Connect RFID to PHP & MySQL Database with NodeMcu ESP8266

In this tutorial, we will learn how to Connect RFID to PHP & MySQL Database with NodeMcu ESP8266. Here I have interfaced RFID-RC522 Module with NodeMcu ESP8266 and then I’m sending data of RFID to MySQL Database. Actually, we are just reading the serial data coming from NodeMcu ESP8266 and then publishing that to MySQL Database through python code. Unlike others, This project is Protable because we can access data from any device connected to the Internet. Basically, this project can store the Credentials of Students or employes.

Hardware Components Required

The components required to make project can be bought through the link provided below:

S.N	Components Name	Description	Quantity
1	NodeMCU	ESP8266 12E Board	1	https://amzn.to/3mTuL95
2	RFID Module	RFID-RC522 Module	1	https://amzn.to/3pOPpb4
3	Jumper Wires	Male to Male Jumper Wires	4	https://amzn.to/2JWSR44
4	Breadboard	Solderless Breadboard MIni	1	https://amzn.to/3n33uRT

Software Required with Download Links

• Arduino IDE
• XAMPP server
• PHP Source Code
• RFID-RC522 Library
• NodeMcu ESP8266 Library and Board Manager

Now before getting started with this project, let’s learn What is RFID? with its specifications and Features.

We Have Few More IoT Based Projects Resources:

RFID Based Attendance System Using NodeMCU with PHP Web App

IoT Based RFID Smart Door Lock System Using NodeMCU ESp8266

ESP8266 based IoT Health Care Panic Alarm for Elderly Folks

ESP8266 Plot Sensor readings to Webserver in Real-Time Chart

RFID RC522 Module

t first, let’s learn a little bit about RFID. RFID is the short form of Radio Frequency Identification. RFID modules use electromagnetic fields for transferring data between the card and the reader. Different RFID tags are attached to objects like Keychain, cards, etc. and whenever we place that object in front of the RFID reader, the reader reads that tags. The next benefit of RFID is that it doesn’t require to be in a straight line to get detected. Unlike a barcode, in RFID there’s no such restriction. So, here are some features of RFID RC522.

Features:
– Module Name: MF522-ED
– Working current：13—26mA/ DC 3.3V
– Standby current：10-13mA/DC 3.3V
– Sleeping current：<80uA
– Peak current：<30mA
– Working frequency：13.56MHz
– Card reading distance ：0～60mm（mifare1 card）
– Protocol：SPI
–Data communication speed：Maximum 10Mbit/s
–Card types supported：mifare1 S50、mifare1 S70、 Mifare UltraLight、mifare Pro、 mifare Desfire
–Dimension：40mm×60mm
–Working temperature：-20—80 degree
–Storage temperature：-40—85 degree
–Humidity：relevant humidity 5%—95%
–Max SPI speed: 10Mbit/s

Specifications & Pin Details

The simple specifications of RC522 module from left to right first pins are as follows:
Pin Name Details
1. 3.3V +3.3V Power Supply
2. RST Reset
3. GND Ground Pin
4. IRO Not Connected
5. MISO Serial Communication
6. MOSI Serial Communication
7. SCK TX/RX with ESP8266
8. SDA TX/RX with ESP8266

Interfacing RFID RC522 with NodeMcu ESP8266 Module

NodeMCU ESP8266/ESP12E RFID MFRC522 / RC522
D2 <———-> SDA/SS
D5 <———-> SCK
D7 <———-> MOSI
D6 <———-> MISO
GND <———-> GND
D1 <———-> RST
3V/3V3 <———-> 3.3V

Installation of XAMPP server:

Actually, we can Deploy PHP Web App on Hosting Server. But, you will need Public IP from Your Broadband connections to send data to the hosting server.

Demo of PHP Web App on My Hosting Server can be Access from here

However, we are using the XAMPP server it can be used both in Windows and Linux. Basically, Ubuntu users use LAMP it’s better than XAMPP. But, I am using Windows so I am going to use the XAMPP server. So you can download the XAMPP server from this link.

Deploying our PHP Web App

• Start your Mysql and Apache from XAMPP Control Panel.

• Copy-paste the RFID PHP Source Code folder provided in your htdocs folder.
• Create a new Database named RFID in your PHPMyAdmin.
• Import the nodemcu_rfid_iot_projects.sql file. If you do not know how to import an SQL file in PHPMyAdmin, simply click on your database, click “Import -> Choose File -> Click nodemcu_rfid_iot_projects.sql -> Open -> Go”

If you have done the steps above properly, you should be able to open the URL and see a PHP Web Apps.

Also Read: DIY Dual Axis Solar Tracker using Arduino

Setting up Arduino IDE for ESP8266 Board

We need to add the esp8266 board to our Arduino IDE. Open up your IDE then go to “File -> Preferences” or simply hit “Ctrl + comma”.

Paste http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json in additional board manager URLs. 

Go to “Tools -> Board -> Boards Manager” search and install esp8266.

Selecting Port and Board

Go to Tools -> Port and select the COM Port of your NodeMCU. If you are not sure what port your NodeMcu is plugged in, go to Device Manager -> Ports (COM & LPT).

Now select NodeMcu 1.0 (ESP-12E Module) by clicking Tools -> Board. Scroll down until you find it.

Install the MFRC522 library to your Arduino Libraries folder – Download RFID Library

More Interesting Projects:

Home Automation with ESP8266 Web Server & Relay Module Control Appliances from Local Network

IoT Web Controlled Smart Notice Board using NodeMCU ESP8266

Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor with OLED Display & Arduino

Program/Sketch Code

/*
  # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
  # RFID MFRC522 / RC522 Library : https://github.com/miguelbalboa/rfid #
  #                                                                     #
  #                 Installation :                                      #
  # NodeMCU ESP8266/ESP12E    RFID MFRC522 / RC522                      #
  #         D2       <---------->   SDA/SS                              #
  #         D5       <---------->   SCK                                 #
  #         D7       <---------->   MOSI                                #
  #         D6       <---------->   MISO                                #
  #         GND      <---------->   GND                                 #
  #         D1       <---------->   RST                                 #
  #         3V/3V3   <---------->   3.3V                                #
  # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

  # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
  # Subscribe To The IoT Projects YouTube Channel : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC49xSqiQ6gBrxUMQ9zvzO6A :) :) :) #
  # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
*/

//----------------------------------------Include the NodeMCU ESP8266 Library---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
//----------------------------------------see here: https://teiotprojects.com/connect-rfid-to-php-mysql-database-with-nodemcu-esp8266/ to add NodeMCU ESP8266 library and board
#include <ESP8266WebServer.h>
#include <ESP8266HTTPClient.h>
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

//----------------------------------------Include the SPI and MFRC522 libraries-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
//----------------------------------------Download the MFRC522 / RC522 library here: https://github.com/miguelbalboa/rfid
#include <SPI.h>
#include <MFRC522.h>
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

#define SS_PIN D2  //--> SDA / SS is connected to pinout D2
#define RST_PIN D1  //--> RST is connected to pinout D1
MFRC522 mfrc522(SS_PIN, RST_PIN);  //--> Create MFRC522 instance.

#define ON_Board_LED 2  //--> Defining an On Board LED, used for indicators when the process of connecting to a wifi router

//----------------------------------------SSID and Password of your WiFi router-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
const char* ssid = "Alsan Air WiFi 4";
const char* password = "[email protected]";
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

ESP8266WebServer server(80);  //--> Server on port 80

int readsuccess;
byte readcard[4];
char str[32] = "";
String StrUID;

//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SETUP--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200); //--> Initialize serial communications with the PC
  SPI.begin();      //--> Init SPI bus
  mfrc522.PCD_Init(); //--> Init MFRC522 card

  delay(500);

  WiFi.begin(ssid, password); //--> Connect to your WiFi router
  Serial.println("");

  pinMode(ON_Board_LED, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ON_Board_LED, HIGH); //--> Turn off Led On Board

  //----------------------------------------Wait for connection
  Serial.print("Connecting");
  while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
    Serial.print(".");
    //----------------------------------------Make the On Board Flashing LED on the process of connecting to the wifi router.
    digitalWrite(ON_Board_LED, LOW);
    delay(250);
    digitalWrite(ON_Board_LED, HIGH);
    delay(250);
  }
  digitalWrite(ON_Board_LED, HIGH); //--> Turn off the On Board LED when it is connected to the wifi router.
  //----------------------------------------If successfully connected to the wifi router, the IP Address that will be visited is displayed in the serial monitor
  Serial.println("");
  Serial.print("Successfully connected to : ");
  Serial.println(ssid);
  Serial.print("IP address: ");
  Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());

  Serial.println("Please tag a card or keychain to see the UID !");
  Serial.println("");
}
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------LOOP---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly
  readsuccess = getid();

  if (readsuccess) {
    digitalWrite(ON_Board_LED, LOW);
    HTTPClient http;    //Declare object of class HTTPClient

    String UIDresultSend, postData;
    UIDresultSend = StrUID;

    //Post Data
    postData = "UIDresult=" + UIDresultSend;

    http.begin("http://192.168.1.8/NodeMCU-and-RFID-RC522-IoT-Projects/getUID.php");  //Specify request destination
    http.addHeader("Content-Type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded"); //Specify content-type header

    int httpCode = http.POST(postData);   //Send the request
    String payload = http.getString();    //Get the response payload

    Serial.println(UIDresultSend);
    Serial.println(httpCode);   //Print HTTP return code
    Serial.println(payload);    //Print request response payload

    http.end();  //Close connection
    delay(1000);
    digitalWrite(ON_Board_LED, HIGH);
  }
}
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

//----------------------------------------Procedure for reading and obtaining a UID from a card or keychain---------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
int getid() {
  if (!mfrc522.PICC_IsNewCardPresent()) {
    return 0;
  }
  if (!mfrc522.PICC_ReadCardSerial()) {
    return 0;
  }


  Serial.print("THE UID OF THE SCANNED CARD IS : ");

  for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
    readcard[i] = mfrc522.uid.uidByte[i]; //storing the UID of the tag in readcard
    array_to_string(readcard, 4, str);
    StrUID = str;
  }
  mfrc522.PICC_HaltA();
  return 1;
}
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

//----------------------------------------Procedure to change the result of reading an array UID into a string------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
void array_to_string(byte array[], unsigned int len, char buffer[]) {
  for (unsigned int i = 0; i < len; i++)
  {
    byte nib1 = (array[i] >> 4) & 0x0F;
    byte nib2 = (array[i] >> 0) & 0x0F;
    buffer[i * 2 + 0] = nib1  < 0xA ? '0' + nib1  : 'A' + nib1  - 0xA;
    buffer[i * 2 + 1] = nib2  < 0xA ? '0' + nib2  : 'A' + nib2  - 0xA;
  }
  buffer[len * 2] = '\0';
}
//------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//

Video Tutorials

Conclusion

Finally, we have Connect RFID to PHP & MySQL Database with NodeMcu ESP8266. Now, you can use this Project to save user credentials on PHP Web App. Whenever you scan the RFID Card the user Credentials will be displayed on the Web App. We hope you found this IoT project useful! Drop a comment below if you have any doubts or queries. We’ll do our best to answer your questions.