Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) Beacon
Learn what BLE beacons and BLE beacon tags are, how they work and where they are used in industry & logistics
Bluetooth® Low Energy (BLE) beacon tags are small radio transmitters that emit signals at defined intervals, making objects, locations or zones digitally "identifiable". In Auto-ID and IoT scenarios, they enable proximity triggers, zone recognition and asset transparency, among other things - without active interaction as with classic RFID reader processes.
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What is a BLE beacon tag?
Bluetooth devices (e.g. headphones, speakers, fitness trackers) continuously send out small data packets so that other devices can find them. This is called Bluetooth advertising. A BLE beacon tag is a small device that regularly sends out a special type of advertising signal, so-called BLE beacons, via Bluetooth Low Energy. These beacons typically contain a unique identifier that can be recognized by compatible receivers and assigned to an action or information. Beacons can also contain sensor data or a URL and are not directed at a specific device, but can be received by all suitable devices without prior pairing.
Summarized: A beacon is therefore a special Bluetooth LE data packet that can be provided and transmitted in a particularly energy-saving manner because it does not need to be paired. This also results in a long battery life.
How does a BLE beacon tag work
BLE beacon tags send short radio signals, the beacons, at regular intervals. Receivers within range can read these signals and trigger an action depending on the system logic, app or platform.
What is a BLE beacon?
A beacon is an advertising packet sent via Bluetooth Low Energy that transmits a unique identifier and optionally other data as a broadcast at regular intervals.
Typical function blocks:
Areas of application for BLE beacon tags
The question here is whether a device/asset is in the immediate vicinity. Typical logic: if the beacon comes close to the gateway, an action is triggered.
Application areas:
- Check-in/check-out of tools via proximity detection, e.g. in the warehouse
- Context-related instructions (e.g. instructions at the workplace)
- Process trigger in assembly/service (e.g. "arrived at object")
Beacons can be used to map zones (e.g. incoming goods, buffer, picking, dispatch). Beacon signals are captured by smartphones, scanners or gateways; the system decides which zone something is likely to be in based on signal strength/reception.
Important notes:- Zone logic is usually more robust than pinpoint positioning.
- Planning/positioning (density, mounting, sources of interference) is crucial.
In the asset context, beacon tags are used as asset transponders to document whereabouts. The interaction with gateways (e.g. at gates or charging stations) is particularly interesting.
Examples:- Attendance/dwell time in defined areas
- Transfer (e.g. change between departments)
- Status data (if sensor beacon is used)
Application examples in industry & logistics
Find and allocate operating resources/assets and make availability/inventory transparent
Locate special load carriers and containers - including area detection and handovers (including construction sites)
Goods receipt → buffer → line → dispatch; quickly mark production and storage zones (also temporary) - without changing the infrastructure.
Location-based service for maintenance (digital checklists/service documentation), quality assurance (test stations/test equipment) and visitor guidance in defined areas.
Use of BLE beacon tags
- Energy-efficient for long-term operation: BLE is designed for battery-powered applications
- Flexible & customizable: Transmission interval and transmission power can be parameterized depending on the use case.
- Wide compatibility & scalable integration: Supported by smartphones and many industrial devices; can be combined with apps, scanners or gateways as well as backend systems.
- Quickly installed & process-oriented: Zone-based detection instead of point detection (where sufficient) - with low installation effort; optionally expandable with sensor beacons for status data.
Clarification of terms
Radio transmitter that regularly broadcasts an identifier (and possibly sensor data)
Receiver (e.g. smartphone, scanner, gateway) that recognizes and processes beacon signals
Identification on the object (here: beacon on the equipment/container) to record statuses/events
A system automatically triggers an action as soon as a receiver (e.g. smartphone, handheld, gateway) moves into the vicinity of a transmitter/transponder (e.g. BLE beacon) - or moves away again.
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