Knowledge base 119 - Why is my dual technology card not working on my multiCLASS reader?

Knowledge base 119 - Why is my dual technology card not working on my multiCLASS reader?

Problem: Why is my dual technology card not working on my multiCLASS reader? I am getting misreads and other errors.

Solution:  Combination cards have two or more technologies within the card.  Typically the cards have 125 kHz technology and 13.56 MHz technology.  When presenting the card to the reader, the reader broadcasts a signal that activates both technologies.  By default, 13.56 technology is prioritized. What this means is that this technology is read first and there is a delay before the 125 kHz technology is read. This is usually milliseconds.

Sometimes both technologies are read one after the other IF the credential data is not identical on both technologies. This can cause issues within the system that can lead to double or miss reads.

There are a few ways to solve this.

1. Use a single technology card. For example, only Prox cards or only iCLASS cards.

2. The priority for one technology over the default for most readers is the 13.56Mhz technology but other factors may come into play such as the read range of the various technologies that impact which credential is read first.

3. Disable one of the technologies on that reader using a configuration card. For example, if iCLASS is the predominant technology disable Prox and vice verse.