Collaboration with
Linkit V4 is the fourth generation of the Linkit tracker CORE board, developed in collaboration with CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites). This revision transitions from the discontinued ARTIC R3 transceiver to next-generation satellite communication modules, ensuring long-term availability for Argos/Kineis satellite networks.
This project contains two hardware variants maintained in separate branches:
Based on the KIM2 module from CLS/Kineis for satellite uplink communication.
- Uses KIM2 satellite modem module
- Certified for Kineis satellite network
- See KIM2 Integration Manual (contact CLS)
Based on the Argos-SMD module - an open-source alternative.
- Compatible with Arribada's Argos-SMD hardware: https://github.com/arribada/argos-smd-hw
- Provides flexibility for custom satellite communication implementations
- Additional power management circuitry for SMD module
- Check argos-smd-hw repository
The master branch contains a board with both footprints on the same layout, but it is not up to date and may be missing recent changes (deprecated branch).
- MCU: ISP1807 (nRF52840-based module)
- GNSS: u-blox SAM-M10Q with integrated ceramic antenna
- Flash Memory: IS25LP128F (128 Mbit NOR Flash)
- IMU: BMA400 ultra-low power accelerometer
- ADC: ADS1115 16-bit, 4-channel (for external sensors)
- Battery: Single-cell Li-Ion/LiPo (3.7V, 4.2V max)
- Charging Options:
- USB Type-C (BQ25176M linear charger, 800mA)
- Qi Wireless charging (BQ51003, 2.5W)
- Solar panel input (3-18V via BQ25176M MPPT-compatible input)
- Voltage Regulation:
- TPS63901 Buck/Boost (configurable 1.8V/3.3V for main system)
- TPS612997 Buck/Boost (3.6V for satellite module - SMD variant)
- TPS22960 dual load switches for power domain control
- Ultra-low power design: Sub-microamp quiescent current in sleep modes
- Satellite Communication: KIM2 or Argos-SMD module (variant-dependent)
- GNSS: Integrated u-blox M10Q receiver
- External I/O:
- 8-pin expansion connector (1.25mm pitch)
- External I2C bus for sensors
- Salt-water switch (SWS) interface
- Battery voltage monitoring
- Pressure sensor support via ADC channels
- Programming/Debug:
- Dual JTAG connectors (ISP1807 + Satellite module)
- USB-C for firmware updates and charging
- Compact form factor optimized for marine deployments
- Reed switch for magnetic activation
- Tri-color LED status indicator
- U.FL/SMA antenna connector options
No jumper directly on board, represented by component Resistors or Diode.
The board supports multiple power configurations via resistor options:
-
Standard Operation (Default):
- Battery + USB/Wireless charging + optional solar input
- All power sources can coexist safely
-
USB-Only Power (No Battery):
- Configuration: R53=DNP, R52=Fitted, R55=Fitted
⚠️ Warning: Do NOT connect battery in this mode⚠️ Warning: Power LED D2 incompatible with 5V - cut trace O9 (Not critical)
- PSEL Pin (TPS63901): Switches between 1.8V and 3.3V system voltage
- Low = 2.3V (minimum voltage for IS25LP Flash and ADC)
- High = 3.3V (default for most operations)
- Magnetic activation via P-channel MOSFET (Q4)
- Can be controlled via MCU or magnetically triggered
- 3.3V logic level compatible
The tri-color LED (D2) indicates charging status:
- OFF: Battery only, no charging
- Yellow: Charging via USB
- White/Cyan: Charging via wireless coil
- Green: Fully charged
- Blinking Green: Fault condition (thermal, timer, over-voltage)
Firmware is not released as open source at the moment.
- Firmware based on Linkit-v3 Baremetal : https://github.com/arribada/linkit-v4-core
- Zephyr firmware : https://github.com/arribada/linkitv4
Linkit V4 is the successor of previous Linkit CORE board generations developed by Arribada.
Earlier versions were based on different satellite transceivers and power architectures.
- Linkit V3
- Based on the ARTIC R2/R3 satellite transceiver (now discontinued)
- Earlier GNSS and power management architectures
- Designed for Argos satellite network compatibility
- Links:
- Hardware github : https://github.com/arribada/CLS-Argos-Linkit-Hardware/
- Firmware project : CLS-Argos-Linkit-CORE
- Python application : CLS-Argos-Linkit-pylinkit
- Phone application : GenTracker available on the store
These earlier designs are no longer actively maintained but are provided for reference and historical context.
This project contains hardware design files only.
All hardware design files (schematics, PCB layouts, Altium project files) are licensed under the CERN Open Hardware Licence v1.2 (CERN-OHL v1.2).
See the LICENSE file for the full license text.