AirCard® 700 Series Wireless Network Card Installation Guide 2130204CEFCC Rev 2.
Preface Limitation of Liability The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Sierra Wireless or its affiliates.
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Table of Contents Introducing the AirCard® 700 Series Wireless Network Cards . .7 AirCard 700 Series wireless network cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Supported operating systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The AirCard as a network card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The AirCard as a mobile phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Installation on Devices Running Windows CE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 ActiveSync installation requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Flash card installation requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Pocket PC and Handheld PC installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Table of Contents Frequency band and network selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Frequency band selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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1: Introducing the AirCard® 700 Series Wireless Network Cards • AirCard 700 Series wireless network cards • Differences between the AirCard 750 and AirCard 775 • 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.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide will cause the AirCard to establish a network connection whenever you insert it, assuming GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment) service is available. Otherwise, you can configure Watcher to connect only when you select a button. The AirCard connection provides access to the Internet.
Introducing the AirCard ® 700 Series Wireless Network Cards • 900 MHz band—used by some European service providers • 1800 MHz band—used by some European and Asian service providers • 1900 MHz band—(also called the PCS band) used by many North American service providers The AirCard 750 is a tri-band product operating on the 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands. The AirCard 775 is a quad-band product operating on the 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz bands.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide • Account provisions—Your account may restrict your usage to certain networks or limit the amount of time you can use the network. • Frequency band—If you are using the AirCard 750, you cannot connect to networks operating in the 850 MHz band, regardless of roaming agreements or account provisions. Most service providers have coverage maps on their web sites.
Introducing the AirCard ® 700 Series Wireless Network Cards Package contents Your AirCard package contains the following: Rev 2.1A Jun.
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2: The SIM Card and Your Account • Inserting a SIM card into your AirCard • Removing a SIM card • Attaching the antenna to your AirCard Note: Without a valid SIM card and a valid account, your AirCard will not work. You require a GPRS (AirCard 750) or EDGE (AirCard 775) 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.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide 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. 4. Orient the SIM card, as shown in the diagram on the bottom side of the AirCard. 5. Insert the end of the SIM card into the slot, and gently push it until it is fully inserted.
The SIM Card and Your Account 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 the SIM card 4. Gently pull the SIM card from the slot until it slides free.
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3: Installation on Notebook PCs • System requirements • Installation on Windows 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 700 Series Installation Guide Installation on Windows 98, 2000, and Me Note: Users of Windows 2000 must be logged in with administrative privileges. Note: The installer runs twice— once to install Watcher and once to install the Network Adapter Manager. Note: You may require your Windows CD. Ensure you have the CD before proceeding. 1. If the AirCard CD is not already in your CD-ROM drive, insert it. The CD should autostart and display a menu.
Installation on Notebook PCs 7. 8. Windows detects that a new device has been inserted and launches a wizard that guides you through the driver installation. If you are using Windows 2000 and the Digital Signature Not Found window appears, click Yes (to continue the installation). If prompted to eject the card and restart the PC: a. Eject the AirCard. b. Click Yes to restart your computer. Only after your computer has restarted and Windows has finished launching, insert the AirCard.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide attached, attach it. (See page 15.) With the label facing up, insert the AirCard into your PC Card slot: Note: Do not forcefully insert the AirCard. This may damage connector pins. If you have more than one PC Card slot, you may obtain better signal strength using the top slot. Figure 3-2: Inserting the AirCard 7. 8. Windows detects that a new device has been inserted and launches a wizard that guides you through the driver installation.
Installation on Notebook PCs Installation on Windows NT Note: The AirCard driver requires that Windows Networking is installed. Also the PC Card slots must be enabled. If you are not certain that networking is installed and the slots enabled, see the Windows NT user documentation for instructions. You must be logged in with administrative privileges. Note: The installer runs twice— once to install Watcher and once to install the Network Adapter Manager.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Note: Do not forcefully insert the AirCard. This may damage connector pins. If you have more than one PC Card slot, you may obtain better signal strength using the top slot. Figure 3-3: Inserting the AirCard Note: Depending on how Windows NT is configured, the prompts and windows described here may not appear in the precise order indicated. Use these instructions as a guideline to the selections you should make.
Installation on Notebook PCs 9. Click Close to close the Network window and open the Microsoft TCP/IP Properties window. 10. Select Sierra Wireless AirCard GPRS Adapter in the Adapter field and select Obtain an IP address from a DHCP Server radio button. 11. Click Yes to confirm that DHCP is to be used. 12. Click OK to close the TCP/IP Properties window. 13. Click No if prompted to restart your PC. (You must restart your PC after the modem driver installation.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Changing the interrupt If the message, “Communication Failed!…” occurs when you start Watcher, a possible reason is that you have assigned an interrupt to the AirCard that has also been assigned to another device. To change the interrupt assigned to the AirCard: 1. Open the Control Panel by selecting Start > Settings > Control Panel. 2. Double click the Network icon. 3. Select the Adapters tab. 4.
Installation on Notebook PCs Rev 2.1A Jun.
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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 700 Series 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 700 Series 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 700 Series 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 i
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 700 Series Installation Guide Inserting the AirCard into a Handheld or Tablet PC To insert the AirCard into a Handheld or Tablet PC: 1. Ensure the SIM card is inserted into the AirCard (described on page 13) and the antenna is attached (described on page 15). 2. With the label facing towards the top or front of the PC, insert the network card into the slot, as shown in the photo. Figure 4-2: Inserting the AirCard into a Handheld PC 34 3. Position the antenna so that it is vertical. 4.
5: Configuring Your Account • Setting up a profile GPRS profiles contain account information used by the AirCard to establish connections. At least one profile must be set up on the AirCard before you can use it. The profile(s) may have been stored on the AirCard before you purchased it. Otherwise, your service provider should give you all the information you need to set up the profile or profiles you require.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Setting up a profile Note: You cannot set up a profile before installing the software. (See page 17.)(See page 17 for notebook installation instructions or page 27 for CE device installation instructions.) To determine whether you have a profile: 1. Insert the SIM into the AirCard if it is not already inserted. (See page 13.) 2. Insert the AirCard into the PC Card slot if it is not already inserted. (See page 21.
Configuring Your Account option if you have an external device that provides a time-scheduled secure password for your corporate network. 5. If you want to set Watcher to launch your Internet browser, VPN, or any other program automatically, or if your service provider specified an IP address, DNS address(es), or Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, select the Advanced button to open the Advanced Profile window. Otherwise, click OK and skip to Step 12. 6.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide 9. If your service provider specifies values for Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, enter those settings on the appropriate tabs (Minimum QoS and Requested QoS). (In most cases it is not necessary to adjust Quality of Service parameters and the tabs do not appear.) Do NOT change any Quality of Service parameters unless advised to do so by your service provider. 10. Select OK to close the Advanced Profile window. 11. Select OK to close the GPRS Profile window. 12.
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. See “Installation on Notebook PCs” on page 17 or “Pocket PC and Handheld PC installation” on page 29 for installation instructions.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide • The PC Card icon appears in the status area (usually located in the lower right corner of the screen) unless the feature is disabled. • The Network Adapter Manager icon also appears in the status area. • Watcher launches (unless the autolaunch option is disabled).
Care and Maintenance of Your Network Card 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 “AirCard 700 Series Watcher”, then tap Stop. 2. Push the PC Card eject button on the Pocket PC to eject the card. Figure 6-3: Removing the AirCard from its slot (Pocket PC) 3. Grasp the AirCard and remove it from the slot.
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7: Watcher™ Basics • Launching Watcher • The Watcher window • Icons and indicators on the main Watcher window • View options (notebook PCs) • Status Icons • Power Options • Frequency band and network selection 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 700 Series Installation Guide Launching Watcher On notebook PCs, unless the feature has been disabled, Watcher launches automatically anytime you insert the AirCard.
Watcher™ Basics Note: To get help for Watcher on a Pocket PC, select Start > Help. Pocket PCs Packet mode Roaming indicator Signal strength Indicator area Profile drop-down list VOICE tab DATA tab 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 Device status. If an AirCard icon with an “X” is displayed, Watcher is unable to detect the AirCard.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Table 7-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Icon Meaning Signal strength and service status. The number of bars beside the antenna increases as signal strength increases, to a maximum of five bars. The ToolTip that displays when you position the mouse pointer over this indicator, shows the numeric value of the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indication in dBm). Depending on your AirCard configuration, you may have two signal strength indicators.
Watcher™ Basics Table 7-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Icon Meaning EDGE coverage. When only the letters of this indicator are displayed, you are within the EDGE coverage area but have not yet acquired service. When the indicator has an outline, you have acquired EDGE service and are able to establish EDGE data connections. This indicator only appears if you are using an AirCard 775 configured to present the indicator.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Table 7-1: Icons and indicators in Watcher Icon Meaning Call forwarding. If your AirCard is voiceenabled, this indicator is displayed when call forwarding is in use. (This is only on when all calls are forwarded.) Data transmission. 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.
Watcher™ Basics Status Icons These icons appear in the system tray (usually in the lower right corner of your screen).These icons appear in the system tray (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 or EDGE connection. You do not have a GPRS or EDGE connection. You have one or more unread SMS messages.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide 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.
Watcher™ Basics • The frequency band you want to use • The network you want to use, if you are within the coverage area of more than one network Frequency band selection Every GSM network operates on one set of frequency bands. (See “Frequency band selection” on page 51.) The AirCard is designed to change frequency bands automatically as required to obtain network service. You can also change frequency bands manually from the Network tab of the Options window (TOOLS > Options > Network).
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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 the AirCard® 700 Series wireless network card. LED operation The AirCard has a single LED (Light Emitting Diode) located on the antenna end of the card beneath the SIM slot.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Radio frequency and electrical specifications Table 8-2: Radio frequency & electrical specifications Compliance AirCard 750 compliant with: GPRS GSM Release 97 SMG 31 Phase 2+ AirCard 775 compliant with: GSM Release 99 54 Multi-slot class Class 12 Transmit AirCard 750 PCS: 1850 to 1910 MHz DCS1800: 1710 to 1785 MHz EGSM900: 880 to 915 MHz AirCard 775 PCS: 1850 to 1910 MHz DCS1800: 1710 to 1785 MHz EGSM900: 880 to 915 MHz GSM850 824 to 849 MHz Receive AirCard 7
Technical Specifications Environmental specifications Table 8-3: Environmental specifications Operating temperature -20 to +60 °C (ambient, outside PCMCIA enclosure) Storage temperature -30 to +85 °C Humidity 95%, non-condensing Vibration 15 g peak 10 to 2000 Hz (non-operating) Sending GSM commands to the network GSM commands are used to: • Access network services • Display network and device parameters • Provide account status information (for example, indicate whether a subscribed service is
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9: Regulatory and Safety Information • Important notice • Important safety/ compliance information for North American users • EU regulatory conformity 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 700 Series Installation Guide cations. Failure to observe this instruction may lead to suspension or denial of cellular telephone services to the offender, or legal action or both. Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the ground and the door is open. The AirCard may be used normally at this time. Important safety/compliance information for North American users CAUTION: Unauthorized modifications or changes not expressly approved by Sierra Wireless, Inc.
Regulatory and Safety Information construction, and electrical and RF characteristics. Always place the antenna in the upright position (oriented vertically) when using the AirCard in a notebook computer. Note: If this PC Card is intended for use in any other portable device, you are responsible for separate approval to satisfy the SAR requirements of Part 2.1093 of FCC rules. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide Information pertaining to OEM customers The AirCard 750/775 wireless network card has been granted modular approval for mobile applications. Integrators may use the AirCard 750/775 card in their final products without additional FCC / IC certification if they meet the following conditions. Otherwise, additional FCC / IC approvals must be obtained. 1. At least 20 cm separation distance between the antenna and the user’s body must be maintained at all times. 2.
Regulatory and Safety Information EU regulatory conformity Sierra Wireless hereby declares that the AirCard 750 and AirCard 775 are in conformity to all the essential requirements of Directive 1999/5/EC. AirCard 750: AirCard 775: The Declaration of Conformity made under Directive 1999/5/ EC is available for viewing at the following location in the EU community: Sierra Wireless (UK), Limited Lakeside House 1 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park East Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1BD England Rev 2.1A Jun.
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Index Numerics 1800 MHz band 8 1900 MHz band 8 850 MHz band 8 900 MHz band 8 A account 9 always-on data connection 7 antenna 18, 19 attaching 15 antenna icon 46 APN 35 arrow on main window 48 autoconnect 36 autolaunch browser on connection 37 VPN on connection 37 B device not available 45 device not responding 45 DNS 35 driver 10, 19, 20, 21 E EDGE connection status 47 EDGE indicator 47 ejecting a SIM card 14 ejecting the card 40–41 electrical specifications 54 envelope icon 47 environmental specificati
AirCard 700 Series Installation Guide IMEI 13 incoming call indicator 47 indicator call forwarding 48 data transmission 48 device status 45 EDGE coverage 47 GPRS coverage 46 headset 47 missed call 47 phone call 47 roaming 47 signal strength 46 SMS message 47 voice mail 47 inserting a SIM card 13 inserting the card Handheld PC 34 Pocket PC 33 Tablet PC 34 Windows 98, 2000, Me 18, 19 Windows NT 21 installation notebook PCs 17–24 Handheld/Pocket PCs 27–34 Internet Explorer setting to use the card 24 IP addres
Index S service EDGE 47 GPRS 46 service pack 21 signal strength indicator 46 SIM card inserting 13 removing 14 SMS messages indicator 47 software installation Handheld/Pocket/Tablet PCs 29–33 notebook PCs Windows 98, 2000, Me 18–19 Windows NT 21–24 Windows XP 19–20 specifications 53–55 electrical 54 environmental 55 radio frequency 54 status call forwarding 48 data transmission 48 device 45 EDGE connection 47 EDGE service 47 GPRS connection 46 GPRS service 46 headset 47 phone call 47 roaming 47 signal stre
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