AirFinder: Affordable, Scalable Real‑Time Location Systems

Whether you’re deploying RTLS within your organization or building a solution for clients, AirFinder offers a simple, cost‑effective platform that delivers accurate, real‑time asset visibility.

• Streamlined, battery‑powered infrastructure. Traditional RTLS technologies such as passive RFID or infrared demand extensive cabling, power supplies, readers, and antennas. AirFinder’s plug‑and‑play design eliminates those expenses, reducing implementation costs by up to ten times while still delivering reliable location data.
• Accuracy that scales with your needs. AirFinder’s reference‑point architecture lets you tailor precision to each space—one reference point for a single storage room or multiple points for a 10‑bed ward. Pay only for the accuracy you require.
• Flexible tag ecosystem. Unlike proprietary RTLS tags, AirFinder leverages BLE beacons available in a wide array of form factors, sizes, battery life, and enclosures. Choose the best fit for your application and budget.

Not ready to choose yet? Read on for a concise comparison of five alternative RTLS technologies, their benefits, and key considerations.

5 Alternative RTLS Technologies

1. Infrared RTLS

Infrared tags emit a unique light signal detected by ceiling‑mounted readers—much like a TV remote. A clear line of sight is required.

Benefits

• Near‑zero false positives unless the system is deliberately tampered with.
• Very low tag cost.

Considerations

• Installation is costly because each room requires new readers, making retrofits difficult.
• Battery life is limited by light transmission.
• Best suited for stationary assets; not ideal for personnel or mobile item tracking.

Key Vendors

• Versus
• CenTrak
• VIZZIA

2. WiFi RTLS

WiFi tags broadcast signals to multiple access points, and differential time‑of‑arrival calculations locate the tag.

Download our white paper to learn how large‑scale manufacturers track materials in their plants.

Benefits

• Often leverages existing WiFi infrastructure with firmware updates.
• Provides meter‑level accuracy thanks to time‑of‑flight measurements.

Considerations

• Tags are bulky, power‑hungry, and expensive (≈$60 each).
• Deployment requires detailed site surveys and close IT collaboration.
• High upfront cost for WiFi access points and licensing.
• Security concerns with unmanaged WiFi endpoints.

Key Vendors

• Ekahau
• AiRISTA

3. Ultra Wide‑Band (UWB) RTLS

UWB uses low‑power tags that emit ultra‑wide chirp signals detectable by receivers spread throughout the building. This technology delivers sub‑meter precision.

Benefits

• Highest accuracy among RTLS solutions.
• Mesh network capability allows standalone data transmission.

Considerations

• Requires many readers (3‑5 per tag) and high capital investment.
• Best suited for environments that truly need centimeter‑level precision, such as Amazon warehouses.

Key Vendors

• Zebra
• Redpoint Positioning
• Tracktio

4. Passive RFID

Passive RFID tags draw power from the reader’s radio field, making the tags virtually maintenance‑free. Readers emit high‑frequency signals that the tag reflects back.

Benefits

• Sticker tags cost as little as $0.10 and last indefinitely.

Considerations

• Readers are expensive and must be densely deployed (every 10‑15 feet) for accurate location.
• High power output may raise regulatory and safety concerns.

Key Vendors

• Trimble
• Zebra
• Atlas

5. Active RTLS

Active systems use battery‑powered sensors that communicate with access points and send data to the cloud or on‑premise servers. The underlying radio can vary.

Benefits

• Flexible IT integration options.
• Lower cost than many alternatives.
• Incremental deployment (“crawl, walk, run”) allows early ROI before full coverage.

Considerations

• Accuracy depends on reader density; many readers are needed for high precision.
• Susceptible to false positives near walls or between rooms.

Key Vendors

• Quuppa
• AwarePoint

Questions?

We’re ready to help you choose the right RTLS for your industry. Contact us to start the conversation.