what’s the difference between RFID and BLE tags?
Time：2021.04.11 Author：sertag
First,RFID and Bluetooth tag hardware differ. Then, there are sensors. Accelerometers, light, temperature, humidity, and other types of sensors are able to add more capabilities to your existing infrastructure. This can also add to the initial cost of your infrastructure. However, by leveraging these sensors to increase energy saving initiatives, they may also help your infrastructure last months or years longer. Don’t forget about Bluetooth 5, which will be making future tags infinitely more competitive.
The Bluetooth 5 update will bring:4x the range,2x the speed,800% more broadcast messaging capacity.This means 800% more rich, contextual data and metadata from sources like sensors!
If your requirements can be met by Bluetooth tags, then it can save money. So, A BLE tag-based RTLS solution can cost you 1/5th the price of the Wi-Fi or RFID equivalent.Despite this being a basic fact, every system is different. The exact cost of your RTLS will depend on what points you value. Though costs will fluctuate as technologies develop, these numbers reflect the fundamentals of each. Of course, Bluetooth 5 has been released and Bluetooth tags will soon be more powerful than ever before.
BLE is supported by a growing number of WiFi access point vendors. This means that you can run a BLE-based RTLS on a WiFi network, without the need to install additional gateways, saving on hardware, installation, and maintenance costs.
Using Bluetooth tags for personal tracking. A new industry has popped up promising to track your valuables so you never lose them. Their primary use is for items in short- or medium-range from the owner. They work like this: the user will generally attach their personal Bluetooth tag to their asset—a computer, keyring, or even cat. These tags send out their ID information at regular intervals. The related app is able to register the location of these tags when within a distance of around 30 feet but can also reach up to 100.
These end-user trackers are generally the same as any other Bluetooth tag. The real difference is the app and how the company has decided to leverage them. It’s likely that, as these solutions become more popular, you’ll be seeing more options and greater capabilities.
Also check out an extensive overview of RTLS and their applications in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and workplaces.
So to sum up, all you need to do is find a sensor vendor, then find a gateway vendor, then find an IoT platform provider, then find an integrator to put all these elements together and plug them into your existing infrastructure. If this sounds complex, it's because it is complex. Don't worry, there's a better way. Contact our team to schedule a demo.