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Fourier Banding Analysis

Definition

A signal-processing technique applied to high-resolution scans of laser-printed pages to extract the periodic frequency and amplitude of banding artefacts, used to identify printer models and individual units independent of MIC embedding.

Related terms

Banding
Horizontal density variations across a laser or inkjet printed page, arising from developer roller irregularities, drum charging variation, or drive-train gear-skip; measurable...
Drum Period
The repeat interval of a drum-surface defect in the printed output, equal to the drum's circumference; measured in millimetres to identify the...
Dye-Sublimation Printer
A printer that transfers dye from a donor ribbon to a receiver layer under heat, producing continuous-tone gradients; used for ID card...
Electrophotographic Process
The multi-step printing process used in laser and LED printers: corona charging, laser/LED exposure, toner development, transfer, fusing, and drum cleaning; defects...
Machine Identification Code (MIC)
A pattern of tiny yellow dots (or equivalent steganographic marks) embedded in the output of many colour laser printers, encoding the printer...
Piezoelectric Inkjet
An inkjet drop-formation mechanism using a piezoelectric crystal to deform and eject a droplet without heating; used in Epson PrecisionCore and Micro...
SEM-EDX
Scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The electron beam excites characteristic X-rays from each element present in the target grain, giving...
Thermal Direct Printer
A printer that activates a heat-sensitive coating on specially treated paper to produce marks without ribbon, ink, or toner; used for POS...
Thermal Inkjet (Bubble-Jet)
An inkjet drop-formation mechanism using a resistive heating element to vaporise ink and eject a droplet; used in HP DeskJet and Canon...

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