ARGOS ARTIC R2 Satellite Transceiver Shield Hookup Guide
Contributors:
PaulZC
PaulZC 
Breakout Pins
The table below describes the function of each of the ARGOS ARTIC R2 Satellite Transceiver Shield breakout pins:
| Pin Name | Function | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CIPO | Output | SPI interface: Controller In Peripheral Out. | Logic level is 3.3V. |
| COPI | Input | SPI interface: Controller Out Peripheral In. | Logic level is 3.3V. |
| SCLK | Input | SPI interface clock signal. | Logic level is 3.3V. Typically 1MHz. See the ARTIC R2 datasheet for the permitted clock speeds. |
| CS | Input | SPI interface chip select. | Logic level is 3.3V. |
| GND | Power ground / 0V. | ||
| G8 | Input | Gain control. | Logic level is 3.3V. Pull high to set the RFPA0133 transmit power to maximum. The transmit power will be reduced by approximately 5dB if this pin is pulled low or left open. |
| BOOT | Input | Connected to the ARTIC R2 BOOT pin. | Logic level is 3.3V. Pulled high via a 100k resistor. When high, the ARTIC boots from the on-board flash memory. Pull low if the ARTIC firmware will be downloaded by the MCU via SPI. |
| INT1 | Output | Connected to the ARTIC INT1 pin. | Logic level is 3.3V. Will be pulled high by the ARTIC to indicate (e.g.) an RX_VALID_MESSAGE. |
| INT2 | Output | Connected to the ARTIC INT2 pin. | Logic level is 3.3V. Will be pulled high by the ARTIC to indicate (e.g.) an RX_BUFFER_OVERFLOW. |
| RESETB | Input | Connected to the ARTIC reset pin. | Logic level is 3.3V. Pulled high via a 100k resistor. Pull low to reset the ARTIC. |
| PWR EN | Input | Shield power circuit enable. | Logic level is 3.3V. Pulled low via a 100k resistor. Pull high to enable power for the ARTIC R2. |
| RF EN | Input | RF Amplifier enable. | Logic level is 3.3V. Pulled low via a 100k resistor. Pull high to enable power for the RF amplifier. |
| VUSB | Power | Power input from (e.g.) USB. | Typically 5V. 6.5V maximum. |
| VBATT | Power | Power input from (e.g.) a LiPo battery. | Typically 3.6V - 4.2V. 6.5V maximum. |
Power can be provided via the VBATT pin or the VUSB pin, or both. The shield will preferentially draw power from USB if connected. On-board 3.3V and 1.8V regulators regulate USB or battery power for the ARTIC R2 and RF amplifier. See below for the typical VBATT current draw.