Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon Best Practices and Use Cases

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons are a game-changer for proximity marketing and location-based services. They're small, low-power devices that broadcast a unique identifier to nearby devices, allowing them to determine their location and trigger specific actions.

A single BLE beacon can be used to reach a large number of devices, making them an efficient choice for businesses looking to engage with customers. With a range of up to 100 meters, BLE beacons can be placed in high-traffic areas to reach a wide audience.

BLE beacons are relatively inexpensive, with a cost that's comparable to traditional advertising methods. This makes them an attractive option for businesses looking to try out proximity marketing without breaking the bank.

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A Bluetooth Low Energy beacon is an electronic device that repeatedly transmits a radio signal at periodic intervals. This signal carries data, known as 'advertising packets', that allow each specific beacon to be identified by compatible devices once they are in range.

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Most recent mobile devices support Bluetooth Low Energy, which is a technology applied in Bluetooth 4.0 protocol and above. Bluetooth Low Energy beacons enable the connection between the physical and digital world by creating a communication bridge between enabled devices and the person carrying them.

The signal's broadcast frequency and transmit power can be manually adjusted, and it doesn't require an Internet connection.

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A Bluetooth Low Energy beacon is a small wireless device that transmits data at regular intervals using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons don't require an internet connection and act as broadcasters within a short-range radius.

The receiving device, such as a BLE-enabled smartphone, often acts as an intermediary device that uses the information from the beacon to transfer it somewhere or do something with it.

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons can be identified by compatible devices once they are in range, and the signal's broadcast frequency and transmit power can be manually adjusted.

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The signal carries data, known as 'advertising packets', that allow each specific beacon to be identified by compatible devices.

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons can estimate how far away they are located, prompting various triggers depending on the code used in the app.

iBeacon is simple to implement, but has less features compared to Eddystone, which has more features and sends more information but is more complicated to integrate.

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons enable the connection between the physical and digital world by creating a communication bridge between enabled devices and the person carrying them.

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In this section, we'll cover the purpose of using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons for digital wayfinding.

The purpose of this section is to provide considerations and recommendations for the lifecycle of using BLE beacons.

Venue owners, accessibility stakeholders, and developers can find valuable information on how to install BLE beacons in a built environment.

Installation of BLE beacons involves careful planning to ensure optimal performance.

BLE beacons can be configured to make the most out of the installation, which is crucial for a successful digital wayfinding system.

Maintenance and operational considerations are also essential to manage a fleet of installed BLE beacons.

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Bluetooth Low Energy beacons have a rich history that dates back to 2010, when Bluetooth Low Energy was released in version 4.0, enabling one-way communication and significantly reducing power consumption.

This technology enabled the development of beacon technology, which allows devices to transmit signals and not listen, reducing power consumption.

Apple introduced iBeacon in 2013 as part of iOS 7, a protocol standard that enables mobile apps to listen for signals from beacons and respond accordingly.

The growth and adoption of Bluetooth beacon technology accelerated in 2014, with over 50 of the top 100 US retailers testing beacon technology for contextual advertising and behavioral data gathering.

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In 2010, Bluetooth Low Energy was released in version 4.0, allowing for one-way communication that significantly reduced power consumption.

The introduction of iBeacon by Apple in 2013 marked a significant milestone in the growth and adoption of Bluetooth beacon technology. iBeacon is a protocol standard that enables mobile apps to listen for signals from beacons in the physical world and respond accordingly.

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By 2014, over 50 of the top 100 US retailers began testing beacon technology in their shops for contextual advertising and behavioral data gathering.

Google launched the Physical Web in 2013, a Chrome browser-based beacon scanner that allowed users to accept URLs and see web pages with associated spaces. However, it's worth noting that Physical Web was discontinued in 2018 and is no longer supported.

In 2016, Google announced the Eddystone-EID standard, which is similar to Apple's iBeacon protocol but with additional features to include encrypted identifiers, telemetry data, and more.

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Beacons have been around for a while, but their use has only recently become more widespread.

BLE beacons are a type of beacon technology that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to transmit signals to nearby devices.

The first beacons were actually used in the 19th century for navigation, but modern beacons use BLE to provide location-based services.

BLE beacons work by transmitting a unique identifier and other relevant information to nearby devices, which can then use that information to determine their location.

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In order to use beacons effectively, you need to understand how they work and how to make use of them yourself.

By understanding the basics of beacon technology, you can start to explore the many ways beacons can be used to improve customer experience, increase engagement, and drive business results.

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A Bluetooth Low Energy beacon's hardware is incredibly simple, consisting of a small microprocessor, a radio, and a tiny lithium-ion battery.

These components make beacons very cost-effective and easy to maintain, which is one reason they're so popular.

The small size and limited hardware requirements of beacons also contribute to their low power consumption and ability to run for long periods on a single battery.

A Bluetooth beacon's transmission range is surprisingly limited, with a theoretical maximum of less than 100m.

The actual range is often much shorter, typically around 2 to 5 meters, depending on the transmit power.

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Most Bluetooth beacons can reliably transmit up to approximately 30 meters without any physical obstructions.

The higher the range, the higher the battery consumption, so be mindful of that when choosing a beacon.

BLE is mostly used in short-range applications, using the standard 1M PHY, which is suitable for many use cases.

The acceptance of a BLE broadcasting signal is often enabled through an app that allows for automated scanning to occur, as is the case with smart devices like phones.

Device Hardware is surprisingly straightforward. A beacon device contains a small microprocessor, a radio, and a small battery, typically a lithium-ion battery.

This limited hardware makes beacon devices cost-effective and easy to maintain, which is a significant advantage.

The small size of the hardware also makes beacon devices portable and lightweight.

Choosing the right BLE beacon technology is crucial for hospitals. Both iBeacon and Eddystone protocols can be implemented, but they differ in features and complexity.

For hospitals, selecting the right beacon solution provider goes far beyond hardware. It's about finding a partner that delivers measurable outcomes, compliance, and long-term reliability.

Consider the key factors when evaluating options, such as finding a provider that delivers measurable outcomes. This will help ensure that the beacon solution is effective in supporting healthcare use cases like asset tracking beacons and patient safety solutions.

Regulatory alignment is also a critical factor to consider. The two most widely used protocols, iBeacon and Eddystone, have different regulatory requirements that must be met.

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Bluetooth Low Energy is a technology that allows devices to communicate with each other using minimal power.

The Kinetis KW30Z-2.4 GHz Bluetooth Low Energy 4.1 Microcontroller is a great example of this technology in action, based on the Arm Cortex-M0+.

This technology is often used in iBeacon and custom beacon firmware, which can be paired with Android and iOS apps for a wide range of applications.

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Here are some of the features you can expect from a Bluetooth Low Energy device:

Cisco Meraki WiFi access points also have a built-in BLE iBeacon Advertising mode, which can be enabled from the Cloud-hosted dashboard and configured to trigger notifications or determine the position of a smartphone.

The iBeacon protocol is a communication format developed by Apple in 2013, based on Bluetooth Low Energy technology.

It's compatible with any iOS or Android device that supports Bluetooth 4.0 and above.

The minimum requirements for the operating system are iOS 7 or Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) and above.

Eddystone is an open beacon format developed by Google in 2015.

It's compatible with both iOS and Android devices that support Bluetooth 4.0 and above.

Here's a quick comparison of the two main beacon protocols:

An iBeacon's identifiers make it unique and distinguishable from other iBeacons. These identifiers are the UUID, Major, and Minor.

The UUID is a 16-byte number that can be used to identify a large group of beacons. It's formatted in 32 hexadecimal digits, split into 5 groups, separated with hyphen characters.

A UUID can be used to identify all the beacons that belong to the same company or organisation. For example, a transport operator can have the same UUID for all the stations they manage.

The Major is a 2-byte value that can be used to identify a subgroup of beacons under the same UUID. It's an integer value between 1 and 65535.

The Minor is a 2-byte value that can be used to identify an individual beacon within a group of beacons with the same Major. It's also an integer value between 1 and 65535.

Here's a summary of the identifiers:

These identifiers are advertised publicly, but that doesn't necessarily mean that anyone can connect with them.

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons have three main standards: iBeacon, Eddystone, and AltBeacon.

The iBeacon standard was developed by Apple in 2013 and is widely accepted by developers and hardware manufacturers. It's only officially supported by iOS, but APIs exist for Android apps to scan for iBeacon broadcasts.

Eddystone, on the other hand, is an open protocol released by Google in 2015 that's cross-platform and supports both iOS and Android. It offers more data types than iBeacon, including battery voltage reading and temperature.

AltBeacon is an open specification developed by Radius Networks that provides a free, vendor-agnostic, open-source beacon standard, but it's not as popular as iBeacon and Eddystone.

Bluetooth Classic (BR/EDR) isn't feasible for beacon applications because it requires two-way communication.

Beacons use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) due to their fundamental need for one-way communication.

Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy are two distinct protocols that are incompatible.

Because beacons utilize BLE, you will sometimes hear a beacon referred to as a "BLE beacon."

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The world of beacons can be a bit overwhelming, especially with the multiple standards out there. iBeacon is a protocol developed by Apple in 2013, which is widely accepted by developers and has good hardware support.

iBeacon is only officially supported by iOS, but there are APIs for Android apps to scan for iBeacon broadcasts. This means a user needs to have an app installed that's developed to find the beacon and do something with it.

Eddystone, on the other hand, is an open protocol developed by Google in 2015, which is cross-platform and supports both iOS and Android. Unlike iBeacon, Eddystone only supports one main basic interaction – the "Eddystone discovery".

Eddystone also added multiple types of data called frames, which include more information than what's in the iBeacon protocol, such as battery voltage reading, temperature, and advertising count.

AltBeacon is an open specification developed by Radius Networks, but it's not as popular as iBeacon and Eddystone. It's a free, vendor-agnostic, open-source beacon standard.

In terms of support, iBeacon is natively supported on iOS, but Eddystone is not. To use Eddystone on iOS, you need to use Core Bluetooth APIs, and you'll still encounter some limitations.

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Choosing a Solution Provider is crucial, especially for hospitals, where it's not just about the hardware, but also about finding a provider that delivers measurable outcomes, compliance, and long-term reliability.

Selecting the right partner goes far beyond just hardware, as seen in the example of hospitals, where it's about finding a provider that delivers measurable outcomes.

Consider the key factors that make a beacon solution provider stand out, such as delivering measurable outcomes, compliance, and long-term reliability.

In the case of hospitals, it's essential to find a provider that can meet the specific needs of the healthcare industry, where reliability and compliance are paramount.

By focusing on these key factors, you can ensure that you're choosing a solution provider that will meet your needs and provide long-term value.

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons are a game-changer for developers and consumers alike, offering numerous benefits that make them a practical choice for various industries.

One of the most significant advantages of BLE beacons is their low cost, making them easy for developers to work with and affordable for businesses to purchase at scale.

Their small size and simplicity also make them easy to install, with various types of beacons available for specific applications, such as wall-mounted beacons.

BLE beacons have great battery life, lasting up to 3 years without a battery replacement, thanks to their low power consumption.

This flexibility in receiving device functionality allows for a wide range of actions, including check-ins on social media, location-based actions, push notifications, and more.

Here are some of the key advantages of Bluetooth Low Energy beacons:

The advantages of using Bluetooth beacons are numerous. They're low cost, which makes them easy for developers to work with and practical for various industries to purchase at scale.

One of the most significant benefits is their ease of installation. Beacons are designed to be small and simple to install in various contexts, including being mounted to a wall.

Low maintenance is another significant advantage. Due to their low power consumption, beacons have a great battery life, lasting up to 3 years without a battery replacement.

The flexibility of the receiving device is also a major benefit. It can perform actions based on the beacon's instructions, such as check-ins on social media, location-based actions, push notifications, or sending data via the user's Internet connection.

Beacons are a straightforward solution that offers many benefits without requiring a lot of technical expertise.

Disadvantages of Bluetooth beacons are worth considering before implementing them. They don't work by themselves, requiring users to carry a compatible device.

This limitation can be a deal-breaker in certain situations. For example, if you're trying to use beacons in a public space where not everyone has a compatible device, it might not be effective.

The functionality of Bluetooth beacons is also limited by the receiving device. The quality of the device's connection to the Internet can be a roadblock. Sometimes, users need to accept consent requirements when automatically logging into Wi-Fi hotspots first.

Here are some key limitations to keep in mind:

Bluetooth Low Energy beacons have a wide range of applications, but one of the most exciting use cases is in healthcare.

In hospitals, beacons are used for asset tracking and workflow automation, making it easier for staff to find equipment and patients. This is especially important in hospitals, where every second counts and inefficiencies can affect patient outcomes and staff well-being.

Beacons are attached to assets, such as infusion pumps, defibrillators, and wheelchairs, and send out a Bluetooth Low Energy signal every few seconds. Receivers placed throughout the hospital pick up these signals and send them to a central platform, which calculates the location of each beacon and displays it on a digital map of the facility.

The benefits of beacon-based asset tracking in healthcare are significant, including saving time for caregivers, improving patient safety, and automating compliance. By tracking equipment and patient flow, hospitals can optimize their operations and make better use of their resources.

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Here are some of the key benefits of beacon-based asset tracking in healthcare:

Bluetooth beacons are being used in a variety of innovative ways beyond their initial retail applications. They're now being used in hospitals to track medical equipment and reduce the time staff spend searching for it.

In healthcare, Bluetooth beacons are used in Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) to track the location of medical equipment, such as infusion pumps, defibrillators, and wheelchairs. This helps staff quickly locate the equipment they need, reducing delays and improving patient care.

Hospitals can also use Bluetooth beacons to track the usage of medical equipment, reducing the need for unnecessary backups and rentals. This can lead to significant cost savings and improved resource allocation.

Bluetooth beacons are also being used in museums to enhance the visitor experience. The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco uses beacons to provide exhibit information to visitors as they move through the museum.

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In asset tracking systems, Bluetooth beacons can be used in conjunction with fixed locator devices to track the location of assets within a facility. This can be particularly useful in large or complex facilities where assets are frequently moved or misplaced.

The coverage or range of Bluetooth beacons can vary depending on the environment, and it's essential to consider factors such as fixtures, walls, and other signals when deploying them.

Eddystone is a type of Bluetooth beacon that can send three different frame-types: Eddystone-UID, Eddystone-URL, or Eddystone-TLM. These frame-types allow for a range of applications.

The Eddystone-UID frame broadcasts a unique 16-byte Beacon ID, consisting of a 10-byte Namespace ID and a 6-byte Instance ID. This can be used to identify individual beacons in a large fleet of beacons.

Eddystone-URL is particularly useful for web content discovery, as it broadcasts a URL in a compressed encoding format that can be decoded by devices. This allows users to select if they want to visit the broadcasted URL.

The Eddystone-TLM frame broadcasts data about the beacon's own operation, also known as telemetry information. This data can be used to monitor the fleet of beacons.

Eddystone is cross-platform, meaning it works well with any processor that supports Bluetooth beacons, including iOS and Android devices. This makes it a versatile option for a range of applications.

Here are the different types of Eddystone frames:

To ensure the secure deployment of Bluetooth Low Energy beacons, it's essential to understand how they're configured and labeled. You must make decisions beforehand about how the beacons will be updated as business purposes change.

Beacons are now emerging as a gateway to financial interactions, making security a top concern. The Eddystone communication protocol is secure, but iBeacon is vulnerable to piggybacking, cloning, hijacking, and cracking.

You shouldn't assume that just because your beacons are secure, you don't need to understand how they work. It's crucial to read up on beacon security and why it matters.

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Security is a top concern when it comes to beacons, especially since they're becoming a gateway to complicated financial interactions.

Beacons can be vulnerable to piggybacking, cloning, hijacking, and cracking, making security a must.

The Eddystone communication protocol is already secure, but iBeacon is more susceptible to these threats.

Beacon hardware is incredibly simple, which is why security is of the utmost importance.

I highly recommend reading up on how beacons work and why security matters, even if your beacons are secure.

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Deployment is a critical phase that requires careful planning and consideration.

You must have the right set of tools and communication to deploy a large amount of beacons.

If you're deploying a large amount of beacons, you must understand how they are configured beforehand.

Decisions must be made about how the beacons are labeled for deployment.

Continuously updating the beacons as the business purposes for the beacon changes is crucial.

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To configure a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon, you'll need to adjust the advertising interval, which specifies how often a beacon transmits its signal. The values for the advertising interval range from 100 milliseconds to 2000 milliseconds.

For optimal results, the advertising interval should be adjusted between 300-350 milliseconds to maintain a good balance between signal stability and battery life. This is because reducing the interval has a big impact on the beacon's battery life.

The broadcasting power, measured in dBM, determines how far a beacon emits its signal and can be set between -100 dBM and +20 dBM. The maximum distance that a Bluetooth Low Energy signal can travel is several hundred metres, assuming no walls or signal distortion.

Here are some key considerations for configuring and maintaining a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon:

In terms of maintenance, it's essential to consider which department will own the BLE beacon infrastructure and be responsible for installation, configuration, and maintenance. You should also think about what happens when the beacon battery is due to run out, and whether to replace the whole beacon or just the battery.

Configuring your BLE beacon is a crucial step in setting it up for use. You can adjust the advertising interval to control how often the beacon transmits its signal, with a typical range of 100 milliseconds to 2000 milliseconds.

A shorter advertising interval will result in a more stable beacon signal, but it will also reduce the battery life of the beacon. For most cases, an interval of 300-350 milliseconds strikes a good balance between signal stability and battery life.

The broadcasting or transmission power of the beacon determines how far it emits its signal, measured in dBM. The power ranges from -100 dBM to +20 dBM, with higher power resulting in a longer range.

However, increasing the transmission power also increases the battery usage of the beacon, with a 30% increase at maximum power compared to minimum power.

Maintenance and Operational Considerations are crucial for the long-term functionality and up-to-date status of your BLE beacon fleet.

The department responsible for installation, configuration, and maintenance of the BLE beacons should be clearly defined within the organisation.

This department will need to consider battery replacement options, such as replacing the whole beacon or just the battery, to ensure continuity of service.

Organisational needs for battery health data collection should also be determined, as various options are available.

A dashboard to monitor the status of the installed BLE beacon fleet will be necessary to ensure timely maintenance and troubleshoot any issues.

System administrators will need to be notified when beacon batteries are running low, so they can arrange for maintenance.

To preserve battery life when the venue is closed, consider implementing power-saving measures.

Security actions should be taken to mitigate the risk of someone else piggybacking on the fleet of beacons without permission.

Here are some key considerations for maintaining a secure beacon fleet:

The performance of the beacon manufacturer's SDK and API should be evaluated, as well as their documentation and support capabilities.

The online community around the beacon manufacturer can be a valuable resource for support and recommendations.

A responsive support team with the capability to escalate questions to a developer when needed is essential.

The beacon manufacturer's capability to facilitate sharing of the beacon network with third-party developers should also be considered.

Regular firmware upgrades provided by the beacon manufacturer will keep your beacons up-to-date with the latest software and security updates.

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Bluetooth Low Energy beacons are simple transmitters that don't collect or store data on their own, they only broadcast a small radio signal at set intervals using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

The signal they send out can contain an ID number, a URL, or sensor data like temperature. This data is broadcast in a small packet that's sent out at set intervals.

Here's a breakdown of the types of data that can be sent in the signal:

The Bluetooth low energy beacon reference design is a compact form factor, open source design that can be used with popular beacon profiles like iBeacon, Eddystone, and custom NXP beacon profile. It's powered by the KW30Z system on-chip (SoC), which includes an Arm Cortex-M0+ processor together with a 2.4 GHz radio for Bluetooth Low Energy.

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The reference design is based on the KW30Z SoC, which is a preferred choice for any new Bluetooth LE design. No new software releases are planned for this design.

The design files for the reference design are available for download, including printed circuit boards and schematics. You can download the design files in either ZIP or PDF format.

The bill of material for the BLE beacon reference design is also available for download as an XLSX file, which includes all the necessary components and materials required for the design.

The design files are available in two formats: ZIP (2.80 MB) and PDF (81.20 KB). The ZIP file is a larger file that includes all the design files, while the PDF file is a smaller file that includes the schematics.

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Bluetooth beacons are simple transmitters that broadcast a small radio signal at set intervals using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).

They don't collect or store data on their own, only sending out a small packet of information. This packet can contain an ID number, a URL, or sensor data like temperature.

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A smartphone, wearable, gateway, or IoT hub within range "hears" the signal. The receiving device knows not only that a beacon is nearby but also how near it is, based on signal strength.

The receiving system interprets the signal, which can trigger specific actions. For example, a staff badge beacon tells the system which nurse is in which room, or an asset tracking beacon shows where an infusion pump is located.

Here's what a beacon can send:

The signal is detected by a device within range, and the system logs it for analytics or triggers workflows based on the data received.

BLE signals can be distorted by interference from various elements in the environment, such as metallic surfaces that bounce the signal off in unexpected ways.

Metallic surfaces, including bulletproof glass and concrete, can absorb BLE signals, making them unreliable. This is a common issue in urban areas with tall buildings and metal structures.

The human body mass can also absorb and distort BLE signals, making it difficult to get accurate readings.

Water is another substance that can absorb BLE signals, making them less reliable in environments with high humidity or water presence.

Electronic devices operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency can emit signals that overlap with the beacon signal, causing distortion.

Fluorescent lighting can also emit signals in the 2.4 GHz frequency, distorting the beacon signal in unexpected ways.

Power sources like electric railroad tracks or power lines can cause interference with BLE signals, leading to distortion.

The following list summarizes the common sources of distortion for BLE signals:

To install a Bluetooth Low Energy beacon, you'll need a compatible device and a power source. The beacon itself is typically small and battery-powered, making it easy to place in a desired location.

First, ensure your device supports Bluetooth Low Energy technology. This is crucial for the beacon to function correctly.

Choose a location for your beacon that provides good coverage and accessibility. This will make it easier to maintain and replace the battery when needed.

The beacon's battery life can last anywhere from a few months to a few years, depending on usage and settings.

To position BLE beacons efficiently, place them above head height (above 2.5 metres) to avoid interference from human body mass. This is especially important in busy environments where the beacon's signal might be absorbed.

If the ceiling is up to 4 metres high, place the beacon on the ceiling. If there's an arch, place the beacon at the top and centre of the arch. If the ceiling or top of the arch is higher than 4 metres, use walls to place the beacon at a height of around 2.5 metres (up to +1.5 metre) from the floor level.

In corridors, place a beacon in the middle to cover the full width equally. For wider corridors, consider using more beacons to cover the area evenly, placing them every 4 metres. This is also a good approach for areas with multiple doors or landmarks.

For optimal positioning, place a beacon 4 +/-1 metres before any landmarks or points of interest. This ensures good coverage and helps with trilateration-based approach installation.

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The trilateration-based approach is a method of estimating a user's location by measuring the distance from the three closest beacons. This approach is often used in venues where beacons are placed to provide coverage to the whole area.

Installing beacons following a trilateration-based approach means that beacons are placed so that they provide coverage to the whole area. The location of the user's smartphone device is estimated by measuring distance from the 3 closest beacons.

The main advantage of this approach is that the majority of a venue area is covered in beacons and as a result, there are unlikely to be areas where the user position cannot be estimated. This is particularly useful in large environments like hospitals or shopping malls.

With the trilateration method, the orientation of the user's smartphone device can be determined dynamically, and as a result, the instructions given to the user can reflect that orientation. This makes it easier for users to navigate through the venue.

However, location accuracy cannot be guaranteed as there are a few variables that are likely to affect the stability of the Bluetooth signal. These variables include the ones mentioned in Section 5.1.2 "Sources of Bluetooth signal distortion".

Here are some of the challenges associated with the trilateration-based approach:

Beacons should be placed above head height (above 2.5 metres) to avoid interference from human body mass in busy environments.

The optimal position of a beacon can interfere with other venue elements, so it's best to place it 1 metre away from these elements, such as metallic signage, major power conduit, or fluorescent lighting.

In corridors, beacons should be placed in the middle to cover the full width equally, unless the corridor is wider than 4 metres, in which case more beacons should be used to cover the area evenly.

Beacons can be placed on the ceiling if it's up to 4 metres high, or at the top and centre of an arch. If the ceiling or arch is higher than 4 metres, beacons can be placed on walls at a height of around 2.5 metres.

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Most BLE beacons are suitable for outdoor installations, but it's essential to check with the supplier if they are waterproof and what temperatures they work well in.

Consider the orientation of the BLE beacon directional antenna, as some beacons might not emit a symmetrical signal, but instead an elliptical form depending on the direction of the antenna.

Here are some guidelines for placing beacons in different environments: