RockBLOCK Plus
RockBLOCK Plus is a waterproof and ruggedized version of the RockBLOCK 9602, with 9-30v power input and RS-232 data link. It allows you to send and receive short messages from anywhere on Earth with a clear view of the sky. It works far beyond the reach of WiFi and GSM networks.
Key Capabilities
RockBLOCK Plus provides proven two way satellite messaging in a field-ready enclosure.
Send 340 bytes and receive 270 bytes
IP67 rated enclosure for outdoor installation
Global Iridium coverage, including the poles
9-30 V DC power and RS-232 serial communication
Integrated antenna and power conditioning
Waterproof Satellite IoT Device
RockBLOCK Plus is a waterproof and ruggedized version of the RockBLOCK 9602. It leverages the Iridium Satellite network, specifically Short Burst Data (SBD), delivering message sizes of 340 bytes up, 270 bytes down.
It’s highly UV resistant and has a marine Kevlar cable, making it ideal for long term outdoor deployment even in the most severe environments. It uses the RS232 protocol for serial communication, so is truly plug-and-play. If you have sensor data in hard to reach places, the RockBLOCK Plus is a reliable means of getting that data back to you in close to real time.
Where is RockBLOCK Plus Being Used?
It’s designed to transmit sensor data from IoT applications, and is being used to great effect in forestry, preventing illegal deforestation and creating alerts for extreme temperature changes; in environmental applications, monitoring earth movement and water levels to provide early warning of landslides and flood risks. It’s deployed as part of Thailand’s tsunami detection system, with the potential to save many, many lives.
You can read more case studies involving the RockBLOCK series of products here.
From Your Device to Your Application
RockBLOCK Plus links a sensor, data logger or host controller to your application through the Iridium satellite network and Cloudloop Data.
Iridium SBD Hardware Comparison
The first four products use the Iridium Short Burst Data service, providing global two way satellite messaging with payloads of up to 340 bytes sent and 270 bytes received. If you’re sending over 10 KB of data per month, you are likely to save money with RockBLOCK 9704, which utilizes Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) to send messages from 25 bytes to 100 KB.
Under optimal conditions, both SBD and IMT messages can be delivered in around 10 seconds, although performance depends on factors including antenna placement and a clear view of the sky.
 RockBLOCK 9602
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 RockBLOCK 9603
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RockBLOCK Plus
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 RockBLOCK RTU
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 RockBLOCK 9704
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| Best Suited To | General purpose integration and development | Space- and weight-constrained designs | Exposed outdoor installations | Direct sensor monitoring and control | Applications sending over 10 KB of data per month |
| Satellite Service | SBD (340 / 270 bytes) | SBD (340 / 270 bytes) | SBD (340 / 270 bytes) | SBD (340 / 270 bytes) | IMT (up to 100 KB) |
| Product Type | PCB satellite modem | PCB satellite modem | Ruggedized satellite modem | Micro data logger and controller | PCB satellite modem |
| Dimensions | 76 x 51.5 x 19 mm | 45 x 45 x 15 mm | 137 mm diameter x 40 mm | 137 mm diameter x 40 mm | 48 × 52 × 16 mm (SMA) / 72 × 72 × 16.5 mm (patch) |
| Weight | 67 g patch / 61 g SMA | 39 g | 108 g (exc. antenna) | Dependant on variant | < 35 g (SMA) / < 50 g (incl. patch antenna) |
| Environmental | None | None | IP67 | IP67 | None |
| Power | 5 V DC | 3.4-5.4 V DC | 9-30 V DC | 8-32 V DC | 4.0-5.3 V DC; 3.6-4.5 V battery; 5 V USB-C |
| Antenna | Integrated patch or external SMA version | Integrated patch and SMA connector | Integrated patch antenna | Integrated patch antenna | Integrated patch or external SMA version |
| Host or Sensor Interface | TTL UART through 0.1-inch header | TTL UART through Molex connector | RS-232 through integrated cable | Analog and digital sensor I/O | 5 × inputs & 3 × outputs via 16-way cable assembly |
| Onboard Processing | Controlled by the host system | Controlled by the host system | Controlled by the host system | Local logging, buffering and threshold processing | Controlled by the host system |
| View Product | View Product | Buy Now | View Product | View Product |
Environmental Monitoring
Transmit water levels, weather measurements, earth movement and other environmental observations from unattended field stations.
Custom Tracking Integrations
Combine RockBLOCK Plus with a host controller and separate GNSS receiver to build application specific tracking or location-aware telemetry systems.
Ocean and Waterway Monitoring
Backhaul observations from buoys, vessels and remote water monitoring equipment operating beyond dependable cellular coverage.
Scientific Research
Return measurements from glaciers, polar regions and other difficult-to-access research sites without waiting for a field visit.
Forestry and Conservation
Connect monitoring equipment used to detect illegal activity, environmental changes and threats to protected habitats.
Flood and Natural Hazard Warning
Deliver sensor readings and alerts from remote flood, landslide and tsunami monitoring infrastructure.
Technical Essentials
These practical details can help determine whether RockBLOCK Plus fits your host system and deployment environment.
340 Bytes Up and 270 Bytes Down
Exchange compact two-way messages using the established Iridium Short Burst Data service.
Global Iridium Coverage
Communicate from anywhere on Earth, including polar regions, with a suitable view of the sky.
IP67-Rated Enclosure
The waterproof and ruggedized enclosure is suitable for permanent outdoor installation in severe environments.
9-30 V DC Power Input
Wide voltage power support simplifies installation in vehicles, industrial systems and remote equipment.
RS-232 Serial Interface
Connect RockBLOCK Plus to a compatible host controller, computer or data logger using a familiar serial interface.
137 mm Diameter × 40 mm High
The rugged enclosure combines the modem, antenna and power conditioning in one field-ready unit.
450 g With Standard 3 m Cable
Choose from 3 m, 5 m, 10 m and 15 m cable lengths, or a 1.8 m FTDI cable for development.
-40°C to +85°C Operation
RockBLOCK Plus is designed for permanent installation in hostile outdoor environments.
Product Specifications
Communications
- Satellite Service
- Iridium Short Burst Data
- Mobile Originated Message
- Up to 340 bytes from RockBLOCK
- Mobile Terminated Message
- Up to 270 bytes to RockBLOCK
- Modem
- Iridium 9602 Short Burst Data transceiver
- Host Control
- Iridium AT commands
- Session Timing
- Approximately 10 seconds under optimal conditions; actual completion and delivery time varies
Physical and Environmental
- Form Factor
- Rugged, encapsulated satellite IoT transceiver
- Dimensions
- 137 mm diameter × 40 mm high
- Weight
- 450 g with 3 m cable
- Operating Temperature
- -40C to 85C
- Ingress Protection
- IP67 (dust-tight / immersible for up 30 mins)
- Radome Material
- UV-stable molded ASA
- Mounting
- Four M5 threaded inserts on the base
- Installation
- Suitable for permanent outdoor installation
Antenna and Power
- Iridium Antenna
- Integrated 1621 MHz tuned patch antenna
- Supply Voltage
- 9-30 V DC
- Maximum Current
- 450 mA
- Power Control
- Host-controllable power state
- Standard Cable
- Marine-grade multicore cable
- Cable Options
- 3, 5, 10, 15 m and 1.8 FDTI options
Interfaces and Integration
- Host Connection
- RS-232 Serial
- Communication Method
- Iridium AT commands
- Host Requirement
- Separate host controller, computer or data logger
- Typical Host Platforms
- Embedded controllers, industrial computers, Arduino and Raspberry Pi systems with a suitable serial interface
- Data Delivery
- Cloudloop Data, HTTPS, MQTT, webhooks, APIs or supported delivery destinations
- Downlink Submission
- Customer application or messaging interface submits data for delivery during an SBD session
- Integrated GNSS
- No – if you need a tracker, check out RockFLEET
RockBLOCK Plus is supported by full developer documentation, integration guides and example code covering power, serial communication, AT commands and message handling. It connects to a microcontroller or host system through a straightforward TTL UART interface, allowing developers to use the Iridium command set without having to manage the satellite modem at a lower hardware level.
Cloudloop Data manages message delivery between deployed devices and cloud applications. Data can be routed to HTTPS or MQTT endpoints, while the REST API provides access to device, message and delivery information. Device subscriptions and usage can also be managed through Cloudloop, with further airtime information available on our dedicated satellite airtime page.
Resources
Documentation, guides and supporting materials to help evaluate, integrate and deploy RockBLOCK Plus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Very. The RockBLOCK Plus is a completely encapsulated design, so it’s IP67 rated and submersible for 30 minutes at a depth of up to 1 meter. Just don’t expect it to send messages from underwater.
The sleep signal is internally pulled high on the RockBLOCK and RockBLOCK Plus products, so you can leave it disconnected if you want to leave the modem ‘awake’ all of the time.
To turn ‘off’ the modem, pull the line to ground.
With a clear view of the sky, an Iridium SBD session can typically be completed in around 10 seconds once RockBLOCK 9603 is powered and initialized. From a cold power-up, allow around 20 seconds or more for startup and a successful transmission.
Actual timing varies with satellite visibility, antenna placement and network conditions. In installations with a restricted view of the sky, a transmission may take several minutes.
With RockBLOCK already powered and a clear view of the sky, you should be able to complete an Iridium SBD session roughly every 10 seconds under optimal conditions.
Actual frequency will vary with antenna placement, satellite visibility and network conditions. Applications should also allow for retries where a session cannot be completed.
Almost certainly. If you have purchased the optional FTDI-USB adaptor, you’ll need to install the FTDI drivers. You can check on their website (https://ftdichip.com/drivers/), where you’ll find drivers for Linux, Mac, Windows, Android and others.
RockBLOCK Plus appears as a serial interface, and you can talk to it using a simple set of AT commands. It is expected that you’ll be able to integrate it into your own software with minimal effort.
There is a Node.js library available and an Arduino library which you can get via the developer docs. There’s also an excellent Python project for Raspberry Pi, which would make a great starting point for any Raspberry Pi users. We’re working on publishing some samples for other languages soon.
Messages sent from RockBLOCK Plus can either be delivered to your chosen email address or sent to your own web service as a simple HTTP POST. The message data will be hex encoded so there are no character set problems.
You can make a simple HTTP POST to our web service. The message is queued on the satellite network almost instantly, ready for RockBLOCK to download (on your command).
Yes, as long as you configure it correctly. Check the 9603 documentation for the ‘Ring Alert’ feature.
Our billing is flexible, and allows you to pay only when you’re using your devices. Line rental is sold in one month blocks and credits are bought in packs. If you have several RockBLOCKs, credits are shared from a credit pool amongst all your devices. You don’t need to buy separate packs of credits for each device. Similarly, if only some of your devices are being used at any one time, you don’t need to pay for line rental on those which aren’t in use.
Yes. Ground Control has been an Iridium Partner since 2008. We’ve been developing all sorts of products, but most famously we’re the people behind YB Tracking.
We’re here to help
When reliability and durability matter, RockBLOCK Plus can help. With its ruggedized and waterproof construction, it’s engineered to thrive in the toughest conditions.
Get in touch with us and find out if the RockBLOCK Plus is the right device for your needs. With over 20 years experience in satellite tracking we have the knowledge and experience to ensure you are equipped with everything you need to make the right choice.