Dronetag Beacon makes your drone visible to nearby air traffic participants and allows you to track it in real-time. You can attach it to any drone regardless of its manufacturer. Beacon broadcasts the position & identification data locally to comply with Direct (Broadcast) Remote ID (DRI) rules. Its transmission is standardized according to the prEN 4709-002 for EU and ASTM F3411 for the US. Dronetag Beacon was accepted by FAA as one of the first Remote ID modules - see Declaration of Compliance here.

Beacon is equipped with internal antennas, a battery that can power the device for a whole flying day, and it comes in a plastic enclosure with a reclosable 3M Dual Lock fastening mechanism. Thus it can work standalone and be quickly rotated around different drones in your fleet. An integral part of the Beacon is the Dronetag Web and Mobile app.

Controls​

User Interactions​

Dronetag Beacon is operated with the button located on the shorter side of the device.

• Long press (2 s): Switch the device on or off
• Short press (0.1 s): Start flight or end flight (while the device is turned on)
• Short press (0.1 s): Battery indication (while the device is turned off)
• Extra-long press (4-8 s): Force device hardware restart

General usage​

The device usually works in all outdoor areas with a GNSS signal. To quickly start your flight:

• Check the battery level while the device is turned off by a short button press (0.1 s).
• Turn on the device by long-pressing the button (2 s).
• Wait until all device components are ready and 3 LEDs transition to solid green.
• The flight will start automatically, or you need to confirm it with a short button press (based on your Flight auto start configuration).
• Do your mission.
• End the flight by a short button press (0.1 s).
• Switch off the device by a long button press (2 s).

What's in the Box​

After the Beacon is delivered to you, the following package contents should be present:

• 1 × Dronetag Beacon
• 1 × Micro USB cable
• 3 × Dual Lock counterpart for drone
• 1 × Alcohol cleaning pad
• 1 × Quick start guide
• 1 × Dronetag sticker

Safety Notices​

Dronetag Beacon has been created for the most straightforward handling possible. Still, the following safety notes must be followed to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries and device malfunction to a minimum. If misused, it has the potential for causing fire, electrical shock or personal injury. Dronetag is not liable for damages arising from the use or misuse of this product. To help ensure accident-free operation, follow these guidelines:

• This and the Dronetag App manual must be read carefully, and all instructions must be followed. Special attention must be taken to all warnings and precautions.
• The user is solely responsible for the risk while using this device. Dronetag is not responsible for any injuries or accidents that are a result of improper use.
• The maximum input voltage is 5V and should be applied to only the Micro USB connector during the charging.
• Do not open the device. There are no parts that the user can service. Opening the device leads to the loss of warranty and infringes the general terms and conditions.
• Do not allow liquid, small particles or other foreign objects to get into the system or accessories.
• Do not expose the system or accessories to high temperatures, high humidity or direct sunlight.
• Keep the system and accessories, including cable ties and fasteners, out of the reach of small children.
• If the system is brought directly from a cold location to a warm one, moisture may condense inside the system. If this occurs, the system may not operate properly. In this case, unplug all cables/accessories immediately and leave the device in a dry place for several hours.
• Stop using the system and disconnect it from any connectors immediately if the device functions abnormally, produces unusual sounds or smells, or becomes too hot to touch.

Beacon transmits position and identification data locally, adhering to Direct (Broadcast) Remote ID regulations. Its transmission follows the standards outlined in prEN 4709-002 for the EU and ASTM F3411 for the US. Dronetag Beacon is officially recognized as a Remote ID solution on the EASA website and has been approved by the FAA as one of the initial Remote ID modules. You can verify the Declaration of Compliance here.

Three LEDs indicate the status of the device and its components - Status (S), Remote ID (R) and Positioning (G).

• Positioning (G) informs about the current state of the satellite positioning system.
• Remote ID (R) informs about everything related to the Network & Direct Remote ID functionality.
• Status (S) informs about the overall device status.

Device States​

Possible states are the following:

The Beacon is a highly customizable piece of hardware to suit your flight's needs. It allows you to configure various device parameters, which will help you optimize the performance and battery usage. Configuration is manageable in the Mobile app via Bluetooth. Do not change the parameters while the drone is in-flight because you might get into an inconsistent state.

General​

• Flight auto-start is an option (enabled by default) that automatically initiates the flight when the device is ready for the flight (has a GNSS fix and DRI is set). If you disable this option, a short button press in Flight Ready state is needed to start the flight manually.

• MAVlink flight control is an option (disabled by default) that takes care of starting/ending your flight based on the data sent on MAVlink protocol when the EXT port is connected to a MAVlink flight controller.

• Button flight control is an option (enabled by default) that controls whether the Dronetag Beacon button can be used for starting/ending the flight. Disable this option only if you think the button can be accidentally pressed by something inside the drone while it is in flight.

• USB Mode (disabled by default) ensures that the Beacon operates in tandem with the drone's activation. It's crucial to enable this mode only when planning to connect the Beacon directly to your drone and utilize the drone's power source to operate it. Activating USB Mode may affect the Beacon's ability to undergo firmware updates while not connected to USB.

Direct Remote ID​

• Static data frequency configures the frequency of the DRI messages containing takeoff location, UAS Operator ID, and Aircraft ID.
• Dynamic data frequency configures the frequency of the DRI messages with telemetry data.

Sensors​

• GNSS input configures which GNSS receiver is used as an input for sending the DRI. Possible options are Internal for the Dronetag Beacon receiver, MAVlink for reading the data from a MAVlink flight controller through the EXT port, and Simulated for artificial simulated data for debugging/troubleshooting/testing purposes. Simulated must not be used for general usage.
• Internal GNSS mode configures the mode of the internal GNSS receiver. The Full power mode has about five times higher power consumption than the Power-saving mode. Therefore, it is recommended to use Full power mode only in challenging conditions where problems with GNSS fix occur.
• Location update rate configures the update and navigation rate of the GNSS receiver in Hz. A higher value means more up-to-date data for DRI but consumes more power. Thus 1 Hz is recommended for general use.

Device Inputs & Outputs​

• External Bluetooth antenna allows selecting internal or optional external Bluetooth antenna.

The Beacon uses a 3M Dual Lock reclosable fastener to be quickly & safely attached and detached from your drone. The Dual Lock holds firm when mated. The interlocking mushroom-shaped heads slide past each other to close with a snap and peel apart easily when you need to separate them by simply pulling the strips by hand.

Proper Location​

When looking for a suitable location to place the Beacon on your drone, you need to watch out for four potential issues.

1. Don't place the Beacon over a curved surface because it might unsnap during the flight.
2. Don't place the Beacon on a soft material that can bend during mating (such as plastic covers). The Dual Lock may not hold properly.
3. Don't place the Beacon over or close to other electrical components such as the flight controller, IMU, GNSS antennas, or RF transceivers.
4. Don't place the Beacon in inaccessible locations. You should have the button and all the LEDs always reachable and visible.

Remember, if you put your Beacon on top of your drone, you can expect a better GNSS signal. When underneath, a better range for Bluetooth DRI. Therefore, the proper location might also depend on your use case.

Dual Lock Counterpart Installation​

One part of the Dual Lock is already firmly glued to the bottom of your Dronetag Beacon device. Besides that, we have supplied you with a self-adhesive counterpart, which must be placed on your drone, and a clean alcohol pad to prepare the surface.

1. Find the proper surface on the drone for the Dual Lock counterpart.
2. Clean the surface with an alcohol cleaning pad.
3. Wait three minutes to let the alcohol evaporate.
4. Remove the foil from the mating piece and stick it onto the area.
5. Wait five minutes, so the glue hardens.
6. Snap the device into the mating piece on the drone.
7. Ensure the glue on both parts holds firmly by repeatedly removing the device from the drone.

Mating the Beacon with the Drone Counterpart​

Mating the Beacon with an aircraft counterpart is fast and easy. Just ensure that the Beacon is centred on the counterpart and push it towards the drone until you feel the mushroom-shaped heads interlock. This is also accompanied by an audible "snap". Before each mating, ensure that both Dual Locks are clean and the mushroom-shaped heads are not bent. When you want to remove the Dronetag Beacon from your drone, pull the device free from one of its corners.

Where to Get a Replacement?​

If you need more counterpart pieces, you can order Dual Lock parts on our e-shop. Alternatively, use your local 3M distributor to order a replacement. If you use an alternative distributor, you must ensure that the Dual Lock counterpart is type 3M SJ4570 sized 21x17.3 mm (0.8x0.68 in).

Disclaimer​

We kindly advise that our company cannot assume responsibility for the installation of our product by the user or any potential loss incurred as a result. While we strive to provide comprehensive guidance and support, the responsibility for proper installation lies with the user. Should you require any further assistance or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our customer support team. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.

The Beacon can be charged by any 5V compatible source such as a computer, power bank or charging adapter from a smartphone. You don't need to worry about the milliamps as the Beacon will drive the current as required. Charging follows the standard Li-Po charge cycle with 100mA constant current that takes approximately two hours to charge fully. However, after one and a half hours, the device is charged to about 90%. When the device is on the USB and fully charged, the LEDs will turn off.

If you don't want to remove the Beacon from your drone, you can connect it to the drone's internal power source and charge it while flying – meaning there is no need to ever detach the device from your drone. If this is your preferred way, please:

• Don't try to power the Beacon via the EXT connector. No voltage must be applied on EXT.
• Don't exceed the 5V on the Micro USB connector.

If you don't follow the two points above, you will damage the device and void the warranty.

We are still adding new features to Dronetag Beacon. To follow the latest trends in our development, use this short guide to keep your firmware up to date.

Prerequisites​

Before you start updating the firmware and during the process, please be sure to:

• Have your device charged to at least 50 % and turned on.
• Have a stable internet connection available (around 10 MB must be downloaded).
• Don't start the flight as the firmware cannot be updated in the Flight state.
• Don't restart, turn off or manipulate the device during the update.

Not following the guidelines above may lead to bricking the device.

Update via the Bluetooth​

The Bluetooth update is a fast and easy option to update your Beacon firmware to the latest version. To update the firmware, our Dronetag mobile application must be used.

1. Turn on the Bluetooth on your smartphone.
2. Turn on the device and open the Dronetag mobile application.
3. Go to Profile -> My Devices and select the device you would like to update.
4. Click on Firmware Update to see if your device has the latest firmware version.
5. If you have an update available, click on Download & Update.
6. Read the instructions for the update procedure and confirm it with Proceed Update.
7. Wait until the update is finished, which is indicated by a success message in the app.

The Beacon allows you to read sensor data from your MAVlink-compatible flight controller such as Pixhawk. Moreover, it can detect whether the drone is airborne or grounded and act accordingly by starting/ending the flight on your device.

Connecting to the MAVlink Flight Controller​

The prerequisite for interconnection of the Dronetag device and flight controller is having the right cable. Please order an interconnection cable on our e-shop or make sure that you have a compatible one at hand. All the wiring must be as described below.

Dronetag Beacon Extension Port​

The connector on Dronetag Beacon is a common JST SH 4-pin with UART interface with no flow control.

Pixhawk Telem Port​

Most MAVlink-compatible flight controllers (such as Pixhawk) use JST GH 6-pin connectors that can be configured as UART/Serial interface.

Beacon Connected to Flight Controller​

The way to connect Dronetag Beacon to the flight controller differs based on the hardware revision of the device. You can find the revision code on the label on both the device and the packaging. If you are not sure what hardware revision your Dronetag Beacon device has, please contact our support team at support@dronetag.com

For the successful integration of your Dronetag device with the flight controller, only pin UART RX (pin 2), UART TX (pin 3) and Ground (pin 4) must always be connected. VCC (pin 1) may or may not be connected based on the hardware revision of the device (see the section below). Not following the instructions below may permanently damage your device and void the warranty.

Revision R2

Revision R2S

Connecting revision R2S​

For this revision, pin 1 of the Dronetag Beacon extension connector is UART logic level VCC input. Supported logic level is in the range from 3.3 V up to 5 V. Dronetag Beacon extension connector pin 1 shall be connected to 3.3 V supply of the flight controller.

Connection example for R2S revision

Connecting revision R2 and others​

In these revisions, UART logic level is set internally by the Dronetag Beacon itself. Supported logic level is 3.3 V (5 V tolerant). Leave pin 1 of the Dronetag Beacon extension connector unconnected.

Connection example for R2 revision and others

Settings on the MAVlink Flight Controller​

On the flight controller side, you must ensure that you selected the following parameters on the UART/Serial port

• 115200 baudrate
• MAVlink 2 protocol

Using the MAVlink Data as Dronetag Input​

The last step is to set up MAVlink as the GNSS input and optionally as a trigger for starting/ending the flight.

• Open up the Device Configuration
• Select MAVlink option as GNSS input. The internal GNSS receiver will turn off.
• If you want to have your flight state managed by the flight controller, enable the MAVlink flight control option in the General section

At this point, MAVlink data are read through the Extension connector and broadcast locally/sent to the Dronetag cloud. You can do a quick check if your integration was successful by disconnecting the Extension connector when you already have a GNSS fix on your drone. GNSS LED which was previously green should turn into pulsing orange.

Dronetag products are warranted to be defect-free in material and workmanship one year after the purchase. For the duration of the warranty period, Dronetag, at its sole option, will repair or replace any product which fails in normal use. Such repairs or replacement will be made at no charge to the customer for parts or labour, provided that the customer shall be responsible for any transportation cost.

Restrictions​

Warranty does not apply to cosmetic damage, consumable parts, damage caused by accident, abuse, misuse, water, fire or flood, damage caused by unauthorized servicing, or product that has been modified or altered.

Disclaimer​

We kindly advise that our company cannot assume responsibility for the installation of our product by the user or any potential loss incurred as a result. While we strive to provide comprehensive guidance and support, the responsibility for proper installation lies with the user. Should you require any further assistance or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our customer support team. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.

Warranty Service​

Warranty repair service shall be provided directly by Dronetag. Proof of purchase for the product from Dronetag or an authorized reseller is required to obtain and better expedite warranty service. The customer is responsible for transportation costs involved in getting the unit to the Dronetag facility. It is recommended to use a shipping method with tracking and insurance.

Please email us at support@dronetag.com with a description of the problem you are experiencing. Also, please provide the model, serial number (if applicable), shipping address and a daytime contact number. You will be promptly contacted with further troubleshooting steps or return instructions.

Different Warranty Durations for Various Product Components​

It is important to note that specific components, including batteries and others, may entail varying warranty terms due to their distinct usage and material properties. As per our warranty policy, the standard warranty duration for most products stands at one (1) year. However, it is pertinent to highlight that the warranty period for batteries is limited to six (6) months.

Post-Warranty Service​

Besides warranty service, Dronetag also offers post-warranty repairs. Let us know at support@dronetag.com your problem, and we will try to do our best to find a solution for you.

Manufacturer​

The device is designed and assembled in the Czech Republic. Use the following facility address for any shipment of warranty or repair items.

• Dronetag s.r.o., Benesovska 2270/34, 10100 Prague, Czech Republic

You should closely inspect the device once in a while for potential cracks or other defects. Such issues can affect the device's reliability and can lead to possible injury. Contact us if you are unsure about the state of your device. After prolonged / frequent usage, replacing the Dual Lock glued on the Beacon's bottom is advised. Ideally, as soon as it shows noticeable wear. The recommended period for this maintenance is once per year or after 250 mating cycles. Before any new installation of 3M Dual Lock, follow the rules in this section.

Please find all relevant troubleshooting pieces of advice below. If you come across another interesting topic, please let us know at support@dronetag.com.

List of Basic Operations​

Recovery steps using Dronetag App

Open Dronetag App and select your profile

Open My devices

Select your device

Navigate down to Troubleshooting

Select Reset to factory defaults

Confirm Factory reset

This action takes several moments and the device restarts after the process is done.

Reset to Factory Defaults

There are two ways to reset your device to factory defaults:

1. Using the Device Button

To reset the device using the power button:

• Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds. The device will perform a power reset, and all LEDs will light up solid pink.
• Continue holding the button after the power reset. The LEDs will begin a countdown animation.
• Keep the button pressed until all LEDs turn off and an RGB animation starts, indicating the factory reset is in progress.
• Once the reset is complete, the LEDs will briefly flash white for 1 second, and the device will automatically restart with factory settings restored.

For more information on the indicators see LED indications

2. Using the Dronetag App

Dronetag App is required for this approach.

Open Dronetag App and select your profile

Open My devices

Select your device
These steps are common for all Dronetag models

Navigate down to Troubleshooting


Select Reset to factory defaults

Confirm Factory reset

This action takes several moments and the device restarts after the process is done.

How to report a problem to our Support Team​

List of Possible Issues​

Reset to Factory Defaults

Dronetag App is required in order to reset the device to factory defaults.

Recovery steps using Dronetag App (all Dronetag models)

Open Dronetag App and select your profile

Open My devices

Select your device
These steps are common for all Dronetag models

Navigate down to Troubleshooting


Select Reset to factory defaults

Confirm Factory reset

This action takes several moments and the device restarts after the process is done.

Following is a detailed list of changes to the Dronetag Beacon firmware.

Please note that the changelog is very technical and can be hard to understand for non-technical users. You can use this changelog to check if a specific issue you are experiencing has been fixed in a newer firmware version, or to see what new small features are available.

If you find this information confusing, we recommend you check our What's new page instead, where we try to introduce the most important changes and features to all of our products.