Question

I have successfully modified the reference implementation app of the Android Beacon Library using the following beacon layout, so that it detects an iBeacon device that I have at hand:

public class MainActivity extends Activity {
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        BeaconManager beaconManager = BeaconManager.getInstanceForApplication(this);
        beaconManager.getBeaconParsers().add(new BeaconParser().
               setBeaconLayout("m:0-3=4c000215,i:4-19,i:20-21,i:22-23,p:24-24"));
        beaconManager.bind(this);
    }
}

Being new to the internals of BLE packets, I'm not sure if this is the correct layout to use. The library endorses the AltBeacon standard and its documentation does not mention how to detect iBeacon devices.

  • Will this code detect all iBeacon devices? i.e. is the m: prefix too restrictive or is it the right byte sequence that matches the iBeacon spec?
  • Similarly, does the rest of the layout exactly match the iBeacon spec?

Reference:

Was it helpful?

Solution

This worked for me: "m:2-3=0215,i:4-19,i:20-21,i:22-23,p:24-24"

I don't think you need to match the 4c00 part because that is the manufacturer id, so you can probably leave that off and start with m:2-3=0215 Everything else looks right, and it seems to work.

OTHER TIPS

You can download the iBeacon spec (click "Download Artwork and Specifications").

In the current version the Company ID must be 0x4C00, and the beacon type must be 0x0215. All other fields are required, and as you specified.

So yes, you are exactly correct and it will detect all compliant iBeacons.

OT: It also specifies that the advertising interval must be 100ms, but I seriously doubt all iBeacons stick to that.

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