RC522 MODULE (RC5522 RFID card module) This is called a backscatter.

The reader detects and

interprets this backscatter and sends the data to a
What is a RC522 module/RFID RC522 module? computer or microcontroller.
 The RC522 is a highly integrated RFID card
The RC-522 RFID module’s operating frequency is
reader that works on non-contact 13.56 MHz
13.56 MHz. This means that its electromagnetic field
communication. It was designed by NXP with
can only activate cards with 13.56 MHz designed
low power consumption, low cost, and a
antennas.
AdditionalTheinfo:reader primarily communicates with
compact read and write chip, making it the best Arduino via Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) with a
choice in the development of smart meters and A serial peripheral
maximum data rate ofinterface
10 Mbps(SPI)
but itisalso
an interface
supports I2C
portable hand-held devices. commonly
and UART. used in computers and embedded systems
to facilitate short-distance communication between a
microcontroller and one or more peripheral integrated
What is a RFID? circuits (ICs).
 Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a
technology that employs radio waves to identify
tagged objects passively. It entails small devices
that transmit data via radio frequencies, mostly
to track and identify objects, animals, and
humans. It is utilized in a variety of commercial
and industrial applications, ranging from
tracking products along a supply chain to
keeping track of materials borrowed from a
library.

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.
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 RFID module can be programmed to
generate an interrupt, allowing the module to alert us
when a tag approaches it, instead of constantly asking
the module “Is there a card nearby?”.
Additional Info…
The module’s operating voltage ranges from 2.5 to
3.3V, but the good news is that the logic pins are 5-
volt tolerant, so we can easily connect it to an
Arduino or any 5V logic microcontroller without
using a logic level converter.

When the tag is brought close to the reader, the reader

generates an electromagnetic field. This causes electrons
to move through the tag’s antenna and subsequently
powers the chip.

The chip then responds by sending its stored information

back to the reader in the form of another radio signal.

Parts of the RC522 RFID Module
MFRC522 IC/Chip
 The RC522 RFID Reader Module is based on
the MFRC522 IC/chip. This is the high-
integrated RFID card reader IC/chip designed by
NXP Company; it works on non-contact 13.56
MHz communication. It has low power
consumption, low cost, and is a small read-and-
write chip.
27.12 MHz Crystal Oscillator
 This is a 12 MHZ crystal. This is a low-cost
crystal oscillator with an oscillation frequency of
12 MHz Crystal is normally required to provide
clock pulses to your microcontroller or other ICs
that require an external clock source.
Antenna
 An NFC (Near Field Communication) coil is
embedded in the PCB of the module. This is an
antenna that emits a 13.56 MHz high-frequency
electromagnetic field. It supports 13.56 MHz
passive components.
RC522 RFID Module Pinout
The RC522 module has a total of 8 pins that connect it to
the outside world. The connections are as follows:
1. VCC (Voltage Common Collector)
 Supplies power to the module. This can
be anywhere from 2.5 to 3.3 volts. You
can connect it to the 3.3V output from
your Arduino. But remember that
connecting it to the 5V pin will probably
destroy your module.
2. RST
 It is an input for reset and power-down.
When this pin goes low, the module
enters power-down mode. In which the
oscillator is turned off and the input pins
are disconnected from the outside world.
Whereas the module is reset on the
rising edge of the signal. (This pin acts
as a programmable power-down circuit.
When this pin receives a low, current
won’t flow, and all pins are virtually
disconnected.)
3. GND
 It is the ground pin and needs to be
connected to the GND pin on the
Arduino.
4. IRQ
 It is an interrupt pin that alerts the
microcontroller when an RFID tag is in
the vicinity. Interrupt pins alert the
microcontroller when a tag is present.
5. MISO (Tx  Transmitter)
 It acts as master-in-slave-out when the
SPI interface is enabled, as serial clocks
when the I2C interface is enabled, and
as serial data outputs when the UART
interface is enabled.
6. MOSI (Master Out Slave In)
 It is a data line that sends the data from
master to slave.

7. SCK (Serial Clock)
 Accepts the clock pulses provided by
the SPI bus master, that is, Arduino.
 The clock pulses, which synchronize
data transmission generated by the
controller, have one-line specific to
every device.
8. The SS (Rx  Receiver)
 It is a pin acts as a signal input when the
SPI interface is enabled, as serial data
 when the I2C interface is enabled, and Data), SPI SS (Signal Input), and UART
as a serial data input when the UART RX.
interface is enabled. This pin is usually
marked by encasing the pin in a square
so that it can be used as a reference to
identify other pins. SDA/SS/RX: This
pin can be used for I2C SDA (Serial

ADVANTAGES OF RC522 MODULE

1. The first and the most important advantage

of the sensor is of the wireless
communication and transfer of data for
authenticity.
DISADVANTAGES OF RC522 MODULE
2. Secondly, many types of RFID cards can be
1. It supports only of 3.3V logic level, due to
read and write using this module. Though it
which it needs either a logic level converter or a
is not the best option to use but for small
3.3V microcontroller.
DIY projects it is good.
2. Sometimes due to slightly increase of the
3. It supports SPI protocol, so there is no issue
transmission, the data transfer can be obstructed,
of speed and pins as it can easily be
connected to any of the microcontroller
 which is frustrating and sometimes also to reset
the microcontroller.
3. No onboard status led is provided for indicating
reading and writing status of the RFID module.
Also, no LDO (low dropout) is provided on
board, which means you have to make sure to
connect it to 3.3V power supply only.