Sierra Wireless Airlink Raven XE HSPA User Manual

AirLink Raven XE HSPA

User Guide

20080605

Rev 3.0

Preface

Important
Notice

Safety and
Hazards

Due to the nature of wireless communications, the 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 AirLink Raven XE are used in a
normal manner with a well-constructed network, the Sierra Wireless AirLink
Raven XE should not be used in situations where failure to transmit or receive
data could result in personal hazard or risk 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 AirLink Raven
XE, or for failure of the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XE to transmit or receive
such data.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XE in areas where blasting is in
progress, or near medical equipment, life support equipment (e.g., pace makers),
or any equipment which may be susceptible to any form of radio interference. In
such areas, the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XE MUST BE POWERED OFF.
The Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XE can transmit signals that could interfere
with this equipment.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven XE in any aircraft, whether the
aircraft is on the ground or in flight. In aircraft, the Sierra Wireless AirLink Raven
XE MUST BE POWERED OFF. When operating, the Sierra Wireless AirLink
Raven XE 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 AirLink Raven XE may be used at this time.

The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra Wireless
AirLink Raven XE 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 offense.

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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AirLink Raven XE HSPA User Guide

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

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

®

3G. This product is

Copyright © 2012 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

Trademarks AirCard

Sierra Wireless. Watcher
European Community. AirLink™ and AceWare™ are trademarks of Sierra
Wireless.
Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, the red wave design, and the red-tipped
antenna are trademarks of Sierra Wireless.

Windows

Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.

®

and “Heart of the Wireless Machine®” are registered trademarks of

®

is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

®

is a trademark of Sierra Wireless, registered in the

Contact
Information

Support Desk: Phone: [phone]

Hours: 5:00

AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time,

Monday to Friday, except US Holidays

E-mail: [e-mail]

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

1-604-232-1488

Hours: 8:00

E-mail: [e-mail]

Mail: Sierra Wireless America

39677 Eureka Drive
Newark, CA 94560
USA

Sierra Wireless
13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

Fax: [phone]

1-604-231-1109

Website: www.sierrawireless.com

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

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Revision
History

Preface

Revision
number

1.x Q2:2009 Raven XE documentation created and revised.

2.x Q1:2010 Raven XE documentation revised and updated with new features and

3.0 February 2012 Raven XE HSPA User Guide revised with updated Preface section and

Release date Changes

enhancements. ALEOS User Guide, which covers the configuration of the
device information, is now a separate guide.

multiple content and document format corrections. Among the additions to
this documentation was the reinstatement and updating of the Inputs, Relay
Outputs, and Power Status chapter which was omitted from Revision 2.0.
Other significant updates were made to Chapter 3 (Software Required
section and a new Updating Firmware section).

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AirLink Raven XE HSPA User Guide

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Contents

Introduction to the AirLink Raven XE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

ACEmanager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

ACEview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Modem Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Connecting to Your Cellular Provider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

HSUPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

HSDPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

UMTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

EDGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

GPRS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Connection Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

USB Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Virtual Serial Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

IPsec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

GRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Events Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Documentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Tools and Reference Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Features and Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Power Consumption: (@12V DC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

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Standards/Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Host Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Physical Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Application Interfaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

LED Indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Power Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Activating the Raven XE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Installing the SIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Updating Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Installation of the Raven XE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Contents

Connecting to Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Connecting to a Computer or Other Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Indicator Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Mounting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Inputs, Relay Outputs, and Power Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Capturing External Events Using Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Connecting Devices to the I/O Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Monitoring the Input and Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Connecting the Raven XE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

ACEmanager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Using a Terminal Application with AT Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

AT Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Federal Communications Commission Notice (FCC United States) . . . .49

Industry Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

RF Exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

EU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

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Contents

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AirLink Raven XE HSPA User Guide

10 20080616

1: Introduction to the AirLink Raven XE

•ACEware™

• Connecting to Your

Cellular Provider

• Communications

• Networking

• Applications

• Software

• Documentation

The AirLink Raven XE is an intelligent wireless gateway, powered by
ALEOS™ embedded intelligence, and optimal for providing primary
or backup network connectivity for any high-reliability/ high-availability
applications.

The AirLink Raven XE is the perfect solution for any device with an
Ethernet connection that requires pervasive connectivity including
PCs, routers, network equipment and POS/ATMs as well as
commercial automation equipment.

AirLink Raven XE modems are designed to maintain a reliable,
consistent network connection. Class I Division 2 certified as
nonincendive equipment, the Raven Series is ideally suited for use in
hazardous environments.

Key applications include utilities, manufacturing, automation, oil and
gas, Ethernet-based SCADA, telemetry, Homeland Security, and
asset monitoring.

1

Figure 1-1: AirLink Raven XE

ALEOS, the embedded core technology of Sierra Wireless AirLink
products, simplifies the installation, operation, and maintenance of
any deployment. In addition, it provides an always-on, always-aware
intelligent connection for mission-critical applications.

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AirLink Raven XE HSPA User Guide

ALEOS features:

• Persistent Network Connectivity

• Over-The-Air (OTA) Upgrades

• Wireless Optimized TCP/IP

• Real-Time Notification

• Packet Level Diagnostics

• Device Management & Control

• Protocol Spoofing.

Figure 1-2: Powered by ALEOS

ACEware™

A wireless solution is not complete until you have software tools to manage the
devices monitoring your valuable equipment. Using the AirLink Control
Environment (ACE), ACEware is the device management and monitoring
application suite for Sierra Wireless AirLink devices powered by ALEOS.

Figure 1-3: ACEware Logo

The ACEware suite encompasses an application internal to the firmware
(ACEmanager) and the Windows-based applications ACEview, Modem Doctor,
ACEnet, and AirLink Management Services (AMS). You can download the
ACEview and Modem Doctor applications, and the ACEmanager, ACEnet,
ACEview, and ALEOS user guides, from the Sierra Wireless AirLink Solutions
website (http://www.sierrawireless.com/support). Contact your dealer or Sierra
Wireless representative for further information.

Note: ACEview requires the Microsoft .NET Framework v. 2.0 and Microsoft Windows 98,
Windows 2000, Windows XP, or later. You can obtain the Microsoft .NET Framework from
Microsoft at: http://www.microsoft.com/.

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Introduction to the AirLink Raven XE

ACEmanager

ACEmanager, the ACEware remote configuration and monitoring tool, simplifies
deployment and provides extensive monitoring, control, and management
capabilities. ACEmanager gives you the power to manage your Sierra Wireless
AirLink communications platforms in real-time.

Figure 1-4: ACEmanager Home Screen

Simplified Deployment

ACEmanager provides the ability to remotely set up and configure your Sierra
Wireless AirLink products. Remote device setup and configuration reduces the
deployment timeline of your wireless solution and provides a quicker path to ROI.

Templates allow you to easily configure devices in your fleet with identical
settings, ensuring a simple, accurate deployment.

Monitor and Control

ACEmanager allows an administrator to remotely monitor a modem’s status,
health and configuration settings. The user interface displays signal strength, cell
site information, byte counters and error conditions, enabling you to pinpoint any
issues and troubleshoot immediately.

ACEmanager enables remote configuration and parameter settings to be
changed or reset instantly over the air, change a device’s port configuration, IP
address settings, GPS settings, and much more. After configuring one modem,
use the template feature to copy that device configuration to other devices.

Tip: The configuration steps and examples in this user guide use ACEmanager.

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AirLink Raven XE HSPA User Guide

ACEview

ACEview is an efficient status and connection monitoring application with a low­profile, easy to read interface. In ACEview, you can also update the PRL (Protocol
Roaming List) on a device.

Figure 1-5: ACEview Main Screen

Modem Doctor

Modem Doctor and Modem Doctor USB is a troubleshooting and diagnostics
utility. This utility allows you to get a log file of the AirLink Raven XE activity which
you can then send to Sierra Wireless support or erase the current configuration
completely.

Figure 1-6: Modem Doctor

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Introduction to the AirLink Raven XE

cellular
provider

Connecting to Your Cellular Provider

The AirLink Raven XE uses your cellular provider as an ISP (Internet Service
Provider) to connect you to the Internet.

Connection Steps:

1. Your AirLink Raven XE establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or “dial up”
connection) link to the cellular provider’s network, also called registering on
the network, and receives an IP address.

2. When your AirLink Raven XE has received its IP address from your cellular
provider, a connection to the Internet or the cellular network is also available
for computers or other devices connected directly to the AirLink Raven XE.

The AirLink Raven XE will perform routing for all internet traffic to and from the
computers or other host devices.

With the AirLink Raven XE in Ethernet Public mode, only one device connected to
the Ethernet port will receive the public IP address which is the one provided by
the cellular network. In Ethernet Private mode, with a hub or switch connected to
the Ethernet port, the AirLink Raven XE will provide NAT for a range of computers
or other devices connected to the switch or hub and Internet access to all of them.

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses

There are two types of addresses on networks: dynamic and static.

• Dynamic addresses are assigned on a “need to have” basis. Your AirLink
Raven XE might not always receive the same address each time it connects
with your cellular provider.

• Static addresses are permanently assigned to a particular account and will
always be used whenever your AirLink Raven XE connects to the Internet.
The IP address will not be given to anyone else.

Most ISPs (cellular included) use dynamic IP addresses rather than static IP
addresses since it allows them to reuse a smaller number of IP addresses for a
large number of customers. A dynamic IP address is suitable for many common
Internet uses, such as web browsing, looking up data on another computer
system, or other client functions (such as data only being sent out or only being
received after an initial request).

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AirLink Raven XE HSPA User Guide

Tip: If your account with your cellular provider includes a dynamic IP address and you

need a static IP, please consult your your cellular provider representative for more infor­mation about changing your account for static IP support.

If you need to contact your AirLink Raven XE, a device connected to the AirLink
Raven XE, or a host system using the AirLink Raven XE from the Internet, you
need to have a known IP (such as one which is static) or domain name (an IP
address which is converted by a DNS server into a word-based name). If you
have a dynamic IP address for your modem, you can use a Dynamic DNS service
(such as Sierra Wireless’s IP Manager) to translate your IP address into to a
domain name.

Caution: If you want to connect remotely to your AirLink Raven XE using TCP/IP or

UDP/IP, the IP address given to your modem by your cellular provider cannot be a private
or internal IP address (such as a special private network) unless you are on the same
network or inside that network’s firewall (such as with frame relay).

Communications

GSM networks use SIM cards which are smart cards containing the account
holder’s details. A SIM can generally be moved from one device to another
allowing for account portability and flexibility.

HSUPA

HSUPA (High-Speed Uplink Packet Access) is a cellular technology which most
closely resembles a broadband synchronous connection. The upload and
download speeds are maximized to provide a faster throughput, reaching speeds
up to 2.0 Mbit/s for the uplink and 7.2 Mbit/s for the downlink.

Please check with your network provider on the availability of HSUPA.

HSDPA

HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) is a cellular technology allowing
for higher data transfer speeds. In HSDPA mode of operation, max speeds are up
to 7.2 Mbit/s in the downlink and 384 kbit/s in the uplink. HSDPA uses Adaptive
Modulation and Coding (AMC), fast packet scheduling at the Node B (Base
Station) and fast retransmissions from Node B (known as HARQ-Hybrid
Automatic Repeat Request) to deliver the improved downlink performance vs.
UMTS and EDGE.

HSPDA (and HSUPA) falls back to UMTS, EDGE, or GPRS (in order of
precedence). This feature allows you to have seamless connectivity no matter
where your AirLink Raven XE is.

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