BioStar 1 - Understanding Wiegand
What is Wiegand?
Wiegand is the most common communication method used by access control devices. The term Wiegand in BioStar is a communication protocol that connects Suprema device and 3rd party device to send ID data or connects Suprema device with RF reader to send ID data.
Wiegand Signal
The Wiegand interface consists of three conductors (wires) called Data Zero (Green), Data One (White), and Ground (Black). When no data is being sent, both DATA0 and DATA1 are pulled up to the “high” voltage level — usually +5 VDC. For detailed Wiegand Data Cable diagram, please refer to Suprema device manual.
[Figure 1 Wiegand Data Cable for BioEntry Plus]
When a 0 is sent the DATA0 wire is pulled to a low voltage while the DATA1 wire stays at a high voltage. When a 1 is sent the DATA1 wire is pulled to a low voltage while DATA0 stays at a high voltage.
[Figure 2 Data 0 and Data1 structure (For binary data 11010)]
Parity Bit
A parity bit is used as a simple quality check for the accuracy of the transmitted binary data. Each parity bit should be set to even or odd. A selected group of data bits will be united with one parity bit, and the total number of bits should result in either an even or odd number.
Wiegand Format
BioStar supports default 26bit Standard Wiegand Format, Pass Through Wiegand Format and Custom Wiegand Format.
[Figure 3 Wiegand Format Configuration]
Suprema Device and Wiegand
In BioStar, you need to set the Wiegand mode; accept Wiegand signal as Wiegand input for further processing within the device or send Wiegand signal created from the device as Wiegand output to 3rd party device. The Wiegand data is transferred to selected direction. BioStar allows for both Wiegand Input and Output mode. BioStar activates door relay after receiving Wiegand signal and authentication is success, alternatively BioStar send Wiegand signal to 3rd party controller.
Wiegand Input and Output
A card reader using Wiegand can pass the User ID or Card ID to the BioStar for verification.
[Figure 4 BioStation used as Wiegand Input]
Suprema device can pass the User ID or Card ID to the 3rd party controller for verification and 3rd party controller opens the doors based on the information received from Suprema device.
Wiegand Mode
Wiegand input/output mode to use when reading card ID data.
BioStar have following Wiegand modes:
- Legacy: RF Reader will be treated as part of their host device.
- Extended: RF Reader will be treated as independent device. The extended mode assigns RF reader a separate ID which allows them to be associated with doors, included in zones, and leave logs.
[Figure 5 Wiegand Format Configuration - 1]
Customize Wiegand Format
1. Go to BioStar Client > Device > Wiegand tab.
2. According to the card format above, total number of bits is 37. In this case, click Change Format button to set customized Wiegand format.
[Figure 6 Wiegand Format Configuration - 2]
3. Click Custom Wiegand Format.
[Figure 7 Wiegand Format Configuration – 3]
4. Change the Total Bits and click Apply.
[Figure 8 Wiegand Format Configuration - 4]
5. Set Even Parity, Odd Parity, User ID bits by clicking the blocks. (Facility cod bits are not editable as they are undefined. Mark [E] at the starting bit and mark [O] at the ending bit.)
[Figure 9 Wiegand Format Configuration - 5]
6. Set even parity according to the settings then click »> button to set odd parity.
[Figure 10 Wiegand Format Configuration - 6]
7. Select Wiegand Mode and choose between Wiegand Input and Wiegand Output.
Wiegand Input:
- Wiegand (Card): BioStar receives ID data from Wiegand signal and interpret it as Card ID.
- Wiegand (User): BioStar receives ID data from Wiegand signal and interpret it as User ID.
Wiegand Output:
- Wiegand (Card): BioStar transmits Card ID as Wiegand signal when authentication successes.
- Wiegand (User): BioStar transmits User ID as Wiegand signal when authentication successes.
[Figure 11 Wiegand Mode and Wiegand Input/Output Configuration]
Frequently Asked Questions
(Q) Can we connect HID iClass / HID / Mifare Reader?
(A) Yes, but you must know the Wiegand format of the card or RF reader. Also, we do not support settings for the facility code and supports up to total bit of 64bit and ID bit of 32bit.
(Q) I would like to control doors using Suprema device and RF reader. I have placed card on the RF reader but door won’t unlock.
(A) Please check the following:
- Check the Wiegand wiring (Ground – Data 0 – Data 1) and Wiegand format.
- Check the Wiegand mode. Wiegand mode should be Wiegand Input (Card) for this case.
- Check if the door relay activates when authenticates from Suprema device.
- Check if the user information is saved in Suprema device.
- Go to Monitoring > Realtime Monitoring.
- When “[1:1 Identify/Verify Fail]” log appears: This log appears when the user information is not saved in the Suprema device or there is difference in Wiegand format. Please check the Wiegand format and send all users to Suprema device again.
- When no log appears: When there are no logs in the Realtime Monitoring even you placed your card on the RF reader, this means that no Wiegand signals has been transmitted to Suprema device. Please check the Wiegand wiring and Wiegand mode again.
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