Sierra Wireless AC330U User Manual

Sierra Wireless AirCard 330U
USB Modem

User Guide

2400182

Rev. 1

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 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.

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 330U USB Modem User Guide

Patents This product may contain technology developed by or for Sierra Wireless, Inc.

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

®

3G.

Copyright © 2011 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

Trademarks AirCard

Wireless
Sierra Wireless.

Windows
Corporation.

Macintosh
the U.S. and other countries.

QUALCOMM
under license.

Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

®

and Watcher™ are registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Sierra

™

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

®

and Windows Vista® are registered trademarks of Microsoft

®

and Mac OS® are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in

®

is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Used

Contact
Information

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

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

Post: Sierra Wireless

13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

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

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

www.sierrawireless.com

Revision
History

Revision number Release date Changes

1 October 2011 Initial release

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Contents

Sierra Wireless AirCard USB Modem User Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

About the AirCard USB Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Your account and coverage area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

AirCard USB Modem features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Connection management software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Launching Watcher (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Launching Watcher (Mac) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Reinstalling the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Connecting to the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Using the microSD card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Removing the SIM card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Care and maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Software installation does not start automatically (Windows) or you do not

see the installer package (Mac) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Modem is not detected after AirCard Watcher installation completes (Win-

dows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Windows installer fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Frequency band support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Environmental specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

Regulatory and safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Safety and hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Regulatory information for North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

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AirCard 330U USB Modem User Guide

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Sierra Wireless AirCard USB Modem User Guide

About the AirCard USB Modem

The Sierra Wireless AirCard® 330U USB Modem enables you to
connect to the Internet, send and receive email, connect to a
corporate network or virtual private network (VPN), or view streaming
video without the need for a network cable.

The AirCard 330U USB Modem connects to a Type A USB port on
your computer.

If the AirCard 330U USB Modem is TRU-Install enabled, all the
required software is available on the modem. When you set up your
AirCard 330U USB Modem, the software is installed on your
computer. You do not need an installation CD. (Depending on your
service provider, your modem may include an installation CD.)

Note: If you purchased the
modem from a GSM
service provider, you may
already have an account
and a SIM card.
Otherwise, your retailer
should be able to give you
the names of companies
that provide these items.

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

The AirCard 330U USB Modem has a built-in antenna and a slot that
accommodates a microSD
your service provider, a microSD card may be included in your
package, or you may need to purchase it separately.



external memory card. Depending on

Your account and coverage area

You must have an account with a GSM service provider to use the
AirCard 330U USB Modem. To use the AirCard 330U USB Modem’s
3G or LTE capability, your account must be with a service provider
that offers 3G or LTE service. (The AirCard 330U USB Modem is
backwards compatible with 2G service.)

When you obtain your account, you are given a Subscriber Identity
Module (SIM) card containing account information. You must insert
the SIM card into the AirCard 330U USB Modem before you use it.
(Depending on your service provider, the SIM card may already be
inserted.)

When establishing a connection, your AirCard 330U USB Modem
uses the fastest available service. Your ability to obtain service
depends on these factors:

• Network coverage—You must be within the network coverage
area.

• Service provider—If you are within the coverage area of a
network that is not operated by your own service provider, you
can obtain service only if there is a roaming agreement between
your service provider and the network operator.

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AirCard 330U USB Modem User Guide

Power LED

Data LED

The microSD card and SIM card slots are
under the back cover. See page 11 for details.

• Account provisions—Your account may restrict your usage to certain
networks or limit the amount of time you can use the network.

• Frequency band— You cannot connect to networks operating in bands not
supported by your modem, regardless of roaming agreements or account
provisions.

Most service providers have coverage maps on their web sites.

AirCard USB Modem features

The AirCard 330U USB Modem has a USB connector, slots for a SIM card, and
(on some models) a microSD external storage card. LEDs on the front of the
AirCard 330U USB Modem provide status information.

The placement of card slots, connectors, and LEDs varies depending on your
modem model.

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