Small, versatile and Kineis pre-certified

The Arribada Argos SMD module is a compact, high-performance PCB designed to facilitate satellite uplink communication for a wide range of applications.

With its small footprint and versatile integration options, this module can stand alone or be a co-processor for designs requiring satellite connectivity.

Built on the STM32WL55 processor and equipped with the GR5504 power amplifier, the module delivers up to 26 dBm transmission power and is pre-certified by CLS, ensuring immediate deployment readiness. The power supply for the Power Amplifier (PA) is externalized on the Wings-SMD, the Wings-SMD is fully certified. Pre-certified means that the user can obtain a certified device using the same LDO (or product family, TPS63901) simply by recording the uplink communication with the help of Adalm-PLUTO and CLS Emulsat software and forward the result to CLS.

• Compact Design: Castellated edges for easy integration into new or existing designs.
• High efficiency: Built on the STM32WL55 with a GR5504 amplifier for reliable satellite uplink and low power consumption.
• Integration Options: Feather breakout board available for seamless testing and integration; only power and an antenna are necessary.
• Flexibility: Can be used as a standalone solution or an RF module.
• Kineis Compatibility: Fully compatible with KINEIS stack and KINEIS GUI; certified by Kineis/CNES for all modulation (LDA2, VLDA4, LDK)

Version managed by git repository under Releases and Tags.

Latest (02/2025):

• V1.0 production

Dimensions: 20x20x2 mm, <1 gram

Power Supply Voltages:

• Core Supply (VDD): 1.8V to 3.6V, typical 3.3V
• Backup Supply (VBAT): 1.55V to 3.6V
• External Power Amplifier (VDD_EXTPA): 3.3V

Power Consumption:

• TX Power: 26 dBm (~400 mW) @ 250mA
• Sleep mode: None (3.8mA), Sleep (1mA), STOP (2μA), Standby (450nA), Shutdown (30nA)

Argos Modulation (uplink): LDA2, LDK, VLD4A

The following block diagram illustrates the main components of the Argos-SMD and provides a brief description of the components used in the Wings-SMD. The Wings-SMD serves as a good example of the minimal requirements for integrating the Argos-SMD into an existing device. This Wings-SMD is designed to work with a Feather board, which supplies the main 3.3V power for the SMD and the VBAT or VUSB supply for the PA.

The Argos-SMD module requires two separate power supplies.

• One power source is dedicated to the main component, the STM32WL55JC.
  • 1.8 V to 3.6 V power supply
  • – 40 °C to +105 °C temperature range
  • Shutdown mode: 31 nA (V DD = 3 V)
  • Standby (+ RTC) mode:
    • 360 nA (VDD = 3 V)
    • Stop2 (+ RTC) mode: 1.07 μA (V DD = 3 V)
    • Active-mode MCU: < 72 μA/MHz (CoreMark ®)
    • Active-mode RX: 4.82 mA
    • Active-mode TX: 15 mA at 10 dBm and 87 mA at 20 dBm (LoRa ® 125 kHz)
• A second 3.3V power supply is needed for the RF signal power amplifier, the GR5504. The RF amplifier should be powered by a buck-boost regulator, such as the TPS63901, which features low quiescent current and delivers 400 mA at 3.3V.

Without these dedicated power supplies, the Argos-SMD module cannot function as a standalone or co-processor unit.

The following image shows the pinout of the Argos-SMD.

• The NRST pin already includes a pull-up resistor and an ESD protection.
• Debugger interface pins required:
  • SWCLK
  • SWDIO
  • NRST
  • SWO (optional, debug trace)
  • VDD
  • GND
• UART default interface with the default Kineis firmware for AT commands:
  • PA2 – LPUART_TX
  • PA3 – LPUART_RX
• LPM (Low Power Mode) with the default firmware is set to PB13.
• I2C, SPI, UART and free GPIO available.

Integrating the Argos-SMD module into your design requires attention to several key hardware components and considerations. Please ensure that your system meets the following requirements for seamless operation:

• NRST Command:
  • The module’s NRST pin (with its built-in pull-up resistor and ESD protection) must be properly interfaced with a compatible programmer. This is essential for reliable firmware flashing and debugging.
• Programmer:
  • A compatible programmer is required to load firmware onto the STM32WL55JC microcontroller. Verify that your programmer supports the necessary interfaces for this module. J-Link programmer with TC2030 is used on Wings-SMD.
• LDO for PA (TPS63901):
  • For a pre-certified device, the power amplifier (GR5504) must be powered by a dedicated 3.3V supply provided by a low dropout regulator (LDO) from the TPS63901 family. This specific LDO ensures low quiescent current and can deliver up to 400 mA at 3.3V, which is essential for the PA's optimal performance and for achieving pre-certification.
  • Warning: If an alternative LDO is used, the device will not retain its pre-certified status, and the full certification process must be repeated.
• GPIO for Wake-Up:
  • If your application requires power management, a dedicated GPIO can be used to control a wake-up signal. This enables the module to enter low-power modes and be activated on demand.
• PI Filter on the Antenna:
  • To maximize RF performance and reduce noise, a PI filter should be incorporated on the antenna line. This filter is crucial for maintaining high-quality satellite uplink communication.

By addressing these integration requirements, you can ensure that the Argos-SMD module functions reliably—whether as a standalone unit or as a co-processor—while maintaining its pre-certified performance and efficiency.

In order to enable satellite communication, users must request a unique 32-bit ID, address, and secret key that will be uploaded to the device’s flash memory. These credentials are necessary for authentic satellite uplink operations. For new Argos users, please refer to the aros-system.org page for detailed instructions on how to request your credentials. For existing clients with an account, a 32-bit ID will be added to your account upon request.

By default, the device is configured with a test ID (0x11223344), which is only suitable for use with the Satellite Emulator (Emulsat – ADALM PLUTO SDR) and cannot be used for actual satellite transmissions. For operational satellite communications, you must obtain the dedicated credentials from CLS and send the appropriate AT command to the module.

Default values used with the Wings flasher for testing are:

ID: 123456
Address: 0x11223344
Secret Key: 00112233445566778899AABBCCDDEEFF

Includes:

• SMD Module firmware based on Kineis stack
• Feather nRF52840 Arduino test code
• SMD module Zephyr driver (not open yet)

Includes:

• CLS KimGUI interface (ask to CLS), software to communicate with AT command to the SMD module

  • Version >= 4.1.2

• CLS Emulsat (ask to CLS), software dedicated to test the communication with Adalm-PLUTO SDR

  • Version >= 0.9