RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology has gained significant popularity in various industries due to its ability to track and identify objects using radio waves. One of the most commonly used RFID modules with Arduino is the RC522. This blog post will explore the functionalities of the Arduino RFID RC522 module and guide you on how to read and write RFID tags.

Introduction to Arduino RFID RC522

The RC522 module is a low-cost RFID reader/writer module that operates on 13.56MHz radio frequency. It is widely used in applications like access control systems, attendance systems, and inventory management.

The module consists of a tag antenna, a contactless smart card reader, and an integrated circuit (IC) that manages the communication between the reader and the tags. The RC522 module supports various types of RFID tags, including MIFARE Classic 1K, MIFARE Classic 4K, and MIFARE Ultralight.

Connecting the RC522 Module to Arduino

Before we begin reading and writing RFID tags, let's connect the RC522 module to Arduino. Here's a simple wiring diagram:

Ensure that the connections are made correctly to avoid any issues with communication between Arduino and the RC522 module.

Reading RFID Tags

Now that we have the RC522 module connected to our Arduino, let's start reading RFID tags. We will use the MFRC522 library, which provides easy-to-use functions for interacting with the RC522 module.

First, make sure you have the MFRC522 library installed in your Arduino IDE. Once that's done, let's write a simple program to read and display the UID (Unique Identifier) of the RFID tag:

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>

#define RST_PIN 9   // Reset pin
#define SS_PIN 10   // Slave select pin

MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);  // Create an instance of the MFRC522 class

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);   // Initialize serial communications
  SPI.begin();          // Initialize SPI bus
  mfrc522.PCD_Init();   // Initialize MFRC522
  Serial.println("Scan an RFID tag");
}

void loop() {
  // Check if a new RFID tag has been detected
  if (mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent() && mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
    // Read the UID of the tag
    String uid = "";
    for (byte i = 0; i < mfrc522.uid.size; i++) {
      uid += String(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i] < 0x10 ? "0" : "");
      uid += String(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
    }
    Serial.print("UID: ");
    Serial.println(uid);
    mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();  // Stop reading the current tag
  }
}

Upload the code to your Arduino, open the serial monitor, and bring an RFID tag close to the RC522 module. You should see the UID being displayed on the serial monitor.

Writing Data to RFID Tags

In addition to reading RFID tags, the RC522 module also allows you to write data to compatible RFID tags. This feature can be useful for applications like access control or storing user-specific information.

Let's modify our previous program to write a simple text to an RFID tag:

#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>

#define RST_PIN 9   // Reset pin
#define SS_PIN 10   // Slave select pin

MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);  // Create an instance of the MFRC522 class

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);   // Initialize serial communications
  SPI.begin();          // Initialize SPI bus
  mfrc522.PCD_Init();   // Initialize MFRC522
  Serial.println("Scan an RFID tag");
}

void loop() {
  // Check if a new RFID tag has been detected
  if (mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent() && mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
    // Write a text to the tag
    byte data[] = {'H', 'e', 'l', 'l', 'o', '!', '\0'};
    MFRC522::StatusCode status;
    status = mfrc522.MIFARE_Write(4, data, sizeof(data));
    if (status == MFRC522::STATUS_OK) {
      Serial.println("Data written successfully");
    } else {
      Serial.println("Error writing data");
    }
    mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();  // Stop reading the current tag
  }
}

Upload the modified code to your Arduino, and follow the same steps as before. When you bring an RFID tag close to the RC522 module, the program will write the text "Hello!" to the tag. You can then read the written data by accessing the corresponding sector of the tag.

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have learned how to use the Arduino RFID RC522 module to read and write RFID tags. RFID technology has endless possibilities for various applications, from security systems to inventory management. Understanding how to work with RFID modules opens the door to countless projects and opportunities. Start exploring and experimenting with RFID technology to elevate your Arduino projects to new levels!