AIM Global Announces Availability of Grid Matrix Code

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AIM Global, the trade association recognized as the worldwide authority on automatic identification and mobility, today announced the public availability of International Symbology Specification-Grid Matrix.

Grid Matrix is a square, variable-sized, two-dimensional matrix symbology with unique dark- and light-framed "macromodules" that create a grid design that provides a robust finder pattern.  The unique finder pattern ensures that readers can locate and orient the symbol even with significant symbol damage.  User-selectable levels of Reed-Solomon error correction are also incorporated to ensure correct reading of data.  The distributed finder pattern and Reed-Solomon error correction allow the symbol to be identified and decoded from any point within the symbol, greatly reducing the possibility that localized damage will cause a read failure.

Grid Matrix is designed to encode the entire Chinese character set (GB 2312-1980) efficiently. Grid Matrix can also encode 7-bit ASCII, numeric and binary data.  Grid Matrix can encode any combination of data types in the same symbol. Grid Matrix is intended for broad use in both printed symbols and mobile phone display applications.

With maximum error correction, the symbology is capable of encoding 3 to 391 Chinese characters, 5 to 634 bytes, 10 to 1018 Latin characters, or 12 to 1524 numerals.  At minimum error correction levels, the symbol can encode approximately 80% more data of each data type.

According to Grid Matrix's developer, Dr. Xuchuan Fan of Syscan Technology, "Because Grid Matrix is very robust with strong error correction algorithms and has unique features to facilitate omni-directional scanning, it is particularly well suited for applications that could include direct marking on difficult surfaces, harsh environments, and logistic applications where symbols may become dirty or damaged.  It is also designed to be highly efficient for all kinds of mobile applications such as mobile ticketing, couponing, and mobile payments."

As with all AIM Global symbology specifications, Grid Matrix has undergone a rigorous review process in AIM's Technical Symbology Committee (TSC) to ensure that a new symbology offers unique or novel features that provide additional benefits to the user community and that it is robust from both a printing and reading perspective.

According to AIM Global President Dan Mullen, "AIM Global is pleased to have led the development and acceptance of Grid Matrix -- the first international symbology specification originating from China.  China is an incredibly important market for bar code technology and the development of this symbology specification is a key indicator for future global growth.  AIM is grateful to the symbology sponsor, Syscan Technology, and the active TSC members, as their hard work and collaborative efforts enabled the industry to finalize this technical specification and publish the document in less than two years."

AIM documents are available for purchase from the AIM Global online store at https://www.aimglobal.org/estore/.  The Grid Matrix document can be accessed directly at https://www.aimglobal.org/estore/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=631.

Additional images are available upon request to the AIM Global office. A Chinese translation of the press release is available from the website.

About AIM Global
For 35 years, AIM Global has served as the association and worldwide authority on automatic identification, data collection and networking in a mobile environment.  AIM members are providers and users of technologies, systems, and services that capture, manage, and integrate accurate data into larger information systems.  Serving members in 43 countries, AIM is dedicated to accelerating the growth and use of Automatic Identification and Mobility technologies and services around the world.

AIM Global actively supports the development of AIDC standards through its own Technical Symbology Committee (TSC), North American and Global Standards Advisory Groups, and RFID Experts Group (REG) as well as through participation at the industry, national (ANSI) and international (ISO) levels. 

AIM Global has an active educational focus, providing accurate and unbiased information on data collection technology.  As part of its educational outreach, AIM Global publishes "RFID Connections" and "AIM Connections," the industry's oldest and most respected e-newsletters on RFID and automatic data collection.

For more information on AIM Global, its technologies and its members, please visit www.aimglobal.org or www.rfid.org.