Bluetooth beacon from Pepperl+Fuchs is perfect for indoor navigating applications

The Pepperl+Fuchs Bluetooth beacon, available in Canada via PIC

For more than a quarter of a century, Process Instruments & Components (PIC) has served as a leading Canadian provider of industrial products from several top manufacturers – including Pepperl+Fuchs, a pioneer in explosion protection and sensor technology. One of Pepperl+Fuchs’ significant innovations is its popular Bluetooth beacons, designed for indoor navigating and positioning in buildings where GPS navigation may not work.

The industry standard

Bluetooth beacons have become the industry standard for indoor navigation in recent years. Users place these small radio beacons in rooms and outdoor locations at regular intervals. The beacons use Bluetooth low-energy technology to emit signals that are receivable on mobile phones or other receivers. This makes it easier for users to locate people and objects in large industrial areas.

Common applications for Bluetooth beacon technology include locating injured mobile workers in order to spur rescue measures, sending warning signals in case of unauthorized people entering secured or hazardous areas, or tracking objects when they move between different rooms or areas.

Bluetooth beacons are designed with an interior range of about ten to 30 metres and are capable of accurate positioning of up to one metre. They are even capable of three-dimensional positioning, as users can specify the floor on which an object or person is located. Users can also calculate the distance from the beacon to the receiver via the signal transmission, and location can be determined very accurately when a mobile worker is within reach of another beacon.

Other considerable advantages of using Bluetooth beacons:

• increased battery life through energy-saving Bluetooth Low Energy technology;
• low costs in acquisition and installation;
• easy, flexible installation with no need for complex cabling;
• compatibility with many operating devices and systems; and
• small, inconspicuous design.

For security, safety, and tracking purposes in indoor applications, Bluetooth beacon technology is an ideal solution.

About the companies

Founded in 1945 in Germany, Pepperl+Fuchs designs electrical products with groundbreaking technology. Its North American affiliate is based in Twinsburg, OH.

PIC is an industrial-controls distributor founded in 1991 and based in Markham, Ont.

To learn more, contact PIC.

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