The Iridium 9604 module and development kit aids developers of Internet of Things (IoT) products worldwide. Produced by Iridium Communications Inc., the module and kit combine Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) satellite connectivity, LTE-M cellular, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning. It offers the functionality needed for IoT products to incorporate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) and satellite communications (satcom) while reducing IoT product complexity and cost.

The Iridium 9604 module (see image above) is based on the u-blox SARA-R5 platform to serve industrial, infrastructure, transportation, mobility, utilities, maritime, and remote monitoring applications.

As Tim Last, executive vice present of Iridium, notes, “The Iridium 9604 module and development kit represent a major milestone in making truly global IoT connectivity more accessible and easier to deploy.”

Last highlights the module’s high level of integration as leading to smaller, lower-costing IoT products: “By replacing three separate components with one integrated solution, developers can simplify device design, reduce costs, and create smarter, location-aware products capable of staying connected far beyond terrestrial coverage.”

As a user, Askar Gabit, CEO of GPSOne, adds, “The Iridium 9604 has enabled us to develop a truly global asset-tracking solution without relying on terrestrial network infrastructure. Its reliable coverage, compact form factor, and straightforward integration have significantly accelerated our development process and allowed us to focus on optimizing the end-user experience.”

The Iridium 9604 module measures 16.0 × 26.0 × 2.4 mm and supports GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou GNSS services.