My PN532 doesn't detect RFID card when connected with ESP32 in I2C mode while it works perectly with Arduino Uno

Question

I have a Elechouse PN532 module (bought here - https://robu.in/product/pn532-nfc-rfid-read-write-module-v3-kit/). When I try to use to it with I2C and connect it to my ESP32 (DOIT ESP32 DEV KIT V1, 30 pin version), the PN532 gets detected but it doesn't detect when a card or token shown to it. When I try the exact same code with Arduino Uno with I2C, it works flawlessly. Below are the connections for both boards, the code, the output and actual connection picture (since some said wire position matters for PN532).

Connections

• ESP32

ESP32	PN532
GPIO 22	SCL
GPIO 21	SDA
3.3V	VCC
GND	GND

• Arduino Uno

Uno	PN532
A5	SCL
A4	SDA
3.3V	VCC
GND	GND

The code

#include <Wire.h>
#include <PN532_I2C.h>
#include <PN532.h>
#include <NfcAdapter.h>
PN532_I2C pn532i2c(Wire);
PN532 nfc(pn532i2c);
void setup(void) {
 Serial.begin(115200); 
 //Wire.begin(21, 22); //used this line only when connected with ESP32
 Serial.println("Hello!");
 pn532i2c.wakeup(); //delays 500ms
 nfc.begin();
 uint32_t versiondata = nfc.getFirmwareVersion();
 if (! versiondata) {
 Serial.print("Didn't find PN53x board");
 while (1); // halt
 }
 // Got ok data, print it out!
 Serial.print("Found chip PN5"); Serial.println((versiondata>>24) & 0xFF, HEX); 
 Serial.print("Firmware ver. "); Serial.print((versiondata>>16) & 0xFF, DEC); 
 Serial.print('.'); Serial.println((versiondata>>8) & 0xFF, DEC);
 // Set the max number of retry attempts to read from a card
 // This prevents us from waiting forever for a card, which is
 // the default behaviour of the PN532.
 nfc.setPassiveActivationRetries(0xFF);
 // configure board to read RFID tags
 nfc.SAMConfig();
 Serial.println("Waiting for an ISO14443A card");
}
void loop(void) {
 boolean success;
 uint8_t uid[] = { 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 }; // Buffer to store the returned UID
 uint8_t uidLength; // Length of the UID (4 or 7 bytes depending on ISO14443A card type)
 // Wait for an ISO14443A type cards (Mifare, etc.). When one is found
 // 'uid' will be populated with the UID, and uidLength will indicate
 // if the uid is 4 bytes (Mifare Classic) or 7 bytes (Mifare Ultralight)
 success = nfc.readPassiveTargetID(PN532_MIFARE_ISO14443A, &uid[0], &uidLength);
 if (success) {
 Serial.println("Found a card!");
 Serial.print("UID Length: ");Serial.print(uidLength, DEC);Serial.println(" bytes");
 Serial.print("UID Value: ");
 for (uint8_t i=0; i < uidLength; i++) 
 {
 Serial.print(" 0x");Serial.print(uid[i], HEX); 
 }
 Serial.println("");
 // Wait 1 second before continuing
 delay(1000);
 }
 else
 {
 // PN532 probably timed out waiting for a card
 Serial.println("Timed out waiting for a card");
 }
}

Output

• For Arduino Uno enter image description here
• For ESP32 enter image description here

Connection Placements

• For Arduino Uno enter image description here

• For ESP32 enter image description here

Also, the configuration of ESP32 in Arduino IDE

enter image description here

• romkey: The PN532 requires I2C clock stretching. It doesn't work well over I2C with the ESP8266 or ESP32 (Adafruit has it working with the ESP32 under certain conditions - using an interrupt and being the only device on the I2C bus - you might try their driver). Your best solution is to connect it via SPI and not I2C.
• Sim Son: Are there pullups on the board? I don't know if the arduino enables its pullups in I2C master mode, bit I don't see any on those images. Try to enable them and use the I2CScanner sketch for debugging.
• Gagan G: @romkey While using my PN532 with Adafruit library I need to connect 6 pins right? (VCC, GND, SDA, SCL, IRQ, RST)
• Gagan G: @SimSon I will try with external pullups and one more thing, since the firmware on PN532 is getting detected, doesn't that mean I2C is working perfectly between PN532 & ESP32, and not require external pullups? I am beginner in I2C so forgive if anything is illogical.

Answer 1

To use PN532, UART or SPI seems to be a good choice. Also, the little red board needs a strong power supply, and the power supply capacity from the ESP32 DEV KIT will be insufficient; I recommend adding a capacitor of about 47uF on the PN532. enter image description here

Answer 2

Jumper settings for SPI -
For I2C is 1 up and 2 down.