Since positioning by GPS inside buildings is difficult due to obstruction of the required satellite signal, an alternative technology is necessary for positioning indoors. Bluetooth beacons are perfect for this and have therefore experienced a significant boom in recent years. As a result, they have become the industry standard and are supported by most mobile devices.
Bluetooth beacons are small radio beacons that are placed inside buildings and rooms at regular intervals, and also outdoors, and emit signals via Bluetooth® low-energy technology. These signals can then be received and processed by suitable receivers (mobile phones, smartphones, etc.). Beacons can thus be used for finding both people and objects in large industrial areas.
Functionality - How beacons work
It is very quick and easy to locate the specific location of a person using beacons. The number of beacons required for this depends on the area in question and the desired accuracy of the location to be reached. Bluetooth beacons have an interior range of approximately 10 to 30 meters.
The signal transmitted by the beacons can be received by a suitable software app installed on the mobile device of the mobile worker. This allows the distance to the beacon to be calculated. As soon as the mobile worker is within reach of a second or further beacon, the location can be determined relatively precisely, depending on the location method. Even three-dimensional positioning is possible with Bluetooth beacons. That is to say, it is also possible to specify the floor on which a person or object is located.
The exact position of the mobile worker within a building can thus be located and forwarded to the central navigation system of the control center.
Beacon case study examples
Bluetooth beacons can be used indoors to locate people or objects (asset / personnel tracking). For example, the system can send a warning signal and alert the control center if an unauthorized person enters a secured or even dangerous area, or when an object leaves a certain area.
Beacons can also be used for the protection of the workplace in order to locate injured mobile workers within seconds and to initiate comprehensive rescue measures.
Bluetooth® beacons from ecom
Ecom offers beacons for hazardous areas as well as non-hazardous areas. The Loc-Ex® 01 and Loc 01 feature a very high transmission power (max. 8 dBm), a long battery life (4 years with a transmission interval of 500 ms) and a robust UV-resistant housing (for outdoor use). The Loc-Ex® 01 Beacon for potentially explosive atmospheres has an ATEX / IECEx approval for Zone 1/21.
Summary:
Application:
- Security - access control, theft protection
- Safety - lone worker protection
- Asset tracking & personnel tracking
Advantages:
- The Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology is very energy efficient, thus contributing to a long battery life;
- Low acquisition / installation costs;
- Simple and flexible installation or assembly without complex cabling;
- Supported by many devices and operating systems;
- Small and inconspicuous;
- Accurate positioning up to 1m.