Product Manual

2 Product Overview
The Swarm Tile (Model: TILE01) satellite data modem transmits and receives data to and from
Swarm’s space network and is designed to be embedded into a third-party product. Swarm
backend systems can support the delivery of customer data via a REST API to the cloud service
of each user’s choice.
The Tile is a miniaturized module suitable for a variety of low-bandwidth use cases: from
connecting people and tracking vehicles, ships, or packages to relaying sensor data for
agriculture, energy, and industrial IoT applications.
Using proven IoT technologies, the Tile is an SMT module that can be easily integrated into any
new or existing PCB design. The Tile communicates via a standard 3.3V CMOS serial UART
interface or a PC interface with a USB-to-serial converter.
Category
Description
Satellite data
Message transmission access will be <1 min (90% of the time) by late 2020.
As Swarm’s network grows, transmission latencies of <60s will be achieved.
Components
GPS, VHF radio with integrated T/R switch, U.FL connector for GPS and
VHF antenna (SMD interface also available), ARM Cortex-M4 processor,
indicator LEDs, 3.3V serial interface, 3.3V GPIO
Sensors
Onboard GPS (lat/lon/alt), 1 Hz
Dimensions
and Mass
59 mm x 27 mm x 7 mm, 10g
See detailed description in Mechanical Specification section.
Power
Mode
Average
Peak
Sleep, 3.3V
24 µA
33 µA
Receiver Active, 3.3V
55 mA
57 mA
Transmitter on, 3.3V
745 mA
750 mA
Protocol
Modified NMEA two-letter command set via 3.3V CMOS serial UART
interface
Data rate
1 to 2.7 kbps. Maximum packet size of 200 bytes
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