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Machine-to-Machine (M2M)

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Small flat satellite antenna and a solar panel on a steel pole at a remote wellhead or pumping station, wide landscape, no people

Satellite Internet

M2M Satellite Terminals for SCADA, Telemetry and Remote Assets

Low-power terminals that connect equipment, not people: Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M for always-on IP at unmanned sites, and Iridium transceivers for telemetry built into your own hardware.

Talk to a specialistSee SBD modules

What M2M satellite terminals are for

A gas pipeline has a block valve every 20 miles across country with no cell signal. Each one needs to report pressure and position every few minutes, accept a close command, and do it on a solar panel and a battery through a winter. Nobody will ever browse the web from that cabinet. That is machine-to-machine satellite: a terminal installed once, polled forever, and judged on power draw and uptime rather than speed.

This subcategory holds two kinds of hardware. Finished terminals such as the Hughes 9502 provide an always-on IP link over Inmarsat BGAN M2M with a pole-mount antenna and SMS-based remote management. Transceiver modules such as the Iridium 9603, 9522B and Core 9523 are board-level parts that an integrator designs into a tracker, buoy, RTU or alarm panel. If you are a systems integrator building a product, the dedicated Short Burst Data page goes deeper on the Iridium modules and developer kits.

This is not the page for a person who needs to check email at a remote cabin: the Land Mobility terminals do that. It is for utilities, oil and gas, water districts, mining, environmental agencies and OEMs who need a few kilobytes from many sites, reliably, on almost no power.

BGAN M2M terminals and Iridium modules

Installed M2M terminals for unattended sites. For the bare Iridium modules and developer kits that integrators build into their own hardware, see Short Burst Data.

Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M Integrated Antenna Terminal
Special offer
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M Integrated Antenna Terminal
$1,919.00
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M External Antenna Terminal
Special offer
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M External Antenna Terminal
$1,654.00
Iridium Core 9523 satellite transceiver module for OEM integration
Special offer
Core 9523 Satellite Transceiver Module
$949.00
Cobham EXPLORER 540 BGAN M2M terminal — mounted panel view
Special offer
EXPLORER 540
$2,595.00

How to choose an M2M satellite terminal

Three questions decide it.

1

Always-on IP or short messages?

If the equipment speaks IP (Modbus TCP, DNP3 over IP, a web interface you need to reach), you want a BGAN M2M terminal like the Hughes 9502: it holds an IP session and can be woken remotely. If the equipment only needs to send a position, a reading or an alarm a few times an hour, Iridium Short Burst Data through a 9603 or Core 9523 costs far less power and airtime. The Core 9523 carries SBD messages up to 1,960 bytes out and 1,890 bytes in.

2

Where is the site?

BGAN uses geostationary satellites and covers everywhere except the polar regions; the Hughes 9502 antenna must be aligned within a 15-degree cone toward the satellite, once, at install. Iridium covers pole to pole with an omnidirectional antenna, so a buoy or a vehicle needs no pointing at all. Sites at high latitude, or assets that move, lean Iridium.

3

What power is available?

The Hughes 9502 idles at 1 W in the regional beam, draws less than 20 W transmitting, and drops under 10 mW off with wake-on-packet at 12 V DC. The Iridium 9603 transfers an SBD message at 0.8 W or less and idles at 34 mA average. A small solar panel and battery run either, but a 9603-based device can run on a fraction of the panel a 9502 site needs.

Hughes 9502 integrated vs external antenna

Two versions of the same BGAN M2M terminal, from the satmodo.com product pages.

Hughes 9502 Integrated AntennaHughes 9502 External Antenna
NetworkInmarsat BGAN or BGAN M2M SIMInmarsat BGAN or BGAN M2M SIM
FormAll-IP terminal with the antenna built inIndoor unit plus outdoor unit with a 38 x 38 cm semi-directional panel
Ingress ratingIP-66 for outdoor installationNot stated on the product page
Antenna cable10 m RF cabling included10 m RF cable included; 32 ft total available
Power: transmitLess than 20 WLess than 20 W
Power: idle1 W (regional beam); 3 W narrow beam without transmit1 W (regional beam); 3 W narrow beam without transmit
Power: off with wake-on-packetUnder 10 mW at 12 V DC; under 30 mW at 24 V DCUnder 10 mW at 12 V DC; under 30 mW at 24 V DC
InterfacesEthernet RJ45, USB Type B, RS-232 DB9 for external GNSS, built-in GPSEthernet RJ45, USB Type B, RS-232 DB9 for external GNSS, TNC antenna, built-in GPS
Remote managementSMS control, web interface, auto-on and auto-context, relay mode, port forwardingSMS control, web interface, auto-on and auto-context, port forwarding
Choose it whenThe terminal can sit where it sees the satelliteThe electronics must be indoors or in a cabinet and only the panel goes outside

Sources: satmodo.com pages for hughes-9502-bgan-integrated-antenna and hughes-9502-bgan-m2m-external-antenna-terminal. Data rate is not stated on either page; BGAN M2M service is a standard IP class service.

Iridium transceivers for built-in telemetry

The Iridium 9603 is the module inside most modern satellite trackers and sensor nodes: 31.5 x 29.6 x 8.1 mm, 11.4 g, 5 V supply, transferring an SBD message at 0.8 W or less. The Core 9523 is the full-service module for products that need more than SBD: voice, SMS, circuit-switched data and RUDICS as well as SBD, in a 70.44 x 36.04 x 14.6 mm, 32 g package with FCC, Industry Canada and CE approval. The 9522B is the earlier black-box transceiver with an RS232 interface and AT command set, still specified in legacy designs.

Buy the Core 9523 Developer Kit first if you are starting a design: it adds the test interface board, power supply and documentation so firmware work can begin before your own board exists. The SBD page covers the 9602 and 9603 developer kits and the service itself.

Engineer's bench with a small satellite transceiver module on a test interface board, oscilloscope in soft focus

What you need alongside an M2M terminal

The terminal is the smallest part of the site design.

An M2M airtime plan: BGAN M2M SIMs for the Hughes 9502, or an Iridium SBD or data plan for module-based devices. Billing is by kilobyte or message, so protocol efficiency matters.
Power: a 12 or 24 V DC source for the 9502; solar panel and battery sized to the duty cycle. Wake-on-packet lets a 9502 sleep between polls.
Mounting: the 9502 outdoor unit pole-mounts; the external panel needs a clear view within 15 degrees of the satellite bearing.
A static or reachable address plan: the 9502 supports relay mode with WAN IP pass-through and port forwarding for reaching the RTU behind it.
For module designs, an L-band antenna, a host microcontroller and the developer kit for bench work.
Remote management access: keep an SMS-capable phone or gateway on hand, since the 9502 can be configured and debugged over SMS when the IP link is down.
A cellular alternative where towers exist: the EXPLORER 540 on the parent category is a dual BGAN M2M and LTE terminal for sites that have partial coverage.

Connecting more than a handful of sites?

We can help you match protocol, plan and power across a whole network of assets, and quote hardware in volume.

Call (800) 279-2366

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

What is M2M satellite communication?
Machine-to-machine satellite communication is a link installed to let equipment report and receive commands where no terrestrial network exists, without a person operating the terminal. It covers SCADA polling, telemetry, asset tracking and alarms. The hardware is judged on power draw, uptime and remote manageability rather than on speed.
What is the difference between M2M and Short Burst Data?
Short Burst Data is one specific Iridium service, and the 9602, 9603 and Core 9523 modules that use it, for sending short packets. M2M is the broader application category: finished terminals such as the Hughes 9502 on BGAN M2M plus module-based devices. If you are building a product around Iridium, start on the SBD page; if you need an installed IP terminal, start here.
How much power does the Hughes 9502 use?
Less than 20 W while transmitting, 1 W idle in the regional beam, 3 W in the narrow beam without transmitting, and under 10 mW when off with wake-on-packet at 12 V DC. That profile is why it runs from a modest solar and battery installation at sites with no mains power.
Can I manage an M2M terminal remotely?
Yes. The Hughes 9502 accepts configuration, debugging and web-interface access over SMS, and its auto-on and auto-context features restore the connection after a power or link loss without a site visit. Module-based devices depend on the firmware you write around them.
Does the Hughes 9502 need to be pointed?
Once, at installation. The antenna is semi-directional and must be aligned within a 15-degree cone toward the Inmarsat satellite, which is geostationary, so it never needs re-pointing. The built-in GPS helps the terminal select the right beam. Iridium module-based devices use an omnidirectional antenna and need no pointing.
Which Iridium module should I design around?
The 9603 for anything that only needs Short Burst Data and must be small and low power: 11.4 g, under 0.8 W per message. The Core 9523 when the product also needs voice, SMS, circuit-switched data or RUDICS, or SBD messages up to 1,960 bytes. The 9522B when you are maintaining a legacy RS232 design.
Is BGAN M2M the same as regular BGAN?
Same network and satellites, different terminal class and plan. BGAN M2M terminals such as the Hughes 9502 are built for unattended, low-duty-cycle use with remote management and low idle power, and are sold with M2M airtime plans billed for small volumes. Portable BGAN terminals for people are on the Land Mobility page.
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Core 9523 Satellite Transceiver Module
Special offer
Core 9523 Satellite Transceiver Module
$949.00
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M External Antenna Terminal
Special offer
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M External Antenna Terminal
$1,654.00
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M Integrated Antenna Terminal
Special offer
Hughes 9502 BGAN M2M Integrated Antenna Terminal
$1,919.00
EXPLORER 540
Special offer
EXPLORER 540
$2,595.00

Optimizing Remote Operations with M2M Satellite Technology

Integrating satellite M2M into your SCADA or tracking systems requires selecting hardware that matches your data throughput needs and power constraints. To build a robust remote monitoring network, consider these key technical factors:

Short Burst Data (SBD) vs. IP Data Backhaul

The choice of terminal depends heavily on packet size. For tracking GPS coordinates, tank levels, or simple status updates, Iridium SBD (Short Burst Data) devices like the Iridium Edge offer a low-cost, low-latency solution that works globally. Conversely, for operations requiring real-time surveillance video, large file transfers, or complex remote diagnostics, BGAN M2M terminals (such as the Hughes 9202) provide higher bandwidth IP connectivity, acting as a remote gateway for your entire local equipment network.

Power Efficiency and Solar Compatibility

Many M2M deployments are located in areas without grid power. Our selection of satellite terminals is engineered for low power consumption, making them ideal for integration with solar and battery systems. Devices designed for the Iridium and Inmarsat IsatData Pro (IDP) networks feature "sleep modes" that wake up only to transmit data, preserving energy and ensuring your autonomous systems can operate for years without maintenance or battery replacement.

Environmental Hardening and Reliability

Industrial assets are often exposed to the harshest conditions on Earth. Our M2M hardware is built to meet rigorous industrial standards, often featuring IP67 or higher ratings for protection against dust intrusion and water immersion. Whether mounted on a maritime vessel facing salt spray or a polar weather station enduring sub-zero temperatures, these ruggedized terminals ensure that your critical data stream remains uninterrupted, regardless of the environment.

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