Editing Beacon (section)

==Types==
=== Infrared beacon ===
{{Expand section|date=June 2008}}

An infrared beacon (IR beacon) transmits a modulated light beam in the infrared spectrum, which can be identified easily and positively. A line of sight clear of obstacles between the transmitter and the receiver is essential. IR beacons have a number of applications in [[robotics]] and in [[Combat Identification]] (CID).

Infrared beacons are the key infrastructure for the Universal Traffic Management System (UTMS) in Japan. They perform two-way communication with travelling vehicles based on highly directional infrared communication technology and have a vehicle detecting capability to provide more accurate traffic information.<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://www.utms.or.jp/english/beacon/index.html
| publisher=Universal Traffic Management Society of Japan
| title=Infrared Beacon Overview
| access-date=2008-04-27
| year=2007 }}</ref>

=== Sonar beacon ===
{{Expand section|date=September 2012}}
A sonar beacon is an underwater device which transmits sonic or ultrasonic signals for the purpose of providing bearing information. The most common type is that of a rugged watertight sonar transmitter attached to a submarine and capable of operating independently of the electrical system of the boat. It can be used in cases of emergencies to guide salvage vessels to the location of a disabled submarine.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.elac-nautik.de/_uploads/images/pdf/L-3%20ELAC%20Nautik%20SBE.pdf |title=The ELAC SBE distress sonar beacon |access-date=2019-04-05 |archive-date=2013-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320005728/http://www.elac-nautik.de/_uploads/images/pdf/L-3%20ELAC%20Nautik%20SBE.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>