RockBLOCK APNT brings the Iridium PNT ASIC together with the supporting power, antenna, and host interfaces needed for evaluation, prototyping, and embedded integration. Rather than developing a dedicated carrier board around the ASIC, engineers can begin testing through USB-C and a virtual COM port, then transition to LVTTL UART or the board’s additional SPI, I²C, UART, and GPIO interfaces when incorporating the technology into a wider system. An external Iridium-capable antenna connects through u.FL, while the compact 59 × 36.5 × 7.7 mm PCBA weighs 10 g.
The board provides both an independent positioning source and precise UTC-referenced timing, including verified 1PPS performance for systems dependent on accurate synchronization. Iridium PNT signals are approximately 1,000 times stronger than standard GPS/GNSS signals, providing greater resilience when GNSS reception is degraded. RockBLOCK APNT can therefore supply position and timing information alongside existing GNSS, navigation, timing, or system-monitoring functions without requiring the underlying Iridium PNT receiver hardware to be designed from the ASIC level.
RockBLOCK APNT is scheduled for release in September 2026.
Specifications:
| Dimensions: | 59 × 36.5 × 7.7 mm (2.32 × 1.44 × 0.30 in) |
| Weight: | 10 g (0.35 oz) |
| Power consumption: | 1.2 W max; 0.95 W idle |
| Interfaces: | USB-C, LVTTL UART, SPI, I²C, UART, GPIO |
