Arduino and NFC

Taylor

You know, I hadn't really tested that. I'll let you know after I run it through some tests. I [i:12xo79s3]can [/i:12xo79s3]tell you that the sweet spot is right at the 'base' of the antenna i.e. the side of the loop closest to the IC.

Lokki

It's good to know someone is having a bit of luck! I'm stuck waiting on the postman again.

HoodedClaw

My elechouse reader (looks like the same red one Lokki has) came today, and I've just spent a couple of hours trying to get it to work.

Good news is it works with the supplied cards and arduino uno. I used the downloads from here

HTTPS://github.com/elechouse/PN532

Connected to I2C

Literally just got it reading so still need to understand it more but those files are worth a try.

Can't try it with anything else though...

Lokki

Haha! I'm an idiot - all my issues were caused by not installing the PN532 libraries as seperate libraries.
The libraries contained within the PN532 directory have to be copied seperately into the Arduino libraries directory (sometimes I am really really bad at reading instructions).

Small red elechouse clone card reader is now working via I2C!

itzdarkoutthere

@Lokki

Haha! I'm an idiot - all my issues were caused by not installing the PN532 libraries as seperate libraries.

Nice! How's it working with the ring?
Basically I just need to find a module/antenna that can read the ring reliably through a somewhat thin layer of ABS plastic. Since I'm making the enclosure with my 3d printer, I have flexibility in terms of thickness, but obviously, thicker is better to ensure it can take some abuse.

Lokki

Now that I've actually done the right thing with the libraries I've had a pay around with the example files and the reader works perfectly with the rings every time. The only one it has minor issues with is the Alpha with the slightly dodgy carbon fiber that John ended up replacing. That one needs to actually contact the top of the board before it will make a good read. Every other inlay reads within 15mm or so. It's worth noting that the elechouse board reads best from the top where all the SMD components are mounted so any covering layer will need to be thin to get a good read.

Lokki

Yeah, now that it's working and I'm happy with it again it seems to be a really solid little unit. I'm not sure if you noticed, but the Arduino Uno next to it is actually a microduino unit. I'm going to see if I can set it all up as minimalistically as possible with just the reader, microduino core and a latching relay or two for the car engine start. If that works out well I'll see about adding a second reader for the driver's door!
It wont work as nicely in my skyline as it will eventually in my dodge because of the steering lock though. Has anyone ever seen an aftermarket electric fail-open latch that would work in a steering column?

itzdarkoutthere

Nice, thanks! I doubt I will go any thicker than 2mm, so seems like I would be good with that one. I have a SainSmart and SeeedStudio module that should be here Thursday. I really like the form-factor of that one though.

Lokki

Shield number two:
RC522, from ebay. Currently working with mifare cards only - I haven't been able to find much online at all for these, certainly not as much as for the other reader/writer.

A pic with the Elechouse module for size/layout comparison.

itzdarkoutthere

I've seen a few of these modules based on the MFRC522 around, haven't seen any that said they support NTAG.
I should have taken one last look at your list before I ordered. One of the modules I ordered is nearly identical. [url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E37T2F0/ref=oh_details_o00_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1:2aw9qudf]SainSmart RC522[/url:2aw9qudf]

btw, I have 3 of these itead pn532 modules that I can't seem to get working with my ring. If you're interested, I wouldn't mind sending one your way to play around with.

Lokki

Yup, same device with a different colour eh. I hadn't found any reference to 'em being capable with the ntag203 but I figured I'd give it a shot and see what happened.
It's interesting, the rings don't even trip the reader off at all, so I guess the chip simply doesn't support them. I did see something regarding firmware higher than 1.6 for ntag203 but closed the page out of reflex and can't seem to find it again.

You... like the itead colours or something mate? I certainly won't knock back the offer, thanks.

Lokki

Ah, yes. That'll happen hey! The best laid plans of mice and men...
I'm well practiced at that one!
So outta curiousity, which units have you ended up going with for the plans? I have to say I'm likely to get more of the Elechouse/clone whatsis NFC module v3. I'm thinking 2 for the house and 2 for the car to start with. And maybe an extra one for the 2-way radio.
I'm going to have to think of more things than need NFC.

itzdarkoutthere

@Lokki

Yup, same device with a different colour eh. I hadn't found any reference to 'em being capable with the ntag203 but I figured I'd give it a shot and see what happened.

I had big plans and didn't consider incompatibility when I ordered them all those months ago. :mrgreen:

itzdarkoutthere

My rc522 is working with the ring. It practically has to touch the board to read it, but it does work!
[url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5f9BUaIGPfgV3ZSX2tURjdKTFk/edit?usp=sharing:sre0fxji]Video[/url:sre0fxji]
[url=http://www.sainsmart.com/sainsmart-mifare-rc522-card-read-antenna-rf-rfid-reader-ic-card-proximity-module.html:sre0fxji]module[/url:sre0fxji]
[url=https://github.com/miguelbalboa/rfid:sre0fxji]lib[/url:sre0fxji]

I've got a few of the Elechouse modules on the way. Definitely needs some more ideas for NFC! Unlock computer via NFC?

itzdarkoutthere

And I am more of a programmer! I would have tested the seeed nfc shield already, but i soldered one of the headers on in the wrong direction :P Now I get to practice desoldering, hopefully the shield will survive.

Lokki

Wahey! Nice one. I'll try out that library on mine and see if it does anything differently!

Pretty much anything that you can trigger with a high/low or talk to via serial should work eh, as long as you're up to the task of coding for it! (I hate that part, I'm more a hardware guy)

Lokki

lol, damn man. Desoldering from those boards really sucks at times. Just don't get it too hot ;-)

itzdarkoutthere

@Lokki

lol, damn man. Desoldering from those boards really sucks at times. Just don't get it too hot ;-)

How did you end up getting that lib for the elechouse working? This shield has pretty much the same one. I put all 4 pn532 folders and the ndef folder in the arduino libraries folder.


In file included from iso14443a_uid&#46;pde&#58;16&#58;
C&#58;\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\libraries\PN532_SPI/PN532_SPI&#46;h&#58;6&#58;28&#58; error&#58; PN532Interface&#46;h&#58; No such file or directory
In file included from iso14443a_uid&#46;pde&#58;16&#58;
C&#58;\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\libraries\PN532_SPI/PN532_SPI&#46;h&#58;8&#58; error&#58; expected class-name before '{' token
iso14443a_uid&#58;20&#58; error&#58; no matching function for call to 'PN532&#58;&#58;PN532(PN532_SPI&amp;)'
C&#58;\Users\Mike\Documents\Arduino\libraries\PN532_SPI/PN532&#46;h&#58;61&#58; note&#58; candidates are&#58; PN532&#58;&#58;PN532(uint8_t)
C&#58;\Users\Mike\Documents\Arduino\libraries\PN532_SPI/PN532&#46;h&#58;59&#58; note&#58;                 PN532&#58;&#58;PN532(const PN532&amp;)
iso14443a_uid&#46;pde&#58; In function 'void setup()'&#58;
iso14443a_uid&#58;42&#58; error&#58; 'class PN532' has no member named 'setPassiveActivationRetries'
iso14443a_uid&#46;pde&#58; In function 'void loop()'&#58;
iso14443a_uid&#58;58&#58; error&#58; no matching function for call to 'PN532&#58;&#58;readPassiveTargetID(int, uint8_t*, uint8_t*)'
C&#58;\Users\Mike\Documents\Arduino\libraries\PN532_SPI/PN532&#46;h&#58;65&#58; note&#58; candidates are&#58; uint32_t PN532&#58;&#58;readPassiveTargetID(uint8_t)

Lokki

Yeah that's one of the errors I was getting before I sorted it out - you've put each one seperately in there along with the ndef folder and whatever other libraries you have installed, then you've restarted the arduino program?

Lokki

Well, whaddayaknow... the RC522 unit did a full dump from the Alpha ring using that library you found.
The one I had was a branch from that and must have been doing something odd.

It wont work with my normal ring, and it refuses to play nice with the old-style carbon fiber, but it does read that one alpha inlay, and does a full content dump.