MagSpoof
Contents
Project Summary
Our project aims to enable magnetic card communication of WUSTL ID cards and Dorm Key Cards with locks wirelessly. We will use an Attiny85 microcontroller to control the output of a motor driver. The motor driver will output the RF signals to an inductor. The inductor should acts as an amplifier to the RF signals that will be readable by a magnetic card swipers. Time permitting the Attiny85 will hold up to 4 cards and should have an indicator light for what card is currently in use. The Attiny85 will be programmed using an Arduino Microcontoller.
Team Members
Nathan Jarvis
Jonathan Severns
Amelia Delzell-TA
Objectives
- learn objective C and Arduino C
- use Arduino to program attiny85
- fully assemble circuit using IC chips
- practice soldering skills for final project design
- recreate the RF field of a WASHU ID
- open Urbauer 015 with the device
-Barring Major Set-Backs:
- be able to upload multiple cards
- switch between and use multiple cards
Challenges
There are a number of challenges associated with this project. The first will be figuring out the standard of the Washu ID. I think it would be an ISO standard but we cannot assume that. Once we figure out the standard we can use a card reader to read the data in from the card. One possible problem is that I can't download the driver software on the network computer. So I may need to talk to IT to get permissions.
We would then have to build the supporting circuit to actuate the RF field using the schematic is show to the left. As you can we see ee plan to use the motor driver L293D H-Bridge connected to an inductor to amplify the signal from the ATTiny85. We will have a switch for the actuation of the RFID field.
Once we have the hardware built we can move onto the challenge of software. Writing the software should conform to the standard we found from the Washu ID. Once we have a functional program that compiles we have to upload it to the Attiny85 using an arduino. Then we can move onto debugging the program. We can debug it using the same card reader talked about in the first part. Once we are receiving the smae information from the car reader that we found on our card using our device then we will have reached our main objective. We should then test the device on various doors and other readers.
As a demo for the project we would have a participants ID loaded on to the device and then swipe them in to the Washu attendance software.
One possible flaw is that I'm not sure how long th batteries will last on the device. I may include a breaker switch on the battery so the device has long term usability.
With extra time we can modify our project to add multiple cards. We would add to our circuit a second switch and two leds. The leds would indicate in binary which card we are using (0:3). The switch would give a signal to Attiny85 to switch tracks. We may also deveop a better way of encoding cards because with this design we have to hard code them into the firmware.
As a safety concern no credit card should be uploaded to this device
Gantt Chart
Ethical Concerns
In terms of ethical concerns, the pitfalls here are clear. Identity theft is a serious problem in the United States, and if misused, our device could be used to propagate this issue. It would be easy, for example, for a nefarious user of our device to swipe someone else’s card and in that way masquerade as another person on campus. Student IDs not only have building access; they also have access to bear bucks which are essentially cash. Thus, the ethical challenges facing this device are serious. It is important to note, however, that the system is flawed as well. Magstrips on cards are low-tech, antiquated and low-security identifiers. Thus, somewhat dubious nature of MagSpoof should not be completely attributed to the device itself, but also to the card system as a whole.
In the end, however, my partner and I believe the benefit of this device far outweighs the potential abuse. Not every student at Washington University, for example, is physically able to swipe a key card 2-4 times to enter their building and room. There are elevators in every building and handicap-assisted doors, but what about those with a broken arm, or wrist? Our device represents a viable solution to make access to buildings even more universal. Beyond that, our device is simply downright convenient. If a student is carrying many books or other supplies, MagSpoof is an easy way for them to contactlessly enter the building. We project that that MagSpoof will save time and make the entry process more seamless.
Budget Proposal
Attiny85 x 2-$5.68
L293D H-Bridge x 4-$9.40
24AWG Magnet Wire -$11.95
100mAh 3.7V LiPo battery x 3-$11.01
100 uF Capacitors x 2- $0.70
LED X 3 - $2.85
100 ohm Resistor - $0.95
Momentary switch x 10 - $5.00
Mini Protoboard x 2 - $5.90
AVR Programmer- $19.95 (optional)
Breadboard - $4.95
Total: $78.34
