What Is a Beacon?
A beacon is a wireless communication device with a limited range, used to transmit or receive location-specific information. It can either provide information to or collect data about people or objects within its proximity. The term beacon may refer to various components, including the terminal equipment, the communication technology, or the transmitted information itself.
Unlike traditional wireless communication that aims to reach wider audiences over greater distances, beacons focus on localized information transfer, providing relevant details to those in the immediate vicinity.
Uses of Beacon
Beacons are utilized in a variety of information services, thanks to their ability to offer location-dependent data transmission:
- In road traffic systems, beacons provide road condition updates to car navigation systems.
- In museums and art galleries, beacons via Bluetooth or WiFi enable audio guides that activate near specific exhibits.
- Avalanche beacons are vital for search and rescue operations in winter mountain sports.
- In Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems, small devices emitting identification signals (beacons) are attached to moving objects or people, collecting time and location data for various industrial applications.
Principles of Beacon
Beacons work by transmitting information over a limited range due to their low radio wave output. This feature allows for the accurate acquisition of location-based data. Additionally, minimizing radio wave output reduces the size and complexity of communication devices, making them more practical and cost-effective.
Tag beacons, for example, are ultra-compact devices transmitting signals including their own ID at regular intervals. Their signals are picked up by a nearby antenna, revealing the time and place of passage.
Beacons require a communication network to relay local information to remote locations. Within a confined area like a factory, they may connect to a local network (LAN), while broader communication is achieved via the Internet or dedicated lines.
How to Choose a Beacon
When selecting a beacon, consider its intended application. For instance, in shopping centers, beacons might communicate with shoppers’ smartphones to deliver promotional content. Similarly, tag beacons attached to personal items like keys can interact with smartphones to trigger alarms when separated. The choice of beacon depends on the specific requirements of the system, such as communication range, type of information transmitted, and integration with other devices like smartphones or LANs.