{"id":228133,"date":"2021-10-27T13:42:33","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T13:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zenduit.com\/?p=228133"},"modified":"2021-10-27T13:42:33","modified_gmt":"2021-10-27T13:42:33","slug":"ultra-wideband-vs-bluetooth-tracking-which-one-is-right-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apps7.devmaverick.com\/newzenduit\/ultra-wideband-vs-bluetooth-tracking-which-one-is-right-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultra-Wideband vs. Bluetooth Tracking: Which One Is Right For You?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Outdoors, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are used to locate people, places and things, a process that is hindered once those objects move to an indoor space. When GPS tracking is not an option, real-time indoor location systems come into play; the most common being Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This was the case, until the popularity of Apple and Samsung smartphones inundated the market with Ultra-Wideband (UWB) sensor technology. While many people are familiar with both terms, they may not be sure how the two compare \u2014 or contrast \u2014 for that matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Both systems allow devices to determine each other\u2019s location when in close proximity, which can be useful in a number of indoor location-based services, such as airports, corporate offices or shopping malls.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Many organizations have been using BLE to track assets for years, but with the ability to connect devices over short distances with unparalleled accuracy, UWB might be giving Bluetooth a run for its money; according to <\/span>MarketsandMarkets<\/span><\/a>, \u201cUltra-Wideband will be worth 2.7 billion by 2025, with a CAGR of 19.6%.\u201d So what is ultra-wideband technology, and could it replace Bluetooth tracking in the near future?<\/span><\/p>\n

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UWB<\/span><\/h2>\n

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Ultra-Wideband (also referred to as UWB or ultraband) is a wireless, short-range protocol that specifies how two devices use short-range radio waves to communicate at high speeds with each other. Typically, optimal communications are achieved when devices are within two to 10 meters (6.5 to 33 feet) of each other. If you can wirelessly transfer photos from your iPhone to another iPhone, or remotely print pictures from a digital camera, you\u2019re already using a UWB-enabled device.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Ultra-Wideband is fast, secure and doesn\u2019t use a lot of power to achieve big results. Being a low power system is a key factor for mobile devices in terms of battery life and practical usability. A sensor that sends a pulse once every second is expected to work for seven years off a single coin battery.<\/span><\/p>\n

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True to its name, it employs a wider frequency, and while UWB is short range, it doesn\u2019t impact accuracy. Similarly to bats that use echolocation, UWB \u201cpulses\u201d can sense the distance between two transmitters; the shorter the impulse, the more accurate the measurement of distance is. By comparison, Bluetooth is accurate only up to 1 meter (39 inches) with no obstructions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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From secure wireless payments to smart car access, UWB is safe, accurate and reliable. There are a host of benefits and a wide range of use cases for Ultra-Wideband devices, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

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