The Manufacturer Site Says a Beacon Has a Particular Capability. Why Doesn’t the Version BeaconZone Sells Support This?

There can be several reasons why the specification for a beacon listed on our site doesn’t match that shown on a manufacturer’s web site or 3rd party sales platform.

  • Beacon descriptions on many sites are often written by non-technical staff and non-English speakers. This means that there can be misunderstandings and errors.
  • Some descriptions purposely over-fill descriptions with incorrect information or competitor’s product information so as to attract interest. The actual specification becomes clearer after you have asked the right questions or, in some cases, when you receive the beacons!
  • Some descriptions are of cloned products with dubious provenance rather than products from the original manufacturer.
  • It’s common for descriptions to mention optional features that are only available via manufacturing customisation. They are sort of saying the specification is possible, but you will find you have to pay a lot extra for a custom version.

We spend a long time assessing beacons and only list the features actually provided by the beacons we sell. We have a deep understanding of beacons that can be accessed via our support and consultancy services.

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How to See Bluetooth LE Advertising on Android and iOS

To see Bluetooth LE advertising on smartphones, you can use a Bluetooth scanner app. These apps are available from the App Store and Google Play Store and can be downloaded and installed on your smartphone.

To use a Bluetooth scanner app, follow these steps:

  1. Open the App Store Google Play Store on your device and search for “Bluetooth scanner” or “Bluetooth advertising”.
  2. Select a Bluetooth scanner app that you want to use and install it on your device. nRFConnect is a well-known scanner, provided by Nordic Semiconductor, the manufacturer of the Bluetooth System-on-chip in most beacons.
  3. Once the app is installed, open it and enable Bluetooth on your device, if it is not already enabled.
  4. The app will scan for nearby Bluetooth devices that are broadcasting advertising packets. It will display a list of the devices it finds, along with their names and other information.
  5. You can tap on a device in the list to see more details about it, such as its Bluetooth address (only on Android), signal strength, and any advertising data that it is broadcasting.

In summary, using a Bluetooth scanner app is a simple and effective way to see Bluetooth advertising on an smartphones. These apps allow you to see the devices that are broadcasting advertising packets, as well as the data that they are transmitting.

Overview of Different Types of Bluetooth Beacon

Bluetooth beacons are small, low-power devices that use Bluetooth technology to broadcast a signal to nearby devices. These signals can be used by nearby devices to determine the location of the beacon, or to trigger certain actions, such as sending a notification or displaying information on a mobile device.

There are several different types of Bluetooth beacons, which can be classified based on their shape, size, and power source. Some examples of different types of Bluetooth beacons include:

  1. USB beacons: These are small, USB-powered beacons that can be plugged into a computer or other device to broadcast a Bluetooth signal. They are often used in retail or other public settings, where they can be plugged into a computer or display to broadcast information to nearby devices.
  2. Coin-cell beacons: These are small, battery-powered beacons that are about the size of a coin. They are often used in portable or wearable applications, such as tracking the location of a child or pet, or triggering a notification in a mobile app.
  3. Wall-mounted beacons: These are larger, wall-mounted beacons that can be installed in a fixed location, such as a retail store or office building. They typically have a larger battery, longer range and higher power output than other types of beacons, allowing them to broadcast a signal over a larger area.
  4. Outdoor beacons: These are rugged, weather-resistant beacons that are designed to be used outdoors. They often have a longer range and higher power output than other types of beacons, and are designed to withstand exposure to rain, snow, and other harsh conditions.

Overall, there are several different types of Bluetooth beacons, which can be used in a variety of applications. The type of beacon that is best suited for a particular application will depend on factors such as the range and power requirements, as well as the environment in which it will be used.

View Bluetooth Beacons

Latest Nordic Wireless Quarter Magazine

Nordic Semiconductor, the manufacturer of the System on a Chip (SoC) in many beacons, has published the latest online issue of Wireless Quarter Magazine. It showcases the many uses of Nordic SoCs.

The latest issue of the magazine highlights the use of Nordic SoCs in the following Bluetooth solutions:

  • Bluetooth LE wildlife tracking solution
  • Tracker notifications to parents if their child wanders off from a caregiver
  • Bluetooth 5 monitor for refrigeration equipment
  • Indoor asset tracking platform monitoring essential medical equipment in hospitals

It’s interesting that some of these companies have chosen to create their own hardware even though these scenarios are achievable using generic beacons. Sometimes, a custom hardware product has more credibility for investors and customers. However, similar levels of kudos can be achieved by branding and/or over-casing generic devices with much less cost and risk.

The magazine also has an interesting article on how smart toy manufacturers are engaging and educating children.

Read Nordic Semiconductor Wireless Quarter

The Advantages of Bluetooth Over RFID

Bluetooth and RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) are both wireless communication technologies that are used for a variety of applications, including asset tracking, data transfer, and access control. While both technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages, some of the main advantages of Bluetooth over RFID include:

  1. Range: One of the main advantages of Bluetooth over RFID is that it has a longer range. Bluetooth devices can typically communicate with each other over distances of up to 30 meters (100 feet), while RFID tags have a much shorter range of only a few centimeters. This means that Bluetooth can be used for applications where a longer range is required, such as tracking the location of assets in a warehouse or building.
  2. Data transfer: Another advantage of Bluetooth over RFID is that it can be used for bi-directional data transfer, allowing devices to both send and receive data. In contrast, RFID tags are typically only capable of transmitting a limited amount of data, such as an identification number or other simple information. This makes Bluetooth a better option for applications that require more complex data transfer, such as IoT sensing, transferring files or images between devices.
  3. Immediacy and reliability: RFID usually requires manual swiping while Bluetooth is continuously providing updated location. Not having to rely on manual swipes makes Bluetooth more immediate and reliable.
  4. Security: Bluetooth also offers better security compared to RFID. Bluetooth devices use a pairing process to establish a secure connection before exchanging data, while RFID tags do not have this capability. This makes Bluetooth a more secure option for applications that require sensitive data to be transferred, such as financial transactions or access control.

Overall, while both Bluetooth and RFID have their own advantages and disadvantages, Bluetooth offers a longer range, better data transfer capabilities, more immediacy and reliability and improved security compared to RFID. This makes it a better choice for applications that require these features.

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Minew B7 In Stock

We now supply the Minew B7 wearable wristband beacon.

B7

This waterproof (IP67) beacon offers the usual iBeacon and Eddystone advertising as well as acceleration sensing. This can be via x y z in the advertising or for motion triggered broadcast. This beacon is also one of the few that also has an NFC chip for additional RFiD-based sensing. The button can be used for on/off as well as button triggered broadcasting in situations such as lone working or SOS.

View all wearable beacons

Introduction to Bluetooth AoA

Bluetooth AoA (Angle of Arrival) positioning is a technique that uses Bluetooth signals to determine the location of a device. AoA positioning works by measuring the angle at which a Bluetooth signal arrives at multiple receivers, and then using this information to calculate the location of the device that is transmitting the signal.

AoA can be particularly useful in indoor environments, where other positioning technologies may not work well.

Some of the advantages of using Bluetooth AoA positioning include:

  • Improved accuracy: By using multiple receivers to measure the angle of arrival of Bluetooth signals, AoA positioning can provide more accurate location estimates compared to other techniques.
  • Low cost: Bluetooth AoA positioning can be implemented using relatively low-cost hardware, making it an affordable option for many applications.
  • Easy to deploy: AoA positioning systems can be easily deployed in a variety of settings, especially indoor environments where other positioning technologies may not work well.

Overall, Bluetooth AoA positioning is a useful technique for determining the location of a device using Bluetooth signals. It can provide more accurate location estimates compared to other techniques and can be implemented at low cost and deployed easily in a variety of settings.

View Minew AoA Kit

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Advantages of Real Time Location Systems (RTLS)

RTLS systems are used to track the location of objects or people, tagged with Bluetooth beacons, in real time. Some of the advantages of using a RTLS include:

  1. Improved efficiency: RTLS systems allow organisations to track the location of assets or personnel in real time, which can help improve the efficiency of operations. For example, a RTLS system can be used to track the location of equipment in a warehouse, allowing workers to quickly locate and retrieve items when needed.

  2. Enhanced safety: RTLS systems can also be used to improve safety in a variety of settings. For example, a RTLS system could be used to track the location of workers in a construction site, allowing supervisors to quickly respond to any safety incidents.

  3. Increased visibility: RTLS systems provide organisations with real-time visibility into the location of assets or personnel, which can help with decision making and resource allocation. For example, a RTLS system can be used to track the location of vehicles on a site, allowing managers to optimise routes and reduce fuel consumption.

  4. Improved asset utilisation: RTLS systems can help organisations to better utilise their assets, by providing real-time information about their location and availability. For example, a RTLS system could be used to track the location of equipment in a hospital, allowing better matching of demand with supply.

Overall, the main advantage of using a RTLS system is that it provides organisations with real-time information about the location of assets or personnel, which can help them to improve efficiency, enhance safety, and better utilise their resources.

Read about BeaconRTLS