Sierra Wireless MC5727,MC5727V,MC5728V,MC8201,MC8355,MC8700,MC8704,MC8705,MC8801,MC8775,MC8775V,MC8780,MC8781,MC8790,MC8790V,MC8791V,MC8792V,MC8795V Hardware Integration Manual

AirPrime Intelligent Embedded
Modules

Hardware Integration Guide

2130114

Rev 2.02

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 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.

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.

Rev 2.02 Sep.10 Proprietary and Confidential 3

AirPrime Embedded Module Hardware Integration Guide

Patents This product includes technology licensed from QUALCOMM

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

Wireless, AirPrime, AirLink, AirVantage and the Sierra Wireless logo 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: [phone]

Hours: 8:00
E-mail: [e-mail]

Post: Sierra Wireless

13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4

AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

®

3G.

Fax: [phone]
Web: www.sierrawireless.com

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

www.sierrawireless.com

Revision
History

Revision
number

2.02 September 2010 • Created document

4 Proprietary and Confidential 2130114

Release date Changes

Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

The Universal Development Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Required connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Guide organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Related documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Power Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Overview of operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Power signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Module power states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Disconnected state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Off state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14

Normal state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Low power state . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Usage models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

RF Integration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

RF connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Ground connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Shielding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Antenna and cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Interference and sensitivity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Power supply noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Interference from other wireless devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Device-generated RF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Important notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Safety and hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Rev 2.02 Sep.10 Proprietary and Confidential 5

AirPrime Embedded Module Hardware Integration Guide

Important compliance information for North American users . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

EU regulatory conformity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Brazil ANATEL homologation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Acronyms and Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

6 Proprietary and Confidential 2130114

1: Introduction

Sierra Wireless’ AirPrime Intelligent Embedded Modules form the
radio component for the products in which they are embedded.

Ta bl e 1- 1 identifies embedded modules that are available for use on
CDMA and GSM networks.

Table 1-1: CDMA and UMTS AirPrime Intelligent Embedded Modules

1

Device Networks

MC5727
MC5727V
MC5728V

MC8201 GSM GSM, GPRS,

MC8355

MC8700 GSM GSM, GPRS,

MC8704
MC8705
MC8801

CDMA CDMA IS-95

CDMA CDMA 1xRTT,

GSM GSM, GPRS,

GSM GSM, GPRS,

Network

standards

1X
1xEV-DO (IS-

856)

EDGE, UMTS,
HSDPA

EV-DO Rev.A

EDGE, UMTS,
HSDPA,
HSUPA,
HSPA+

EDGE, UMTS,
HSDPA,
HSUPA,
HSPA+

EDGE, UMTS,
HSDPA,
HSUPA,
HSPA+

GPS features

Stand-

alone

gpsOne gpsOne

XTRA

    

  

     (5)

A-GPS Nav2.0 NMEA

sentences

MC8775
MC8775V

MC8780
MC8781
MC8790
MC8790V
MC8791V
MC8792V
MC8795V

GSM GSM, GPRS,

GSM GSM, GPRS,

Rev 2.02 Sep.10 Proprietary and Confidential 7



EDGE, UMTS,
HSDPA

     (5)

EDGE, UMTS,
HSDPA,
HSUPA

AirPrime Embedded Module Hardware Integration Guide

Note: An understanding of
network technology, and
experience in integrating
hardware components into
electronic equipment is
assumed.

Purpose of this guide

This guide addresses issues that affect the integration of AirPrime embedded
modules into host products, and includes design recommendations for the host
products.

The Universal Development Kit

Sierra Wireless manufactures a Universal Development Kit (UDK) that facilitates
all phases of the integration process.

This kit is a hardware development platform that is designed to support the
AirPrime embedded modules listed in Ta bl e 1- 1 on page 7. It contains the
hardware components that are typically necessary for evaluating and developing
with the module, including:

• Development board

• Cables

• Antennas

• Other accessories

For instructions on setting up the UDK, see PCI Express Mini Card Dev Kit Quick
Start Guide (Document 2130705).

Note: Contact vendors
before choosing your
connectors—the numbers
included here are for
reference only. Choose
connectors that are appro­priate to your design.

Required connectors

When integrating AirPrime embedded modules into your host device, you need
the following connector types:

• RF cables that mate with Hirose U.FL connectors (model
U.FL #CL331-0471-0-10). Modules include one to three connector jacks
depending on individual module support for diversity or GPS functionality.

• Industry-standard mating connector for 52-pin EDGE—some manufacturers
include Tyco, Foxconn, and Molex. For example, the connector used on the
Mini Card Dev Kit board is a Molex 67910-0001.

• Industry-standard USIM connector (MC8xxx only)— the actual connector you
use depends on how your device exposes the USIM socket. For example, the
USIM connector used on the Mini Card Dev Kit board is an ITT CCM03-3518.

Guide organization

This guide includes the following sections:

1.

Introduction (this section)

2. Power Interface on page 13

Describes power control signals used by the module and discusses design
issues related to power supply integration.

3. RF Integration on page 17

Describes antenna connection methods and grounding issues, RF inter­ference and desense issues.

8 Proprietary and Confidential 2130114

Introduction

4. Host/Module Interfaces on page 21

Describes the USB interface for host/module communication, and the USIM
interface for host/module integration.

5. Regulatory Information on page 21

Describes regulatory approvals and regulatory information requirements.

6. Acronyms and Definitions on page 25

Lists acronyms and definitions used throughout this guide.

7. Index on page 27

Note: The term "host" always refers to the host device.

Related documents

This guide deals specifically with hardware integration issues that are unique to
AirPrime embedded modules.

Ta bl e 1- 2 lists other documents referenced in this guide.

Table 1-2: Related documentation

Document title Description

AT Command Set for User Equipment (UE)
(Release 6) (3GPP TS 27.007)

CDMA 1X Standard
(CDMA 200 Series Release A (2000) ­Document #TIA/EIA/IS-2000 Series,
Release A)

CDMA CnS Reference (Document 2130754) CnS (Control and Status) messages supported by AirPrime CDMA

CDMA AT Command Reference (Document

2130620)

CDMA Extended AT Command Reference
(Document 2130621)

FCC Regulations - Part 15 - Radio Frequency
Devices

IEC-61000-4-2 level 3 Techniques for testing and measuring electrostatic discharge (ESD)

Standard AT commands for GSM/UMTS devices.

Technical requirements for CDMA systems, including details on sleep
cycle index (SCI) values.

embedded modules.
Proprietary, basic AT commands for AirPrime CDMA embedded

modules.
For UMTS-specific commands, see AirCard/AirPrime UMTS devices

Supported AT Command Reference (Document 2130617).

Proprietary AT commands for AirPrime CDMA embedded modules.
For UMTS-specific commands, see AirPrime MC8xxx Embedded

Modules Extended AT Command Reference (Document 2130616).

This section of the FCC Code of Federal Regulations, Title 47 deals with
radio frequency devices, including shielding requirements for embedded
modules.

immunity.

MC5727 Mini Card Product Specification
(Document 2130958)

MC5727V Mini Card Product Specification
(Document 2131023)

Rev 2.02 Sep.10 Proprietary and Confidential 9

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC5727.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC5727V.

AirPrime Embedded Module Hardware Integration Guide

Table 1-2: Related documentation (Continued)

Document title Description

MC5728V Mini Card Product Specification
(Document 2111350)

MC8201 PCI Express Mini Card Product
Specification (Document 2131362)

MC8700 PCI Express Mini Card Product
Specification (Document 2131202)

AirPrime MC8704 with Audio PCI Express
Mini Card Product Specification (Document

2400059)
AirPrime MC8705 PCI Express Mini Card

Product Specification (Document 2400057)
MC8775 PCI Express Mini Card Product

Specification (Document 2130697)
MC8775V with Audio PCI Express Mini Card

Product Specification (Document 2130700)
MC8780 / MC8781 PCI Express Mini Card

Product Specification (Document 2130782)
MC8790 PCI Express Mini Card Product

Specification (Document 2111279)
MC8790V PCI Express Mini Card Product

Specification (Document 2111280)

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC5728V.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8201.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8700.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8704.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8705.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8775.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8775V.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8780/MC8781.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8790.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8790V.

MC8791V PCI Express Mini Card Product
Specification (Document 2131032)

MC8792V PCI Express Mini Card Product
Specification (Document 2131033)

MC8795V PCI Express Mini Card Product
Specification (Document 2131276)

MC87XX Modem CnS Reference (Document

2130602)
MC87xx Modem CnS Reference (Voice)

(Document 2130817)

AirPrime MC8801 PCI Express Mini Card
Product Specification (Document 2400068)

AirCard/AirPrime UMTS devices Supported
AT Command Reference (Document

2130617)
AirPrime MC8xxx Embedded Modules

Extended AT Command Reference
(Document 2130616)

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8791V.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8792V.

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8795V.

CnS (Control and Status) messages supported by AirPrime UMTS
embedded modules.

Voice-related CnS (Control and Status) messages supported by voice­enabled AirPrime UMTS embedded modules (MC8704, MC8775V,
MC8790V, MC8791V, MC8792V, and MC8795V).

Features, mechanical and electrical specifications, and standards
compliance of the MC8801.

Proprietary, basic AT commands for UMTS AirCard and AirPrime
devices. For CDMA-specific commands, see the CDMA AT Command

Reference (Document 2130620).

Proprietary AT commands for UMTS AirPrime embedded modules. For
CDMA-specific commands, see the CDMA Extended AT Command

Reference (Document 2130621).

10 Proprietary and Confidential 2130114