Weather proof, Bluetooth capable RFID reader

This instructable connects the popular BlueSmirf Bluetooth module to the ID12 RFID reader and shows how to make a dust and water resistant (IP55) RFID reader that sends IDs to your PC or mobile phone over Bluetooth radio without an additional micro controller and without an external power source. Created as a prototype for an online swim lap counter system named Rfish, it can be used for any project in need of a self contained, weather proof RFID reader.

Material

• ID12 RFID reader
• ID12 breakout board
• 125kHz RFID Tag
• USB to serial adapter
• BlueSmirf Gold Bluetooth module
• Right angle break away headers
• Jumper wires premium F/F
• Ensto junction box IP55
• 3 1.5V AA batteries
• Battery holder with button connectors
• Battery wire with button connectors
• 2 short pieces of wire
• Solder
• Tape

Tools

• Cutter
• Soldering iron
• Helping hands

Step 1 Solder headers to the BlueSmirf Bluetooth module

Comments

[LIMAMIN]

Hi,
Is it possible to do the same thing with a wifi module instead of Bluetooth?
Thanks.

[tamberg]

LIMAMIN, that could work. There should be Wifi modules supporting serial communication (UART). However the setup would probably be different and the system might require more power. Also, I'm not sure if there's any interference between RFID and Wifi, but probably not. Cheers, tamberg

[acti]

The download link for Serial.zip is broken
... http://rfish.net/download/Serial.zip
it says "Forbidden" (error code 403)

[tamberg]

Fixed, thanks.

[jeffjeffwong]

Did you write the software yourself?

[tamberg]

Hi jeffjeffwong,

yes, I did. That said, there's very little software included here. For a real application you'd probably need some extra code.

Cheers,
tamberg

[sghantous]

I would like to know if this RFID reader has been tested on and whether it is known to work with a Mac?
Cheers,
Stephen in Montréal

[tamberg]

Hi sghantous, the reader communicates via Bluetooth and should work with a Mac, but I never actually tested it. The .NET test program probably needs Mono and some additional tweaking to run on a Mac. Cheers, tamberg

[joll]

I made your project with the ID 20 indtead of the soecified ID 12 (hoping to get additional range).
Everything seems to be made correctly, yet it doesnt read the tags.
Would the ID 20 be the problem??

Regards out of N Zld

[tamberg]

Hi joll,

the main difference between ID-12 and ID-20 (according to http://www.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/ID-12-Datasheet.pdf) seems to be the power requirement. The ID-12 requires 5 VDC @ *30*mA, the ID-20 requires 5 VDC @ *65*mA nominal. While the ID-12 works fine with only 4.5 VDC, this might be too low for the ID-20. If you got a 5V power source you could probably use it instead of the 3 AA batteries. But still, the pin layout is the same on both readers, so I do not really understand either, why the reader doesn't work at all. Can you check the wiring again and make sure you use a EM 4001 or compatible RFID (125kHz)?

Cheers, tamberg

[cowen]

I work with several groups that talk about ID Theft and since I am on the top of technology I want to show and help people understand the dangers.

Some of the questions I have need to be moved to a less public forum can you email me at [e-mail].

Thank you

[tamberg]

Hi, if you're at the top of RFID technology, you probably know a lot more about the related security issues than I do. If your questions concern this project, feel free to pose them here, so other makers can profit, too. Cheers, tamberg

[cowen]

The problem is the lack of security at every level of RFID that is in use. Credit Cards and Passports and lots of other options.

A laptop, an antenna, and some software to log the data, a brief case. All that is needed is a place to walk around and pick pocket people. An Airport is a good place to start.

This all can be done for a few hundred unless you already own a laptop the price drops, most things can be built or bought off ebay cheap the software can be found free and anyone can get a suit case or similar bag cheap.

I would like to know where you picked up your parts and how much. That is the main part of what I want to display to victims is how little it costs and how easy it is to get the designs to do this.

[RanaD]

hello again ,
i am asking if you simulated this .. i mean is there any software  simulation to simulate this if there is no way to execute it in real .. ?

thanks alot

[tamberg]

Hi RanaD, simulate what? Could you explain in more detail what you are trying to do? Cheers, tamberg

[RanaD]

hello ,
in my graduate project i need to attach the bluetooth module to the RFID reader ( as you did physically by wires ) .. but it's not available to us to buy this components .. so ,  i wonder if there is a simulation contains the RFID package and how to communicate with Bmodule .. to simulate it rather than perform it in real because it's impossible ,, :(

is it clear ?
thanx ..

[tamberg]

To build this project you need the hardware listed above or at least something similar. And while you could look for an electronic circuit simulator, it probably won't contain the modules used in this project. Cheers, tamberg

[RanaD]

hello ,
i saw ur video .. but they are connected physically , so i'm asking is there is any programming have been done so , they can " talk " to each other ?

thanks

[tamberg]

Hi RanaD, if "they" means the bluetooth modem and the rfid reader, there has been no programming to make them talk. Just follow the steps and they'll understand each other. Cheers, tamberg

[RanaD]

Yes i mean bluetooth Module and RFID Reader , Module Or  Modem still the same meaning .. right ?

[tamberg]

Exactly, it's a modem module. Sort of.

[accno1]

I saw your bluetooth, but I need a reader that reads 125kh and has a display....any suggestions.  We a re a nono profit working with sea turtles, and a percentage are tagged with a RFID

[rfidem]

You can also find RFID Readers at www.rfidreaderinfo.com ...I have found this website to be very helpful!

[tamberg]

Hi, there is a very cheap DIY 125 KHz module here, but I doubt it's suited for animal RFID reading. There's also a ruggedized Windows CE RFID reading PDA, but they don't specify the frequencies and it's probably very expensive.

Maybe it's best to look for RFID livestock identification to find something more suitable for animal scanning like http://biomark.com/ or http://www.allflexusa.com/eid/readers.php

Regards,
tamberg

[trc202]

How long do the batteries typically last before they need to be recharged?

[tamberg]

Hi trc202, it's been some time since I used this, but if I remember correctly the batteries last around five hours.

Regards,
tamberg

[emparedado]

I have tried to configure it with a regular usb-serial cable adapter: 

It doesnt works, works only with ftdi usb-serial adapter. Its confirmed in the description of  bluesmirf module in sparkfun website. TTL type only.

Thanks Tamberg, my device is working fine.

[emparedado]

 Hello friends:

Can I use a prolific Usb to serial cable for configure the BT modem?
it works?

Thanks! 

[tamberg]

Hi, don't know this particular cable but USB to serial sounds good.

Regards,
tamberg

[emparedado]

Thanks. 

I will try when the parts arrive to me.

Greetings from Chile.

[landonhm85]

Hey Tamberg, Great article, I'm just beginning to learn about RFID for a project I am working on and this is going to help a ton. I wonder if you know if I could use a similar application to build an RFID reader for a door that is wirelessly re programmable over Bluetooth. For instance, I would like to reprogram the RFID reader over Bluetooth to "admit" specific RFID tags that I send to the reader over Bluetooth and be able to remove old RFID tag's access over Bluetooth as well. Thanks again! landonhm85

[tamberg]

Hi landonhm85, in the current setup Bluetooth merely replaces the cable between the reader and a PC (or mobile phone). There is no application logic in the box itself. So, as long as your system includes a PC to check and manage IDs it could work. To really save admitted IDs on the reader or "in the box" you'd probably need an additional microcontroller (e.g. an Arduino) and some flash storage. Regards, tamberg

[landonhm85]

Perfect, I didn't even know anything as easy to work with as an Arduino existed! Thanks again tamberg, you've saved me from a lot of unnecessary work.

[Cojocariu Lucian-Nicolae]

Hi Tamberg Nice idea, but I ask you if is possible to connect an other 125 kHz RFID reader

[tamberg]

Hi Cojocariu Lucian-Nicolae, it should be possible to connect another reader but the wiring might differ depending on the reader. I also wired the Parallax reader to a BlueSmirf in another setup. Regards, tamberg

[frollard]

I'll give this 83% that this one hits hackaday! Great project...I wish I had a use for one...covert rfid - purse/wallet scanner?

[tamberg]

Thanks, tamberg

[alanat30]

I am trying this project. How do I test if the RFID reader is working? I connected the bluesmirf properly, cause I see the green light. But the RFID receiver doesn't seem to be sending the data to the bluesmirf. How do I test this?

[tamberg]

Hi alanat30, Thanks for giving it a try. If the BlueSmirf light is green you probably already connected to a PC via Bluetooth (see step 7). Hence, Serial.exe should display the COM port number. If this is the case, check if your batteries are fully loaded (or new) and make sure the RFID tag almost touches the reader on the opposite side of the breakout board, as the range might be very short. Regards, tamberg

[mikeerne2006]

So does the Bluetooth extend the RFID reader? Does the bluetooth extend the range of the RFID reader? Thank you, and way cool device! -mike