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RockBLOCK CIER Logger (Raspberry Pi)

Standalone Python logger for unattended Iridium satellite surveys. Connects to a RockBLOCK/9602/9603 modem, enables CIER mode, and logs timestamped satellite events to file.

Features

  • Interactive CLI for port and storage selection
  • Auto-discovers USB and GPIO serial ports
  • Auto-discovers mounted storage (SD cards, USB drives)
  • Timestamps from Iridium network time (AT-MSSTM)
  • Output compatible with Site Survey Tool v4.1 importer

Requirements

  • Raspberry Pi (any model) or Linux system
  • Python 3.7+
  • RockBLOCK or Iridium 9602/9603 modem

Installation

cd logger/pi
pip3 install -r requirements.txt
chmod +x cier_logger.py

Usage

Interactive Mode

./cier_logger.py

The script will guide you through:

  1. Selecting a serial port (USB or GPIO)
  2. Choosing baud rate (default 19200)
  3. Selecting storage location and filename

Command Line Mode

# Specify all options
./cier_logger.py -p /dev/ttyUSB0 -o /media/pi/SDCARD/survey.log -b 19200

# Just specify port (prompts for output location)
./cier_logger.py -p /dev/ttyUSB0

# List available ports
./cier_logger.py --list-ports

Wiring

USB Connection

Connect RockBLOCK via USB. The port will appear as /dev/ttyUSB0 or similar.

GPIO Connection (Raspberry Pi)

RockBLOCK Raspberry Pi
TX GPIO 15 (RXD)
RX GPIO 14 (TXD)
GND GND
5V IN 5V (if powering from Pi)

Enable serial in raspi-config:

sudo raspi-config
# Interface Options > Serial Port > No (login shell) > Yes (hardware)
sudo reboot

GPIO serial appears as /dev/serial0.

Troubleshooting

No serial ports found

  • Check USB connection
  • For GPIO: ensure serial is enabled in raspi-config
  • Try ls /dev/tty* to see available devices

Modem not responding

  • Check baud rate (default 19200 for RockBLOCK)
  • Ensure modem has power
  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting

Permission denied on serial port

sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
# Log out and back in

No Iridium time available

  • Modem needs clear sky view to sync time
  • Logger will use system time as fallback

Log File Specification

For those writing custom loggers on other platforms (Arduino, ESP32, etc.), the log file format must match the following specification to be compatible with the Site Survey Tool v4.1 importer.

Format

[YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.mmm] +CIEV:<data>

Example Log File

# CIER Log - 2025-12-17 09:26:28
# Port: /dev/ttyUSB0 @ 19200 baud
# Time source: Iridium
#
[2025-12-17 09:26:36.663] +CIEV:0,3
[2025-12-17 09:26:36.665] +CIEV:1,1
[2025-12-17 09:26:36.666] +CIEV:2,0
[2025-12-17 09:26:36.669] +CIEV:3,85,8,0,4192,-640,4748
[2025-12-17 09:26:39.029] +CIEV:3,85,2,1,5304,-1200,4644
[2025-12-17 09:26:40.469] +CIEV:3,85,14,1,5312,-1204,4636

Requirements

Element Format Required
Timestamp [YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS.mmm] Yes
Event +CIEV:<indicator>,<values...> Yes
Header lines Lines starting with # No (ignored)
Blank lines Empty lines No (ignored)

CIEV Event Types

Indicator Format Description
0 +CIEV:0,<signal> Signal strength (0-5)
1 +CIEV:1,<avail> Service availability (0/1)
2 +CIEV:2,<fault> Antenna fault (0/1)
3 +CIEV:3,<svId>,<beamId>,<svBm>,<x>,<y>,<z> Satellite position (ECEF)

Satellite Position Data (Indicator 3)

+CIEV:3,<svId>,<beamId>,<svBm>,<x>,<y>,<z>
Field Description
svId Satellite vehicle ID
beamId Beam number
svBm Position type: 1=satellite position, 0=beam landing
x, y, z Satellite position in ECEF coordinates

Note: Only entries with svBm=1 contain valid satellite position data. Entries with svBm=0 are beam landings and should be ignored for sky plotting.

Timestamp Source

For accurate timestamps, query the modem for Iridium network time before enabling CIER:

AT-MSSTM
-MSSTM: f27d0dc2

OK

Convert the hex value to datetime:

  • Epoch: May 11, 2014, 14:23:55 UTC
  • Each tick = 90 milliseconds
  • decoded_time = epoch + (hex_to_int(value) * 90ms)

Modem Setup Sequence

ATE0           # Disable echo
AT             # Test modem
AT-MSSTM       # Get Iridium time
AT+CIER=1,1,1,1,1  # Enable CIER mode (5 parameters)

The 5th CIER parameter enables satellite position reporting.