GW16130 Iridium Satellite Modem

The GW16130 is a Mini-PCIe Satellite Modem that provides cost-effective, short burst satellite connectivity for asset tracking, fleet management, telemetry, oceanographic data, grid monitoring and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The GW16130 features an Iridium 9603N satellite transceiver which allows two-way communications anywhere in the world with a clear line of sight to the sky. The Iridium network consists of 66 satellites and provides 24/7 world wide coverage. The 9603N module is used for short burst data packets (340bytes uplink, 270bytes downlink) and perfect for IoT remote sensor applications with minimal non-realtime data requirements. The GW16130 modem will work in a full size Mini-PCIe socket that includes a USB 2.0 interface. See the Gateworks website for suggested single board computers that can be used with this modem. Serial communications to the module is through an onboard FTDI USB to UART bridge. All power conditioning circuitry is contained on the board in addition to an u.Fl antenna connector for connecting an external satellite antenna. Note that an Iridium approved satellite antenna must be used when operating on the Iridium network. The GW16130 modem requires a monthly data plan which can be established with a number of 3rd party providers. Typical data charges are ~$20 USD per month with 12Kbytes of data included.

GW16130 = GW16127 Mini-PCIe carrier + Iridium 9603 modem module

Single Board Computer Support

The modem has been tested and verified on Gateworks SBCs in a Mini-PCIe slot with USB 2.0 routed. The modem is supported on a wide variety of software, as it works over AT commands using a USB to UART adapter. The FTDI USB to UART driver must be installed on the operating system, however, this is default on Gateworks BSPs. The GW16130 utilizes the FT231XQ USB to UART device.

See below for the Mini-PCIe edge finger pinout on the GW16130. The USB signals are mapped to the standard pins specified in the Mini-PCIe specification (pins 36 & 38).

Modem Activation

Modems need to be activated using an approved Iridium carrier/provider.

During the activation, the modem is configured for the destination of the messages:

• Direct IP
• Email address
• Another modem

Some providers found on the internet, but not endorsed or approved by Gateworks:

• ​https://www.northernaxcess.com/sbd-short-burst-data-airtime-plans
• ​https://satellitephonestore.com/iridium-sdb
• ​https://www.satphonestore.com/airtime/iridium-sbd.html
• ​http://www.rock7mobile.com/products-rockblock-9603
• ​http://www.nalresearch.com/Airtime.html#Short%20Burst%20Data%20(Standard%20Plan)

Antenna

An Iridium certified antenna must be used.

Please see below recommended antennas:

• Taoglas Limited IAA.01.121111
  • ​Digi-Key
  • Note: Requires u.Fl to SMA pigtail, ​Gateworks Shop GW10036

The antenna can be connected directly the modem module, or a small u.Fl patch cable can be connected from the modem module to J6 on the Mini-PCIe base board. The modem would then be connected to J7. This is purely for convenience. See below schematic snippet.

Turning on Modem

An FTDI FT231XQ USB to UART Chip is used to communicate with the Iridium Satcom modem via its serial UART.

The FTDI GPIO pins control the modem:

• CBUS0: SAT_ON (input to modem; 10k pull-down)
• CBUS1: SAT_FND (output from modem)
• CBUS2: SAT_SUPPLY_OUT (output from modem)
• CBUS3: not connected

Configure GPIO:

base=$(for i in $(ls -1d /sys/class/gpio/gpiochip*); do [ "ftdi-cbus" = "$(cat $i/label)" ] && cat $i/base; done)
[ "$base" ] || { echo "Error: could not find ftdi-cbus device"; }
echo $((base+0)) > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo out > /sys/class/gpio/gpio$((base+0))/direction
echo 1 > /sys/class/gpio/gpio$((base+0))/value # enable modem
echo $((base+1)) > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo in > /sys/class/gpio/gpio$((base+1))/direction
echo $((base+2)) > /sys/class/gpio/export
echo in > /sys/class/gpio/gpio$((base+2))/direction

Modem AT Commands

The Iridium SBD modems communicate via AT commands over the UART (default 19200 baud).

In a Linux system the UART mapping is dynamic. See the following for examples on determining the correct port mapping. Note these commands only work if there is a single FTDI device in the system.

AT Commands via picocom: (only works if there is one ftdi device being used in the system)

DEVICE=/dev/$(basename $(ls -d /sys/bus/usb/drivers/ftdi_sio/*/ttyUSB*))
picocom $DEVICE -b 19200 --omap lfcr

AT Commands via shell: (only works if there is one ftdi device being used in the system)

DEVICE=/dev/$(basename $(ls -d /sys/bus/usb/drivers/ftdi_sio/*/ttyUSB*))
stty -F $DEVICE 19200 ignbrk -brkint -icrnl -opost -onlcr -isig -icanon -iexten -echo -echoe -echok -echoctl -echoke
cat $DEVICE &
at() { echo -n -e "$1\r" > $DEVICE; }
at "AT+GMI" # Manufacturer Identification 'Iridium'
at "AT+GMM" # Model Identification 'IRIDIUM 9600 Family SBD Transceiver'
at "AT+GMR" # Revision details
at "AT+GSN" # serial number (IEMI)
at "AT+CSQ" # signal strength (0 to 5): '+CSQ:0'

Additional commands:

• Send message on Modem (to destination configured in modem admin where modem is registered)

  AT&K0
  AT+SBDWT=Hello World
  AT+SBDIX
  

Mechanicals

Dimensions: 30.00 wide x 50.95 long x 11.60 mm tall (1.18 x 2.00 x 0.46 in)

Note that the GW16130 will not fit inside of a standard Gateworks Indoor Enclosure.

Reference Links

• Iridium 9603 ​https://www.iridium.com/products/iridium-9603/
• Iridium 9603 AT Commands ​https://www.google.com/search?q=iridium+9603+at+commands
• Drifting Buoy Project using 9603 ​http://mdbuoyproject.wixsite.com/default
• Gateworks GW16130 datasheet ​http://www.gateworks.com/product/item/gw16130-mini-pcie-satellite-modem
• FTDI Drivers (FT231XQ device is used) ​https://www.ftdichip.com/FTDrivers.htm