Ranging with beacons is based on the value of
RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), i.e., the value of the RF
signal received by your smartphone. The received signal is strongly
affected by several parameters, such as the relative orientation and
position of your smartphone relative to the beacon, the presence of
the human body, reflection and diffraction from the environment
(especially metallic structures), and more. Thus RSSI cannot provide
an exact measure of distance in a complex environment (it should be
true in an ideal free-space scenario), but just a rough estimation of
the proximity of your smartphone to the transmitting beacon.
Moreover, consider that the accuracy strongly depends on advertising
interval. Nevertheless, beacon proper installation may guarantee a
partial improvement in ranging performance: please contact us for
suggestions on this aspect.