ORBCOMM OG2 Use and care manual

ORBCOMM Generation 2
(OG2) Modem Consolidated
Operational Description
Document Number:
Revision: Initial
Date: October 27, 2015

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual ii
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ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual iii
Document History
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Issued By
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Comments
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ORBCOMM
October 2015
Initial

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual iv
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................................. 6
1.1 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................................................................6
2. PHYSICAL DESIGN........................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 MODULE DIMENSIONS.........................................................................................................................................7
2.2 INTERFACE.........................................................................................................................................................8
2.2.1 User Connector Pin Description Table....................................................................................................8
2.2.2 User Connector Mechanical Information .............................................................................................10
2.2.3 Board Connection.................................................................................................................................12
2.2.4 RF Connections.....................................................................................................................................12
3. RADIO FREQUENCY SECTION ........................................................................................................................ 14
3.1 VHF TRANSMITTER ...........................................................................................................................................15
3.1.1 Transmit Modulation ...........................................................................................................................15
3.1.2 Output Power.......................................................................................................................................15
3.1.3 Output Power Variance........................................................................................................................15
3.1.4 Transmitter Power ...............................................................................................................................15
3.1.5 Frequency Control ................................................................................................................................16
3.1.6 Transmit Frequency .............................................................................................................................16
3.1.7 Occupied Bandwidth ............................................................................................................................16
3.1.8 Transmitter Designator........................................................................................................................16
3.2 VHF RECEIVER .................................................................................................................................................17
3.2.1 Receive Modulation .............................................................................................................................17
3.2.2 Minimum Detectable Signal.................................................................................................................17
3.2.3 Acquisition Frequency Range ...............................................................................................................17
4. POWER SUPPLY ............................................................................................................................................ 17
4.1 POWER USAGE PROFILE .....................................................................................................................................17
4.2 VARIATIONS IN INPUT POWER .............................................................................................................................18
4.3 DIP,INTERRUPTIONS,SURGES,FAST TRANSIENTS ....................................................................................................19
4.3.1 Dip & Interruptions ..............................................................................................................................19
4.3.2 Fast Transients.....................................................................................................................................20
5. ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS AND COMPLIANCE ................................................................................ 21
5.1 OPERATIONAL TEMPERATURE..............................................................................................................................21

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual v
List of Figures
FIGURE 2-2 BOARD DIMENSIONS ...............................................................................................................................11
FIGURE 2-3 BOARD INSERTION ANGLE .......................................................................................................................12
FIGURE 2-4 CONNECTOR LOCATION...........................................................................................................................13
FIGURE 2-1 MODEM BLOCK DIAGRAM........................................................................................................................14
FIGURE 3-1 RF OUTPUT POWER VS. INPUT VOLTAGE .................................................................................................16
FIGURE 4-1 MAXIMUM INPUT CURRENT VS INPUT VOLTAGE....................................................................................18
FIGURE 4-2 INPUT VOLTAGE RISE TIMES .....................................................................................................................19
FIGURE 5-3 VOLTAGE FALL TIMES VS. INPUT POWER SWITCHED OFF........................................................................20
List of Tables
TABLE 2-1 PIN DEFINITION..........................................................................................................................................10
TABLE 2-2 U. FL CONNECTORS....................................................................................................................................13
TABLE 5-1 ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIFICATIONS AND COMPLIANCE .............................................................................21

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 6
1. Introduction
ORBCOMM is in the initial stages of defining the modem functionality required to operate with the
ORBCOMM Generation 2 (OG2) satellite system providing OG2 Messaging Services. The first OG2
satellites will launch in 2013 with OG1 legacy support and in 2014 have OG2 functionality uploaded.
There will be significant differences between OG1 and OG2 such that current OG1 subscriber
communicators herein referred to as “modem” will not be able to use the portion of the OG2
satellites dedicated to OG2 functionality. It is envisioned that the next versions of modems will be
able to seamlessly switch between the two service sets. Initially, however, current users will only
be to use the OG1 functions on the satellite.
It is expected that many of the environmental specifications for OG2 modems will be the same as
OG1 modems. In the interest of providing more information earlier, these requirements have been
omitted from this document.
The purpose of this document is to provide preliminary information on the physical interface of OG2
modem. This document should not be construed as a specification. It is the basis for developing
the ORBCOMM Generation 2 Subscriber Communicator Standards and Specifications. In the
interim, this document can be used for determining the magnitude of development on the
hardware side.
1.1 References
Amendment of the Commission’s Rules to Establish Rules and Policies Pertaining to a Non-voice,
Non-Geostationary Mobile Satellite Service (FCC docket no. 92-76, FCC 93, 47B, released
November 16, 1993)
ORBCOMM Application Amendment and Supplement: File No. 22-DSS-MP90(20)
(submitted December 21, 1993)
U.S. Code of Federal Regulations (vol. 47, Part 25, § 202)
SAE J1455 “Joint SAE/TMC Recommended Environmental Practices for Electronic Equipment
Design (Heavy Tracks)”
EN 301 832 “Electromagnetic compatibility and Radio spectrum Matters (ERM); Electro-Magnetic
Compatibility (EMC) for Mobile Earth Stations (MES) providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications
(LBRDC) using satellites in Low Earth Orbits (LEO) operating in frequency bands below 1 GHz”
EN 301 721: “Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Harmonized EN for Mobile Earth Stations
(MES) providing Low Bit Rate Data Communications (LBRDC) using Low Earth Orbiting (LEO)
satellites operating below 1 GHz covering essential requirements under article 3.2 of the R&TTE
directive”

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 7
2. Physical Design
2.1 Module Dimensions
Overall dimensions and weight of the OG2 modem are indicated below. RF connections will require
space for routing miniature coax cables to antenna port locations.
Mechanical Dimensions
Length
70 mm
Width
40 mm
Height
9.5 mm
Weight
20g

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 8
2.2 Interface
Product developers should plan for connection to the host system as indicated in the following
table.
2.2.1 User Connector Pin Description Table
Pin #
Title
In-Out /Voltage
Description
1
USB
Diff, 1.8v 1
Data, negative
2
Main Power
4 - 15v 2
Input Power
3
USB P
Diff, 1.8v 1
Data, positive
4
GND
Input
Ground
5
Master RX
Input, pin 6 user
volt.3
RX, UART 0
6
User Data Power
1.8 to 3.6 V 3
Master & Debug Serial Logic
Level
7
Master TX
Output, pin 6 user
volt.3
TX, UART 0
8
SPI1 PCS0
Output, 1.8v 1
PCS0, SPI #1 chip select
9
GND
Input
Ground
10
SPI1 CLK
Output, 1.8v 1
CLK, SPI #1 clock
11
Debug UART RX
Input, pin 6 user
volt.3
RX, UART 5
12
SPI1 SOUT
Output, 1.8v 1
SOUT, SPI #1 data out
13
Debug UART TX
Output, pin 6 user
volt.3
TX, UART 5
14
SATELLITE-IN-VIEW
Output, 1.8v 4
GPIO or SIN, SPI #1 data in
15
MASTER RESET
Hi-Z, active LO 5
Internal 10k ohm PU, PD with
FET or transistor.
16
GPIO0/FTM/CAN RX
Input/Output 1.8v1
RX CAN-0, Capacitive Touch,
GPIO
17
TAMPER 1
Input, 1.8v 1
Internal PU
18
GND
Input
Ground
19
EXT INT2
Input, 1.8v 1
External Interrupt
20
GPIO1/FTM/CAN TX
Input/Output 1.8v1
TX CAN-0, Capacitive Touch,
GPIO
21
GND
Input
Ground
22
UART 4 RX
Input, 1.8v1
RX, User serial port

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 9
Pin #
Title
In-Out /Voltage
Description
23
EXT INT1
Input, 1.8v1
External Interrupt
24
Main Power
4 - 15v
Input Power
25
VREGIN
2.7 - 5.5v 1
USB regulator input
26
GND
Input
Ground
27
GND
Input
Ground
28
UART 4 TX
Output, 1.8v 1
TX, User serial port
29
GND
Input
Ground
30
ADC #0 –P
Input, 1.8v 1
16 bit, 1.7v TOS
31
CAN1-TX/UART4-
TX,Tamper
Input/Output 1.8v1
TX CAN-1, UART4, Tamper
32
ADC #0 -N
Input, 1.8v 1
16 bit, 1.7v TOS
33
CAN1-RX/UART4-
RX,Tamper
Input, 1.8v 1
RX CAN-1, UART4, Tamper
34
GND
Input
Ground
35
GND
Input
Ground
36
ADC #1 –P
Input, 1.8v 1
16 bit, 1.7v TOS
37
SDHC0_CLK, ADC6,
SPI1_CLK
Input/Output 1.8v
SD Card clock, 10 bit ADC, SPI-
1 CLK
38
ADC #1 -N
Input, 1.8v 1
16 bit, 1.7v TOS
39
SDHC0_CMD, ADC7,
SPI1_SIN
Input/Output 1.8v1
SD Card cmd, ADC, SPI-1 data
in
40
GND
Input
Ground
41
SDHC0_DO, ADC5,
SPI1_SOUT
Input/Output 1.8v1
SD Card data #0, ADC, SPI-1
data out
42
SPI0, PCS0
Input, 1.8v 1
PCS0, SPI #0 chip select
43
SDHC0_D1, ADC4,
SPI1_PCS1
Input/Output 1.8v1
SD Card data #1, ADC, SPI-1
44
SPI0, modemK
Output, 1.8v 1
modemK, SPI #0 clock
45
SDHC0_D2, SPI1_PCS0
Input/Output 1.8v1
SD Card data #2, SPI-1 chip
sel, GPIO
46
SPI0, SOUT
Output, 1.8v 1
SOUT, SPI #0 data out
47
SDHC0_D3, SPI1_SDA
Input/Output 1.8v1
SD Card data #3, SPI-1 data in,
GPIO
48
SPI0, SIN
Input, 1.8v 1
SIN, SPI #0 data in
49
SD CARD DETECT
Input, 1.8v 1
SD Card detection, GPIO
50
GND
Input
Ground

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 10
Pin #
Title
In-Out /Voltage
Description
51
SD Card WP
Input, 1.8v 1
SD Card detection, GPIO,
52
Main Power
4.0-15v 2
Input Power
Table 2-1 Pin Definition
1) These signals are connected to the processor and are intended for future use, however they are
shut-off and not supported by the firmware at this time. These signals can be left floating/not
connected.
2) RF power will be gradually reduced from 6W to 2W as input voltage drops below 4.0 volts. User
Data Power is the user defined the input voltage so serial ports are translated to the desired DC
level.
3) Master and Debug serial interface voltages are determined by the voltage supplies to
USER_DATA_POWER. This voltage must be within the indicated voltage range.
4) SATELLITE_IN_VIEW indicates that the receiver has currently locked on to a satellite downlink.
This is the first stage of creating a message session.
5) Master reset is pulled high (to 1.8v) within the modem. The signal can be pulled down to an
active state via a FET or transistor. The current is <200uA.
2.2.2 User Connector Mechanical Information
All non-RF connections are provided by a MINI PCI Express format connector. This card edge
connector uses .8mm pitch fingers to provide 52 connections, 26 per side. This connector is
available in several heights to allow the user to retain PCB area for most components. Mechanical
drawings are provided below. This drawing specifies the mechanical position of the User connector
with respect to the mounting holes.

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 11
34.00
40.00
70.00 67.00
Figure 2-1 Board Dimensions
The OG2 Modem module inserts into the connector at an angle, and is held in place with screws and
standoffs that match the connector height. Ideally, the standoffs and screws would interface to a ground
connection on the host board. Mounting screws should be properly tightened to 0.7909 Newton-Meters
(7 pound-inches) of torque.

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 12
Figure 2-2 Board Insertion Angle
2.2.3 Board Connection
ORBCOMM recommends the following connector/standoff set when mounting the modem.
Molex 48338-0057 - PCI Express/PCI Connectors, 0.8mm pitch
PEM SMTSO-256-4ET - Mounting standoffs
2/56 thread, 3/16” length, 18-8 stainless steel, pan-head, Phillips screws
2.2.4 RF Connections
The GPS and ORBCOMM VHF RF connectors are Hirose U.FL series parts. There are several mating
plugs available, allowing different coaxial cable diameters. Cable assemblies and plug adapters are
available to transition to several standard miniature RF connector types. Ideally, final antenna
connections should have a chassis-bonded ground connection.

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 13
Table 2-2 U. FL Connectors
The image below indicates the proper location for each port. There are two modem models, with
and without GPS and accelerometer. If the GPS antenna port and uBlox circuit are installed, then
the unit has GPS functionality
Figure 2-3 Connector Location
uBlox GPS

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 14
3. Radio Frequency Section
The OG2 modem includes:
A VHF Receiver Section which performs RF filtering, frequency conversion and demodulation.
A VHF Transmitter Section which performs modulation, frequency conversion and power
amplification.
A Processing Section that monitors and controls optional I/Os, handles the RF and serial
interface.
LO
ARM M4
Processor
Up to 1M Flash
RTOS
CMULT Frac
N
Modulator
Direct Convertion
Receiver
Power Amplifier
GPS
3 Axis
Accelerometer
Mini PCI
Express
Interface
Wide Range
Switching
Supply 3v -15v
JTAG
USB
CAN
SD-Card
UART x3
SPI x2
ADC x2
Tamper
ORBCOMM OG2 Modem
Pre Amplifier
SAW FilterLNARF Switch
Harmonic Filter
VHF Antenna
Tx 148.00 –150.5 MHz
RX 137.00 –138.00 MHZ
50 channel
-162 dBm Communication Bus Digital
TX - Q
TX - I
RX - Q
RX - I
Baseband
Processor
52
BP Filter -120 dBm sensitivity
Figure 3-1 Modem Block Diagram
The different ports are:
Power Supply. Capable of handling a wide range of DC input voltages.

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 15
I/Os: Provides optional analog or digital input and outputs. These are typically used to connect
sensors or to connect to the system elements which need to be controlled
Serial Data: Serial interface through which another embedded application or external
processor/sensor can transfer data.
RF In/Out: The Modem has U.FL connectors for satellite and GPS antenna signals.
3.1 VHF Transmitter
3.1.1 Transmit Modulation
The transmitter uses Symmetric Differential Phase Shift Keying at 2400 bits per seconds.
3.1.2 Output Power
Output power is fixed at approximately 5.5 Watts ±0.5 Watts. Value is set at the time of
manufacture and no further adjustments are made during operation.
3.1.3 Output Power Variance
During any transmission, the transmit power shall vary by no more than ±1.0 dB under any
combination of temperature and frequency.
3.1.4 Transmitter Power
The maximum EIRP, measured in a 4 kHz bandwidth, transmitted from a modem shall not exceed
10 dBW in all directions. (EN 301 721)
The graph below shows the measured RF power output as the input is increased from 2.8 volts DC
to 15 volts DC. Values provided below 6 VDC are provided for reference only. ORBCOMM’s
integration manual specifies an input voltage no lower than 6 VDC.

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 16
Figure 3-2 RF Output Power vs. input Voltage
3.1.5 Frequency Control
Frequency control is provided by the ORBCOMM System. The modem transmits an initial 7 bit (8
bits including the reference bit required by SDPSK modulation) burst to the satellite. Initial
specifications published almost 20 years ago required this burst to arrive within ±1500 Hz. This
frequency error budget includes oscillator uncertainty and Doppler effects. Current modem designs
routinely transmit this acquire burst within ±500 Hz.
Frequency and timing corrections are provided to the modem based on the offset of the 7 bit burst.
All subsequent transmissions for this message session are corrected to within ±50 Hz.
3.1.6 Transmit Frequency
The modem is capable of tuning to any 2.5 kHz channel between 148.0500 and 150.0000 MHz. Note
that ORBCOMM’s authorized spectrum is 148.0000 to 150.0500 MHz. Restriction of the channels
at the edge of the authorized spectrum insure no spectral content above the specifications occur
outside the authorized spectrum.
3.1.7 Occupied Bandwidth
Measured 20 dB occupied bandwidth is less than 4 kHz.
3.1.8 Transmitter Designator
The modem carries a 5K00G1D emission designator.
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
RF Output Power (W)
Input Voltage (DC)
RF Output Power vs Input Voltage

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 17
3.2 VHF Receiver
3.2.1 Receive Modulation
The transmitter uses Symmetric Differential Phase Shift Keying at 4800 bits per seconds.
3.2.2 Minimum Detectable Signal
The modem receives ORBCOMM downlink signals with at -120 dBm or better under all operational
situations with a BER no worse than 1 x 10-5.
3.2.3 Acquisition Frequency Range
The modem acquires ORBCOMM downlink signals over all operational situations in the frequency
range: 137.1250 to 137.8750 MHz. This includes all effects of internal oscillator uncertainty in
addition to Doppler effects which may be as much as ±3200 Hz during times when satellite is visible
to the modem. Further, the Doppler rate of change may be as high as ±28 Hz/second.
4. Power Supply
The power supply is designed to operate in an efficient mode at all times. The processor has power
available continuously. When the processor is in a low power mode, the quiescent current can be
as low as 3 uA. Power sections required for frequency generation, receive modes, and transmit
modes are turned off until they are required. The integrated accelerometer can be programmed to
interrupt the processor during a pre-defined shock/vibration event, this allows a low power usage
in typical “stop and go” mobile applications. Power to the GPS circuit can be switched ON and OFF
if a ‘cold fix’ is acceptable. If a ‘warm fix’ is required, providing 22 uA will allow GPS fixes in only a
few seconds.
4.1 Power Usage Profile
The ORBCOMM OG2 modem input voltage range allows for several battery chemistries and parallel
configurations.
Input Voltage: 6.0VDC to 15 VDC
Input Current:
Transmit Mode: 1.37 A @ 12VDC
Duration: typically <300ms, 700 ms max.
GPS On: 35 mA @ 12VDC

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 18
Receive Mode: 100 mA @ 12VDC
The graph below show the maximum current (transmit mode) requirements over a range of input
voltages. Per integration requirements 6 VDC is the minimum operational voltage.
Figure 4-1 Maximum Input Current vs Input Voltage
4.2 Variations in Input Power
The power supply is a buck-boost configuration and can operate between 4.0 VDC and 15 VDC. A
full RF output requires an input voltage above the minimum operating voltage. The system will
control the switcher to run in a high efficiency burst mode and provide the required PWM mode to
satisfy high demand events. The circuit is short-circuit protected, has a soft start feature, provides
current limiting, and a thermal shutdown feature.
The diagram below shows voltage rise time for the processor (gray), receiver (pink), and power
amplifier (blue) with a 4.0 VDC input voltage. The delay from power-on to processor operation is
1.3 ms. The other voltages are controlled internally by the processor and do not operate until the
I/O ports are functional and a message has been queued by the user.
The pink line indicates the rise time of the receiver section.
The blue line indicates the rise time of the transmitter section, current draw is increased to
maximum levels approximately 15 ms after this ramp up time.
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
Maximum Input Current (A)
Input Voltage (DC)
Maximum Input Current vs Input Voltage

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 19
Figure 4-2 Input Voltage Rise Times
4.3 Dip, Interruptions, Surges, Fast transients
4.3.1 Dip & Interruptions
The power circuit has a soft start feature which allows a 750us rise or fall time for events which
occur faster than this time frame. The time that would cause deregulation is dependent upon the
input voltage and load at the time of the event.
Based on simulation, the processor (shown in gray) will operate for 1.3 ms after removal of an input
voltage of 4.0v, and will operate for 220ms when operating with an input voltage of 10 volts.
If the processor experiences an interruption, the processor low voltage detection will operate. The
circuit warning mode will create a system interrupt service routine and protect memory contents.
In the reset level detect mode a lower voltage threshold causes a power-on reset. The processor
will be held in reset until the rise-voltage threshold is achieved, then clock circuits will begin to
operate, when the voltage rises above the low-voltage threshold the system begins to operate. If
the processor is writing a new message in to memory during a power interruption, a protocol will
not provide an acknowledgement so the user processor will retry. The malformed message will be
Processor
Receiver
Power Amplifier
Input Power

ORBCOMM OG2 Modem Integration Manual 20
removed from memory when the processor checks the queue after bootup. During a transmit event,
the system will hold up for 200us with an input voltage of 10 volts.
Figure 4-3 Voltage Fall Times vs. Input Power Switched Off
4.3.2 Fast Transients
All data lines are protected with low pass RF filters and ESD protection. The filters are designed to
meet IEC61000-4-2 level 4, and provide up to 40 dB of EMI protection from 800 MHz to 3GHz.
The Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory card interface is designed to meet JESD 84A43
specifications.
1
0
Volts
Processor
Receiver
Power Amplifier
Input Power
6.8
4.6
1.8