What is the range-detection based calibration?

Range-detection-based calibration is only available for Black Panther sensors running on firmware version 5.0.0 or more recent.

BlueZoo’s range-detection-based calibration uses the BlueZoo mobile app on the installer’s smartphone to measure the radius of the sensor’s detection zone. Unlike distance-based calibration, this calibration method  accounts for anomalies, like furniture or walls, in the detection zone.

Using this method, the installer walks the inner perimeter of the detection zone and instructs the sensor to record the detected strength of Wi-Fi probes sent by the installer’s smartphone. This method is useful for determining if the perimeter of the detection zone corresponds to a consistent power level.

Start by turning on the sensor’s SSID broadcast.  To do so, (1) log in to the BlueZoo mobile app, (2) select a sensor location, and (3) navigate to the “range detection calibration” tab under “ground truth collection”.  Select “Enable Wi-Fi access point” and the sensor will broadcast its SSID.  The sensor will continue broadcasting its SSID for 30 minutes after the installer’s phone last interacts with the sensor.

Next, open the Wi-Fi settings on your smartphone and connect to the sensor's access point.  The access point’s SSID will start with @BLUE-, and will end with the last four hexadecimal digits of the sensor’s MAC address.  No password is required.

Now, return to the BlueZoo mobile app and move to a point on the perimeter of the inner detection zone.  The installer should walk along the inner perimeter and instruct the sensor to record the power levels of the installer’s phone that the sensor sees.

At various points along the inner perimeter, click on the "Measure" button to capture the power level measured by the sensor.  Ideally, walk the entire perimeter.  

Once readings are complete, view the statistical results, including minimum, maximum, average, and median values for your set of measurements.

Most often, installers should choose the “average” value to calibrate the sensor.  Again, the sensor’s access point will automatically stop broadcasting the sensor’s SSID 30 minutes after the last data point is collected.

This method can also be used to estimate the outer zone limit if you’d like to set a second, larger area (i.e. “circulation zone”) to count visits and visitors.