SBD Modules for IoT & M2M applications
The RockBLOCK Plus offers the same capabilities as the 9602, housed in a fully waterproof and rugged enclosure. This robust device is trusted in challenging settings worldwide, from wildfire-prone areas and rainforests to oil rigs, ensuring reliable communication in extreme conditions.
SBD devices for Tracking & Two-Way Comms
Our flagship product, RockSTAR, has evolved through numerous upgrades and continues to be a reliable handheld tracking device. Trusted in challenging environments, RockSTAR has saved lives and offers vital support for those operating in inhospitable conditions.
Iridium SBD Coverage Map
Benefit from 100% global coverage – including both poles – with Iridium’s unique constellation architecture. Cross-linked satellites deliver reliable two-way communications anywhere in the world for low-latency, weather-resilient connectivity.
Leveraging 75 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — 66 operational, plus 9 spares — Iridium’s network presents several benefits for IoT applications. With closer proximity to the Earth’s surface, experience minimal lag with ping times of less than one second. Enjoy seamless data transmission across the globe with omni-directional antennas.
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Short Burst Data Service Plans and Pricing
For more information about our SBD Service Plans, please visit our dedicated Iridium SBD Pricing page.
Satellite airtime isn’t cheap, and we pride ourselves on delivering great value for our customers. So, rather than having a small number of plans that will either see you rack up expensive overage fees, or pay for data you don’t use, we tailor our plans to every customer. These are example plans only; let us know what your data requirements are and we’ll make a plan that suits you.
Also, please note that our annual plans are available for any SBD device; our Pay-As-You-Go plans are exclusive to Ground Control manufactured devices.
Our pay-as-you-go plans offer great flexibility for development purposes, and are available for the RockBLOCK 9602 and RockBLOCK 9603 plug-and-play satellite transceivers, the RockSTAR personal tracking device, RockFLEET vehicle tracking device, and the RockAIR aircraft tracking device.
Pay-as-you-go plans are made up of line rental and credits (see next tab – Running Costs). Line rental allows the SBD device to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. Credits are used each time you transmit.
Line rental allows the SBD device to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. Credits are used each time you transmit. One credit is used per 50 bytes (or part thereof) of message sent or received. One credit is also used if you check your mailbox and there are no messages waiting (a mailbox check).
Be sure to check out our SBD Pricing page for full details of our Pay-As-You-Go service plans.
Benefits of Iridium Short Burst Data Service
Flexible Connectivity Solutions
Truly Global Coverage + Low Latency
Cloudloop Platform and Applications
Customized Airtime Service Plans
Comparing Satellite IoT Connectivity
It’s tricky to compare airtime services because so much depends on how much data you need to send, but as a rough guide, we’ve put together the following comparison points. Get in touch if you’d like any help deciding what will work best for you.
FAQs
SBD devices utilize compact and energy-efficient modems to facilitate data communication via the Iridium satellite network. These modems employ burst transmission, enabling the devices to send data in short, rapid bursts. This technique conserves power and enhances battery life, making SBD devices efficient and reliable for data transfer.
Yes, SBD modems can be integrated with existing IoT infrastructure. They typically support standard interfaces and protocols such as UART, SPI, I2C, or MQTT, making it easier to connect them with IoT devices, sensors, or gateways.
SBD modems are designed with power efficiency in mind to optimize battery life. The actual power consumption varies depending on factors like the modem model and usage patterns. To obtain accurate information on power consumption, it is recommended to refer to the manufacturer’s specifications or technical documentation.
For example, the RockBLOCK 9603 features a supercapacitor that acts as an energy reservoir, buffering the internal circuits from user connections. On average, a successful SBD transmission consumes around 45 to 50 milliamps over a 60-second period. If set to transmit once per hour, the RockBLOCK uses approximately 4896 Amp-seconds per month. For more information, see our RockBLOCK power consumption guide: https://docs.rockblock.rock7.com/docs/power-consumption-guidance
SBD devices have message queuing capabilities that ensure data integrity. Messages can be stored either at the satellite or locally on the device (depending on device capabilities). This prevents message loss and allows queued messages to be transmitted once the network connection is restored. The number of locally stored messages varies by device, and transmissions can be processed sequentially or based on priority settings. Our Rock tracking products (RockFLEET, RockAIR, and RockSTAR) queue messages locally, while RockBLOCK modules queue messages at the satellite until requested.
The pricing of SBD airtime service will vary based on factors like data volume and transmission frequency. But as a Tier 1 Iridium Reseller, Ground Control offers competitive rates and customizable pricing plans to meet your specific IoT deployment requirements. Rest assured, we deliver cost-effective solutions for your connectivity needs. See Iridium SBD Plans & Pricing.
As SBD handles small amounts of data – hundreds of Bytes – this service is perfect for things like location data, sensor readings, status updates, command and control instructions, text messages and more. Leveraging truly global coverage with a 99% reliability rate via the Iridium satellite network, SBD is a great solution for any application sending/receiving small data packets anywhere on Earth. This makes it a great fit for many industries. Just some of the more common applications:
• Asset tracking
• Fleet management
• Telemetry
• Pipeline monitoring
• Disaster and emergency response
• Environmental monitoring
• Oceanographic data
• Homeland security
• Regulatory compliance
• Remote worker safety
• Network monitoring
For more detail and more use cases, you can view all of our case studies leveraging SBD airtime here.
Is SBD right for your project?
Call or email us, or complete the form; whether you'd like a quote or just friendly and impartial advice, we're here to help.
