Iridium Communications, a leading global provider of voice and data satellite communications, has unveiled its latest innovation: the Iridium Certus 9704 IoT module and the accompanying Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit. This groundbreaking module, which incorporates Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) technology, is the smallest and most powerful ever developed by Iridium. It is specifically designed to support satellite IoT applications that demand real-time data processing, analytics, and automated decision-making.
The Iridium Certus 9704 redefines IoT satellite communication by offering compact, energy-efficient technology with global connectivity. It simplifies IoT application development, enabling seamless integration with advanced features like AIoT and real-time data management.
The Iridium Certus 9704 boasts enhanced capabilities, including larger file transfer capacities and faster messaging speeds compared to earlier Iridium IoT modules. It enables the transmission of data, images, and audio messages, catering to industrial IoT (IIoT), machine-to-machine (M2M), and remote personnel use cases. Like other Iridium Connected devices, the Iridium Certus 9704 offers reliable, two-way IoT connectivity anywhere on the planet, supporting a wide range of applications with speed and dependability.
The architecture of the Iridium Certus 9704 streamlines data transfer processes for applications such as predictive maintenance, diagnostics, telemetry monitoring, remote asset tracking, and command and control of unmanned aircraft, vehicles, and vessels. Its capability to handle larger data messages makes it particularly well-suited for remote sensing tasks, including wildlife conservation, wildfire and flood detection, and powering a new generation of specialized 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, 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 the development and deployment of their solutions. We're excited to see how they implement this new technology."
Smaller, Smarter, Faster: How Iridium Certus 9704 Leads the IoT Revolution
The Iridium Certus 9704 is designed for seamless integration and is significantly more compact and energy-efficient than its predecessors. It is 34% smaller than the Iridium 9603, 79% smaller than the Iridium 9602, and boasts an 83% reduction in idle power consumption compared to both models. This enhanced power efficiency makes it an excellent choice for battery-powered applications while leveraging two-way messaging with delivery confirmation via Iridium's low-latency, truly global satellite network.
The Iridium Certus 9704 module is not only ideal for traditional satellite IoT applications but also positions organizations to embrace the future as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes integrated with IoT services, forming the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT). This integration paves the way for satellite AIoT services, enabling companies deploying products with the Iridium Certus 9704 to offload more computing tasks to the cloud in a single message. There, an AIoT engine can quickly process data, make decisions, and send actionable instructions back to the remote device.
This approach reduces the processing power required on edge devices, lowering hardware costs, extending battery life, and enhancing the overall lifespan of the devices. Powered by Iridium Messaging Transport (IMT) technology, the module features a built-in topic-sorting capability that efficiently organizes messages for delivery to the appropriate engine, supporting real-time data, audio, or image analysis with greater efficiency.
"The Iridium Certus 9704 module and Development Kit were designed with the developer in mind," said Omar Azad, associate director, product management, 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 Ultimate IoT Solution: Introducing the Iridium Certus 9704 Module and Development Kit
The Iridium Certus 9704 Development Kit is a comprehensive testing solution that includes a motherboard, power supply, antenna, module, and software based on the widely used Arduino platform. Designed to offer developers maximum flexibility and autonomy, the kit comes with 1,000 complimentary messages and access to reference materials hosted on GitLab.
Initially available for evaluation purposes, the kit enables prospective Iridium customers to explore the capabilities of the Iridium Certus 9704 module and IMT data service. In collaboration with Blynk, Iridium provides developers with a unified platform for data visualization, ensuring a seamless transition from unboxing to live testing.
Iridium operates the world’s only fully global, weather-resilient satellite constellation, ensuring reliable delivery of critical data to and from any location on Earth. As a leader in the satellite IoT market, Iridium has achieved an 11% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in IoT service revenue over the past decade. The company collaborates with over 500 partners worldwide, who integrate Iridium's core technology modules, such as the Iridium Certus 9704, and provide airtime access to its extensive satellite network.
The Iridium Certus 9704 has obtained FCC and ISED approvals for use, with additional regulatory certifications currently in progress.
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