Sierra Wireless PinPoint XT User Manual

PinPoint XT

User Guide

2140712

Rev 2.0

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 AirLink PinPoint XT are used in a normal
manner with a well-constructed network, the Sierra Wireless AirLink PinPoint XT
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 AirLink PinPoint XT, or for
failure of the Sierra Wireless AirLink PinPoint XT to transmit or receive such data.

Do not operate the Sierra Wireless AirLink PinPoint XT 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
AirLink PinPoint XT MUST BE POWERED OFF. The Sierra Wireless AirLink
PinPoint XT can transmit signals that could interfere with this equipment.

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

The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate the Sierra Wireless
AirLink PinPoint XT 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 2.0 Aug.10 i

PinPoint XT

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 and Mac OS X are registered trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in
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

®

is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated. Used

Contact
Information

Support Desk: Phone: [phone]

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

Monday to Friday, except US Holidays

®

3G.

E-mail: [e-mail]

Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]

1-604-232-1488

Hours: 8:00

E-mail: [e-mail]

Post: Sierra Wireless America

39677 Eureka Drive
Newark, CA
USA 94560

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

Fax: [phone]

1-604-231-1109

Web: 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

ii 2140712

Revision
History

Preface

Revision
number

1.x 2003-2005 AirLink Communications documentation - CDPD, CDMA, and GPRS.

2.x Q2: 2005-Q2:

3.0 Q2: 2008 Converted documentation from AirLink Communications documentation

4.0 Q1: 2010 Converted documentation from AirLink Communications documentation

Release
date

2007

Changes

AirLink Communications documentation - CDMA, EV-DO, EDGE, and
HSUPA/HSDPA.

format into Sierra Wireless documentation format. Phase II of the conversion
completed.
PinPoint modem line documentation is revised.

format into Sierra Wireless documentation format.

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 iii

PinPoint XT

iv 2140712

Contents

Introduction to the PinPoint XT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

ACEware™. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Modem Doctor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Connecting to your cellular provider. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Dynamic vs. Static IP Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

GSM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Connection methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Virtual serial port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

IPSec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

GRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Events Reporting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Documentation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Interface Port Pin-Outs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Power Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Activating PinPoint XT on your cellular provider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Installing the SIM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Configuring the APN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Hardware Installation of the PinPoint XT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Connecting the PinPoint XT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

ACEmanager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Using a Terminal Application with AT Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 1

AT Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Inputs, Relay Outputs, and Power Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Capturing External Events using Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Connecting devices to the I/O Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Power Modes and Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Wiring the PinPoint XT for Ignition Sense or DTR Event Trigger . . . . . . .36

Power Effect on Modem State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Federal Communications Commission Notice (FCC United States) . . . .37

Industry Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

RF Exposure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

EU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Contents

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 2

1: Introduction to the PinPoint XT

• ACEware™

• Connecting to your

cellular provider

• GSM

• Connection

methods

• Networking

• Applications

• Software

• Documentation

The PinPoint XT is a compact, intelligent and fully-featured mobile
communications platform. Expanded I/O functionality in a separate
connector includes four digital inputs, three analog inputs and two
relay outputs unleashing extensive remote instrumentation
possibilities.

Its high-precision 50-channel GPS receiver coupled with the rich
embedded intelligence provided by ALEOS™ technology make
PinPoint XT the perfect choice for a broad set of mobile enterprise,
public safety, fleet management and AVL solutions.

1

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 1

Figure 1-1: Sierra Wireless AirLink PinPoint XT

ALEOS™

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

• Persistent Network Connectivity

• Over-The-Air (OTA) Upgrades

• Wireless Optimized TCP/IP

• Real-Time Notification

• Real-Time GPS Reporting

• GPS Store and Forward

• Packet Level Diagnostics

PinPoint XT

• 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), Windows-based applications (ACEview and Modem Doctor), and
a web-hosted application (ACEnet). You can download the applications and their
user guides from the Sierra Wireless AirLink Solutions web site: http://
www.sierrawireless.com/support. Contact your dealer or Sierra Wireless
representative for any 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/.

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

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.

2 2140712

Introduction to the PinPoint XT

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:

Configuration steps and examples in this guide use ACEmanager.

ACEview is an efficient status and connection monitoring application with a low­profile, easy to read interface. In ACEview, you can also update PRL.

Modem Doctor

Modem Doctor and Modem Doctor USB is a troubleshooting and diagnostics
utility. This utility will allow you to get a log file of the PinPoint XT activity which
you can then send to Sierra Wireless support or erase the current configuration
completely.

Figure 1-4: Modem Doctor

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 3

PinPoint XT

Connecting to your cellular provider

The PinPoint XT uses your cellular provider as an ISP (Internet Service Provider)
to connect you to the Internet.

Steps of a connection:

1. When your PinPoint XT is powered on, it automatically searches for cellular
service using GSM/GPRS.

2. Your PinPoint XT establishes a PPP (Point to Point Protocol or “dial” up
connection) link to your cellular provider network, also called registering on
the network, and receives an IP address.

3. When your PinPoint XT 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 PinPoint XT.

The PinPoint XT will perform routing for all internet traffic to and from the
computers or other end devicse.

With the PinPoint XT 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 PinPoint XT 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 PinPoint XT
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 PinPoint XT 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).

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.

4 2140712

Introduction to the PinPoint XT

If you need to contact your PinPoint XT, a device connected to the PinPoint XT, or
a host system using the PinPoint XT 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 IP
Manager) to translate your IP address into to a domain name.

Caution:

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).

If you want to connect remotely to your PinPoint XT using TCP/IP, the IP

GSM

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.

GPRS

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is packet-switched with many users
sharing the same transmission channel, but only transmitting when they have
data to send. This means that the total available bandwidth can be immediately
dedicated to those users who are actually sending at any given moment,
providing higher utilization where users only send or receive data intermittently.
GPRS provides speeds of 30–70 kbps with bursts up to 170 kbps.

Connection methods

You can connect the PinPoint XT to a USB or a Ethernet (RJ45) on a computer.
When connected to a USB or Ethernet port, the PinPoint XT behaves like a
network card.

USB

The PinPoint XT is equipped with a USB port which increases the methods by
which you can send and receive data. The USB port can be set to work as either
a virtual Ethernet port or a virtual serial port. A driver installation is required to
use the USB port in either mode.

It is recommended that you use a USB 2.0 cable with your PinPoint XT and
connect directly to your computer for best throughput.

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 5

PinPoint XT

Virtual serial port

The PinPoint XT supports one virtual serial port over USB. This VSP can be
used, for example, to send AT commands, or to run many serial based
applications such as HyperTerminal

®

.

Networking

IPSec

The IP protocol that drives the Internet is inherently insecure. Internet Protocol
Security (IPSec), which is a standards-based protocol, secures communications
of IP packets over public networks.

IPSec is a common network layer security control and is used to create a virtual
private network (VPN).

The advantages of the IPSec feature includes:

• Data Protection: Data Content Confidentiality allows users to protect their

data from any unauthorized view, because the data is encrypted (encryption
algorithms are used).

• Access Control: Access Control implies a security service that prevents

unauthorized use of a Security Gateway, a network behind a gateway or
bandwidth on that network.

• Data Origin Authentication: Data Origin Authentication verifies the actual

sender, thus eliminating the possibility of forging the actual sender’s identifi­cation by a third-party.

• Data Integrity: Data Integrity Authentication allows both ends of the communi-

cation channel to confirm that the original data sent has been received as
transmitted, without being tampered with in transit. This is achieved by using
authentication algorithms and their outputs.

The IPSec architecture model includes the Sierra Wireless AirLink gateway as a
remote gateway at one end communicating, through a VPN tunnel, with a VPN
gateway at the other end. The remote gateway is connected to a Remote network
and the VPN is connected to the Local network. The communication of data is
secure through the IPSec protocols.

6 2140712

Introduction to the PinPoint XT

Figure 1-5: IPSec Architecture

GRE

GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation) tunnel is used to carry non-IP packets
through an IP Network. Non -IP packets, that are send over the GRE tunnel, need
to be first encapsulated. Hence, ALEOS is used to configure and encapsulate
non-IP packets and transmit over IP through the GRE tunnel.

Applications

Events Reporting

Events Reporting allows the users to generate reports from the events that take
place. Event Reporting Protocol is an intuitive embedded protocol, which
automatically formats the messages based on an event trigger. The messages
generated are then reported to the remote server.

An event occurs, when any of the following takes place:

• Customer device opens or closes a switch

• Customer device raises or lowers analog voltage

• device RSSI goes below or above a threshold

• device power goes below or above a threshold.

A report is generated when the device sends a message caused by an event.

The Events Reporting tab that displays in ACEmanager, is applicable across all

Sierra Wireless AirLink devices.

Software

The PinPoint XT modem comes with the following software:

• AceView, the software for the PinPoint XT which allows you to monitor your
connections.

Rev 2.0 Aug.10 7