Firmware written in C/C++ (with Platformio) and PCB designed with KiCAD
What is Pulse Light?
Pulse Light is an open source and open hardware payment terminal.
It has firstly been designed around the Cyclos Payment Framework but could be connected to any other network with a bit of work.
Built around an ESP32 microcontroller, the Pulse Light provides a 2.8" TFT Screen and 100Mb Ethernet connectivity.
The Pulse Light is available in a Countertop and Unattended version (respectively PL-C and PL-U).
What is the purpose of this device?
As it has been designed to work with Cyclos (and more precisely with the local currency La Zinne) this terminal only allows QR Code payments with a Cyclos compatible app.
Thus, no Contactless nor Contactful payments are possible with EMVCo cards.
The compatibility with contactless cards is currently studied but would require expensive certifications and are not in the scope for the moment.
What is Open Payment Terminal?
Open Payment Terminal (OPT) is a new standard that I would like to submit to the world.
The goal would be to regroup the Open Source and Open Hardware philosophy for the payment industry.
This would allow a better understanding of the payment flows (e.g. : how it works when I pay someone at a POS ?, how my payment is handled in the backend and so on).
This would also allow to construct a community around payment terminals in order to improve these.
This would not be limited to devices like the Pulse Light Terminal but could also be implemented for "standard" payment terminals.
What do I need to use a Pulse Light?
In order to use a Pulse Light Terminal, you'll need the following things :
- A wired internet connection : Pulse Light is sold with the WiFi disabled by default as the WiFi is less secure. A LTE version is on its way for both the Pulse Light - C (Countertop) and Pulse Light - U (Unattended) versions.
- An Access-Client-Token for the network (or local currrency) you want to use.
- A PC with the free Pulse Light Manager (available for Windows, Mac and Linux)
How much cost a Pulse Light Terminal?
The terminal are available with 2 price plans :
- One-Time Buy :
- The terminal will cost you 60€ exVAT. This price includes a fully assembled terminal, a power adapter (USB-C power adapter). The USB-C power cable allows also data to go through so you'll need it (or any other data USB-C cable) to program the terminal.
- With this plan, a limit support is available.
- Subscription
- The terminal will cost you 30€ exVAT and the subscription will cost you 5€/month.
- You have a premium support with this plan.
- You'll have access to the online Pulse Portal to configure and manage your terminals
How can I contribute to the project?
If you want to help with this project you can simply go to the Github repository of the project : Pulse-Light