RTLS POSITIONING SYSTEM ON IBEACON TECHNOLOGY
Development of RTLS solutions and mobile applications with navigation through iBeacon beacons. Indoor positioning systems for shopping centers, business centers, warehouses, train stations.
RTLS POSITIONING SYSTEM ON IBEACON TECHNOLOGY
Development of RTLS solutions and mobile applications with navigation through iBeacon beacons. Indoor positioning systems for shopping centers, business centers, warehouses, train stations.
iBeacon beacons operate on Bluetooth Low Energy technology. Their working principle is very simple: iBeacon beacon sends the dataset (UUID, Major, Minor), and the receiver gets RSSI signal packets. The dependence of the RSSI signal level and distance to the iBeacon receiver is figuratively shown in the graph. But RSSI signal oscillations at a fixed location strongly affect positioning accuracy. Thus, they should be taken into account while developing RTLS solutions. Each developer of IPS (Indoor Positioning System) systems tries to invent its algorithm making positioning as accurate as possible (for example, using recursive filtering by Kalman algorithm and/or neural networks for the approximation of the results to determine the exact location). Merusoft uses high-accuracy positioning algorithms from the Finnish company Quuppa. It allows us to develop mobile applications and software solutions for RTLS with positioning accuracy from 1 cm to 1 m on the iBeacon technology and to compete with solutions based on the UWB technology, having won on price and technological capabilities.
How iBeacon RSSI level depends on Distance from Listener
Advantages of iBeacon Technology for Developing Indoor Positioning Applications:
iBeacon infrastructure cost is lower due to worldwide mass production
The battery life of iBeacon beacons is from 8 months to 10 years
Applicability: Bluetooth modules are distributed everywhere which gives wide opportunities for their usage
Positioning accuracy is a strong argument in favor of RFID or UWB technology. But with Quuppa algorithms, iBeacon's positioning accuracy is from 1-10 cm to 1 m.
INFRASTRUCTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR POSITIONING ON IBEACON TECHNOLOGY
Smartphone and Mobile Application
A smartphone with BLE module scans iBeacon beacons installed in an office or building. Applications under development solve mainly the tasks of indoor navigation, route planning in shopping malls, merchandising, tracking of technical staff with confirmation of location, and work performance. Location data of the mobile application users with the function of the indoor positioning system are collected on the server Merusoft Tracking and used to control the movement in the allowed and prohibited areas and to send other reports.
RTLS System on iBeacon
iBeacon Gateway is required to control the movement of people and equipment indoors. The gateways are fixed to the ceiling and monitor the movement of iBeacon beacons. For convenience, iBeacon beacons are available in the form-factor of a watch wristband, access card for RCDS, protected from dust, moisture, and shockproof housing for installation on packaging or equipment. Each gateway transmits RSSI of beacons over a local network or WIFI data to the Merusoft Tracking server, where the object location on the map is determined.
UNIVERSAL IBEACON INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RTLS SOLUTIONS
iBeacon Gateway is used for monitoring the movement of employees and equipment, and mobile application is for users’ navigation. What kind of equipment do you need?
As a matter of a fact these are different tasks, so they require a different but duplicate infrastructure on the iBeacon platform.
Merusoft Tracking unites these tasks. We select equipment and software algorithms of positioning systems that solve the client's tasks as efficiently as possible. In practice, some tasks arise when it is necessary to control the movement of employees with an accuracy of 1 meter in the production department, but such accuracy is not needed in the office space. In such cases, we recommend combining Quuppa's infrastructure with Minew's low-cost iBeacon gateways on the Merusoft Tracking platform to provide a cost-effective solution. The system is installed locally and does not require an Internet connection. If you wish, you can use cloud services. A special mobile SDK application emulates the workflow of iBeacon beacon for Quuppa locator.
As a matter of a fact these are different tasks, so they require a different but duplicate infrastructure on the iBeacon platform.
Merusoft Tracking unites these tasks. We select equipment and software algorithms of positioning systems that solve the client's tasks as efficiently as possible. In practice, some tasks arise when it is necessary to control the movement of employees with an accuracy of 1 meter in the production department, but such accuracy is not needed in the office space. In such cases, we recommend combining Quuppa's infrastructure with Minew's low-cost iBeacon gateways on the Merusoft Tracking platform to provide a cost-effective solution. The system is installed locally and does not require an Internet connection. If you wish, you can use cloud services. A special mobile SDK application emulates the workflow of iBeacon beacon for Quuppa locator.
IBEACON INFRASTRUCTURE
IBeacon beacons for permanent installation are used for mobile applications. Mobile iBeacon beacons in form-factors: SKUD cards, the wristband, pendant on a neck is used for the control of movement and work in pair with an iBeacon Gateway. The Quuppa locator is paired with iBeacon equipment with firmware installed.
You can consult Merusoft specialists on equipment and development of RTLS solutions.
Mobile Beacon iBeacon in a Wristband Form-Factor
It controls the movement of employees, workers, medical staff, and patients. It is accompanied by iBeacon Gateway
Mobile Beacon iBeacon in a Wristband Form-Factor
It controls the movement of employees, workers, medical staff, and patients. It works with iBeacon Gateway
Quuppa Locator
It works with mobile applications via SDK and iBeacon mobile beacons with firmware
Quuppa Locator
It works with mobile applications via SDK and iBeacon mobile beacons with firmware
Mobile Beacon iBeacon in a Wristband Form-Factor
It controls the movement of employees, workers, medical staff, and patients. It is accompanied by iBeacon Gateway
Mobile Beacon iBeacon in a Wristband Form-Factor
It controls the movement of employees, workers, medical staff, and patients. It works with iBeacon Gateway
Quuppa Locator
It works with mobile applications via SDK and iBeacon mobile beacons with firmware
Quuppa Locator
It works with mobile applications via SDK and iBeacon mobile beacons with firmware