A real-time location system (RTLS) is a system that determines and repeatedly updates the positions of tracked people or assets within a defined area. It combines locating devices, infrastructure, and software to associate identities with locations. RTLS can use technologies such as Ultra-Wideband, Bluetooth, or radio-frequency identification. Location updates differ from a simple proximity measurement between two devices.
A tracked device is associated with an identity, and measurements are processed to estimate its position. The result may be represented on a facility map or used to determine whether it is within a defined area.
Different deployments provide different update rates, coverage, and positioning performance. The term real-time describes information updated for the application, rather than a universal guarantee of instantaneous or error-free location.
RTLS should be distinguished from direct ranging between two devices. Ranging can establish separation, while location estimation needs enough information to place an item within a coordinate system or defined space.