A circuit is implemented for a near field communication (NFC) system which includes a communication partner appliance. The circuit is a data carrier which includes activators, a receiver, a detector, and a processor. The activators activate a first or second communication mode. The receiver receives a carrier signal that is transmitted to the communication partner appliance by another communication partner appliance. The detector detects the presence of the received carrier signal and transmits a carrier signal present signal or a carrier signal not-present signal. The processor recognizes a command signal transmitted with the carrier signal. The processor also generates and transmits a command-end signal that is separate from the transmitted command signal and represents the end of the transmitted command signal. The processor also determines whether, after the occurrence of the command-end signal, the carrier signal present signal is present. The processor also transmits a first or second activation signal.