Smart RFID Attendance System

Project Description

This project is a fully automated student attendance system using RFID cards, an RTC module, a servo motor and a liquid crystal display (LCD). It reads RFID cards to record student attendance, log sign-in and sign-out times, and push the data into an Excel sheet using PLX-DAQ software for easy access and analysis. The system uses a microcontroller (Arduino) to interface with the RFID reader, RTC, LCD, and servo motor, providing a streamlined solution for managing student attendance.

Hardware Requirements

• Arduino UNO
• MFRC522 RFID Reader
• DS3231 RTC Module
• LiquidCrystal I2C Display
• Servo Motor

Software Requirements

• PLX-DAQ: Software used to transfer data from Arduino to Excel.
• Arduino IDE: Used for programming the Arduino.
• Libraries:
  • SPI.h
  • Wire.h
  • MFRC522.h (for RFID)
  • RTClib.h (for RTC module)
  • LiquidCrystal_I2C.h (for LCD)
  • Servo.h (for Servo Motor control)

Features

• RFID-based Attendance: Each student is identified by a unique RFID card, and their attendance is logged in the system.
• Real-Time Clock Integration: The system logs the current date and time of sign-in and sign-out using the DS3231 RTC module.
• Servo Motor: A servo motor is used to control access, allowing students to enter once their card is successfully scanned.
• Excel Data Logging: PLX-DAQ is used to push the attendance data into an Excel sheet for easy tracking and management.
  • Data recorded includes:
    • Student Name
    • Student ID
    • Date
    • Sign-in Time
    • Sign-out Time
    • RFID Card ID

System Workflow

1. Initialization: The system initializes the RFID reader, RTC module, LCD, and servo motor.
2. RFID Card Detection: When a valid RFID card is detected, the system logs the student’s details, date, and time.
3. Sign-in and Sign-out: If a student signs in, their data is recorded with the current time. If they attempt to sign in again, it logs a "sign-out" time, and the system marks the student as leaving.
4. Excel Logging with PLX-DAQ: PLX-DAQ listens for serial data from the Arduino and logs it in an Excel sheet. Each entry includes student details, date, and time.

Code Overview

Arduino Code

The Arduino code is responsible for:

• Reading the RFID card data.
• Retrieving the current date and time from the RTC module.
• Managing the servo motor for access control.
• Pushing data to the serial output, formatted for PLX-DAQ to log into Excel.

RFID Card Code

The RFID code is used to recognize student cards and check if the student is already signed in or out.

PLX-DAQ Integration

• PLX-DAQ is configured to listen to the serial output from the Arduino.
• Data from the Arduino (student name, ID, date, time) is sent via the serial port and automatically logged into an Excel sheet.
• The system will display the student's name and ID, as well as the sign-in time, sign-out time, and current session count in Excel.

Setup Instructions

Arduino Setup

1. Connect the Components:

   • Connect the MFRC522 RFID Reader to the Arduino according to the specified pins in the code.
   • Connect the RTC DS3231 Module to the Arduino.
   • Connect the LCD via I2C.
   • Connect the Servo Motor to control access.

2. Install Necessary Libraries:

   • Install the SPI.h, Wire.h, MFRC522.h, RTClib.h, LiquidCrystal_I2C.h, and Servo.h libraries in the Arduino IDE.

3. Upload the Code:

   • Upload the Code: Upload the provided attendance_system_code.ino and rfid_card_code.ino to your Arduino.
   • Note: The system is pre-configured with two cards. Modify the cards array to add more cards.

PLX-DAQ Setup

1. Download and Install PLX-DAQ:

   • Download PLX-DAQ from the official site and install it on your computer.

2. Connect Arduino to Computer:

   • Connect the Arduino via USB to the computer where PLX-DAQ is running.

3. Run PLX-DAQ:

   • Open PLX-DAQ and configure it to listen to the correct serial port where your Arduino is connected.
   • Start the communication to begin logging data to Excel.

4. Data Logging:

   • When a student scans their RFID card, the data (name, student ID, date, sign-in and sign-out times) will be automatically logged into the Excel sheet.

Example Data in Excel

LABEL	SCount	N/A	SNo	Name	Date	TimeIn	TimeOut
DATA	1	N/A	975550	Salma El Gohary	2025-01-01	10:30:00	10:35:00
DATA	2	N/A	978035	Nour Badr	2025-01-01	11:00:00	11:05:00

How to Use

1. Sign-In: A student presents their RFID card. The system logs the sign-in time.
2. Sign-Out: A student presents their card again, and the system logs the sign-out time.
3. PLX-DAQ: PLX-DAQ ensures all data is pushed into Excel for tracking and analysis.

Notes

• Make sure the RFID cards' UIDs are correctly set in the code.
• Ensure that PLX-DAQ is configured to listen to the correct COM port.

Challenges

1. Servo Malfunction
   • Initially, the servo motor would not move during sign-in or sign-out. After troubleshooting, I discovered an issue with the wiring. We reconnected the wires properly and reviewed the code to ensure it was controlling the servo correctly.
2. RFID Data Not Saving to Excel
   • At first, the RFID data wasn't being transferred to the Excel sheet. I carefully reviewed the code and removed unnecessary sections to simplify it, ensuring that the correct data was being sent to the PLX-DAQ software.
3. Incorrect Time Display
   • Initially, the system only displayed the time since the code started rather than the current time. I experimented with multiple libraries but couldn’t get it to work. After further debugging, I fixed the code and successfully displayed the correct time on the Excel sheet.

Skills

1. Embedded Systems Programming

   • I learned how to connect and program various devices like RFID readers, LCDs, and servo motors using Arduino.

2. Data Logging

   • I successfully used PLX-DAQ to send data from Arduino to Excel and ensure accurate attendance tracking.

3. Circuit Design & Troubleshooting

   • I designed and tested the circuits connecting all the hardware components, making sure everything worked correctly.

4. Problem Solving & Debugging

   • I fixed issues in the system, such as card detection problems and motor malfunctions, by troubleshooting and finding solutions.

Future Improvements

1. Better RFID Reader

   • A reader with a larger detection range would make the system more user-friendly and improve the overall process.

2. Portable Power Option

   • Making the system battery-powered or compatible with a portable charger would make it more convenient and flexible to use anywhere.

3. Database for Larger Scale Implementation

   • For larger setups, like in schools or businesses, using a database to store RFID card info would eliminate the need to change the code each time a new card is added, making the system more efficient and practical.