RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

Figure 3.1 NodeMCU(ESP8266)

NodeMCU ESP8266 Specifications & Features :

 Microcontroller: Tensilica 32-bit RISC CPU Xtensa LX106

 Operating Voltage: 3.3V
 Input Voltage: 7-12V
 Digital I/O Pins (DIO): 16
 Analog Input Pins (ADC): 1
 UARTs: 1
 SPIs: 1
 I2Cs: 1
 Flash Memory: 4 MB
 SRAM: 64 KB
 Clock Speed: 80 MHz
 USB-TTL based on CP2102 is included onboard, Enabling Plug n Play
 PCB Antenna
 Small Sized module to fit smartly inside your IoT projects

3.2 RFID Reader (MFRC522) :

An RFID or radio frequency identification system consists of two main

components, a tag attached to the object to be identified, and a reader that reads the
tag from the chip inside.

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

A reader consists of a radio frequency module and an antenna that generates a high
frequency electromagnetic field. Whereas the tag is usually a passive device (it does
not have a battery). It consists of a microchip that stores and processes information,
and an antenna for receiving and transmitting a signal.

The RC522 is a 13.56MHz RFID module that is based on the MFRC522

controller from NXP semiconductors. The module can supports I2C, SPI and
UART and normally is shipped with a RFID card and key fob fob tag with 1KB of
memory. And the best part is that it can write a tag that means you can store any
message in it. It is commonly used in attendance systems and other person/object
identification applications.

Figure 3.2 RFID Reader RC522

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

alarm devices, printers, alarms, computers, etc. Based on the various designs, it can
generate different sounds like alarm, music, bell & siren.

The pin configuration of the buzzer is shown below. It includes two pins namely
positive and negative. The positive terminal of this is represented with the ‘+’ symbol
or a longer terminal. This terminal is powered through 6Volts whereas the negative
terminal is represented with the ‘-‘symbol or short terminal and it is connected to the
GND terminal.

Figure 3.3 5V Buzzer

3.4 RFID Tags :
An RFID tag works by transmitting and receiving information via an antenna and a
microchip — also sometimes called an integrated circuit or IC. The microchip on an
RFID reader is written with whatever information the user wants. 

There are two main types of RFID tags: battery-operated and passive. As the name
suggests, battery-operated RFID tags contain an onboard battery as a power supply,
whereas a passive RFID tag does not, instead working by using electromagnetic
energy transmitted from an RFID reader. Battery-operated RFID tags might also be
called active RFID tags.

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

Passive RFID tags use three main frequencies to transmit information: 125 – 134
KHz, also known as Low Frequency (LF), 13.56 MHz, also known as High
Frequency (HF) and Near-Field Communication (NFC), and 865 – 960 MHz, also
known as Ultra High Frequency (UHF). The frequency used affects the tag’s range.
When a passive RFID tag is scanned by a reader, the reader transmits energy to the
tag which powers it enough for the chip and antenna to relay information back to the
reader. The reader then transmits this information back to an RFID computer program
for interpretation. There are two main types of passive RFID tags: inlays and hard
tags. Inlays are typically quite thin and can be stuck on various materials, whereas
hard tags are just as the name suggests, made of a hard, durable material such as
plastic or metal.

Figure 3.4 RFID Tags

3.5 ARDUINO IDE

Arduino IDE - contains a text editor for writing code, a message area, a text
console, a toolbar with buttons for common functions and a series of menus. It
connects to the Arduino and Genuino hardware to upload programs and communicate
with them.

Programs written using Arduino IDE are called sketches. These sketches are
written in the text editor and are saved with the file extension. The editor has features

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

for cutting/pasting and for searching/replacing text. The message area gives feedback
while saving and exporting and also displays errors. The console displays text output
by the Arduino Software (IDE), including complete error messages and other
information. The bottom righthand corner of the window displays the configured
board and serial port.

Fig 3.5 ARDUINO IDE SOFTWARE

PURPOSE of setup(): The setup() function is called when a sketch starts. Use it to
initialize the variables, pin modes, start using libraries, etc. The setup function will
only run once, after each power up or reset of the Arduino board.

PURPOSE of loop (): After creating a setup() function, which initializes and sets the
initial values, the loop() function does precisely what its name suggests, and loops

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

consecutively, allowing your program to change and respond. Use it to actively

control the Arduino.

Fig 4.2 Schematic Diagram

RFID Mdule NodeMCU NodeMCU

SDA D4
SCK D5
MOSI D7
MISO D6
GND GND
RST D3
3.3v 3.3v

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

Table 4.1 Circuit Diagram Pin Configurations

4.3 WORKING MECHANISM

The Rfid Card Module is a wireless device that scans an Rfid Tag which is kept in
the radio frequency range(30Hz to 300GHz) or almost approx. at a distance of 2 to
10cm.Then the data from chip(chip is placed in Rfid tags or keychain tags) is scanned
and sent to NodeMCU.

NodeMCU(ESP8266) is a microcontroller.It sends the data from the chip to PC.

The data sent to PC gets uploaded on google sheets in hours,minutes,seconds. Then
NodeMCU sends signal to buzzer for beep sound.This indicates that the I-card has
been scanned.

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

Fig 4.3 WORKING MECHANISM

CHAPTER 6: RESULT
The project was perfomed successfully and below are the results related to them .

Figure 6.1 Project Execution

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 RFID Attendance system using Google sheets

The Figure Below shows the updation of the excel sheet with different tag data and
their in-tim

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