Iridium aims to transform satellite IoT with a module and development kit for data, audio messages and image transfers.

The Iridium Certus 9704 IoT module and development kit feature Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) technology and support satellite IoT applications that require real-time data analysis, analytics and automated decision-making.

It provides larger file transfer sizes and faster message speeds than previous Iridium IoT modules, delivering data, picture and audio messages for industrial IoT, M2M and remote personnel use cases. As with other Iridium connected devices, it can provide two-way IoT services anywhere in the world, making fast and reliable connections to a broad array of applications.

The architecture simplifies data transfer requirements for use cases such as predictive maintenance, diagnostics, telemetry monitoring, remote asset tracking, and command and control for uncrewed aircraft, vehicles and vessels. The module’s larger-sized data messages also suit remote sensing applications protecting wildlife, detecting wildfires and flooding, and enabling purpose-built satellite messengers and personal safety devices.

“We’ve now packed more capability and value into the smallest module ever from Iridium,” said Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium. “When companies choose to develop with Iridium, they know they are partnering with the leader in satellite IoT applications, and we’ll support them through development and deployment. We’re excited to see how they implement this new technology.”

Designed for ease of integration, the module is 34% smaller than the Iridium 9603 and 79% smaller than the 9602, and has an 83% reduction in idle power consumption compared with both. This power optimisation helps the module support battery powered applications, while taking advantage of two-way messaging, including delivery confirmation, over Iridium’s low-latency, global satellite network.

Suitable for supporting traditional satellite IoT applications, the module can also help organisations become more future ready as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes integrated with IoT services, known as AIoT. With this integration, satellite AIoT services should quickly follow, and companies that deploy products with Certus 9704 modules inside can then choose to offload more computing to the cloud in a single message, where an AIoT engine can quickly make decisions and send new, actionable instructions back to the remote device.

This can lessen the required edge device processing power, lower hardware cost, and increase battery life and overall device lifespan. With IMT at its core, a built-in topic-sorting capability means messages can be efficiently organised for delivery to the appropriate engine for various types of real-time data, audio or image analysis.

“The Iridium Certus 9704 module and development kit were designed with the developer in mind,” said Omar Azad, associate director at Iridium. “We want to make it as easy as possible for anyone to experience the new module’s capabilities and quality of the IMT service. When they’re ready to take the next step and build a product to take to market, we’re there to support them with our decades of experience in the satellite IoT space.”

The development kit (www.iridium.com/products/certus-9704-satellite-iot-developer-kit) is a complete test kit featuring a motherboard, power supply, antenna, module and software from the Arduino platform. It was designed to provide autonomy and flexibility for developers, coming with 1000 free messages and GitLab hosted reference materials (gitlab.com/iridium-satellite).

The kit is initially available to prospective Iridium customers for evaluation of the Certus 9704 module (www.iridium.com/products/certus-9704-module) and IMT (www.iridium.com/services/iridium-messaging-transport) data service.

Iridium has partnered with Blynk to give developers an all-in-one platform (blynk.io/blueprints/iridium-9704-launch-pad-premium) for data visualisation and a rapid unboxing-to-live-testing experience.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Iridium (www.iridium.com) operates a global, weather resilient satellite constellation designed to deliver critical data to and from anywhere on the planet. Its IoT service revenue has seen an 11% CAGR over the past ten years. Iridium goes to market through more than 500 companies around the world that integrate its core technology modules and sell airtime access to its network.

The Certus 9704 has received FCC and ISED authorisations for use, with additional regulatory approvals pending.