Glossary Of Rfid Terms -- U

UCC

See Uniform Code Council

UHF

See ultra-high frequency

UID

See Unique Identification

Ultra-high frequency

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- and low-frequency tags. But radio waves don’t pass through items with high water content, such as fruit, at these frequencies.

Ultra-Wideband

Any radio technology having a bandwidth exceeding the lesser of 500 MHz or 20 percent of the arithmetic center frequency, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Due to the extremely low emission levels currently allowed by regulatory agencies, UWB systems tend to be short-range and used indoors. High data-rate UWB can enable wireless monitors, the wireless printing of digital pictures from a camera without an intervening personal computer and the transfer of files among cell phone handsets and other handheld devices, such as personal digital audio and video players. UWB is used in location systems and real-time location systems.

Uniform Code Council

The nonprofit organization that oversees the Universal Product Code, the bar code standard used in North America.

Unique Identification

A numbering scheme used by the U.S. Department of Defense to track high-value items and items, such as chemical suits, that have an expiration date.

Unique identifier

A unique serial number that identifies the transponder.

Universal Product Code

A generic term that refers to the 12 digit data structure encoded in a UCC bar codes.

Universal Serial Bus

An external peripheral interface standard for communication between a computer and external peripherals over an inexpensive cable. Many newer RFID readers can connect to computers via a USB port.

UPC

See Universal Product Code

USB

See Universal Serial Bus

UWB

Any radio technology having a bandwidth exceeding the lesser of 500 MHz or 20 percent of the arithmetic center frequency, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Due to the extremely low emission levels currently allowed by regulatory agencies, UWB systems tend to be short-range and used indoors. High data-rate UWB can enable wireless monitors, the wireless printing of digital pictures from a camera without an intervening personal computer and the transfer of files among cell phone handsets and other handheld devices, such as personal digital audio and video players. UWB is used in location systems and real-time location systems.