Sierra Wireless AR8550 User Manual

Product Specification

AirPrime AR Series

Preliminary

0.6

December 10, 2010

Product Specification

Important Notice

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.

Safety and Hazards

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
which 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.

Note: Some airlines may permit the use of cellular phones while the aircraft is on the ground and the door is

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.

open. Sierra Wireless modems may be used at this time.

Limitations of Liability

This manual is provided “as is”. Sierra Wireless makes no warranties of any kind, either expressed or
implied, including any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or
noninfringement. The recipient of the manual shall endorse all risks arising from its use.

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.

Preliminary Rev 0.6 December 10, 2010 2

Product Specification

Patents

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

This product includes technology licensed from QUALCOMM® 3G.

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

Copyright

© 2010 Sierra Wireless. All rights reserved.

Trademarks

AirCard® and Watcher® are registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Sierra Wireless™, AirPrime™,

AirLink™, AirVantage™ and the Sierra Wireless logo are trademarks of Sierra Wireless.

, , ®, inSIM®, WAVECOM®, WISMO®, Wireless Microprocessor®,
Wireless CPU®, Open AT® are filed or registered trademarks of Sierra Wireless S.A. in France and/or
in other countries.

Windows

Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other
countries.

QUALCOMM

Other trademarks are the property of the respective owners.

®

and Windows Vista

®

is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Used under license.

®

are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Contact Information

Phone: [phone]

Sales Desk:

Web:

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

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

E-mail:

Sierra Wireless
13811 Wireless Way

Post:

Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

Fax: [phone]

www.sierrawireless.com

[e-mail]

Product Specification

Document History

Vers ion Dat e Updates

0.1 December 9, 2009 Creation

0.2 December 14, 2009 Updates for Preliminary release

Preliminary Rev 0.6 December 10, 2010 4

Contents

1. OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................... 8

1.1.

Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 8

1.2.

Reference Specifications ................................................................................................... 8

2. FEATURES .......................................................................................................... 9

2.1.

Modes of Operation ........................................................................................................... 9

2.2.

Communications Functions ............................................................................................... 9

3. HARDWARE SPECIFICATION .......................................................................... 11

3.1.

Environmental Specification ............................................................................................ 11

3.2.

ESD Specification ............................................................................................................ 11

3.3.

Absolute Maximum Ratings ............................................................................................. 11

4. RF SPECIFICATION .......................................................................................... 12

4.1.

GSM/WCDMA Interface .................................................................................................. 12

4.1.1. GSM/WCDMA Antenna Interface ............................................................................ 12

5. GNSS SPECIFICATION ..................................................................................... 13

5.1.

GPS ................................................................................................................................. 13

6. BASEBAND SPECIFICATION ........................................................................... 14

6.1.

Power Supply .................................................................................................................. 14

6.2.

Current Consumption ...................................................................................................... 14

6.3.

USB ................................................................................................................................. 14

7. RF CIRCUIT ROUTING CONSTRAINTS ........................................................... 16

7.1.

General recommendations .............................................................................................. 16

8. REGULATORY APPROVAL .............................................................................. 18

Preliminary Rev 0.6 December 10, 2010 5

List of Figures

Figure 1. AR8550/8552 Block Diagram ............................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.

Figure 2. Recommended UIM holder implementation .................................................................... 15

Figure 3. AppCAD screenshot for MicroStrip design power mode diagram ................................... 16

Figure 4. RF routing examples ....................................................................................................... 17

Figure 5. Coplanar clearance example ........................................................................................... 17

Figure 6. Antenna microstrip routing example ................................................................................ 17

Preliminary Rev 0.6 December 10, 2010 6