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- RockBLOCK 9603N - Iridium SatComm Module
The RockBLOCK 9603N 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. Maybe you want to transmit weather information from mid-ocean? Or use it to control your robot in the middle of the desert? Perhaps you need to communicate in an emergency, when other networks might not be available? RockBLOCK can help.
RockBLOCK 9603N is the smaller version of the standard RockBLOCK Mk2. It has the same capabilities, but is specifically designed to be as small and light as possible. The RockBLOCK 9603N is targeted primarily at systems integrators and product developers, where space inside your enclosure is at a premium.
It has a small form factor Molex connector to link the serial, power and signaling lines to your controller. This may be marginally harder to use for hobbyists than the 0.1" dot pitch header used on the standard RockBLOCK product.
At the heart of RockBLOCK 9603N is an Iridium 9603 modem. The RockBLOCK hosts the 9603N and provides it with an antenna and power supply requirements. It exposes the modem’s serial interface via a breakout connector over serial, and offers an SMA connector for external antenna usage. Please be aware that even though the RockBLOCK 9603N is a fantastic SatComm module, it isn't a GPS device. You will need to use your own GPS if you need accurate positioning data.
Note: The RockBLOCK does require a monthly rental service to exchange information with the Iridium satellite network. You only pay for months in which you wish to use the RockBLOCK. No annual contract is required. Line rental costs £12GBP (about $15USD) per month and includes access to the RockBLOCK management system for managing your devices. The billing system is built-in, and allows you to pay for only what you use. Airtime for Rockblock units must be purchased from Rock Seven via the admin portal once the units are registered. You cannot use the devices with another Iridium airtime provider by default. If you would like to use it with another provider, you will need to pay an unlock fee of $60USD per modem.
- 1x RockBLOCK 9603 Module
- 1x FTDI USB Cable
- Operating Power: 5VDC, 100mA min/450mA max
- Plug-and-play satellite communication
- Available as a PCB for product integration
- Full 2-way communication system --- just 45x45x15mm
- Integrated antenna and power conditioning
- Optional external antenna connector (SMA)
- Truly global operation, using the Iridium satellite network
- Data arrives via email, or directly to your own web service via HTTP POST
- Dimensions: 45mm x 45mm x 15mm
- Weight: 36g
- Datasheet
- RockBLOCK Documentation Page (This replaces both the Developer's Guide and the Web Services Guide)
- AT Command Reference
- FTDI USB/Serial Chip Drivers
- Node.js Library for RockBLOCK
- IridiumSBD I2C Arduino Library
RockBLOCK 9603N - Iridium SatComm Module Product Help and Resources
External antenna
The SMA connector for an external antenna is not enabled by default. Instructions for enabling the external antenna connector can be found here.
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Competent - The toolchain for programming is a bit more complex and will examples may not be explicitly provided for you. You will be required to have a fundamental knowledge of programming and be required to provide your own code. You may need to modify existing libraries or code to work with your specific hardware. Sensor and hardware interfaces will be SPI or I2C.
See all skill levels
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
See all skill levels
Comments
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Customer Reviews
3.8 out of 5
Based on 6 ratings:
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Works Well
Had this up and running in 30 min or so... Works reasonably well, although the GPS accuracy is very low, and likely unusable for most applications at +/- several kilometers.
Hello, and thanks for the review!
It’s important to know that the RockBlock is NOT a GPS and is not intended to give accurate GPS positions. The coordinates provided are a rough approximation of your true location and not intended for precise positioning. If you need accurate location data, you should look into using a GPS and transmitting latitude and longitude along with any other data you’re sending.
1 of 1 found this helpful:
Super easy setup with Rockblock web
The Rockblock is easy to work with and its all-in-one architecture can be powered off a LiPo, Plus it has an integrated Iridium antenna. Having worked with other Iridium satellite providers, the best feature of the Rockblock is Rock7's website for provisioning and managing the modems. It is easy to turn them on and off as needed to control the monthly billing, and to control where messages go via email and/or webhook.
Good Product
Its a good product but has a gps problem with the latitude and longitude are wrong all the times.
Please be aware that even though the RockBLOCK 9603 is a fantastic SatComm module, it isn't a GPS device. You will need to use your own GPS if you need accurate positioning data.
0 of 4 found this helpful:
Locked to Single provider, same as iPhones with AT&T
Beware, the RockBLOCK 9603 comes LOCKED to a single 3rd party service provider in the UK, just like iPhones used to be with AT&T. NO information regarding the LOCK status in the description of the item. No information on the terms and conditions, service pricing. After I purchased it and tried to activate it, it did not work so I emailed RockBlock but did not get any reply. Only after calling RockBlock the in the UK the next day, I got the reply with an offer to unlock it for an additional $60. Negligence on the part of the SparkFun and RockBlock for not listing all the details about LOCK, pricing, terms, and conditions of the service provider. This was a very confusing transaction, be careful and call the RockBlock company first to find what their rates are and most important RockBlock's terms and conditions.
Works as expected!
Everything worked as expected. Yes, there are extra fees that you need to pay for each month of use + fees for data. But this was known to me before I purchased, so I can not complain about this. With help of a video made by SparkFun ( for RockBLOCK Mk2 ) I was quickly able to send the first message over satellite network. Now it is waiting for real development.
Anybody have the pinout? I would like to run it directly off a Lithium Ion / Polymer and communicate with the TTL RS232 to a PIC micro.
Ah, just got an answer on the forum: https://docs.rockblock.rock7.com/docs/connectors
Is there any documentation available for the node.js library?
Hello i want to buy a module RockBLOCK 9603 from sparkfun. I'm from Peru, it is in south America, how is the pay for data transmission in my country. Some buddy may send me information. Thank
Video review: https://youtu.be/t5G0pwIep7o
Here is a link to an adapter board I made that can be purchased for $2.95 from Oshpark. https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/gBN6CuAN
This is the 10-pin PicoBlade connector to use: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex-llc/0530471010/WM1739-ND/242861
Here is a 2 inch long 10-pin PicoBlade cable to tie the adapter board to the RockBlock 9603: https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex-llc/0151341000/WM17198-ND/7928363
Can anyone recommend an external antenna for this? Ideally, pre-wired with a female SMA?
Does anyone know if this is the connector we need? https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=05102110
According to the data sheet for this Rock Block, that is the correct connector (10 pin PicoBlade). I'm just wanting a pre-crimped wiring harness.
Check the rock7 web site.. They have what you are looking for.
I second the need for SparkFun to source the connectors!
Currently £11 for every 5000 bytes sent through those Falcon 9 payloads. The cult of Elon is still super expensive.
14 cents per 50 byte message tx/rx to any place the world. Not too bad if you ask me. This fills a niche getting short messages, or small amounts of data/telemetry to and from far corners of the earth.
I have used a couple of the 9602-based RockBLOCKs and have a had a very positive experience. But I seem to recall from discussions on the arduiniana.org site that the IridiumSBD library for Arduino was not compatible with the 9603.
I also see that Mikal Hart has released v2.0 of that library on github. Does anyone know whether that new version is compatible with the 9603?
Yes, the v2 of IridiumSBD works with Rockblock 9603. I've used and don't recommend using the older version of the library.
https://github.com/mikalhart/IridiumSBD
Elon has plans for his own constellation. This is all Iridium pricing on a cheaper ride for a polar orbit on the Falcon 9's.
This looks great, but after searching on the web for a pre made Molex 51021 10 pin pico blade cable, I got nothing. Could Sparkfun add a pre-made cable to its offerings?
We're working on one. Stay tuned!
I made a pcb adapter board for this that you can order from Oshpark with parts from Digikey.
https://oshpark.com/shared_projects/gBN6CuAN
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex-llc/0530471010/WM1739-ND/242861
https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex-llc/0151341000/WM17198-ND/7928363