Guidelines for Creating a CustomABAFormat
InfinityString
The special name CustomABAFormat (step 3 above) together with the
unique alphanumeric InfinityString that you enter as its value (step 7
above), is what tells CyberStation how to interpret and validate the
information on a person’s custom ABA card.
Every ACX series controller will need to have its own instance of the
CustomABAFormat InfinityString object. The string structure must
match the layout of the data on the card.
Definitions Associated with ABA Card Formats
The following table describes important terms used when dealing with
ABA card formats.
Term Description
Bit A binary digit with the value of either 0 or 1. Each track
consists of a string of bits; but strings make up an alpha
or numeric character.
Start Sentinel A defined character (bit pattern) in an encoding format.
Cannot be all zeros. The Start Sentinel is encoded on the
magnetic stripe immediately before the first data
character and indicates the beginning of data.
Field Separator A designated character, which separated data fields.
Cannot be used for data.
End Sentinel A defined character (bit pattern) in an encoding format.
Cannot be used for data. The End Sentinel is encoded on
the magnetic stripe immediately after the last data
character and indicates the end of data.
Longitudinal Redundancy
Check Character (LRC)
A bit pattern, which is encoded immediately after the
End Sentinel. Checks for bit errors in the message,
which includes the Start Sentinel, End Sentinel, data,
and Field Separators.
