GLOSSARY
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MEMOR™ K
RAM
Random Access memory. Data in RAM can be accessed in random order, and quickly
written and read.
Resolution
The narrowest element dimension which is distinguished by a particular reading device
or printed with a particular device or method.
RF
Radio Frequency.
ROM
Read-Only Memory. Data stored in ROM cannot be changed or removed.
Scanner
An electronic device used to scan barcode symbols and produce a digitized pattern that
corresponds to the bars and spaces of the symbol. Its three main components are:
• Light source (laser or photoelectric cell) -
illuminates a barcode.
• Photodetector - registers the difference in reflected light (more light reflected
from spaces).
•
Signal conditioning circuit - transforms optical detector output into a digitized bar
pat
tern.
SDK
Software Development Kit.
Symbol
A scannable unit that encodes data within the conventions of a certain symbology, usu-
ally including start/stop characters, quiet zones, data characters and check characters.
Symbology
The structural rules and conventions for representing data within a particular barcode
type (e.g. UPC/EAN, Code 39, PDF417, etc.).
USB
Universal Serial Bus. Type of serial bus that allows peripheral devices (disks, modems,
printers, digitizers, data gloves, etc.) to be easily connected to a computer. A "plug-and-
play" interface, it allows a device to be added without an adapter card and without
rebooting the computer (the latter is known as hot-plugging). The USB standard, devel-
oped by several major computer and telecommunications companies, supports data-
trans
fer speeds up to 12 megabits per second, multiple data streams, and up to 127
peripherals.
WLAN
A Wireless Local Area Network links devices via a wireless distribution method (typically
spread-spectrum or OFDM radio), and usually provides a connection through an access
point to the wider internet. This gives users the mobility to move around within a local
coverage area and still be connected to the network.
WPAN
A Wireless Personal Area Network is a personal area network - a network for intercon-
necting devices centered around an individual person's workspace - in which the con-
nections are wireless. Typically, a wireless personal area network uses some technology