Reply to post: S**t applications true, but really very clever tech.

Something weird to deck the Xmas tree with: 3D-printed Wi-Fi baubles

John Smith 19 Gold badge
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S**t applications true, but really very clever tech.

So they've repurposed a WiFi system to act as the driver for a passive RF device like the thing, although a couple of orders narrower bandwidth.

And reading magnetic strips, like the MICR on a check? That really is quite impressive.

But the key is that it's to the right level of technology.

People have been talking "printed electronics" and "roll to roll" printed electronics for decades now and it's gone nowhere.

While the record for printed transistor speeds has been creeping up it's in the (low) 10s of MHz. IOW an early 90's ARM or Z80. Nowhere near the 100s or MHz/Ghz needed for all those koooool wireless devices people fantasize about .

And the "gearwheel" device ID? Very neat (actually generating unique n bit codes that can start at any point is a non trivial exercise).

The attractive part of this is the with the tech in the wide others may come up with worthwhile uses of this tech.

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