Iridium Modules & Terminals · Module / OEM
Iridium SBD satellite, LTE-M cellular and GNSS positioning in a single module. The satellite side is SBD, so its data can be sent and received through N3D SBD CC.
A satellite modem, a cellular modem and a GNSS receiver used to be three parts; the 9604 combines them in one 16 × 26 × 2.4 mm module. Iridium puts the board-space saving at 60 percent or more, and calls it its smallest form factor yet.
The 9604 does not force automatic switching. The satellite, cellular and GNSS subsystems are controlled independently, so you write the failover or routing logic — for example LTE-M while there is coverage, satellite when there is not.
An integrated u-blox M10 GNSS receiver (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo) lets the device choose its network by position and coverage.
Satellite messages use Iridium SBD: up to 340 bytes up and 270 bytes down per message. With SBD CC it works exactly like the 9602 and 9603 — uplinks are forwarded to your server and downlinks go out through the API.
All three subsystems share one AT command set and one host interface, instead of three modules managed separately.
Built in ISO/TS 16949 certified production and qualified to AEC-Q104; rated from -40 to +85 °C. LTE-M power-saving mode (PSM) current is 1 µA.
Source: www.iridium.com
The 9604 adds LTE-M cellular and GNSS positioning and is smaller (16 × 26 × 2.4 mm); on the satellite side both use Iridium SBD. See 9604 vs 9603.
Through N3D SBD CC: messages from the device are delivered over HTTPS to the URL you choose, your server sends messages to the device by calling an API, and you can also use the web console — no DirectIP server to build.
No. By design the developer decides when to use LTE-M and when to use satellite — a simple failover, or routing by position, cost and power.
LTE-M needs a cellular SIM; Iridium says the 9604 development kit can be used with your own SIM card. N3D handles activation of the satellite SBD service.
Yes. The Iridium 9604 Development Kit includes a Launch Pad developer board carrying the 9604, a USB-C cable, a 3,000 mAh lithium-ion battery, a helical Iridium antenna and a microSD card. Contact N3D about availability.