RockBLOCK 9602
RockBLOCK 9602
RockBLOCK 9602

Description

RockBLOCK 9602 is a board-level Iridium SBD module for adding low data satellite messaging to your own hardware.

 

It's built around the Iridium 9602 transceiver and gives your device a simple way to send and receive small packets from places normal networks don't reach. Use it for compact telemetry, alerts, status updates, position reports, and remote commands.

 

RockBLOCK 9602 is a good fit for prototypes, field trials, and embedded systems where Iridium SBD is the right data model. Your host device connects over serial, or via a USB/serial adaptor, and supplies 5V power.

 

Choose the built-in patch antenna if the board will have a clear view of the sky from inside your installation. Choose the SMA version if you need to place the antenna separately, such as outside an enclosure or away from other electronics.

 

Use RockBLOCK 9602 when you want proven SBD connectivity in a straightforward developer board. If you need a smaller footprint, look at RockBLOCK 9603. If you need a sealed outdoor unit, look at RockBLOCK Plus.

Key Features

  • Iridium SBD messaging for low data telemetry, alerts, position reports, and remote commands
  • Two way satellite communication: send 340 bytes MO and receive 270 bytes MT per message
  • Serial host interface with AT command control for straightforward embedded integration
  • Built around the Iridium 9602 transceiver for proven SBD connectivity
  • Built-in patch antenna option for simple installations with clear sky view
  • SMA antenna option for deployments where the antenna needs to sit outside an enclosure or away from the host electronics
  • 5V power input for board-level integration
  • Works with the RockBLOCK portal for activation, PAYG airtime, and message delivery to email or HTTP POST.

Tech Specifications

  • Satellite network: Iridium
  • Satellite service: Short Burst Data, SBD
  • Iridium modem: 9602 SBD transceiver
  • Message size: 340 bytes MO, 270 bytes MT
  • Host interface: serial via breakout connector
  • USB option: FTDI USB/serial adaptor
  • Command interface: AT commands
  • Power input: 5V DC
  • Current requirement: minimum 100mA at 5V
  • Antenna options: integrated 1621 MHz patch antenna or SMA connector for external antenna
  • Power connection: 0.1" pitch direct header, or FTDI USB adaptor
  • Dimensions: 76.0 × 51.5 × 19.0 mm
  • Weight: 67 g
  • Operating temperature: -30°C to +85°C
  • Storage temperature: -40°C to +85°C
  • Waterproofing: not waterproof; use RockBLOCK Plus for sealed outdoor deployments.
    Message delivery: email or HTTP POST to your web service
    Airtime setup: RockBLOCK portal, with prepaid or contract SBD options

Cloudloop Platform

RockBLOCK 9602 integrates with Cloudloop for SBD message routing, device visibility, usage monitoring, and subscription management.

Cloudloop Data routes incoming SBD messages into your own systems, including APIs, webhooks, cloud services, and dashboards. Cloudloop Subscription Manager helps manage airtime, usage, billing, and device status across deployed devices.

For prepaid PAYG SBD, activation is handled through the RockBLOCK portal. For Cloudloop services or postpaid airtime, contact us and we can help set up the right account and plan.
Explore CloudloopCloudloop Developer Docs

Resources / Quick Links

RockBLOCK 9602

FP-RB-9602ANT

$302.00
$302.00
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Frequently Asked questions

Select the patch antenna if your unit will have a clear view of the sky directly or sit beneath an RF-transparent plastic enclosure cap. Choose the SMA variant if the unit is buried deep inside a metallic chassis, which necessitates running a cable to an external antenna.

Airtime is purchased separately from the hardware.

When your RockBLOCK SBD device arrives, register it online at the RockBLOCK portal. You can buy message credits, manage your device, and start sending messages without speaking to sales.

If you prefer post-pay airtime, contact our team at hello@groundcontrol.com and we can switch your account over.

You can find PAYG and post-pay airtime rates at https://www.groundcontrol.com/products/iridium/short-burst-data-range/short-burst-data-service-plans/.

All the SBD devices - RockBLOCK 9602, RockBLOCK 9603, RockBLOCK Plus, RockBLOCK RTU - utilize the same standardized AT command sequence, allowing developers to maintain software consistency across these systems.

However, the IMT-based RockBLOCK 9704 and RockBLOCK Plus 9704 do not use AT Commands. IMT devices use a proprietary protocol which Iridium call JSPR (JSON-Based Serial Protocol for REST). We've written open source C and Python libraries to save you having to digest this protocol, but easier still, RockBLOCK Pro and Pro OEM feature an AT command-based serial interface which helps smooth the transition to IMT.

In ideal conditions, an already-powered device can complete an Iridium SBD session roughly every 10 seconds. That assumes a clear view of the sky, good antenna placement, and a successful session on the first attempt.

We would not recommend designing your application around guaranteed 10 second reporting. In real installations, buildings, terrain, vehicle bodywork, ship structures, trees, antenna placement, RF interference, and satellite movement can all affect how quickly a session completes. A restricted view of the sky can extend transmission time from seconds to minutes.

For most applications, it's better to design around retries and occasional delays. Send when you have data to report, retry quickly if the first attempt fails, then back off to a longer retry interval if needed. SBD is well suited to compact telemetry, alerts, status updates, position reports, and commands, but it shouldn't be treated as a fixed-interval real time link.

As a rule of thumb: 10 seconds is a best case session time, not a guaranteed reporting interval.