CargoBeacon makes real-time location systems available to more organizations using innovative, affordable technology. Our EverTag devices and network stack support multiple positioning approaches so you can match performance and total cost of ownership to each use case.
Mesh positioning (Wirepas Mesh)
Ideal for large indoor and campus‑style outdoor areas where coverage and installation cost matter. Devices form a decentralized, self‑healing mesh with no single point of failure. Anchors can be installed quickly and a gateway brings the area online.
- Use cases: warehousing, production, healthcare campuses
- Accuracy: ~ better than 5 m
- Update interval: minutes to hours
- Infrastructure cost: low–medium
- Battery life: 5–10 years
Mesh tags can also operate as anchors for flexible deployments. Fully compatible with Wirepas Mesh.
Read more about Mesh positioning
The mesh location service targets indoor and outdoor tracking where coverage and cost of infrastructure is of concern.
Mesh capable tags may be configured as tags (to be located on assets) or as a mesh anchor. Mesh anchors are quickly attached to walls indoors or outdoors. They communicate with each other thus creating a fault tolerant, mesh network over the whole area. It is self‑healing if an anchor point accidentally is removed from the network and a gateway added to the same area provides connectivity for all anchor nodes in the network.
Tags located inside the area will look for and use the mesh network to determine their location and have it communicated to the cloud service at regular intervals.
Mesh location is the leading technology when it comes to total cost of ownership when looking at cost for coverage, installation and maintenance. Mesh location is fully compatible with Wirepas Mesh and is sold under license from our partner Wirepas.
Tracker positioning (GNSS / cellular backhaul)
Trackers may be battery powered or connected to mobile equipment. They complement mesh and proximity approaches for end‑to‑end visibility.
When gateways aren’t guaranteed, tracker devices shine. Often used in logistics or when theft is a concern, trackers can also act as “mother nodes” and collect nearby tag data.
- Accuracy: ~ 5 m
- Update interval: a few times per day
- Infrastructure cost: none
- Battery life: ~ 1–3 years depending on reporting interval and power source
Read more about Tracker positioning
GPS‑tracker devices target use cases where the presence of a gateway cannot be guaranteed. Typically found in logistics and whenever theft is a concern.
We focus on industrial use where trackers may be seen as a mother node — tracking not only the asset it is attached to but also keeping track of tags that are nearby. With these, one or more of the principles from proximity, precise and mesh location may be combined. Tracker devices may be powered from battery, mobile machinery or a combination thereof.
Here we find many new and exciting use cases!
Proximity location (beaconing)
Low‑cost location by radio proximity. Tags broadcast once per second and gateways or smartphones capture the signal. Excellent for outdoor assets and mixed infrastructures.
- Accuracy: ~ 5–15 m
- Update interval: ~ once per second
- Infrastructure cost: low to none
- Battery life: ~ up to 10 years
Mobile apps can act as roaming gateways, while stationary gateways cover remote areas and offload backhaul.
Read more about Proximity location
For many use‑cases, such as outdoor tracking of tractor implements, the proximity location service is good enough. Likewise it is normally our basis of tag communication.
Once per second CargoBeacon tags provide their real‑time information by transmission or a radio beacon. This radio signal normally reaches around thirty meters but may be extended to reach kilometres if needed. Gateway devices within range forward this information and that the tag is "in proximity" of its current position to a cloud service.
Since the beacon signal is smartphone compatible, an app may complement hardware gateways in picking up the signal, positioning the asset and sending the information back‑end. Apps and mobile gateways form the basis of communication for many use cases and may be complemented with stationary gateways offloading communication in remote areas if needed.
Precise positioning (sub‑meter, AoA)
Standards‑based Bluetooth location features ensure future‑proof deployments and interoperability.
High‑accuracy, low‑latency positioning for process analysis, small asset tracking, and detailed heatmaps. Ceiling‑mounted locators use Bluetooth features such as Angle‑of‑Arrival and signal strength.
- Accuracy: ~ better than 0.5 m
- Update interval: several times per second
- Infrastructure cost: high
- Battery life: 5–10 years
Read more about Precise positioning
The precise location service targets high‑accuracy tracking applications. With sub‑meter accuracy it is particularly useful for indoor asset tracking of small items and valuables, material flow tracking, inventory control and to identify and eliminate bottle necks using heat maps and spaghetti diagrams.
A number of ceiling‑mounted gateways, or locators, use Angle Of Arrival and signal strength to understand relative tag locations. The location engine compiles information provided by locators and presents the tag positions on an indoor map. Tags are located with a centimetre precision with updates several times per second. Future proofing and cost efficiency is ensured by standardized Bluetooth location features.
The precise location service provides world‑class accuracy and is sold under license from our partner Quuppa.
Choose the right method per use case
Most deployments blend approaches: proximity for broad awareness, mesh for scalable coverage, precise for critical zones, and trackers for on‑the‑road visibility. EverTag hardware, Wirepas Mesh, and our software platform tie it together securely and cost‑effectively.