SparkFun MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Board

Jargon buster

Plain-language definitions for the technical terms used above.

1PPS

One Pulse Per Second is a precise timing signal often provided by a satellite positioning receiver. It matters when a project needs very accurate time alignment, such as timestamping logged data.

9-Degree Of Freedom

A sensor description meaning it measures motion across nine axes: acceleration, rotation, and magnetic field in three directions each. It matters when you need more complete orientation tracking than a simple tilt or acceleration sensor can provide.

Active GNSS antenna

An active GNSS antenna has a built-in amplifier that needs power from the board. It can improve satellite signal reception, but you need to use an antenna that matches the board’s powered antenna connection.

AT command set

An AT command set is a text-based control language sent over a serial terminal to configure a device. It matters because you can change settings such as baud rate and flow control without writing custom firmware.

breakout

A breakout board carries a small or fine-pitched component and brings its connections out to standard, breadboard- and header-friendly pins. Describing a part as a breakout means it can be wired into a project without soldering directly to the component's tiny contacts.

GNSS

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System, an umbrella term for satellite positioning networks such as GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and BeiDou. Receivers use these satellites to determine position, and high-precision units can output a steady stream of serial position data.

ICM-20948

A motion-sensing chip that combines accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer measurements. The part number matters because it tells you the board can provide 9-axis orientation and movement data, and which software libraries or drivers are likely to work.

IMU

An IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) combines motion sensors, typically an accelerometer and gyroscope and sometimes a magnetometer, to measure movement and orientation. It can sense motion, tilt, vibration, rotation, and changes in direction, which is useful for tasks such as navigation, stabilisation, gesture detection, and asset tracking.

IoT

Short for Internet of Things, meaning physical devices that connect to networks or the internet to send data or be controlled remotely. It matters if you want projects such as connected sensors, remote controls or classroom data-logging activities.

LED

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a small electronic component that emits light when current flows through it in the correct direction. Because it only conducts one way, its polarity matters, and a through-hole LED must be soldered the correct way around to light up.

LiPo

A LiPo (lithium polymer) battery is a rechargeable lithium battery widely used in portable projects because it is light and compact. LiPo cells need correct charging circuitry and careful handling to stay safe, so equipment that supports LiPo generally includes charging or protection hardware suited to that battery type.

LTE-M

A low-power cellular data standard designed for Internet of Things devices rather than phones. It matters because the board needs LTE-M coverage and a suitable SIM plan in your area to send data over the mobile network.

MAX17048

A battery fuel-gauge chip that estimates how much charge is left in a LiPo battery. It matters for portable projects because your software can monitor battery level instead of only measuring voltage.

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.

MicroMod

MicroMod is a modular board system where a small processor board plugs into a separate carrier board (via an M.2 connector) that provides connectors, power, and peripherals. Within the MicroMod system, a board is either a processor board or a carrier board, and you need a matching pair of both before you can run project code.

Nano SIM

Nano SIM (the 4FF form factor) is the smallest common SIM card size, used by many phones and cellular modules. When a product needs a Nano SIM, you must supply a matching SIM card and an active mobile service plan before it can connect to a cellular network.

NB-IoT

NB-IoT is a low-power cellular network standard designed for sending small amounts of data from remote devices on long battery life. When a product lists NB-IoT, it can report readings from places without Wi-Fi or Ethernet, provided there is suitable cellular coverage and a data plan.

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.

RTC

A Real-Time Clock keeps track of time even when the main processor is asleep or powered down, usually with a small backup battery. It matters for data logging and tracking projects that need accurate timestamps.

SMA

SMA is a small threaded coaxial (RF) connector widely used to attach antennas and other radio-frequency cables. A device with SMA antenna ports needs antennas or pigtails with matching SMA connectors, or a suitable adapter, to connect to them.

SPH0641

A digital microphone chip used to capture sound level or audio data. The part number matters because it affects how the microphone connects to the processor and what software support is needed.

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

USB-C is a small, reversible USB connector that can carry power, data and, on some devices, video over a single cable. The same connector can range from charging only to high-speed data, so the functions a given port actually supports vary.

Wake On Motion

Wake On Motion is a low-power feature where a motion sensor can wake the rest of the system when movement is detected. The system can stay in a low-power sleep state and only become fully active once movement starts, which helps conserve battery in any battery-powered application.