Fingerprint Scanner - TTL (GT-511C3)

Fingerprint scanners are awesome. Why use a key when you have one right at the tip of your finger? Unfortunately, they're usually unreliable or difficult to implement. Well not anymore! We've found this great fingerprint module from ADH-Tech that communicates over TTL Serial so you can easily embed it into your next project.

The module itself does all of the heavy lifting behind reading and identifying the fingerprints with an on-board optical sensor and 32-bit CPU. All you need to do is send it simple commands. To get started, just register each fingerprint that you want to store by sending the corresponding command and pressing your finger against the reader three times. The fingerprint scanner can store different fingerprints and the database of prints can even be downloaded from the unit and distributed to other modules. As well as the fingerprint "template," the analyzed version of the print, you can also retrieve the image of a fingerprint and even pull raw images from the optical sensor!

This is the updated version of the GT-511 which has an increased memory capacity. The module can store up to 200 different fingerprints (that's 10x more than the old version!) and is now capable of 360° recognition.

The module is small and easy to mount using two mounting tabs on the side of the sensor. The on-board JST-SH connector has four signals: Vcc, GND, Tx, Rx. A compatible JST-SH pigtail can be found in the related items below. Demo software for PC is available in the documents below, simply connect the module to your computer using an FTDI Breakout and start the software to read fingerprints!

Note: The module does not come with a cable, if you do not have a 4-wire JST-SH pigtail, you can add PRT-10359 to your cart, or check in the Recommended Products section below.

  • High-Speed, High-Accuracy Fingerprint Identification using the SmackFinger 3.0 Algorithm
  • Download Fingerprint Images from the Device
  • Read and Write Fingerprint Templates and Databases
  • Simple UART protocol (Default 9600 baud)
  • Capable of 1:1 Verification and 1:N Identification
  • 37 x 17 x 9.5 mm

Fingerprint Scanner - TTL (GT-511C3) Product Help and Resources

Troubleshooting

Scanner Not Recognizing your Fingers?

There have been issues trying to enroll with the Arduino example code. This is usually due to fingers being dry and not having good contact on the scanner. The timing of your finger on the scanner is a little tricky too. I had to try enrolling a few times before it was able to enroll or identify my finger. This is common with any fingerprint scanner like the one that is on my smartphone. Try re-enrolling your finger.

If you see this error in the SDK demo software, you probably did not place your finger on the fingerprint scanner sufficiently for each enrollment or did not have good contact:

The enrollment is failed!

Try placing your finger exactly the same for all three enrollments and ensure that your finger has good contact against the scanner.

Hardware Connections

Also, make sure that there are no loose connections. The last thing to check is the connection between your scanner and Arduino. Each of the fingerprint scanners use the same command protocols so the Arduino example code in the Instructables tutorial can be used for any of the scanners.


Serial UART Connection w/ 4 Wire JST SH Cable

For a secure connection, I recommend soldering the ends of the wire to some header pins [like these https://www.sparkfun.com/products/116 ] so that the connection is not loose when inserting it into a standard female header sockets on an FTDI or the RedBoard/Arduino Uno. This will provide easy access to the small 4-pin JST-SH connector that is on the fingerprint scanner. After checking the connections of the scanner in the datasheet, I soldered connections from the JST -SH connector labeled J2 from the scanner to the header pins. I used some heat shrink in order to use it with the FTDI to reinforce the solder joint. As a note, make sure to remove the JST-SH SMD connector that is on the 4-wire jumper wire assembly. This is the same connector that is on the fingerprint scanner. You should be able to remove the connector easily with your hands without cutting any of the assembly off. The connections with the header pins are based on the footprint of the 3.3V FTDI basic breakout https://www.sparkfun.com/products/9873 w/ a mini-B cable https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11301 :

Pin #    Fingerprint Scanner    <-> FTDI 3.3V
1          UART_TX (3.3V TTL)   <->   RX
2          UART_RX (3.3V TTL)   <->   TX
3          GND                  <->   GND
4          Vin (3.3V~6V)        <->   3.3V

Note: If you were using the JST-SH cable, you would be wiring the black wire to pin 1 (next to the notch indicating the polarity on the fingerprint scanner to the Rx pin of your FTDI, For an example of the modified cable assembly, I suggest checking out the images from our Google drive:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0jwgLkjMWzDfnktUkt5ekQxQi1TcXk3QnhMN2J0Q3VXT2Y4NXRZdG9wa05EemZjY0dCazg

Demo Software Development Kit (SDK) w/ a FTDI

For basic operation with the demo software, I recommend checking out the demo software that is linked in the documents section of the product page. Each demo software is unique to that version of the fingerprint scanner and it will not work with the other versions. After connecting the fingerprint scanner to the FTDI, I was able to utilize all of the features as stated in the datasheet. These features in the demo software are based on the protocol commands.

To operate on a computer using the SDK, just open the SDK_DEMO.exe executable, select the COM port that the FTDI enumerated to from the serial port number's drop down menu, and click on the Open button. You would need to enroll your finger 3 times for the ID before the scanner can save it as a template.

Demo Software Development Kit (SDK) w/ an Arduino Microcontroller

Testing this with an Arduino Uno and the serial passthrough code https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/xbee-shield-hookup-guide#example-communication-test, I was able to connect to the SDK demo software. This might be another alternative if you not have a 3.3V FTDI to connect to your fingerprint scanner. You just need to make sure that have the correct logic level translation, are selecting a COM port that is lower than COM10 (the lower COM number, the better; COM3 is the lowest that you can use), and selecting a baud rate of 9600 in the SDK demo software.

Example Code for Arduino

If you were using a microcontroller with the fingerprint scanner, you would need to write code based off of the demo software and the protocol commands. Luckily, there was someone in the community that wrote some example code to blink the blue LED, enroll, and identify the fingerprint that was saved in a template. The library is limited in the functionality compared to the SDK demo software but is sufficient enough for basic use. It is posted in a GitHub Repository https://github.com/sparkfun/Fingerprint_Scanner-TTL .This code works with the GT511C3, GT511C1, and GT511C1R. This code is incomplete and would require more code to utilize all the features of the fingerprint scanner like in the SDK. Here are the connections that you would need to make using a bi-directional logic level converter https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12009:

Pin #    Fingerprint Scanner     <
Logic Level Converter
> Arduino Uno 1 UART_TX (3.3V TTL) <
LV4
> HV4 <-> RX (pin 4) 2 UART_RX (3.3V TTL) <
LV1
> HV1 <-> TX (pin 5) 3 GND <
GND
> GND <-> GND 4 Vin (3.3V~6V) <
HV
> 5V LV <-> 3.3V

Software Serial with the Arduino Mega 2560

The demo code was designed for the Atmega328P on the Arduino Uno. If you were using it with an Arduino Mega2560, you would need to re-configure the software serial pin definitions. The reason why is because not all the pins on the Arduino Mega can support change interrupts for a serial Rx pin as stated in the limitations => https://www.arduino.cc/en/Reference/SoftwareSerial. Just change this section of code on line 18:

 FPS_GT511C3 fps(4, 5); //software serial pins for Arduino's / Atmega328P's

to

FPS_GT511C3 fps(10, 11); //software serial acceptable pin for the Arduino Mega

Fingerprint Scanner - TTL GT511-C3 - Cable information

We don't sell the cable with the GT-511C3 fingerprint scanner https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11792. You would need to get the 4 wire JST SH jumper cable separately https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10359. There is more than one way to create a connection between the fingerprint scanner and your system. For a more secure connection with the thin gauged wire, I recommend modifying the cable. Any loose connections can have issues powering the sensor and sending reliable data.


Core Skill: Programming

If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.

2 Programming

Skill Level: Rookie - You will need a better fundamental understand of what code is, and how it works. You will be using beginner-level software and development tools like Arduino. You will be dealing directly with code, but numerous examples and libraries are available. Sensors or shields will communicate with serial or TTL.
See all skill levels


Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping

If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.

1 Electrical Prototyping

Skill Level: Noob - You don't need to reference a datasheet, but you will need to know basic power requirements.
See all skill levels


Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • Member #765872 / about 8 years ago / 2

    What is the purpose of connector J1 and J3, can I use any of them instead of J2 to interface with Control unit if my connector J2 is damaged.

  • Member #1105504 / about 7 years ago / 1

    hello i have this kind of model and was wondering if this device has drivers ... can this device work without using arduino??? plsss do reply

  • So I just got this and wondered about the conditions necessary for the device to determine if a finger is present 'enough' to enroll. Here's what I'm getting at; if I draw a little image on a piece of paper and substitute that for a finger, I can get a raw image but the device times out for both enrolling and 'get image' meaning I suppose the image did not meet some requirement of the device to do what it does. Any ideas on this criteria? Oh and two things might be of interest, the software will run on XP fine and I've removed the cameras enclosure and it's just that, an image sensor with LEDs surrounding it (removing that did not allow for 'get image' or enroll).

  • Member #862175 / about 7 years ago / 1

    HI, What is the average time to IsFingerprintPressed->Capture id fast mode->Identity->CloseLed->Close. For me with Windows IOT It take 3 seconds to capture an print in fast low quality mode. It is normal? I test at 9600 ou 115200 baud.

  • Member #869492 / about 7 years ago / 1

    how i feel when i use this fingerprint for my school project : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwksVc30GuI

  • Member #862175 / about 7 years ago / 1

    Hi everyone! I try to make a .net lib to use it with Windows IOT on a PI3. Just in case, anyone already does this king of lib? I see nothing on the Internet about that. I try to adapt the python lib but I got some problem communicating with the GT511C3. I currently use 2 USB->Serial adaptor to try to see what kind of data I send. What kind of program do you use to read Hex serial data? I try to work with the C++ sample on this site (I don't know how to run the Python script on windows). But when I select the right COM port and click connect, nothing append. Loaded the source in VS2015 and compiling generate 2 errors. I am in the dark now! Any suggestion? Thanks

  • Member #787422 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Could someone post an example of 498 byte data template?

  • Member #776869 / about 8 years ago / 1

    excuse me i'm new here. my project is about access control system. i just want to know if i want to scan some fingers from this devices and then store it in the database in my server. when someone scan them finger let it compare the finger with any finger in the database is it possible? and what method i have to use. i already read the library it not support with the arduino and what OS or board i have to use. linux isn't it and what programming language that can i develop.

  • Member #760768 / about 8 years ago / 1

    Hi, I'm using this module with a Mega 2560 and I ran into the same problem as some of the other users. I wired it in the same fashion as described in http://wordpress.hawleyhosting.com/ramblings/?p=375 . When I run the blink sketch I get this in the serial monitor FPS - Open FPS - SEND: “55 AA 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 01" and the LED fails to turn on. However I get a green light on the light directly above pin 1.

    Additionally I can't seem to get the module to interface with the given SDK demo program.

    Images of wiring and code: http://imgur.com/a/ZQutq

    • Member #1306332 / about 6 years ago / 1

      I encounter same problem,now can you tell me how you solved it finally?

  • FutureInventions / about 11 years ago / 6

    Finally got this working on arduino! I'll post some stuff when I've got a sketch working perfectly, but in the meantime here's what I did:

    byte highbyte = 0;
    byte lowbyte = 0;
    byte command = 1;
    word checksum = 0;
    byte highcheck = 0;
    byte lowcheck = 0;
    
    //Here comes the part you want to put in void loop that sends the command to the device
    
      command = 0x12; //The command goes here. This is the command for the LED.
      valueToWORD(0); //This value is the parameter being send to the device. 0 will turn the LED off, while 1 will turn it on.
      calcChecksum(command, highbyte, lowbyte); //This function will calculate the checksum which tells the device that it received all the data
      Serial2.write(0x55); //Command start code 1
      Serial2.write(0xaa); //Command start code 2
      Serial2.write(0x01); // This is the first byte for the device ID. It is the word 0x0001
      Serial2.write(0x00); // Second byte of Device ID. Notice the larger byte is first. I'm assuming this is because the datasheet says "Multi-byte item is represented as Little Endian"
      Serial2.write(lowbyte); //writing the largest byte of the Parameter
      Serial2.write(highbyte); //Writing the second largest byte of the Parameter
      Serial2.write(0x00); //The datasheet says the parameter is a DWORD, but it never seems to go over the value of a word
      Serial2.write(0x00); //so I'm just sending it a word of data. These are the 2 remaining bytes of the Dword
      Serial2.write(command); //write the command byte
      Serial2.write(0x00); //again, the commands don't go over a byte, but it is sent as a word, so I'm only sending a byte
      Serial2.write(lowcheck); //Writes the largest byte of the checksum
      Serial2.write(highcheck); //writes the smallest byte of the checksum
    
    //Now for the functions
    
    void valueToWORD(int v){ //turns the word you put into it (the paramter in the code above) to two bytes
      highbyte = highByte(v); //the high byte is the first byte in the word
      lowbyte = lowByte(v); //the low byte is the last byte in the word (there are only 2 in a word)
    }
    
    void calcChecksum(byte c, byte h, byte l){
      checksum = 256 + c + h + l; //adds up all the bytes sent
      highcheck = highByte(checksum); //then turns this checksum which is a word into 2 bytes
      lowcheck = lowByte(checksum);
    }
    

    It's pretty rough, but I hope this helps someone who was struggling with this as much as I was.

    If you're not familiar with some of this:

    A byte stores 256 values. A word consists of 2 bytes, and a Dword consists of 4 bytes. The bytes to be sent here were represented in hexadecimal, which is base 16. A word can be split into 2 bytes to be sent. For example: 0x1234 is made up by the bytes 0x12 and 0x34. highByte(0x1234) = 0x12 and lowByte(0x1234) = 0x34.

    Hope this helps!

    • MattLasermet / about 10 years ago / 1

      Hi FI, You've helped me out an awful lot with this! Thank you! I've converted most of your code into C for PIC, and got it working. I'm wondering if you may be able to post your code on enrolling a new user? I've managed to do it with PIC, but for some reason I can only enrol users under the ID of 9?! Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

    • Octalus / about 11 years ago / 1

      I am still having problems with getting this to work with my arduino. How should I go about initializing the Serial communication? What baud rate should I use and should I have it use HEX or something else?

      • FutureInventions / about 11 years ago / 3

        Yes, you do have to initialize the serial communication. I'll write you a quick sketch to help you understand.

        byte highbyte = 0;
        byte lowbyte = 0; 
        
        word checksum = 0;
        
        byte highcheck = 0;
        byte lowcheck = 0;
        
        byte response = 0;
        
        
        
        word parameterin = 0;
        word checksumReply = 0;
        
        boolean communicationError = false;
        boolean checksumCorrect = true; 
        boolean ack = true;
        
        byte lbyte = 0;
        byte hbyte = 0;
        byte checklbyte = 0;
        byte checkhbyte = 0;
        
        const int transmitDelay = 500;
        
        
        void setup(){
          Serial2.begin(9600); 
          /* begins serial communication at 9600 baud rate (default) Also, I'm using the 2nd serial port on my Mega, if you have an
          uno, you might want to use Serial instead. If you have a Leonardo, you can use Serial1 which is separate from the serial
          used to communicate over USB. The uno only uses only one set of TX and RX to communicate, the same one it uses for
          USB. */
        }
        
        void loop(){
        scannerCommand(0x01, 0); //I have written a function for sending command packets. All you have to do is type in the command and the the parameter.
        waitForReply(); //I wrote this function to output the response of the device. checksumCorrect tells you if the checkSum matches the data sent. If it doesn't, there was an error. The variable parameterin is the parameter that the fingerprint scanner has sent the arduino. The variable ack tells whether the the scanner has sent an acknowledgemnt. If it is false, there has been an error, and you must check parameterin to see which error code has been sent. The variable communicationError tells if the arduino has read any bytes that are out of place. This should be false. Have a look at the function at the bottom for more info.
        
        //Now we have initialized the device by sending it the code to "open." You can write your own function to handle any of the responses I have detailed above.
        
        scannerCommand(0x12, 1); //command turns on the LED in the sensor.
        waitForReply(); //Again, you can do whatever you want with the variables here.
        
         //that's the end of this demo. If it worked properly, the light on the device should turn on.
        
        while( 1 == 1){} //This just ends the code without looping it.
        }
        
        //OK, now here are the functions I used.
        
        
        void scannerCommand(byte com, int param){ //This is the function that sends data to the device
          valueToWORD(param);
          calcChecksum(com, highbyte, lowbyte);
          Serial2.write(0x55);
          Serial2.write(0xaa);
          Serial2.write(0x01);
          Serial2.write(0x00);
          Serial2.write(lowbyte);
          Serial2.write(highbyte);
          Serial2.write(0x00);
          Serial2.write(0x00);
          Serial2.write(com);
          Serial2.write(0x00);
          Serial2.write(lowcheck);
          Serial2.write(highcheck);
        }
        
        void waitForReply(){ //This is the function that receives data from the device.
          communicationError = false;
          while(Serial2.available() == 0){}
          delay(transmitDelay);
          if(Serial2.read() == 0x55){
          } else {
            communicationError = true;
          }
        
          if(Serial2.read() == 0xAA){
          } else {
            communicationError = true;
          }
        
          if(Serial2.read() == 0x01){
          } else {
            communicationError = true;
          }
        
          if(Serial2.read() == 0x00){
          } else {
            communicationError = true;
          }
        
          lbyte = Serial2.read();
          hbyte = Serial2.read();
        
          parameterin = word(hbyte, lbyte);
        
          Serial2.read();
          Serial2.read();
        
          response = Serial2.read();
        
          if(response == 0x30){
            ack = true;
          } else {
            ack = false;
          }
          Serial2.read();
        
          checklbyte = Serial2.read();
          checkhbyte = Serial2.read();
        
          checksumReply = word(checkhbyte, checklbyte);
        
          if(checksumReply == 256 + lbyte + hbyte + response){
            checksumCorrect = true;
          } else {
            checksumCorrect = false;
          } 
        }
        
        void calcChecksum(byte c, byte h, byte l){ //Also uses this function I have shown above
          checksum = 256 + c + h + l; //adds up all the bytes sent
          highcheck = highByte(checksum); //then turns this checksum which is a word into 2 bytes
          lowcheck = lowByte(checksum);
        }
        
        void valueToWORD(int v){ //turns the word you put into it (the paramter in the code above) to two bytes
          highbyte = highByte(v); //the high byte is the first byte in the word
          lowbyte = lowByte(v); //the low byte is the last byte in the word (there are only 2 in a word)
        }
        

        I hope that helps! If you're not familiar with functions, you should check here: http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/FunctionDeclaration

        I have tried it and it works. If you are using a different set of Serial pins, make sure to change Serial2 wherever it appears in the code. (You can use command F on a Mac or control F on a PC to easily replace them all if you didn't already know) The baud rate also might be 115200 because I have a different model. So try that.

        I tested the code and it has worked for me.

        If you have any other questions, feel free to ask! I could also post my function for enrolling a finger if you want, but that will have to be modified since it is made to work with an LCD display. If you need help connecting the device to the serial pins of your arduino, let me know which one you have and I'll let you know which pins should work.

        Good luck!

        • Member #536948 / about 10 years ago / 1

          @FutureInventions can you please send me your code for enrolling using this fingerprint scanner. I am struggling to make it work on the raspberry pi

        • Member #437228 / about 10 years ago / 1

          Hello... I'm using an Arduino Uno board. In this code you posted, I noticed that the serial pin numbers that the scanner is connected to on the Arduino board isn't included...

          Isn't it necessary to include the pin nos also in the code so that the Scanner will be able to communicate with the Arduino using those digital pin nos?

          Pls How do I go about including the pin nos needed to communicate?

        • Octalus / about 11 years ago / 1

          Thankyou, this helped a lot and worked perfectly.

          • Member #562667 / about 10 years ago / 1

            could you tell me the answer for your question:

            leonardoliceranzu@gmail.com

            I´m new with this and i need to connect this device to my arduino UNO. i need the code program just to copy and to work with it.

  • Member #557717 / about 10 years ago / 3

    Hi need to some help! I need this for my final year project and I was just wondering if this device would work with an android application for an android device like a tablet. Would this device connect directly to the tablets micro usb port? or do i need some sort of circuit to bridge the connection?

    • Member #575280 / about 10 years ago / 1

      If you find any solution bro ,please let me know as well as I,m stuck with the same problem of how to use it in an android app.Does it has a SDK or not? ahsan856jalal@gmail.com

      • Member #586180 / about 10 years ago / 1

        Could you find the SDK for it? If yes, please let me know.

  • This is a Python driver for FPS GT511C3, enjoy!

    http://quickgroup.github.io/pyGT511C3/

    • Member #536948 / about 10 years ago / 1

      i am failing to make this python driver work with the raspberry pi, the captureFinger function is not working for some reason i do not know why, can you please help

  • Member #485395 / about 11 years ago / 3

    Does it work with raspberry pi?

  • asselinpaul / about 11 years ago / 3

    Any arduino code, I'm struggling with this one.

    • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago / 5

      I just posted a library for this device. have a look at my blog http://wordpress.hawleyhosting.com/ramblings/?p=375

      • Member #787043 / about 8 years ago / 1

        Josh,

        Thanks for the amazing library! I've been using it for my current project. I've been using the FPS_Enroll sketch to save fingerprints, and I've noticed something strange. The return from FPS.Enroll3 () is zero, even if I have scanned a completely different finger than in FPS.Enroll1 () and FPS.Enroll2 (). This had led to false positives, making it look as if the entire enrollment was successful only because the third fingerprint was scanned successfully with no regards to the previous two.

        I had to make a crude work-around so that it would check the number of enrollments at the beginning, and if the number had increased after FPS.Enroll3 () (indicating a successful enrollment) then it would prompt the user that their print had been saved.

      • Member #559749 / about 10 years ago / 1

        Hi Josh Very interested in the sections you commented out in the code, please advise if they would work and what i would need to run them?

        int GetTemplate(int id); int SetTemplate(byte* tmplt, int id, bool duplicateCheck);

        Thanks for the code, have your current script working nicely with a web server. If you can assist on above will be able to upload the template image to a web server and then download from the web server to another one of the scanners.

        • Josh_Hawley / about 9 years ago / 1

          I always wanted to write out those sections. The problem is memory. It has been a while since I have looked at the code. iirc there is not enough memory to download the template from the FPS, and there is no flow control on the serial comms. It is theoretically possible to download the data in a streaming format, and push it off of the arduino faster than it comes in, but I have yet to make that work.

    • FutureInventions / about 11 years ago / 1

      I posted a quick explanation that should help if you're still stuck. :)

  • KairaMonni / about 11 years ago / 3

    I had problems with the previous version C2 ( could also be user related :) but this C3 works great . The speed is around 550ms , quite fast . Works for me !

  • Member #590855 / about 10 years ago / 2

    I've been unable to get the Blink sketch to work on an Arduino Yun and a 2560 Mega. I'm using the bidirectional line converter from Sparkfun and I've verified the scanner is sending and receiving 3.3V and the Arduino is sending and receiving 5V.

    When I run the blink sketch I see this in the serial monitor FPS - Open FPS - SEND: "55 AA 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 01"

    In the FPS_GT511C3.cpp file in the library I added a line at the end of the Open() function to do a serial print and it doesn't show up so it's getting hung somewhere in the Open() function.

    I also moved to pins 10 and 11 because the Mega doesn't support interrupts on 4 and 5. I'm completely out of ideas at this point. Could it be a bad unit?

    • Member #1306332 / about 6 years ago / 1

      I encounter the same problem,now can you tell me how you solved it finally?

    • Member #378438 / about 9 years ago / 2

      I am having the same issue. Using an arduino UNO as specified here http://wordpress.hawleyhosting.com/ramblings/?p=375

      Here is my code

      #include "FPS_GT511C3.h"
      #include "SoftwareSerial.h"
      
      FPS_GT511C3 fps(2, 3);
      
      void setup()
      {
        Serial.begin(9600);
        Serial.println("Initialized");
        delay(100);
        fps.UseSerialDebug = true;
        Serial.println("Initialized2");
        fps.Open();
        Serial.println("Initialized3");
        fps.SetLED(true);
        Serial.println("Initialized4");  
      }
      
      void loop()
      {
        if (fps.IsPressFinger())   // fingerprint identity test
        {
          fps.CaptureFinger(false);
          int id = fps.Identify1_N();
          Serial.println("Testing");
          if (id <200) // if the fingerprint is correct
          {
            Serial.print("Verified ID:");
            Serial.println(id);
          }
      
          else
          {
            Serial.println("Finger not found");
          }
        }
        else
        {
          Serial.println("Please press finger");
        }
        delay(100);
      }
      

      The output on the serial window looks like this

      Initialized Initialized2 FPS - Open FPS - SEND: "55 AA 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 01"

      The LED on the finger print scanner never turns on so I feel my code is getting stuck somewhere in the OPEN() function as well. Josh, do you have any ideas?

    • Josh_Hawley / about 9 years ago / 2

      Did you ever figure this out? Do you still need help with it?

      • Member #760768 / about 8 years ago / 1

        Hey Josh,

        I'm using a Mega 2560 and I'm have the same problem as stated by the people above. I wired it the same as specified in your blog. The LED of the module fails to light up, however there's a green light which lights directly above pin 1 when plugged in. Any help would be really appreciated!

      • Jean Philippe / about 9 years ago / 2

        Hello, I have the same problem. The LED never turns on and I have the same message sent in the serial port. I Have tried with several configurations. I'm using an arduino uno (with the wiring specified in your blog ) and arduino 1.6.1 IDE. None of the examples from the library work.

        Any help will be really appreciated.

        thanks Jean Philippe

      • Member #651723 / about 9 years ago / 2

        I dont know about these guys, but I still have this problem. I have the exact same setup as Member #590855 reported above (dual line converter). I also have the same problem (no blink) and also get:

        FPS - Open FPS - SEND: "55 AA 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 01"

        In the serial monitor, nothing more. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

        Kind regards, Tjarco

  • This is a Python driver for FPS GT511C3, enjoy!

    http://quickgroup.github.io/pyGT511C3/

  • Member #429721 / about 11 years ago / 2

    im selling this & my customer is having hard time. can someone from sparkfun release a manual to follow?

  • Member #122142 / about 11 years ago / 2

    Does anybody know if the templates are repeatable?

    For example, if I use the same finger in the same position, will I be able to create multiple identical templates? (REALLY identical, as in template1 = template2).

  • To connect with my computer what cables/converters needed. Lets me know

  • Member #545289 / about 9 years ago / 1

    Hi, does anybody know which format has the template? or, is it possible to obtain an svg directly from the scanner? Thanks

  • Member #665115 / about 9 years ago / 1

    Does it come with the wires?

  • jainprasann / about 9 years ago / 1

    What are those solder pads beside the jst connector?? the video shows an IC soldered to the solder pads? Any information about that.

  • Member #99005 / about 9 years ago / 1

    For anyone curious why they can't get valid images from their GT-511C3 scanner, it's because the device, at the default baud rate of 9600, will not output the correct number of bytes for the image (it sends ~3250 of 52116 and stops).

    To grab images from the device, you need to first set the device baud rate to something like 115200.

    I spent way too long trying to figure out why images wouldn't download, only to discover this just now. Wish it was mentioned somewhere.

  • Hi. I just want to use this to turn fingerprints into templates, send the template to my computer and use my software to make the 1:N matching. This way i would be able to have much more fingerprints and have faster comparison times.

    IS THIS POSIBLE?

    Thank you.

  • Member #633281 / about 9 years ago / 1

    I'm thinking about using this with a raspberry Pi as part of an access control system. putting aside the lack of tutorials to help with that my main question has to do with using a few of these possibly on different doors. Is there anyway to enroll on one and have other devices grab the data so that the same fingerprint can work on more than one device without having to reregister?

  • TinkeringTom / about 9 years ago / 1

    I bought 2 fingerprint scanners (C3) and have managed to get the windows software working with my arduino. I am able to execute most of the functions (enroll, verify, get image etc), but I am having trouble setting templates. I can get the template from 1 scanner no problem, but when I try to set the template to the second device, I can see that the scanner is receiving data (through Rx led on arduino), but the software eventually says "communication error". Same issue with set database. Does anyone experienced this issue or have any advice for solving this problem?

  • Member #631749 / about 9 years ago / 1

    Dear,

    I bought the Finger Print Scanner (GT-511C3) I am developing a project where I need to store the biometrics on a server. Then need to check the biometrics registered in the database. I want to know how to store biometrics in a string to send to the server. I'm doing this with the Arduino Mega 2560

    Thank U

  • Member #631749 / about 9 years ago / 1

    Dear,

    I bought the Finger Print Scanner (GT-511C3) I am developing a project where I need to store the biometrics on a server. Then need to check the biometrics registered in the database. I want to know how to store biometrics in a string to send to the server. I'm doing this with the Arduino Mega 2560

    Thank U

  • Member #624866 / about 9 years ago / 1

    Hi everyone. I wanna make a project with GT-511C3 and Ethernet Shield.. But i could not make.. If i remove fps or ethernet then project is working correctly.. could you help me?

  • Member #621237 / about 9 years ago / 1

    hi, is generated template unique? and for a finger that use same time the template is same?

  • A. Wiggin / about 10 years ago / 1

    I'm a bit confused about the numbers (fingerprints stored and users)... in the description it says it can store up to 200 fingerprints but in the video the software can only store 20 "users" (which I take to mean "one finger"). Assuming that each "user" requires 3 fingerprints, that's only 60 fingerprints. Is the 20 users just a limitation of the software? I looked through the supplied datasheet but couldn't find anything.

    • Terks / about 9 years ago / 1

      I too would like this storage discrepancy explained. It is worrisome that that specification in the datasheet is in RED type. Does that mean that 200 templates is a future goal because some of the other red type information is "Not supported" or "Deleted".

      Is there anyone out there whose got this working that can tell us what the max template is? Thx.

    • A. Wiggin / about 10 years ago / 1

      Or maybe there is a way to store more fingers to one user?

  • Member #599940 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Hey guys, I'm trying to interface this fingerprint scanner with an AtMega324pa microcontroller (no arduinos are allowed in our senior design). I'm having a lot of trouble just getting the LED to turn on. I have the baud rate set to 9600 (confirmed with an LSA), data bit length is 8 bit, 1 stop bit, and parity disabled. Could any of you please look at the hex values that I am transmitting just to confirm that they are correct? Also if anyone has code that they used for an Atmel AVR or PIC I would really appreciate it. int main(void) {
    USART_init();

    while(1)
    {   
    USART_Transmit(0x55); //Command start code 1
    USART_Transmit(0xAA); //Command start code 2
    USART_Transmit(0x01); // This is the first byte for the device ID. It is the word 0x0001
    USART_Transmit(0x00); // Second byte of Device ID
    
    USART_Transmit(0x01); //1st byte of parameter
    USART_Transmit(0x00); //2nd byte of parameter
    USART_Transmit(0x00); //3rd byte of parameter
    USART_Transmit(0x00); //4th byte of parameter
    
    USART_Transmit(0x01); //1st byte of command
    USART_Transmit(0x00); //2nd byte of command (always 00)
    
    USART_Transmit(0x02); //low check byte
    USART_Transmit(0x01); //high check byte
    ////////// Command to turn on LED
    USART_Transmit(0x55);
    USART_Transmit(0xAA);
    USART_Transmit(0x01);
    USART_Transmit(0x00);
    
    USART_Transmit(0x01);
    USART_Transmit(0x00);
    USART_Transmit(0x00);
    USART_Transmit(0x00);
    
    USART_Transmit(0x12);
    USART_Transmit(0x00);
    
    USART_Transmit(0x13);
    USART_Transmit(0x01);
    }
    

    }

    • Member #599940 / about 10 years ago / 1

      I can send the rest of my code that I am using to initialize the USART if any of you would like to check that as well.

      • Member #596763 / about 9 years ago / 1

        I was wondering if you ever got your project to work? I'm trying to interface the scanner with my Atmel AVR and I'm struggling to get the LED to turn on. I'm using similar hex #s, using a UART lib to open the serial port connection, and have double checked my hardware to make sure the pinout is correctly connected to the microcontroller.

  • Member #533055 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Good afternoon. Tell me how to solder wire if I do not have a jumper? On the reverse side of the board is the pads are not labeled. Thank you

  • Member #444583 / about 10 years ago / 1

    I want to share with everyone here, it worked perfectly for the Netduino plus 2 (NET Micro Framework v4.2). A code example follows:

        public void Executar()
        {
            ConfigurarRede();            
    
            EnviarFrequencia Enviar = new EnviarFrequencia();
            Enviar.Send(1,1,DateTime.Now);
    
            // initialize the serial port for COM1 (using D0 & D1)        
            serial = new SerialPort("COM1", 9600, Parity.None, 8, StopBits.One);
    
            // open the serial-port, so we can send & receive data        
            serial.Open();
            //serial.DataReceived += new SerialDataReceivedEventHandler(serial_DataReceived);
    
            Abrir();
            Thread.Sleep(200);
            LerPortaSerial();
    
            if (resposta)
            {
                AscenderLedIdentificacao();
                Thread.Sleep(200);
                QtdeIdentificadores();
                Thread.Sleep(200);
    
                while (true)
                {
                    CaptureFinger();
                    Thread.Sleep(100);
                    IdentificarLeituraBiometrica();
                    Thread.Sleep(100);
                    LerPortaSerial();
                }
    
            }
    
        }
    

    • Member #503199 / about 9 years ago / 1

      Please could you share with me all your code example in Microframework ? My email is LucaMenghini at lucamenghini .com Think you very much!!!

  • Member #444583 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Extremely fast, accurate and easy to use. Fingerprint Scanner - TTL (GT-511C3) exceeded my expectations. I want to congratulate the entire team sparkfun. Thank you very much.

  • Member #536948 / about 10 years ago / 1

    I would like to know if anyone has managed to make this fingerprint scanner work with the raspberry pi, i have been struggling to make it work

    • Josh_Hawley / about 9 years ago / 2

      There is a python port of my library out there that you might try. They claim to have wrote it themselves, but if you look at the code it is pretty clear lol.

  • Member #576181 / about 10 years ago / 1

    hey, what about delete a fingerprint registration already exists? I would appreciate your response

    • Josh_Hawley / about 9 years ago / 2

      Look in the library... there is a delete function

  • Member #564678 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Is it possible to expand the number of fingerprints saved? Can it be configured to access external storage (eg. SD Card)?

    Thanks Gabe

    • Josh_Hawley / about 9 years ago / 2

      You can import export the fingerprint templates, but it cannot check external data.

  • Member #561986 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Hi, Is anyone succesfull in getting to feed the template data which the device is sending through UART. I have already written my functions for performing most of the operations but struggling with this. The device is giving me a NACK_INVALID_PARAM error. Please help.

  • Member #546548 / about 10 years ago / 1

    What cable to I get with this? Its kinda BS that it doesnt come with one... seriously. Theres no reason to justify that

  • Has anybody tried to download the fingerprint template from the reader? What format is it in? is it a set of raw 506 bytes that can be stored in an array of bytes?

  • Member #500322 / about 10 years ago / 1

    I'm trying to use the GT-511C3 in pcDuino however gives me an error, it's something related to "SoftwareSerial.h" apparently is not implemented in pcDuino. Could you recommend something? thanks

  • Member #166365 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Guys, I need help Did you try that? I tried gt511c1 . it wasn't same..

    Does anybody know if the templates are repeatable?

    For example, if I use the same finger in the same position, will I be able to create multiple identical templates? (REALLY identical, as in template1 = template2).

  • Member #545524 / about 10 years ago / 1

    can i get live image of the finger with this sensor??

  • Member #545524 / about 10 years ago / 1

    help: this C3 support get live image ?????

  • Member #430849 / about 10 years ago / 1

    for those interested, I have two arduino scripts that i have written.... one is already listed here and uses an Arduino Mega via Serial2 and the new one has been tested on a Lilypad and an Uno. The difference between the two is that I am using SoftwareSerial on non-mega boards to communicate with the sensor

    Mega - https://github.com/cultcreative/fingerprint_gt511c3 SoftwareSerial - https://github.com/cultcreative/krista_purse_proto/blob/master/krista_finger_lilypad/krista_finger_lilypad.ino

    • pictures of the connections will be coming soon to the second one, and note that it also has a servo on it. and you can't write 0x00 to softwareserial, it is changed to (byte)0 around line 400

  • Member #525900 / about 10 years ago / 1

    This sensor works with any pic or pic must be a host because it tried to make it work and I have not gotten'm using a 16F887 pic, the only thing I've accomplished so far is to send basic commands like start the device, turn on the LED but when receiving the data sends the fingerprint can not read because all data send 0x55 for me. I hope your help thank you very much

  • Member #518276 / about 10 years ago / 1

    can i use it in EVM

  • Member #518276 / about 10 years ago / 1

    can i use it as fingerprit sensor in electronic voating machine and how can it start with aurdino and can i use alarm

  • OK, which is the real baud rate for the GT-511C3, 115200 or 9600? The datasheet says 9600, however, in the video application we can see clearly running with 115200.

  • OK guys, I´ve seen that there is a lot of people out there struggling with this. I´m PIC user, I like it because it´s very cheap where I live. I like it Arduino too. Nonetheless, I wanna run this attached to a PIC.

    First of all let´s start understanding the Protocol and how to send it. When I first read I noticed that part that it´s says Multibyte item is represented as Little Endian, according with some research that I did this mean that I have to send the LSB (Least significant Byte) first. Please, correct me if I´m wrong.

    Command Packet (Command)
    
    Command Start
    0X55----> TYPE: BYTE 1----> Command Start Code1
    0XAA----> TYPE: BYTE 2----> Command Start Code1
    
    DEVICE ID (WORD)
    0X01----> TYPE: BYTE 3----> Device ID: default is 0x0001, always fixed
    0X00----> TYPE: BYTE 4----> Device ID: default is 0x0001, always fixed
    
    PARAMETER (DWORD). In this case is the Parameter Open
    0X00----> TYPE: BYTE 5----> PARAMETER
    0X00----> TYPE: BYTE 6----> PARAMETER
    0X00----> TYPE: BYTE 7----> PARAMETER
    0X01----> TYPE: BYTE 8----> PARAMETER
    
    COMMAND (WORD). OPEN
    0X01----> TYPE: BYTE 9----> COMMAND OPEN
    0X00----> TYPE: BYTE 10----> COMMAND OPEN
    
    CHECKSUM (WORD). BYTE ADDITION, OFFSET 0 +….+ OFFSET 9
    0X01----> TYPE: BYTE 11----> COMMAND OPEN
    0X01----> TYPE: BYTE 12----> COMMAND OPEN
    

    Guys, please. If I have a mistake, do not hesitate to point it out.

    So far, it seems kind of easy. I haven´t try to program it yet. I´ll try this week. However, I do not yet which functions should I use to use with a PIC.

    OK, I will be posting my progress. :dance:

  • has anyone tried this module using PIC? I know that here is a lot of people how has tried? I just got mine and I want to start. Thank you.

  • Member #513339 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Hi everybody!! I have a question here... So, I can only register 20 people on the device, but up, in the Description area says that it can store up to 200 images. Can someone please clarify this for me? I need this for a project that need to register aproximately 50 people...is it possible with just one device? Thanks a lot!!! :D

  • Member #365337 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Wow. Thank you Josh. I was able to convert the lib to C# in a few hours, and it is up and running.

    • Josh_Hawley / about 9 years ago / 1

      Glad I could help. I would love to see the C# version (i prefer it to C). Is it posted anywhere?

  • Member #430849 / about 10 years ago / 1

    note sure if i am the only one that couldn't get everything consistently working using of the libraries that are available and the comments below, but i pieced together a combination of what I found in the lib and what is in the comments into a script that is working great for me. Hope this helps

    https://github.com/cultcreative/fingerprint_gt511c3

  • I know this has been asked before, but has anyone been able to get this device to work with a Raspberry Pi using the Python programming language? The RPi GPIO supports UART and there is a Serial library for Python so I assume it wouldn't be that difficult to get this working on the RPi using Python.

    • Raspberry Pi

      I got a very basic Python script working that turns the LED on/off with the fingerprint scanner hooked up to the GPIO port of the Raspberry Pi. I'm still working on the code but I think I should have something fully functional in a week or two and I will post the code and configuration schematic here. FYI - I purchased the 3.3V model from Versamodule (http://www.versamodule.com/nano_nvmf.html) since this allowed me to attach the scanner directly to the RPi without using a voltage splitter or resistors (which I don't really understand). Special thanks to J Hawley and Futureinventions for their code posted in this forum which to a large extent, I am reverse engineering into Python.

      • Member #541535 / about 10 years ago / 1

        Have you completed the above project? We are working on a similar project. Did that fingerprint module work well with RPi? Can you help us? Can you share your email-id here?

  • Member #486958 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Hey Guys!! I have started my senior project and it is about clocking machine that will get fingerprints inputs, compare it to the stored data and if there is a match will display the corresponding name clocking the employee in and releasing a hooked up door for the employee to enter. My questions: What kind of arduino microcontroller should I use along with this fingerprint scanner, a lcd display and what kind of camera? Thank you!!

    • Ramez / about 10 years ago / 1

      Any Arduino "board" will work with that (actually all Micro-controller with Serial communication support it), about the LCD?! what kind of info you want to display "Colored images, Non colored, small text, interactive (touch) lcd or just as a display...etc" and for the camera, Actually I couldn't find any use of a camera in your project description! Sorry if being rude but, I'd suggest you to start from concept rather than jumping to the last step "Implementation".

      • Member #486958 / about 10 years ago / 1

        Good to know any arduino will do the job. No worries my friend you are not being rude. Me and my group have the design everything and I am only using the discussion board here to get feedbacks which i started to get. The display needs to be color if possible. The display will show the name of the employee entering and exiting the facility and the camera is to record everything that is happening during on and off office hours.

  • Ramez / about 10 years ago / 1

    what does "360° recognition" mean?! it's a planar surface so the max detection angle should be 180°,right?

    • Tycho Vhargon / about 10 years ago / 1

      It'll read your finger upside down or sideways.

      • Ramez / about 10 years ago / 1

        So the previous version GT-511C1 (30°) recognition mean 15° Horizontal and 15°vertical? that's too small!

  • Member #488971 / about 10 years ago / 1

    Guys need help. I cannot run the software on my windows 7 with visual studio 2012. Whats the compiler to run demo software?

  • Scott_fx / about 11 years ago / 1

    is there anyway to waterproof this? for instance, if i wanted to use it to open a car door?

  • Member #123766 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I have purchased this sensor and every thing is working perfect with the library from GitHub, but unfortunately I lost a bet.

    The bet was that you cannot fool the sensor if you put your finger in the ink-pad, make a mirror copy of that finger print and print in black and withe on a white paper. Unfortunately the sensor detect that finger. Now I search for a rematch, so my questions are the following: Is it possible to make check for a confidence level when detecting a finger print? Is there a new firmware which can avoid this kind of fooling?

    Thank you for support.

  • Member #425663 / about 11 years ago / 1

    The Arduino code posted on GitHub, doesn't seem to work with Arduino Uno when changing;

    fps (4,5);

    to the tx and rx on the uno;

    fps(0, 1);

    Am I doing something wrong here?

    • Pins 0 and 1 on the Uno connect to the hardware serial port, while pins 4 and 5 are initialized as a Software Serial port. You'd need to update all your code to reflect this from a software serial port to the hardware port.

  • Valor958 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I am new to this whole area, but learn quickly and have some great ideas. One specifically was using a device like this, a fingerprint scanner, to replace the power button on a PC case mod I am working on. Would it be possible to do this? I've been told it can work, but no successful attempts out there to reference :\

    Any ideas?

    • Valor958 / about 11 years ago / 2

      Ok, after a little research, it's virtually impossible to do the scanner as a power button since it would need a separate always-on micro-controller, and I was told I'd need a computer engineer or hardware engineer to even design and program it. Next idea, how about rigging this to just work as a logon for Windows? I've been looking at pre-assembled USB scanners out there, and most get bad reviews, except the corporate level $500+ ones. What all would I need to do to get this working in my PC? Is anyone experienced in this and able to help?

  • Member #399764 / about 11 years ago / 1

    I seem to be having a moment of stupidity here but can anyone tell me where can the pin diagram be found? On the board all I see is a little triangle on the first pin from left to right with the module facing front: sensor up and connector down. Thanks in advance for the help.

    • Member #399764 / about 11 years ago / 1

      Thanks for the reply! I saw that before and found it to be unclear. I decided to take my chances at the risk of frying the module and fortunately it worked! :) Here's the pin-out for future reference: From left to right with the module facing front and up: Pin 1: TX, Pin 2: RX, Pin 3: GND, Pin 4: VCC Tip: The TX (Pin 1) pin is the one marked with a tiny arrow pointing to the right.

    • You can find the pin diagram on the last page of the datasheet linked above.

  • Zmaster / about 11 years ago * / 1

    I think supply and communication voltages should be better specified. According to the latest version of the datasheet, GT-511C3_datasheet_V1 1_20130411[4].pdf, the module has an "Operating voltage" in the range 3.3-6V. With just this information one could conclude that the supply and communication voltages are equal and in that range, so this module could be used at both 3.3V and 5V without any level converter. But this may not be the case. Please improve the description on this matter.

    EDIT: the datasheet specifies on the last pages the pinout and there it also specifies that supply is 3.3-6V while communication is 3.3V. Also, i measured the idle voltage of the TX pin with 5V supply and it was 3.3V. This confirms such data.

  • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago / 1

    I have completed and tested all of the basic functions of the library that I wrote for this device. I posted all of the details on my blog: http://wordpress.hawleyhosting.com/ramblings/?p=375

  • Member #459198 / about 11 years ago / 1

    What if a fingerprint is left behind on the device? How does it handle that?

  • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago / 1

    I have this working on my Arduino! (using a voltage divider and softwareserial) I have a library completed for this, but it needs cleanup and documentation. I will post it once done. Maybe I could get one of the spark fun people to link to it in the documents above? I will post it in a couple of days.

    • We are trying to move towards getting all of our files onto GitHub, so if you do want to share it with us, I'd recommend posting it there and then sending us a link for that. It makes it easier to share information and track changes than the comments.

      • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago * / 1

        and it's done. See my blog post for detailed information: http://wordpress.hawleyhosting.com/ramblings/?p=375

        Using it is pretty simple declaration:

        FPS_GT511C3 fps(4, 5); // (rx pin, tx pin) make sure to adjust the voltage some how
        

        in setup:

        fps.Open(); // starts communications
        

        After that you can use one of many commands with it:

        fps.SetLED(true);
        
        bool fingerpressed = fps.IsPressFinger();
        
        fps.CaptureFinger(false);
        
        int id = fps.Identify1_N();
        
        etc... there are many commands see my blog link above for more info, and download
        

  • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago / 1

    Do I need a logic level converter(https://www.sparkfun.com/products/8745) to use this on an Arduino? or can I just put a resistor on the TX from the arduino?

    • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago / 1

      I tried hooking it up with a voltage divider to ensure that it did not exceed 3.3v, but I still can not get it to communicate. Has anyone actually gotten this to communicate with an arduino?

  • Josh_Hawley / about 11 years ago / 1

    Why does this not come with the cable? I just got mine, was all excited to mess with it today, and now I cannot /grumpy

    • Duplikit / about 11 years ago / 1

      +1 ... a fifty dollar item that does not include a one dollar cable? please add in future, Sparkfun! I admit it was my mistake to not see that it's not included, but that's only because I was in the middle of a feeding frenzy!

  • Rikhärd Ortiz / about 11 years ago / 1

    Do you have any experience working the C3 along with microcontrollers? Because I have had a hard time sometimes even communicating with the computer through the MAX232 interface; at least there sometimes it does the functions, just gets lost. But with the microcontrollers I haven't had success trying to use the commands (hex) on the datasheet statements.

    • Member #455263 / about 11 years ago / 2

      Hello, I used a microcontroller and I sent the bytes in the order that I supposed and I get the data that the module send to the microcontroller and I show the data in a LCD, so in I got it with that, how to send the byte. Be sure how format you recive the data, for exmaple I show the data like a caracter in a LCD and saw the data like a hex, so I send the data like caracter. (when I send the data like a HEX no work for me). Be sure the voltage for Tx and RX is 3.3 you can put a divisor in the out RX pin , the TX you can connect direct to the microcontroller (this if you working with 5 volts microcontroller)

      So you have to send the data like a little endian respresentation (LSB firt).

      for example, this the way to send a command packet (comand OPEN: 0x01). byte1:0x55 //tell is a command packet byte2:0xaa //tell is a command packet byte3:0x01 // device Id 0x00001 send firts the lsb BYTE: 01 byte4:0x00 // device Id 0x00001 byte5:0x00 // Parameter DWORD(if you want to send a parameter nozero send this bit with the value) byte6:0x00 // Parameter byte7:0x00 //Parameter byte8:0x00 //Parameter byte9:0x01 // comand word (OPEN: 0x0001) byte10:0x00 //comand byte11:0x01 //checksum word (sum each byte) 55+aa+01+1 : 0x0101 byte11:0x01 //checksum

      then you can send the others command like onLed () you will see the led on if you dont get a error

      byte1:0x55 //tell is a command packet byte2:0xaa //tell is a command packet byte3:0x01 // device Id 0x00001 send firts the lsb BYTE: 01 byte4:0x00 // device Id 0x00001 byte5:0x01 // Parameter DWORD (parameter nozero ledOn) byte6:0x00 // Parameter byte7:0x00 //Parameter byte8:0x00 //Parameter byte9:0x12 // comand word (CMOSLED: 0x0012) byte10:0x00 //comand byte11:0x13 //checksum word (sum each byte) 55+aa+1+1+12 : 0x0113 byte11:0x01 //checksum

      Other thing that maybe can help you, the command ispressFinger only work if the led is on(I dont know if always happen, but for me was like that).

      Sorry my english is not strong. greetings from Colombia.

      • Member #486958 / about 10 years ago / 1

        What microcontroller and lcd display did you use please? and why?? I have a similar senior project to finish before graduation.

      • Member #455263 / about 11 years ago / 1

        ups the format text change any way open command 55 aa 01 00 00 00 00 00 01 00 01 01 send first: 55 sec; aa .... so on send last: 01

        ledOn 55 aa 01 01 00 00 00 00 12 00 13 01

        • Rikhärd Ortiz / about 11 years ago / 1

          Nuevamente: GRACIAS! Ya pude realizar varias funciones, sólo me estoy familiarizando, pero vamos de maravilla :D Excelente ilustración. En efecto, venía en el datasheet pero no le había tomado sentido, puesto que nunca manejé así la comunicación. Ojalá aún puedas auxiliarme con un par de dudas, pero definitivamente trajiste luz a mi proyecto haha Bendiciones desde México

          • Escribí una libreria en Visual C++ para el modulo GT511C1 solo tienes que cambiar algunas lineas en la funcion open del archivo gt511c1.cpp en la parte correspondiente al firmware para que sea compatible con el modulo GT511C3 ademas si vas a usar la funcion de recibir la imagen de la huella y el template cambiar los tamaños de los arreglos, mas adelante voy a escribir la libreria espeficicamente para este módulo cuando llegue a mis manos.. El código fuente esta en rapidshare en mi blog esta el link http://fernandezajp.blogspot.com/2013/07/modulo-biometrico-gt-511c1.html

        • Rikhärd Ortiz / about 11 years ago / 1

          Caray! Haberlo dicho antes colega! haha Soy de México. ¿Podría ponerme en contacto contigo directamente? Porque sí me sería de mucha ayuda, ya que estoy trabajando con un 18F2550, aunque en realidad no me preocupa mucho mientras sea más o menos de esa familia (18F). Medio entiendo lo que me comentas acerca del envío y sí noto una diferencia sustancial a lo que yo he manejado para enviarle comandos al dispositivo. Muchísimas gracias!

          • Saludos desde Colombia también. Estuve viendo que tuvieron éxito con este módulo. Bueno, apenas estoy empezando, pero la verdad. No se como enviar bien los paquetes, podrian ilustrarme con algo de código? Ha sido dificil encontrar algo con PIC, pues casi todo mundo está usando Arduino, lo bueno del PIC es que es barato, y fácil de manejar. Una ayuda de parte de ustedes me vendría muy pero muy bien Saludos.

            • Member #455263 / about 10 years ago / 1

              Hola, Actualmente estoy usando atmel, pero depronto te puedo ayudar, escribeme tu correo. Saludos

  • Member #441067 / about 11 years ago * / 1

    Hi , the module can be connected directly to an Arduino pro mini 5v or I need a converter from 5V to 3.3V ? At the end of the datasheet it show that the voltage of Tx and Rx is 3.3V and the main from 3,3v to 6v.

    Somebody have experience with this module?

    • Rikhärd Ortiz / about 11 years ago / 1

      In deed. You must apply an input voltage of 3.3-6V, but either you use a resistante arrangement before the Rx (of the Fingerprint Reader) so you have an 3.3V signal in that input. Otherwise you might experience bad communication issues. Also you must be VERY CAREFUL about the connections. Good luck!

  • Member #450114 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Any idea if it can be used with Raspberry Pi? Any library/sdks?

  • ombun / about 11 years ago / 1

    I bought GT-511C3 sensor and i tried with demo software on PC through a FTDI 5V breakout. when i push Get Image button i got fingerprint and i could save it on PC. But when i tried to enroll first id, i got an error (Sensor ask me to put finger 1, then finger 2, then finger 3 and here i got an error "The enrollment is faild !". Why i got such an error ? Cause may be FTDI 5V breakout ? It is working only with FTDI 3.3V breakout ?

  • Member #444320 / about 11 years ago / 1

    can someone please tell me how to connect the scanner to the FTDI Basic Breakout - 3.3V.

    i have the jumper 4 wire assembly but dont know how to connect to the basic breakout 3.3. it seems the breakout has 6 conections.

    help!

    • If you were viewing the fingerprint scanner right side up with the JST connector on the bottom, the pin on the far left is pin 1

      Fingerprint Scanner ---------- FTDI 3.3V

      Pin 1: UART_TX (level 3.3V) ---------- RX

      Pin 2: UART_RX (level 3.3V) ---------- TX

      Pin 3: GND ----------------------- GND

      Pin 4: Vin(3.3V~6V) ----------------- 3.3V

  • mx5jon / about 11 years ago / 1

    The documentation says that I/O pins are 3.3v can you confirm that 5v logic levels are safe?

    • mx5jon / about 11 years ago / 1

      I got an email from the manufacturer stating that the I/O pins are 3.3v but the power supplied to the unit should be at least 4.6v, be careful all those planning to use a 5V TTL for the I/O, I also understand from the manufacturer ADH that unit is less reliable if powered at 3.3V

      Could I suggest that Sparkfun avoid using the term "5V TTL"?.

      • seulater / about 11 years ago / 1

        FYI, versamodule dot com, has the C3 modules from ADH that are made specifically for 3.3v only. So the issue of running at lest 4.6v is not an issue anymore. If you need a true 3.3v module this is where i got mine and works great.

        • I purchased the 3.3v device from Versamodule. I have the unit connected to a Raspberry Pi using the 3.3v power supply and 3.3v Rx Tx pins. I wrote a Python script to control the device. I run an infinite loop until the capture command detects a finger on the scanner.

          I am consistently getting NACK_DEV_ERR errors when trying to capture fingerprints and I'm wondering if the problem is related to the 3.3v power? Perhaps it is just a defective device? Should I attempt to connect the power pin to the 5v output on the Rpi?

          Anyway I'm curious if anyone else has had problems running the 3.3v unit from Versamodule.

  • pacocuervo / about 11 years ago / 1

    Where can I find any box for that?.

  • Member #335975 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Does it work with the arduino?

  • Member #313481 / about 11 years ago / 1

    Does this only work with Windows using their demo software? Can you write your own code on PC? Could you use it to ID with an Arduino?

    • 8r13n / about 11 years ago / 1

      ...Yes and yes, using the serial interface. Check the video on this page at 6:05. The interface is simple.

  • 8r13n / about 11 years ago / 1

    How fast does this operate? My problem with fingerprint scanners (I use them on a daily basis) is speed. The ones I use have to be swiped, which doesn't always work, and then there's a lag (probably due to windows). ...Before I buy one of these I want to make sure it'll be nearly instantaneous.

    • Sciguy / about 11 years ago / 1

      You can see in the video that there's a time display in the computer software he's running.

      The first one I happened to notice said around 1300ms.

      So probably 1.5seconds max. Which I wouldn't call slow, but it's not instant.

      • 8r13n / about 11 years ago / 1

        lol, their video didn't render in IE10 (with or without compatibility view). Thanks. ...Seriously though, embedded YouTube videos work on every other site. I think SparkFun should checkout their markup.

Customer Reviews

3.4 out of 5

Based on 13 ratings:

Currently viewing all customer reviews.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

Some fuctions are not working

In my projects I need to use functions GetTemplate and SetTemplate. Tech.support said that everythting works, but it's wrong.

Fuctions GetTemplate and SetTemplate are not working on arduino...

It;s very sad.

1 of 1 found this helpful:

It scans...

OK. The specs are light on this one even with the 36-page spec sheet. I had to request the hardware hookup "FPS_Connection.jpg" from Sparkfun; shouldn't that be on the site? On the product's page, there is a note that says "A compatible JST-SH pigtail can be found in the related items below," but the one I picked was wrong. Plus you need a 6-pin, which is not mentioned. There should really be a ready-made JST to FTDI cable for this product. The empty pad next to the JST doesn't look like the photo on the site. It may be another JST pad which would make direct soldering a snap! 'Still looking into that one. Sparkfun does not know for sure. Then there's the code. The OEM code is very similar to the GitHub code and parsing through that was a bit of a chore, but hey; it saves a bunch of coding time and works right out of the box! Bonus! Overall, the scanner portion is a bit large, but is scans and recognizes prints very well.

5 of 6 found this helpful:

Awesome little sensor!

This is a nice little fingerprint scanner. The only reason I'm giving this 4 stars is that there is no indication of it being 3V3. It does have a 3V3 regulator on it, though. Also, it has some sort of protection against overvolting a pin. I accidentally supplied 5V to a 3V3 pin, and it turned off. I removed the wire, and it worked again.

0 of 2 found this helpful:

don't forget to buy the damn JST cable

Got 2 pieces. Forgot to buy the damn connector. Tried to desolder the connector to solder wires (I needed to prototype quickly). Destroyed the PCB tracks (a bit of heat or just "staring at it" is enough to destroy the tracks ;-)

with a sharp & hot knife, was able to expose the connector pins and solder wire-wrap wires to the pins. It was enough to test it. Looks promising, recognized rotated fingerprints. Documentation does not show the pinouts though you can find it elsewhere.

A bit overpriced because the original , in Taiwan costs $17 bucks.

DON'T FORGET TO BUY THE CONNECTOR!!!

All OK as expected

The communication, Invoice and delivery were Ok. Thank you, looking forward to our next cooperation. Miroslav

performance

The fingerprint its working perfectly and we are happy continue with great job

Absolutely perfect

We received the part without any problem into Switzerland. It was connected to an USB-UART VCP with CP2102 - we started the software demo - everything worked perfect without any problems. We will now create our own software for personalized project management. Thanks to the Sparkfun team. Remark: Page 39 is missing from the data sheet so we downloaded it from Taiwan.

Glad you're enjoying the unit, and thanks for the heads up regarding the datasheet. I've put in a request to get that updated. Happy hacking!

0 of 1 found this helpful:

Awful

After 3 scanning, the sensor didn't work anymore, the function Open() waits for an answer in vain. The JST cable is not included (even if it's actually specify, it's a shame considering its difficult availability) Awful

Sorry to hear about the issues with the scanner. Have you contacted our technical support department @ techsupport@sparkfun.com? They're usually really good at helping to get these functioning if the device is still hanging on the Open() function.

Works great but be careful...

The scanner works great and does exactly what you would hope a fingerprint scanner would do. Really pretty disappointed the connector is not included. For as inexpensive as that little thing is, I'd really like to see Sparkfun make it included. Its virtually impossible to use the scanner without it. Also, be careful with it. After hooking this up to my project I managed to snap off a tiny component from the back of the PCB. I have no idea if this was truly my fault or a defective scanner but either way, I'm stuck getting another one overnighted to me to finish my project on time.

0 of 1 found this helpful:

Nice fingerprint scanner

Planning to use this for security access. I've been experimenting with it a little and find that it is sometimes finicky about registering a fingerprint but it is very accurate as far as recognition/rejection. It's easily interfaced to a Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or Microchip PIC processor.

Impressed !

This is the first serious components i bought on sparkfun and i was really happy to play with this scanner. Very good product, not problem to install or anything. Works prefectly with the FTDI breakout.

Bad points: - i Had to buy a 4-wire JST-SH to connect the FTDI breakout - Shipping cost are a bit expensive if you're not in the us.

0 of 1 found this helpful:

Works great

Easy to use.