Asset Tracking with BLE: Hardware Guide

Asset tracking with sensors, tags, and beacons is becoming increasingly popular, and interest in this technology continues to grow. Naturally, the number of questions about its implementation is also increasing.

Since the release of the GPS-Trace Tags solution, our team has been receiving an increasing number of inquiries related to asset tracking. The solution makes it possible to transform data received from gateways into separate trackable assets without installing dedicated GPS hardware on every item.

This article explains what equipment is required for asset tracking with the GPS-Trace platform, compares available deployment approaches, and highlights the key factors to consider when selecting hardware for a specific project.

This article focuses primarily on mobile BLE gateway deployments with Tags and also explains how this approach differs from mesh-based asset tracking solutions.

General Working Principle

For asset tracking with Tags, two main approaches can be used:

1. Mobile technology
2. Mesh technology

1. Mobile technology

In this approach, a GPS tracker acts as a mobile BLE gateway, collecting data from nearby BLE devices and transmitting it to the GPS-Trace platform along with its own GPS coordinates.

BLE devices (sensors, tags, and beacons) are attached to the assets that need to be tracked. The GPS tracker continuously scans for nearby BLE signals and relays their data to the platform.

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) is a wireless technology used for short-range data transmission between devices such as beacons, tags, sensors, and gateways.

The tracker itself can be:

• Installed in a vehicle
• Carried by a person
• Attached to a moving asset
• Deployed at a fixed location (if mobility is not required but GPS positioning is needed)

What You Can Track:

• Location of BLE-equipped assets – determined based on the GPS tracker's position
• Telemetry data from BLE sensors (temperature, humidity, movement, etc.)
• The GPS tracker itself – displayed as a separate asset in the Tags application

Data Flow: BLE devices → GPS tracker → GPS-Trace platform

2. Mesh technology

In this approach, a stationary infrastructure based on Wirepas Mesh is deployed, consisting of anchors and gateways that relay data across the network from tags, beacons, and sensors attached to tracked assets.

Wirepas Mesh is a mesh networking technology in which devices autonomously form a network and transmit data through one another without requiring each device to connect directly to a gateway.

Tags, beacons, and sensors attached to assets transmit data to nearby anchors. The anchors then relay this information through the mesh network to gateways, which then transmit it to the GPS-Trace platform.

Such systems are typically used in warehouses, offices, industrial facilities, and other fixed locations where assets need to be tracked within a defined area.

Unlike mobile GPS trackers, anchors and stationary gateways usually do not have their own GPS coordinates. Therefore, their positions must be manually assigned on the map or linked to specific zones/layers. This approach is particularly useful for indoor or fixed-location scenarios where traditional GPS-based tracking is impractical.

What You Can Track:

• Location of tracked assets – determined based on the anchor's position
• Telemetry data from sensors (temperature, humidity, movement, etc.)

Data Flow: Mesh devices → Anchor → Anchor → Gateway → GPS-Trace platform

Mobile Technology Components

Accordingly, BLE asset tracking with Tags requires three components:

1. BLE devices attached to assets

These can be BLE beacons, tags, or sensors attached to equipment, tools, containers, cargo, pallets, warehouse carts, medical equipment, refrigeration units, doors, gates, or removable vehicle parts.

For example, they can be attached to construction machinery, generators, compressors, toolboxes, luggage, safes, and other movable or valuable assets.

Such devices help detect the presence of an asset near the gateway, track its movement and condition, and quickly locate the required object.

2. Gateway that receives BLE data

The gateway receives data from nearby BLE devices and sends it to the platform. A gateway can be a GPS tracker with Bluetooth support, a stationary BLE gateway, or another connected device that can receive BLE data and send it to the platform through a mobile network or another internet connection.

3. GPS-Trace platform and Tags

The GPS-Trace platform receives data from the gateway. Tags displays separate assets created from BLE device data or gateway parameters. Access to Tags is provided through dealers and service providers registered in GPS-Trace Console.

Mobile Hardware Selection

When selecting hardware for a BLE asset-tracking setup, many factors should be considered, including the use case, budget, hardware availability in your region, operating conditions, required battery life, and more.

The following recommendations can help you evaluate hardware for use with Tags and the GPS-Trace platform.

How to Choose a Gateway

When choosing a gateway, check the following factors:

1. Integration with the GPS-Trace platform

The device and the specific model must be compatible with the platform. This can be checked on our website in the Devices section.

2. BLE support and compatibility

The GPS tracker must support BLE technology and be compatible with the BLE peripherals being used.

3. Use Case / Scenario

The choice of device depends on the specific task that needs to be implemented.

Example 1 – In-Vehicle Asset Tracking

A GPS tracker is installed in a vehicle and collects data from BLE sensors, tags, or beacons inside or near the vehicle. This can include door status, temperature in a refrigerated trailer, fuel level, or the presence of tools, boxes, or equipment.

Example 2 – Asset Presence Verification at Sites

A GPS tracker is installed on a vehicle that moves between several sites or locations and detects the presence of specific assets when arriving at a particular location. This can be useful for tracking tools and equipment on construction sites, in branches, warehouses, and similar facilities.

Example 3 – Area Coverage

A stationary GPS tracker is installed at a fixed location such as a warehouse, store, office, construction site, etc., and is used to track assets within a specific area.

In such scenarios, several BLE gateways may be required to extend coverage and provide a more accurate asset location estimate.

The use of multiple gateways is especially important in large warehouses, construction sites, and industrial facilities where BLE signals may be weakened by walls, metal structures, machinery, and other interference sources.

In addition, when a BLE beacon is detected simultaneously by multiple gateways, the GPS-Trace platform can analyze the RSSI values and estimate the approximate location of the asset. This makes it possible to implement zoning and improve indoor tracking accuracy.

RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) shows how strong the BLE signal is when received by a gateway. If several gateways detect the same beacon, comparing RSSI values can help estimate which zone the asset is closest to.

Example 4 – Multi-site Presence Tracking 

Several GPS trackers can be installed at multiple locations as stationary gateways and used to track the arrival, departure, and condition of assets at those locations.

Possible scenarios include tracking the movement of medical equipment between hospital departments or clinics, tracking the presence of keys, access cards, pallets, forklifts, or other service equipment at a specific warehouse or checkpoint.

4. Technical Specifications

• Number of simultaneously visible BLE devices
• BLE scanning frequency (the higher the scanning frequency, the faster the data updates)
• BLE signal detection range
• Supported BLE protocols and device types / hardware compatibility
• Memory capacity and data transmission speed
• Power consumption and operating conditions, etc.

Examples of manufacturers with gateway devices integrated with the GPS-Trace platform include:

How to Choose BLE Devices

First of all, start by defining the task the BLE device should solve.

• BLE Beacons/Tags – compact devices attached to assets, equipment, or tools for identifier transmission and presence tracking within the coverage area.
• BLE Sensors – devices that transmit not only location data but also telemetry such as temperature, humidity, movement, door status, and other environmental or operational parameters.

When selecting BLE devices, consider battery life, BLE signal range, indoor/outdoor operating conditions, protection against moisture, dust, and temperature, as well as device size and mounting type.

It is also important to check compatibility between BLE devices and gateways. Using devices from the same manufacturer is usually preferable, as it simplifies setup and helps avoid compatibility issues. However, devices from different manufacturers can also work together if they support the same BLE protocols.

We recommend choosing BLE devices that support standard protocols such as iBeacon and Eddystone, as this makes integration with different gateways much easier.

It is also worth understanding in advance how BLE devices are configured. For example, Teltonika provides a dedicated application for configuring BLE devices.

Examples of BLE device manufacturers include:

Example Use Cases with Queclink Hardware

Conclusion

BLE-based asset tracking can be used for tools, equipment, cargo, inventory, trailers, and many other assets. The optimal hardware combination depends on the deployment scenario, required coverage, battery life, environmental conditions, and platform compatibility. By selecting the right combination of gateways and BLE devices, organizations can build scalable and cost-effective asset-tracking solutions using GPS-Trace and Tags.