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RFID reader- USB vs Serial — Parallax Forums

RFID reader- USB vs Serial

n1iicn1iic Posts: 19
edited 2006-02-06 12:27 in General Discussion
Greetings, All.
I am researching a project that I plan to control with a BASIC Stamp, and possibly a PIC in the future and I want to compare the Parallax reader to the Phidget reader.

The Parallax reader works on 170 kHz, and has a serial port. The serial port is good, 170kHz is bad for my idea.
The Phidget reader works on 125 kHz. and is USB. The USB is bad for BASIC or PIC control(?), 125 kHz is good since it seems to be much more popular (there is no other system on 170 that I have found) and Phidget has a very nice kit at a great price for hobbyists like me.

I guess the questions are:
Is there any more than two tags availble for 170? The discs that Parallax offers are too large. Also, how common is 170?

Next, I see that there are USB to serial adapters. Does the adapter just adapt connectors, or does it modify the signals and protocols also? I am thinking that it must be possible to take the USB signals and treat them as a serial signal- they both appear to be 5 volts.

I am posting this on both the Phidget and the Parallax forums.

Thanks

Jason

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Sick and tired of our media and the cheesy radio DJ's in the US? http://www.opieandanthony.com

Comments

  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2006-02-05 05:04
    That is a typo in our document (it is being corrected) -- our reader also works at 125 kHz.

    I would guess that yes, USB is bad for microcontroller use because I don't know of any micro with the resources to be a USB master.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • n1iicn1iic Posts: 19
    edited 2006-02-05 16:49
    Thanks, Jon. I am impatiently waiting for the new documentation. =] When will it be released? Will there be any hardware changes? If so, when are the harware changes scheduled to be released?

    This is great news, since I would have needed to have another block in the circuit to handle the USB.

    Are there any plans to carry a wider selection of tags like the other company I mentioned above? I think a similar kit form from Parallax with an assortment of tags would be great for those like me who wish to experiment or develop an idea.


    Thanks for tolerating my annoyances. smile.gif


    Also, a correction for the Phidget reader, it works on a range of frequencies around 125 kHz.

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    Sick and tired of our media and the cheesy radio DJ's in the US? http://www.opieandanthony.com
  • Jon WilliamsJon Williams Posts: 6,491
    edited 2006-02-05 16:56
    The only change to will be to correct the [noparse][[/noparse]mysterious] typos: 170 kHz will be corrected to 125 kHz. I don't know of any plans to make any hardware changes or provide additional tags.

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    Jon Williams
    Applications Engineer, Parallax
  • n1iicn1iic Posts: 19
    edited 2006-02-06 12:27
    Now knowing that they operate on 125kHz using the EM4100 series protocol, I shall be ordering one.

    Thank you for your help, Jon.

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    Sick and tired of our media and the cheesy radio DJ's in the US? http://www.opieandanthony.com
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