[threeme3]

Unfortunately the article does not provide an explanation how the GPIO transmit function was achieved, but most probably it was based on prior art here:

It started with piFM [1] where the possibility was explored to modulate the internal PLL Raspberry Pi with FM and output it on pin GPIO4. This was then further refined and a PWM phase and amplitude modulation technique was applied which made it possible to generate SSB signals [2]. Based on this rpitx [3] was then created which made it possible to basically modulate any type of signal, enabling to use a raspberry pi for analog and digital broadcasts, and to replace key fobs for RF smart plugs and other wireless devices. So yes, it is possible..

[1] GPIO4 piFM transmitter, by Oliver Mattos and Oskar Weigl http://www.icrobotics.co.uk/wiki/index.php/Turning_the_Raspb...

[2] Direct SSB generation by frequency modulating a PLL, by Guido http://pe1nnz.nl.eu.org/2013/05/direct-ssb-generation-on-pll...

[3] Universal I/Q TX for rpi, Evariste Courjaud, https://github.com/F5OEO/rpitx