AirCard® 755 Wireless Network Card Installation Guide 2130336 Rev D
Preface Important Notice Because of 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.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide emitted by FCC regulated transmitters. Those guidelines are consistent with the safety standard previously set by both U.S. and international standards bodies. The design of this wireless network card complies with the FCC guidelines and these international standards. Use only the supplied or an approved antenna. Unauthorized antennas, modifications, or attachments could impair call quality, damage the phone, or result in violation of FCC regulations.
Preface D452,495 D452,496 and other patents pending. Copyright ©2003 Sierra Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved. Trademarks AirCard® and Heart of the Wireless Machine® are registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless, Inc. Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, the red wave design, the red-tipped antenna, and Watcher are trademarks of Sierra Wireless, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners. All product specifications are subject to change without notice. Rev D Dec.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 4 2130336
Table of Contents Introducing the AirCard® 755 Wireless Network Card . . . . . . . . .9 Supported operating systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The AirCard as a network card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 The AirCard as a mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Supported GSM frequency bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Flash card installation requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Pocket PC and Handheld PC installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Windows CE .NET device installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extracting the CAB file to the host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ActiveSync installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Frequency band selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . .
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 8 2130336
1: Introducing the AirCard® 755 Wireless Network Card • Your account and coverage area • AirCard software • Before you can begin using the AirCard • Package contents Caution: Do not insert your AirCard into your PC Card slot before installing the software. The AirCard® 755 wireless network card is an accessory for your PC that allows you to connect to the Internet, send and receive e-mail, and connect to a corporate network, without the need of a network cable or phone line.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide insert it, assuming GPRS service is available. Otherwise, you can configure Watcher to connect only when you select a button. The AirCard as a mobile phone You can use the AirCard 755 as a phone simply by connecting an approved headset. (See page 12.) The keypad for the phone is in the Watcher program. Supported GSM frequency bands Every GSM network operates on one set of radio frequency bands.
Introducing the AirCard® 755 Wireless Network Card Note: The fee for service is usually higher when you are “roaming” (connected to a network other than the one belonging to your service provider). • Proximity to a GPRS/GSM network—You must be within the coverage area of a GSM network on which GPRS has been implemented, in order to use the AirCard.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide The next three chapters guide you through this process. Package contents Your AirCard package contains the following: • AirCard 755 wireless network card • Antenna • Installation CD containing the AirCard software and anthis installation guide • Quick reference card If you want to use the AirCard 755 as a phone, a headset is necessary. Only a 4-wire headset with a 2.5 mm connector will work with the AirCard 755.
2: The SIM Card and Your Account • Inserting a SIM card into your AirCard • Removing a SIM card Note: Without a valid SIM card and a valid account, your AirCard will not work. You require a GSM/GPRS account and a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card to use the AirCard. The SIM card is a small chip (about the size of a postage stamp) that you insert into the AirCard. The SIM contains account information used by the network to validate your access.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Note: If you change GSM service providers (such as if you move to a new city), you will need a new SIM card from your new service provider. You will also need to enter your new profile information into the Watcher software (see “Configuring Your Account” on page 33). Note: To prevent the SIM from becoming jammed in the AirCard 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.
The SIM Card and Your Account Figure 2-3: Positioning a pen to eject the SIM card 2. Position your pen or paper-clip above the eject hole, which is on the top surface of the AirCard housing, just to the right of the SIM card slot. (See the photo above.) 3. Press down gently (without excessive force) on the eject hole. The SIM card should pop out of its slot. Figure 2-4: Ejecting and removing the SIM card 4. Rev D Dec.03 Gently pull the SIM card from the slot until it slides free.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 16 2130336
3: Installation on Notebook PCs • System requirements • Installation on Windows 95, 98, 2000, and Me • Installation on Windows XP • Installation on Windows NT • Setting Internet Explorer to use the AirCard Note: Do not insert the AirCard into your PC card slot before installing the software. This chapter guides you through the steps necessary to making the AirCard operational on a notebook PC. The basic steps are: 1.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Installation on Windows 95, 98, 2000, and Me Note: Users of Windows 2000 must be logged in with administrative privileges. Note: Users of Windows 95 must have Winsock2 installed. See the note in the margin above. You must also verify that your PC Card slots are enabled and that TCP/IP is installed. For instructions on installing TCP/IP and enabling your PC Card slots, see the Windows 95 online Help (available by selecting Start > Help).
Installation on Notebook PCs b. Click Yes to restart your computer. Only after your computer has restarted and Windows has finished launching, insert the AirCard. Watcher should launch automatically when the AirCard is inserted. If your AirCard has not yet been configured to use your account, you are prompted to do so. See “Configuring Your Account” on page 33. c.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 6. On the first window of the Found New Hardware Wizard, select Install the software automatically (Recommended) and click Next. 7. If the Software Installation window appears, you can safely ignore the warning. Click Continue Anyway, each time it appears. 8. 9. Click Finish and repeat steps 6 to 8 as prompted. When you see a window with the message “AirCard® has been successfully installed.”, click OK. Watcher should launch automatically when the AirCard is inserted.
Installation on Notebook PCs Inserting the AirCard Note: Your PC must be off whenever you insert or eject the AirCard. 1. Close all Windows programs and turn your PC off. 2. Attach the antenna. Do not forcefully insert the AirCard. This may damage connector pins. 4. With the SIM card inserted into the AirCard (page 14) and the label of the AirCard facing up, carefully insert the AirCard into your PC Card slot. Turn on your PC. 5. Log on as Administrator. 3.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide On completion of this step, the network card driver is installed and you can proceed to install the modem driver. Follow the instructions in the next section. Installing the modem driver Note: You must restart your PC to complete the installation. 1. In the Control Panel, double click the Modems icon. If the Install New Modem wizard opens, skip to step 3. Otherwise, proceed to step 2. 2. Click the Add button to open the Install New Modem wizard. 3.
Installation on Notebook PCs 4. Select Sierra Wireless AirCard GPRS Adapter and click the Properties… button. 5. Use the drop-down list to change the Interrupt to another number and click OK. 6. Close the Network window by clicking the Close button. 7. Restart your PC. 8. If the AirCard still does not function properly, repeat the procedure, selecting a different interrupt.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 24 2130336
4: Installation on Devices Running Windows CE • System requirements • Pocket PC and Handheld PC installation • Windows CE .NET device installation • Inserting the AirCard into a Pocket PC • Inserting the AirCard into a Handheld or Tablet PC 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).
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Handheld PCs: • Windows CE 3.0 Handheld PC 2000 CE .NET devices: • Windows CE .NET (Windows CE 4.1 or later) If you have a Pocket PC and do not know what version of Windows CE you are using, select Start > Settings, tap the System tab, and tap the About icon. The second line on the screen identifies your version of Windows CE as follows: • Version 4.20.1081 (Build...)—your operating systems is Windows CE 4.x Pocket PC 2003 • Windows 3.0.
Installation on Devices Running Windows CE Flash card installation requirements Note: This method of installation is only available to users of CE .NET (not including Pocket PC users). If you are installing using a flash card, you require a flash card with at least 5 MB of available memory. You also require a PC that has both a CD-ROM drive and the appropriate flash card reader (and you must be able to read the flash card on your CE device).
AirCard 755 Installation Guide This launches the installation wizard that installs the software to the host. 4. Use the Next , Back, and Finish buttons to navigate through the wizard. · Using the default settings for the Destination Location and Program Folder is recommended unless you have special requirements and an advanced understanding of PC configuration. · A dialog box displays this message, “On the next mobile device connection, the installed applications will be downloaded to the device.
Installation on Devices Running Windows CE documentation that came with your PC if you do not know how to reset the device.) Windows CE .NET device installation Note: Do not insert the AirCard into the CE device before downloading the software. To install to a CE .NET device, you must first extract the .CAB file to a host PC, then copy the CAB file to the CE .NET device using ActiveSync or using a flash card. Extracting the CAB file to the host On a notebook or desktop PC: 1.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide · Connect the CE device and the host PC, using the serial or USB cable provided by the manufacturer of the CE device, or · Place your CE device in its cradle and connect the cradle to the host PC using the serial or USB cable provided by the manufacturer of the CE device, or · Align the infrared port on your CE device with the infrared port on your host PC Note: If you are unable to establish a connection, launch ActiveSync from the Start menu and use the online help in Activ
Installation on Devices Running Windows CE 3. Copy the CAB file to a folder on the CE device, if you do NOT want to install from the flash card. (The CAB file will be erased during installation.) 4. Double-tap the CAB file to install the software. 5. If a warning occurs, indicating that the application is not supported for this device type, click Yes to proceed. 6. Tap OK to install the software to the Program Files folder. 7. When prompted to do a soft reset, tap OK and reset the device.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 32 3. With the label facing towards the top or front of the PC, insert the network card into the slot, as shown in the photo. 4. Position the antenna so that it is vertical. 5. If your PC is not plugged into a power supply, the prompt, “Do you want to use this PC card on battery power?” appears. Tap Yes.
5: Configuring Your Account • Setting up a profile Unless your AirCard was pre-configured, you must set up a user profile before you can use the AirCard. In most cases, one profile is all you require and your service provider should give you all the information you need to set up the profile that will allow you to make a GPRS network connection and access the Internet. Note: Your profile is stored on your AirCard—not on the SIM.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Note: You must have a valid SIM and be within a GPRS coverage area for Watcher to detect whether you have a profile. · If a profile is listed, your AirCard has likely been preconfigured and is ready for use. · If there is no profile, follow the next set of steps to add one. 4. In the Profiles tab of the Options window, select Add. The User Profile window appears.
Configuring Your Account 5. Enter your profile information as follows: Profile Name—enter any name that will help you remember the purpose/use of this account. This name appears in the main Watcher window and, if you later create more profiles, you can use it to select this profile. User Name and Password—enter your username and/or password if assigned by your service provider. (Leave the fields blank if not assigned.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide tabs. (These tabs may not be present, depending on your configuration.) 6. Select OK to close the Advanced Profile window and OK to close the User Profile window. The Default Profile button The “default” profile is the one used to establish GPRS connections if you click Connect without selecting a profile. If you only have one profile, it is the default. If you create more than one profile, you can use the Default Profile button to select which is the default.
6: Care and Maintenance of Your Network Card • Stopping and ejecting the AirCard on a notebook PC • Ejecting the AirCard on a Pocket PC • Ejecting the AirCard on a Handheld or Tablet PC Note: Do not insert the AirCard before installing the software. See ‘Installation on Notebook PCs” on page 17 or ‘Pocket PC and Handheld PC installation” on page 27 for installation instructions. Windows PC Card icons 95/98 Me/2000 XP Rev D Dec.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Stopping and ejecting the AirCard on a notebook PC Windows NT If you are using Windows NT, your PC must be off whenever you insert or eject the AirCard. Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP To remove the AirCard: 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.
Care and Maintenance of Your Network Card 2. Rev D Dec.03 Push the PC Card eject button on your computer to eject the card.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 40 2130336
7: Watcher™ Basics • Launching Watcher • The Watcher window • Icon and indicators on the main Watcher window • View options (notebook PCs) • Status icons • Power options • 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 connections. Watcher allows you to: • Create an account profile. (This is explained under ‘The SIM Card and Your Account” on page 13.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide If the auto-launch browser feature is enabled, anytime you launch Watcher, your browser will open to a specified web page. The Watcher window Note: To get help in Watcher on a notebook or Tablet or Handheld PC, select Help > Help Topics. You can also display help by pressing in most windows.
Watcher™ Basics Icons and indicators on the main Watcher window These icons are used on the main Watcher window:: Table 7-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Icon Meaning The Signal Strength indicator uses bars to show the intensity of the radio signal. The number of bars increases as signal strength increases to a maximum of five bars.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Table 7-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Icon Meaning The Roaming Status indicator shows whether you are roaming onto the network of a service provider other than your own. Depending on your AirCard configuration, you may not have this indicator When the indicator is off, you are within the local coverage area of your service provider. When the indicator is on, you are roaming.
Watcher™ Basics Table 7-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Icon Meaning When this indicator is on and neither circle is shaded, you have a connection but no data transmission is occurring. A shaded top circle indicates that data is being sent and a shaded bottom circle that data is being received. View options (notebook PCs) On notebook PCs, you have these options concerning the Watcher window: • You can enable/disable always on top from the VIEW menu.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Status Icons These icons appear in the status area (usually in the lower right corner of your screen) on notebook, Tablet, and Handheld PCs, and on the lower right corner of the Today page on Pocket PCs. Table 7-2: Status Icons Icon Meaning You have a GPRS connection. You do not have a GPRS connection. You have one or more unread SMS messages. Power Options The AirCard draws power from your PC’s battery.
Watcher™ Basics Transmit power consumption Note: If you are using the AirCard in a CE device, it is recommended that you set the Transmit Power Consumption to low. The Transmit Power Consumption option allows you to choose between maximizing your data transmission speed or minimizing battery drain on your PC.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Frequency band selection The AirCard 755 operates on the 900, 850, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands. (See ‘Supported GSM frequency bands” on page 10 for more information about frequency bands.) Generally, you need to select the 1900 MHz band in North America and the 900/ 1800 MHz bands outside of North America. Generally, you need to select the 900 or 1900 MHz band in North America (depending on your service provider) and the 1800 MHz band outside of North America.
8: 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 the755 wireless network card. LED operation The AirCard has a single LED1 located on the antenna end of the card beneath the SIM slot.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide Radio frequency and electrical specifications Table 8-2: Radio frequency & electrical specifications 50 Approvals FCC Parts 22, and 24 Industry Canada Compliance Compliant with: GPRS GSM Release 97 SMG 31 Phase 2+ Voltage +5 VDC from PCMCIA Slot Current Typical requirement GSM Band: 4 TX slots on 1.0 A peak, 0.70 A average 2 TX slots on 0.8 A peak, 0.40 A average 1 TX slots on 0.75 A peak, 0.30 A average Typical requirement PCS/DCS Band: 4 TX slots on 0.9 A peak, 0.
Technical Specifications Environmental specifications Table 8-3: Environmental specifications Rev D Dec.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 52 2130336
9: AirCard 755 Regulatory Information FCC approval (US) This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the condition that this device does not causeharmful interference. CAUTION This device has been tested for compliance with FCC RF exposure limits in a Compaq Armanda E500 notebook computer. This device is only authorized to be used in notebook computers that are the same as the one in the grant application.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help 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.
AirCard 755 Regulatory Information Note: The FCC defines a portable device as being “designed to be used with any part of its radiating structure in direct contact with the user's body or within 20 centimeters of the body of a user or bystanders under normal operating conditions.” Rev D Dec.03 The end product with an embedded AirCard 755 card must pass the unintentional emission testing and properly authorized per FCC Part 15 requirements.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 56 2130336
Index Numerics F 1800 MHz band 10 1900 MHz band 10 900 MHz band 10 FCC RF exposure information 1 frequencies receive 50 transmit 50 frequency bands 10 selection 47 A Access Point Name (APN) 13, 35 account 10 administrative privileges 18, 19, 20 aircraft, using the AirCard in 1 "always on" connection 9 antenna 12 APN (Access Point Name) 13, 35 approvals 50 Auto Connect 35 C care and maintenance 37 CD contents 12 CE devices installing the software 27–31 system requirements 25 class, multi-slot 50 Communi
AirCard 755 Installation Guide L R LED operation 49 liability, limitation of 2 radio frequency specifications 50 receive frequencies 50 regulatory information 53–?? removing a SIM card 14 removing the AirCard 38–?? Handheld PCs 38 Pocket PC 38 Tablet PCs 38 Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, XP 38 Windows NT 38 RF exposure information 1 RF specifications 50 roaming 11 indicator 44 M maintenance 37 memory required 17 multi-slot class 50 N network 9, 10 networks supported 9 notebook PC installing the software 18
Index temperature 51 trademarks 3 transmit frequencies 50 tri-band 10 Type II PC card 9 U User Name 35 V vibration 51 W warning safety and hazards 1 Watcher 41–48 screen areas notebook PCs 42 Pocket PCs 42 starting 41 window position 45 Watcher screen areas Handheld /Tablet PCs 42 Windows operating systems supported 9 Windows 2000 as a supported operating system service pack 17 Rev D Dec.
AirCard 755 Installation Guide 60 2130336
