Category: Beacons

Continuous Transmission in Asset Tracking

Continuous transmission is a fundamental distinction between Bluetooth-based systems and traditional RFID or barcode scanning systems in asset tracking solutions. Unlike RFID or barcode methods, which rely on individual scans that can easily be missed, especially when performed manually, Bluetooth beacons emit signals at regular intervals. This regularity means that updates on an asset’s presence and location are ongoing, rather than sporadic. It also enables more accurate reporting, as the absence of a Bluetooth signal can reliably indicate that an asset has genuinely gone missing.

In reality, beacons do not transmit continuously in the literal sense. Instead, they emit signals periodically, with intervals ranging from a few hundred milliseconds to several seconds or even minutes. The frequency of these transmissions affects both power consumption and the immediacy of data in the reporting system. More frequent transmissions provide more up-to-date information but consume more power, which can be a critical consideration in battery-operated devices.

To balance power usage and data accuracy, some simpler systems opt for a transmission interval of around ten seconds. Additionally, certain advanced beacons are equipped with motion sensors that trigger extra updates when movement is detected, thereby providing more dynamic and context-aware tracking.

Small, Long Battery Life, Long Range Beacon

It’s surprising how many enquires we get asking for small beacons that also have a long battery life and long range. Such things don’t exist. Long range and long battery life need more battery power and hence the battery size needs to be larger. This implies a larger beacon.

You need to choose what’s most important for your project. If you need a very small device then the E8 is only 5mm thick but has a small CR2032 battery. If battery life and range are more important then look at the larger battery beacons and long range beacons. If you have the possibility of mains (USB) power then you might consider a USB beacon that can be small.

The Affects of USA Tariffs on Bluetooth Beacons

The recent changes to U.S. tariff policy have significantly affected the import of Bluetooth beacons into the USA. One of the major shifts is the removal of the de minimis rule, meaning that even low-value imports from China, under $800, are now subject to tariffs. In addition, a general 10% tariff now applies to most foreign goods, with some electronics facing duties as high as 145%, particularly if they originate from China.

As almost all Bluetooth beacons are produced in China due to its cost-effective and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, the tariffs directly impact this market. Even sourcing these devices through third countries like the UK does not avoid the tariffs, since duties are based on where goods are made, not where they are shipped from. As the U.S. lacks a mature domestic beacon manufacturing industry, to our knowledge, there are no cost-effective local alternatives. Even if there are a few we have missed, they probably won’t provide the range of models/capability needed for different types of project.

This has made larger-scale beacon deployments in the U.S. economically impractical. It is not viable for a company in the USA to begin manufacturing Bluetooth beacons, as the unit cost would be prohibitively high. This is primarily due to significantly higher production costs in the United States compared to China, including labour, components and facility expenses.

On a broader scale, these tariffs are expected to raise prices and create similar problems across a very large number of other goods types. Although many see the tariffs as a political manoeuvre that could be temporary, their current impact on both technology adoption and the wider economy is a concern. Uncertainty creates instability for businesses trying to plan investments, manage supply and remain competitive.

Beacon Waterproofing Insight

Some of the beacons we offer are fully waterproof, which many people tend to associate solely with protection from direct exposure to water, such as rain, splashes, or even full submersion. While these are of course important scenarios to consider, waterproofing can also play a crucial role in situations where exposure to moisture isn’t as obvious or dramatic.

Take vehicle installations, for example. At first glance, the inside of a car, van or lorry may appear completely dry, and it might seem like a waterproof beacon wouldn’t be necessary. However, vehicles can experience long periods of elevated humidity, particularly when temperatures fluctuate or when the vehicle is parked in damp environments. Over time, this persistent humidity can lead to condensation forming inside the beacon housing.

This kind of moisture buildup may not be immediately visible, but it can be highly damaging. Internal condensation can lead to corrosion of metal components, including the battery contacts or internal circuitry. Eventually, this corrosion can cause the beacon to malfunction or stop working entirely. Waterproof beacons are designed not only to prevent ingress from visible water but also to seal out ambient moisture, making them far more resistant to these kinds of subtle, long-term risks.

So, when you’re specifying a beacon for your application, it’s worth thinking beyond direct water exposure. Consider the full environmental conditions it will face over time, including humidity. In some cases, waterproofing isn’t just about protecting against rain, it’s about ensuring long-term reliability in conditions that might not appear problematic at first glance.

Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring

In a previous post we asked ‘What is Productivity?’ and shared how the first wave of IT productivity related to cloud computing, customer relationship management (CRM) systems and enterprise resource planning (ERP) was only taken up by the top 5% frontier companies.

We explained how IoT, 4IR and AI machine learning will improve productivity but again, likely only for frontier companies. The difference this time is that the newer technologies will have more far reaching consequences. The frontier companies will further extend their reach over the laggards. The majority of the 5% are large companies with large budgets who are able to engage consultances such as IBM, Deloitte, Atos, PwC, WiPro, Accenture and KPMG. But what of the small to medium enterprises (SMEs)? Can they compete?

In most countries, a large proportion of companies are small to medium size. For example, in the UK, the Office for National Statistics says 98.6% of manufacturers are (SMEs). These organisations are more price sensitive and usually don’t have the luxury of significant financial resources for engaging the top consultancies and implementing their expensive solutions. Small and medium sized organisations have previously found it difficult to digitise due to the lack of availability of reasonably priced solutions.

However, solutions doesn’t have to be expensive. Low cost sensors such as Bluetoooth beacons, motion cameras, consumer AR can be combined with affordable cloud services to create solutions on a ‘shoestring’ budget. This is the aim of the University of Cambridge and University of Nottingham’s ‘Digital Manufacturing on a Shoestring’ initiative. The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) is helping manufacturers benefit from digitalisation without excessive cost and risk. View the project’s latest news.

Read about Beacons in Industry and the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR)

New Nordic Semiconductor Wireless Quarter

Nordic Semiconductor, the leading manufacturer of System on a Chip (SoC) used in most beacons and the top supplier of SoCs for Bluetooth LE solutions, has released the latest PDF edition of Wireless Quarter Magazine. This issue highlights the diverse applications of Nordic’s SoCs.

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

  • NousLogic solutions Smart home solutions
  • Motorcycle HUD
  • Sensry multisensor module
  • Monil Collar cattle positioning
  • Smart soil monitoring

Bluetooth LE is expected to grow at a 20 percent CAGR over the next five years, after reaching 1.8 billion chip shipments in 2024.

The magazine also has interesting in-depth articles on AI-powered wearables, using edge AI for sport and wireless solutions for transport and logistics.

Beacon Rollout: Best Practices for Minimising Erroneous Data Collection

Beacon rollout, especially on a large scale, offers both technical and logistical challenges that can be difficult to foresee. One of the primary obstacles lies in ensuring that the test data collected is accurate, reliable, and not impacted by the beacons in transit that haven’t yet been installed. Allied to this, security concerns with certain beacons arise due to the ease of manually switching some models on and off, which can lead to potential tampering after deployment.

When dealing with numerous beacons in a rollout, one of the foremost issues encountered is the collection of erroneous data from beacons that haven’t been installed yet. As these uninstalled beacons are often carried around during deployment, they can inadvertently be picked up by the network, which results in inaccurate data being associated with incorrect locations. This misleading data can create confusion and additional workload, as it requires careful analysis to separate genuine location data from the erroneous data generated by beacons that are simply in transit.

Some beacon models come with manual switches that are intended to make them easier to manage. While this can be convenient for setup, these accessible switches can also pose a security risk. If someone with malicious intent gains access to the beacons, they may tamper with them, switching them off to disrupt communication or even switching them on in the wrong location. This can undermine the reliability of the data collected and even create security vulnerabilities in the beacon network.

One effective solution we discovered through trial and error is the use beacons without manual switches and large Faraday bags to manage uninstalled beacons. Faraday bags block electromagnetic signals and prevent the beacons from inadvertently transmitting data before they’re installed. By placing beacons inside these bags, we avoid unnecessary data collection and maintain greater control over when and where each beacon starts transmitting.

Each Beacon Manufacturer Has its Own App

Each Bluetooth beacon manufacturer typically provides its own proprietary configuration app for several key reasons. Firstly, manufacturers use different internal components and designs, meaning a custom app is necessary to tailor configuration options specifically to the hardware. Many also implement proprietary Bluetooth communication protocols for setup, requiring a unique app to handle these configurations correctly.

Security is another factor, as manufacturers often include measures to prevent unauthorised reconfiguration, and custom apps allow for the necessary authentication and encryption. Customisation also allows manufacturers to highlight unique features that may not be available in generic tools, while a branded app ensures control over the look, feel and overall user experience during configuration.

Some beacons only permit configuration within a limited timeframe after being powered on or require a special mode to be enabled and custom apps are designed to accommodate these specific procedures. Firmware updates are also often delivered through these apps, while support and troubleshooting features, including diagnostic tools and links to support resources, are commonly integrated.

For beacons that store data locally, custom apps offer interfaces to manage that data according to manufacturer-specific formats. While universal configuration tools are theoretically possible, the wide variety of hardware, protocols and features in use makes them difficult to develop, and manufacturer-specific apps remain the most reliable way to fully manage proprietary beacon hardware.

New ATEX-Certified Beacon

There’s a new ATEX-certified beacon from Teltonika. ATEX means it’s suitable for use in hazardous environments such as the oil, gas and chemical industries.

There are two variants, one that just sends out its ID and another with temperature, humidity, movement and magnet detection.

These beacons aren’t yet on our web site but are available to special order for use in consulting projects.

Sensor Beacon List Updated

We offer a range of sensor beacons but what each beacon actually senses or detects is buried deep in the respective beacon descriptions.

As we have recently added new sensor beacons, we have updated our downloadable pdf showing what each beacon can detect.

If you want to know how you might use these beacons, take a look at our articles on Beacon Proximity and Sensing for the Internet of Things (IoT), Using Bluetooth LE and Using Bluetooth LE Sensors.