Electronic Card Access System

Compiled by Prasanna Narangoda

Access Control System

An access control system is a system which enables an authority to control access to areas and resources in a given physical facility or computer-based information system. An access control system, within the field of Physical Security is generally seen as the second layer in the security of a physical structure.

System Components
Access Controller Card Reader Electromagnetic locks, Door holders & Electric drop bolts Door Contacts Access Cards Emergency Push Button Exit Push Button

Access Controller
This is the main component or Hub of the system. The controller can work as a stand alone controller or network node. The controller capacity can be specified as the no of doors it can control.

The decision making process in an access control Controller checks,

The card encoding & verifies current authorization Number is allowed to enter the access point Time for entry is valid Day of the week is valid The controller only grants access if the conditions are met.

Specifications of Door Controllers.

No. of Doors it can control No. of Records/employees and no of events it can store (memory capacity) Type of Readers it can handle (proximity, biometric, magnetic stripe, barcode etc) Type & no. of Inputs / Outputs available Communication protocol, distance & media Power supply voltage

Card Reader
The card reader is a device use to input access request to the controller. The reader communicates with the controller & gives the feedback on its display unit. ie. Whether the entry is accepted or denied. Types of Readers, Proximity Card Readers Barcode readers Wiegand Readers Biometric readers Smart Card readers Magnetic Stripe readers (magstripe) Keypads

Proximity Card Readers

A Contactless integrated circuit device. Have a range of 0-3 inches in most instances ISO / IEC 14443 & ISO/IEC 15693

Bar Code Readers

Simple to create & Easy to Use Low Cost

Wiegand Readers
o Usually maintenance free o No encoding or programming required o Readers are weather resistant and can operate in very high or low temperatures. o Not effected by radio frequency o Available as swipe, insertion, turnstile, or card/key systems oCost is reasonable

Swipe Reader

Insertion Reader

Biometric readers
o An electronic devise used to determine persons identity by

detecting and matching persons physical features such as fingerprints, eyes or voice o Fingerprint type is the most common o Compare the template stored in memory to the scan obtained during the process of identification o Expensive and used in very high security applications

Eye recognition Finger Reader

Palm Reader

Electromagnetic Door Locks & Door Holders

oThis is the device used to lock Doors. Once the signal is received from Controller power supply to the lock or holder is de-energized. Hence the door will release. oTwo parts, main component with electro-magnet and metal plate Electromagnetic Door Locks

Door Holders

Electromagnetic Door Locks mounting..

Electromagnetic Door Locks.

Electric Drop Bolts

An Electric Drop Bolt is a motor or solenoid actuated symmetrical dead-bolt mechanism. used for specific applications where Electric Strikes and Electromagnetic Locks cannot be used, such as double action 180 degree swing through or sliding doors. Recommend for frameless glass doors In many cases Electric Drop Bolts are used as additional or secondary locking device. The locking status and door status of the drop bolt can be remotely monitored.

Door Contacts
oDoor contacts are used to check whether the door has actually open / close base on the signal received from controller. oDoor contacts are only dry contacts, no power required oConsists with two components.

Access Cards

Emergency Push buttons

Emergency Push Buttons are used to override the access control system controls.

Access Control System Function

An access control point, which can be a door, turnstile, parking gate, elevator, or other physical barrier where granting access can be electrically controlled. Typically the access point is a door. An electronic access control door can contain several elements. At its most basic, there is a stand-alone electric lock. The lock is unlocked by an operator with a switch. To automate this, operator intervention is replaced by a reader. The reader could be a keypad where a code is entered, it could be a card reader, or it could be a biometric reader. Readers do not usually make an access decision but send a card number to an access control panel that verifies the number against an access list. To monitor the door position a magnetic door switch is used. In concept the door switch is not unlike those on refrigerators or car doors. Generally only entry is controlled and exit is uncontrolled. In cases where exit is also controlled a second reader is used on the opposite side of the door. In cases where exit is not controlled, free exit, a device called a request-toexit (REX) is used. Request-to-exit devices can be a pushbutton or a motion detector. When the button is pushed or the motion detector detects motion at the door, the door alarm is temporarily

Access Control Topology

Typical Access Control Door Wiring

1. Serial Controllers
Controllers are connected to a host PC via a serial RS-485 communication line.

Advantages: RS-485 standard allows long cable runs, up to 4000 feet (1200 m) Relatively short response time. The maximum number of devices on an RS-485 line is limited to 32, which means that the host can frequently request status updates from each device and display events almost in real time. High reliability and security as the communication line is not shared with any other systems. Disadvantages: RS-485 does not allows Star-type wiring unless splitters are used RS-485 is not well suited for transferring large amounts of data (i.e. configuration and users). The highest possible throughput is 115.2 kbit/s, but in most system it is downgraded to 56.2 kbit/s or less to increase reliability.

 RS-485 does not allow host PC to communicate with several controllers connected to the same port simultaneously. Therefore in large systems transfers of configuration and users to controllers may take a very long time and interfere with normal operations. Controllers cannot initiate communication in case of an alarm. The host PC acts as a master on the RS-485 communication line and controllers have to wait till they are polled. Special serial switches are required in order to build a redundant host PC setup. Separate RS-485 lines have to be installed instead of using an already existing network infrastructure. Cable that meets RS-485 standards is significantly more expensive than the regular Category 5 UTP network cable. Operation of the system is highly dependent on the host PC. In case the host PC fails, events from controllers are not retrieved and functions that required interaction between controllers (i.e. antipassback) stop working.

2. Serial Main and Sub-Controllers

All door hardware is connected to sub-controllers (door controllers or door interfaces). Sub-controllers usually do not make access decisions, and forward all requests to the main controllers. Main controllers usually support from 16 to 32 sub-controllers.

Advantages: Work load on the host PC is significantly reduced, because it only needs to communicate with a few main controllers. The overall cost of the system is lower, as sub-controllers are usually simple and inexpensive devices. All other advantages listed in the serial controller is applicable.

Disadvantages: Operation of the system is highly dependent on main controllers. In case one of the main controllers fails, events from its subcontrollers are not retrieved and functions that require interaction between sub controllers (i.e. anti-passback) stop working. Some models of sub-controllers (usually lower cost) have no memory and processing power to make access decisions independently. If the main controller fails, sub-controllers change to degraded mode in which doors are either completely locked or unlocked and no events are recorded. Such sub-controllers should be avoided or used only in areas that do not require high security. Main controllers tend to be expensive, therefore such topology is not very well suited for systems with multiple remote locations that have only a few doors. All other RS-485-related disadvantages listed in the serial controller is applicable apply.

3. Serial main controllers & intelligent readers

All door hardware is connected directly to intelligent or semiintelligent readers. Readers usually do not make access decisions, and forward all requests to the main controller. Only if the connection to the main controller is unavailable, the readers use their internal database to make access decisions and record events. Semi-intelligent reader that have no database and cannot function without the main controller should be used only in areas that do not require high security. Main controllers usually support from 16 to 64 readers.

All advantages and disadvantages are the same as the ones listed in the Serial main Sub Controllers.

4. Serial controllers with terminal servers.

In spite of the rapid development and increasing use of computer networks, access control manufacturers remained conservative and did not rush to introduce network-enabled products. When pressed for solutions with network connectivity, many chose the option requiring less efforts: addition of a terminal server, a device that converts serial data for transmission via LAN or WAN.

4. Serial controllers with terminal servers..

Advantages: Allows utilizing existing network infrastructure for connecting separate segments of the system. Provides convenient solution in cases when installation of an RS-485 line would be difficult or impossible. Disadvantages: Increases complexity of the system. Creates additional work for installers: usually terminal servers have to be configured independently, not through the interface of the access control software. Serial communication link between the controller and the terminal server acts as a bottleneck: even though the data between the host PC and the terminal server travels at the 10/100/1000Mbit/s network speed it then slows down to the serial speed of 112.5 kbit/s or less. There are also additional delays introduced in the process of conversion between serial and network data.

4. Network-enabled main controllers.

Transmission of configuration and users to the main controllers is faster and may be done in parallel. This makes the system more responsive and does not interrupt normal operations. No special hardware is required in order to achieve redundant host PC setup: in case the primary host PC fails, the secondary host PC may start polling network controllers.

5. IP controllers.
Controllers are connected to a host PC via Ethernet LAN or WAN

Advantages: An existing network infrastructure is fully utilized, there is no need to install new communication lines. There are no limitations regarding the number of controllers (32 per line in case of RS-485). Special RS-485 installation, termination, grounding and troubleshooting knowledge is not required. Communication with controllers may be done at the full network speed, which is important if transferring a lot of data (databases with thousands of users, possibly including biometric records). In case of an alarm, controllers may initiate connection to the host PC. This ability is important in large systems because it allows to reduce network traffic caused by unnecessary polling.

Advantages: Simplifies installation of systems consisting of multiple sites separated by large distances. Basic Internet link is sufficient to establish connections to remote locations. Wide selection of standard network equipment is available to provide connectivity in different situations (fiber, wireless, VPN, dual path, PoE) Disadvantages: The system becomes susceptible to network related problems, such as delays in case of heavy traffic and network equipment failures. Access controllers and workstations may become accessible to hackers if the network of the organization is not well protected. This threat may be eliminated by physically separating the access control network from the network of the organization. Also it should be noted that most IP controllers utilize either Linux platform or proprietary operating systems, which makes them more difficult to hack. Industry standard data encryption is also used.

Disadvantages: Maximum distance from a hub or a switch to the controller is 100 meters (330 ft). Operation of the system is dependent on the host PC. In case the host PC fails, events from controllers are not retrieved and functions that required interaction between controllers (i.e. anti-passback) stop working. Some controllers, however, have peer-to-peer communication option in order to reduce dependency on the host PC.

What is Anti Pass Back ??

The main purpose of anti pass back system is to prevent a card holder passing from their card back to a second person to gain entry into the same control area.

Cables Type of cables depend on the manufacturer standards.

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