Exploring BLE 5.1 and Ultra-Wideband Technologies for Real-Time Location Systems

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Exploring BLE 5.1 and Ultra-Wideband Technologies for Real-Time Location Systems

In the world of indoor tracking and positioning, advanced technologies are shaping the way organizations optimize their operations. Two key players in this space are Ultra-Wideband (UWB) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.1. PenguinIN, a leading provider of innovative RTLS solutions like hearing aid, mobile hotspot and mesh networking, is at the forefront of these developments.

In this article, we compare Bluetooth LE devices like UWB and BLE vs Bluetooth 5.1 for purposes of indoor positioning. We understand the range of BLE and how these devices work and transfer and receive data. Discover the power and advantages of these cutting-edge technologies as we explore their impact on RTLS applications.

Understanding Ultra-Wideband (UWB):

UWB is a short-range wireless communication technology that utilizes low power levels and wide frequency bands. It enables highly accurate positioning and enhances the range of BLE and tracking by transmitting ultra-short duration pulses with low interference and high immunity to multipath effects. UWB excels in providing sub-meter level accuracy, making it ideal for applications requiring data transfer and precise location information in complex indoor environments.

Exploring Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.1:

BLE 5.1 is an advanced version of the Bluetooth wireless technology designed specifically for low power consumption and extended range applications. It offers information that can be used at the application layer to calculate location. The most common approaches to calculate location using BLE 5.1 are Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD). BLE 5.1 offers enhanced localization accuracy and BLE range compared to previous versions, making it suitable for applications that require moderate to high accuracy in tracking assets or people.

Comparing UWB and BLE 5.1 for RTLS

Accuracy and Precision:

UWB has gained a reputation for its remarkable accuracy, offering sub-meter precision. With the right implementation, BLE 5.1 is also able to achieve excellent accuracy even in challenging propagation environments. has made significant improvements in competitive accuracy, typically sub-meter as well.

Understanding the use case (i.e. the required accuracy and the propagation environment) should be a precursor to choosing the technology.

Range and Coverage:

BLE 5.1 boasts a longer communication range compared to UWB, allowing for broader coverage in larger areas. While UWB has a limited range of up to 100 meters, BLE range can reach distances of up to 300 meters. Moreover, it has state-of-the-art audio codecs installed for streamlining communication, making it suitable for applications requiring wider coverage, like warehouse tracking or campus-wide asset monitoring.

Power Consumption:

BLE 5.1 has a significant advantage in power efficiency over UWB. It operates on low power levels (around 20 DBM), enabling devices to operate for extended periods on a single battery charge. UWB, on the other hand, consumes relatively more power due to its high-frequency transmissions. This makes BLE 5.1 an excellent choice for battery-powered devices, such as wearable trackers or IoT sensors, improving overall battery life.

Interoperability and Ecosystem:

BLE 5.1 benefits from its widespread adoption and compatibility, offering device support to a vast range of BLE devices and platforms. It leverages the existing Bluetooth infrastructure, making integration easier and cost-effective. UWB, although gaining traction, is still in the early stages of adoption and may require specialized hardware and infrastructure, limiting its interoperability with existing systems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the wide spectrum of UWB offers algorithm developers data points for sub-meter positioning, an intelligent Bluetooth 5.0 vs 5.1 implementation is not only able to achieve that but also provide additional features (i.e. periodic advertising).

At PenguinIN, we provide a visible plan for developing algorithms using BLE 5.1 to achieve sub-meter accuracy with confidence in typical enterprise and healthcare environments. It is our position that the BLE 5.1 and its eco-system offer a viable alternative to many of today’s real-time positioning solutions with unparalleled cost-effectiveness and a great user experience.

Moreover, at PenguinIN, we are also working towards enhancing real-time asset tracking and location systems (RTLS) for improved efficiency via bluetooth 5.2 and bluetooth 5.3. To learn more about our BLE 5.1 based development kit, products, and services, please reach out to us at [email protected].

PenguinIN signs its newest client in Saudi Arabia: King Abdullah Financial District Development & Management Company in partnership with Coverage Points

PenguinIN signs its newest client in Saudi Arabia:
King Abdullah Financial District Development & Management Company (KAFD) in partnership with Coverage Points

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 10th May 2023 – In a signing ceremony held at KAFD, Saudi Arabia’s prime business and lifestyle destination, the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) formalized an agreement with PenguinIN for the development of a comprehensive indoor and outdoor navigation solution designed to improve the experience of the district’s tenants, residents and visitors.

Set in the heart of the Saudi capital Riyadh, KAFD is home to 1.6 million square meters of state-of-the-art office space, world-class venues and iconic luxury residences, designed to transform the way urban communities live, work, learn and play. A landmark development, KAFD is a key driver of Riyadh’s economic ambitions, and is owned and managed by the King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC).

With the new mapping solution, tenants, retail and hospitality businesses in the district will be able to apply indoor navigation for their employees and customers to facilitate the management and improvement of their experience. In this way, users’ experience of mobility within KAFD will be tailored to their individual needs. Visitors will therefore be able to select their path within KAFD to their end destination, find the best parking options, and choose from any of the mobility solutions available while residents can enjoy a home-to-office navigation experience that provides them with the most ecologically-friendly mode of travel.

“KAFD is a well-planned urban space that integrates public transport systems, but also encourages non-motorised transport through its network of skywalks and the provision of sustainable modes of transport, from scooters to an exclusive shuttle service,’ explained Gautam Sashittal, Chief Executive Officer of KAFD DMC. ‘Smart technology is integral to the district’s living experience and we are looking forward to the provision of a holistic navigation solution that will improve the quality of our services, and life at KAFD.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this exciting project and look forward to working with the KAFD DMC team to enhance their smart city solutions. We are confident that our expertise and experience in the industry will enable us to deliver exceptional results for KAFD,” said Dr Mohammed Smadi, the CEO/CTO of PenguinIN. He added, “This milestone is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.”

As part of the district’s innovative smart city solutions, KAFD will connect its virtual and physical worlds through a mobile app for guests, tenants and residents alike. The navigation solution will be available for all app users.
PenguinIN offers Smart Campus solutions, including maps, navigation, traceability, and environmental sensing to offer technology-enabled campus experiences. The KAFD Campus Wayfinding project is an example of the scale of PenguinIN’s commitment to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 for digital transformation and the company’s investment in research and development for smart solutions.

ENDS

About KAFD
Situated in Riyadh, KAFD is an iconic business and lifestyle destination with state-of-the-art physical and digital infrastructure. The destination is owned and managed by King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC), which was established in 2018 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. KAFD’s 94 towers, designed by 25 world-leading architectural firms, have reshaped the skyline of Riyadh. The vibrant mixed-use district offers a range of experiences across its area of 1.6 million square meters and is the largest development globally to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the highest accreditation from USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council), which recognizes KAFD as a global leader in sustainability.
For further details about KAFD, please visit www.kafd.sa

Media Contact
Please address any enquiries to Suha Matar, Advisor, at [email protected] or via phone number: +966 11 814 0015

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About Coverage Points
Coverage Points provides location-based data analytics, data-driven marketing, and consulting services. Coverage Points’ unique analytics platform gives rich insights about venues’ visitors. This insight can help monetize and optimize the guests’ Wi-Fi network and the venue space.
Learn more at www.coveragepoints.com

About PenguinIN
PenguinIN is a Smart Campus digital transformation solution provider. Our vision is to recreate living and working spaces through the digital transformation of processes and activities that touch staff, visitors and assets.
Learn more at www.penguinin.com, LinkedIn, or by reaching out at [email protected]