#bluetooth module

The rapid development of the indoor positioning industry and the quick expansion of the market are closely related to the diversification of positioning technologies. Common indoor positioning technologies include Bluetooth positioning, WiFi positioning, UWB (Ultra-Wideband) positioning, and ZigBee positioning, among others. In recent years, indoor navigation and positioning have become increasingly common, such as in underground parking lot vehicle location, smart guide systems in hospitals and nursing homes, and asset and item tracking in warehouses. Currently, the most common positioning technologies on the market are Bluetooth-based and UWB-based (Ultra-Wideband) technologies. Today, we will mainly introduce the differences between NiceRF's Bluetooth positioning and UWB positioning.

What are the differences between Bluetooth positioning and UWB positioning, and what are the main distinctions?

Supported wireless protocols

Bluetooth positioning is based on the standard Bluetooth 4.0-5.2 protocols

UWB (Ultra-Wideband) positioning uses UWB wireless communication technology, which supports extremely wide bandwidth (typically over 500 MHz). This protocol is designed for high precision and low latency communication, providing reliable performance in complex environments.

UWB3000F27 and UWB3000F00 adhere to IEEE802.15.4-2015 and IEEE802.15.4z (BPRF mode) standards, while UWB650 follows the IEEE 802.15.4-2020 Standard protocol.

Positioning Principles and Accuracy

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth positioning primarily relies on RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) measurements to estimate the distance between devices by measuring signal strength. NiceRF uses more advanced positioning methods, employing Bluetooth Angle of Arrival (AoA) and Angle of Departure (AoD) technologies to enhance positioning accuracy. The accuracy of Bluetooth positioning typically ranges from 1 to 5 meters, depending on the environment, the number of devices, and their configuration.

UWB Positioning: UWB positioning typically uses ToF (Time of Flight) and TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival) measurement principles. It determines distance by accurately measuring the signal propagation time. UWB positioning accuracy can reach within 10 centimeters and, under ideal conditions, can even achieve accuracy of a few centimeters. This high precision makes UWB highly advantageous in applications requiring exact positioning.

UWB3000F27 and UWB3000F00: These modules are used for two-way long-distance ranging, TDoA (Time Difference of Arrival), and PDoA (Phase Difference of Arrival) systems, with positioning accuracy up to 10 centimeters.

UWB650 Module: This module integrates data communication, double-sided two-way ranging (DS-TWR), and three-point planar positioning functions using UWB technology. It supports communication distances of over 1 KM in open environments, making it suitable for long-distance ranging applications.

Anti-Interference Capability

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth technology operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, making it susceptible to interference from other devices such as Wi-Fi and microwave ovens, which can affect positioning accuracy and stability.

NiceRF Bluetooth 5.2 protocol utilizes Silicon Labs' EFR32BG22C224 SOC chip. It features low power consumption, small size, long transmission distance, and strong anti-interference capabilities.

UWB Positioning: UWB technology uses an ultra-wide frequency band, offering strong anti-interference capabilities. It can provide stable positioning services in complex environments and is less likely to be affected by other wireless devices.

Data Transmission Speed

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is primarily designed for low power consumption, typically resulting in lower data transmission rates.

UWB Positioning: UWB technology not only provides high-precision positioning but also supports high data transmission rates, making it suitable for applications that require the simultaneous transmission of large amounts of data and precise location tracking.

Synchronization Mechanism

Bluetooth Positioning: Synchronization between Bluetooth devices typically relies on communication between the master and slave devices, which may introduce some time delay.

UWB Positioning: UWB uses a time synchronization mechanism, achieving precise synchronization between devices through high-precision timestamps of ultra-wideband signals.

Deployment Density

Bluetooth Positioning: Due to the accuracy of Bluetooth positioning being significantly affected by signal strength and interference, a high number of Bluetooth beacons (Beacons) are needed to cover the target area. This can lead to high-density deployment, especially in large or complex environments.

UWB Positioning: UWB positioning systems typically require less infrastructure to cover the same area because their high precision and strong anti-interference capabilities can provide stable positioning services over a larger range. This makes UWB systems more cost-effective for large-scale deployments.

Standby Duration

Bluetooth Positioning: A significant advantage of Bluetooth technology is its low power consumption. Devices using BLE can typically operate for extended periods, with standby times reaching several months or even years, making it well-suited for scenarios requiring long-term continuous operation.

UWB Positioning: UWB generally involves high power consumption for ultra-long-distance modules, making it less advantageous in terms of standby duration. UWB modules are better suited for high-precision positioning tasks of shorter duration.

Application Scenarios

Bluetooth Positioning: Widely used in indoor navigation, personnel tracking, asset management, smart homes, and customer behavior analysis in retail stores. This is mainly due to its low cost, low power consumption, and convenient deployment characteristics.

UWB Positioning: Due to its high precision and reliability, UWB is widely used in industrial automation, robotic navigation, drone positioning, sports and medical tracking, and high-precision asset management, among other fields requiring accurate positioning.

How to Choose the Right Indoor Positioning Solution

When choosing an indoor positioning solution, it is recommended to first clarify your positioning needs, including the required indoor positioning accuracy and the functional requirements of the positioning solution. Next, consider the budget you can allocate for the indoor positioning solution and the complexity of setting up the positioning environment.

The need for indoor positioning accuracy

Bluetooth Positioning: Bluetooth positioning accuracy is typically around 3 to 5 meters, making it suitable for applications where high precision is not critical.

UWB Positioning: UWB (Ultra-Wideband) positioning technology can provide centimeter-level accuracy, typically ranging from 10 to 30 centimeters. This high precision makes UWB ideal for applications requiring exact positioning.

Complexity of Setting Up the Positioning Environment:

Bluetooth Positioning: The layout is relatively simple; you just need to pay attention to the spacing between beacons.

UWB Positioning: The layout is more complex compared to Bluetooth positioning because it involves the installation of UWB base stations.

The operating modes of Bluetooth modules encompass two technologies: Classic Bluetooth (BR/EDR) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Each technology has various operating modes, such as master mode, slave mode, master-slave mode, and advertising mode. Among these, master mode and slave mode are the two fundamental roles that devices play in Bluetooth communication, defining their behavior and responsibilities in the connection and data transmission process.

Beacon600 is the latest 2.4GHz beacon module which is compatible with BLE. This module integrates the MCU and process the SPI protocol. It provides generic UART interface, users can connect the module with smart phone with BLE. This module has the same structure of BLE, and works as Broadcast mode of Bluetooth. It is easier and cost-effective compare with Bluetooth.

Master Mode

Initiating Connections: The master device is responsible for scanning nearby Bluetooth devices and actively initiating pairing and connection requests.

Controlling the Connection: Once the connection is established, the master device controls the connection parameters, such as the connection interval and the start and stop of data transmission.

Multiple Device Connections: A master device can theoretically connect to multiple slave devices simultaneously.

Master Mode

Initiating Connections: The master device is responsible for scanning nearby Bluetooth devices and actively initiating pairing and connection requests.

Controlling the Connection: Once the connection is established, the master device controls the connection parameters, such as the connection interval and the start and stop of data transmission.

Multiple Device Connections: A master device can theoretically connect to multiple slave devices simultaneously.

Slave Mode

Passive Connection Reception: The slave device cannot initiate connection requests. Instead, it waits to be discovered and connected by the master device.

Responding to Connections: Upon receiving a connection request from the master device, the slave device responds and establishes the connection.

Data Interaction: Once the connection is established, the slave device can exchange data with the master device, although the communication parameters are primarily controlled by the master.

Dependence on Master Clock: During communication, the slave device's clock is synchronized with the master's clock, ensuring synchronous data transmission between both devices.

In some cases, devices support a master-slave mode, allowing them to switch between master and slave roles to adapt to different application scenarios or take on different communication responsibilities as needed. This flexibility enhances the applicability and functionality of Bluetooth devices, particularly in IoT and wearable device scenarios.

Master-Slave Mode

Bluetooth modules can switch between the roles of master and slave as needed. This means the same Bluetooth module can act like a master device, scanning for and connecting to other slave devices, controlling the data transmission process, and can also switch to the slave role, waiting to be discovered and connected by other master devices.

This mode significantly enhances the flexibility and versatility of Bluetooth devices in various application scenarios. For instance, in IoT devices, one device might need to act as a central node collecting data at certain times, while also being able to function as a terminal device reporting data to another central node.

Broadcast Communication Mode

One-to-One Communication

In one-to-one communication, Bluetooth devices establish a dedicated connection. This connection ensures reliable data transmission, and in point-to-point communication, Bluetooth's transfer speed and stability are guaranteed.

Many-to-Many Communication

The Bluetooth module integrates an MCU internally and communicates through Bluetooth broadcasting and scanning protocols. It supports transparent UART transmission and has no limits on the number of connections, which is particularly evident in BLE.

Broadcast Mode

Broadcast mode refers to the Bluetooth module periodically sending data packets (advertisement packets) in a non-connected manner. These packets can be received by any device within range and in listening mode. In broadcast mode, the Bluetooth module does not establish one-to-one connections but instead uses a one-to-many approach to broadcast information to all interested receivers.

Beacon600 Bluetooth module is low power, cost-effective, and powerful, suitable for a variety of wireless communication applications. It offers flexible parameter configuration and efficient data transmission capabilities.

BLE Module BLE5101 Support Master-Slave Coexistence & BLE 5.1 Protocol https://www.nicerf.com/ble-module/

BLE5101 is a BLE module based on BLE 5.1 Protocol, coexistence of master and slave roles, small size, low power consumption, and the working signal frequency band is 2.4GHz. The BLE5101 module is developed by Shenzhen NiceRF Wireless Technology Co., Ltd. The module supports the coexistence of master and slave roles, can connect to the master and slave at the same time, and can flexibly set the number of master and slave connections, and can support up to 20 connections.