proximitry readers

[cbowen12345]

As I explore synapse RF modules capabilities, one specific item I need to have attached to my device is a HID-proximity card reader. Has anyone experiemented with this idea/concept. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[kbanks]

Many devices (card readers, RFID readers, etc.) have a logic level or RS-232 level serial interface (UART). This serial interface can be used to connect the device to an RF Engine.

From SNAPpy scripts, you can send and receive serial data over either serial port (but only one serial port can be used like this at a time). Think of this as "local control".

SNAP nodes also support a "TRANSPARENT MODE" where serial data is automatically forwarded onward to a previously specified address (which could be a multicast address, or just one specific units address). Portal (or a SNAP Gateway) could then provide "remote control".

For an example of interacting with a serially interfaced device, look at the example GPS scripts that come with Portal. Also take a look at the "command line" example script. These should give you some ideas of how you could control (and get data from) a device such as yours.

Alternatively, SNAPpy scripts can also interface directly with non-UART hardware. We've wired RF Engines to keypads (look in the Application Notes section), LCD displays (an upcoming App Note), etc.

Since you can directly control and monitor up to 18 digital inputs or outputs, you may be able to directly interface to your HID hardware, even if it does not have a UART.