Communication Performance of BLE-based IoT Devices and Routers for Tracking Indoor Construction Resources

Abstract

Sensors collect information for Internet of Things (IoT)-based services. However, indoor construction sites have a poor communication environment and many interfering elements that make it difficult to collect sensor information. In this study, a network was constructed between a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based IoT device based on a serverless IoT framework and a router. This experimental environment was applied to large- and small-scale indoor construction sites. Experiments were performed to test the communication performance of BLE-based IoT devices and routers at indoor construction sites. An analysis of the received signal strength indication (RSSI) graph patterns collected from the communication between the BLE-based IoT devices and routers for different testbed site situation revealed areas with good communication performance and poor communication performance due to interfering factors. The results confirmed that structural components of the building as well as the materials, equipment, and temporary facilities used in indoor construction interfere with the communication performance. Construction project managers will require improved technical knowledge of IoT, such as optimizing the router placement and matching communication between the router and workers, to improve the communication performance for large-scale indoor construction.