A RFID BASED (IoT) AUTOMATIC ATTENDANCE SYSTEM: A SURVEY

ANALYSIS

*RKAR. Kariapper1, MS. *Suhail Razeeth2

* South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Oluvil

rk@seu.ac.lk1, razeethsuhail@seu.ac.lk2

ABSTRACT

In contemporary attendance is an intense issue of each foundation. The conventional method

of admitting the attendance is a paper-based system. The difficulties incorporate trouble in
keeping the attendance list over a significant piece of time, fair amount of time wastage amid
composing and marking, forged documentation, students are neglecting as well as ignorance
to sign the attendance paper, lecturers overlooking the attendance list in the study hall,
students signing or marking unlawfully for a truant among others. It is necessary to move
away from this conventional system and need to provide better solution for the problems
which are being faced. Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the key medium to solve the said
issue. This paper analyses the very recent development and implementation of IoT attendance
system using the concept of RFID. This analysis found that, Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) is a very advanced technology for automatic attendance system and it provide very
higher accuracy and performance than traditional paper-based system. A hybrid model is
necessary and which must confirm higher security, reliability, low cost and better
performance of the system. In this respect, “RFID four tire system with biometrics” could be
used along with adequate number of RFID tag readers and finger print devices in order to
confirm the security and the reliability of the system. Web server could be replaced by PHP
and MYSQL result cheaper, better accuracy and high performance. This hybrid model could
be applied and practiced in schools and higher education institutions effectively.
Keywords: RFID, IoT, attendance system, Security

INTRODUCTION
Attendance or daily register of understudies has turned into a vital assessment perspective in
the current instructive framework in both universities and schools. The conventional
attendance monitoring framework has a few impediments with the trend and the technology
gap. For instance, passing the everyday attendance sheet to a huge number of students in a
class is extremely risky and it hampers the consideration of the students in the class. It is
waste of time as well as a student can deliberately enlist counterfeit attendance record in the
day by day attendance sheet. On the off chance, if the teacher loses these documents, all the
significant attendance records are lost without doubt.
RFID innovation has a tremendous task to carry out in the completion of the vision of
associating objects around us to the internet. These items extend from huge structures,
modern plants, planes, vehicles, machineries, any sort of merchandise, and explicit pieces of

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

a bigger framework to people, animals and plants and even explicit body portions of them.
The idea driving this is called Internet of Things (IoT).

This survey analysis focusses in how RFID attendance systems differ from traditional system,
find out very recent RFID attendance systems and to propose a best system among them with
the additional features.

RFID TECHNOLOGY
RFID is standard for Radio Frequency Identification which is the very latest concept of
Internet of Things (IoT) and it is very similar technology of barcode system but with some
higher advanced concept. It works by using transferring and receiving signal using Antenna
and Integrated Circuit. It has two parts namely, RFID Tag and RFID Reader.
RFID Tag
A RFID Tag is an electronic tag that exchanges information with a RFID reader through
radio waves. Almost every RFID Tags have two parts namely, Antenna and Integrated
Circuit (IC). Antenna used for receives radio frequency waves and IC used for processing and
store data.[1]
RFID Reader
RFID reader is a device which used to gather information from RFID tag which used to track
individual. RFID uses radio waves to transfer the data from tag to reader[2].
WORKING MECHANISM
RFID Tag receives signal from reader via antenna and get charged. Then the Charged tag
sends the response to antenna. The antenna reads the data and sends to reader. Finally, the
reader reads and follows the necessary instructions.
LITRATURE REVIEW
A.A. Olanipekun and O.K. Boyinbode have implemented a system called RFID Based
Automatic Attendance systems [3]. This attendance system software has been developed
using VB.net and database (Microsoft Access). Each student has RFID tag attached with their
Student ID card. There is a serial connection amid computer and RFID reader also has been
maintained for connection between RFID and the computer system. The RFID reader is
placed at the lecture hall door. Whenever students enter the lecture hall RFID reader read the
RFID tag and it store the all information (Entry time, Name, etc.) of students into database
via serial connection and maintain the system. Here admin of this system can view all
documents using the software interface by retrieving information from database without any
difficulties not like traditional system[3].
Hasanein D. Rjeib et. al implemented an attendance system with the combination of RFID
and Web-Based system. This system uses a RFID tag and reader for getting students’
attendance and read particular student. Then this reader connects with Arduino
microcontroller which passes the RFID reader response to web server by using Arduino
shield, finally the attendance of students can be stored in web server by using PHP and
MySQL. The admin of the system can view all students documents by login to this particular
web based application and also can view the student’s details using LCD displays[4].

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

Srivignessh PSS and Bhaskar. M. Found a system that, RFID and Pose Invariant Face
Verification for automatic attendance system. This system works under two-factor
verifications. In the first step, students need to use RFID tag which is read by RFID reader. If
the first step is succeeded then it moves to second step of verification, if not, student becomes
under unrecognized category. The second step is Face verification, if the face match with
particular RFID tag then it marks attendance into database. Missing the above both readings,
the system identifies the fraud students. This two-factor automatic system reduces the misuse
of identity theft for the purpose of getting attendance [5].

Moth Myint Thein and Chaw Myat Nweand Hla Myo Tun developed a Students’ Attendance
Management System Based on RFID and Fingerprint Reader. This system also works as two-
factor verification. In this system RFID reader is connected with computer and computer has
specific software to measure automatic attendance of students which is developed by
Microsoft Visual studio and a SQL database also maintain in this system. At the initial, every
student must register his/her RFID tag and Fingerprints and it is stored in the database. When
students enter the class room they need to use RFID tag and this will be reading by RFID
reader which checks the database to confirm the tag, if it is correct then next verification
starts. In second step fingerprint of the student is verified. If it is matched then attendance
will be stored in server. Admin can view, edit and delete the system. Also, teachers have
authentication to use this system, they also can act as admin. This is very speed (since the
RFID) and secure system (finger print). In case, Tag can be used by others as well but two-
factor mitigates the issues and attendance stored automatically proper as well as there are
fraud free actions [6].

“Arduino Based Smart RFID Security and Attendance System with Audio
Acknowledgement” is developed by Yashi Mishra et al. SD card module with RFID tag
which carry different voice codes is used in this system. The tag ID and code of the voice
greeting stored in SD card module. While a student enters the class room door, his / her RFID
tag is being read. If the ID of the tag matched with stored data in the SD card then particular
person needs to use the voice greeting, if it is matched then the door will be opened and the
attendance will store in excel sheet. Student can view the attendance detail using the LCD
placed in Arduino. Here Arduino working as microcontroller to connect LCD, RFID reader,
SD card module and so on. This system is also working as two-factor verification process.
Moreover, this system is very simple schematics than other system because of very simple
components and design. Also here we get fast response with accuracy [7].

Anil Kumar Shukla had been created a prototype system called Microcontroller Based
Attendance System Using RFID and GSM. This system consists three atMega16
microcontroller placed in between RFID reader, GSM modem and computer. Each
microcontroller has its own purpose. The system starts whenever a teacher used his/her RFID
tag to enter the class room and students will enter the class room by swapping their tag within
five minutes. RFID reader reads RFID tag and sends the signal to first microcontroller which
analyses the signal of RFID reader and opens class room door using IR signal which is
influenced by a motor. The signal is temporarily stored in microcontroller, when teacher
finishes his / her class he /she must swap the RFID tag again to the reader and system decides
automatically that the class is over. Thus, microcontroller passes the temporary stored signal

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

to computer database as attendance. In case of absent of student, the signal passes to GSM
modem and it will send the message to parents of the students who were not at the class. If
any students go out before teacher use finishing RFID tag which doesn’t count the status
(present) of the students. This system itself added advanced and reliable security features.
Thus students are not able to cheat the administration and parents [8].

Sandhya Konatham et al. proposed a system that working with RFID and GSM. Here they
have used microcontroller (LPC) as an intermediate amid GSM module and RFID. Whenever
students enter the classroom, they need to use their tag which read by RFID reader and it send
to the present signal to GSM module. If the ID of the tag does not match with database it
considered as unauthorized access. If it is okay then GSM module send massage
administration and parents. [9].

Srinidhi MB and Romil Roy proposed a system that web based attendance using four-tier
architecture by using RFID and Biometrics. In this system student’s and teacher’s RFID
unique code will store into the database. A RFID reader and fingerprint device are placed at
the door of the classroom. When students enter classroom, they need to use the RFID tag
which read by reader and verifies identify by comparing with database whether the tag
matches or not. Second level verification will be allowed if and only if first level is
succeeded. Verification with fingerprint is the second step of the system and if the student’s
finger print matches with database then the attendance will be marked and stored into
database, if not there is no attendance for students. The fingerprint verification only active in
span of ten minutes including five minutes before the schedule and after the schedule of class
starting time. If anyone late then it denies to provide attendance to particular student but
students can stay at the lectures and learn. Finally, SMS will send to the student’s parents
about inform particular students’ presence. This system is time oriented [10].

H. K. Nguyen and M. T. Chew developed a prototype for attendance management system

with the placement of a greater number of RFID readers placed in room and there is a server
application maintains via a laptop. The reader and laptop or PC connected with the help of
wireless router or LAN connection. When a person enters the room, he / she needs to use the
RFID tag which reads by RFID reader and passes the attendance to the server through
wireless or LAN connection. Since many RFID readers are placed, more than one person can
get the attendance simultaneously and get the higher efficiency than traditional method [11].

Also, Muhammad Benny Chaniago and Apri Junaidi suggested a system that working with
RFID and Telegram Messenger Application. In this system students are needed to meet the
teachers for tapping of RFID tags. If it is matched with tag stored in the database, then it
sends to the attendance to the principal in the form of excel as well as it sends a message to
the specific student’s parent via Telegram messenger [12].

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

COMPARISSION AND DISCUSSION

Reliabili

Perform
Security
# Attendance Systems

ance

Cost
ty
A RFID Bases attendance system High Low Medium High
B RFID and web-based system High Low High High
C RFID with Face verification system High High High Medium
D RFID with Fingerprint system High High High High
E Arduino based RFID attendance
High Medium High High
system
F Microcontroller based RFID and Ultra
High Low Low
GSM High
G RFID and GSM High Low High Low
H Ultra Ultra
RFID four tire system with biometrics Medium Low
High High
I RFID attendance management system High Low High High
K RFID with telegram messenger High High Low Low
Table 1: comparison table of all systems

When we consider the RFID Based attendance framework clearly propelled security than
paper-based framework. In paper-base, it could be burnt, content can be erased, etc. yet in
RFID it can't be occurred since the idea of the RFID is very advanced, therefore it gives
higher security. Regardless of whether it is higher security, it gives Low dimension of
reliability. The purpose behind this tragedy is, others can utilize another's Tag for getting
attendance and there are no other mechanisms to mitigate this. Furthermore, the performance
factor of RFID in every case is fast, inside a few seconds it scans most Tags and shows result
in a quicker way in addition to this, comparably it needs low cost requirements to develop the
system. Therefore, the expense of the RFID and the framework exceptionally very less
contrast to paper cost. Though the cost of this system is low, the development cost for the
Graphical User Interface module using VB.net which give greater expense notwithstanding
when other expense is low.

RFID web system also provides higher security than paper-based system in light of the RFID,
microcontroller and also web server application which are normally provides higher security
features. Though with the higher security, it shows unreliable output since failure of second
step verification. The system shows higher performance comparably since the MySQL
database and sever which provide higher storage with high speed performance, thus
thousands of students can be hooked in this system in a few minutes. In previous system,
Excel maintains only 2GB storage. This system overcomes that limitation. In compare with
cost, this framework is very high since the accessories such as RFID tag & reader, Arduino,
Arduino shield and web designing.

RFID and face verification system is strengthened by providing higher security due to two
steps verification and which provides good reliability in compared with previous systems. It
makes sure to reduce the cheatings in attendance. This system shows much better
performance due to high speed and integrity. Meanwhile, facial verification cost is

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

comparably average than other biometric verification [13]. It also could be considered for a
better system for developing automatic attendance system.

RFID with fingerprint system is very similar to RFID with facial system. Each and every
characteristics of table are providing similar concepts except the cost. Fingerprint biometric
system provide very lower cost in compare to Retina, Iris and etc. [13]. Meanwhile, software
which uses visual studio and SQL costs in a great measure. Ultimately this system is
considered as high cost system with high quality.

In the arrangement of Arduino based RFID attendance gives two-factor confirmation

framework utilizing voice command and it is exceptionally secure. The voice greeting can be
replaced by another person hence there is a plausibility to swindle the system thus, prompts
medium level reliability. The performance of the system is extremely quick and the door
opening and taking attendance done in a few seconds with exceptionally straightforward
component structure. Despite of simple design of this system, it attaches SD card modules
with RFID tag leads to buy either more SD cards or high capacity SD cards which drives the
greater expense regardless of the system’s design.

In microcontroller-based RFID and GSM system uses advance features. This system offers
better security while using microcontroller and GSM model. This framework sends message
to the particular student’s parent in order to let him / her know the attendance status. This
system provides class precise with high security. Though it has better security framework, the
failure of second step verification, which shows low level of reliability. The disadvantage of
this system is that, anyone can use the Tag for getting attendance. Performance vise this
system shows a great deal since this system works just inside ten minutes; in the middle of
that ten minutes each student can use his / her tag. Meanwhile the system sends messages to
the parents of the students who were not in the class at that time. In addition to this, cost of
three microcontroller and GSM module are very cheap [14], [15]. On the off chance that if a
second step verification is added to this system, at that point become a higher precise system
than any other systems.

RFID and GSM system also similar type of Microcontroller based RFID and GSM. The main
difference between these two is microcontroller type and number of microcontrollers. This
system also provides similar characteristic of Microcontroller RFID and GSM but
performance is not much higher than microcontroller-based RFID and GSM. The cost of
RFID and GSM system is cheaper than Microcontroller based RFID and GSM system since it
uses only one microcontroller.

In the case of four tire system with Biometrics obviously which provides higher security
because of two step verification by tag and biometric fingerprints. This system makes sure
that, no one can cheat the system by carrying others’ tag due to fingerprint verification. Time
punctuality, other necessary features, well designed structures & functions are rich in this
system. This system can be used at higher education and other working sector but it supports
for small number of students thus the performance of this system is medium and also if
number of students are high the students can’t enter the class within ten minutes since they
must undergo two step verification. Large number of RFID tag readers and more fingerprint
scanners make the system provide higher performance in rapid manner. The cost of this
system is also lesser than other systems since the fingerprint and tag only used with this
system. This system maintains the time punctuality and mitigate to avoid the class at half,

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

which feature leads very accurate and integrity of the system. This system can be
recommended for the higher education students with the revised of performance
characteristics.

In case of RFID attendance management system security is high in compared with traditional
paper-based system but the reliability is lesser since of mismatching the second verification.
The performance of this system is very high since more than one person can get attendance
simultaneously due to number of RFID tags placed in most of areas. The cost of this system
relatively high because of LAN connection, number of RFID reader and other stuffs.

Second verification component is missing in RFID with telegram messenger system. They
only follow tag and reader. Though there is no second verification, it is reliable because of
the monitoring activity by the teacher. The teacher gets the students tag and used in front of
the reader so there is no way of cheating but the time span of registering attendance is very
big because teacher needs to check the tag case by case, which leads more time consumption.
In addition to this, the system sends messages to the parents via telegram messenger. The cost
of this system is very cheaper than any other since there is no second verification and
telegram messenger normally free for current smart phone era.

CONCLUSION
From this analysis we could identified that Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a very
advanced technology for automatic attendance system and it provide very higher accuracy
and speed than a traditional paper-based system. And we bravely say that RFID is a best
replacement of traditional method without any doubt. In additionally we could conclude that
even if we use RFID a necessity is there to confirm the second verification methods for
mitigate the cheating and increasing reliability level. Eventually from this study we got to
know that each and every system we discussed has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Some characteristics are good for some system and some are not. To overcome this, a hybrid
model is necessary and which merely provide higher efficient system without any
disadvantage.

RECOMMENDATION

In general, a well-designed system must confirm higher security, reliability, better

performance and low development cost. An attendance system must provide time punctuality
/ management of students attending classroom, monitoring student’s attendance and let their
parents aware the class attendance percentage and it must mitigate the absentia in class. RFID
four tier system can be recommended with necessary modifications. In this system students
have only ten minutes span to enter the classroom. There will be a time delay if the number
of students in the class is high since adequate amount of time slot will be taken in order to
pass the two-factor verification. Accommodating adequate number of RFID readers and
finger print scanners is one way to reduce the time. In this respect, “RFID four tire system
with biometrics” could be used along with adequate number of RFID tag readers and finger
print devices in order to confirm the security and the reliability of the system except the
performance and cost. Web server could be replaced by combination of PHP and MYSQL
results cheaper, better accuracy and high performance. This hybrid model could be applied
and practiced in schools and higher education institutions effectively.

REFERENCES

Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734

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Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3372734