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RFID troubles — Parallax Forums

RFID troubles

Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
edited 2009-04-12 02:36 in Accessories
I purchased the reader and tag sampler, downloaded the sample code and have it running on a BS2.

The only tag the reader 'sees' is the white card, and that is only when I lay it on the reader.

I read that it is supposed to have a range of about 4". It will not pick up any of the other tags in the kit. Is this normal? What could I be doing wrong?

I have tried a different BS2, & checked the voltage.

When I type in the tag ID, of the white card, in the program it still reads it "unauthorized"

Any suggestions?

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Mike2545

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Comments

  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-05 00:17
    Ok, I have the program that allows me to get the Tag Id # and it reads the white card but I have to touch the card to the reader and no other tag works.

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-04-05 01:51
    Do you keep it in active mode all the time? It should work with all the tags.
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-05 02:05
    Yeah, its in active mode (SERIN) and only sees the 'card' tag when it's really close. I'm starting to think I got a bum reader.

    I have run 3 different program samples on two BS2's with the same results. [noparse]:([/noparse]

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.

    Post Edited (Mike2545) : 4/5/2009 2:17:48 AM GMT
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-05 15:58
    After some intense magnification I think I see the problem. It looks like a solder bridge.

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    Mike2545

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  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-04-06 04:47
    It's time to call Parallax support in the morning. They'll give you an RMA number and replace the unit.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2009-04-06 16:34
    Mike,

    The bridge you see in that photo is normal as those pads are connected together on the PCB. It does seem you have a problem related to the antenna portion though so you should definitely take Mike Green’s advice and call our Tech Support Dept.

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    Chris Savage
    Parallax Engineering


    Post Edited (Chris Savage (Parallax)) : 4/6/2009 7:42:37 PM GMT
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-06 18:46
    Chris Savage (Parallax) said...
    Mike,

    The bridge you see if that photo is normal as those pads are connected together on the PCB. It does seem you have a problem related to the antenna portion though so you should definitely take Mike Green’s advice and call our Tech Support Dept.

    I will do that when I return home tonight 5:00pm eastern time zone.

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-11 16:45
    I got a brand new reader today in the mail and....same problem. The reader will not pick up anything but the white cards, and those have to be laid directly on the reader. I am running sample code provided by Parallax. Any Ideas?

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • FranklinFranklin Posts: 4,747
    edited 2009-04-11 19:50
    Attach your actual code and show us how you have it connected please.

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    - Stephen
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-11 20:10
    Pin 0=enable
    Pin 1 = Sout
    Gnd = -
    Vcc = +

    Not too hard to connect.

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    Mike2545

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  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-04-11 20:36
    Have you tried it in another location? I tried the code you posted and same setup, and it works for me (BOE with BS2). My only theory is that you have lots of RF that will interfere with the reading of the tags. Offhand question: does the red light stay on all the time until you get a reading?
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-11 21:30
    The led changes from red to green when it does get a reading (white card laid on reader)

    I will try a different location.

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-11 21:40
    Moving it was not the problem, I have a sagging power supply, only giving 4.82 V

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • SRLMSRLM Posts: 5,045
    edited 2009-04-11 21:51
    According to the datasheet you can run it down to 4.5 v. But, if that was the issue than I'm glad you figured it out.
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-11 22:07
    My 1A power supply has too much loss between the binding posts and the carrier board. blush.gif This thing really draws the current!

    I am now reading the keyfob at a full 4" and the White cards at 4.5". smilewinkgrin.gif

    Sorry to say I destroyed the Black World tag seeing if it had anything in it. mad.gif

    I just sent the first unit back to the tech department today. They will test it and find nothing wrong confused.gif

    Oh well live and learn....

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2009-04-12 00:46
    Well, you got it to work and you experienced Parallax's technical support first hand.
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2009-04-12 02:36
    Found I was feeding filtered, regulated 5 v in the carrier board's regulator. LOL that accounts for the voltage drop. Changed up my power supply setup to fix that problem...

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    Mike2545

    This message sent to you on 100% recycled electrons.
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