Qualcomm pushes closer positioning technology, precision up to 0.3 m-Gimbal, positioned at close range, high-pass, iBeacon, Bluetooth wireless hotspot-IT news Qualcomm pushes closer positioning technology, precision up to 0.3 m

As the Apple iBeacon technology becomes known, close range positioning system has also become a traditional map services the next point. Recently, Qualcomm introduced the Gimbal technology similar to the Apple iBeacon, enables miniaturization of a Bluetooth device as a local hotspot to interact with Android and iOS devices, implement some local information service. Qualcomm says a device once it enters a Gimbal local wireless hot spots within the Gimbal system will be able to bring such as navigation information, goods, sporting results, advertising promotions and pushed on to the user's mobile device.

Currently iBeacon service has been applied in some Apple stores. IPhone or iPad on Apple Store application can automatically identify around iBeacon, and then iBeacon will be able to provide users with product information such as local services.

Qualcomm technology principle of Gimbal and Apple's iBeacon is basically the same, and Qualcomm also offers two Bluetooth Wi-Fi hotspot device. First name Gimbal Proximity Beacon Series 10, volume and similar coins, use a CR2032 coin-cell battery-powered, battery life is three months, to be able to send two packets per second and to detect the ambient temperature. Second called Gimbal Proximity Beacon Series 20, the volume slightly larger than ordinary playing cards, relying on AA battery powered, battery life of up to one year, can send ten packets per second, and combine the waterproof characteristic of more suitable for outdoor use.

Two sets of equipment used was based on low power Bluetooth technology Gimbal API interface to implement features and API interface can be integrated into your application, in order to achieve the function of identifying hot spots. In addition, the Gimbal and the iBeacon also have permission settings, users can turn off receive push feature, while businesses can view access log about each user access and exit to time hot spots.

Qualcomm said both Bluetooth Wi-Fi hotspot device positioning accuracy of 0.3 meters, a single Series 10 and Series 20 cost US $ 5 and US $ 10 (about RMB 30.6 and 61.2).

Although iBeacon and Gimbal provides a basis for the Interior local area information service, but if the user would like to receive information push and whether businesses are willing to invest in is not known. In addition different from Apple, Qualcomm said Gimbal is more than a commercial solution, but also to provide users with all the practical information, such as users go to pharmacy prescription notification is displayed or entered the stadium will receive the game, real-time information, and so on.

高通推近距离定位技术，精度可达0.3米 - Gimbal,近距离定位,高通,iBeacon,蓝牙无线热点 - IT资讯
高通推近距离定位技术，精度可达0.3米

随着苹果iBeacon技术逐渐为人们所知，近距离定位系统也成为了传统地图服务的下一个增长点。近日，高通就推出了与苹果iBeacon类似的Gimbal技术，能够将小型化的蓝牙装置作为局域热点来与Android和iOS设备进行互动，实现一些局域信息服务。高通表示设备一旦进入某个Gimbal无线局域热点的范围内，Gimbal系统就能够将如导航信息、商品介绍、体育比赛结果、广告促销等推送到用户的移动设备上。

目前iBeacon服务已经在部分苹果直营店中得到应用。iPhone或iPad上的Apple Store应用能够自动识别周围的iBeacon热点，然后iBeacon就能够为用户提供产品信息介绍等室内局域服务。

高通的Gimbal的技术原理与苹果的iBeacon基本相同，而高通同时也提供了两种蓝牙无线热点装置。第一种名为Gimbal Proximity Beacon Series 10，体积与硬币相仿，使用CR2032纽扣电池供电，续航时间为三个月，每秒能够发送两次数据包并检测周围环境温度。第二种名为Gimbal Proximity Beacon Series 20，体积比普通扑克牌稍大，依靠AA电池供电，续航时间长达一年，每秒可以发送十次数据包，而且兼具防水特性，比较适合在室外使用。

两款设备使用的都是基于低功耗蓝牙技术的Gimbal API接口来实现各种功能的，而且这些API接口还能被整合到应用程序中，以此来达到识别热点的功能。此外，Gimbal和iBeacon一样也具有权限设置，用户可以关闭推送接收功能，而商家也可以查看访问日志，了解每个用户接入和退出热点的时间。

高通还表示这两款蓝牙无线热点装置的定位精度可达0.3米左右，单个Series 10和Series 20的售价分别为5美元和10美元（约合人民币30.6元和61.2元）。

虽然iBeacon和Gimbal都为室内局域信息服务提供了基础，但是在用户是否愿意接收信息推送以及商家是否愿意投资目前还不得而知。此外与苹果不同，高通表示Gimbal不仅仅是一个商业解决方案，同时也能够为用户提供各种实用信息，比如用户走到药房会显示处方通知或者进入体育馆会收到比赛实时信息等等。