Wi-Fi Asset Tracking

Unlocking Indoor Visibility: Wi-Fi Asset Tracking Without Connecting

Imagine a pallet loaded with high-value goods on its way across continents. You track it with GPS and cellular — but once it arrives at a warehouse, all visibility fades. Why? Because GPS doesn’t work through walls, and cellular positioning often loses precision indoors. The asset is still there — but, digitally, it's gone dark.

Silicon Labs offers a compelling solution: Wi-Fi-based asset tracking without ever connecting to a network. Instead of joining a Wi-Fi network, devices simply listen — scanning for nearby SSIDs (network names) and measuring their signal strength to infer location.

What Makes This Approach Powerful

• No network handshakes. There’s no need to associate with an AP. The device just senses.
• Ultra-low power consumption. Using the SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 wireless MCU, the device can cold boot and scan all channels in roughly 5 seconds while drawing under 50 mA.
• Leverages existing infrastructure. Your warehouse or facility’s current Wi-Fi becomes a “virtual positioning system” — no extra hardware needed.
• Cloud integration. Once SSIDs are detected, the SiWx917 sends the data to the cloud (via MQTT or other protocols). The backend maps SSIDs to real-world coordinates.
• Multi-tech synergy. This Wi-Fi sensing can complement GPS, cellular, or other radios — switching dynamically depending on where the asset is.

How to Build a Real Device

Silicon Labs has already created reference designs using the SiWx917. In these designs, the MCU works with:

• GNSS/GPS module for long-range outdoor tracking
• IMU sensors (accelerometer/gyro) to monitor movement
• MQTT cloud stack to report location data

In one real-world case, a logistics firm embedded this into smart pallets. The result? They gained continuous visibility — from the factory, onto trucks and ships, into the warehouse — without compromising battery life.  

Why the SiWx917 Is a Game-Changer

Here’s why this MCU is particularly suited for passive Wi-Fi tracking:

• Fully integrated: Wi-Fi 6 radio + application MCU + AI/ML accelerator → smaller BOM.
• Rich connectivity: TCP/IP, TLS, MQTT stacks built-in → smooth cloud integration.
• Memory & processing: Generous SRAM, PSRAM, and Flash for firmware, OTA, and tracking logic.
• Low-power architecture: Separate network and application processors let the MCU sleep more, reducing power use.

Certified modules: Pre-certified modules include antenna and regulatory approvals → easier design and faster time to market. 

Real-World Applications

This connectionless Wi-Fi tracking opens up many practical use cases:

• Logistics & supply chain: Track pallets or containers inside warehouses without deploying extra trackers or gateways.
• Healthcare: Follow equipment (e.g., carts, IV stands) inside hospitals, where Wi-Fi is already ubiquitous.

Industrial automation: Monitor tools, vehicles, or resources as they move through production facilities. 

How We Can Help

As an official Silicon Labs distributor, we can support your project from design to deployment:

• Provide you with SiWx917 development kits and modules for testing
• Help connect you with Silicon Labs technical support to build your tracking architecture
• Assist with product selection, certification, and supply chain integration

For instance:

• Silicon Labs SiWx917 Wi‑Fi 6 Dev Kit — ideal for prototyping your tracker.
• Silicon Labs WFM200S022 Wi‑Fi Module — a compact, certified Wi-Fi module for embedded designs.

Conclusion

Wi-Fi asset tracking without connection is a paradigm shift. Instead of demanding new infrastructure or draining power with constant network participation, you simply listen — and let existing Wi-Fi networks do the heavy lifting. Thanks to the efficiency and flexibility of the SiWx917, this becomes not just a concept, but a practical, deployable solution.

If you’re curious about integrating this technology into your next asset-tracking or IoT project, reach out to us. Let’s build smarter, more efficient tracking devices — together.

Stay connected, stay smart…