An analysis of iBeacons and critical minimum distances in device placement

Abstract: This project has been carried out in, and under the supervision of the Mobile Services Laboratory at the department of Communication Systems, KTH. The task was to explore the technical specifics of the iBeacon technology and its practical limitations in terms of reliability and device placement. In plain text; how close the beacons can be placed to allow for reliable isolation of the pertinent beacon. The main method of reaching the set goal was data capture at certain key positions around the mounted beacons. The resulting data was processed, analyzed and visualized to provide an accessible overview. The measurements and data analysis resulted in fairly concrete data that most of all highlights the very real limitations, and also a word of caution regarding stretching the actual limitations of such a basic technology as it actually is.