glossary

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

a
Active Tags: Tags that use batteries as a partial or complete source of power. They are further differentiated by separating them into those with replaceable batteries and those which have the batteries inside a sealed unit or what may be termed unitized active tags.

Addressability: The ability to address bits, fields, files or other portions of the storage in a tag.

Alignment: The orientation of the tag to the reader in pitch, roll, and yaw.

Analog Communication: Communication method that uses the modulation at different frequencies to deliver content over the air or through wires. (Standard TV, AM, FM)

Antenna: Antennas are the conductive elements that radiate, and/or receive energy in the radio frequency spectrum, to and from the tag.

Attentive Environments: have the ability to sense and act on behalf of the occupants within the environment. For example, sensors within a home can adjust lighting or music based on who is currently in a room. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) has controls that operate based on the habits of the family members in a specific household, adjusting temperatures based on the time of day and the outside temperature.

Auto Identification: technology that is being developed that provides opportunities to link physical objects to digital content without human intervention.

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b
Bi-directional: Capable of operating in either of two directions that are the opposite of each other. For example, a tag that can be read or written from either side is bi-directional.

Bluetooth: Specification for a small, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones, other portable devices, and to the Internet.

Broadband: A technology that uses different frequency bands for delivering data.

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c
Capacitive Coupling: A technology that uses capacitors instead of inductive coils for the design of transponders. This is an inexpensive design that reduces tag costs.

Capacity: The number of bits or bytes that can be programmed into a tag. This may represent the bits accessible to the user or the total number including those reserved to the manufacturer e.g. parity or control bits.

Capture Window/Field: Region of the scanner field in which a tag will operate.

Category 5: A method of network wiring that permits high speed (100 MB) data communication between devices.

Closed Systems: A system in which relevant data regarding the attributes of the object is stored in a common data base, accessible via data link by referencing the individual ID code. It usually refers to a system under the control of a single owner or authority.

Connectivity: The flow of electronic information between devices

Controller: See Multiplexer

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d
Digital Communication: Communication method used directly between devices that use 0’s & 1’s for sending and receiving of data (e.g. digital TV, Bluetooth, Ethernet)

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): A service offered by local telecommunication companies that permits high speed, always-on, Internet access over existing phone lines.

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e
Electromagnetic Coupling: Systems which in use a magnetic field as a means of transferring data or power are said to use a electromagnetic coupling.

Electronic Label: See Tag

Electrostatic coupling: Systems that use the inducing of a voltage on a plate as a means of transferring data or power are said to use electrostatic coupling.

Error: Any operation or data that is not in accord with the design or input to the system.

Error Correcting Code (ECC): Supplemental bits in a data transfer used in conjunction with a polynomial algorithm, in order to compute the value of missing or erroneous data bits (e.g. for a 32 bit data transmission, 7 additional bits are required.)

Error Correcting Mode: Mode of data communication in which missing or erroneous bits are automatically corrected.

Error Correcting Protocol: The rules by which the error-correcting mode operates.

Error Management: Techniques used to ensure that only correct information is presented to the user of the system.

Error Rate: The number of errors per number of transactions.

Exciter: The electronics that drive an antenna are called the exciter or transmitter. Together with the antenna they are called a scanner.

Expansion Port: A plug accessing additional 1/0 capability on a computer or peripheral device.

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f
Factory Programming: The programming of information into a tag occurring as part of the manufacturing process resulting in a read only tag.

Fiber Optic: A median for the communication of data using glass fibers. This is typically used where there is a need for very high-speed transmission rates. It is immune to electrical noise interference.

Field Programming: Programming information into the tags may occur after the tag has been shipped from the manufacturer to an OEM customer or end user or in some cases to the manufacturer's distribution locations. Field programming usually occurs before the tag is installed on the object to be identified. This approach enables the introduction of data relevant to the specifics of the application into the tag at any time. However, the tag would typically have to be removed from its object. In some cases, change or duplication of all data in the tag is possible. In other cases, some portion is reserved for factory programming. This might include a unique tag serial number, for example.

Field Protection: The ability to limit the operations that can be performed on portions or fields of the data stored in a tag.

Flat Panel Antenna: Flat, conductive sheet antennas, usually made of metal plate or foil.

Frequency: The number of times a signal executes a complete excursion through its maximum and minimum values and returns to the same value (e.g. cycles).

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h
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): A simple web browser language used to create documents.

Human computer interfaces: different methods that engage users to interact with directly with computers. A single keyboard and mouse is a basic computer interface. Touchscreens, where the user can simply touch the monitor with her finger or a stylus instead of a keyboard to navigate and voice recognition, where the computer can compose e-mail and other documents with a voice recognition device are methods of human computer interfaces. For example in the car with natural-speech recognition, a simple voice request can initiate an emergency telephone call or summon roadside assistance with the assistance of a global positioning system.

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i
I.D. Filter: Software that compares a newly read ID with those in a database or set.

Inductive Coupling: Systems that use the inducing of a current in a coil as a means of transferring data or power are said to use inductive coupling.

In Use Programming: Many applications require that new data or revisions to data already in the tag, be entered into the tag, while it remains attached to its object. The ability to read from and write data to the tag while attached to its object is called in-use programming. Tags and systems with this capability are called read/write tags and systems.

Interactive: The ability to receive a response from a device or appliance by changing its environment.

Interrogator: See Reader and Programmer

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l
Life: Functional period within which no maintenance, adjustment or repair is to be reasonably expected.

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m
Memory Cards: A read/write or reprogrammable tag in credit card size

Memory Modules: A read/write or reprogrammable tag

Misread: A condition that exists when the data presented by the reader is different from the corresponding data in the tag.

Mobile Inventory Vehicle: Vehicle equipped with a system for locating tagged vehicles, containers, and other objects for the purpose of inventory control.

Mobile technologies: a group of technologies that are developed with the premise of mobility or wireless communications. This group includes devices like mobile phones, personal desk assistants, wireless web pads, telematics*, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), pagers and MP3 players.

Modulation: The methods of modulating or altering the carriers in order to carry the encoded information are quite varied. They include amplitude modulation (AM)/ phase modulation (PM), frequency modulation (FM), frequency shift keyed (FSK), pulse position (PPM), pulse duration (PDM) and continuous wave (CW). In some cases, different modulating techniques are used in each direction (to and from the tags).

Modulation, amplitude (AM): Data is contained in changes in amplitude of the carrier.

Modulation, phase (PM): Data is contained in the changes in the phase of the carrier.

Modulation, frequency (FM): Data is contained in the changes in the frequency of the carrier.

Modulation, frequency shift keyed (FSK): Data is contained in the changes between two frequencies of carrier.

Modulation, pulse duration (PDM): Data is contained in the duration of pulses.

Modulation, pulse position (PPM): Data is contained in the position of pulses relative to a reference point.

Modulation, continuous wave (CW): Data is contained in a carrier that is switched on and off.

Multiplexer (multiplexor): A device which supports multiple scanners or antennas by checking each in accordance with some scheduling scheme which may be either round robin or priority based. This reduces the total amount of electronics in the system at the expense of having all scanners being "blind" part of the time. These devices are called multiplexers or multichannel readers or just controllers.

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n
Nominal: The value at which a system is designed assures optimal operation. Tolerance considers the "normal" deviation of variable factors.

Nominal Range: The range at which a system can assure reliable operation, considering the normal variability of the environment in which it is used.

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o
Omni-directional: Capability of a tag to operate in any orientation.

Open Systems: Application in which reader/writers do not have access to a common database.

Orientation: Alignment of the tag with respect to the scanner, measured in pitch, roll, and yaw.

Orientation Sensitivity: The degree range is decreased by non-optimal orientation.

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p
Passive Tags: Passive tags contain no internal power source. They are externally powered and typically derive their power from the carrier signal radiated from the scanner.

Physical state monitoring: technologies that can monitor specific physical states without any special equipment. For example, health status can be delivered to a medical provider through a dial-up connection, the Health Buddy can connect to monitoring devices and watch blood sugar levels, blood pressure, weight, etc. and can update the information daily or an exercise machine that can monitor your heart rate simply by holding onto the handlebars. iFIT is another physical state monitoring system that is linked to your exercise equipment via the web. iFIT.com has technology that lets workouts stream from a Web site control your fitness equipment, creating your own virtual personal trainer. There are also bio-digital implants that monitor and broadcast your every move. Biosensors as small as a grain of rice could track vital signs and then use body heat to power a transmitter that beams the results.

Port Concentrator: A device that accepts the output from a number of communication interfaces and introduces them into a communication network.

Power Levels: Levels of power radiated from a scanner or tag, usually measured in volts/meter.

Power Line Technology (PTL): A technology that uses existing power lines in a building for the transmission of data.

Programming: Adding or altering in a tag.

Programmability: In order to be identifiers of specific objects, tags must at some point have their identity and/or other data entered into them. This capability is called programmability.

Programmer: Some tags that can have their contents changed by a set of electronics in close proximity or in electrical contact with it. Those electronics and their packaging are called a programmer.

Projected Life: This is defined in terms of number of read and/or write cycles, or in active tags this may include shelf life.

Proximity sensor: A device that detects and signals the presence of a selected object at or near the sensor's location.

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r
Radio Frequency ID: a method of tagging is believed to be the next generation of barcodes. It is a means of uniquely identifying a product by attaching a small microchip that can transmit data to “readers”. Using radio frequency, readers can identify the chip in order to: Track the object anywhere along the value chain, without manual intervention or line of sight. Tie limitless amounts of information to the object through links to the web so rich and relevant data can be made available to consumers and customers. Make the information available to anyone, anywhere. Uniquely identify any object in the World (up to 33 trillion, trillion objects). Systems that read or write data to RF tags that are present in a radio frequency field projected from RF reading/writing equipment. Data may be contained in one (1) or more bits for the purpose of providing identification and other information relevant to the object to which the tag is attached. It incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency portion of the spectrum to communicate to or from a tag through a variety of modulation and encodation schemes.

Range: The distance at which successful reading and/or writing can be accomplished.

Read: The decoding, extraction and presentation of data from formatting, control and error management bits sent from a tag.

Read Only: See Factory Programming

Readability: The ability to extract data under less than optimal conditions.

Read Rate: The maximum rate at which data can be read from a tag expressed in bits or bytes per second.

Read/Write: Many applications require that new data or revisions to data already in the Tag, be entered into the Tag, while it remains attached to its object. Tags with this capability are said to be reprogrammable and are called read/write tags, memory cards or memory modules.

Reader: The device containing the digital electronics that extract and separate the information from the format definition and error management bits. The digital electronics perform the actual reading function. These read electronics may also interface to an integral display and/or provide a parallel or serial communications interface to a host computer or industrial controller.

Reader/Writer: The set of electronics can change the contents of tags while they remain attached to their object are called a reader/writer. (See also reader).

Reprogrammable: Many applications require that new data or revisions to data already in the tag, be entered into the tag, while it remains attached to its object. The ability to read from and write data to the tag while attached to its object is called in-use programming. Tags with this capability are said to be re-programmable and are called read/write tags, memory cards or memory modules.

RF/DC: Systems which communicate over a radio link between a host computer and a data source e.g. keyboards, data terminals, readers for OCR, Bar Codes, Mag Stripes, RF/ID etc. RF/DC enhances the capabilities of Automatic ID Systems by providing the capabilities of hard-wired data communications without the physical restrictions interconnecting wires.

RF/AIS: Radio Frequency Automatic Identification Systems

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s
SAW: Surface Acoustic Wave. A technology in which radio frequency signals are converted to acoustic signals in a piezoelectric crystalline material. Variations in phrase shift ion the reflected signal can be used to provide a unique identity.

Scanner: The antenna's, transmitter (or exciter) and receiver electronics integrated in a single package called the scanner. They may be combined with additional digital electronics including a microprocessor in a package called a reader.

Sensor: A device that responds to a physical stimulus and produces an electronic signal. See Scanner.

Separation: Operational distance between two tags.

Signaling Technique: A complete description of the modulation, encodation, protocol, and sequences required to communicate between two elements of a system.

Smart Appliances: appliances that are intelligent and connected. They can operate in conjunction with their external environment. They have the ability to sense the objects that they interacting with. For example a washing machine that can sense what type of clothing it’s washing or an oven that can sense what it’s cooking. These appliances can be networked to other appliances or to the Internet to provide them with product information so they can perform with perfect results.

Speed: The rate at which something occurs.

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t
Tag: The transmitter/receiver pair or transceiver plus the information storage mechanism attached to the object is referred to as the tag, transponder, electronic label, code plate and various other terms. Although transponder is technically the most accurate, the most common term and the one preferred by the Automatic Identification Manufacturers is tag.

Telematics: an automotive communications term that refers to all the electronic systems in and out of the vehicle that, when combined, help the driver to navigate roads with greater ease, communicate more freely, and enjoy more entertainment options. These systems can also assist the driver in case of emergency.

Transponder: See Tag

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v
Verify: To assure that the intended operation was correctly performed.

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w
WAP: The gateway to a New World of mobile data. It provides a universal standard that enables users to easily access Web-based interactive information services and applications from the screens of their mobile phones.

Wearables: a group of technologies that are actually worn by the user. For example IMB innovations features a wearable computer that attaches to your belt with full functionality with a lightweight headset display and a hand-held controller for navigation, providing the user mobile, hands-free access to data. E-shades are a brand of glasses that when plugged into your computer a 19-inch monitor appears in the glasses. The IBM Linux watch, currently a prototype, is designed to communicate wirelessly with PC’s, cell phones and other wireless devices. It can display e-mail, pager-like messages and provide calendars and address books.

Write: The transfer of data to a tag, the tags internal operation of storing the data and it may include reading the data in order to verify the operation.

Write Rate: The rate at which information is transferred to a tag, written into the tag's memory and verified as being correct. It is quantified as the average number of bits or bytes per second in which the complete transaction can be performed.

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a	Active Tags: Tags that use batteries as a partial or complete source of power. They are further differentiated by separating them into those with replaceable batteries and those which have the batteries inside a sealed unit or what may be termed unitized active tags.
	Addressability: The ability to address bits, fields, files or other portions of the storage in a tag.
	Alignment: The orientation of the tag to the reader in pitch, roll, and yaw.
	Analog Communication: Communication method that uses the modulation at different frequencies to deliver content over the air or through wires. (Standard TV, AM, FM)
	Antenna: Antennas are the conductive elements that radiate, and/or receive energy in the radio frequency spectrum, to and from the tag.
	Attentive Environments: have the ability to sense and act on behalf of the occupants within the environment. For example, sensors within a home can adjust lighting or music based on who is currently in a room. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) has controls that operate based on the habits of the family members in a specific household, adjusting temperatures based on the time of day and the outside temperature.
	Auto Identification: technology that is being developed that provides opportunities to link physical objects to digital content without human intervention.

b	Bi-directional: Capable of operating in either of two directions that are the opposite of each other. For example, a tag that can be read or written from either side is bi-directional.
	Bluetooth: Specification for a small, low-cost radio solution providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones, other portable devices, and to the Internet.
	Broadband: A technology that uses different frequency bands for delivering data.

c	Capacitive Coupling: A technology that uses capacitors instead of inductive coils for the design of transponders. This is an inexpensive design that reduces tag costs.
	Capacity: The number of bits or bytes that can be programmed into a tag. This may represent the bits accessible to the user or the total number including those reserved to the manufacturer e.g. parity or control bits.
	Capture Window/Field: Region of the scanner field in which a tag will operate.
	Category 5: A method of network wiring that permits high speed (100 MB) data communication between devices.
	Closed Systems: A system in which relevant data regarding the attributes of the object is stored in a common data base, accessible via data link by referencing the individual ID code. It usually refers to a system under the control of a single owner or authority.
	Connectivity: The flow of electronic information between devices
	Controller: See Multiplexer

d	Digital Communication: Communication method used directly between devices that use 0’s & 1’s for sending and receiving of data (e.g. digital TV, Bluetooth, Ethernet)
	DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): A service offered by local telecommunication companies that permits high speed, always-on, Internet access over existing phone lines.

e	Electromagnetic Coupling: Systems which in use a magnetic field as a means of transferring data or power are said to use a electromagnetic coupling.
	Electronic Label: See Tag
	Electrostatic coupling: Systems that use the inducing of a voltage on a plate as a means of transferring data or power are said to use electrostatic coupling.
	Error: Any operation or data that is not in accord with the design or input to the system.
	Error Correcting Code (ECC): Supplemental bits in a data transfer used in conjunction with a polynomial algorithm, in order to compute the value of missing or erroneous data bits (e.g. for a 32 bit data transmission, 7 additional bits are required.)
	Error Correcting Mode: Mode of data communication in which missing or erroneous bits are automatically corrected.
	Error Correcting Protocol: The rules by which the error-correcting mode operates.
	Error Management: Techniques used to ensure that only correct information is presented to the user of the system.
	Error Rate: The number of errors per number of transactions.
	Exciter: The electronics that drive an antenna are called the exciter or transmitter. Together with the antenna they are called a scanner.
	Expansion Port: A plug accessing additional 1/0 capability on a computer or peripheral device.

f	Factory Programming: The programming of information into a tag occurring as part of the manufacturing process resulting in a read only tag.
	Fiber Optic: A median for the communication of data using glass fibers. This is typically used where there is a need for very high-speed transmission rates. It is immune to electrical noise interference.
	Field Programming: Programming information into the tags may occur after the tag has been shipped from the manufacturer to an OEM customer or end user or in some cases to the manufacturer's distribution locations. Field programming usually occurs before the tag is installed on the object to be identified. This approach enables the introduction of data relevant to the specifics of the application into the tag at any time. However, the tag would typically have to be removed from its object. In some cases, change or duplication of all data in the tag is possible. In other cases, some portion is reserved for factory programming. This might include a unique tag serial number, for example.
	Field Protection: The ability to limit the operations that can be performed on portions or fields of the data stored in a tag.
	Flat Panel Antenna: Flat, conductive sheet antennas, usually made of metal plate or foil.
	Frequency: The number of times a signal executes a complete excursion through its maximum and minimum values and returns to the same value (e.g. cycles).

i	I.D. Filter: Software that compares a newly read ID with those in a database or set.
	Inductive Coupling: Systems that use the inducing of a current in a coil as a means of transferring data or power are said to use inductive coupling.
	In Use Programming: Many applications require that new data or revisions to data already in the tag, be entered into the tag, while it remains attached to its object. The ability to read from and write data to the tag while attached to its object is called in-use programming. Tags and systems with this capability are called read/write tags and systems.
	Interactive: The ability to receive a response from a device or appliance by changing its environment.
	Interrogator: See Reader and Programmer

m	Memory Cards: A read/write or reprogrammable tag in credit card size
	Memory Modules: A read/write or reprogrammable tag
	Misread: A condition that exists when the data presented by the reader is different from the corresponding data in the tag.
	Mobile Inventory Vehicle: Vehicle equipped with a system for locating tagged vehicles, containers, and other objects for the purpose of inventory control.
	Mobile technologies: a group of technologies that are developed with the premise of mobility or wireless communications. This group includes devices like mobile phones, personal desk assistants, wireless web pads, telematics*, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), pagers and MP3 players.
	Modulation: The methods of modulating or altering the carriers in order to carry the encoded information are quite varied. They include amplitude modulation (AM)/ phase modulation (PM), frequency modulation (FM), frequency shift keyed (FSK), pulse position (PPM), pulse duration (PDM) and continuous wave (CW). In some cases, different modulating techniques are used in each direction (to and from the tags).
	Modulation, amplitude (AM): Data is contained in changes in amplitude of the carrier.
	Modulation, phase (PM): Data is contained in the changes in the phase of the carrier.
	Modulation, frequency (FM): Data is contained in the changes in the frequency of the carrier.
	Modulation, frequency shift keyed (FSK): Data is contained in the changes between two frequencies of carrier.
	Modulation, pulse duration (PDM): Data is contained in the duration of pulses.
	Modulation, pulse position (PPM): Data is contained in the position of pulses relative to a reference point.
	Modulation, continuous wave (CW): Data is contained in a carrier that is switched on and off.
	Multiplexer (multiplexor): A device which supports multiple scanners or antennas by checking each in accordance with some scheduling scheme which may be either round robin or priority based. This reduces the total amount of electronics in the system at the expense of having all scanners being "blind" part of the time. These devices are called multiplexers or multichannel readers or just controllers.

n	Nominal: The value at which a system is designed assures optimal operation. Tolerance considers the "normal" deviation of variable factors.
	Nominal Range: The range at which a system can assure reliable operation, considering the normal variability of the environment in which it is used.

o	Omni-directional: Capability of a tag to operate in any orientation.
	Open Systems: Application in which reader/writers do not have access to a common database.
	Orientation: Alignment of the tag with respect to the scanner, measured in pitch, roll, and yaw.
	Orientation Sensitivity: The degree range is decreased by non-optimal orientation.

p	Passive Tags: Passive tags contain no internal power source. They are externally powered and typically derive their power from the carrier signal radiated from the scanner.
	Physical state monitoring: technologies that can monitor specific physical states without any special equipment. For example, health status can be delivered to a medical provider through a dial-up connection, the Health Buddy can connect to monitoring devices and watch blood sugar levels, blood pressure, weight, etc. and can update the information daily or an exercise machine that can monitor your heart rate simply by holding onto the handlebars. iFIT is another physical state monitoring system that is linked to your exercise equipment via the web. iFIT.com has technology that lets workouts stream from a Web site control your fitness equipment, creating your own virtual personal trainer. There are also bio-digital implants that monitor and broadcast your every move. Biosensors as small as a grain of rice could track vital signs and then use body heat to power a transmitter that beams the results.
	Port Concentrator: A device that accepts the output from a number of communication interfaces and introduces them into a communication network.
	Power Levels: Levels of power radiated from a scanner or tag, usually measured in volts/meter.
	Power Line Technology (PTL): A technology that uses existing power lines in a building for the transmission of data.
	Programming: Adding or altering in a tag.
	Programmability: In order to be identifiers of specific objects, tags must at some point have their identity and/or other data entered into them. This capability is called programmability.
	Programmer: Some tags that can have their contents changed by a set of electronics in close proximity or in electrical contact with it. Those electronics and their packaging are called a programmer.
	Projected Life: This is defined in terms of number of read and/or write cycles, or in active tags this may include shelf life.
	Proximity sensor: A device that detects and signals the presence of a selected object at or near the sensor's location.

r	Radio Frequency ID: a method of tagging is believed to be the next generation of barcodes. It is a means of uniquely identifying a product by attaching a small microchip that can transmit data to “readers”. Using radio frequency, readers can identify the chip in order to: Track the object anywhere along the value chain, without manual intervention or line of sight. Tie limitless amounts of information to the object through links to the web so rich and relevant data can be made available to consumers and customers. Make the information available to anyone, anywhere. Uniquely identify any object in the World (up to 33 trillion, trillion objects). Systems that read or write data to RF tags that are present in a radio frequency field projected from RF reading/writing equipment. Data may be contained in one (1) or more bits for the purpose of providing identification and other information relevant to the object to which the tag is attached. It incorporates the use of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the radio frequency portion of the spectrum to communicate to or from a tag through a variety of modulation and encodation schemes.
	Range: The distance at which successful reading and/or writing can be accomplished.
	Read: The decoding, extraction and presentation of data from formatting, control and error management bits sent from a tag.
	Read Only: See Factory Programming
	Readability: The ability to extract data under less than optimal conditions.
	Read Rate: The maximum rate at which data can be read from a tag expressed in bits or bytes per second.
	Read/Write: Many applications require that new data or revisions to data already in the Tag, be entered into the Tag, while it remains attached to its object. Tags with this capability are said to be reprogrammable and are called read/write tags, memory cards or memory modules.
	Reader: The device containing the digital electronics that extract and separate the information from the format definition and error management bits. The digital electronics perform the actual reading function. These read electronics may also interface to an integral display and/or provide a parallel or serial communications interface to a host computer or industrial controller.
	Reader/Writer: The set of electronics can change the contents of tags while they remain attached to their object are called a reader/writer. (See also reader).
	Reprogrammable: Many applications require that new data or revisions to data already in the tag, be entered into the tag, while it remains attached to its object. The ability to read from and write data to the tag while attached to its object is called in-use programming. Tags with this capability are said to be re-programmable and are called read/write tags, memory cards or memory modules.
	RF/DC: Systems which communicate over a radio link between a host computer and a data source e.g. keyboards, data terminals, readers for OCR, Bar Codes, Mag Stripes, RF/ID etc. RF/DC enhances the capabilities of Automatic ID Systems by providing the capabilities of hard-wired data communications without the physical restrictions interconnecting wires.
	RF/AIS: Radio Frequency Automatic Identification Systems

s	SAW: Surface Acoustic Wave. A technology in which radio frequency signals are converted to acoustic signals in a piezoelectric crystalline material. Variations in phrase shift ion the reflected signal can be used to provide a unique identity.
	Scanner: The antenna's, transmitter (or exciter) and receiver electronics integrated in a single package called the scanner. They may be combined with additional digital electronics including a microprocessor in a package called a reader.
	Sensor: A device that responds to a physical stimulus and produces an electronic signal. See Scanner.
	Separation: Operational distance between two tags.
	Signaling Technique: A complete description of the modulation, encodation, protocol, and sequences required to communicate between two elements of a system.
	Smart Appliances: appliances that are intelligent and connected. They can operate in conjunction with their external environment. They have the ability to sense the objects that they interacting with. For example a washing machine that can sense what type of clothing it’s washing or an oven that can sense what it’s cooking. These appliances can be networked to other appliances or to the Internet to provide them with product information so they can perform with perfect results.
	Speed: The rate at which something occurs.

t	Tag: The transmitter/receiver pair or transceiver plus the information storage mechanism attached to the object is referred to as the tag, transponder, electronic label, code plate and various other terms. Although transponder is technically the most accurate, the most common term and the one preferred by the Automatic Identification Manufacturers is tag.
	Telematics: an automotive communications term that refers to all the electronic systems in and out of the vehicle that, when combined, help the driver to navigate roads with greater ease, communicate more freely, and enjoy more entertainment options. These systems can also assist the driver in case of emergency.
	Transponder: See Tag

w	WAP: The gateway to a New World of mobile data. It provides a universal standard that enables users to easily access Web-based interactive information services and applications from the screens of their mobile phones.
	Wearables: a group of technologies that are actually worn by the user. For example IMB innovations features a wearable computer that attaches to your belt with full functionality with a lightweight headset display and a hand-held controller for navigation, providing the user mobile, hands-free access to data. E-shades are a brand of glasses that when plugged into your computer a 19-inch monitor appears in the glasses. The IBM Linux watch, currently a prototype, is designed to communicate wirelessly with PC’s, cell phones and other wireless devices. It can display e-mail, pager-like messages and provide calendars and address books.
	Write: The transfer of data to a tag, the tags internal operation of storing the data and it may include reading the data in order to verify the operation.
	Write Rate: The rate at which information is transferred to a tag, written into the tag's memory and verified as being correct. It is quantified as the average number of bits or bytes per second in which the complete transaction can be performed.