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SparkFun MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Board
Note - Please read before purchasing!: The MicroMod Asset Tracker uses the "00B" product version of the SARA-R5 module (specifically the SARA-R510M8S-00B-00). LTE NB-IoT Radio Access Technology, and the LTE FDD bands: 66, 71, 85 are not supported by this version. Refer to the SARA-R5 datasheet for more information.
The SparkFun MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Board provides you with a toolkit to monitor and track the location of your assets. Built around the u-blox SARA-R510M8S module, the asset tracker offers Secure Cloud LTE-M and NB-IoT data communication for multi-regional use and has an integrated u-blox M8 GNSS receiver for accurate positioning information. The SARA-R5 supports many different forms of data communication from full TCP/IP sockets and packet switched data, through HTTP Get/Put/Post, FTP (the SARA has a built-in file system), Ping, to good old SMS text messaging!
The Asset Tracker Carrier Board has an integrated ICM-20948 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) for Nine Degree-Of-Freedom orientation and movement detection. Want to send a message if your asset is moved? The Asset Tracker can do that! The board also has a built-in digital microphone and so can send an alert as soon as a noise is detected too.
The SparkFun Asset Tracker Carrier Board has a built-in micro-SD card socket for data logging as well as a SIM card port and included SIM card. Power options include both USB-C and LiPo battery (with built-in charging and battery fuel gauge), but you can provide power via a breakout pin too.
We’ve provided a full set of examples to get you up and running quickly and our SARA-R5 Arduino Library does all of the heavy lifting for you.
The Asset Tracker will work with any of our MicroMod Processor Boards, but because it offers so many features and can be configured in different ways, some Processor Boards may be a better choice for your application than others. Please see our Hookup Guide for further details.
The u-blox SARA-R510M8S module provides Secure Cloud LTE-M and NB-IoT data communication for multi-regional use. Please check that your service provider offers LTE-M / NB-IoT coverage for your area before purchasing.
- 1x MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier board
- 1x Hologram eUICC SIM Card
- 1x MicroMod Update Tool
- u-blox SARA-R510M8S module providing Secure Cloud LTE-M data communication for multi-regional use
- Please check that your service provider offers LTE-M coverage for your area before purchasing
- 1x MicroMod Update Tool included to communicate directly with the u-blox SARA-R510M8S module using u-blox’s sophisticated m-center
- Integrated u-blox M8 GNSS receiver for accurate positioning information
- Nano SIM socket
- ICM-20948 Inertial Measurement Unit for 9-Degree Of Freedom orientation and movement detection
- “Wake On Motion” is supported
- The IMU is located in the center of the board for easy frame-of-reference
- Digital microphone (SPH0641) for noise detection
- micro-SD socket for data logging
- Can be powered by one of our rechargeable LiPo batteries
- Includes both a LiPo battery charger (MCP73831) and a battery fuel gauge (MAX17048)
- Separate, robust SMA connections for LTE and GNSS antennas
- Switchable 3.3V power for an active GNSS antenna
- USB-C connectivity
- Qwiic (I2C) connector
- LED indicators for:
- Power (VIN and 3.3V)
- SARA-R5 on
- Network indicator
- GNSS timing pulse (1PPS)
- 3.3V breakout pins for:
- SARA on
- Network indicator
- GNSS timing pulse (1PPS)
- I2C bus
- SPI bus
- D0, D1, A0, A1 PWM0, PWM1
- SARA I2C
- RTC backup battery
MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Documentation:
u-blox SARA-R5 LTE-M / NB-IoT module Documentation:
- Datasheet
- AT Command Set
- System Integration Manual
- Application Development Guide
- Internet Applications Development Guide
- GNSS Integration App Note
- Firmware Update App Note
MicroMod Documentation:
SparkFun MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Board Product Help and Resources
MicroMod Update Tool Hookup Guide
February 25, 2021
Follow this guide to learn how to use the MicroMod Update Tool to interact directly with the UART on the MicroMod Asset Tracker's SARA-R5. Using this board you can talk directly to the module using u-blox's m-center software as well as update the firmware using EasyFlash.
MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Board Hookup Guide
February 25, 2021
Get started with the SparkFun MicroMod Asset Tracker Carrier Board following this Hookup Guide. The Asset Tracker uses the u-blox SARA-R510M8S LTE-M / NB-IoT module to provide a host of data communication options.
Core Skill: Programming
If a board needs code or communicates somehow, you're going to need to know how to program or interface with it. The programming skill is all about communication and code.
Skill Level: Experienced - You will require a firm understanding of programming, the programming toolchain, and may have to make decisions on programming software or language. You may need to decipher a proprietary or specialized communication protocol. A logic analyzer might be necessary.
See all skill levels
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Competent - You will be required to reference a datasheet or schematic to know how to use a component. Your knowledge of a datasheet will only require basic features like power requirements, pinouts, or communications type. Also, you may need a power supply that?s greater than 12V or more than 1A worth of current.
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Comments
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Customer Reviews
5 out of 5
Based on 2 ratings:
2 of 2 found this helpful:
Powerful platform to track a thing.
The copact cellular module is fully packed with features. On highlight I like is the built in excelent GNSS with highly configurable protocol.
Examples are easy to use, you need to slelect a appropriate Micromod MCU boards.
Everything you will need to develop IoT with ESP32 or other processors
After working with this board for about a month now, it has been a great little board. The SARA R5 module is crazy easy to work with and with the GitHub repository to guide you, I highly recommend looking into this.
I am running the ESP32 processor with little to no issues outside of user error. The RSSI has never been an issue either. Connecting to the network is almost done automatically with this board. I never even had to set the APN and the board picked it up after its initial network scan.
At any rate, this board is awesome and I will be buying a few more for other product development projects for sure.
Be aware that as of Feb 26, 2021, the m-center software is only available for M$ Windows.
What exactly does this mean: "Please check that your service provider offers LTE-M / NB-IoT coverage for your area before purchasing." ??? If I want to asset track a package world wide, how do I know what the coverage will be? Or even just within the U.S.?
And how about this one: " the asset tracker offers Secure Cloud LTE-M and NB-IoT data communication for multi-regional use". Is that "Secure Cloud etc." something that uBlox offers? If so, is it free? If not, how much does it cost?
Over all, this product looks great! But more info is needed. As Johnny Five once said "Need Input!!!"
Hi there,
As mentioned in the introduction section of the hookup guide for this product, you need to the contact service provider (Verizon, AT&T, etc.) of the SIM card you are using... like any cell phone (with a SIM card). For the cloud stuff, please visit the hologram.io page (of the included SIM card) for more information on their services.