Current Features vs. Potential Capabilities
This document outlines what features are currently implemented versus what’s possible with the existing hardware.
Current Implementation Status
✅ Implemented Features
1. RFID Access Control
- Read Mifare Classic 4-byte and 7-byte UIDs
- Validate against stored authorized cards
- Support for up to 1 4-byte UID and 2 7-byte UIDs (hardcoded)
- Brute-force protection with progressive delays
2. Audio Feedback
- 6 different sound effects for various states
- Power-up confirmation sound
- “Are you still there?” prompt after 10 seconds
- Access granted sound
- Three levels of access denied sounds
- Volume control via JQ6500 commands
3. Relay Control
- 4 relay outputs (active LOW)
- Relay 1 activates for 10 seconds on valid card
- Automatic deactivation after timeout
- Other relays available but unused
4. Security Features
- Progressive delay on failed attempts (1-68 seconds)
- Maximum of 13 failed attempts tracking
- Reset counter on successful access
- Anti-passback through delay mechanism
5. System Architecture
- Modular design with separate controllers
- Object-oriented C++ implementation
- Unit test framework
- Mock objects for testing
🚧 Partially Implemented
1. Power Management
- Basic initialization sequence
- No deep sleep modes utilized (43μA possible)
- Continuous operation mode only
- Mini360 buck converter provides stable 5V
2. Configuration
- UIDs must be hardcoded
- No runtime configuration
- Test UIDs included but not production ready
- 4MB flash storage unused
3. Feedback Systems
- Audio only (no visual indicators)
- No logging or history
- Limited error reporting
- Built-in blue LED unused
Unused Hardware Capabilities
ESP32-C3 SuperMini Capabilities Not Used
- Wireless Connectivity
- WiFi 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
- Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE)
- ESP-NOW mesh networking
- OTA update capability
- Power Management
- Deep sleep mode (43μA)
- Multiple wake sources (GPIO, timer, touch)
- Dynamic frequency scaling
- WiFi/BLE power management
- Processing Power
- 160MHz RISC-V processor (vs 8MHz AVR)
- 400KB SRAM (vs 2.5KB)
- 4MB Flash (vs 32KB)
- Hardware cryptography acceleration
- I/O Features
- Built-in blue LED (GPIO8)
- 6 ADC channels
- 11 PWM channels
- Touch sensor capabilities
- RTC with calendar
- Communication
- Multiple UART interfaces
- I2C master/slave
- SPI master/slave
- I2S audio interface
PN532 RFID Module Capabilities Not Used
- Advanced RFID Features
- Write data to cards
- Card memory sector access
- Secure authentication (Crypto1)
- Card emulation mode
- Peer-to-peer NFC
- Performance Features
- Low-power card detection
- Anti-collision (multiple cards)
- Configurable RF field strength
- Different communication modes (I2C, UART)
- Security Features
- UID randomization detection
- Sector key management
- Access control lists on card
JQ6500 MP3 Player Capabilities Not Used
- Audio Features
- Folder-based playback
- Random/repeat modes
- EQ settings
- Busy pin for status
- Button control interface
- Control Features
- Track information queries
- Volume memory
- Play specific file by name
- Pause/resume functionality
- Storage Features
- SD card support (model dependent)
- Multiple audio formats
- Onboard flash variants
Relay Module Capabilities Not Used
- Unused Channels
- Relays 2, 3, 4 available
- Both NO and NC contacts
- Status LEDs on each relay
- Advanced Control
- PWM dimming (if driving LEDs)
- Sequential activation
- Timed patterns
Feature Comparison with Original Code
Feature | Original SimpleSexyAC | Our Implementation | Improvement |
---|---|---|---|
Code Structure | Monolithic | Modular OOP | ✅ Better |
Testing | None | Comprehensive | ✅ Better |
Relay Activation | Missing/Incomplete | Fully Implemented | ✅ Better |
Audio Feedback | ✅ Implemented | ✅ Implemented | ➖ Same |
RFID Reading | ✅ Basic | ✅ Enhanced | ✅ Better |
Configuration | Hardcoded | Hardcoded | ➖ Same |
Power Management | None | None | ➖ Same |
Visual Feedback | None | None | ➖ Same |
Logging | None | None | ➖ Same |
Wireless | None | Hardware ready | 🔄 Potential |
Quick Wins (Easy Improvements)
- LED Status Indicators (1-2 days)
- Use built-in blue LED (GPIO8)
- No additional hardware needed
- Flash Storage (2-3 days)
- Store UIDs in ESP32 flash
- Survive power cycles
- 4MB available
- Deep Sleep Mode (1-2 days)
- Ultra-low 43μA consumption
- Wake on GPIO or timer
- Dramatically extend battery life
- WiFi Configuration Portal (3-4 days)
- Web-based setup
- No programming needed
- Built-in WiFi AP mode
- BLE Smartphone Key (3-4 days)
- Use phone as RFID card
- Built-in Bluetooth 5.0
- No app needed initially
Hardware Utilization Summary
- ESP32-C3: ~20% of capabilities used
- PN532: ~20% of capabilities used
- JQ6500: ~30% of capabilities used
- Relays: 25% of channels used
- Power Supply: Properly utilized
Recommendations
Immediate (No Hardware Needed)
- Implement blue LED feedback
- Add flash storage for UIDs
- Enable deep sleep mode (43μA)
- Create WiFi configuration portal
- Use more relay channels
Short Term (Software Only)
- BLE smartphone integration
- Web dashboard for monitoring
- OTA firmware updates
- MQTT home automation
- Master card programming
Medium Term (Minimal Hardware)
- Add emergency button
- Battery voltage monitoring (ADC)
- PIR motion sensor
- Temperature monitoring
- Solar charging support
Long Term (Additional Hardware)
- OLED status display
- Backup battery system
- Multiple reader support
- Cloud integration
- Voice control
The current implementation is solid and improved over the original, but with the ESP32-C3 platform, we’re only using about 20% of the available capabilities. The wireless features alone open up enormous possibilities for remote management, smartphone integration, and home automation connectivity.