Blue Mark DroneBeacon 100 Series User manual

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
1/11
DroneBeacon - Transponder Manual
100-series
July 2022 - version 1.2
The latest version of this manual is located here:
https://download.bluemark.io/dronebeacon_transponder_manual_100.pdf
Intended audience: users of the transponder

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
2/11
Disclaimer: we are not responsible or liable for errors or incomplete information in this
document.
Version history
version
date
description
1.0
May 2022
Initial release
1.1
June 2022
Added region to operator menu
1.2
July 2022
Updated with new firmware functions, installation
instructions, Android app

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
3/11
QUICK START
1. Charge the DroneBeacon transponder fully using a USB-C charger.
2. Optional step: Configure the DroneBeacon transponder
a) Move the on-off power switch to on (to power up the transponder).
b) Press the configuration button, the red configuration LED is turned on.
c) Connect to the dronebeacon WLAN network (no password needed)
d) Point your browser to http://192.168.50.1 to configure the transponder.
e) Press the configuration button again to exit configuration mode
3. Attach the DroneBeacon transponder to your drone. For optimal coverage install the
transponder horizontally with the antenna facing up.
a) Using the 3M dual lock stickers (included)
b) Using two M5 screws
If you attach the transponder on the bottom of the drone (upside down), use M5-screws!
4. Move the on-off power switch to on to power up the transponder.
The blue battery LEDs (4) will be turned on. If the transponder has a GPS lock (< 30 seconds
outdoor), those battery LEDS will slowly flash. The battery LEDs indicate the battery level. Each
LED indicates 25% capacity. If one LED is turned on, the battery level is less than 25% capacity.
Two LEDs means between 25 and 50%.
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).

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
4/11
Contents
Quick start......................................................................................................................................................................................3
1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Audience.......................................................................................................................................................................5
1.2 Specifications ..............................................................................................................................................................5
1.3 Charging........................................................................................................................................................................6
1.4 Installation....................................................................................................................................................................6
1.5 Using the transponder............................................................................................................................................7
1.6 Android app .................................................................................................................................................................7
1.7 Open Drone ID............................................................................................................................................................7
1.8 LiPo battery ..................................................................................................................................................................7
2 Configuration ........................................................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 General...........................................................................................................................................................................8
2.2 Operator........................................................................................................................................................................9
2.3 Flight............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
2.4 Firmware.....................................................................................................................................................................10
3 Warranty ...................................................................................................................................................................................11
4 More information ................................................................................................................................................................. 11

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
5/11
1 INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing and using DroneBeacon products!
The latest version of this user manual may be downloaded at the following link, where the most
up-to-date version will be found:
https://download.bluemark.io/dronebeacon_transponder_manual_100.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 and USA are planning 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.
1.1 Audience
This document is intended for users that want to use the DroneBeacon db100 transponder as a
stand-alone Remote ID add-on for their drone or other UAV product. For the DroneBeacon
MAVLink transponder -intended for drone manufacturers- there is a separate manual.
1.2 Specifications
The transponder consists of an embedded system and several radio-interfaces to broadcast Remote
ID signals.
Key specifications:
Compliant with international regulations
EU ASD-STAN DIN EN 4709-002
USA ASTM Remote ID Standard ASTM F3411-19-RID-B
Supports all Remote ID transmission protocols:
BLE legacy
BLE long range
WLAN NaN 2.4 GHz
WLAN Beacon 2.4 GHz
Long range > 5 km detection range1
Omni-directional antenna with 3 dBi gain
Transmit power: + 20 dBm (WLAN and Bluetooth)
Battery life: > 7 hours2
LiPo 3.7V 1200 mAh
1The 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.
2The battery life has been measured at room temperature. The battery life will be shorter, if it is used below 10
degrees Celsius. It also depends on other factors like transmission mode and transmission period. WLAN
transmission modes have much shorter battery life: > 4 hours.

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
6/11
Suited for outdoor operation:
IP43 rating
for operation in rainy conditions, the transponder needs to be protected against water.
Suited for medium and larger drones. “
DJI Mavic ” is the minimum size.
Size: 99 x 66.5 x 41 mm
without screw noses and antenna: 81 x 66.5 x 10 mm
Operating temperature
-5°C to +40°C
Weight: 56 g
Figure 1 - DroneBeacon 100-serie transponder
1.3 Charging
The transponder can be charged using a standard USB-C charger. It is fully charged after 2 hours.
During charging, the charging LED will be red . If fully charged, this LED will turn to blue .
1.4 Installation
Attach the DroneBeacon transponder to your drone. For optimal coverage install the transponder
horizontally with the antenna facing up3. The detection range will be severely limited when it is
installed under an angle of 15 degrees or more.
semi-permanent/temporarily installation
Use the (included) 3M dual-lock stickers (type 3M SJ4570). One sticker on the bottom of the
transponder and the other on the drone where you want to install the transponder. If you attach the
transponder on the bottom of the drone (upside down), use M5-screws!
Note: for a good adhesion/grip, place the dual-lock sticker and apply firm consistent pressure to
assure good contact with the substrate you are adhering. Also, it needs 1 hour to 72 hours
(preferred) to build a (full) adhesion to the surface. In addition, it is important that the adhesive base
for the tape is free of grease and dry, and that it is not covered with a removable lacquer or a layer
of paper.
permanent installation
The transponder can be attached to the drone using two M5 screws.
3For high flying drones > 75 m, install the transponder facing down, on the bottom of the drone for maximum
range. The antenna pattern is similar to a dipole antenna , radiating remote ID signals in a donut-shape.

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
7/11
The distance between the screw noses is 90 mm.
M5 holes
1.5 Using the transponder
For normal operation:
Attach the transponder to the drone
Move the on-off power switch to
on (to power up the transponder).
Wait until the transponder has a GPS fix (the blue battery level LEDs will slowly flash.) This is
typically within 30 seconds if the transponder is used outdoor.
Switch the transponder off if you have finished your flight.
Note: make sure the transponder is fully charged.
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).
1.6 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
1.7 Open Drone ID
DroneBeacon uses the Open Drone ID framework to broadcast Remote ID signals. The framework
can be found on this page:
https://www.opendroneid.org/
1.8 LiPo battery
DroneBeacon uses internally a LiPo battery. In general LiPo batteries are safer and
more environmentally friendly than other batteries like NiCd and NiMH. While LiPo
fires are rare, they can happen incredibly quickly and can do a lot of damage4.
Always use a fire proof LiPo safety bag, metal ammo box, or other fire proof
container when you are charging, discharging, or storing DroneBeacon
transponders.
4https://www.thedronegirl.com/2015/02/07/lipo-battery/

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
8/11
2 CONFIGURATION
The transponder can be configured via a web-interface. To active the configuration mode follow
these steps:
Move the on-off power switch to on (to power up the transponder).
Press the configuration button, the red configuration LED is turned on.
Connect to the dronebeacon WLAN network (no password needed)
Point your browser to http://192.168.50.1
New settings will only be applied if the Save & Apply button is pressed!
Configuration mode will be quit, by pressing the configuration button again. The red configuration
LED is now turned off. The transponder is now in normal operation mode.
2.1 General
The main configuration can be found on the general tab.
Figure 2 - General configuration page

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
9/11
Fill in the drone type, the transmission mode and transmission period.
There are seven transmission modes:
BLE legacy
BLE long range
BLE dual mode: legacy + long range
WLAN NAN
WLAN Beacon
WLAN dual mode: NAN + beacon
All modes: BLE + WLAN
2.2 Operator
In the operator tab, you can configure the details of your license provided by the National Aviation
Authority. First, select the region where the drone is flying . Outside the EU, no UAS category or UAS
class is required.
Figure 3 - Operator configuration page

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
10/11
2.3 Flight
In the flight tab, you can configure an optional text describing the purpose of your flight.
Figure 4 - Flight configuration page
2.4 Firmware
In the firmware tab, you can upgrade the firmware of the transponder.
Firmware files can be found here: https://dronescout.co/downloads/
Upload the file and press Flash image to upload new firmware. Upgrading firmware has been tested
with Chrome and Firefox. If upgrade fails, please try again or try another browser.

DroneBeacon Transponder Manual - version 1.2 July 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
11/11
Figure 5 - Firmware upgrade page
3 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. Also, the battery is excluded from warranty. The product is eligible for future firmware
updates as described in the section 2.4 firmware.
4 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/