Sierra Wireless AC250U User Manual

AirCard 250U Modem

User Guide (Windows)

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Rev 1.0

Preface

Important Notice

Safety and Hazards

Due to 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 Sierra Wireless modem are used in a normal manner with a
well-constructed 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.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless 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 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.

Limitation of Liability

Note: Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the
ground and the door is open. Sierra Wireless modems 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.

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.

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AirCard 250U Modem - User Guide

Patents Portions of this product may be covered by some or all of the following US

patents:

5,515,013 5,629,960 5,845,216 5,847,553 5,878,234 5,890,057 5,929,815 6,169,884
6,191,741 6,199,168 6,339,405 6,359,591 6,400,336 6,516,204 6,561,851 6,643,501
6,653,979 6,697,030 6,785,830 6,845,249 6,847,830 6,876,697 6,879,585 6,886,049
6,968,171 6,985,757 7,023,878 7,053,843 7,106,569 7,145,267 7,200,512 7,295,171
7, 287,162 D442,170 D459,303 D599,256 D560,911

and other patents pending.

This product includes technology licensed from QUALCOMM

®

3G.

Manufactured or sold by Sierra Wireless or its licensees under one or more
patents licensed from InterDigital Group.

Copyright ©2010 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

Trademarks AirCard

Wireless, AirPrime, AirLink, AirVantage, TRU-Locate and the Sierra
Wireless logo are trademarks of Sierra Wireless.

Windows
Corporation.

Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the
U.S. and other countries.

QUALCOMM
under license.

Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

Post: Sierra Wireless

Fax: [phone]
Web: www.sierrawireless.com

®

and Watcher® are registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Sierra

®

and Windows Vista® are registered trademarks of Microsoft

®

is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Used

Hours: 8:00
E-mail: [e-mail]

13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

Consult our website for up-to-date product descriptions, documentation,
application notes, firmware upgrades, troubleshooting tips, and press releases:

www.sierrawireless.com

4 2131331

Revision History

Revision
number

1.0 2010 Initial release

Release date Changes

Preface

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AirCard 250U Modem - User Guide

6 2131331

Contents

Introducing the AirCard 250U modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Feature summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Wireless modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

TRU-Install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

TRU-Locate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

CDMA 3G services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Watcher auto-update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Additional features of the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Package contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

System components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Your host computing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

The USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

The modem drivers and enabling software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

CDMA service provider account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

The CDMA wireless network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Care and maintenance of your modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

The AirCard 250U software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Account activation and configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Installing the modem and software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Removing the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Account configuration procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Activation Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Manual activation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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AirCard 250U Modem - User Guide

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

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

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

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

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

Minimized icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

GPS Monitor window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

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

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

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

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

Environmental specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Important safety/compliance information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

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

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

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1: Introducing the AirCard 250U modem

• Welcome

• Feature summary

• Package contents

• System

components

• Care and

maintenance of
your modem

Note: This document applies to you, only if your wireless device is the
AirCard 250U modem from Sierra Wireless.

Welcome

The Sierra Wireless AirCard 250U modem is a wireless USB modem
for cellular and PCS networks, and the GPS frequency band. The
modem 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 modem 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

• Send and receive SMS messages

• Use location-based services

• Conduct video-conferencing

• Access streaming, real-time media

• Play games online

1

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 modem,
consult the online help
available with the
Watcher
(page 28).

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®

software

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

AirCard 250U Modem - 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 modem

Once installed and configured, the modem can connect to the CDMA network or
WiMAX network automatically. You just insert the modem, 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). For details, see the online help topic
“Autoconnect behaviour”.

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

TRU-Install

TRU-Install™ is a Sierra Wireless feature that installs the necessary software and
drivers the first time you insert the modem into your computer. An installation CD
is not required.

TRU-Locate

With TRU-Locate™, you can use location-based services (GPS) to query, for
example, the network for information on points of interest (POI) that are near your
current location, or display driving instructions.

Note: TRU-Locate is subject to feature availability.

Your modem requires an unobstructed view of GPS satellites (in the sky), and,
like any other GPS device, might not perform well within forested areas or near
tall buildings.

Depending on your account, you may be charged for each position fix or after you
have performed a certain number of fixes. For details, contact your service
provider.

Depending on the mechanism that the network and your modem use to obtain
location information, GPS may not be supported:

• If Network Mode is set to “EVDO Only”

• If you're roaming

• If you do not have network coverage

• Due to other reasons.

If you’re having problems using GPS, contact your service provider.

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CDMA 3G services

The modem can operate 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.

• 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) high­speed packet service is not available.

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

messages using the modem.

Watcher auto-update

Choose to have the latest features and updates for your modem and Watcher
software installed automatically. Easily set your own preferences for when
updates are downloaded. Set a schedule that automatically checks daily, weekly,
monthly or not at all. Updates can be over Ethernet or WiFi to save WWAN
overlimit or roaming charges.

• Keeps your firmware, drivers and Watcher software up to date.

• Allows you to set a specific schedule that can be set to check for updates

such as daily, weekly, monthly or not at all.

• On demand manual checks can also be completed.

• A download pause-and-resume capability pauses the update download when

your computer is in use and resumes it during idle time so the user
experience isn’t affected.

• Updates can be over any connection—not just the WWAN connection.

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AirCard 250U Modem - User Guide

Additional features of the modem

Beyond the features of the CDMA network and WiMAX network, the modem
provides additional software features:

• PIN security code to protect your modem and account from unauthorized use.

• A wizard to assist with activating your CDMA account.

• Sound options to customize ringtones for SMS messages.

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

ferred.

Package contents

Your package contains the following items:

• AirCard 250U modem

• Quick Start Guide

• Carry pouch

To install the modem drivers and software, you do not need an installation CD.
Your modem uses the Sierra Wireless TRU-Install feature. The drivers and
software are installed when you insert the modem into your computer and go
through the software installation; an installation CD is not required.

System components

Your modem 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 or desktop computer hosts the modem hardware and runs the
communication software: your web browser or e-mail application, and Watcher—
the enabling software for the modem.

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

The USB modem

The modem provides your computer with a connection to the CDMA or WiMAX
wireless network.

The modem fits into a USB slot available on most notebook and desktop
computers.

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

The modem drivers and enabling software

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

Your modem uses the Sierra Wireless TRU-Install feature—the drivers and
software are installed when you insert the modem into your computer.

The device driver software enables the modem to work with your computer’s
operating system.

Using the Watcher software, you can manage the modem and monitor your
connections.

For step-by-step instructions to access features of Watcher, use the application’s

online help.

CDMA service provider account

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

Note: You can use the
Lock Modem feature to
prevent others from using
your account, should your
modem be stolen.

Note: More information
about CDMA networks is
available on the CDMA
Development Group web
site,

www.cdg.org

.

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 or
location-based services.

Each modem has been provisioned at the factory for use with a particular service
provider. This sets the modem 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 modem.

The procedure to configure (activate) your modem is covered in Activation on
page 21.

The CDMA wireless network

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.

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AirCard 250U Modem - User Guide

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).

There are CDMA networks that operate in the frequency bands supported by the
modem 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.

Care and maintenance of your modem

As with any electronic device, the modem must be handled with care to ensure
reliable operation. Follow these guidelines in using and storing the modem:

• The modem should fit easily into your USB slot. Forcing the modem into a slot
may damage connector pins.

• When inserting or removing the modem, always grip it by the sides rather
than the end.

• Protect the modem from liquids, dust, and excessive heat.

• When not installed in your computer, store the modem in a safe place.

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