Deploy iBeacons

Description

iBeacon is Bluetooth device which transmits an ID which will be used to estimate the location of users. Usually, you need to deploy iBeacons with about 7-15 meters intervals in your environment.

iBeacon types

Type	Pros	Cons
Battery	the most popular type, many products	usually it lasts 6-12 months, require replacement
USB power	replacement is not required	need to prepare power taps
Solar power	replacement is not required	need enough lighting, relatively bigger

UUID, major, minor

• UUID should be same in your environment
  • technically you can use 20 different UUID at a time (iOS limitation)
• You can share the same UUID in multiple environments
• You can use arbitrary major-minor pairs but each beacon should have a unique ID
  • readable numbering is recommended
  • sequential minor number in a floor in a building is recommended
  • Ex.) major-minor: 1-101 : Building 1, 1st floor, number 1

Beacon signal interval and power

• The specification of iBeacon defines the signal transmission interval as 100ms

  • some iBeacon allows you to change transmission interval
  • longer interval makes battery life longer
  • longer interval makes signal less robust

• -4db/-8db (little weaker) signal power is good for accuracy

  • We have not well studied with higher power

Beacon placement

• 7-10 meters interval may get better accuracy
• 2-3.5 meters high (higher gets lower accuracy
• lower place can be affected by human bodies passing by
• beacons can be hidden if covering material makes a lower signal loss (e.g. wood, ceiling panel)