portable_rfid_and_scale

Usage Instructions

1. Get the code

   • Clone this repository.
   • Open the Arduino IDE and load portable_rfid_and_scale.ino.

2. Choose your LCD variant There are two hardware variants:

   • One uses the LiquidCrystal_I2C library (I²C display).
   • The other uses the LiquidCrystal library (parallel display). In the code, set:
   • USE_I2C = 1 for I²C displays (with LiquidCrystal_I2C)
   • USE_I2C = 0 for parallel displays (with LiquidCrystal) If the screen stays blank or shows garbage, flip the value and try again.

3. Match your RFID reader output Our systems use two RFID reader types:

   • Raspberry-based systems return the last 10 digits of the tag.
   • Arduino/Ecohab systems return the first 10 digits. In the code, set:
   • LAST_10 = 1 if your reader returns the last 10 digits.
   • LAST_10 = 0 if it returns the first 10 digits. After uploading, scan a tag and confirm the value shown matches what your system reports.

4. (Optional) Show animal names instead of numeric tags If you prefer names rather than 10-digit codes, edit the dictionaries/arrays:

   • tags_array and subjects_array Map each tag ID to the corresponding animal name so the display shows the name.

5. Install required libraries Open Library Manager (Arduino IDE → Sketch → Include Library → Manage Libraries…) and install:

   • HX711 by Rob Tillaart, version 0.6.0 Note: newer versions are not supported—pin it to 0.6.0.
   • LiquidCrystal
   • LiquidCrystal_I2C After installing, click Verify (✓) to make sure the code compiles.

6. Select board and port

   • Connect the device via USB.
   • Go to Tools → Board → Arduino AVR Boards → Arduino Mega or Mega 2560. If “Arduino Mega or Mega 2560” doesn’t appear, open Tools → Board → Boards Manager… and install Arduino AVR Boards.
   • Go to Tools → Port and select the correct serial port.

7. Build and upload

   • Click Verify (✓). If compilation fails due to missing libraries, install/fix them as above.
   • Click Upload (→) to flash the device.

Troubleshooting

• Blank or garbled LCD → Toggle USE_I2C (0 ↔ 1) and re-upload.
• Tag value doesn’t match your system → Toggle LAST_10 (0 ↔ 1) and re-test with a known tag.
• “HX711” version errors → Ensure the library is exactly 0.6.0 in Library Manager.
• Board not listed → Install Arduino AVR Boards via Boards Manager.
• Wrong port → Unplug/re-plug the USB cable and reselect Tools → Port.

That’s it—once configured, the device should display either the 10-digit tag or the mapped animal name when you scan a tag.