NAL A3LA-RG User manual

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Model A3LA-RG User Guide
Version B
April 06, 2022
451-93156-009B

A3LA-RG Guide Version B
Document Number: 451-93156-009B 2 of 180
LEGAL DISCLAIMER AND CONDITION OF USE
This document contains information for the A3LA-RG modem and accompanying accessories
(“Product”), which are provided “as is.” Reasonable effort has been made to make the
information in this document reliable and consistent with specifications, test measurements and
other information. However, NAL Research Corporation and its affiliated companies, directors,
officers, employees, agents, trustees or consultants (“NAL Research”) assume no responsibility
for any typographical, technical, content or other inaccuracies in this document. NAL Research
reserves the right in its sole discretion and without notice to you to change Product specifications
and materials and/or revise this document or withdraw it at any time. User assumes the full risk
of using the Product specifications and any other information provided.
NAL Research makes no representations, guarantees, conditions or warranties, either express
or implied, including without limitation, any implied representations, guarantees, conditions or
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, satisfactory
quality, non-interference, accuracy of informational content, or arising from a course of dealing,
law, usage, or trade practice, use, or related to the performance or nonperformance of any
products, accessories, facilities or services or information except as expressly stated in this guide
and/or the Product and/or satellite service documentation. Any other standards of performance,
guarantees, conditions and warranties are hereby expressly excluded and disclaimed to the
fullest extent permitted by the law. This disclaimer and exclusion shall apply even if the express
limited warranty contained in this guide or such documentation fails of its essential purpose.
In no event shall NAL Research be liable, whether in contract or tort or any other legal theory,
including without limitation strict liability, gross negligence or negligence, for any damages in
excess of the purchase price of the Product, including any direct, indirect, incidental, special or
consequential damages of any kind, or loss of revenue or profits, loss of business, loss of privacy,
loss of use, loss of time or inconvenience, loss of information or data, software or applications or
other financial loss caused by the Product (including hardware, software and/or firmware) and/or
the Iridium satellite, or arising out of or in connection with the ability or inability to use the
Product (including hardware, software and/or firmware) and/or the Iridium satellite to the fullest
extent these damages may be disclaimed by law and whether advised of the possibilities of such
damages. NAL Research is not liable for any claim made by a third party or made by you for a
third party.

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Document Number: 451-93156-009B 3 of 180
REVISION HISTORY
Revision
Date
Description
1.3
8/2/16
Initial version
A
5/20/20
Added revision history; added AT^VOLB command; updated
address; and updated document number
A.1
07/14/2021
Updated to new template
B
04/06/2022
Formal release

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Document Number: 451-93156-009B 4 of 180
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The latest revisions of the NAL documents are available from the NAL Research website at
https://www.nalresearch.com/support/documentation-downloads/.
Reference
Title
Revision/Date
[1]
A3LA-RG Product Information
[2]
Getting Started With Model A3LA-RG
Version 1.1, 04/08/2013
[3]
SatTerm Software Manual (451-94000-001A)
Version A, 2022
[4]
Additional Information on DirectIP SBD
Version 1.0, 05/22/2009
[5]
Additional Information on SBD
Version 3.3, 05/22/2009
[6]
V.25ter
08/29/1995
[7]
GSM 07.07
Version 5.0.0, July 1996
[8]
GSM 07.05
Version 5.0.0, July 1996
[9]
GSM 02.88
Version 5.0.0, November 1996
[10]
GSM 02.30
Version 5.3.0, July 1996
[11]
GSM 02.83
Version 5.0.0, November 1996
[12]
GSM 04.08
Version 5.3.0, July 1996
[13]
GSM 04.11
Version 5.1.0, March 1996
[14]
GSM 03.40
Version 5.3.0, July 1996
[15]
GSM 03.41
Version 5.3.0, July 1996
[16]
GSM 02.82
Version 5.0.0, December 1995
[17]
3GPP TS 27.007
02/09/2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1Introduction............................................................................................................... 19
2Multi-interface Connector.......................................................................................... 21
2.1 RS232 Data Interface (Standard 9-Wire Configuration) ..................................................... 22
2.2 RS232 Data Interface (3-Wire Configuration)..................................................................... 22
2.3 DC Power Input................................................................................................................... 24
2.4 Power On/Off Control......................................................................................................... 25
2.5 Audio Interface ................................................................................................................... 26
2.6 Digital Peripheral Link (DPL)................................................................................................ 26
3Iridium Antenna Connector ........................................................................................ 27
4GPS Antenna Connector ............................................................................................. 29
5SIM Card Interface ..................................................................................................... 30
6LED Display ................................................................................................................ 31
7Configuration Settings................................................................................................ 32
8Modes of Operation................................................................................................... 33
9AES-256 Bit Encryption............................................................................................... 34
10 Self-monitoring to Prevent Modem Lock-up ............................................................... 35
11 Mounting Recommendations ..................................................................................... 36
12 Technical Support ...................................................................................................... 37
Appendix A: AT Interface..................................................................................................... 38
A.1 Command Types ................................................................................................................. 38
A.2 Basic Commands................................................................................................................. 38
A.3 Extended Commands.......................................................................................................... 38
A.4 Command and Response Characters.................................................................................. 40
A.5 Command Entry .................................................................................................................. 40
A.6 Command Responses.......................................................................................................... 42
A.7 Hardware Failure Reporting................................................................................................ 42
Appendix B: Command Set Description................................................................................ 43
B.1 AT –Attention Code............................................................................................................ 43
B.2 A/ –Repeat Last Command ................................................................................................ 43
B.3 +++ –Escape Sequence....................................................................................................... 43
B.4 En –Echo............................................................................................................................. 43

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B.5 On –Online ......................................................................................................................... 43
B.6 Qn –Quiet Mode ................................................................................................................ 43
B.7 Vn –Verbose Mode ............................................................................................................ 44
B.8 Wn –Error Correction Message Control ............................................................................ 44
B.9 Zn –Soft Reset .................................................................................................................... 44
B.10 &Cn –DCD Option............................................................................................................... 44
B.11 &Dn –DTR Option............................................................................................................... 44
B.12 &Fn –Restore Factory Settings........................................................................................... 45
B.13 &Kn –Flow Control............................................................................................................. 45
B.14 &Mn –Asynchronous/Synchronous Mode......................................................................... 45
B.15 &Qn –Sync/Async Mode .................................................................................................... 45
B.16 &Sn –DSR Override ............................................................................................................ 46
B.17 &V –View Active and Stored Configuration....................................................................... 46
B.18 &Wn –Store Active Configuration...................................................................................... 46
B.19 &Yn –Designate Default Reset Profile ............................................................................... 46
B.20 \Kn –Control Break............................................................................................................. 47
B.21 %R –Display Registers ........................................................................................................ 47
B.22 *Pn –Power ........................................................................................................................ 47
B.23 +CBST –Select Bearer Service Type.................................................................................... 47
B.24 +CGMI –Manufacturer Identification ................................................................................ 48
B.25 +CGMM –Model Identification .......................................................................................... 49
B.26 +CGMR –Revision............................................................................................................... 49
B.27 +CGSN –Serial Number ...................................................................................................... 49
B.28 +CMEE –Report Mobile Equipment Error.......................................................................... 49
B.29 +CPAS –Modem Activity Status ......................................................................................... 51
B.30 +CR –Service Reporting Control......................................................................................... 51
B.31 +DS –Set Data Compression Function................................................................................ 52
B.32 +DR –Data Compression Report Level ............................................................................... 53
B.33 +CEER –Extended Error Report.......................................................................................... 54
B.34 +CHUP –Hangup call........................................................................................................... 54
B.35 +CMGD –Delete SMS Message .......................................................................................... 54
B.36 +CMGF –SMS Message Format.......................................................................................... 57

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B.37 +CMGL –List SMS Messages............................................................................................... 57
B.38 +CMGR –Read SMS Message............................................................................................. 58
B.39 +CMGS –Send SMS Message.............................................................................................. 59
B.40 +CMGW –Write SMS Message To Memory....................................................................... 59
B.41 +CMOD –Call Mode............................................................................................................ 60
B.42 +CNMI –New SMS Message Indications to DTE................................................................. 60
B.43 +COPS –Operator Select .................................................................................................... 62
B.44 +CPBF –Find Phonebook Entries........................................................................................ 64
B.45 +CPBR –Read Phonebook Entries ...................................................................................... 64
B.46 +CPBS –Select Phonebook Storage.................................................................................... 65
B.47 +CPBW –Write Phonebook Entry....................................................................................... 65
B.48 +CPIN –Enter PIN................................................................................................................ 66
B.49 +CPMS –Select Preferred SMS Message Storage .............................................................. 67
B.50 +CREG –Network Registration ........................................................................................... 68
B.51 +CSCA –SMS Service Center Address................................................................................. 69
B.52 +CSCB –Select Cell Broadcast Message Types ................................................................... 70
B.53 +CSCS –Select TE Character Set ......................................................................................... 70
B.54 +CSMS –Select SMS Message Service................................................................................ 70
B.55 +CSTA –Select Type of Address.......................................................................................... 71
B.56 +GMI –Manufacturer Identification................................................................................... 72
B.57 +GMM –Model Identification ............................................................................................ 72
B.58 +GMR –Revision................................................................................................................. 72
B.59 +GSN –Serial Number......................................................................................................... 72
B.60 +GCAP –General Capabilities ............................................................................................. 72
B.61 A –Answer .......................................................................................................................... 72
B.62 D –Dial................................................................................................................................ 73
B.62.1 D> –Direct Dial From Phonebook................................................................................ 73
B.63 Hn –Hangup........................................................................................................................ 74
B.64 S0=n –Auto-Answer ........................................................................................................... 74
B.65 Xn –Extended Result Codes ............................................................................................... 74
B.66 +CLVL –Volume Level Control............................................................................................ 75
B.67 +CMUT –Mute Control....................................................................................................... 76

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B.68 +CRC –Cellular Result Codes .............................................................................................. 76
B.69 +CVHU –Voice Hangup Control.......................................................................................... 77
B.70 +CCLK –Real-Time Clock..................................................................................................... 77
B.71 –MSVTS –DTMF Generation in Voice Call.......................................................................... 78
B.72 –MSVTR –DTMF Received in Voice Call ............................................................................. 79
B.73 –MSVLS –Local DTMF Feedback Selection......................................................................... 79
B.74 –MSSTM –Request System Time ....................................................................................... 80
B.75 –MSGEO –Request Geolocation ........................................................................................ 81
B.76 +CCFC –Call Forward Service.............................................................................................. 82
B.77 +CLCC –Request Current Call Status .................................................................................. 83
B.78 +CNUM –Read MSISDN Numbers...................................................................................... 84
B.79 +CSSSC –Supplementary Services Short Code ................................................................... 84
B.80 +WIRLP –Iridium Radio Link Protocol ................................................................................ 84
B.81 +WFRNG –Force IRLP Renegotiation ................................................................................. 86
B.82 +WTM –IRLP Test Mode..................................................................................................... 87
B.83 +WDLDM –IRLP Dynamic Link Delay Measurement.......................................................... 87
B.84 +WDAV –Register or Deregister an RS232 DAV Data Peripheral....................................... 88
B.85 +SBDWB –Short Burst Data: Write Binary Data................................................................. 88
B.86 +SBDRB –Short Burst Data: Read Binary Data ................................................................... 89
B.87 +SBDRT –Short Burst Data: Read Text Message................................................................ 90
B.88 +SBDD –Short Burst Data: Clear SBD Message Buffer(s)................................................... 91
B.89 +SBDC –Short Burst Data: Clear SBD MOMSN................................................................... 91
B.90 +SBDS –Short Burst Data: Status........................................................................................ 92
B.91 +SBDTC –Short Burst Data: Transfer MO Buffer to MT Buffer .......................................... 92
B.92 +CAR –Audio Output Control............................................................................................. 93
B.93 In –Identification................................................................................................................ 93
B.94 +CIER –Indicator Event Reporting...................................................................................... 94
B.95 +CRIS –Ring Indication Status ............................................................................................ 96
B.96 +CSQ[F] –Signal Quality...................................................................................................... 96
B.97 +CULK –Unlock................................................................................................................... 97
B.98 +CVMI –Voicemail Indication............................................................................................. 98
B.99 +CICCID –Read ICC ID from SIM ......................................................................................... 99

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B.100 +CLIP –Calling Line Identification Presentation ................................................................. 99
B.101 +CLIR –Calling Line Identification Restriction .................................................................. 100
B.102 +IPR –Fixed DTE Rate ....................................................................................................... 101
B.103 +SBDWT –Short Burst Data: Write a Text Message......................................................... 102
B.104 +SBDDET –Short Burst Data: Detach................................................................................ 103
B.105 +SBDI –Short Burst Data: Initiate an SBD Session............................................................ 104
B.106 +SBDIX[A] –Short Burst Data: Initiate an SBD Session Extended..................................... 105
B.107 +SBDDSC –Short Burst Data: Delivery Short Code........................................................... 108
B.108 +SBDMTA –Short Burst Data: Mobile-Terminated Alert ................................................. 109
B.109 +SBDREG –Short Burst Data: Network Registration ........................................................ 109
B.110 +SBDAREG –Short Burst Data: Automatic Registration................................................... 112
B.111 +SBDSX –Short Burst Data: Status Extended ................................................................... 114
B.112 +CCWA –Call Waiting Service........................................................................................... 115
B.113 +CLCK –Facility Lock ......................................................................................................... 117
B.114 +CPWD –Change Password.............................................................................................. 120
B.115 +CSDT –Sidetone.............................................................................................................. 121
B.116 +CDSI –Report SMS Status ............................................................................................... 122
B.117 +PA –GPS: List of NMEA Message Formats...................................................................... 123
B.118 +PD –GPS: UTC Date......................................................................................................... 124
B.119 +PG –GPS: GPS Automatically Sent.................................................................................. 124
B.120 +PL –GPS: Display Position to 4th Decimal Place............................................................. 125
B.121 +PLOC –GPS: Display Position to 5th Decimal Place........................................................ 126
B.122 +PT –GPS: UTC Time......................................................................................................... 127
B.123 +PV –GPS: Basic GPS Velocity .......................................................................................... 127
B.124 +PVEL –GPS: GPS Velocity................................................................................................ 128
B.125 ^AA –Auto Answer Display............................................................................................... 129
B.126 ^AD –Auto Dial................................................................................................................. 129
B.127 ^ADR –Auto Dial Retry ..................................................................................................... 129
B.128 ^CCOP –Change Crypto Officer Password (Encryption)................................................... 130
B.129 ^CMGEC –Clear SMS Encrypted Storage ......................................................................... 130
B.130 ^FFW –Flash Firmware..................................................................................................... 130
B.131 ^KD –Key for Decryption (Encryption)............................................................................. 130

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B.132 ^KE –Key for Encryption (Encryption).............................................................................. 131
B.133 ^KZ –Key Zeroization (Encryption)................................................................................... 132
B.134 ^MODRSTn –Modem Reset Information Message Displayed ......................................... 132
B.135 ^MPTDC- Modem Power Toggle Data Connection........................................................... 132
B.136 ^MPTFP- Modem Power Toggle Forced Power-cycle....................................................... 133
B.137 ^MPTFR- Modem Power Toggle Forced Registration....................................................... 133
B.138 ^MPTNC- Modem Power Toggle Not in Data Connection................................................ 134
B.139 ^MSB –Motion Sensor Begin ........................................................................................... 135
B.140 ^PKTS –Use Packets ......................................................................................................... 135
B.141 ^PKTST –Packet Send Timer............................................................................................. 136
B.142 ^PKTRT –Packet Resend Timer......................................................................................... 136
B.143 ^PKTTH –Packet Send Threshold ..................................................................................... 137
B.144 ^RESETMODEMTG –Reset Modem Toggle...................................................................... 137
B.145 ^RESETMODEMVF –Reset Modem Verify........................................................................ 137
B.146 ^RLE –Use Run Length Encoding...................................................................................... 138
B.147 ^SE –Configure Streaming Encryption ............................................................................. 138
B.148 ^SMSD –SMS Delete ........................................................................................................ 139
B.149 ^SMSE –SMS Erase........................................................................................................... 139
B.150 ^SMSR –SMS Read ........................................................................................................... 139
B.151 ^SSI –Send Start-Up Information..................................................................................... 140
B.152 Do not display the start-up information........................................................................... 140
B.152 ^STR –Self Test Run (Encryption)..................................................................................... 140
B.153 ^UE –Use Encryption........................................................................................................ 140
B.154 ^VOLB –Volume Boost ..................................................................................................... 141
Appendix C: S-Register Definitions..................................................................................... 142
C.1 S-Register Commands....................................................................................................... 142
C.1.1 Sr –Direct S-Register Reference....................................................................................... 142
C.1.2 Sr? –Direct S-Register Read............................................................................................. 142
C.1.3 Sr=n –Direct S-Register Write.......................................................................................... 142
C.1.4 ? –Referenced S-Register Read ....................................................................................... 142
C.1.5 =n –Referenced S-Register Write .................................................................................... 142
C.2 Standard S-Registers......................................................................................................... 143

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C.3 Iridium-Specific S-Register Extensions.............................................................................. 145
Appendix D: Summary of Result Codes .............................................................................. 149
Appendix E: Informative Examples..................................................................................... 152
E.1 Unit Identification............................................................................................................. 152
E.2 Setting the Default Configuration..................................................................................... 152
E.3 Power-on to Sending an SBD Message............................................................................. 153
E.4 SBD Automatic Notification Registration.......................................................................... 154
E.5 SBD Automatic Notification Message Reception.............................................................. 154
E.6 SBD Automatic Notification Automatic Registration........................................................ 155
E.7 Originating a Data Call ...................................................................................................... 155
E.8 Answering a Data Call ....................................................................................................... 156
E.9 Disconnecting a Data Call ................................................................................................. 156
E.10 Coordinating +CLCC and +CPAS Responses ...................................................................... 157
Appendix F: Power Consumption....................................................................................... 159
Appendix G: The Iridium Network...................................................................................... 166
G.1 Iridium Network Data Capabilities.................................................................................... 167
G.2 Dial-up Data Service.......................................................................................................... 168
G.3 Direct Internet Connection............................................................................................... 170
G.4 Short Burst Data (SBD)...................................................................................................... 171
G.5 Short Messaging Service (SMS)......................................................................................... 171
G.6 RUDICS .............................................................................................................................. 172
G.7 Iridium Geolocation .......................................................................................................... 172
Appendix H: Standards Compliance ................................................................................... 174
Appendix I: Export Compliance.......................................................................................... 176
Appendix J: Design Specifications ...................................................................................... 177
J.1 Mechanical Specifications................................................................................................. 177
J.2 RF Specifications ............................................................................................................... 177
J.3 Electrical Specifications..................................................................................................... 177
J.4 Environmental Specifications ........................................................................................... 178
J.5 Data I/O Specifications...................................................................................................... 178
J.6 Related Hardware ............................................................................................................. 178
Appendix K: GPS Receiver Specifications............................................................................ 179

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Appendix L: Mechanical Drawing....................................................................................... 180

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TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Iridium Satellite Modem A3LA-RG................................................................................. 19
Figure 2: Multi-Interface Connector............................................................................................. 21
Figure 3: Power Input Setting for the A3LA-RG............................................................................ 24
Figure 4: A3LA-RG Connected to a DPL Handset via the HRC-24-8R............................................ 26
Figure 5: SAF7352-IG..................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 6: Location of the SIM Reader ........................................................................................... 30
Figure 7: Iridium Satellite Modem A3LA-RG................................................................................. 31
Figure 8: Average Current Drawn During Standby ..................................................................... 160
Figure 9: Average Power Consumption During Standby ............................................................ 160
Figure 10: Average Current Drawn During Standby with DPL Handset...................................... 161
Figure 11: Average Power Consumption During Standby with DPL Handset............................. 161
Figure 12: Average Current Drawn During a Data Switch Call.................................................... 162
Figure 13: Average Power Consumption During a Data Switch Call........................................... 162
Figure 14: Average Current Drawn During an SBD Transmission............................................... 163
Figure 15: Average Power Consumption During an SBD Transmission...................................... 163
Figure 16: Average Current Drawn During an SMS Transmission .............................................. 164
Figure 17: Average Power Consumption During an SMS Transmission ..................................... 164
Figure 18: Average Current Drawn During a Voice Call Using DPL Handset .............................. 165
Figure 19: Average Power Consumption During a Voice Call Using DPL Handset ..................... 165
Figure 20: Iridium Network Major Components ........................................................................ 166
Figure 21: Iridium Network Data Capabilities............................................................................. 168
Figure 22: PSTN Dial-up Connectivity ......................................................................................... 169
Figure 23: Iridium Dial-up Data Service ...................................................................................... 170
Figure 24: Certificate of Compliance .......................................................................................... 175
Figure 25: AL3A-RG Mechanical Drawing ................................................................................... 180

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TABLE OF TABLES
Table 1: Pin Assignment for the Multi-interface Connector......................................................... 21
Table 2: General RF Parameters ................................................................................................... 27
Table 3: Antenna Specifications.................................................................................................... 27
Table 4: Numeric and Verbose Mode Formats............................................................................. 42
Table 5: Standard S-Registers ..................................................................................................... 143
Table 6: Iridium-Specific S-Register Extensions.......................................................................... 145
Table 7: V.25ter/Hayes Result Codes.......................................................................................... 149
Table 8: GSM 7.07 Result Codes ................................................................................................. 150
Table 9: GSM 7.05 Result Codes ................................................................................................. 151
Table 10: Iridium-Specific Result Codes...................................................................................... 151
Table 11: Unit Identification ....................................................................................................... 152
Table 12: Default Configuration.................................................................................................. 152
Table 13: Power-on to Sending an SBD Message ....................................................................... 153
Table 14: SBD Automatic Notification Registration.................................................................... 154
Table 15: SBD Automatic Notification Message Reception........................................................ 154
Table 16: SBD Automatic Notification Automatic Registration.................................................. 155
Table 17: Example of Making a Data Call.................................................................................... 156
Table 18: Commands to Accept Mobile-Terminated Data Calls................................................. 156
Table 19: Disconnect a Data Call................................................................................................. 156
Table 20: Coordinating +CLCC and +CPAS Responses ................................................................ 157

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ACRONYM LIST
3GPP...........................3rd Generation Partnership Project
AES .............................Advanced Encryption Standard
ASCII ...........................American Standard Code for Information Interchange
AT ...............................Two-letter sequence starting a string of modem commands. The AT is
intended to get the modem’s attention prior to executing a command.
BIS ..............................Bureau of Industry and Security
bps..............................bits per second
C/A..............................Coarse/Acquisition
CE ...............................Conformité Européenne
CEP .............................Circular Error Probable
CLI...............................Calling Line Identity
CTS..............................Clear To Send
DAV ............................Data After Voice
DC...............................direct current
DCD ............................Data Carrier Detect
DCE.............................Data Circuit-terminating Equipment
DCS.............................Distributed Control Systems
DoD ............................Department of Defense
DPL .............................Digital Peripheral Link
DSN.............................Defense Switch Network
DSR.............................Data Set Ready
DTE .............................Data Terminal Equipment
DTMF..........................Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency
DTR.............................Data Terminal Ready
EAR.............................Export Administration Regulations
EGNOS........................European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service
EMI .............................Electromagnetic Interference
EMSS ..........................Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services
ETSI.............................European Telecommunications Standards Institute

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FCC .............................Federal Communications Commission
FDMA .........................Frequency-Division Multiple Access
GMT............................Greenwich Mean Time
GND............................Ground
GPRS...........................General Packet Radio Service
GPS.............................Global Positioning System
GSM............................Global System for Mobile Communications
ICCID...........................Integrated Circuit Card Identifier
IMEI ............................International Mobile Equipment Identification
I/O ..............................Input/output
IP ................................Internet Protocol
IRLP.............................Iridium Radio Link Protocol
ISU ..............................Iridium subscriber unit (modems, phones, trackers)
LAN.............................Local Area Network
LBT..............................L-Band Transceiver
LCD .............................Liquid Crystal Display
LED .............................Light Emitting Diode
ME ..............................Mobile Equipment
MO .............................Mobile Originated
MOMSN......................Mobile Originated Message Sequence Number
ms...............................Millisecond
MS ..............................Mobile Station
MSAS ..........................Multifunctional Transport Satellites (MTSAT) Satellite Augmentation
System (Japanese SBAS)
MT ..............................Mobile Terminated
MTMSN ......................Mobile Terminated Message Sequence Number
NIPRNet......................Non-classified Internet Protocol Router Network
NMEA .........................National Marine Electronics Association
NOC ............................Network Operation Center
OFAC...........................Office of Foreign Asset Controls

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PCM............................Pulse-Code Modulation
PDU ............................Protocol Data Unit
PIN..............................Personal Identification Number
PPP .............................Point-to-Point Protocol
PSTN...........................Public Switched Telephone Network
PUK.............................Personal Unblocking Key
RA...............................Ring Alert
RF................................Radio Frequency
RHCP...........................Right-Handed Circular Polarization
RI ................................Ring Indicate
RP ...............................Relay Protocol
RTS..............................Request To Send
RUDICS .......................Router-based Unrestricted Digital Internetworking Connectivity Solution
Satterm.......................Satellite Terminal Emulator Software
SBAS ...........................Satellite-Based Augmentation System
SBD.............................Short-Burst Data
SC................................Service Centre
SIM .............................Subscriber Identification Module
SM ..............................Short Message
SMA............................SubMiniature version A
SME ............................Short Message Entity
SMS ............................Short Message Service
SMSC ..........................Short Message Service Center
TBR .............................Time Between Reports
TCP .............................Transmission Control Protocol
TDD.............................time-division duplex
TDMA .........................Time-Division Multiple Access
TE................................Terminal Equipment
TNC.............................Threaded Neill–Concelman
TP-DCS........................Transfer Protocol Data Coding Scheme

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TPDU ..........................Transfer Protocol Data Unit
TP-PID.........................Transfer Protocol Identifier
TS................................Technical Specification
UART...........................Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter
UTC.............................Coordinated Universal Time
VDC.............................Volts (Direct Current)
VSWR..........................Voltage Standing Wave Ratio
WAAS .........................Wide Area Augmentation System
XID..............................Exchange Identifier

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1INTRODUCTION
This document describes the electrical and mechanical interfaces of the A3LA-RG. Model A3LA-
RG is an Iridium satellite modem comprising a 9523 L-band transceiver (LBT) and a built-in u-
blox MAX-6Q GPS receiver. The A3LA-RG has an internal microcontroller programmed to
monitor the modem’s connectivity status to prevent hardware lock-up. It is designed to
transmit either AES 256-bit encrypted or unencrypted data (but not voice) via the Iridium
satellite network. Similar to a standard landline modem, the A3LA-RG can be controlled by any
data terminal equipment (DTE) capable of sending standard AT commands via an RS232 serial
port. A DTE can be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, or even a
microcontroller. With the exception of a smaller form-factor, model A3LA-RG is functionally
compatible with the A3LA-XG. Model A3LA-RG-MIL is an A3LA-RG that has been certified to
MIL-STD-810G standards and IP67 rating.
Services supported include:
1. Dial-up data switch
2. Direct internet connection (or NIPRNET connection)
3. Direct internet connection using Apollo Emulator (only for DoD EMSS Gateway)
4. Short message service (SMS)
5. Short burst data (SBD)
6. Router-based unrestricted digital internetworking connectivity solution (RUDICS)
7. Voice when combined with the DPL audio handset
Figure 1: Iridium Satellite Modem A3LA-RG
SIM Reader under the Lid
DB25 Multi-interface
Connector
SMA GPS Connector
TNC Iridium Connector

A3LA-RG Guide Version B
Document Number: 451-93156-009B 20 of 180
Important: Do not disassemble the A3LA-RG for repair or services. The warranty is voided if the
A3LA-RG is disassembled. Return it to NAL Research for any services or firmware upgrade.
Important: GPS antenna should only be connected to the A3LA-RG when it is not powered. Do
not connect or disconnect the GPS antenna while A3LA-RG is powered. The internal GPS
receiver calibrates the noise-floor when the device is turned on; connecting the GPS antenna
after power-up can result in prolonged acquisition time. To test GPS signal reacquisition,
physically block the signal to the antenna rather than disconnect and reconnect the antenna.
Important: Never feed supply voltage into the active GPS antenna. Always use the bias voltage
supplied by the A3LA-RG SMA antenna connector to power an active GPS antenna. Feeding
voltage to the GPS antenna other than the provided bias voltage will permanently damage the
A3LA-RG.