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, transmission and reception of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted (i.e., have errors) or be totally lost. Although significant delays
or losses of data are rare when wireless devices such as the AirLink 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 personal 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 equipment, 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 Communications modem can transmit signals that could interfere with this equipment. 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 AirLink Communications modem
can transmit signals that could interfere with various on board systems. The driver 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 cont rol of a vehicle is an offence.
• 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 COMMUNICATIO NS, INC. SPECI FICAL LY
DISCLAIMS LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, GENERAL, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES INCLUDING, BUT NOT
LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUE OR ANTICIPATED PROFITS OR REVENUE
ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY AIRLINK COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
PRODUCT, 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.
iCingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
Contents
CHAPTER 1 Introduction to Raven GPRS 1
Raven Overview 1
Raven face and back 1
GPRS Overview 2
Connecting to Cingular using Serial 2
Establishing a Connection with GPRS 2
Using the Raven to connect to the Internet 3
Using GPRS to Communicate directly to your Device 3
Common Uses for the Raven 4
Financial POS and Kiosk 4
Automation and Telemetry 5
Backup connection to the Internet 5
Information and Status 62
Basic Commands 64
Activating (Provisioning) 65
Cellular Network (Cingular GPRS) 67
Local Network and Host Modes 69
PassThru Mode 76
Telnet 77
Friends Mode 77
Time and Date 78
Logging 78
DNS 79
IPManager 80
Keepalive 81
Direct Communication 83
SMTP (email) 85
Modbus Settings 87
89
SNMP 90
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01vi
Other Settings 90
Commands Usable with PassThru 91
CHAPTER 13 Raven Specifications 97
Physical Characteristics: 97
Data Services & RF Features: 97
Environmental: 98
Power Management: 98
Troubleshooting 99
Support web site 99
Contacting Technical Support 99
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01vii
CHAPTER 1Intr oduction to Raven
GPRS
The AirLink Raven uses serial to connect to a computer or other device and GPRS
to connect to Cingular’s cellular network to allow cellular communication to the
Internet or other network.
Raven Overview
The Raven's rugged form factor is ideal for industrial and commercial applications
that require real-time communications. The Raven provides cellular data communications for a variety of applications, such as telemetry, public safety, SCADA, traffic control, traffic metering, transit arrival systems and more.
FIGURE 1. Raven face and back
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.011
Introduction to Raven GPRS
The Raven has several built in features to make it more effective in a variety of settings. In addition, Airlink provides several modem tools to further enhance the
capabilities of the Raven. These features and tools are introduced in this User
Guide.
• Wireless ACE, Wireless ACE Web, and AceNet
• IPManager
• Modem Doctor
• Keepalive
GPRS Overview
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is packet-switched with many users sharing
the same transmission channel, 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 possibly up to 170 kbps.
Connecting to Cingular using Serial
Your Raven is equipped with a serial port which you can use to connect directly to
your computer or device.
If you are using a computer with your Raven you can use Dial-Up Networking
(DUN) to access the Internet or other network applications.
Establishing a Connection with GPRS
Cingular is the Internet Service Provider (ISP) from you to the Internet with the
Raven as the connection to Cingular.
2Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
Introduction to Raven GPRS
When your Raven is powered on, it automatically searches for cellular service
using GPRS and establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or “dial” up connection)
link to Cingular’s network. As soon as the Raven receives its IP, it’s ready to create
a TCP/IP network between your computer or device and Cingular’s network so you
can use Cingular to communicate on the Internet.
Using the Raven with a computer or network of computers behind a router using
NAT (Network Address Translation which allows several computers or devices use
a single IP address), you can access the Internet for web browsing, email, FTP, etc.
FIGURE 2. Using the Raven to connect to the Internet
Note: Corporate network connections are unique for each configuration
and not covered as part of the standard installation.
Using GPRS to Communicate directly to your
Device
There are two types of addresses in TCP/IP, dynamic and static.
• Dynamic addresses are assigned on a “need to have” basis. Your Raven might
not always receive the same address each time it connects with Cingular.
• Static addresses are permanently assigned to a particular account and will
always be used whenever your Raven connects to Cingular. The address will
not be given to anyone else.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.013
Introduction to Raven GPRS
If you need to contact the Raven, a device connected to the modem, or a host system using the modem, 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).
Most ISPs (cellular included) use dynamic IP addresses rather than static IP
addresses. 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 function (such as data only being sent out or only being received after an initial request).
If you have a dynamic IP address for your Raven, you can use a service (such as IP
Manager, covered later in this User Guide) to translate a dynamic IP address to a
fully qualified domain name so you can contact the Raven as if it had a static IP.
Common Uses for the Raven
The Raven’s rugged construction and cellular connection make it ideal for use in
remote and/or industrial locations. The Raven can be used for telemetry and for
more advanced communication to the device or devices behind it.
FIGURE 3. Financial POS and Kiosk
4Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
Introduction to Raven GPRS
FIGURE 4. Automation and Te lemetry
FIGURE 5. Backup connection to the Internet
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.015
Introduction to Raven GPRS
6Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
CHAPTER 2Subscriber Identity
Module (SIM)
The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in the Raven is a smartcard securely storing
the key identifying a mobile subscriber. Generally, you will only need to install the
SIM once in the life of the modem and it may be pre-installed by Cingular or AirLink.
Installing the SIM
To install the SIM, you will only need a small phillips head screw driver.
Opening the Case
1. Unplug the modem power and all cables.
2. Using a small phil lips head screw driver, remove the two screws on the back of
the modem.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.017
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
FIGURE 1. Modem back
3. Slide the casing off of the modem and set it aside.
FIGURE 2. Modem partially slid from case
Ejecting the SIM tray
4. Using the tip of a closed pen, a paper clip, or PDA stylus, press the yellow but-
ton between the two cards.
FIGURE 3. Tray button
8Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
5. Slide th e tray ou t of th e slot.
FIGURE 4. Empty SIM Tray
Inserting the SIM
6. Place the SIM into the tray and gently press to click it into place.
FIGURE 5. SIM Tray with a SIM
7. Slide the tray back into the modem and gently press to click it into place.
FIGURE 6. Inserting the SIM
8. Slide the modem back into the case.
9. Secure the back of the modem with the screws.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.019
CHAPTER 3Raven Activation
Your Raven needs specific parameters before it can operate on the Cingular GPRS
network. Cingular will provide you with the necessary parameters to get the Raven
configured.
Connecting the Raven to your computer
Your Raven’s serial port can be connected directly to most computers or devices
using a standard straight through serial cable.
Quick Start Guide and Setup Wizard
The preferred way to configure and activate your Raven is via the AirLink Setup
Wizard for Cingular GPRS. The Quick S tart Guide will lead you through the using
the Setup Wizard.
• The Cingular GPRS Raven Setup Wizard is available from the AirLink web
site, http://www.airlink.com/support.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0110
Raven Activation
• The Cingular GPRS Raven Quick Start Guide is also available at the AirLink
web site.
Note: The web site may have a more recent Setup Wizard and Quick
Start Guide than those included with your Raven. It is recommended that
you check with the web site for the latest version before installing your
Raven.
To run the Setup Wizard, you will need Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 2000,
Windows XP, or later and .Net enabled.
1. Select Start
2. Select All Programs
3. Select AirLink Communications
4. Select Setup Wizard
5. Select Setup Wizard
FIGURE 1. Setup Wizard Menu
The Cingular GPRS Raven Quick Start Guide specifies the information you need
and will lead you through the steps.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0111
Raven Activation
Configuring the Raven using AT Commands
An alternate method to configure and activate your Raven is by AT commands (full
listing beginning on page 61) sent directly to the modem via a terminal application
(page 58). This method is recommended only in situations where the Setup Wizard
is not available and/or the configuration for the Raven is unusual.You can also configure your modem using Wireless ACE (page 15) or AceNet (page 16) using a
template built in Wireless ACE. It is not recommended to activate a modem using
either Wireless ACE or AceNet.
Raven Indicator Lights
When your Raven is connected to power and an antenna, there is a specific pattern
to the lights to indicate its operation mode.
FIGURE 2. Raven indicator lights
Tx (transmit) and Rx (receive) - Lights will flash as data is transferred to and
from the modem on the network.
RSSI - Light shows the strength of the signal and may be solid (strong) or flashing (weaker).
Reg - Indicates the modem is registered (activated) on the cellular network.
Chan and Link - Indicate a connection to the cellular network.
Pwr - Indicates the power adapter is connected and there is power getting to the
modem.
12Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
CHAPTER 4Raven Utilities
AirLink offers a suite of utilities to optimize your Raven’s performance, allowing
you to remotely view status and make changes to the configuration as needed.
• AceView
• Wireless ACE and Wireless ACE Web
• AceNet
• Modem Doctor
This section of the Raven User Guide covers basic information about these utilities.
For additional information on a specific utility, please refer to the user guide for
that utility.
These utilities, except AceNet, are free of charge to those who own AirLink
modems. You can download them and their user guides from the AirLink web site:
http://www.airlink.com/support. Contact your dealer or AirLink for information on
AceNet.
Note: AceView, Wireless ACE, and AceNet require with .Net and
Microsoft Windows 98, Windows 200 0, Windows XP, or later. Wireless
ACE Web requires Internet Expl orer 6.0 or later with ActiveX enabled.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0113
Raven Utilities
AceView
AceView is a low-profile monitoring tool to view the status of your AirLink Raven
and display network status, IP address, RSSI strength, firmware version, and other
basic information.
FIGURE 1. AceView
You can connect to your Raven locally or remotely using a known IP address or a
fully qualified domain name. The display is updated periodically as AceView polls
the Raven at a specified interval. GPS is available only for PinPoint modems.
FIGURE 2. AceView: About Raven
14Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
Raven Utilities
Wireless ACE and Wireless ACE Web
Wireless AirLink Configuration Executive (ACE) and Wireless Ace Web allow you
to monitor your Raven remotely. Wireless ACE W eb has a web-based interface and
covers nearly the same range of features a Wireless ACE. Features discussed in
this section apply to both versions unless otherwise noted.
FIGURE 3. Wireless ACE
Wireless ACE can be used to monitor your Raven, view modem status, or change
the configuration of your Raven. You can even save a profile and, using Wireless
ACE or AceNet, apply it to another AirLink modem.
Wireless ACE provides a graphical interface for entering AT commands. See “AT
Commands” on page 61 for a full listing of the AT commands for your Raven.
Wireless ACE can be used with a Raven connected directly to your computer or
remotely through your cellular service.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0115
Raven Utilities
AceNet
With AceNet you can monitor several AirLink modems at the same time. The
modems can be connected locally or remote. Several features can be displayed and
logged. AceNet is a seperate product which can be purchased from AirLink.
FIGURE 4. AceNet
Using a template from Wireless ACE, you can change the configuration in several
modems at the same time and can check and update their firmware as well. AceNet
also features logging to a database and charting for the monitored modems.
With AceNet, you can connect to modems locally via serial or Ethernet or remotely
via TCP/IP or SMS.
16Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
Raven Utilities
Modem Doctor
Modem Doctor is a troubleshooting utility. This utility will allow you to get a log
file of the Raven activity which you can then send to AirLink support, erase the
current configuration completely, and set the Raven to only respond to a serial connection.
FIGURE 5. Modem Doctor
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0117
CHAPTER 5DNS: Using Names
Instead of IPs
A domain name is a name of a server or device on the Internet which is associated,
generally, with an IP address. In a way, a domain name is like the street address of
your house with the phone number being like the IP. You can contact the house
either by going to the address (name) or by calling the phone number (IP).
Domain Name Service (DNS) is a network service which tran slates, or redirects,
the IP, allowing someone to contact that address via the name. A DNS server is
registered to handle all addresses of a particular domain (much like the post office
for a particular town or city is known to the post offices of all other towns and cities
and is authorized to give the addresses of locations in its own location).
Configuring DNS
The Raven has an internal DNS resolver with which it can query DNS servers in
order to translate names into IPs which it can then use internally . Genera lly, when
your Raven receives its IP from Cingular, it will also be configured to use Cingular’s DNS servers to use for resolving (or translating) names to IP addresses. In
that case, the only one which is not overwritten is the alternate DNS.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0118
DNS: Using Names Instead of IPs
You can use AT commands (page 61), Wireless ACE (page 15), and ACE Net
(page 16) using a template built from Wireless ACE to configure DNS in your
Raven.
FIGURE 1. Wireless ACE: DNS
*DNS1 and *DNS2 - Set these to your primary and secondary DNS servers.
These maybe be overwritten by Cingular when your Raven gets it’s IP.
*DNSUSER - Set this, if desired, to an additional DNS server to query when
the domain name is not found in the primary or secondary. If *DNSUSER is set
to 0.0.0.0, it will be ignored.
Note: If you will be using your Raven to communicate with another AirLink modem and both are using IP Manager (page 20) to translate
dynamic IPs to domain names, it is recommended that you set
*DNSUSER to the IP for IP Manager. IPManager’s updates occur more
frequently than Cingular’s DNS servers decreasing the time between IP
change and address resolution.
*DNSUPDATE - This command sets how often you want DNS Updates to be
forced.
PPP-Peer
The Raven uses the unqualified domain name of “ppp-peer” when it is PPP or SLIP
mode to resolve the address of the device or computer connected via PPP or SLIP.
If the Raven is not in PPP or SLIP mode, “ppp-peer” will resolve to 0.0.0.0.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0119
CHAPTER 6IP Manager
IP Manager translates a dynamic IP address to a fully qualified domain name so
you can contact the Raven by name as if it had a static IP.
Since Cingular frequently does not offer static IP addresses, IP Manager is a free
service provided by AirLink for your Raven to translate a dynamic IP address into a
fully qualified domain name so it can be contacted directly on the Internet.
• Dynamic IP addresses are granted only when a modem or other device is con-
nected and can change each time the modem or device reconnects to the network.
• Static IP addresses are granted the same address every time the modem or
device is connected.
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. However, if you need to contact the Raven
directly, a device connected to the modem, or a host system using the Raven, a
dynamic IP won’t give you a reliable address to contact (since it may have changed
since the last time it was assigned).
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0120
IP Manager
Fully Qualified Domain Name
A fully qualified domain name (FQDN) generally has several parts.
• Top Level Domain (TDL): The TDL is the ending suffix for a domain name
(.com, .net, .org, etc.)
• Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTDL): This suffix is often used after the
TDL for most countries except the US (.ca, .uk, .au, etc.)
• Domain name: This is the name registered with ICANN (Internet Corporation
for Assigned Names and Numbers) or the registry for a the country of the
ccTDL (i.e. if a domain is part of the .ca TDL, it would be registered with the
Canadian domain registry.) It is necessary to have a name registered before it
can be used.
• Sub-domain or server name: A domain name can have many sub-domain or
server names 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.
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.
• .com is the TDL
• airlink is the domain (usually noted as airlink.com since the domain is specific
to the TDL)
• www is the server registered with AirLink.com
• http:// is the protocol (html or web) used to access the webpage for AirLink
Dynamic Name Resolution
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, conversely, have a short caching period for the domain
information to prevent other Internet sites or queries from using the old information.
Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.0121
IP Manager
If the Raven is configured for Dynamic IP, when the Raven first connects to the
Internet, it sends a IP change notification to IP Manager. IP Manger will acknowledge the change and update the DNS record. The changed IP address will then be
the address for the Raven’s configured name.
Once the Raven’s IP 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.
The fully qualified domain name of the Raven will be a subdomain of eairlink.com.
Note: Earlink.com is a domain name owned and registered by AirLink
for IP Manager.
Configuring the Raven for Dynamic IP
T o configure the Dynamic IP settings in your Raven so that it will use IP Manager,
you can use AT commands (page 61), using direct serial communication or Telnet
(page 58), Wireless ACE (page 15), and ACE Net (page 16) using a template built
from Wireless ACE.
To configure you r AirLink modem to be addressed by name, the modem needs to
have 4 elements configured.
FIGURE 1. Wireless ACE: Dynamic IP (IP Manager configuration)
1. Modem name: The name you want for the modem.
2. Domain: Eairlink.com is the IP Manager domain provided by AirLink.
22Cingular GPRS Raven User Guide Version 2.01
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