Iridium Short Burst Data SBD Service

Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) service enables value-added applications to send and receive short data transactions efficiently over the Iridium network. The Iridium Short Burst Data service is designed for applications that send and receive short data messages ranging from one to 1960 bytes in size depending on the modem. The SBD service is ideal for situations such as asset tracking, remote telemetry, or pipeline monitoring.

The SBD service may be used with the L-Band Transceivers (LBT), 9601 SBD modems, Motorola 9505 satellite phones, and the Iridium 9505A satellite phones.

To apply Iridium’s data capabilities to solving customer’s remote and mobile communications problems, Iridium has partnered with skilled Value Added Resellers (VARs) to integrate the required hardware, software, and SBD service that ultimately forms the complete infrastructure needed to provide the total service over the Iridium satellite system.

The short burst data capability enables wireless data applications to use the unique features of the Iridium network to send and receive data using the Iridium 9522 L-Band Transceiver (LBT). A microprocessor based application communicates with the LBT over a serial connection using enhanced AT commands. The LBT transmits and receives data messages across the Iridium satellite network utilizing inter-satellite links to reach the Iridium gateway where it communicates with the VAR’s host computer system via an e-mail interface.

Short Burst Data extends the global reach of Iridium to remote and mobile data applications highlighting the unique Iridium benefits of 100% global coverage, independence of terrestrial wireless infrastructure and extremely low message delivery latency.

How it works

Remote Applications send Mobile Originated SBD (MO-SBD) data messages via an Iridium 9522 L-Band Transceiver (“LBT”). The application microcontroller or microprocessor communicates with the LBT using AT commands over an RS232 serial port. The application loads the data message into the LBT and instructs it to send the data message. The data message is transmitted across the Iridium satellite network utilizing inter-satellite links to reach the Iridium Gateway. From there the data message is transferred via e-mail. Here the message is stored in a database for further data processing.

Mobile Terminated SBD (MT-SBD) messages are sent to the Iridium Gateway via e-mail. MT-SBD data messages are delivered to the LBT following a MO-SBD or “mail-box check” initiated by the remote application.

The maximum length of a MO-SBD message is 1960 bytes on the LBT. The maximum length of a MT-SBD message is 1890 bytes on the LBT. Global network transmit latency for delivery of messages ranges from approximately 5 seconds for short messages to approximately 20 seconds for maximum length messages.

The maximum length of a MO-SBD message is 340 bytes on the 9601 SBD modem. The maximum length of a MT-SBD message is 270 bytes on the 9601 SBD modem.