Abstract: A system and method for identifying tags with a reader, wherein the tags have unique tag identification codes, having a transmitter of a wake-up signal from the reader to a tag within a field of the reader; a transmitter of a signal corresponding to an initial portion of the tag identification code from the tag to the reader; a transmitter of an initial acknowledgement signal responsive to the signal corresponding to the initial portion of the tag identification code; and a recorder in the reader of an initial portion of a tag confirmation code corresponding to the initial acknowledgement signal. The system send and acknowledges subsequent portions of the identification codes from the tags. If a tag does not receive an acknowledgement of its code, the tag becomes inactive. The system continues until only one tag remains active and transmits its entire code for acknowledgement. This tag is selected.