We are excited to announce the launch of the Pepper C2 RFID/NFC module – the sister product to our popular Pepper C1 module and the most powerful HF (13.56 MHz) reader we have ever produced.
The Pepper C2 module delivers a significant leap in RFID transmit power, extended read range, native USB connectivity, and a cost-optimised design – making it the ideal choice for engineers embedding high-performance RFID capability into their products.
What Is the Pepper C2 RFID/NFC Module?
The Pepper C2 is a compact, surface-mount RFID/NFC read/write module operating at 13.56 MHz. It is fully CE, and FCC compliant (FCC ID: 2ALHY-C2RMODULE), making it suitable for products sold in the EU, UK, USA, and other markets worldwide. Like its sister product, it supports lifetime firmware updates, ensuring your design stays current and secure for the life of the product.
It maintains full compatibility with the most widely used NFC and RFID tag standards, including:
- MIFARE® Classic® 1K and 4K
- MIFARE Ultralight®
- NTAG2xx
- ICODE
- And other compatible with ISO/IEC 14443A and ISO/IEC 15693
The Pepper C2 is available in two variants: the standard module with a dedicated external RFID antenna connector, and a version with a small integrated onboard RFID antenna for applications where space is tight or a separate antenna is impractical. The integrated-antenna variant is ideal for compact enclosures and evaluation purposes, allowing developers to get up and running immediately without sourcing or mounting an external antenna.
The Key Upgrade: 2W RFID Transmit Power vs 1.25W on the Pepper C1
The headline improvement in the Pepper C2 is its RFID transmit power of 2 W – a 60% increase over the Pepper C1’s 1.25W output. This directly translates to a longer read range and more reliable tag detection, particularly when:
- Tags are presented at an angle or offset from the antenna
- Metal or other RF-absorbing materials are nearby
- A larger antenna is used to extend the detection zone
In practical terms, the Pepper C2 can achieve read ranges of up to 20 cm with a suitable antenna – compared to a maximum of approximately 12 cm for the Pepper C1 family. This makes the Pepper C2 the right choice for applications where read distance matters, such as industrial access control gates, conveyor-mounted tag scanning, and hands-free identification terminals.
No Wireless Connectivity – By Design
Unlike the Pepper C1, the Pepper C2 does not include wireless connectivity. This is a deliberate design decision that brings several important advantages:
- Lower system complexity. Without an embedded wireless radio, the Pepper C2 is simpler to integrate into host hardware. There are no wireless certification concerns to manage at the module level beyond RFID, and no radio interference to consider during PCB layout.
- Reduced regulatory burden. Products that incorporate wireless modules face additional regulatory requirements in many markets. By removing the radio, the Pepper C2 makes it easier and faster to certify the end product.
- Lower power consumption. The Pepper C2 draws as little as 2–3 mA in sleep mode and around 97 mA with the RF field active (no tag present) – significantly lower than the Pepper C1 in Wi-Fi-enabled mode.
- Wired-first architectures. Many embedded applications – industrial controllers, access terminals, kiosks, and medical devices – already communicate over UART, USB, or RS485. These designs simply do not need wireless connectivity at the reader level, and paying for it adds unnecessary cost and complexity.
For applications that do require wireless connectivity, our Pepper C1 family remains available and continues to support Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, WPAN BR/EDR + LE, MQTT, REST API, WebSockets, and Over-the-Air firmware updates.
Pepper C2 vs Pepper C1 modules comparison
| Feature | Pepper C2 module | Pepper C1 module |
| RFID Transmit Power | 2W | 1.25W |
| Max Read Range (depending on tag) | Up to 20 cm | Up to 12 cm |
| Supply Voltage | 5V | 3.3V (5V for RFID section) |
| USB Interface | Yes – native USB + HID keyboard emulation | No (UART only; USB adapter required) |
| Wireless (Wi-Fi / WPAN) | No | Yes |
| IoT Protocols (MQTT, REST, etc.) | No | Yes |
| Over-the-Air Updates | No | Yes |
| Lifetime Firmware Updates | Yes | Yes |
| CE / FCC Approved | CE, FCC (ID: 2ALHY-C2RMODULE) | CE, FCC (ID: 2ALHY-PEPPERMOD) |
| Operating Temperature | -25°C to +85°C | -25°C to +85°C |
| Cost | More affordable | Standard |
New Features in the Pepper C2
Beyond the power upgrade, the Pepper C2 introduces several new capabilities compared to the Pepper C1 module:
- Native USB Interface with HID Keyboard Emulation
- The Pepper C2 connects directly to a host computer via standard USB – no USB-to-UART converter is required. The module presents itself as a virtual COM port on Windows and Linux without additional drivers.
- The Pepper C2 supports USB HID keyboard emulation. When enabled, the reader automatically transmits the UID of any detected tag as a keyboard input stream to the host. This makes it trivially simple to integrate RFID reading into any software that accepts keyboard input – including web browsers, spreadsheets, and custom applications – with zero driver or SDK development required.
- RS485 Interface Support – In addition to UART0 (main interface) and UART2 (secondary/logging), the Pepper C2 exposes dedicated RS485 driver and receiver enable pins (DE and RE), supporting multi-drop RS485 networks out of the box.
- Configurable RGB LED – an onboard RGB LED provides visual feedback for RFID events and can be configured to suit the host application.
- 6 Configurable GPIOs – six general-purpose I/O pins are available for integration with external hardware – relay triggers, indicator lights, door strike control, and similar applications.
Typical Applications for the Pepper C2
The Pepper C2 module is designed for engineers embedding RFID into their own hardware. Typical applications include:
- Access control – door entry, turnstiles, and secure area management
- Asset and goods monitoring – warehouse tracking, tooling control, and consumables tracking
- Pre-payment and loyalty systems – tap-to-pay and customer identification
- Industrial automation – conveyor-mounted scanning and process control
- Evaluation and development – rapid prototyping of RFID-enabled products
Technical Specifications Summary
| Parameter | Value |
| Operating Frequency | 13.56 MHz |
| Supply Voltage (VDD) | 4.5V – 5.5V (typical 5V) |
| RF Field On (no tag, 200ms polling) | 97 mA typical |
| RF Field On (tag present) | 316 mA typical |
| Sleep Mode Current | 2–3 mA |
| Operating Temperature | -25°C to +85°C |
| Form Factor | SMT module, 20-pin |
| Certifications | CE (RED), FCC (ID: 2ALHY-C2RMODULE) |
| Firmware Updates | Lifetime |
Global Certifications – Ready for the US, EU, and UK Markets
Both the Pepper C2 and its predecessor the Pepper C1 carry the regulatory approvals needed for commercial sale in the world’s key markets:
- FCC (USA) – The Pepper C2 holds full FCC modular approval under FCC ID: 2ALHY-C2RMODULE, meaning it can be incorporated into end products sold in the United States. The modular grant simplifies the path to market for OEM integrators: in most cases, you can use the existing FCC ID without retesting the module itself, provided installation conditions are met. The Pepper C1 similarly holds FCC approval (FCC ID: 2ALHY-PEPPERMOD).
- CE Declaration of Conformity (EU) – Both modules are CE marked under the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), confirming conformity with EU requirements for electromagnetic compatibility, radio spectrum use, and safety. The CE Declaration of Conformity for the Pepper C2 is available on the product downloads page.
For other national or regional certifications – such as ISED (Canada), PSE (Japan), or MIC (South Korea) – Eccel can assist with end-product approval. Prices start from £3K per certification. Contact sales@eccel.co.uk for details.
Where to Buy the Pepper C2 Module
The Pepper C2 RFID/NFC module is available to order now from the Eccel Technology website. It is also available through our distribution partners including Digi-Key and RS Components.
View the Pepper C2 Module product page
For volume pricing, custom integration support, or end-product regulatory certification enquiries (starting from £3K per approval), contact our team at sales@eccel.co.uk.
If you need technical assistance integrating the Pepper C2 into your hardware or software, our engineering team is available at technical@eccel.co.uk.
