Project Hub /Security Surveillance & Defense/RFID / NFC Access Systems/How to Connect RFID with STM32 Microcontroller

Intermediate

STM32

₹500 – ₹1,500

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

How to Connect RFID with STM32 Microcontroller

Learn how to interface an EM-18 RFID reader module with an STM32F103C8 Blue Pill microcontroller and display scanned card IDs on a 16x2 LCD.

Originally published on CircuitDigest

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

RFID Reader/Writer RC522 SPI S50 with RFID Card and Tag Rs. 190.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: LCD (generic / unspecified)
STM32 Board

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How It Works

This smart pill dispenser prototype relies on the STM32F103C8 Blue Pill microcontroller to coordinate hardware interaction between an EM-18 RFID reader module and a 16x2 LCD display. When an RFID card is brought close to the EM-18 module, the reader uses electromagnetic fields to energize the tag and read its unique identification number. The EM-18 then transmits this serial data asynchronously to the STM32 microcontroller. The STM32 processes the incoming data stream, extracting the specific card identifier. Utilizing the Arduino IDE and the LiquidCrystal library, the microcontroller formats this data and drives the 16x2 LCD display module to output the scanned card ID visually to the user. This establishes a foundational identification and logging mechanism suitable for verifying user identity before dispensing medication in assistive healthcare devices.

Why Build This

Design a foundational patient identification and access control sub-system for a smart pill dispenser.

Gain hands-on experience integrating serial communication peripherals with an ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller.

Develop practical firmware skills in processing asynchronous string data and driving character LCD modules.

Real-World Application

Attendance tracking systems, automated toll collection, secure access control, parking systems, and patient identification in hospitals.

Skills You'll Learn

UART serial communication

RFID module interfacing

LCD display driving

microcontroller GPIO configuration

embedded C/C++ programming

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Technology Tags

RFID

EM-18

STM32

16X2 LCD

UART

SERIAL COMMUNICATION

EMBEDDED C

ARDUINO IDE

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, by installing the STM32 Cores for Arduino, you can write and upload code to the Blue Pill board directly using a USB-to-Serial adapter or ST-Link programmer.

How does the EM-18 reader communicate with the STM32?

The EM-18 communicates via asynchronous serial (UART) protocol, sending the scanned card ID as a string of characters directly to the microcontroller's receive pin.

Why is a 16x2 LCD used in this project?

The 16x2 LCD display module provides a clear, local visual interface to immediately verify the scanned RFID card ID without needing a connected computer serial monitor.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

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