How to Make a RFID based Attendance System

In this post we are going to construct a RFID based attendance system, which can record attendance of 12 students / staffs for a given time window and this system can record up to 255 attendances per person.

What is RFID Attendance System

We don't need any introduction regarding the RFID based attendance system, it is being used in colleges, office, libraries to know how many times a person or how many number of people has come in and out at what time.

In this project we will be constructing a simplest RFID based attendance system which does not overcomplicate the project.

In this project we will be using RTC module, which is utilized for enabling and disabling the attendance system within a given time period, so that we can keep the late comers at bay.

The RFID module “RFID-RC522” which can do read and write operations on NXP based RFID tags. NXP is lead producer of RFID tags in the world and we can get them on online and offline stores easily.

A 16 x 2 LCD display is used, which is to showcase information such as time, date, number of attendance, etc.

And finally an Arduino board is utilized which is the brain of the project. You may choose any version of board.

Now let’s move on to schematic diagrams:

Arduino to LCD display connection:

Just connect the wiring as per the below diagram and use 10 kilo ohm potentiometer to adjust the contrast.

Arduino to RFID module connection:

The RFID module must be powered by 3.3V and 5V can damage the on board components. The RFID-RC522 module works on SPI communication protocol while communicating with Arduino.

Rest of the circuit:

The Arduino can be powered from 9V wall adapter. There is a buzzer and LED to indicate that the card is detected. There are 4 buttons provided for viewing the attendance, clearing the memory and “yes” and “no” buttons.

That concludes the hardware part.

Please download the following library files:

Link1: github.com/PaulStoffregen/DS1307RTC

Link2: github.com/PaulStoffregen/Time

Link3: github.com/miguelbalboa/rfid.git

Now we have to set the correct time to RTC module to do this, follow the below steps with completed hardware setup.

• Open the Arduino IDE.
• Navigate to File> Examples> DS1307RTC> SetTime.
• Upload the code.

Once the code is uploaded to Arduino, open the serial monitor. Now the RTC is synchronized with the time of your computer.

Now you have to find UID or unique identification number of all 12 RFID cards/tags. To find UID, upload the below code and open the serial monitor.

//-------------------------Program developed by R.Girish------------------//
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>
#define SS_PIN 10
#define RST_PIN 9
MFRC522 rfid(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);
MFRC522::MIFARE_Key key;
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
SPI.begin();
rfid.PCD_Init();
}
void loop() {
if ( ! rfid.PICC_IsNewCardPresent())
return;
if ( ! rfid.PICC_ReadCardSerial())
return;
MFRC522::PICC_Type piccType = rfid.PICC_GetType(rfid.uid.sak);
if (piccType != MFRC522::PICC_TYPE_MIFARE_MINI &&
piccType != MFRC522::PICC_TYPE_MIFARE_1K &&
piccType != MFRC522::PICC_TYPE_MIFARE_4K)
{
Serial.println(F("Your tag is not of type MIFARE Classic, your card/tag can't be read :("));
return;
}
String StrID = "" ;
for (byte i = 0; i < 4; i ++)
{
StrID +=
(rfid.uid.uidByte[i] < 0x10 ? "0" : "") +
String(rfid.uid.uidByte[i], HEX) +
(i != 3 ? ":" : "" );
}
StrID.toUpperCase();
Serial.print("Your card's UID: ");
Serial.println(StrID);
rfid.PICC_HaltA ();
rfid.PCD_StopCrypto1 ();
}
//-------------------------Program developed by R.Girish------------------//

• Open serial monitor.
• Scan the card/tag on RFID module.
• Now you will see some hexadecimal code for each card.
• Write it down, we will be entering those data in the next program.

The main program:

//-------------------------Program developed by R.Girish------------------//
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>
#include <Wire.h>
#include <TimeLib.h>
#include <DS1307RTC.h>
#define SS_PIN 10
#define RST_PIN 9
MFRC522 rfid(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);
MFRC522::MIFARE_Key key;
const int rs = 7;
const int en = 6;
const int d4 = 5;
const int d5 = 4;
const int d6 = 3;
const int d7 = 2;
const int LED = 8;
boolean ok = false;
LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7);
const int list = A0;
const int CLM = A1;
const int yes = A2;
const int no = A3;
int H = 0;
int M = 0;
int S = 0;
int i = 0;
int ID1 = 0;
int ID2 = 0;
int ID3 = 0;
int ID4 = 0;
int ID5 = 0;
int ID6 = 0;
int ID7 = 0;
int ID8 = 0;
int ID9 = 0;
int ID10 = 0;
int ID11 = 0;
int ID12 = 0;
char UID[] = "";
// **************************** SETTINGS ************************ //
// ------ From -------- // (Set the time range for attendance in hours 0 to 23)
int h = 21; // Hrs
int m = 00; // Min
// ------- To ------- //
int h1 = 21; // Hrs
int m1 = 50; //Min
// ---------------- SET UIDs ----------------- //
char UID1[] = "F6:97:ED:70";
char UID2[] = "45:B8:AF:C0";
char UID3[] = "15:9F:A5:C0";
char UID4[] = "C5:E4:AD:C0";
char UID5[] = "65:1D:AF:C0";
char UID6[] = "45:8A:AF:C0";
char UID7[] = "15:9F:A4:C0";
char UID8[] = "55:CB:AF:C0";
char UID9[] = "65:7D:AF:C0";
char UID10[] = "05:2C:AA:04";
char UID11[] = "55:7D:AA:04";
char UID12[] = "BD:8A:16:0B";
// -------------- NAMES -----------------------//
char Name1[] = "Student1";
char Name2[] = "Student2";
char Name3[] = "Student3";
char Name4[] = "Student4";
char Name5[] = "Student5";
char Name6[] = "Student6";
char Name7[] = "Student7";
char Name8[] = "Student8";
char Name9[] = "Student9";
char Name10[] = "Student10";
char Name11[] = "Student11";
char Name12[] = "Student12";
// ********************************************************** //
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(9600);
lcd.begin(16, 2);
SPI.begin();
rfid.PCD_Init();
pinMode(yes, INPUT);
pinMode(no, INPUT);
pinMode(list, INPUT);
pinMode(LED, OUTPUT);
pinMode(CLM, INPUT);
digitalWrite(CLM, HIGH);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
digitalWrite(yes, HIGH);
digitalWrite(no, HIGH);
digitalWrite(list, HIGH);
}
void loop()
{
if (digitalRead(list) == LOW)
{
Read_data();
}
if (digitalRead(CLM) == LOW)
{
clear_Memory();
}
tmElements_t tm;
if (RTC.read(tm))
{
lcd.clear();
H = tm.Hour;
M = tm.Minute;
S = tm.Second;
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("TIME:");
lcd.print(tm.Hour);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(tm.Minute);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(tm.Second);
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("DATE:");
lcd.print(tm.Day);
lcd.print("/");
lcd.print(tm.Month);
lcd.print("/");
lcd.print(tmYearToCalendar(tm.Year));
delay(1000);
} else {
if (RTC.chipPresent())
{
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("RTC stopped!!!");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Run SetTime code");
} else {
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Read error!");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Check circuitry!");
}
}
if (H == h)
{
if (M == m)
{
ok = true;
}
}
if (H == h1)
{
if (M == m1)
{
ok = false;
}
}
if ( ! rfid.PICC_IsNewCardPresent())
return;
if ( ! rfid.PICC_ReadCardSerial())
return;
MFRC522::PICC_Type piccType = rfid.PICC_GetType(rfid.uid.sak);
if (piccType != MFRC522::PICC_TYPE_MIFARE_MINI &&
piccType != MFRC522::PICC_TYPE_MIFARE_1K &&
piccType != MFRC522::PICC_TYPE_MIFARE_4K)
{
Serial.println(F("Your tag is not of type MIFARE Classic, your card/tag can't be read :("));
}
String StrID = "" ;
for (byte i = 0; i < 4; i ++)
{
StrID +=
(rfid.uid.uidByte[i] < 0x10 ? "0" : "") +
String(rfid.uid.uidByte[i], HEX) +
(i != 3 ? ":" : "" );
}
StrID.toUpperCase();
if (ok == false)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Attendance is");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Closed.");
delay(1000);
}
if (ok)
{
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID1)
{
ID1 = EEPROM.read(1);
ID1 = ID1 + 1;
if (ID1 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID1 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(1, ID1);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID2)
{
ID2 = EEPROM.read(2);
ID2 = ID2 + 1;
if (ID2 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID2 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(2, ID2);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID3)
{
ID3 = EEPROM.read(3);
ID3 = ID3 + 1;
if (ID3 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID3 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(3, ID3);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID4)
{
ID4 = EEPROM.read(4);
ID4 = ID4 + 1;
if (ID4 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID4 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(4, ID4);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID5)
{
ID5 = EEPROM.read(5);
ID5 = ID5 + 1;
if (ID5 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID5 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(5, ID5);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID6)
{
ID6 = EEPROM.read(6);
ID6 = ID6 + 1;
if (ID6 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID6 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(6, ID6);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID7)
{
ID7 = EEPROM.read(7);
ID7 = ID7 + 1;
if (ID7 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID7 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(7, ID7);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID8)
{
ID8 = EEPROM.read(8);
ID8 = ID1 + 1;
if (ID8 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID8 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(8, ID8);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID9)
{
ID9 = EEPROM.read(9);
ID9 = ID9 + 1;
if (ID9 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID9 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(9, ID9);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID10)
{
ID10 = EEPROM.read(10);
ID10 = ID10 + 1;
if (ID10 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID10 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(10, ID10);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID11)
{
ID11 = EEPROM.read(11);
ID11 = ID11 + 1;
if (ID11 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID11 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(11, ID11);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
//-----------------------------------//
if (StrID == UID12)
{
ID12 = EEPROM.read(12);
ID12 = ID12 + 1;
if (ID12 == 256)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Memory is Full");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Please Clear All.");
for (i = 0; i < 20; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(100);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(100);
}
i = 0;
return;
}
if (ID12 != 256)
{
EEPROM.write(12, ID12);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Your Attendance");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Registered !!!");
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(1000);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
return;
}
}
if (StrID != UID1 || StrID != UID2 || StrID != UID3 || StrID != UID4
|| StrID != UID5 || StrID != UID6 || StrID != UID7 || StrID != UID8
|| StrID != UID9 || StrID != UID10 || StrID != UID11 || StrID != UID12)
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print("Unknown RFID");
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print("Card !!!");
for (i = 0; i < 3; i++)
{
digitalWrite(LED, HIGH);
delay(200);
digitalWrite(LED, LOW);
delay(200);
}
}
rfid.PICC_HaltA ();
rfid.PCD_StopCrypto1();
}
}
void Read_data()
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(Name1);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(1));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(Name2);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(2));
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(Name3);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(3));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(Name4);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(4));
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(Name5);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(5));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(Name6);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(6));
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(Name7);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(7));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(Name8);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(8));
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(Name9);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(9));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(Name10);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(10));
delay(2000);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(Name11);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(11));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(Name12);
lcd.print(":");
lcd.print(EEPROM.read(12));
delay(2000);
}
void clear_Memory()
{
lcd.clear();
lcd.print(0, 0);
lcd.print(F("Clear All Data?"));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(F("Long press: Y/N"));
delay(2500);
Serial.print("YES");
if (digitalRead(yes) == LOW)
{
EEPROM.write(1, 0);
EEPROM.write(2, 0);
EEPROM.write(3, 0);
EEPROM.write(4, 0);
EEPROM.write(5, 0);
EEPROM.write(6, 0);
EEPROM.write(7, 0);
EEPROM.write(8, 0);
EEPROM.write(9, 0);
EEPROM.write(10, 0);
EEPROM.write(11, 0);
EEPROM.write(12, 0);
lcd.clear();
lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
lcd.print(F("All Data Cleared"));
lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
lcd.print(F("****************"));
delay(1500);
}
if (digitalRead(no) == LOW);
{
return;
}
}
//-------------------------Program developed by R.Girish------------------//

// ---------------- SET UIDs ----------------- //

char UID1[] = "F6:97:ED:70";

char UID2[] = "45:B8:AF:C0";

char UID3[] = "15:9F:A5:C0";

char UID4[] = "C5:E4:AD:C0";

char UID5[] = "65:1D:AF:C0";

char UID6[] = "45:8A:AF:C0";

char UID7[] = "15:9F:A4:C0";

char UID8[] = "55:CB:AF:C0";

char UID9[] = "65:7D:AF:C0";

char UID10[] = "05:2C:AA:04";

char UID11[] = "55:7D:AA:04";

char UID12[] = "BD:8A:16:0B";

//----------------------------------------------//

You have place names here:

// -------------- NAMES -----------------------//

char Name1[] = "Student1";

char Name2[] = "Student2";

char Name3[] = "Student3";

char Name4[] = "Student4";

char Name5[] = "Student5";

char Name6[] = "Student6";

char Name7[] = "Student7";

char Name8[] = "Student8";

char Name9[] = "Student9";

char Name10[] = "Student10";

char Name11[] = "Student11";

char Name12[] = "Student12";

//--------------------------------------------//

Replace student1, student2 with any name you wish or leave it as it is.

You have to set the time from when to when the attendance system should be active, rest of the time the system won’t register the attendance when we scan RFID tag/card:

// ------ From -------- //

int h = 21; // Hrs

int m = 00; // Min

// ------- To ------- //

int h1 = 21; // Hrs

int m1 = 50; //Min

//-------------------------//

The upper part is starting time and the lower part is ending time. You have to enter time in hours from 0 to 23 and minutes from 00 to 59.

Author’s prototype:

If you have any questions regarding this project, feel free to express in the comment section, you may receive a quick reply.

About the Author

I am an electronic engineer (dipIETE ), hobbyist, inventor, schematic/PCB designer, manufacturer. I am also the founder of the website: https://www.homemade-circuits.com/, where I love sharing my innovative circuit ideas and tutorials. If you have any circuit related query, you may interact through comments, I'll be most happy to help!