User's Manual

54 Card Design
The module format (ISO or JIS) defines the type and
format of the information to encode. The standard ISO
format is a three-track option and the JIS format is a
single-track option. The ISO standard includes default
data settings that determine how many characters can
be encoded on each track. It also determines which
characters can be encoded. Your cards can use the
default format for each track, or can use a different
combination of tracks and data formats.
The JIS module also includes default data settings.
The printer component may require additional settings to match the coercivity of
the card. The system administrator sets these values and they remain the same for
all cards processed using the same design. The defaults are set to standard ISO
format and high-coercivity. There are five high-coercivity cards included with the
system. Use these cards to set up and test the magnetic stripe feature. See Set
Magnetic Stripe Coercivity from the LCD Menu if you need to change the
coercivity.
The type of magnetic stripe cards you use must match the type of module
installed. Purchase magnetic stripe cards to match the type of module installed.
See the card included in the package for details and specifications of the magnetic
stripe.
Magnetic Stripe Formats
Three-Track Option
The default data formats for a three-track magnetic stripe option are:
• Track 1 — IATA
• Track 2 — ABA
• Track 3 — TTS
This combination is often abbreviated IAT. This format is also called ISO format.
IATA (International Air Transport Association)
The maximum number of characters for IATA format date is 76 characters. These
characters can include spaces, upper case alphabetic characters, numeric
characters, and the following special characters:
! # $ % ' ( ) * + , - . / ; : < @ > = ^ ] \ [ " & _