ACR1552U :reader_acr122u: - Change RF Power level & duty cycle

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acr1552u_rf_config.py (4.7 KB)

Modified version from @tototo31 with TUI and more options exposed

EDIT: The default they ship on isn’t 20%, just whatever the hardware default is which appears quite high if not equivalent to 100%?

If you have an ACR1552u and want to tinker with the RF power level and RF off interval, see above script. pyscard is a required dependency. Mind the bed video.

If changing RF off interval (–pulse), you will have to unplug/replug the reader for the changes to take effect.

acr1552u_rf_config.py --power 100 --pulse 0          # full power, field always on
acr1552u_rf_config.py --power 40  --pulse 500        # 40%, pulse off 500 ms/poll
acr1552u_rf_config.py --pulse 250                    # just set pulse, leave power
acr1552u_rf_config.py                                # read current settings

Max RF power, continuous RF field:

python3 acr1552u_rf_config.py --power 100 --pulse 0

Will this improve the readers actual performance interfacing with your implants? I’ve no idea… I’ve been running all my 1552u’s like this from day 1 and I don’t think it’s made anything worse. It certainly helps showing off blinkies (though, I guess they don’t really blink if the field is continuous)… Only downside I’ve noticed, cards get hot if they sit on the reader for a long time.

If you’ve been using a 1552u on default settings for awhile, I’d be curious to hear if you feel it makes a difference.

Obligatory link to 1552u reference manual

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The anti🚫-derailment🚃 & thread🧵 hijacking🔫 thread🧵 ⁉
The anti🚫-derailment🚃 & thread🧵 hijacking🔫 thread🧵 ⁉
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Whoa I get my own thread. Thank you sentient forum AI @Pilgrimsmaster :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

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Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to play with this soon.

Shenanigans like this always remind me of Rosco.

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The anti🚫-derailment🚃 & thread🧵 hijacking🔫 thread🧵 ⁉
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will this script read the current power output? can it be made to?

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Script updated in post (I think). Run without any args to print current values.

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Screenshot_20260818-133035
Screenshot_20260818-133035980×1031 137 KB

If the field is off there is no field to swipe the tag through :slight_smile: hahah but seriously good analysis

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Literally the goat. Thanks for sharing here too.

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17874239541511758706091592497236

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I will say after a bit of testing that higher powers + no polling will eventually stop producing a field on my reader. Im curious if something is overheating or maybe an extra config option can be toggled.

I settled on power around 80% and it seems most stable at a 250ms cycle.

I also updated the script to include most of the other config commands and a tui which can be accessed by passing --tui

acr1552u_rf_config.py (58.8 KB)

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Interesting. The only time I’ve run into this is when the reader was plugged into a crowded USB hub with no supplemental power.

Thanks! Will link this post in the OG.

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