User Tools

Site Tools


gca41-en

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.


gca41-en [2023/08/16 10:28] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
Line 1: Line 1:
 +====== GCA41 Arduino nano shield RFID-interface for RC522 ======
 + 
 +[[english|{{  rocrail-logo-35.png}}]]
 +
 +[[english|Content]] -> [[hardware-en|Hardware]] -> [[hardware-en#interfaces|GCA]]
 +  *  [[mgv-overview-en|The GCA modules]] 
 +{{  :gca:gca41_pict01.gif?200}}
 + \\
 +
 +^^^^By Peter Giling ^^^^
 +
 +===== Description =====
 +Using RFID is very much a system that enables you to indicate all rolling stock on the rails, without\\
 +the need of drawing power from the rails.\\
 +RFID is widely known in all situations like security, shop lifting protection, and many others.\\
 +RFID with Rocrail started with the idea of MERG in England , using ID-12 sensors.\\
 +Rocrail reacted on that with the introduction of CAN-GC4 for CBUS, and with an input for \\
 +the same ID-12 on the Raspberry Pi HAT GCA_PI01.\\
 +The sensed information is transmitted with 9600 Bd.\\
 +But the ID-12 is expensive and rather slow, and also it is very easy to disturb with the noise of \\
 +the motor inside your locomotive.\\
 +This is mainly due to the frequency of 125 KHz it is running on\\
 +Now a better solution is optioned by using a rather cheap RC522. widely available around the world.\\
 +It runs on 13.56 MHz, which makes a lot better protection against electrical motor noise,\\
 +and also increases the reading speed sincerely.\\
 +But that sensor type is not an active type like the ID-12, meaning that \\
 +it will sense much faster the nearing of a tag, stores its number , but that's it.\\
 +It will not pass this information through until it is asked for, so we need a bidirectional communication \\
 +to get the value of the tag, and, if available, pass it through to CAN-GC4 and/or GCA_PI01.\\
 +CAN-GC4 was not made for that, not possible even, and for LocoNet there was no solution anyway.\\
 +The development of such a little interface was pretty easy since there are Arduino nano boards to fix that.\\
 +This GCA41 board is just a shield for an Arduino Nano, creating an interface between RC522 sensor and CAN-GC4 or GCA_PI01.\\
 +Communication between Nano and RC522 is done by SPI, which guarantees suitable speed .\\
 +For use of RFID with LocoNet, please refer to [[GCA51-en|GCA51]].\\ 
 +\\
 +===== Compatibility with 3,3V systems =====
 +Up until now, only some WIO units are using 3,3V power.\\
 +This board will not work with 3.3 V systems directly, only when RC522 receiver is made\\
 +for it, and the GCA41 needs modification.\\
 +Please ask [[peter.giling@rocrail.net| Peter ]] for advice..\\
 +
 +
 +\\
 +
 +===== Hardware =====
 +|  {{:gca:gca41_sch.pdf|Schematics}}  |
 +|  {{:gca:gca41_pcb.pdf|The pcboard and parts positions}}  |
 +\\
 +^  Partslist GCA41  ^^
 +|  R1  |  Resistor 1 Kohm  |
 +|  R2  |  Resistor 470 Ohm  |
 +|  C1  |  Elco 100 µF minimum 16 Volt radial  |
 +|  D1  |  Led 3mm  |
 +|  S1  |  PSS 254-3G  |
 +|  RC522  |  PSS 254-8G  |
 +|  U1  |  Arduino Nano  |
 +\\
 +
 +===== Firmware sources =====
 +|  {{:gca:rfid2_to_serial_2016.zip|The sources for Arduino Nano sketch}}  |
 +\\
 +**Extra feature for Window users only! (as far as I know)**.\\
 +To make it simple for programming the Nano.\\
 +The zip file above also contains a //rfid2_ser.ino.eightanaloginputs.hex// file.\\
 +
 +
 +
 +====Libraries====
 +  * http://www.arduinolibraries.info/libraries/mfrc522
 +
 + \\
 +
 +===== How to connect and use RC522 RFID sensor board =====
 +[[RC522-sensor-board-en|Click here for the RC522 page]]
 +{{ :gca:rc522_with_pss254-8w_connector.gif?150}}
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +
 +