SparkFun

Artemis Global Tracker Satellite GNSS Board

Name: Artemis Global Tracker Satellite GNSS Board
Brand: SparkFun
SKU: SF-WRL-18712
Price: 958.75 AUD
Availability: InStock

· MPN: WRL-18712

GPS & Location Sensors Humidity Sensors Pressure & Altitude Sensors Temperature Sensors Environmental (temperature, humidity, air quality) Microcontrollers & Development Boards IoT Development Boards Wireless & Connectivity Arduino Boards Arduino Wireless and IoT SparkFun Qwiic Ecosystem

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Built for field deployments well beyond WiFi and mobile coverage, this compact tracker combines an Iridium 9603N Short Burst Data modem with the Arduino-comp...

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Built for field deployments well beyond WiFi and mobile coverage, this compact tracker combines an Iridium 9603N Short Burst Data modem with the Arduino-compatible Artemis module. It can send and receive short satellite messages for remote sensing, asset tracking, high-altitude ballooning, ocean monitoring and geofencing projects.

The board includes an on-board TE MS8607 pressure, humidity and temperature sensor, plus a u-blox ZOE-M8Q GNSS receiver for location data. It also breaks out I2C, SPI and digital I/O pins, includes a Qwiic connector, and uses a shared SMA antenna connector for the Iridium modem and GNSS receiver via an integrated switching and protection circuit.

Deployment and development are supported by SparkFun’s software ecosystem, including configuration tools for remote settings such as geofence locations or temperature alarms, Python tools for plotting up to eight trackers on a satellite map, and Arduino libraries for IridiumSBD, u-blox GNSS and the MS8607 sensor.

The board can be powered from USB-C, a LiPo battery, or configured via split pads for a small solar panel and supercapacitors. Airtime is managed through Rock Seven, with pay-as-you-go operation and message credits handled through the RockBLOCK management system.

Features:

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 configuration: Lets you adjust settings like geofence locations or temperature alarms remotely.
Mapping support: Python tools let you plot the paths and locations of up to eight trackers simultaneously on a satellite map.
Shared antenna design: The modem and GNSS share a single antenna via a smart switching circuit to save weight.
Flexible power: Power the board via USB-C, a LiPo battery, or split pads for a small solar panel using supercapacitors.
Pay-as-you-go airtime: No annual contracts; you pay only for the months you use the device.
RockBLOCK management: Credits for messages are purchased via the RockBLOCK management system, with a built-in billing platform to manage devices.

Specifications:

Processor: Artemis Processor
Flash: 1M Flash
RAM: 384k RAM
Clock speed: 48MHz / 96MHz turbo available
Power consumption: 68A/MHz (operates less than 5mW at full operation)
Wireless: Integrated BLE radio and antenna
Certification: FCC/IC/CE Certified (ID Number 2ASW8-ART3MIS)
Satellite transceiver: Iridium 9603N Satellite Transceiver
Satellite operation: Truly global operation, using the Iridium satellite network
Iridium power storage: Powered through two 1F supercapacitors
Supercapacitor charging: Charged by an LTC3225 supercapacitor charger
In-rush current limiting: ADM4210 in-rush current limit circuit
GNSS receiver: ZOE-M8Q GNSS Receiver
GNSS channels: 72-Channel GNSS receiver
Horizontal accuracy: 2.5m Horizontal Accuracy
Time-To-First-Fix, cold: 26s
Time-To-First-Fix, hot: 1s
Max altitude: 50,000m
Max G: ≤ 4
Max velocity: 500m/s
Velocity accuracy: 0.05m/s
Heading accuracy: 0.3 degrees
Environmental sensor: MS8607 Pressure, Humidity, and Temperature Sensor
Pressure operating range: 10 - 2000mbar
Humidity operating range: 0 - 100% Rh
Temperature operating range: -40 - 85°C
Pressure accuracy (@25°C): ±2mbar
Humidity accuracy (@25°C): ±3%Rh
Temperature accuracy (@25°C): ±1°C
Power option: USB-C
Power option: LiPo Battery
Power option: Solar Panel or Battery Pack (max 6V)
Antenna connector: SMA antenna connector for both 9603N and ZOE-M8Q (with integrated protection circuit)
LiPo charge management: MCP73831 LiPo Charge Management for single-cell LiPo batteries
Qwiic: Qwiic Connector
PTH connections: I2C, SPI, Reset, 5 digital I/o and 5 GPIO pins
Weight: 30.5g as shipped with modem, but no antenna
Weight: 42.6g with Iridium Certified Passive Antenna

Suitable for advanced remote telemetry projects where low-bandwidth satellite messaging, GNSS positioning and environmental sensing need to be combined on one development-friendly board.

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

5G: A mobile network standard used for high-speed wireless data links. If a project uses a 5G gateway, its power system must be able to supply enough current reliably for outdoor or remote operation.
BLE: BLE stands for Bluetooth Low Energy, a Bluetooth mode designed for lower power use and modern phone compatibility. It matters because BLE support can make the module easier to use with Apple devices and battery-powered projects, though it may behave differently from classic serial Bluetooth.
GNSS: GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, covering positioning systems such as GPS and similar satellite networks. It matters here because high-precision GNSS modules can output lots of serial position data that this product can send wirelessly to a computer or phone.
GPIO: General-purpose input/output pins are microcontroller pins you can set in software to read signals, switch devices on and off, or connect to peripherals. The number of GPIO pins matters because it limits how many buttons, LEDs, sensors, and other parts you can wire directly to the board.
I2C: I2C is a two-wire communication bus used by many sensors and small modules. It matters because several I2C devices can share the same two wires, but each device needs a compatible address and your controller must support I2C.
LiPo: A lithium polymer rechargeable battery commonly used in portable electronics projects. It matters because LiPo batteries need correct charging circuitry and care, and this board includes hardware intended for that battery type.
MCP73831: A lithium battery charger chip used to safely charge a single-cell LiPo battery. It matters because it lets the board recharge a battery from USB or another input without needing a separate charger module.
PTH: Plated through-hole means the pin holes are metal-lined so solder connects the pad on both sides of the board. It is useful for connectors and headers that need a strong mechanical and electrical connection.
Qwiic: Qwiic is a plug-in connector system for I2C devices that uses small 4-pin cables, so you can connect compatible sensors without soldering. It matters because your controller or adapter also needs Qwiic, or you will need a cable or breakout to wire it up.
RAM: RAM is temporary memory used while a device is running, and its contents are lost when power is removed. A “Run in RAM” mode is useful for testing settings without permanently programming the module, but it may not support every feature.
SMA: A threaded coaxial connector commonly used for antennas. It matters because you need antennas with matching SMA connectors, or suitable adapters, for the LTE and GNSS antenna ports.
SPI: A fast serial communication bus often used for displays, memory cards, and sensors. It matters because SPI devices need specific pins for clock and data, plus a separate chip-select line for each device.
USB-C: A modern reversible USB connector used for power and data connections. On this product it matters because it can connect directly to a computer as well as to a microcontroller project.