1、What does a Bluetooth beacon look like?

A Bluetooth beacon is a type of IoT terminal device that looks like a "mineral water bottle cap". It continuously emits Bluetooth signals, allowing your phone to "see" its location, as if there is an invisible guide in every corner. Whether in a complex park, a shopping mall, a museum or other public places, Bluetooth beacons can make locations "speak", so you never get lost. Currently, there are approximately 2500 Bluetooth beacons installed on the HKUST(GZ) campus, providing an essential network infrastructure for precise campus positioning and navigation services.

2、Bluetooth beacons are small and easy to lose, so we appeal to everyone to protect them together and not let them "get lost".

If you are responsible for the construction of the laboratory, dormitory area corridors, canteen area corridors, research building corridors, underground parking lots, or other public areas, and you come across a beacon, please handle it gently. Do not forcefully remove or discard them. If it is necessary to remove them due to construction needs, please contact the Information Technology Department at gzit@hkust-gz.edu.cn. We will recycle the beacons and reinstall them after the renovation is done. If a beacon is found missing due to human actions, compensation will be required.

3、Where can you see Bluetooth beacons?

Bluetooth beacons can be directly attached to building surfaces using the 3M adhesive on the bottom. In our campus, Bluetooth beacons are typically installed on the ceilings of indoor and outdoor corridors, some indoor area ceilings, underground parking lot ceilings, building exteriors, exc. To ensure effective signal coverage and optimize positioning accuracy, the installation distance is usually maintained at 6-10 meters apart.

4、How does a Bluetooth beacon work?

The working principle of a Bluetooth beacon is quite simple yet efficient: By continuously emitting Bluetooth signals and communicating with receiving devices (such as smartphones), the source location of the signal can be determined. It's like being in a large space where you can determine the direction of the speaker by their voice, even with your eyes closed.

5、How long can a Bluetooth beacon last?

Bluetooth beacons have extremely low power consumption. They can be powered by batteries and can work continuously for several years without replacing batteries. Under normal conditions, the Bluetooth beacons in our campus can last for over 5 years.

If it is necessary to remove the Bluetooth beacon due to construction or other reasons, please contact <gzit@hkust-gz.edu.cn>.

Information Technology Department

July 31, 2024