Western Mindanao State University

College of Engineering
Department of Electronics Engineering
Normal Rd., Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Project Proposal:
Printable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Monitoring Attendance

Background

A student’s learning experience in the classroom greatly depends on a variety of factors and
one of those is the time allotted regularly for the subject to cover concepts and topics during its lectures
as well as to conduct exams for the students. In the Western Mindanao State University, subjects are
often given an hour and a half to be conducted. Though often, the subject’s allotted time isn’t used to its
full extent for the sole purpose of conducting the subject and teaching students. Attendance is a
criterion to a student’s final grading which is why the checking of attendance is also a function of the
instructor to do a complete assessment of a student’s performance in his/her class based on the full
criteria.

A common system of taking the attendance is roll calling – the instructor calls each student and
the student needs only to confirm his presence to his/her instructor. This system is inefficient in that it
takes a portion of the allotted time for the instructor to call all the names of the students - which is also
prone to human error; a portion of time that would be better spent conducting the subject.

The Printable Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Monitoring Attendance is a solution to that
problem. By introducing this device and system, the allotted time of subjects used by instructors will be
maximized whilst making it convenient to keep track of student’s attendance.

Objectives

- To create a portable hassle free attendance system.

- To lessen wasted time allotted for class lectures.

Scope

This idea is directly inspired from our seniors’ project. The goal was to create a Printable Radio
Frequency Identification Monitoring Attendance system. This system provides a hassle free way of
taking the attendance and more time for lectures. In addition, late comers won’t disturb the classes as
much as they enter and take their attendance. This system provides convenience and ease for the
instructor as it is fast and reliable and immediately prints out the attendance result of the class.

The system works after every student gets to have their very own RFID cards and the UIDs of
each of them programmed directly to the system. The system device is carried by the professor to the
classroom. Before starting the class he/she needs to swipe his/her RFID card to let the system run
properly. Upon switching on the power supply for the system, the professor will let the students enter
the classroom and tap their RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) cards on the scanner to confirm their
presence in class. After their names show on the 16x2 LCD monitor, the thermal printer connected to
the system powered by a power source with 9V and 2A will directly print them. Thermal printers need
not be regularly fed with printer inks as only adequate thermal paper is needed. With the instructor
guarding the device, student wouldn’t be able to proxy their late and/or absentee buddies. At the end of
the class, the instructor can take the printed attendance with ease and conduct the subject better with
more time used.
 Western Mindanao State University
College of Engineering
Department of Electronics Engineering
Normal Rd., Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Timeframe
FIRST UNIT SUCCEEDING UNITS

MONTH 1 MONTH 2 MONTH 3 MONTH 4

TASK 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3

PROGRAMMING OF
X X
CODES

PURCHASING OF
X X X
MATERIALS

CONSTRUCTION X X X

TESTING/SIMULATION X X X X X X X

PROJECT CASING X X X X X X

Project Budget

Main Project Expenses:

-Arduino Uno

Arduino Uno is an open source microcontroller board based on the Microchip ATmega328P
microcontroller. The board is equipped is equipped with sets digital and analog input/output pins that
may be interfaced to various expansion and boards and other circuits

-Thermal Printer

A thermal printer is a printer in which small heated pins form characters on heat-sensitive
paper. Direct thermal printers are most commonly used to print items such as receipts and shipping
labels.
 Western Mindanao State University
College of Engineering
Department of Electronics Engineering
Normal Rd., Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

-Liquid Crystal Display I2C (16 X 2)

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is a flat panel or other electronically modulated optical device that
uses the light-modulating properties of liquid crystals. Liquid crystals do not emit light directly instead
using a backlight or reflector to produce images or monochrome. The display consists of a matrix or
mechanical indicators arranged in a rectangular configuration such that by switching on or off selected
lights, text or graphs can be displayed.

- RFID READER/SCANNER

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and it’s a non-contact technology that’s broadly
used in many industries for tasks such as personnel tracking, access control, supply chain management,
books tracking in libraries, tollgate systems and so on.

An RFID system consists of two main components, a transponder or a tag which is located on
the object that we want to be identified, and a transceiver or a reader.

The RFID scanner detects and reads the RFID cards and passes the data to the other components
of the system.

- RFID Cards/ Passive Tags

Tags attached to the object to be identified, in this example we have a keychain and an
electromagnetic card. Each tag has his own identification (UID).
 Western Mindanao State University
College of Engineering
Department of Electronics Engineering
Normal Rd., Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

- AC/DC Adaptor

AC/DC adaptor is a device with a cord that plugs into an electrical outlet and functions as an
electrical power source for a small portable electronic device usually converting AC to DC.

-Cost Analysis of Main Expenses

MATERIALS QUANTITY UNIT UNIT PRICE (₱) TOTAL PRICE (₱)

Arduino Uno 1 pc 202 202

Thermal Printer 1 pc 2,000 2,000

LCD 1 pc 81 81

RFID Reader 1 pc 119 119

RDID Cards 10 pc 11.5 115

AC-DC Adaptor 1 pc 130 130

Total 2,647

PROJECT PROTOTYPE COST ESTIMATE

Assumed number of units to be created * Total Price of Main expenses per unit = Estimated Total Price
of assumed number of units

Therefore:

6 * ₱2,647.00 = ₱15,882.00

The remaining ₱4,118.00 from the budget of ₱20,000.00 will be used for exhaustible materials
such as Solder, glue stick, electrical tapes, thermal paper, etc., and miscellaneous necessities such as
wires, acrylic plastic and Styrofoam.

Monitoring and Evaluation

The project will be monitored by the respective instructors that use the device. At the end of
each semester or midway, each instructor using the device will be given an evaluation form to fill in. The
evaluation form will help check and determine if the device/system would be needed to look in to and
what improvements can be made.