AoA and Cavea Wirepas Mesh in combination: The optimal positioning solution for your applications
Location technologies such as AoA (Angle of Arrival) and Cavea Wirepas Mesh play a central role when it comes to making processes in various industries more efficient, transparent and digital. Whether in factories, modern warehouses or hospitals, the question often arises as to which technology is more suitable. AoA with its high precision or Cavea Wirepas Mesh as a flexible, scalable and wireless solution with long battery life. But you don’t have to make this decision.
With our TRIBRID® tag, we combine both technologies in a single system. This means that you can use AoA selectively where maximum precision is required and at the same time benefit from the cost-efficient, low-maintenance and easily scalable Cavea Wirepas Mesh technology for the remaining area. No additional tags, no compromises – simply an end-to-end tracking solution that adapts perfectly to your applications.
In this article, we compare both technologies not only on a technical level, but also show their practical advantages in the industry. Find out how you can implement your positioning requirements efficiently and economically with the right combination of AoA and Cavea Wirepas Mesh.
What is AoA (Angle of Arrival)?
Angle of Arrival (AoA) is a positioning technology that has been specially developed for precise real-time indoor localization. It enables very precise localization of objects or people with an accuracy of less than one metre. This makes AoA particularly suitable for applications where exact position data is required – whether in industrial production, healthcare or logistics.
A key advantage of AoA is its comparatively low latency, which enables movements to be detected almost immediately. However, the technology requires a more complex installation, as antennas need to be strategically positioned and connected to the infrastructure via cables. This makes AoA less flexible in terms of scaling, but extremely reliable for scenarios with high precision requirements.
Technical overview
AoA is based on measuring the angle from which a radio signal arrives at an antenna. This technology uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and combines the energy efficiency of this standard with advanced signal processing. Several permanently installed antennas receive the signals from BLE tags and calculate the exact position of the object based on the different angles of incidence. By continuously analyzing these signals, movements can be tracked in real time. This enables reliable indoor localization with high precision – a decisive advantage for companies that require seamless traceability of their assets.
What is Cavea Wirepas Mesh?
Cavea Wirepas Mesh is a powerful indoor positioning technology that is characterized by simple installation, high scalability and reliable network capacities. In contrast to AoA, which relies on permanently installed antennas connected by cable, Cavea Wirepas Mesh works with battery-powered devices that network independently and transmit data efficiently. This eliminates the need for cabling, which significantly reduces installation costs and enables fast and flexible commissioning, even during regular operation.
A key advantage of this technology is its almost unlimited scalability: Cavea Wirepas Mesh can connect hundreds of thousands of devices in a single network. The network is also self-organizing and self-healing – it adapts dynamically to changes in the environment and remains stable even if individual nodes fail. The positioning accuracy is 1-3 meters, which is sufficient for many industrial applications. The latency is higher compared to AoA at approx. 30 seconds, but offers a very good solution for many processes such as bookings in warehouse systems, as a delay of a few seconds is usually not critical here.
Technical overview
Cavea Wirepas Mesh is based on a decentralized communication principle (mesh) in which each device acts as an independent node. These nodes communicate directly with each other and forward data via the network without the need for a central infrastructure. The result is a robust, energy-efficient system that can be flexibly adapted to different environments.
Thanks to its wireless operation with very long-lasting batteries, Cavea Wirepas Mesh can be used almost anywhere – from production facilities to warehouses and hospitals. Companies benefit from simple integration, fast implementation and reliable, wide-area coverage without high infrastructure costs.
Which technology for which application?
The choice of the right positioning technology depends heavily on the specific requirements of the respective application. While some industries rely on maximum precision, others focus on simple scalability and comprehensive coverage.
AoA for high-precision tracking in sensitive environments
AoA is the preferred solution when centimeter-precise positioning is required. Especially in factories or warehouses, where exact positioning of equipment, tools or goods carriers is required, the technology shows its full potential. RTLS systems with AoA make it possible, for example, to track work equipment in real time. AoA can also help to minimize delays and make efficient use of production capacities in the manufacturing industry, where material flows and production processes need to be optimally coordinated.
However, the installation effort is higher, as AoA infrastructures work with permanently installed antennas and cabling. However, companies that value maximum accuracy and are prepared to invest in a stable infrastructure benefit from reliable real-time localization.
Typical use cases for AoA:
- Tool and material tracking in production environments
- Security and access control in sensitive areas
- High-precision positioning for machine control
- Automation for booking processes of e.g. goods carriers in small areas with high selectivity
Cavea Wirepas Mesh for flexible and scalable tracking solutions
For companies that need a simple, scalable and cost-effective solution for asset tracking, Cavea Wirepas Mesh technology is ideal. Especially in warehouses, logistics centers and large industrial facilities, Cavea Wirepas Mesh offers a robust, wireless infrastructure that can be implemented without major installation effort. Thanks to our extremely efficient mesh protocol, millions of objects can be tracked seamlessly – be it the localization of pallets, containers or tools.
Although the positioning accuracy of 1-3 meters is not as high as with AoA, this is completely sufficient for many applications. Particularly in the supply chain or in industrial operations where large areas need to be covered efficiently, Cavea Wirepas Mesh impresses with its simple implementation and reliable data transmission.
Typical use cases for Cavea Wirepas Mesh:
- Asset tracking in large warehouse and production halls
- Load carrier tracking on company premises and automatic booking to storage locations
- Tool and machine localization in industrial facilities
- Tracking of production orders and components
- Comprehensive inventory management in logistics centers
Which tracking technology is right for you?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for location technologies – and with our TRIBRID® tag, you don’t have to choose between different technologies. Our solution combines AoA and Cavea Wirepas Mesh in just a single tag, so you can make the most of both technologies in your environment.
When is AoA used?
- When centimeter-accurate location is required in specific areas.
- When critical processes require real-time localization with minimal latency.
- When a wired infrastructure can be provided for these specific zones.
When does Mesh technology show its strengths?
- When a simple, fast, and wireless installation is crucial.
- When an accuracy of 1 to 3 meters is sufficient.
- When a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution is required.
With our TRIBRID® tag, you get the best of both worlds: precision where it’s truly needed, and a flexible, scalable location solution for the rest. This way, you optimize your processes without having to choose between two technologies or use redundant hardware.
But that’s not all – our TRIBRID® tag also offers BLE and RFID technology. If only simple identification is required in certain areas, such as in goods receipt, RFID can be used. This keeps your location solution maximally flexible and cost-efficient. In the outdoor area, simple BLE solutions are often suitable for tracking vehicles or monitoring the route to the customer.
