Blue Mark DroneBeacon MAVLink 200 Series User manual

DroneBeacon db200 manual - version 1.0 September 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
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DroneBeacon MAVLink-
Transponder Manual 200-series
September 2022 - version 1.0
The latest version of this manual is located here:
https://download.bluemark.io/db200.pdf

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Intended audience: users of the db200 transponder
Disclaimer: we are not responsible or liable for errors or incomplete information in this
document.
Version history
version
date
description
1.0
September 2022
Initial release

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QUICK START
1. Connect the antenna to the IPEX antenna connector of the radio module. (This is already done
for the included antenna.
2. Install the db200 transponder to the drone chassis using 4x M2 screws or cable ties.
3. Install the antenna vertical (+/- 15 degrees) to make sure the antenna pattern is
omni-directional and the Remote ID signals can be received from each direction. Also make
sure that the last part of the antenna (where it gets thicker) is not obstructed by metal objects
that could block radio reception in that direction.
4. Install the db200 radio module to the auto pilot system. In case of a Cube Orange:
a) Attach the db200 via CAN 1 or CAN 2 to a free CAN port of the Cube Orange using a 4-pin
JST-GH 1.25mm cable.
b) Or attach the db200 via the TELEM port to a free TELEM port of the Cube Orange using a
6-pin JST-GH 1.25mm cable.
5. Turn the auto pilot system on. A white LED on the module should be ON. It means the db200
has power. In addition, the red status LED will likely also be ON to indicate a configuration
error.
6. Configure Remote ID in the auto pilot system. For ArduPilot see this page:
https://ardupilot.org/dev/docs/opendroneid.html#opendroneid
Flying a drone could create risks for people, air traffic and other assets.
Before flying, the drone operator has to make sure to know the local rules
regarding drone flights and obtain the necessary authorization to fly the
drone(s).
Vertical installation. Thick
antenna part should not be
obstructed by metal objects

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Contents
Quick start......................................................................................................................................................................................3
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Audience.......................................................................................................................................................................5
2.2 Specifications ..............................................................................................................................................................5
2.3 Installation....................................................................................................................................................................6
2.4 Using the transponder............................................................................................................................................6
2.5 Android app .................................................................................................................................................................7
2.6 Open Drone ID............................................................................................................................................................7
2 Firmware .....................................................................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Hardware setup..........................................................................................................................................................8
2.2 Download mode........................................................................................................................................................9
2.3 Flashing new firmware ............................................................................................................................................9
3 Current profile ....................................................................................................................................................................... 10
4 Warranty ...................................................................................................................................................................................11
5 More information................................................................................................................................................................. 11

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1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing and using DroneBeacon products!
The latest version of this user manual can be downloaded at the following link, where the most
up-to-date version is located:
https://download.bluemark.io/db200.pdf
(Direct/Broadcast) Remote Identification (Remote ID) adds “beacon” capability to drones to
broadcast basic information of airborne drones, such as the operator's registration number, drone
serial number and current position. The EU, USA and Japan plan or have new rules that make
Remote ID mandatory for drones over 250 grams weight. The beacon information can be used by
general public, law enforcement and drones to give better situation awareness of the airspace
around them.
BlueMark Innovations BV offers Remote ID transponders and receivers. DroneBeacon is an add-on
(transponder) for drones which broadcasts Remote ID beacon signals. DroneScout is a receiver that
detects Remote ID signals of nearby drones up to several km distance (in open space). See
https://dronescout.co for more information about our products.
2.1 Audience
This document is intended for users that want to use the DroneBeacon MAVLink db200 transponder
that can be integrated into drone products. It is designed for drone manufacturers, system
integrators or DIY enthusiast. For the DroneBeacon transponder -a standalone transponder- there is
a separate manual.
2.2 Specifications
The transponder consists of an embedded system and several radio-interfaces to broadcast Remote
ID signals.
Key specifications:

Radio module:
Espressif ESP-C3 module
output power Bluetooth and WiFi 2.4GHz (ERP): + 20 dBm (100 mW)
FCC/CE certified radio module
 Antenna: 3 dBi omni-directional antenna with IPEX connector (included)

Firmware : ArduRemoteID (https://github.com/ArduPilot/ArduRemoteID)

Compliant with international regulations
EU ASD-STAN DIN EN 4709-002
USA ASTM Remote ID Standard ASTM F3411-22a-RID-B/ F3586-22
FAA ready1
1We can help business customers in our BlueMark Partner program
https://bluemark.io/drone-remote-id-partner-program/ to submit a Declaration of Compliance (DoC).

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 Long range: > 5 km detection range2
 Connectivity :
2x JST GH 4-pin CAN ( DroneCAN ) port
1x JST GH 6-pin TELEM (
UART ) port

Power: +5V supplied from TELEM or CAN port
 LED lights : power and status LED
 Fastening mechanism : 4x M2 screws
 Size: 38 x 32 x 5 mm
 Operating temperature: -40°C to +85°C
 Weight: ~ 4 gram
Figure 1 - DroneBeacon db200 transponder ()
2.3 Installation
See the quick-start description on page 3 of this document.
2.4 Using the transponder
The db200 transponder is controlled by the autopilot system. For normal operation, make sure the
transponder is powered on (white power LED is ON) and make sure the module can communicate
with the autopilot system. In normal operation, the red status LED is OFF. ON means that there is an
error.
Ardupilot
Ardupilot has support for Remote ID in version 4.x and newer. See this link for more information:
https://ardupilot.org/dev/docs/opendroneid.html#opendroneid
2The detection range depends on several factors such as the receiver antenna gain, transmission protocol,
weather conditions, flying height, receiver height line of sight etc. With professional receivers a range of 5 km
and more is possible. See the DroneScout manual for more details.

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PX4
Support for PX4 is pending. See this pull request (PR) for more information:
https://github.com/PX4/PX4-Autopilot/pull/20036/
Flying a drone could create risks for people, air traffic and other assets. Before flying,
the drone operator has to make sure to know the local rules regarding drone flights
and obtain the necessary authorization to fly the drone(s).
2.5 Android app
You can use the free OpenDroneID OSM Android app to view the DroneBeacon Remote ID signals:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.opendroneid.android_osm
Note: only few Android smartphones support reception of Bluetooth Long Range and/or WLAN NaN
signals. A list of supported smartphones is presented, in the link below.
https://github.com/opendroneid/receiver-android/blob/master/supported-smartphones.md
2.6 Open Drone ID
The ArduRemoteID firmware uses the Open Drone ID framework to broadcast Remote ID signals.
The framework can be found on this page:
https://www.opendroneid.org/

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2 FIRMWARE
ArduRemoteID firmware is already installed on the module. The latest version can be found here:
https://github.com/ArduPilot/ArduRemoteID
2.1 Hardware setup
For upgrading the firmware, please disconnect it first from the autopilot system! This means remove
the JST-GH cable.
If you want to upgrade the firmware you need:
An USB-to-UART dongle (e.g. dongles with P2303-chip).
4x DuPont wire to connect the USB-to-UART dongle with the UART flash interface
Solder the 4-pin header to the unpopulated UART flash interface
Alternative: use a Pogo-pin clamp (4x 2.54mm).
Connect the USB-to-UART dongle to the db200 module with 4x DuPont wires using the following
wiring:
db200 +<--> 5V USB-to-UART dongle
db200 RX <--> TX USB-to-UART dongle
db200 TX <--> RX USB-to-UART dongle
db200 -<--> GND USB-to-UART dongle
Figure 2 - Flash connector for upgrading firmware

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Figure 3 - Pogo pin clamp
2.2 Download mode
The db200 transponder needs to be set to download mode . Only in download mode, the module
accepts new firmware for flashing.
Disconnect the USB-to-UART dongle from your computer
Hold the download button (indicated in the blue circle).
Connect the USB-to-UART dongle to your computer. The white power LED will turn ON.
If the red status LED does not turn ON within 3 seconds, but instead is OFF (emitting at a low
intensity), the module is in download mode.
You can release the
download button.
Now you can proceed with flashing the module.
2.3 Flashing new firmware
Windows
For Windows you need to install the Flash Download Tools of this page:
https://www.espressif.com/en/support/download/other-tools
Follow the instructions on this page:
https://github.com/ArduPilot/ArduRemoteID#flashing
Remarks:
Select for chipType: ESP32C3.
You always need to follow the instructions in
section 2.2 Download mode to put the module in
to download mode.
Linux/macOS
For Linux operating systems, please install the ESP-IDF environment. This is described on this page:
https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp-idf/en/latest/esp32/get-started/linux-macos-setup.html
Remarks :
In Step 3. Set up the tools use this command:

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./install.sh esp32c3
Use the following command to flash the firmware (one line):
esptool.py --chip esp32c3 --port=/dev/ttyUSB0 --baud=921600
--before=no_reset --after=no_reset write_flash --flash_mode dio
--flash_freq 40m --flash_size 4MB 0x0 ./ArduRemoteID-BLUEMARK_DB200.bin
Remarks :
/dev/ttyUSB0 indicates the port of the USB-to-UART dongle. Change in case your dongle
uses a different port.
./ArduRemoteID-BLUEMARK_DB200.bin is the location of the firmware file.
After the command has successful flashed the firmware, disconnect the USB cable and connect it to
the autopilot again. This will exit download mode and will return to normal booting of the firmware.
3 CURRENT PROFILE
The current profile has been measured using a digital current meter with a ~ 7.2 kHz sampling rate.
Below the current profile (db200 with ArduRemoteID firmware 1.6) has been shown for 5 seconds.
Here, Bluetooth legacy and Bluetooth Long Range have been enabled. Also, the module transmits
with maximum transmit power (+18 dBm). On the left the module is powered off and then
connected to power (+5 V).
The startup current profile is shown in the first 0.5 second.
The average current is 98 mA.
The peak current is 395 mA3.
If the transmit power is reduced in the firmware, the peak current will also be smaller.
3The maximum
instantaneous current may be higher, as the maximum value is limited by the sample rate of
the current meter.

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Figure 4 - Current profile of the db200 module, ArduRemoteID firmware 1.6 with BLE legacy and BLE Long Range enabled
4 WARRANTY
The product has a two-year warranty period, starting at the date of receiving the product. Outside
warranty are issues like crash damage, improper use, (extreme) weather conditions that damages
the product. The product is eligible for future firmware updates as described in the Firmware
section.
5 MORE INFORMATION
If you need more information, please contact us at [e-mail] or by phone: [phone].
All contact information can be found at the DroneScout contact page:
https://dronescout.co/contact/