± 10 cm Accuracy
Ultra-Wideband · IEEE 802.15.4z · ToF / TDoA · 3D Sub-Decimeter RTLS
UWB Real-Time Location
Ultra-Wideband (UWB) is the gold standard for mission-critical indoor positioning — delivering centimeter-level 3D accuracy for assets, vehicles, and workers in the most complex, RF-dense, and safety-critical industrial environments where no other technology can match its precision.
±10cm
Accuracy
3D
X · Y · Z Live
<1ms
Latency
500MHz
Channel BW
Technology Overview
What is Ultra-Wideband (UWB)?
Ultra-Wideband is a radio technology that transmits data using extremely short pulses spread across a very wide frequency spectrum — covering bandwidths greater than 500 MHz across the 3–10 GHz range. Because UWB uses time-of-flight pulse measurement rather than signal strength, it achieves positioning accuracy down to ±10 cm (4 inches) in real-world industrial environments — completely immune to the multipath interference and signal attenuation that degrade Wi-Fi, BLE RSSI, and other narrowband RTLS technologies.
UWB Tag
Worn by worker or fixed to asset. Transmits sub-nanosecond UWB pulses
3–10 GHz · <1 ms
UWB Pulse
ToF / TDoA
UWB Anchors
Fixed reference points at known positions. Measure precise time of pulse arrival
≥3 anchors per zone
IP / PoE
Location Engine
Computes X, Y, Z from ToF / TDoA data. Applies Kalman filtering for smooth trajectories
±10 cm · 3D Real-Time
REST / MQTT
SmartX HUB®
Live floor plan map, geo-fence alarms, analytics, ERP/WMS integration
Platform
01
Time-of-Flight (ToF) Ranging
In Two-Way Ranging (TWR), the tag exchanges a sequence of UWB pulses with an anchor. By measuring the precise round-trip travel time of these pulses — accurate to sub-nanoseconds — the system computes the exact distance between the tag and each anchor. With measurements from three or more anchors, the tag's X, Y, Z position is calculated via trilateration with ±10 cm accuracy.
02
Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA)
In TDoA, the tag transmits a single UWB pulse and multiple anchors record the precise time of arrival. Since the anchors are synchronized to a common clock, the differences in arrival times define hyperbolic position curves — and the tag's position is calculated at their intersection. TDoA allows more tags to be tracked simultaneously and is the preferred method for large-scale deployments.
03
500 MHz Channel Bandwidth
UWB uses extremely short radio pulses (sub-nanosecond duration) spread across a bandwidth of 500 MHz or greater across the 3–10 GHz spectrum. This ultra-wide bandwidth is what makes UWB immune to narrowband interference and multipath reflections — the root cause of inaccuracy in Wi-Fi and BLE RSSI systems — making it reliable in dense metal environments like factories and warehouses.
04
Zero, 1D, 2D, and 3D Positioning
UWB supports four positioning dimensions. Zero-dimensional detects presence within a zone or distance threshold (1 anchor). One-dimensional aligns positions along a corridor or tunnel (2 anchors). Two-dimensional provides XY coordinates on a floor plan (3+ anchors at the same height). Full 3D delivers XYZ coordinates for multi-level environments, requiring 4+ anchors with height variation.
05
Immune to Metal & RF Interference
UWB's wide spectrum and pulse-based ranging are fundamentally resistant to interference from metallic structures, machinery, industrial radio equipment, and other wireless systems operating in the same space. This is critical in manufacturing, oil & gas, and mining environments where narrowband technologies like BLE and Wi-Fi degrade severely in performance.
06
SmartX HUB Integration
The UWB location engine publishes real-time XYZ coordinates via REST API, MQTT, or WebSocket to SmartX HUB. The platform maps every tag to a person or asset record, enforces geo-fence business rules, generates safety alarms, logs complete movement history, and syncs location-triggered events bidirectionally to SAP, D365, WMS, and CMMS systems.
Positioning Dimensions
From Proximity Detection to Full 3D Positioning
UWB is the only RTLS technology that scales seamlessly from simple zone presence detection to full 3D volumetric positioning — using the same tag hardware and infrastructure, configured to fit your operational requirements and budget.
0D — Zone Presence
Detect entry, exit, or proximity within a defined distance from a single anchor. Used for access control, attendance, and tool crib check-in/out.
1 Anchor
1D — Corridor / Tunnel
Linear position along a corridor, tunnel, or pipeline. Ideal for mine tunnels, conveyor lines, or access passages with a large length-to-width ratio.
2 Anchors
2D — Floor Plan XY
Precise XY coordinate position displayed on an interactive floor plan. The most common deployment mode for factory floors, warehouses, and hospitals.
3+ Anchors
3D — Full XYZ Volume
Complete three-dimensional positioning — floor, shelf level, and height. Required for multi-deck facilities, racking systems, and vertical structure inspection.
4+ Anchors
Key Advantages
Why UWB is the Gold Standard for Precision RTLS
When centimeter-level accuracy is non-negotiable — for collision prevention, confined space safety, automotive assembly, or high-value asset control — UWB is the only technology that consistently delivers at industrial scale.
Centimeter-Level 3D Accuracy
UWB achieves ±10 cm positioning accuracy in real industrial environments — far exceeding BLE AoA (±0.1–0.5 m), Wi-Fi (3–15 m), and RSSI beacons (5–10 m). This level of precision enables collision avoidance between forklifts and workers, exact assembly station confirmation, and rack-level asset location in high-density storage.
±10 cm · True 3D
Performs in Harsh Industrial Environments
UWB's pulse-based signal is resistant to metal structures, dense racking, heavy machinery, and RF noise — the exact conditions that cause BLE and Wi-Fi RTLS to fail. Factories, warehouses, mines, and offshore platforms with steel-intensive environments routinely deploy UWB where other technologies cannot maintain reliable accuracy.
Metal-Dense Environments
Ultra-Low Latency Updates
UWB position updates are delivered with sub-millisecond latency and at update rates up to 100 Hz. This near-real-time responsiveness is essential for collision avoidance systems, where a forklift traveling at 10 km/h covers 28 cm between 100 ms updates — making lower-latency technologies inadequate for fast-moving vehicle safety applications.
<1 ms Latency · 100 Hz
Simultaneous Multi-Tag Tracking
A single UWB infrastructure can track hundreds to thousands of tags simultaneously using TDoA mode. Workers, forklifts, assets, and vehicles all share the same anchor network — each receiving its own precise real-time position. SmartX HUB manages all tag streams in a unified dashboard with no degradation in accuracy as tag count increases.
Hundreds of Tags per Zone
Multi-Year Tag Battery Life
Despite transmitting at extreme bandwidths, modern UWB tags use highly optimized duty cycling to achieve 1–3 year battery life in standard RTLS mode. For vehicle-mounted tags, power can be drawn directly from the vehicle — eliminating battery management entirely. Tags are available in wearable badge, hard-tag, and vehicle-mount form factors.
1–3 Year Battery
IEEE 802.15.4z Open Standard
UWB is standardized under IEEE 802.15.4z and the FiRa Consortium — an open, globally recognized specification. This prevents vendor lock-in, ensures long-term hardware ecosystem support, and enables integration with the omlox RTLS interoperability standard used in Industry 4.0 deployments. SmartX HUB is fully compatible with any compliant UWB infrastructure.
IEEE 802.15.4z · FiRa · omlox
Core Applications
SmartX HUB UWB Solutions
SmartX HUB connects to the UWB positioning engine and delivers purpose-built solutions across three mission-critical operational domains — each demanding centimeter-level precision that only UWB can reliably provide at industrial scale.
Worker Safety & Forklift Collision Avoidance
UWB's centimeter accuracy and sub-millisecond latency make it the only RTLS technology capable of preventing collisions between fast-moving forklifts and workers in real time. SmartX HUB processes live positions at update rates up to 100 Hz — fast enough to trigger warnings and slow down vehicles before proximity becomes a danger.
- ✔Forklift–pedestrian collision warnings at configurable approach distances
- ✔Automatic vehicle speed reduction when workers detected within safety radius
- ✔Blind spot detection — alert drivers to workers hidden behind racks or corners
- ✔Geo-fence enforcement — restrict vehicle access to pedestrian-only zones
- ✔Man-down detection — stationary worker in unusual position triggers instant SOS
- ✔Lone worker monitoring in confined spaces with 3D depth-awareness
- ✔Emergency mustering — real-time headcount with exact indoor location per worker
- ✔Permit-to-work enforcement — block workers from entering restricted zones without authorization
- ✔Full safety event log with timestamp, person ID, zone, and video linkage
Warehouse — Forklift Collision Prevention
Every forklift and every warehouse picker wears a UWB tag. SmartX HUB monitors separation in real time at 100 Hz. When a forklift approaches a worker within 3 meters, an audible alarm fires on the vehicle and a vibration alert activates on the worker's wearable — both simultaneously. Incident log captures every near-miss for safety audits.
Oil & Gas — Confined Space Entry Control
Workers entering confined spaces — vessels, tanks, and pipe manifolds — carry UWB tags that provide 3D depth tracking even inside enclosed metallic structures. SmartX HUB enforces permit-to-work rules (minimum 2 workers, certified supervisor nearby), monitors dwell time, and triggers emergency response if a worker becomes stationary unexpectedly.
Mining — Underground Tunnel Tracking
UWB anchors deployed along tunnel walls provide 1D position data for every miner and vehicle in the underground workings. SmartX HUB tracks real-time positions of all personnel, enforces blast exclusion zones, and delivers instant mustering status to surface control rooms — enabling evacuation confirmation in under 60 seconds.
Construction — Crane Exclusion Zones
A 3D geo-fence under active crane lift operations is enforced by UWB in real time. The moment any worker enters the exclusion volume — including at height on scaffolding — SmartX HUB fires an alarm to the crane operator and site supervisor. The centimeter accuracy of UWB makes this possible where BLE and Wi-Fi cannot define precise 3D boundaries.
Industry 4.0, Manufacturing & WIP Tracking
UWB enables true Industry 4.0 smart factories by providing centimeter-accurate real-time position data for every production cart, WIP carrier, tool, and worker on the shop floor. SmartX HUB fuses this location stream with production system data to deliver live workflow analytics, bottleneck detection, and automated station-confirmation triggers — eliminating manual scanning at every step.
- ✔WIP tracking — exact position of every production cart and carrier on the shop floor
- ✔Station confirmation — auto-trigger assembly step when part arrives at correct station
- ✔Cycle time measurement per station from actual dwell time data
- ✔Lean manufacturing — identify bottlenecks and WIP pile-up in real time
- ✔Reusable packaging tracking — pallets, racks, and dunnage within the plant
- ✔Worker efficiency analytics — time on task per station, idle time, travel distance
- ✔Automated CMMS maintenance triggers based on equipment usage hours from UWB data
- ✔Automotive — body-on-frame confirmation, torque station verification, end-of-line audit
Automotive Assembly — WIP Carrier Tracking
Every vehicle body carries a UWB tag from the moment it enters the assembly line. SmartX HUB tracks its exact position through every station — paint, trim, chassis, final inspection. Station arrival triggers automated checks in the MES: correct variant, correct sequence, correct torque tools available. Line-stop events are captured with exact location and time for root cause analysis.
Manufacturing — Lean WIP Analytics
SmartX HUB uses UWB dwell-time data to build real-time WIP heat maps across the factory floor. Supervisors see where production carts accumulate beyond cycle time thresholds — identifying bottlenecks in seconds. Historical dwell-time trends per station feed continuous improvement teams with objective data, replacing manual time-and-motion studies.
Reusable Packaging — Intra-Plant Carrier Control
Returnable racks, dunnage trays, and plastic crates are tagged and tracked in real time across production, washing, and storage areas. SmartX HUB alerts when containers accumulate beyond PAR levels at any station, automatically triggering return workflows to keep the packaging pool circulating and prevent production stoppages caused by empty-dunnage shortages.
Embraer — Aerospace Assembly Verification
Aircraft fuselage sections and sub-assemblies carry UWB tags throughout the assembly flow. SmartX HUB confirms each section is at the correct jig before assembly operations are authorized — preventing out-of-sequence work that can cause costly rework or structural defects. Position data is logged in the digital traveler for AS9100 and FAA compliance.
Asset Control & High-Value Inventory
When an asset is worth thousands or millions of dollars, or when its absence stops a production line, centimeter-level tracking pays for itself on the first prevented incident. SmartX HUB uses UWB to provide exact indoor location of critical equipment, calibrated instruments, returnable tooling, and high-value inventory — with real-time alerts and complete movement audit trails.
- ✔Exact indoor location of any tagged asset — locate in seconds, not hours
- ✔Geo-fence alarms when high-value assets move outside authorized zones or buildings
- ✔Complete movement history with timestamp, zone, and responsible operator
- ✔Utilization analytics — idle time, usage hours, and location heatmaps per asset
- ✔Rack-level inventory location in high-density storage — identify exact bay, row, level
- ✔Calibration and certification tracking — alert when assets approach expiry in the field
- ✔Usage-based CMMS work order creation from SmartX HUB location data
- ✔Anti-theft protection — zone departure alerts for portable high-value equipment
Petrobras — Critical Tool & Equipment Location
Pressure testing equipment, calibrated gauges, and safety-critical tools on offshore platforms are tagged with UWB devices. SmartX HUB provides exact deck-and-section location for every item in real time. Calibration expiry warnings fire automatically — and the system blocks unauthorized use of an expired instrument by logging a compliance alert when it is moved to a work site.
Hospital Albert Einstein — Mobile Equipment
High-value mobile medical equipment — ultrasound machines, portable ventilators, infusion pumps — is tracked at room level with UWB precision across multiple floors. Clinical staff locate any device in seconds via the SmartX HUB mobile app. Equipment utilization reports identify underused units, enabling the procurement team to right-size the fleet and reduce unnecessary capital expenditure.
Warehouse — Rack-Level Inventory Location
In high-density storage, UWB's 3D precision identifies not just the aisle but the exact bay, row, and shelf level where a tagged pallet or container resides. SmartX HUB integrates this with the WMS to eliminate pick errors caused by misplaced inventory. Slotting optimization recommendations are generated automatically from real dwell-time and frequency-of-access data.
Manufacturing — Mould & Fixture Control
Injection moulds, stamping dies, and precision fixtures worth hundreds of thousands of dollars are tracked continuously across the plant. SmartX HUB logs every movement, confirms the correct fixture is at the correct machine before a production order is released, and triggers preventive maintenance work orders based on actual usage cycles rather than calendar intervals.
Technology Comparison
UWB vs. Other Indoor Location Technologies
UWB delivers the highest accuracy and lowest latency of any indoor RTLS technology — at a higher infrastructure cost than BLE AoA. Understanding the trade-offs helps choose the right technology for each operational zone.
| Feature | UWB ★ | BLE AoA | BLE RSSI Beacon | Wi-Fi RTLS | Passive RFID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning Accuracy | ±10 cm (3D) | ±10–50 cm | 3–10 m (zone) | 3–15 m | Portal / zone only |
| Update Latency | <1 ms · up to 100 Hz | 100–500 ms | 1–5 s | 1–3 s | Event-only reads |
| 3D Positioning | Yes — full XYZ | Yes — full XYZ | No | Floor level only | No |
| Metal / RF Immunity | Excellent | Good | Poor | Fair | Good (on-metal tags) |
| Tag Battery Life | 1–3 years | Up to 5 years | 1–3 years | Months | 20+ years (passive) |
| Infrastructure Cost | Medium–High | Low–Medium | Low | Medium (reuse Wi-Fi) | Low (tag cost only) |
| Collision Avoidance | Yes — purpose-built | Limited | No | No | No |
| Best Fit | Collision avoidance, WIP tracking, precision asset control, mining | People tracking, large facilities, budget-sensitive deployments | Zone detection, low-cost presence | Campus-scale, leverages existing infrastructure | Mass inventory counts, dock automation, RTI |
SmartX HUB Platform
What SmartX HUB Delivers with UWB
SmartX HUB connects to the UWB positioning engine and delivers a complete operational intelligence layer — transforming raw centimeter-level coordinates into actionable dashboards, safety rules, workflow triggers, and enterprise system integrations.
Live 2D / 3D Indoor Map
Real-time positions of all tagged people, vehicles, and assets on interactive multi-floor floor plans with centimeter precision. 3D view mode for vertical facilities. Trajectory trails, instant tag search, and live category filters — workers, forklifts, assets — all on a single unified display.
Geo-Fence Rules & Safety Alarms
Draw polygonal or 3D volumetric geo-fence zones on any floor plan. Configure per-zone rules for entry, exit, dwell time, proximity, and speed. Alarms delivered to dashboard, mobile push, SMS, email, and webhook simultaneously. Forklift speed-limiter integration via digital output relay for automatic velocity control in safety zones.
Collision Avoidance Engine
Dedicated collision avoidance module processes UWB positions at up to 100 Hz to compute separation distances between all vehicle-worker pairs in real time. Multi-tier alert zones: warning (yellow), critical (red), emergency stop. Alarm delivered to vehicle buzzer/light and worker wearable simultaneously — with <100 ms total reaction time.
Trajectory History & Replay
Complete indoor movement history stored per tag at centimeter resolution. Replay any person's, vehicle's, or asset's path through the facility at any time scale. Critical for post-incident accident investigation, near-miss analysis, process audit, and regulatory safety compliance documentation.
WIP & Workflow Analytics
Station dwell-time analytics reveal cycle time performance versus standard time per station across every shift. WIP heat maps identify accumulation zones. Forklift trip analytics measure distance, speed, idle time, and load frequency per shift. Worker productivity reports show time on task per zone per operator — all from passive position data.
SOS, Man-Down & Lone Worker
Tags with SOS buttons transmit distress signals with exact 3D location. Man-down detection identifies workers stationary in atypical positions for configurable periods. Lone worker rules monitor workers isolated beyond configurable distances. All alarms include precise indoor location, enabling first responders to navigate directly to the person within the building.
ERP, MES & CMMS Integration
SmartX HUB publishes UWB location events via REST API, MQTT, and webhooks to SAP, D365 F&O, Oracle, any MES, or any CMMS. Station-arrival triggers automatic production step confirmations. Usage-based maintenance work orders are created automatically. Attendance records generated by indoor location replace manual timesheets entirely.
Patrol & Round Verification
Define patrol routes and inspection checkpoints on the indoor map with centimeter-precision waypoints. SmartX HUB verifies that guards, operators, and maintenance technicians pass within the required proximity of each checkpoint within the required time window. Missed rounds generate alerts. Full patrol compliance reports exported automatically per shift.
Mobile App — iOS & Android
The SmartX HUB mobile app gives supervisors, safety officers, and security teams live indoor maps, push alarm notifications, asset search, and SOS response management from any smartphone. Maintenance technicians use the app for patrol check-in and mobile work order management — all synced in real time to the platform via 4G or Wi-Fi.
Industry Applications
Deployed in the Most Demanding Environments
UWB RTLS via SmartX HUB is purpose-built for industries where centimeter-level accuracy and sub-millisecond latency are not optional — they are required by safety regulations, production quality standards, or the physical realities of the operating environment.
Manufacturing & Automotive
Track every WIP carrier, production cart, and assembly jig in real time across the shop floor. Auto-confirm station arrivals in the MES. Measure cycle times per station from actual dwell data. Prevent forklift collisions on shared pedestrian/vehicle aisles. Identify WIP bottlenecks instantly without manual data collection.
Warehousing & Logistics
Prevent forklift-pedestrian incidents in shared aisles with real-time collision avoidance. Track every forklift's trips, idle time, and load cycles for fleet optimization. Locate any asset at rack-level with 3D precision. Measure picker productivity from movement analytics. Enforce zone segregation between pedestrian aisles and vehicle corridors.
Oil, Gas & Petrochemical
Track workers on offshore platforms, refineries, and petrochemical plants with 3D precision. Enforce permit-to-work exclusion zones. Monitor confined-space entry with depth tracking. Emergency mustering across all decks in real time. UWB's RF immunity performs reliably in environments dense with steel, piping, and industrial radio equipment.
Mining & Tunnels
Provide 1D and 2D real-time tracking in underground mine workings and tunnels. UWB works through solid rock and dense metallic infrastructure where GPS and BLE fail completely. Track personnel and vehicles, enforce blast zones, manage evacuation headcounts, and verify that all workers are accounted for before controlled detonations.
Healthcare
Track mobile medical equipment at room level across multi-floor hospital buildings. Monitor patient locations with wandering alerts. Measure clinical staff response times to alarms. Locate any asset in seconds from the SmartX HUB mobile app. UWB operates without interfering with sensitive medical equipment — IEEE 802.15.4z operates in dedicated frequency bands.
Aerospace & Defense
Verify exact position of aircraft assembly jigs, fuselage sections, and sub-assemblies in hangar environments. Confirm correct assembly sequence in the MES before operations are authorized. Track tooling and GSE across the airside. UWB precision eliminates out-of-sequence assembly errors that cause costly rework and regulatory non-conformances.
SOFTWARE PLATFORM
CLOUD-HOSTED SAFETY MONITORING, CONFIGURATION AND DATA ANALYTICS SOFTWARE
Many healthcare organizations want all the components of RTLS technology “under one roof”; that’s why SmartX HUB offers Best in hardware, software, and services. The SmartX HUB is a cloud-based platform, the centralized hub for access to our comprehensive RTLS solution applications and system management tools. The unified user interface offers single sign-on capabilities and maintains a consistent look and feel across all applications, ensuring seamless navigation and optimal efficiency.
- Smartx HUB Live - Gain real-time visibility of the wellbeing of your teams and ultimate command over your connected safety fleet with the most powerful, effective and efficient safety management and productivity system.
- SmartX HUB Analytics - Our portfolio of Analytics Essentials and Premium reports, powered by our SmartX HUB Live engine, delivers a complete view of your fleet's operations.
- Field Mobile - Manage your team on a intuitive Android App to monitor your team members and manage wearables
- LinkHUB - Edge device controler for Passive and Active tags
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