Saturday , 5 October 2024

5 Technologies Used In Indoor Tracking Devices

Consumers are looking for the best Indoor Positioning Systems (IPS) to fulfill their indoor tracking needs. Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices are familiar to household and business consumers alike. Every smartphone owner is walking around with a personal GPS in their pocket. Unfortunately, GPS tracker technology is limited when it comes to indoor spaces. Indoor tracking systems represent the future of indoor positioning technology. These devices serve many residential and commercial purposes and are powered by a variety of differing technologies. The technology that each device utilizes correlates with the specific tracking purpose that it provides. For consumers interested in purchasing an indoor tracking device, here are the latest technologies used in indoor positioning systems.

Wifi Positioning Systems

Some IPS devices use WiFi for indoor tracking. Wifi location uses Wi-Fi access points and to calculate where a device is located. The benefit of this indoor tracking method is that it utilizes an infrastructure that already exists. This makes it an extremely cost-effective IPS option. This type of indoor tracking is determined through either direct smartphone positioning or server-based localization. The accuracy of WiFi positioning is between 5 and 15 meters so the technology is ideal if you are looking for a more general indoor tracking service. If you already use a WiFi analyzer, consider the benefits of WiFi positioning technology for your indoor tracking needs.

Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons

A Bluetooth beacon is another option for an indoor tracking device. These beacons are small wireless devices that broadcast signals using Bluetooth Low Energy or Bluetooth Smart. The function of these devices is similar to a GPS except that they enable signals that can penetrate walls. Bluetooth Low Energy Beacons are compact systems that run on button cells for more than five years. The maximum range of each unit is about 75 meters and their accuracy ranges from 8 meters to less than one. These beacons are scalable and highly portable devices that come in a variety of different formats. If you’re interested in an indoor tracking device, consider a beacon that uses Bluetooth technology.

Infared Technology

Some indoor tracking devices also use infared technology. These IPS systems use electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer then the visible light spectrum to track people and objects indoors. A simple infared tracking device is composed of an infared light emitter diode and a recieving photodiode. The former emits a signal of bursts of nonvisible light and the reciving end detects and captures the pulses and processes the retrieved information. Most Infared systems require a line of sight clearance from the emitter to the senser. If this is the case, they are able to maintain tracking information with a high degree of accuracy. Infared light sensing is another type of technology used in indoor tracking systems.

Radio Frequency Identification

Another technology used in radio frequency identification systems is radio frequency identification. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems use radio waves to wirelessly transmit the identity and charachterists of people and objects in indoor tracking systems. This type of indoor tracking device is composed of both transponders and readers that work together to provide location services. RFID tags is a cost-effictive indoor tracking option that is easy to maintain. Another benefit of radio frequency technology is that it can be combined with other real-time positioning systems if more than simple spot detection is required. RFID is frequently used in large factories to transmit serial numbers for package location. Radio frequency identification is another technology used in indoor tracking devices.

Low Power Wide Area Networks

Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) offer another technological advance in indoor tracking technology. LPWAN Technology is composed of gateways that pick up signals, a transmitter that attaches to assets and a positioning server that recieves location data. This type of IPS offers a single, self-reliant technological system. Indoor tracking tolutions with LPWAN provide a multi-kilometer range, no trade-offs in battery life and general reliability. This technology only requires a few gateways to cover an expansive area so it would be a great system for a commercial building or an entire industrial plant. Low Power Wide Area Network is another technology offered in today’s indoor tracking devices.

Consumers want an IPS that fulfills their personal indoor tracking needs. There are various technologies employed by indoor tracking devices. Some devices use WiFi positioning systems to pinpoint location using a smartphone or server. Others employ bluetooth technology in their tracking beacons for low energy locationization. Electromagnetic radiation and radio frequencies are also used in indoor tracking devices. LPWAN systems offer one compacy, self-reliant system for IPS. If you are interested in purchacing an indoor tracking device, consider the previously mentioned technologies used in indoor positioning systems.

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