Physical Computing Final project
2. Testing Technology
Researching Technology
Because I want to explore is the system would be possible to develop, I started testing using multiple RFID readers. I bought the RC522 RFID which is the one that I saw with more documentation and us online. According to online tutorials, this reader lets you connect multiple readers in the same system and can read a card in a 4 to 5 cm distance. But soon in the process, I started having problems with the capacity of the readers.
First testing of RC522
I connected one reader and could read and RFIC Card through differents materials (like wood, and acrylic). The quality of the reading depends on the position of the tag in relation to the reader. The strongest point of reading ar in the front and back; the weakness areas are the sides. Basically, it could not get the signal from the tag from the top of the reader. Also, stoking different tags in the same reader could confuse the system and not read any tag. If I have connected a reader for a long period of time, could become unstable too.
Although in my understanding the Readers are working. I did not figure out how to use multiples readers. To try to run two readers I use a code example found online, and one example from the library and I wasn’t able to run it consistently. I went to an ITP resident but between both of us, we cannot figure it out why is so unreliable.
For these tests, I use Arduino NANO 33 IOT and an old Arduino MEGA 2560.
Possible problems
Looking on the internet I found a video that explains that the RFID RC522 works in a 3 volts logic and the Arduino UNO works in a 5 volts logic. What I understand is that the logic that goes through the pins could be 5 volts and not 3. Although, I am not sure which voltage runs the logic of the Arduino NANO.
For this test, I bought a Logic Level Converter to see if the problems that I am having with the readers are related to the Logic Level.
Next Step
- Test Logic Level Converter with the readers. (UPDATE: Already tested and still having problems with the readings.)
- Consider possible iterations to the design and interactions.
[ Update Nov 6 ]
One RFID is connected to P5.js to SerialControl.
Code for Testing: https://editor.p5js.org/themis/sketches/qQAh4nvyF
