PIERCE AEROSPACE B1 Remote ID Beacon ID Modules User Guide
- June 17, 2024
- PIERCE AEROSPACE
Table of Contents
PIERCE AEROSPACE B1 Remote ID Beacon ID Modules
Product Specifications
- Dimensions (LWH): 74mm (2.9in) x 24mm (0.95in) x 19mm (0.77in)
- Weight: 28g
- 2 Zip Tie mount points
- Battery: 3.7V LiPo 400mAh
- Battery Life (Internal Battery): Approximately 6 hours
- Power Output: 18dBm
- Frequency Range: 2.400-2.4835 GHz
- Broadcast: ASTM F3411-22 Bluetooth 4 Legacy and Bluetooth 5
- FAA RID DOC: RID000000317-1
Product Usage Instructions
Attaching the B1 RID Beacon to the UAS
No matter which mounting method is selected to attach the B1 RID beacon to the
UAS, there are a handful of universal best practices to follow, ensuring
proper operation of the beacon and minimal impact to UAS flight
characteristics:
- The Pilot in Command is ultimately responsible for safe operation of the UAS and for attaching the B1 RID Beacon securely.
- Avoid attaching the beacon within the arc of the propellers or on any moving parts that may pose a hazard to the system.
- Avoid placing the beacon directly on or surrounded by electrically conductive materials like carbon fiber and aluminum.
Mounting Methods
Pierce Aerospace recommends using zip-ties for mounting the B1 RID Beacon.
Common mounting locations include:
- Side or underside of UAS arm
- Top of UAS body
- On a landing strut
Operating Pierce Aerospace Remote ID Beacons
To power on the Pierce Aerospace RID Beacon:
- Ensure the beacon is securely attached to the UAS.
- Flip the switch of the B1 RID Beacon to the on position, away from the USB-C port.
- The LED will cycle through white, red, green, and blue before turning solid red, indicating transmission of identity.
- Once a GPS fix is obtained, the LED will turn solid white, indicating readiness for flight.
- If GPS fix is not achieved within 2 minutes, ensure the top of the beacon has a clear view of the sky.
FAQ
Q: What should I do if I encounter issues with GPS fix on the B1 RID
Beacon?
A: If you do not receive a GPS fix within 2 minutes, ensure the beacon’s
top has a clear view of the sky. If issues persist,contact Pierce Aerospace
support for assistance.
B1 Remote ID Beacon User Guide
The Pierce Aerospace B1 Remote ID (RID) Beacon is a Part 89 compliant Remote
ID transmitter.
Featuring an internal LiPo battery, USB-C charging, and RID transmission over
Bluetooth protocol, this beacon’s small footprint and all-in-one form factor
makes equipping legacy sUAS a breeze.
Beacon Specifications
- Dimensions (LWH): 74mm (2.9in) x 24mm (0.95in) x 19mm (0.77in)
- Weight: 28g
- 2 Zip Tie mount points
- Battery: 3.7V LiPo 400mAh
- Battery Life (Internal Battery): Approximately 6 hours
- Power Output: 18dBm
- Frequency Range: 2.400-2.4835 GHz
- Broadcast: ASTM F3411-22 Bluetooth 4 Legacy and Bluetooth 5
- FAA RID DOC: RID000000317-1
Attaching the B1 RID Beacon to the UAS
No matter which mounting method is selected to attach the B1 RID beacon to the
UAS, there are a handful of universal best practices to follow, ensuring
proper operation of the beacon and minimal impact to UAS flight
characteristics.
- The Pilot in Command is the ultimate responsibility for safe operation of the UAS, and is responsible for the safe attachment and operation of the B1 RID Beacon.
- Do not attach the B1 RID Beacon within the arc of the propellers, within the range of any moving parts, or on any moving parts which may cause hazard to the operation of the system.
- Do not attach the B1 RID Beacon on or over any flight sensors–visual, ultrasonic, magnetic or otherwise–as this may cause loss of control of the UAS.
- It is recommended to avoid placing the B1 RID Beacon underneath the center of the UAS. In order to receive GPS location, the Pierce Aerospace RID Beacon should have a clear line of sight to the sky. Some UAS models have been found to cause this issue when a beacon is mounted to its bottom–smaller UAS may not present this issue.
- It is recommended to avoid placing the B1 RID Beacon directly on or surrounded by electrically conductive material, primarily carbon fiber and aluminum, as this may limit the transmitting capability of the Beacon.
Mounting Methods
Pierce Aerospace Recommended: Zip-Tie
The B1 RID Beacon has two (2) mounting locations on its underside intended for
the passthrough of common small zip-ties. Depending on the size of zip-ties
used, anywhere from 2 to 8 zip-ties total can be used to mount this beacon to
the UAS.
Common mounting locations include:
- Side or underside of UAS arm
- Top of UAS body
- On a landing strut
Reclosable Fastener
The B1 RID Beacon has a flat face on its bottom onto which an adhesive backed
reclosable fastener can be attached to interface with UAS side attachment.
Most brands of adhesive backed fastener will hold to the beacon body securely,
while also permitting removal as necessary. When using reclosable fasteners as
an attachment solution, avoid applying excess permanent adhesives such as
cyanoacrylate or epoxy.
Ensure before flight that mount is secure, and will not be vibrated or shaken
off in flight.
Common mounting locations include:
- Top of UAS body
- Rear of UAS body
Gaff Tape
The B1 RID Beacon can be attached to an aircraft with Gaff Tape as well.
However, gaff tape SHOULD NOT be used if the beacon is to be flown in
inclement weather or any precipitation as gaff tape is incompatible in
inclement weather. It is recommended that the surface the gaff tape be
attached to is cleaned before application. It is recommended that the gaff
tape be wrapped around the surface at least once, then apply the beacon, and
then continue wrapping the tape around the beacon so that it is securely
attached to the aircraft. Give the beacon a wiggle to ensure it is securely
attached to the aircraft.
Common mounting locations include:
- Top of UAS body
- Side or underside of UAS arm
- Rear of UAS body
- UAS Wing (fixed wing)
- On a landing strut
Operating Pierce Aerospace Remote ID Beacons
Power On
Once the Pierce Aerospace RID Beacon has been attached to the UAS, and the PIC
has confirmed the security of attachment, continue to ready the UAS for
operations as usual.
When ready to turn on the UAS, flip the switch of the B1 RID Beacon to the on position, away from the USB-C port. Once on, the beacon LED will cycle through white, red, green, and blue before turning solid red, indicating that the beacon is transmitting its identity while seeking a GPS fix.
Once a GPS fix has been made, the LED will transition to solid white, and the system is ready to fly.
Note: Generally, GPS fix takes less than 30 seconds to be locked. If the beacon does not receive a GPS fix within 2 minutes, ensure that the top of the beacon with the Pierce Aerospace text has a view of the sky, and is not blocked by any UAS components. If a GPS fix still does not occur, contact Pierce Aerospace support for further assistance.
Power Off
At the completion of the UAS flight, the Pierce Aerospace RID Beacon can be
powered down immediately when safe to do so. Simply flip the switch to the off
position, towards the USB-C port, and the beacon will stop transmitting,
indicated by the LED turning off.
Charging
To charge a B1 RID Beacon, ensure the switch is in the off position, and then
plug into a 5 volt USB power source. The red light next to the USB-C charging
port indicates the charging state of the battery.
When red, the battery is charging. When off, the battery is charged. Charging
time depends on the state of discharge of the battery, but can take up to 4
hours to fully charge. Do not leave the beacon unattended while charging.
Pre-Flight Self Test
Your B1 RID Beacon will conduct a pre-flight safety test prior to operation.
Upon turning the B1 RID Beacon on, the internal computer will conduct a series
of checks to confirm that the GPS and Bluetooth Transmitter are operating
properly. This test is indicated by the multicolor status LED flash pattern.
If an error in either system is detected, the B1 RID Beacon will notify you
through one of two flash codes:
Failure of the Bluetooth Transmitter:
Two red flashes of the status LED in rapid succession, repeating after pause.
Failure of the GPS:
Four red flashes of the status LED in rapid succession, repeating after pause.
This is not an all inclusive guide for proper usage of Pierce Aerospace Dusky Remote ID beacons. Pierce Aerospace recommends reading the B1 V1.0 Remote ID Beacon User Guide before using the Quick Start Guide. This guide is for quick reference purposes only.
Beacon Attachment
Don’t
- Do not attach the beacon to a propeller, in the arc of a propeller, or to any moving surface of the UAS.
- Do not attach the beacon over any sensors.
- Do not attach the beacon to a location where it cannot see the sky or the ground.
- Do not attach the beacon to a location where it is surrounded by Carbon Fiber or Aluminum.
- Do not cover or mount the beacon in a manner that prevents the pilot from turning the beacon on or off.
Do
- Attach the beacon securely and with multiple failovers, such as three zip ties, or other multiple points of attachment.
- Attach the beacon to the outside of the UAS.
- Attach the beacon to an easily accessible location for pre-launch access.
Before Takeoff
- Turn on the B1
- Confirm that the B1 completes the Pre-Flight Self Test (PFST)
- Continue readying the UAS
- Wait for a solid white status LED indicating GPS fix
- Beacon ready to fly
On Landing
- Turn off the UAS
- Turn off the B1
- Confirm that beacon status LED turns off
- Remove beacon from UAS as necessary
- Beacon shutdown complete
Charging Beacon
- Turn off the B1
- Plug in the B1 to a 5V USB C power cable
- Do not leave the B1 unattended while charging