Comments: Simultaneous RFID Tag Reader Hookup Guide

When I run Example2_Read_EPC, following pop up:

C:\Users\mchow\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SparkFun_Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader_Library\src\SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.cpp: In member function 'uint8_t RFID::writeTagEPC(char*, uint8_t, uint16_t)':

C:\Users\mchow\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SparkFun_Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader_Library\src\SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.cpp:277:63: error: invalid conversion from 'char' to 'uint8_t {aka unsigned char*}' [-fpermissive]

return (writeData(bank, address, newID, newIDLength, timeOut));

                                                           ^

In file included from C:\Users\mchow\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SparkFun_Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader_Library\src\SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.cpp:42:0:

C:\Users\mchow\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SparkFun_Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader_Library\src\SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.h:119:10: error: initializing argument 3 of 'uint8_t RFID::writeData(uint8_t, uint32_t, uint8_t*, uint8_t, uint16_t)' [-fpermissive]

uint8_t writeData(uint8_t bank, uint32_t address, uint8_t *dataToRecord, uint8_t dataLengthToRecord, uint16_t timeOut = COMMAND_TIME_OUT);

      ^

exit status 1 Error compiling for board Arduino/Genuino Uno.

I had no idea what's going wrong, the examples seem can't compile

Hi guys, Can someone please share the wiring diagram for use it with Arduino Uno/Nano without using a RedBoard ?

Cheers

Hello,

I successfully compiled an Arduino project using this board on an Arduino UNO and it works great.

I am now trying to adapt my project on an STM32 nucleo board (the NUCLEO-L073RZ) using STM32 Cube IDE. Do you have any advice about wich library to use ? Or how to adapt the arduino library linked in this guide ?

Thanks in advance

Hi again :)

I've got another question... I would like to use RFID reader as a RedBoard shield. Additionally I wanna transfer received Tag data from ReadBoard to PC wirelessly by Bluetooth module. If I set pins 4 and 5 up for SoftwareSerial on the RedBoard and I connect Bluetooth module to those pins, will it damage RFID reader somehow?

In schematic I see that pins 9 and 10 are occupied by Buzzer and pins 2 and 3 are used for SoftwareSerial communication between ReadBoard and Reader, so the others pins are free to use?

Hello :)

Here's a part of the code from Example 1:

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(115200);
  while (!Serial); //Wait for the serial port to come online

  if (setupNano(38400) == false) //Configure nano to run at 38400bps
  {
    Serial.println(F("Module failed to respond. Please check wiring."));
    while (1); //Freeze!
  }

Could you please tell me, why Serial.begin(115200) is set to 115200, not 38400? Few lines below we "configure nano to run at 38400bps" and I've always thought it should be the same speed between devices to make them understand each other (sorry for any mistakes, I'm not an english native speaker).

I appreciate your help!

Hello. I am trying to hook the SRTR up to an arduino ESP32 running 3.3volts. Has anyone tried to do this, and can share a schematic? I am able to make the SRTR work fine with the Arduino Uno, however, when I try to run it with an ESP32 I get "Module failed to respond. Please check wiring." If I print out the message, I see either a 1 (timeout) or 2 (corrupt data received). My hookup is like this: I hookup a 5v power supply to 5v pin and to ground on the SRTR. I then hook ground to the ground pin on my ESP 32. I then hook the 3V pin on my ESP32 to a biDirectional level shifter (VCCA). (https://www.adafruit.com/product/395) I then hook the 5V from the power supply to VCCB. I then hook pin 17 of the ESP32 to pint A1 of my level shifter, then connect B1 to pin 2 of the SRTR. I then connect pin 3 of the SRTR to pin B2 of the level shifter. Then connect A2 of the level shifter to pin 17 of the ESP32. (I am essentially hooking up pins 16 and 17 of the ESP2 to pins 2 and 3 of the SRTR). I also hook up ground on the level shifter to ground on the ESP32 and ground on the SRTR. Any idea what I am missing? I've tried switching so 16 is hooked up to pin 2, and 17 is hooked to pin 3, in case I got that backwards, but that doesn't seem to help. I'm using SoftwareSerial. But I have also tried using Serial2 on the ESP32 (which should use pins 16 and 17). I always either get a timeout from the SRTR or a corrup data (which might just be noise, I'm not sure) Any help would be appreciated. thanks.

/*
Reading multiple RFID tags, simultaneously!
By: Nathan Seidle @ SparkFun Electronics
Date: October 3rd, 2016
https://github.com/sparkfun/Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader

Constantly reads and outputs any tags heard

If using the Simultaneous RFID Tag Reader (SRTR) shield, make sure the serial slide
switch is in the 'SW-UART' position
*/

#include <SoftwareSerial.h> //Used for transmitting to the device

SoftwareSerial softSerial(16, 17); //RX, TX
//HardwareSerial Serial2(2);

#include "SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.h" //Library for controlling the M6E Nano module
RFID nano; //Create instance

void setup()
{
Serial.begin(115200);
while (!Serial); //Wait for the serial port to come online
Serial.println("Starting...");
if (setupNano(38400) == false) //Configure nano to run at 38400b0ps
{
    Serial.println(F("Module failed to respond. Please check wiring."));
    while (1); //Freeze!
}

nano.setRegion(REGION_NORTHAMERICA); //Set to North America

nano.setReadPower(500); //5.00 dBm. Higher values may caues USB port to brown out
//Max Read TX Power is 27.00 dBm and may cause temperature-limit throttling

Serial.println(F("Press a key to begin scanning for tags."));
while (!Serial.available()); //Wait for user to send a character
Serial.read(); //Throw away the user's character

nano.startReading(); //Begin scanning for tags
}

void loop()
{
if (nano.check() == true) //Check to see if any new data has come in from module
{
    byte responseType = nano.parseResponse(); //Break response into tag ID, RSSI, frequency, and timestamp

    if (responseType == RESPONSE_IS_KEEPALIVE)
    {
    Serial.println(F("Scanning"));
    }
    else if (responseType == RESPONSE_IS_TAGFOUND)
    {
    //If we have a full record we can pull out the fun bits
    int rssi = nano.getTagRSSI(); //Get the RSSI for this tag read

    long freq = nano.getTagFreq(); //Get the frequency this tag was detected at

    long timeStamp = nano.getTagTimestamp(); //Get the time this was read, (ms) since last keep-alive message

    byte tagEPCBytes = nano.getTagEPCBytes(); //Get the number of bytes of EPC from response

    Serial.print(F(" rssi["));
    Serial.print(rssi);
    Serial.print(F("]"));

    Serial.print(F(" freq["));
    Serial.print(freq);
    Serial.print(F("]"));

    Serial.print(F(" time["));
    Serial.print(timeStamp);
    Serial.print(F("]"));

    //Print EPC bytes, this is a subsection of bytes from the response/msg array
    Serial.print(F(" epc["));
    for (byte x = 0 ; x < tagEPCBytes ; x++)
    {
        if (nano.msg[31 + x] < 0x10) Serial.print(F("0")); //Pretty print
        Serial.print(nano.msg[31 + x], HEX);
        Serial.print(F(" "));
    }
    Serial.print(F("]"));

    Serial.println();
    }
    else if (responseType == ERROR_CORRUPT_RESPONSE)
    {
    Serial.println("Bad CRC");
    }
    else
    {
    //Unknown response
    Serial.print("Unknown error");
    }
}
}

//Gracefully handles a reader that is already configured and already reading continuously
//Because Stream does not have a .begin() we have to do this outside the library
boolean setupNano(long baudRate)
{
//Serial.println("SetupNano");

nano.begin(softSerial); //Tell the library to communicate over software serial port
//Serial.println("nano.begin");
//Test to see if we are already connected to a module
//This would be the case if the Arduino has been reprogrammed and the module has stayed powered
softSerial.begin(baudRate); //For this test, assume module is already at our desired baud rate

while (softSerial.isListening() == false); //Wait for port to open //while (!softSerial); //Wait for port to open
//Serial.println("Port open");
//About 200ms from power on the module will send its firmware version at 115200. We need to ignore this.
while (softSerial.available()) softSerial.read();
//Serial.println("getVersion");
nano.getVersion();
//Serial.println("Afer getVersion");
//Serial.println("Message:");
//Serial.println(nano.msg[0]);
if (nano.msg[0] == ERROR_WRONG_OPCODE_RESPONSE)
{
    //This happens if the baud rate is correct but the module is doing a ccontinuous read
    nano.stopReading();

    Serial.println(F("Module continuously reading. Asking it to stop..."));

    delay(1500);
}
else
{


    //The module did not respond so assume it's just been powered on and communicating at 115200bps
    softSerial.begin(115200); //Start software serial at 115200
    //delay(250);
    nano.setBaud(baudRate); //Tell the module to go to the chosen baud rate. Ignore the response msg
    //delay(250);
    //Serial.println("Message:");
    //Serial.println(nano.msg[0]);
    softSerial.begin(baudRate); //Start the software serial port, this time at user's chosen baud rate
    //Serial.println(F("Change software serial baudrate."));
    delay(250);
}

//Test the connection
nano.getVersion();

if (nano.msg[0] != ALL_GOOD) return (false); //Something is not right

//The M6E has these settings no matter what
nano.setTagProtocol(); //Set protocol to GEN2

nano.setAntennaPort(); //Set TX/RX antenna ports to 1

return (true); //We are ready to rock
}

(Edited to display code properly.)

Hello, I am looking for the command list to add Locking Memory functionality to my application. Any idea? I have looked over the entire jadack web page and I only find references to Mercuri Api, but for me it is difficult to follow. Thanks in advance

Hello, I am using Arduino Mega 2560, When i run the Example1_HardwareSerial_Constant_Read and replace each Serial5 with the Serial3 and connect RFID RX with Arduino's pin 14 TX, and connect RFID TX with Arduino's pin 15 RX. The response I get is the following: sendCommand: [FF] [00] [03] [1D] [0C] response: [FC] [00] [E0] [E0] [00] Corrupt response sendCommand: [FF] [04] [06] [00] [01] [C2] [00] [A4] [60] sendCommand: [FF] [00] [03] [1D] [0C] response: [FC] [00] [E0] [E0] [00] Corrupt response Module failed to respond. Please check wiring.

Hi, So i have been following the tutorial and i installed version 1.8 of the ArduinoIDE and version 1.06 of the simultaneous Rfid Reader library. I opened up the Example2 Read EPC and i was able to both compile and upload the sketch onto the Arduino. But when i look at the serial reader all i see as output is a "q?" or alternatively "p?"

Could this mean that the wiring is not connected properly? Im assuming its an issue with the RFID board communicating with the arduino because when i upload other non RFID Reader examples to the Arduino, they run and produce serial output.

Arduino Uno btw

can you explain minimum time while scanning the RFID tag? I am from the other region of the "nano.setRegion(REGION_NORTHAMERICA); ", can I use REGION_OPEN?

Hi, i am trying to run Example one, and the program is getting stuck in a while loop during the nanosetup function and is continuously printing Msg [0]: 0x0 i don't know why this is happening, do i have a bad connection between my RedBoard and the M6E-nano board, or is there another issue?

Hi guys. The reader seems to slow down read if there are no tags being read (like the serial output goes down to one output a second, in for example, the Constant Read example) . Then speeds up if there are tags. Is there anyway to prevent the slowdown?

Please help! Configured the shield to an Arduino Uno and using an external antenna. Sensing works even up to nearly 15 feet away. However, I am having difficulty after uploading the program to the Arduino and disconnecting the device from a PC to run the uploaded program on the Arduino only. I am using a recommended external power supply at 5V and the program is uploading and configuring correctly on the Arduino. Am I missing something? Can this shield operate with only an Arduino and an external power supply or does it require a PC to use the Arduino program? I do not need any serial communication or data from the shield just simply need to track RFID badges and notify me when they are detected through a buzzer and LED, the PC is not necessary for my application. Thank you!

Would this reader work with the Photon Red Board as well (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13321). Looking for an easy wireless solution and using the Photon could be simple plug-and-play because of the shield format.

Or is it expected that the WiFi will interfere with the RFID board?

Another quick question, can the modules read power be changed using setReadPower() whilst in a constant read mode?

Just a quick question regarding the arduino library, more specifically the RSSI value. I'm aware that the function getTagRSSI() returns an integer value rather than a floating point value, is this due to the read capabilities of the M6E-Nano? It would be great if the RSSI value could return a higher resolution decimal value.

I try M6E Nano using an external PCB antenna following to the guide. But I’m not getting much reading distance, so I want some advices. I can run the reader with 27dBm but it reads at most 1.5m...

Just to confirm, when an external antenna is attached to the reader, does the Universal Reader Assistant recognize as a 2 antennas (onboard and external antenna) ? Does 2 checkboxes appear in "Read/Write Option" -> "Antennas" ?

Hi Sparkfun support team, We can only read one tag by using your Read EPC library no matter how many tags in the reading range.We did same test by Thingmagic's URA demo software and it can read all the tags.Do you know how to modify your Arduino library to read multiple tags? Thank you!

I have the RFID reader shield connected to a Sparkfun Redboard. When trying to upload any sketch from the library I get the following error.

avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x6e An error occurred while uploading the sketch

If I disconnect the redboard from the shield the example sketches load fine. Then I can reconnect the board and scan away...

I have tried reseting the redboard, holding down the reset button until it starts uploading. The FTID drivers are loaded correctly.

Any ideas?

I have yet another question :) I have run this on both serial to the PC as well as a shield on an arduino (uno and mega now). I am getting great range on the PC (of course it is powered separately with a 5v 2A power supply) but the range when used as a shield is much, much, less. I am currently using on of these power blocks as a power source:

http://photive.com/product/ph-bolt9000.html

but at 20+ dbm, I can see my LCD start to flicker and at 26-27 dbm, it browns out and reboots. Is it possible that the poor range is just because the power source is not sufficient or could something else be going on? The battery above is stated as supply 2.1A out of one of the ports. Should I (can I) power the SRTR completely separately from the Arduino when used as a shield?

Question about running SRTR from external power / target power. I'm connecting to the SRTR from a BBB, using python-mercuryapi. BBB is using UART1 (ttyO1) pins P8_24 (TX) and P8_26 (RX) connected to RXI and TXO on the SRTR, respectively. When driving the SRTR at 5V, the SRTR does not respond. I've tried powering via pin 3 on the FTDI, +5 pin, and J6 (screw terminal) and getting the same result (obviously) since they are all connected. I've tried powering directly from the BBB VDD_5V and from an external regulated power supply set to 5V. I've used socat to watch port traffic. Messages go out, but the SRTR does not respond.

Now, if I power the SRTR from the BBB using VDD_3V (3.3V), or set the external supply to drive at 3.3V, I can communicate with the SRTR, read tags, etc...

Is it possible that the system voltage is affecting logic voltage? Or maybe the TM module is not happy when the SRTR is fed at 5V, or internal DC-DC not working? I can work around the problem by driving the BBB at 5V and the SRTR at 3.3V, but since the SRTR is designed to work at 5V, I'm completely stumped.

Also, suggestion for the next rev: jumper pins for JP1 and SJ1/SJ2.

I have a project with the SRTR, an LCD screen, SD reader, and RTC currently on an UNO. I may end up moving it to a mega for the extra space. In the article, it states:

"Unfortunately the Leonardo and Mega don’t support Softwareserial RX on pin 2 so you’ll need to wire from pin 2 on the shield to pin D11. "

Is this just a matter of running a jumper from pin2 to D11 or do I need to actually cut pin2 from the shield to the arduino?

I am going to be hooking the SRTR up to a Uno with DataLogger shield and LCD display. Under power considerations, it says "If you provide your RedBoard with 9V and draw 1A through the 5V regulator it will get red-hot. Use a 5V power adapter to reduce the thermal strain on your regulator.". The Uno (and Redboard) specify 7+ volts for DC in. Trying to run the LCD, etc off of 5V in doesn't work. Can I power the SRTR separate from the Uno or what is the best way to provide power to both?

Looking for a little help.

I can use an Arduino Uno and the libraries to communicate with the Reader. But when I try to connect a FTDI cable to the board, without the arduino attached, I am not able to communicate with the board using the Universal Reader Assistant software. The FTDI cable is functional, I can loop TX to RX and see the characters come back. When I look at the RX and TX lines using a scope, as soon as a character is sent all I get is very high frequency noise on the serial port lines. I've tried several FTDI Cable, other serial to TTL cables, and a USB isolator on the FTDI Cable. Has anyone else seen this issue? Has anyone been able to use the reader with an FTDI Cable?

Thanks, Greg

Hey. Is there any way to use "enableReadFilter()" within the Arduino code? If yes, can you post the example please.

Hey guys, does anyone know if there's any way we can read LF animal tags of 125KHz using this kit?

I understand from the article that the reader requires FCC approval to be used with other antennas but what sort of range is possible with an antenna with a higher gain (9 to 11 dBic)?

Hey, has anyone solved this problem?

When I run Example2_Read_EPC, following pop up:

C:\Users\mchow\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SparkFun_Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader_Library\src\SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.cpp: In member function ‘uint8_t RFID::writeTagEPC(char*, uint8_t, uint16_t)’:

C:\Users\mchow\Documents\Arduino\libraries\SparkFun_Simultaneous_RFID_Tag_Reader_Library\src\SparkFun_UHF_RFID_Reader.cpp:277:63: error: invalid conversion from ‘char’ to ‘uint8_t {aka unsigned char*}’ [-fpermissive]

return (writeData(bank, address, newID, newIDLength, timeOut));

Is the duty cycle of the reader implemented in this code? In Magic's Universal Reader Assistant it allows for ontime and offtime for a read duty cycle. This is important if you read at high levels of DB, higher levels the chip starts to heat up, by having a duty cycle of off and on the temperature can be controlled. In the API code it has asyncOffTime and asyncOnTime to control that. But I don't see that in the Arduino code.

Any ideas on this?

Is there a way to power this via an external supply, i..e "Target Power" and still use the serial out of the Arduino to connect to Universal Reader Assistant? I cant seem to get the software to recognize the module while it's attached to the arduino (through which I'm powering the module).

After attaching the RFID reader to my arduino uno, uploading the first example script "constant read" I receive an error message via the serial monitor: "Module failed to respond. Please check wiring." Is there a fix for this? I cant seem to find anything anywhere resolving this issue, and there's not much 'wiring to fix' as i simply followed the instructions in the hardware hookup guide, attached headers to the board and attached it to the arduino. When powered from serial communication only (5v) it works fine with the universal reader assistant. Any guidance or suggestions would be helpful. Thank you!

I just order this KIT, install newest version Arduino, library, chose UNO as target board. I run Example1_Constant Read and had the following pop up:

C:\Users\mchow\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_modified_sketch_627756\Example1_Constant_Read.ino: In function 'void loop()':

Example1_Constant_Read:79: error: 'tagDataBytes' was not declared in this scope

     if (nano.msg[31 + tagDataBytes + x] < 0x10) Serial.print(F("0")); //Pretty print

                       ^

Example1_Constant_Read:80: error: 'tagDataBytes' was not declared in this scope

     Serial.print(nano.msg[31 + tagDataBytes + x], HEX);

                                ^

exit status 1 'tagDataBytes' was not declared in this scope

Can anyone help?

Hi guys, after reading the document, I still have some stupid question.

We could not get tag location from the reader, only the signal strength is available.

the signal strength can be affected by various factors, so it may not be the good indicator to represent the real distance.

What if I using 3 or more readers to do some position calculation?

One more question, could I detect the tag direction, which side is facing upward or downward ?

Thanks

Hello sparkfun, first sorry for my bad english :/

I'm working with this Reader, but I need a little help. is possible to use the Arduino library for the M6E-NANO RFID module with a different board? like Adafruit Feather family with ATmega32u4 or Arduino Leonardo. is there any concern about the SoftwareSerial library that I need take in consideration?

Thanks,

Jaime