Gimbal™ U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon: User Manual

Intended Use

What is the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon?

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (the ‘Beacon’) is a small, USB-powered device that transmits a Bluetooth™ Smart / low-energy (BLE) signal that can be detected by other devices (e.g., smartphones or other devices capable of receiving the signal). This signal enables the identification of the Beacon.

Note: Do not power the beacon from a USB external battery. Doing so may cause the Beacon and/or the battery to function improperly.

The Beacon works by periodically transmitting this signal via short-range radio (Bluetooth Smart/LE). The Beacon has no user interface (UI), cellular or GPS capabilities. The Beacon’s identity is encoded within the signal it transmits and includes a sub-segment device type.

Important safety instructions for your Beacon

WARNING - CHOKING HAZARD: Small parts. Not for children under 3 years of age.

Specifications

General Exterior Dimensions
(L x W x H)
0.76 in x 0.61 in x .28 in
(19.3 mm x 15.6 mm x 7.1 mm)
Weight 1.85 grams
Antenna Omni-directional
Over-the-air firmware update Yes
Power 5V USB
Terms /
Warranty /
Pricing
Terms https://manager.gimbal.beacon-supply-agreement/
Warranty https://manager.gimbal.beacon-warranty/
Pricing https://store.gimbal.com/
Transmission Beacon Transmission Type Bluetooth® Smart (AKA Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy); 2.4GHz Channels 37 (2402MHz), 38 (2426 MHz), and 39 (2480 MHz); non-connectable advertisements. Compatible with iBeacon™ technology and Eddystone™ (may require configuration update and automatic firmware update).
Note: These advertising channels are allocated in different parts of the 2.4GHz spectrum and are designed to coexist with 802.11/Wi-Fi.
Transmission Interval Configurable via Gimbal Manager/ Gimbal Beacon Manager App
Transmission Power Configurable via Gimbal Manager/Gimbal Beacon Manager App from -23dBm (Low) up to 0dBm (Full Power)
Transmission Typically up to ~110 ft (~33 meters) though can often be seen at further distances in ideal, clear line-of-sight conditions at full transmit power
Environmental Operational Temperature -10 °C to 65 °C
Humidity Survival 95% RH
Compliance RoHS/REACH Compliant
Certifications and Safety Countries Supported Please visit https://manager.gimbal.com/supported-countries/ for the list of countries supported by Gimbal
Safety General Safety Requirements: UL 1642; UL 60950-1;
Canada, Identical to UL 60950: CAN/CSA-22.2 No. 60950-1
European Norm (Per IEC 60950-1 2nd Ed): EN 60950-1
The Beacon is not FDA certified. Any use by customer in an environment requiring such certification is at customer’s risk and Customer is responsible for any liability resulting from such use.

Using Your Beacon

Unpacking your Beacon

Each U-Series 5 Beacon is designed for use in any standard, powered USB port. It’s advisable to leave your Beacon in its package until ready to use. When ready to use, remove your Beacon from its package.

Activating your Beacon

  1. To activate your Beacon, you will need your Beacon’s Activation Code/Factory ID. It has a format similar to XXXX-XXXXX consisting of numbers and letters and can be found:
    1. on the exterior label of the Beacon’s package (“Activation Code”), or
    2. on a small label attached to the side surface of the Beacon itself
  2. Once found, visit https://manager.gimbal.com on the web and create a Gimbal Developer Account if necessary
  3. Login to your account and navigate to 'Beacons' -> 'Activate' (or visit https://manager.gimbal.com/transmitters/new directly)
  4. Enter a name for your Beacon in the field provided, your Beacon’s Activation Code/Factory ID from Step 1 in the ‘Factory ID’ field, then press the ‘Activate Beacon’ button. Additional fields that may appear are optional for more advanced users

Your Beacon is now associated with your Gimbal Developer Account and ready for use. Repeat step 4 to activate additional Beacons on your account.

Note: If you’ve ordered U-Series 5 Beacons in bulk, we can provide you with a shipping manifest that allows for bulk activation of your Beacons in Gimbal Manager. Contact Gimbal Support through Gimbal Manager on the web for further details.

Powering on your Beacon

After removing your Beacon from its packaging, simply plug it into any standard, powered USB port to turn it on. It will take approximately 10 seconds for it to turn on and start transmitting its normal signal.

Verifying Beacon state

To check whether your U-Series 5 Beacon is operating normally, you’ll need to use the Gimbal Beacon Manager application from the App StoreSM on an iOS® device. Once installed, simply login using the same Gimbal Developer Account (and organization, if configured) which you have used to activate your Beacon. Once logged in, you will see all your Beacons that are powered and near your device under the My Beacons tab.

(Optional) Create, assign and apply a new configuration to your Beacon

Gimbal U-Series 5 Beacons are designed to never need configuration when used in conjunction with the Gimbal SDK as integrated into your mobile application. In fact, more than 95% of our Beacons that have been deployed as of this writing have never been reconfigured. However, should you want to adjust certain settings, you may do so.

Note: presently, an iPhone® 4S or newer is required for this step. Formal support for iPad® and other operating systems may be available in the future.

  1. Visit https://manager.gimbal.com/ and login with the Gimbal Developer Account (and organization, if configured) used to activate your Beacon
  2. Navigate to ‘Beacon Configurations’ and select the configuration you want to use or create a new Beacon Configuration
  3. Navigate to ‘Beacons’ and find the Beacon name or ID you wish to configure
  4. Assign the new configuration to that Beacon by clicking ‘Edit’, choosing ‘Configuration’, selecting the desired configuration, and clicking ‘Save’. Your desired configuration should now show up in the ‘Assigned Configuration’ column

Note: At this point, you have assigned a configuration to your Beacon in Gimbal Manager on the web but you still need to apply the configuration to your Beacon.

Once your Beacon shows a different ‘Assigned Configuration’ vs. its ‘Applied Configuration’ in Gimbal Manager on the web, you’re ready to apply the configuration to your Beacon.

  1. Ensure that the Beacon you wish to apply the configuration to is unplugged
  2. Launch the Gimbal Beacon Manager on your phone and if you haven’t logged in previously, login using the same Gimbal Developer Account (and organization, if configured) used to activate your Beacon
  3. In the Gimbal Beacon Manager app, choose the ‘Configure’ from the pull down menu. Make sure that the application stays in the foreground during the configuration process
  4. Power on the Beacon by plugging it into any standard USB port
  5. Within a few seconds of plugging it in, the Gimbal Beacon Manager application will detect the Beacon and connect to it. If Gimbal Beacon Manager does not connect to the Beacon within 10 seconds, please remove the Beacon from USB port and plug it again. If you continue to experience problems please contact Gimbal support
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions in the Gimbal Beacon Manager application to apply any firmware and/or configuration updates. Once complete, disconnect from the Beacon in the Gimbal Beacon Manager application
  7. Your Beacon will automatically exit configuration mode and enter its normal operational state

Troubleshooting Tips

For troubleshooting tips and Frequently Asked Questions, please visit https://manager.gimbal.com/, login with your Gimbal Developer Account and click on ‘Support’.

Regulatory Information

Safety and wireless devices

Scientific research on wireless devices and radio frequency ("RF") energy has been conducted worldwide for many years, and continues. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set policies and procedures for wireless devices. The FDA issued a website publication on health issues related to usage of cell phones where it states, "The scientific community at large believes that the weight of the scientific evidence does not show an association between exposure to RF from cell phones and adverse health outcomes." Still, the scientific community does recommend conducting additional research to address gaps in knowledge. That research is being conducted around the world, and the FDA continues to monitor developments in this field. You can access the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov (under "C" in the subject index, select Cell Phones > Research). You can also contact the FDA toll free at (888) 463-6332 or (888) INFO-FDA. The FCC issued its own website publication stating that "there is no scientific evidence that proves that wireless telephone usage can lead to cancer or other problems, including headaches, dizziness, or memory loss." The publication is available at https://www.fcc.gov/engineering-technology/electromagnetic-compatibility-division/radio-frequency-safety/faq/rf-safety or through the FCC at (888) 225 5322 or (888) CALL-FCC. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) states that concerns about the potential health effects of using cellular phones - "and specifically the suggestion that using a cell phone may increase a person's risk of developing brain cancer - are not supported by a growing body of research on the subject." You can access NCI's review of the research via this cancer.gov article.

RF exposure

This device operates above 1.5 GHz with a maximum EIRP less than or equal to 5 Watts as a mobile device with a minimum separation distance of 20 cm.

Can I minimize my RF exposure?

If you are concerned about RF, there are several simple steps you can take to minimize your RF exposure. You can minimize usage of the device near the body. You can also place more distance between your body and the source of the RF, as the exposure level drops off dramatically with distance. Wireless devices marketed in the United States are required to meet safety requirements regardless of whether they are used against the head or against the body.

Where can I obtain further information?

For further information, see the following additional resources:

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
10903 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20993
1-888-INFO-FDA (1-888-463-6332)
http://www.fda.gov

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street SW
Washington, DC 20554
http://www.fcc.gov

American National Standards Institute
1899 L Street NW, 11th Floor
Washington D.C., 20036
1-202-293-8020
http://www.ansi.org

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United States, FCC Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been approved for operation in United States of America by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

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

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been tested to the limits for a Class B digital device, according to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. The Beacon uses and radiates radio frequency energy and if not installed and used according to instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications or be interfered with. There is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.

If the Beacon does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined switching the Beacon's power switch to the ‘off' position, try to correct the interference by taking one or more of the following actions:

  • Increase the distance between the Beacon and radio or television receiver, or
  • Consult the dealer where you bought your radio/TV or an experienced radio/TV technician

If the Beacon is being interfered with try to correct the interference by taking the following actions:

  • Make sure that the Beacon is no closer than 10 ft. (3 m) of a wireless access point, microwave oven, or 2.4 GHz cordless phone, and/or
  • Increase the distance between the Beacon and any other electronic equipment by moving the Beacon

The FCC ID for the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is R6CGUS5.

CAUTION: The Beacon should not be used in airplanes, hospitals, or locations where cellular telephones and other electronic devices are prohibited.

Canada, Industry Canada Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been approved for operation in Canada by Industry Canada (IC).

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). 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, et (2) l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique subi, même si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement.

The Industry Canada certification number for the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is 10756A-GUS5.

European Union (and other countries which require the CE Mark), Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been approved for operation in the European Union and other countries which require the CE Mark.

Output power: 0.74 mW @ 2402-2480.0 MHz

Gimbal, Inc. hereby declares that this product is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC and to all applicable EU directive requirements. The complete declaration of conformity can be found at: https://docs.gimbal.com/manuals/us5_CE_conformity.pdf. This device complies with ICNIRP exposure levels.

The Notified Body Opinion Number (NBO) for the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is AN15C10780-1 (Notified Body Nr: 0984).

Australia & New Zealand, Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been approved for operation in Australia and New Zealand by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and the Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) business unit of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), New Zealand.



Display of this RCM mark indicates that the Gimbal U-Series 5 Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is in compliance with all applicable Radio Spectrum Management (RSM) and Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulatory arrangements—telecommunications, radio communications, EMC and EME—and with applicable state and territory electrical equipment safety requirements.

India, Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Telecommunications Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has received a type approval Certification from the Government of India, Ministry of Communications & IT, Department of Telecommunications. The Equipment Type Approval number for the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is NR-ETA/1933.

Japan, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been approved for operation in Japan by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC).

The MIC Type certification number for the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is 007-AD0074.

Korea, National Radio Research Agency Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been certified for operation in Korea under Clause 2, Article 58-2 of the Radio Waves Act by the Korea National Radio Research Agency. The certification number for the Gimbal Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-00004-000) is MSIP-CRM-213-900-00004-000.

Mexico, Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFETEL) and the Normalización y Certificación Electrónica, S.C. (NYCE) Information

The Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon has been approved for operation in Mexico by both the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFETEL) and the Normalización y Certificación Electrónicica, S.C. (NYCE).

The IFETEL Certificado de Homologación number for the Gimbal U-Series 5 Proximity Beacon (model 900-0004-000) is RCPGI9015-0841 and the NYCE certificate number is NYCE/CT/0531/15/TS.

La operación de este equipo está sujeta a las siguientes dos condiciones:

  1. Es posible que este equipo o dispositivo no cause interferencia perjudicial y
  2. Este equipo debe aceptar cualquier interferencia, incluyendo la que pueda causar su propia operación no deseada

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Gimbal is a trademark of Gimbal, Inc., registered in the United States and other countries. iPhone and iPad are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. iOS is a registered trademark of Cisco. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth® SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Gimbal, Inc. is under license. Other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Compliance with the Gimbal, Inc. Device Supply Agreement and Gimbal Developer Agreement are required for Beacon use.