Sierra Wireless Compass 597 User manual

Compass 597 USB modem
with
User Guide
2130948
Rev 1.0

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
22130948
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that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 open. The Sierra Wireless
modem 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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.

Preface
Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 3
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
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.
Patents Portionsofthisproductmaybecoveredbysomeorallofthe
followingUSpatents:
5,515,013 5,629,960 5,845,216 5,847,553 5,878,234
5,890,057 5,929,815 6,169,884 6,191,741 6,199,168
6,339,405 6,359,591 6,400,336 6,516,204 6,561,851
6,643,501 6,653,979 6,697,030 6,785,830 6,845,249
6,847,830 6,876,697 6,879,585 6,886,049 6,968,171
6,985,757 7,023,878, 7,053,843 7,106,569 7,145,267
7,200,512 D442,170 D459,303
andotherpatentspending.
Thisproductincludes
technologylicensedfrom:
LicensedbyQUALCOMMIncorporatedunderoneormoreofthe
followingUnitedStatespatentsand/ortheircounterpartsinother
nations:
4,901,307 5,056,109 5,101,501 5,109,390 5,228,054
5,267,261 5,267,262 5,337,338 5,414,796 5,416,797
5,490,165 5,504,773 5,506,865 5,511,073 5,535,239
5,544,196 5,568,483 5,600,754 5,657,420 5,659,569
5,710,784 5,778,338
ManufacturedorsoldbySierraWirelessInc.oritsLicensees
underoneormorepatentslicensedfromInterDigitalGroup.
Copyright ©2008SierraWireless.Allrightsreserved.

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
42130948
Trademarks AirCardand“HeartoftheWirelessMachine”areregistered
trademarksofSierraWireless.WatcherisatrademarkofSierra
Wireless,registeredintheEuropeanCommunity.
SierraWireless,theSierraWirelesslogo,TRU‐Install,
TRU‐Locate,andtheredwavedesignaretrademarksofSierra
Wireless.
Windows®isaregisteredtrademarkofMicrosoftCorporation.
MacOSisatrademarkofAppleInc.,registeredintheU.S.and
othercountries.
PCCardandExpressCardaretrademarksofPCMCIA.
microSDisatrademarkofSDCardAssociation.
QUALCOMM®isaregisteredtrademarkofQUALCOMM
Incorporated.gpsOneisatrademarkofQUALCOMM
Incorporated.
InstallShield®isaregisteredtrademarkofMacrovisionCorpo‐
rationintheUnitedStatesofAmericaand/orothercountries.
Othertrademarksarethepropertyoftherespectiveowners.
Contact
Information
Additional
information and
updates
Forup‐to‐dateproductdescriptions,documentation,appli‐
cationnotes,firmwareupgrades,troubleshootingtips,and
pressreleases,visit.www.sierrawireless.com.
Sales Desk: Phone: [phone]
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time
E-mail: [email protected]
Post: Sierra Wireless
13811 Wireless Way
Richmond, BC
Canada V6V 3A4
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.sierrawireless.com

Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 5
Table of Contents
Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Feature summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Wireless USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TRU-Install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TRU-Locate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
CDMA 3G services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Additional Compass USB modem features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
System components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Your host computing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The Compass 597 USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The Compass USB modem drivers and enabling software . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CDMA service provider account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The CDMA wireless network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
The Compass 597 software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Account activation and configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Compass USB modem installation procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
USB modem insertion and removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Inserting the Compass USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Removing the Compass USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
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Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Account configuration procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Activation Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Manual activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Automated activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Care and Maintenance of Your Compass USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Watcher Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Starting and closing Watcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Components of the Watcher window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Window controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Docking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Always On Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Interpreting icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Connection Status Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Call Status Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Indicator area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Minimized icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Online Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Using an external antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Environmental specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Important safety/compliance information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Contents
Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 7
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
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Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 9
1
1: Introducing the Compass 597
USB modem
Note: This document applies to you, only if your wireless device is the
Compass 597 USB modem from Sierra Wireless. This document does
not apply, if you are using an AirCard®595 PC Card, AirCard 595U
USB modem, AirCard 597E ExpressCard, or a wireless device that is
built into your computer.
•Welcome
•Feature summary
•Package contents
•System components
Welcome
TheSierraWirelessCompass597USBmodemisadual‐band
wirelessUSBmodemforcellularandPCSnetworks,andthe
GPSfrequencyband.Itenhancesthefunctionalityofyour
mobilecomputingdevicebyadding2‐waymessagingand
high‐speedmobiledatainextendedareas,comparedto
wirelesslocalareanetworks.
ThisUSBmodemallowsyoutodothefollowing(subjectto
featureavailability),withoutusingawirelinephoneor
network:
•ConnecttotheInternet,VPNandcorporatenetworks
•Sendandreceivelargee‐mailmessages
•SendandreceiveSMSmessages
•Uselocation‐basedservices
•Conductvideo‐conferencing
•Accessstreaming,real‐timemedia
•Playgamesonline
Note: You can view this guide online or print it to keep on hand. If
you're viewing it online, simply click a topic in the Table of Contents, or
a page number in the Index, or any page reference or section
reference. (Most text that is blue is a clickable link.) The PDF
automatically displays the appropriate page.

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
10 2130948
Feature summary
Note: For step-by-step instruc-
tions to access features of the
Compass USB modem, consult
the online help available with
Watcher®(page 33).
TheCompassUSBmodemisdesignedtoprovideawiderange
ofcapabilitiesusingCDMAnetworktechnology.Implemen‐
tationofthesefeaturesdependsontheparticularservice
providerandaccountfeaturesyouhavechosen.
Somefeaturesdescribedinthismanualmaynotbesupported
byyourserviceproviderormaynotbeavailablewithyour
networkaccount.Fordetailsoftheservicesandaccounts
available,contactyourserviceprovider.
Wireless USB modem
Onceinstalledandconfigured,theCompassUSBmodemcan
connecttotheCDMAnetworkautomatically.Youjustinsert
theCompassUSBmodem,allowWatchertoautolaunchand
authenticateyouraccountonthenetwork,thenlaunchyour
Internetbrowser(whichyoucanalsoconfigureinWatcherto
launchautomatically)—you’reonline!
Alternatively,youcanmakeahigh‐speeddataconnection
withoutrunningWatcher—simplybylaunchingwhatever
applicationyouwanttouse(suchasyourwebbrowseror
e‐mailapplication).Prerequisites:youmusthavepreviously
selected,inWatcher,“Enable NIC for Data Connection”(subjectto
featureavailability).
TheCompassUSBmodemalsoallowsyoutodialupamodem
(suchasacorporateserver).
TRU-Install
TRU‐Install™isaSierraWirelessfeaturethatinstallsthe
necessarysoftwareanddriversthefirsttimeyouinsertthe
CompassUSBmodemintoyourWindowsorMaccomputer.
AninstallationCDisnotrequired.
TRU-Locate
WithTRU‐Locate™,youcanuselocation‐basedservicesto
query,forexample,thenetworkforinformationonpointsof
interestthatarenearyourcurrentlocation,ordisplaydriving
instructions.

Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem
Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 11
CDMA 3G services
TheCompassUSBmodemoperatesoveratypeofwireless
networkcalledCDMA (CodeDivisionMultipleAccess).
CDMA 3Gtechnologyprovidesavarietyofconnectivity
features,dependingonyourserviceproviderandaccount:
•1x‐EVDORev.AsupportsInternetconnectionswithdata
ratesupto3.1 Mbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
1.8 Mbps(uplinktothenetwork).Averagedataratesare
450‐800 Kbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
300‐400 Kbps(uplinktothenetwork).Actualspeed
dependsonthenetworkconditions.
•1x‐EVDORev.0supportsInternetconnectionswithdata
ratesupto2.4 Mbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
153 Kbps(uplinktothenetwork).Averagedataratesare
400‐700 Kbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
40‐80 Kbps(uplinktothenetwork).Actualspeeddepends
onthenetworkconditions.
•1XsupportsInternetconnectionswithdataratesupto
153 Kbps.Actualspeeddependsonthenetworkcondi‐
tions.
Oncetheconnectionisestablished,youcanopenyourbrowser
andconnecttoanywebsitethatisaccessiblethroughthe
Internet,oraccessotherInternetservices(suchase‐mail).
Theconnectionis“active”whendatatransmissionis
occurring.Ifdatatransmissionstopsforaperiodoftime
(determinedbythenetwork),theconnectionbecomes
dormant.
•Circuitswitched(dial‐up)data,usingtheearlierCDMA
IS‐95specification,supportsdataconnectionstoanydial‐
inserviceatratesupto14.4 Kbps.
•QNC (QuickNetConnect)providesasimplifiedwayto
dialintoanInternetconnection(usingcircuitswitched
data)where3G(1xEV‐DOor1X)high‐speedpacket
serviceisnotavailable.
•SMS (ShortMessageService)allowsyoutosendand
receiveshorttextmessagesusingtheCompassUSB
modem.

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
12 2130948
Additional Compass USB modem
features
BeyondthefeaturesoftheCDMAnetwork,theCompassUSB
modemprovidesadditionalsoftwarefeatures:
•PINsecuritycodetoprotectyourCompassUSBmodem
andaccountfromunauthorizeduse.
•AnActivationWizard(page 23)toassistwithconfiguring
yourCDMAaccount.
•SoundoptionstocustomizeringtonesforSMSmessages.
•ACallLogtotrackoutgoingcallsanddeterminethe
amountofdatatransferred.
TheCompassUSBmodemhasamicroSD™slotthatcanbe
used,withamicroSDcard(soldseparately),forfiletransferor
storage.
Package contents
YourCompassUSBmodempackagecontainsthefollowing
components:
•Compass597USBmodem
•USBextensioncable
•Notebookclip(toattachtheCompassUSBmodemtoyour
screen,ifdesired)
•QuickStartGuide
ToinstalltheCompassUSBmodemdriversandsoftware,you
donotneedaninstallationCD.YourCompassUSBmodem
usestheSierraWirelessTRU‐Installfeature.Thedriversand
softwareareinstalledwhenyouinserttheCompassUSB
modemintoyourcomputer.
System components
YourCompass597USBmodemisjustonepartofasystem
designedtoprovideyouwithawiderangeofcommunication
features.Everycomponentofthesystemisneededtoenable
thesecapabilities.

Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem
Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 13
Your host computing device
YournotebookordesktopcomputerhoststheCompassUSB
modemhardwareandrunsthecommunicationsoftware:your
webbrowserore‐mailapplication,andWatcher—theenabling
softwarefortheCompassUSBmodem.
Youmayalsohaveothersoftwareonyourcomputerthatcan
beusedwirelesslywiththeCompassUSBmodem,suchas:file
transferapplications(FTP),chatorinstantmessaging,aVPN
(VirtualPrivateNetwork)client,clientsoftwareforacorporate
serverapplication.
The Compass 597 USB modem
TheCompassUSBmodemprovidesyourcomputerwitha
connectiontotheCDMAwirelessnetwork.
TheCompassUSBmodemfitsintoaUSBslotavailableon
mostnotebookanddesktopPCs.
EveryCDMAnetworkoperatesononeofthreeradio
frequencybands.Asadual‐bandproduct,theCompassUSB
modemoperatesontwoofthesebands(seepage 36),
providingawidecoveragearea.
The Compass USB modem drivers and
enabling software
TheCompassUSBmodemdriversandenablingsoftware
(Watcher)monitorandmanageyourwirelessconnections.
YourCompassUSBmodemusestheSierraWireless
TRU‐Installfeature—thedriversandsoftwareareinstalled
whenyouinserttheCompassUSBmodemintoyour
computer.
ThedevicedriversoftwareenablestheCompassUSBmodem
toworkwithyourcomputer’soperatingsystem.
UsingtheWatchersoftware,youcanmanagethe
CompassUSBmodemandmonitoryourconnections.For
step‐by‐stepinstructionstoaccessfeaturesofWatcher,usethe
application’sonlinehelp.

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
14 2130948
CDMA service provider account
CompaniesthatoperateCDMAnetworksandprovideaccess
tothesenetworksarecalledserviceproviders.Tousethe
CompassUSBmodem,youmusthaveanaccountwitha
CDMAserviceprovider.
Note: You can use the Lock
Modem feature to prevent others
from using your account, should
your Compass USB modem be
stolen. For information on this
feature, see the online help.
Eachserviceproviderhasitsownpricingoptions.Theremay
beflatrateaccounts,whichprovideyouamaximumnumber
ofminutesofnetworkusageforafixedmonthlyfee.There
maybeaccountsforwhichyouarechargedfornetworkusage
bytheminuteorbytheamountofdatatransmitted.
Youraccountmayincludeavarietyofotherservicessuchas
SMSmessagingorlocation‐basedservices.
EachCompassUSBmodemhasbeenprovisionedatthe
factoryforusewithaparticularserviceprovider.Thissetsthe
CompassUSBmodemtouseparticularradiochannelsand
enablesservicesspecificforthatprovider.
Theprocessofsettingupyouraccountiscalledactivation.
Activationinvolvesactionbytheserviceproviderandconfigu‐
rationoftheCompassUSBmodem.
Theproceduretoconfigure(activate)yourCompassUSB
modemiscoveredin“Activation”onpage 23.
The CDMA wireless network
Note: More information about
CDMA networks is available on
the CDMA Development Group
web site, www.cdg.org .
Thisistheworldwideinfrastructureprovidingtheradio
coveragethatallowsyoutostayconnected.Madeupofradio
towersandavarietyofnetworkswitches,routers,andservers,
thenetworkisaninterconnectionofmanyserviceproviders.
Note: Most service providers
have coverage maps on their
web sites.
ThereareCDMAnetworksthatoperateinthefrequencybands
supportedbytheCompassUSBmodemthroughoutNorth
AmericaandpartsofLatinAmerica,Asia,andNewZealand.
However,eachserviceprovideroperatesanetworkthatcovers
alimitedgeographicalareawithintheoverallCDMAcoverage
area.
Note: The fee for service is
usually higher when you are
roaming (connecting to a
network other than the one
belonging to your service
provider).
Mostserviceprovidershave“roaming”agreementswithother
serviceproviders,sothattheycanofferserviceoutsideofthe
coverageareaoftheirownnetworks.Forexample,assuming
youliveinVancouver(Canada),andtravelfrequentlyto
Seattle(UnitedStates),youcanobtainanaccountwitha
Vancouverserviceproviderthathasaroamingagreementwith
aserviceproviderinSeattle.Youwouldthenhavelocalservice
inVancouver,androamingserviceinSeattle.

Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 15
2
2: Getting Started
•The Compass 597
software
•Account activation and
configuration
BeforeyoucanbeginusingtheCompassUSBmodem,you
must:
1. InserttheCompassUSBmodem,toinstalltheenabling
softwareanddrivers.
2. ActivateanaccountandconfiguretheCompassUSB
modemtouseyouraccount(unlesstheCompassUSB
modemhasbeenpre‐activated).
Thissectionprovidesanoverviewofthisprocess.
The Compass 597 software
TheCompassUSBmodemcomeswiththefollowingsoftware:
•Watcherapplicationthatyouusetomanagethe
CompassUSBmodemandmonitoryourconnections
•Thedriversoftwarethatprovidestheinterfacebetween
theCompassUSBmodemandyourWindowsoperating
system
DetailedinstructionsforinstallingtheCompassUSBmodem
anditssoftwareareprovidedin“Installation”onpage 17.
Account activation and
configuration
TousetheCompassUSBmodem,youmusthaveanaccount
withaCDMAserviceprovider.Theprocessofsettingupan
accountiscalledactivation.
IfyoupurchasedtheCompassUSBmodemdirectlyfroma
serviceprovider,youmayalreadyhaveanaccount;your
CompassUSBmodemmaybepre‐activated.
Otherwise,runWatcherandtheActivationWizard,which
guidesyouthroughtheactivationandconfigurationprocess.
(Dependingonyourconfiguration,WatcherandtheActivation
Wizardmaystartautomatically.)

Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
16 2130948
ConfiguringtheCompassUSBmodeminvolvessettingthe
phonenumberassignedbyyourserviceproviderandmay
involveenteringothernetworkparametersandsettingssuch
asausernameandpasswordtoaccessservices.
Yourserviceproviderneedstoknow:
•Thebillinginformationtousetocollectpaymentforyour
networkusage.
•TheESN (ElectronicSerialNumber)orMEID(Mobile
EquipmentIdentifier)assignedtoyourCompassUSB
modemduringthemanufacturingprocess.(TheESNor
MEIDisprintedonalabelontheCompassUSBmodem
andcanbedisplayedinWatcher.)Thisnumberisusedto
helpauthenticateyouraccountwhenyouconnectfor
service.
Yourequirefromyourserviceprovider:
•Anactivationcodethatgivesyouaccesstoconfigurethe
account.
•AphonenumberforyourCompassUSBmodem.
•Additionalinformationspecifictoyourserviceprovider
suchas:
·AuserID(username)andpasswordtoauthenticateyour
networkconnection.
·ASID(SystemIDentifier)thatidentifiesyourhome
networkareaandisusedtogetherwithyourphone
numbertodetermineifyouare“home”or“roaming”.

Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 17
3
3: Installation
•System requirements
•Installation
•Inserting the
Compass USB
modem
•Removing the
Compass USB
modem
Thischapterguidesyouthroughthestepsnecessarytoinstall
theCompassUSBmodemonanotebookordesktopcomputer.
Thebasicstepsare:
1. InserttheCompassUSBmodemintotheUSB
slot (page 20)toinstalltheCompassUSBmodemdrivers
andtheWatchersoftware.
2. IftheCompassUSBmodemhasnotbeenpre‐activated,
usetheActivationWizardtoconfiguretheCompassUSB
modem(asdescribedin“Activation”onpage 23).
Beforeyoubegintheinstallationprocess,ensureyourPCis
runningasupportedoperatingsystemandmeetsthe
hardwarerequirementsdescribedinthenextsection.
System requirements
TheCompassUSBmodemissupportedonnotebookand
desktopPCsrunning:
•WindowsVista
•Windows XP(HomeandProfessionalversions)with
ServicePack 2
•Windows2000withServicePack4androll‐up1
•MacOSX(supportedthroughtheWatcherLite
software—installedwhenyouinserttheCompassUSB
modemintoyourMac).Fordetailedinstallationinstruc‐
tions,downloadtheQuickStartGuidefromtheSupport
sectionofwww.sierrawireless.com)

Installation
18 2130948
ToinstalltheCompassUSBmodemonaWindowscomputer,
yourequirethesesystemresources:
Compass USB modem
installation procedures
Note: Users of Windows Vista and Windows 2000 must be logged in
with administrative privileges to install the Compass USB modem
software. Users of Windows XP may require administrative privi-
leges, depending on the Windows XP installation.
ToinstallWatcherandtheCompassUSBmodemdrivers:
Note: Do not forcefully insert the
Compass USB modem. This
may damage the connector pins.
1. InserttheCompassUSBmodemintoyourUSBslot(as
describedin“InsertingtheCompassUSBmodem”on
page 20).
2. Ifyou’rerunningWindowsVista,intheAutoPlaywindow
clickSierra Wireless Watcher Installation.
TheSoftwareInstallationWizardshouldstartautomati‐
cally.
3. Intheinstallationwindow,clickNext.
4. IftheOpen With...windowappears,canceltheinstallation
(yourcomputerismissingsomefilesrequiredforthe
installation).SearchforInstmsiw.exe(ifyou’rerunning
Windows2000)amongthedownloadsat
www.microsoft.com.Installthefileonyourcomputer,
removetheCompassUSBmodemfromyourcomputer,
thenreruntheCompassUSBmodeminstallation.
5. IftheIkernel Application Errorwindowappears:
a)Canceltheinstallation.
b)Downloadthefile:
http://support.installshield.com/kb/files/Q108312/
ikernelupdate.exe.
Table 3-1: System resource requirements
USB slots One USB slot
I/O resources 1 IRQ, 40 bytes I/O space
Memory 32 MB
Disk space 32 MB

Installation
Document 2130948. Rev 1.0 Jan.08 19
c)Installthefileonyourcomputer,removetheCom‐
passUSBmodemfromyourcomputer,thenrerunthe
CompassUSBmodeminstallation.
6. UsetheNextandBackbuttonstonavigatethroughthe
wizardnotingthefollowing:
·Toproceedwiththeinstallation,youmustclickI accept
the terms in the license agreement toindicateyouraccep‐
tanceofthetermsofthelicenseagreement.
·UsethedefaultsettingsfortheDestination Folderunless
youhavespecialrequirementsandanadvancedunder‐
standingofPCconfiguration.(TheDestinationFolder
dictateswherethesoftwareisinstalled.)
WindowsdetectstheCompassUSBmodemandinstalls
thedriversforit.Thismaytakeafewminutes.Oncecom‐
pleted,thesystemtraymaydisplaythemessage“Your
devicesarereadytouse“or“Yournewhardwareis
installedandreadytouse”:
7. Whenyouarenotifiedthattheinstallationiscomplete,
clickFinish.
8. IfWatcherhasnotstartedautomatically,startit:double‐
clicktheWatchericononyourdesktop.
ProceedtoconfiguretheCompassUSBmodemtouseyour
account(ifitwasnotpre‐activated).See“Activation”on
page 23.

Installation
20 2130948
USB modem insertion and
removal
Inserting the Compass USB modem
ToinserttheCompassUSBmodemintoacomputer:
1. GentlyinsertthemodemintotheUSBslot.Alternatively,
youcanattachtheUSBextensioncable(includedinyour
package)orthedockingstation(soldseparately)toyour
computer’sUSBslot,andinserttheCompassUSBmodem
intotheUSBextensioncableordockingstation.
Note: If your computer’s USB slot is vertical, use the USB extension
cable or docking station.
Do not insert the modem into a USB hub or a USB slot on a keyboard.
Warning: If the orientation of your computer’s USB slot or the
thickness of your computer are such that pressure is applied to the
modem’s end or side (as shown by the red circle in the drawing
below), you may damage the modem or your computer. In such
cases, do not insert the modem directly into your computer’s USB
slot; use the USB extension cable or docking station instead.
WhenyouinserttheCompassUSBmodem,thefollowing
shouldoccur:
•Themodem’spowerLEDbecomeslit.
•Ifsoundeffectsareenabled,thePCbeeps.
•ThePC Cardiconappearsinthesystemtray,ifitisnot
alreadydisplayedforanotherdevice(andunlessthe
featurehasbeendisabled).
•Watcherlaunches(unlesstheautolaunchfeaturehasbeen
disabled).
Windows Vista Windows XP Windows 2000