The Bluetooth Beacon

BLE beacons are small wireless transmitters that use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to broadcast short signals to nearby devices. These signals are picked up by smartphones, tablets, or gateways to provide location data, trigger actions, or deliver information. All modern smartphones support Bluetooth LE. BLE beacons come in various formats such as cards, wristbands, stickers, USB sticks, key fobs, or badges, and can be battery-, USB-, or mains-powered. 

Bluetooth beacons operate much like a digital lighthouse. Just as a lighthouse emits light signals to guide nearby ships, beacons continuously transmit small packets of data over Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) at set intervals. These signals are called advertising packets and are designed to be received by nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices—such as smartphones, tablets, or gateways.

Important: Beacons do not receive signals or collect user data. They only transmit data outward. Tracking and interaction occur only if a receiving device (e.g. a phone with an app) is actively listening and interpreting the signal. 

Each advertising packet typically includes:

• A Unique Identifier (UUID): A string of numbers that identifies the beacon or the application it belongs to.
• Major and Minor Values: These provide more detailed location data. For example, in a store chain, all stores might share one UUID, while each store has its own major value, and each aisle its own minor value.
• Tx Power (Transmission Power): Indicates the signal strength at one meter from the beacon—used to estimate proximity.

Depending on the beacon standard (iBeacon, Eddystone, AltBeacon), the structure and content of these packets may vary slightly. Some standards allow additional data types, such as URLs or telemetry data.

Devices like smartphones with a compatible app or built-in functionality detect the signal and interpret its data. This process enables:

• Proximity detection: By measuring the signal strength (RSSI), the app can estimate how close the beacon is.
• Triggered actions: The app might push a notification, load content, or initiate another action based on proximity or location.

Using RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), the app classifies proximity into four zones:

• Immediate: Within a few centimeters.
• Near: Around 1–3 meters.
• Far: More than 3 meters, but still detectable.
• Unknown: No reliable signal or undetermined state.

The accuracy of this distance estimation depends on environmental factors such as walls, furniture, signal interference, and the placement of the beacon.

While beacons themselves are one-way transmitters, they can still enable smart, dynamic interactions when integrated with cloud services, apps, or middleware platforms. For example, combining beacon data with AI in a mobile app can trigger personalized messages, guide users through a building, or enable automation in smart factories and logistics. 

Bluetooth beacons offer a powerful combination of simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency. Key advantages include:

• Low Power Consumption
  BLE beacons are designed to run for months or even years on small batteries.
• Affordable and Scalable
  With low production costs and simple installation, beacons are ideal for large-scale deployments in retail, logistics, healthcare, and more.
• Easy Integration with Mobile Devices
  All modern smartphones support Bluetooth Low Energy, enabling immediate compatibility without special hardware.
• Flexible Form Factors
  Beacons come in many shapes — from wearables to wall-mounted devices — making them suitable for diverse environments.
• Support for Proximity and Indoor Positioning
  Enables location-aware services in areas where GPS fails, such as inside buildings or underground facilities.
• Interoperability and Open Standards
  Multiple open and platform-based standards are supported, increasing hardware and software compatibility.
• One-Way Simplicity, Smart Results
  Beacons transmit only — no sensitive user data is collected by the device itself. Interaction is app- or server-driven.

Bluetooth beacons follow specific standards that define how they format and transmit data. The three most common are iBeacon (Apple), Eddystone (Google), and AltBeacon (Radius Networks).

• iBeacon was introduced by Apple in 2013. It uses a unique ID along with major and minor values to define locations. It’s supported on iOS and Android, but the official iBeacon label requires Apple licensing. Proximity is estimated using signal strength.
• Eddystone, launched by Google, offers more flexibility. It supports multiple frame types like UID (identifier), URL (link), TLM (telemetry), and EID (secure ID). It can work without a dedicated app and is well-suited for infrastructure and public-facing applications.
• AltBeacon is an open-source alternative developed by Radius Networks. It offers similar features to iBeacon without licensing restrictions, making it a flexible choice for custom deployments.

These standards are often supported simultaneously by modern beacon hardware to maximize compatibility.

Bluetooth beacons are mainly used for applications in location tracking and proximity awareness. They are increasingly being utilized across various industries. In retail marketing, beacons can present customers with coupons and rewards as they approach a beacon that is located within a store. This enhances the shopping experience for customers.

In the events sector, beacons are used in small business gatherings and in large-scale events like sporting competitions and musical concerts. These beacons provide real-time updates to event attendees. Another application is asset tracking within buildings, where beacons help monitor the location of valuable items.

Beacons also play an important role in indoor location services and indoor navigation. They are used to guide people inside buildings where GPS is ineffective. In the tourism industry, beacons optimize visitor experiences in museums and guided tours by providing contextual information and interactive content as they approach the installed beacons.