RFID based access control system with Arduino

Arduino UNO 17-03-25

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Tutorial plan

1- What is an access control system ?

2- Presentation of RFID based access control system with Arduino

3- Required Components

4- Circuit Connections

5- Arduino program to control our system

What is an access control system ?

An Access Control System (ACS) is a security solution that regulates who or what can view, use, or access resources in a computing environment or physical location. It is a fundamental component of security frameworks, ensuring that only authorized individuals, devices, or systems can access specific areas, data, or services.

Types of Access Control Systems

1- Physical Access Control Systems:

Restrict entry to buildings, rooms, or secure areas.

Examples: Keycards, biometric scanners (fingerprint, facial recognition), PIN pads, and turnstiles.

2- Logical Access Control Systems:

Restrict access to computer systems, networks, or data.

Examples: Passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and encryption.

Presentation of RFID based access control system with Arduino

This project uses an Arduino, an RFID-RC522 module, an LCD I2C display, a buzzer, and an RGB LED module to create a secure access control system. Authorized users can gain access when they scan an RFID card, while unauthorized users will be denied.

Working Principle

1- User scans an RFID card on the RFID-RC522 module.

2- The Arduino reads the unique ID (UID) of the card.

3- If the UID matches a pre-authorized list, access is granted:

LCD displays "Authorized Access "
RGB LED turns Green

4- If the UID is not recognized, access is denied:

LCD displays "Access Denied"
RGB LED turns Red
Buzzer emits an alert sound

Required Components

Arduino UNO (Microcontroller)

Arduino Uno

The Arduino UNO is the main processing unit of the system. It reads the RFID card’s unique identifier (UID), compares it to a stored list, and controls the output devices (LCD, buzzer, and RGB LED).

Role in System:

- Communicates with the RFID-RC522 module via SPI

- Sends messages to the LCD I2C display via I2C

- Controls the buzzer and RGB LED for feedback

- (Optional) Activates a relay module to unlock a door

RFID-RC522 Module (RFID Reader)

The RFID-RC522 is a 13.56 MHz RFID reader used to scan RFID tags and retrieve their unique identifier (UID).

Role in System

- Detects RFID cards or key fobs

- Extracts UID from RFID tags

- Sends UID data to Arduino via SPI

RFID Cards / Key Fobs

RFID cards and key fobs are passive devices that contain a pre-programmed unique identifier (UID). When placed near the RFID-RC522 module, they communicate via electromagnetic induction.

Role in System

- Acts as the user’s access credential

- Contains a UID that the Arduino checks for authentication

LCD I2C Display (16x2 or 20x4)

The LCD I2C display is used to show system messages like "Access Granted" or "Access Denied". The I2C interface allows simpler wiring with only two data lines.

Role in System

Displays real-time messages to the user

Reduces the need for external serial monitors

Buzzer (Audio Feedback)

A small piezo buzzer provides audio feedback when a card is scanned.

Role in System

Long beep when access is denied

RGB LED Module (Visual Feedback)

The RGB LED module consists of three LEDs (Red, Green, Blue) that light up in different colors based on access status.

Role in System

Green LED ON → Access granted

Red LED ON → Access denied

Circuit Connections

Connection RFID-RC522 to Arduino

RFID-RC522	Arduino UNO	Description
VCC	3.3V	Power supply
GND	GND	Ground
SDA (SS)	Pin 10	Slave Select (SS)
SCK	Pin 13	SPI Clock (SCK)
MOSI	Pin 11	Master Out Slave In (MOSI)
MISO	Pin 12	Master In Slave Out (MISO)
RST	Pin 9	Reset

Connection LCD I2C display to Arduino

LCD I2C Display Pin	Arduino Pin
GND	GND
VCC	5V
SDA	A4
SCL	A5

Connection Buzzer to Arduino

Buzzer pin	Arduino pin
(-) pin	GND
(+) pin	D4

Connection RGB LED module to Arduino

LED RGB pin	Arduino pin
Red pin	D2
Green pin	D3
GND	GND

Arduino program to control our system

Here is the Arduino program for an RFID-based access control system using an Arduino UNO, an RFID-RC522 module, an LCD I2C display, a buzzer, and an RGB LED module. This program reads an RFID card, checks if it is authorized, and provides visual (LCD, RGB LED) and audio (buzzer) feedback.

This code uses the MFRC522 library for RFID communication and the LiquidCrystal_I2C library for the LCD display.

1- Open Arduino IDE.

2- Go to Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries.

3- Search for MFRC522 and install it.

4- Search for LiquidCrystal_I2C and install it

#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>

// RFID module pins
#define SS_PIN 10
#define RST_PIN 9

// Initialize LCD (40x4) with I2C address 0x27
LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 40, 4);
MFRC522 rfid(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);

const int PinRed = 2; // for Red color of RGB LED
const int PinGreen = 3; // for Green color of RGB LED
const int buzzerPin = 4; // for 

bool cardDetected = false; // Track card status

void setup() {
    Serial.begin(9600);
    lcd.init();
    lcd.backlight();

    SPI.begin();
    rfid.PCD_Init();

    lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
    lcd.print("Scan your card");
    pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(PinRed, OUTPUT);
    pinMode(PinGreen, OUTPUT);

    digitalWrite(PinRed, LOW); // Eteindre la couleur rouge du LEDRGB
    digitalWrite(PinGreen, LOW); // Eteindre la couleur rouge du LEDRGB
}

void loop() {
    if (!rfid.PICC_IsNewCardPresent() || !rfid.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
        if (cardDetected) { // Only update LCD if the message changes
            lcd.clear();
            lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
            lcd.print("Scan your card");
            cardDetected = false; // Reset status
        }
        return;
    }

    cardDetected = true;
    
    
    // Read and display UID
    String uid = "";
    for (byte i = 0; i < rfid.uid.size; i++) {
        Serial.print(rfid.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
        uid += String(rfid.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
        if (i < rfid.uid.size - 1) {
            uid += ":";
        }
    }

    lcd.clear();
    lcd.setCursor(1, 1);
    
    if (uid=="a9:f0:e8:b8") {  // If the UID matches a pre-authorized list
    lcd.print("Authorized access");
    // Green LED ON
    digitalWrite(PinGreen, HIGH);
    } else { // If the UID is not recognized
      lcd.print("Access denied");
      // warning beep with Buzzer
      digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH); // 
      // Red LED ON
      digitalWrite(PinRed, HIGH);
    
    }

    delay(5000); 
    // Stop the Buzzer
    digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW); 
    // Red LED OFF, Green LED OFF
    digitalWrite(PinRed, LOW);
    digitalWrite(PinGreen, LOW);
    rfid.PICC_HaltA();
    rfid.PCD_StopCrypto1();
}

#include <LiquidCrystal_I2C.h>

#include <SPI.h>

#include <MFRC522.h>

// RFID module pins

#define SS_PIN 10

#define RST_PIN 9

// Initialize LCD (40x4) with I2C address 0x27

LiquidCrystal_I2C lcd(0x27, 40, 4);

MFRC522 rfid(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);

const int PinRed = 2; // for Red color of RGB LED

const int PinGreen = 3; // for Green color of RGB LED

const int buzzerPin = 4; // for

bool cardDetected = false; // Track card status

void setup() {

Serial.begin(9600);

lcd.init();

lcd.backlight();

SPI.begin();

rfid.PCD_Init();

lcd.setCursor(1, 1);

lcd.print("Scan your card");

pinMode(buzzerPin, OUTPUT);

pinMode(PinRed, OUTPUT);

pinMode(PinGreen, OUTPUT);

digitalWrite(PinRed, LOW); // Eteindre la couleur rouge du LEDRGB

digitalWrite(PinGreen, LOW); // Eteindre la couleur rouge du LEDRGB

}

void loop() {

if (!rfid.PICC_IsNewCardPresent() || !rfid.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {

if (cardDetected) { // Only update LCD if the message changes

lcd.clear();

lcd.setCursor(1, 1);

lcd.print("Scan your card");

cardDetected = false; // Reset status

}

return;

}

cardDetected = true;

// Read and display UID

String uid = "";

for (byte i = 0; i < rfid.uid.size; i++) {

Serial.print(rfid.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);

uid += String(rfid.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);

if (i < rfid.uid.size - 1) {

uid += ":";

}

lcd.clear();

lcd.setCursor(1, 1);

if (uid=="a9:f0:e8:b8") { // If the UID matches a pre-authorized list

lcd.print("Authorized access");

// Green LED ON

digitalWrite(PinGreen, HIGH);

} else { // If the UID is not recognized

lcd.print("Access denied");

// warning beep with Buzzer

digitalWrite(buzzerPin, HIGH); //

// Red LED ON

digitalWrite(PinRed, HIGH);

}

delay(5000);

// Stop the Buzzer

digitalWrite(buzzerPin, LOW);

// Red LED OFF, Green LED OFF

digitalWrite(PinRed, LOW);

digitalWrite(PinGreen, LOW);

rfid.PICC_HaltA();

rfid.PCD_StopCrypto1();

}

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RFID based access control system with Arduino

Tutorial plan

1- What is an access control system ?

2- Presentation of RFID based access control system with Arduino

3- Required Components

4- Circuit Connections

5- Arduino program to control our system

What is an access control system ?

Presentation of RFID based access control system with Arduino

Required Components

Circuit Connections

Arduino program to control our system

0 comment

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