Introduction: MFRC522 RFID Reader Interfaced With NodeMCU

By www.instructables.com/member/cod
About: " Work until you no longer have to introduce yourself " Show some love on Instagram @makers_bee & Motivate me on YouTube @MakersBee

Hello Makers,

I'm back with another Instructable.

Did you ever wonder what is an RFID or how does it work?

If you have noticed in an office before, you would be probably aware of those RFID cards or Tags that would unlock specific doors depending on your access.
Well let’s make a simple NodeMCU RFID reader using the MFRC522 module, and program the NodeMCU to provide access when the right card is detected. This simple example will read the serial number on the Card or Tag, display it in the serial monitor.

Step 1: Materials Required

Here is the list of components required to get started with the Instructable,

Hardware Components

  • NodeMCU
  • MFRC522 RFID Reader
  • RFID Tags ( 13.56 MHz )
  • Bread Board
  • Jumper Wires
  • Micro USB Cable

Software Components

  • Arduino IDE

Step 2: Description

What's RFID?

Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) is the use of radio waves to read and capture information stored on a tag attached to an object. A tag can be read from up to several feet away and does not need to be within direct line-of-sight of the reader to be tracked. This is the advantage over Bar-code.

> A RFID reader is a device used to gather information from an RFID tag, which is used to track individual objects. Radio waves are used to transfer data from the tag to a reader.

> A passive tag is an RFID tag that does not contain a battery, the power is supplied by the reader. When radio waves from the reader are encountered by a passive rfid tag, the coiled antenna within the tag forms a magnetic field. The tag draws power from it, energizing the circuits in the tag.

Specifications

  1. Input voltage: 3.3v
  2. Frequency: 13.56MHz

That's all guys lets get into Connections & Coding part.

Step 3: Pin Wiring

Check the schematic and pin configuration to make connections.

Caution: You must power this device to 3.3V!

Step 4: Library Download

Before you download library you need Arduino IDE to get started.

To download Arduino IDE and for NodeMCU setup, you can check my previous instructacle.

Interface Servo Motor with NodeMCU

Here’s the library you need for this project:

  1. Download the RFID library here created by miguelbalboa.
  2. Unzip the RFID library.
  3. Install the RFID library in your Arduino IDE.
  4. Restart your Arduino IDE

Step 5: Reading Data From a RFID Tag

After having the circuit ready

Go to File > Examples > MFRC522 > DumpInfo > Upload the code.

This code will be available in your Arduino IDE (after installing the RFID library).

Then, open the serial monitor. You should see something like the image above.

Write down your UID card ( " Card UID : xx xx xx xx " ) because you’ll need it later.

The next step is to write some code to play with RFID cards.
Download the "RFID_Access.ino" file and open it up in the Arduino IDE.

Then Create a new sketch and paste the code below in the arduino IDE and hit Upload.

You can tinker with it if you like based on the application, or just use it as it is.

Attachments

Step 6: Demonstration

Swipe the card you’ve chosen to give access and you’ll see an access message popup on serial monitor.

If you swipe another tag with another UID, the denial message will pop up.

That's all makers!

I hope you found this instructable most useful.

You can contact me by leaving a comment. If you like this instructable probably you might like my next ones.