AirCard® 800 Series Wireless Network Cards arInstallation Guide 2130623 Rev 3.
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 or its affiliates.
AirCard 800 Series Installation 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, the red-tipped antenna, and Watcher are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners. All product specifications are subject to change without notice.
Table of Contents Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards . . .7 AirCard 800 Series wireless network cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supported operating systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The AirCard modem as a network card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS service support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Frequency band support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Care and Maintenance of Your Network Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Stopping and ejecting the AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Watcher Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Launching Watcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 The Watcher window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1: Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards • AirCard 800 Series wireless network cards • Your account and coverage area • AirCard modem software • Before you can begin using the AirCard modem • Package contents AirCard 800 Series wireless network cards The AirCard 800 Series 3G wireless network cards are modems for your PC that allow you to connect to the Internet, send and receive e-mail, connect to a corporate network/VPN, or view streaming video, without the need of a network cable or
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide The AirCard modem connection provides access to the Internet. Once the connection is established, you can open your browser and connect to any web site available on the Internet, or access other Internet services (such as e-mail). HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS service support GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and HSDPA are add-on data services to GSM mobile phone networks.
Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards • WCDMA 1900—used by North American service providers • WCDMA 2100—used by European, Asian, and Australian service providers The AirCard 850 modem and AirCard 860 modem support all of the 2G bands. The AirCard 850 modem supports the WCDMA 2100 3G band (for use outside of North America). The AirCard 860 modem supports the WCDMA 850 and WCDMA 1900 bands (for North American use).
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide modem, regardless of roaming agreements or account provisions. Most service providers have coverage maps on their web sites.
Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards Rev 3.4 Apr.
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2: The SIM Card and Your Account • Inserting a SIM card into your AirCard modem • Removing a SIM card • Attaching the antenna to your AirCard modem Note: Without a valid SIM card and a valid account, your AirCard modem will not work. You require a GSM account and a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card to use the AirCard modem. The SIM card is a small chip (about the size of a postage stamp) that you insert into the AirCard modem.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Note: To prevent the SIM from becoming jammed in the AirCard modem slot, ensure the edge of the SIM is smooth before inserting it. Do not attach labels to your SIM as this may also cause it to become jammed. 3. Locate the thin SIM card slot on the left side of the AirCard modem PC Card’s antenna end. 4. Orient the SIM card, as shown in the diagram on the bottom side of the AirCard modem. 5.
The SIM Card and Your Account Figure 2-2: Ejecting the SIM card 4. Gently pull the SIM card from the slot until it slides free. Attaching the antenna to your AirCard modem The antenna attaches to the gold-plated connector on the end of the AirCard modem. Figure 2-3: Attaching the antenna to the AirCard modem Rev 3.4 Apr.
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3: Software and Driver Installation • System requirements • Installation on Windows XP, 2000, and Me • Installation on Windows NT • Setting Internet Explorer to use the AirCard modem System requirements The AirCard modem is supported on: • Windows XP (Home and Professional versions) • Windows 2000 • Windows Me • Windows NT 4.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Installation on Windows XP, 2000, and Me Note: Users of Windows 2000 must be logged in with adminis trative privileges. Users of Windows XP may require admin istrative privileges. Note: If you are running Windows 98 SE, Me, or 2000, Windows Installer Redistributable 2.0 must be installed. This is available on the Microsoft web site, www.microsoft.com. Note: You may require your Windows CD. Ensure you have the CD before proceeding. 1.
Software and Driver Installation To close the CD start-up menu, click the exit option in the lower right corner of the window. Watcher should launch automatically when the AirCard modem is inserted. If your AirCard modem has not yet been configured to use your account, you are prompted to do so. See “Setting up a profile” on page 26. Installation on Windows NT Note: The AirCard modem driver requires that Windows Networking is installed. Also the PC Card slots must be enabled.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Inserting the AirCard modem Note: Your PC must be off whenever you insert or eject the AirCard modem. 1. Close all Windows programs and turn your PC off. 2. If the SIM is not inserted in your AirCard modem, insert it. (See page 13.) If the antenna is not attached, attach it. (See page 15.) With the label facing up, insert the AirCard modem into your PC Card slot: Note: Do not forcefully insert the AirCard modem. This may damage connector pins.
Software and Driver Installation Note: The AirCard modem will not function with the default settings for the I/O port, interrupt, and COM port if any of these resources are allocated to another network card or other device. If you are familiar with the Windows NT Diagnostics window, you can check to see if these resources are available.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Note: You must restart your PC to complete the installation. 6. Verify that Sierra Wireless AirCard 3G Modem is displayed and click Next. 7. Select the Selected Ports radio button and select the same communications port used for the network card driver (COM 4 unless you changed it). Click Next. 8. Click Finish. 9. Click Close to close the Network Properties window. 10. If you are prompted to restart your PC, click Yes.
Software and Driver Installation To set Internet Explorer version 5 or 6 to use a LAN, follow these steps: 1. In Internet Explorer, select Tools > Internet Options. 2. Click the Connections tab. 3. Click Setup to run the Internet Connection wizard. 4. Select the option “I want to set up my Internet connection manually, or I want to connect through a local area network (LAN).” Click Next. 5. Select “I connect through a local area network (LAN)”. Click Next. 6.
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4: Configuring Your Account • Setting up a profile Profiles contain account information used by the AirCard modem to establish connections. At least one profile must be set up on the AirCard modem before you can use it. The profile(s) may have been stored on the AirCard modem before you purchased it. Otherwise, your service provider should give you all the information you need to set up the profile(s) you require.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Setting up a profile Note: You cannot set up a profile before installing the software. (See page 17.) To determine whether you have a profile: 1. Insert the SIM into the AirCard modem if it is not already inserted. (See page 13.) 2. Insert the AirCard modem into the PC Card slot if it is not already inserted. (See page 20.) 3.
Configuring Your Account service provider specified an IP address, or DNS address(es), select the Advanced folder. Otherwise, click OK and skip to Step 10. 6. Select the Launch after connecting field, and from the dropdown list, select which application, if any, you want Watcher to automatically launch when a connection is established with this profile: · None—No application is autolaunched. · Browser—Watcher autolaunches your default Internet browser.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide 11. Click Apply to save the change without exiting the window, or, click OK to save the change and exit the window.
5: Care and Maintenance of Your Network Card • Stopping and ejecting the AirCard modem Note: Do not insert the AirCard modem before installing the software. See “Software and Driver Installation” on page 17. You can ensure reliable operation and long life of your AirCard modem by adhering to these guidelines in storage and use: • Do not apply adhesive labels to the AirCard modem or SIM. This may cause the AirCard modem or SIM to become jammed inside the slot, or prevent it from being inserted properly.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Stopping and ejecting the AirCard modem To remove the AirCard modem: 1. Close Watcher if it is open. 2. Click the PC Card icon in the status area to display the option to stop the card. 3. Click “Stop Sierra Wireless AirCard 3G Adapter Parent” (Windows 98, 2000, or Me) or “Safely remove Sierra Wireless AirCard 3G Adapter Parent” (Windows XP). 4. If a dialog box appears notifying you that it is safe to remove the card, click OK.
6: Watcher Basics • Launching Watcher • The Watcher window • Icons and indicators on the main Watcher window • View options • Status icons • Turning the radio on and off • Frequency band and network selection Note: It takes up to 20 seconds for Watcher to become fully functional after launch. Watcher is the program you use to manage and monitor your AirCard modem connections. Watcher allows you to: • Create an account profile. (This is explained under “The SIM Card and Your Account” on page 13.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide The Watcher window Note: To get help in Watcher, select Help > Help Topics. You can also display help by pressing in most windows. Roaming Compact view Minimize Close GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/ HSDPA coverage Signal strength Indicator area Profile drop-down list Figure 6-1: The Watcher window. Icons and indicators on the main Watcher window These icons are used on the main Watcher window: Table 6-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Device status.
Watcher Basics Table 6-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Coverage. The icon shows the fastest service available: • GPRS icon—GPRS is the fastest service available in your current coverage area. • EDGE icon—EDGE is the fastest service available in your current coverage area. (supported on EDGE AirCard modems) • 3G—UMTS is the fastest service available in your current coverage area. (supported on UMTS AirCard modems) • HS—HSDPA is the fastest service available in your current coverage area.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Table 6-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Call forwarding. If your AirCard modem is voice-enabled, this indicator is displayed when call forwarding is in use. (This appears only when all calls are forwarded.) TTY. If your AirCard modem is voice-enabled, this indicator is displayed if TTY support is enabled. (TTY or TeleTYpe devices allow speech and hearing impaired people to use a phone).
Watcher Basics You have an active high-speed connection. You have new (unread) SMS messages. Turning the radio on and off This option allows you to conserve your computer’s battery by turning off the AirCard modem radio transmitter/receiver when you are not using it. To turn off the radio: 1. Select Tools > Turn Radio Off. When the radio is turned off, the menu option switches to Turn Radio On and the message, “Radio is off” is displayed in the Watcher window. To turn on the radio: 1.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Network selection Depending on your location, you may be within the coverage area of several networks. Your ability to obtain service on each network is dependent on your account. Your options for network selection are: • Automatic—The AirCard modem automatically selects a network based on your account and network availability. • Manual—The AirCard modem scans the area and displays a list of detected GSM networks.
7: Technical Specifications • LED operation • Radio frequency and electrical specifications • Environmental specifications • Sending GSM commands to the network This chapter describes the operation of the LED and provides technical data for the AirCard modem. LED operation The AirCard modem has a single LED (Light Emitting Diode) located on the antenna end of the card beneath the SIM slot.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide Table 7-2: Radio frequency & electrical specifications (cont.
Technical Specifications Environmental specifications Table 7-3: Environmental specifications Operating temperature -20 to +65 °C (ambient, outside PCMCIA enclosure) Storage temperature -30 to +85 °C Humidity 95%, non-condensing Vibration 15 g peak 10 to 2000 Hz (non-operating) Sending GSM commands to the network GSM commands are used to: • Access network services • Display network and device parameters • Provide account status information (for example, indicate whether a subscribed service is
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8: Regulatory and Safety Information • Important notice • EU regulatory conformity Important notice Because of the nature of wireless communications, trans mission and reception of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (that is, have errors) or be totally lost.
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide EU regulatory conformity Sierra Wireless hereby declares that the AirCard 850 modem is in conformity to all the essential requirements of Directive 1999/5/EC: The Declaration of Conformity made under Directive 1999/5/ EC is available for viewing at the following location in the EU community: Sierra Wireless (UK), Limited Lakeside House 1 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park East Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1BD England 42 2130623
Index Numerics 1800 MHz band 8 1900 MHz band 8 850 MHz band 8 900 MHz band 8 A account 9 always-on data connection 7 antenna 18 attaching 15 antenna icon 32 APN 25 arrow on main window 34 autoconnect 26 autolaunch application on high-speed connection 27 browser on high-speed connection 27 VPN on high-speed connection 27 B browser, launch automatically on high-speed con nection 27 C call forwarding indicator 34 calls missed 33 care and maintenance 29 circles on main window 34 class, multi-slot 37 Communi
AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide roaming 33 signal strength 32 SMS message 33 TTY 34 voice mail 33 IMEI 13 indicator call forwarding 34 data transmission 34 device status 32 EDGE coverage 33 GPRS coverage 33 headset 33 HSDPA coverage 33 missed call 33 roaming 33 signal strength 32 SMS message 33 TTY 34 UMTS coverage 33 voice mail 33 inserting a SIM card 13 inserting the card Windows 98, 2000, Me 18 Windows NT 20 installation 17–19 Internet Explorer setting to use the card 23 IP address 25 IRQ (interru
Index specifications 37–39 electrical 37 environmental 39 radio frequency 37 status call forwarding 34 data transmission 34 device 32 EDGE connection 33 EDGE service 33 GPRS connection 33 GPRS service 33 headset 33 HSDPA connection 33 HSDPA service 33 roaming 33 signal strength 32 SMS messages 33, 35 TTY 34 UMTS connection 33 UMTS service 33 voice mail 33 storage temperature 39 when not using card 29 system requirements notebook PCs 17 T technical specifications 37–39 temperature 39 time-scheduled password
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