Sierra Wireless Raven XT, AirLink Raven XT Quick Start Manual

CoverTitle

Raven XT

Quick Start Guide

for AT&T

20070914

Rev 3.0E

Activating your Raven XT on AT&T

• Installing the SIM

• Configuring the

APN

• Hardware

Installation

• Indicator Lights

• Optional: Setting up

a DUN
Connection

This Quick Start guide provides step-by-step directions for activating
your Raven XT on AT&T’s network.

Tip:

For additional configuration options, refer to the User Guide for your

Raven XT.

H

Installing the SIM

The Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in the Raven XT is a smartcard
that securely stores the key identifying a cellular subscriber.
Generally, you will only need to install a SIM once in the life of the
modem and it may be pre-installed by your Sierra Wireless
Representative.

If the SIM was pre-installed, unless you need to set a custom APN,
activation of your modem is complete. Skip to the Raven XT
Placement section and/or to the DUN instructions, if you need Dial­Up Networking.

Cellular Account Required

• Cellular Account Required- To use your modem, you need to
have a SIM with an active account with an EDGE GPRS cellular
provider (such as AT&T).

Software Required

• ACEmanager - Graphical interface for entering most AT
Commands. You can download ACEmanager from the Sierra
Wireless AirLink Solutions website: http://
www.sierrawireless.com/support/. A default installation of this
utility is assumed later in these directions

Hardware Required

• Serial cable - A straight through serial cable.

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Raven XT

Note: Until you install a driver for the USB port, you cannot use your USB port to configure
the modem.

• Power adapter and a power source - You will need a power supply and
power source for the modem.

• PC or laptop - To configure the modem, you will need a computer with an
available serial port.

Tools Required

• Small Phillips screw driver - The Phillips screw driver is the one which is
also called a plus (+) or X screw driver.

Procedure

a. Carefully remove the SIM card from the card you received from AT&T.

Figure 0-1: Sample of the SIM card

b. Gently press the SIM card to secure in place.

Figure 0-2: Insert SIM in to the modem

c. Replace the case back.

Tip:

The top of the card faces the bottom of the modem.

When the faceplate is replaced and secured, the installation of the SIM is
complete.

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Configuring the APN

The APN (Access Point Name) is the way your device knows how it will be
communicating with the network. The APN allows custom IP addressing and
tailoring your company's wireless IP solution to meet the security and IP
addressing requirements of your applications.

Note: Most accounts use the default addressing solution of Private or Public IP addresses
supplied by the Internet and Proxy APNs. Only if you have a Static or Custom IP address
should you need to configure a custom APNs.

The default APN is Internet. If you need a different APN, use ACEmanager to
configure it.

Hardware Installation

Note: During installation,
please be sure that the
cables are secure but do
not bear any additional
weight that could loosen
the connector from the
unit.

Your Raven XT should be mounted in a position that allows easy access for the
cables so they are not bent, constricted, in close proximity to high amperage, or
exposed to extreme temperatures. The LEDs on the front panel should be visible
for ease of operational verification. You should ensure that there is adequate
airflow around the modem but that it is kept free from direct exposure to the
elements, such as sun, rain, dust, etc.

Caution:

extreme environments. However, unless you are using cables expressly designed for such
environments, they can fail if exposed to the same conditions the Raven XT can withstand.

Figure 0-3: Raven XT Connectors

The Raven XT is in a hardened case and designed for use in industrial and

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Raven XT

Cellular

Note: This device is not
intended for use within
close proximity of the
human body. Antenna
installation should provide
for at least a 20 CM
separation from the
operator.

Antennas selected should not exceed a maximum gain of 5 dBi under standard
installation configuration. In more complex installations (such as those requiring
long lengths of cable and/or multiple connections), it’s imperative that the installer
follow maximum dBi gain guidelines in accordance with the radio communications
regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada,
or your country’s regulatory body (if used outside the US).

Your Raven XT will work with most cellular antennas with a SMA connector.
Connect the primary antenna or primary RF cable directly to the antenna
connector on the back of the Raven XT.

Tip:

When using a cable to an antenna placed away from the modem, minimize the length
of your cable. All gain from a more advantageous antenna placement can be lost with a
long cable to the modem.

This I/O port handles external input and output events. An external device can
send digital input to the modem, through the digital I/O port.

Figure 0-4: Digital 1/0 Port: Power Connector

Warning:

Warning:

40 0C.

Risk of electric shock: Only use the supply voltages listed in this user guide.

When using AC to DC adapter the ambient temperature should not exceed

Your Raven XT can be used with either DC or AC, with the appropriate power
adapter. DC cables and AC adapters are available as optional accessories in
addition to the one included with your Raven XT.

26 20070914

Note: When using a DC
power source (such as a
solar cell), Sierra Wireless
recommends placing a
fuse (1-2 Amp) on the line
close to the power source
to protect your power
source from possible
surges due to shorts or
other line issues.

The DC power cable positive lead should be connected to the battery or power
source positive terminal. The power cable negative lead should be connected to
the battery or power source negative terminal.

Tip:

The DC power cable has a white wire lead in addition to the power positive and
negative. This is for a feature not present in the Raven line modems. In the Raven XT, the
white wire lead has no function and can be ignored.

Warning:

switched off or the area is known to be non-hazardous.

Explosion Hazard - Do not disconnect equipment unless power has been

Connecting to a Computer or other
Device

Figure 0-5: USB

Your Raven XT’s full-speed (12 Mbit) USB 2.0 port can be connected directly to
most computers or other devices using a standard full-speed USB 2.0 cable. If the
computer or device you are connecting or the cable is not rated for full-speed, the
modem will communicate at a reduced speed to match. The Raven XT functions
as a device, not a host.

When it is connected to a computer, the USB port should be seen as a COM port
or Ethernet port after the applicable driver is installed.

The Raven XT has a standard mini-B connector.

Warning:

The USB port can only be used in a non-hazardous environment.

Indicator Lights

When solid, Raven XT indicates a successful connection. When your Raven XT is
connected to power and an antenna, there is a specific pattern to the lights to
indicate its operation mode.

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Raven XT

Figure 0-6: Raven XT Indicator lights

•Network - Indicates a successful connection to the cellular network with an
IP address given and a channel acquired.

• Signal - Light shows the strength of the signal and may be nearly solid
(strong signal) or flashing (weaker signal). A slow flash indicates a very weak
signal.

RSSI LED Ranges

RSSI/Signal LED
Status

On Solid Equal to or stronger than -69
Fast Blink -70 to -79
Normal blink -80 to -89
Slow Blink -90 to -99
Extinguished Equal to or weaker than -100

Ranges of RSSI (dBm)

•Activity - Lights will flash as data is transferred to and from the PinPoint
modem on the remote network.

• Srvc (service) - Indicates when the connection is EDGE.
Unlit indicates GPRS.

•Power - Indicates the power adapter is connected and there is power getting
to the Raven XT.

• The Reset button (on the left side of the Raven XT) has two functions. If it is
quickly depressed and released, the modem will simply power cycle the
internal hardware. If, however, the reset is depressed and held for several
seconds (count 10 slowly, and wait for the power light to go off after the light
pattern stops), the ALEOS configuration settings will return to the factory
defaults.

Caution:

you may to reconfigure your APN.

28 20070914

If you reset the modem configuration using the reset button,

Light Patterns

The LEDs on the front of the modem will respond in different patterns to indicate
modem states.

• Normal - Each LED, mentioned above, is lit as applicable.

•Start up - The LEDs will cycle from left to right.

• PassThru mode - Network and Signal LEDs will blink in tandem. The

Activity LED will blink when transmitting or receiving data.

•SOS - The Network LED blinks.

• Configuration Reset - The LEDs will cycle left to right and then right to left 4

times.

• Authentication Failure - The Network, Signal, and Activity LEDs blink every

2 seconds.

• Data Retry - The Network, Signal, and Activity LEDs blink every 3 seconds.

Optional: Setting up a DUN Connection

Dial-up Networking (DUN) allows a computer or other device to use the serial port
or USB virtual serial port on your Raven XT to connect to the Internet or private
network using PPP just like an analog modem using a standard phone line.

Caution:

istrator or have Administrator privileges for your login.

Microsoft Windows XP is used in the examples below. The modem driver
installation and DUN setup and configuration is similar in Microsoft Windows
products. Examples are not provided here for installing the driver or configuring
DUN for any other operating system.

\

Standard installations of Microsoft Windows XP and 2000 include a generic
device driver which will work with your Raven XT.

1. Connect the Raven XT.

2. Install the driver.

To install any driver on your computer, you may need to be logged in as Admin-

a. Connect the device to the computer with a DB-9 cable or the USB port in

serial mode.

b. Plug in the AC adapter, connect the antenna(s) and power on the device.

a. Select Start > Control Panel > Phone and device Options (in Classic

View).

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