RFID Glossary

Antenna

A conductive structure specifically designed to couple or radiate electromagnetic energy. In a driven mode, the structure is a transmitter antenna. In receiver mode, the structure is a receiver antenna. In RFID systems, the antenna may be used to both transmit and receive electromagnetic energy.

Anti-collision

(for collision avoidance) See Multi-Read.

MIT Auto-ID Center

Founded in 1999 and headquartered at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Auto ID Center is a Research Organization promoting the use of the Electronic Product Code (EPC). EPC are electronic codes, to be stored in RFID tags and attached to individual products to be used for identification and tracking them as they flow through the manufacturing plant, distribution centers and retail stores.

Baud

A unit of measure of data transmission speed representing the number of signal changes per second. Not to be confused with bits per second (bps).

Bit

Abbreviation for binary digit. One bit represents a 1 or a 0 in a binary numeral, or a true or false logical condition. A bit is physically represented as a high (1) or low (0) voltage in a circuit.

BNC Connector

Cylindrical metal connector with a copper core that is located at the tip of a coaxial cable, and is used to connect cables together. It attaches by pushing and twisting the outer cylinder on to two locking pins.

Byte

A group of eight bits used to represent characters in a binary processing system.

CE Approval

All TAGSYS readers are CE approved. This is an integral part of the qualification process of our products.

Chip

See Integrated Circuit.

Data Transfer Rate

In a radio frequency identification system, the rate at which data is communicated between the tag and the reader. Usually measured in bits per second (bps).

DLL

Dynamic-Link Library. Executable routines that are stored as separate files with DLL extensions and executed only when needed by the program.

EAN International

The international group that administers bar code standards in many parts of the world.

Electrically-Erasable

Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) Special non-volatile memory whose contents can be loaded after manufacturing.

Programmable

Contents can be erased and new data can be reloaded electronically.

Electromagnetic Field

An electromagnetic field is produced when electrically charged particles are set in motion. The frequency of an electromagnetic field is measured in Hertz and is related to its wavelength.

Embedding

This operation consists in placing the tag in the body of a product.

Firmware

Lower level startup and I/O instructions that are stored in read-only memory.

Frequency

The number of complete cycles a signal executes in a unit of time. Usually measured in Hertz (cycles per second).

High Frequency Tags

RFID tags that communicate with readers opening at 13.56 MHz range.

IC

Integrated Circuit. An electronic circuit in which many active or passive elements are fabricated and connected together on a continuous substrate. Also known as a chip.

Interference

Electronic noise or other unwanted signals that reduce the performance of a system.

ISO

International Standards Organization. An international association that provides global standards for communications and information exchange between semiconductor companies, software developers, and smart card makers.

Interoperability

The ability of systems, supplied by different vendors, to execute bi-directional data exchange functions, in a manner that enables them to operate effectively together.

Long Range

In a TAGSYS configuration using a single antenna and an Ario-type tag, the long range reading distance is above 30 cm. This reading distance obviously depends on the products used. See also Short Range and Medium Range.

Low Frequency Tags

RFID tags that communicate with readers operating in the 125 KHz – 134 kHz range.

Medium Range

In a TAGSYS configuration using a single antenna and an Ario-type tag, the medium range reading distance is between 10 and 25 cm. This reading distance obviously depends on the products used. See also Short Range and Long Range.

Memory

General term for computer hardware that stores data in electrical or magnetic form. A variety of random access (RAM), read-only (ROM), write once, read many (WORM) and read/write (RW) memory devices can be distinguished.

Microprocessor

An integrated circuit that serves as the Central Processing Unit controlling an electronic device. It provides programmable intelligence that controls peripheral devices, memory and power functions.

MIT

Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Multi-Read

A feature commonly used in RFID systems to read the data of several tags at the same time while in the same RF field simultaneously. See anti-collision.

OEM

Original Equipment Manufacturer.

Open Systems

Within the context of radio frequency identification applications, they are systems in which data handling, including capture, storage and communication is determined by agreed standards. This enables various users to operate different devices or systems without reference to a central facility.

Passive Tag

A battery-free tag that is powered through an inductively-coupled or radiated electromagnetic field (generated by the reader). The tag antenna picks up this power and transmits its data to the reader by modulating the electromagnetic field.

Phase Shift

Difference of phase between the 13.56 MHz field emitted by two antennas. This feature is dedicated to rotating field applications and three-dimensional tag detection.

Protocol

A set of standards governing a particular function enabling tags, readers and host systems to exchange data.

Proximity

Term often used to indicate closeness of one system component with respect to another, such as the rag with respect to a reader.

RFID

Radio Frequency Identification System. An automatic identification and data capture system consisting of one or more readers and several tags in which data is exchanged by means of inductively-coupled or radiating electromagnetic carriers.

Read

The process of transferring the data stored in a tag memory to the reader.

Reader

An electronic device used for communication between RFID tags and a host computer system. A reader generally consists of an RF transmitter and receiver and an antenna for communicating with tags. A digital interface enables the reader to communicate with the host computer system.

RTF

Reader Talks First. Tag protocol for exchanges between the reader and the chip, where the tag waits for a command from the reader to which it responds.

Reading Distance

The distance between the antenna of a reader and a tag over which the read function can be effectively performed. The distance is influenced by the orientation and angle of the tag with respect to the antenna, and possibly by environmental conditions.

Read Only

Term applied to a tag in which the data is written (programmed) once during manufacturing and afterwards can only be read and never changed.

Read Rate

The maximum rate at which data can be communicated (read) between a tag and the reader. Usually measured in reads per second.

Read/Write

Term applied to RFID tags that can be written (programmed) and read many times. Also see Write Once Read Many.

Read/Write Station

A read/write station includes a number of antennas and readers to communicate with RFID tags. With its digital interface, the read/write station connects to host systems.

Short Range

In a TAGSYS configuration using a single antenna and an Ario-type tag, the short range reading distance is between 0 and 15 cm. This reading distance obviously depends on the products used. See also Long Range and Medium Range.

Smart Label

See Tag.

Standards

A standard is a set of specifications defining the physical, electrical or logical properties of a device. See also International Standards Organization (ISO).

Tag

An electronic label consisting of a microprocessor and antenna coil that communicates with a reader by means of a radio frequency signal. It comes in various shapes and sizes. Also known as a transponder.

TTF

Tag Talk First. Tag protocol for exchanges between the reader and the tag, where the tag sends information continuously, without waiting for a specific command from the reader.

Transponder

An electronic TRANSmitter/resPONDER. See Tag.

UHF

Ultra High Frequency Tags. RFID tags that communicate with readers operating in the 869 MHz – 930 MHz range.

UCC

Uniform Code Council. The nonprofit organization that overseas the Uniform Product Code, the barcode standard used in North America.

VCD

Vicinity Coupling Device. See Reader.

VICC

Vicinity Integrated Circuit Card. See Tag.

Write

The process of recording data in a tag memory. This may include reading the data to ensure its validity.

WORM

Write Once Read Many. Term applied to a tag in which the data can be partially or totally programmed once by the user and only read afterwards.

Write Rate

The rate at which data is transferred to a tag and stored within the memory of the device and verified. This rate is usually expressed as the average number of bits or bytes per second over which the complete transfer is performed.