Feature: Remote Management

Complexity: 🟡 Medium Hardware Required: ✅ None (ESP32-C3 has built-in WiFi/Bluetooth) User Value: ⭐⭐⭐ Essential

Overview

Leverage the ESP32-C3 SuperMini’s built-in WiFi (802.11 b/g/n) and Bluetooth 5.0 (BLE) capabilities to enable remote configuration, monitoring, and control of the RFID system. No additional hardware needed!

Benefits

  • Configure cards remotely via web interface
  • Real-time access monitoring from anywhere
  • Remote door unlock capability
  • System diagnostics and alerts
  • Over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates
  • Mobile app control via BLE
  • Home automation integration

Built-in Connectivity Features

WiFi Capabilities

  • 802.11 b/g/n (2.4 GHz)
  • Access Point and Station modes
  • WPA/WPA2/WPA3 security
  • Up to 150 Mbps data rate
  • IPv4 and IPv6 support

Bluetooth Capabilities

  • Bluetooth 5.0 (LE)
  • Extended advertising
  • 2 Mbps PHY for faster data
  • Long range mode
  • Multiple connections

Implementation Checklist

Phase 1: WiFi Setup

  • Create WiFiManager class: 
    class WiFiManager {
private:
    String ssid;
    String password;
    WebServer server;
    bool apMode;
public:
    void begin();
    void startAP(const char* apSSID);
    void connectToWiFi(const char* ssid, const char* pass);
    bool isConnected();
    void handleClient();
    String getIPAddress();
};
  • Implement connection modes:
    • AP mode for initial setup
    • Station mode for normal operation
    • Auto-fallback to AP on connection failure
    • mDNS for easy discovery (rfid.local)

Phase 2: Web Interface

  • Built-in web server: 
    void setupWebServer() {
    server.on("/", HTTP_GET, handleRoot);
    server.on("/api/status", HTTP_GET, handleStatus);
    server.on("/api/cards", HTTP_GET, handleListCards);
    server.on("/api/cards", HTTP_POST, handleAddCard);
    server.on("/api/cards", HTTP_DELETE, handleRemoveCard);
    server.on("/api/unlock", HTTP_POST, handleUnlock);
    server.on("/api/logs", HTTP_GET, handleLogs);
    server.on("/update", HTTP_POST, handleOTA);
    server.begin();
}
  • RESTful API endpoints:
    • GET /api/status - System status
    • GET /api/cards - List authorized cards
    • POST /api/cards - Add new card
    • DELETE /api/cards/{uid} - Remove card
    • POST /api/unlock - Remote unlock
    • GET /api/logs - Access history
    • GET /api/config - Get configuration
    • PUT /api/config - Update configuration

Phase 3: BLE Implementation

  • Create BLEManager class: 
    class BLEManager {
private:
    BLEServer* pServer;
    BLECharacteristic* pStatusChar;
    BLECharacteristic* pCommandChar;
    BLECharacteristic* pConfigChar;
public:
    void begin(const char* deviceName);
    void advertise();
    void updateStatus(String status);
    bool isConnected();
    void handleCommand(String cmd);
};
  • BLE Services:
    • RFID Service UUID
    • Status characteristic (notify)
    • Command characteristic (write)
    • Config characteristic (read/write)
    • Security with pairing

Phase 4: Security Implementation

  • WiFi Security:
    • WPA2/WPA3 encryption
    • HTTPS with self-signed cert
    • Session tokens
    • Rate limiting
  • BLE Security:
    • Pairing with PIN
    • Encrypted characteristics
    • Connection whitelist
  • General Security:
    • Authentication required
    • Command validation
    • Audit logging

Phase 5: Web Dashboard

  • Modern responsive UI: 
    <!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>RFID Access Control</title>
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
    <style>
        /* Embedded CSS for single-file deployment */
        body { font-family: Arial; margin: 20px; }
        .card { background: #f0f0f0; padding: 20px; margin: 10px 0; }
        button { background: #4CAF50; color: white; padding: 10px 20px; }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>RFID Access Control</h1>
    <div id="status" class="card">
        <h2>System Status</h2>
        <p>WiFi: <span id="wifi-status">Connected</span></p>
        <p>Last Access: <span id="last-access">None</span></p>
    </div>
    <div class="card">
        <h2>Quick Actions</h2>
        <button onclick="unlockDoor()">Unlock Door</button>
        <button onclick="viewLogs()">View Logs</button>
    </div>
    <script>
        // Embedded JavaScript
        async function unlockDoor() {
            const response = await fetch('/api/unlock', {method: 'POST'});
            alert(response.ok ? 'Door Unlocked!' : 'Failed');
        }
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Phase 6: Mobile App Features

  • BLE Scanner:
    • Auto-discover RFID system
    • Connect with pairing
    • Remember paired devices
  • Remote Functions:
    • Unlock door
    • Add/remove cards
    • View access logs
    • Configure settings
  • Notifications:
    • Access alerts
    • Low battery warnings
    • System errors

Phase 7: OTA Updates

  • Web-based OTA: 
    void handleOTA() {
    HTTPUpload& upload = server.upload();
    if (upload.status == UPLOAD_FILE_START) {
        Update.begin();
    } else if (upload.status == UPLOAD_FILE_WRITE) {
        Update.write(upload.buf, upload.currentSize);
    } else if (upload.status == UPLOAD_FILE_END) {
        Update.end(true);
        ESP.restart();
    }
}
  • Safety features:
    • Rollback on failure
    • Version checking
    • Signature verification

Phase 8: MQTT Integration

  • MQTT client setup: 
    void setupMQTT() {
    mqttClient.setServer(MQTT_SERVER, MQTT_PORT);
    mqttClient.setCallback(mqttCallback);

    // Topics
    String baseTopic = "rfid/" + deviceId + "/";
    mqttClient.subscribe((baseTopic + "command").c_str());
    mqttClient.publish((baseTopic + "status").c_str(), "online");
}
  • Home Assistant discovery
  • Status publishing
  • Command subscription

Testing Checklist

  • WiFi connection reliability
  • AP mode fallback
  • Web interface responsiveness
  • API endpoint testing
  • BLE connection stability
  • OTA update process
  • Security testing
  • Power consumption impact
  • Range testing

Example Usage

WiFi Configuration Portal 

// On first boot or reset
if (!WiFi.isConnected()) {
    WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
    WiFi.softAP("RFID-Setup");
    // Start config portal on 192.168.4.1
}

BLE Mobile App Commands 

// Command format: CMD:PARAMS
// Examples:
// "UNLOCK:5" - Unlock for 5 seconds
// "ADD:04A3B2C1" - Add card UID
// "STATUS:" - Get system status

MQTT Topics 

rfid/device123/status - System status
rfid/device123/access - Access events
rfid/device123/command - Control commands
rfid/device123/config - Configuration

Power Considerations

  • WiFi active: ~100mA additional
  • WiFi power save mode: ~20mA
  • BLE advertising: ~10mA
  • Deep sleep with wake on BLE: ~1mA

Security Best Practices

  1. Change default passwords
  2. Use strong WiFi encryption
  3. Enable HTTPS for web interface
  4. Implement rate limiting
  5. Regular security updates
  6. Audit log all remote access
  7. Fail-safe local operation

Future Enhancements

  • WebSocket for real-time updates
  • Progressive Web App (PWA)
  • Voice assistant integration
  • Video doorbell integration
  • Multi-site management
  • Cloud backup/sync
  • Machine learning for anomaly detection

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