Serial User Protocols

The serial user protocol can be used for many different applications, including aviation, maritime or for personal use. The information to be provided in bits 44 through 73 is determined by the beacon use (the beacon use is defined at bits 40 - 42 of this protocol).

Aviation Use

There are three aviation uses that can be coded using the serial user protocol as described below:

ELT with Beacon Serial Number

Click here for an example of an ELT coded with the Serial User Protocol using a beacon serial number.

ELT with Aircraft Operator Designator and a Serial Number

Click here for an example of an ELT coded with the Serial User Protocol using the aircraft operator designator and a serial number.

ELT with Aircraft 24-bit Address

Click here for an example of an ELT coded with the Serial User Protocol using the aircraft 24-bit address.

Maritime Use

Click here for an example of an EPIRB coded with the Serial User Protocol using serial identification.

Bits 40 - 42 are set to "010" for EPIRBs which can be automatically released and activated (float free) or to "100" for EPIRBs which can only be activated manually.

Personal Use

Click here for an example of a PLB coded with the Serial User Protocol using a beacon serial number.