Before we dive into the details, let’s quickly clarify two key terms:

• AP (Access Point): This is a device that listens to Bluetooth devices like Blyott tags. The more APs in a space, the better the coverage for tracking tags.
• Tx Power (Transmission Power): This refers to how strong the signal from a tag is. A higher Tx power means the signal travels farther.
• Dbm (decibels relative to 1 milliwatt): dBm is commonly used to measure the strength of a signal, such as a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal. It’s crucial for understanding how far a signal can travel and how strong it will be in a specific area.

Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s explore why Blyott tags use a specific Tx power level for optimal performance in hospitals. After years of testing in real-world hospital environments, -5dBm is what we have chosen as the ideal Tx. There’s 2 reasons why. Let’s break it down.

1. Battery life comes first.‍

Lower Tx power means the tags use less energy, and that’s great for battery life. With -5dBm, you can expect up to five years of operation with our standard Blyott tags. That’s five years of tracking without having to worry about constant maintenance or battery replacements, a big win in busy hospital settings.

2. It’s also about location accuracy.

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Most hospitals have strong Wi-Fi coverage, with an access point (AP) every 75 to 100 square meters or 807–1,076 square feet. At -5dBm, a tag’s signal typically reaches three to six APs. That’s more than enough to pinpoint its location accurately.

If we cranked up the Tx power, the tags would be detected by too many APs. More isn’t better here, it just introduces noise, reflection, and errors like floor-hopping, making the tracking system less reliable.

Tested where it matters.

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This setup isn’t just theory. We’ve tested Blyott tags extensively in many hospitals. Whether it’s hundreds of tags in one area or a complex building with varying AP densities, the results consistently show that -5dBm is the optimal setting for healthcare environments.

Tailored for healthcare, adaptable for more.

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In a healthcare environment -5dBm is the default. For other use cases, like logistics or large warehouses, we can adapt the Tx power to fit your needs. The goal is always the same: reliable, efficient, and accurate asset tracking.

If you’re curious about how Blyott tags can fit your specific environment, let’s chat. Whether it’s fine-tuning Tx power or optimizing your setup, we’re here to help.

More frequently asked questions

More frequently asked questions about the tag, AP and Tx power: 

• What happens if a tag is detected by just one AP?
  This isn’t common in hospitals, but if it happens, the system will still register the tag’s presence. However, location accuracy might be limited. In environments like warehouses, where Wi-Fi coverage can be sparse, increasing the Tx power or adding more APs could help.
• What about increasing the Tx power?
  Yes, increasing the Tx power would let more APs detect the tag. But here’s the trade-off: it drains the battery faster and reduces accuracy due to increased noise and reflections. For hospitals, -5dBm works perfectly. For other spaces, like warehouses or logistics centers, a higher Tx power might make sense if you need wider coverage.
• Why not set the Tx power higher by default?
  We get it, sometimes more feels like the right choice. But for healthcare, we’ve found that -5dBm delivers the best results. It’s a sweet spot: long battery life, precise tracking, and no unnecessary interference.