Exploring the Untapped Potential of Bluetooth AoA in Asset Tracking and Management Systems

Implementing an effective asset tracking and management system can help businesses access data in real time and allow them to track their assets while reducing the possibility of loss or theft. It also assists in analyzing the condition of assets and planning schedules to effectively maintain them. 

This blog article discusses the untapped potential of Bluetooth Angle of Arrival (AoA) in tracking and managing business assets.

Bluetooth AoA for Asset Tracking

The locating system uses a Bluetooth receiver (eg. anchor) to track objects (eg. tag) based on their location. A tag sends out signals that are received by an anchor with multiple antennas. The signal is received by each antenna at a different time relative to the others. Then the location engine computes the raw position data in the server. A sample of this kind of antenna changes in signal phase is calculated to find out the relative angle producing coordinate source information.

Asset tracking or any other indoor locating applications are very suitable for this method. It allows tags with low power to broadcast their location to an AoA anchor. 

For a Bluetooth AoA system to function correctly, accuracy of key parameters is of utmost importance. Accuracy depends upon different system aspects such as implementation of System on Chip (SoC), antenna array, Real Time Location Library (RTL Lib), and software. All these aspects hold importance when creating an AoA solution to track assets. 

The Benefits of Bluetooth AoA Asset Tracking

One of the key advantages of using Bluetooth technology for tracking assets is its capability of using two-way communication. This functionality allows multiple devices to be located simultaneously. For instance, if a business creates a network of tags for tracking numerous assets, all of them can be used for finding the items. 

Another benefit of tracking industrial assets through Bluetooth AoA is its ease of use with smart devices, such as cell phones, which can work as a tag and a monitor at the same time. 

Bluetooth AoA technology enables real-time and pin point location tracking. This turns out to be much more accurate than other real-time technologies like Beacon or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) contactless technology. Hardware devices including anchors and tags send data to the software application, which enables real-time tracking. The asset tracking software processes this data and produces human-readable results. Some software applications also have the functionality to show the current location of the asset, its movement history, and a log of all the employees who handled the asset. 

What to Consider when Using Bluetooth Asset Tracking

When using Bluetooth AoA technology for asset tracking and management systems, consider the costs of hardware, such as tracking tags. It may be a bit expensive, but procurement of Bluetooth tracking tags is more affordable compared to other high-precision tracking technologies. Besides, Bluetooth low energy technology empowers the Bluetooth asset tracking tags, making its endurance life last for years.

Conclusion

Bluetooth tracking technology is being developed further for more cost-effectiveness and efficiency to make it more budget-friendly for businesses and make it fit for the requirements. 

With specific asset tracking and management applications, businesses are also able to design their own tracking systems. For instance, they can create an automatic indoor asset tracking system with Bluetooth AoA, without requiring any human intervention. 

Beacon and RFID technologies for asset tracking are less cost-effective under the high precision requirement than Bluetooth AoA, thus, Bluetooth is preferred for businesses that have asset tracking as a priority.