Sierra Wireless Raven XT User manual

Raven XT
for Sprint Quick Start
20070914
Rev 3.0E

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 2
Activating your Raven XT on
Sprint Network
•Setup Wizard
•Hardware Installation
•Indicator Lights ThisQuickStartguideprovidesstep‐by‐stepdirectionsfor
activatingyourRavenXTonSprint’snetwork.
Tip: For additional configuration options, refer to the User Guide for
your Raven XT.
H
Setup Wizard
YoucanfindtheSetupWizardinstallationontheCDwhich
camewithyourRavenXTorontheSierraWirelesswebsite:
http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/AirLink/
default.aspx.UseonlytheSetupWizardforSprintforbest
results.
Note: The Setup Wizard
requires the Microsoft .NET
framework v. 1.1 and Microsoft
Windows 98, Windows 2000,
Windows XP, or later. You can
obtain .NET from Microsoft: http:/
/www.microsoft.com.
Note: If you are setting modem for circuit switched mode, pelase test
your connection to ensure your network account has been set up
correctly.
1. Starting the Setup Wizard
a. ConnecttheRavenXTtoyourcomputerusingaserial
cableUSBcable.
b. ConnectthepoweradapterandantennatoyourRaven
XT.
c. InstalltheSetupWizardbyrunningSprintSetup‐
Wizard.exeandfollowtheprompts.
d. RuntheSetupWizardfromtheWindowsStartmenu.
Start>All Programs>AirLink Communications>Setup
Wizard>Setup Wizard

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 3
Figure 2-1: Setup Wizard
e. ClickNexttostarttheWizardprocess.
2. Connecting to the Modem
IfyouconnectedyourRavenXTtotheportonyourcomputer,
selectConnectedtoanEthernet/USBPortandusethedropdown
menutoselecttheEthernetadapterorUSB/netconnectionon
yourcomputertowhichthemodemisconnected(most
computersonlyhaveoneadapterwhichwillbeselectedfor
you).Thedefaultpasswordforthemodemisenteredforyou.
ClickNext.
Note: If you want to use USB with the Setup Wizard you will need to
first install the driver, refer to Installing the USB driver section in this
Chapter.
Figure 2-2: Setup Wizard : Ethernet Connection/USB Connection

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 4
OR
SelectConnectedtoaSerialPort,checkAutoDetectPortSettings
orselecttheportfromthedropdownmenu.ClickNext.
Figure 2-3: Setup Wizard : Serial Connection
Note: You cannot activate with serial and would need USB/net to use
set up wizard.
AftertheSetupWizardconnectstoyourRavenXT,thedetails
foryourspecificmodelwillbedisplayed.Iftheincorrect
modelisdisplayed,presstheResetButtononyourRavenXT
sotheWizardcanattempttoconnectagain.ClickNext.
Figure 2-4: Setup Wizard : Connected
3. Selecting Tasks
AftertheWizarddetectsyourRavenXT,youwillbeoffereda
menuofSetuptasks.Choosethetasksyouneedfromthose
displayed.
Place Holder

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 5
Figure 2-5: Setup Wizard : Task Menu
•UpdateALEOSFirmware:ChecktheSierraWireless
serverforthelatestALEOSfirmware.
•SetupDataLink:Changethenetworkparametersforyour
modem,DataLinkaccountsONLY.Thisoptionalstepcan
bedoneasapartoftheactivationprocessoritcanbedone
separatelyafterthemodemhasbeenactivated.
•TestModemSetup:VerifyyourRavenXTisproperly
configuredandconnectingontheSprintnetwork.
•SetupaDUNConnection:CreateaDial‐UpNetworking
entryforlocalconnection.Thispartofthesetupisonly
neededifyouwillbeusingyourRavenXTtoconnect
directlyfromacomputertotheInternetorothernetwork.
ClickNextwhenyouhaveselectedyourdesiredoptions.
Note: Based on your selections, you may not need to do all of the
following Wizard steps.
4. Optional: Wizard: Update ALEOS
Note: Follow this step, only if Update Aleos option has been selected
in the task menu checkbox
Onoccasion,SierraWirelessreleasesupdatestothefirmware
foryourmodem.Theseupdatescanincludenewfeaturesas
wellasbugfixes.Tomakesureyourmodemisatoptimal
performance,itisrecommendedtoCheckforUpdatesand
UpdateNowifanupdateisfound.
•ActivateModem:ConfigureyourRavenXTtoconnecton
theSprintnetwork.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 6
Note: While checking for ALEOS Firmware updates, the Setup
Wizard uses the Internet connection on your computer to connect to
the Sierra Wireless server. Your Raven XT is not connected to the
wireless network for this process.
Figure 2-6: ALEOS Update
Tip: You can download current ALEOS firmware from the Sierra
Wireless web site and install it separately.
ClickNextwhenyouarefinishedupdatingorifyouchoose
nottoupdate.
5. Activate Modem
ThestepsanddatarequiredtoactivateyourRavenXTonthe
Sprintnetworkvariesdependingonthemodel.TheWizardis
designedtosupportoldermodelsaswellasthosecurrently
shipping
ToconfigureorprovisionyourmodemtoworkontheSprint
network,youwillneeddeviceactivationinformationprovided
bySprint.
FillintherequestedinformationandclickNextoneachscreen.
•MSL‐MasterSubsidyLockorActivationCodetounlock
theinternalhardwareofyourRavenXT.Thiscodeis
providedbySprint.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 7
Figure 2-7: Setup Wizard : MSL
•MDN‐Thephonenumberofyourcellularaccount.
•MINorMSID‐Theidentificationnumberforyour
cellularaccount.
Caution: Your MDN and MIN or MSID may be different. You need to
enter both numbers for activation to succeed.
Figure 2-8: Setup Wizard MDN and MIN/MSID
TheWizardwillcheckthesignalstrengthofyourRavenXT
(RSSI).ClickNexttobegintheactivationprocess.
Note: The process may take a few minutes. Progress information will
display across the bottom.
•StaticIP‐IfyouhaveacellularaccountwithastaticIP
address,checkthisboxifitisdisplayed.
Caution: If you do not have a static IP account and check the Static
IP box, you may not be able to activate your Raven XT or register on
the Sprint network.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 8
Figure 2-9: Setup Wizard : Signal Test
Tip: If you have low signal, you may encounter difficulties activating
your modem. Try a different location or a different antenna to increase
your signal if it is -90 or lower (yellow to red bar).
6. Test Modem Setup
YourconnectionofyourRavenXTtotheInternetistested
usingtheSprintcellularnetwork.
Figure 2-10: Setup Wizard: Connection Test
Greenchecksintheboxesindicatethetestsweresuccessful
andyourRavenXTisfunctioningproperly.Atthispointyour
modemisconfiguredandactivatedtoworkontheSprint
network.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 9
Note: These tests, depending on the strength of your signal, may take
a few minutes. Initially, while the tests are being performed, there may
be red Xs in the boxes. The Status line will give an indication of the
progress of the connection process.
IfTestModemSettingsshowsthestatusofyourmodemis
“DataConnectionFailed‐WaitingforRetry”,“NoService”,
“NoCarrier”,“NetworkNegotiationFailed”,“Network
AuthenticationFailed”,“ModemNotRegistered”,ortheReg
Netlightonthemodemisnotlit,double‐checkyourdevice
activationinformationandreturntotheActivateModemstep
toreconfigureyourRavenXT.
7. Data Link Configuration
Note: These screens will only be
displayed if Private Networking
Data Link is selected.
PrivateNetworkingDataLinkisaspecialaccountconfigu‐
rationthatprovidesamoresecureconnectionforyourRaven
XTandoftenprovidesastaticIPwithauthenticationonan
exclusiveserver.ConsultyourSprintrepresentativefordetails
aboutPrivateNetworkingDataLinkifit’ssomethingyouneed
foryouraccount.
BeforeyoustarttheconfigurationforPrivateNetworking,
DataLink,theconnectiontothenetworkmaybechecked.
Caution: Ensure the Raven XT has been activated before you
proceed with the Private Networking Data Link steps. Configuring
Private Networking Data Link before the Raven XT has been activated
can prevent successful activation.
FillintherequestedinformationandclickNextoneachscreen.
•NetworkAccessIdentifier(NAI)‐Fillinthefieldsfor
NAI.TheNAIshouldbeintheformofanemailaddress.
Figure 2-11: Setup Wizard : Data Link - NAI
•ThePrimaryHomeAgent(PrimaryHA)andSecondary
HomeAgent(SecondaryHA)arethenetworkservers

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 10
responsibleforIPaddressingandrouting.Fillintheinfor‐
mation,asapplicable.
Figure 2-12: Setup Wizard : Primary and Secondardy HA
•HASPIandAAASPI,requiredforauthenticationonthe
PrimaryandSecondaryHomeAgents,isprovidedby
Alltel.
Figure 2-13: Setup Wizard : SPI
•HASharedSecretPasswordisusedforbothHome
Agent’s.Thismaybefilledinforyouwithapassword
createdforyourRavenXTfortheSprintnetwork.
•TheAAA/VisionPasswordisrequiredbytheAuthenti‐
cation,AuthorizationandAccountingserver.Thismaybe
filledinforyouwithdefaultforSprint.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 11
Figure 2-14: Setup Wizard : Passwords
WhenthePrivateNetworkingDataLinkconfigurationis
completed,theconnectiontothenetworkwillbetestedagain.
8. Optional: Setting up a DUN
Connection
Note: Using DUN, the speed of
the connection is the limited to
the connection between the
modem and the computer. This
may be less than the total
bandwidth available with EV-DO
HSDPA.
Dial‐upNetworking(DUN)allowsacomputerorotherdevice
tousetheserialportonaRavenXTtoconnecttotheInternet
orprivatenetworkjustlikeananalogmodemusingastandard
phoneline.TheSetupWizardwillinstalladriverforthe
RavenXTandsetuptheconnectionbetweenyourcomputer
andtheRavenXT.Youwillneedtohaveadministratoraccess
onthecomputerforthissectionoftheinstallation.
Ifyoualreadyhaveothermodemsinstalledonyourcomputer,
theywillbelistedontheSierraWirelessAirLinkModem
Installationscreen.Ifyouhaveothermodemsinstalledonyour
computerusingthesameserialport,theymayconflict.As
longasyoudonotintendtousethem,youcanRemoveother
modemsusingthismenu.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 12
Figure 2-15: Setup Wizard : DUN driver
a. SelectInstalltobeginaddingthedriverfortheRaven
XTtoyourcomputer.
Figure 2-16: Setup Wizard : DUN settings
b. TheCOMportandspeedshouldmatchthesettingsof
theRavenXTandwhereitwillbeconnected(default
settingswillbepre‐entered).
c. SelectNexttobeginthedriverinstallation.
d. YouwillseeaconfirmationboxfromMicrosoft
Windowstospecifyifyouwishtoinstallthisdriveron
yourcomputer.SelectContinueAnywaytoinstallthe
driver.
e. Whenthedriverisinstalled,youwillreturntothe
Modeminstallationscreen.TheRavenXTshouldnow
belisted(inadditiontoanyothermodeminstalledon
yourcomputer).
f. ClickNexttocontinuetoinstalltheDUNconfigu‐
ration.

Raven XT
13 20070914
Figure 2-17: Setup Wizard : DUN connections
IfyoualreadyhaveaDUNconnectioninstalledforadifferent
modem,itwillbelistedontheDial‐upNetworking
Connectionscreen.
g. SelectAddtocreateanewconnectionfortheRaven
XT.
Figure 2-18: Setup Wizard : DUN settings
h. Fromthedropdownmenu,selectSierraWireless
modem.
i. Thedefaultsforthephonenumber,usernameand
passwordwillalreadybeentered.
j. SelectNexttobegintheinstall.
Figure 2-19: Setup Wizard : DUN

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 14
AtthecompletionoftheDUNinstallation,youwillreturnto
theDial‐upNetworkingConnectionscreen.TheAirLink
modemshouldnowbelistedasaconnection.
YourmodemisnowreadytobeusedasaDUNdeviceforany
applicationsonyourcomputerneedinganetworkconnection.
IfyouhaveDUNinstalledformorethanonemodem,youwill
needtospecifyinyourapplicationwhichDUNtouse.Unless
itistheonlyDUN,yourRavenXTmaynotbetheoneyour
computerseesasadefault.
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: The Raven XT is in a hardened case and designed for use
in industrial and 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 2-20: Raven XT Connectors
Cellular
Serial Power
USB

Raven XT
15 20070914
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Communica‐
tions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.
Power
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 2-21: Digital 1/0 Port
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.
Note: Your Raven XT does not have a second antenna for received
diversity. Received diversity is disabled by default.

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 16
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: Explosion Hazard - Do not disconnect
equipment unless power has been switched off or
the area is known to be non-hazardous.
Connecting to a Computer or
other Device
Figure 2-22: 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.

Raven XT
17 20070914
Indicator Lights
WhenyourRavenXTisconnectedtopowerandanantenna,
thereisaspecificpatterntothelightstoindicateitsoperation
mode.
Figure 2-23: 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.
•Activity‐Lightswillflashasdataistransferredtoand
fromthePinPointmodemontheremotenetwork.
•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
RSSI LED Ranges
RSSI/Signal LED Status Ranges of RSSI (dBm)
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

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 18
gooffafterthelightpatternstops),theALEOSconfigu‐
rationsettingswillreturntothefactorydefaults.
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.
Caution: If you reset the modem configuration using the reset button,
you may need to reactivate your Raven XT with Sprint.

Raven XT
19 20070914

Rev 3.0E Jul.09 20
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AirLinkRavenXT
areusedinanormalmannerwithawell‐constructednetwork,
theSierraWirelessAirLinkRaven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RavenXT,orfor
failureoftheSierraWirelessAirLinkRavenXTtotransmitor
receivesuchdata.
Safety and Hazards DonotoperatetheSierraWirelessAirLinkRaven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RavenXTMUSTBEPOWEREDOFF.TheSierra
WirelessAirLinkRavenXTcantransmitsignalsthatcould
interferewiththisequipment.
DonotoperatetheSierraWirelessAirLinkRavenXTinany
aircraft,whethertheaircraftisonthegroundorinflight.In
aircraft,theSierraWirelessAirLinkRavenXTMUSTBE
POWEREDOFF.Whenoperating,theSierraWirelessAirLink
RavenXT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 open. Sierra Wireless AirLink
Raven XT may be used at this time.
Thedriveroroperatorofanyvehicleshouldnotoperatethe
SierraWirelessAirLinkRavenXTwhileincontrolofavehicle.
Doingsowilldetractfromthedriveroroperatorʹscontroland
operationofthatvehicle.Insomestatesandprovinces,
operatingsuchcommunicationsdeviceswhileincontrolofa
vehicleisanoffence.
Limitation of
Liability
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