Glossary of Terms
MS-610 Scanner User’s Manual
A-19
Appe
ndices
Appendix J — Glossary of Terms
Autodiscriminate.
The ability to decode several different bar code symbol-
ogies without changing configuration.
AWG.
Abbreviation for American Wire Gauge. This is a standard measuring
system for wire sizes, listed from 0 (biggest) to 40 (smallest). A 26 AWG is
equivalent to 0.0159 in. (0.405 mm) in diameter.
Bar Code.
Data that has been encoded into an array of parallel bars and
spaces of varying widths.
Bar Code Density.
Number of characters per inch or other unit of measure.
Baud Rate.
The term used to describe the number of discrete signal events
per second. In RS-232 and RS-422/485 systems, baud rate is the same as
bits per second (bps).
Clock Speed.
Internal decoder timing relative to individual bars and spaces.
Code 39.
An alphanumeric bar code with a character set containing a start/
stop character, 10 numbers, 26 letters, 6 symbols, and a space. This code
is discrete, variable length, and self-checking.
Configuration.
The method used to change factory default settings for
operational features to match a specific application. Configuration can be
done through menu selection or with serial commands.
Connector.
Physical device (plug or socket) on unit or cable to provide in/
out connectivity
for various circuits and pins.
Counter.
Memory space provided to keep track of read cycle events.
Depth of Field.
The distance between the minimum and maximum range in
which a scanner can read bar code labels.
EPROM.
Erasable, programmable, read only memory.
End of Read Cycle.
The time at which the scanner stops expecting label
information to decode. This can be caused by a timeout, a trigger event, or
a good read.
Focal Length.
The distance measured from the scanner to the center of the
depth of field, or
focal
point.
Good Read.
The event that occurs when a label's data is accurately
scanned and decoded.
Intercharacter Gap.
The extra space between the last element of one
character and the first element of the adjacent character of a specific bar
code symbol.
