RFID Tags with Conductive Thread antennas

Craft & Design Yarncraft

Matt Mets @ MAKE writes:

Here’s an older project by Micah Dowty, that I just found out about: a homebrew soft circuit RFID tag. Not content to just make a homebrew RFID reader using a Propeller microcontroller, he proceeded to design an RFID tag using only an ATtiny85 microcontroller and an inductor, and built an antenna for it using conductive thread. The result: a completely homebrew RFID setup, which is compatible with EM4102-style RFID tags. Awesome!

An RFID tag is a passive (non-powered, in most cases) electronic device that stores information. It’s how all those touch-based payment systems work. They’re in your credit cards, passports, office key fobs, and are used as security devices on retail products. What’s remarkable about this one is that it’s actually embedded into the fabric, since the information is stored on the tiny chip, and the antenna, required to transmit the signal to the reader circuit, is sewn from conductive thread.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

Becky Stern is a Content Creator at Autodesk/Instructables, and part time faculty at New York’s School of Visual Arts Products of Design grad program. Making and sharing are her two biggest passions, and she's created hundreds of free online DIY tutorials and videos, mostly about technology and its intersection with crafts. Find her @bekathwia on YouTube/Twitter/Instagram.

View more articles by Becky Stern

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK