infsoft Locator Beacons
Integrating infsoft Locator Beacons into your RTLS infrastructure enables easy monitoring of your assets’ locations and can significantly reduce hardware effort and cost for your beacon-based tracking system.
infsoft Locator Beacons are fixed, battery-powered hardware components that can be easily integrated into a network infrastructure consisting of infsoft Locator Nodes or Cisco Access Points. Long-lasting battery life and low installation and maintenance requirements make them an ideal solution for various asset-tracking applications.
In addition to asset tracking, infsoft Locator Beacons can also be used as beacon infrastructure to provide indoor navigation and location-based services.
By combining Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Ultra-wideband (UWB) technologies, Locator Beacons also enable high-precision localization below 30 centimeters with position checks up to 100 times per second. Client-based positioning with UWB is currently only available for recent iPhone models. Similarly, Locator Beacons support time-delayed asset tracking with combination tags (BLE/UWB).
You can select a hardware below to get to know more about it – including technical features, use cases, and more!
infsoft Locator Beacon
infsoft Locator Beacons enable the localization of Bluetooth tags (beacons) and combi-tags (BLE/UWB). They can also be used as beacon infrastructure for client-based positioning (indoor navigation). Due to small latencies, areas monitored by Locator Beacons are subject to time-delayed tracking, making the application particularly suitable for large building structures (e.g. hospitals, offices) where real-time localization is not required in all areas. In important zones, live tracking is realized thanks to infsoft Locator Nodes that are deployed there.
Functionality of infsoft Locator Beacons
A set of fixed Bluetooth Low Energy receivers (infsoft Locator Beacons) are deployed in the area to be monitored. The radio-based Locator Beacons are programmed to detect Bluetooth signals at regular intervals (e.g. every 2 minutes), which are transmitted by nearby, mobile Bluetooth Low Energy asset tags (beacons). The Locator Beacons report this information to infsoft Locator Nodes in proximity. The Locator Node’s Wi-Fi or Ethernet is used to transmit the collected data to the infsoft LocAware platform®, where the information is intelligently processed and made available to the infsoft backend tools (e.g. infsoft Assets, infsoft Analytics). The use of infsoft Locator Beacons reduces the number of infsoft Locator Nodes needed to be installed and thus the wiring effort.
In addition to pure BLE localization, the Locator Beacons also have an Ultra-wideband (UWB) module that can be activated for high-precision localization. In this case, pairing is initialized between the combi-tag (BLE/UWB) and the locator beacon via Bluetooth. A position request with the accuracy guaranteed by UWB is then possible.
Used simultaneously for client-based applications, infsoft Locator Beacons broadcast Bluetooth signals that are detected by mobile devices (e.g. smartphones) and are used for positioning based on a signal strength measurement. Ultra-wideband can also be activated as an additional medium for recent iPhone types. This enables positioning of fewer than 30 centimeters with very low latency times. The technology combination is, therefore, also interesting for other application scenarios such as Augmented Reality.
Technical Features of the infsoft Locator Beacon
- Dimensions: 72 x 72 x 18 mm (LxWxH)
- Weight: 156 g (including 4 replaceable batteries)
- Sensors: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5, 2,4 GHz, Ultra-wideband (UWB)
- Power supply: battery-powered, battery lifetime of up to 10 years
- Enclosure: IP67 waterproof enclosure
- Certification: CE, FCC
- Installation: mounted on ceiling (magnetic mount including 2 boreholes, sold seperately)
- Price: unit price €30, mount €8.20
Product Sheet infsoft Locator Beacon
Use Cases for infsoft Locator Beacons
The use of infsoft Locator Beacons proves beneficial for numerous applications. Here are some examples:
infsoft Locator Beacon Road Stud
Just like the infsoft Locator Beacons, the infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud can be used for time-delayed tracking of assets. They are characterized by the fact that they are installed on the ground rather than on ceilings or walls. Furthermore, road stud beacons are extremely resistant to weather conditions and weights of five tons and more. Therefore, the road stud beacons are perfectly suited for reliable tracking of assets on wide open spaces. Seamless tracking across indoor and outdoor areas can be realized when infsoft Locator Beacons are installed at the inside while infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud are mounted at the outside.
Functionality of infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud
infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud are distributed evenly across the area on which assets are to be tracked. The assets are equipped with BLE beacons that transmit signals. The signals are received by the infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud and forwarded to an infsoft Locator Node Dongle. The Locator Node sends the data to the infsoft LocAware platform® where the positioning and intelligent processing of the data takes place.
Technical Features of the infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud
- Dimensions: 100 x 100 x 25 mm (LxWxH)
- Weight: 140 g
- Sensors: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5, 2.4 GHz
- Power supply: battery-powered, battery lifetime of up to 3 years
- Enclosure: IP68 waterproof and IK08 shockproof enclosure
- Certification: CE, FCC
- Installation: fixed on ground with screws or epoxy resin
- Price: unit price €20
Use Cases for infsoft Locator Beacons Road Stud
The road stud beacons are especially well suited for industrial environments. Here is one possible application scenario.
