Additional Info…

RC522 MODULE (RC5522 RFID card module) The module’s operating voltage ranges from 2.5 to 3.3V, but
the good news is that the logic pins are 5-volt tolerant, so we
The RC522 is a highly integrated RFID card reader that works on non-contact 13.56
MHz communication. It was designed by NXP with low power consumption, low can easily connect it to an Arduino or any 5V logic
cost, and a compact read and write chip, making it the best choice in the development microcontroller without using a logic level converter.
of smart meters and portable hand-held devices.
The RC-522 RFID module’s operating frequency is 13.56 MHz. This means that its
electromagnetic field can only activate cards with 13.56 MHz designed antennas. The
reader primarily communicates with Arduino via Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) with
a maximum data rate of 10 Mbps but it also supports I2C and UART.

Additional info:
A serial peripheral interface (SPI) is an interface commonly
used in computers and embedded systems to facilitate short-
distance communication between a microcontroller and one
or more peripheral integrated circuits (ICs). `11111111111
Parts of the RC522 RFID Module

The RC522 RFID module can be programmed to generate an interrupt, allowing the
module to alert us when a tag approaches it, instead of constantly asking the module
“Is there a card nearby?”.
MFRC522 IC/Chip 2. RST
 The RC522 RFID Reader Module is based on the MFRC522 IC/chip.  It is an input for reset and power-down. When this pin goes low,
This is the high-integrated RFID card reader IC/chip designed by NXP the module enters power-down mode. In which the oscillator is
Company; it works on non-contact 13.56 MHz communication. It has low turned off and the input pins are disconnected from the outside
power consumption, low cost, and is a small read-and-write chip. world. Whereas the module is reset on the rising edge of the signal.
(This pin acts as a programmable power-down circuit. When this
27.12 MHz Crystal Oscillator pin receives a low, current won’t flow, and all pins are virtually
disconnected.)
 This is a 12 MHZ crystal. This is a low-cost crystal oscillator with an
oscillation frequency of 12 MHz Crystal is normally required to provide
3. GND
clock pulses to your microcontroller or other ICs that require an external  It is the ground pin and needs to be connected to the GND pin on
clock source. the Arduino.

Antenna 4. IRQ
 An NFC (Near Field Communication) coil is embedded in the PCB of the  It is an interrupt pin that alerts the microcontroller when an RFID
module. This is an antenna that emits a 13.56 MHz high-frequency tag is in the vicinity. Interrupt pins alert the microcontroller when
electromagnetic field. It supports 13.56 MHz passive components. a tag is present.

RC522 RFID Module Pinout 5. MISO (Tx  Transmitter)

 It acts as master-in-slave-out when the SPI interface is enabled, as
The RC522 module has a total of 8 pins that connect it to the outside world. The serial clocks when the I2C interface is enabled, and as serial data
connections are as follows: outputs when the UART interface is enabled.

1. VCC (Voltage Common Collector) 6. MOSI (Master Out Slave In)

 Supplies power to the module. This can be anywhere from 2.5 to  It is a data line that sends the data from master to slave.
3.3 volts. You can connect it to the 3.3V output from your 
Arduino. But remember that connecting it to the 5V pin will 7. SCK (Serial Clock)
probably destroy your module.  Accepts the clock pulses provided by the SPI bus master, that is,
Arduino.
 The clock pulses, which synchronize data transmission generated by
the controller, have one-line specific to every device.
 8. The SS (Rx  Receiver)
 It is a pin acts as a signal input when the SPI interface is enabled, as
serial data when the I2C interface is enabled, and as a serial data
input when the UART interface is enabled. This pin is usually
marked by encasing the pin in a square so that it can be used as a
reference to identify other pins. SDA/SS/RX: This pin can be used
for I2C SDA (Serial Data), SPI SS (Signal Input), and UART RX.

ADVANTAGES OF RC522 MODULE

1. The first and the most important advantage of the sensor is of the wireless
communication and transfer of data for authenticity.
2. Secondly, many types of RFID cards can be read and write using this module.
Though it is not the best option to use but for small DIY projects it is good.
3. It supports SPI protocol, so there is no issue of speed and pins as it can easily
be connected to any of the microcontroller
4.
DISADVANTAGES OF RC522 MODULE
1. It supports only of 3.3V logic level, due to which it needs either a logic level
converter or a 3.3V microcontroller.
2. Sometimes due to slightly increase of the transmission, the data transfer can
be obstructed, which is frustrating and sometimes also to reset the
microcontroller.
3. No onboard status led is provided for indicating reading and writing status
of the RFID module. Also, no LDO (low dropout) is provided on board,
which means you have to make sure to connect it to 3.3V power supply only.