Access Control Evaluation
Prototype HF RFID/NFC reader behavior for door-entry and identity-check applications.
Why Choose This Reader Kit
V0.1H is designed for evaluation and product development. It gives developers a working HF RFID/NFC hardware platform, network upload path, browser-based configuration workflow, and open firmware that can be adapted for custom products.
Wireless MCU
ESP32-S3 Main Control
ESP32-S3 provides 2.4 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE capability at the hardware platform level, with module options for different flash and PSRAM requirements.
HF Front End
ST25R3916B
A high-performance 13.56 MHz NFC/HF reader front end for multi-protocol RFID/NFC evaluation and card-emulation development.
Open Source
Editable Firmware
The firmware and local libraries are published for developers who need to customize commands, output formats, network logic, or card workflows.
Network Ready
UART + TCP
Use UART for direct host integration, TCP Client/Server for LAN or cloud workflows, or the ELECHOUSE Broker page for fast online testing.
Custom Product
Appearance, Logo, Function
Customize the enclosure style, front-panel logo, card-area artwork, firmware behavior, output format, and integration workflow.
Designed for Fast Evaluation
Connect power, configure WiFi, read an HF card, and watch events appear on a TCP test page. The kit bridges hardware validation, firmware development, and network integration in one platform.
MCU
ESP32-S3
RF Front End
ST25R3916B
HF Frequency
13.56 MHz
Rated Power
0.95W
Firmware
Open Source
Use Scenarios
The kit is suitable for prototyping connected RFID/NFC systems before a final enclosure, interface protection, and production power design are selected.
Elevator or Wall Reader Concept
Evaluate enclosure, antenna placement, buzzer feedback, and user interaction flow.
Membership and Check-in
Build web-connected check-in prototypes with HF cards, NFC tags, and online event upload.
Developer Bench Testing
Use the Serial Config and TCP Broker tools to verify configuration, upload, and card emulation workflows.
Product Functional Architecture
The V0.1H architecture separates the ESP32-S3 main control board from the ST25R3916B HF module. The ESP32-S3 handles communication, configuration, command parsing, and output interfaces, while the HF module handles 13.56 MHz RFID/NFC operation.
Current V0.1H Features
V0.1H focuses on the HF version path: main controller plus HF module. It is already usable for HF reading, card-emulation experiments, WiFi configuration, command-line setup, and TCP data-upload tests.
| Feature | Status | Customer Value |
|---|---|---|
| HF UID/ID reading | Current | Read common HF card/tag identifiers and output events through UART or TCP. |
| NFC-A card emulation | Current | Evaluate Type 2 Tag and Type 4 Tag emulation with configurable UID and NDEF payloads. |
| WiFi configuration | Current | Configure network access through serial commands, web portal, or Web Serial tool. |
| USB CDC command interface | Current | Debug and configure the reader from a computer without extra USB-to-UART hardware. |
| Product UART | Current | Integrate with a local host controller through 3.3V TTL UART. |
| TCP Client, TCP Server, Broker test | Current | Push card events to a server, accept local TCP clients, or test online with ELECHOUSE Broker. |
| Buzzer and button | Current | Provide local feedback and configuration/reset interaction during testing. |
HF/NFC Capability
The ST25R3916B hardware platform is built for multi-protocol 13.56 MHz HF/NFC development. Product firmware currently focuses on practical UID/ID reading and NFC-A emulation, while the open-source stack provides a base for deeper card support.
NFC-A / ISO14443A
NFC-B / ISO14443B
NFC-F / FeliCa
NFC-V / ISO15693
NFC Forum Tag Types 1-5
NFC-A Type 2 Tag Emulation
NFC-A Type 4 Tag Emulation
Implementation note: The list above describes the ST25R3916B hardware and RFAL/NFC development direction. Current V0.1H product firmware should be evaluated against the exact card types required by the target application.
Customization Options
For customers building a finished RFID/NFC product, the development kit can be adapted into different enclosure styles, visual branding, and firmware feature sets.
Rectangular Enclosure
Classic wall-mounted reader appearance for access control, check-in, and equipment identification projects.
Round Enclosure
Alternative industrial or desktop form factor for projects that need a different visual style.
Square Enclosure
Compact square housing concept for custom installation layouts and branded front-panel designs.
Appearance
Enclosure Selection
Choose or adapt the enclosure shape, cable window, mounting style, and front-panel artwork for the target product.
Branding
Logo Customization
Customize the front logo, card-tap icon, color style, and printed or translucent panel graphics.
Firmware
Function Customization
Adapt card event format, TCP behavior, command set, card-emulation payloads, feedback logic, and integration workflow.
Open Source and Developer Friendly
The product is intentionally positioned as a development kit. Developers can review firmware behavior, extend command handling, adapt output formats, and customize the TCP test workflow.
Firmware
Source Available
Build from the published firmware repository and adapt the code for your own reader behavior.
Web Tools
Serial + TCP Test
Use browser tools to reduce setup time during development, manufacturing, and field testing.
Hardware Files
Schematic + Enclosure
Reference the mainboard schematic and enclosure files when planning product integration.
Current Capability and Roadmap
The current V0.1H hardware proves the HF network-reader baseline. Future revisions can expand the same architecture toward stronger productization and additional communication options.
| Area | Current V0.1H | Planned Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless | WiFi is used by current firmware. | BLE provisioning, BLE configuration, status query, and optional BLE data output. |
| MCU configuration | ESP32-S3 based controller. | Selectable ESP32-S3 module configurations, with product planning up to N8R8 class flash/PSRAM option. |
| RF modules | HF version: ESP32-S3 + ST25R3916B. | LF 125 kHz version and later HF + LF dual-frequency product line. |
| External interface | 3.3V TTL UART, no 5V level conversion. | Productized Wiegand/ABA interface, 5V/3.3V level conversion, and ESD protection. |
| Power | 5V input through USB-C, XH2.54 2P, or XH2.54 4P. | Evaluate 12V input and PoE for production deployment scenarios. |
| Local feedback | Button and buzzer populated. LED not populated on V0.1H. | Add LED status feedback and clearer field-service behavior. |
Technical Highlights
A concise overview for quick product comparison. See the datasheet for development-kit limitations and electrical details.
| Item | V0.1H Highlight |
|---|---|
| Main controller | ESP32-S3, WiFi and Bluetooth LE capable hardware platform |
| Planned ESP32-S3 option | Selectable module configurations, up to N8R8 class option for product planning |
| HF front end | ST25R3916B, 13.56 MHz HF RFID/NFC |
| Current interfaces | USB-C, USB CDC, product UART, WiFi TCP |
| Power input | 5V through USB-C connector, XH2.54 2P, or XH2.54 4P |
| Rated power | 0.95W, calculated from 5V x 0.19A |
| Standby power | 0.40W, calculated from 5V x 0.08A |
| UART connector | XH2.54 4P, 3.3V TTL on GPIO44/GPIO43 |
| Enclosure reference | 115 mm x 75 mm x 21.5 mm reference enclosure |
Product Documentation
Use these pages as one documentation set for ELECHOUSE Network RFID Reader V0.1H. Start with the datasheet for hardware and software specifications, then use the test guides to validate serial configuration and online TCP upload.
Specification
Product Datasheet
Hardware architecture, connector reference, electrical data, mechanical reference, software behavior, limitations, and roadmap.
Open Datasheet HTMLConfiguration Test
Serial Config Guide
Browser-based Web Serial connection, WiFi setup, command terminal checks, UART output settings, and HF mode verification.
Open Serial Guide HTMLNetwork Test
TCP Broker Guide
Online Broker session setup, ELECHOUSE Test mode configuration, card-event upload, and web-to-device command testing.
Open TCP Guide HTMLCommand Reference
Configuration Manual
Standard command set for WiFi, TCP, UART, reader output, feedback, HF scan mode, and HF card emulation settings.
Open Manual PDFDownload and Test Resources
Start from the datasheet and online tools, then customize the open firmware or Broker workflow for your own application.