Terminology in context
Terms should be interpreted within the selected protocol and manufacturer documentation. The definitions below provide a common vocabulary for discussing an RFID requirement; they do not replace the normative definitions in a specific standard.
| Term | Meaning and procurement relevance |
|---|---|
| Antenna | The conductive structure that couples the tag or reader to the radio field. Its geometry and surroundings affect operation. |
| Anti collision | A protocol mechanism for managing responses from multiple tags. It does not guarantee every tag will be read in every physical arrangement. |
| Backscatter | Communication by changing the reflection of an incident radio signal. Used by passive UHF tags. |
| Credential | A physical or digital item used to represent identity or permissions within an application. |
| EEPROM | Electrically erasable programmable read only memory. Endurance and retention must be checked for the exact IC and operating conditions. |
| EPC | Electronic Product Code. An identifier used in GS1 identification architectures; distinguish the identifier scheme from the tag air interface. |
| HF | High frequency. The Roxtron HF catalog operates at 13.56 MHz. |
| IC | Integrated circuit. The chip that implements memory, command processing and other tag functions. |
| Inlay | An IC and antenna assembly on a supporting substrate. A finished label can add adhesive, liner and printable layers. |
| LF | Low frequency. The Roxtron LF catalog primarily concerns 125 kHz identification. |
| NDEF | NFC Data Exchange Format. A structured message format for NFC content. |
| NFC | Near Field Communication. A 13.56 MHz technology with defined operating modes and interoperable tag behaviors. |
| Passive tag | A tag that obtains operating energy from the interrogating radio field. |
| Read zone | The physical region in which the installation is intended to complete specified tag transactions. |
| Reader | The device that interrogates tags and communicates observations to a host system. |
| TID | Tag identification memory in the UHF context. Contents and serialization depend on the IC. |
| UID | Unique identifier within the relevant IC and protocol scheme. Identifier reading alone is not cryptographic authentication. |
| User memory | The memory area allocated to application data, distinct from total physical memory. |
| UHF | Ultra high frequency. In RFID procurement, regional operating requirements and the selected air interface must be specified. |
Terminology references: NIST SP 800-98: Guidelines for Securing RFID Systems, 2007; GS1 EPC Gen2 Air Interface Protocol, release 3.0.1, February 2026; NFC Forum: NFC Technology, technical overview.