Small form factor that packs a punch
Utilizing the Short Burst Data (SBD) element of the Iridium Satellite Network, the RockBLOCK 9602 is one of the most versatile and popular items in our SBD series. From use cases involving meteorological sensing, through to preventing fires in remote locations, the RockBLOCK has a few tales to tell from developers and scientists, through to global corporations.
If you’re looking for a smaller version of the RockBLOCK 9602 unit, then the RockBLOCK 9603 might suit you – designed primarily for product developers and system integrators where space inside an enclosure is at a premium.
Contact us
How RockBLOCK Works
RockBLOCK takes its power from a standard 0.1″ pitch direct header connector, or alternatively via an FTDI to USB adaptor (to power/control from a USB port). If you’re using the PCB assembly version with a direct header, your host needs to supply a minimum of 100mA @ 5V.
At the heart of RockBLOCK is an Iridium 9602 modem. The RockBLOCK hosts the 9602 and provides it with an antenna, and its power supply requirements. It exposes the modem’s serial interface via a breakout connector over serial, or USB (via a USB/serial adaptor).
Contact us
- Plug and play satellite communication
- Full 2-way communication system
- Optional SMA connector, for external antenna
- Truly Global operation, pole to pole
- Available as a PCB or encapsulated product (the RockBLOCK Plus)
- Integrated antenna and power conditioning
- Powered via USB or direct-header connection
- Data via e-mail or directly to your web-service
- Powered By: Direct Header Connector, or optional FTDI USB adaptor
- Transmits Using: Iridium
- 340 bytes per message sent; 270 bytes per message received
- Ideal For: Integration into existing devices
- Open APIs: data can flow directly to your servers; you can connect with AWS; you can send data to a variety of different endpoints and destinations
- Detailed Developer Docs let you get started with minimal support
- Built in Antenna: Yes (& optional ‘SMA’ version for external antenna)
- Weight: RockBLOCK Mk2 Naked: 76 grams
- Size: RockBLOCK Mk2 Naked: 3 x 2 x 0.75″ (76.0 x 51.5 x 19.0 mm)
- Manage and monitor your device and delivery network with Cloudloop, our cloud-based platform
- Waterproofing: RockBLOCK Mk2 Naked is *not* waterproof. If you need a waterproof unit, look at the RockBLOCK Plus
Ground Control offers Iridium SBD airtime both as a prepaid tariff, and as an annual contract for companies planning a larger deployment of devices. Full pricing plans can be found on our Short Burst Data Pricing page.
If you choose our prepaid, or pay as you go option, line rental is paid in blocks of 1 month, and allows the RockBLOCK Plus to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. You only pay for months in which you wish to use the RockBLOCK Plus. No annual contract is required. Line rental costs $17.00 per month.
Credits are used each time you transmit. 1 credit is used per 50 bytes (or part thereof) of message sent or received. 1 credit is also used if you check your mailbox and there are no messages waiting (A mailbox check). Credits do not expire, even if you are paying no line rental. Credits are shared/pooled between all of the devices on your account
Please note, while our pay-as-you-go tariffs offer great flexibility for development purposes, we know they are not suitable for everyone. If you are planning a large deployment of devices and are willing to commit to airtime contracts of 12 months or more, please get in touch. We have access to various tariffs which may suit you better.
The RockBLOCK management system allows users to amend their account details, manage RockBLOCKs, top-up accounts, review invoice details, and set-up communication between HQ, individual devices and device groups.
Upon receiving your RockBLOCK(s), first time users will need to log on to our registration page: https://rockblock.rock7.com/Operations.
Having trouble registering?
If you are not registering new units, there’s a very high chance they have been already registered somewhere else. Contact help@groundcontrol.com, mentioning your RockBLOCK serial numbers and IMEIs so that we can look into the issue.
Iridium SBD Coverage
In Low Earth Orbit (LEO) the Iridium satellite constellation is able to deliver many benefits for IoT applications, not least reduced ping time. As these satellites are much closer to the Earth’s surface, the latency – ping time, is typically less than one second.
Utilizing omni-directional antennas, data will be accepted by the closest satellite and then ‘handed off’ as appropriate to the next. Using a mesh of 66 satellites in total, the SBD service is ideal for mobile applications anywhere on the planet including both poles.
Iridium’s truly global, low-latency SBD service is perfect for monitoring and updating status on everything from weather balloons to fleet telematics. Used for tracking and IoT applications alike, this service works anywhere on Earth without expensive roaming charges or the need for multiple service agreements.
Contact us
Questions about the RockBLOCK 9602?
Great, click the button below to start a dialogue with one of the team and see how the RockBLOCK 9602 fits with your application.
Documentation
We're here to help
We're not invested in selling you a specific product or connections, just the best solution for your needs.
