iPhone RFID Reader

The idea behind this project is to see what the iPhone's serial is capable of and to try and have a
little fun with RFID along the way. This reader works with the low frequency (125Khz) tags but I have
a half working version for MiFARE Hi-Frequency as well.

This was built as part of an up and coming project from The Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis at University College London.



This instructable assume knowledge of compiling iPhone custom software (in C++) , basic soldering and electronics.

For this project you will need:

1. An iPhone USB Cable (genuine one is best and probably at least 3!)
2. A JAILBROKEN iPhone!
3. An ID-12 RFID Reader
4. An ID-12 Breakout Board
5. A Logic Level Converter
6. It's useful to have some IC Sockets for Soldering
7. Glass Tags if you want extra fun or any
   125Khz Tags
8. If you don't like the idea of taking iPhone Cables apart, use an iPhone Breakout Board
9. A Battery Pack with a 5V step up
10. Wire.
11. Some kind of switch.
12. A box to put it all in.

I should point out that I don't work for Sparkfun.

Step 1 Wire the ID-12

The first stage is the wiring of the ID-12. You should attach it to the breakout board then attach a series of IC Sockets to the board so you can easily add and remove your wires later on. Wiring up the ID-12 is quite easy. This particular unit does need to be set to ASCII  output however. To do this you need to solder:
 

• A Red wire from 5V (11) to /RST (2)
• A Black wire from FS (7) to GND (1)

This sets up the ID-12 into ASCII mode. From here we need simply need to solder in the Ground, 5V power and TX Lines

• VCC to 5V (Pin 11)
• GND to GND (Pin 1)
• RX-I to D0 (Pin 9)

If this is confusing, there is an excellent write-up Here

Comments

[sghantous]

First, I'd like to thank you for sharing this project.
Second, may I ask what the putty is there for and exactly how everything is connected? Would you mind posting more photos? Like perhaps an one of the complete project.
Thanks again :-)

[sghantous]

Hello,

I would like to know whether this would work with the iPad.

Cheers,
Stephen in Montréal

[TheParadox]

Very cool! The iPhone is basically a unix device in your pocket.