Hookup Guide
Schematic
Datasheet (Apollo 3)Product Overview
Is this the one tracker to rule them all? The SparkFun Artemis Global Tracker (AGT) allows you to transmit data from the most remote locations on the planet. By combining the Iridium 9603N Short Burst Data modem with our powerful Artemis module, this compact board lets you send and receive short messages far beyond the reach of WiFi and GSM networks. Whether you are monitoring environmental data from a high-altitude balloon, tracking equipment across the ocean, or geofencing assets in the desert, the AGT keeps you connected.
Brains, Brawn, and Sensors
At its core is the Arduino-compatible Artemis Module, giving you 1M flash and 384k RAM for your code. We’ve paired this with a suite of sensors and a prototyping-friendly design that breaks out I2C, SPI, and digital I/O pins, making it a robust development platform for any field application.
- True Global Connectivity: Leverages the Iridium satellite network to work anywhere, including polar regions.
- Integrated Environmental Sensing: Features an on-board TE MS8607 sensor for pressure, humidity, and temperature readings (down to -40°C).
- Precision Tracking: Uses a u-blox ZOE-M8Q GNSS receiver for fast, low-power location data with geofencing capabilities.
Remote Management & Mapping
You have complete control over your deployment through our custom software ecosystem. We’ve developed a configuration tool that lets you adjust settings like geofence locations or temperature alarms remotely, so you can adapt in the field without retrieving the hardware. To help you visualize the data, the AGT is supported by a set of Python tools that let you plot the paths and locations of up to eight trackers simultaneously on a satellite map.
Power Your Way
The AGT has explicitly been designed for flexibility in the field. To save weight, the modem and GNSS share a single antenna via a smart switching circuit. You can power the board via USB-C, a LiPo battery, or configure the split pads to run directly off a small solar panel using supercapacitors - no batteries required.
Simple, Flexible Airtime
Satellite communication used to be complex and expensive. Fortunately, Irridium makes it accessible.
- Pay-As-You-Go: No annual contracts. You pay only for the months you use the device.
- Affordable: Line rental is approximately £12 GBP (~$16 USD) per month.
- Management: Credits for messages are purchased via the RockBLOCK management system, which offers a built-in billing platform to manage your devices.
Airtime must be purchased from Rock Seven via their admin portal. While the device is locked to Rock Seven by default, it can be unlocked for use with other providers for a $60 USD per modem fee.
