Circuit, method and apparatus for performing near-field communication

A circuit for performing a near-field communication having a contactless circuit which is configured for the contactless exchange of data signals with an external contactless reading device, a security circuit which has a memory in which application identifiers are stored and which is configured to execute security-related applications, and a control circuit which is configured to execute non-security-related applications, wherein the contactless circuit, the security circuit and the control circuit are coupled with one another in such a way and, using at least one of the application identifiers, are configured in such a way that the data signals are supplied from the contactless circuit to the control circuit and vice versa exclusively by means of the security circuit. The security circuit can furthermore store bonding and authentication keys for applications in the control circuit in order to set up a secure data exchange channel for these applications.