• CUWB v5.1
PT321 Datasheet

Description

The PT321 is an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) tag designed for use with Ciholas UWB (CUWB) Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS). In a CUWB RTLS deployment the PT321 operates as a mobile, trackable device that can be attached to personnel, equipment, and assets. Featuring a user-replaceable battery, the PT321 is lightweight and designed for easy mounting on a wide variety of objects.

PT321

Features

  • Operates with Ciholas CUWB System
  • Ultra-Wideband Radio
    • Supports UWB Channel 5 and Channel 9
    • Data rate 6.8Mbps
  • Integrated Radio Frequency (RF)
    • Omni-directional UWB antenna
    • Variable beacon rates
    • Built-in Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA)
    • Long RF range
  • Status & Control
    • Tri-Color LED Indicator
    • Wake-on-Shake
    • Firmware updates by UWB or USB
  • Power & Connectivity
    • Uses a CR123A User-Replaceable Battery1
    • USB data connection:
      • Fully compliant with USB 2.0 specification
      • Standard USB Type-C Receptacle
    • Low Power & Long Battery Life
  • Certifications
    • FCC Certified in the United States
    • CE Marking in the European Union
    • ISED Certified in Canada
    • MIC Certified in Japan
  • Mechanical
    • IPX7 Rating
    • Mounting Accessories - Coming Soon

1. Battery charging not supported.

Ordering

PT321 Product Ordering

The PT321 maximum beacon rate is specified for each selected model. Devices can be configured to beacon at any frequency up-to and including the maximum rate. Each PT321 unit is region-locked at time of purchase to ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements. See regulatory compliance for supported regions and compliance statements.

Available from the Ciholas Webshop. Battery is not included.

Electrical

Ratings

Parameter Description Min. Typ. Max Units
T Operational Temperature -20   60 °C

RF Characteristics

Channel1 Center Frequency Bandwidth Maximum Distance2
5 6.4896 GHz 499.2 MHz 90 meters
9 7.9872 GHz 499.2 MHz 80 meters

1. Where channel usage is allowed. Not all channels are supported in every regulatory region.
2. In clear Line-of-Sight conditions.

Battery Life Examples

Operational mode sets the foundation of power consumption. PT321 power use is highly dependant on usage and system configuration. Devices configured with beacon rates higher than listed will draw more power.

The following chart depicts the typical battery runtime at 25°C under conditions where Wake-on-Shake features are disabled, the command rate is configured for 0.1 Hz, LEDs are turned off, and no additional user data is used. Tested with Duracell® CR123A battery (typ. capacity 1550mAh).

UWB Channel Beacon Rate (Hz) MultiRange Typical Runtime (Days) MultiTime Typical Runtime (Days)
5 0.1 2200 2260
5 1 470 1100
5 10 50 195
5 100 5 20
5 200 N/A1 12
9 0.1 1995 2175
9 1 400 1000
9 10 40 170
9 100 4 20
9 200 N/A1 12

1. 200 Hz beacon rate not compatible with MultiRange mode.

Mechanical

Parameter Description Min. Typ. Max Units
Unit Mass ABS Plastic w/ Flame Retardant - UL94 V0   46.9   g
Drop Rating       2 m
Ingress Protection IPX7   1   m

Dimension Drawing

All dimensions are in millimeters unless otherwise stated.

PT321 Mechanical Drawing

Downloadable Models

Antenna Center

The following drawing indicates the center of the antenna for the PT321. For best tracking performance, attach the Tag such that the RGB LED faces away from the object.

PT321 Survey Pointe

Operation

Power

USB

The PT321 uses a USB Type-C connector for external power and for optional local communication. The PT321 does not support charging a battery, see Battery section for details.

When USB power is first applied to a PT321, it will cause a full device reset.

Battery

The PT321 receives power from an internal battery that can be replaced by a user. The PT321 supports using either a CR123/CR123A primary cell battery or a 16340 rechargeable battery.

The PT321 does not support battery charging. If using a rechargeable battery, the battery will need to be removed and charged separately, following specific charging guidance from the battery manufacturer.

Runtime may vary when using different brands. Using a non-lithium primary cell chemistry may reduce available runtime. Battery percentage reporting is available on the PT321 in the CUWB Viewer.

Shipping

A battery is not provided. When shipping a device, remove the battery and follow applicable shipping regulations for the battery.

Installing the battery

The battery is not installed prior to shipping. Install battery prior to first use.

PT321 Battery Door

To install or change the battery, you will need the following:

  • New battery
  • Torx T8 drive screwdriver for M2.5 screw
  1. Unpackage battery.
  2. Use the screwdriver to open sealed battery compartment.
  3. Note the battery polarity and carefully insert battery.
  4. Reinstall battery compartment cover and screw closed with 3in-lb of torque to seal the cover.

Improper torque on the battery compartment cover could lead to water intrusion and void warranties.

Communication

When connected to a USB host, the PT321 will enumerate as a USB device with the VID:PID of 0x0483:0x5740 and USB speed grade Full Speed (12 Mbit/s).

To connect with the PT321 and configure the device to be a wired device in a CUWBNet, see CUWB USB Driver for additional information.

The PT321 communicates via USB using the Ciholas Serial Protocol. For additional information on serial packet formatting, see Ciholas Serial Protocol.

Firmware Updates

The PT321 can be updated with new firmware releases by using the CUWB Manager. The PT321 supports Over-the-Air (OTA) by UWB and wired updates by USB. See Firmware Updates for instructions. The latest firmware packages are available on the Software Downloads page.

CUWBNet Operation and Configuration

CUWBNet Join

After a battery is installed, the PT321 automatically attempts to join any CUWBNet that is within range of its UWB transceiver. To conserve energy, the device listens on a periodic schedule. Initially, the time between searches is low to allow for a fast join.

If no CUWBNet is found, the period between searches increases over time. Eventually, if no CUWBNet is detected, the device will utilize the slowest search period. The slowest search period is once every 640 seconds. See CUWBNet Search in the CUWB Manager Manual for additional information on search periods.

The search period described above is reset any time the PT321 is plugged into USB power. If a device is taking longer than expected to join, plugging it into a powered USB port will reset the listen period and allow it to join more quickly.

Wake-on-Shake will also modify the listen period for tags. See Wake-on-Shake section below.

CUWBNet Configuration

PT321 devices must be added to the CUWB configuration in order to join a CUWBNet and begin beaconing. Details regarding PT321 setup and configuration for the CUWB RTLS can be found in the CUWB Manager.

Wake on Shake

The PT321 supports Wake-on-Shake CUWBNet Search. Wake-on-Shake is enabled by default and allows the device to enter low-power sleep when not participating in a CUWBNet. When the device is steady and no motion is detected, the device will enter a low-power mode, searching for CUWBNets infrequently. Any time the PT321 detects motion, it will exit the low-power mode and search for CUWBNets at a much higher rate.

If the PT321 is powered by USB, it will hunt for a CUWBNet every 5 seconds regardless of motion.

The Wake-on-Shake feature is adjustable when the PT321 is active on a CUWBNet. For detailed information on this feature and its settings, see Wake-on-Shake CUWBNet Search.

LED Indication

The PT321 has a tri-color (RGB) LED for conveying device state to users. In normal operation1 the device state can be determined using the table below:

Status Battery Color ON Time Period
ON CUWBNet <10% Red 10mS 1.0S
ON CUWBNet 10-100% Green 10mS 1.0S
OFF CUWBNet <10% Red 10mS 10.0S
OFF CUWBNet2 10-100% Green 10mS 10.0S
Power On Reset3 N/A Blue 500mS N/A
USB Enumeration4 N/A White 0.25-5.0S N/A

1. This table denotes normal LED operation. The CUWB Manager can be configured to show different LED patterns.
2. Off CUWBNet behaviors are a double green blink, and will reduce in frequency for power savings the longer the device is off the CUWBNet. This may be as long as 640 seconds if wake-on-shake features are enabled.
3. Power On Reset (POR) occurs only on system reset. This will happen upon powered USB cable insertion, on reboot after firmware update, and when the device resets due to system watchdog. If a device remains on with a solid blue LED, the firmware is invalid.
4. USB Enumeration time may vary.

The LED on the PT321 can be completely disabled. See the CUWB Manager Reference Manual for configuration details.

Error Handling

The RGB LED also conveys error states to the user. An error is indicated by a 500 ms red flash followed by a color sequence.

Error Code Flash

The following color sequences are used to decode error states:

Color Sequence Code Description
Red — White-White-White 0 UWB IC Communication Error
Red — Magenta-Magenta-White 20 No valid Search Parameters available
Red — Blue-White-White 32 Hard Fault
Red — Blue-White-magenta 33 Watchdog

[CODE 0] - UWB IC Communication Error

This indicates that the PT321 firmware is unable to communicate with the UWB transceiver. Plug the PT321 into a USB host device to cause a system reset. If the problem persists please contact Ciholas for support.

[CODE 20] - No valid Search Parameters

If the problem persists please contact Ciholas for support.

[CODE 32] - Hard Fault

If the problem persists please contact Ciholas for support.

[CODE 33] - Watchdog

If the problem persists please contact Ciholas for support.

Regulatory Compliance

The PT321’s regulatory certification is selected at the time of purchase. The device may only be used in regions covered by its certification and must be operated in accordance with all applicable regulatory limitations.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) - USA

FCC ID: 2ALIR-PT321

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Ciholas, Inc. can void your authority to operate this equipment under Federal Communications Commission rules.

Operation on board an aircraft, ship, or a satellite is prohibited. Devices operating under this section may not be employed for the operation of toys.

The use of a fixed outdoor infrastructure is prohibited. A fixed infrastructure includes antennas mounted on outdoor structures, e.g., antennas mounted on the outside of a building or on a telephone pole.

UWB devices operating under the provisions of 15.519 may operate indoors or outdoors.

Radiation Exposure Statement: The device has been found to be exempt from SAR under KDB 447498 D01 v06 Section 4.3.1. This device may be used in an uncontrolled environment.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) - Canada

IC:26788-PT321
CAN ICES-3 (B)/NMB-3(B)

This device complies with Industry Canada’s license-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:

  1. This device may not cause interference; and
  2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d’Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L’exploitation est autorisée aux deux conditions suivantes :

  1. l’appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage;
  2. l’appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d’en compromettre le fonctionnement.

Applicable rules: RSS-220

Radiation Exposure Statement: The device has been found to be exempt from SAR under KDB 447498 D01 v06 Section 4.3.1 and Industry Canada RSS-102 Section 6. This device may be used in an uncontrolled environment.

Déclaration relative à l’exposition aux rayonnements: L’appareil est exempté du DAS en vertu de la norme KDB 447498 D01 v06, section 4.3.1, et de la norme RSS-102 d’Industrie Canada. Cet appareil peut être utilisé dans un environnement non contrôlé.

European Conformity (CE) - EU

Hereby, Ciholas declares that this device is in compliance with the essential requirements and other provisions of Directive 2014/53/EU, 2014/30/EU, and 2011/65/EU.

The full text of the EU Declaration of Conformity is available: PT321 Declaration of Conformity.

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) - Japan

PT321
MIC: 217-263271

警告: この装置は屋内でのみ操作できます。屋外での運用は総務省電波法の規制に違反し、運用者は重大な法的罰則を受ける可能性があります。

WARNING: This equipment may only be operated indoors. Operation outdoors is in violation of Japan MIC Radio Law regulations and could subject the operator to serious legal penalties.

航空機や人工衛星に搭載しての運用は禁止されています。本条項に基づいて動作する機器を、玩具の操作に使用することはできません

Operation on board aircraft or satellites is prohibited. Devices operating under this section may not be employed for the operation of toys.

放射線被曝に関する声明: 無線機器の平均電力が 20 mW 未満であるため、このデバイスは人体 SAR 規制の対象外であることが確認されています。

Radiation Exposure Statement: The device has been found to be exempt from Body-SAR regulations due to the average power of the radio equipment being less than 20 mW.

Product Warnings


Caution

  • Before working or installing electrical equipment, be aware of the hazards involved with electrical circuitry and be familiar with standard practices for preventing accidents.

Electrical Hazard

  • Usage of this product outside the parameters outlined in the user manual can result in bodily injury and damage to this and other equipment. To prevent this, please follow all instructions in the user manual.
  • Installation of this equipment must comply with all local and national electrical codes.
  • Do not operate any wireless devices near unshielded blasting caps or in an explosive environment unless the devices have been specifically modified and certified for such use.

Revision

Version Date Change Description
5.1.0 2026-08-28 Preliminary Datasheet Release
5.0.1 2026-01-14 Correcting Ordering Information Chart
5.0.0 2025-10-31 Initial Preview Release

APPENDIX A : License Terms and Conditions


APPENDIX B : Software License Attributions