Eccel C1 Pepper Module
Specifications
- Model: Pepper C1 Module
- Manual version: V1.51 03/07/2024
Product Usage Instructions
Device Overview
The Pepper C1 Module is an ideal choice for users looking to quickly add RFID functionality to their designs.
Electrical Specification
- Absolute Maximum Ratings:
- Storage Temperature: -40°C to +125°C
- Ambient Temperature: -40°C to +85°C
- Supply Voltage: 3V to 3.6V
- Operating Conditions:
- Operating Temperature: -25°C to +85°C
- Humidity: 5% to 95%
- Supply Voltage: 3.3V to 5.5V
DC Characteristics
- Input Voltage:
- High-level Input Voltage: 0.75 x VDD to VDD + 0.3V
- Low-level Input Voltage: 0 to -0.3 x VDD V
- Output Voltage:
- High-level Output Voltage: 0.8 x VDD V
- Low-level Output Voltage: -0.3 x VDD V
Current Consumption (3.3V on pins 1 and 8)
| Symbol | Parameter | Typ. |
|---|---|---|
| IPN_RFOFF_AP | RF field off (AP) | 135 |
| IPN_RFON_AP | RF field on (AP) (500 ms polling) | 145 |
FAQ
Q: Where can I find the latest version of the user manual?
A: The newest user manual can be found on our website at https://eccel.co.uk/wpcontent/downloads/Pepper_C1/Pepper_C1_Module_user_manual.pdf
Pepper C1 Module User Manual
Manual version: V1.51
03/07/2024
1 The newest User manual can be found on our website: https://eccel.co.uk/wp-content/downloads/Pepper_C1/Pepper_C1_Module_user_manual.pdf
Introduction
Device Overview
Features
- Low cost RFID Reader with MIFARE® Classic® in 1K, 4K memory, ICODE, MIFARE Ultralight®, MIFARE DESFire® EV1/EV2, MIFARE Plus® support
- Wireless connectivity:
- Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
- 2.4GHz wireless communication (WPAN)
- can be disabled by the user
- Built in Web Interface
- Over-the-Air lifetime updates
- Command interface via UART and TCP sockets
- UART baud rate up to 921600 bps
- 6 configurable GPIOs
- Stand-alone mode (polling)
- IoT interfaces: MQTT, WebSocket, REST API, TCP Client/Server
- High transponder read and write speed
- -25°C to 85°C operating range
- Multiple internal reference voltages
- RoHS compliant
- FCC version available
Applications
- Access control
- Monitoring goods
- Approval and monitoring consumables
- Pre-payment systems
- Managing resources
- Contact-less data storage systems
- Evaluation and development of RFID systems
Description
The Pepper C1 module is one of the family of Eccel Technology Ltd (IB Technology) products with wireless connectivity by Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n and WPAN (2.4GHz). Thanks to this, the customer receives free lifetime Over-the-Air updates, and of course the communication protocol can be used over TCP instead of traditional UART/USB interface. Combining these features with standalone mode provides a ready to use device in many applications “straight out of the box.” In standalone mode, the module can be easily integrated with IoT systems thanks to many IoT protocols like MQTT, REST API, TCP sockets and more.
So, this is an ideal design choice if the user wishes to add RFID capability to their design quickly and without requiring extensive RFID and embedded software expertise and time. An advanced and powerful 32-bit microcontroller handles the RFID configuration setup and provides the user with a powerful yet simple command interface to facilitate fast and easy read/write access to the memory and features of the various transponders supported by this module.
Electrical specification
Absolute maximum ratings
Stresses beyond the absolute maximum ratings listed in the table below may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and do not refer to the functional operation of the device that should follow the recommended operating conditions.
| Symbol | Parameter | Min | Max | Unit |
| TS | Storage temperature | -40 | +125 | °C |
| TA | Ambient temperature | -40 | +85 | °C |
| VDDMAX | Supply voltage (Pin number 8) | 3 | 3.6 | V |
Table 2-1. Absolute maximum ratings
Operating conditions
| Symbol | Parameter | Min | Typ. | Max | Unit |
| TS | Operating temperature | -25 | 25 | +85 | °C |
| H | Humidity | 5 | 60 | 95 | % |
| VDD | Supply voltage (Pin number 8) | 3 | 3.3 | 3.6 | V |
| VRFID | RFID supply voltage (Pin number 1) | 3 | 3.3/5 | 5.5 | V |
Table 2-2. Operating conditions
DC characteristics (VDD = 3.3V, TS = 25 °C)
| Symbol | Parameter | Min | Typ. | Max | Unit |
| VIH | High-level input voltage (Any GPIO) | 0.75 x VDD | – | VDD + 0.3 | V |
| VIL | Low-level input voltage (Any GPIO) | 0 | – | 0.3 x VDD | V |
| VOH | High-level output voltage (Any GPIO) | 0.8 x VDD | – | – | V |
| VOL | Low-level output voltage (Any GPIO) | – | – | 0.3 x VDD | V |
Table 2-3. DC characteristics
Current consumption (3.3V on pins 1 and 8
| Symbol | Parameter | Typ. | Max | Unit | ||
| Wi-Fi enabled | Access Point mode | IPN_RFOFF_AP | RF field off (AP) | 135 | 155 | mA |
|
IPN_RFON_AP |
RF field on (AP) (500 ms polling) | 145 | 165 | mA | ||
| RF field on (AP) (200 ms polling) | 155 | 175 | mA | |||
| Station mode | IPN_RFOFF_STA | RF field off (STA) | 60 | 80 | mA | |
|
IPN_RFON_STA |
RF field on (STA) (500 ms polling) | 70 | 90 | mA | ||
| RF field on (STA) (200 ms polling) | 80 | 100 | mA | |||
| Wi-Fi Off | IPN_RFOFF | RF field off | 55 | 75 | mA | |
|
IPN_RFON |
RF field on (500 ms polling) | 60 | 80 | mA | ||
| RF field on (200 ms polling) | 65 | 85 | mA | |||
| IDSM | Deep Sleep Mode | 90 | 100 | uA | ||
Current consumption (3.3V on pin 8 and 5V on pin 1)
|
Symbol |
Parameter |
VDD = 3.3V | VRFID = 5V |
Unit |
||||
| Typ. | Max | Typ. | Max | |||||
| Wi-Fi enabled | Access Point mode | IPN_RFOFF_AP | RF field off (AP) | 135 | 155 | 0* | 0* | mA |
|
IPN_RFON_AP |
RF field on (AP) (500 ms polling) | 136 | 156 | 12 | 22 | mA | ||
| RF field on (AP) (200 ms polling) | 137 | 157 | 25 | 35 | mA | |||
| Station mode | IPN_RFOFF_STA | RF field off (STA) | 60 | 80 | 0* | 0* | mA | |
|
IPN_RFON_STA |
RF field on (STA) (500 ms polling) | 62 | 82 | 12 | 22 | mA | ||
| RF field on (STA) (200 ms polling) | 63 | 83 | 25 | 35 | mA | |||
| Wi-Fi Off | IPN_RFOFF | RF field off | 55 | 75 | 0* | 0* | mA | |
|
IPN_RFON |
RF field on (500 ms polling) | 57 | 77 | 12 | 22 | mA | ||
| RF field on (200 ms polling) | 58 | 78 | 25 | 35 | mA | |||
| IDSM | Deep Sleep Mode | 90 | 100 | 0* | 0* | uA | ||
Getting started
IO and peripherals
R7 – normally not populated because the default antenna connection is to the I-PEX connector for the user to add an external Wi-Fi antenna onto. This resistor is used for connecting an external Wi-Fi antenna to pin nr 10 when on-board I-PEX connector is not used. Recommended value 0 Ohm. When a 0 Ohm resistor is added to R7 by the user, the antenna connection is then routed to pin 10 for simple connection to a track antenna for example on the user’s motherboard.
R8 – normally not populated. Can be used if RFID section will be powered from main 3.3V on pins nr 8 and nr 9. Recommended value 0 Ohm. For best RFID performance, Eccel recommend that the RFID antenna circuit is powered from a separate 5V supply via pin 1 of the module. However, if a 0 Ohm resistor is fitted to R8, then the module will use its 3.3V power supply connection from Pin 8 to also power the RFID antenna circuit. RFID performance will be reduced in this case.
Pinout description
| Number | Name | Description |
|
1 |
VRFID |
5V regulated dc supply recommended. RFID section power supply pin. Can be left unconnected when R8 is populated.
RFID will be then powered from main 3.3V supply applied to pin no. 8 |
| 2 | GPIO2 | UART2 data transmit pin |
| 3 | GPIO0 | Button pin |
| 4 | GPIO4 | UART2 data receive pin |
| 5 | TX0 | UART0 data transmit pin |
| 6 | RX0 | UART0 data receive pin |
| 7 | RESET | Active low reset pin |
| 8 | VDD | Main power supply – recommended value 3.3V |
| 9 | GND | Ground |
|
10 |
Wi-Fi ANT |
Pin for external antenna connection. Available when R7 is populated. Do not use when on-board antenna connector is used |
| 11 | GPI34 | General Purpose Input pin no. 34/Analog/For future use |
| 12 | GPI35 | General Purpose Input pin no. 34/Analog/For future use |
| 13 | GPIO26 | General Purpose Input Output pin no. 26 |
| 14 | GPIO14 | General Purpose Input Output pin no. 14 |
| 15 | GPIO12 | UART2 RS485 DE pin |
| 16 | GPIO13 | UART2 RS485 RE pin |
| 17 | GPIO15 | General Purpose Input Output pin no. 15 |
| 18 | GND | Ground for RFID Antenna. Can be connected to the main ground when an on-board RFID antenna is used |
| 19 | RFID ANT2 | RFID antenna signal no. 2. Do not use when on-board
antenna connector is used. |
| 20 | RFID ANT1 | RFID antenna signal no. 1. Do not use when an on-board antenna connector is used. |
Typical connection and usage
The Pepper C1 Module can be connected to a host (computer or another device) using UART0. In order to connect the module to a computer, a USB to UART converter will be required.
By default, this UART0 interface can be used for communication using the binary protocol described below.
The Reader also has UART2 available. Using this connection, the user can view output logs which contain additional information about temporary executing commands. The default configuration is: baud: 115200, Data: 8 bit, Parity: none, Stop bits: 1 bit, Flow Control: none. Data lines can be configured to work using any free GPIO’s available on the module.
Eccel provides the C1 module baseboard for fast prototyping: https://eccel.co.uk/product/pepper-c1-module-baseboard/
Mechanical dimension
All dimensions in mils.
The footprint in the Altium Designer / Circuit Studio format can be downloaded from this link: http://eccel.co.uk/wp-content/downloads/Pepper_C1/Pepper_C1_module_Altium_lib.zip
Configuration and functional description
Here is the document describing configuration, communication protocol, commands and all functions of the Pepper C1 module: https://eccel.co.uk/wp-content/downloads/Pepper_C1/C1_software_manual.pdf
Eccel provides a variety of free tools & libraries ready to be downloaded from this link: https://eccel.co.uk/support-free-libraries/
Revision history
| Revision | Date | Changes |
| 1.5 | 03-Jul-2024 | Section 1.1 updated |
| 1.4 | 20-May-2024 | Recommended footprint added |
| 1.3 | 2-Apr-2024 | First release after splitting software and hardware description |
| 1.2 | 29-Mar-2024 | Section 2.4 updated, Section 2.5 added |
| 1.1 | 9-Mar-2023 | Section 1 updated |
| 1.0 | 1-Mar-2021 | Initial release |
MIFARE, MIFARE Ultralight, MIFARE Plus, MIFARE Classic, and MIFARE DESFire are trademarks of NXP B.V.
No responsibility is taken for the method of integration or final use of the C1 modules
More information about the C1 module and other products can be found at the Internet site: http://www.eccel.co.uk or alternatively contact ECCEL Technology (IB Technology) by email at: sales@eccel.co.uk
Documents / Resources
 |
Eccel C1 Pepper Module [pdf] User Manual C1, C1 Pepper Module, Pepper Module, Module |
 |
Eccel C1 Pepper Module [pdf] User Manual C1, C1 Pepper Module, Pepper Module, Module |
