Raw sat

This page explain how to use Iridium satellite constellation for short burst data messages with a rockblock device.
You'll need to pay for the monthly fee (6 £) and buy credits to use this how to.
All text with these recipes will transfer without crypto. If you need crypto or a web interface, try Sat Messenger / RBS

Software

• See the hardware part to setup serial communication.
• Get serial communication software like coolterm or picocom.
• Depending on your computer select the right serial port like : /dev/ttyUSB0, /dev/tty.usbserial (type ls /dev/ in a terminal)
• Setup 19200 baud and default 0D 0A line feed is fine. (Official Rock7 documentation is wrong !!)
• Repository for python style : here

You need to type "AT Commands" and the rockblock will answer like all modems. You can start with AT The modem will answer : OK

Send a message

AT&K0
AT+SBDWT=Hello
AT+SBDIX

Get Signal get 0-5 (rssi)

AT+CSQ

Get IMEI

AT+GSN

Request system time

AT-MSSTM

answer is like : MSSTM: 2fbb7248

Manufacturer Identification

AT+GMI ou AT+CGMI

Model Identification

AT+GMM

Revision

AT+GMR ou AT+CGMR

Geolocation Information

AT-MSGEO
Answer is like -MSGEO: 4208,168,4772,2fa14b4d

Registration status

AT+SBREG

Initiate registration status

AT+SBDREG?

0 Detached 1 Not registered 2 Registered 3 Registration denied

Read a Text Message

AT+SBDRT

Remove Flow Control

AT&K0

Stock text message in buffer

AT+SBDWT=Hello World

Short Burst Data: Status

AT+SBDS
like +SBDS: 1, 33, 0, -1
<MO flag>, <MOMSN>, <MT flag>, <MTMSN>

Short Burst Data: Status Extended

AT+SBDSX
- like +SBDSX: 1, 33, 0, -1, 0, 0
<MO flag>, <MOMSN>, <MT flag>, <MTMSN>, <RING Alert flag>, <msg waiting>

Trafic Management status

AT+SBDLOE

like +SBDLOE:0,0

Short Burst Data: Gateway

+SBDGW
EMSS ou non EMSS

Lock status

AT+CULK?

Initiate connection to satellite

AT+SBDI

<MO status>,<MOMSN>,<MT status>,<MTMSN>,<MT length>,<MT queued>

Initiate connection and transfer either way

AT+SBDIX

<MO status>,<MOMSN>,<MT status>,<MTMSN>,<MT length>,<MT queued>

RING mode query

AT+SBDMTA?

RING set mode

AT+SBDMTA=0 off
AT+SBDMTA=1 on

Ring status

AT+CRIS
Answer is like +CRIS:000,000 (phone/fax,SBD) See down bellow a better way to use RING.

RING status extended

AT+CRISX
Answer is like +CRISX:000,000,00000000 (phone/fax,SBD,timestamp)

MT and how to use RING

• AT+SBDSX gives if RING Alert is set because MT message(s) is waiting
• If any, transfer it from space to MT Buffer with AT+SBDIX (todo test if mt queued is valid in modem answer). RING will be set to 0 even if more messages are waiting.
• Read it from MT buffer and ask AT+SBDSX for waiting messages.
• If any : loop ask for transfer, read from MT buffer.

Rockblock +

IP 68 / 9-30V. You need :

• USB <-> serial DB9 adapter like a "Ugreen 2M USB 2.0 to Serial RS232 DB9 9Pin PL2303 Cable Adapter Converter".