Radio Frequency Identification (RFID): Definitions

A term that encompasses magnetic strips, RF tags, and RFID tags.

A method of solving the problem of the signals of two readers colliding.

Algorithms are used to make sure the readers attempt to read tags at different times.

A device that both transmits and receives radio waves.

1. A radio transmitter-receiver that is activated when it receives a predetermined signal. 2. A technical name for a tag.

From 300 MHz to 3 Ghz. Typically, RFID tags that operate between 866 MHz to 960 MHz.

They can send information faster and farther than high-frequency and low-frequency tags, but radio waves don’t pass through items with high water content; such as, fruit, at these frequencies.

UHF tags are also more expensive than low-frequency tags, and they use more power.

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

A serial number that identifies the transponder.

The U.S. Department of Defense has also developed an identification scheme called UID.

The barcode standard used in North America.

It is administered by the Uniform Code Council.

Write once, read many.

A tag that can be written to only once by the user; thereafter, the tag can only be read.

The transfer of data to a tag.

A tag that can be part or totally programmed once by the user and afterward only read.

1. The rate at which information is transferred to a tag, written into the tag's memory and verified as being correct.
2. The rate at which information is transferred to a tag.

A widely accepted way of sharing information over the internet in a way that computers can use, regardless of their operating system.

A method of searching a database based on the extensible markup language (XML).

Files created using the Auto-ID Center’s Physical Markup Language can be searched using XQL.