This tutorial explains on how to take any iBeacon device and configure it as a beacon that can be picked up by SafeDistance badges in order to "mute" or "unmute" them. This can be usefull in areas like a restroom, chapel, auditorium, meeting room, etc.
Note! This feature is only available in SafeDistance Badges with software_revision 15 and upwards. You can find the version of your badges on the SafeDistance Portal for each Badge in the Asset --> Setup --> Devices section by clicking on the Edit button.
The floor plan below gives an impression of how a typical installation would look like. The Green zones represent a "No-Alarm" zone. Passing, or remaining in, a green zone is forcing any SafeDistance badges in range* in silent mode. The Red zones represent "Normal" zones. Passing a red zone is forcing the SafeDistance Badges back in normal mode, with the buzzer and vibration alerts enabled.
(*) The range of an iBeacon can be configured by setting the TX level via a BLE configuration. See below for more information.
When a user enters a green zone, the SafeDistance Badge will pick up the iBeacon that is strongest and will automatically switch off any noise when a proximity alarm is detected. When the user leaves this zone, it will pass by another iBeacon that places the SafeDistance Badge back in normal mode, enabling the buzzer and vibration alerts.
Powering on the SafeDistance iBeacon
Open the iBeacon and then push the switch from off to on as shown in the picture below. A white light will blink once it is on.
Open a BLE configuration app, like LightBlue for Android or iOS. iBeacon with ‘iBeacon_xxxxxx’ will show in the app, click the corresponding one to enter the configuration page. Please click the iBeacon within 1 minute after power on or it must be
restarted to enter the configuration mode again.
Setting the iBeacon UUID and Minor
To accomplish this, any iBeacon device can be used, as long as the UUID an Minor can be configured. Please use the parameters below to program the iBeacon to the desired function.
Set the BLE UUID to : 7B9BC50B-CF6D-4278-8D4D-5FA6EA468517 SafeDistance Badges will constantly look for this type of iBeacon for changing the buzzer an vibration alerts.
In order to choose what the buzzer and vibration needs to do, set the BLE Minor to:
- Vibrator on and Buzzer on --> 0600 (or 1536 in decimal)
- Vibrator on and Buzzer off --> 0400 (or 1024 in decimal)
- Vibrator off and Buzzer on --> 0300 (or 768 in decimal)
- Vibrator off and Buzzer off --> 0100 (or 256 in decimal)
Please leave the BLE Major value unchanged.
Reboot the iBeacon device and install it on the desired location.
When any SafeDistance badges are nearby and pick up the "No-Alarm zone" beacon they will still report proximity detection messages to the platform, but they will not make any sound or vibration.
Setting the iBeacon Transmit Power
By setting the Transmit power of the iBeacon, you can configure the range of the signal. Setting the TX to 0dBm gives you about 50m (164foot) or range in a free space area. Setting the TX power to -21dBm gives you about 8m (26foot) of range in free space. Please use the table below to select the desired range:
| Hex Value | TX Power (dBm) | Approx. Range (meter) |
| 0x0 | -21 | 8 |
| 0x1 | -18 | 10 |
| 0x2 | -15 | 15 |
| 0x3 | -12 | 20 |
| 0x4 | -9 | 25 |
| 0x5 | -6 | 30 |
| 0x6 | -3 | 40 |
| 0x7 | 0 | 50 |
| 0x8 | 1 | >50 |
| 0x9 | 2 | >50 |
| 0xA | 3 | >50 |
| 0xB | 4 | >50 |
| 0xC | 5 | >50 |
Default iBeacon TX Power value is set to 0x07 (0dBm).
Battery life for a SafeDistance iBeacon is apprx. 5years when TX power is set to 0dBm. Batteries can be replaced with 2x R2477 coin type.
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