Netgear AirCard 597E User Guide

AirCard® 597E ExpressCard

User Guide

2130822

Rev 2

AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide

Important Notice Due to the nature of wireless communications, transmission and

Safety and Hazards Do not operate the Sierra Wireless modem:

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
Sierra Wireless modem are used in a normal manner with a well­constructed network, the Sierra Wireless 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. Sierra Wireless
accepts no responsibility for damages of any kind resulting from
delays or errors in data transmitted or received using the Sierra
Wireless modem, or for failure of the Sierra Wireless modem to
transmit or receive such data.

• In areas where blasting is in progress

• Where explosive atmospheres may be present

• Near medical equipment

• Near life support equipment, or any equipment that may be

susceptible to any form of radio interference. In such areas, the
Sierra Wireless modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. The Sierra
Wireless modem can transmit signals that could interfere with
this equipment.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless modem in any aircraft, whether
the aircraft is on the ground or in flight. In aircraft, the Sierra Wireless
modem MUST BE POWERED OFF. When operating, the Sierra Wireless
modem can transmit signals that could interfere with various onboard
systems.

Note: Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is
on the ground and the door is open. The Sierra Wireless modem may be used at
this time.

The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra
Wireless 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.

2 2130822

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.
SIERRA WIRELESS AND ITS AFFILIATES SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM
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 SIERRA WIRELESS PRODUCT,
EVEN IF SIERRA WIRELESS AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES HAS BEEN
ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES OR THEY ARE
FORESEEABLE OR FOR CLAIMS BY ANY THIRD PARTY.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Sierra Wireless and/
or its affiliates aggregate liability arising under or in connection with
the Sierra Wireless product, regardless of the number of events, occur­rences, or claims giving rise to liability, be in excess of the price paid
by the purchaser for the Sierra Wireless product.

Patents This product may contain technology developed by or for Sierra

Wireless Inc.

This product includes technology licensed from QUALCOMM

®

3G.

This product is manufactured or sold by Sierra Wireless Inc. or its affil­iates under one or more patents licensed from InterDigital Group.

Copyright ©2011 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 3

AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide

Tra dem ar ks AirCard and “Heart of the Wireless Machine” are registered trade-

Comments

marks of Sierra Wireless.
Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, the red wave design, and
Watcher are trademarks of Sierra Wireless.

Windows

Mac OS is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other
countries.

ExpressCard is a trademark of PCMCIA.

QUALCOMM

InstallShield
the United States of America and/or other countries.

Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.

®

is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

®

is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated.

®

is a registered trademark of Macrovision Corporation in

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

Hours: 8:00

AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

Additional information and updates

E-mail: [e-mail]

Post: Sierra Wireless

13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

Fax: [phone]

Web: www.sierrawireless.com

For up-to-date product descriptions, documentation, application
notes, firmware upgrades, troubleshooting tips, and press releases,
visit.

www.sierrawireless.com.

4 2130822

Table of Contents

Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Feature summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Wireless ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CDMA 3G services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Additional AirCard ExpressCard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

System components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Your host computing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The AirCard 597E ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

The AirCard ExpressCard drivers and enabling software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

A CDMA service provider account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

The CDMA wireless network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The AirCard 597E software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Account activation and configuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

AirCard ExpressCard software installation procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

ExpressCard insertion and removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Inserting the AirCard ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Removing the AirCard ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Account configuration procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Activation Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Manual activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide

Automated activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Care and Maintenance of Your AirCard ExpressCard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Watcher Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Starting and closing Watcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Components of the Watcher window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Window controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Docking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Always On Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Interpreting icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Connection Status Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Call Status Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Indicator area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Minimized icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Online Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Using an external antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

LED operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Radio frequency and electrical specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Environmental specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Important safety/compliance information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Information pertaining to OEM customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

6 2130822

1: Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard

Note: This document applies to you, only if your wireless card is the
AirCard 597E ExpressCard from Sierra Wireless. This document does not apply, if
you are using a wireless card that is built into your computer.

• Welcome

• Feature summary

• Package contents

• System components Welcome

1

Note: Do not insert the AirCard
ExpressCard into your ExpressCard
slot prior to installing the software. It
is important to install the software
and drivers in the correct order. For
detailed procedures, see page15.

The Sierra Wireless AirCard 597E ExpressCard is a dual-band wireless
ExpressCard/34 module for cellular and PCS networks. It enhances the
functionality of your mobile computing device by adding 2-way
messaging and high-speed mobile data in extended areas, compared
to wireless local area networks.

This ExpressCard allows you to do the following (subject to feature
availability), without using a wireline phone or network:

• Connect to the Internet, VPN and corporate networks

• Send and receive large e-mail messages (on Windows only)

• Send and receive SMS messages

• Conduct video-conferencing

• Access streaming, real-time media

• Play games online

Note: You can view this guide online or print it to keep on hand. If you're
viewing it online, simply click a topic in the Table of Contents, or a page number
in the Index, or any page reference or section reference. (Most text that is blue is
a clickable link.) The PDF automatically displays the appropriate page.

Feature summary

Note: For step-by-step instructions
to access features of the AirCard
ExpressCard, consult the online help
available with Watcher™ (page 28).

Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 7

The AirCard ExpressCard is designed to provide a wide range of
capabilities using CDMA network technology. Implementation of
these features depends on the particular service provider and account
features you have chosen.

AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide

Some features described in this manual may not be supported by your
service provider or may not be available with your network account.
For details of the services and accounts available, contact your service
provider.

Wireless ExpressCard

Once installed and configured, the AirCard ExpressCard can connect
to the CDMA network automatically. You just insert the AirCard
ExpressCard, allow Watcher to autolaunch and authenticate your
account on the network, then launch your Internet browser (which
you can also configure in Watcher to launch automatically)—you’re
online!

Alternatively, you can make a high-speed data connection without
running Watcher—simply by launching whatever application you
want to use (such as your web browser or e-mail application). Prereq­uisites: you must have previously selected, in Watcher, “
for the high-speed connection and (subject to feature availability)
“

Enable NIC for data connections”.

The AirCard ExpressCard also allows you to dial up a modem (such as
a corporate server).

Always-on”

CDMA 3G services

The AirCard ExpressCard operates over a type of wireless network
called CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access).

CDMA 3G technology provides a variety of connectivity features,
depending on your service provider and account:

• 1x-EVDO Rev. A supports Internet connections with data rates up

to 3.1 Mbps (downlink from the network) and 1.8 Mbps (uplink to
the network). Average data rates are 450-800 Kbps (downlink
from the network) and 300-400 Kbps (uplink to the network).
Actual speed depends on the network conditions.

• 1x-EVDO Rev. 0 supports Internet connections with data rates up

to 2.4 Mbps (downlink from the network) and 153 Kbps (uplink to
the network). Average data rates are 400-700 Kbps (downlink
from the network) and 40-80 Kbps (uplink to the network).
Actual speed depends on the network conditions.

• 1X supports Internet connections with data rates up to 153 Kbps.

Actual speed depends on the network conditions.

Once the connection is established, you can open your browser and
connect to any web site that is accessible through the Internet, or
access other Internet services (such as e-mail).

The connection is “active” when data transmission is occurring. If data
transmission stops for a period of time (determined by the network),
the connection becomes “dormant”; see page 27.

8 2130822

Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard

• Circuit switched (dial-up) data, using the earlier CDMA IS-95

specification, supports data connections to any dial-in service at
rates up to 14.4 Kbps.

• QNC (Quick Net Connect), provides a simplified way to dial into

an Internet connection (using circuit switched data) where 3G
(1xEV-DO or 1X) high-speed packet service is not available.

• SMS (Short Message Service), allows you to send and receive

short text messages using the AirCard ExpressCard.

Additional AirCard ExpressCard features

Beyond the features of the CDMA network, the AirCard ExpressCard
provides additional software features:

• PIN security code to protect your AirCard ExpressCard and

account from unauthorized use.

• An Activation Wizard (page 19) to assist with configuring your

CDMA account.

• Sound options to customize ringtones for SMS messages.

• A Call Log to track outgoing calls and determine the amount of

data transferred.

Package contents

Your AirCard ExpressCard package contains the following compo­nents:

• AirCard 597E ExpressCard

• Installation CD containing the AirCard ExpressCard software, this

user guide, and warranty information

• Quick Start Guide

System components

Your AirCard 597E ExpressCard is just one part of a system designed
to provide you with a wide range of communication features. Every
component of the system is needed to enable these capabilities.

Your host computing device

Your notebook hosts the AirCard ExpressCard hardware and runs the
communication software: your web browser or e-mail application,
and Watcher—the AirCard ExpressCard enabling software.

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AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide

You may also have other software on your computer that can be used
wirelessly with the AirCard ExpressCard, such as: file transfer applica­tions (FTP), chat or instant messaging, a VPN (Virtual Private
Network) client, client software for a corporate server application.

The AirCard 597E ExpressCard

The AirCard ExpressCard provides your computer with a connection
to the CDMA wireless network.

The AirCard ExpressCard fits into a standard ExpressCard/34 or
ExpressCard/54 slot available on newer notebook PCs.

Every CDMA network operates on one of three radio frequency bands.
As a dual-band product, the AirCard ExpressCard operates on two of
these bands (see page 32), providing a wide coverage area.

The AirCard ExpressCard drivers and enabling software

The AirCard ExpressCard drivers and enabling software (Watcher)
monitor and manage your wireless connections.

Note: You can use the Lock Code
feature to prevent others from using
your account, should your AirCard
ExpressCard be stolen. For infor­mation on this feature, see the online

help.

The AirCard ExpressCard comes with a CD containing this software:

• Watcher application that you use to manage the AirCard

ExpressCard and monitor your connections. For step-by-step
instructions to access features of Watcher, use the application’s

online help.

• The device driver software that enables the AirCard ExpressCard

to work with your computer’s operating system.

The drivers and application software must be installed before you
insert the AirCard ExpressCard for the first time. Detailed instructions
are provided in the following chapters.

A CDMA service provider account

Companies that operate CDMA networks and provide access to these
networks are called service providers. To use the AirCard ExpressCard,
you must have an account with a CDMA service provider.

Each service provider has its own pricing options. There may be flat
rate accounts, which provide you a maximum number of minutes of
network usage for a fixed monthly fee. There may be accounts for
which you are charged for network usage by the minute or by the
amount of data transmitted.

Your account may include a variety of other services such as SMS
messaging.

10 2130822

Introducing the AirCard® 597E ExpressCard

Each AirCard ExpressCard has been provisioned at the factory for use
with a particular service provider. This sets the AirCard ExpressCard to
use particular radio channels and enables services specific for that
provider.

The process of setting up your account is called activation. Activation
involves action by the service provider and configuration of the
AirCard ExpressCard.

The procedure to configure (activate) your AirCard ExpressCard is
covered in “Activation” on page 19.

The CDMA wireless network

Note: More information about

CDMA networks is available on the

CDMA Development Group web site,

www.cdg.org

Note: Most service providers have
coverage maps on their web sites.

Note: The fee for service is usually
higher when you are roaming
(connecting to a network other than
the one belonging to your service
provider).

.

This is the worldwide infrastructure providing the radio coverage that
allows you to stay connected. Made up of radio towers and a variety
of network switches, routers, and servers, the network is an intercon­nection of many service providers.

There are CDMA networks that operate in the frequency bands
supported by the AirCard ExpressCard throughout North America and
parts of Latin America, Asia, and New Zealand. However, each service
provider operates a network that covers a limited geographical area
within the overall CDMA coverage area.

Most service providers have “roaming” agreements with other service
providers, so that they can offer service outside of the coverage area
of their own networks. For example, assuming you live in Vancouver
(Canada), and travel frequently to Seattle (United States), you can
obtain an account with a Vancouver service provider that has a
roaming agreement with a service provider in Seattle. You would then
have local service in Vancouver, and roaming service in Seattle.

Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 11

AirCard® 597E ExpressCard - User Guide

12 2130822

2: Getting Started

• The AirCard 597E

software

• Account activation and

configuration

Before you can begin using the AirCard ExpressCard, you must:

1. Install the AirCard ExpressCard enabling software and drivers.

2. Activate an account and configure the AirCard ExpressCard to use

your account (unless the AirCard ExpressCard has been pre­activated).

This section provides an overview of this process.

The AirCard 597E software

The AirCard ExpressCard comes with this software:

• Watcher application that you use to manage the AirCard

ExpressCard and monitor your connections

• The driver software that provides the interface between the

AirCard ExpressCard and your Windows operating system

The Watcher software must be installed before you insert the AirCard
ExpressCard for the first time. Detailed instructions are provided in

“Installation” on page 15.

2

Account activation and configuration

To use the AirCard ExpressCard, you must have an account with a

CDMA service provider. The process of setting up an account is called

activation.

If you purchased the AirCard ExpressCard directly from a service
provider, you may already have an account; your AirCard ExpressCard
may be pre-activated.

Otherwise, run Watcher and the Activation Wizard, which guides you
through the activation and configuration process. (Depending on your
configuration, Watcher and the Activation Wizard may start automat­ically.)

Configuring the AirCard ExpressCard involves setting the phone
number assigned by your service provider and may involve entering
other network parameters and settings such as a user name and
password to access services.

Document 2130822. Rev 2 Mar.11 13