Shop OBEX P1 Docs P2 Docs Learn Events
Help ~ RFID smart card reader — Parallax Forums

Help ~ RFID smart card reader

H.A.H.A. Posts: 3
edited 2013-11-27 02:12 in General Discussion
Hi,

I am trying to build a RFID smart card reader for taking the attendance of the card holder and would really appreciate help on the following points:

1) I am unaware of the frequency the smart card would be working on? I believe it would be either on 13.56 MHz or 120-150 kHz. Do we have a separate reader for the separate frequency or an all in one reader for both?
2) If we have different readers for different frequency then how can I identify the frequency of the smart card?
3) I was planning to purchase Parallax 32320. Would it be the perfect choice. What else would i need to purchase along with it?
4) Basic tutorials / help / kits for developing the reader.

The Smart card in question is used for basic purposes that is ID [Identification] It would contain basic information about the card holder such as Full name, ID number and other personal details.

I would really appreciate for the positive responses provided.

Comments

  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2013-11-09 07:39
    An RFID reader is completely different from a smart card reader. The 32320 is a smart card reader. You have to insert the card into the reader and connections are made to contacts on the card, much like those on SD memory cards. If you want wireless operation, then you need to use some kind of RFID reader, like this one.

    #1: You may be able to buy RFID readers that work on multiple frequency bands, but that would be unusual (and expensive). That's not how RFID cards are normally used.
    #2: Either the RFID tag can be read with the reader or it can't. If it can't, perhaps the tag is for some other frequency
    #3: The 32320 is a smart card reader. First you have to decide what you want.
    #4: Parallax's webstore page for the product will have links to documentation and sample code. Also check out <learn.parallax.com> for other examples and tutorials.
  • kwinnkwinn Posts: 8,697
    edited 2013-11-09 11:41
    H.A. wrote: »
    Hi,

    I am trying to build a RFID smart card reader for taking the attendance of the card holder and would really appreciate help on the following points:

    1) I am unaware of the frequency the smart card would be working on? I believe it would be either on 13.56 MHz or 120-150 kHz. Do we have a separate reader for the separate frequency or an all in one reader for both?
    2) If we have different readers for different frequency then how can I identify the frequency of the smart card?
    3) I was planning to purchase Parallax 32320. Would it be the perfect choice. What else would i need to purchase along with it?
    4) Basic tutorials / help / kits for developing the reader.

    The Smart card in question is used for basic purposes that is ID [Identification] It would contain basic information about the card holder such as Full name, ID number and other personal details.

    I would really appreciate for the positive responses provided.

    As Mike Green posted smart cards and RFID cards are two different technologies.

    Smart cards need to be inserted into the reader to access the data on the cards. Cards used to access ATM's are probably the most common use of smart cards.

    RFID cards [or fobs] only need to be placed close to the reader to read the data on the cards. They are typically used as access ID to enter buildings or other sites that need to prevent unauthorized entry. Typically they contain a small amount of pre-programmed data such as a site ID and card number, which is used by a computer to grant access. Any other data pertaining to the card holder is usually stored in a database on the computer that controls access to the building. RFID cards have also been used as employee time cards.

    For your application I would think that RFID cards [or fobs] would be the better choice. They are usually less expensive and more durable than smart cards. They will require less time to process attendance since they do not have to be inserted and removed from the reader, simply placed next to it.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-11-09 13:42
    If you wanted to build your own system you could use this reader / writer from Parallax:

    http://www.parallax.com/product/28440

    And use these cards that have 116 bytes of memory you could store some info on:

    http://www.parallax.com/product/28441

    These operate on the 125kHz frequency.
  • H.A.H.A. Posts: 3
    edited 2013-11-11 05:03
    Thank you Mike, kwinn & Don for the replies.

    @Mike: I need to build a RIFD reader. However the card to be read in question looks similar to http://www.parallax.com/sites/default/files/styles/mid-sized-product/public/32321.png?itok=0NxE0dgS, without the chip being visible. I tried reading the card with a NFC [Near field communication] enabled device, it read the data on the card however returned incorrect information. So will a 32320 do the job or i have to buy 28440?

    @Don: What else would i have to purchase apart from Product ID 28440 to build a RFID reader for an attendance system. I don't need the tags as the tags have already been provided, i only need to setup the reader.
  • Don MDon M Posts: 1,652
    edited 2013-11-11 08:14
    H.A. wrote: »
    @Don: What else would i have to purchase apart from Product ID 28440 to build a RFID reader for an attendance system. I don't need the tags as the tags have already been provided, i only need to setup the reader.

    Well you'd need a microcontroller to communicate, read and process the serial data from the reader. This could be as simple as connected to a serial port on a PC. But if you are looking at a stand alone type setup this design could go in one of many directions. If you look in the Projects forum I think someone else built an attendance device (time clock) using RFID cards.
  • Mike GreenMike Green Posts: 23,101
    edited 2013-11-11 08:25
    The notion of "similar" is not very helpful. The Parallax product you showed looks like a smart card (see the contacts on it) and that's not a wireless device. It's not an RFID tag and won't do anything with an RFID reader. Without some documentation on what you have, it's impossible to offer you any kind of advice other than "get some documentation on what you want to use". We can't tell you what to get without some information on the tags that you already have. You must have a reader that is designed to work with the type of tags you want to use. From what you've told us, it's impossible to tell whether a 28440 will work or a 32320 or whether no Parallax product will do what you want.

    If the cards you have are smart cards, they won't work with a NFC reader (they're not wireless remember). I don't know what your NFC-enabled device is reading, but it's not the data on the card.
  • H.A.H.A. Posts: 3
    edited 2013-11-27 02:12
    Thank you Mike and Don. I have a ordered a RFID reader which i found locally along with a micro-controller and other accessories. Will try to get the desired results with the RFID reader else will have to purchase the smart card reader. Going by the trial and error method :p
Sign In or Register to comment.