synopsis on

rf id based access control system

group member - ankita yadav(0935731005),
jyoti sahani
(0935731015),
mausam
kumari(0935731017).

Submitted to:
HOD (miss. Payal tondon)
Electronics & Communication

Under the guidance of:

Ankita srivastava
Electronics&communication

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the people who extended their help
during the course of our project.
We are greatly profound to our honour able chairman Mr. Anurag kumar singh sir
for facilitating us with this opportunity. We also record our sincere thanks to our honour
able C.ed mam Mrs. Rakhi Kharvarnda for her kind support to take up this project.
We are thankful and extremly greatful to our honour able head of department miss
Payal Tondon, electronics & communication for her moral support. We would like to thank all
faculty members and staff of the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
for their generous help, encouragement, insightful comments, valuable guidance and
information in various ways for the completion of this project.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our guide Mr. Piyush Gupta for his
constant technical support& stupendous encouragement which enables us to complete our
project.
Further the acknowledgment would be incomplete if we would not mention a word of thanks to
our most beloved Parents whose continuous support encouragement all the way though the
course has led us to pursue the degree and confidently complete the project.

TABLE OF CONTENT :

1. AIM .. 5
2. ABSTRACT 6
3. INTRODUCTION7
4. EXIXTING TECHNOLOGY AND NEED FOR RFID...8
5. RFID TECHNOLOGY.9
6. WORKING OF RFID10
7. RFID TAGS11
8. PACKAGING13
9. HOW TAGS COMMUNICATE14
10.

RFID ACCESS CONTROL...16

11.

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM COMPONENTS17

12.

ACCESS CONTROL PROCESS...17

13.

TYPES OF READER.21

14.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED .28

15.

ADVANTAGES.29

16.

APPLICATIONS.30

17.

CONCLUSION31

18.

REFERENCES32

AIM:

The most basic role of an access control system is to keep out anyone who is not supposed to
enter an area. This can be the front door, a parking garage, a server room, a personnel records

room, or any other sensitive area. You may also want to use an access control system to track
when employees come and go. Another point to consider: how secure do you need the system
to be? A basic system usually features a keypad or swipe card. Higher security applications
may require multiple means of authentication (a card and thumbprint, for example) and include
more redundancy. Finally, consider what other systems need to connect to your access control
system.
As we are stepping towards the 21st century, man is becoming very careful about security, with
no exception for industries. Various industries are becoming very careful about manufacturing
and distribution of their products.
New technology addresses these requirements, providing the foundation to allow cooperative
interaction to be developed. Thus the RFID BASED ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM is just
example of new technology which will be providing the base for security of product
distribution and data keeping using electronic control.

ABSTRACT:

The ongoing growth of technology has necessitated the use of more simpler and effective
as a replacement of existing ones.

Our project is based on automating the access control and security operation involved in
an organisation. Earlier there was the swiping system using bar codes readers. Now it can be
carried using non-contact devices with the help of Radio Frequency Identification(RFID).
RFID cards are provided to employees ,these cards carring their own of identification number
in coded format, which can be retrived by the reader only .By means of this the authentication
of the employee can be varified. Then is the access control at various point inside the
organisation.
In order to avoid the tress passing and in case of theft of card, we have added a keypad
for entering a password. Thereby it achieves a two level security.

INTRODUCTION
The concept of access control is brought about using a card, a corresponding card reader and a
control panel interfaced with the server. The card is a proximity card with a unique
identification number integrated in it.

The reader reads the data and sends it to the control panel, which is the micro controller. This
controller checks the validity of the data with the server, which bears the database. The server

is loaded with the details about the employee for that number, such as the name, designastion ,
his access location in the organization and other necessary detail.

The control panel checks whether he/she is allowed to enter the particular door or not. If the
employee is authentic, then he/she is allowed access in the particular entrance. The employees
can be permitted in a given entrance as per his/her designation. The access control is employed
at this point. When a person of a particular designation is not supposed to be allowed in a given
entrance, he/she is not even requested for a password.

Existing technology and need for RFIDWe have seen the security personnel checking of employees identification card at the entrances
to avoid the illegal entry.The employee sign a register at the entrance before getting in. This is
still being practiced in most of the companies.
However, the disadvantage are that, whenever there is a necessity of providing control at many
locations inside the company, a person at each point will not be an economical way to
implementing it.
Then came were the punch cards. Employee posses cards, which are punched when they enter
into the building. But it has disadvantages. Workers started to practice buddy punching, for
their co-workers.
Concerns about the buddy-punching , the practice where employees fraudulently clock their
co-workers in or out to give them credit for time that wasnt actually worked-led Continental
Airlines to implement a fingerprint ID system to augment their automated employee time and
attendance recording system. The company expanded the system from Control Module after it
saved an estimated $100,000 in the first year. This led to the bar code readers.
7

It is a much common sight to see a bar code reader in the companies. These are used to check
with the employees identification. The employees swipe the card to the allotted slot. Then the
access is given after checking the authenticity of the card. This was a substitute of the security
and emerged as a new technique in access control. This acted as a starting of the automation of
the access control. But the bar code readers are the contact readers where, the card are provided
to touch the reader.
With the growth of technology and giant leap in the field of radio frequency transmission, a
requirement for the same application using RF is desired.
A further improvement is the RF ID card technology, which uses contact less card readers.
Bringing the card nearer to the reader suffices for the reader to read the contents of card. This
simplifies the usage of the employees. This technology is crawling into the companies and has
the potential to substitute the preceding technologies.

RFID TECHNOLOGY
RF ID technology is used in many different applications such as television, radio, cellular
phones, radar, automatic identification system. The term RFID(radio frequency identification)
describes the use of radio frequency signal to provide automatic identification of items.
Radio frequency (RF) refers to electromagnetic waves that have a wavelength suited for use in
radio communication. Radio waves are classified by their frequencies, which are expressed in
kilohertz, megahertz, or gigahertz. Radio frequencies range from very low frequency (VLF),
which has a range of 10 to 30 kHz, to extremely high frequency (EHF), which has a range of
30 to 300 GHz.
RFID is a flexible technology that is convenient, easy to use, and well suited for automatic
operation. It combines advantages not available with other identification technologies. RFID
can be supplied as read-only or read / write, does not require contact or line-of-sight to operate,
can function under a variety of environmental conditions, and provides a high level of data
8

integrity. In addition, because the technology is difficult to counterfeit, RFID provides a high
level of security.
RFID is similar in concept to bar coding. Bar code systems use a reader and coded labels that
are attached to an item, whereas RFID uses a reader and special RFID devices that are attached
to an item. Bar code uses optical signals to transfer information from the label to the reader;
RFID uses RF signals to transfer information from the RFID device to the reader.
Radio waves transfer data between an item to which an RFID device is attached and an RFID
reader. The device can contain data about the item, such as what the item is, what time the
device traveled through a certain zone, perhaps even a parameter such as temperature. RFID
devices, such as a tag or label, can be attached to virtually anything from a vehicle to a pallet
of merchandise.
RFID technology uses frequencies within the range of 50 kHz to 2.5 GHz. An RFID system
typically includes the following components:
An RFID device (transponder or tag) that contains data about an item
An antenna used to transmit the RF signals between the reader and the RFID device
An RF transceiver that generates the RF signals
A reader that receives RF transmissions from an RFID device and passes the data to a host
system for processing.

Fig: a typical RFID system

In addition to this basic RFID equipment, an RFID system includes application-specific
software.

WORKING OF RFID

A Radio-Frequency Identification system has three parts:

A scanning antenna
A transceiver with a decoder to interpret the data
A transponder - the RFID tag - that has been programmed with information.

The scanning antenna puts out radio-frequency signals in a relatively short range. The RF
radiation does two things:
It provides a means of communicating with the transponder (the RFID tag) AND
It provides the RFID tag with the energy to communicate (in the case of passive RFID
tags).
This is an absolutely key part of the technology; RFID tags do not need to contain batteries,
and can therefore remain usable for very long periods of time (maybe decades).
The scanning antennas can be permanently affixed to a surface; handheld antennas are also
available. They can take whatever shape you need; for example, you could build them into a
door frame to accept data from persons or objects passing through.
When an RFID tag passes through the field of the scanning antenna, it detects the activation
signal from the antenna. That "wakes up" the RFID chip, and it transmits the information on its
microchip to be picked up by the scanning antenna.
In addition, the RFID tag may be of one of two types. Active RFID tags have their own power
source; the advantage of these tags is that the reader can be much farther away and still get the
signal. Even though some of these devices are built to have up to a 10 year life span, they have
limited life spans. Passive RFID tags, however, do not require batteries, and can be much
smaller and have a virtually unlimited life span.
RFID tags can be read in a wide variety of circumstances, where barcodes or other optically
read technologies are useless.

The tag need not be on the surface of the object (and is therefore not subject to wear)
The read time is typically less than 100 milliseconds
Large numbers of tags can be read at once rather than item by item.

RFID TAGS

10

The RFID tag is used as an identity for a particular user. If the identity (serial number of the
tag) of the user is matched with the one already stored in this system, he gets immediate access
through it. This RFID based secured access system also has many additional features. For
example, a new user can register himself with the system. A registered user can also withdraw
his entry from the system. These features can be accessed by pressing a tactile switch
connected to the microcontroller.

In beginning, the user is prompted to scan his tag or ID. The serial code of the tag is identified
by the reader module and is sent to AT89C51 for checking. If the ID is matched by the
microcontroller, the user gets the access. On the contrary, if the tag is not identified, a message
(Wrong ID) is displayed on LCD screen.

A new user needs to press the switch to register after which his identity is verified twice with
RFID tag. The new record is stored by the microcontroller to grant future access. The system
also shows Error if the tags do not match during verification. An existing user can delete his
record by pressing the same switch. Again the verification is carried out and the user is deleted
if the IDs match. If a different tag is scanned through the reader, LCD displays you have
shown different ID.

When an RFID tag comes in this range, the reader detects it and sends a unique code of the tag
serially. This serial code, consisting of 12 bytes, is received by the microcontroller. This code is
treated as an ID for the user and is stored as an array in the microcontroller. If the ID is
matched with this code, the user is granted access though the system. For more details on
working and connections of the circuit, refer RFID interfacing through serial interrupt.

RFID TAGS are based on the mode of operation are classified as ACTIVE and PASSIVE tags.
The classification is done on the basis of tags ability to transmit the code embedded in it.
Hence an active tag is capable of transmitting to a reader independently, whereas the passive
tags need an external excitation for to transmit the code. The reader usually provides the
excitation. Further each of the tags either active or passive has their own frequency of
operation. We have used the passive types of a tag operating on a frequency of 125KHZ
In addition to the way they are used, RFID tags can also be classified according to the presence
or absence of a radio signal transceiver and of an embedded power supply:

11

Active RFID tags: They embed a radio signal transceiver and thereby a battery to power it.
Thanks to the integrated power supply, active RFID tags can activate themselves regardless of
the presence of a reader/interrogator in proximity and provide, at the same time, longer read
ranges in comparison to passive RFID tags that have no battery and integrated transceiver.
Because of these characteristics, active RFID tags are commonly used when Real Time
Location
Systems
(RTLS)
need
to
be
deployed.
Often, active RFID tags feature extra sensors such as those for the measurement of humidity,
temperature
and
pressure.
Usually, active RFID tags are more expensive than passive RFID tags and have environmental
limitations due to the presence of the battery.
Passive RFID tags: They do not have an embedded transceiver and battery. When passive
RFID tags enter the field generated by a reader, they wake up and respond to it by reflecting
modulated its signal; this technique is called backscatter. Then the reader receives and
decodes
the
response.
Passive RFID tags are the most widespread in the market because of their low prices that make
them suitable for a wide range of applications. Moreover, passive tags can withstand
challenging environmental conditions that can restrict the use of RFID tags with integrated
batteries.
Passive RFID tags usually provide shorter read ranges in comparison to active RFID tags and
Battery-Assisted
Passive
RFID
tags.
Given that passive RFID tags communicate with a reader only when they enter its action field,
they are rarely used for RTLS applications.
Battery-Assisted Passive (BAP) RFID tags: These are essentially passive RFID tags and use
backscatter to work but, unlike passive RFID tags, BAP RFID tags have an integrated battery
that keeps the integrated chip in a stand-by status. Passive RFID tags read ranges are often
limited by the need of providing their ICs with the minimum power threshold to wake up
when distance makes the signal from the reader too weak. BAP RFID tags have a battery to
help with the wake up problem increasing significantly the read distances. When the battery
is discharged, BAP RFID tags continue working as common passive RFID tags.
BAP tags are usually more expensive then comparable passive tags and cheaper than active
tags.
As for active RFID tags, battery can be a limiting factor for usage in extreme environmental
conditions.
.

PACKAGING

Tags are manufactured in a wide variety of packaging formats designed for different
applications and environment. The basic assembly process consists of first a substrate

12

material(Paper, PVC, PET,); upon which an antenna made from one of many different
conductive materials including silver ink, aluminum, copper is deposited. Next the tag chip
itself is connected to the antenna; using technique such as wire bonding or flip chip. Finally a
protective overlay made from materials such as PVC lamination, Epoxy resin, Adhesive paper
is optionally added to allow the tag to support some of physical conditions found in many
application such as abrasion, impact, corrosion etc.

HOW TAGS COMMUNICATE

Near field communication : NFC is a set of standards for smart phones and similar devices to
establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into
close proximity, usually no more than a few centimeters.. Present and anticipated applications
include contact less transactions, data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex
communications such as Wi Fi. Communication is also possible between an NFC device and
an un-powered NFC chip, called a "tag".
NFC standards cover communications protocols and data exchange formats, and are based on
existing radio-frequency identification (RFID) standards including ISO/IEC 14443 and Feli Ca.
The standards include ISO/IEC 18092 and those defined by the NFC Forum, which was
founded in 2004 by Nokia, Philips and Sony, and now has more than 160 members. The Forum
also promotes NFC and certifies device compliance.

13

FIG: NEAR FIELD COMMUNICATION

Far field communication (FFC): RFID tags based on far-field emissions capture EM
waves propagating from a dipole antenna attached to the reader. A smaller dipole antenna in the
tag receives this energy as an alternating potential difference that appears across the arms of
the dipole. A diode can rectify this potential and link it to a capacitor, which will result in an
accumulation of energy in order to power its electronics. The technique designers use for
commercial far-field RFID tags is back scattering . If they design an antenna with precise
dimensions, it can be tuned to a particular frequency and absorb most of the energy that
reaches it at that frequency. However, if an impedance mismatch occurs at this frequency, the
antenna will reflect back some of the energy (as tiny waves) toward the reader, which can then
detect the energy using a sensitive radio receiver. By changing the antennas impedance over
time, the tag can reflect back more or less of the incoming signal in a pattern that encodes the
tags ID. In practice, you can detune a tags antenna for this purpose by placing a transistor
across its dipole and then turning it partially on and off. As a rough design guide, tags that use
far field principles operate at greater than 100 MHz typically in the ultra high-frequency (UHF)
band (such as 2.45 GHz); below this frequency is the domain of RFID based on near-field
coupling.

14

FIG: FAR FIELD COMMUNICATION

RFID ACCESS CONTROL

Radio frequency identification (RFID) access control systems have been in use for several
years and are becoming increasingly popular in the post 9/11 world. In addition to potentially
improving operational efficiencies, controlling access with RFID-enabled ID badges allows
organizations to:

15

Deter theft
Track personnel and visitors
Limit access to restricted areas based on role
Comply with government-regulated security protocols

Compared to traditional access control solutions that rely on magnetic stripes, barcodes, and
proximity readers, RFID access control offers these advantages:

Increased reading distance

Ability to update badge holder data without issuing a new ID
Ability to read multiple IDs at once
Ability to trigger a surveillance camera upon entering the camera's vicinity

The typical RFID-based controlled access solution consists of 1) tags that contain unique
identification data capable of granting or denying access to restricted areas, and 2) a
mechanism for reading the RFID tags at the access control points. RFID tags can be placed on
objects, or they may be embedded into paper or plastic ID cards. They can even be embedded
under human skin, but this is highly controversial. When the tags are read at the access control
points, their data are validated against a database in a centrally controlled security system, and
access is either granted or denied.
Not only is the central security system capable of using identifying information to control
access, it can be integrated with other applications as part of a comprehensive security solution.
For example, the RFID security system can be configured to automatically log the number of
access attempts per ID and trigger security cameras after a threshold has been reached. If a
person tries to access an area to which he or she does not have permission, the system detects
this and can both initiate video surveillance and send alerts to security or other authoritative
personnel. Even when an individual does have permission to access the area, video recordings
can still be initiated to monitor the person's activities while inside of the restricted area.

ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEM COMPONENTS

The system is made up of following components:

1. ID credential

16

2. Door reader
3. Door lock
4. Control panel
5. Access control server
6. Database
7. Software

ACCESS CONTROL PROCESS

Access control refers to exerting control over who can interact with a resource. Often but not
always, this involves an authority, who does the controlling. The resource can be a given
building, group of buildings, or computer-based information system.
Access control is, in reality, an everyday phenomenon. A lock on a car door is essentially a
form of access control. A PIN on an ATM system at a bank is another means of access control.
The possession of access control is of prime importance when persons seek to secure
important, confidential, or sensitive information and equipment.
Item control or electronic key management is an area within (and possibly integrated with) an
access control system which concerns the managing of possession and location of small assets
or physical (mechanical) keys.

Physical security
Physical access by a person may be allowed depending on payment, authorization, etc. Also
there may be one-way traffic of people. These can be enforced by personnel such as a border
guard, a doorman, a ticket checker, etc., or with a device such as a turnstile. There may be
fences to avoid circumventing this access control. An alternative of access control in the strict
sense (physically controlling access itself) is a system of checking authorized presence, see e.g.

17

Ticket controller (transportation). A variant is exit control, e.g. of a shop (checkout) or a

country.[citation needed]
In physical security, the term access control refers to the practice of restricting entrance to a
property, a building, or a room to authorized persons. Physical access control can be achieved
by a human (a guard, bouncer, or receptionist), through mechanical means such as locks and
keys, or through technological means such as access control systems like the mantrap. Within
these environments, physical key management may also be employed as a means of further
managing and monitoring access to mechanically keyed areas or access to certain small assets.
Physical access control is a matter of who, where, and when. An access control system
determines who is allowed to enter or exit, where they are allowed to exit or enter, and when
they are allowed to enter or exit. Historically this was partially accomplished through keys and
locks. When a door is locked only someone with a key can enter through the door depending
on how the lock is configured. Mechanical locks and keys do not allow restriction of the key
holder to specific times or dates. Mechanical locks and keys do not provide records of the key
used on any specific door and the keys can be easily copied or transferred to an unauthorized
person. When a mechanical key is lost or the key holder is no longer authorized to use the
protected area, the locks must be re-keyed.
Electronic access control uses computers to solve the limitations of mechanical locks and keys.
A wide range of credentials can be used to replace mechanical keys. The electronic access
control system grants access based on the credential presented. When access is granted, the
door is unlocked for a predetermined time and the transaction is recorded. When access is
refused, the door remains locked and the attempted access is recorded. The system will also
monitor the door and alarm if the door is forced open or held open too long after being
unlocked.

Access control system operation

When a credential is presented to a reader, the reader sends the credentials information,
usually a number, to a control panel, a highly reliable processor. The control panel compares
the credential's number to an access control list, grants or denies the presented request, and
sends a transaction log to a database. When access is denied based on the access control list,
the door remains locked. If there is a match between the credential and the access control list,

18

the control panel operates a relay that in turn unlocks the door. The control panel also ignores a
door open signal to prevent an alarm. Often the reader provides feedback, such as a flashing
red LED for an access denied and a flashing green LED for an access granted. The above
description illustrates a single factor transaction. Credentials can be passed around, thus
subverting the access control list. For example, Alice has access rights to the server room but
Bob does not. Alice either gives Bob her credential or Bob takes it; he now has access to the
server room. To prevent this, two-factor authentication can be used. In a two factor transaction,
the presented credential and a second factor are needed for access to be granted; another factor
can be a PIN, a second credential, operator intervention, or a biometric input.
There are three types (factors) of authenticating information:[1]

something the user knows, e.g. a password, pass-phrase or PIN

something the user has, such as smart card
something the user is, such as fingerprint, verified by biometric measurement

Passwords are a common means of verifying a user's identity before access is given to
information systems. In addition, a fourth factor of authentication is now recognized: someone
you know, where another person who knows you can provide a human element of
authentication in situations where systems have been set up to allow for such scenarios. For
example, a user may have their password, but have forgotten their smart card. In such a
scenario, if the user is known to designated cohorts, the cohorts may provide their smart card
and password in combination with the extant factor of the user in question and thus provide
two factors for the user with missing credential, and three factors overall to allow access.

Credential
A credential is a physical/tangible object, a piece of knowledge, or a facet of a person's
physical being, that enables an individual access to a given physical facility or computer-based
information system. Typically, credentials can be something you know (such as number or
PIN), something you have (such as an access badge), something you are (such as a biometric
feature) or some combination of these items. The typical credential is an access card, key fob,
or other key. There are many card technologies including magnetic stripe, bar code, Wie gand,
125 kHz proximity, 26 bit card-swipe, contact smart cards, and contact less smart cards. Also
available are key-fobs which are more compact than ID cards and attach to a key ring. Typical
biometric technologies include fingerprint, facial recognition, iris recognition, retinal scan,
voice, and hand geometry.

Access control system components

19

An access control point, which can be a door, turnstile, parking gate, elevator, or other physical
barrier where granting access can be electronically controlled. Typically the access point is a
door. An electronic access control door can contain several elements. At its most basic there is
a stand-alone electric lock. The lock is unlocked by an operator with a switch. To automate
this, operator intervention is replaced by a reader. The reader could be a keypad where a code
is entered, it could be a card reader, or it could be a biometric reader. Readers do not usually
make an access decision but send a card number to an access control panel that verifies the
number against an access list. To monitor the door position a magnetic door switch is used. In
concept the door switch is not unlike those on refrigerators or car doors. Generally only entry is
controlled and exit is uncontrolled. In cases where exit is also controlled a second reader is
used on the opposite side of the door. In cases where exit is not controlled, free exit, a device
called a request-to-exit (RTE) is used. Request-to-exit devices can be a push-button or a motion
detector. When the button is pushed or the motion detector detects motion at the door, the door
alarm is temporarily ignored while the door is opened. Exiting a door without having to
electrically unlock the door is called mechanical free egress. This is an important safety
feature. In cases where the lock must be electrically unlocked on exit, the request-to-exit
device also unlocks the door.[citation needed]

Access control topology

Typical access control door wiring

20

Access control door wiring when using intelligent readers

Access control decisions are made by comparing the credential to an access control list. This
lookup can be done by a host or server, by an access control panel, or by a reader. The
development of access control systems has seen a steady push of the lookup out from a central
host to the edge of the system, or the reader. The predominant topology circa 2009 is hub and
spoke with a control panel as the hub and the readers as the spokes. The lookup and control
functions are by the control panel. The spokes communicate through a serial connection;
usually RS485. Some manufactures are pushing the decision making to the edge by placing a
controller at the door. The controllers are IP enabled and connect to a host and database using
standard networks.

Types of readers
Access control readers may be classified by functions they are able to perform:

Basic (non-intelligent) readers: simply read card number or PIN and forward it to a
control panel. In case of biometric identification, such readers output ID number of a
user. Typically Wie gand protocol is used for transmitting data to the control panel, but
other options such as RS-232, RS-485 and Clock/Data are not uncommon. This is the
most popular type of access control readers. Examples of such readers are RF Tiny by
RFLOGICS, Prox Point by HID, and P300 by Far point Data.
Semi-intelligent readers: have all inputs and outputs necessary to control door hardware
(lock, door contact, exit button), but do not make any access decisions. When a user
presents a card or enters PIN, the reader sends information to the main controller and
waits for its response. If the connection to the main controller is interrupted, such
readers stop working or function in a degraded mode. Usually semi-intelligent readers
are connected to a control panel via an RS-485 bus. Examples of such readers are Info
Prox Lite IPL200 by CEM Systems and AP-510 by Apollo.
Intelligent readers: have all inputs and outputs necessary to control door hardware, they
also have memory and processing power necessary to make access decisions
independently. Same as semi-intelligent readers they are connected to a control panel
via an RS-485 bus. The control panel sends configuration updates and retrieves events
from the readers. Examples of such readers could be Info Prox IPO200 by CEM
Systems and AP-500 by Apollo. There is also a new generation of intelligent readers
referred to as "IP readers". Systems with IP readers usually do not have traditional
control panels and readers communicate directly to PC that acts as a host. Examples of
such readers are Power Net IP Reader by Iso nas Security Systems, ID08 by Solus has
the built in webservice to make it user friendly, Edge ER40 reader by HID Global, Log
Lock and UNi LOCK by ASPi SYS Ltd, Bio Entry Plus reader by Suprema Inc. and 4G
V-Station by Bioscrypt Inc.

Some readers may have additional features such as LCD and function buttons for data
collection purposes (i.e. clock-in/clock-out events for attendance reports),
camera/speaker/microphone for intercom, and smart card read/write support.

21

Access control readers may also be classified by the type of identification technology.

Access control system topologies

Access control system using serial controllers

1. Serial controllers. Controllers are connected to a host PC via a serial RS-485
communication line (or via 20mA current loop in some older systems). External
RS-232/485 converters or internal RS-485 cards have to be installed as standard
PCs do not have RS-485 communication ports.
Advantages:

RS-485 standard allows long cable runs, up to 4000 feet (1200 m)

Relatively short response time. The maximum number of devices on an RS-485 line is
limited to 32, which means that the host can frequently request status updates from each
device and display events almost in real time.
High reliability and security as the communication line is not shared with any other
systems.

Disadvantages

RS-485 does not allow Star-type wiring unless splitters are used
RS-485 is not well suited for transferring large amounts of data (i.e. configuration and
users). The highest possible throughput is 115.2 kb/s, but in most system it is
downgraded to 56.2 kb/s or less to increase reliability.
RS-485 does not allow host PC to communicate with several controllers connected to
the same port simultaneously. Therefore in large systems transfers of configuration and
users to controllers may take a very long time and interfere with normal operations.
Controllers cannot initiate communication in case of an alarm. The host PC acts as a
master on the RS-485 communication line and controllers have to wait till they are
polled.
Special serial switches are required in order to build a redundant host PC setup.
Separate RS-485 lines have to be installed instead of using an already existing network
infrastructure.
Cable that meets RS-485 standards is significantly more expensive than the regular
Category 5 UTP network cable.

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Operation of the system is highly dependent on the host PC. In case the host PC fails,
events from controllers are not retrieved and functions that required interaction between
controllers (i.e. anti-pass back) stop working.

Access control system using serial main and sub-controllers

2. Serial main and sub-controllers. All door hardware is connected to subcontrollers (a.k.a. door controllers or door interfaces). Sub-controllers usually
do not make access decisions, and forward all requests to the main controllers.
Main controllers usually support from 16 to 32 sub-controllers.
Advantage

Work load on the host PC is significantly reduced, because it only needs to

communicate with a few main controllers.
The overall cost of the system is lower, as sub-controllers are usually simple and
inexpensive devices.
All other advantages listed in the first paragraph apply.

Disadvantages

Operation of the system is highly dependent on main controllers. In case one of the
main controllers fails, events from its sub-controllers are not retrieved and functions
that require interaction between sub controllers (i.e. anti-passback) stop working.
Some models of sub-controllers (usually lower cost) have no memory and processing
power to make access decisions independently. If the main controller fails, subcontrollers change to degraded mode in which doors are either completely locked or
unlocked and no events are recorded. Such sub-controllers should be avoided or used
only in areas that do not require high security.
Main controllers tend to be expensive, therefore such topology is not very well suited
for systems with multiple remote locations that have only a few doors.
All other RS-485-related disadvantages listed in the first paragraph apply.

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Access control system using serial main controller and intelligent readers
3. Serial main controllers & intelligent readers. All door hardware is connected directly to
intelligent or semi-intelligent readers. Readers usually do not make access decisions, and
forward all requests to the main controller. Only if the connection to the main controller is
unavailable, the readers use their internal database to make access decisions and record events.
Semi-intelligent reader that have no database and cannot function without the main controller
should be used only in areas that do not require high security. Main controllers usually support
from 16 to 64 readers. All advantages and disadvantages are the same as the ones listed in the
second paragraph.

Access control systems using serial controllers and terminal servers

4. Serial controllers with terminal servers. In spite of the rapid development and increasing
use of computer networks, access control manufacturers remained conservative and did not
rush to introduce network-enabled products. When pressed for solutions with network
connectivity, many chose the option requiring less efforts: addition of a terminal server, a
device that converts serial data for transmission via LAN or WAN. Advantages

Allows utilizing existing network infrastructure for connecting separate segments of the
system. ABC
Provides convenient solution in cases when installation of an RS-485 line would be
difficult or impossible.

Disadvantages
Increases complexity of the system.
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Creates additional work for installers: usually terminal servers have to be configured
independently, not through the interface of the access control software.
Serial communication link between the controller and the terminal server acts as a
bottleneck: even though the data between the host PC and the terminal server travels at
the 10/100/1000Mbit/s network speed it then slows down to the serial speed of 112.5
kbit/s or less. There are also additional delays introduced in the process of conversion
between serial and network data.

All RS-485-related advantages and disadvantages also apply.

Access control system using network-enabled main controllers

5. Network-enabled main controllers. The topology is nearly the same as described in the
second and third paragraphs. The same advantages and disadvantages apply, but the on-board
network interface offers a couple valuable improvements. Transmission of configuration and
users to the main controllers is faster and may be done in parallel. This makes the system more
responsive and does not interrupt normal operations. No special hardware is required in order
to achieve redundant host PC setup: in case the primary host PC fails, the secondary host PC
may start polling network controllers. The disadvantages introduced by terminal servers (listed
in the fourth paragraph) are also eliminated.

Access control system using IP controllers

6. IP controllers. Controllers are connected to a host PC via Ethernet LAN or WAN.
Advantage
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An existing network infrastructure is fully utilized, there is no need to install new

communication lines.
There are no limitations regarding the number of controllers (32 per line in case of RS485).
Special RS-485 installation, termination, grounding and troubleshooting knowledge is
not required.
Communication with controllers may be done at the full network speed, which is
important if transferring a lot of data (databases with thousands of users, possibly
including biometric records).
In case of an alarm controllers may initiate connection to the host PC. This ability is
important in large systems because it allows to reduce network traffic caused by
unnecessary polling.
Simplifies installation of systems consisting of multiple sites separated by large
distances. Basic Internet link is sufficient to establish connections to remote locations.
Wide selection of standard network equipment is available to provide connectivity in
different situations (fiber, wireless, VPN, dual path, Po E)

Disadvantages:

The system becomes susceptible to network related problems, such as delays in case of
heavy traffic and network equipment failures.
Access controllers and workstations may become accessible to hackers if the network
of the organization is not well protected. This threat may be eliminated by physically
separating the access control network from the network of the organization. Also it
should be noted that most IP controllers utilize either Linux platform or proprietary
operating systems, which makes them more difficult to hack. Industry standard data
encryption is also used.
Maximum distance from a hub or a switch to the controller (if using a copper cable) is
100 meters (330 ft).
Operation of the system is dependent on the host PC. In case the host PC fails, events
from controllers are not retrieved and functions that require interaction between
controllers (i.e. anti-passback) stop working. Some controllers, however, have peer-topeer communication option in order to reduce dependency on the host PC.

Access control system using IP readers

7. IP readers. Readers are connected to a host PC via Ethernet LAN or WAN. Advantage:

Most IP readers are PoE capable. This feature makes it very easy to provide battery
backed power to the entire system, including the locks and various types of detectors (if
used).
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IP readers eliminate the need for controller enclosures.

There is no wasted capacity when using IP readers (i.e. a 4-door controller would have
25% unused capacity if it was controlling only 3 doors).
IP reader systems scale easily: there is no need to install new main or sub-controllers.
Failure of one IP reader does not affect any other readers in the system.

Disadvantages:
In order to be used in high-security areas IP readers require special input/output modules to
eliminate the possibility of intrusion by accessing lock and/or exit button wiring. Not all IP
reader manufacturers have such modules available.

Being more sophisticated than basic readers IP readers are also more expensive and
sensitive, therefore they should not be installed outdoors in areas with harsh weather
conditions or high possibility of vandalism, unless specifically designed for exterior
installation. A few manufacturers make such models.

The advantages and disadvantages of IP controllers apply to the IP readers as well.

COMPONENTS REQUIRED
For making the RFID based access control system project, we require following components:
1. Microcontroller 89c51
2. Stepper motor3. 16X4 Lcd MODULE
4. 3X1 Key matrix
5. RS 232 connector DB-9
6. IC-ULN-2003

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7. MAX-232 INTERFACE CABLE

8. RFID CARD
9. RFID CARD READER

ADVANTAGES
Use of RFID technology can increase business productivity and reduce associated cost. To
ensure that companies benefit from the advantages RFID provides it is important to understand
how to adopt this technology.
Improve productivity and cost avoidance.
Decreased cycle time and tracking costs out.
Reduced Rework
Reduced business risk & control of assets
Improved security and services
Improved utilization of resources

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 Increased Revenues
Exception Management

APPLICATIONS
The term access control refers to the practice of restricting entrance to the property, a building
or room to authorized persons. Integrated and controller based access control numeric and
alphabetic keyless entry keypads with programmable features for access control of single
opening. The various applications are as follows Industrial facilities
Commercial buildings
Airports transportation
Civil transportation
Convention hall
Psychiatric care centres
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 Museums and fine art galleries

Ware house
Technology centres
Government and military
Long term care facilities
Drug rehabilitation centres

CONCLUSION
Access control is the only technology that proactively attempts to keep unauthorized
individuals out of a building or areas within a facility, and is a perfect complement to video
surveillance, burglar and fire systems in a comprehensive security solution proposal.
The implementation of RFID based system in access control and security operations are
bound to increase in future. The advantages, reliability of the system have made it manifest
itself over the existing systems. The system achieves a two level security making in
incorporating firm more secure.
Further this system is compatible for the future up gradations like a Finger print scanner, retina
scanner, monitoring camera etc, making it more versatile. With the introduction of more RFID
devices in near future the system is going to rule the field of access control and security.

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REFERENCES
1. www.docstoc.com/docs/226621
2. www.slideshare.net/search
3. http://docs.google.com/viewer
4. http://projectworld.wordpress.co.
5. http://scientific.net/amr
6. google.com

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