Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Newbie To RFID Reader — Parallax Forums

Newbie To RFID Reader

mvalverdemvalverde Posts: 1
edited 2011-10-20 11:59 in Accessories
Well, I have decided to learn how to work with hardware sensors like an RFID reader. So I got a Parallax USB RFID Reader. I took the VB.NET code supplied on the forum and converted it to C# - my language of choice. It was easy and I can now read tags easily enough. Well, then I decided I wanted to do more than just read the tags. I decided to purchase the Serial RFID Reader with the SerialToUSB Converter.

Here is what I have now...

http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/txtSearch/28024/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/32/Default.aspx

http://www.parallax.com/StoreSearchResults/tabid/768/List/0/SortField/4/ProductID/688/Default.aspx?txtSearch=rfid+read+write

Well I hooked them up and I get the familiar green light - but when I open the port - nothing. I did realize that the READER runs at 2400Bps and the Read/Writer at 9600Bps - but making that adjustment didn't work.

Has anyone worked with VB,C# or even C++ to talk to one of the Read/Writers?

Or am I missing something altogether and going down the wrong path?

Here is a link to my C# code for anyone who wants to take a look at is - it is in VS2010.

http://www.michaelvalverde.com/ftp/rfid/RFIDCSharp.zip

Thanks in advance for any advice or tips!

Mike Valverde

Comments

  • tmart2007tmart2007 Posts: 7
    edited 2011-01-26 09:24
    #1) I use the parallax basic stamp module to read the RFID - no components required -- just connect to power on Basic Stamp Board, and pin 0 to enable and pin 1 to sout

    #2) It takes very little Basic stamp code to read the RFID card

    #3) The read in is then "echoed" by the basic stamp through and to the rs232 port of the Basic stamp through a debug statement.

    #4) VB then read that info into the VB 5 program.

    all code can be provided for the Basic Stamp and VB 5
    tmart2007@GMail.com - ted
    ====
    what is interesting is that you can send code with the debug statement that tells it whether it is door A or B
    for instance:



    Enable pin 0
    RX pin 1
    RT pin 2

    sData Var Byte

    T9600 Con 396

    '
    # SELECT $STAMP
    #CASE BS2, BS2E, BS2PE
    T2400 CON 396
    #CASE BS2SX, BS2P
    T2400 CON 1021
    #CASE BS2PX
    T9600 CON 396
    #ENDSELECT



    buf Var Byte(10) 'reading ten digits
    tagNum var Nib
    idx Var Byte

    '
    Reset:
    HIGH Enable


    Main:
    LOW Enable
    Serin RX T2400, [WAIT($0A), STR buf\10]
    HIGH Enable

    Display _Tag:

    DEBUG "Door A", CR

    For idx=0 to 9
    DEBUG buf(idx)
    Next

    DEBUG CR

    PAUSE 500

    GOTO Main


    =========

    this code sends the tag info read to the buffer and will put it on the screen of the Basic Stamp program

    ====
    Just need to parse it in VB and take out what you want and the 10 digits or part of the 10 digits
    I only use the last three digits of the RFID tag with about 700 tags

    ====

    I then use a VB routine in the visual basic program to set off a relay for door A or B. The relay is set off through the parallel port to an 8 relay board controlled by the parallel port. A or B is parsed out to tell me which door to set off the relay for.

    thanks
    ted
  • wb9coywb9coy Posts: 2
    edited 2011-10-20 11:59
    C# Test App for the 28340 USB RFID Reader.

    This app uses the native FTDI drivers to establish communication to the RFID reader. I think FTDI has done a good job with the drivers. If you use the installer that is included with my app, the FTDI drivers get installed automatically. The app can be found at:
    http://www.wb9coy.com/Projects.html

    Hope this helps the community.
Sign In or Register to comment.