Blues Notecarrier® Datasheet: Notecarrier XI v1.4

Functional Description

Notecarriers are available in multiple form factors to support rapid development across a range of use cases. Depending on the variant, a Notecarrier may prioritize direct host integration, compact size, integrated cellular/WiFi and GNSS antennas, or the ability to be soldered directly into a low-volume production design.

Notecarriers are explicitly designed to bridge the gap between early prototyping and a production-ready Notecard-based solution. In a final product, the Notecard is typically socketed directly onto a custom PCB via an edge connector, alongside the customer's MCU, sensors, and supporting circuitry. While this approach provides maximum flexibility and modularity, it can significantly increase the effort required during initial development and validation.

To simplify this process, Notecarriers expose the Notecard's interfaces through convenient breakout connections and integrate essential supporting circuitry, including power regulation, protection, and signal conditioning. This allows developers to focus on firmware, connectivity, and system behavior without first designing a complete custom carrier board.

Features

• Simple. Provides breadboard compatible pins or solderable mask for direct connections.
• Compatible. Level shifters ensure compatibility with 3.3V or 5V equipment.
• Convenient. Powered by a USB connector (requires 2A supply).
• GPS Ready. Models are either active GPS compatible, or feature a built-in antenna to enable GNSS connectivity.

Compatible Notecards

Since the Notecarrier XI v1.4 is designed to be used with Starnote for Iridium for satellite connectivity, the Notecarrier XI v1.4 is only compatible with the following Notecards:

• Notecard Cell+WiFi
• Notecard Cellular
• Notecard Cellular (Legacy)
• Notecard WiFi

Package Configuration

Notecarrier XI (Satellite) v1.4

Notecarrier XI (CARR-XI) is the companion Notecarrier for Starnote for Iridium and Notecard, providing a platform for prototyping with satellite failover.

• Notecard and Starnote for Iridium edge connector sockets and mounting screw receptacles.

  • NOTE: Blues recommends using nylon screws instead of stainless steel (SST) screws when mounting the Notecarrier XI.

• Two USB-C ports to power the Notecarrier and provide a USB Serial command interface (one to Notecard and one to Starnote for Iridium).

• Onboard cellular/LTE antenna (Ignion NN03-310) for Notecard.

• Requires a separate user-provided U.FL cellular/satellite antenna for Starnote for Iridium.

• Requires a separate user-provided U.FL passive GPS antenna for Starnote for Iridium and an optional U.FL passive GPS antenna for Notecard. See this note about using an active GPS antenna with Notecarrier XI.

• JST PH connector for a LiPo battery, with onboard LiPo charging circuit.

• Solar panel input (SOLAR JST connector and VSOLAR header) for solar-assisted charging.

• Onboard supercapacitors with a supercapacitor charging circuit to supply the Starnote for Iridium's satellite modem during transmit bursts.

• Qwiic connector for connecting I2C peripherals.

• External Nano-SIM slot for use of an optional secondary SIM.

• Dedicated Starnote for Iridium reset and boot buttons.

• 4-layer FR-4 PCB, 1.59mm total thickness.

• PCB Dimensions: 74.11mm x 95.45mm

• Center of Mounting Holes: 70.3mm x 91.6mm (corners) and one additional hole 3.8mm from the left edge and 34.3mm from the bottom edge (measured from the edge of the PCB to the center of the furthest mounting hole)

Power Information

All Notecarriers can be powered by connecting directly to the USB port. However, most installations will not have USB power available, so several alternate power options are provided by the various Notecarrier models:

• attaching a LiPo battery.

  The LiPo battery must be a single-cell 3.7V battery with a 2-pin JST PH connector.

• attaching a solar panel to the SOLAR connector (must be accompanied by a LiPo).

  The solar charging circuit is designed for use with a 4.5-7V solar panel.

• applying 2.5-5.5VDC to the VBAT or VMAIN pins.

  Commonly provided via DC power supply or non-rechargeable battery.

GPS (GNSS) Antenna Requirements

All Notecarrier models are designed to support active GPS, and several Notecarrier models provide built-in antennas ready to be connected to a Cellular Notecard using the included u.FL cables.

Enabling Active GPS

If using Notecarrier XI v1.4 with an active GPS antenna, add a 0-Ohm 0603 jumper to the unpopulated spot between VGPS_OUT and VGPS_IN. This will power an active GPS LNA with a 3.8VDC bias voltage on the center conductor of its GPS u.FL connector.

On Notecarrier XI, this unpopulated jumper spot is located on the back of the board.

Header Descriptions

Notecarrier XI v1.4 Dual 16-pin Headers

Specifications

Electrical Characteristics

DC Characteristics

*Recommended solar panel voltage range. The solar input must be accompanied by a LiPo battery.

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Ordering Information

• Notecarriers
• Development Kits

Design Files

Open source hardware designs for all Notecarriers are maintained in the note-hardware GitHub repository.

Each Notecarrier's versioned folder (for example, Notecarrier-X/v1.2) contains the mechanical design resources for that revision, such as board drawings, dimensional PDFs, Gerber fabrication files, a BOM spreadsheet, and a STEP (.stp / .step) 3D model suitable for enclosure design and CAD integration.

Board Errata

Terms and Conditions

Visit Blues Hardware Terms & Conditions.

Revision History

Contact Information

Blues Inc.
https://blues.com
50 Dunham Ridge Suite 1650
Beverly, MA 01915
support@blues.com