Manual attendance systems are slow, unreliable, and difficult to manage—especially in remote locations where Wi-Fi is unavailable. To solve this, I developed a Smart RFID Attendance System using ESP32 and 4G LTE connectivity that works completely without Wi-Fi and updates attendance data in real time on a cloud dashboard using HTTP POST requests.
This project is designed to be low-cost, scalable, and easy to deploy for schools, colleges, offices, factories, and construction sites.
🧠 How the System WorksA user taps an RFID card/tag on the RFID reader
- A user taps an RFID card/tag on the RFID reader
The RFID reader reads the unique card UID
- The RFID reader reads the unique card UID
ESP32 processes the UID
- ESP32 processes the UID
ESP32 sends attendance data to the cloud server via 4G LTE module
- ESP32 sends attendance data to the cloud server via 4G LTE module
Server receives data through HTTP POST API
- Server receives data through HTTP POST API
Attendance is stored in the database
- Attendance is stored in the database
Data appears instantly on a real-time web dashboard
- Data appears instantly on a real-time web dashboard
📡 No Wi-Fi required — works anywhere with mobile network coverage.
🔩 Hardware Components UsedESP32 Development Board
- ESP32 Development Board
RFID Reader (MFRC522)
- RFID Reader (MFRC522)
RFID Cards / Tags
- RFID Cards / Tags
4G LTE Module (SIM7600 / SIM7000 / A7670C / SIM808 – any compatible)
- 4G LTE Module (SIM7600 / SIM7000 / A7670C / SIM808 – any compatible)
SIM Card (with data plan)
- SIM Card (with data plan)
External Power Supply (important for 4G module)
- External Power Supply (important for 4G module)
Antenna
- Antenna
Jumper Wires
- Jumper Wires
Breadboard
- Breadboard
Arduino IDE
- Arduino IDE
ESP32 Board Package
- ESP32 Board Package
MFRC522 RFID Library
- MFRC522 RFID Library
HTTPClient Library
- HTTPClient Library
UART Serial Communication
- UART Serial Communication
Backend Server (PHP / Node.js / Python)
- Backend Server (PHP / Node.js / Python)
Database (MySQL / MongoDB)
- Database (MySQL / MongoDB)
Web Dashboard (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Web Dashboard (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
RFID
ESP32
SDA
GPIO 5
SCK
GPIO 18
MOSI
GPIO 23
MISO
GPIO 19
RST
GPIO 22
GND
GND
3.3V
3.3V
⚠️ Important: RFID module works only on 3.3V, do not use 5V.
🔹 4G LTE Module → ESP32 (UART)4G Module
ESP32
TX
RX2 (GPIO 16)
RX
TX2 (GPIO 17)
GND
GND
VCC
External Power Supply
⚠️ 4G modules require high current, so always use external power.
🌐 HTTP POST Data Example{
"card_id": "A1B2C3D4",
"device_id": "ESP32_01",
"timestamp": "2026-02-02 10:45:21",
"status": "Present"
}
{
"card_id": "A1B2C3D4",
"device_id": "ESP32_01",
"timestamp": "2026-02-02 10:45:21",
"status": "Present"
}
📊 Smart Dashboard FeaturesReal-time attendance update
- Real-time attendance update
User-wise logs
- User-wise logs
Date & time stamps
- Date & time stamps
Device ID tracking
- Device ID tracking
CSV export
- CSV export
Mobile & desktop responsive
- Mobile & desktop responsive
✔ Works without Wi-Fi✔ Real-time cloud update✔ Low-cost IoT solution✔ Scalable & reliable✔ Easy to deploy✔ Remote location friendly
🔮 Future EnhancementsFace recognition
- Face recognition
SMS / WhatsApp alerts
- SMS / WhatsApp alerts
GPS-based attendance
- GPS-based attendance
Admin mobile app
- Admin mobile app
Biometric integration
- Biometric integration
This Smart RFID Attendance System using ESP32 & 4G LTE is a practical IoT solution for modern attendance management. It reduces manual errors, saves time, and works reliably even in remote areas.
📞 Need This Project? (Low-Cost Build Support)If you want this project built for you at low cost, or need full guidance, code, dashboard setup, and hardware support, feel free to contact us.
📲 WhatsApp / Call: +91 9336183481
You can WhatsApp directly for:
Project building
- Project building
Custom features
- Custom features
College/School deployment
- College/School deployment
Complete IoT solution support
- Complete IoT solution support
We are happy to help 🚀









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