How about an option where if the pinger receives a signal at a different defined frequency it broadcasts a continuous tone for 30-60 secs to allow for better DF? This would allow for max battery life if no one was in the area, but give another option if someone was able to hear the ping but having trouble localizing it.
I am still a big fan of some sort of distributed storage as discussed previously, where either CVR and DFDR data are mirrored on both devices, or there are other devices with copies located in areas prone to survival. With all the advances in storage technology it would seem this could be done in a cost and weight effective way.
It has been very lucky that both recorders were found, and appeared to be in relatively good shape, lets hope that luck extends to the data itself, otherwise we will be wishing there had been a redundant system.
RR_NDB: Pingers are VERY simple devices. And not costly.
Itīs "performance" can be (easily) improved.
Why not (for longer range airliners) use extra pinger(s) with specs. like:
- Better (mech.) survivability (not a tiny one attached to a CSMU)
- Increased duty cycle (allowing RX DSP)
- Better frequency spec. (<1%)
- At another (lower) frequency
- Battery capacity (also) up to 90 days
The technology to this "new" device was available more than 30 years ago.
Mac