Setting a longer range for a RC522 RFID reader through RFCfgReg

Projects Programming
1

Hi

I am using the Addicore RFID library and have successfully set up a working sketch, now however I have come across a problem.

The RFID reader can't read through the 3cm of wood I want it to read through, and I therefore try to increase the range of it.

I seached and found this way to increase the range:

http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=199983.0

And I opened my AddicoreRFID.h file and see

#define     RFCfgReg            0x26  // configures the receiver gain

Now, I assume I should set this to 48, but how do I do this? Is it here I should set it to 48?

I don't have a MFRC522.cpp like the guy in the other thread has, since I guess I am using a different library than him.

But how can I achieve this on the AddicoreRFID.h library?
Should I set it to 0x30?

2

Now, I assume I should set this to 48, but how do I do this? Is it here I should set it to 48?

No. That defines which memory location you want to write to, not the value at that memory location.

Did you read the whole thread you half-assed linked?

3

Yes I did, and halfway through it they start talking about possibilities of soldering an extra antenna on, which is not what I need.

I've tried to find PCD_Init in the files I have that came with the AddicoreRFID example that I used but I can't find it. In fact I can't find anywhere that says anything about db gain etc.

I downloaded and installed this Library and used it for the base as my sketch.

I have files addicorerfid.h and addicorerfid.cpp, neither say anything about neither PCD_init or RFCfgReg.

4

Wait I found someting and it seems that this line

//Write_AddicoreRFID(RFCfgReg, 0x7F);   		//RxGain = 48dB

escaped me. Now I am thinking I should just remove the //, and then the Gain would be set to max all the time, right?

But one thing I wonder about though, this was found in the ArduinoRFID.cpp file, which I don't see any other files referencing. None of the other files has an include AddicoreRFID.cpp.

I removed the // and nothing happens, it doesn't improve or anything....

5

escaped me. Now I am thinking I should just remove the //, and then the Gain would be set to max all the time, right?

That's my impression. Only one way to know. Send me your hardware, and I'll test it for you.

Of course, it would probably be faster for you to do the test.

6

As stated in my post which i edited, i removed the dashes but nothing changed.

They are supposed to have a range of 60mm.

7

They are supposed to have a range of 60mm.

Through air.

Any other medium in between is going to reduce the range.

8

Absolutely.
I held the tags up without any obstructions basically through air. Still only 20mm.

9

Hi
it doesnt realy anwser your question.
but for the moment im busy or just finished a RFID project. RC522 cardreader and i use the MFRC522.h

i have a Card and tag. and i found out that the TAG only has a range of 25 mm and the Card a range of 40mm.

i also tried to read thru 40mm of wood and it worked with the Card but i needed to find the sweet spot.
the tag did not work.

i also tried to use the register to increase the range but it only made it worse.