The maximum range of the broadcast signal depends on the transmission power setting, as well as environmental factors. Signals can suffer interference, be diffracted or absorbed.
The Kontakt.io default transmission power (tx power) is set to -12 dBm. Transmission power level can be adjusted by the user with the Kontakt.io Admin App for iOS or Android (values 0-7 as shown below) or directly from your Web Panel, but then you need to synchronize those settings using the iOS or Android Administration App.
| Hexadecimal value | TX Power level | Decimal value | RSSI @ 1 meter | Range (meters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| e2 | 0 | -30 dBm | -115 dBm | 2 |
| ec | 1 | -20 dBm | -84 dBm | 4 |
| f0 | 2 | -16 dBm | -81 dBm | 10 |
| f4 | 3 | -12 dBm | -77 dBm | 20 |
| f8 | 4 | -8 dBm | -72 dBm | 30 |
| fc | 5 | -4 dBm | -69 dBm | 40 |
| 00 | 6 | 0 dBm | -65 dBm | 60 |
| 04 | 7 | 4 dBm | -59 dBm | 70 |
- Please note that range is an approximate figure, and it depends on other factors, such as the operating environment and beacon placement.
- Power level 3 is the default value for Kontakt.io Beacons
- Power level 0 is not available for the Beacon Pro
- Card beacon can only broadcast on power level 1 & 6
In iOS, there is no way to access the Tx power variable and because of that, you can have a good estimate of the distannce to the beacon (the mix of proximity and accuracy doesn't tell you anything). Hope this can be fixed ASAP.
Regards
Hi Hans. Our beacons are adhering to the official iBeacon format, so any changes would have to come from Apple directly. You can check the iBeacon adverstising packet in our beacons on this article.
I forgot to specify that I'm using eddystones beacons. This change something?
Hans, our SDK for iOS should yield an RSSI value for Eddystone beacons as well, part of the KTKEddystone Class.
Hi, does it matter which way the beacon is facing when mounted? We installed it on a tree branch and it seems to be much stronger on one side of the tree than it is on the other. (Tough beacon)
Thanks.
Hi Emil, our general recommendation is placing the beacon with our logo facing the targeted area. Other than that, just keep in mind they have a basic doughnut radiation pattern, and that you have to account for any sources of radio wave interference.