Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 manual

AirCard® 580 Wireless Modem User Guide[...]

2 Important Notice Due to the nature of wireless communicati ons, transmission and recepti on of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, co rrupted (i.e., have errors) or be to tally lost. Although significant delays or losses of data are rare when wireless devices such as the Sierra Wireless modem are used in a normal manner with a well[...]

3 Copyright ©2004 Sierra Wireless. All rig hts reserved . Trademarks AirCard and “Heart of the Wireles s Machine” are registered tradem arks of Sierra Wireless Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, the red wave design, the red-tipped antenna, and Watcher are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Windows ® is a reg iste red trademark of Micro so[...]

4 Table of Contents 1: Introducing the AirCard 580 Wireless Mo dem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .6 Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Feature summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[...]

5 Security incorrect lock code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Software mismatch alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Tray mode alert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 6: Troubleshooting Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...]

6 1: Introducing the AirCard® 580 Wireless Modem • Welcome • Package contents • Feature summary • System components • Care and maintenance Note: Do not insert the AirCard into your PC Card slot prior to installing t he software. It is important to install the software and driver in the co rrect order. (See Chapter 3: “Installati on Pro[...]

7 network. You just insert the AirCard 580, allow Watcher to auto-launch, click connect, then launch your Internet browser—you’re on-line! Verizon Wireless EVDO The AirCard 580 operates on Verizon Wireless networks which leverage a 3G wireless cellular technology called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Ac cess). 3G CDMA technology prov ides a varie[...]

8 to use the widely available Express Network networ k where EvDO has not yet b een imple mented. The benefits to you are that you can use the Air Card in any area that has coverage (assu ming there are no account restrictions) and you will be able to take advantage of the fas test possible data transmissi on speed. AirCard software and driver Requ[...]

9 Care and maintenance As with any electronic device, the AirCard must be handled with care to ensu re reliable operation. Follow these guidelines in using an d storing the AirCard: • Do not apply adhesive labels to the AirCar d. This may cause the AirCard to become jammed inside the card slot. • Optimal signal strength is usually obtained when[...]

10 2: Getting Started • The AirCard 580 software • Your account and coverage area Before you can begin using the Ai rCard 580 wireless modem, you must: 1. Install the Watcher software and the AirCard dr iv ers. 2. Obtain a CDMA account (if this w asn’t done when you purchased the card). 3. Activate an account and configure t h e AirCard t o u[...]

11 3: Installation Procedures • Overview • Part 1: AirCard 580 software installation • Part 2: Inserting and removing the AirCard 580 and driver installation • Part 3: Activating the AirCard 580 with a service provider Overview This chapter is separated into three parts that guid e you through t h e steps necessary to in stall and to begin [...]

12 Part 1: AirCard 580 software installation Windows 98 SE, Me, 2000, and XP installation procedures To install Watcher and the AirCard 580 drivers: Windows 2000 & XP: You may require administrat ive privileges to install the AirCard 580. 1. The Installation CD launches automatically. Select Install Watcher Setup Welcome and a welcome window ap[...]

13 Figure 3-3: Watcher Full Mode view - Please Insert Card Part 2: Inserting and removing the AirCard 580 and driver installation This section outlines proper insertion and remova l of the AirCard 580 into y our notebook PC and explains the steps of drive r installat ion. Inserting the AirCard 580 To insert the AirCard 580 into your notebook PC: No[...]

14 4. Select the following menu selection from the Unplug or Eject Hardware window for your operating system and click Stop to proceed: • Windows 98 SE and Me ONLY: Select Wireless PC Card USB Open Host Contro ller • Windows 2000 ONLY: Select “Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller” • Windows XP ONLY: Select “Lucent USB OpenHost Controlle[...]

15 • If you have installed an earlier ve rsion of the drivers , click Yes to upgrade to the current version. (Recommended). • If you have already installed the current version of the driver s ont o your PC, click Yes to keep the current drivers. • In the event that you have installed a later version of the drivers, click Yes to keep the lates[...]

16 Part 3: Activating the Ai rCard with Verizon Wireless Once the AirCard 580 is properly instal led into th e Type II PC Card slot of your notebook PC, the Activation Wizard will aut omatically appear. (In or der to use your A irCard 58 0, you must have an account set up with Verizon Wireless). The pr ocess of setting up an account is called activ[...]

17 4: Watcher™ Basics • Launching and exiting • Watcher • Connect and • disconnect • Components of the • Watcher window • System tray mode Launching and exiting Watcher Watcher is the application that a llows you to manage and monitor the connection between the AirCard 580 wireless modem and t he CDMA network. You use Watcher to: ?[...]

18 Disconnect” in this chapte r on page 18). 1. Click the Watcher system tray icon foun d in the system tray and a menu appears: Figure 4-1: System tray shortcut menu 2. Select Exit from the menu. (This closes and exits Wat cher and the icon disappears fr om the system tray). Powering the AirCard 580 (On/Off) To power the AirCard 580 on and off: [...]

19 Figure 4-2: Watcher in Full Mode view - C onnect action button 2. Watcher will take a few moments to connect to th e network. Once a connection is established, the dialog box at the bottom of the Watcher window displays the word “Connected,” not ifying that a connection has been established. The Connect button changes to read Disconnect . Di[...]

20 Each time Watcher launches, it la unches in Full Mode view. In Full Mode view all menus, indicators, and buttons are displayed. The window contains: • The indicator area which contain s icons showing your sign al strength, coverage, and roaming status. • Action buttons to connect and disconnect, li nks to customization menus, a digital help [...]

21 Icon Meaning The Roaming Status indicator shows whether you are roaming onto the network of a service provider other than your ow n. When the indicator is off (gray), you are with in the local c overage area of your service provider. When the indicator is on (solid bl ack), you are in a “preferred” roaming area. When the indicator is blinkin[...]

22 Ready Service is available No Service No service is a vailable Connecting Attempting to make a connection Connected 1 xEV-DO or Connected 1xRTT A connection i s establis hed (1xEV-DO or 1xRTT - ac tive or dormant) Dormant / Connected A connection i s establis hed but no data transfer is in progress Disconnecting Disconnecting the curr ent call C[...]

23 Action buttons The action buttons allow you to customiz e Watcher and monitor your connections. Connect / disconnect When a connection has not been made, the action button reads Connect . To initiate a connection, click Connect . Once a connection is established, the button change s to read Disconnect . Select Disconnect to terminate your sessio[...]

24 Table 4-3: Settings Menu - General Tab Options Option Choices Descript ion Option Choices Description Start in System Tray Mode On Off (default to Full Mode at launch) When this option is enabled, Watcher will launch from the system tray. (See System Tray Mode on page 26).This feature is turned off by default (it is unchecked) and Watcher launch[...]

25 Run Activation Wizard -- You may manually launch the Ac tivation Wiza rd from the general tab. Select “ R u n A c t i v a t i o n W i z a r d ” and foll ow the on-screen instructions. About tab The About Tab lists useful informatio n about your device and provides direct access to a digital help file. Call log Tip: You are able to sort /o rg[...]

26 Figure 4-6: System tray area If you prefer to minimize the Full Mode view of Watcher, you can st ill monitor your connections with the System Tray Icon. system tray : a section of the task bar in Windows which di splays the clock and icons of certain programs. Sometimes referred to as the no tification or status area. System Tray Icon Watcher la[...]

27 System tray menu Note: When you select “Exit” from the system tray menu , you are “exiting” the Watcher pr ogram/application. Clicking on the system tray shortcut action button while in Full Mo de does not close and exit Watcher; it o nly minimizes Watcher from Fu ll Mode v i ew. Remem ber: the Watcher syste m tr ay ico n is only visible[...]

28 5: Alert Windows • Understanding alert windows Understanding alert windows Alerts are windows generated by Wa tcher in response to your select ions. Close an alert window by selecting Yes, No, or OK . You also ha ve the option to “turn off” an alert so that it never appears again either from the alert window itsel f, or by manually shutti [...]

29 Connection in progress alert A “ Connection in Progress ” or “ Connection is still Active ” alert occurs if you attempt to your select Exit or Power Off the AirCard 580 from the system tray shortcut menu prior to terminating your connection. When a connection is in progres s, you cannot ex it or power off the AirCard 580 without first te[...]

30 Tray mode alert In order to run Watcher System Tray Mode rather than Full Mode, you must click the System Tray Icon. When this action occurs, an alert appears expl aining that you have switched modes. In order to turn off the alert in the future, place a check mark in the check box next to “ Do not show this Alert in the future. ”[...]

31 6: Troubleshooting Tips The Watcher Help file includes descript ions of most co mmon error messages a nd troubleshooting tip s, including answers to frequently asked questi ons. Look in the table of contents under Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting. For help with other problems: • Consult the Sierra Wireless website at www.sierrawi[...]

32 It is recommended to inhibit Standby Mode by selecting Standby “Never” option under the ‘Power Manager’ menu options in the Control Pa nel. It is also recommende d not to use Start >Shutdown > Standby . What do I do with the message window: “The featur e you are trying to use is on a CD-ROM or other removable disk that is not ava[...]

33 7: Technical Specifications • LED operation • Radio frequency and electrical specifications • Environmental specifications This chapter describes the function of t he LED, and provides technical product data for the AirCar d 580 wireless modem. LED operation The AirCard 580 has a single red/green LED on th e antenna end of the card. The LE[...]

34 Receive PCS: 1715 to 1780 MHz Cellular: 868 to 894 MHz Channel Spacing 1.25 MHz Freq. Stability ±150 Hz Environmental specifications Table 7-3: Environmen tal specifications Operating Temp. -20 to +60°C (ambient, outsid e PCMCIA enclosure) Storage Temp. -30 to +65°C Humidity 95%, non-condensing Vibration 15 g peak 10 to 2000 Hz (non-operating[...]

35 8: Regulatory and Safety Information • Regulatory notices • Safety hazards United States of America This Section outlines important regulatory notices concerning your new AirCard. Regulatory Notices This device complies with Parts 15, 22, and 24 of th e FCC rules. This PC card has been tested with the typical laptop computer with the side lo[...]

36 If this equipment does cause harm ful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct th e interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna • Increase the separation between the equipment and[...]

37 POWERED OFF. When operating it can trans mit si gnals that could interfere wit h vari ous onboard systems. Driving The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra Wireless AirCard® 580 wireless modem while in control of a vehicle. Doi ng so will detract from the driver or op e rator’s control and operation of that vehicle.[...]

38 Appendix A: Glossary 1xEV-DO -- Evolution Data O p timized An evolution of cdma2000® 1x technol ogy and is an 3G standard. 1xEV-DO provides peak data rates of up to 2.4 Mbps. Also known as high dat a rate, or HDR, providing high-speed, high-capacity wi reless Internet connectivity, and is op timized for packet data se rvices. EV- DO only addres[...]

39 ESD -- Electro-Static Discharge ESN -- Electronic Serial Number The unique serial n umber Assigned to the modem for cellular network use. FCC -- Federal Communications Commission The U.S. federal agency that is responsible for interstate and foreign communications. The FCC regulates comm ercial and private rad io spectrum manageme nt, sets rates[...]

40 IS-95 The standard for CDMA. ISO -- International Standards Organization A standards setting group. Consult www.iso.ch . ITU -- International Telecommunications Union Consult www.itu.int . kbps -- kilobits per second Actually 1000, not 1024, as used in co mputer memory size measurements of kilobytes. MHz -- Mega-Hertz One million cycles per seco[...]

41 SAR -- Specific Absorption Rate A test metric for RF exposure. simple IP -- The standard method of allocating IP addr esses to mobile units as they register with network serving stations (handoff). This is typi cally a dynamic IP a ddres sing mechanism man aged through DHCP. See also Mobile IP. SMS -- Short message services A featu re that allow[...]