u-blox AG: u-blox presents Bluetooth AoA Explorer Kits for High Precision Indoor Positioning

Rhea-AI Summary

u-blox, a leader in positioning and wireless communication technologies, has launched two explorer kits, XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2, designed for evaluating Bluetooth direction finding and indoor positioning. These kits provide sub-meter accuracy for applications like access control and asset tracking. The technology leverages angle-of-arrival (AoA) methods to determine the direction of signals, offering a significant upgrade over previous solutions. With low power consumption and ease of deployment, u-blox aims to enhance indoor localization capabilities.

Positive

• Launch of XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2 kits expands product offerings.
• Provides sub-meter level accuracy for indoor positioning applications.
• Low power consumption and simple deployment enhance product appeal.
• Partnership with Traxmate supports a comprehensive asset tracking solution.

Negative

• None.

Leveraging Bluetooth direction finding technology, the solutions demonstrate sub-meter level position accuracy for a variety of industrial and consumer applications.

THALWIL, SWITZERLAND / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2021 / u-blox (SIX:UBXN,OTC:UBLXF), a leading global provider of positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced the release of two "explorer kits" aimed at letting product developers evaluate the potential of Bluetooth direction finding and high precision indoor positioning . Designed for low power consumption, simple deployment, and low cost of ownership, the u-blox XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2 explorer kits make it easy to test the technology's capabilities to enable a variety of applications including access control, collision detection, smart appliances, indoor positioning, and asset tracking.

Global navigation satellite system (GNSS) technology has solved the problem of locating people or assets outdoors. Meanwhile, no technology has yet managed to achieve widespread adoption for localizing people or assets in indoor environments such as warehouses. Recognizing the growing demand for more accurate indoor positioning solutions, the Bluetooth SIG released Bluetooth direction finding, offering a major improvement over previous RSSI (receiver signal strength indicator)-based solutions.

Bluetooth direction finding makes it possible to determine the direction that radio signals travel from a mobile tag to one or several fixed anchor points. Using angle-of-arrival (AoA) technology, anchor points comprising an antenna array that is connected to a Bluetooth receiver can detect the direction, or angle, to the mobile tag, which transmits a Bluetooth signal. When a constellation of such multi-antenna anchors is deployed, AoA technology can be used to triangulate the precise location of a mobile device or tag.

The u-blox XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2 explorer kits showcase one of the first complete Bluetooth-based tracking solutions - from the tag to the cloud - to reliably offer sub-meter-level accuracy in indoor environments.

• Comprising a u-blox C211 antenna board and a u-blox C209 tag, as well as the necessary software, the u-blox XPLR-AOA-1 offers all the required components to evaluate AoA technology. Applications include detecting whether a person or an object is approaching a door, avoiding collisions between moving objects, and directing a camera at a moving tag.
• The u-blox XPLR-AOA-2 demonstrates the u-blox high precision indoor position proof of concept built around Bluetooth direction finding. The kit comprises four u-blox C211 antenna boards, four u-blox C209 tags, and all the software required to leverage AoA technology for diverse applications.

Both explorer kits use the u-blox NINA-B4 Bluetooth 5.1 low energy module featuring Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52833 Bluetooth(R) Low Energy System-on-Chip (SoC). Running on the SoC's embedded MCU, u-blox u-connectLocate software calculates the angles of the incoming signals with no additional processing required. In the case of the XPLR-AOA-2, a positioning engine software is included to triangulate the position of the tag.

To provide a great experience for the end-user, u-blox is partnering with Traxmate , whose enterprise asset tracking platform is supported by XPLR-AOA-2. This solution offers a hardware-agnostic, cloud-based tracking system that makes it easier to set up the tracking environment, create buildings, upload floor plans, and specify the placement of the anchor points. Users can use their offering to track the location of assets in real-time via the web or a dedicated smartphone app.

"We see huge potential for global Bluetooth ecosystem to finally deliver a low power, high precision solution for locating people and things indoors," says Erik Carlberg, Senior Product Manager, Product Center Short Range, at u-blox. "We look forward to engaging with early adopters of the technology and fine-tuning our solution, expanding the positioning expertise of u-blox into the indoor environment."

The u-blox XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2 explorer kits are available for sale through our sales channels , including our u-blox online shop .

About u-blox
u-blox (SIX:UBXN) is a global technology leader in positioning and wireless communication in automotive, industrial, and consumer markets. Their smart and reliable solutions, services and products let people, vehicles, and machines determine their precise position and communicate wirelessly over cellular and short range networks. With a broad portfolio of chips, modules, and secure data services and connectivity, u-blox is uniquely positioned to empower its customers to develop innovative and reliable solutions for the Internet of Things, quickly and cost-effectively. With headquarters in Thalwil, Switzerland, the company is globally present with offices in Europe, Asia, and the USA. ( www.u-blox.com ) Find us on Facebook , LinkedIn , Twitter @ublox and YouTube

u‑blox media contact:
Natacha Seitz
Senior Manager PR and Content Marketing
Mobile +41 76 436 0788
natacha.seitz@u-blox.com

SOURCE: u-blox AG

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/653514/u-blox-AG-u-blox-presents-Bluetooth-AoA-Explorer-Kits-for-High-Precision-Indoor-Positioning

FAQ

What is the significance of u-blox's XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2 kits?

These explorer kits allow developers to evaluate Bluetooth direction finding technology, demonstrating sub-meter-level position accuracy for indoor applications.

How do u-blox's new explorer kits improve indoor positioning?

The kits utilize angle-of-arrival (AoA) technology to accurately triangulate signals from mobile tags, offering a significant upgrade over previous RSSI-based solutions.

What applications can benefit from u-blox's Bluetooth direction finding technology?

Potential applications include access control, collision detection, smart appliances, indoor positioning, and asset tracking.

When were the u-blox explorer kits announced?

The explorer kits were announced on June 29, 2021.

What technology do the XPLR-AOA-1 and XPLR-AOA-2 kits use?

Both kits use the u-blox NINA-B4 Bluetooth 5.1 low energy module, which features Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52833 SoC.