3.

1 System and Design Overview:

The two main parts of the system is the hardware and application software
components as shown in figure 3.1. Hardware can be broken up into three main
modules: A user interface, a processing and communications unit and a power
supply. The application software component can also be broken up into three
logical subsections: The GUIs (Graphical User Interfaces), wireless device
administration and synchronization and the database.
We explain hardware components in this chapter, and software component in next
chapter.

Automated Univercity System

Application
Hardware
Software

Processing & Wireless

User Interface Communication power supply GUIs Devices Database
unit Administration

Student
Student Device Mystudies
Identification power source
Wireless Module Feedback Parameters Integration
Scanner

Lecture
Device
battery charger Feedback & Authentication
Microcontroler Synchronization
Administration

Wifi Device Database

Memory Web Interface Admiinistration

System
Administration

Figure 3.1 system structure

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3.2 Detail Hardware Design and Synthesis:
From the tree-level diagram in figure 3.1 it can be seen that the hardware
components of the project can be broken up into three main sub-systems:
The user interface, processing and communications unit and power supply.

3.2.1 User Interface

Student Identification Scanner

A list of possible choices for this hardware component are listed below.
Due to its ease of use, RFID technology is perfectly suited for use in an automated
class attendance recording system.
The advantages of using RFID are speed (more cards can be scanned at short
time), the disadvantages of RFID are that students could lose their student cards,
and that students could lend their cards to their friends to have it scanned for them.
Figure 3.2 and Table 3.1 represent a list of possible solutions to the problem of
student identification.

RFID Biometrics Magstripe

Figure 3.2 Student Identification Solutions

Name Description Advantages Disadvantages

RFID chips embedded Fast, Efficient, Card may be given to friend for
RFID
in all student cards. Availability scanning

Finger print or retina Absolute positive

Biometrics Very expensive, Slow
scanner. Identification
Slow, Wear and Tear, Old
The magnetic strip on
Magstripe Availability technology, Card may be given
all student cards.
to friend for scanning

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 Table 3.1 Student Identification Solutions

For this project, the RC522 RFID scanner is used.

The project specification requires RFID to be used for student identification, and
the RFID scanner must be provided by the University’s access control department
since it is preconfigured with encryption keys for University student cards.

RC522 RFID scanner

This low cost MFRC522 based RFID Reader Module is easy to use and can be
used in a wide range of applications.
As shown in figure 3.3, The MFRC522 is a highly integrated reader/writer IC for
contactless communication at 13.56 MHz.

Features:
• MFRC522 chip based board
• Operating frequency: 13.56MHz
• Supply Voltage: 3.3V
• Current: 13-26mA
• Read Range: Approximate 3cm
• SPI Interface
• Dimensions: 60mm × 39mm

Figure 3.3 RC522 RFID scanner

RFID card/tag
Tag is made up of an integrated antenna and memory. The information can be
written and rewritten on Tag memory. The unique ID written on Tag while
manufacturing is known as the EPC (Electronic Product Code). This Tag is
enclosed in a Rectangular Plastic Card of the size of Bank Debit / credit card.
Student cards are the primary method of student identification on campus. All
student cards are equipped with an RFID chip that can be read by holding it briefly
against a configured proximity scanner. Figure 3.3 is shown types of RFID tags.

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 RFID card RFID key tag RFID tag

Figure 3.4 types of RFID tags

a. RFID Card
Thin ISO credit card tag for access control, personnel identification, secured
cashless cards.
Memory: 1 Kbit.
Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz (HF)
Size: 86 mm x 54 mm x 0.80 mm
used: student identification

b. RFID Key tag

These are a popular option for access control, toll payments and fuel purchasing.
These tags are passive and weatherproof for extended life.
Memory: 1 Kbit.
Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz (HF)
Size:Various

c. RFID tag
It has the ability to store information relating to the specific item to which they
are attached.
Memory: 1 Kbit.
Operating frequency: 13.56 MHz (HF)
Size: 35 x 35 mm
Used: In library to store information relating to the book which they are attached.

3.2.2 Processing and Communications Unit

The processing and communications unit is the core of the hardware device
sub-systems that the other sub-systems connect to. It handles processing and
storage of data, provides wireless communications and provides the appropriate
interfaces for the power supply and user interface module to connect to.

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3.2.2.1 Wireless Communications Module
The most integral leaf-node component of this subsystem is the wireless
communications module. All other leaf-node design choices for this sub-system
must be compatible with the choice of wireless module.

Protocol Selection

There are four main wireless protocols represented in the table 3.2 table: ZigBee,
Bluetooth, GSM and Wi-Fi. The main design consideration for this component is
compatibility with existing wireless infrastructure in order to maximize operating
range and minimize additional costs and design, such as custom base station
hardware. Interoperability with this network will ensure wireless connectivity
across campus and in all classrooms, which makes it ideal for the objectives of
this project.
From the advantages and disadvantages columns in the table 3.2, It was concluded
that the most attractive option for this application is the 802.11 Wi-Fi modules.

Name Description Advantages Disadvantages

Low Power consumption, Low data rate, Short
(868MHz & 915MHz flexible network Range (20m indoors),
ZigBee & 2.4 GHz) Used for structure, very simple
wireless personal area and easy, support number Requires base station
(IEEE 802.15.4) network (WPANs) hardware.
of users.
Simpler than Bluetooth.
Expensive

(2.4 - 2.485 GHz) Low power consumption, Low data rate,

Bluetooth
Used for Wireless easily upgradeable, Short range,
(IEEE 802.15.1) Personal Area devices are available at
Networks. very cheap cost. low level of Security

Higher Data rate, High power

(900 &1800 MHz band)
GSM consumption,
Very long range,
Used for data
(Global System Data transmission
transmission by mobile High capacity,
for Mobile)
phones. not free
Worldwide connectivity

(2.4 & 5 GHz)

Wi-Fi High data rate,
Limited number of
used for the wireless
(IEEE 802.11) easy installation, users, high power
local area networking
consumption,
long range
(WLAN)

Table 3.2 Wireless Communications Module Solutions

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3.2.2.2 Memory

The memory module must provide non-volatile data storage for when the
scanning device is in case of power loss. Any flash memory module with at least
8 kilobytes of RAM will be sufficient for this project’s purposes.

3.2.2.3 Microcontroller (MCU)

Choosing a microcontroller is not a critical design consideration of this project.

Any generic MCU with enough General Purpose IO pins(at least 6), and flash
memory will be sufficient.

NodeMCU

Is an open source IoT platform. Which includes firmware which runs on the
ESP8266 Wi-Fi Module (The ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microchip with
full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller capability), and hardware which is based
on the ESP-12 module.
The most attractive option for this application is the NodeMCU module from
Espressif system, because it has Wi-Fi Module (ESP8266), Microcontroller and
Memory.

Figure 3.5 NodeMCU board

Advantages
• Low energy consumption
• Integrated support for WI-FI network

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 • Reduced size of the board
• Low Cost
Disadvantages
• Need to learn a new language and IDE
• Less pinout
Features:
• Operating system: XTOS
• wireless protocol: 802.11b/g/n
• CPU: ESP8266
• Frequency Range: 2.412 - 2.484 GHz
• Memory: 128kBytes
• Storage: 4Mbytes
• Current: 200mA
• supply Voltage: 5-10 V
• Power By: USB
• Code: Arduino C++
• IDE Used: Arduino IDE
• GPIO : 10

3.2.3 Power Supply

the DC voltage source is dependant on the power required by the all chosen
hardware components.

3.2.3.1 Power Source

The project specification indicates that the scanner device must be mobile;
therefore, the power source must be a battery.
The battery must adhere to the following requirements:
• It must be rechargeable.
• It must have large capacity.
• It must have a long lifespan.
• It must be able to deliver enough peak-current (152mA).
NodeMCU board works in nominal voltage 3.3V but the power supply can be
between (5-10V). the NodeMCU operating current average value is 80mA,and
maximal output current from one GPIO pin is 12mA, we only used 6 GPIO pins.
Total current for NodeMCU is sum of operating and GPIOs
currents=80+6×12=152mA.
RFID reader is fed by NodeMCU board.

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 Figure 3.6 battery

3.2.3.2 battery charger

• Equipped with dual USB (5V 2.1A ,1A) output, speed up battery charging time.
• Smart power output, automatically regulate the output current according to the
load with overcharge protection, over discharge protection, short circuit
protection, over current protection, over temperature protection, protect the
connected the devices, no need to worry about the overcharge your electronics
battery, or over discharge the battery, safer to use.
• On-board blue backlight display the power capacity with 0-100% display range
during charge or discharge process
• Equipped with LED lamp with push button switch control on/off.

Figure 3.7 battery charger

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3.3 Hardware Connection
3.3.1 NodeMCU RFID reader connection

Figure 3.8 rfid reader connecting with NodeMCU

3.3.2 Charger battery connection

Figure 3.9 Charger battery connecting with battery

3.3.3 Final Circuit Connection

Figure 3.10 Connecting all component

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