iBeacon, Eddystone, Bluetooth, IoT sensor beacons, apps, platforms
We have the new W7 security beacon in stock, suitable for use in places such as hospitals and prisons. It’s fitted with a security screwdriver and advertises an alert if the wristband is removed or cut off.
The W7 advertises iBeacon and Eddystone as well as acceleration (x y z) and body temperature. It’s waterproof to IP67 and is rechargeable via magnetic USB cable. The battery lasts up to a year on one charge, depending on settings.
There was a time when it was very easy to scan for beacons in background on Android. You just set up a service using the standard Bluetooth APIs. Over the years, Google has crippled the ability to perform reliable background processing to the point where it’s nearly as bad as on iOS. David Young says:
“Today, Android Services are often more trouble than they are worth”
David has an answer to the problem in the form of using Android BroadcastReceivers and threads. He explains the problem and solution on his blog. David also has a useful Github app demonstrating the technique.
We now have the Meeblue M52-PA in stock.
This Bluetooth beacon is similar to the M52-SA Plus with the addition of a much longer range of up to 180m.
This is achieved using an additional SKY 66111-11, a low-power, low energy range extender. This provides up to +13dBm while remaining Bluetooth Class 1 compliant.
We have two new KKM button beacons, the B1 and B2 in stock.
Both advertise iBeacon, Eddystone UID, Eddystone URL, Eddystone TLM and battery level to a range of up to 100m. They support button triggered (single/double/triple/long click) broadcast for detecting in apps or via Bluetooth gateways.
The B1 differs to the B2 in that the button is labelled ‘SOS’, has a larger CR2450, rather than CR2032, battery and also includes a wall mounting plate.
We now have the new MWC01 AoA beacon in stock.
AoA beacons advertise a constant tone extension (CTS) for angle of arrival detection as described by the Bluetooth Direction Finding standard. This beacon is rechargeable, using USB, via magnetic contact, has a battery life of up to 8 months (depends on how much it moves) and a range up to 150m.
Please see our post the MWL01 for insights that also apply to the MWC01.
We now have the KKM K11 beacon in stock.
It’s very small, wearable, inexpensive beacon supporting iBeacon and Eddystone. The button turns on/off and can also be used for button-triggered broadcasting for usecases such as SOS.
There are three main ways beacons can be integrated into existing systems:
1. Using Smartphone Apps
Beacons are usually stationary. Apps on users’ smartphone use the standard Bluetooth iOS and Android APIs to detect beacons and send information to your cloud or servers, typically via HTTP(S).
2. Using Ethernet/WiFi Gateways
Beacons are using moving. Gateways in fixed positions detect beacons and send information to your cloud or servers, typically via HTTP(S) or MQTT.
3. Using an Intermediate Platform Such as a Real Time Location System (RTLS)
This is a variant on #2 in that gateways send information to a system such as BeaconRTLS™ or PrecisionRTLS™. These systems have HTTP(S) APIs that can be used by your cloud or servers.
More information:
What are beacons?
Beacons for the Internet of Things (IoT)
If you need more project specific help we also offer consultancy and feasibility studies.
The MG3 is a new mini USB Bluetooth-WiFi gateway.
It’s a more affordable version of the G1 with slightly less capability:
The MG3 collects advertising data from all Bluetooth LE devices and then sends JSON data to your server by HTTP(S) or MQTT using WiFi.
The MG3 processes up to 70 Bluetooth devices per second. The maximum range is 70 meters in open space but this depends more on the range of beacons being detected.
Configurable data collection settings include the upload method (HTTP(S) or MQTT), server URL, upload interval, RSSI filter, MAC address filter (RegEx), raw Bluetooth filter (RegEx) and the time zone.
Beacons can’t withstand very high temperatures due to the battery that can only typically operate up to +60°C. If you need to measure higher temperatures, it’s necessary to use a beacon with a temperature probe with just the probe being placed in the higher temperature environment.
This beacon is also suitable for measuring low temperatures, down to -50°C, whereas non-probe beacons are usually limited to -30°C due to the battery.
We now sell Minew’s MBT01 and MVS01 Asset Tracking Beacons.
The MBT01 differs from most beacons in that it has a switch at the back that can be used to detect if the beacon has been removed from a surface. It advertises ‘normal’ (every 5 secs) or ‘tamper alarm’ (every 1 sec) depending on the status.
The MVS01 is unique in that it has a vibration sensor with five configurable sensitivity levels. It sends extra advertising when moved.
