An ESL gateway (base station) is the wireless access point that carries price updates from the management server to the electronic shelf labels on the shelf. The AiEInkSmart AES-AP01 talks to labels on 2.4 GHz over BLE 5.2, connects to your network by Ethernet, PoE or Wi-Fi, and typically covers a radius of 20–25 m indoors.
One base station model serves every AiEInkSmart label series — Swift, Classic, Lite, Slim and Rock, including the freezer and waterproof labels. It is CE-RED certified (certificate BTEK250425109A01CE1).
Key product highlights include stable communication within 25 meters, fast ESL updates, and versatile data collection (battery, temperature, RSSI). Features like seamless roaming, dual/tricolor displays, and synchronized time ensure efficient, intelligent label management.
This Electronic Shelf Label (ESL) Demo Kit offers a comprehensive hardware and software solution for retail stores, allowing easy integration with ERP or POS systems. With 10 ESL labels of various sizes, including freezer-compatible options, retailers can explore dynamic pricing, inventory management, and seamless backend connectivity using API and MQTT protocols.
Overview of the ESL Management System The ESL (Electronic Shelf Label) Management System is a comprehensive software solution designed to manage the deployment, configuration, and real-time operation of ESL tags within retail environments. It enables efficient price updates, product information display, and system monitoring, offering a centralized platform for managing all aspects of ESL usage.
These features make the MQTT gateway an excellent choice for IoT applications, especially in scenarios requiring low power consumption, low bandwidth, and high reliability.
Minimum Configuration for ESL Local Mini Server here is an English summary of the minimum configuration for an ESL Local Mini Server capable of supporting up to 100,000 ESL tags
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Label radio | 2.4 GHz proprietary protocol over BLE 5.2 (compatible with BLE 5.1 / 5.0 / 4.2); four-channel RF module, two transmit and two receive channels |
| Coverage | Typically 20–25 m radius indoors (up to 25 m in non-open environments; depends on shelving and walls) |
| Update throughput | System throughput up to 18,000 label updates per hour for small labels (about 6,000 per hour for 7.5" labels) |
| Network | Ethernet (RJ45), 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi in station or access-point mode |
| Power | PoE (48 V, max. 30 W), 12 V / 1 A DC, or 5 V / 2 A USB Type-C; operating current < 350 mA |
| Processor & storage | Quad-core ARM Cortex-A35, 1 GB RAM, 16 GB eMMC |
| Status display | 4-digit LED segment display; three indicator LEDs (power, operating status, special status) |
| Server link | MQTT to the ESL management system (on-premise or private cloud); multiple server addresses for failover |
| Security | Encrypted signalling with store-level key management |
| Dimensions / weight | 155 × 155 × 35 mm, approx. 332 g, white ABS + PC housing |
| Mounting | Ceiling, wall (vertical) or desktop |
| Operating temperature | 0 to 50 °C (storage −10 to 50 °C) |
| Certification | CE-RED: EN 300 328 (BLE and 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi), EN 301 489-1/-17, EN 55032, EN 55035, EN IEC 62311, EN IEC 62368-1 — see certificates |
| Warranty | 12 months from shipment |
The management system renders each label image and sends the job to the base station that covers that label. The base station delivers it over the air, then reports each label’s response — battery voltage, temperature and signal strength — back to the server, together with its own heartbeat and run-time status. Label firmware can also be updated over the air through the base station.
Mount the base station, then connect power (PoE, 12 V DC or USB-C) and the network cable. Network settings are made in the base station’s built-in web console, reachable in three ways:
| Method | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Base-station Wi-Fi (recommended) | Connect a phone, laptop or PDA to the Wi-Fi the base station broadcasts and open its web console. Easiest for first setup. |
| DHCP on the store network | Plug the base station into a switch, find the address your router assigned, and open the web console from any PC on the network. |
| Direct cable to a PC | For sites with no switch or network yet: a long press on the reset key switches the base station to direct-connection mode. |
In the console you enter the management-server address (more than one for redundancy), choose Ethernet or Wi-Fi, and set time synchronisation. The setup is complete when the server shows the base station online. The same console also lets staff add, bind and refresh labels locally, so a store keeps working on site even if the server is unreachable. Change the default console password at first login.
There is no small fixed label limit; what matters in practice is update speed, with system throughput of up to about 18,000 small-label updates per hour. Large stores add base stations mainly for coverage, and multiple base stations coordinate and back each other up automatically.
No. Ethernet with PoE is the most reliable option; Wi-Fi (station mode) is available where cabling is difficult. The labels themselves never use the store Wi-Fi — they talk only to the base station on 2.4 GHz BLE.
Labels keep showing their last image, because e-paper needs no power to hold it. The base station can store several server addresses for failover, and its built-in web console still lets staff update labels locally.
Yes. With the MQTT access option, your platform talks to the base stations directly and our management software is not required.
No. The AES-AP01 uses an encrypted proprietary protocol and is designed for AiEInkSmart labels. One base station model covers all AiEInkSmart label series.
Yes. The AES-AP01 holds a CE-RED attestation of compliance (BTEK250425109A01CE1, Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU) issued to Guangzhou PanPanTech Co., Ltd.
