How Somaiya ID Cards Work: The Complete RFID Technology Guide

Ever tapped your ID card at Gate 3 and wondered what actually happens in that split second? 🤔

As a Somaiya student, you use your ID card multiple times a day—at the main gate, Management Library, Aurobindo Library, or the canteen. But have you ever stopped to think about the incredible technology packed into that small piece of plastic?

In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down everything about your Somaiya ID card—from the PVC material to the tiny RFID chip inside, and how the entire system works together to identify you in milliseconds.

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📅 December 2025 Update

What's changed in the 2025-26 academic year:

#OPINION: The mobile ID backup is a game-changer. No more being locked out because you forgot your card in your other bag!

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📚 Table of Contents

1. What is Your Somaiya ID Card Made Of?
2. The RFID Chip: The Brain of Your ID
3. How the Copper Coil Powers Your Card
4. How Gate Scanners Work
5. Library Entry System Explained
6. Why Orientation Doesn't Matter
7. The Database Behind It All
8. Common Myths Debunked
9. Fun Facts About RFID Technology
10. Related Technologies You Use Daily

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What is Your Somaiya ID Card Made Of? {#what-is-your-id-card-made-of}

Your Somaiya ID card isn't just a piece of plastic with your photo on it. It's a sophisticated piece of technology packed into a standard credit card-sized format.

The Physical Structure

PVC: The Perfect Material for ID Cards

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is the industry standard for ID cards because:

• ✅ Durable: Lasts 3-5 years with daily use
• ✅ Water-resistant: Survives Mumbai monsoons!
• ✅ Flexible but sturdy: Won't crack in your wallet
• ✅ Easy to print: High-quality photos and text
• ✅ Cost-effective: Mass production is affordable

The card thickness is typically 0.76mm (30 mil)—the same as your debit/credit cards.

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The RFID Chip: The Brain of Your ID {#the-rfid-chip}

At the heart of your Somaiya ID card is a tiny RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip. This is where the magic happens!

What's Inside the RFID Chip?

┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│           RFID CHIP                 │
│  ┌─────────────────────────────┐   │
│  │  Unique ID Number           │   │
│  │  (e.g., A1B2C3D4E5F6)      │   │
│  ├─────────────────────────────┤   │
│  │  Memory (64-256 bytes)      │   │
│  ├─────────────────────────────┤   │
│  │  Antenna Connection         │   │
│  └─────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                     │
│  Size: ~2mm x 2mm (grain of rice)  │
│  Cost: ₹8-15 per chip              │
└─────────────────────────────────────┘

The Unique ID: Your Digital Fingerprint

When the RFID chip is manufactured, a unique serial number is permanently engraved into it. This number:

• Is assigned during manufacturing
• Cannot be changed or duplicated
• Acts like a digital fingerprint
• Is typically 32-128 bits long
• Example format: 04:8A:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6

This is why no two ID cards are alike, even if they look identical!

Types of RFID Used in College IDs

Most college ID cards, including Somaiya, use HF RFID at 13.56 MHz (often called "NFC-compatible").

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How the Copper Coil Powers Your Card {#copper-coil-antenna}

Here's the fascinating part: Your ID card has no battery! 🔋❌

So how does the chip get power to transmit data? Through electromagnetic induction!

The Copper Coil Antenna

Inside your card, wrapped around the edges, is a thin copper wire coil (antenna). This coil is:

• Made of ultra-thin copper wire (~0.1mm thick)
• Wound in multiple loops (typically 3-5 turns)
• Connected to the RFID chip
• Acts as both antenna AND power receiver

The Science: Electromagnetic Induction

SCANNER                          YOUR ID CARD
   │                                  │
   │  Electromagnetic Field           │
   │  ═══════════════════════►        │
   │                                  │
   │  ┌─────────────────────────────┐ │
   │  │  Copper Coil receives       │ │
   │  │  energy from EM field       │ │
   │  │  ────────────────────►      │ │
   │  │  Converts to electricity    │ │
   │  │  ────────────────────►      │ │
   │  │  Powers up RFID chip        │ │
   │  │  ────────────────────►      │ │
   │  │  Chip transmits ID number   │ │
   │  └─────────────────────────────┘ │
   │                                  │
   │  ◄═══════════════════════════    │
   │     ID Number Transmitted        │
   └──────────────────────────────────┘

Step-by-Step Power Transfer

1. Scanner creates electromagnetic field (when you tap)
2. Copper coil picks up this field (like a radio antenna)
3. Field induces electric current in the coil (Faraday's Law!)
4. Current powers up the RFID chip (just a few milliwatts)
5. Chip activates and broadcasts its unique ID
6. Scanner receives the ID and processes it

The entire process takes less than 100 milliseconds!

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How Gate Scanners Work at Somaiya {#how-gate-scanners-work}

Let's specifically look at how the scanner at Gate 3 (or any gate) works when you enter campus.

Gate Scanner Components

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         GATE SCANNER SYSTEM             │
│                                         │
│  ┌─────────────┐    ┌──────────────┐   │
│  │  RFID       │    │  Controller  │   │
│  │  Reader     │───►│  Board       │   │
│  │  (Antenna)  │    └──────────────┘   │
│  └─────────────┘           │           │
│                            │           │
│                            ▼           │
│                    ┌──────────────┐    │
│                    │  Network     │    │
│                    │  Connection  │    │
│                    └──────────────┘    │
│                            │           │
│                            ▼           │
│                    ┌──────────────┐    │
│                    │  CENTRAL     │    │
│                    │  DATABASE    │    │
│                    └──────────────┘    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘

What Happens When You Tap

1. You place card on the "Place ID Card Here" zone
2. Reader generates EM field (constantly running)
3. Your card powers up and sends unique ID
4. Reader captures ID number (e.g., 04:8A:B2:C3)
5. Controller sends to database via network
6. Database lookup matches ID to your profile
7. Gate receives response: ✅ Valid / ❌ Invalid
8. Gate opens or shows error
9. Entry logged with timestamp

The "Place ID Card Here" Sign

That specific spot isn't magical—it's where the antenna's electromagnetic field is strongest. The closer you are to center, the faster the read.

Pro tip: Even 1-2 cm away usually works, but directly on the scanner is fastest!

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Library Entry System: How It's Different {#library-entry-system}

The library system (Management Library, Aurobindo Library) works similarly but with additional features.

Library System Architecture

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         LIBRARY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM              │
│                                                │
│  ┌──────────┐     ┌────────────────┐          │
│  │  Entry   │     │  LIBRARY       │          │
│  │  Scanner │────►│  SOFTWARE      │          │
│  └──────────┘     │  (KOHA/LIBSYS) │          │
│                   └────────────────┘          │
│                          │                    │
│                          ▼                    │
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────┐      │
│  │      DISPLAY MONITOR               │      │
│  │  ┌──────────────────────────────┐ │      │
│  │  │  Photo: [Your Image]         │ │      │
│  │  │  Name: Kunal Chheda          │ │      │
│  │  │  Roll No: 22XXXXX            │ │      │
│  │  │  Branch: IT                   │ │      │
│  │  │  Status: ✅ VALID             │ │      │
│  │  │  Books Issued: 2              │ │      │
│  │  └──────────────────────────────┘ │      │
│  └────────────────────────────────────┘      │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Why Library Shows Your Details

Unlike the gate (which just needs to verify entry/exit), the library system:

• Shows your photo (for staff verification)
• Displays your name and roll number
• Shows books currently issued to you
• Indicates if you have overdue books
• Records entry and exit timestamps

This extra information helps librarians:

• Verify you're the rightful cardholder
• Track library usage statistics
• Manage book circulation
• Prevent unauthorized access

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Why Card Orientation Doesn't Matter {#why-orientation-doesnt-matter}

Here's something cool you might have noticed: It doesn't matter which side of the card faces the scanner!

No Camera, Just Radio Waves

Unlike what you might think:

• ❌ The scanner is NOT looking at your photo
• ❌ There's no camera reading your face
• ❌ It's not AI or image recognition
• ✅ It's purely radio frequency communication

Why Any Orientation Works

    FRONT SIDE UP           BACK SIDE UP
    ┌───────────┐           ┌───────────┐
    │ [Photo]   │           │           │
    │ Name      │           │ Barcode   │
    │ Roll No   │           │           │
    └───────────┘           └───────────┘
         │                       │
    ┌────┴────┐             ┌────┴────┐
    │ RFID    │             │ RFID    │
    │ Chip    │             │ Chip    │
    │ Inside  │             │ Inside  │
    └─────────┘             └─────────┘
         │                       │
         ▼                       ▼
    ═══════════════════════════════════
           SCANNER READS BOTH!
    ═══════════════════════════════════

The RFID chip is embedded inside the card, surrounded by the copper coil. Radio waves pass through PVC easily, so:

• Front up ✅ Works
• Back up ✅ Works
• Upside down ✅ Works
• Sideways ✅ Works (though slower)

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The Database System Behind It All {#the-database-system}

Every time you tap your card, data flows to a central database. Here's the architecture:

Campus Database Structure

-- Simplified view of what the database stores

TABLE: students
├── student_id (Primary Key)
├── rfid_number (Unique - from your card)
├── name
├── roll_number
├── branch
├── year
├── photo_url
├── email
├── phone
├── admission_date
└── status (active/inactive)

TABLE: access_logs
├── log_id
├── rfid_number
├── location (Gate3/Library/Canteen)
├── timestamp
├── direction (IN/OUT)
└── device_id

TABLE: library_records
├── record_id
├── student_id
├── book_id
├── issue_date
├── due_date
├── return_date
└── fine_amount

What Gets Logged

Every tap creates a record:

{
  "rfid": "04:8A:B2:C3:D4:E5:F6",
  "location": "MAIN_GATE_3",
  "timestamp": "2024-12-01T09:15:23.456Z",
  "direction": "ENTRY",
  "device": "GATE3_READER_01",
  "response_time_ms": 47
}

Data Retention & Privacy

The college typically:

• Stores access logs for 1-3 years
• Uses data for attendance tracking
• May analyze patterns for security
• Complies with data protection norms

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Common Myths About ID Cards: Debunked! {#myths-debunked}

Let's bust some common misconceptions:

Myth 1: "The scanner reads my photo with AI"

Reality: No cameras involved. It's purely radio-based identification. Your photo is just for human verification.

Myth 2: "I need to hold my card perfectly still"

Reality: A quick tap works fine. The chip can be read in ~50ms.

Myth 3: "Multiple cards together won't work"

Reality: Modern readers can filter out interference. But keeping your ID separate is still faster.

Myth 4: "My card stores all my information"

Reality: The card only stores the unique ID number. All your details are in the database, not the card.

Myth 5: "Magnets will erase my card"

Reality: RFID chips are not affected by magnets. (That's old magnetic stripe technology!)

Myth 6: "Someone can copy my card easily"

Reality: While possible with specialized equipment, modern cards have encryption and anti-cloning measures.

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Fun Facts About RFID Technology {#fun-facts}

Now that you understand how it works, here are some mind-blowing facts:

📊 By the Numbers

🌍 RFID Around the World

• Pet microchips use similar technology
• Contactless payments (Tap to Pay) = RFID
• Metro cards worldwide use RFID
• Passport chips store your data on RFID
• Warehouse inventory tracked by RFID
• Car toll systems use RFID (FASTag!)

🔬 Fun Science Facts

• The chip is smaller than a grain of rice
• No battery means infinite lifespan (for the chip)
• First RFID patent was in 1983
• Modern chips can store ~8 kilobytes
• The technology was invented during WWII!

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Related Technologies You Use Daily {#related-technologies}

Your Somaiya ID card is part of a bigger ecosystem of contactless technology:

NFC (Near Field Communication)

• Used in Google Pay, Apple Pay
• Same 13.56 MHz frequency
• Your phone can read NFC tags
• Two-way communication capable

Bluetooth

• Different technology (2.4 GHz)
• Used for speakers, keyboards
• Requires pairing
• Longer range (10m+)

QR Codes

• Visual technology (camera-based)
• Used in UPI payments
• No power needed in the code
• Anyone can copy them

Biometrics

• Fingerprint, Face ID
• Cannot be lost or forgotten
• Privacy concerns
• Used in phones, Aadhaar

Comparison Table

*Passive devices powered by reader

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How to Take Care of Your ID Card

Now that you know what's inside, here's how to protect it:

✅ Do's

• Keep in a cardholder or wallet slot
• Clean gently with soft cloth
• Report loss immediately
• Store away from sharp objects

❌ Don'ts

• Don't bend or fold excessively
• Don't expose to extreme heat
• Don't scratch the surface
• Don't punch holes through it
• Don't wash in washing machine (RIP copper coil)

What Can Damage Your Card?

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The Future of ID Cards

What might your ID card look like in 5-10 years?

Coming Soon 🚀

• Biometric integration: Fingerprint on the card
• Display screens: E-ink showing dynamic info
• Multi-application: Payment + ID + Transit
• Smartphone replacement: Virtual IDs
• Blockchain verification: Tamper-proof records

Already Happening

• QR codes alongside RFID
• Mobile ID apps (DigiLocker)
• Contactless payments merging with IDs
• Cloud-based verification

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Conclusion

Your humble Somaiya ID card is a marvel of engineering—combining material science, electronics, radio physics, and software into a device that costs less than a cup of coffee to manufacture.

Next time you tap at Gate 3, remember:

• The copper coil is harvesting energy from thin air
• A chip smaller than rice is broadcasting your identity
• Databases are being updated in real-time
• All this happens in under 100 milliseconds

Technology truly is everywhere, even in the "boring" everyday objects we take for granted!

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Quick Reference Card

┌────────────────────────────────────────┐
│     YOUR SOMAIYA ID CARD               │
│     QUICK FACTS                        │
├────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Material: PVC (0.76mm thick)           │
│ Technology: RFID at 13.56 MHz          │
│ Power source: Electromagnetic field    │
│ Chip cost: ₹8-15                       │
│ Read time: <100ms                      │
│ Orientation: Any side works!           │
│ Stores: Only unique ID number          │
│ Database: Stores all your details      │
└────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Reels Ideas: Ask AI About Your ID Card! 🎬

Want to create content about this? Here are some reel ideas:

1. "What's inside your college ID card?" - Cut open an old card
2. "The ₹8 chip that knows who you are" - RFID chip reveal
3. "Why your ID works upside down" - Physics explanation
4. "Gate 3 scanner secrets" - How it really works
5. "Your ID card has no battery?!" - Electromagnetic magic

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Got more questions about technology? Drop them in the comments! Want us to explain how other everyday tech works? Let us know!

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Tags: #RFID #CollegeLife #Somaiya #TechExplained #HowItWorks #StudentLife #NFC #IoT #Mumbai #Engineering