Glossary of EID Terms
AIN: Animal Identification Number – unique 15-digit number assigned to each individual animal within the NAIS program.
APHIS: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that will oversee the implementation of the Animal Identification Number (AIN).
Back scatter: A method of communication between tags and readers. RFID tags using back-scatter technology reflect back to the reader a portion of the radio waves that reach them. The reflected signal is modulated to transmit data. Tags using back scatter technology can be either passive or active, but either way, they are more expensive than tags that use inductive coupling.
Electronic Identification Tag (EID): An animal identification device containing an electronic chip. Also referred to as a transponder/microchip/button tag/PIT tag; the use of light (bar codes) or radio frequency (RF) for identification; Transponder used to transmit data using a specified radio frequency. In order for the passive tag to transmit data it must be “excited” by the reader/scanner/interrogator using its induction of its magnetic field in return generating energy used to send the data.
Electronic Product Code (EPC): A 96-bit code, created by the Auto-ID Center, that will one day replace bar codes. The EPC has digits to identify the manufacturer, product category and the individual item. It is backed by the United Code Council and EAN International, the two main bodies that oversee bar-code standards.
Interrogator: another word for a reader.
NAIS: National Animal Identification System
Cooperative State-Federal-Industry program administered by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Quality System Assessment Program – QSA: Program managed by the USDA to provide suppliers of agricultural products and services the opportunity to assure customers of their ability to provide consistent quality products and services.
Reader: a device that is designed to pick up the radio signals from the RFID tag and deliver the information it contains to the computer system.
RFID - Radio Frequency Identification: Any electronic identification system comprising a reader/scanner/interrogator and a transponder that can read or write data content using a specified radio frequency.
RFID tag: consists of a microchip and a radio antenna. The chip in the tag contains information about the item that it is either attached to or embedded in. The tag transmits that information to the reader using radio signals.
Transponder: another name for the RFID tag.
