For projects where you just want to use RFID 13.56MHz tags or cards, this nicely packaged RFID reader may be more desirable than our RFID/NFC shield or breakout. The nice thing about this reader is that its packaged in plastic, has an LED and buzzer to indicate when a card is read, and spits out the 4-byte card ID over the PS/2 cable as if it were a keyboard. It cannot read or write the contents of the card, its only good for reading the permanent 4-byte ID burned into each13.56 MHz tag.
Nearly all microcontrollers have existing PS/2 keyboard examples that would work fine with this reader. For Ardiuno users, we tried out PJRC's PS2_Keyboard library with great success - just check the 'simple text' example for which pins you can connect to on your 'duino (on an Uno we used digital pins 2 and 3). We suggest our PS/2 adapter cable to make the wiring easy. Bring any of our RFID/NFC tags close to the reader top and watch as the ID number is 'typed' out into the serial monitor. The ID number is typed out in base 10 (that is, normal decimal)
Please remember this reader cannot read or write the EEPROM contents of the card, its only good for reading the permanent 4-byte ID burned into each RFID/NFC tag. This means its good for identifying one card from another, but not for storing data onto the cards. Its also not guaranteed to work with anything other than classic RFID/NFC S50 tags. If you want to read/write to the EEPROM inside the tag, or use other kinds of 13.56 MHz tags check out our PN532 based breakout and shield!
