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Novatel Minstrel m500 Manual

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Preface
Safety and Regulatory Notices
This product is not to be used in any environment where radio frequency
equipment is prohibited or restricted in its use. This includes aircraft/airports,
hospitals, and other sensitive electronic areas. To ensure that your modem is
deactivated you should remove it from your computer under the above conditions.

REGULATORY NOTICES

Federal Communications Commission Radio Frequency Interference
Statement
This equipment has been certified to comply within the limits of a class B digital
device pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in residential situations. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy, and, if not
properly installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by
turning the equipment on and off. You are encouraged to try to correct the
interference by one or more of the following measures:
•
Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna of the television, radio or cordless
telephone.
•
Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver.
•
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
•
Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/television technician for additional
suggestions.
FCC ID: NBZNRM-6835
Canada: 3229182356A

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  • Page 1: Regulatory Notices

    Preface Safety and Regulatory Notices This product is not to be used in any environment where radio frequency equipment is prohibited or restricted in its use. This includes aircraft/airports, hospitals, and other sensitive electronic areas. To ensure that your modem is deactivated you should remove it from your computer under the above conditions.

  • Page 2: Technical Support

    Preface — Technical Support Technical Support If you have any questions or comments about your Minstrel m500, please contact the Novatel Wireless Technical Support Team. WWW: www.novatelwireless.com/support/index.html E-mail: support@novatelwireless.com Phone: 1-888-888-9231 Requirements The following items are required to set up and use your Minstrel m500: •...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Charging the Battery ................. 5 Installing the Minstrel m500 Software ............6 Connecting the Minstrel m500 to Your Palm..........9 Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 from Your Palm ........10 Configuring the Minstrel m500 Starting the Configuration Process............11 Specifying Your Network Provider............12 Using an Unlisted Network Provider .................13...
  • Page 4 Disconnecting from the Network ......................22 Closing the Active Network Session ....................22 Shutting Down the Modem ......................23 Reconnecting to the Network .......................24 Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration ..............25 Opening the Config Window.........................25 Setting the IP Address .........................26 Setting the Primary DNS ........................26 Setting the Secondary DNS .........................27...
  • Page 5 Contents The Setup Wizard Menu Command..................... 46 The Advanced Menu ......................47 The Config Menu Command........................ 47 The Status Menu Command ........................ 50 The Push Config Menu Command....................... 53 The Terminal Menu Command ......................53 The Ping Menu Command ........................55 The Help Menu .......................56 The Modem Info Menu Command .......................
  • Page 6 Contents Revision 1.02 90023164...

  • Page 7: Minstrel M500 Familiarization

    Minstrel m500 Familiarization The Minstrel m500 modem has six general components.They are: • The unit status LEDs, • The configurable/power button, • The AC adapter jack, • The serial connector, • And the antenna. The location of the AC adapter jack, and the other general components of the modem are shown in Figure 1.

  • Page 8: Status Indicator Leds

    Minstrel m500 Familiarization — Status Indicator LEDs Status Indicator LEDs The Minstrel m500 has three LED indicators that allow you to easily determine the status of the different modem operations. These LEDs are located in the lower right-corner on the front of the modem, as shown in Figure 2.

  • Page 9: Data/Message Waiting Led

    Solid There are messages waiting for you to download. Green Flashing The Minstrel m500 is sending and receiving data. Battery LED The LED associated with the icon shown in Figure 5, indicates the state of the Minstrel’s internal battery. Figure 5 The Battery State LED Icon The table below describes the various states of this LED.

  • Page 10: Pass-Through Charging

    The Minstrel m500 has a non-telescoping or “stubby” antenna. It cannot be raised or lowered. The Release Button The Minstrel m500 release button, located on the left side of the unit, allows you to detach the Minstrel m500 modem from the Palm m500/505™ device. See Figure 6.

  • Page 11: Setting Up The Minstrel M500

    Setting Up the Minstrel m500 In order to install your modem, you must perform three primary tasks: charge the Minstrel m500 battery, install the Minstrel m500 software on the Palm device, and connect the modem to the Palm device. Charging the Battery You must first charge the Lithium-ion battery to its full capacity.

  • Page 12: Installing The Minstrel M500 Software

    Refer to Connecting the Minstrel m500 to Your Palm on page 9 of Setting Up the Minstrel m500 for more information. Installing the Minstrel m500 Software In order to configure and use the Minstrel m500 modem, you will need to install the Modem Manager software on your Palm m500/505™...
  • Page 13 Installation window will appear, shown in Figure 8. Figure 8 Modem Software Installation Main Window Select Minstrel m500 Software from the above menu. The Install Tool dialog box will appear, as shown in Figure 9. If the appropriate user name does not appear in the dialog box, click the drop-down list box and select the correct user name, and then click OK.
  • Page 14 Click Quit, located on the Software Installation Main window. This will remove the window from your screen. Perform a Hotsync. Once the Hotsync is complete, you are ready to connect your Minstrel m500 modem to your Palm m500/505™ device and configure it. Revision 1.02...

  • Page 15: Connecting The Minstrel M500 To Your Palm

    Make certain the Palm m500/505™ device is turned off. Hold the Minstrel m500 facing you in one hand (the release button should be on the left side of the unit). With the other hand, hold the Palm m500/505™ so that the screen is facing you.

  • Page 16: Disconnecting The Minstrel M500 From Your Palm

    Setting Up the Minstrel m500 — Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 from Your Palm Disconnecting the Minstrel m500 from Your Palm In order to disconnect the Minstrel m500 modem from your Palm m500/505™: Make certain the Palm m500/505™ device is turned off.

  • Page 17: Configuring The Minstrel M500

    Tap the Minstrel icon to start the Minstrel application. The Setup Wizard window will appear, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 The Minstrel Setup Wizard Initial Window If you have purchased a preconfigured Minstrel m500 you will already Note: have an IP (Internet Protocol) address assigned to you. In this...

  • Page 18: Specifying Your Network Provider

    Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Specifying Your Network Provider Once you have read the information displayed on the screen, tap Next to continue with the configuration. Specifying Your Network Provider Your next task will be to define the wireless network provider you will use. This is accomplished in the Network Provider window, shown in Figure 15.

  • Page 19: Using An Unlisted Network Provider

    Once the correct network provider appears in the Network Provider window, tap Next. Configuring the Palm m500/505™ Device After defining the network provider you will use with your Minstrel m500, you are given the option of setting the Palm m500/505™ device’s network preferences to the same values as those being defined in the Minstrel m500 modem setup.

  • Page 20: Contact Your Network Provider

    Contact a Provider window, shown in Figure Contact Your Network Provider The next step in setting up your Minstrel m500 is to contact your chosen network provider and request they set up a wireless IP service account for you.

  • Page 21: Ip Settings

    Configuring the Minstrel m500 — IP Settings IP Settings Your next task will be to configure your IP addresses. Use the Settings window, shown in Figure 20, to access the addresses. Figure 20 The Settings Window Enter the IP address and the two DNS addresses in the appropriate fields; your network provider will identify which DNS address is the primary and which is secondary.

  • Page 22: Configuration Acknowledgment

    Configuration Acknowledgment Once you have finished configuring your IP addresses, the Auto Config window, shown in Figure 23, will appear. This window confirms that your Minstrel m500 has been configured. Figure 23 The Auto Config Window It may take some time for your network provider to activate your wireless IP account, and you will be required to wait the amount of time your network provider indicates before you can proceed.

  • Page 23: Checking The Network

    Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Checking the Network Checking the Network After you tap either Next or Don’t Wait in the Auto Config window, the Check Network window will be displayed, and Setup Wizard will try to sign on to the network. This activity is indicated by the Service Connection Progress dialog box, shown in Figure 24.

  • Page 24: Finishing The Modem Configuration

    Configuring the Minstrel m500 — Finishing the Modem Configuration Finishing the Modem Configuration The Successful window, shown in Figure 26, will appear if the modem has successfully registered to the network. Figure 26 The Successful Window Tap Done. This will close the Successful window, and the modem will sign onto the network again.

  • Page 25: Customizing The Modem's Configurable/Power Button

    Customizing the Modem’s Configurable/ Power Button The button found on the front of the Minstrel m500 can be customized to launch any Palm m500/ 505™ application you choose. To configure the button, tap the Applications icon and then the Prefs icon, shown in Figure 28.
  • Page 26 Tap OK to finish the button’s configuration. The next time you press the button (for less than 3 seconds) on the front of the Minstrel m500, the selected application will automatically launch. When the Configurable/Power button is pressed for 3 or more seconds, it will power the Note: modem on or off.

  • Page 27: Using The Modem Manager

    In order to send and receive data across your local area network or the Internet, the Minstrel m500 must be connected to a wireless IP network. To connect to the network, you must start the Minstrel m500 Modem Manager software.

  • Page 28: Disconnecting From The Network

    Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Figure 33 The Minstrel m500 Network Sign-on Sequence Once a network connection is established, the Minstrel main window, shown in Figure 34 is displayed. Figure 34 The Minstrel Main Window Disconnecting from the Network There are two ways you can disconnect from a network.

  • Page 29: Shutting Down The Modem

    Using the Modem Manager — Connecting to the Network To close the active session, tap the Menu icon and select Disconnect from the Minstrel menu, as shown in Figure 35. Figure 35 The Disconnect Menu Command Shutting Down the Modem If you wish to disconnect from the network and power off the modem, tap Shutdown at the bottom of the Minstrel window, as shown in Figure 36.

  • Page 30: Reconnecting To The Network

    Using the Modem Manager — Connecting to the Network Alternately, you can use the Shutdown command from the Minstrel menu, as shown in Figure Figure 37 The Shutdown Menu Command When powering off the modem using the configurable/power button, it is important to first Note: close any running programs, such as your web browser or e-mail.

  • Page 31: Changing The Minstrel M500'S Configuration

    Using the Modem Manager — Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration It should not be necessary for you to change the Minstrel m500’s configuration. However, if you do need to make changes to your configuration you can rerun the Setup Wizard utility or edit the configuration settings directly using the Config window, shown in Figure 39.

  • Page 32: Setting The Ip Address

    Using the Modem Manager — Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration Setting the IP Address The IP Address text box shows your Minstrel m500’s current IP address. This address should be the address assigned to you by your network provider. Note: You should not change this value unless directed to do so by your network provider.

  • Page 33: Setting The Secondary Dns

    Palm m500 will not Auto Power Off or enter sleep mode properly while the Modem Manager application is in use. To conserve both your Palm and Minstrel m500's batteries, it is recommended that you manually power off both units when not in use The Auto Power Off function is designed to help conserve the battery life of the modem.

  • Page 34: Setting Sleep Mode

    Palm m500 will not Auto Power Off or enter sleep mode properly while the Modem Manager application is in use. To conserve both your Palm and Minstrel m500's batteries, it is recommended that you manually power off both units when not in use.

  • Page 35: Defining Your Network Provider

    Using the Modem Manager — Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration Defining Your Network Provider The Network Provider function indicates which side of the wireless IP network your Minstrel m500 is configured to use. To change the Network Provider setting, tap its drop-down list box and select the new value you wish to have your modem configured with, as shown in Figure 46.

  • Page 36: Setting The Service Id Pref

    Using the Modem Manager — Changing the Minstrel m500’s Configuration Setting the Service ID Pref The Service ID Pref list box controls how the modem looks for the network. To change the Service ID Pref setting, tap the Service ID Pref drop-down list box and select one of the four settings, shown in Figure 48.

  • Page 37: Defining The Hot List Operation

    Using the Modem Manager — Using the Detailed Status Window Defining the Hot List Operation To change the way in which channels in the Channel Hot List are used, tap the Hot List Operation drop-down list box and select the new value, as shown in Figure 50 below. Figure 50 The Hot List Operation List Box Using the Detailed Status Window The Detailed Status window, shown in Figure 51, displays detailed status information about the...

  • Page 38: Displaying The Detailed Status Window

    Using the Modem Manager — Enabling or Disabling Push Messaging Displaying the Detailed Status Window To display this window, select Status from the Advanced menu, as shown in Figure 52. Figure 52 The Detailed Status Menu Command Enabling or Disabling Push Messaging Push messaging is a service you subscribe to that allows the modem to receive messages from your network even if you are not currently connected with PPP.

  • Page 39: Opening The Push Message Configuration Screen

    Using the Modem Manager — Enabling or Disabling Push Messaging Opening the Push Message Configuration Screen Select Push Config from the Advanced menu to open this window, as shown in Figure 54. This will display the Push Messaging window, shown in Figure 53. Figure 54 The Push Config Menu Command Note: In order to access this window, the modem must have an active session.

  • Page 40: Using The Terminal

    Using the Modem Manager — Using the Terminal Using the Terminal The Terminal window, shown in Figure 55, provides an internal terminal emulator for communicating directly with the Minstrel m500 modem. Figure 55 The Terminal Window Opening the Terminal Window To access the Terminal window, select Terminal from the Advanced menu, as shown in Figure 56.

  • Page 41: Bringing The Modem Online

    Using the Modem Manager — Using the Terminal Bringing the Modem OnLine To bring the modem online, tap OnLine, as shown in Figure 57. Figure 57 The Online Button After you have tapped OnLine, the modem will have to close down its connection to the network and then redirect its attention to the terminal window.

  • Page 42: Entering Commands

    Figure 60 The Terminal Window Command Line To use the command line, tap on the line, enter the desired AT command, and tap Send. The AT command set for the Minstrel m500 is outside the scope of this document. If you Note: need the Minstrel m500 command set, contact Novatel Wireless Technologies Inc.

  • Page 43: Clearing The Terminal Window

    Figure 61 The Clear Button Setting the Baud Rate In order to set the baud rate between the Terminal window and the Minstrel m500 modem, tap the Baud Rate pick list and select the desired baud rate, as shown in Figure 62.

  • Page 44: Taking The Modem Offline

    Using the Modem Manager — Using Ping Taking the Modem Offline Once you have finished your command session with the Minstrel m500 modem, you will need to take the modem offline so that you can connect to the wireless network again. In order to take the modem offline and reconnect with the network, tap OffLine, as shown in Figure 63.

  • Page 45: Opening The Ping Window

    Using the Modem Manager — Using Ping Opening the Ping Window To open this window, select Ping from the Advanced menu, as shown in Figure 65. This will display the Ping window, shown in Figure 64. Figure 65 The Ping Menu Note: In order to access this window, the modem must have an active session.

  • Page 46: Defining The Packet Size

    Using the Modem Manager — Using Ping Defining the Packet Size To set the packet size, tap the Size: text line and enter the packet size, as shown in Figure 67. Figure 67 The Packet Size Text Box Sending the Packet Once you have defined the IP address and the packet size, tap Send, shown in Figure 68, to send the ping packet to the target address.

  • Page 47: Modem Manager Description

    Modem Manager Description This chapter describes the user interface components of the Minstrel m500’s Modem Manager. For a discussion on using the Modem Manager, refer to Using the Modem Manager on page 21. If you encounter any terms or concepts that you do not understand, refer to the Glossary on page 59.
  • Page 48 Modem Manager Description — The Minstrel Main Window Status Label Label Description Modem Ready Registered When this box is selected, the modem is connected to the wireless IP network and your modem is ready to send and receive data once the connection is made. If this box is cleared, the modem has not been able to connect to the wireless IP network.

  • Page 49: The Three Modem Manager Menus

    Displays the Palm m500/505’s Network Preferences window. Setup Wizard Starts the Minstrel Setup Wizard, discussed in the chapter titled Configuring the Minstrel m500 on page 11. Advanced Menu Config Displays the Modem and Network Configuration window. The modem must be powered on and logged onto the network in order to access this window.

  • Page 50: The Minstrel Menu

    Modem Manager Description — The Minstrel Menu Menu Command Brief Menu Command Description Name Help Menu Modem Info Displays the Modem Information window. This window lists the manufacturer, the firmware version, hardware version, and Equipment ID. The modem must be pow- ered on and logged onto the network in order to access this window.

  • Page 51: The Shutdown Menu Command

    Modem Manager Description — The Minstrel Menu network. If Auto Power Off is enabled, selecting Disconnect will close the PPP session, and disconnect the modem from the wireless IP network. This command is an immediate command. This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Minstrel menu, then selecting the Disconnect menu command, as shown in Figure 72.

  • Page 52: The Network Prefs Menu Command

    The Setup Wizard menu command starts the Modem Manager’s Setup Wizard, which allows you to reconfigure your modem and network connection. The Setup Wizard is discussed in more detail in Configuring the Minstrel m500 on page 11. This command is a windowed command. Revision 1.02...

  • Page 53: The Advanced Menu

    Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Minstrel menu, then selecting Setup Wizard, as shown in Figure 76. Figure 76 The Setup Wizard Menu Command The Advanced Menu The Advanced menu, shown in Figure 77, contains the five menu commands used to customize your modem’s configuration, and test your modem and its connection to the network.
  • Page 54 Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Advanced menu, then selecting the Config menu command, as shown in Figure 78. Figure 78 The Config Menu Command Selecting Config will display the Config window, shown in Figure 79.
  • Page 55 Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu Configuration Label Label Description Sleep Mode This list box allows you to turn your modem’s Sleep Mode function on or off. If this function is enabled, it will cause the modem to enter a low current con- sumption mode (called sleep mode) when the modem is not actively send- ing or receiving data.

  • Page 56: The Status Menu Command

    Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu Configuration Label Label Description Service ID Pref This list box controls how the modem looks for the network. This function provides access to any network roaming features that might have been set up between your network provider and other providers in other geographic locations.
  • Page 57 Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Advanced menu, then selecting Status, as shown in Figure 80. Figure 80 The Status Menu Command Selecting Status will display the Detailed Status window, shown in Figure 81. Figure 81 The Status Window The following list discusses the network status information displayed in the Detailed Status window.
  • Page 58 A side or B side. This text box will display a number between 2 and 7. These numbers indicate the cur- rent power level your Minstrel m500 is transmitting at, with 2 being the highest power level and 7 being the lowest.

  • Page 59: The Push Config Menu Command

    The Terminal window, provides an internal terminal emulator for communicating directly with the Minstrel m500 modem. This will allow you to further customize the operation of your Minstrel modem using its AT command set. AT commands are commands used to control the various functions of the modem.
  • Page 60 Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Advanced menu, then selecting Terminal, as shown in Figure 84. Figure 84 The Terminal Menu Command Selecting Terminal will display the Terminal window, shown in Figure 85. Figure 85 The Terminal Window The following list discusses the window objects contained in the Terminal window.

  • Page 61: The Ping Menu Command

    Modem Manager Description — The Advanced Menu Window Object Object Description Done This button is used to close the Terminal window and return to the Minstrel main window. This list box contains the three most common AT commands. They are: AT\APROG,NRM6812 This command will instruct the modem to enter its pro- gram mode.

  • Page 62: The Help Menu

    Modem Manager Description — The Help Menu The following list discusses the window objects contained in the Ping window. Window Object Object Description This text line accepts the IP address of the computer you are going to ping. Size This text box is used to enter the size of the network packet that will be sent to the target IP address.

  • Page 63: The About Menu Command

    Modem Manager Description — The Help Menu This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Help menu, then selecting Modem Info, as shown in Figure 89. Figure 89 The Modem Info Menu Command Selecting Modem Info will display the Modem Info window, shown in Figure 90. Figure 90 The Modem Info Window The following list discusses the network status information displayed in the Detailed Status window.
  • Page 64 Modem Manager Description — The Help Menu This menu command is accessed by tapping the Palm m500/505’s menu icon, tapping the Help menu, then selecting About, as shown in Figure 91. Figure 91 The About Menu Command Selecting About will display the About window, shown in Figure 92. The contents of this window display the version of the Minstrel Modem Manager’s software and the copyright notice.

  • Page 65: Glossary

    Glossary Active Network Session An active network session allows you to send and receive data across the Internet using point-to-point protocol through your network connection. AT Commands AT commands are a language type that enables PC communications software to give the modem directions. The term “AT” comes from the command terminology which always begins with “attention”, or AT.

  • Page 66: Packet Size

    Light Emitting Diode (LED) A light emitting diode (LED) emits light when a current is passed through it. The LEDs associated with the Minstrel m500 modem indicate the status of the network connection, data/ messages, and the battery. Local Area Network (LAN) A computer network that spans a relatively small area (typically up to a 1 km radius), although most LANS are confined to a single building or group of buildings.
  • Page 67 An electromagnetic transmission facility with defined frequency response, gain and bandwidth, or more simply, a path of communication between two or more points. The Minstrel m500 must connect to an RF channel in order for the user to access the Internet. Registration In order to send and receive data across the Internet, a CDPD modem must first register to the CDPD network.

  • Page 68: Service Provider

    Glossary — Secondary Domain Name System Secondary Domain Name System If the modem cannot connect to the DNS using the primary address, it will try to connect using the secondary DNS address. Segment Each network address consists of four numeric segments, which are divided by a period ("."). Service Provider Identifier (SPI) This number is a globally recognized identifier that represents your network provider.

  • Page 69: Index

    Index AC Adapter Jack .......................5 Active Network Session....................22 Antenna ..........................4 Commands.........................53 Command List......................35 Entering Commands ....................36 Auto Power Off Disable ........................27 Enable........................27 ..........................27 Battery ..........................5 Auto Power Off ......................27 Charging ........................5 ..........................3 Sleep Mode.......................28 Baud Rate ........................37 CDPD ..........................41 Channel ...........................30 Hotlist........................30 Configurable...
  • Page 70 Index Disconnect Minstrel m500 Modem From Network..........22 Components...........1 Disconnecting Configure............11 Minstrel m500..........10 Connect............9 Domain Name System (DNS) Address....15 Modem Information ........56 Secondary..........27 Remove............10 Setting Primary..........26 Shut Down............23 Modem Manager Menus ............43 Equipment Identifier (EID) ........14 Advanced..........47 Help ............56 Minstrel ..........44 IP Address ...........
  • Page 71 Index Service Provider Network Identifier (SPNI) ..29 Define............29 Setup Wizard............46 Shutdown ............45 Minstrel m500 ..........23 Sleep Mode ............28 Disable ............28 Enable............28 Software About Modem Manager ....... 57 Installing............6 Terminal Emulator ..........34...
  • Page 72 Index Revision 1.02 90023164...

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