AirCard® 597E ExpressCard User Guide 2130822 Rev 2
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Important Notice Due to the nature of wireless communications, transmission and reception of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors) or be totally lost.
Preface Limitation of Liability The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Sierra Wireless.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Trademarks AirCard and “Heart of the Wireless Machine” are registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, the red wave design, and Watcher are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Mac OS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. ExpressCard is a trademark of PCMCIA. QUALCOMM® is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated.
Table of Contents Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Feature summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Wireless ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Automated activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Care and Maintenance of Your AirCard ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Watcher Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Starting and closing Watcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1: Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard 1 Note: This document applies to you, only if your wireless card is the AirCard 597E ExpressCard from Sierra Wireless. This document does not apply, if you are using a wireless card that is built into your computer. • • • • Welcome Feature summary Package contents System components Note: Do not insert the AirCard ExpressCard into your ExpressCard slot prior to installing the software. It is important to install the software and drivers in the correct order.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Some features described in this manual may not be supported by your service provider or may not be available with your network account. For details of the services and accounts available, contact your service provider. Wireless ExpressCard Once installed and configured, the AirCard ExpressCard can connect to the CDMA network automatically.
Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard • Circuit switched (dial-up) data, using the earlier CDMA IS-95 specification, supports data connections to any dial-in service at rates up to 14.4 Kbps. • QNC (Quick Net Connect), provides a simplified way to dial into an Internet connection (using circuit switched data) where 3G (1xEV-DO or 1X) high-speed packet service is not available. • SMS (Short Message Service), allows you to send and receive short text messages using the AirCard ExpressCard.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide You may also have other software on your computer that can be used wirelessly with the AirCard ExpressCard, such as: file transfer applications (FTP), chat or instant messaging, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) client, client software for a corporate server application. The AirCard 597E ExpressCard The AirCard ExpressCard provides your computer with a connection to the CDMA wireless network.
Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard Each AirCard ExpressCard has been provisioned at the factory for use with a particular service provider. This sets the AirCard ExpressCard to use particular radio channels and enables services specific for that provider. The process of setting up your account is called activation. Activation involves action by the service provider and configuration of the AirCard ExpressCard.
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2: Getting Started • The AirCard 597E software • Account activation and configuration 2 Before you can begin using the AirCard ExpressCard, you must: 1. Install the AirCard ExpressCard enabling software and drivers. 2. Activate an account and configure the AirCard ExpressCard to use your account (unless the AirCard ExpressCard has been preactivated). This section provides an overview of this process.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Your service provider needs to know: • The billing information to use to collect payment for your network usage. • The ESN (Electronic Serial Number) or MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier) assigned to your AirCard ExpressCard during the manufacturing process. (The ESN or MEID is printed on a label on the AirCard ExpressCard and can be displayed in Watcher.) This number is used to help authenticate your account when you connect for service.
3: Installation • System requirements • Installation • Inserting the AirCard ExpressCard • Removing the AirCard ExpressCard 3 This chapter guides you through the steps necessary to install the AirCard ExpressCard on a notebook computer. Note: Do not insert the AirCard ExpressCard into your ExpressCard slot before installing the software. The basic steps are: 1. Insert the AirCard 597E installation CD into your CD-ROM drive and install Watcher. 2.
Installation To install the AirCard ExpressCard, you require these system resources: Table 3-1: System resource requirements ExpressCard slots One ExpressCard/34 or ExpressCard/54 slot Disk drive CD-ROM (for installation only) I/O resources 1 IRQ, 40 bytes I/O space Memory 32 MB Disk space 32 MB AirCard ExpressCard software installation procedures To install Watcher and the AirCard ExpressCard drivers: Note: Users of Windows Vista and Windows 2000 must be logged in with administrative privileges
Installation Note: Do not forcefully insert the AirCard ExpressCard. This may damage the connector pins. 6. When you are notified that the installation is complete, click Finish. 7. Insert the AirCard ExpressCard into your ExpressCard slot (described in the following section). This installs the drivers for the ExpressCard. When the drivers have been installed, the system tray displays the message “Your devices are ready to use“ or “Your new hardware is installed and ready to use”: 8.
Installation • Watcher launches (unless the autolaunch feature has been disabled). The AirCard ExpressCard is powered as soon as you insert it. Removing the AirCard ExpressCard To remove the AirCard ExpressCard: 1. Close Watcher if it is open. 2. Click the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the system tray to display the option to stop the card. Windows Vista Windows XP 3. Click the entry for “NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller” or “Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller“. 4.
4: Activation • Account configuration procedures • Manual activation • Automated activation 4 Account configuration procedures The final step to making the AirCard ExpressCard operational is configuring it to use your CDMA service provider account. The process of activation configures your AirCard ExpressCard with the required account parameters (phone number, username, password, etc.). If you purchased a pre-activated AirCard ExpressCard, this step is not necessary.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Manual activation Activation involves phoning your service provider, exchanging information, and entering your account information into the appropriate fields in the wizard. (To use this method, you require a phone.) To use manual activation, use the Next and Back buttons to navigate through the wizard, noting the following: • Obtain the billing information listed on the second window of the wizard, before you phone the service provider or proceed to the next window.
5: Care and Maintenance of Your AirCard ExpressCard 5 As with any electronic device, the AirCard ExpressCard must be handled with care to ensure reliable operation. Follow these guidelines in using and storing the AirCard ExpressCard: Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 • Do not apply adhesive labels to the AirCard ExpressCard. This may cause the AirCard ExpressCard to become jammed inside the card slot. • The AirCard ExpressCard should fit easily into your ExpressCard slot.
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6: Watcher Basics • Starting and closing Watcher • Components of the Watcher Window • Interpreting icons • Online Help • Troubleshooting • Using an external antenna 6 Watcher is the application that allows you to manage and monitor the connection between the AirCard ExpressCard and the CDMA network.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Components of the Watcher window The window has three areas that display messages and icons: the Connection Status Area (page 26), Call Status Area (page 27), and Indicator Area (page 27). These areas are shown in Figure 6-1 that follows. A menu bar is located on the upper left side of the window. Windows control buttons are in the top right corner.
Watcher Basics • The Toggle Full/Compact button is used to switch between the full Watcher window and the compact view: The compact view allows you to see connection status and indicators while using less space on the desktop. To make data connections, disconnect, or access Watcher features, you must use full view. To return to full view, select the view toggle button in the top right. • The Close button is used to exit Watcher.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Connection Status Area The Connection Status Area uses the icons shown in the following table. Table 6-1: Connection Status Area icons Icon Meaning AirCard ExpressCard not detected (displayed in the left part of the Connection Status Area). The Signal Strength indicator (displayed in the left part of the Connection Status Area) uses bars to show the intensity of the radio signal. The number of bars increases as signal strength increases to a maximum of five bars.
Watcher Basics Table 6-1: Connection Status Area icons (continued) Icon Meaning A circuit switched data call is in progress. A high-speed (1X or 1xEV-DO) packet data connection is dormant; the radio channel has been released. You can resume data transmission without the need of re-establishing the connection. Some applications may not be able to function on a dormant connection. A fatal error has occurred and the AirCard ExpressCard is inoperable. 1. Close Watcher. 2.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Minimized icons Watcher displays an icon in the Windows system tray (which is usually located in the lower right corner of your screen). The system tray icon indicates your connection status or notifies you when you have SMS messages. Table 6-3: System tray icons Icon Meaning You are in service on the network but have no active data connection. The number of red bars indicates the signal strength. You have an active data connection.
Watcher Basics Troubleshooting The online help includes descriptions of most common error messages. Look in the table of contents under Troubleshooting. For help with other problems: • Consult the Sierra Wireless web site at www.sierrawireless.com, where you will find an extensive knowledge base that can be searched to address most problems, and the Installation Troubleshooting wizard (in the Support section). • Contact your service provider.
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7: Technical Specifications • LED operation • Radio frequency and electrical specifications • Environmental specifications 7 This chapter describes the function of the LED, and provides technical product data for the AirCard ExpressCard. LED operation The AirCard ExpressCard has two LED light bars near the antenna end of the card. The LED light bars operate as follows: Table 7-1: LED operation LED Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 State Indicates Off The card has no power.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide Radio frequency and electrical specifications Table 7-2: Radio frequency and electrical specifications Approvals Compliant with: IS-2000 Release 1.0 (CDMA 1X) IS-707-A Data, IS-856 (CDMA 1x-EVDO), IS-866, IS878, IS-890, CDMA Development Group FCC (ID: N7NAC597E) Industry Canada (ID: 2417C-AC597E) Voltage +3.
8: Regulatory Information • Important safety/ compliance information • Information pertaining to OEM customers 8 Important safety/compliance information The design of the AirCard 597E ExpressCard complies with U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Industry Canada (IC) guidelines respecting safety levels of radio frequency (RF) exposure for portable devices, which in turn are consistent with the following safety standards previously set by Canadian, U.S.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation.
Regulatory Information civilian agency contracts or any successor regulations. If further government regulations apply, it is your responsibility to ensure compliance with such regulations. Information pertaining to OEM customers The AirCard 597E ExpressCard has been granted modular approval for mobile applications. Integrators may use the AirCard 597E ExpressCard in their final products without additional FCC / IC certification if they meet the following conditions.
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Appendix A: Glossary 1X One Times Radio Transmission Technology (the "one times" refers to the frequency spectrum). Supports Internet connections with data rates up to 153 Kbps. Actual speed depends on the network conditions. Compare to 1x-EVDO. 1x-EVDO A high-speed standard for cellular packet data communications. A Rev. A supports Internet connections with data rates up to 3.1 Mbps (downlink from the network) and 1.8 Mbps (uplink to the network). Rev.
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide FCC Federal Communications Commission—The U.S. federal agency that is responsible for interstate and foreign communications. The FCC regulates commercial and private radio spectrum management, sets rates for communications services, determines standards for equipment, and controls broadcast licensing. Consult www.fcc.gov. firmware Software stored in ROM or EEPROM; essential programs that remain even when the system is turned off.
Glossary system tray TIA VPN Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 Usually located in the lower right corner of your screen Telecommunications Industry Association—A standardssetting trade organization, whose members provide communications and information technology products, systems, distribution services and professional services in the United States and around the world. Consult www.tiaonline.org .
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Index Numerics CSD description, 9 indicator, 27 1X description, 8 indicator, 26 1xEV-DO description, 8 indicator, 26 3G description, 8 indicator (1xEV-DO and 1X), 26 A account activation, 13 configuration, 19 activation overview, 13 automated, 20 manual, 20 Activation Wizard, 19 always on top, 25 antenna, external, 29 automated activation, 20 B bands, frequency, 10 C call status area, 27 care and maintenance, 21 CDMA 1X description, 8 indicator, 26 CDMA 1xEV-DO description, 8 indicator, 26 CDMA network
AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide icons connection status, 26 indicator area, 27 minimized, 28 system tray, 28 see also indicators ID, FCC, 33 in use indicator, 26 indicator area, 27 indicators 1X, 26 1xEV-DO, 26 circuit-switched data call, 27 connection status, 28 SMS messages, 27, 28 inserting the AirCard, 17 installation hardware, 17 software, 15– 18 troubleshooting wizard, 29 interference, 34 Internet, 8 IRQ (interrupt request), 16 M Mac OS X, 15 MEID, 14 memory required, 16 minimize button, 24 m
