BLE RFID Scanner & Comp. Management App

Overview

Course project for COEN 390 that combined hardware, embedded product with an android app, and database storage .

Our Project's concept: Give event organizers a way to track participants throughout a venue using RFID wristbands. Attendees tap their bands at checkpoints (entry, merch booth, food station, session rooms), and organizers get real-time visibility into who is where. Give Participants an easy way to get real-time notifications from the organizers and a dashboard to find upcoming competetions sorted by region.

System Architecture

[RFID Wristband] → [ESP32 Scanner] → [BLE] → [Android App] → [Firebase]
                                                    ↓
                                          [Organizer Dashboard]

My Contributions

In a team of 5, I worked on the hardware and backend integration:

Hardware Design

• Built the physical RFID scanner device
• Component selection, soldering, and assembly
• Designed for portability and reliable scanning

Embedded Firmware

• Programmed ESP32 XIAO C6 in C++
• Wrote RFID scanning logic and data parsing
• Implemented BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) drivers for communication with mobile app

Technical Stack

How It Works

1. Setup: Organizer distributes NFC/RFID wristbands to participants
2. Check-in: Participants tap their band at scanner checkpoints
3. Data flow: Scanner reads band ID → sends via BLE to paired phone → uploads to Firebase
4. Visibility: Organizer app shows real-time participant locations and checkpoint history

Team

• Me: Hardware, embedded firmware, BLE drivers
• 4 teammates: Android app UI/UX, Firebase setup, organizer dashboard, documentation