User Guide to ST8050
ST8050UG001 – User Guide
22
Revision 2.0
5
Networks
5.1
Iridium
Short Burst Data (SBD) is a service for the Iridium satellite network. The Iridium satellite network is a
world-wide, two-way, data communication system. Communications between modems and the
Iridium ground network are accomplished via a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
There are 66 operational satellites with additional spares that operate in 6 polar planes with pole to
pole coverage at all times.
The ground network is comprised of the System Control Segment and gateways used to connect to
the terrestrial data networks. The System Control Segment is the central management component
for the Iridium satellite network. It provides support and control services for the satellite
constellation and delivers satellite tracking data to the gateways.
Figure 5-1: Iridium network diagram
5.1.1.1
Sequence of events: Mobile Originated–Short Burst Data message
(MO-SBD)
1.
User’s application creates the mobile-originated-SBD message in the ST8050.
2.
Application instructs the ST8050 to send the SBD message to the Iridium Gateway.
3.
Iridium Gateway SBD equipment:
Receives the SBD message
Sends an acknowledgement to the modem
Creates an email message with the SBD data message as an attachment to the email
or establishes a DirectIP connection.
4.
The message is sent to the destination server hosted by the Value Added Reseller for
processing.
The maximum mobile originated message size through the Iridium network is 340
bytes. The maximum mobile terminated message size is 270 bytes.