Automatic dependent surveillance broadcast system beacon and method
View Patent ↗A beacon system is disclosed. The beacon system includes a case that defines a compartment and a lid. Also, the beacon system includes a ground plane mount that is pivotally coupled to the case, a monopole antenna carried by the ground plane mount, and an ADS-B transmitter. In that regard, the ADS-B transmitter is disposed within the compartment and electrically coupled to the monopole antenna.
1. A beacon system, comprising:
a case defining a compartment and a lid;
a ground plane mount pivotally coupled to said lid using a hinge mechanism to allow the ground plane mount to pivot between a folded position and an unfolded position, and wherein the ground plane mount is horizontal in the unfolded position;
a monopole antenna coupled to said ground plane mount; and
an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transmitter disposed within said compartment and electrically coupled to said monopole antenna.
2. The beacon system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a global positioning system antenna carried by said ground plane mount; and
a global positioning system receiver disposed within said compartment and electrically coupled to said global positioning system antenna, said global positioning system receiver operably coupled with said ADS-B transmitter.
3. The beacon system of claim 1 , wherein said monopole antenna is pivotally carried by said ground plane mount.
4. The beacon system of claim 3 , wherein said monopole antenna can be pivoted parallel to the ground plane mount.
5. The beacon system of claim 3 , wherein said ground plane mount includes a cutout into which the monopole antenna can fold.
6. The beacon system of claim 1 , wherein said ground plane mount includes ferromagnetic material.
7. The beacon system of claim 1 , wherein said case houses a control panel that includes a recessed cavity for accommodating the ground plane mount in the folded position.
8. The beacon system of claim 1 , comprising:
an electronic memory configured to receive position information representing a location of the beacon system.
9. A method for enhancing safety, comprising:
disposing a beacon system in a case at a first location, the beacon system including a monopole antenna coupled to a ground plane mount that is pivotally coupled to a lid of the case using a hinge mechanism, and an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transmitter electrically coupled to said monopole antenna;
pivoting the ground plane mount from a folded position to a generally horizontal unfolded position; and
operating said beacon system to transmit position information.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
disposing a global positioning system antenna electrically coupled with a global positioning system receiver in the case; and
receiving location information by the global positioning system receiver.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
pivoting said monopole antenna with respect to said ground plane mount.
12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the first location is a fixed location.