Sail technology works by sensing Bluetooth signals from fixed position transmitters around your site. It combines this with inertial (movement) sensing on mobile phones to achieve navigation-ready positioning.
Any transmitter that uses the iBeacon protocol will work. So you can use beacons purchased from many different suppliers, as well as WiFi access points that provide iBeacon functionality.
Configure your beacons to use iBeacon protocol, with the highest possible TX (transmit) power, and with an advertising period of between 200ms and 1000ms.
Crowd Connected can supply special indoor location beacons. They are much higher power than most other beacons and are pre-configured with optimal settings. Please contact sales.
Some general rules for planning a beacon installation:
- The installation should include the perimeter of any area to be covered. Positioning doesn't work well if you're outside the footprint of the beacon installation.
- Any room (however small) should have a beacon in each corner, as a minimum.
- Allow a maximum of 10m between beacons.
- The ideal installation height is between 2m and 3m (above head height, but not too high)
Sail includes a coverage mapping tool that allows you to see where more beacons are likely to be needed to improve positioning.
Some other tips for installing beacons
- Command strips from 3M work well for installing beacons in many environments. They can be removed without damaging decoration.