Parallax RFID *USB* reader with Arduino

Hey Everyone,

Kind of a strange question, but I was really stupid the other day when I ordered my Parallax RFID reader and didn't realize I ordered the USB version instead of the easily compatible serial reader.

I don't really want to pay $50.00 for another reader if I don't have to, so I was wondering if I could splice a Mini-B USB cable to work with Arduino? I'm guessing that there's a lot more to just splicing the cable, and so I probably need to order a new reader, but I wanted to check to be sure before I went ahead and ordered a new one.

Thanks in advance guys, I really appreciate it.

Landon

well, the short answer is no. the arduino cant work as a usb host. the lng answer is maybe, chances are the readers are the same and the usb one probably has a serial converter in it. if you tapped into that before it got to the usb part you might be able to use it....might.... you're probably better off returning it and buying the right one as opposed to risking ruining the one you have now.

The low-cost USB readers I've been looking at recently have an FTDI chip (or equivalent) connected to a micro with a serial port, much like USB Arduinos.

Check the schematic, and see if there's a TTL serial stream in there that you could tap into.

Ran