BlueBeacon Mini datasheet
BlueBeacon Maxi datasheet
BlueBeacon Forte datasheet
BlueBeacon USB datasheet
BlueBeacon Tag datasheet
BlueBeacon Sensor datasheet
BlueBeacon Board datasheet
BlueBeacon Gateway datasheet

User manual for BlueBeacon-series beacons
User manual: contains also information on safety and warranty

BlueBeacon Gateway manuals
User manual
HTML documentation for REST APIs

Second-generation firmware (Ver 5.0 or newer)
Advertising packets: format of advertising and scan-response packets
Sensors packet: format of BlueUp Sensors-frame packet

First-generation firmware (up to Ver. 4.0)
iBeacon-version Services and Characteristics: GATT service for beacons with iBeacon technology (first-generation firmware)
Eddystone-version Services and Characteristics: GATT service for beacons with Eddystone specifications (first-generation firmware)

Although all our beacons offer the same basic functionality (broadcast transmission of Bluetooth Low Energy frames according to market standards), each model has specific features that make it more suitable for some applications than others.
With the following tables, we offer a comparative picture of the various models to help you choose the best beacon model for your application.

Comparative table - Features and functionality

[1]: optional
[2]: with UFL connector
[3]: estimated maximum range, in case of free-space and line-of-sight
[4]: depending on external antenna gain
[5]: estimated values based on the nominal capacity of the batteries and operation at room temperature of 20°C
[6]: 90 x 50 x 29 mm, including wall-mounting flanges

Comparative table - Applications

[7]: architecture with fixed beacons and mobile receiver (user smartphone)
[8]: architecture with mobile beacons and fixed receiver
[9]: customizable firmware for esternal sensors management

Comparative table - Markets

Maximum transmission range (e.g., the maximum distance where beacon signal can be received) depends on several factors. The most important is the transmitted power: the higher is the TX power, the longer is the distance, but there is no linearity between these two quantities, due the propagation laws. Other aspects that impact on transmission range are:
- beacon installation position: the higher is the beacon above ground, the longer is the distance;
- operating environment: propagation scenario, presence of obstacles, onjects (especially matals and liquids), people, between and/or nearby the beacon and the receiver, ha a non-negligible effect on distance;
- receiver performances: gain and sensitivity of the receiver vary among different smartphone models, and sensivity can be also affected by external factors. such as presence of radiating wireless devices nearby
- other factors: including reciprocal orientation between beacon and smartphone, the way the user hold the smartphone in his/her hand;
The following table offers the theorethical maximum distance, for different beacon TX power values, evaluated under the hypothesis of a receiver (smartphone) with -90dBm sensitivity (minimum value of RSSI) Results are obtained in case of beacon and smartphone at 1.5 mt above ground, in LOS free-space condition.

Battery operating lifetime in BlueBeacon beacons (second-generation firmware) depends on: average advertising period (main factor), average transmitted RF power, operating temperature value and variations, enabling of special operating modes ("non-connectable" mode, "anonymous" mode, operating daily schedule, ...).
Battery life can be increased by:
- increasing frame advertising interval, and/or
- decreasing frame transmission power, and/or
- setting the beacon in "non-connectable" mode, and/or
- setting the beacon in "anonymous" mode, and/or
- setting a daily operating schedule, and/or
- enabling "Accelerometer-mode" (for BlueBeacon Tag, only).
The following tables provide a reference of expected operating life (expressed in months, with respect to average TX power and average advertising interval), for each of our battery-powered beacons, BlueBeacon Mini, Maxi, Forte, Sensor and Tag. The following values are estimated on the basis of the current absorption measured in our labs and of the nominal battery capacity and self-discharge as as provided by the battery producer. The operating temperature is assumed to be around 20/25°C. In case of significantly different temperature conditions (and in particular, at lower temperatures) operating lifetime may be affected. Continuous (24/7) operation is assumed. Also, enabling Eddystone-EID and eTLM decreases battery life of about 15/20%.

BlueBeacon Mini (Battery: CR2477, nominal capacity: 1000 mAh) - Expected lifetime in months

BlueBeacon Maxi (Battery: 2xAA alkaline, nominal capacity: 2600 mAh) - Expected lifetime in months

BlueBeacon Forte (Battery: CR123A, nominal capacity: 1500 mAh) - Expected lifetime in months

BlueBeacon Sensor (Battery: 2xAA alkaline, nominal capacity: 2600 mAh) - Expected lifetime in months

BlueBeacon Tag (Battery: 2xCR2032, nominal capacity: 440 mAh) - Expected lifetime in months

To maximize the operating life of the batteries, we recommend the following strategies (referring to beacons with second-generation firmware), consistent with the type of application:
1. increase the values advertising interval of the slots. Battery life is approximately proportional with the advertising interval. A longer advertising interval introduces, however, a possible latency in the detection of the beacons and a lower stability of the received signal level (leading to a larger error in distance estimation);
2. reduce the transmission power. This parameter has lesser impact on the operating life of the batteries, but has a certain relevance for coin batteries. The reduction in power naturally causes a reduction of the maximum communication distance;
3. set an operating daily schedule: by enabling advertising from 8am to 8pm, for instance, roughly doubles battery life;
4. set "position-detection" mode (only for BlueBeacon Tag): in this case, the beacon enters low-power mode when lying on a plane;
5. set the beacon in "non-connectable mode".

Yes. All battery-powered BlueBeacon devices allow to easily replace the battery.