Abeeway Smart Badge – Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

Tracking Personnel with Abeeway Smart Badge

Implementation Steps

In order to create the environment for monitoring the location of the Smart Badge, you need to have TPC membership, a connection definition to Location Engine, register your Smart Badge to TPC, install the Abeeway Mobile application, and finally customize the Abeeway Mobile application to monitor the movements.

Register a new account in ThingPark Community
Create connection to ThingPark X Location Engine
Register Smart Badge to TPC
Activate Abeeway Smart Badge
Install Abeeway Mobile Application
Customize Abeeway Mobile Application

Step 1 - Register a new account in ThingPark Community

In this step, you will create an account on TPC (ThingPark Community platform).

To receive location updates from your Smart Badge when it falls within the range of the ThingPark Community (TPC) network, it’s essential to possess a TPC account. Here’s a step-by-step guide to registering for a free account on the ThingPark Community website. This account will enable you to stay informed about your Smart Badge’s whereabouts.

Visit ThingPark Community page.
Select the Sign-Up link to fill out the registration form.

Fill out the registration form and click the Register icon. Note that fields with an * sign are mandatory to fill.

Step 2 - Create connection to ThingPark X Location Engine

In this step, you will create a connection to ThingPark X Location Engine in your TPC account.

Once your Smart Badge starts transmitting LoRaWAN® messages to TPC, it becomes crucial to establish a connection with the ThingPark X Location Engine. This connection is pivotal as it ensures that the data obtained from the Smart Badge through the TPC network is channeled to the ThingPark X Location Engine. This processing opens the door to various applications, including the functionality of the Abeeway Mobile Application.

Select Create under the Connections tab.
Select https:// as the connection type.

Enter any arbitrary name; you can enter ThingPark Location – Mobile app as Name.
As URL, please enter this address.
Enter XML as Content Type.
Enter the value shown below as Tunnel Interface Authentication Key:
e8959e26fd9bce52700605a9cfe74d53
Custom HTTP Headers should be left blank.
Click CREATE to create the new connection.

Select List under the Connections tab and select the connection that you just created.

If you see OPENED in the status area, it means that you successfully created the connection.

Step 3 - Register Smart Badge to TPC

In this step, you will register your Smart Badge to your previously created TPC account.

To enable the Smart Badge to connect to the TPC network and transmit location data, it’s necessary to register the Smart Badge under your TPC account.

Please select Create under the Devices tab.
Select Abeeway as the device manufacturer.

Select Smart Badge from the drop-down list.
Select your ISM Band from the drop-down list.
Give your device a name that is meaningful to you.
Enter the DevEUI, which is shown on your device documentation. You can verify the DevEUI from the Label on the Smart Badge.
Select Over-the-Air Activation from the drop-down list.
Enter the JoinEUI and AppKey, which are shown on your device documentation.

Select the connection that you created at Step 2 from the drop-down list.
Click CREATE to create the device definitions on your TPC account.

If you see INITIALIZATION in the status area, it means that you successfully created the device, but TPC did not receive a message from the device.

Step 4 - Activate Abeeway Smart Badge

In this step, you will turn ON the Smart Badge, which is usually delivered in low-power shipping mode, to ensure that it is ready for TPC registration.

To utilize the Smart Badge, power it on and allow some time for it to connect to the LoRaWAN® network. It’s important to emphasize that during this step, you should be within the coverage area of Actility’s ThingPark Community LoRaWAN® network, as you’ve registered your badge with TPC in the preceding step.

In order to turn ON the Smart Badge, press the button for 3 seconds and release. Meanwhile, you will hear a beep every second while you press the button. Then release the button.
The BLUE LED in the status area will blink.
You will be alerted by a distinctive sound indicating that the Smart Badge is ON.

If you see ACTIVE in the status area, it means that all the definitions that you have done till now are correct, and your Smart Badge has joined your TPC network and delivered messages!

Be aware that it can take some time for Smart Badges to join the TPC network.

Step 5 - Install Abeeway Mobile Application

In this step, you will install Abeeway Mobile Application on your mobile.

In order to be able to view the Smart Badge location, status, etc., you have two options. The first option involves utilizing the Abeeway Device Manager via a web browser (this will be discussed in subsequent steps), while the second entails employing the Abeeway Mobile Application. During this step, you will proceed to install the application on your mobile device. The provided instructions will focus on Android installation, with a similar process applicable for Apple iPhone installation.

Search for Abeeway WiFi GPS tracking on the Play Store and install it on your phone.

When you start the application, you need to sign up for the Abeeway Location Engine. So, click the SIGN IN/SIGN UP icon to continue to sign up.

Enter an email address that you wish to use for sign-up. Please note that the user ID used on the Abeeway Mobile Application and Abeeway Device Manager is different than the user ID that you used at TPC registration at Step 1.
Click the drop-down list of the Distributor entry.

Select Abeeway—Community from the drop-down list as you registered your Smart Badge on the TPC network.

Click the Log In / Register icon to continue registration.

Click the Register icon in order to register Abeeway Location Engine.

Fill in the First Name, Password, and Confirm Password fields.

For mobile applications to be able to function normally, they need permissions; please select Allow if you agree with this. If you do not agree, please select DON’T ALLOW, but in this case, the application may not work as needed.

These information screens inform you that your mobile phone will be used for location determination
and sending the location information to the Abeeway Location Engine in order to save battery on the Smart Badge.

Now you have to pair the Abeeway Mobile Application with your Smart Badge. The pairing enables your mobile phone to accurately determine the location and transmit location data to the Abeeway Location Engine whenever the Smart Badge is in Bluetooth range. Please be aware that your device should not already be paired with your phone. If it is, you will need to remove the Bluetooth bond between the phone and the device. You can find detailed instructions on how to do this in the mobile app’s HELP menu, under the section that explains how to remove the Bluetooth bond on both the Smart Badge and the phone.

Just click NEXT to continue device search

Select your Smart Badge from the list
Click to start pairing your Smart Badge

Wait until the device added to your account

Give a name to your Smart Badge, by clicking on the PERSONALIZE button.

Enter an arbitrary name for your device, and you can also change the ICON of the device if needed.
Congrats! Your device is now ready to report its location.
Now, your can view your location on the map.

Take note that if your device’s icon displays a Bluetooth icon on the right edge, the mobile app will relay your phone’s position instead of the tracker transmitting its own GPS/WiFi position over the LoRaWAN® network. This is done to preserve the battery life of the tracker.

Take note that if your device’s icon displays a Bluetooth icon on the right edge, the mobile app will relay your phone’s position instead of the tracker transmitting its own GPS/WiFi position over the LoRaWAN® network. This is done to preserve the battery life of the tracker.

Step 6 - Customize Abeeway Mobile Application

In this step, you will customize the Abeeway Mobile Application to suit your needs.

By now, you’ve done all the necessary settings for your Smart Badge. This is your opportunity to tailor the mobile app to match the environment you’ve created. In this phase, you’ll define the areas where you want to track your Smart Badge’s entries and exits. Additionally, you can set up customized alerts to keep you informed about specific events. You’ll also have the option to adjust how often location information is sent during this process.