Cellular Function Board - Blues Wireless Notecarrier

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Contributors: El Duderino
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Introduction

The SparkFun Cellular Function Board - Blues Wireless Notecarrier features the Notecard from Blues Wireless. The Notecard is unique among cellular modules as it has a built-in SIM card and includes a 10 year subscription and 500MB of data included in the price. The Notecard module also comes with integrated cellular, SIM, onboard GPS, 3-axis accelerometer with an on-chip temperature sensor. On top of that, the Notecard features outboard device firmware updates (DFU) meaning you can reprogram a connected Processor remotely through Blues' Notehub service! There are some limitations to this process so make sure to read further in this guide for more information on how to properly perform Outboard device firmware updates.

SparkFun MicroMod Cellular Function Board - Blues Wireless Notecarrier

SparkFun MicroMod Cellular Function Board - Blues Wireless Notecarrier

WRL-20409
$119.95

The MicroMod Cellular Function Board includes everything you need : a carrier board (Blues calls them Notecarriers) and the globally enabled NB-IoT & LTE-M M.2 based module (Blues calls them Notecards).

Required Materials

The following materials are necessary for following along with this guide (check out our all inclusive, starter kit). All Function Boards require a Main Board and Processor to connect to each other. Depending on your application, you may need a Single or Dual Main Board:

SparkFun Blues Wireless MicroMod Starter Kit

SparkFun Blues Wireless MicroMod Starter Kit

KIT-21702
$149.95 $109.46
SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Double

SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Double

DEV-20595
$19.95
SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Single

SparkFun MicroMod Main Board - Single

DEV-20748
$15.95

A Processor Board is needed to act as a host controller for the Function Board:

Heads Up: Outboard Device Firmware Updates only support the STM32 Processor v20 as of release. Other Processors may be supported in the future but are beyond the scope of this tutorial. We will update this guide if and when other Processors work with this feature.
SparkFun MicroMod STM32 Processor

SparkFun MicroMod STM32 Processor

DEV-21326
$16.50
SparkFun MicroMod Artemis Processor

SparkFun MicroMod Artemis Processor

DEV-16401
$14.95
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You'll also need a cellular and GNSS antenna:

GPS Embedded Antenna SMA

GPS Embedded Antenna SMA

GPS-00177
$12.95
PCB Antenna - U.FL (2.4GHz)

PCB Antenna - U.FL (2.4GHz)

WRL-18086
$1.50
Molex Flexible GNSS Antenna - U.FL (Adhesive)

Molex Flexible GNSS Antenna - U.FL (Adhesive)

GPS-15246
$4.50
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LTE Hinged External Antenna - 698MHz-2.7GHz, SMA Male

LTE Hinged External Antenna - 698MHz-2.7GHz, SMA Male

CEL-16432
$7.50

The Notecard Module uses u.Fl connectors for both antenna connections so, depending on your choice of antennas, you may also need an adapter cable like these:

SMA to U.FL Cable - 150mm

SMA to U.FL Cable - 150mm

WRL-18568
$1.95
Interface Cable SMA to U.FL - 100mm

Interface Cable SMA to U.FL - 100mm

WRL-09145
$5.50
3

Interface Cable U.FL to SMA - 100mm

WRL-18154
Retired

Suggested Reading

The MicroMod ecosystem is a unique way to allow users to customize their project to their needs. If you aren't familiar with the MicroMod system, click on the banner below for more information.

MicroMod Logo


You may also want to go through the tutorials below if you are not familiar with the concepts covered in them:

Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)

SPI is commonly used to connect microcontrollers to peripherals such as sensors, shift registers, and SD cards.

What is an Arduino?

What is this 'Arduino' thing anyway? This tutorials dives into what an Arduino is and along with Arduino projects and widgets.

Installing Arduino IDE

A step-by-step guide to installing and testing the Arduino software on Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Getting Started with MicroMod

Dive into the world of MicroMod - a compact interface to connect a microcontroller to various peripherals via the M.2 Connector!