Blue Mark DroneBeacon db120 User manual

DroneBeacon db120 Manual - version 1.0 December 2022 - © BlueMark Innovations BV 2022
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DroneBeacon - Transponder Manual
120-series
December 2022 - version 1.0

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The latest version of this manual is located here:
https://download.bluemark.io/db120.pdf
Intended audience: users of the transponder
Disclaimer: we are not responsible or liable for errors or incomplete information in this
document.
Version history
version
date
description
1.0
December 2022
Initial release

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QUICK START
1. Charge the DroneBeacon db120 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 db120 transponder on the top of your drone for best performance.
a) Using the 3M dual lock stickers (included)
b) Using two M5 screws
4. Move the on-off power switch to on to power up the transponder.
The green battery LEDs (4) will be turned on. If the transponder has a GPS lock (< 35 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%. If the region is set to the USA, the status LEDs will only
flash if there is a GPS fix, the internal self checks are okay and a transmission mode is selected
that is compliant with the FAA (WiFi Beacon or BLE dual mode).
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).

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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/iOS 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 ...................................................................................................................................................................................12
4 More information ................................................................................................................................................................. 13

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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/db120.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 db120 transponder as a
stand-alone Remote ID add-on for their drone or other UAV product. There is a separate manual for
the DroneBeacon MAVLink db200/db201 transponder: intended for drone manufacturers-.
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 F3411-22a-RID-B/ F3586-22
Accepted by the FAA https://uasdoc.faa.gov/listDocs/RID000000058
Supports all Remote ID transmission protocols:
BLE legacy
BLE long range
WLAN NaN 2.4 GHz
WLAN Beacon 2.4 GHz
Long range up to 5 km detection range1
Omni-directional antenna with 0 dBi gain
Transmit power: +18 dBm (WLAN and Bluetooth)
Battery life: > 3 hours2
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 up to 5
km 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: > 1 ½ hours.

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LiPo 3.7V 600 mAh
Suited for outdoor operation:
IP43 rating
for operation in rainy conditions, the transponder needs to be protected against water.
Dimensions (l x w x h): 48 x 38 x 28 mm.
with screw nodes the dimensions are 48 x 51 x 28 mm
Operating temperature
-5°C to +40°C
Weight: 25 g
Figure 1 - DroneBeacon 120-serie transponder
1.3 Charging
The transponder can be charged using a standard USB-C charger. It is fully charged within 1 hour.
During charging, the charging LED will be red . If fully charged, this LED will turn to green .
1.4 Installation
Attach the DroneBeacon db120 transponder on the top of your drone for best performance.
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.
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.
The distance between the screw noses is 90 mm.
M5 holes

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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 green battery level LEDs will slowly flash.) This is
typically within 35 seconds if the transponder is used outdoor.
If the region is set to the USA, the status LEDs will only flash if there is a GPS fix, the internal self
checks are okay and a transmission mode is selected that is compliant with the FAA (WiFi
Beacon or BLE dual mode).
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/iOS 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
Or the Drone Scanner Android app:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=cz.dronetag.dronescanner
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
iOS
The Drone Scanner app is also available for iOS. Due to limitation of iOS only BT4 reception is
possible.
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/drone-scanner/id1644548782
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 damage3.
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.
3https://www.thedronegirl.com/2015/02/07/lipo-battery/

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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

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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
Also, the transmit power can be configured from +6 dBm to +18 dBm. A lower transmit power
reduces the detection range and increases the battery life up to 8%.
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.
Within the EU, only valid license numbers can be entered. In that case the input box becomes green.

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Figure 3 - Operator configuration page
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/