Sierra Wireless AC340U User Manual
Sierra Wireless AirCard USB
Modem
User Guide
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Rev. 11
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 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.
®
.
Copyright © 2012 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.
Trademarks AirCard
Wireless™, the Sierra Wireless logo, and the red wave design are trademarks of
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
®
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: 1-604-232-1488
Hours: 8:00
E-mail: sales@sierrawireless.com
Post: Sierra Wireless
13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4
AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time
Fax: 1-604-231-1109
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
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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
LCD operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Connection management software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Launching Watcher (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Launching Watcher (Mac) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Reinstalling the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Connecting to the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Using the microSD card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
End- and side-loading models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Back-loading models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Removing the SIM card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Using AirCard USB Modem accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Using the extension cable and clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Attaching the lanyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Care and maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Software installation does not start automatically (Windows) or you do not
see the installer package (Mac) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Modem is not detected after AirCard Watcher installation completes (Win-
dows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Windows installer fails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Technical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Frequency band support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Environmental specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
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AirCard USB Modem User Guide
Regulatory and safety information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Safety and hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Regulatory information for North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Regulatory information for EU countries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Regulatory information for Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
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Sierra Wireless AirCard USB Modem User Guide
About the AirCard USB Modem
The Sierra Wireless AirCard® 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 USB Modem connects to a Type A USB port on your
computer.
If the AirCard USB Modem is TRU-Install enabled, all the required
software is available on the modem. When you set up your AirCard
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 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.
The AirCard USB Modem has a built-in antenna and may have a slot
that accommodates a microSD
on your service provider, a microSD card may be included in your
package, or you may need to purchase it separately.
Depending on the model and your service provider, your modem may
support GPS.
external memory card. Depending
Your account and coverage area
You must have an account with a service provider to use the AirCard
USB Modem. To use the AirCard USB Modem’s 3G or LTE capability,
your account must be with a service provider that offers 3G or LTE
service. (The AirCard USB Modem may be backwards compatible
with 2G service— support is SKU-dependent.)
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 USB Modem before you use it.
(Depending on your service provider, the SIM card may already be
inserted.)
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AirCard USB Modem User Guide
Data LED
microSD slot
SIM card slot is under the back cover. See
page 16 for details.
Power LED
Power LED
microSD and SIM card slots are under the back
cover. See page 16 for details.
Data LED
When establishing a connection, your AirCard USB Modem uses the fastest
available service. Your ability to obtain service depends on these factors:
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).
• 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.
• 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 USB Modem has the following features:
• USB connector
• SIM card slot
• On some models, a microSD external storage card
• Status information— Depending on the model, status information is shown
using either:
· LEDs on the front or side of the modem
· LCD on the front of the modem
The placement of card slots, connectors, LEDs, and LCDs varies depending on
your modem model.
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Power LED
SIM card tray
microSD card slot
Data LED
LCD display
microSD card and SIM card slots are under the
back cover. See page 15 for details.
Power LED
Data LED
microSD card and SIM card slots are under the
back cover. See page 15 for details.
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AirCard USB Modem User Guide
LED operation
Depending on the model, the AirCard USB Modem may have two LEDs that show
the current status of the modem.
Table 1: LED status indicators
LED State Indicates
Power Off Indicates one of the following states:
Solid Blue The power is on, the AirCard USB Modem is working normally.
Blinking Blue The firmware is being updated.
Blinking Amber The AirCard USB Modem is searching for service (initializing).
Solid Amber Error—Either the AirCard USB Modem is having a problem initializing
• The AirCard USB Modem is not inserted in the computer.
• The computer is off or in “suspend and resume” mode.
• The AirCard USB Modem radio has been turned off using Watcher or
other connection management software.
Do not remove the AirCard USB Modem from the computer.
(searching for service) or is offline because of a failure.
Contact your service provider.
Data Off The modem is unable to detect 2G or 3G service.
Blinking Amber The modem has detected a 2G network (EDGE, GPRS, GSM) and is ready
Solid Amber The modem is connected to a 2G network and is able to send and receive
Blinking Blue The modem has detected a 3G network (UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA+)
Solid Blue The AirCard USB Modem is connected to a 3G network and can send and
Blinking Green The modem has detected an LTE network and is ready to connect.
Solid Green The modem is connected to an LTE network and is able to send and receive
to connect.
data.
and is ready to connect.
receive data.
data.
LCD operation
Some AirCard USB Modems have an LCD (instead of LEDs) that shows the
current status of the modem.
The LCD may display (depending on service provider and model):
• Messages while connecting to a network (“Searching for network...”,
“Connected to operator”, etc.)
• Operational status icons/ text—See Ta b l e 2 on page 9.
• Alerts (“No SIM installed”, “Data roaming is disabled”, “Data Limit Alert”,
connection error messages, etc.)
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