Novatel Merlin for GPRS G201 User Manual

Merlin for GPRS User’s Manual

Revision 2

For: Windows 98, 98SE, 2000, ME, and XP

Notice: Restricted Proprietary Information

© Copyright Novatel Wireless Technologies Ltd. (2001-2002)

The information contained in this document is the exclusive property of Novatel Wireless Technologies Ltd. All rights
reserved. Unauthorized reproduction of this manual in any form without the expressed written approval of Novatel Wireless
Technologies Ltd is strictly prohibited. This manual may not, in whole or in part, be copied, reproduced, translated, or
reduced to any electronic or magnetic storage medium without the written consent of a duly authorized officer of Novatel
Wireless T echnologies Lt d.

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a
commitment by Novatel Wireless Technologies Ltd. unless such commitment is expressly given in a covering document.

Novatel Wireless Technologies Ltd makes no warranties, either expressed or implied, regarding this document, its
merchantability, or its fitness, for any particular purpose.

Microsoft

®

, Windows®, Microsoft® Pocket Internet Explorer, Microsoft® Pocket Outlook, and Microsoft® ActiveSync® are
either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other
brand names and product names used in this document are trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered
trademarks of their respective owners.

Printed and produced in Canada.

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Table of Contents

Getting Started........................................................................1

The PC Card...............................................................................................................1

The SIM Card Slot ......................................................................................................2

The Antenna ...............................................................................................................2

Using the SIM Card ....................................................................................................2

Inserting the SIM Card................................................................................................3

Removing the SIM Card .............................................................................................3

Inserting the Modem into Your Computer...................................................................4

Removing the Modem from Your Computer...............................................................4

Installing the Modem Software ..............................................5

Configuring the Mode m.......................... .. ... .......................... .9

Single Pre-defined Connection Profile........................................................................9

Multiple Pre-defined Connection Profiles..................................................................10

User Defined Connection Profile ..............................................................................10

Creating a GPRS Connection Profile........................................................................11

Creating a GSM Connection Profile..........................................................................14

Using the Modem Manager ..................................................17

Launching the Modem Manager......................................................................................17

Entering Your Account PIN .............................................................................................18

Entering a PUK................................................................................................................20

Connecting to the Network..............................................................................................21

Using Multiple Connection Profiles..................................................................................22

Disconnecting from the Network .................... ...... ....... ...... ....... .......................................23

Quitting the Modem Manager..........................................................................................24

Creating a New Connection Profile.................................................................................24

Editing a Connection Profile............................................................................................25

Deleting a Connection Profile..........................................................................................26

Setting a Connection Profile as Default...........................................................................27

Viewing a Connection Profile’s Properties ......................................................................27

Using the Automatic Network Search Feature28
Using the Manual Network Search Feature28
Viewing the Network Connection History29
Keeping the Modem Manager Always Visible30

2 Table of Contents

Manual Revision 2

Hiding the Modem Manager Window..........................................................................................................30

Collapsing or Expanding the Modem Manager...........................................................................................31

Viewing New Text (SMS) Messages ..........................................................................................................32

Accessing the Modem Manager Online Help .............................................................................................32

Accessing Novatel Wireless Web Support

................................................................................33

Modem Manager Reference.....................................................................35

Modem Manager Main Window..................................................................................................................35

System Tray Icons................... ...... ....... ...... ....... ................................................................ .........................36

Connection Manager Window.....................................................................................................................37

Detailed Status Report Window..................................................................................................................37

Modem Properties Window ...... ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... ....... ...... ...... ....... ...... ......................................39

About GPRS Modem Manager Window ............................................ ...... ....... ...... ....... ...............................40

GPRS Connection Profile Properties Window............................................................................................41

GSM Connection Profile Properties Window..............................................................................................43

The Options Window ..................................................................................................................................44

The Add Connection Wizard.......................................................................................................................44

Glossary ....................................................................................................45

Technical Support ....................................................................................49

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Getting Started

This chapter des cri b es t he var io us c om po nen ts of th e M er l in for G PR S G 2 01 PC
Card modem.

Merlin for GPRS Modem Components

The Merlin for GPRS modem has three general components:

• The antenna,

•The PC Card, and

• The SIM card slot.
Figure 1 shows a top view of the modem and indicates the location of the general

components.

Figure 1 Modem Components

The PC Card

The PC Card, sho wn in Fi gur e 1, con tains th e mod em’s circ uitry. When this card
is inserted into yo ur computer ’s PC Card slot, the port ion of the ca rd containing
the SIM card s lot and the antenna will rema in outside the slot. To prevent
damage, you sho ul d alway s re mo v e t he mo de m f r om th e P C Car d slo t w he ne ve r
you move your computer.

Antenna

Modem Face

SIM Card
Slot

PC Card

2 Getting Started

Manual Revision 2

The SIM Card Slot

You must insert your SIM card into the SIM card slot, shown in Figure 1, in order for your modem
to access your GP RS or GSM network ac count informa tion and connect to the netwo rk. See

“Using the S IM card” on pa g e 2 for more information.

The Antenna

The Merlin for GPRS mod em’s antenna c an be r otated in many directi ons to rece ive the best
signal reception.Rotate the antenna up and out of the way when you insert the modem into your
computer’s PC Card slot. Fold the antenna against the back of the modem for storage, as shown
in Figure 2, once you h ave rem oved it fr om your c omputer.

Figure 2 Storing the Antenna

Using the SIM Card

In order to use your Merl in for GPRS modem, you mus t have a GSM/GPRS netw ork account. Y ou r
network account information is stored on the SIM card, shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 S IM Ca rd

The SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card contains a small amount of memory and a processor
to assist in the managemen t of your ac count inform ation.

SIM Card
Contact Point

Orientation
Notch

Getting Started 3

Manual Revision 2

The SIM card uses contact points to connect with the modem. You must take care not to damage
the contact point .

The orientation notch is used as a reference for properly inserting the SIM card into the modem.
Inserting the SI M card inco rrectly wil l prevent the mod em from communica ting with the ne twork.

Inserting the SIM Card

The SIM card is in serted into the SI M Card Slo t, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 Inserting the SIM Card

Verify that the SIM card contact point is facing upward and that the orientation notch is located
to the left of the modem. An illustration of this procedure is stamped on the bottom of the modem.
See Figure 5.

Removing the SIM Card

Remove the SIM card us ing the SIM Car d Removal Slot, located on the bottom of the modem,
shown in Figu re 5.

Figure 5 Removing the SIM Card

SIM Card
Removal Slot

SIM Orientat ion
Illustration

4 Getting Started

Manual Revision 2

To remove your SIM card, insert a pointed device, such as the tip of a stylus, in the SIM Card
Removal Slot, a nd gently move the SIM car d to the l eft and ou t of the sl ot.

Inserting the Modem into Your Computer

To insert your Merli n for GPRS mod em, locate the PC Ca rd slot on yo ur computer, rotate the
antenna into the upright position, verify that the modem is face up, and insert the front end of the
modem into the PC Card slot (the end opposite of the SIM card slot).

Removing the Modem from Your Computer

To remove the Merlin for GPRS mod em, first click the PC Card tra y icon (located in the
bottom-right corner of your desktop) to stop the modem. A message will appear instructing you

that it is now s afe to rem ove your mo dem. Pres s the PC Card slot e ject button and remove the
modem from the PC Card sl ot.

Note:

Make certain yo u use a b lunt , t hin, plasti c o bjec t to r emo ve t he SI M ca rd. Do not use
a sharp object as you could damage the modem’s circuitry. Do not use a pencil, as pencil
leads can break off in the SIM Card Removal Slot and damage the modem.

Note:

The PC Card slots must be able to accept Type II PC Cards.

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Installing the
Modem Software

Before you can use your Merlin for GPRS PC Card modem, you must first install
the GPRS Modem M ana ge r software onto your computer. This chapter wi ll gu ide
you through the installa tion procedur e.

To install the Modem Manager:

1. Insert the Installation CD into the CD drive of your computer . The Installation
program will automatically launch, and display the Wel c om e window, shown
in Figure 6.

Figure 6 Welcome window

Note:

Do not insert the modem into your computer until the software installation is
complete.

6 Installing the Modem Software

Manual Revision 2

2. Read the cont ents of the window and c lick Next to continue. The License Agreement
window will be display ed, shown in Figu re 7.

Figure 7 License Agreement window

3. Read the Licen se Agreem ent and cl ick I have re ad and agree to the abo ve terms if you
are satisfied w ith the c onditions of the ag reement.

4. Click Next to continue. The Destination Folde r window will be di splayed, as shown in
Figure 8.

Figure 8 Destination Folder

Installing the Modem Software 7

Manual Revision 2

5. Select the desired folder for the Modem Manager software installation. Most users will select
the default directory. If you would like a shortcut to the GPRS Modem Manager placed on
your desktop, select Place a shortcut on the desktop.

6. Click Next to continue. The Installing window will be displayed, shown in Figure 9. The
Modem Manage r program w ill be ins talled in th e folder i ndicated p reviously.

Figure 9 Instal ling w indow

Once the Modem Manager has been successfully installed, the Installation Complete
window will be displayed , shown i n Figure 1 0.

Figure 10 Installatio n Complete window

8 Installing the Modem Software

Manual Revision 2

7. Click Finish to exit the installa tion progra m.

8. Insert the Merlin for GPRS modem into your computer’s PC Card slot. Windows will display
the Found New Hardware window, shown in Figure 11.

Figure 11 Found New Hard ware window

Windows will install the necessary drivers in order for your Merlin for GPRS modem to connect
to the network.

Use the Modem M anager so ftware to configur e and contr ol your m odem. To access the Modem
Manager software, double-click the Modem Manager desktop icon (i f yo u req ue st ed t he sh or tcu t

be placed on your desktop), or select Start

->

Programs->Novatel Wireless->Merlin GPRS

->

GPRS Modem Manager.

Note:

Depending on the operating system you are using, you may be prompted to restart your com­puter in order to complete the installation procedure. Click Yes to restart your computer
immediately. Once your computer has restarted, continue to Step 8.

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Configuring the
Modem

Your Merlin for GPRS G201 PC Card modem may have come preconfigured with
one or more connection profiles. A connection profile contains the necessary
information to identify your mod em to yo ur servic e provide r and acc ess your
GPRS or GSM account.

Depending on the configuration of your software and your service provider, you
will be required to complete one of the configuration paths listed below. The
appropriate con figuratio n process w ill be lau nched au tomatical ly. You will not
need to choose the confi guration path.

The configuration paths are:

• Single pre-d efined c onnection p rofile,

• Multiple pre -defined connecti on profil e, and

• User defined connection profile.

Single Pre-defined Connection Profile

If your service provider has configured their network so that all clients will use a
single point of access, a network connection profile will have been previously
installed. In thi s instance, once yo u install the Modem Manager s oftware and
reboot your com puter, no other con figuration i s necess ary. When the Modem
Manager is launched, it will use the pre-defined connection profile to connect to
the network when directed (provided you have a GSM or GPRS account with the
designated s ervice pr ovider).

Note:

The modem must be inserted in the PC Card slot during the configuration
process. See Inserting the Modem Into Your Computer on page 4 for
more information.

10 Configuring the Modem

Manual Revision 2

Multiple Pre-defined Connection Profiles

If your service provider has configured their network to allow clients network access through one
of several pre -defined connect ion profi les, once the Mode m Manager is launc hed, yo u will be
required to select the desired profile (as indicated by your service provider) from the Connection
Selection window in order to connect to t he network . See Figure 12 .

Figure 12 Conne ction Sel ection window

Highlight the spec ified conn ection profil e and click Connect.

User Defined Connection Profile

In order to regis te r an d c on ne ct to y our se r vic e p rov i de r’s GPRS or GSM network, you mu s t fi rs t
create a networ k connec tion profil e.

Once you have completed the installation procedure, launch the Modem Manager by double­clicking on th e desktop ic on (if yo u requeste d an icon be placed on your de sktop), s hown in
Figure 13.

Figure 13 Modem Ma nager Icon

Alternately, you can la unch the Modem Manager by selec ting Sta rt ->Programs->Novatel

Wireless

->

Merlin GPRS ->GPRS Modem Manager.

Configuring the Modem 11

Manual Revision 2

When the Modem Manager application is initially launched, the Setup dialog b ox will op en,
shown in Figu re 14.

Figure 14 Setup dialog box

You must create a connection profile before you can connect to the Internet. If you choose to
create the connection profile now (click Create Connection Now), the Add Connection Wiza rd
will launch in order to g uide you through th is proce dure. If y ou choose to delay creating a
connection pr ofile, you must ac cess the Add Conn ection Wi zard thro ugh the Conn ection
Manager window. The Add Connec tion Wiza rd allows you to cre ate eithe r a GSM o r GPRS
network conne ction prof ile. Your service provider w ill indic ate which network type to use when
creating the connection profile.

If your service provid er uses a GPRS networ k type, see the se ction below. If your service pro vider
uses a GSM network type, see Creating a GSM Connection Profile on pag e 1 4.

Creating a GPRS Connection Profile

To create a GPRS connection profile:

1. Select Connection Manager from the Tools menu. The Connection Manager window will
be displayed, shown in Figure 15.

Figure 15 Conne ction M anager window

Note:

If you chose Create Connection Now from the Setup window, shown in Figure 14, the Add
Connection Wizard will automatically launch (you will not see the Connection Manager win­dow).

12 Configuring the Modem

Manual Revision 2

2. Click Add. The Add Connection Wizard will launch, and display the Connection Name
dialog box, shown in Figure 16.

Figure 16 Connect ion Name dialog bo x

3. Type the name of your connection profile in the Connection Name text field (any name of
your choice).

4. Click Next to continue. The Connection Type dialog box will be displayed, shown in Figure

17.

Figure 17 Conne ction Type dial og box

5. Select the GPRS radio button (as indicated by your service provider).

6. Click Next to continue. The GPRS Protocol dialog box will be displayed, shown in Figure

18.

Figure 18 GPRS Protocol dialog box

Configuring the Modem 13

Manual Revision 2

7. Type the APN (Access Point Name), obtained from your service provider, into the APN field.

8. Enter the Prim ary and Secondary DNS addresses (obtained from your service provider)
into the appr opriate fields, o r if you have be en instru cted by your se rvice pr ovider t o have
the Modem Manager automatically search for the DNS addresses, select the Obtain DNS
server addresses automatically check box.

9. Click Next to continue. The Enter User Information dial og box w ill be disp layed, s hown
Figure 19.

Figure 19 Ente r User Informa tion dial og box

10. If your service provider requires you to enter a user name and password, select A user
name and password are required by my carrier, and enter the user information (obtained
from your ser vice provide r) into t he appropr iate field s.

If your service provider does not require a user name or password, leave all fields empty.

11. Click Next to continue. The Default Connection dialog box will be displayed, shown in
Figure 20.

Figure 20 Default Connection dialog box

12. Select Yes to make the new network connecti on profile your defa ult connect ion, or No to
keep the existi ng defaul t connecti on profil e settings .

13. Click Finish to add th e new network connection p rofi l e t o the Co nnection Profile list pane.