Sable User Manual

Shipped From

Xeos by Satlink
36 Topple Drive
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Canada
B3B 1L6

Contact Us

Email: support@xeostech.com

Phone: +1 (902) 444-7650

Website: https://xeostech.com/

Specifics

This manual version is written with respect to Sable firmware build 12785, available on the Firmware Repository. This version accounts for the January 2026 Iridium epoch, which can impact older firmware versions after that time. It is strongly recommended to update to the latest version.

Version History

Regular checks for the latest manual are suggested. Be sure to check Xeos Technologies' manuals page to compare versions and download the latest version.

End of Life

⚠️ The Sable is now a legacy product with support discontinuing effective January 2026 for repairs; applications can be upgraded to the Apollo-X or XMI-X.

Overview

General Description

The Sable Subsurface Iridium Satellite Mooring Location Beacon continuously monitors for unplanned or accidental release of subsurface instrument moorings. Sable makes use of the bi-directional, global, real time Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data (SBD) network in combination with GPS position location. Sable's sleek tubular design allows it to be easily retrofitted into subsurface flotation such as syntactic foam.

The Sable consists of an aluminum chassis, 9602 Iridium Satellite Short Burst Data core radio transceiver, a specialized low power Xeos digital controller with GPS, Iridium antenna, GPS antenna and an alkaline battery package.

Sable is intended for subsurface deployments. Xeos Technologies Inc. (Xeos) manufactures other specific products for surface applications.

Theory of Operation

The Sable is intended for instantly and accurately locating and recovering high value, free drifting assets at sea. After being activated, the Sable is submerged (to a maximum depth of 5000 meters), where it enters an ‘Underwater Mode'. Here, it monitors water conductivity between the top disk and the bulkhead for up to 2 years. Shortly after reaching the surface, the Sable can then report its GPS location for a further year.

Upon surfacing, the Sable will enter ‘Surfaced Alarm Mode,' transmitting notification of surfacing as well as its current position. The Sable will transmit a position message every 10 minutes for 1 hour. After the 1 hour ‘Alarm Mode', the Sable will enter ‘Normal Mode', where it will transmit its position based on the timing settings. The Sable can also be configured to enter an accelerated 'Watch Circle Alarm' mode if it is configured with a circle to monitor, and it leaves said zone.

Operators can communicate with the surfaced Sable via Iridium using email commands. Status information can be obtained, including the health of the GPS system and battery voltage. It is recommended to change settings within the first hour of power-up or surfacing to have a lower latency in command responses, but commands can be sent at any time.

A surfaced Sable will continue to send position messages based on the timings, until it is manually turned off, the battery pack drops below the minimum voltage requirement of 7V, or the Sable is re-submerged.

Operating Instructions

Setting up your Iridium Account

The Sable makes use of the Iridium satellite system's Short Burst Data (SBD) service for the 9601, and later, 9602 transceivers. This service is a global, two-way, real-time, email-based data delivery service that has a maximum outbound (from beacon) message size of 340 bytes and a maximum inbound (to beacon) message size of 270 bytes.

End users must set up an Iridium subscription for each Sable with their preferred Iridium service provider, of which Xeos is one. Subscription creation requires sharing the Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of the device, along with up to five (5) unique message destinations. Please contact activations@xeostech.com with any questions regarding modem activation.

The Sable sends and receives data in text format via the Iridium satellite gateway. Any email application can be used to send and receive messages to/from the Sable. In addition, XeosOnline can be utilized to log this same data and send commands, along with mapping interfacing for visual aid.

On/Off Modes and Testing

The Sable beacon is turned ON and OFF using an external magnet near an internal magnetic reed switch, and operation can be identified by viewing an LED at the top of the device.

To turn on the Sable, swipe the magnet along the SWIPE ON/OFF HERE label vertically until the GREEN LED on the top of the device remains SOLIDLY ON. The green LED will flash again while the device completes power-up.

To turn the Sable off, repeat the above procedure until the SOLIDLY ON RED LED is shown.

At any time, the magnet can be placed against the location of the reed switch once to see which mode the beacon is currently in; green for on, red for off.

Image Description: Two images showing the Sable beacon. The left image shows the beacon with a magnet near the 'SWIPE ON/OFF HERE' label, indicating the ON/Off Magnetic Switch. The right image shows the beacon with a red LED illuminated, labeled 'Red LED = OFF'.

Operational Tips

• It is important that the beacon has a good view of the sky during any test, so it is necessary to test the beacon outside of a building.
• It is important to let all LEDs stop illuminating before initiating another action.
• Cycling power for any reason, for example by using the switch to turn OFF/ON or by removing battery power, will cause the beacon to lose its existing configuration and return to the default configuration. It will also start the above-water Alarm Mode.

Installation

When installing the Sable there are several factors that can influence performance.

• The top of the Sable must be pointing toward the sky.
• Iridium and especially GPS performance may suffer if large angles of the horizon are blocked, such as if the Sable is next to a wall.
• The very top of the Sable (antenna) serves as a component of the water sense circuit in conjunction with the main chassis. Do not connect both sections with conductive material. This can cause an inability to detect a surfacing event.

Communicating with the Sable

Commands can be sent to communicate with the Sable when it is above water. These commands are sent as email attachments, or through XeosOnline. Commands can configure the Sable before deployment and can also be used to remotely reconfigure or update status with Sable. All commands are given through the Iridium network and the Sable must have a good view of the sky to receive these commands.

The Sable will always initiate the Iridium connection to transmit and receive data. Therefore, commands are read and implemented on the Sable's internal Iridium transmission (SBD) schedule.

Sending Commands via Email

To receive commands from the Iridium network, the device in use must have a clear view of the sky. If the device is unable to communicate with the Iridium network, commands will remain queued for five days.

Command Format

CREATING THE FILE

To create an SBD command, open a new file in a text editor (ex. Notepad) and save it using the .sbd extension. Make sure the Save as type option is set to All Files to achieve this.

Image Description: A screenshot of the 'Save As' dialog box in Notepad, showing how to save a file with the .sbd extension.

Command Structure

Commands must be structured in the following way:

1. Each command MUST have a dollar sign ($) before each command.
2. A list of commands, one command per line.

Image Description: A screenshot of a Notepad window showing an example command: '$getpos'.

Sending the Command

To send your sbd command, create a new email message with the following fields:

Image Description: A screenshot of an email composition window, showing the recipient, subject, and attachment fields for sending an SBD command.

A confirmation will be immediately returned from the Iridium Gateway from the address sbdservice@sbd.iridium.com indicating that your message is now in the message queue. It will be delivered to the device during its next Iridium check.

Commands can be sent from any email address, but responses will be returned only to email addresses on the unit's forwarding list.

Sending Commands Using XeosOnline

Before using XeosOnline make sure that your account has been set up and your device added to your organization. Contact activations@xeostech.com for more information.

Setting up to Send

• Navigate to the Send Command window.
• From the Home Tab, choose Menu > Send Command
• Select the device(s) to target with commands and move it to the right-hand target list using the -> button.
• Type the command(s) into the lower command box and press Send.

Remember to include the dollar sign ($) ahead of each command and enter each command on a separate line.

Outgoing messages will appear in the Message Log for the commanded device.

Image Description: A screenshot of the XeosOnline 'Send Commands' interface, showing how to select a device and enter a command like '$settiming 180 180 15 15'.

Understanding Position Information

There are two types of position information which will be sent via the Iridium Gateway.

Iridium Doppler position

The Iridium Gateway calculates the Iridium transceivers' position on earth when it receives a transmission, using Doppler technology. As a result, it is often very inaccurate. This location is only visible to users getting emails directly from the device, as opposed to emails forwarded by XeosOnline. An example of a “raw” Iridium message via email is below and will always have the IMEI of the device in the subject line, regardless of its name on XeosOnline.

Image Description: An example of a raw Iridium message received via email, showing details like MOMSN, MTMSN, Time of Session, Session Status, Message Size, Unit Location (Lat/Long), and CEPradius.

*These items can be enabled/disabled by your Iridium provider if desired.

Global Positioning System

Location information generated by the device itself is embedded in the SBD attachment sent via the Iridium Gateway and can be viewed by downloading the attachment and viewing the information via a text editor (Notepad). This position information is accurate to within several feet of the true position.

Sable Commands

Commands will be displayed in this section as Email attachments, but the same content can be sent over XeosOnline. Ensure that you adhere to the instructions in the previous sections when sending commands.

Set Timing

The set timing command ($settiming) is used to set four timer parameters in Sable in this order:

• GPS rate while in Normal Mode
• Iridium rate in Normal Mode
• GPS rate in Watch Circle Alarm
• Iridium rate in Watch Circle Alarm

The default timing settings are 180 minutes (3 hours) in Normal Mode, and 15 minutes in Watch Circle Alarm mode.

The timing intervals for the one-hour periods that occur immediately after power-on/reset as and immediately after surfacing are locked to 10 minutes for both Iridium and GPS.

Image Description: A screenshot of a Notepad window showing the '$settiming 180 180 15 15' command.

Values set outside these limits will be ignored.

Once the Sable receives a set timing command, it will change the timing configuration and send back a status message, indicating the new timing configurations.

Image Description: A status message example: '08261532,5, gps=15Mns ird=15Mns lat=44.72571 lon=-63.70721'.

Status

The status command ($scm) is used to retrieve Sable's current settings and beacon status.

Image Description: A Notepad window showing the '$scm' command.

When received, the Sable will send back a status message.

Image Description: A status message example: '08271305,S, gps=3Hrs ird=3Hrs lat=44.72571 lon=-63.70707'.

There are several cases in which the Sable will transmit a status message:

• Upon initial power-up of the device
• When the timer intervals are changed due to changing from one mode to another (ex. Watch Circle, Normal Mode)
• If the command for a status message is received.

Position

The position command ($GetPos) file is a request for an immediate GPS location, which is answered by the Sable on its next Mail Message Check. The position command message should look like the one below.

Image Description: A Notepad window showing the '$GetPos' command.

Once the Sable has received a get position command, it will return a standard position message:

Image Description: A standard position message example: '08261429, P, 44.72573 -63.70704 43 1422 (time, P, lat lon snrMx BV)'.

Reset

The reset command ($ResetNow) does a full software reset of the Sable. This effectively will recycle the power of the beacon. The unit will return to its default timing intervals.

Watch Circle

The watch circle functionality allows users to monitor the position of their mooring by receiving alarm messages when it exits the circle. This feature aids in the recovery of moorings that could break free from their planned position.

Note: Watch circle is not ready for use if the device is not up to date with version 12785 and the power-up message displaying the firmware version does not have the W value present.

Setting the Watch Circle

Watch Circle Functionality must be enabled with the following command:

$wcenable 1

The watch circle parameters can be set (or edited if already set) by using the $setcircle command:

$setcircle Latitude Longitude Radius

The minimum radius is 50 meters, while the maximum is 15000 meters.

Example:

$setcircle 47.56989 -53.55682 100

a) $setcircle is the command
b) Latitude is set to 47.56989 degrees
c) Longitude is set to -53.55682 degrees
d) Radius is set to 100 meters

Upon implementing the watch circle, the Sable will return a Status message to confirm the configuration.

Recognition of a watch circle exit is tied to the GPS interval of the device. Once a GPS position is logged that shows the device is outside the circle, the device immediately transitions to Watch Circle Alarm mode and transmits according to the set timer intervals of that mode until the unit re-enters the watch circle, the radius is expanded or edited with $setcircle, or the watch circle is disabled with $wcenable 0.

Additional Watch Circle Information

• The watch circle's details are not saved between power cycles.
• The settings of the watch circle can be queried with the $scm command
• The Watch Circle's radius can be adjusted without changing the position of the center by setting the latitude and longitude parameters to 0, followed by the new radius.

Power Supply and Consumption

The Sable has an internal battery pack consisting of two independent strings of nine alkaline C cells for a total of 18 cells. The nominal voltage of each string is 13.5V. The internal battery pack is not rechargeable and should be replaced whenever the Sable is recovered.

The Sable incorporates a power supply that uses steering diodes. It will draw power from the string with the higher voltage, alternating until they both fall below 7 Volts. The battery voltage can be monitored with the Status command and is also displayed with every position transmitted.

Typical sleep current drawn between higher power tasks is <150µA. The device has a life time of 2 years while submerged.

Testing the Sable

1. Once the Sable firmware has been updated and the device reassembled, please test its ability to transmit.
2. Make sure the Sable has an active Iridium account. Xeos can set up an account for you if you do not currently have one. Ensure you have access to one of the email addresses to which messages are sent.
3. Place the Sable outside in a location where it has a clear view of the sky.
4. Turn it ON.
5. Check the email account to see if a transmission has been received. If no message is received within 20 minutes, please check operating manual to ensure it is setup as required.
6. If no message is received, please contact Xeos for assistance in troubleshooting.
7. DO NOT redeploy the Sable until you have confirmed Iridium transmission.

Field Installation

The Sable is intended for use on marine flotation devices. It is important that the top of the Sable is located as high above the surface of the water as possible, with as clear a view of the sky as possible. Both the Iridium and GPS antennas are located at the top of the unit.

Care should be taken when installing to avoid putting metal bands close to the top of the unit where the antennas and water sense mechanism are located.

Opening the Housing

The Sable can be opened from the bottom to unmount the bottom of the internal assembly, before removing the electronics and battery through the top of the main enclosure.

Inset into the bottom of the Sable's titanium case is a titanium screw-plug with two O-rings. After removing the plug with a flat edge, a hex socket head of a stainless #8-32 screw is visible. This screw holds the internal assembly to the bottom endcap. Remove this screw and replace it with a #8-32 screw that is 2 inches long so that it protrudes out of the titanium enclosure.

Image Description: Three images showing the process of opening the Sable housing: a close-up of the screw-plug, the screw-plug removed revealing the hex socket screw, and the assembled unit with the bottom endcap removed.

Gently tap on the protruding screw with a rubber mallet. The internal assembly will begin to exit the top of the tube. Continue until there is enough of the head of the Sable exposed to remove the assembly with your hands. The screw on the bottom will need to be removed to complete this step. Pull the internal chassis out horizontally, making an effort to avoid scratching the inside of the titanium case where the O-rings seat.

When originally packaged at the factory, the chassis is stabilized in place using foam strips placed vertically along the battery pack that grip the inside wall of the housing. This may cause some minor resistance while pulling the electronics from the tube.

Once the electronics are removed, the bottom endcap can be removed by knocking it down and out from the inside of the tube with a long pipe, if replacing O-rings.

Replacement Battery Pack

Image Description: Close-up of the battery pack showing the battery connector and the retaining rod.

Remove the nuts and plate washer from the bottom of the battery pack, and carefully slide the battery pack off the center retaining rod.

Some wiring may be held more tightly to the electronics with elastic bands to prevent damage during reassembly. Replace any bands that may have aged and resecure the wiring.

Add the new battery to the Sable in opposite order. Watch the LED indicator (on top of the cap) after reconnecting the battery connector to confirm power-up. A magnet will be required to turn off the Sable until ready for use.

Reassembly of the Sable can be done in the opposite order of disassembly by pushing the electronics back into the tube by hand. Ensure no wiring is caught between the mechanical pieces.

O-rings

Image Description: Close-up of the bottom of the Sable's head, showing the location of the O-rings and the retaining screw.

O-rings should be replaced at the same time as battery replacement. The top of the Sable's head as well as the bottom endcap have two O-rings:

• Parker #N0300 8-143 (flat)
• Parker #N1490 2-143 (round)

Set into the bottom of the Sable's titanium case is a titanium screw-plug with two more O-rings

• Parker #N1470 2-013
• Parker #N1470 2-017

Remove the old rings, clean away the old ring lube from the groove and the tube's inner surface with a lint-free cloth and rubbing alcohol, and apply a thin layer of fresh O-ring lubrication to the new O-rings (Molykote 111).

• Add the flat O-ring (flat side toward the electronics) to the groove. Push this O-ring to the electronics side of the groove.
• Add the round O-ring to the same groove, closer to the antenna.

Carefully slide the Sable battery pack and chassis into the case, but don't close it up yet.

Re-apply a light layer of O-ring lube to the rings, if needed. Get the bottom retaining screw and plug ready to go, with fresh O-rings (Parker #N1470 2-013 and Parker #N1470 2-017) and lube for the plug. Next, if you have it, flush the Sable's interior air with dry nitrogen, blown in from the bottom plug hole. Push the Sable chassis into place, and screw in the bottom retaining screw and screw-plug.

Note: It is very important to be aware of where the O-ring is sitting on the titanium screw plug. If the O-rings are not sitting perfectly in their O-ring grooves, there will not be a perfect seal and could cause fatal damage to the unit.

Note: Do not over-tighten the bottom screw-plug, as the extra torque will cause the case bottom and battery pack to rotate, which may shear the battery cables.

Set into the bottom of the Sable's titanium case is a titanium screw-plug with two O-rings (Parker #N1470 2-013 and Parker #N1470 2-017).

Appendix A: Firmware

Requirements

• Computer running Windows OS
• USB Programmer from Xeos with Sable programming cable
• Device driver for the USB port (may install on connection); backup link
• Firmware Update Package
  • Bootloader Console
  • Update.exe
  • Firmware .enc file
• Tools for disassembly

Loading Firmware onto the Sable

1. Disassemble the Sable in the same manner as the battery pack replacement procedure.
2. Disconnect the battery from the main circuit board. Do not remove the battery from the assembly as it will be used to power the Sable during programming.
3. Unplug the 8-wire connector from the larger controller board, and connect the USB programmer with the Sable programming cable in place of it.
4. Connect the other end of the USB programmer to the computer. Take note of the COM Port number the computer assigns to the programmer.

Note: The COM port the programmer is assigned to can be found in Device Manager under Ports (COM&LPT)

Image Description: A screenshot of Windows Device Manager, showing the 'Ports (COM & LPT)' section with various COM ports listed, including 'Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge'.

5. The programmer COM Port is listed under Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge as shown. This example is COM 13.

6. Extract the zipped folder of the firmware package.

7. Open the folder extracted to the desktop.

8. Open BootLoaderConsole.exe

Image Description: A screenshot of the 'Boot Loader' application, showing steps to select the serial port, firmware file, and start the process.

9. Select the COM port assigned to the USB Programmer. (only COM Ports 1-9 are supported)

10. Click on Open

11. Open the .enc file corresponding to the firmware to load.

12. Click on Start

13. Connect the battery again (quickly)

14. Wait for the programming window to open, and verify that device has been successfully programmed.

Image Description: A command prompt window showing the progress of firmware update, indicating 'COM6 opened.' and 'Transferring.. 21% done.'.

15. After programming has successfully completed, unplug the USB programmer from the main board and reconnect the 8-wire cable for the antenna that was previously disconnected.

16. Reassemble the Sable.

Appendix B: Technical Specifications

All Xeos Drawings are hosted in STEP and/or PDF format on drawings.xeostech.com

Mechanical

O-rings

Power Supply

Electronics

Environmental

Warranty, Support and Limited Liability

Xeos by Satlink warranties the Sable Beacon to be free of defects in material or manufacturing for a period of one year following delivery. Liability is limited to repair or replacement of the defective part and will be done free of charge.

LIMITED WARRANTY:

Xeos by Satlink warrants that the product will perform substantially in accordance with the accompanying written materials for a period of one year from the date of receipt.

CUSTOMER REMEDIES:

Xeos by Satlink entire liability and your exclusive remedy shall be at Xeos' option, either (a) return of the price paid or (b) repair or replacement of the product that does not meet Xeos' Limited Warranty and that is returned to Xeos with a copy of your receipt. This Limited Warranty is void if failure of the product has resulted from accident, abuse, or misapplication. Any replacement product will be warranted for the remainder of the original warranty period or ninety (90) days, whichever is longer.

NO OTHER WARRANTIES:

Xeos by Satlink disclaims all other warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to the product or the accompanying written materials. This limited warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may have others, which vary from state to state.

NO LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES:

In no event shall Xeos by Satlink or its suppliers be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of equipment, for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of or inability to use this Xeos, even if Xeos has been advised of the possibility of such damages.