Project:RFID Reader Writer

Aim of the project

I would like to use Oyster card or compatible RFID cards/token to an security door access system. this is the initial phase to learn about rfid 15.53 MHZ Mifare techonoly.

Brief description of the module used

This is the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) 13.56 Mhz module Kit Reader and Writer

The RFID Reader Module can be used in a wide variety of hobbyist and commercial applications, including access control, automatic identification, robotics, navigation, inventory tracking, payment systems, and car immobilization.

• Features:

Basic on the Philips MFRC522 Chip
Power Voltage : 3.3V
Current :13-26mA
Operating frequency: 13.56MHz
Read Range: 0 ~ 60mm (mifare1 card)
Interface: SPI
Dimensions: 40mm × 60mm

RFID chip RC522.pdf reference document.

Where to order the module

You can find the RFID module on ebay around £12.50 - £14
I bought the one below but it looks like it run out of stocks
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RFID-13-56Mhz-Module-Tags-SPI-Interface-Read-Write-for-Arduino-UNO-R3-Mega-MCU-/170859728113?hash=item27c8088cf1

Now this module is back in and available for order
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181043498825

The one below is the same module from another vendor
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RFID-module-Kit-13-56-Mhz-with-Tags-SPI-Write-and-Read-For-Arduino-/200828954356?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Other&hash=item2ec256a6f4

Background on Mifare RFID technology

You will need MIFARE compatible rfid cards (tokens or labels as well).
Oyster uses mifare cards and is migrating from MIFARE Classic to MIFARE DESFire EV1.

MIFARE is the NXP Semiconductors-owned trademark of a series of chips widely used in contactless smart cards and proximity cards. According to the producers, billions of smart card chips and many millions of reader modules have been sold. The technology is owned by NXP Semiconductors (spin off from Philips Electronics in 2006) with headquarters in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and main business sites in Nijmegen, Netherlands, and Hamburg, Germany.

The MIFARE name covers proprietary technologies based upon various levels of the ISO/IEC 14443 Type A 13.56 MHz contactless smart card standard. For more information check out MIFARE page on wikipedia.

Good to read the rfid nfc page.
I learnt the internal workings of the mifare cards on mifare page on ladyada web site to be able to read and write to cards with ardiuno. So I strongly recommend you to visit this page

Project Progress

I bought the module but haven't had time to work on it till the first Not Just Arduinoe (NJA) group meeting. In the first NJA meeting I connected the moduke but coild not figure out the the pin layout of the mode as there was no marking. there was just a label J8 for the pin label. Serial port monitor in the Arduino IDE was also not showing any reading output. That was fixed by matching the module and serial monitor speed to 9600 .

Reference and usefull links

Source Code : http://www.rcubestation.com/drivers/rfidcardset_sample.zip
The reference PDF dcoument for RC522 chip : http://www.b2cqshop.com/best/RC522.pdf
rfid nfc : http://www.ladyada.net/products/rfidnfc/about.html
mifare : http://www.ladyada.net/wiki/tutorials/products/rfidnfc/mifare.html
Another rfid module site from far east : http://www.stronglink-rfid.com/en/rfid-modules.html