Installing Anchors
Place the anchors accurately in your indoor space to begin location tracking. Proper anchor placement is essential for stable and precise positioning.
In This Guide
This guide explains how to place UWB anchors in your indoor space using the GrowSpace Creator Kit Q1 or Expansion Kit, and how to measure their coordinates for accurate positioning.
It focuses on two main objectives:
How to determine the placement of anchors
How to measure and record anchor coordinates after installation
What is an Anchor?
An Anchor is a fixed device used in an indoor RTLS (Real-Time Location System) to help calculate the position of Tags accurately. The GrowSpace Anchor-M series is designed for high-precision UWB (Ultra-Wideband) indoor positioning. It offers the following features:
High-accuracy positioning: Supports TDoA calculations with less than 10 cm average error
Optimized for mobile integration: Can connect directly with smartphones and tablets
BLE/UWB integration: Uses the Murata Type2DK module to support various IoT technologies
Fast update rate: Refreshes location data more than 10 times per second
Easy installation: Supports multiple mounting options such as screw fixing or ceiling attachment
Multiple Anchors receive the real-time signals sent by a UWB Tag. The system calculates the Tag’s position based on the time difference between these signals.
Anchor Installation Overview
In a UWB-based RTLS (Real-Time Location System), placing Anchors is not just about attaching devices. It is a critical step that directly affects positioning accuracy and overall system stability.
To begin actual positioning, follow these steps:
Understand the indoor space
Select the Initiator Anchor (the reference point)
Place the remaining Anchors based on a consistent layout
Measure the Coordinates of each device precisely and enter them into the system
Before You Start
Before selecting and placing Anchors, make sure you have the following items ready.
Measuring tape or laser measurer
Needed for accurate distance measurement
Masking tape, sticky notes, pen
For marking positions and writing distances
USB power cable, power strip
Required to supply power to Anchors
Drill, screws (optional)
Used for fixed installation if needed
💡 Tip
Measure the distance between the centers of each Anchor
Measure at least twice to check for errors
Setting the Initiator Anchor
The Initiator is the Anchor that sends the reference signal used for RTLS calculations. All Tags and Anchors in the system calculate their positions based on this signal.
Each Pan ID can have only one Initiator
The Initiator is usually placed at coordinate (0, 0), but other coordinates are also allowed
If you choose a custom coordinate for the Initiator, all other Anchors must be set using relative Coordinates based on that point
Anchor Placement Guidelines
Openness
Avoid areas near pillars, glass walls, or metal structures
Accessibility
Use walls or ceilings where installation and power supply are easy
Line of sight
Most of the space should have a clear signal path to the Initiator Anchor
Examples by Space Type
Factory, Warehouse
Corner of a wall or ceiling
Office, Hospital
Wall near the entrance or beginning of a hallway
Multi-floor Space
Use a separate Pan ID for each floor and set a local Initiator
General Anchor Placement Strategy
All Anchors, except the Initiator, should be placed based on the shape and layout of the space for optimal coverage.
Square / Rectangle
Place 4 Anchors evenly at the four corners
Irregular / Open Space
Use at least 3 Anchors in a triangle layout for trilateration-based setup
Trilateration Trilateration estimates the position of a Tag by calculating the intersection point based on distances from at least three Anchors. To ensure stable positioning, make sure the Tag can always connect to three or more Anchors. For more details, see the [Trilateration Concept Guide].
Suggested Distance and Height Guidelines
In large or complex spaces, add extra Anchors in the middle areas to improve coverage.
Distance between Anchors
15m ~ 20m
In larger spaces, place Anchors farther apart, but within signal range
Installation height
2m ~ 5m
Avoid interference from structures and ensure optimal signal reception
Measuring & Entering Coordinates
Once the positions are set, measure and record the X, Y, and Z coordinates of each Anchor. These values will be entered later in the Web Console.
Measurement Guidelines
Measure based on the distance between the centers of Anchors
Use millimeters (mm) as the unit
The Z coordinate refers to the installation height (from the floor to the device)
Measure each value at least twice to check for errors
Example Coordinate Setup
Initiator Anchor
0
0
3000
Anchor 2
15000
0
3000
Anchor 3
15000
15000
3000
Anchor 4
0
15000
3000
This information must be entered manually for each device in the Web Console. Accurate coordinates are critical for reliable positioning.
Next Step
After completing the physical installation and coordinate measurement, enter and save the coordinate values for each Anchor using the GrowSpace Web Console.
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