A new platform aims to reduce RTLS complexity, avoid vendor lock-in, and speed deployment of indoor positioning systems in industrial environments.
NXP Semiconductors has introduced a new omlox Starter Kit designed to make it much easier to deploy real-time location systems (RTLS) in industrial environments. Built with partners SynchronicIT and Flowcate, the kit combines hardware and software into a single, ready-to-use platform that supports the open omlox standard, helping companies avoid vendor lock-in and get systems running faster.
At its core, the kit is meant to remove two of the biggest barriers to RTLS adoption: complexity and fragmentation. Instead of stitching together components from different vendors, users get a pre-integrated setup that already works across devices and technologies. Because it follows the omlox standard, the system is interoperable by design and can evolve over time without forcing companies into a single ecosystem.
The timing aligns with growing demand for precise indoor positioning. UWB-based RTLS is expected to expand quickly over the next several years, driven by use cases like asset tracking, automation, and worker safety. Despite that momentum, many deployments have stalled due to integration challenges and uncertainty around long-term flexibility—issues this kit is explicitly trying to solve.
Technically, the system is built around NXP’s new Trimension SR048 ultra-wideband (UWB) chip and the MCX W72 wireless microcontroller. These components enable high-accuracy positioning suitable for complex industrial settings, while also supporting low-power operation for battery-powered devices like wearable tags.
The kit supports multiple UWB positioning methods, including Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA), Round Trip Time of Flight (RToF), and Downlink TDoA, giving users flexibility depending on their environment and requirements. It is also designed to operate in harsh industrial conditions, with a wide temperature range and support for scalable deployments—from small pilots to full-facility rollouts—without major changes to hardware or software.
Another key aspect is future readiness. The platform already supports omlox air interfaces and is positioned to work alongside emerging standards like FiRa, which are expected to play a role in mobile-based positioning. That means companies can invest in the system now without worrying about it becoming obsolete as the ecosystem evolves.
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