Iridium Messaging TransportSM (IMTSM), a next generation satellite IoT Data Service and a two-way cloud-native networked data service optimized for usage over Iridium Certus, has been introduced by Iridium. It is intended to make it simpler to integrate satellite connections to current or new IoT applications. For small- to medium-sized messages enabling satellite IoT applications, IMT offers an IP data transfer service that is specific to the Iridium network. The new service, which is integrated with Iridium CloudConnect and Amazon Web Services (AWS), can lower development costs and shorten the time it takes for new Iridium Connected® IoT products to reach the market. The debut of IMT on Iridium Certus 200, 350, and 700 is scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. IMT has been eagerly awaited by Iridium’s partner ecosystem and is already available for the Iridium Certus 100 service.
IMT aligns with existing server-device message architectures employing hubs, Pub/Sub, or queues, depending on application platforms, as a connectionless messaging service for Iridium CertusTM modules. Using an Iridium Certus terminal, a customer application that is “store and forward” or has little data flow and doesn’t need a persistent connection between servers can use the IMT service. IMT improves two-way messaging to and from anywhere in the world for machine-to-machine (M2M), emails, weather updates, transactions, or group conversations.
Regardless of the underlying over-the-air and ground system technologies and protocols, IMT is used with the Iridium CloudConnect architecture of server-side message processing. The Iridium CloudConnect solution extends customers’ IoT reach to the more than 85% of the world without terrestrial coverage by fusing Iridium IoT capabilities with AWS cloud services. For organizing and delivering messages in the cloud, IMT uses industry-standard technologies including MQTT, HTTPS, and WebSocket (WSS). IMT is consequently a simpler, quicker, and less expensive protocol to work with, giving users a plethora of benefits for creating scalable, portable applications.
The RockREMOTE by Ground Control and the STREAM+ by MetOcean Telematics are two of the earliest IMT-built devices that are now on the market. For industrial IoT applications like as oil and gas, mining, utilities and renewables, and transport and freight, the RockREMOTE provides a trustworthy and adaptable solution. Developers can send and receive data payloads using its integrated MQTT application over the MQTT protocol. Using this IMT implementation over the Iridium Certus 100 service, users can transmit and receive messages, images, and other data to and from anywhere in the world.
STREAM+, which is also powered by Iridium Certus 100, enables users to securely share and receive files and communications.
STREAM+ offers a variety of industry-standard protocols, features, and inputs that make integration and installation for end users easier while lowering development costs and the time it takes to get a product to market. STREAM+ is designed for field applications with size, weight, and power constraints.
Iridium partners Beam Communications, Blue Sky Network, CLS Group, Globalsat Group, Lars Thrane A/S, and Zunibal are also presently working on IMT service-based solutions.
“The launch of Iridium Messaging Transport adds another powerful capability to the Iridium Certus portfolio and another value-added service for our partners and the growing IoT market,” said Bryan Hartin, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Iridium. “Our partners are excited about IMT as it will make it faster and easier for them to add Iridium satellite connectivity to new and existing solutions needed across a number of industries.”
References
Hassin, J. (2022, December 21). Iridium introduces its next generation satellite IOT Data Service. Iridium Satellite Communications. Retrieved December 30, 2022, from https://investor.iridium.com/2022-12-21-Iridium-Introduces-its-Next-Generation-Satellite-IoT-Data-Service
