PN532 NFC RFID module for Raspberry Pi

Introdution

PN532 NFC RFID Module is a highly integrated transmission module for Near Field Communication at 13.56MHz. With the mode switch on board, you can change easily between I2C, SPI, and UART modes. In addition, it supports RFID reading and writing, and NFC function with Android phone, which makes it quite convenient for wireless connection. This module is equipped with two 3mm mounting holes, of which the small dimension makes it easy for using in your project!

Features

• Supports I2C, SPI and HSU (High Speed UART), easy to switch between these modes.
• Works in the NFC mode and RFID reader/writer mode.
• Maximum distance for communication: 3 cm.

Hardware Preparation

1 *  Arduino UNO/Mega 2560 board
1 * PN532 NFC Module
1 * Blank NFC card supporting the ISO14443A
1 * PC with Arduino software installed
Several jumper wires

Schematic Diagram

datasheet

Software

setp 1: Install some dependent packages.

• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get  install  libusb-dev  libpcsclite-dev  i2c-tools  -y
  

step 2: Download and unzip the source code package of libnfc.

• cd    ~
• wget   http://dl.bintray.com/nfc-tools/sources/libnfc-1.7.1.tar.bz2
• tar -xf libnfc-1.7.1.tar.bz2

step 3: Compile and install libnfc.

• cd   libnfc-1.7.1
• ./configure   –prefix=/usr   –sysconfdir=/etc
• make
• sudo   make   install

Test I2C Mode

step 1: Open I2C interface

• sudo   raspi-config

slect Advanced Options -> A7 I2C -> Yes -> Ok -> Finish

step 2: Write the configuration file for NFC communication

• sudo   mkdir   /etc/nfc
• sudo   nano   libnfc.conf

add the following line：

# Allow device auto-detection (default: true)
# Note: if this auto-detection is disabled, user has to set manually a device
# configuration using file or environment variable
allow_autoscan = true

# Allow intrusive auto-detection (default: false)
# Warning: intrusive auto-detection can seriously disturb other devices
# This option is not recommended, user should prefer to add manually his device.
allow_intrusive_scan = false

# Set log level (default: error)
# Valid log levels are (in order of verbosity): 0 (none), 1 (error), 2 (info), 3 (debug)
# Note: if you compiled with --enable-debug option, the default log level is "debug"
log_level = 1

# Manually set default device (no default)
# To set a default device, you must set both name and connstring for your device
# Note: if autoscan is enabled, default device will be the first device available in device list.
#device.name = "_PN532_SPI"
#device.connstring = "pn532_spi:/dev/spidev0.0:280000"
device.name = "_PN532_I2c"
device.connstring = "pn532_i2c:/dev/i2c-1"

save & close this file

step 3: Wiring

Toggle the switch to the I2C mode

Connect the devices:

step 4: Run i2cdetect –y 1 to check whether the I2C device is recognized

• i2cdetect  -y  1

If yes, it means both the module and the wiring work well.Then type in nfc-list to check the NFC module,and run nfc-poll to scan the RFID tag and you can read information on the card.

Test SPI Mode

step 1: Open SPI interface

• sudo   raspi-config

slect Advanced Options -> A6 SPI -> Yes -> Ok -> Finish

step 2: Modify /etc/nfc/libnfc.conf file

• sudo   nano   /etc/nfc/libnfc.conf
  

Follow the picture below to modify it

save & close this file

step 3: Wiring
Toggle the switch to the SPI mode

Connect the devices:

step 4: Run ls /dev/spidev0.*    to check whether the SPI is opened or not

• ls   /dev/spidev0.*

If yes, it means both the module and the wiring work well.
Then type in nfc-list to check the NFC module

• nfc-list

Run nfc-poll to scan the RFID tag and you can read information on the card

• nfc-poll