How To Make An RFID Card Reader Without Using An Arduino

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RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification; a term that refers to technologies that use radio frequencies to identify objects. RFID has been used in a number of practical applications in many industries, such as improving supply chain management, tracking household pets, accessing office buildings, and speeding up toll collection on roadways. Being so useful & productive they do have a couple of shortcomings, such as not being cost-effective to buy & repair due to the complex nature of the embedded MCU (microcontroller units) in RFID receivers. So in this project, we are going to go over a step-by-step procedure on ‘How to make an RFID Card Reader Without Using An Arduino’ or any other kind of microcontroller.

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What is an RFID Card Reader?

A radio frequency identification reader (RFID reader) is a device used to gather information from an RFID tag, which is used to track individual objects. Basically, It is a device that can transmit and receive radio waves in order to communicate with RFID tags. RFID readers are typically divided into two distinct types – Fixed RFID Readers and Mobile RFID Readers. Fixed readers stay in one location and are typically mounted on walls, desks, portals, or other stationary locations. Mobile RFID readers are handheld devices that allow for flexibility when reading RFID tags while still being able to communicate with a host computer or smart device.

Hardware Components

The following components are required to make RFID Card Reader Project

S.no	Component	Value	Qty
1.	Comparator IC	LM324	1
2.	NPN Transistor	BC494, 2N2222	2
3.	Buzzer	3.5V	1
4.	Variable Capacitor	33pF	1
5.	Enameled Copper Wire	25/16 gauge	3 meters
6.	Push button	–	1
7.	Diodes	1N4148	1
8.	LED	5mm	1
9.	Capacitor	10pF, 82pF, 27pF, 100uF	6
10.	Resistors	82K, 1K, 2.2M, 100K	5
11.	Soldering Iron	45W – 65W	1
12.	Soldering Wire with Flux	–	1
13.	Veroboard	–	2
14.	DC Battery with clip	9V	1
15.	Coin Cell	3V	1
16.	Jumper wires	–	as per need

LM324 Pinout

For a detailed description of pinout, dimension features, and specifications download the datasheet of LM324

Useful Steps

RFID Transmitter

1) Solder the BF494 Transistor on the Vero board & solder an 82 K ohm resistor to the base of the transistor.

2) Solder the 10pF & 82pF capacitor parallel to the 82KOhm resistor.

3) Solder the 1K resistor in series to the 82pF capacitor.

4) Coil the 25 gauge copper wire till 6 turns & solder one end with the collector of the transistor & other with the 27pF capacitor.

5) Solder the pushbutton & the coin cell on the Veroboard.

RFID Receiver

1) Solder the LM324 Comparator IC on the Veroboard. after that, solder a 100uF capacitor between pin 4 (+ve) & 11 (-ve) of the IC.

2) Connect 2.2M Ohm resistance between pins 1 & 2 of the IC. After that attach a 100K resistor between pin 2 & pin 3 of the IC.

3) Solder a 33pF variable capacitor between pins 2 & 3 of the IC & a 10pF capacitor in series to the variable cap.

4) Connect the +ve pin of the LED on pin 1 of the IC. Connect the base of the 2n2222 transistor to the -ve terminal of the LED with a 1K resistor.

5) Connect the -ve terminal of the 5V buzzer to the collector of the transistor & connect the +ve terminal to the +ve of the 1N4148 Zener diode.

6) Connect a coil of 25 gauge copper wire between the 10pF capacitor & the emitter of the transistor.

7) Connect the +ve of the battery to pin 4 of the IC & -ve to pin 11.

8) Power up & test the circuit

Working Explanation

The working of this circuit is very simple, on pressing the pushbutton of the transmitter the 1H copper coil inductor begins to generate its electromagnetic field. When the RFID receiver is brought into close contact with the transmitter, the 1H copper coil inductor generates an output due to mutual inductance between the 2 coils.

The output of the receiver coil is then fed to the 2 comparator inputs of the LM324 IC. The resultant output signal serves as a control signal to the base of the 2N2222 transistor which triggers the buzzer.