UID is part of the Direct Part Marking system invented by NASA to enhance its configuration management system that involves identification of parts.

Data Matrix

The data matrix symbol is a symbol used for auto identification, it is a readable code made of black and white squares that represent 0 and 1. It remains a fancy barcode since it has the same basic utilization: encoding information to be read by a scanner.

However UID has key advantages compared to barcode:

  It can be read omni-directionally,

  It can contain more than 100 times as much data in the space used to apply a typical bar code

  It can be damaged but still return accurate data,

  It can be read from distance

  The data matrix symbol is scalable: it can be shrunk to fit on a microchip or enlarged to 3 feet square, marked on a container, and be read from an airplane

For more information, watch the video from RSVI:

UID Video Video From RSVI explaining what is UID. (Windows Media, 8.8 Mb)