Sierra Wireless AC875 User Manual

®

AirCard

800 Series

Wireless Network Cards

Installation Guide

2130623

Rev 3.6A

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 or its affiliates. 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
HAVE 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 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 D442,170 D459,303

and other patents pending.

This product includes
technology licensed from:

Licensed by QUALCOMM Incorporated under one or more of
the following United States patents and/or their counterparts
in other nations:

4,901,307 5,056,109 5,101,501 5,109,390 5,228,054
5,267,261 5,267,262 5,337,338 5,414,796 5,416,797
5,490,165 5,504,773 5,506,865 5,511,073 5,535,239
5,544,196 5,568,483 5,600,754 5,657,420 5,659,569
5,710,784 5,778,338

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

Copyright © 2006 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

Trademarks AirCard modem

registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless.

Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, the red wave design,
the red-tipped antenna, and Watcher are trademarks of Sierra
Wireless.

Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.

All product specifications are subject to change without notice.

Contact
Information

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

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

Post: Sierra Wireless

Fax: [phone]

Web: www.sierrawireless.com

®

and Heart of the Wireless Machine® are

Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

E-mail: [e-mail]

13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

www.sierrawireless.com

4 2130623

Table of Contents

Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards . . .9

AirCard 800 Series wireless network cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Supported operating systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The AirCard modem as a network card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS service support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Frequency band support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Your account and coverage area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

AirCard modem software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Before you can begin using the AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

The SIM Card and Your Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Inserting a SIM card into your AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 modems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

AirCard 875 modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Removing a SIM card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 modems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

AirCard 875 modems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Attaching the antenna to your AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Software and Driver Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Installation on Windows XP, 2000, and Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Installation on Windows NT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Inserting the AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Installing the network card driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Installing the modem driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Changing the interrupt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

Setting Internet Explorer to use the AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Configuring Your Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Setting up a profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Care and Maintenance of Your Network Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Stopping and ejecting the AirCard modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Environmental specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Sending GSM commands to the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Watcher Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Launching Watcher. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

The Watcher window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Icons and indicators on the main Watcher window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

View options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Status icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Turning the radio on and off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Frequency band and network selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Frequency band selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Regulatory and Safety

Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Important notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Safety and hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

6 2130623

Table of Contents

Important safety/compliance information for North American users. . . . . . 46

Information pertaining to OEM customers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

8 2130623

Wireless Network Cards

• AirCard 800 Series

wireless network cards

• Your account and

coverage area

• AirCard modem

software

• Before you can begin

using the AirCard
modem

• Package contents AirCard 800 Series wireless

network cards

The AirCard 800 Series 3G wireless network cards are modems

for your PC that allow you to connect to the Internet, send and
receive e-mail, connect to a corporate network/VPN, or view
streaming video, without the need of a network cable or phone
line.

11: Introducing the AirCard 800 Series

Caution: Do not insert your
AirCard modem into your PC
Card slot before installing the
software.

The AirCard modem fits into the standard (Type II) PC Card
slot available on most notebook PCs.

Supported operating systems

The AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 modems work in:

• Notebook PCs running Windows

98 SE. (See “Software and Driver Installation” on page 21
for more details.)

The AirCard 875 modem works in:

• Notebook PCs running Windows

®

XP, 2000, Me, NT 4.0, or

®

XP and 2000.

The AirCard modem as a network card

The AirCard modem can be configured to provide the
“always-on” data connection that an Ethernet card or other
wired LAN card provides. That is, you can set options in
Watcher™ (a program that comes with the AirCard modem)
that causes the AirCard modem to establish a network
connection whenever you insert it, assuming GSM, GPRS,
EDGE, UMTS, or HSDPA service is available. (See “HSDPA,

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS service support” on page 10.)

Otherwise, you can configure Watcher to connect only when
you click the Connect button.

The AirCard modem connection provides access to the
Internet. Once the connection is established, you can open your
browser and connect to any web site available on the Internet,
or access other Internet services (such as e-mail).

HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS service support

GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and HSDPA are add-on data services to
GSM mobile phone networks. The maximum theoretical data
speeds when connected on these services are:

• GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)—56 kbps (kilobits

per second)

• EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment)—236 kbps for

the AirCard 875 modem; 216 kbps for the AirCard 850 and
860 modems

• UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System)—

384 kbps

• HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access)—up to

3.6 Mbps (Megabits per second) on the downlink (receive)
for the AirCard 875 modem; 1.8 Mbps for the AirCard 850
and 860 modems.

GPRS and EDGE are 2G (second generation) data services.
UMTS and HSDPA are 3G (third generation) data services.

When establishing a connection, your AirCard modem uses
the fastest available service. If, for example, you are using an
AirCard modem in an area that has GPRS and EDGE service
but not UMTS or HSDPA service, the AirCard modem
connects using EDGE service.

Once the connection is established, you have access to all
Internet services.

Frequency band support

Every GSM network operates on one of these radio frequency
bands, in providing 2G (GPRS or EDGE) service:

• 850 MHz band—(also called the cellular band) used by

some North American service providers

• 900 MHz band—used by some European service

providers

• 1800 MHz band—used by some European and Asian

service providers

10 2130623

Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards

• 1900 MHz band—(also called the PCS band) used by

many North American service providers

Every network that offers 3G UMTS/HSDPA service does so on
one of these bands:

• WCDMA 850—used by North American service providers

• WCDMA 1900—used by North American service

providers

• WCDMA 2100—used by European, Asian, and Australian

service providers

The AirCard 850 modem and AirCard 860 modem support all
of the 2G bands. The AirCard 850 modem supports the
WCDMA 2100 3G band (for use outside of North America).
The AirCard 860 modem supports the WCDMA 850 and
WCDMA 1900 bands (for North American use).

The AirCard 875 modem supports quad-band 850 / 900 / 1800 /
1900 MHz GSM / GPRS / EGPRS, and tri-band 850 / 1900 / 2100
MHz WCDMA / HSDPA frequency bands.

Note: If you purchased the
AirCard modem from a GSM
service provider, you may
already have an account.
Otherwise, your retailer should
be able to provide you with the
names of companies that
provide this service.

Your account and coverage area

Companies that operate GSM networks and provide access to
those networks are called service providers. You must have an
account with a GSM service provider that offers HSDPA or
UMTS service to use the AirCard modem’s 3G capability. (The
AirCard modem is backward compatible to 2G service.)

When you obtain your account, you are given a SIM card, also
called a “smart card” or “smart chip”. (Depending on how you
purchased your AirCard modem, you may already have an
account, and your SIM card may have been included in your
package.) The SIM card contains account information and
must be inserted in the AirCard modem anytime you use it.

Before you can use the AirCard modem, you must install the
AirCard modem software and ensure that your AirCard
modem is configured to use your account. Instructions on
completing these steps are provided in the chapters that
follow.

Once installed and configured, you can connect to the Internet
with the AirCard modem in any area in which you can obtain
GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, or HSDPA service.

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

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).

• Proximity to a GSM network—You must be within the

coverage area of a GSM network in order to use the
AirCard modem.

• Service provider—If you are within the coverage area of a

network that is not operated by your own service provider,
you can only obtain service 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 AirCard
modem, regardless of roaming agreements or account
provisions.

Most service providers have coverage maps on their web sites.

AirCard modem software

The AirCard modem comes with this software (made by Sierra
Wireless):

• The Watcher program that you use to manage the AirCard

modem and monitor your connections

• The driver software that forms the interface between the

network card and your Windows operating system

• The Network Adapter Manager software that allows you

to switch between the AirCard modem and other network
cards

Before you can begin using the AirCard modem

Before you can use the AirCard modem for the first time you
must:

1. Install the AirCard modem software: Watcher, the

Network Adapter Manager, and the AirCard modem
driver.

2. If you have an AirCard 850 modem or an AirCard 860

modem, attach the antenna.

3. Insert the SIM into the AirCard modem. When instructed

to do so by the install wizard, insert the AirCard modem

12 2130623

Introducing the AirCard 800 Series Wireless Network Cards

into your PC Card slot. (Do not insert the AirCard modem
before installing the software.)

4. Obtain a GSM account (if this wasn’t done when you

purchased the AirCard modem).

5. Configure the AirCard modem to use your account (unless

it was pre-configured.)

6. If your Internet browser is configured to use a dial-up

modem, you may need to set it to use a network card.

The next chapters guide you through this process.

Package contents

Your AirCard modem package contains the following:

• AirCard modem

• Hinged antenna (AirCard 850 modem and AirCard 860

modem only)

• Installation CD containing the AirCard modem software

and this installation guide

• Quick start guide

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

14 2130623

2: The SIM Card and Your Account

• Inserting a SIM card

into your AirCard
modem

• Removing a SIM card

• Attaching the antenna

to your AirCard
modem

You require a GSM account and a SIM (Subscriber Identity
Module) card to use the AirCard modem. The SIM card is a
small chip (about the size of a postage stamp) that you insert
into the AirCard modem. The SIM contains account infor­mation used by the network to validate your access.

2

Note: Without a valid SIM card
and a valid account, your
AirCard modem will not work.

Note: Keep a written record, in a
secure place, of the account
information that your service
provider gives you. Instructions
on creating a profile are in the
section “Configuring Your

Account” on page 29.

Depending on how you purchased your AirCard modem, you
may already have an account. In this case, the SIM should be
included in your package. Otherwise, your retailer should
direct you to a local company that provides GSM service.

To activate an account, the service provider needs from you:

• Billing information (such as a credit card number) used to

collect payment for your network usage

• Possibly the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment

Identity), depending on your service provider. This
number, printed on the AirCard modem box and on the
AirCard modem label, identifies your device (AirCard
modem model) on the GSM network.

Your AirCard modem must be configured to use your account.
If purchased from a service provider, your AirCard modem
may have been pre-configured. Otherwise, you must set up a
profile in Watcher. Instructions on setting up a profile are
described in Chapter 4.

If you change GSM service providers (such as if you move to a
new city), you will need a new SIM card from your new
service provider. You will also need to set up a new profile.

Inserting a SIM card into your AirCard modem

The procedure for inserting the SIM card depends on the
model of AirCard modem you have. If you have an AirCard
850 / 860 modem, follow the instructions below. If you have an
AirCard 875 modem, see “AirCard 875 modem” on page 16.

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AirCard 800 Series Installation Guide

AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 modems

To install your SIM card into the AirCard modem, follow these
steps:

1. If your SIM is attached to a card, detach it and remove any

fragments of the card stuck to the SIM.

2. Hold the AirCard modem with the label on top and the

antenna closest to you.

3. Locate the thin SIM card slot on the left side of the AirCard

modem PC Card’s antenna end.

4. Orient the SIM card, as shown in the diagram on the

bottom side of the AirCard modem.

Note: To prevent the SIM from
becoming jammed in the AirCard
modem slot, ensure the edge of
the SIM is smooth before
inserting it. Do not attach labels
to your SIM as this may also
cause it to become jammed.

5. Insert the end of the SIM card into the slot, and gently

push it until it is fully inserted.

Figure 2-1: Inserting the SIM card into the AirCard modem SIM card slot

Once the SIM card is properly inserted, it should not
extend beyond the end of the card.

AirCard 875 modem

To install your SIM/USIM card into the AirCard modem,
follow these steps:

1. If your SIM is attached to a card, detach it and remove any

fragments of the card stuck to the SIM.

2. Hold the AirCard modem face down.

3. Locate the thin SIM card slot on the side of the AirCard

modem.

4. Insert the SIM card into the slot as shown in the following

illustration, and gently push it until it is fully inserted.

16 2130623

Note: To prevent the SIM from
becoming jammed in the AirCard
modem slot, ensure the edge of
the SIM is smooth before
inserting it. Do not attach labels
to your SIM as this may also
cause it to become jammed.

The SIM Card and Your Account

Figure 2-2: Inserting the SIM card into the AirCard modem

Removing a SIM card

The procedure for removing the SIM card depends on the
model of AirCard modem you have. If you have an AirCard
850 / 860 modem, follow the instructions below. If you have an
AirCard 875 modem, see “AirCard 875 modem” on page 16.

AirCard 850 and AirCard 860 modems

To remove the SIM card, you need a narrow object, such as a
pen or a straightened paper clip, to push into the eject hole.

1. Place the AirCard modem on a smooth, hard surface such

as a tabletop.

2. Position your pen or paper-clip above the eject hole, which

is on the top surface of the AirCard modem housing, just
to the right of the SIM card slot. (See Figure 2-3.)

3. Press down gently (without excessive force) on the eject

hole. The SIM card should pop out of its slot.

Rev 3.6A Jul.06 17