Silicon Labs, often referred to as a core technology provider, is actively contributing to the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and is committed to advancing the next-generation Bluetooth Mesh protocol. In this article, we will share insights from the Bluetooth SIG blog, focusing on how industry professionals can implement real-time location services (RTLS) using Bluetooth Mesh profiles.
Advantages of Bluetooth for Real-Time Location Services
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices are lightweight and ideal for tracking assets and people in real-time. One of their key benefits is long battery life, ensuring that the device remains active for extended periods. The new Bluetooth Mesh protocol profile provides a foundational infrastructure that allows tags to be relayed through a network of Mesh nodes, which are typically powered by a wall outlet. This setup enhances the scalability and reliability of RTLS systems.
The position of these nodes is calculated using geometric trilateration, typically based on the received signal strength (RSSI) from three or more nodes. The accuracy of positioning depends on the quality of the chips used for RSSI measurements. Commercial solutions like the WiSilica patient tracking system achieve precision up to one meter, making them suitable for critical applications in healthcare and logistics.
Support for Lighting Control
Bluetooth Mesh profiles and models are primarily designed for lighting control. In the coming years, many low-power Bluetooth-based connected lighting products are expected to gain traction, especially in enterprise environments. These lighting devices can act as network nodes, offering a cost-effective and convenient way to integrate location awareness into IoT ecosystems across large facilities.
The Bluetooth Mesh model specification defines how a single fixture's location is set and reported, such as for trilateration reference points. Additionally, the configuration file supports broadcast data packets, enabling efficient relaying of short-term asynchronous ADV packets from tags. This makes it possible to track mobile assets in real time with minimal latency.
Unlike simple beacon-based tracking systems that only transmit fixed ADV packets, Bluetooth Mesh offers enhanced security features. Each message is encrypted with a unique serial number and key, preventing replay attacks. This ensures that tags cannot be easily cloned or tracked by malicious actors, making the system more secure than traditional solutions.
Bluetooth in Smart Environments
Although there are currently no specific Bluetooth profiles dedicated to RTLS, some work has been done in smart environments, aiming to leverage Bluetooth Mesh profiles for future applications. As an application-layer protocol, Bluetooth Mesh can coexist with other protocols, allowing the development of a full RTLS system even without standardized profiles.
The compatibility of the core BLE stack ensures seamless integration with mobile devices, a major advantage over other short-range wireless technologies. Even older phones can act as provisioning devices, safely adding new nodes to the Mesh network. This flexibility makes Bluetooth Mesh accessible and scalable for a wide range of use cases.
Meeting Application Demands
RTLS applications generally require more tags and higher traffic compared to lighting control. For instance, in a hospital setting, hundreds of patients and medical equipment may need to be tracked in real time, with each tag sending updates multiple times per second. This demands a robust and scalable network infrastructure.
Bluetooth Mesh, with its flooding feature, can handle high traffic volumes if properly engineered. The protocol includes different node types—such as passive, relay, and low-power nodes—that allow vendors to optimize performance and maximize channel utilization. This helps maintain high throughput even under heavy load.
To connect the Mesh network to the cloud, a gateway device is usually required. It translates Mesh data into Wi-Fi or LAN signals, enabling communication with cloud servers. These servers process all incoming ADV packets and RSSI values to calculate locations. As standardization progresses, an official RTLS profile may emerge, leveraging Bluetooth 5 features like extended broadcasts and multiple advertising channels. This will enable RTLS providers to offer real-time tracking services to any device within the Mesh network, much like how the internet connects everything today. In the future, real-time location services could become a standard feature in every IoT device.
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