In our paper we present a reference hardware implementation of an NFC (Near Field Communication) device, the performance analysis of the different operating modes of NFC (Reader/Writer, tag emulation, peer-to-peer) and the possibilities for interoperability between existing smart card standards within NFC. The hardware implementation and the support for different smart card standards of NFC is currently defined by the NFC Forum. NFC enables fast, secure and easy wireless communication between devices within the range of about ten centimeters. It can be used for exchanging small amount of data, in payment systems or for other technologies’ configuration handling (like WiFi or Bluetooth®). It has already been ratified and is documented in ISO 18902, ECMA340, and ETSI TS 102190. NFC integrates several different functions for reader/writer and peer-to-peer communication but also for tag emulation. These functions base on already existing protocols like ISO 14443 and ISO 7816. Thus the integration of NFC into already existing infrastructure supporting Philips Mifare® or Sony FeLiCa® is very easy as NFC is compatible to these standards, providing a unique link to the smart card world. The presented hardware solution and our research results are part of a two-year research project1 founded by the University of Applied Sciences of Upper Austria, Philips Austria Styria, mobilkom Austria, and voestalpine Informationstechnologie.