Project Highlights

• Based on latest smart beacon concept
• Uses ESP32 as a configurable Eddystone beacon
• Google’s Eddystone beacon stack for Bluetooth Low Energy device (ESP32)
• BLE + WiFi functionalities together in a single application.
• Mobile App as a nearby beacon scanner
• Web Application to configure beacon URL remotely

A beacon (AKA an “iBeacon”) is a small network-connected device that is capable of broadcasting and receiving data over short range radio or Bluetooth. Due to the Bluetooth capability, the use of beacons in environments where users have access to mobile phones means that a range of possibilities open up. Typically, beacons sense proximity, but there is an increasing interest in beacons with other types of sensors, such as temperature or light level detectors. This document describes some ways in which beacons could be used, in general and in specific sectors.

A proximity sensing beacon emits a constant signal. When a receiver (e.g. a mobile phone with Bluetooth enabled) enters its field of effect, the beacon detects the time taken for the signal to bounce back from the receiver and calculates the distance from the beacon to the receiver. In addition to the time, the beacon also receives a packet of data about the person who owns the receiver, such as the phone’s unique identifier, the phone number, email address, etc (if the owner set it up to respond with that information).