The Notecarriers
Notecarriers are companion project accelerator boards designed to make it easy to prototype and deploy IoT solutions with the Notecard.
The bridge between your host and the Notecard
Any MCU or SBC
Regardless of the microcontroller or single-board computer you’re using, there is a compatible Notecarrier for your project.
Fast prototyping (and deployments)
Each Notecarrier model provides an easy connectivity method to your existing IoT solution, whether it’s via header pins for prototyping or castellated edge connectors for embedding in a production solution.
Developer Friendly Features
Notecarriers include helpful extras like status LEDs, Qwiic ports, JST connectors, and USB connectivity — making development and debugging easier.
Power options galore
Supporting LiPo, solar, and micro-USB, there are Notecarrier models that support virtually any type (and combination) of power supply.
Meet the Notecarriers
Notecarriers make it easy to prototype and deploy IoT solutions with the Notecard.
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Notecarrier CX
Reduce development cost and complexity with a built-in host MCU.
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Notecard M.2 Key E connector socket and mounting screw receptacle.
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Built-in STM32L433-based microcontroller.
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DIP switch for toggling USB-C access to Notecard or Onboard STM32 Host.
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Nano-SIM slot for use of an optional secondary SIM.
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Onboard RST and BOOT buttons for onboard MCU ROM bootloader access and power reset.
- Castellated Edges for easy of pick-and-place installation in an end product.
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Notecarrier F
- 24-pin Adafruit Feather breakout header
- Nano-Sim slot for (optional) additional carrier connectivity
- JST connectors for V+, LiPo, and Solar
- Supports Notecard Outboard Firmware Update
- This product requires a Notecard
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Notecarrier X
The Notecarrier X is our most capable small-form factor Notecarrier with JST connectors for LiPo battery and charging support, as well as Qwiic and ESLOV ports for connecting the Notecard to host MCUs over I2C.
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Notecard M.2 Key E connector socket and mounting screw receptacle.
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USB C port to power Notecarrier and provide a USB Serial command interface to Notecard.
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External Nano-SIM slot for use of an optional secondary SIM.
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2-Pin JST PH connectors for LiPo battery power and charging support.
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1 Qwiic/StemmaQT I2C port for attaching external peripherals.
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1 ESLOV port for attaching the Notecard to Arduino MKR or PRO boards.
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DIP switch for using active or passive GPS/GNSS antenna.
- This product requires a Notecard
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Notecarrier XM
The Notecarrier XM is our most minimal Notecard, containing essential circuitry for the Notecard and a USB port for USB Serial access to the Notecard. The Notecarrier XM was designed as a low-cost companion to the Notecard LoRa and Notecard WiFi, though it can be used with any Notecard.
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Notecard M.2 Key E connector socket and mounting screw receptacle.
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USB C port to power Notecarrier and provide a USB Serial command interface to Notecard.
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DIP switch for using active or passive GPS/GNSS antenna.
- This product requires a Notecard
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Notecarrier XS
Notecarrier XS is the companion Notecarrier to Starnote and Notecard, providing a platform for prototyping with Satellite failover.
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Notecard M.2 Key E connector socket and mounting screw receptacle.
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Starnote M.2 Key E connector socket and mounting screw receptacle.
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USB-C port to power Notecarrier and provide a USB Serial command interface to Notecard.
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External Nano-SIM slot for use of an optional secondary SIM.
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2-Pin JST PH connectors for LiPo battery power and charging support.
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1 Qwiic/StemmaQT I2C port for attaching external peripherals.
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1 ESLOV port for attaching the Notecard to Arduino MKR or PRO boards.
- This product requires a Notecard and Starnote
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Notecarrier Pi
- Stackable 40-pin Pi-compatible HAT
- Grove I2C port for external peripherals
- Includes U.FL cellular/WiFi antenna (GPS requires U.FL active antenna)
- This product requires a Notecard
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Notecarrier A
- Onboard cellular/WiFi and GPS antennas
- Two Qwiic ports for connecting I2C peripherals
- JST Connectors for V+, LiPo, and Solar power
- This product requires a Notecard
Which Notecarrier is right for me?
Discover the right Notecarrier for your host, power supply, and deployment stage.
Notecarrier F
Best when using Feather-compatible MCU
103mm x 51mm
Adafruit Feather-compatible
Bring Your Own Antenna
Two Qwiic I2C Ports
LiPo/Solar/V+
Micro USB
External Nano-SIM Socket for Additional Carriers
Notecarrier CX
Best when using a Raspberry Pi-compatible SBC
76mm x 38mm
Onboard MCU
Embedded Antennas
One Qwiic I2C Port
LiPo/V+
USB-C
External Nano-SIM Socket for Additional Carriers
Notecarrier A
Best when prototyping with any other MCU
68mm x 75mm
Any MCU
Embedded Antennas
Two Qwiic I2C Ports
LiPo/Solar/V+
USB-C
External Nano-SIM Socket for Additional Carriers
Notecarrier X
Best for small form factor deployments
66mm x 38mm
Any MCU
Bring Your Own Antenna
One Qwiic & One ESLOV I2C Port
2.5V-5.5V to V+
USB-C
External Nano-SIM Socket for Additional Carriers
Frequently Asked Questions
A Notecarrier is a carrier board for a Notecard.
Notecarriers expose a 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.
Every Notecard-based project requires a carrier board to power and interface with Notecard. You don’t have to use a Blues Notecarrier specifically. For production designs, many customers build their own custom carrier board instead of using an off-theshelf Notecarrier.
However, for development and prototyping, we strongly recommend using a Blues Notecarrier to get up and running quickly. Some customers also choose to use Blues Notecarriers in production deployments.
No. Connectivity is determined by Notecard, not Notecarrier. Notecarriers provide the physical connections needed for Notecards to operate, but they don’t change how connectivity works.
Some Notecarriers, like Notecarrier XS and Notecarrier XI, include slots for Starnote modules. These slots make it easy to add satellite connectivity, but the connectivity itself is still provided by Starnote, not Notecarrier.
Notecarrier A provides onboard cellular/WiFi and GPS antennas. For other Notecarrier models, you’ll connect external antennas directly to the Notecard. All Notecards ship with flexible antennas that you can use for development.
Yes. Many of our customers use Notecarriers for their production deployments. Some Notecarrier models are even designed with this in mind. For example, Notecarrier CX includes castellated edges to support pick-and-place assembly in end products. That said, other teams choose to design a custom carrier board to optimize for size, cost, or specific hardware requirements. See “Integrating Notecard into a Product” for a detailed discussion.
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