Indoor asset tracking
UWB ranging for locating equipment or personnel where GPS doesn't reach.
ESP32 & UWB Development
ESP32-S3 firmware, UWB ranging and indoor positioning, BLE/Wi-Fi/LoRa connectivity and real-time tracking systems.
Overview
What this service covers
We build ESP32 and ESP32-S3 based hardware and firmware with a particular focus on UWB (ultra-wideband) ranging and indoor positioning, alongside the Wi-Fi, BLE and LoRa connectivity ESP32 is usually chosen for. This is the same platform behind our CoachLink LoRa communication project — see the portfolio for a documented example.
Client Problems
Problems this service solves
- Indoor location accuracy is needed and GPS doesn't work well enough indoors.
- A Wi-Fi/BLE product needs firmware built from a blank slate.
- Existing ESP32 firmware is unstable, leaks memory, or hasn't been validated for continuous field use.
- UWB ranging needs to be integrated with an existing sensor node or gateway.
Capabilities
What we do
- ESP32 / ESP32-S3 firmware architecture and drivers
- UWB ranging and indoor positioning (DW3000-class transceivers)
- BLE, Wi-Fi and LoRa stack integration
- Low-power / sleep-mode firmware design
- Gateway and multi-node system design
- OTA update support
Technologies
Tools & platforms
ESP32 and ESP32-S3 modules, DW3000-class UWB transceivers, and the Espressif IDF/Arduino frameworks, paired with BLE, Wi-Fi and LoRa radios depending on the connectivity the product needs.
ESP32 / ESP32-S3UWB (DW3000-class)BLE / Wi-Fi / LoRa
Development Process
How we approach the work
- 01Define requirements
Ranging accuracy, connectivity and power budget for the target hardware.
- 02Hardware/module selection
Choose the ESP32 variant and UWB/radio modules to match.
- 03Firmware development
Build and bench-test drivers, ranging and connectivity firmware.
- 04Field validation
Confirm ranging accuracy and link reliability under real conditions.
Deliverables
What you receive
- Firmware source code
- Build/flash instructions
- Communication protocol documentation
- Test and validation notes
Testing & Validation
How ranging and connectivity get validated
Ranging accuracy is checked on the bench against known, measured distances before it's trusted in a product, and again with the antenna and enclosure it will actually ship in, since placement and nearby metal change results more than the module's datasheet numbers suggest. Wi-Fi/BLE/LoRa connectivity is exercised for reconnect behaviour after a dropout, and power draw is measured in both active ranging and sleep states so the real-world battery budget isn't a surprise after the fact.
Applications
Where this is used
Wireless sensor nodes
ESP32-based nodes reporting sensor data over Wi-Fi, BLE or LoRa.
Real-time tracking systems
Multi-node ranging systems for live positioning dashboards.
Related Services
Often paired with
Embedded Firmware Development
The broader firmware discipline this service specialises in.
RF, LoRa & Satellite Communication
Longer-range wireless links beyond indoor UWB ranging.
PCB Design
Custom boards carrying the ESP32/UWB hardware.
Want more background first? Read UWB Indoor Positioning with ESP32.
How We Can Help
How PAK-EL LAB Can Help
If you need indoor positioning or a wireless sensor node built around ESP32, we can take on the ranging/connectivity firmware on its own, or the PCB, firmware and prototyping together when the hardware doesn't exist yet. Scope, deliverables, schedule and quotation are confirmed once we've reviewed your accuracy, power and connectivity requirements — those vary enough between projects that a generic estimate isn't useful up front. We work with clients internationally and collaborate remotely as standard practice.
See also: Portfolio · Firmware Development · Contact
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is UWB ranging in practice?
It depends on the module, antenna placement and the environment — line-of-sight ranges are more accurate than through-wall or multipath-heavy layouts. We test ranging accuracy on the bench against known distances before it goes into a product.
Can UWB run alongside Wi-Fi or BLE on the same ESP32 board?
Yes. ESP32/ESP32-S3 can host UWB ranging and Wi-Fi/BLE connectivity together; the firmware just needs to schedule the radios so they don't interfere with each other.
Do you supply the UWB hardware, or just the firmware?
Either, depending on scope. We can design the PCB around a UWB module and write the firmware, or integrate ranging firmware onto hardware you already have.
Does UWB positioning work where GPS doesn't reach?
Yes — indoor and enclosed-space positioning where GPS is unreliable is the main reason clients choose UWB in the first place.
Discuss Your ESP32/UWB Project
Tell us what you're tracking and how accurate it needs to be.