Frequently Asked Questions

Designing Your RTLS

How many anchors do I need?

Most CUWB deployments require at least 4 anchors for accurate 3D positioning. Anchors should be placed with line-of-sight to tags and to each other. Larger areas or more complex layouts may require additional anchors to maintain performance.

For detailed layout recommendations, read the Component Placement Guide in the CUWB Documentation.

What other hardware is needed?

In addition to CUWB Anchors and Tags, you’ll need:

A PC running Ubuntu Linux to host CUWBNet software
A standard PoE switch (size depends on number of anchors)
Mounting hardware for anchors Shop
Standard Cat5e/Cat6 Ethernet cabling

For more information about mounting hardware, go to the Accessories page. For installation instructions and recommendations, see our Installation Guide.

Are you FIRA compatible?

CUWB systems are not compatible with the FIRA standard. The performance and capacity of the CUWB system exceeds what can be achieved with the FIRA standard.

How large of an area can I track?

CUWB systems are designed to be scalable to large enterprise applications. Previous installations have included tracking areas larger than 1,000,000 sq. ft.

For more information, refer to the Planning for Deployment section of the CUWB Documentation.

What accuracy can I expect?

CUWB systems regularly achieve sub 5 cm standard deviation. However, precision and accuracy are highly dependent on factors including the quality of your survey, your tracking environment, and your system configuration.

For more information about achieving precision and accuracy, refer to the Deployment Considerations section of the CUWB Documentation.

How many tags can I track at once?

CUWB systems are capable of tracking thousands of tags. The actual number of trackable tags will depend on the operating mode, the beacon rate of your tags, and your configuration settings.

For example, a simple MultiTime system with 10 Anchors has 3300 LPS available for tags, which could be implemented as 3300 tags at 1 LPS, 330 tags at 10 LPS, or any combination that total 3300 LPS.

For more information, refer to the Capacity Calculations section of the Operational Modes Application Note.

What tag speed do I need?

CUWB Tags support maximum beacon rates of 0.1 LPS, 1 LPS, 10 LPS, and 100 LPS (selectable at purchase). Choose a rate that matches your application.

Slow-moving objects (pallets in storage): 0.1 LPS
Medium movement (forklifts, people indoors): 1–10 LPS
High-speed movement (athletes, robotics): 50–100 LPS

Tag speed can also affect accuracy. Choosing a higher tag speed and using filtering can result in more precise and more responsive location tracking than slower, unfiltered tags.

For deployment guidance, read the Deployment Considerations section of our Documentation.

I have a specific use case, what will I need?

Every deployment is different. Requirements depend on area size, environment, and the type of assets you want to track. For guidance, read the Planning for Deployment guide in the CUWB Documentation.

We have experience supporting sports, industrial, warehousing, research, and many other applications. If you need planning advice or a tailored CUWB solution, Contact Us and our team can help design the system with you.

Do I need internet or cloud connectivity?

No. CUWB RTLS runs entirely on your local network. No internet or cloud connection is required for operation.

You may also choose to connect online if your application requires cloud storage, remote access, or third-party integration.

For more information, please see the Networking Guide in the CUWB Documentation.

How much latency should I expect?

The CUWB system is capable of latency less than 20 milliseconds. Some installations may experience more or less latency depending on your data streams or Ethernet configuration.

For more information, please see the Networking Guide in the CUWB Documentation.

Is CUWB data secure?

The CUWB System is locally hosted and does not upload data to the cloud. Ciholas does not store or access your location data.

For more information, see the Terms and Conditions.

Can I integrate my own hardware with CUWB hardware?

Yes. CUWB hardware can be integrated into your own systems or devices. Please Contact Us to discuss integration options.

Ordering Your RTLS

I need help with my order.

Please reach out to our Support Team for assistance with ordering. We are happy to help with the checkout process, planning your order, or advising for your planned application use.

Can I pay without a credit card?

We accept all forms of payment, including wire transfers, bank transfers, ACH, and credit cards. If your preferred method of payment is not available in checkout, please Contact Us for assistance.

Can I white-label or order a custom color/version?

CUWB offers white-label and custom options, including colors, housings, and form factors. We can adapt anchors or tags to meet your application requirements. Contact us for more information.

Are taxes and duties included in the price?

Sales tax will be included in purchases as required. International orders will be processed DAP (Delivered at Place) and the buyer will be responsible for associated taxes, tariffs, and fees.
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If your order requires other arrangements or if you have a sales tax exemption, please Contact Us for assistance.

Is there a warranty or return policy?

Yes. For more about returns, warranty, and money back guarantee, please refer to our Terms and Conditions or Contact Us for assistance.

Can you ship to my country?

CUWB products can be shipped and used in all countries with approved jurisdictional licensing.

If your country is not available at checkout, please Contact Us for assistance.

Can I request an official quote or purchase order?

Purchase orders, quotes, and other requests, or forms can be fulfilled as needed.

Please Contact Us for assistance.

Can I evaluate a system before I purchase my full order?

Yes. All Anchors and Tags can be purchased individually. We suggest a system of at least 6 Anchors and two 100 LPS Tags to provide a good example of what CUWB is capable of. More devices may provide a better demonstration if your expected scenario is larger.
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Click here to Get Started.

Using Your RTLS

What is Locates Per Second (LPS)?

This is a capacity metric that indicates the total number of location output measurements done in a one second period. A tag with a 100 Hz beacon rate will transmit one hundred "locates" (or a beacon of its location data) to the CUWB Engine. The CUWB RTLS is designed to support upwards of 3000 locates per second depending on the overall configuration. The system can be configured to allow 3300 tags operating at 1Hz, 30 tags operating at 100Hz, or a mix of varying tag rates as long as the total LPS rate does not exceed the maximum allowed by the scheduler in the CUWB Manager.

For more information on LPS, read the Subject Speed and LPS section of the Deployment Considerations Documentation and the Capacity Calculations section of the Operational Modes Application Note.

What can I track with an RTLS?

Virtually anything! While there are a few regulatory restrictions on what you can track (i.e. toys and outdoor flying objects under FCC 47 CFR § 15.250), UWB can track anything that can have a Tag attached and within line of sight of the Anchors. We have tracked people, assets, tools, balls, vehicles, pallets, and even flying bats!

For more information, read the Tracking of Subjects section of our Documentation.

What is a survey and how do I complete one?

The CUWB Engine calculates the location of each Tag by using the fixed and known position of the Anchors. The process of measuring the static location of each Anchor is the survey. A more precise survey enables more precise location tracking for each individual Tag.

The survey can be completed through a variety of methods, including a Total Station, a Lidar scanner, or manually with a tape measure and plumb bob or laser level.

For more information, read the Installation Guide section of our Documentation.

What positioning or operational mode should I use?

The CUWB Manager can be configured in two operational modes: MultiRange and MultiTime. Each mode offers unique features that will benefit your system based on your prioritization of precision, anchor density, locates per second, and installation.

MultiRange works better with fewer Anchors, is more tolerant of a less precise survey, and is scalable for large installations, especially when tracking physically separate areas within one installation. While MultiRange can tolerate some tag collisions, it provides flexibility, resilience and lower costs for broad deployments.

MultiTime supports a higher LPS, allows higher precision tracking, and is scalable to large tracking areas with a high number of tracking subjects. MultiTime uses a scheduled airtime allocation to prevent tag collisions and maximize system efficiency, making it generally the higher performance mode.

For more information, read the CUWB Operational Modes section of our Documentation.

How long does the battery last?

CUWB Tags can draw as little as a few milliwatts of power during operation, so run times can be as long as 1 year using low beacon rates. Users with faster beacon rates will experience shorter battery life.

For more information, read the PT301 Datasheet in our Documentation.

What software do I use to view or manage the system?

The CUWB Manager software configures and operates all aspects of the RTLS. It is browser-based, so it works across operating systems and platforms without special installation. For real-time visualization of location data, the CUWB Viewer software is available. In addition, all control and output are accessible through a documented API, making it straightforward to integrate CUWB data into your own applications.

For more information, read the Software information in our Documentation.

What is a beacon rate?

A beacon is UWB transmission, or series of UWB transmissions, initiated by the tag and received by the anchor array whose timestamps are recorded then forwarded to the CUWB Engine for determination of the tag location. The Beacon Rate is the frequency at which beacons are transmitted from a tag to an anchor.

Can I install a CUWB RTLS outdoors?

While the CUWB RTLS will operate outdoors, there are regulatory restrictions in some jurisdictions that restrict any UWB RTLS to operating indoors only. For more information, please read Outdoor Use of CUWB Systems

If you have more questions about outdoor use, please refer to your local regulatory body or Contact Us for a consultation.

Does CUWB integrate with my software?

Yes. CUWB can be integrated through the CUWB Manager API, a REST API that runs automatically as a service once the CUWB network package is installed. The API manages all resources needed to create, configure, and delete CUWB configurations within the CUWB RTLS platform.

For more information, read the REST API section of our Documentation or our Github page.

What data is output from the RTLS?

CUWB outputs location information and other tracking data over an IP protocol to your application software.

For more information, read the Ciholas Data Protocol section of our Documentation.

Can I see example code?

Yes. CUWB provides sample applications and integration examples for CDP in multiple programming languages. For explanations of the Ciholas Data Protocol and the UDP/IP packet structure used to deliver data, refer to the CDP Guide or the Using CDP - Python Application Note.

Can I track through walls? metal? people?

UWB can travel through some lighter materials such as wood, drywall, and plastic. Materials such as concrete, metal, and liquid, block UWB signals and will affect location tracking. To avoid tracking issues because of blocked transmission, make sure that you have enough anchors installed that have a clear line of sight to the tracking subject and tags.

For more information, read the Tag Component Placement guide of our Documentation.