How Bluetooth Low Energy Is Transforming IoT Asset Tracking

Growing Bluetooth technology has given us many advantages and solves the connectivity problem in smaller regions. Bluetooth is known to be the most secure connection between two devices because of its strong Bluetooth signals, other than normal electromagnetic signals. Now Bluetooth is changing the face of many companies' IoT Asset Tracking technology. Previously, many methods were used for asset tracking like QR codes, Barcodes, RFID tags, NFC, etc., and now the companies are looking towards the growing Bluetooth low energy transforming IoT asset tracking.

What is IoT Asset Tracking?

Asset tracking helps any company track its logistics running all around the world. And it is necessary to track all the orders, their current location, estimated location and any information regarding the product. When anyone orders something from big E-commerce platforms like Amazon or Flipkart, they can track their ordered package and its estimated delivery date. All of this is possible with the help of asset tracking.

The previous methods for asset tracking were the Barcodes/ QR codes mentioned on packages, and once scanned, it gave its current information to the distributor. But IoT devices and sensors that use low energy, Bluetooth, are capturing the market.

Why is IoT Asset Tracking Necessary?

With the help of IoT Asset tracking, companies can automate many things, such as automated shipment and detecting the next course of the product. The IoT devices help to send all information to their cloud servers. This method is faster than the older manual methods, and the customer or dealer can get their packages as early as possible. Let us see low-energy Bluetooth and how it works with IoT asset tracking.

What is Low Energy Bluetooth?

Bluetooth low energy (BLE), also known as smart Bluetooth, is short-range Bluetooth technology that is both cost friendly and consumes lower energy than normal Bluetooth. Low-energy Bluetooth has many benefits, which replace regular Bluetooth on IoT devices to give them more efficiency.

• Smart communication between two devices.

• Faster than normal Bluetooth.

• Low energy consumption to support small battery-operated IoT devices.

• Lower manufacturing cost.

• Synchronized connections.

• Work best with short-range operated devices.

• Works with applications having low bandwidth.

• Reliable and more secure.

• It can also work well for larger connection ranges, unlike normal Bluetooth.

• Compatible and can be integrated easily.

How does BLE Work?

Bluetooth Low Energy works as Beacons which transmit a wave of signal every few milliseconds and works in a cycle. It completes each packet transmission using this beacon transmission which consumes lower energy. A good low-energy Bluetooth device can work for many years just using a single coin-sized battery, and these are just perfect for smaller IoT devices.

The quick Performance Difference Between BLE and Classical Bluetooth.

The main difference between Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and normal Bluetooth is the low energy consumption and high compatibility. Classical Bluetooth serves around 1 to 3 Mbps data transfer rate, while BLE provides around 300Kbps. The power consumption of normal Bluetooth depends upon the device and version of Bluetooth but generally remains around 30mA to 40mA. BLE consumes half the energy of classical Bluetooth, i.e. around 16mA. Normal Bluetooth works in a continuous stream of data flow, which cannot be broken, or the data would be lost, and BLE does not require such continuous data flow.

IoT Asset Tracking Integrated with Low Energy Bluetooth.

Switching all the asset tracking data to the cloud server has never been so easy without IoT asset tracking. The connectivity of IoT asset tracking devices and sensors is ensured with Bluetooth Low Energy. This forms a very versatile tracking system that works on low energy with higher accuracy and precision. The following are different characteristics and benefits of IoT Asset Tracking with Low Energy Bluetooth.

Low Capital Requirement

Because these are just Bluetooth-equipped IoT devices, they can also be operated with a smartphone. Unlike the RFID tags, which require their special RFID reader, BLE does not require any other gadget for connectivity. The beacon signals can be easily identified on the smartphone when someone passes through the BLE beacon range.

Proximity and Hyperlocal Marketing

The growth using BLE-equipped trackers is tremendous. The faster internet provided by 5G technology also helps maintain servers and speed. Local features like finding any relevant shop or place near the user can be seen using the “near me” feature. Moreover, you can navigate using smart Bluetooth connectivity at smaller levels where you require indoor navigation, like in a mall or industry.

Maintaining Warehouse items

One of the messy things that can happen is an error in stock maintenance in godowns or cold storages where all items stored should be in ready-to-dispatch condition. And hence IoT asset technology with BLE helps to maintain a record of importing and exporting goods at warehouses.

Security

Bluetooth is a highly secure connection, and with Bluetooth Low Energy which works as a beacon, it is impossible to hack such a network because it transmits signals in pulses. Even the most secure internet connection can be hacked but not Bluetooth. A local area has Bluetooth connectivity forming an impossible-to-hack Bluetooth network grid in that local area.

Increased Bluetooth Range

Generally, Bluetooth is used in a relatively smaller range, ranging from 0 to 10 meters, for efficient connection. But with the low-power BLE having beacon technology, it can get a four times larger range.

Faster Connectivity and data Transfer

BLE also provides faster data transfer speed, nearly two times more speed than regular data transfers. The paring time for Bluetooth to connect to another device can also be improved with the BLE beacon detectors.

Conclusion

BLE becomes a catalyst and helps to provide some of the most advanced IoT asset-tracking technology. This is the future of E-commerce platforms and logistic workers. Moreover, the advancement in Web 3.0 will ensure strong security for the wide area network, while in local areas, BLE can help to form a very secure low energy, low cost and low maintenance network. Integrating BLE on IoT sensors is how Bluetooth Low Energy transforms IoT Asset Tracking technology.