Development of a USB-based UHF RFID Reader

The increasing demand for efficient and cost-effective RFID solutions in automation and IoT applications has driven the development of a USB-based UHF RFID Reader. This research presents a compact, power-efficient RFID reader that enables seamless tag detection and real-time data transmission in HEX or ASCII format. The system integrates Human Interface Device (HID) and USB serial communication modes, ensuring platform independence and ease of use. The hardware implementation involves schematic design, PCB layout, and firmware development using OrCAD, KiCAD, and MPLAB IPE. Extensive testing, including power-on verification, functional evaluation, and card write operations, was conducted to ensure reliability and performance. The results confirm the RFID reader's capability for stable and high-speed data transfer with minimal power consumption, making it ideal for inventory management, secure access control, industrial automation, and IoT applications. Future enhancements could include encryption for secure communication, multi-frequency support, and cloud integration for remote monitoring. This study demonstrates a scalable and cost-effective approach to RFID-based automation, contributing to the advancement of smart tracking systems.