Airlink PinPoint EDGE-GPRS User Manual

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS

User Guide

Copyright © 1993-2007 AirLink Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

Version 2.32 - April 2007

Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
©Copyright AirLink Communications, Inc., 1993-2007. All rights reserved.

WARNING

The antenna(s) used for this transmitter must be installed to provide a separation distance of at least 20 cm
from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Important Notice

Because of the nature of wireless communications, trans mission and reception of d ata can never be guar anteed.
Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e. , ha ve errors) or be to tally lost. Although significant delays or los ses of data
are rare when wireless devices suc h as the AirL ink Communications modem are used in a normal manner with a
well-constructed network, the AirLink modem should not be used in situations where failure to transmit or
receive data could result in damage of any kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited to per
sonal injury, death, or loss of property. AirLink Communications, Inc., accepts no responsibility for damages of
any kind resulting from delays or errors in data transmitted or received using the AirLink Communications
modem, or for failure of the AirLink Communications modem to transmit or receive such data.

Safety and Hazards

Do not operate the AirLink Communications modem in areas where blasting is in progress, where explosive
atmospheres may be present, near medical equipm ent, near life support equipment, or any equipment which
may be susceptible to any form of radio interference. In such areas, the AirLink Communications modem MUST
BE POWERED OFF. The AirLink Commun icati ons mo dem can transmit signals that could interfere with this equip
ment. Do not operate the AirLink Communications modem in any aircraft, whether the aircraft is on the ground
or in flight. In aircraft, the AirLink Communications modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. When operating, the Air
Link Communications modem can transmit signals that cou ld interfere with v arious on boar d systems. The driv er
or operator of any vehicle should not operate the AirLink Communications modem while in control of a vehicle.
Doing so will detract from the driver or operator's control and operation of that vehicle. In some states and
provinces, operating such communications devices while in control of a vehicle is an offence.

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Limitation of Liability

The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the
part of AirLink Communications, Inc. AIRLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS LIABILITY
FOR ANY AND ALL DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, GENERAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EX EM
PLARY 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 AIRLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PROD
UCT, EVEN IF AIRLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC. HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES
OR THEY ARE FORESEEABLE OR FOR CLAIMS BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

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Warranty Summary

For the full and complete text, refer to the warranty appendix in the modem user guide or to the AirLink website
(http://www.airlink.com) for the full text of the warranty.

Software: Software is warrantied for 90 days to work in substantial conformance to applicable software specifi­cations. AirLink’s sole obligation is to , at their op tion, refund the lisce nse fee or repl ace th e softw are with othe r
software.

Hardware: All equipment is warr antied for one y ear after delivery to conform with AirLink’ s specific ations and be
free from manufacturing defect. Optional warranty extensions can be purchased for two and four years which
would increase the warranty period to three and five years respectively. If under normal use, the hardware
proves to have any such defect and the Customer notifies AirLink of such defect within the warranty period, Air
Link, at its option, will either repair or replace the same without charge but only upon written authorization and
in accordance with instructions of AirLink using a Return Material Authorization ("RMA") process (details of the
process are in the full warranty statement).

THIS WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER PRODUCTS THAT DO NOT CONFORM TO SPECIFICATIONS BECAUSE OF
ACCIDENT, ALTERATIONS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS, USE OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF ANY OTHER
PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION (E.G., USER GUIDE, INSTALLATION GUIDE, QUICK START GUIDE), MISUSE,
ABUSE, NEGLECT, FIRE, FLOOD OR ACTS OF GOD.

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PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 ii

Contents

Introduction to PinPoint EDGE/GPRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

EDGE/GPRS Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Establishing an Internet Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Using Your PinPoint to Connect to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Common Uses for the PinPoint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Activation of the PinPoint. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Opening the Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Ejecting the SIM tray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Inserting the SIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Finishing the SIM installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Setting the APN with Wireless Ace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Utilities for the PinPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

AceView . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Wireless Ace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

AceNet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Modem Doctor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

IP Manager and DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Fully Qualified Domain Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Dynamic Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Configuring the PinPoint for IP Manager and a Dynamic IP Domain Name . . . . . . . . .16

Data Usage for IP Manager Server Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Eairlink.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

DNS: Using Names Instead of IP addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Configuring DNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Data Communication and Host Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

AT Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

PassThru Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

TelnetMode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

PPP Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Slip Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

UDP Pad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

UDP Auto Answer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Reliable UDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 iii

Contents

UDP Multicast Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

TCP PAD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

TCP Auto Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Hybrid Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27

Public and Private Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Keepalive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

Configuring Keepalive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Data usage using Keepalive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

External Inputs & Power Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Capturing Events via External Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Setting the DTR and RTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Connecting to the Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Power Modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Power Effect on Modem State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Global Positioning System (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

GPS Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

AirLink Remote Access Protocol (RAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Trimble ASCII Interface Protocol (TAIP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Datum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Real-Time Clock Sync . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

TCP GPS Polling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Configuring the PinPoint for GPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Before you Begin to Configure GPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Configuring the Datum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Over-The-Air (Remote) Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Local Host. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Report Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Sending Reports Automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

RAP Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

RAP Reports Over-The-Air (Remote) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

RAP Reports over a Local Connection (PPP or SLIP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

RAP Message format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Additional RAP Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Device ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Odometer Data in Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

COM1000 Event Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Store and Forward for RAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Store and Forward Reliable Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Sending Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Flush on Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

NMEA Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Streaming NMEA Messages over the local port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

NMEA Messages Over-The-Air (Remote) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 iv

Contents

Sending Unsolicited T AIP Messa ges over a Local Connection (PPP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Using T AIP Command Emulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

TAIP ID. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Supported TAIP Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Hardware Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Connecting the Antennas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Connecting Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Connecting the PinPoint to a computer or other device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

PinPoint Indicator Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Light Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Modem Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Optional Mounting Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

GPS Antenna Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Specifications for the PinPoint EDGE/GPRS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Physical Characteristics: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Environmental: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Power Management: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Power consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Serial Port Pinouts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

AT Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Using Wireless Ace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Using Telnet Terminal Emulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Direct Serial Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Using AT Commands with a Terminal Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

AT Command Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Information and Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Misc (Miscellaneous) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Serial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

TCP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

UDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

DNS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Dynamic IP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

PPP/Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

PassThru. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

SMTP (including SMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Low Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Logging. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

PinPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

EDGE/HSDPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

SNMP Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

Management Information Base (MIB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

SNMP Traps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

PinPoint SNMP Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .114

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 v

Contents

Listening Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Security Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

User Name and Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Trap Destination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Community String . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

SNMP MIB Definition for AirLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .116

Windows Dial-up Networking (DUN) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Installing the Modem Driver in Microsoft Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Dial-Up Networking (PPP) Configuration for Microsoft Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 26

Making a DUN Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Establishing a DUN Connection with Windows Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

GPS Message Format Streams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

NMEA Message Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

TAIP Message Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Warranty Terms and Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Warranty Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Standard Software Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

One Year Standard Equipment Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Optional T wo Year Extended Equipment Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Optional Four Year Extended Equipment Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Warranty Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140

Remedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

WARRANTY DISCLAIMER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

LIMIT ATION OF LIABILITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

General Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Frequently Asked Questions and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

FAQ Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Power, Antennas, and Signal Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

The PinPoint’s IP Addresses and Local Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Security for the PinPoint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

GPS Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Third Party Device and Application Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

AirLink Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

AirLink Support Web Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

AirLink Documentation and Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Contacting Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 vi

CHAPTER 1 Introduction to PinPoint EDGE/GPRS

The PinPoint's rugged form factor is ideal for industrial and commercial applications that require
real-time communications. The PinPoint provides cellular data communications for a variety of
applications, such as public safety, traffic control, traffic metering, transit arrival systems, and
more.

FIGURE 1. PinPoint front and back

EDGE/GPRS Overview

EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) provides end-to-end packet data services with
an enhanced connectivity building on GPRS technology and using the established GSM net
works. EDGE provides higher transmission rates and better transmission quality for data than
GPRS. EDGE can carry data at speeds typically up to 384 kbit/s in packet mode.

When EDGE/GPRS is not available, your PinPoint will fall-back to GPRS for the connection to
Your Wireless Service Provider to provide continued connectivity.

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is packet-switched with many users sharing the same
transmission channel, but only transmitting when they have data to send. This means that the total
available bandwidth can be immediately dedicated to those users who are actually sending at any
given moment, providing higher utilization where users only send or receive data intermittently.
GPRS provides speeds of 30–70 kbps with bursts up to 170 kbps.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 1

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Introduction to PinPoint EDGE/GPRS

Establishing an Internet Connection

The PinPoint uses Your Wireless Service Provider as an ISP (Internet Service Provider) to connect
you to the Internet.

Steps of a connection:

1. When your PinPoint is power ed on, it automat ically searc hes for cellular service using EDGE/

GPRS.

2. Your PinPoint establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or “dial” up connection) link to Your

Wireless Service Provider’ s network, als o called registering on the network, and receives an IP
address.

3. When your PinPoint has received its IP address from Your W ireless Service Provider, then it is

ready to allow you to connect to the Internet.

FIGURE 2. Using the PinPoint to connect to the Internet

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses

As stated above, when your PinPoint registers on Your Wireless Service Provider’s network, it
receives an IP address. There are two types of addresses on networks: dynamic and static.

• Dynamic addresses are assigned on a “need to have” basis. Your PinPoint might not always

receive the same address each time it connects with Your Wireless Service Provider.

• Static addresses are permanently assigned to a particular account and will always be used

whenever your PinPoint connects to the Internet. The IP address will not be given to anyone
else.

Most ISPs (cellular included) use dynamic IP addresses rather than static IP addresses since it
allows them to reuse a smaller number of IP addresses for a large number of customers. A
dynamic IP address is suitable for many common Internet uses, such as web browsing, looking up
data on another computer system, or other client functions (such as data only being sent out or only
being received after an initial request).

If you need to contact your PinPoint, a device connected to the modem, or a host system using the
modem from the Internet, you need to have a known IP (such as one which is static) or domain
name (an IP address which is converted by a DNS server into a word based name). If you have a
dynamic IP address for your modem, you can use a Dynamic DNS service (such as IP Manager,
page

14) to translate your IP address into to a domain name.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 2

Introduction to PinPoint EDGE/GPRS

Caution: If you want to connect remotely to your PinPoint using TCP/IP, the IP

address given to your modem by the network cannot be a private or internal IP
address (such as a) unless you are on the same network or inside that network’s
firewall (such as with frame relay).

Using Your PinPoint to Connect to the Internet

In Public Mode, your PinPoint will pass the IP address from Your Wireless Service Provider’s
network to your device or computer. In Private Mode, your modem will assign configured, static
local network IP addresses for the modem and your device.

The modem will perform a one-to-one routing for all internet traffic to and from the computer or
other end device.

If you need to have more than one device connected to the Internet through the modem, you will
need to have a router connected to the modem. The modem would provide the one-to-one con
nection to the router with the router configured to provide a broader NAT service to the other
devices connected to it.

T o use your PinPoint’s serial port to connect to the Internet from your computer, you need to con­nect the computer directly to the PinPoint’s serial port with a straight-through serial cable and use
Dial-Up Networking (DUN).

-

Common Uses for the PinPoint

The PinPoint’s rugged construction and cellular connection make it ideal for use in remote and/or
industrial locations.

Because of its GPS capabilities, the PinPoint is ideal for vehicle tracking and other situations
where mapping a moving object is as important as connecting to a network.

FIGURE 3. Vehicle Tracking and Mobile Internet Access

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 3

CHAPTER 2 Activation of the PinPoint

To install the SIM, you will onl y need a small phillips head screw driver.

1.

2.

Opening the Case

a. Unplug the PinPoint’s power and all cables.
b. Using a small phillips head screw driver, remove the screws on the back of the PinPoint.
c. Slide the casing off of the PinPoint and set it aside.

FIGURE 1. PinPoint back

Ejecting the SIM tray

a. Using the tip of a PDA stylus, an unbent paperclip, or other slim blunt item press the yellow
button of the SIM tray. On the PinPoint, the button is between two boards.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 4

Activation of the PinPoint

FIGURE 2. Tray button: PinPoint

b. Slide the tray out of the slot.

FIGURE 3. Empty SIM Tray

3.

Inserting the SIM

a. Place the SIM into the tray and gently press to click it into place.

FIGURE 4. SIM Tray with a SIM

The SIM may be a different color than this
example.

b. Slide the tray back into the modem and gently press to click it into place.

Note: The top of the card faces the the bottom of the modem.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 5

Activation of the PinPoint

FIGURE 5. Inserting the SIM: PinPoint

4.

1.

2.

Finishing the SIM installation

a. Slide the PinPoint back into the case.
b. Secure the back of the PinPoint with the screws.

Setting the APN with Wireless Ace

The APN (Access Point Name) is the way your modem knows how it will be communicating with
the network. The APN allows custom IP addressing and tailoring your company's wireless IP solu
tion to meet the security and IP addressing requirements of your applications.

Most EDGE/GPRS accounts use the default addressing solution of Private or Public IP addresses
supplied by the Internet and Proxy APNs. Only if you have a Static or Custom IP address should
you need to configure a custom APNs.

Power on your PinPoint and connect directly to the serial port on your computer.

Start Wireless Ace and connect to your modem:

Start > All Programs > AirLink Communications > Wireless Ace 3G > Wireless Ace 3G

A. Click on Connect.

-

B. Select PPP.
C. Select the COM port to which the modem is connected on your computer (commonly COM1).
D. Type in the modem’s password (default 12345).

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 6

Activation of the PinPoint

Internet

FIGURE 6. Wireless Ace: Connect

3.

4.

Select EDGE/HSDPA from the menu on the left side of Wireless Ace (under “Groups”).

FIGURE 7. Wireless Ace: EDGE/HSDPA

Type in the APN in the new value field of *NETAPN.

FIGURE 8. Wireless Ace: *NETAPN

For most EDGE/GPRS accounts the APN for your modem will be Internet or Proxy. Consult
with your account representative on which APN to use.

Optional

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 7

If you need to configure your modem for a custom APN, after entering the APN, there is addi­tional information you will need to enter.

A. Select Misc from the menu on the left side under the Common group.

Activation of the PinPoint

[ NAI ]

[ Password ]

FIGURE 9. Wireless Ace: Common - Misc

B. Enter the NAI into the new value field for *NETUID and enter your network password into

the new value field for *NETPW.

FIGURE 10. Wireless Ace: Common - Misc

5.

6.

When you have finished entering the APN settings, click the Write button on the tool bar of Wire­less Ace and wait for the message “Write Successful” to appear in the status bar.

FIGURE 11. Wireless Ace: Write

It is recommended that you reset your modem after configuring the APN. Either click the Reset
button in Wireless Ace o-(o)4.9D0ess the reset button on the modem.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 8

CHAPTER 3 Utilities for the PinPoint

AirLink offers a suite of utilities to optimize your PinPoint’s performance, allowing you to
remotely view status and make changes to the configuration as needed.

• AceView • AceNet

• Wireless Ace • Modem Doctor

This section of the PinPoint User Guide covers basic information about these utilities. For addi­tional information on a specific application and how to use it, please refer to the user guide for the
specific utility.

AirLink modem utilities, except AceNet, are free of charge to those who own AirLink modems.
You can download the applications and their user guides from the AirLink web site: http://www.air

link.com/support. Contact your dealer or AirLink representative for information on AceNet.

-

Note: AceV iew, Wireless Ace, and AceNet require the Microsoft .NET Framework

v. 1.1 and Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or later. You can
obtain the Microsoft .NET Framework from Microsoft at: http://

www.microsoft.com/.

AceView

AceView is a low-profile monitoring tool to view the status of your AirLink PinPoint and display
network status, IP address, RSSI strength, and other basic connection information.

FIGURE 1. AceView

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 9

Utilities for the PinPoint

You can connect to your PinPoint locally using a DUN connection or Ethernet across a LAN or
connected directly with a cross over cable. The display is dynamically updated with the current
status of the modem.

The GPS features are available only for PinPoint X, PinPoint-E, and PinPoint modems.

When you use DUN to connect to your PinPoint, AceView can monitor and maintain the DUN
connection.

The DUN connection features are not available with W indows NT or Windows 98. Refer to the
AceView Guide for information on how to connect using serial for Windows NT or Windows

98.

AceView also features a link to a web-based mapping service so you can see where the GPS coor­dinates locate the PinPoint.

FIGURE 2. Map Coord inates

Note: The mapping feature requires an Internet connection.

Wireless Ace

Wireless Ace enables modems equipped with ALEOS to be monitored and configured locall y or
remotely.

As long as your PinPoint is online and publicly accessible, support personnel can access your
modem from anywhere at any time to see how it is operating and how it is configured. Parameter
changes can be made instantly over-the-air.

Once your modem is configured and installed correctly, a template can be made to program other
modems with the same parameter values. This enables quick, accurate deployment of large pools
of modems.

Most configuration screen shots in this guide are using Wireless Ace. Connecting
to the modem using Wireless Ace is covered in the “AT Commands” chapter on
page 59.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 10

Utilities for the PinPoint

FIGURE 3. Wireless Ace

AceNet

AceNet is a full featured application that you can use to monitor several AirLink modems at the
same time, use a template from Wireless Ace to change the configuration in all of them simulta
neously, keep the modems up-to-date with the latest firmware by updating them over the air, peri­odically log the modems’ Status parameters, and even graphically chart the logged parameters to
see trends or other over time information.

AceNet’s remote connections use TCP/IP, UDP, or SMS.

AceNet is a separate product which can be purchased from AirLink. Contact your AirLink repre­sentative for more information.

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PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 11

Utilities for the PinPoint

FIGURE 4. AceNet

FIGURE 5. AceNet Charting

Modem Doctor

Modem Doctor is a troubleshooting and diagnostics utility. This utility will allow you to get a log
file of the
ration completely, and temporarily set the PinPoint to a known configuration to aid in trouble
shooting (SOS mode).

PinPoint activity which you can then send to AirLink support, erase the current configu-

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 12

Utilities for the PinPoint

FIGURE 6. Modem Doctor

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 13

CHAPTER 4 IP Manager and DNS

If you have a fleet of AirLink modems or even if you only have one, it can be difficult to keep track
of the current IP addresses, especially if the addresses aren’t static but change every time the
modems connect to Your Wireless Service Provider. If you need to connect to a modem, or the
device behind it, it is so much easier when you have a domain name (car54.mydomain.com, where
are you?).

Reasons to contact the modem and/or the connected device:

• Requesting a location update from a delivery truck.

• Contacting a surveillance camera to download logs or survey a specific area.

• Updating advertisements to be displayed in a cab.

• Monitoring and troubleshooting the status of the modem itself without needing to bring it in or

go out to it.

A dynamic IP address is suitable for many Internet activities such as web browsing, looking up data
on another computer system, data only being sent out, or data only being received after an initial
request (also called Mobile Originated). However, if you need to contact your PinPoint directly, a
device connected to the modem, or a host system using your PinPoint (also called Mobile Termi
nated), a dynamic IP won’t give you a reliable address to contact (since it may have changed since
the last time it was assigned).

Domain names are often only connected to static IP addresses because of the way most domain
name (DNS) servers are set-up. Dynamic DNS servers require notification of IP Address changes
so they can update their DNS records and link a dynamic IP address to the correct name.

-

• Dynamic IP addresses are granted only when your PinPoint is connected and can change each

time the modem reconnects to the network.

• Static IP addresses are granted the same address every time your PinPoint is connected and are

not in use when your PinPoint is not connected.

Since many cellular providers, like wire-based ISPs, do not offer static IP addresses or static
address accounts cost a premium vs. dynamic accounts, AirLink developed IP Manager to work
with a Dynamic DNS server to receive notification from AirLink modems to translate the modem’s
dynamic IP address to a fully qualified domain name. Thus, you can contact your PinPoint directly
from the Internet using a domain name.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 14

IP Manager and DNS

Fully Qualified Domain Name

A domain name is a name of a server or device on the Internet which is associated with an IP
address. Similar to how the street address of your house is one way to contact you and your phone
number is another, both the IP address and the domain name can be used to contact a server or
device on the Internet. While contacting you at your house address or with your phone number
employ different methods, using a domain name instead of the IP address actually uses the same
method, just a word based name is commonly easier to remember for most people than a string of
numbers.

Understanding the parts of a domain name can help to understand how IP Manager works and what
you need to be able to configure the modem. A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) generally has
several parts.

• Top Level Domain (TLD): The TLD is the ending suffix for a domain name (.com, .net, .org,

• Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLD): This suffix is often used after the TLD for most

• Domain name: This is the name registered with ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned

• Sub-domain or server name: A domain name can have many sub-domain or server names

etc.)

countries except the US (.ca, .uk, .au, etc.)

Names and Numbers) or the registry for a the country of the ccTLD (i.e. if a domain is part of
the .ca TLD, it would be registered with the Canadian domain registry). It is necessary to have
a name registered before it can be used.

associated with it. Sub-domains need to be registered with the domain, but do not need to be
registered with ICANN or any other registry. It is the responsibility of a domain to keep track
of its own subs.

car54.mydomain.com

• .com is the TLD

• mydomain is the domain (usually noted as mydomain.com since the domain is specific to the

TLD)

• car54 is the subdomain or server name associated with the device, computer, or modem regis-

tered with mydomain.com

car54.mydomain.com.ca

This would be the same as above, but with the addition of the country code. In this example, the
country code (.ca) is for Canada.

A URL (Universal Resource Locator) is different from a domain name in that it
also indicates information on the protocol used by a web browser to contact that
address, such as http://www.airlink.com. www.airlink.com is a fully qualified
domain name, but the http://, the protocol identifier, is what makes the whole thing
a URL.

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 15

IP Manager and DNS

car54-2007

eairlink.com
edns2.eairlink.com

eairlink.com

Dynamic Names

When an IP address is not expected to change, the DNS server can indicate to all queries that the
address can be cached and not looked up for a long period of time. Dynamic DNS servers, con
versely, have a short caching period for the domain information to prevent other Internet sites or
queries from using the old information. Since the IP address of a modem with a dynamic account
can change frequently, if the old inform atio n was used ( su ch as w ith a DNS server which indicates
the address can be cached for a long period of time) when the IP address changed, the domain
would no longer point to the new and correct IP address of the modem.

If your PinPoint is configured for Dynamic IP, when it first connects to the Internet, it sends a IP
change notification to IP Manager. IP Manger will acknowledge the change and update the
Dynamic DNS server . The new IP address will then be the address for your PinPoint’s configured
name.

Once your PinPoint’s IP address has been updated in IP Manager, it can be contacted via name. If
the IP address is needed, you can use the domain name to determine the IP address.

-

Note: The fully qualified domain name of your PinPoint will be a subdomain of the

domain used by the IP Manager server.

Configuring the PinPoint for IP Manager and a Dynamic IP Domain Name

To configure the Dynam ic IP settings in your PinPoint so that it will use IP Manager, you can use
Wireless Ace or a terminal application to enter the commands (page

To configure your AirLink modem to be addressed by nam e , the modem needs to have 4 elements
configured. Y ou can configure a second dynamic server as a backup, secondary , or alternate server .
In Wireless Ace, select Dynamic IP.

FIGURE 1. Wireless Ace: Dynamic IP

59).

PinPoint EDGE/GPRS - User Guide, version 2.32 16

IP Manager and DNS

Restrictions for Modem Name

For the Modem Name, you should use something which is unique but also easy to remember. Your
company name or the intended function of the modem are recommended. If you have more than
one modem and want to name them the same, you can append a number for each. Since it is an
Internet domain name, there are some restrictions for the name.

*MODEMNAME: The name you want for the modem.
*DOMAIN: The domain name to be used by the modem.
*IPMANAGER1 and *IPMANAGER2: The IP address or domain name of the dynamic DNS

server which is running IP Manager.

Note: To use the name here instead of the IP, you need to have DNS set up in your

PinPoint (page

*IPMGRUPDATE1 and *IPMGRUPDATE2: How often, in minutes, you want the address
sent to IP Manager. If this is set to zero, the modem will only send an update if the IP address
changes (example, if your PinPoint modem is reset or is assigned a different IP address).

*IPMGRKEY1 and *IPMGRKEY2: User defined password key which is used instead of Air­Link secret key when using an IP Manager server other than the one provided by AirLink.

18).

• Must begin with a letter or number

• Can include a hyphen (-)

• Cannot contain spaces

• Must be no longer than 20 characters total

Data Usage for IP Manager Server Updates

The IP Manager update is a small packet sent to the server with a response sent back to the modem.
If you have *IPMGRUPDATE1 or *IPMGRUPDATE2 set to any number but zero, the modem
will send the update not only when it receives a new IP address but at the time interval as well. The
data traffic could be billed by your carrier.

Each update is a total of 68 bytes from the modem with a 50 byte total response from the server for
a round trip update of 118 bytes.

Eairlink.com

As a service, Airlink maintains a IP Manager servers which can be used for any AirLink modem.

• *DOMAIN: eairlink.com

• *IPMANAGER1 : edns2.eairlink.com

• *IPMANAGER2 : eairlink.com

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Aotper

IP Manager and DNS

DNS: Using Names Instead of IP addresses

The PinPoint has the ability to query DNS servers in order to translate domain names into IP
addresses. This allows you to use domain names in place of IP addresses for most of the configu
ration options requiring IP addresses. This is important if your PinPoint will need to contact
another modem or other device that has a domain name but an unknown or dynamic IP address
(such as another remote PinPoint using IP Manager).

Configuring DNS

Generally, when your PinPoint receives its IP address from Your W ireless Service Provider, it will
also receive Your Wireless Service Provider’s DNS servers to use for resolving (or translating)
names to IP addresses which it will automatically configure in the modem settings. Unless your
PinPoint will be used on a network with other modems or devices which have names internal to the
local network or frequently changing IP addresses, the DNS servers provided by Your Wireless
Service Provider should be all you need.

Note: The IP Manager service from AirLink is currently not a guaranteed service

though every effort is made to keep it operational 24/7.
When using AirLink’s IP Manager servers, since there are many AirLink modems
using the service, it is even more imperative to have a unique name for your
modem.

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If the PinPoint will be communicating with a device that has a domain name but changes its IP
address frequently (such as another AirLink modem using IP Manager) or is on a network where
devices are accessed by names rather than IP addresses, you will want to put in an alternate DNS
(*DNSUSER) where that domain is updated, such as the IP Manager server the remote modem is
using or the listing of IP addresses to names is kept.

FIGURE 2. Wireless Ace: DNS

*DNS1 and *DNS2 - The primary and secondary DNS servers set by Your Wireless Service
Provider when your PinPoint gets its IP address.

*DNSUSER - Set this, if desired, to an additional DNS server to query first before the primary
or secondary (just as a hosts file is queried first on a computer). If *DNSUSER is set to 0.0.0.0,
it will be ignored.

*DNSUPDATE - This command sets how often you want DNS Updates to be requested. Oth­erwise the PinPoint will only send updates when it is reset, powered up, or the IP address is
granted by network changes.

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IP Manager and DNS

PPP-Peer

The PinPoint use the unqualified domain name of “ppp-peer” when it is in PPP or SLIP address
mode to resolve the address of the device or computer connected via PPP or SLIP address. If the
PinPoint is not in PPP or SLIP address mode, “ppp-peer” will resolve to 0.0.0.0.

Note: If you will be using your PinPoint to communicate with another AirLink

modem and both are using IP Manager to translate dynamic IP addresses to
domain names, it is recommended that you set *DNSUSER to the IP address for
IP Manager. IP Manager’s updates occur more frequently than Your Wireless Ser
vice Provider’s DNS servers decreasing the time between IP address change and
address resolution. Likewise, if your PinPoint routinely needs to contact another
modem or device with a Dynamic DNS domain and that modem or device fre
quently changes its IP address, you may need to set *DNSUPDATE for frequent
updates.

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CHAPTER 5 Data Communication and Host Modes

The PinPoint plays the part of a HOST when a computer or another device is connected to its
serial or Ethernet port. The PinPoint can also route data to/from the connected device to the cellu­lar network.

Note: The PinPoint moves data from one port to the cellular network in a simple

one-to-one routing. It does not employ a routing table or any complicated routing

protocol. If you need to have one-to-many routing, you can connect the

PinPoint to
a router. The router would provide the multiple routing and the PinPoint would
provide one-to-one for the router to the cellular network and the Internet.

As the host, the PinPoint can use different communication modes.

AT: The PinPoint accepts and responds to standard AT commands.
PassThru: Direct connection to internal hardware (OEM Module) of the PinPoint.
Telnet: The PinPoint auto-answers TCP connections to allow terminal emulation using the cellu-

lar connection.
PPP Mode: The PinPoint uses PPP to communicate with a device or computer connected to the

serial port.
SLIP Mode: The PinPoint uses SLIP to communicate with a device or computer connected to the

serial port.
UDP and UDP PAD: Any data received on the serial port is assembled into UDP packets and sent

to the session’s associated IP address and Port (described later). Any responses received from the
associated IP address and port destined for the modem's Device Port are unwrapped and sent out
the serial port.

TCP and TCP PAD: Any data received on the serial port is packaged into TCP messages and
sent to the associated connection’s IP address and Port (described later). Any data received from
the TCP peer is unwrapped and sent out the serial port.

By default, the PinPoint is in AT Mode and allows AT Commands to be entered via terminal con­nection (through the local port connection) or remotely (through the cellular network). PassThru
Mode can only be exited by resetting the PinPoint. All other modes are entered by use of a startup
mode command.

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Data Communication and Host Modes

The serial port of the PinPoint can be configured to enter any of the modes automatically on
power up (in most cases, this is also after it has registered on the cellular network). This is done
by setting the Startup Mode Default (refer to MD in the AT Command listing, page
desired mode. If this setting is non-zero, the modem will enter the specified mode after 5 seconds.
If you want to cancel this behavior, the ATMD0 command can be used before the 5-second time­out expires.

FIGURE 1. Wireless Ace: MD

87) to the

If the PinPoint is in any mode other than AT or PassThru, the AT command mode can be re­entered by:

• Deactivating DTR (if &D2 or Ignore DTR, S211, is not set).

• Issuing the +++ escape sequence (if Disable AT Escape, DAE, is not set).

• Resetting or Power cycling the modem.

Note: DTR needs to be asserted (S211=1 or &D0) by the host before PPP Mode,

SLIP Mode, UDP PAD Mode, or TCP PAD Mode can be entered.

AT Mode

Using a terminal connection, AT commands are used to configure the modem, command it to do
something, or query a setting. For a full listing of the AT commands, refer to page
Ace is a graphical user interface for most AT Commands.

AT commands must always be terminated by <CR> (ASCII character 0x0D), a carriage return
(pressing enter on the keyboard). Some may also include a new line or line feed <LF>.

If E=1 (Echo On), the AT command (including the terminating <carriage return) will be dis­played (output) before any responses.

59. Wireless

Two settings affect the format of AT command output: V (Verbose) and Q (Quiet).

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Data Communication and Host Modes

If Q=1 (Quiet On), no result codes are output whatsoever, so there is no response generated by
a (non query) command.

If Q=0 (Quiet Off), result codes are output. The format of this output is then affected by the
Verbose setting.

If Quiet mode is off, the result code is affected as follows:

For V=1 (Verbose mode), the textual result code is surrounded by a carriage return and new
line. Any AT query response is also surrounded by a carriage return and new line.

For V=0 (T erse mode), a numeric result code is output with a single trailing carriage return (no
new line is output), while any AT query response is followed by a carriage return and new line
(there is no preceding output).

For example, possible output to the AT command "AT" with carriage return (assuming quiet mode
is not on) is:

carriage return - if V=0
carriage return and new line OK another carriage return and new line - if V=1

PassThru Mode

In PassThru mode, the PinPoint does not behave normally, all port communication is passed
directly between the internal hardware and the computer connected directly to the modem. This
mode can be used to configure hardware-specific settings (for example, provisioning, trouble
shooting, etc.).

Issuing the "AT\APASSTHRU" from a terminal emulation enters this mode. The modem responds
with OK, at which point a direct connection to the internal hardware is established.

With Wireless Ace, you can configure a string of AT commands to be sent to the PinPoint when it
enters PassThru and other PassThru settings.

FIGURE 2. Wireless Ace: PassThru

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You can configure MD to have the PinPoint enter PassThru on start up.

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Data Communication and Host Modes

FIGURE 3. Wireless Ace: MD

Some internal hardware requires upwards of 20 seconds before AT commands can be entered, so
be patient if there seems to be no response to AT commands.

Caution: PassThru can only be exited by resetting or power-cycling the modem.

This mode cannot be entered via a remote Telnet session.

PassThru Mode allows only specific AT commands. Some ALEOS commands will be unavailable
when the modem is in PassThru mode. The commands usable also depend heavily on the modem
model number (found on the label on the top of the modem).

Caution: ALEOS is disabled in PassThru Mode. You cannot use most ALEOS

specific commands while the modem is in PassThru Mode. While in PassThru
mode, you also cannot use Wireless Ace to connect with the PinPoint.

TelnetMode

In Wireless Ace you can configure Telnet operation.

FIGURE 4. Wireless Ace: Telnet Configuration

If you need to change the port for Telnet (for example, you have the default port blocked on your
firewall), the option is on the Other tab. The default telnet port is 2332. You can also change the
T elnet timeout, if the connection is idle, default 2 minutes.

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Data Communication and Host Modes

FIGURE 5. Wireless Ace: Telnet Configuration

PPP Mode

In PPP mode, the PinPoint acts as a PPP server, providing an IP address, and DNS servers (if
available) to the Host. PPP mode is entered from the AT mode by using any of the following com
mands:

AT\APPP
ATDT10.0.0.1
ATDT10001
ATD*99***1#
CLIENT

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In response to any of the preceding commands, the modem will respond with CONNECT a car­riage return and new line and is ready for the host to begin PPP negotiations. The IP received by
the host in the resulting negotiation will either be a private (non-routable) IP address or a public
(network-routable) IP address provided by the network, depending on the settings of *HOST

­PRIVMODE. If *HOSTPRIVMODE=1, the value of the private IP address can be determined
beforehand by querying S110. The private IP address to be used can be defined with the command
AT*HOSTPRIVIP=192.168.100.33 substituting the desired IP address.

FIGURE 6. Wireless Ace: PPP/Ethernet

Using a private IP insulates the PPP client from changes in IP addresses of the underlying net­work. The will perform basic NAT-like address translation on all packets.

If a public IP address is being used, any changes in the IP (as determined by the wireless network)
will result in the PPP link to the host being disconnected, requiring the host to reinitiate it. The
public IP is passed to the host in the PPP negotiations, so when the network forces a change, the
modem has to force the host to renegotiate the PPP link to make this happen.

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