Introducing The Aircard® 555 Network Card - Sierra Wireless AirCard 555 User Manual

1: Introducing the AirCard
Network Card
• A Network Card, a
Modem, and a Phone
• Package Contents
• About this Guide
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.
See Chapter 3 (notebook PCs)
or Chapter 10 (Handheld and
Pocket PCs) for detailed proce-
dures.
Note: The Venturi compression
software that allows for dial-up
data transmission speeds of
56 kbps is available for notebook
PCs running Windows 95, 98,
NT, 2000, and Me only.
Rev 3.3 May.02
®
The AirCard 555 wireless network card fits into a standard
Type II PC Card slot (available on most notebook PCs) and
functions as a wireless network card, a modem, and a mobile
phone. This card allows you to connect to the Internet, send
and receive e-mail, connect to a corporate network, and make
phone calls, without the need of a network cable or phone line.
The AirCard 555 functions in notebook PCs with these
Windows® operating systems: 95, 98, NT, 2000, Me, and XP.
The AirCard 555 also functions in Handheld and Pocket PCs
with the Windows CE 3.0 operating system.
The AirCard 555 operates over a type of wireless network
called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). This network
technology has many features beyond providing a wireless
link, including:
• SMS (Short Message Service), which allows you to send
and receive short messages using the AirCard
• Quick 2 Net, which provides a direct Internet connection
Use of the AirCard 555 requires that you have an account that
gives you access to a CDMA network.
Every CDMA network operates on one of three radio
frequency bands. As a dual band product, the AirCard 555
operates on two of these bands, providing a wide coverage
area.
The AirCard operates on the original CDMA network (IS-95A)
that provides data transmission speeds of up to 14.4 kbps
(kilobits per second) or 56 kbps where Venturi compression is
in use. The AirCard also runs on the newer 1xRTT network
technology that provides data transmission speeds up to
144 kbps. The AirCard 555 provides all the advantages of
1xRTT where it is available while allowing you to use the older
CDMA IS-95A standard where 1xRTT has not yet been imple-
mented. The benefits to you are that you can use the AirCard
in any area that has coverage (assuming there are no account
restrictions) and you will be able to take advantage of the
fastest possible data transmission speed.
®
555
15