Hybrid RTLS

Hybrid RTLS: The Future of Real-Time Asset Tracking

In today’s fast-paced industrial and healthcare environments, real-time location tracking has become a necessity. Businesses require precise, reliable, and scalable solutions to monitor assets, personnel, and inventory. While traditional Real-Time Location System (RTLS) technologies like RFID, UWB, and WIFI have been effective, they often come with limitations in accuracy, coverage, or cost.

Why Hybrid RTLS?

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has emerged as a leading choice for RTLS due to its low power consumption, affordability, and widespread adoption. By integrating BLE AoA (for high precision) and BLE RSSI (for broader coverage), businesses can achieve a flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient tracking system. Here’s why this hybrid approach is gaining momentum:

1. High Precision Where It Matters (AoA)

• BLE Angle of Arrival (AoA) provides sub-meter accuracy by analyzing signal direction, making it ideal for critical tracking applications (e.g., medical equipment, tool positioning).
• Unlike UWB, BLE AoA doesn’t require expensive infrastructure, reducing deployment costs.

2. Cost-Effective Wide-Area Tracking (RSSI)

• BLE RSSI uses signal strength to estimate location, offering a lower-cost solution for general asset tracking across large facilities.
• While less precise than AoA, RSSI is perfect for applications where exact pinpointing isn’t necessary (e.g., warehouse inventory, personnel presence detection).

3. Seamless Scalability & Easy Deployment

• Since both technologies use BLE, they share the same infrastructure, simplifying installation and maintenance.
• Businesses can deploy AoA in high-value zones while using RSSI for wider coverage, optimizing costs.

4. Future-Ready & IoT-Compatible

1. BLE is a cornerstone of IoT ecosystems, ensuring compatibility with smart sensors, wearables, and automation systems.
2. Hybrid BLE RTLS can easily integrate with existing enterprise software (ERP, CMMS, etc.).

Industries Benefiting from Hybrid RTLS

• Healthcare: Tracking high-value medical devices (AoA) while monitoring staff movement (RSSI).
• Manufacturing & Warehousing: Locating tools with precision (AoA) and managing inventory (RSSI).
• Smart Buildings: Monitoring meeting room occupancy (RSSI) and securing restricted areas (AoA).
• Logistics: Optimizing asset flow in distribution centers with mixed precision needs.

Sentrax GmbH: Leading the way in Hybrid BLE RTLS when it comes to innovative hybrid BLE AoA + RSSI RTLS solutions, Sentrax GmbH is a trusted pioneer. Their expertise in sensor fusion and intelligent tracking systems ensures businesses get the best of both worlds—high accuracy where needed and cost-effective broad tracking where it counts.