RFID Reader EM18
Introduction
Radio frequency Identification (RFID) is a wireless identification
technology that uses radio waves to identify the presence of RFID
tags.
Just like Bar code reader, RFID technology is used for identification
of people, object etc. presence.
In barcode technology, we need to optically scan the barcode by
keeping it in front of reader, whereas in RFID technology we just
need to bring RFID tags in range of readers. Also, barcodes can get
damaged or unreadable, which is not in the case for most of the
RFID.
RFID is used in many applications like attendance system in which
every person will have their separate RFID tag which will help
identify person and their attendance.
RFID is used in many companies to provide access to their
authorized employees.
It is also helpful to keep track of goods and in automated toll
collection system on highway by embedding Tag (having unique ID)
on them.
RFID based system has two basic elements
1. RFID Tag:
RFID tag includes microchip with radio antenna mounted on substrate
which carries 12 Byte unique Identification number.
RFID Tag Inside
RFID Tag
2. RFID Reader:
It is used to read unique ID from RFID tags. Whenever RFID tags comes in
range, RFID reader reads its unique ID and transmits it serially to the
microcontroller or PC. RFID reader has transceiver and an antenna
mounted on it. It is mostly fixed in stationary position.
EM18 RFID Reader Module
VCC: 4.5- 5V DC voltage input
GND: Ground pin
Buzzer: Buzzer or LED pin
TX: Serial data Transmitter pin of EM18 for RS232 (Output)
SEL: This must be HIGH for using RS232 (LOW if using WEIGAND)
Data 0: WEIGAND data 0
Data 1: WEIGAND data 1
Basically, RFID systems categorised as active and passive based on how
they are powered and their range.
1. Active RFID system
Active RFID tags have their own transmitter and power source (Mostly
battery operated). They operate at 455 MHz, 2.45 GHz, or 5.8 GHz, and
they typically have a read range of 60 feet to 300 feet (20 meters to 100
meters).
2. Passive RFID system
Passive RFID tags do not have a transmitter, they simply reflect energy
(radio waves) back coming from the RFID reader antenna. They operate in
Low frequency (~125 KHz) as well as High frequency (~13 MHz) band and
have limited read range of up to ~1m.
There are two modes of coupling for communication used in RFID as,
Inductive coupling, in which RFID reader emits magnetic field and
whenever RFID tags enters the magnetic field which creates energy
response from RFID tags and is detected by RFID reader. As the magnetic
field drops sharply with distance, it is used for short distance applications.
Capacitive coupling, where reader emits electromagnetic waves and
whenever that waves encounters RFID tags, RFID tag reflects signal
containing information of ID.
How RFID system works?
RFID Reader has transceiver which generates a radio signal and transmits
it through antenna. This signal itself is in the form of energy which is used
to activate and power the tag.
When RFID tag comes in range of signal transmitted by the reader,
transponder in the tag is hit by this signal. A tag draws power from the
electromagnetic field created by reader. Then, the transponder converts
that radio signal into the usable power. After getting power, transponder
sends all the information it has stored in it, such as unique ID to the RFID
reader in the form of RF signal. Then, RFID reader puts this unique ID data
in the form of byte on serial Tx (transmit) pin. This data can be used or
accessed by PC or microcontroller serially using UART communication.
There are various RFID readers available according to their frequency are
shown as follows,
Frequenc Different
Range Applications
y modules
120-150 EM-18, ILA-12, Factory data collection, identifying
5-20 cm
kHz etc. animals etc.
10 cm – MFRC522,
13.56 MHz Smart cards
1m SM130
EM18 RFID Reader
EM18 is a RFID reader which is used to read RFID tags of frequency 125
kHz.
After reading tags, it transmits unique ID serially to the PC or
microcontroller using UART communication or Wiegand format on
respective pins.
EM18 RFID reader reads the data from RFID tags which contains stored ID
which is of 12 bytes.
EM18 RFID reader doesn’t require line-of-sight. Also, it has identification
range which is short i.e. in few centimetres.
RFID reader EM-18 features:
1. Serial RS232/TTL output
2. Operating Frequency is 125KHz.
3. Range is 5-8 cm.
RFID Reader to PC/Laptop communication
We can see RFID reader output on serial terminal of PC/Laptop.
RFID Serial Interface
When we bring RFID tag near to the reader, it reads the data from the tag
and immediately transmits 12-byte unique ID on the serial port.
12 Byte Unique Identification Number
RFID Tags contain 12 Byte unique ID.
1st 10-Byte Last 2-
Data Byte
Tag no. Checksum
These checksum bytes will be the XOR result of 1st 10 bytes, i.e. Tag no.
