AirCard® 555 Wireless Network Card Installation Guide 2130163 Rev 4
Preface 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.
Installation Guide REVENUE OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR REVENUE ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY SIERRA WIRELESS PRODUCT, EVEN IF SIERRA WIRELESS AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR THEY ARE FORESEEABLE OR FOR CLAIMS BY ANY THIRD PARTY.
Preface 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. Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. QUALCOMM® is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. InstallShield® is a registered trademark and service mark of InstallShield Corporation.
Installation Guide 4 2130163
Table of Contents Introducing the AirCard® 555 Wireless Network Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Feature summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Network card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation Guide AirCard software installation procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Windows 95 installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preinstallation procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Verifying that the PC Card slots are enabled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Verifying that TCP/IP is installed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Contents Care and Maintenance of Your AirCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 Watcher™ Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Starting and closing Watcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pocket PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation Guide Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1: Introducing the AirCard® 555 Wireless Network Card • • • • Welcome Feature summary Package contents System components Note: Do not insert the AirCard into your PC Card slot prior to installing the software. It is important to install the software and driver in the correct order. For detailed procedures, see page 17 (notebook PCs) or page 29 (Windows CE devices).
Installation Guide Network card On notebook PCs, during high‐speed packet connections, the AirCard is a true network card, functioning just like the network cards familiar to most corporate computer users. Once installed and configured, the AirCard can connect to the CDMA network automatically.
Introducing the AirCard® 555 Wireless Network Card through the Internet, or access other Internet services (such as e‐mail). The connection is “active” in a 1X connection when data transmission is occurring. If data transmission stops for a period of time (determined by the network), the connec‐ tion becomes “dormant”. You can place and receive voice calls while the data connection is dormant but not when it is active. Note: You may increase your data transmission speed by using compression software.
Installation Guide Package contents Your AirCard package contains the following components: • AirCard 555 wireless network card • Antenna • Installation CD containing the AirCard software and this installation and troubleshooting guide • Quick Start Guide • Warranty Card If you want to use the AirCard as a phone, a headset is necessary. Visit the Sierra Wireless web site at www.sierrawireless.com, for a listing of approved headsets that will work with the AirCard.
Introducing the AirCard® 555 Wireless Network Card Every CDMA network operates on one of three radio frequency bands. As a dual‐band product, the AirCard operates on two of these bands (see page 56), providing a wide coverage area. The AirCard provides all the advantages of 1X where it is available while allowing you to use the older CDMA IS‐95 standard where 1X has not yet been implemented.
Installation Guide Note: You can use the Lock Code feature to prevent others from using your account should your AirCard be stolen. For information on this feature, see the online help. Each service provider has its own pricing options. There may be flat rate accounts, which provide you a maximum number of minutes of network usage for a fixed monthly fee. There may be accounts for which you are charged for network usage by the minute or by the amount of data transmitted.
2: Getting Started • The AirCard 555 software • Account activation and configuration 2 Before you can begin using the AirCard, you must: 1. Install the AirCard enabling software and driver. 2. Activate an account and configure the AirCard to use your account (unless the AirCard has been pre‐activated). This section provides an overview of this process.
Installation Guide Configuring the AirCard involves setting the phone number assigned by your service provider and may involve entering other network parameters and settings such as a user name and password to access services. Your service provider needs to know: • The billing information to use to collect payment for your network usage. • The ESN (Electronic Serial Number) assigned to your modem during the manufacturing process.
3: Installation on Notebook PCs • System requirements • Installation on Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000 and XP • Installation on Windows NT • Inserting the AirCard • Removing the AirCard 3 This chapter guides you through the steps necessary to install the AirCard on a notebook PC. Note: Do not insert the AirCard into your PC Card slot before installing the software. The basic steps are: 1. Insert the AirCard 555 installation CD into your CD‐ROM drive and install Watcher and the Network Adapter Man‐ ager. 2.
Installation Guide Subject to feature availability, the AirCard software supports Outlook integration, allowing you to read and send SMS messages from Outlook, and phone people in your Outlook Contacts. To use Outlook integration, you require: • Windows 2000 or XP, and • Outlook 2000 or newer (Outlook Express is not supported). On Windows 2000 and XP, the AirCard software also allows you to monitor connections with a WiFi network adapter.
Installation on Notebook PCs Operating System Page Me page 20 98 / 98SE page 20 NT page 22 95 OSR2 page 19 Windows 95 installation Preinstallation procedures Note: Windows system files may be required to complete installation of the AirCard 555 driver. These files are located on the Windows CD and may be stored on your hard drive in .CAB files. Ensure you have your Windows CD, or know the location of the .CAB files before proceeding.
Installation Guide · If TCP/IP is not listed, continue with step 4 of this process. 4. Click the Add... button to open the Select Component Type window. 5. Select Protocol in the component type list and click the Add... button to open the Select Network Protocol window. 6. Select Microsoft under Manufacturers and TCP/IP under Network Protocols, then click the OK button. 7. Verify that a listing for TCP/IP appears in the Network window and then click the OK button to close the window. 8.
Installation on Notebook PCs http://support.installshield.com/kb/files/Q108312/ ikernelupdate.exe. c) Install the file on your computer, then rerun the software installation. Note: Do not forcefully connect the antenna, or forcefully insert the AirCard. This may damage connector pins. For instructions on removing the AirCard, see page 27. 5.
Installation Guide Proceed to configure the AirCard to use your account (if it was not pre‐activated). See “Activation” on page 35. Windows NT installation procedures Note: Users of Windows NT must be logged in with administrative privileges to install the AirCard software. To install Watcher and the Network Adapter Manager: 1. If the installation CD is not already in your CD‐ROM drive, insert it. The CD should autostart and display a menu.
Installation on Notebook PCs Windows NT driver installation Since Windows NT does not have the “Plug and Play” feature included in other Windows operating systems, installing the AirCard driver requires more steps.
Installation Guide lation process. (Generally it is sufficient to click Next at each window.) If prompted to restart your PC, click Yes and allow the PC to shut down, then restart it. Determining whether Networking is installed: 1. If the Control Panel is not open, select Start > Settings > Control Panel. 2. Double click the Network icon. 3. If the Network window opens, networking is already installed.
Installation on Notebook PCs 10. Click Next. 11. If the Windows NT Setup window appears, system files are required to install the components you checked. Either insert the Windows NT CD and enter your CD‐ROM drive letter, or enter the path to the .CAB files. Click Continue. Note: Use the Windows NT Diagnostics window to locate an available IRQ and I/O space. Make note of the COM Port that you use to install the network card driver. You must enter the same COM Port when installing the modem driver. 12.
Installation Guide Note: Use the Windows NT Diagnostics window to locate an available IRQ and I/O space. Make note of the COM Port that you use to install the network card driver. You must enter the same COM Port when installing the modem driver. 6. Use the drop‐down menus to select an I/O Port, Interrupt, Memory, and COM Port, noting that the AirCard requires 1 IRQ and 40 bytes of I/O Space. Click Continue. 7. Select the Obtain an IP address from a DHCP Server radio button and click the Close button.
Installation on Notebook PCs On completion of this step, the modem driver is installed. Verify that Remote Access Service is installed before proceeding to configure your account. Verifying that RAS is installed: 1. In the Control Panel, double click the Network icon to open the Network window. 2. Click the Services tab. 3. If Remote Access Service is listed under Network Services, the component is installed and you can skip to the next section. Otherwise, proceed to step 4. 4.
Installation Guide • The PC Card icon appears in the system tray, if it is not already displayed for another card, (and unless the feature has been disabled). • Watcher launches (unless the autolaunch feature has been disabled). The AirCard is powered as soon as you insert it. Removing the AirCard Note: If you are using Windows NT, you must turn off your PC whenever you insert or eject a PC Card. 28 To remove the AirCard (Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, or XP): 1. Close Watcher if it is open. 2.
4: Installation on Devices Running 4 Windows CE • System requirements • Software installation • Card insertion and removal This chapter provides installation instructions for users of computers running the Windows CE operating system. The AirCard runs on Handheld, Pocket, and Tablet PCs running Windows CE 3.x and CE .NET ( CE .NET is sometimes called “CE 4.x”). Note: Do not insert the AirCard into your PC Card slot before installing the software.
Installation Guide To install the AirCard, your CE device must have these resources: Table 4-1: CE Device Resource Requirements Card Slots 1 Type II PCMCIA (PC Card) Slot (An accessory pack on Pocket PCs) Memory 900 kB Determining your version of Windows CE Pocket PC users: If you do not know what version of Windows CE you are using, on the device: Note: ActiveSync is made by Microsoft and is included with PCs running Windows CE. (It is also available from the Microsoft web site.) ActiveSync 3.
Installation on Devices Running Windows CE Software installation There are two methods of installing and downloading the software using ActiveSync. You can either: • Connect the host and the CE device before you install the software to the host. (In this case, you are prompted to initiate the download as soon as the software installation is complete.) Or Note: Do not insert the AirCard into the CE device before downloading the software.
Installation Guide Downloading the software to the CE device 1.
Installation on Devices Running Windows CE Inserting the AirCard into a Pocket PC Note: If you also use the AirCard 300 with your computer, eject the AirCard 300 before you use the AirCard 555. The Pocket PC operating system doesn’t allow two network devices to be simultaneously inserted into PC Card slots. If you are using a PCMCIA jacket that has two slots, ensure the second slot does not contain another network interface card when you use the AirCard.
Installation Guide Removing the AirCard Ejecting the AirCard on a Pocket PC To remove the AirCard from your Pocket PC: 1. Stop Watcher by selecting Start > Settings > System tab > Memory > Running Programs. In the “Running Program List”, select “Watcher”, then tap Stop. 2. Push the PC Card eject button on the Pocket PC to eject the card. 3. Grasp the AirCard and remove it from the slot. Ejecting the AirCard on a Handheld or Tablet PC To remove the AirCard from your Handheld PC or Tablet PC: 34 1.
5: Activation • Account configuration procedures • Manual activation • Voice-assisted and automated activation 5 Account configuration procedures The final step to making the AirCard operational is config‐ uring it to use your CDMA service provider account. The process of activation configures your AirCard with the required account parameters (phone number, username, password, etc.). If you purchased a pre‐activated AirCard, this step is not necessary.
Installation Guide Handhelds: Start > Programs > AirCard 555 Watcher 3. Watcher should detect that the AirCard has not been activated and automatically start the Activation Wizard. If it does not start the wizard, in Watcher select: · Notebooks, Handheld PCs, and CE .NET devices: TOOLS > Activation Wizard · Pocket PCs: Admin > Activation Wizard 4.
Activation Voice-assisted and automated activation To use Voice‐assisted or automated activation: 1. If prompted to, connect an approved headset to the AirCard, and put the headset on. 2. Select the Voice-Assisted Activation or Automated Activation radio button and click Next. 3. The wizard advises that it will make a network connection, dialing the displayed number. Leave the number unchanged unless told by a technical service represen‐ tative to enter a different value. Click Next. 4.
Installation Guide 38 2130163
6: Care and Maintenance of Your AirCard 6 As with any electronic device, the AirCard must be handled with care to ensure reliable operation. Follow these guidelines in using and storing the AirCard: Rev 4 Mar.11 • Do not apply adhesive labels to the AirCard. This may cause the AirCard to become jammed inside the card slot. • Optimal signal strength is usually obtained when the antenna is perpendicular to the modem. The antenna should bend easily at the hinge. Do not forcefully bend the antenna.
Installation Guide 40 2130163
7: Watcher™ Basics • Starting and Closing Watcher • Components of the Watcher Window • Interpreting Icons • Online Help • Troubleshooting 7 Watcher is the application that allows you to manage and monitor the connection between the AirCard and the CDMA network.
Installation Guide Starting and closing Watcher Notebooks Depending on your settings in the Options window, Watcher launches automatically anytime you insert the AirCard. You can also launch Watcher by: • • Double‐clicking the Watcher icon on your desktop Selecting Start > Programs > Sierra Wireless > AirCard 555 > AirCard 555 Watcher The standard Windows control buttons in the upper right corner of the window are used to minimize or close Watcher.
Watcher™ Basics Components of the Watcher window The window has three areas that display messages and icons: the Connection Status Area, Call Status Area, and Indicator Area. Subject to feature availability, there are several tabs: • VOICE • DATA • WIFI , allowing you to manage and monitor connec‐ tions with a WiFi device. , with a dial pad for making calls , allowing you to connect and disconnect Internet and dial‐up data services.
Installation Guide Volume Mute Phone Book Send Clear End Scratch Pad Button Figure 7-2: Watcher voice tab with all icons lit (Notebooks, Handheld PCs, and CE .
Watcher™ Basics Window controls • The Minimize button closes the Watcher window but leaves the application running. When Watcher is minimized, the Watcher icon in the system tray can be used to determine the AirCard status. (See page 49.) This icon replaces a taskbar button for Watcher. Once minimized, you can redisplay the Watcher window by selecting the Watcher icon in the system tray. You can also restore the window by double‐clicking the desktop shortcut or launching Watcher from the Start menu.
Installation Guide Connection Status Area Note: Optimal signal strength is obtained when the antenna is perpendicular to the AirCard. The Connection Status Area uses the icons shown below. Table 7-1: Connection Status Area icons Icon Meaning AirCard 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 of the CDMA network.
Watcher™ Basics Table 7-1: Connection Status Area icons (cont.) Icon Meaning The In Use indicator shows whether a call is in progress. No icon is displayed when the AirCard is idle. Otherwise, one of these icons is displayed: A voice call is in progress. A circuit switched data call is in progress. A high-speed (1X) packet data call is in progress. A high-speed (1X) packet data connection is dormant; the radio channel has been released allowing you to make and receive voice calls.
Installation Guide Indicator area The Indicator area displays icons that notify you when you receive messages and indicate whether certain options and features are enabled. The icons are black when “on” and gray when “off”. Table 7-2: Indicator Area icons Icon Meaning (If Watcher is integrated with Outlook and Outlook is running, this information does not apply.) The SMS message indicator shows whether you have unread messages.
Watcher™ Basics Minimized Icons Watcher displays an icon in the Windows system tray (which is usually located in the lower right corner of your screen, or the Today screen of Pocket PCs). The system tray icon indicates your connection status or notifies you when you have voice mail or SMS messages, or when you have missed a call. Table 7-3: System tray icons Icon Meaning You are in service on the CDMA network but have no active voice or data connection.
Installation Guide For example, if you have unread SMS messages, and then receive a voice mail, the icon still displays as an unread SMS message. If you then have an unanswered call, the icon changes to a missed call. Online Help Watcher includes extensive online help to provide operating hints and step‐by‐step instructions for getting the most from your AirCard. You can access online help in several ways: Notebooks: • Press in any window. • Click the Hints button available in many windows.
8: Fax Configuration • Fax support • WinFax PRO configuration • Receiving faxes 8 Fax support The AirCard permits standard fax transmissions to be sent and received using third‐party software. The AirCard is capable of Fax Class 2.0 operation only. Note: Sierra Wireless has not tested any Windows CE fax applications with the AirCard, so there is no guarantee of support for any particular application.
Installation Guide Please consult the appropriate documentation and support resources to ensure that the software and hardware are properly installed and configured. Test other connection types (voice, data) to ensure that the modem is working properly before proceeding. Initial WinFax setup Note: After configuration, if the AirCard is not inserted before WinFax PRO is launched, the WinFax settings for the AirCard are lost and you must re-enter them. Note: WinFax PRO 10.
Fax Configuration 13. Beside the Flow Control option, enter: · AT+FCLASS=2.0;+FLO=2 14. Ensure that the Use hardware flow control box is checked. 15. Click OK in the Properties window. Receive and Dialing Setup 16. Click the Receive Setup button. 17. Check the box beside Automatically answer incoming calls and set the application to answer after 2 rings. 18. Click OK. Note: To determine the modem’s phone number, launch Watcher and choose HELP > About. (Admin >About on Pocket PCs) 19.
Installation Guide If configured for “next call as Fax”, Watcher reverts to answer as voice calls after any of the following: 54 • The next call arrives (answered or not) • Ten minutes elapse without receiving a call • Watcher is restarted • The setting is changed 2130163
9: Technical Specifications • LED operation • Radio frequency and electrical specifications • Environmental specifications 9 This chapter describes the function of the LED, and provides technical product data for the AirCard. LED operation The AirCard has a single red/green LED on the antenna end of the card. The LED operates as follows: Table 9-1: LED operation LED Behavior Solid amber* The AirCard is powering up. Blinking amber The AirCard is searching for a channel.
Installation Guide Radio frequency and electrical specifications Table 9-2: Radio frequency and electrical specifications Approvals Compliant with: IS-95A, IS-95B, IS-98D, IS-707A, IS707A-1, CDMA Developers Group FCC (ID: N7NACRD555) Industry Canada Voltage +5 Vdc from PCMCIA Slot Current Maximum: 680 mA Typical: 150 mA Transmitter power 200 mW (+23 dBm) Transmit PCS: 1850 to 1910 MHz Cellular: 824 to 849 MHz Receive PCS: 1930 to 1990 MHz Cellular: 869 to 894 MHz Channel spacing 1.
Appendix A: Glossary 1X One Times Radio Transmission Technology (the ʺone timesʺ refers to the frequency spectrum) bps bits per second—The actual data speed over the transmission medium. CAB CABinet files. A Windows executable file format containing system installation instructions and content for self‐extraction and installation. CDMA Code Division Multiple Access—A wideband spread spectrum technique used in digital cellular, personal commu‐ nications services, and other wireless networks.
Installation Guide FCC Federal Communications Commission—The U.S. federal agency that is responsible for interstate and foreign communi‐ cations. 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 roaming SMS system tray A cellular subscriber is in an area where service is obtained from a cellular service provider that is not the subscriber’s provider. Short message services—A feature that allows users of a wireless device on a wireless network to receive or transmit short electronic alphanumeric messages (up to 160 characters, depending on the service provider). Usually located in the lower right corner of your screen, or the Today screen of Pocket PCs.
Installation Guide 60 2130163
Index Numerics D 1X data description, 10 indicator, 46 3G description, 10 A account activation, 15 configuration, 35 activation overview, 15 automated, 37 manual, 36 voice assisted, 37 Activation Wizard, 35 ActiveSync, 30 always on top, 45 antenna care and maintenance, 39 auto‐answer indicator, 48 C CAB files, 19 call status area, 47 care and maintenance, 39 CDMA 1X, 10, 13 description, 10 CDMA network 3G services, 10 frequency bands, 13 service providers, 13 CE devices installing the software, 31– 32
Installation Guide in use indicator, 47 indicator area, 48 indicators auto‐answer, 48 connection status, 49 headset, 48 missed call, 48, 49 privacy, 48 silent ring, 48 SMS messages, 48, 49 voice mail, 48, 49 inserting the AirCard Handheld PC, 33 notebooks, 27 Pocket PC, 33 Tablet PC, 33 installation CE devices, 29– 33 Handheld/Pocket PCs, 31– 33 troubleshooting wizard, 50 Windows 2000, 20 Windows 95, 19 Windows 98, 20 Windows Me, 20 Windows NT, 22 Windows XP, 20 See also software installation Internet, 10
Index taskbar icons, 49 TCP/IP Windows 95, 19 tips, operating, 50 troubleshooting, 50 V virtual private network, 9 voice mail indicator, 48, 49 Rev 4 Mar.
Installation Guide 64 2130163
