RockBLOCK 9603
RockBLOCK 9603
RockBLOCK 9603 showing patch antenna
RockBLOCK 9603 on metric measuring pad

Description

RockBLOCK 9603 is a compact Iridium Short Burst Data satellite module for projects that need to send and receive small packets from almost anywhere on Earth.

 

It's a proven choice for embedded systems, data loggers, autonomous equipment, remote sensors, field instruments, and commercial products that need low volume satellite messaging. Give it power, connect over serial, use the Iridium AT command set, and move carefully packed bytes between your device and your application.

 

RockBLOCK 9603 is well suited to prototypes, field trials, education, and production devices where SBD is the right fit. It keeps the integration straightforward by simplifying the power requirements, providing a serial interface, and taking care of RF through either the built-in antenna or SMA connector for an external antenna.

 

Use it when your payloads are small, your deployment is remote, and a simple, well-established SBD module is the right tool for the job.

 

For larger message payloads, take a look at RockBLOCK 9704.

Key Features

  • Two way Iridium Short Burst Data satellite messaging
  • Send data from anywhere with a clear view of the sky
  • Compact 45 × 45 mm module for embedded designs
  • 340 byte mobile-originated messages
  • 270 byte mobile-terminated messages
  • Serial interface with standard AT commands
  • Works with microcontrollers, Linux SBCs, and other serial-capable hosts
  • Integrated patch antenna option
  • SMA variant available for external antenna installations
  • Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network with truly global coverage
  • Suitable for battery powered and remote deployments
  • Managed through Cloudloop / RockBLOCK services

Tech Specifications

  • Satellite network: Iridium
  • Service: Short Burst Data, SBD
  • Communication: two way, mobile originated and mobile terminated
  • MO message size: up to 340 bytes
  • MT message size: up to 270 bytes
  • Typical send / receive cycle: approximately once every 15 seconds (depends on view of sky)
  • Host interface: serial
  • Command set: Iridium AT commands
  • Connector: Molex 51021 direct header connection
  • Power options: direct header or FTDI / USB
  • Input voltage: 3.4V to 5.4V
  • Peak current: up to 450mA
  • Antenna: built-in 1621 MHz tuned patch antenna, or SMA option for external antenna
  • Dimensions: 45.0 × 45.0 × 15.0 mm
  • Weight: 39 g including antenna
  • Operating temperature: -45°C to +85°C
  • Operating humidity: ≤75% relative humidity
  • Mounting: two PCB mounting holes
  • Waterproofing: not waterproof; use RockBLOCK Plus if you need an IP67-rated option

Cloudloop Platform

Cloudloop is the platform layer for RockBLOCK 9603.

Cloudloop Data lets you deliver RockBLOCK messages to your preferred destination without rebuilding the payload for each endpoint. Send data to your own web service, API, cloud platform, or other supported integration, and queue mobile-terminated messages for the device to collect on its next SBD session.

Cloudloop Subscription Manager handles the operational side: airtime plans, billing, suspension, usage alerts, and device status across your fleet.
Explore CloudloopView Cloudloop Developer Docs

Resources / Quick Links

RockBLOCK 9603

FP-RB-9603

$302.00
$302.00
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Frequently Asked questions

RockBLOCK 9603 is used in remote monitoring projects across land, sea, and ice: weather stations, smart buoys, ocean robots, field science instruments, precision agriculture devices, wildlife monitors, camera traps, off-grid telemetry, autonomous systems, and backup command links.

It's a good fit for devices that need to send compact, useful information from places normal networks don't reach.

Choose RockBLOCK 9603 when your application sends small, infrequent messages and you want proven Iridium SBD connectivity in a compact module.

Choose RockBLOCK 9704 when you expect to send more data, or when your application would benefit from larger messages and Iridium Messaging Transport.

As a simple rule of thumb: if you're sending less than around 10 KB per month, RockBLOCK 9603 is likely still in its happy place. If you're sending more, compare it with RockBLOCK 9704.

Find out more about the differences.

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.

Yes. Like all satellite devices, antenna placement matters. The patch antenna option is suitable when the module can "see" the sky, including through some non-metallic enclosures. If the module will sit deeper inside an enclosure, or behind metal, use the SMA variant with a suitable external antenna.

RockBLOCK 9602, 9603 and Plus use Iridium Short Burst Data. A mobile-originated message can contain up to 340 bytes, and a mobile-terminated message can contain up to 270 bytes.

That may not sound like much, but it goes a long way when you’re sending the information that matters. Most applications only need to transmit status updates, sensor readings, alerts, commands, IDs, flags, and changes since the previous report.

Not by itself. RockBLOCK 9603 is a satellite communications module. You can build a tracker with it by connecting it to a host device with GNSS, firmware, and an application backend, but the 9603 is not an all-in-one tracking product.

RockBLOCK 9603 includes the patch antenna hardware. At checkout, you are choosing whether we configure the unit to use the built-in patch antenna or the SMA connector for an external antenna.

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

It is possible to switch antenna mode later by moving the internal RF link cable, but this should only be done by someone experienced with small RF connectors. Damage caused during this process is not covered under warranty.

Yes, we ship to many international destinations. Shipping options, costs, duties, taxes, and import requirements vary by country and will be shown during checkout.

Some countries have additional import, customs, or satellite equipment requirements. If you are shipping to India, Brazil, or another destination with specific import rules, please check local requirements before ordering or contact us at hello@groundcontrol.com for guidance.

Yes. If you need a formal quote for hardware, shipping, or a larger deployment, contact us at hello@groundcontrol.com, and we can help prepare one.

RockBLOCK 9603 uses Iridium SBD airtime, which is managed through our RockBLOCK registration system.

After your device arrives, register it at https://rockblock.rock7.com/Operations. From there, you can set up prepaid SBD airtime and start sending messages.