Globalstar STINGR User manual

Revision 0.2 STINGR Users Manual
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STINGR Users Manual

Revision 0.2 STINGR Users Manual
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Table of Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................... 4
1.2 Applicable Documents ............................................................................................................................................ 4
1.3 Description .............................................................................................................................................................. 4
2 Application ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Theory of Operation ................................................................................................................................................ 5
2.2 Block Diagram ......................................................................................................................................................... 8
3 Physical Charactersistics ................................................................................................................................................. 9
4 Reference Design .......................................................................................................................................................... 13
4.1 Schematic .............................................................................................................................................................. 14
4.2 PCB ........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
4.3 BOM ...................................................................................................................................................................... 15
5 Application Programming Interface .............................................................................................................................. 16
5.1 Serial Port .............................................................................................................................................................. 16
5.2 Serial Packet Mode ............................................................................................................................................... 16
5.2.1 Serial Packet Format ..................................................................................................................................... 17
5.2.2 STX3 Legacy Serial Packet Commands .......................................................................................................... 17
5.2.2.1 Send Data (0x00) ....................................................................................................................................... 17
5.2.2.2 Query Electronic Serial Number (ESN) (0x01) ........................................................................................... 18
5.2.2.3 Abort Transmission (0x03) ........................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.2.4 Query Bursts Remaining (0x04) ................................................................................................................ 18
5.2.2.5 Query Firmware Version (0x05) ................................................................................................................ 19
5.2.2.6 Setup (0x06) .............................................................................................................................................. 19
5.2.2.7 Query Setup (0x07) ................................................................................................................................... 20
5.2.2.8 Query Hardware Version (0x09) ............................................................................................................... 21
5.2.3 STINGR Serial Packet Commands .................................................................................................................. 22
5.2.3.1 “Initiate proprietary track” command ...................................................................................................... 22
5.2.3.2 “Update Proprietary Track Data” command ............................................................................................. 23
5.2.3.3 “Cancel Proprietary Track” command ...................................................................................................... 24
5.2.3.4 “Send Redundant Burst with GPS” command .......................................................................................... 25
5.2.4 STINGR Serial Test Commands ...................................................................................................................... 27

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5.3 “Transmitter Test” command ............................................................................................................................... 27
5.4 Example CRC calculation routines for serial packets ............................................................................................ 29
6 Test Modes .................................................................................................................................................................... 31
7 REGULATORY APPROVAL .............................................................................................................................................. 33
7.1 Radio Astronomy Site Avoidance .......................................................................................................................... 33
7.2 Regulatory Notices ................................................................................................................................................ 33

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1Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This document describes the physical, electrical, and functional characteristics of the STINGR satellite transmitter
module. The information contained in this document is intended to provide the end user with the necessary
technical information required to use the module in a custom application.
This document is intended to be used by engineers and technical management and assumes a general knowledge of
basic engineering practices by the user.
1.2 Applicable Documents
1.3 Description
The STINGR is a simplex Satellite transmitter designed to send small packets of user defined data to a network of
low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites using the Globalstar simplex satellite network. The received data is then
forwarded to a user defined network interface that may be in the form of an FTP host or HTTP host where the user
will interpret the data for further processing.
The STINGR is a satellite transmitter radio module which contains a satellite transmitter, GPS receiver, motion
sensor, and a dual band patch antenna. The STINGR is a surface mount module designed to attach to a user defined
host PCB which must provide power and communications with a host processor which will control the operation of
the STINGR. All electrical connections are provided via the castellated pads on the perimeter of the PCB.
The STINGR is a small, low-profile device with the dimensions shown below.
Figure 1 (dimensions in inches)

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2Application
2.1 Theory of Operation
The STINGR
operates on the Globalstar LEO satellite network. LEO (Low Earth Orbit) means that there are a number of
satellites in low earth orbit that constan
tly orbit the planet and can communicate with Globalstar devices that are within
range of its current position.
Since the satellite position is constantly changing, simplex devices on the ground will
any of the satellites locations) and
the transmission
relay the message to the nearest satellite
gateway as shown below. Once received by the
message will be delivered to the
simplex gateway where redundant messages are discarded and the data from the
message is sent to the OEM via the Internet.
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operates on the Globalstar LEO satellite network. LEO (Low Earth Orbit) means that there are a number of
tly orbit the planet and can communicate with Globalstar devices that are within
Figure 2 LEO Constellation
Since the satellite position is constantly changing, simplex devices on the ground will
transmit (with no knowledge of
the transmission
may be received by one or more satellites. These satellites will then
gateway as shown below. Once received by the
satellite
simplex gateway where redundant messages are discarded and the data from the
message is sent to the OEM via the Internet.
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operates on the Globalstar LEO satellite network. LEO (Low Earth Orbit) means that there are a number of
tly orbit the planet and can communicate with Globalstar devices that are within
transmit (with no knowledge of
may be received by one or more satellites. These satellites will then
satellite
gateway, the simplex
simplex gateway where redundant messages are discarded and the data from the

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Messages are composed of 1 or more 9-
byte payloads. The
payloads greater than 9 bytes will require multiple on
There are brief periods of time w
here there is no satellite in range of the simplex transmitters due to obstructions
and/or
satellite coverage geometry. Since a simplex device has no way of knowing if a transmitted message has been
successfully received, the STINGR
device is designed to
sent over the Globalstar network. The default value for the number of redundant
means that each message sent to the
STINGR
data payload.
The redundant transmissions
The transmission sequence for a single-
packet message using the default setting of 3 redundant
below.
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Figure 3 implex Messaging
byte payloads. The
STINGR can only transmit 9-
byte on
payloads greater than 9 bytes will require multiple on
-air packets
to be transmitted for each user payload.
here there is no satellite in range of the simplex transmitters due to obstructions
satellite coverage geometry. Since a simplex device has no way of knowing if a transmitted message has been
device is designed to
send
multiple (redundant) transmissions
sent over the Globalstar network. The default value for the number of redundant
transmissions
STINGR
will be transmitted 3 times. E
ach transmission will contain the exact same
The redundant transmissions
of each message will be sent on a randomized 5-
minute
packet message using the default setting of 3 redundant
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byte on
-air messages, so user
to be transmitted for each user payload.
here there is no satellite in range of the simplex transmitters due to obstructions
satellite coverage geometry. Since a simplex device has no way of knowing if a transmitted message has been
multiple (redundant) transmissions
for each message being
transmissions
per message is 3. This
ach transmission will contain the exact same
minute
nominal interval.
packet message using the default setting of 3 redundant
transmissions is shown

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The transmission sequence for a two-
packet message using the default setting of 3 redundant transmissions is shown
below.
For normal conditions where the transmitter has an open view of the sky, this will result in a bett
that the message will be received.
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packet message using the default setting of 3 redundant transmissions is shown
For normal conditions where the transmitter has an open view of the sky, this will result in a bett
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packet message using the default setting of 3 redundant transmissions is shown
For normal conditions where the transmitter has an open view of the sky, this will result in a bett
er than 99% chance

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2.2 Bloc Diagram
The basic elements of a design utilizing the
The STINGR provides a single
power supply input.
required transmit current during RF transmissions.
for the digital, RF and GPS circuitry
. This provides the capability to leave the
when the transmitter RF section
and the GPS section
is only required while the STINGR
is transmitting a data packet.
active transmissions in order to minimize the power consumption of the STINGR.
very low, this supply will
be turned off the majority of the time and only active during the transmission of a pa
to the random nature of the burst transmissions, and open collector output (PWR_EN) is provided by the
can directly control an external
high current supply for
sending a multi-packet message).
This will ensure that the RF power supply
minimum
amount of time to complete each transmission. It may also be monitored by the host to determine when each
burst has been completed without the need to
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The basic elements of a design utilizing the
STINGR simplex transmitter are shown below.
Figure 4
power supply input.
Normally, this will be a high-
current battery which can provide the
required transmit current during RF transmissions.
The STINGR has internal regulators which provide separate power
. This provides the capability to leave the
STINGR
in a low power consumption state
and the GPS section
is idle. The internal
RF power supply is a high power
is transmitting a data packet.
Internal cirucuitry turns this
supply off except during
active transmissions in order to minimize the power consumption of the STINGR.
Since the transmission duty cycle is
be turned off the majority of the time and only active during the transmission of a pa
to the random nature of the burst transmissions, and open collector output (PWR_EN) is provided by the
high current supply for
VBATT (
VBATT can NOT be turned off between bursts when
This will ensure that the RF power supply
high current mode
amount of time to complete each transmission. It may also be monitored by the host to determine when each
burst has been completed without the need to
query the STINGR via the serial host interface.
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current battery which can provide the
The STINGR has internal regulators which provide separate power
in a low power consumption state
RF power supply is a high power
supply which
supply off except during
Since the transmission duty cycle is
be turned off the majority of the time and only active during the transmission of a pa
cket. Due
to the random nature of the burst transmissions, and open collector output (PWR_EN) is provided by the
STINGR which
VBATT can NOT be turned off between bursts when
high current mode
is enabled for the
amount of time to complete each transmission. It may also be monitored by the host to determine when each

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3Physical Charactersistics
Figure 5 Top View

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Figure 6 Recommended PCB footprint layout

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PIN
NAME
TYPE
Description
1
GND
Ground
2
RESERVED
RESERV
ED
Do NOT connect
3
CTS
Output
3.0V Open Collector
, weak internal pull
-
up, may be pulled up to 5V max external
4
RTS
Input
3.0V (
5V tolerant
)
, weak internal pull
-
up
5
RxD
Input
3.0V (
5V tolerant
)
, weak internal pull
-
up
6
TxD
Output
3.0V Open Collector
,
weak internal pull
-
up, may be pulled up to 5V max external
7
Test2
Input
Internal pull-up, ground or use open collector output, no external voltage to be applied
8
Test1
Input
Internal pull-up, ground or use open collector output, no external voltage to be applied
9
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
10
RESET
Input
Only drive with open collector, no external voltage to be applied
11
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
12
GND
Ground
13
GND
Ground
14
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
15
RESERVED
RESERVE
D
Do NOT connect
16
GPS
TxD
Output
5V tolerant, weak internal pull
-
up, may be pulled up to 5V max external
17
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
18
GND
Ground
19
GND
Ground
20
PWR_EN
Output
Open collector output to control VRF supply
21
RESERVED
RESER
VED
Do NOT connect
22
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
23
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
24
GND
Ground
25
VBATT
Power In
3
.0 to 5.
5
Volts
, 400 mA max load @ 3.7V
26
RESERVED
RESERVED
Do NOT connect
27
GND
Ground
Operating Temperature Range -40 to +85°C
VBATT Power upply Operational Range 3.0 to 5.5 Volts
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
VBATT 6.0 Volts
Voltage onTxD,RxD,RT ,CT 5.0 Volts
Operating Modes
Sleep Mode
VBATT is applied, no transmissions are pending, no serial activity
Active Mode
The
STINGR is active and responding to the serial port but is not transmitting
Standby Mode
The STINGR is inactive between transmissions but is not transmitting

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Transmit Mode
The unit is transmitting an RF packet
Parameter
Test Conditions
Min
Typ
Max
Unit
Transmit mode supply current
-
40
-
85º C, V
BATT
=3.
7
volts
425
450
5
0
0
mA
Active mode supply current
25º C, V
BATT
= 3.
7
volts
2.3
2.5
mA
Standby mode supply current
25º C,
VBATT
= 3.
7
volts
12
50
uA
Sleep mode supply current
25º C, Vcc = 3.
7
volts
8
40
uA

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4Reference Design
The reference design presented below illustrates a basic implementation using the STINGR module in conjunction with a
primary battery, USB interface, and test mode switches.
Since the battery is located on the same board as the STINGR, no decoupling capacitor is required on the VBATT input,
however, if there are battery leads, lengthy power distribution, or noise sources present, a suitable decoupling capacitor
might be appropriate. A ceramic XR7 10uF capacitor is usually a good choice.
Switch S1 can be used to initate test modes of operation without using the USB serial interface using the settings shown
in Table 6.1. Select the desired test mode and depress S3 (reset) to execute the selected test mode.
When interfacing to a host processor, replace the USB serial interface with a 3.0 volt serial interface.
The USB interface is powered by the USB bus, however, due to the high peak current requirements of the STINGR during
transmissions, the STINGR is powered by the battery.

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4.1 Schematic

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4.2 PCB
4.3 BOM
Manufacturer Part Number Designator Description Manufacturer Quantity
BC2/3AE BAT Multicell Battery MPD
GRM 55R7 A 04KA0 D C , C3 CAP 0402 CER 00NF 0V X7R +/- 0% MURATAELEC 2
04026D 05KAT2A C2 CAP 0402 CER 00NF 0V X7R +/- 0% AVXCORP
SP0503BAHTG D 3 channel ESD protection diode array Little Fuse
897-43-005-00- 0000 P CONN HDR USB-MINI-D Mill-Max
ERJ-2GEJ 04X R RES 0402 TKF 00K 5% / 6W Panasonic Electronic Components
KAJ02LGGT S DIP Switch, 2 Position, SPST E-Switch
MJTP 7 S3 Single-Pole, Single-Throw Switch Apem Inc.
2350-0339-0 U STINGR Globalstar, Inc.
CP2 02-GMR U2 USB-Serial Interface Silicon Labs

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5Application Programming Interface
5.1 Serial Port
A half-duplex (0-3.0V) TTL asynchronous serial port (UART) is the primary interface to the user equipment. The serial
port operates with the serial parameters of 9600bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit.
The RX data input and the RTS inputs are 5V tolerant. The TX data and CTS outputs are 0-3.0V TTL.
RS232 input levels are not supported. RS232 data must be converted to TTL before being sent to the unit.
Each command from the DTE to the STINGR is sent in a serial packet. Upon receiving the command, the modem answers
to the DTE and, if applicable, executes the command.
In order to wake the STINGR from sleep mode and to indicate the end of the serial packet, each serial packet must be
framed by activating RTS before the first byte of the command and deactivating RTS after the last byte of the command.
5.2 Serial Pac et Mode
This mode is the legacy mode of operation as implemented in the STX2 and STX3 which consists of binary data packets.
Command
Response
RTS
CTS
RxD
TxD
< 125 ms
< 25 ms
1. Lower RTS
2. Wait for CTS to go low
3. Send Command to STINGR
4. Raise RTS
5. STINGR raises CTS
6. STINGR sends response
STINGR pins Host pins
TxD
RxD

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5.2.1 Serial Pac et Format
Preamble
Fixed pattern 0xAA
Length
Total number of bytes in the serial packet including the preamble
Command
Command type (See Table 5 Serial Packet Type). Responses to
commands carry the same command type as the command that
initiated the answer
Data
Data associated with the command or answer
CRC
16 bit CRC
5.2.2 STX3 Legacy
Serial Pac et Commands
For all serial packet commands
as described below:
•AA is the Preamble.
•NN is the Length.
•XX is an unspecified byte value
•CL B is the least significant CRC
byte
•CM B is the most significant CRC
byte
•If an impr
operly formatted command is received, the
5.2.2.1 Send Data (0x00)
The Send Data command requests the
STINGR
0x00
Leader Len cmd
AA NN 00
Example Command: AA 0E 00
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
Response: AA 05 00 D9 C4
The example above commands the STINGR
the STINGR
receives a properly formatted Send Data command, it returns an acknowledge response as shown above. If
the command is not properly formatted, it will return the NAK response
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Fixed pattern 0xAA
Total number of bytes in the serial packet including the preamble
Command type (See Table 5 Serial Packet Type). Responses to
commands carry the same command type as the command that
initiated the answer
Data associated with the command or answer
16 bit CRC
Figure 7 erial Packet Format
Serial Pac et Commands
as described below:
byte
byte
operly formatted command is received, the
STINGR
will return a NAK response:
AA 05 FF A1 CB
STINGR
to send from 1 to 144 data bytes over the Globalstar Simplex network.
pa
yload
1
payload
2
payload
3 ..
payload
XX XX XX XX
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
BE E8
to send 9 bytes of user defined data over t
he Globalstar Simplex network.
receives a properly formatted Send Data command, it returns an acknowledge response as shown above. If
the command is not properly formatted, it will return the NAK response
AA 05 FF A1 CB.
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Total number of bytes in the serial packet including the preamble
Command type (See Table 5 Serial Packet Type). Responses to
commands carry the same command type as the command that
will return a NAK response:
to send from 1 to 144 data bytes over the Globalstar Simplex network.
payload
N CRC1 CRC2
XX
CLSB CMSB
he Globalstar Simplex network.
If
receives a properly formatted Send Data command, it returns an acknowledge response as shown above. If

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5.2.2.2 Query Electronic Serial Number (ESN) (0x01)
The Electronic Serial Number command requests the STINGR to respond with the units Electronic Serial Number (ESN).
0x01
Leader Len Cmd CRC1 CRC2
AA 05 01 50 D5
Command: AA 05 01 50 D5
Response:
Leader len Cmd ESN CRC1 CRC2
AA 09 01 XX XX XX XX
86 7A
Example Response: AA 09 01 00 23 18 60 86 7A
Where the ESN returned is 2300000.
5.2.2.3 Abort Tran mi ion (0x03)
The Abort Transmission command requests the STINGR to abort the current message transmit sequence over the
Globalstar Simplex network.
0x03
Leader len Cmd CRC1 CRC2
AA 05 03 42 F6
Command: AA 05 03 42 F6
Response: AA 05 03 42 F6
5.2.2.4 Query Bur t Remaining (0x04)
The Query Bursts Remaining command requests the STINGR to return the current number of bursts remaining the
current message transmit sequence over the Globalstar Simplex network.
0x04
Leader len cmd CRC1 CRC2
AA 05 04 FD 82
Command: AA 06 04 00 F4 33

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Response:
Leader Len 04 count CRC1 CRC2
AA 05 04 XX CC CC
Example Response: AA 06 04 00 F4 33
Where the bursts remaining returned is: 0
5.2.2.5 Query Firmware Ver ion (0x05)
The Query Firmware Version command requests the STINGR to return the current firmware version.
0x05
Leader Len cmd CRC1 CRC2
AA 05 05 74 93
Command: AA 05 05 74 93
Response:
Leader Len 4 FW major FW minor CRC1 CRC2
AA 7 5 XX XX CC CC
Example Response: AA 07 05 01 07 E0 6A
Where the firmware version returned is: 1.7
5.2.2.6 Setup (0x06)
The Setup command requests the STINGR to use the specified current setup parameters. These are stored in non-
volatile memory.
0x06
Command:
header len 04 RF channel # of Bursts Interval Min Interval Max RESERVED CRC1 CRC2
AA 0E 06 XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX XX CC CC
RESERVED

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Where:
•RF channel : Valid values are: 0 = Channel A, 1 = Channel B, 2 = Channel C, 3 = Channel D
•# of bursts: Valid values are: 0x01 thru x14 (1 to 20 bursts)
•Minimum Burst Interval: Units of 5 seconds. Valid values are: 0x01 thru 0x3C (5 to 300 seconds)
•Maximum Burst Interval: Units of 5 seconds. Valid values are: 0x02 thru 0x78 (10 to 600 seconds)
Example Command: AA 0E 06 00 00 00 00 00 03 18 30 00 CE 9C
Where the setup information is:
•RF channel : 00 Channel A
•# of bursts: 03 3 bursts per message
•Minimum Burst Interval: 18 0x18 = 24, 24 x 5 = 120 seconds
•Maximum Burst Interval: 30 0x30 = 48, 48 x 5 = 240 seconds
5.2.2.7 Query Setup (0x07)
The Query Setup command requests the STINGR to return the current setup parameters.
0x07
Leader len cmd CRC1 CRC2
AA 05 07 66 B0
Command: AA 05 07 66 B0
Response:
Leader len cmd RESERVED
RF
channel
# of
Bursts
Interval
Min
Interval
Max RESERVED CRC1 CRC2
AA 0E 07 XX XX XX XX
XX XX XX XX XX 18 59
Where:
•RF channel : Valid values are: 0 = Channel A, 1 = Channel B, 2 = Channel C, 3 = Channel D
•# of bursts: Valid values are: 0x01 thru x14 (1 to 20 bursts)
•Minimum Burst Interval: Units of 5 seconds. Valid values are: 0x01 thru 0x3C (5 to 300 seconds)
•Maximum Burst Interval: Units of 5 seconds. Valid values are: 0x02 thru 0x78 (10 to 600 seconds)
Example Response: AA 0E 07 00 23 18 60 00 03 18 30 00 5D 60