Capacitive UART Fingerprint Sensor (E) - Rectangular

It’s always quite interesting to play around with fingerprint sensing and the various technologies that are used to capture, compare and identify the incredibly complex little structures on our fingers. Unique to each and every one of us, fingerprints are used for identification in many situations. This is why we love to get Electronics Modules like this Capacitive UART Fingerprint Sensor, a discretely flat, rectangular sensor that utilises Capacitive Sensing to identify subtle fingerprint patterns with a surprising level of detail and accuracy. This functionality is all packed into one tiny package, allowing you to integrate fingerprint sensing into a wide range of projects, while the UART capabilities allow a wide range of different platforms to be able to communicate with the module effectively.

This Fingerprint Scanner Sensor is similar to another we stock from DFRobot, but the difference lies in each module’s stored image resolution. Our DFRobot UART Fingerprint Sensor (R) has 128x128 resolution, while this UART Fingerprint Sensor (E) has 160x160 resolution. And when compared with the classic DFRobot Fingerprint Sensor that we’ve stocked for quite some time now, this sensor utilises capacitive sensing rather than Still Image Capture & Compare technology. This makes it arguably faster, as well as more fraud-resistant than the image capture sensor, as it might be possible to trick the image capture method with a simple (high quality) image of a fingerprint, whilst the capacitive sensing method requires physical contact, meaning that you would have to rebuild a physical fingerprint with silicone or a similar type of material in order to try and trick the sensor.

In terms of the technical specifications, this fingerprint sensor packs quite a punch for its small size, offering a capturing resolution of 508DPI to create 160 x 160 pixel images, and even including up to 8 greyscale levels to account for any blemishes, scars or other markings that could typically interfere with fingerprint recognition. It is also capable of recording and maintaining memory of up to 3000 different fingerprints, with the ability to recognise fingerprints in all orientations and angles, while the matching time (comparing the captured image against its onboard database) takes as little as 200ms per 100 fingerprints stored in the database.

Please Note: Although this module is awesome for using in conjunction with dev’ platforms like Raspberry Pi, it is important to note that this module operates on 3.3V DC, meaning that you will need to use a 3.3V board, or consider using some kind of Logic Level Converter to bring your 5V signals down to 3.3V without hassle.

Typical Applications for the Capacitive UART Fingerprint Sensor (E):

Because fingerprints are one of the most reliable ways of identifying different people, it has become synonymous with security, and this especially prevalent in applications such as employee-logging, secure access and police investigations. As such, it’s no surprise that most of the typical use cases for these sensors involve security and identification, with some of the most unique of these including:

• Replacing your computer power button with a fingerprint sensor mechanism, so that only you can turn on your computer with your unique fingerprint.
• Creating a modern scavenger hunt, which logs player activity by identifying fingerprint entries, and then sending it back to a central “mainframe” to keep track of player progress and even send hints to their mobile devices as players reach various checkpoints.
• Building your own secure garage or gate access control, which utilises fingerprint scanning and infrared transceiving for easy access, but only responds to yours and your family’s fingerprints – installed directly onto your dashboard but without being a security risk.

As you can see, because fingerprint sensors are one of the absolute best solutions for secure identification, applications for these Capacitive UART Fingerprint Sensors mostly revolve around this. However, with that being said, if you’ve got some other cool ideas on how to use this sensor, don’t be scared to explore your ideas, and of course share them with us. If we also think they’re awesome, we would be eager to share them on social media and other platforms, for all the world to see and learn from.

Additional Resources:

• This is the official Waveshare Fingerprint Sensor User Manual, but please bear in mind that this specific user manual is for the 128x128 Rectangular version (Version C). This means that some of the details such as the image resolution may be different, although it operates in exactly the same way, meaning that the commands and user guides contained within are still relevant.
• This is the official Waveshare Fingerprint Sensor (E) Wiki, which is rather empty, but does contain the user manual, UART software, as well as some demo code for getting started with this awesome sensor.

When it comes to producing unique electronics components and modules, there are very few brands that can provide the quality that Waveshare can. Based in the Futian District in Shenzhen, China, Waveshare are experts in developing electronics to a high standard of quality, which have been thoroughly tested to work seamlessly with corresponding development platforms and systems – such as the E-Ink HATs for Raspberry Pi’s.

What we love most about Waveshare is how they are dedicated to providing quality products, and have moved away from the typical “Made in China” stigma – cheap products with cheap parts and components. Instead, Waveshare understand the value of supplying quality products and building sustainable relationships with international resellers and distributors. They know that consistent quality will result in consistent business, and as such they always ensure strict quality control for each and every product that comes out of the manufacturing plant.

We are always excited to peruse through their vast catalogue of exciting new products to find unique modules, components or even entire development boards that are designed with quality in mind. Because we know that every cent that we spend with Waveshare will be well-spent, with each product that order adding real value to our own catalogue of products.