Using the Data Matrix Barcode Item
The Data Matrix barcode is a two-dimensional type of code used widely in industry for marking small parts and items due to its high data density and reliability.
Data Matrix consists of dark and light square cells that form a matrix. The produced code can be square or rectangular and can have size up to 144x144 for square codes, or 16x48 for rectangular codes.
To provide better readability, the Data Matrix code includes error correction algorithm, allowing to reconstruct up to 30% of damaged code image.
Structure
The following image shows the structure of the Data Matrix barcode.
Finder pattern—The L-shaped lines at the bottom and left of the code are called "finder pattern". It is used by the readers for orientation and adjustment, and to correct distortion.
Module size—The smallest cell in the code graphical representation. For better readability, it is recommended that the module size is at least 2x2 printed dots.
Timing pattern—The lines at the top and right of the code are called "timing pattern". It provides information about the barcode size.
Data area—The area surrounded by the finding pattern and timing pattern. Contains the modules that encode the barcode contents.
Size
The size of the Data Matrix code depends on the module size, length, and type of its contents. The contents type determines if the encoded value contains only numerical characters or includes ASCII or Unicode characters.
The following table shows the correlation between the content type, content length, and matrix size.
| Count of numerical characters | Count of ASCII characters | Matrix size |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 3 | 10x10 |
| 10 | 6 | 12x12 |
| 16 | 10 | 14x14 |
| 24 | 16 | 16x16 |
| 36 | 25 | 18x18 |
| 44 | 31 | 20x20 |
| 60 | 43 | 22x22 |
| 72 | 52 | 24x24 |
| 88 | 64 | 26x26 |
| 124 | 91 | 32x32 |
Settings
The Data Matrix barcode provides a number of settings you can use to fine-tune its behavior.
Contents Encoding
Encodation determines the type of contents encoded by the Data Matrix. Choosing a proper encodation imposes validation rules, but reduces the barcode size and improves its readability.
The following list shows the supported encodations and provides information about their restrictions and data-storing requirements:
ASCII—Allowed characters include double-digit numeric values and all values from the ASCII table. The double-digit numerics use four bits. The ASCII values in the 0-127 range use eight bits. The ASCII values in 128-255 range use 16 bits.
C40—Used primarily for upper-case alphanumeric values. The upper-case alphanumeric characters use 5.33 bits. The lower-case and special characters use 10.66 bits.
Text—Used primarily for lower-case alphanumeric values. The lower-case alphanumeric characters use 5.33 bits. The upper-case and special characters use 10.66 bits.
X12—Uses the characters from the ANSI X12 EDI data set. Each character takes 5.33 bits.
EDIFACT—Used to encode ASCII values in the 32-94 range. Each character takes six bits.
Base256—Used to encode characters in the whole ASCII range. Each character takes eight bits.
AsciiGS1—Used to encode FNC1 characters in the ASCII range.
Symbol Size
SymbolSize sets the symbol size and shape of the generated barcode. You can automatically determine it by using SquareAuto or RectangleAuto, or explicitly set it like Square32x32 or Rectangle16x48.
Text Encoding
TextEncoding determines the character encoding that is used to encode the barcode contents. By default, TextEncoding is set to UTF-8, which uses more bits per character and may increase the size of the barcode image.
Settings Examples
The following examples demonstrate how to configure the settings of the Data Matrix.
var encoder = new Telerik.Reporting.Barcodes.DataMatrixEncoder();
encoder.Encodation = Telerik.Reporting.Barcodes.DataMatrix.Encodation.Ascii;
encoder.SymbolSize = Telerik.Reporting.Barcodes.DataMatrix.SymbolSize.SquareAuto;
encoder.TextEncoding = System.Text.UTF8Encoding.UTF8;
this.barcode1.Encoder = encoder;
Dim encoder = New Telerik.Reporting.Barcodes.DataMatrixEncoder()
encoder.Encodation = Telerik.Reporting.Barcodes.DataMatrix.Encodation.Ascii
encoder.SymbolSize = Telerik.Reporting.Barcodes.DataMatrix.SymbolSize.SquareAuto
encoder.TextEncoding = System.Text.UTF8Encoding.UTF8
Me.barcode1.Encoder = encoder