BLE Channel Sounding (Bluetooth 6.0)

We turn Bluetooth into an accurate, secure distance sensor, reliable enough for access control and safety-critical solutions.

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We work with Industry Leaders

Challenges with BLE proximity sensing

Building trusted proximity solutions with standard Bluetooth is limited by fundamental technological hurdles, compromising both accuracy and reliability.

Inaccuracy of traditional RSSI

Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) is unreliable, fluctuating wildly due to multipath effects, signal reflection, and environmental noise. This inherent instability makes achieving reliable sub-meter accuracy impossible in real-world deployments.

Interference in complex environments

Signal fading and interference in dense industrial settings, complex office layouts, or urban canyons severely compromise the effectiveness of RSSI-based systems, leading to frustrating false positives or missed safety alerts.

Lack of trusted authentication

Legacy proximity based on RSSI only confirms signal presence, not verifiable, true distance or secure identity. This lack of verifiable proof fails regulatory and security compliance requirements for critical applications like physical access control.

High power consumption for alternatives

Achieving high location accuracy typically requires high-complexity or high-frequency polling, which compromises the ultra-low-power goals of wearable or battery-powered devices, defeating the purpose of choosing BLE.

Our solutions for BLE channel sounding

Our modular ecosystem integrates cutting-edge hardware, advanced algorithms, and secure software to unlock the full spatial intelligence potential of Bluetooth.

01 The hardware foundation

nRF54 Series Readiness

We design and implement solutions on future-ready chipsets (e.g., Nordic nRF54 and nRF53) optimized to natively support Bluetooth 6.0 Channel Sounding, ensuring long-term product viability.

Low-power wearable form factors

We engineer custom hardware with compact antenna layouts and Flexible PCBs to realize ultra-low-power wearable tags for personnel, enabling months or years of battery life.

Optimized antenna array design

Custom design of antenna configurations is crucial to maximize the precision of Phase-based Ranging (PBR), the core mechanism used by Channel Sounding.

02 The software intelligence

Phase-based ranging (PBR) engine

Implementation of advanced algorithms that process the raw radio phase data from Channel Sounding to derive a verifiable, sub-meter distance measurement in real-time.

Trusted proximity protocol

Custom firmware layers combine the accurate distance estimate with cryptographic authentication to generate a single, secure "Trusted Proximity" event (verified distance + verified identity).

Dynamic threshold management

Implementation of instant-response logic that triggers critical actions when a device crosses specific, configurable distance boundaries (e.g., Green - Safe, Yellow - Warning, Red - Critical).

03 The analytics & integration

Side-by-side validation layer

We provide a visualization and logging platform designed to compare Channel Sounding accuracy directly against legacy RSSI data, offering unquestionable proof of superiority for stakeholder adoption.

Secure API gateway for access control

Seamless integration with existing enterprise security and operational systems (e.g., MES, WMS) via secure APIs, enabling secure physical access control based on trusted distance.

Real-time safety alert engine

A robust embedded engine designed for sub-millisecond reaction times, instantly converting proximity events into safety alerts or automated machine shutdowns when a worker enters a hazardous zone.

Where our solutions fit

Our expertise in Channel Sounding allows us to deploy safety-critical and high-value applications across diverse industrial and commercial sectors.

Access & entry systems

Secure access control
Grant access to server rooms or high-value cabinets only when a user is verifiably within the specific, sub-meter proximity limit.
Keyless entry authentication
Enable secure, hands-free entry into vehicles or restricted zones using distance and identity verification, eliminating spoofing risks.
Trusted proximity for payment
Authorize payment transactions at retail or industrial terminals based on the cryptographically proven distance from a wearable device.

Industrial safety & manufacturing

Hazardous geofencing
Establish precise, virtual safety fences around heavy machinery or automated guided vehicles (AGVs), triggering an instant stop when a worker's tag crosses the Red boundary.
Collision avoidance
Provide highly accurate, real-time proximity warnings between personnel, forklifts, and robotic systems on busy factory floors.
Tool / equipment compliance
Ensure critical, high-value tools or foreign object debris (FOD) are not left within restricted or sensitive assembly areas, meeting strict compliance standards.

Smart buildings & offices

Privacy-preserving presence
Accurately detect room or zone occupancy for lighting and HVAC automation using verified distance, eliminating the need for cameras or sensitive PIR sensors.
Personalized retail experience
Trigger personalized, context-aware information on digital displays when a customer is verifiably within one meter of a specific product.
Efficient asset tracking
Locate high-value office or lab equipment and ensure compliance by verifying they remain within authorized operational zones.

What we bring to your project

We guarantee technical excellence, clear validation, and strategic partnership to ensure your product leads the market in trusted proximity.

01 BLE 6.0 leadership

We position your product as a market leader by integrating the latest Bluetooth 6.0 capabilities, guaranteeing a system aligned with next-generation standards and future-proofed technology.

02 Side-by-side proof of sophistication

We offer a clear demonstration framework that visually and quantitatively proves the superior performance of Channel Sounding over legacy RSSI, accelerating stakeholder buy-in.

03 Guaranteed determinism and security

Our deep expertise in RTOS and cryptographic protocols ensures the system delivers sub-meter accuracy with the speed and security essential for mission-critical applications.

04 End-to-end smart product development

Our services cover the entire lifecycle, from low-power chip selection (nRF54) and custom antenna design to final application-layer integration and certification.

Asset Tracking Solutions: Case studies

Bluetooth low energy badge for proximity data and automated sharing

We engineered a compact, ultra-low-power BLE badge designed for seamless proximity data sharing and asset identification. The solution enables reliable, real-time presence detection and integrates with existing infrastructure for automated digital workflows.

Smart Wearable Xtrava Health’s Butterfly.care

Smart wearable for infant vital signs and safety monitoring

We engineered a sophisticated, safety-critical wearable device for infant care, the Butterfly.care, integrating an AI engine and multiple sensors. The solution features BLE communication, vital sign tracking (including breathing and sleep patterns), and Over-the-Air (OTA) update capability, ensuring precision, safety, and power-efficient operation.

Testimonials

“I think the key takeaway from needCode is their ability to adapt and understand the customer's requirements. That took away probably a large portion of what could have been a lot of development time and expense for both companies.”

Bob Folkestad

President at Creative Werks

“One aspect that truly sets needCode apart is its profound expertise in firmware development. Their proficiency in various programming languages, embedded systems and hardware architecture is truly impressive. When faced with difficult problems, their strong problem-solving skills and analytical mindset shine through, allowing them to overcome obstacles with remarkable ease.”

Semeh Sarhan

CEO at Xtrava

“I worked with needCode while leading the NWTN-Berlin team in 2018. A big chunk for our FW development has been outsourced to them and they had proven to iterate very quickly, following specs and deliver on time. It was great working with them. I recommend working with needCode’s team on any Embedded SW development.”

Marco Salvioli Mariani

CTO at NWTN Berlin GmbH

“needCode Team proved to be one of the best engineers I have ever met. The part I like the most about the team is the more difficult an obstacle seems to be, the more motivated they were to find a solution and a way forward.”

Szymon Słupik

CTO at Silvair

“needCode is an outstanding partner. Their quick follow-up, scalability, and extensive professional network set them apart. Their expertise in wireless technologies has been valuable, supporting us from low-level drivers to architecture discussions.”

Tim Allemeersch

Director at Qorvo, Inc.

“needCode did a great job improving the firmware of the Vai Kai connected toys and developing new features, surpassing our expectations multiple times. I would definitely recommend hiring Bartek and needCode for the embedded software projects!”