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Introduction

Info

Please note that this hookup guide is for our latest version of the USB RFID Reader. The overall functionality our new board is the same as its predecessor; however, this latest revision requires a different USB driver and features a new USB-C connector.

If you have original USB RFID Reader with the USB mini-B connector, please refer to thi hookup guide.

Warning

While most of the ID-innovations read-only Tiny modules, will have an internal antenna; any of the ID-3XX modules will likely require an external antenna to function. Users should consult with the module's datasheet, when purchasing.

The SparkFun RFID USB-C Reader is a simple to use, USB-to-serial breakout board for the ID-Innovations Tiny, non-write, RFID modules (excluding the Mifare readers, marked with an MF). This board features a USB-C connector with a CH340C USB-to-serial chip; and comes with an LED and buzzer to indicate card reads, which can be disabled if necessary.

In this guide we'll cover how to utilize the USB-C RFID Reader with a ID-Innovations RFID RFID module. To follow along with this tutorial you'll only need the following items:

Hardware Overview

Design Files

  • Design Files

  • Design updates
    Major changes between the original USB RFID Reader (left) and new USB-C RFID Reader (right).

    • USB Connector
      We have updated the USB mini-B connector to the more prevalent USB-C connector.
    • USB-to-Serial Converter
      We have transitioned to a most cost-effective the USB-to-serial converter, the CH340C from WCH.
    • PTH Breakout Pins
      The PTH pins have been relocated and now feature silkscreen labels.

    Download the *.step File

    Manipulate 3D Model

    Controls Mouse Touchscreen
    Zoom Scroll Wheel 2-Finger Pinch
    Rotate Left-Click & Drag 1-Finger Drag
    Move/Translate Right-Click & Drag 2-Finger Drag

    Board Dimensions
    Dimensions of the USB-C RFID Reader.

    Need more measurements?

    For more information about the board's dimensions, users can download the KiCad files for this board. These files can be opened in KiCad and additional measurements can be made with the measuring tool.

    KiCad - Free Download!

    KiCad is free, open-source CAD program for electronics. Click on the button below to download their software. (*Users can find out more information about KiCad from their website.)

    Download

    📏 Measuring Tool

    This video demonstrates how to utilize the dimensions tool in KiCad, to include additional measurements:

    QR code to play video

Board Layout

The USB-C RFID Reader has the following features:

Layout

Layout of the major components on the USB-C RFID Reader.

  1. USB-C Connector
    The primary interface for the USB-C RFID Reader. It provides power to the RFID module and reads any serial data output, through a CH340C converter.
  2. PTH Breakout Pins
    Two sets of 0.1" pitch PTH pins that breakout the primary connections to the RFID module.
  3. Female Headers
    Two sets of 2mm pitch, female headers that are compatible with the ID-Innovations Tiny, non-write, RFID modules (excluding the Mifare readers, marked with an MF).
  4. Buzzer
    An audio indicator for card reads.
  5. READ LED
    A green status indication LED for card reads.
  6. CH340C USB-to-Serial Converter
    The CH340C converts the serial output from the RFID module for the USB interface.

Breakout Pins

The primary function of the USB-C RFID Reader is to flip the pin connections between its headers, on the top and bottom of the board.

Flipped pins

Pin connections between the top and bottom of the USB-C RFID Reader.

  • IN_RANGE
    This pin is toggled when an RFID tag is in range.
  • PRESENT
    This output is only used when the output data format is set to Magnetic Emulation.
  • GND
    The common ground or the 0V reference for the voltage supplies.
  • VUSB
    The voltage from the USB-C connector, usually 5V.
  • TX
    Connected to the TX pin of the CH340C
  • RST
    Connected to the RES (reset) pin of the RFID module. By default, this is pin is pulled high by the VUSB pin.
  • LED
    This pin is activated when a tag is read and triggers the READ LED and buzzer on the board.
  • DATA0/DATA1
    The behavior of these pins vary, depending on the output data format that is chosen.
  • ANT2/ANT1
    These pins are utilized for an external antennal. This is likely to be necessary for any of the ID-3XX modules. Users should consult with their module's datasheet.

Jumpers

There are five jumpers on the back of the board that can be used to easily modify the hardware connections on the board.

Jumpers

The jumpers on the top of the USB-C RFID Reader.

Never modified a jumper before?

Check out our Jumper Pads and PCB Traces tutorial for a quick introduction!

SHLD
This jumper can be cut to disconnect the shielding of the USB-C connector from the GND plane of the board
BUZZ
This jumper can be cut to remove power from the buzzer.
READ
This jumper can be cut to remove power from the green READ LED.
MD1/MD2

These jumpers can be modified to control the format of the RFID module's data output between ASCII, Magnet Emulation, or Wiegand26. By default, the jumpers are set for the ASCII data format.

Data Format MD1 MD2
ASCII Open Open
Magnet Emulation Open Closed
Wiegand26 Closed Open

Info

The CH340C can only interpret data in the ASCII format. An external microcontroller or device should be utilized when another data format is chosen.

Hardware Assembly

RFID Module

User will need to attach a compatible ID-Innovations Tiny, non-write, RFID module (excluding the Mifare readers, marked with an MF) to the USB-C RFID Reader.

Attach RFID Reader

Attaching an ID-12LA module to the USB-C RFID Reader.

Warning

While most of the ID-innovations read-only Tiny modules, will have an internal antenna; any of the ID-3XX modules will likely require an external antenna to function. Users should consult with the module's datasheet, when purchasing.

USB-C Cable

Once an RFID module has been attached, connect the USB-C RFID Reader to your computer with a USB cable to read a compatible RFID tag.

USB cable

Connect the USB-C RFID Reader to a computer, in order to read an RFID tag.

Software Overview

USB Driver

Users will need to install a USB driver for the CH340C serial-to-USB chip, in order to communicate with the RFID module. The latest USB drivers for the CH340C are available from the manufacturer, on the WCH website:

Need Directions?

For users having trouble installing the CH340 USB driver, check out our video and hookup guide:

Terminal Emulator

In order to read the ASCII data output from an RFID module, for when a RFID tag is read, users will need to install a serial terminal emulator on their computer.

  • Windows

    For Windows computers, we highly recommend TeraTerm.

  • Linux

    Some Linux operating systems may already have the screen terminal emulator preinstalled.

Need Directions?

Check out our hookup guide to install your favorite terminal emulator:

Read an RFID Tag

To display the ASCII data output properly, users will need to connect to the COM port of the USB-C RFID Reader and configure the port settings to 9600bps 8-N-1. Once configured properly, users can scan compatible RFID tags and their unique ID will be displayed in the terminal emulator.

Reading an RFID tag

Scan an RFID tag with the USB-C RFID Reader.

Tag ID displayed in terminal

The unique ID of RFID tags being displayed in the terminal emulator.

Resources

Product Resources

SparkFun logo Additional Resources

🏭 Manufacturer's Resources

ID-Innovations also provides some resources for their Tiny, non-write, RFID modules:

Troubleshooting Tips

Need Help?

If you need technical assistance or more information on a product that is not working as you expected, we recommend heading over to the SparkFun Technical Assistance page for some initial troubleshooting.

SparkFun Technical Assistance Page

If you can't find what you need there, the SparkFun Forums is a great place to search product forums and ask questions.

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If this is your first visit to our forum, you'll need to create a Forum Account to post questions.

QR code to the hookup guide