Numerous smartcards implement wireless technology, enabling them to be used without the need for a physical card reader. What wireless technology is typically utilized to enable smartcards to be used for entry-access readers and similar access control systems?

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a common wireless technology used in smartcards for entry access and other applications. Wi-Fi, Infrared, and Bluetooth typically require powered circuits to communicate with systems, which makes them unsuitable for smartcards that generally lack a battery or power source.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) works in smartcards by using a wireless communication technology to transmit data between two devices: the smartcard and an RFID reader. The smartcard contains a tiny integrated circuit with an antenna that can receive and transmit radio frequency signals. The RFID reader sends a signal to the smartcard, which responds by transmitting its unique identifier back to the reader.

Smartcards with RFID technology can be used for various purposes, including access control, identification, and payment systems. When used for access control, for example, the smartcard's RFID chip contains information about the cardholder, such as their name, photograph, and access privileges. The smartcard is presented to an RFID reader, which reads the information stored on the chip and determines whether the cardholder is authorized to access the secured area.