The specifications in this document are subject to change at NAL Research's discretion. NAL Research assumes no responsibility for any claims or damages arising out of the use of this document or
from the use of the A3LA-XM based on this document, including but not limited to claims or damages based on infringement of patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights. NAL Research
makes no warranties, either expressed or implied with respect to the information and specifications contained in this document. Performance characteristics listed in this document are estimates only
and do not constitute a warranty or guarantee of product performance.
Right Hand Circular Polarization Receiving RUDICS Router-Based Unrestricted Digital Internetworking Connectivity Solution Short Burst Data Subscriber Identity Module Sub-Miniature Version A Short Message Service Time Domain Duplex TDMA Time Division Multiple Access Transmitting VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
Figure 1. Iridium Satellite Modem A3LA-XM. IMPORTANT: User should not disassemble the A3LA-XM for repair or services. The warranty is voided if the A3LA-XM is disassembled. It should be returned to NAL Research for any services. 2.0 SPECIFICATIONS 2.1 Mechanical Specifications Dimensions: 162 mm x 67 mm x 27 mm (6.38‖...
Peak Data Call Current: 2.5A @ 5.0VDC NOTE: The power requirements apply to DC power measured at the A3LA-XM multi-interface connector input. The Average Data Call Current may vary depending on the field-of-view between the modem antenna and the Iridium satellite.
2.7 Reference Documents A3LA-XM Product Information Getting Started With Model A3LA-XM (TN2009-26-V1.0) AT Command Reference for Model A3LA-XM (TN2009-27-V1.0) Encryption Module Manual (TN2009-28-V3.0) Current Drawn by A3LA-XM (TN2009-29-V1.0) Current Drawn by A3LA-XMP (TN2009-30-V1.0) SatTerm Software Manual (TN2009-19-V7.0) Additional Information on DirectIP SBD (TN2007-637-V1.0) Additional Information on SBD (AN2007-07-V3.3.0)
2.0 through two internal rotary switches. These switches can be found by removing the modem‘s bottom plate. With the A3LA-XM held in the position shown in Figure 2 (DB25 connector on the right side and TNC antenna connector on the left side), the A3LA-XM is set for serial interface when the grove on both rotary switches are in the ‗\‘...
19 is assigned to USB VBUS. Any of the signal ground pins (14, 23 or 25) can be used as USB ground. USB driver for the A3LA-XM can be found on the CD provided in the same package of the modem. Figure 3 shows the pin assignments for a standard USB connector, which can be used to fabricate a USB interface cable between the A3LA-XM DB25 connector and a DTE USB connector.
(i.e. low) for at least 270 ms and released, the A3LA-XM will alternate from its current on/off state. The current drawn on the external load used to pull the A3LA-XM to GND is no more than 0.5mA. The signal on pin 1 is considered GND when it is at 0.5V or less.
Basic Pattern Omni directional and hemispherical It should be noted that the A3LA-XM power transmission profiles may vary for a number of reasons. Users are reminded to optimize their setup to attain the lowest possible power transmission by the A3LA- XM.
5.0 GPS FEED THROUGH (OPTIONAL) As an option, a pass thru SMA connector can be added to the A3LA-XM to allow an external GPS receiver to share the same A3LA-XM‘s Iridium antenna. The RF interface of the GPS pass through is summarized in the table below.
SIM in-place. An external SIM card reader may also be interfaced as a peripheral to the A3LA-XM via the DPL bus. A SIM card in the external reader will take precedence over the SIM chip in the integrated connector when both are present.
The 9522B RF board can sometimes ‗lock-up‘ when being inactive over a long period of time (a day or longer). The only way to recover is to power cycle the ISU. The A3LA-XM has safeguards put in place with a watch-dog timer to keep the 9522B RF board from locking up.
As an option, the A3LA-XM‘s bottom plate can be replaced with a bigger plate with the same mounting hole-pattern as the A3LA-D. This allows the A3LA-XM to be a ‗true‘ drop-in replacement for the A3LA-D. Figure 4 of 4 in Appendix E shows the dimension of the optional plate.
66 satellites in low-earth orbit, terrestrial gateways and Iridium subscriber units (ISU). An ISU can either be an Iridium satellite phone or any of NAL Research‘s A3LA series modems. The satellites are placed in an approximate polar orbit at an altitude of 780 km. There are 6 polar planes populated with 11 satellites per orbit constituting the 66 satellite constellation.
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(SMS) and router-based unrestricted digital internetworking connectivity solution (RUDICS). Dial-up Data (DAV) SMS, SBD Dial-up Data (DAV) Direct Internet AZ, HI or Fucino PSTN RUDICS RUDICS Server Landline SBD, SMS Modem Internet (e-mail) Address Figure A1. Iridium Network Data Capabilities. NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
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Iridium network. For those ISU-to-ISU dial-up calls where data transmission delay is critical such as the application of TCP/IP protocol, DAV should be considered in the design. This option eliminates the Iridium gateway once NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
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, which manages airtime by seamlessly connecting and disconnecting a user through the Iridium system. Airtime charges accumulate only while the call is connected. Improved effective data throughput is achieved through the use of user-transparent data NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
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IP connection between the Host Application and the Iridium modem. There are three key benefits of using RUDICS over the conventional PSTN circuit switched data connectivity or mobile-to-mobile data solutions: (1) elimination of analog modem training time, (2) increased call connection quality, reliability, and maximized throughput and (3) protocol independence. NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
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Geo-location errors in the east-west dimension, therefore, are sometimes more than 100 times greater than in the north-south dimension. NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
ETSI EN 301 489 requires the use of a shielded digital data interface cable. Industry Canada: The 9522B is compliant with Industry Canada RSS-102 for RF Exposure. IMPORTANT: To comply with FCC RF exposure experiments, a minimum separation of 20 cm is required between the antenna and all persons. NAL Research Corporation (TN2009-25-V1.0)
APPENDIX C: EXPORT COMPLIANCE INFORMATION The A3LA-XM is controlled by the export laws and regulations of the United States of America (U.S.). It is the policy of NAL Research to fully comply with all U.S. export and economic sanction laws and regulations.