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Which Beacons are the Most Compatible?

We get asked a lot which beacons are the most compatible. All beacons, whether iBeacon or Eddystone, are compatible with iOS and Android. There are a few ‘tracker’ type Bluetooth devices around that don’t transmit the right Bluetooth header and can’t be seen on iOS but we don’t sell those.

Almost all beacons are slight derivations of a few standard circuit designs and firmware provided by Texas Instruments, Dialog and Nordic who produce the System On a Chip (SoC) inside beacons. Hence, they all transmit to Bluetooth standards.

Use of standard SoC Chip and firmware libraries ensures Bluetooth compatibility

The main factor that can vary between beacons is the antenna and PCB layout, which can result in different radiation patterns. This does not affect the ability to detect a beacon, but it does influence the signal strength and stability, which in turn can affect range.

Beacons generally do not differ in terms of compatibility. The main differences are physical characteristics such as battery size and waterproofing, which are listed as categories on the left-hand side of our store.

A common misconception is that problems arise from beacon compatibility, when in fact they are more often related to phone compatibility. Over time, we have found that around five per cent of customers experience issues connecting the manufacturer’s configuration app to beacons, more so on Android devices. To clarify, this only applies when apps need to connect to a beacon in order to change its settings, not when simply scanning for beacons. For most end users, once a beacon is set up, this does not present a problem.

In short, Bluetooth standards ensure that all beacons can be detected by all phones, so compatibility is not an issue. The problems we have encountered have been linked to smartphones rather than the beacons themselves and we have never had a beacon returned to us on the grounds of incompatibility.

Bluetooth Low Energy Choices

There is new research (PDF) analysing methods for indoor distance estimation using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), with an emphasis on practical implementation in embedded systems. It compares four main techniques, Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Time of Flight (ToF), Angle of Arrival (AoA), and Channel Sounding (CS), examining their theory, hardware and software requirements, and performance. The work aims to guide designers in selecting the most appropriate method based on accuracy, power consumption, complexity and cost.

The study explains foundational localisation concepts such as trilateration, precision, accuracy, and resolution, and then explores range-based and range-free distance estimation methods. It provides a detailed breakdown of BLE architecture, including host and controller components, communication protocols, and physical layer considerations, linking these to the requirements of the four techniques.

RSSI and ToF were tested experimentally on NXP’s MCX W71x platform, showing RSSI’s simplicity but high environmental sensitivity, and ToF’s better short-range consistency but increased instability and power usage over distance. Direct testing of AoA and CS was not possible due to hardware constraints, so the analysis relies on third-party demonstrations, confirming AoA’s potential for precise angular measurement and CS’s sub-metre accuracy and robustness in complex environments.

The final comparison uses criteria such as accuracy, robustness, processing complexity, and hardware needs to recommend different methods for applications like smart buildings, asset tracking, and IoT systems. The study concludes by bridging the gap between theory and embedded implementation, offering a reference framework for future BLE-based localisation developments.

Can Beacons Store Data?

Beacons don’t generally need to store data because they are just sending out their unique id. However, sensor beacons do sense values over time that you might want to collect later via, for example, an app coming close to the beacon. Specialist devices such as social distancing beacons need to store close contacts for later collection.

It is a misconception that beacons send data directly to smartphones when they come into proximity. In reality, beacons only transmit a small identifier, not the actual content or data itself. This identifier is then matched to information stored elsewhere, either on the user’s device or on a remote server. The relevant app, or app calling a server, uses this match to retrieve and display the appropriate data to the user.

Beacons use a System on a Chip (SoC), such as the Nordic nRF51, that includes memory. Most of the memory is used for the internal functioning of the beacon. Newer versions of SoC, for example the Nordic nRF52, have more memory that allows data to be stored.

Temperature Logger Sensor — M52-SA Plus Temperature Logger Beacon

There are some sensor logger beacons that store sensor values but this tends to be restricted to temperature logging.

Bluetooth in the IoT Ecosystem

The great new paper titled Evolution of Bluetooth Technology: BLE in the IoT Ecosystem provides a comprehensive review of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), tracing its development from its origins to its role in the modern Internet of Things (IoT). The authors outline the historical evolution of Bluetooth, starting with its initial release in the late 1990s through to the latest version, Bluetooth 6.0, introduced in 2024.

BLE, introduced in Bluetooth 4.0 in 2010, was designed as a low-power alternative to Bluetooth Classic, making it ideal for IoT applications where energy efficiency is critical. The paper discusses BLE’s technical characteristics, such as its reduced power consumption, moderate data rates, mesh networking support, and robust security features and highlights the differences from Bluetooth Classic.

The review details the progression of BLE through its successive versions, each introducing improvements in range, throughput, latency, and security. It also explores the integration of BLE in various IoT contexts, including smart homes, healthcare, automotive, retail, industrial automation, and smart cities. Several case studies are used to illustrate real-world BLE implementations, demonstrating its utility across multiple sectors.

The paper considers BLE’s alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting energy efficiency, sustainable urban development, and climate action. BLE’s role in enabling sustainable technologies, such as solar-powered IoT devices and low-power smart infrastructure, is also discussed.

Finally, the article reviews current technical challenges, such as power management, interference, scalability and security. It proposes potential solutions and anticipates future directions involving BLE’s integration with artificial intelligence, enhanced privacy protocols and expanded functionality in next-generation IoT ecosystems.

MTB11 Ambient Light Harvesting Beacon

Minew has launched the MTB11, a new solar-powered beacon designed for long-term, maintenance-free asset tracking. With no batteries required, it offers continuous operation without downtime or servicing.

The MTB11 runs reliably in lighting conditions between 400 and 1000 lux. Compact at 74×42×4mm and weighing just 15.4g, it’s IP67-rated for durability and boasts a broadcast range of up to 80 metres. With an estimated lifespan of over 10 years, it’s ideal for applications requiring long advertising intervals.

Available by special order. Contact us for more information.

What’s the Best Beacon?

Too many potential customers contact us asking what’s the least expensive beacon that provides the best range, the best battery life and the smallest size. Unfortunately, all these things are related. You need a larger battery to provide enough power for a longer range. A large battery implies a larger beacon size. A larger battery and case implies a more expensive beacon. The choice of ‘best’ beacon usually involves some sort of compromise.

It’s also often the case that customers focus on price, range, battery life and size without considering other factors such as:

Visual appearance – Good-looking beacons can sometimes be counter-productive as they can be attractive to thieves. Black ones or ones that blend into the environment work best.
App – Some manufacturer configuration apps are easier to use than others. We prefer KKM, Meeblue and Minew apps.
Waterproofing – Some unexpected scenarios, such as use inside cars, need waterproofing due to high humidity.
Motion triggering – Some beacons provide motion triggering to significantly increase battery life.
On-off button – It’s sometimes desirable to be able to turn the beacon on and off without having to remove the battery, especially during storage.
Attachment options – Some beacons include strong double sided stickers, tabs for screws or holes for fastening.

View All Beacons

New Nordic Wireless Quarter Available

Nordic Semiconductor, the leading manufacturer of System on a Chip (SoC) technology used in the majority of beacon devices and the top supplier of SoCs for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) solutions, has released the latest PDF edition of its free Wireless Quarter Magazine. This issue showcases the wide range of applications powered by Nordic’s SoCs, offering insights into how their technology continues to shape and support innovative wireless solutions across various industries.

The latest issue of the magazine mentions the use of the same Nordic SoCs, as used in beacons, in the following Bluetooth solutions:

Smart eyewear solution that provides automatic, hands-free focus adjustment for both near and far vision
Seed monitoring platform drives efficiencies in smart agriculture
Matter over Thread smart dimmer controls dimmable LED lighting
Carv 2 AI-powered ski trainer
Refrigeration monitoring solution tracks inventory and temperature levels
‘Two-in-one’ smart street lighting controller solution to improve modern cities

The magazine also has an interesting in-depth article on how increasing adoption of Bluetooth LE is driving innovation across sectors.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) as a Precision Livestock Farming Tool

A PhD thesis by Aimee May Walker investigates the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology as a precision livestock farming (PLF) tool in extensive sheep grazing systems. The primary emphasis is on the viability of BLE for monitoring sheep location, proximity, and behavioural relationships, especially in outdoor environments where traditional monitoring tools are often impractical.

BLE is highlighted throughout the thesis as a promising candidate for livestock monitoring due to its low power consumption, cost-effectiveness, small physical footprint, and ability to function in outdoor settings. These characteristics make BLE particularly suitable for sheep, which require lightweight and unobtrusive devices.

The research involved developing a prototype BLE monitoring system and testing it in several scenarios. Firstly, signal strength and range were evaluated through calibration studies in outdoor environments, showing that BLE signal strength reliably declines with distance but is significantly affected by factors such as device height and line-of-sight, both of which can vary with animal behaviour. These findings underscore the challenge of interpreting BLE signal strength to accurately determine distance.

BLE was then assessed for its capacity to localise sheep. Using both static and on-animal trials, the technology was able to detect positions within grazing paddocks with a mean localisation error of approximately 19 to 24 metres. This demonstrated technical feasibility but also indicated that a high number of fixed BLE readers would be required for reliable coverage across larger fields, limiting commercial viability in its current form.

A further study evaluated BLE for monitoring contact patterns between sheep, particularly during the lambing and early lactation period. By equipping ewes and lambs with BLE devices, the system successfully tracked interaction patterns over time. BLE data revealed expected social behaviours, such as reduced ewe-ewe interactions around parturition and evolving ewe-lamb contact as lambs aged. Additionally, it detected behavioural changes associated with welfare indicators, such as increased ewe-lamb proximity in lame ewes.

What are Beacon OTA Updates?

Beacons are small computers that run software, more specifically firmware. Beacon manufacturers write the firmware that uses Bluetooth software libraries to send out iBeacon, Eddystone and/or sensor data advertising and allow setup via their iOS and Android apps.

When a beacon supports over-the-air (OTA) update, it allows that firmware to be updated without physically connecting to the beacon with wires. A smartphone app, such as the manufacturers’ app or the generic Nordic nRF Toolbox is used to connect to the beacon via Bluetooth and update the firmware.

In practice, manufacturers hardly ever update their firmware so whether a beacon supports OTA update or not isn’t usually an issue.

A further use of OTA is the facilitation of custom firmware when the standard firmware needs to be updated to provide for specially required functionality. This is non-trivial and ideally needs to be performed by the original manufacturer because they have the original source code. We have arranged this for a few customers but it tends to only be financially viable for large orders.

It’s also possible to completely replace the software in some beacons, something we provide via custom solutions and previously used in our social distancing and Bluetooth mesh solutions. In these cases, OTA tends to be too slow for large numbers of beacons so wired programming jigs are sometimes used instead.

What is Bluetooth LINE Service Advertising?

We have just one beacon that can advertise LINE. This post explains LINE advertising with information on the packet format.

LINE Beacons are used alongside the LINE messenger service, which enables users to exchange text, video, and voice messages on both smartphones and personal computers. This service is currently available in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, and Indonesia. LINE offers developer APIs for both iOS and Android platforms, allowing developers to integrate LINE functionality into their own applications.

The LINE Beacon system works by sending webhook events to a LINE bot whenever a user with the LINE app comes into close range of a registered beacon. This enables developers to create context-aware interactions, tailoring the bot’s behaviour based on the user’s proximity to specific physical locations. In addition, there is a feature known as the beacon banner, which is accessible to corporate users. This allows a promotional banner to appear in the LINE messenger app when the user approaches a LINE Beacon, providing another layer of engagement for location-based services and marketing campaigns.

Unlike iBeacon, LINE Beacon packets have a secure message field to prevent packet tampering and replay attacks. The secure data is 7 bytes long containing a message authentication code, timestamp and battery level. Secure messages are sent to the LINE platform for verification.

Generating LINE advertising — Generating LINE Advertising

LINE recommend LINE beacon packets be sent at a very high rate of every 152ms. In addition, LINE recommend advertising iBeacon (UUID D0D2CE24-9EFC-11E5-82C4-1C6A7A17EF38, Major 0x4C49, Mino 0x4E45) to notify iOS devices that the LINE Beacon device is nearby. This is because an iOS app can only see iBeacons when in background and LINE beacons can’t wake an app.

We observe that the high advertising rate and concurrent iBeacon advertising aren’t battery friendly and the beacon battery isn’t going to last long.

There’s more information on the LINE developer site on using beacons and the LINE packet format.