RFID reader on a Raspberry Pi
Counting Pumpkins
© Lead Image © raspberrypi.com
Inexpensive components for the SPI interface let you upgrade a Raspberry Pi 4 to a display system for zero-contact RFID-based data acquisition.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags have become indispensable in industry and government, as well as the wholesale and retail spaces. The inexpensive transponder chips can be found on clothing labels, identification cards, and credit cards. Armed with just a Raspberry Pi and an RFID kit, you can read the data from these chips and view it on a display.
In this project, I read serial numbers from RFID tags stuck on 3D-printed pumpkins – a slightly different kind of detection task. To do this, I connect an RC522 [1] RFID kit and a 1.8-inch ST7735 serial peripheral interface (SPI) thin-film transistor (TFT) display [2] to a Raspberry Pi 4. Together, the two modules can cost less than $15 (EUR15, £14) in online stores. The pumpkins contain simple RFID tags [3], also available for very little cash. Although at first glance the project seems clear-cut and sounds as if it should work right away, check out the "Mishaps, Misfortunes, and Breakdowns" box to find out what can go wrong.
The circuit diagram in Figure 1 shows how the modules connect to the Raspberry Pi, along with two pushbuttons and LEDs for testing purposes. The KiCad layout of the project is included in the download section of this article [4].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Alpine Linux 3.24 Features Fresh Desktops and a Newer Kernel
If you're a fan of Alpine Linux, it's time to upgrade because the latest version has been released with KDE Plasma 6.6, Gnome 50, and Linux kernel 6.18 LTS.
-
EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
Comprehensive measures adopted by the European Commission aim to reduce dependency on non-EU countries.
-
Linux Foundation Report Indicates AI Driving Tech Hiring
Within growing security and skills gaps, AI has been found to be a positive driving force behind tech hiring trends in Europe.
-
United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
A new open source portal seeks to coordinate and scale open source efforts across the United Nations system.
-
KDE Linux Drops AUR
KDE Linux developers have dropped the Arch User Repository from the build pipeline due to security concerns; other distributions should consider doing the same.
-
California May Exempt Linux from Its Age-Verification Law
After backlash from the Linux community, California may be backing off on its promise to force all operating systems to verify age, but one platform may still have to comply.
-
Another Logic Bug Found in Linux Kernel
Qualys has discovered a vulnerability in the Linux kernel that can be used to elevate standard user privileges.
-
Ubuntu Core 26 Offers Game-Changing Enterprise Features
Ubuntu Core 26 could be a game-changer for organizations looking for increased security and reliability.
-
AI Flooding the Linux Kernel Security Mailing List
AI is giving Linus Torvalds a headache, but not in the way you might think.
-
Top Priorities for Open Source Pros Seeking a New Job
Professional fulfillment tops the list, according to LPI report.