Author: Support

VMware Workspace ONE UEM Supports iBeacons

VMware Workspace ONE UEM (Unified Endpoint Management) is a comprehensive solution designed to manage and secure endpoints in an enterprise environment. It’s part of the broader VMware Workspace ONE platform, which offers a suite of tools for digital workspace services.


Workspace ONE UEM provides IT administrators with the ability to manage a wide range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops, across various operating systems like iOS, Android, Windows and macOS. The goal is to streamline the process of deploying, securing, and managing these devices, ensuring that they are compliant with company policies and that corporate data remains protected.

Apple iBeacon, integrated with Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub v5.1+, enhances location awareness for devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). BLE offers efficient device tracking without draining battery life and is more precise than geofencing. iBeacons can monitor multiple regions at once, ensuring privacy as devices are tracked only upon entering or exiting specific areas.

To utilise this, set up a third-party iBeacon, configure it in the UEM console, establish iBeacon regions and then push device profiles with iBeacon capabilities. This allows the Workspace ONE Intelligent Hub to detect when devices enter these regions and log any changes in iBeacon ranges.

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Why is There Variation of RSSI?

We sometimes get asked whether a beacon is faulty because a customer is seeing a lot of fluctuation in the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values, even in a seemingly stable environment and with no change in distance. The short answer is: this is normal. The reason for this lies in the complex nature of radio signals and how they interact with the environment.

Radio signals are susceptible to a variety of factors that can affect their received strength. When a beacon sends out a signal, it doesn’t just travel in a straight line to the receiver. Instead, it disperses in multiple directions and can bounce off walls, floors and other objects.

Reflections can cause the signal to take different paths before reaching the receiver. Each path can have a different length and, therefore, a different time delay. This results in a phenomenon known as multipath fading, where multiple copies of the signal arrive at the receiver at slightly different times. This can cause fluctuations in the RSSI values you observe.

While reflections are a primary cause of RSSI fluctuation, they are not the only one. Other physical changes in the environment can also contribute to this variability. For example, the presence of people moving around can affect the signal, as the human body is mostly water and can absorb radio frequencies. Similarly, other electronic devices emitting radio frequencies can interfere with the signal, causing further fluctuations.

To get a more accurate understanding of the signal strength, it’s advisable not to rely on a single RSSI value. Instead, you should look at many RSSI values over a period of time and calculate the average. This approach helps to mitigate the effects of temporary fluctuations and provides a more stable and reliable measure of signal strength.

Many people, particularly researchers, have looked into the intricacies of RSSI and its variability. Various algorithms and methods have been developed to improve the accuracy of RSSI-based distance estimation and location tracking. For those interested in a deeper understanding or potential solutions to this issue, we recommend looking at the articles tagged RSSI and RSSIStability on our blog.

BLE Beacons for Sample Position Estimation in A Life Science Automation Laboratory

There’s new research into BLE Beacons for Sample Position Estimation in A Life Science Automation Laboratory. In life science automation laboratories, monitoring and managing the position of samples is crucial. One emerging solution for sample position estimation in these settings is the use of Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) beacons.

Historically, many fingerprinting models that harness received signal strength (RSS) data have been proposed for indoor positioning. However, a large number of these methods require an extensive installation of beacons. In contrast, proximity estimation, which relies solely on a single beacon, emerges as a more apt solution, especially for vast automated laboratories.

The intricacies of the life science automation laboratory environment present hurdles for the conventional path loss model (PLM), a prevalent method of proximity estimation based on radio wave propagation. Addressing this challenge, the paper introduces BLE sensing devices crafted specifically for sample position estimation. The proximity estimation rooted in BLE beacon technology is explored within a machine learning framework. Here, support vector regression (SVR) is employed to capture the nonlinear correlation between RSS data and distance. Concurrently, the Kalman filter is applied to reduce deviations in the RSS data.

Experimental outcomes spanning diverse settings underline the superiority of SVR over PLM. Remarkably, SVR achieved 1m absolute errors for an impressive 95% of test samples. The addition of the Kalman filter augments stable distance predictions, effectively smoothed the raw data and mitigated extreme value impacts.

When estimating positions between parallel workbenches, the framework achieved an average mean absolute error (MAE) of just 0.752m across 12 test positions. And for position estimation on workstations, identification accuracies beyond 99.93%.

In conclusion, for labs aiming to enhance sample position estimation, the BLE beacon paired with an IoT node presents a flexible sensing solution. By integrating machine learning, particularly SVR, and the Kalman filter, this framework offers increased accuracy in both corridors and labs.

What is the Difference Between Beacon and iBeacon?

iBeacon is a protocol designed by Apple that sits on top of, or uses, the Bluetooth LE protocol. Think of Bluetooth LE as a standard mechanism for sending a short amount of information that can be anything. In the case of iBeacon this ‘anything’ is the UUID, major, minor and a power calibration value called the measured power. We have a post explaining these iBeacon values.

Xerox Bluetooth Kit for AirPrint

Xerox offers a Bluetooth Kit designed for AltaLink B81XX and C81XX models, which facilitates AirPrint discovery through iBeacon technology. This kit not only provides Bluetooth connectivity but also enables iBeacon discovery, making it easier for users to find and link up with compatible Xerox printers via their Apple devices.

Additionally, the kit supports Wi-Fi Direct, allowing for mobile printing without the need for a network connection.

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New Waterproof Humidity Sensor Beacon

Having a beacon being able to detect humidity (and temperature) while at the same time being waterproof is difficult to achieve because the case itself usually needs to be waterproof thus preventing the sensor on the printed circuit board from sampling the environment. The new M52-PA-S is unique in that it solves this problem by having a permeable seal on the case and a waterproof printed circuit board.


The ‘PA’ signifies this beacon also has an extra RF amplifier for a longer range up to 150m. This beacon can be used in many different modes: 1 channel advertising, 2 channels advertising, 1 + 2 advertising, sensor advertising and Meeblue fixed data. The two main advertising channels can be iBeacon, Eddystone UID, Eddystone URL or user defined. When sensor advertising, the main channels are disabled and advertising includes a unique id, temperature, humidity and battery voltage.

Can I Use My Phone as Bluetooth Beacon?

A question that often arises is, “Can I use my phone as a Bluetooth beacon?” The answer is ‘yes’.

Before we get into the details, it’s essential to understand what a Bluetooth beacon is. In simple terms, a Bluetooth beacon is a small wireless device that transmits a periodic signal to other Bluetooth-enabled devices within its range. This technology is often used for indoor positioning, sensing and other location-based services.

Technically, yes, a smartphone can function as a Bluetooth beacon. Both Android and iOS platforms offer apps to turn your phone into a beacon transmitter. However, there are some caveats.

Using your phone as a Bluetooth beacon can be a significant drain on your battery. Beacons are designed to be low-energy devices that can run for years on a single battery. Your phone, on the other hand, has many other functions that consume power, so using it as a beacon will lead to the need for frequent charging.

The range of a dedicated Bluetooth beacon can be up to 100 metres, depending on the model and settings. A smartphone’s Bluetooth range is generally much shorter, limiting its effectiveness as a beacon.

While there are apps such as Locate Beacon, Beacon Simulator (for iOS), Beacon Simulator, nRFConnect (for Android) that can turn your phone into a beacon, these are often not as reliable or feature-rich as dedicated beacon hardware. You won’t be able to change all the settings such as power, advertising period and advertising type as you would with a dedicated hardware beacon. Additionally, running such an app in the background may interfere with other phone functions and some phones eventually close long running services.

Despite these limitations, there are scenarios where using your phone as a Bluetooth beacon could be useful. If you’re a developer or a business looking to experiment with beacon technology, using a phone can be a cost-effective way to test your ideas before investing in dedicated devices.

While it’s possible to use your phone as a Bluetooth beacon, it’s generally not the most efficient or reliable method for most applications. However, for personal use or small-scale use, it can serve as a convenient alternative. If you’re considering implementing beacon technology on a larger scale, investing in inexpensive dedicated hardware is usually the better option.

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Study on Visitor Behaviour in Museums

There’s new research from the Department of Architecture and Design (DAD), Turin, Italy on Technology as a tool to study visitor behaviour in museums: positioning and neuropsychological detection to identify physical & cognitive barriers (pdf).

Inclusive communication projects in museums often rely on general principles of design without considering how unique a cultural experience it should be. It’s important to study all types of visitors, especially those who feel left out, to understand their experiences better and help them feel more included. However, tracking visitors in a museum can be difficult due to the indoor environment and the need to avoid affecting their behaviour.

To tackle this, the researchers used Bluetooth to study individual experiences. They used a Raspberry Pi that can located a user based on signals from Bluetooth beacons, providing a cheap way to track visitors indoors.


This system was tested at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy. About 60 visitors were tracked, and their emotional responses were measured using a special bracelet. This data was stored and analysed to understand how visitors’ locations in the museum might relate to their emotional experiences, such as spending more time near pieces of art that have a strong emotional impact.

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New Human Occupancy Sensor Beacon

The new INGICS iBS08 human detection sensor beacon uses a IT thermal sensor to detect occupancy. It’s better than a PIR sensor beacon in that it can detect the presence of a human even if they are not moving. It’s powered by a CR2450 battery and has a battery life of 1.8 years with a 30-second advertising interval.


There are two models with two distinct angles to cater to a variety of needs. The iBS08S model provides a wide field of view (FOV) of 35 degrees, making it perfect for shorter distance applications, with a detection range of up to 100cm. The iBS08L offers a narrower FOV of 10 degrees, tailored for longer distance applications and boasting a detection range of up to 250cm.

The device are equipped with the latest Bluetooth 5 technology, supporting Coded Phy, with a Bluetooth range of up to 100M.

This beacon is available by special order from BeaconZone.

View sensor beacons.

The Potential of BLE Beacons in Enhancing Road Safety

Road traffic accidents have been steadily increasing, raising concerns among authorities and the public alike. A significant number of these accidents can be attributed to factors such as driver error and a blatant disregard for obeying traffic signs. While these human-induced errors persist, there is a hope on the horizon in the form of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs). These vehicles, equipped with advanced technology, are anticipated to drastically reduce the number of accidents by navigating roads more safely and efficiently than traditional vehicles.

A component in the deployment and effectiveness of CAVs is Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. This encompasses infrastructure-to-vehicle (I2V) and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, acting as a bridge to enhance road safety for vehicles driven both manually by humans and automatically by systems. These modes of communication ensure that vehicles are constantly in touch with their surroundings, be it other vehicles or the infrastructure, allowing them to make informed decisions.

Enter Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons, a technology that holds significant potential for I2V communication. Their appeal lies in their affordability, compactness, low energy consumption, wide compatibility with contemporary devices, and an impressively extensive range. Given these attributes, there’s growing interest in evaluating BLE beacons’ efficacy when used as roadside units (RSUs) attached to traffic signs. The goal? To seamlessly convey time-critical information to vehicles, especially in bustling urban settings.

A comprehensive study was conducted to look into this very potential. This involved integrating a CAV development platform to discern if the vehicle could aptly receive the beacon message from a distance that allows for sufficient reaction time, especially when adhering to the speed limits set for that particular road. The study was meticulous, taking into account the road’s geometry and the varying conditions it might present, from dry surfaces to wet terrains.

Furthermore, this research wasn’t just limited to understanding the capability of BLE beacons. It also looked into testing diverse BLE beacon configurations to pinpoint the optimal setup that ensured the required distance was met for all signs. This was imperative to ensure that CAVs could safely detect the signs and respond accordingly.

The findings were promising. The results demonstrated that BLE beacons, when positioned and configured appropriately, have immense potential to be employed in time-sensitive I2V communications on urban roads. Moreover, the study succeeded in identifying the optimal beacon configurations for signs, ensuring they are detected safely by CAVs, marking a significant stride towards safer urban roads in the future.