The electronic products include mobiles, camcorders, cameras, computers, TVs, printers, etc. TransferJet Consortium has defined the technical specifications of this technology. The file transfer is very easy and takes place in push and pull mode. The technology incorporates benefits of both UWB as well as NFC technologies. It works as if we do file transfer using a USB cable.
The following table mentions features of TransferJet technology.
Specification | TransferJet support |
---|---|
RF Frequency | 4.48 GHz |
Transmit power(Average power) | -70dBm/MHz or lower |
Data rate (Depends on communication channel) | Maximum: 560 Mbps Effective rate: 375 Mbps |
Coverage distance | few centimeters (About 3cm) |
Network topology | point to point (P2P) |
Antenna Element | Electric induction field coupler |
Table-1: TransferJet features
How TransferJet works?
TransferJet is a wireless technology designed to facilitate high-speed data transfers over very short distances. Its core advantage is simplicity: devices can exchange data by being placed in close proximity, often requiring them to be just a few centimeters apart. This unique mode of operation ensures faster and more secure communication, making it distinct from other wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.
Here’s an in-depth explanation of how TransferJet works:
In a TransferJet system, two electronic devices which transfer data between them are referred to as “Initiator” and “Responder.” The same is depicted in Figure-1.
The system works based on the “Touch Model” concept and hence it is very simple. TransferJet utilizes inductive coupling to transmit data between two devices. When two TransferJet-enabled devices come into close proximity (typically within 3 cm), their antennas interact magnetically to establish a direct connection. This setup eliminates the need for complex device pairing or configuration, allowing data to be transferred with a simple “touch.”
TransferJet Frame Structure
Figure-2 depicts the TransferJet frame. As shown, it is composed of preamble, sync, PHY header, and payload (CPDU).
In this frame, Payload is formed after the data from layer-2 (Connection Layer) is passed through the TransferJet PHY layer modules such as FEC encoder, spreading, scrambler, and data modulation.
Data from the CNL layer is broken into 224-byte message blocks before being passed to the PHY layer. As shown in the TransferJet frame, each CPDU consists of headers, sub-headers, CRC information, and 1 or 2 payload fields. The payload will have about 1 to 4096 Bytes of data information.
Full forms of terms mentioned above are as follows:
- PSDU - PHY Layer Service Data Unit
- CPDU - Connection Layer Protocol Data Unit
- CSDU - Connection Layer Service Data Unit
- IFS - Inter Frame Space
TransferJet Protocol Stack
The TransferJet protocol stack consists of the physical layer (PHY), Connection Layer (CNL), Protocol Conversion Layer (PCL), and application layers.
TransferJet Physical Layer (TransferJet PHY)
The TransferJet Physical layer takes care of preamble and header (SYNC) insertion in the TransferJet frame. It takes care of FEC (Forward Error Correction), Spreading, Scrambling, and modulation functionalities.
TransferJet Security
TransferJet technology works almost like a physical cable. Hence, it has no encryption functionality incorporated in the link layer.
The inherent security of TransferJet comes from its extremely short transmission range. Because the devices must be in very close proximity (almost touching), the risk of data interception is significantly reduced. This makes TransferJet a suitable technology for secure file transfers, such as personal data or confidential documents.
Comparison between TransferJet, WiFi, and NFC
The following table compares TransferJet vs WiFi vs NFC and provides differences between them.
Feature | TransferJet | WiFi | NFC |
---|---|---|---|
Speed | Up to 375 Mbps (typical) | Up to 9.6 Gbps (Wi-Fi 6) | Up to 424 Kbps |
Range | Extremely short (a few centimeters) | Long range (up to 100 meters) | Short range (up to 10 cm) |
Frequency Band | 4.48 GHz | 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz (Wi-Fi 6E) | 13.56 MHz |
Power Consumption | Low | Moderate to high depending on usage | Very low |
Ease of Use | Simple “touch-to-transfer” | Requires network setup or direct pairing | Simple, often automatic (e.g., payments) |
Data Security | High (short range reduces interception) | High, with encryption protocols | High (used in secure transactions) |
Transfer Type | Point-to-point file transfer | Network-based and device-to-device | Low-data exchanges (IDs, payments) |
Use Case | Sharing multimedia (photos, videos) | Web browsing, large file downloads, media streaming | Payment systems, ticketing, secure data exchange |
Typical Devices | Smartphones, cameras, laptops | Smartphones, laptops, routers, smart TVs | Smartphones, contactless cards |
Interference | Low (short range limits interference) | Moderate (especially in crowded areas) | Minimal (due to short range) |
Applications | Fast, secure file transfers between devices | Internet access, file sharing, streaming | Contactless payments, data exchange |
Conclusion
With a simple and efficient design, TransferJet continues to be a top choice for applications requiring high-speed, secure communication. This TransferJet tutorial provides a solid foundation for anyone looking to learn more about how TransferJet operates and its potential use cases.