Glossary of Terms
MS-850 Raster Scanner User’s Manual
A-23
Appe
ndices
Appendix L — Glossary of Terms
Autodiscriminate
. The ability to decode several different bar code symbologies
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 sec-
ond. In RS-232 and RS-422/485 systems, baud rate is the same as bits per second
(bps).
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.
Daisy Chain
. Linkage of primary and successive scanners to allow data to be cas-
caded up to the host via aux port connections.
Decode Rate
. The number of good reads per second decoded by the scanner.
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 informa-
tion to decode. This can be caused by a timeout, a trigger event, or a good read.
Flash Memory
. Memory that can be changed by downloading new code.
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.
Label Height
. Regardless of orientation, the measurement taken along the length
of a label’s individual bars.
