What is the best locator to choose for indoors?

Did you know that every year companies lose thousands of dollars due to lost or misplaced equipment?

Whether it's a healthcare facility trying to find critical medical equipment, a warehouse struggling with lost inventory, or an office managing assets, real-time visibility of indoor equipment is important. Unlike outdoor environments where a GPS locator is commonly used, indoor tracking requires specialized technologies that can navigate complex room layouts and provide accurate positioning in confined spaces.

We know how difficult it can be to find the right solution, and we are here to help you choose the technology that best suits your needs. With our extensive experience, we have supported companies in a variety of industries to streamline operations and reduce unnecessary costs.

In this article, we will discuss the top 5 indoor asset tracking technologies and help you choose the best asset tracking method for your business.

What is RTLS and why does indoor RTLS matter?

Real-time location systems (RTLS) are technologies used to automatically identify and track the location of objects or people in real time, often in indoor environments. These systems use various technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ultra-Wideband and others to provide accurate positioning.

Indoor RTLS helps companies prevent asset loss, increase productivity and reduce costs by offering real-time visibility into asset location and usage. Indoor tracking has different needs than outdoor solutions, such as dealing with walls, interference from other electronic devices and requiring greater precision in tight spaces. With the right solution, companies can make better decisions and run their operations more efficiently.

How did we choose locator technologies?

With so many RTLS technologies available, choosing the right one can seem like a daunting task. To help companies make an informed choice, we considered the following key factors:

Cost-effectiveness: The balance between initial investment and long-term savings.

Privacy: Ensure data security and compliance.

Based on these principles, we have created a list of the best and most reliable technologies.

The best types of indoor RTLS locators for your business

Let's take a look at the most commonly used RTLS technologies and see how they compare in terms of accuracy, ease of configuration and cost-effectiveness.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) locator.

BLE uses low-power signals to track asset location in indoor environments. It is a cost-effective option for applications requiring moderate accuracy and scalability.

Technical characteristics:

• It operates at 2.4 GHz.
• Allows localization by received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or angle of arrival (AoA).
• Typical range: 30-50 m (up to 100 m in open space).
• Low power consumption, enabling years of battery life for trackers.

Advantages:

• Economic infrastructure and tags.
• Mature technology with a broad ecosystem.
• Easy to implement with minimal training.

Disadvantages:

• Moderate accuracy (1-5 m).
• Signal interference in tight environments.

Wi-Fi locator

Wi-Fi uses existing wireless networks to track asset locations based on signal strength or advanced techniques such as Time of Flight (ToF). This is a convenient option for companies that already have a Wi-Fi infrastructure.

Technical characteristics:

• It operates at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies.
• Localization is based on RSSI or advanced techniques such as Time of Flight (ToF).
• Typical range: 50-100 m indoors.
• Higher energy consumption compared to other solutions.

Advantages:

• It makes use of existing infrastructure in many facilities.
• Wide range of supported devices.

Disadvantages:

• Lower accuracy (5-15 m).
• High energy requirements for tracking devices.

Ultra-Wideband (UWB) locator.

UWB uses short radio pulses to achieve high precision tracking, offering centimeter-level accuracy. It is ideal for environments requiring high accuracy.

Technical characteristics:

• It operates in the frequency range of 3.1-10.6 GHz.
• It provides highly accurate positioning (10-30 cm) using Time of Flight (ToF) technology.
• Typical range: 10-50 m indoors.

Advantages:

• Industry-leading accuracy.
• Minimal interference from other RF technologies.

Disadvantages:

• High initial cost of equipment and installation.
• Requires specialized skills to implement.

Acoustic/ultrasound locator

Acoustic/ultrasonic tracking works by emitting sound waves that bounce off objects and return to receivers, providing accurate positioning data. This is particularly effective in quiet rooms.

Technical characteristics:

• It operates at a frequency of ~40 kHz.
• Enables localization by detecting sound waves emitted by tags.
• Typical range: 10-20 m indoors.

Advantages:

• High accuracy (10 cm-1m).
• It is suitable for quiet environments.

Disadvantages:

• Susceptibility to interference from ambient noise.
• Requires line of sight between devices.

Radar/mmWave locator

Radar/mmWave technology detects object movement and position using electromagnetic waves. It works exceptionally well in harsh indoor environments such as environments with dust or poor visibility.

Technical characteristics:

• It operates at 24 GHz or 60 GHz.
• It uses electromagnetic waves to detect objects and motion.
• Typical range: 10-50 m indoors.

Advantages:

• High accuracy (~10 cm).
• It performs well in harsh conditions such as dust and low lighting.
• It maintains privacy because it does not capture visual data.

Disadvantages:

• Higher cost and complexity.
• Requires advanced signal processing.

Comparison of locator technologies used indoors

What are some examples of indoor deployment of asset locator technology?

One example is the TEKTELIC Sparrow Tracker. This device combines the advantages of long-range, low-power LoRaWAN®with the widespread availability and reliability of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). With a 5-year battery life, it offers a reliable indoor asset tracking solution for seamless monitoring and efficient asset management. The device's compact size, meanwhile, makes it suitable for many applications.

Indoor asset tracking technologies are widely used in various industries to improve operational efficiency and security. Here are some real-world examples:

- Healthcare: Hospitals are using RTLS to track critical medical equipment such as wheelchairs, ventilators and infusion pumps, ensuring they are easily accessible when needed.

- Warehousing and logistics: distribution centers use BLE and UWB technologies to monitor inventory flow, reducing inventory discrepancies and optimizing order fulfillment.

- Retail: Retailers are using Wi-Fi and BLE solutions to track high-value goods and optimize store layouts based on customer movement patterns.

- Manufacturing: factories use acoustic/ultrasonic tracking to monitor tools and equipment on production lines, preventing delays and improving workflow efficiency.

- Smart Offices: Offices are deploying radar/mmWave solutions to monitor occupancy levels, helping optimize workspace utilization and energy consumption.

Many hospitals are already using TEKTELIC Sparrow to monitor the location of critical medical equipment such as ultrasound scanners, endoscopes and patient beds. This ensures that equipment is always available when needed, reduces search times and improves the overall efficiency of patient care.

Summary

Investing in the right RTLS technology for internal use can transform a company's operations by improving visibility of resources, optimizing productivity and reducing operating costs. By carefully assessing your needs, you can implement a solution that aligns with your business goals and increases productivity.

For cost-sensitive, moderately accurate applications, BLE is the best option. For high-precision needs, UWBand/mmWave radar are ideal, but come at a higher cost. Specialized environments may benefit from acoustic/ultrasound or radar/mmWave, especially where privacy is important.

We offer a variety of proven solutions tailored to each customer's needs. Ask our specialist and see how locating items can positively impact your company's savings.