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AirCard® 595 PC Card User Guide 2130681 Rev 1.0...
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Sierra Wireless modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. When operating, the Sierra Wireless modem can transmit signals that could interfere with various onboard systems. Note: Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the ground and the door is open. The Sierra Wireless modem may be used at this time. The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra Wireless modem while in control of a vehicle. Doing so will detract from the driver or operatorʹs control and operation of that vehicle. In some states and provinces, operating such ...
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Preface DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, GENERAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS OR 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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Sierra Wireless and/or its affiliates aggregate liability arising under or in connection with the Sierra Wireless product, regardless of the number of events, occurrences, or claims giving rise to liability, be in excess of the price paid by the purchaser for the Sierra Wireless product. Patents Portions of this product may be covered by some or all of the following US patents: 5,515,013 5,629,960 5,845,216 5,847,553 5,878,234 5,890,057 5,929,815 6,169,884 6,191,741 6,199,168 6,339,405 6,359,591 6,400,336 6,516,204 6,561,851 6,643,501 6,653,979 6,697,030 6,785,830 6,845,249 6,847,830...
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® InstallShield is a registered trademark of Macrovision Corpo‐ ration in the United States of America and/or other countries. Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners. Comments Sales Desk: Phone: 1-604-232-1488 Hours: 8:00 to 5:00 Pacific Time sales@sierrawireless.com E-mail: Post: Sierra Wireless 13811 Wireless Way Richmond, BC Canada V6V 3A4 Fax: 1-604-231-1109 www.sierrawireless.com Web: Additional For up‐to‐date product descriptions, documentation, appli‐ cation notes, firmware upgrades, troubleshooting tips, and information and www.sierrawireless.com press releases, visit. ...
PC Card Note: This document applies to you, only if your wireless card is the AirCard 595 PC Card from Sierra Wireless. This document does not apply, if you are using a wireless card that is built into your computer.
Introducing the AirCard® 595 PC Card Wireless PC Card Once installed and configured, the AirCard PC Card can connect to the CDMA network automatically. You just insert the AirCard PC Card, allow Watcher to autolaunch and authenticate your account on the network, then launch your Internet browser (which you can also configure in Watcher to launch automatically)—you’re online! Alternatively, you can make a high‐speed data connection without running Watcher—simply by launching whatever application you want to use (such as your web browser or e‐mail application). Prerequisites: you must have previously Always-on selected, in Watcher, “ ” for the high‐speed connection Enable NIC for data and (subject to feature availability) “ connections ”. The AirCard PC Card also allows you to dial up a modem (such as a corporate server). CDMA 3G services The AirCard PC Card operates over a type of wireless network called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).
Introducing the AirCard® 595 PC Card • 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. • (Short Message Service), allows you to send and receive short text messages using the AirCard PC Card. Additional AirCard PC Card features Beyond the features of the CDMA network, the AirCard PC Card provides additional software features: • PIN security code to protect your AirCard PC Card and account from unauthorized use. • An Activation Wizard (page 18) to assist with configuring your CDMA account. • Sound options to customize ringtones for SMS messages. •...
Introducing the AirCard® 595 PC Card You may also have other software on your computer that can be used wirelessly with the AirCard PC Card, such as: file transfer applications (FTP), chat or instant messaging, a (Virtual Private Network) client, client software for a corporate server application. The AirCard 595 PC Card The AirCard PC Card provides your computer with a connection to the CDMA wireless network. The AirCard PC Card fits into a standard Type II PC Card slot available on most notebook PCs. Every CDMA network operates on one of three radio frequency bands. As a dual‐band product, the AirCard Card operates on two of these bands (see page 31), providing a wide coverage area. The AirCard PC Card drivers and enabling software Required to control, monitor, and manage your wireless connections, this includes the Watcher application.
Introducing the AirCard® 595 PC Card Each service provider has its own pricing options. There may Note: You can use the Lock be flat rate accounts, which provide you a maximum number Code feature to prevent others of minutes of network usage for a fixed monthly fee. There from using your account should may be accounts for which you are charged for network usage your AirCard PC Card be stolen. by the minute or by the amount of data transmitted. For information on this feature, see the online help.
The AirCard 595 software Before you can begin using the AirCard PC Card, you must: • Account activation and Install the AirCard PC Card enabling software and driver. configuration Activate an account and configure the AirCard PC Card to use your account (unless the AirCard PC Card has been pre‐activated). This section provides an overview of this process. The AirCard 595 software The AirCard PC Card comes with this software: • Watcher application that you use to manage the AirCard PC Card and monitor your connections • The driver software that provides the interface between the AirCard PC Card and your Windows operating system The Watcher software must be installed before you insert the AirCard PC Card for the first time. Detailed instructions are provided in “Installation” on page 14. Account activation and configuration To use the AirCard PC Card, you must have an account with a ...
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Getting Started 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 PC Card during the manufacturing process. (The ESN or MEID is printed on a label on the AirCard PC Card and can be displayed in Watcher.) This number is used to help authenticate your account when you connect for service. You require from your service provider: • An activation code that gives you access to configure the account. • A phone number for your AirCard PC Card. • Additional information specific to your service provider such as: · A user ID (username) and password to authenticate your network connection. · A SID (System IDentifier) that identifies your home network area and is used together with your phone number to determine if you are “home” or “roaming”. Document 2130681. Rev 1.0 Aug.06...
Removing the AirCard This chapter guides you through the steps necessary to install the AirCard PC Card on a notebook PC. PC Card Note: Do not insert the AirCard PC Card into your PC Card slot before installing the software. The basic steps are: Insert the AirCard 595 installation CD into your CD‐ROM drive and install Watcher. Insert the AirCard PC Card into the PC Card slot (page 16) to install the AirCard PC Card drivers. If the AirCard PC Card has not been pre‐activated, use the Activation Wizard to configure the AirCard PC Card (as ...
Installation To install the AirCard PC Card, you require these system resources: Table 3-1: System resource requirements Card slots 1 Type II PCMCIA (PC Card) Slot Disk drive CD-ROM (for installation only) I/O resources 1 IRQ, 40 bytes I/O Space Memory 10 MB Disk space 10 MB AirCard PC Card software installation procedures To install Watcher and the AirCard PC Card driver: If the installation CD is not already in your CD‐ROM ...
Installation Destination Folder · Use the default settings for the unless you have special requirements and an advanced under‐ standing of PC configuration. (The Destination Folder dictates where the software is installed.) When you are notified that the installation is complete, Finish click Insert the AirCard PC Card into your PC Card Note: Do not forcefully insert the slot (described in the following section). This installs the AirCard PC Card. This may drivers for the card. damage connector pins. When the drivers have been installed, the system tray dis‐ plays the message “Your new hardware is installed and ready to use”: If Watcher has not started automatically, start it: double‐ click the Watcher icon on your desktop. Proceed to configure the AirCard PC Card to use your account (if it was not pre‐activated). See “Activation” on page 18.
Installation • 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). Windows Vista Windows XP Windows 2000 • Watcher launches (unless the autolaunch feature has been disabled). The AirCard PC Card is powered as soon as you insert it. Removing the AirCard PC Card To remove the AirCard PC Card: Close Watcher if it is open. Click the PC Card icon in the system tray to display the option to stop the card. Windows Vista Windows XP Windows 2000 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller Click the entry for “...
4: Activation • Account configuration procedures • Manual activation Account configuration • Automated activation procedures The final step to making the AirCard PC Card operational is configuring it to use your CDMA service provider account. The process of activation configures your AirCard PC Card with the required account parameters (phone number, username, password, etc.). If you purchased a pre‐activated AirCard PC Card, this step is not necessary. Once the application software and driver are installed, the AirCard PC Card is ready for use. Otherwise, you must use the Activation Wizard to activate and configure your account. Activation Wizard The Activation Wizard walks you through the process of configuring an account. The process and options vary based on the service provider. This section is a guide only. Consult the Quick Start Guide, and follow the directions on screen and instructions given by your service provider representative. To activate an account and configure your AirCard PC Card for use: If your AirCard PC Card does not have an activated account, ...
AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide Manual activation Activation involves phoning your service provider, exchanging information, and entering your account infor‐ mation into the appropriate fields in the wizard. (To use this method, you require a phone.) Next Back To use manual activation, use the and buttons to navigate through the wizard, noting the following: • Obtain the billing information listed on the second window of the wizard before phoning the service provider or proceeding to the next window. • Contact your service provider. Inform your service provider that you are activating your Sierra Wireless AirCard 595. The representative will request your (Electronic Serial Number) or MEID. This is displayed in the Activation Wizard (and is printed on the AirCard PC Card box and on the label on the back of the AirCard PC Card). • As prompted by the wizard, enter the information provided by the service representative. Finish • Select ...
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Activation Note: If you do not get the “Ready to Connect” message, retry the process. If the process continues to fail, use manual activation (page 19) or contact your service provider. At this point your AirCard PC Card is ready to use. Document 2130681. Rev 1.0 Aug.06...
5: Care and Maintenance of Your AirCard PC Card As with any electronic device, the AirCard PC Card must be handled with care to ensure reliable operation. Follow these guidelines in using and storing the AirCard PC Card: • Do not apply adhesive labels to the AirCard PC Card. This may cause the AirCard PC Card to become jammed inside the card slot. • The AirCard PC Card should fit easily into your PC Card slot. Forcing the AirCard PC Card into a slot may damage connector pins. • Protect the card from liquids, dust, and excessive heat. • When not installed in your computer, store the AirCard PC Card in its carry case. Document 2130681. Rev 1.0 Aug.06...
Depending on your settings in the Options window, Watcher launches automatically anytime you insert the AirCard PC Card. You can also launch Watcher by: • Double‐clicking the Watcher icon on your desktop • Selecting: Start > All Programs > Sierra Wireless > In Windows XP: 3G Wireless Module > EVDO Watcher Start > Programs > Sierra Wireless > In Windows 2000: 3G Wireless Module > EVDO Watcher The standard Windows control buttons in the upper right corner of the window are used to minimize or close Watcher. ...
AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide button. Instead, an icon is shown in the system tray, usually at the right end of the taskbar. (See “Minimized icons” on page 27.) Components of the Watcher window The window has three areas that display messages and icons: the Connection Status Area (page 25), Call Status Area (page 26), 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. Toggle Full/Compact button Menu bar Minimize button Close button Connection Status Area Call Status Area Connection Manager Indicator area Button Figure 6-1: Watcher window For a detailed description of each option in the menus, see the ...
Watcher Basics Toggle Full/Compact • The 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. Close • The button is used to exit Watcher. Docking You can set the Watcher window to “jump” to the edge of your screen when you move the window close to an edge. This lets you easily position Watcher in a corner of the screen. VIEW > Docking • Select Always On Top You can set Watcher to always display in front of other windows. This allows you to monitor connection status while using another maximized application, such as your web browser. VIEW > Always On Top •...
AirCard® 595 PC Card - 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 PC Card 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.
Watcher Basics Table 6-1: Connection Status Area icons (continued) Icon Meaning A high-speed (1X) packet data call is in progress. 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 allowing you to make and receive voice calls.
AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide Indicator area The Indicator area displays an icon that notifies you when you receive SMS messages. The icon is black when “on” and gray when “off”. Table 6-2: Indicator Area icons Icon Meaning The SMS message indicator shows whether you have unread messages. A blinking icon indicates that there are one or more urgent or important unread messages.
Card. You can access online help in several ways: <F1> • Press in any window. Hints • Click the button available in many windows. Program Files > • Use Windows Explorer to navigate to Sierra Wireless > 3G Wireless Module > Generic > Watcher.chm . Double‐click to open the help file. The help file has a table of contents, an index, and search capabilities. 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 ...
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AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide Holding the antenna cable by the connector (end) part, carefully push the connector part of the cable into the corresponding connector on the AirCard PC Card. Carefully insert the PC Card into your computer’s card slot. 2130681...
7: Technical Specifications • LED operation • Radio frequency and This chapter describes the function of the LED, and provides electrical technical product data for the AirCard PC Card. specifications • Environmental LED operation specifications The AirCard PC Card has two LED light bars near the antenna end of the card. Both LED light bars operate as follows: Table 7-1: LED operation LED behavior Indicates The card has no power. You have powered off the card (TOOLS > Power Off Modem), or the card may not be completely inserted into the computer, or the computer may be in suspend mode (which powers down the card).
AirCard® 595 PC Card - 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, IS-878, IS-890, CDMA Developers Group (ID: N7NAC595)
8: Regulatory Information • Important safety/ compliance Important safety/compliance information information • Information pertaining to OEM customers The design of the AirCard 595 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. and international standards bodies: • ANSI / IEEE C95.1‐1999, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromag‐ netic Fields, 3kHz to 300 GHz • National Council on Radiation Protection and Measure‐ ments (NCRP) Report 86, ‐1986, Biological Effects and Exposure Criteria for Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields • Health Canada, Safety Code 6, 1999, Limits of Human Exposure to Radio frequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz • International Commission on Non‐Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) 1998, Guidelines for limiting exposure to time‐varying electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields (up ...
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AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide Where appropriate, the use of the equipment is subject to the following conditions: WARNING (EMI) - United States FCC Information ‐ This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B computing device peripheral, pursuant to Part 15, 22, and 24 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. 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 inter‐ ference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful 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 the interference by one or more of the following measures: • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. • Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. •...
Cet appareil numérique respecte les limites de bruits radioélec‐ triques applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans la norme sur le matériel brouilleur: ʺAppareils Numériquesʺ, NMB‐003 édictée par le ministre des Communi‐ cations. If you have purchased this product under a United States Government contract, it shall be subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of Defense Federal Acquisitions Regulations (DFARs) Section 252.227‐7013 for Department of Defense contracts, and as set forth in Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FARs) Section 52.227‐19 for 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 595 PC Card has been granted modular approval for mobile applications. Integrators may use the AirCard 595 card in their final products without additional FCC / IC certifi‐ cation if they meet the following conditions. Otherwise, additional FCC / IC approvals must be obtained. At least 20 cm separation distance between the antenna and the user’s body must be maintained at all times. To comply with FCC / IC regulations limiting both maximum RF output power and human exposure to RF radiation, the maximum antenna gain must not exceed 5.65 dBi in the Cellular band and 4.35 dBi in the PCS band. The AirCard 595 card and its antenna must not be colocated with any other transmitter or antenna within a host device. A label must be affixed to the outside of the end product ...
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AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide The end product with an embedded AirCard 595 card must pass the unintentional emission testing and properly autho‐ rized per FCC Part 15 requirements. Note: If this PC Card is intended for use in a portable device, you are responsible for separate approval to satisfy the SAR requirements of FCC Part 2.1093 and IC RSS-102.
Appendix A: Glossary One Times Radio Transmission Technology (the ʺone timesʺ refers to the frequency spectrum). Supports Internet connec‐ tions 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 communica‐ tions. 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. 0 supports Internet connections with data rates up to 2.4 Mbps (downlink from the network) and 153 Kbps (uplink to the network). Average data rates are roughly: for Rev. A: 600–1300 Kbps (downlink from the network) and 300–400 Kbps (uplink to the network); for Rev. 0: 400‐700 Kbps (downlink from the network) and 40‐80 Kbps (uplink to the network). Actual speed depends on the network conditions. Compare to bits per second—The actual data speed over the transmission medium. CDMA Code Division Multiple Access—A wideband spread spectrum technique used in digital cellular, personal commu‐ nications services, and other wireless networks. Wide channels (1.25 MHz) are obtained through spread spectrum transmissions, thus allowing many active users to share the same channel. Each user is assigned a unique digital code, which differentiates the individual conversations on the same ...
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AirCard® 595 PC Card - User Guide Electronic Serial Number—The unique first‐generation serial number assigned to the AirCard PC Card for cellular network use. Compare to MEID. 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 www.fcc.gov licensing. Consult firmware Software stored in ROM or EEPROM; essential programs that remain even when the system is turned off. Firmware is easier to change than hardware but more permanent than software stored on disk. host A computer that uses a modem or a similar device to answer a calling computer. A source or destination in the communication network. A computer that contains data or files to be accessed by client computers. Also known as a server. Interim Standard—After receiving industry consensus, the TIA forwards the standard to ANSI for approval. IS-95 The standard for CDMA. Kbps Kilobits per second—Actually 1000, not 1024, as used in computer memory size measurements of kilobytes. Local Area Network Light Emitting Diode—A semiconductor diode that emits visible or infrared light. MEID Mobile Equipment Identifier—The unique second‐gener‐...
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Glossary Quick Net Connect—A CDMA connection method that reduces call setup time for circuit switched connections to the Internet. roaming 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). system tray Usually located in the lower right corner of your screen Telecommunications Industry Association—A standards‐ setting trade organization, whose members provide communi‐ cations and information technology products, systems, distri‐ bution services and professional services in the United States www.tiaonline.org and around the world. Consult Virtual Private Network Document 2130681. Rev 1.0 Aug.06...