Abstract: A beacon with a preferably anodized aluminum body, cylindrical in shape, and threaded. The exact diameter and thread size of a water catcher cap is defined by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon it threads onto. The accompanying component male thread allows the water catching cover to be threaded down completely for when the MWIR/LWIR beacon is powered on, thus creating an IR iris for the beacon emission, also while cooling the MWIR/LWIR beacon by being able to capture water within its open space cavity between the accompanying component and the water catching cover wall. Further in a wet environment, the open nature of the water catching cover permits rapid quenching by ambient water and refill of water catcher. Alternatively, when thread in the upmost position it protects the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon point of emission.

Abstract: An iris cap for a beacon is cylindrical in shape with defined wall length to create such an iris for the intended application. One application for example, an axicon will create defined output angle of emission dependent on the source emitter’s output angle and the axicon angle. Given the cost and difficulty of reproducing several MWIR/LWIR beacons for specific applications of maximum positive output angle, the Iris Cap introduces a simple solution. The Iris Cap can create specific maximum angles to reduce risk of over exposure of the beacon, simply by attaching the Iris Cap to the location of the emission with a countersunk screw.

Abstract: A beacon with a preferably anodized aluminum body, cylindrical in shape, and threaded employs a beacon modulation scheme for MWIR/LWIR beacons in which multiple frequencies of emission are overlaid, such as the addition of a high frequency pulse, several orders of magnitude faster than the low frequency blink, the high frequency modulation being beyond the capability of unaided human perception. This modulation would allow a high-speed detector and associated software to lock onto an asset in the presence of background radiation which would otherwise drown out the signal of interest.

Abstract: A beacon with a preferably anodized aluminum body, cylindrical in shape, and threaded. The exact diameter and thread size of a water catcher cap is defined by the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon it threads onto. The accompanying component male thread allows the water catching cover to be threaded down completely for when the MWIR/LWIR beacon is powered on, thus creating an IR iris for the beacon emission, also while cooling the MWIR/LWIR beacon by being able to capture water within its open space cavity between the accompanying component and the water catching cover wall. Further in a wet environment, the open nature of the water catching cover permits rapid quenching by ambient water and refill of water catcher. Alternatively, when thread in the upmost position it protects the accompanying MWIR/LWIR beacon point of emission.