Thrane&Thrane EXPLORER 100, EXPLORER 110 Getting Started

1/29 Getting Started with the EXPLORER 100 and 110

BGAN solutions guide

Getting started
with the

EXPLORER

®

100/110

Version 01

01.05.07

www.inmarsat.com/bgan

Whilst the information has been prepared by In marsat in good faith, and all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure its accuracy, Inmarsat makes no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose or use of the information. Inmarsat shall not be liable for any loss or damage of any kind, includ ing
indirect or consequential loss, arising from use of the information and all warranties and conditions, whether express or implied by statute, common law or otherwise, are
hereby excluded to the extent permitted by English law. INMARSAT is a trademark of the International Mobile Satellite Organisation, Inmarsat LOGO is a trademark of
Inmarsat (IP) Company Limited. Both trademarks are licensed to Inmarsat Global Limited. © Inmarsat Global Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

2/29 Getting Started with the EXPLORER 100 and 110

Contents

1.0. Introduction 3

1.1. About this guide 3

1.2. Other sources of information 3

1.3. Upgrading software 3

2.0.

Introducing the terminal 4

2.1. Physical characteristics 4

2.2. Interfaces 4

2.3. Services 4

3.0.

Setting up the terminal 5

3.1. Installing BGAN LaunchPad 6

3.2. Installing the SIM card and battery 6

3.3. Powering on and charging the battery 7

3.4. Obtaining a GPS fix 7

3.5. Connecting the terminal to your computer 10

3.6. Registering with the network 13

4.0.

Making voice, data and text connections 16

4.1. Making a voice call 17

4.2. Making an IP Data Connection 18

4.3. Making a Bluetooth connection 26

4.4. Sending or receiving a text message 28

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1.0. Introduction

1.1. About this guide

This document introduces the EXPLORER 100/100 terminal, and explains how to set up the
terminals for use on the BGAN network, register with the network, and set up data, voice and text
connections. It is intended for first time end-users, Distribution Partners, Service Providers and
anyone who wants to use a BGAN terminal to connect to the BGAN network and use network
services. A previous knowledge of satellite communications is useful, but not essential.

The sections include:

• Introducing the terminal – a brief overview of the physical features and interfaces of the

terminal, and of the available services.

• Setting up the terminal – includes installing the battery and SIM card, connecting to a

computer and registering with the network

• Making voice, data and text connections – an explanation of how to make a voice call, how

to make IP data connections, how to set up and open Bluetooth connections, and how to
send and receive a text message.

1.2. Other sources of information

• This is one of a series of PDF documents in the BGAN Solutions Guide. The Solutions

Guide is designed to help you make the most of your BGAN terminal. Other documents in
the series are available for download from www.inmarsat.com/bgan. Click on BGAN
support, then click on How to guides.

This Web site also gives further information on the BGAN service, including Industry
solutions.

• For help in using BGAN LaunchPad, refer to “BGAN LaunchPad Help”, available from

within BGAN LaunchPad by clicking Help > LaunchPad Help.

• For further information on the EXPLORER 100/110 terminal, refer to the documents

available for download from www.thane.com.

1.3. Upgrading software

• To download the latest USB drivers and BGAN LaunchPad software, go to

www.inmarsat.com/bgan-updates.

• To download the latest terminal firmware, use BGAN LaunchPad, or go to the Thrane &

Thrane web site at www.thrane.com

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2.0. Introducing the terminal

This section introduces the physical characteristics, interfaces and services available on the Thrane &
Thrane EXPLORER

TM

100/110 (called the terminal in the rest of this document).

2.1. Physical characteristics

Item Specification

Manufacturer

Thrane & Thrane

Physical dimensions

200 mm x 144 mm (7.9 in. x 5.7 in.)

Weight (including battery)

<1kg (2.2 lbs)

External power

12 Volts DC, 110-240 Volts AC

Battery life

Transmit time: 5 hours
Stand-by time: 36 hours

Ingress protection

IP 44

2.2. Interfaces

Interface Equipment needed

USB v1.1
(adapter required for
EXPLORER 110)

IP data device, USB-enabled

Ethernet RJ45
(EXPLORER 110 only)

IP data device, LAN-enabled

Phone/fax RJ45 RJ45/ISDN handset

Bluetooth v1.2 Bluetooth handset, or Bluetooth data

device

2.3. Services

Services Specification

Standard IP data

Up to 384kbps (receive) and 240kbps
(send)

Streaming IP data 32kbps, 64kbps (symmetrical)

Phone/fax 4kbps voice

Text To other BGAN terminals or cellular

mobile phones.
From other BGAN terminals, and some

mobile phones, depending on service
provider.

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3.0. Setting up the terminal

This section explains how to set up the EXPLORER 100/110 terminal, and connect to the BGAN
network. The steps described are:

1. Installing BGAN LaunchPad on your computer.

2. Installing the SIM card and battery.

3. Obtaining power and charge the battery.

4. Connecting the terminal to your computer, using USB or Ethernet (EXPLORER 110 only).

For a USB connection, you must first install the supplied drivers.

5. Obtaining a GPS fix.

6. Pointing the terminal and register with the BGAN network.

Pre-requisites

Before you start, make sure that you have:

• The BGAN terminal.

• The AC mains power adapter, supplied with the terminal.

• The rechargeable battery, supplied with the terminal.

• A USIM card, supplied by your Service Provider.

• The BGAN LaunchPad installation CD, supplied with the terminal. Make sure that the PC

or Mac has the minimum system requirements for BGAN LaunchPad (refer to page 5 for
details).

• The USB cable supplied with the terminal, and the USB drivers supplied on the installation

CD.

• The Ethernet cable supplied with the terminal (EXPLORER 110 only).

• A Bluetooth-enabled computer with a supported profile, if you intend to connect using

Bluetooth.

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3.1. Installing BGAN LaunchPad

To install BGAN LaunchPad on your computer:

1. Insert the BGAN LaunchPad Installation CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions.

3.2. Installing the SIM card and battery

To prepare the terminal for connection:

1. Remove the battery compartment cover by loosening the two fastening screws.

TIP: If you do not have a screwdriver to hand, use a coin to loosen the

fastening screws.

Minimum system requirements for BGAN LaunchPad

The following are the minimum hardware and software requirements for using BGAN
LaunchPad to manage the EXPLORER 100/110 on your computer.

Hardware requirements

You must have the following on your computer:

• Support for either USB, Bluetooth or Ethernet (EXPLORER 110 only).

• Intel Pentium III CPU, or equivalent.

• 100Mb of free hard disk space.

• 128Mb of RAM.

• CD-ROM drive.

Operating systems

You must have one of the following operating systems on your computer:

• Microsoft Windows 2000 with SP4.

• Microsoft Windows XP with SP2.

• Linux Red Hat 9 - KDE 3.1.10 (Kernel Version 20.4.20-8).

• Mac 10.x.

• Mac 9.2.

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2. If you have already installed the battery, release and then remove it.

3. Install the SIM card with the gold contacts facing inwards.

4. Install the battery supplied with the terminal.

5. Replace the battery cover by tightening the two fastening screws

3.3. Powering on and charging the battery

To power on the terminal:

1. Insert the power adapter output connector to the DC power input jack on the back of the

terminal.

2. Insert the plug end into any AC outlet between 110 and 240 VAC.

NOTE: The battery automatically charges whenever the terminal is connected to a

power source. The first time you install the battery, it must be charged for 24 hours
before use.

3.4. Obtaining a GPS fix

The BGAN network requires a valid GPS fix to successfully register the BGAN terminal. To obtain a
GPS fix:

1. Power on the terminal by pressing and holding the Activate button. During start up, all the

indicators light green for approximately 15 seconds, and the buzzer in the antenna beeps
slowly. When the Signal indicator blinks red (or yellow if it has a stored GPS fix), the
terminal is ready to obtain a GPS fix.

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2. Take the EXPLORER 100/110 outside and open the stand so that the terminal is facing

upwards with an open view of the sky. The following diagram shows the location of the
GPS antenna in the terminal:

3. Check the signal to see if the terminal has a GPS fix. The table below gives possible

statuses:

4. If the terminal does not have a GPS fix, leave the terminal to acquire a GPS fix. This may

take a few minutes. While the interface unit is searching for a GPS fix, the Signal indicator
flashes green and red alternately and the audio buzzer emits a high pitched tone.

NOTE: If the Signal indicator lights yellow, the terminal has a stored GPS fix.

You may be able to use this GPS fix if you have not changed location
since you last registered with the network. However, Thrane & Thrane
recommends that you wait for a new GPS fix.

5. When the Signal indicator lights yellow, the terminal has obtained a GPS fix.

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About GPS

The Global Positioning System (GPS) uses 24 orbital satellites to fix the position of the terminal
anywhere on the globe.

• In normal operation, a GPS receiver, such as that built in to the Terminal, needs to be able

to receive signals from at least three satellites so that it can then calculate latitude, a
longitude and an altitude – this position fix is referred to as a 3-dimensional or 3-D fix. If
only two GPS satellites can be seen by the GPS receiver, then the last available altitude
measurement is assumed and the GPS receiver calculates a position fix based on latitude
and longitude only. This simpler position fix is referred to as a 2-dimensional or 2-D fix
and is quicker and easier to obtain than a 3-D fix, but may be less accurate.

NOTE: You can register with the BGAN network with a 2-D or a 3-D fix.

• The GPS receiver may take between a few seconds and 20 minutes to obtain a GPS fix,

depending on how frequently the GPS receiver is being used. The frequency of use
determines the how quickly the GPS Terminal is able to start.

o Hot start - if the GPS receiver is being used frequently, (that is, at least every two to

six hours), it is regularly updated with data from the GPS satellites, and so only takes
a short time to obtain a GPS fix after being switched on.

o Warm start - if a GPS receiver has not been used for more than six hours, then it

will take longer to obtain a GPS fix, perhaps up to 45 seconds.

o Cold start - if the GPS receiver has not been used for some time or is 300 km or

more from where it was last used, it can take between 10 and 20 minutes to obtain a
valid position fix.

• Following successful registration and providing the Terminal is left switched on and

remains stationary, the GPS is no longer needed. Periodically, the BGAN terminal contacts
the BGAN network to inform the network that it is still switched on. In addition, the
BGAN network periodically checks each terminal for activity, and if there has been no
traffic through the terminal, and the terminal has not automatically contacted the BGAN
network as described above, then the terminal will be de-registered from the network.