Aztec Code Barcode Overview
Aztec Code Barcode Overview
Among many types of two-dimensional barcodes, we often use Aztec Code, Data Matrix, Maxi Code, QR Code, PDF417, etc. So how much do you know about Aztec Code barcode? Which industries do Aztec Code mainly used in? Do you know how to generate Aztec Code barcode? And, how to read Aztec Code? This page will give you the answers.
Aztec Code was designed in 1995 by Dr. Andrew Longacre of Hand Held Products. It is a high-capacity two-dimensional barcode format. It can encode ASCII and extended ASCII codes. When using the highest capacity and 25% error correction level, Aztec Code can encode 3000 characters or 3832 numbers.
The name of Aztec Code is related to the Aztecs, an ancient Indian tribe in Central America. The square at the center of the barcode contains several smaller squares. It is like a view overlooking the Aztec pyramids. Therefore, Aztec Code got its name due to the similarity between the external view of the code and the symbols of the Aztec tribe.
The structure of the Aztec Code is made up of 3 fixed structures and 2 variable structures. It has two display formats, "Compact" and "Full". The choice of format depends on the amount of data to be encoded. The compact and small-sized Aztec code has no coordinate grid and provides a coordinate reference for the precise distribution of data in the larger code value. Compared with other types, the obvious advantage of this type of 2d barcode is the possibility of reading Aztec Code barcode in different positions. In addition, even if mirrored, Aztec Code barcode will still be easily read and decoded. This is achieved through the use of navigation markers.
Use the target in the center of Aztec Code barcode to read even garbled or stretched image data. By using the algorithm Reed-Solomon encoding, "Aztec Code barcode" may be partially damaged. In this case, Aztec Code barcode has redundancy. You can adjust the percentage of red redundant barcodes from 5 to 95. Therefore, it can provide very high reading error resistance. To make things easier for your .NET web and windows applications development, you can directly use our .NET Aztec Code Reader SDK and .NET Aztec Code Generator SDK to read Aztec Code barcode from images c#/vb.net and generate Aztec Code barcode on images c#/vb.net.
Due to the layered structure of Aztec barcode, the amount of stored information can be increased by increasing the coding area. All these advantages make Aztec Code very attractive for transportation network applications, such as e-tickets in air and rail transportation. In some countries, it is used for government documents. In addition, like other high-density barcodes, Aztec code is popular in commerce, logistics, manufacturing, travel documents, car registration documents, patient identification in hospitals, drug identification, samples, other items related to specific patients, and pharmaceuticals.
Aztec Code uses space more efficiently than Matrix code, and different sizes can also be set. Compared with QR code, Aztec code has a larger recording density and does not require fields around the code. It does not support Kana or Kanji characters, but QR code can.
The matrix size of Aztec Code barcode varies between 15 X 15 and 151 X 151. Each smallest unit is either black or white. Its unique pattern recognition mark and placement algorithm in the center make Aztec Code look like a whirlpool.
The encoded data of the Aztec Code barcode is contained in the data layer, which spirals clockwise from the upper left corner of the core symbol outward, and the module position occupied by the reference grid must be skipped in the full range of symbols. The compressed Aztec Code barcode can have 1 to 4 data layers, and the full range Aztec Code barcode ranges from 1 to 32 data layers. This data layer is a special symbology option unique to Aztec Code barcodes.
The Aztec Code printing solution allows users to select the size and error correction level. There are 36 different formats to choose from, and there are 19 error correction levels to choose from. The default error correction level is 5 levels 23%. A high error correction level means less data capacity and less chance of bit error.
