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10 min

Integrate advanced fingerprint capture into embedded designs with FPC2530 (100026222) and PIC18F57Q43

Fast, secure, and standalone biometric authentication solution for embedded applications

Fingerprint 5 Click with Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Published Oct 02, 2025

Click board™

Fingerprint 5 Click

Dev. board

Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43

Compiler

NECTO Studio

MCU

PIC18F57Q43

Add secure authentication to door locks, access systems, and digital wallets with fast and secure fingerprint capture, matching, and verification

A

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Hardware Overview

How does it work?

Fingerprint 5 Click is based on the FPC2530 (100026222), a fingerprint sensor from Fingerprints that brings reliable biometric identification into embedded applications by using the advanced fingerprint recognition technology. This sensor provides a complete biometric system with onboard authentication software, enabling fast and accurate fingerprint capture, matching, and verification directly on the device without the need for external processing. The sensor automatically creates fingerprint templates that are securely stored in its internal flash memory, while encrypted template storage ensures data privacy and protection against unauthorized access. Designed with navigation support for intuitive operation, the FPC2530 is enhanced by its durable black coating and a built-in hidden discharge node (bezel), offering robust protection against electrostatic discharge, scratches, impacts, and everyday wear and tear. The Fingerprint 5 Click is an excellent

choice for advanced biometric applications such as access control systems, door locks, crypto wallets, FIDO authenticators, secure tokens, digital access devices, as well as time and attendance systems where security, reliability, and long-term durability are essential. This Click board™ is designed in a unique format supporting the newly introduced MIKROE feature called "Click Snap." Unlike the standardized version of Click boards, this feature allows the main sensor/IC/module area to become movable by breaking the PCB, opening up many new possibilities for implementation. Thanks to the Snap feature, the FPC2530 can operate autonomously by accessing its signals directly on the pins marked 1-8. Additionally, the Snap part includes a specified and fixed screw hole position, enabling users to secure the Snap board in their desired location. This board supports communication with the host MCU through either SPI or UART interfaces, with SPI being the default

option. The communication interface is selected by adjusting the COMM SEL jumper to the desired position. To enhance flexibility, particularly with the detachable Snap section of the Click Snap format, an additional COMM SEL jumpers are available. These jumpers functions the same as the COMM SEL, allowing for independent communication interface selection when the Snap section is used independently. To ensure proper functionality, all COMM jumpers must be set to the same interface. In addition to the interface pins, the board also includes IRQ pin that serves as interrupt request in SPI interface or as host wake-up signal in both SPI and UART interfaces. This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before using MCUs with different logic levels. It also comes equipped with a library containing functions and example code that can be used as a reference for further development.

Fingerprint 5 Click hardware overview image

Features overview

Development board

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano evaluation kit is a cutting-edge hardware platform designed to evaluate microcontrollers within the PIC18-Q43 family. Central to its design is the inclusion of the powerful PIC18F57Q43 microcontroller (MCU), offering advanced functionalities and robust performance. Key features of this evaluation kit include a yellow user LED and a responsive

mechanical user switch, providing seamless interaction and testing. The provision for a 32.768kHz crystal footprint ensures precision timing capabilities. With an onboard debugger boasting a green power and status LED, programming and debugging become intuitive and efficient. Further enhancing its utility is the Virtual serial port (CDC) and a debug GPIO channel (DGI

GPIO), offering extensive connectivity options. Powered via USB, this kit boasts an adjustable target voltage feature facilitated by the MIC5353 LDO regulator, ensuring stable operation with an output voltage ranging from 1.8V to 5.1V, with a maximum output current of 500mA, subject to ambient temperature and voltage constraints.

PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity Nano double side image

Microcontroller Overview

MCU Card / MCU

default

Architecture

PIC

MCU Memory (KB)

128

Silicon Vendor

Microchip

Pin count

48

RAM (Bytes)

8196

You complete me!

Accessories

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards is a versatile hardware extension platform created to streamline the integration between Curiosity Nano kits and extension boards, tailored explicitly for the mikroBUS™-standardized Click boards and Xplained Pro extension boards. This innovative base board (shield) offers seamless connectivity and expansion possibilities, simplifying experimentation and development. Key features include USB power compatibility from the Curiosity Nano kit, alongside an alternative external power input option for enhanced flexibility. The onboard Li-Ion/LiPo charger and management circuit ensure smooth operation for battery-powered applications, simplifying usage and management. Moreover, the base incorporates a fixed 3.3V PSU dedicated to target and mikroBUS™ power rails, alongside a fixed 5.0V boost converter catering to 5V power rails of mikroBUS™ sockets, providing stable power delivery for various connected devices.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards accessories 1 image

Used MCU Pins

mikroBUS™ mapper

NC
NC
AN
Reset / ID SEL
PA7
RST
SPI Select / ID COMM
PD4
CS
SPI Clock
PC6
SCK
SPI Data OUT
PC5
MISO
SPI Data IN
PC4
MOSI
Power Supply
3.3V
3.3V
Ground
GND
GND
NC
NC
PWM
Interrupt Request
PA6
INT
UART TX
PC3
TX
UART RX
PC2
RX
NC
NC
SCL
NC
NC
SDA
NC
NC
5V
Ground
GND
GND
1

Take a closer look

Click board™ Schematic

Fingerprint 5 Click Schematic schematic

Step by step

Project assembly

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly

Start by selecting your development board and Click board™. Begin with the Curiosity Nano with PIC18F57Q43 as your development board.

Curiosity Nano Base for Click boards front image hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click front image hardware assembly
PIC18F47Q10 Curiosity Nano front image hardware assembly
Prog-cut hardware assembly
Charger 27 Click complete accessories setup image hardware assembly
Board mapper by product8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 2 hardware assembly
Necto image step 3 hardware assembly
Necto image step 4 hardware assembly
Necto image step 5 hardware assembly
Necto image step 6 hardware assembly
PIC18F57Q43 Curiosity MCU Step hardware assembly
Necto No Display image step 8 hardware assembly
Necto image step 9 hardware assembly
Necto image step 10 hardware assembly
Debug Image Necto Step hardware assembly

Software Support

Library Description

Fingerprint 5 Click demo application is developed using the NECTO Studio, ensuring compatibility with mikroSDK's open-source libraries and tools. Designed for plug-and-play implementation and testing, the demo is fully compatible with all development, starter, and mikromedia boards featuring a mikroBUS™ socket.

Example Description
This example demonstrates how to use the Fingerprint 5 Click board to enroll and identify fingerprints. The application cycles through several states: checking firmware readiness, reading version info, deleting existing templates, enrolling new fingerprints, and continuously identifying them.

Key functions:

  • fingerprint5_cfg_setup - This function initializes Click configuration structure to initial values.

  • fingerprint5_init - This function initializes all necessary pins and peripherals used for this Click board.

  • fingerprint5_enroll_finger - This function sends the enroll command for fingerprint registration.

  • fingerprint5_identify_finger - This function sends the identify command to compare the input fingerprint with existing templates.

  • fingerprint5_read_cmd - This function reads a response or event frame from the device.

Application Init
Initializes the logger and the Click board, resets the device and sets up the application state machine.

Application Task
Handles command processing and application state transitions, enabling fingerprint enrollment and identification.

Open Source

Code example

The complete application code and a ready-to-use project are available through the NECTO Studio Package Manager for direct installation in the NECTO Studio. The application code can also be found on the MIKROE GitHub account.

/*!
 * @file main.c
 * @brief Fingerprint 5 Click Example.
 *
 * # Description
 * This example demonstrates how to use the Fingerprint 5 Click board to enroll and identify fingerprints.
 * The application cycles through several states: checking firmware readiness, reading version info, 
 * deleting existing templates, enrolling new fingerprints, and continuously identifying them.
 *
 * The demo application is composed of two sections :
 *
 * ## Application Init
 * Initializes the logger and the Click board, resets the device and sets up the application state machine.
 *
 * ## Application Task
 * Handles command processing and application state transitions, enabling fingerprint enrollment and identification.
 *
 * @note
 * Make sure to place your finger on the sensor when prompted during enrollment and identification.
 * The example registers 2 fingerprints by default.
 *
 * @author Stefan Filipovic
 *
 */

#include "board.h"
#include "log.h"
#include "fingerprint5.h"

#define NUMBER_OF_FINGERPRINTS  2   // Number of fingerprints to register.

static fingerprint5_t fingerprint5;
static log_t logger;

/**
 * @brief Example states.
 * @details Predefined enum values for application example state.
 */
typedef enum
{
    FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_WAIT_READY = 0,
    FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_VERSION,
    FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_DELETE_TEMPLATES,
    FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_ENROLL,
    FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_IDENTIFY

} fingerprint5_app_state_t;

/**
 * @brief Application example variables.
 * @details Variables used in application example.
 */
static fingerprint5_app_state_t app_state = FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_WAIT_READY;
static fingerprint5_status_t status;
static fingerprint5_version_t version;
static fingerprint5_list_templates_t templates;
static fingerprint5_enroll_t enroll;
static fingerprint5_identify_t identify;

/**
 * @brief Fingerprint 5 parse command.
 * @details This function parses the received command response from the device and updates
 * the relevant global structures such as status, version, templates, enroll, or identify.
 * @param[in] ctx : Fingerprint 5 Click context object.
 * See #fingerprint5_t object definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 * @return None.
 */
static void fingerprint5_parse_cmd ( fingerprint5_t *ctx );

/**
 * @brief Fingerprint 5 main process handler.
 * @details This function handles the application state machine for enrolling and identifying fingerprints.
 * It sends commands based on the current state and received data, allowing multiple enrollments and continuous identification.
 * @param[in] ctx : Fingerprint 5 Click context object.
 * See #fingerprint5_t object definition for detailed explanation.
 * @note None.
 * @return None.
 */
static void fingerprint5_process ( fingerprint5_t *ctx );

void application_init ( void ) 
{
    log_cfg_t log_cfg;  /**< Logger config object. */
    fingerprint5_cfg_t fingerprint5_cfg;  /**< Click config object. */

    /** 
     * Logger initialization.
     * Default baud rate: 115200
     * Default log level: LOG_LEVEL_DEBUG
     * @note If USB_UART_RX and USB_UART_TX 
     * are defined as HAL_PIN_NC, you will 
     * need to define them manually for log to work. 
     * See @b LOG_MAP_USB_UART macro definition for detailed explanation.
     */
    LOG_MAP_USB_UART( log_cfg );
    log_init( &logger, &log_cfg );
    log_info( &logger, " Application Init " );

    // Click initialization.
    fingerprint5_cfg_setup( &fingerprint5_cfg );
    FINGERPRINT5_MAP_MIKROBUS( fingerprint5_cfg, MIKROBUS_1 );
    if ( UART_ERROR == fingerprint5_init( &fingerprint5, &fingerprint5_cfg ) ) 
    {
        log_error( &logger, " Communication init." );
        for ( ; ; );
    }
    
    fingerprint5_reset_device ( &fingerprint5 );

    log_info( &logger, " Application Task " );
    
    app_state = FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_WAIT_READY;
    log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nAPP STATE: WAIT READY\r\n" );
}

void application_task ( void ) 
{
    if ( FINGERPRINT5_OK == fingerprint5_read_cmd ( &fingerprint5 ) )
    {
        fingerprint5_parse_cmd ( &fingerprint5 );
        fingerprint5_process ( &fingerprint5 );
    }
}

int main ( void ) 
{
    /* Do not remove this line or clock might not be set correctly. */
    #ifdef PREINIT_SUPPORTED
    preinit();
    #endif
    
    application_init( );
    
    for ( ; ; ) 
    {
        application_task( );
    }

    return 0;
}

static void fingerprint5_parse_cmd ( fingerprint5_t *ctx )
{
    switch ( ctx->cmd.cmd_id )
    {
        case FINGERPRINT5_CMD_STATUS:
        {
            status.evt = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 1 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 0 ] );
            status.state = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 3 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 2 ] );
            status.app_fail = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 5 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 4 ] );
            if ( status.app_fail )
            {
                log_error ( &logger, "APP FAIL: %.4X\r\n", status.app_fail );
            }
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_CMD_VERSION:
        {
            version.unique_id[ 0 ] = ( ( ( uint32_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 3 ] << 24 ) | 
                                       ( ( uint32_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 2 ] << 16 ) | 
                                       ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 1 ] << 8 ) | 
                                                      ctx->cmd.payload[ 0 ] );
            version.unique_id[ 1 ] = ( ( ( uint32_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 7 ] << 24 ) | 
                                       ( ( uint32_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 6 ] << 16 ) | 
                                       ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 5 ] << 8 ) | 
                                                      ctx->cmd.payload[ 4 ] );
            version.unique_id[ 2 ] = ( ( ( uint32_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 11 ] << 24 ) | 
                                       ( ( uint32_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 10 ] << 16 ) | 
                                       ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 9 ] << 8 ) | 
                                                      ctx->cmd.payload[ 8 ] );
            version.fw_id = ctx->cmd.payload[ 12 ];
            version.fw_fuse_lvl = ctx->cmd.payload[ 13 ];
            version.ver_str_len = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 15 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 14 ] );
            if ( version.ver_str_len <= FINGERPRINT5_MAX_VERSION_SIZE )
            {
                memcpy ( version.ver_str, &ctx->cmd.payload[ 16 ], version.ver_str_len );
                log_printf ( &logger, "Device ID: %.8X %.8X %.8X\r\n", 
                             version.unique_id[ 0 ], 
                             version.unique_id[ 1 ], 
                             version.unique_id[ 2 ] );
                log_printf ( &logger, "Version: %s\r\n", version.ver_str );
            }
            else
            {
                version.ver_str_len = 0;
            }
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_CMD_LIST_TEMPLATES:
        {
            templates.num_templates = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 1 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 0 ] );
            if ( templates.num_templates <= FINGERPRINT5_MAX_NUM_TEMPLATES )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "Number of templates found: %u\r\n", templates.num_templates );
                for ( uint16_t cnt = 0; cnt < templates.num_templates; cnt++ )
                {
                    templates.template_ids[ cnt ] = ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ cnt * 2 + 3 ] ) | 
                                                                   ctx->cmd.payload[ cnt * 2 + 2 ];
                    log_printf ( &logger, "ID: %.4X\r\n", templates.template_ids[ cnt ] );
                }
            }
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_CMD_ENROLL:
        {
            enroll.id = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 1 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 0 ] );
            enroll.feedback = ctx->cmd.payload[ 2 ];
            enroll.samples_remaining = ctx->cmd.payload[ 3 ];
            log_printf ( &logger, "Enroll samples remaining: %u, feedback: ", 
                         ( uint16_t ) enroll.samples_remaining );
            switch ( enroll.feedback ) 
            {
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_DONE: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Done" );
                    break;
                }
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_PROGRESS: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Progress" );
                    break;
                }
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_REJECT_LOW_QUALITY: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Reject.LowQuality" );
                    break;
                }
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_REJECT_LOW_COVERAGE: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Reject.LowCoverage" );
                    break;
                }
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_REJECT_LOW_MOBILITY: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Reject.LowMobility" );
                    break;
                }
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_REJECT_OTHER: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Reject.Other" );
                    break;
                }
                case FINGERPRINT5_ENROLL_FEEDBACK_PROGRESS_IMMOBILE: 
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Progress.Immobile" );
                    break;
                }
                default:
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "Unknown" );
                    break;
                }
            }
            log_printf ( &logger, "\r\n" );
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_CMD_IDENTIFY:
        {
            identify.match = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 1 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 0 ] );
            identify.type = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 3 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 2 ] );
            identify.id = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 5 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 4 ] );
            identify.tag = ( ( ( uint16_t ) ctx->cmd.payload[ 7 ] << 8 ) | ctx->cmd.payload[ 6 ] );
            if ( FINGERPRINT5_IDENTIFY_RESULT_MATCH == identify.match )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "Identify MATCH on ID: %u\r\n", identify.id );
            }
            else
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "Identify NO MATCH\r\n" );
            }
            break;
        }
        default:
        {
            log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nCMD ID: %.4X\r\n", ctx->cmd.cmd_id );
            log_printf ( &logger, "Payload Len: %u\r\n", ctx->cmd.payload_len );
            if ( ctx->cmd.payload_len )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "Payload:\r\n    " );
            }
            for ( uint16_t cnt = 0; cnt < ctx->cmd.payload_len; cnt++ )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "%.2X ", ctx->cmd.payload[ cnt ] );
                if ( 15 == cnt % 16 )
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "\r\n    " );
                }
            }
            if ( ctx->cmd.payload_len )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "\r\n" );
            }
            break;
        }
    }
}

static void fingerprint5_process ( fingerprint5_t *ctx )
{
    static uint8_t num_fingers_to_enroll = NUMBER_OF_FINGERPRINTS;
    switch ( app_state )
    {
        case FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_WAIT_READY:
        { 
            if ( status.state & FINGERPRINT5_STATE_APP_FW_READY )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nAPP STATE: VERSION\r\n" );
                app_state = FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_VERSION;
                fingerprint5_get_version ( ctx );
            }
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_VERSION:
        {
            if ( version.ver_str_len )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nAPP STATE: DELETE TEMPLATES\r\n" );
                app_state = FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_DELETE_TEMPLATES;
                fingerprint5_delete_templates ( ctx );
            }
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_DELETE_TEMPLATES:
        {
            log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nAPP STATE: ENROLL\r\n" );
            log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nEnrolling finger %u of %u...\r\n", 
                         ( uint16_t ) ( NUMBER_OF_FINGERPRINTS - num_fingers_to_enroll + 1 ), 
                         ( uint16_t ) NUMBER_OF_FINGERPRINTS );
            app_state = FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_ENROLL;
            fingerprint5_enroll_finger ( ctx );
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_ENROLL:
        {
            if ( FINGERPRINT5_STATE_ENROLL != ( status.state & FINGERPRINT5_STATE_ENROLL ) )
            {
                num_fingers_to_enroll--;
                if ( num_fingers_to_enroll > 0 )
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nEnrolling finger %u of %u...\r\n", 
                                 ( uint16_t ) ( NUMBER_OF_FINGERPRINTS - num_fingers_to_enroll + 1 ), 
                                 ( uint16_t ) NUMBER_OF_FINGERPRINTS );
                    fingerprint5_enroll_finger ( ctx );
                }
                else
                {
                    log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nAPP STATE: IDENTIFY\r\n" );
                    log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nIdentifying fingerprint...\r\n" );
                    app_state = FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_IDENTIFY;
                    fingerprint5_identify_finger ( ctx );
                }
            }
            break;
        }
        case FINGERPRINT5_APP_STATE_IDENTIFY:
        {
            if ( FINGERPRINT5_STATE_IDENTIFY != ( status.state & FINGERPRINT5_STATE_IDENTIFY ) )
            {
                log_printf ( &logger, "\r\nIdentifying fingerprint...\r\n" );
                fingerprint5_identify_finger ( ctx );
            }
            break;
        }
        default:
        {
            log_error ( &logger, "APP STATE: UNKWNOWN\r\n" );
            break;
        }
    }
}

// ------------------------------------------------------------------------ END

Additional Support

Resources

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