System and methods for wireless health monitoring of a locator beacon which aids the detection and location of a vehicle and/or people

A system, comprising:

• a data recorder configured to record specific performance parameters of a vehicle;
• a locator beacon mechanically attached to a housing of the data recorder and comprising a battery;
• and
• a first Transponder and Sensor Module (TSM) comprising a first electronic circuit with a power source separate from the battery of the locator beacon, the first TSM coupled directly to or adjacent to said locator beacon and configured (a) to detect at least one condition of said locator beacon or said battery, and (b) to wirelessly transmit a signal including information describing said condition to a wireless device electrically coupled to a second electronic circuit of the data recorder and located in proximity to or remote from said first TSM;
• wherein said first TSM comprises at least one of
• a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed along a peripheral edge thereof and configured to bond said first TSM to said locator beacon or a bracket used to mount said locator beacon to an object,
• at least one securing protrusion extending therefrom and configured to frictionally engage a surface of said bracket,
• at least one clip configured to clip said first TSM to said locator beacon or said bracket, and
• at least one clamp configured to clamp said first TSM to said locator beacon or said bracket;
• and
• wherein the second electronic circuit uses the information to detect a data recorder failure.

A flight data recorder system, comprising:

• a recorder chassis;
• a data recorder system disposed in said chassis including
• a system interface arranged for wired communication with an aircraft, and
• a computer processor and a memory in communication with said system interface and arranged to record in the memory information concerning flight data from said aircraft;
• a data recorder short range wireless communication circuit;
• a locator beacon physically secured to said recorder chassis;
• a sensor module secured to the locator beacon, the sensor module comprising
• at least one monitoring circuit which is arranged monitor at least one parameter associated with the locator beacon or a battery of said locator beacon, and
• a sensor module wireless communication circuit arranged to communicate monitoring data obtained by said monitoring circuit to said data recorder short range wireless communication circuit.

A flight data recorder system, comprising:

• a recorder chassis
• a data recorder system disposed in said chassis including
• a system interface arranged for wired communication with an aircraft, and
• a computer processor and a memory in communication with said system interface and arranged to record in the memory information concerning flight data from said aircraft;
• a data recorder short range wireless communication circuit;
• a locator beacon physically secured to said recorder chassis;
• a sensor module secured to the locator beacon, the sensor module comprising
• at least one monitoring circuit which is arranged monitor at least one parameter associated with the locator beacon or a battery of said locator beacon, and
• a short range sensor module wireless communication circuit arranged to communicate monitoring data obtained by said monitoring circuit to a monitoring device on board or adjacent to said aircraft.