Final Project Development¶

Inspiration¶

Core Concept

The idea behind this project is to create a secure and convenient automatic door system using an RFID module. When an authorized RFID tag is scanned, the system will unlock the door by activating a solenoid lock, and a corresponding LED will light up to confirm access. This provides both functional security and a clear visual indication of the lock status.

Why the Project

The motivation for this project stems from the need to improve security and simplify access control in our lab (JNWSFL). Traditional keys are easy to misplace and difficult to manage for multiple users, whereas RFID technology offers a modern, reliable, and scalable solution. This system aims to make access more convenient while ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter.

Who Will benefit?

This system is designed for environments where controlled access is necessary, such as offices, homes, secured labs, and warehouses. It will be particularly useful for lab managers, business owners, and building administrators looking for a streamlined way to manage access. Real-World Implementation

The system can be installed in office buildings, research facilities, warehouses, and homes—essentially any environment where electronic access control is needed. Its sleek design, customizable LED indicators, and intuitive interface make it user-friendly and adaptable to different settings.

Input and the Output considered¶

Input¶

RFID card and RFID scanner

Output¶

Solenoid
Neopixels
Buzzer

Prototyping¶

Initial rapid prototyping¶

I made my cardboard prototype using cardboard.I used the dxf file formate from the fusion and I used the Zund to cut the cardboard.The picture below is my first prototype.

Why initial prototyping?¶

This will allows me to figure out:
- What to Change: You can see what works and what doesn’t, so you know how to make your idea better.
- How Big to Make It: You can decide how big or small your project should be.
- Where to Put Things: You get to plan where each piece should go, like putting together a puzzle.
- What It Will Look Like: You get a sneak peek of how your final project might turn out, so you can focus on fixing or improving the parts that need work.

2nd Prototyping¶

I want to design cabinet with drawers that blinks the neopixels in calming pattern. When an authorized user touches the drawer door, the system detects the interaction, the decorative LEDs gently blink in a calming pattern (e.g., slow fade-in and fade-out) to indicate the system is active and ready.

I found this idea from the pinterest. I was thining of making this drawers door in modling casting week.

Here is my second version of the prototype drawer

Materials¶

Component	Price	Link
Seeeduino XIAO ESP32 C3 Microcontroller	$12.99	Amazon Link
RC522 RFID Module	$15.99 (pack of 5 modules)	Amazon Link
Neopixel	~$1 each	N/A
Miscellaneous Components (Jumper wires, resistors, etc.)	$6.98 (120-piece kit)	Amazon Link
Solenoid Lock	$10–$20	Amazon Link
Relay Module	$5–$10	Amazon Link
Rubber wood	$51.76 USD	Amazon Link
3D printed PCB casing	$1.73 USD	Amazon Link

Total Estimated Cost:¶

$12.99 (microcontroller)
$15.99 (RFID modules)
$1 (neopixels)
$6.98 (miscellaneous components)
$10–$20 (solenoid lock)
$5–$10 (relay module)

Total: $120.45 USD

Therefore, the total estimated cost ranges 9,997.35 BTN.

Week 02¶

In week two I tired making my first cabinet. I used the fusion 360 to do my designing. This is how my cabinet going to look.

Week04¶

In embeded programming week, I tired to programming using Esp32 as mcu and lcd with leds.

How it Works?
Inital Electronics design

I used the code by from here

📌

       #include <LiquidCrystal.h>
       // Define ESP32 GPIO pins for parallel LCD
       LiquidCrystal lcd(14, 12, 27, 26, 25, 33);  // LCD pins
       // ✅ Define LED GPIOs BEFORE setup()
        #define LED1 19
         #define LED2 5
         #define LED3 17
          #define BACKLIGHT 21
          void setup() {
         // Set LCD backlight pin as output
     pinMode(BACKLIGHT, OUTPUT);
      digitalWrite(BACKLIGHT, HIGH); // Turn ON backlight
      // Set LED pins as outputs and initialize them OFF
     pinMode(LED1, OUTPUT);
      pinMode(LED2, OUTPUT);
      pinMode(LED3, OUTPUT);
      digitalWrite(LED1, LOW);
     digitalWrite(LED2, LOW);
     digitalWrite(LED3, LOW);
     // Initialize the LCD
     lcd.begin(16, 2); // Assuming a 16x2 LCD
     }
     void loop() {
        // Blink LED1 and display message

    digitalWrite(LED1, HIGH);
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("Authorized ");
    delay(1000); 
    digitalWrite(LED1, LOW);
    lcd.clear();
    // Blink LED2 and display message
    digitalWrite(LED2, HIGH);
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
    lcd.print("Not auhorized");
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(LED2, LOW);
    lcd.clear();
    // Blink LED3 and display message
    digitalWrite(LED3, HIGH);
    lcd.setCursor(0, 0);
     lcd.print("Scan Again");
     delay(1000);
     digitalWrite(LED3, LOW);
      lcd.clear();
      delay(1000); // Pause before loop repeats
      }

Week 06¶

In week 06 I tired designing my board, I used the esp32 as MCU.Given below is the rough skecth of how my wiring will be

My first schematic

My first PCB

Week08.¶

In electronics production week, I tired redesign my board using XIAO RP2040. I milled and soldered my board.

My new schematic circuit design

My pcb

Week 09¶

In the input week, I tired using the RFID as the input to read the card UID

    #include <SPI.h>
    #include <MFRC522.h>

   #define SS_PIN D2  // Chip Select pin
   #define RST_PIN D1 // Reset pin

    MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN); // Create MFRC522 instance

    void setup() {
    Serial.begin(9600); // Initialize serial communication
     SPI.begin();        // Initialize SPI bus
     mfrc522.PCD_Init(); // Initialize MFRC522
     Serial.println("RFID Scanner Ready!");
    }

    void loop() {
    // Look for new cards
      if (mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent() && mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
     Serial.println("Card detected!");

     // Print UID of the card
     Serial.print("UID: ");
     for (byte i = 0; i < mfrc522.uid.size; i++) {
     Serial.print(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i] < 0x10 ? " 0" : " ");
      Serial.print(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
     }
     Serial.println();

    mfrc522.PICC_HaltA(); // Halt PICC
     }
     }

Here is rough sketch of my wiring, I am thinking of using the ESP32C3 as the for my final project. Before designing in the Kicad, I want to first try the circuit in the output week and check what are the changes to be done. after that I will make design the circuit for the PCB.

Week10¶

This week I used neopixels and solenoid to as output, as this I will be using the solenoid and neopixels for my final project.

Solenoid¶

I uploaded the code in arduino IDE, The code I used:

📌

  const int relayPin = 13; // GPIO pin connected to the relay module

  void setup() {
  pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);
  }

  void loop() {
  // Switch on the solenoid
  digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH); 
  delay(1000); // Solenoid remains ON for 1 second

 // Switch off the solenoid
 digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);
   delay(5000); // Solenoid remains OFF for 5 seconds

}

Neopixels¶

  #include <SPI.h>
  #include <MFRC522.h>
  #include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

  #define RFID_SS_PIN 10
  #define RFID_RST_PIN 9
  #define NEOPIXEL_PIN 6
  #define NUMPIXELS 8  // Number of NeoPixels

  MFRC522 mfrc522(RFID_SS_PIN, RFID_RST_PIN);
 Adafruit_NeoPixel pixels = Adafruit_NeoPixel(NUMPIXELS, NEOPIXEL_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

 // Replace with your authorized card UIDs
 byte authorizedUID1[] = {0xDE, 0xAD, 0xBE, 0xEF}; // Example UID - replace with yours
 byte authorizedUID2[] = {0x12, 0x34, 0x56, 0x78}; // Add more as needed

 void setup() {
 Serial.begin(9600);
 SPI.begin();
 mfrc522.PCD_Init();
 pixels.begin();
 pixels.setBrightness(50); // Adjust brightness (0-255)
 Serial.println("RFID + NeoPixel Ready");
 }

 void loop() {
 // Reset the loop if no new card present
 if (!mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent() || !mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
  delay(50);
  return;
 }

 Serial.print("Card UID:");
 for (byte i = 0; i < mfrc522.uid.size; i++) {
  Serial.print(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i] < 0x10 ? " 0" : " ");
  Serial.print(mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i], HEX);
 }
 Serial.println();

  // Check if card is authorized
 bool isAuthorized = false;
 if (compareUID(mfrc522.uid.uidByte, authorizedUID1, 4) || 
  compareUID(mfrc522.uid.uidByte, authorizedUID2, 4)) {
  isAuthorized = true;
 }

  // Light up NeoPixels based on authorization
  if (isAuthorized) {
  authorizedAnimation();
  Serial.println("Authorized - Rainbow colors!");
 } else {
  unauthorizedRed();
  Serial.println("Unauthorized - Red alert!");
 }

  delay(1000); // Debounce delay
  mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();
 }

 bool compareUID(byte *a, byte *b, byte len) {
 for (byte i = 0; i < len; i++) {
 if (a[i] != b[i]) return false;
 }
 return true;
 }

 void authorizedAnimation() {
  // Green, Yellow, Blue, Indigo, Violet sequence
  uint32_t colors[] = {
  pixels.Color(0, 255, 0),    // Green
  pixels.Color(255, 255, 0),  // Yellow
 pixels.Color(0, 0, 255),    // Blue
 pixels.Color(75, 0, 130),   // Indigo
 pixels.Color(148, 0, 211)   // Violet
 };

 for (int color = 0; color < 5; color++) {
 for (int i = 0; i < NUMPIXELS; i++) {
  pixels.setPixelColor(i, colors[color]);
  }
  pixels.show();
  delay(300); // Time between color changes
 }
 }

  void unauthorizedRed() {
  for (int i = 0; i < NUMPIXELS; i++) {
  pixels.setPixelColor(i, pixels.Color(255, 0, 0)); // Red
  }
  pixels.show();
  delay(1000); // Red stays on for 1 second
 }