The RockBLOCK Plus uses the Iridium Satellite network – specifically, ‘short burst data’ (SBD).
At the heart of RockBLOCK Plus 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 RS-232 (or directly – PCB assembly version only). Full documentation for the Iridium 9602 modem can be found here.
If you’re using the SBDRT command and the modem appears to ‘hang’ when you issue the command, it’s probably due to flow control configuration. The default state for the RockBLOCK and RockBLOCK+ units has flow control turned ‘on’ in the modem. When running in 3-wire serial mode, flow control should be turned off, which will ensure you get responses to your requests.
Use the command AT&K0 at the start of your command sequence. This turns flow control off, and should solve the problem.
The sleep signal is internally pulled high on the RockBLOCK and RocKBLOCK+ 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.
RockBLOCK takes its power from the direct header connector, or alternatively via the optional FTDI/USB adaptor. If you’re using the PCB assembly version with a direct header, your host needs to supply a minimum of 100mA @ 5V.
340 bytes from RockBLOCK.
270 bytes to RockBLOCK.
Testing shows it generally takes around 20 seconds from power-up to successful transmission, with a perfect view of the sky. With a very restricted view, it may take several minutes. You should be able to complete an Iridium SBD session roughly every 10 seconds, assuming a perfect view of the sky.
Yes – there’s a version of the RockBLOCK available with an SMA connector (instead of the built-on antenna) which allows you to attach an external Iridium antenna.
Almost certainly. If you’ve purchased the optional FTDI-USB adaptor then you’ll need to install the FTDI drivers. You can check on their website, where you’ll find drivers for Linux, Mac, Windows, Android, and others.
The RockBLOCK appears as a serial interface and you can talk to it using a simple set of AT commands. It’s expected that you’ll be able to integrate it into your own software with minimal effort.
Messages sent from RockBLOCK 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. Full details of our web service are available in the Web Service Guide
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 9602 documentation for the ‘Ring Alert’ feature.
Very. The RockBLOCK+ is a completely encapsulated design, so it’s at least IP68 (submersible for extended periods). Just don’t expect it to send messages from underwater.
The RockBLOCK does not have a GPS chip inside it. It’s envisaged that if you want position reports, you’d use an off-the-shelf GPS module with your solution and get position data from that.
However, it’s worth noting that with each Iridium transmission we do get an approximate position report. This varies in accuracy from 100km to 1km and therefore can’t be relied upon for accurate tracking, but we do provide this information for you (along with the approximate accuracy, ‘CEP’, in km) with your messages. If you’re looking for a dedicated tracking satellite tracking device, you might want to consider our RockSTAR product.
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 so 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 (formerly Rock Seven) has been an Iridium Partner since 2008. We’ve been developing all sorts of products, and we’re famously the people behind YB Tracking.
RockBLOCK+ Data Sheet
