SMART RFID-BASED DOOR LOCK WITH LOCAL
ACCESS LOGGING
An Undergraduate FSIA Project
Presented to the Faculty of the
DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
College of Computer Studies
Eastern Samar State University
Borongan City, Eastern Samar
In Partial Fulfilment of the Course Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
BASAS, KEITH RIONAN C.
AMBIL, MIKYLLA MARIE B.
BIASONG, [Link] B.
BANDILLA, JAY M.
ESPLAGO, JELLY B.
FACTOR, MARWEN M.
MONTANCES, L-DEN Y.
REBARTER, MARYDELLE D.
OPACO, BRIX WARREN F.
MENGURIA, HERMENIA C.
JUNE 2025
CHAPTER I
BACKHROUND OF THE STUDY
In recent years, security has become a significant concern in both residential and commercial settings.
Traditional lock-and-key mechanisms are vulnerable to duplication, loss, and unauthorized access. With the
advancement of microcontroller-based systems and IoT technologies, more intelligent and secure access
solutions have emerged. This project introduces a Smart RFID-Based Door Lock System with Local Access
Logging, which leverages the MFRC522 RFID module to provide secure and convenient access control. It also
integrates additional components such as a servo motor for physical locking/unlocking, an LCD for real-time
feedback, an LED indicator, and buzzer feedback. Furthermore, the system sends scanned RFID UIDs to a
computer via serial communication, enabling local access logging through Visual Studio, which enhances
monitoring and security.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE
To design and implement a smart door locking system using RFID technology that provides secure access
control and local access logging.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
To read and retrieve unique RFID card UIDs using the MFRC522 module.
To control a servo motor to lock and unlock the door based on authorized access.
To display UID information and access status on a 16x2 LCD screen using I2C.
To provide visual (LED) and audio (buzzer) feedback during scanning and access events.
To transmit RFID UID data to a computer for real-time monitoring and logging using Visual Studio
SCOPE
The system uses RFID tags/cards for identification and access control.
A 16x2 LCD is used to display UID and system messages.
servo motor acts as the physical locking mechanism.
An LED and optional buzzer provide feedback on scan results.
The system sends UID data via serial communication for logging in a Visual Studio application.
The system can be deployed in home or small office environments.
LIMITATIONS
The system only supports RFID-based authentication and cannot integrate with biometric or mobile-
based access.
Logging is local and depends on a connected computer running Visual Studio; cloud logging is not
included.
The number of authorized UIDs must be predefined in the microcontroller code or loaded from EEPROM
or external storage.
The system requires stable power and physical proximity of the RFID tag to the reader.
CHAPTER II
REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE
Related Literature
In a study by Agarwal and Sharma (2020), an RFID-based security system was developed using the
MFRC522 module and Arduino platform. The system provided reliable access control through RFID
authentication, effectively restricting unauthorized entry. Their findings showed that integrating simple
electronic components with microcontrollers could offer an affordable and effective solution for residential
security. This supports the idea that RFID technology can be a practical approach for door access systems.
Similarly, Lee and Nguyen (2019) designed a smart door lock that used RFID cards along with a
microcontroller and LCD interface. The system allowed for real-time display of access status and UID
information, giving users instant feedback about access attempts. Their research highlights the importance of
user interaction in access control systems and proves that visual feedback through LCDs can enhance the
usability and reliability of smart locks, especially in environments where multiple users are present.
Another related work by Santos and Rivera (2021) focused on local access logging through serial
communication. In their system, UID data was transmitted from the RFID reader to a computer application
built with Visual Studio. The study demonstrated that maintaining a local access log improves transparency
and monitoring, which is especially crucial in shared or restricted-access environments. This reinforces the
proposed system's feature of sending UID data for local logging, ensuring records are maintained for future
auditing.
These related studies demonstrate that integrating RFID technology with microcontroller platforms is a
reliable and scalable method for access control. They also emphasize the importance of user feedback, data
logging, and ease of interaction—all of which are addressed in the proposed Smart RFID-Based Door Lock with
Local Access Logging system.
CHAPTER III
METHODOLOGY
Figure 1. System Flowchart of RFID-Based Door Lock
The flowchart illustrates the logical operation of the system. Upon powering up, the RFID reader
continuously scans for cards. If a card is detected, the UID is read and checked against a list of authorized UIDs.
If authorized, the servo motor unlocks the door, and an LED lights up to indicate success. Otherwise, access is
denied, and a different LED signal or buzzer feedback is triggered. Regardless of the result, the UID is sent via
serial communication to a Visual Studio application for logging.
Figure 2. Hardware Schematic Diagram
The schematic diagram shows the interconnection between the MFRC522 RFID reader, 16x2 I2C LCD,
servo motor, LED, buzzer, and the microcontroller (Arduino Uno). The LCD is connected via I2C pins (A4, A5), the
RFID reader via SPI (SDA, SCK, MOSI, MISO), the servo to a PWM pin, and the LED/buzzer to digital I/O pins.
Figure 3. System Architecture of the Smart Door Lock
The diagram above presents the relationship between hardware components (RFID reader,
microcontroller, LCD, servo motor, LED, buzzer), software elements (Arduino IDE, Visual Studio), and data flow
(UID read → access decision → serial transmission → logging).
Design Overview
The user interface is straightforward and user-friendly. The 16x2 LCD displays system messages such as
“Scan RFID,” “Access Granted,” or “Access Denied.” When an RFID card is tapped, feedback is provided visually
(LED), audibly (buzzer), and mechanically (servo motor movement). On the backend, the scanned UID is
transmitted to a PC via serial communication where it is displayed or logged using a Visual Studio application.
This setup allows local monitoring and simplifies user access tracking.
Hardware Components
Arduino Uno - Acts as the main controller for processing UID and
driving outputs.
MFRC522 RFID Module with Card/Tag - Used for scanning RFID
cards/tags.
16x2 LCD (I2C) - Displays UID and access messages.
Servo Motor - Performs lock/unlock function.
LEDs - Indicates access status (green for granted, red for denied).
Active Buzzer - Provides audio feedback upon scan.
Software Used
Arduino IDE - Used to program and upload code to the microcontroller.
Visual Studio (Via Windows Form .NET Framework with Serial Port) -
Used to create dashboard and receive and log UID data from Arduino.
Libraries - MFRC522.h for RFID, LiquidCrystal_I2C.h for LCD.
Frameworks - Guna2UI for UI design , [Link] for MySQL Connection,
Integration
The hardware components are integrated with the Arduino via appropriate digital, analog, and
communication pins. The microcontroller processes scanned RFID data and triggers responses through output
components. It also sends data via USB serial to the Visual Studio interface for local access logging.
System Structure and Functionality
The system functions in real-time: constantly scanning for RFID cards, processing access control logic,
and providing multi-modal feedback. It combines physical security (servo lock) with informational feedback (LCD,
logging), ensuring a comprehensive and interactive user experience.
Chapter IV
Prototype
Exterior 3D Design
FRONT VIEW BACK VIEW
RIGHT VIEW LEFT VIEW
INTERIOR 3D DESIGN
GROUND FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
ROOFTOP
Prototype Actual Photo
FR
O NT
VIEW BACK
VIEW
LEFT VIEW RIGHT VIEW
GROUND FLOOR
SECOND FLOOR
ROOF TOP VIEW
Testing Scenarios
To evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of the Smart RFID-Based Door Lock system, a series of
testing scenarios were conducted under typical usage conditions. The scenarios were designed to assess
different aspects of system performance, including:
Authorized Card Test
An RFID card registered in the system was
scanned to verify if the door would unlock, LEDs and
buzzer would activate correctly, and data would be logged
into the database.
Unauthorized Card Test
An unregistered RFID card was scanned to check
whether the system would deny access, provide
appropriate red light and buzzer feedback, and still log the
attempt.
90-0000Database Logging Test
Multiple scans (both valid and invalid) were performed in sequence to test if all entries were accurately
stored in the MySQL database via XAMPP.
Dashboard Update Test
The Visual Studio WinForm dashboard was observed during scans to confirm if real-time display of access
logs was functioning as expected.
Results and Performance
During testing, the system consistently recognized valid RFID cards and granted access within
approximately 0.5 to 1 second, while unauthorized cards were promptly denied with the correct LED and buzzer
feedback. The servo motor functioned reliably, opening and closing the lock mechanism without any mechanical
delays or errors. All access attempts—whether authorized or denied—were accurately logged in the MySQL
database, complete with time stamps and card UIDs. The dashboard interface updated in real-time, clearly
reflecting access status and ensuring visibility for administrative users. Additionally, the system demonstrated
strong resilience by rebooting properly after a power outage, with no loss of data or functionality.