Build a Real Time Indoor Asset Tracking System Using the RYUW122_DK UWB Kit

In this Instructable, I’ll show you how I built an indoor asset tracking system using ultra wideband modules from the RYUW122_DK UWB kit by Reyax. This is the same setup I demonstrated in my video where I tracked an RC car moving around a large hall. The goal here is not just to explain how it works, but to help you recreate it yourself using the same development kit and software.

This guide follows the same flow as the video, so I strongly recommend watching it alongside this Instructable. The video shows the physical placement, wiring, and live tracking in real time, which makes everything much easier to understand. You’ll find links to the kit, software, and other tools I used through the affiliate links below.

No advanced electronics knowledge is needed. If you can plug in USB cables and follow simple instructions, you can build this system.

RYUW122_DK UWB Positioning Development Kit

Digikey: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/reyax/RYUW122-DK/26859229

REYAX Website: https://reyax.com//products/RYUW122_DK

Other tools and modules for your electronics projects:

1. ESP32 Development Board - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4SDiCwX
2. Electronics Starter Kit - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3nwrgwR
3. Arduino Sensor Kit - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3a3nt6F
4. Soldering Station - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4ULrx8B
5. Beginner Soldering Station - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3nj6s0j
6. Digital Multimeter - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c4p1mQPt
7. Bench Power Supply - https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3rkSJRV

Before plugging anything in, it helps to understand what each device does. The anchors are fixed reference points that stay in known positions around your space. The tag is the moving device that you want to track.

The tag measures its distance from each anchor using ultra wideband signals. Those distance values are sent to a server, which calculates the tag’s position. In my demo, the tag was taped to an RC car, but it could just as easily be attached to a robot, tool, or piece of equipment.

On your computer, launch the provided positioning server software included with the kit. This server is responsible for collecting data from the anchors and turning it into a live position display. Also, remember that this is just a starting point with the full source code available for your future development.

Connect your computer to your WiFi network and start the server. Once running, it will show you the IP address and port number it is using. Write these down, because you’ll need them when configuring the anchor modules.

Connect the first anchor to your computer using a USB cable. Open the recommended serial terminal program and select the correct serial port for the device.

Set the module to anchor mode, assign it a unique address, and make sure the network ID matches what you’ll use on all devices. Then configure the WiFi settings by entering your network name and password. Finally, point the anchor to the server IP address and port you noted earlier.

Once the anchor connects successfully and appears on the server, disconnect it and repeat the exact same process for the remaining anchors. Each anchor must have a unique address, but everything else stays the same.

Reyax recommends Docklight for this and they also provide a full reference script in the kit.

To configure the tag, connect it using the included USB to serial adapter. Make sure it is powered with 3.3 volts and that the transmit and receive pins are wired correctly.

Using the same serial tool, set the module to tag mode instead of anchor mode. Assign it a tag address and make sure the network ID matches the anchors. Once saved, the tag is ready to communicate with the system.

At this point, you don’t need WiFi on the tag itself. It sends its data through the anchors to the server.

Place one anchor in each corner of the area you want to track. Try to keep them stable and at roughly the same height for best results.

Measure the distances between the anchors and enter those values into the positioning software. This tells the system the exact size and shape of the space. Once entered, the software will draw a rectangle that represents the tracking area.

This step directly affects accuracy, so take your time here.

Before I moved the setup into a large space, I tried it first on my bench just to confirm that it works.

For the actual test, I taped the tag to an RC car and my son drove it around the room. The system tracked its position in real time, even when the car moved slightly outside the anchor boundaries.

This project is a great starting point for indoor positioning and asset tracking. The same setup can be used for robots, automated vehicles, tools, or equipment in workshops and factories.

If you want to see the full build, live tracking, and troubleshooting tips, make sure to watch the video.

Happy building, and don’t forget to subscribe for more projects like this.