Sierra Wireless Compass 597 User manual
Compass 597 USB modem
with
User Guide
2130972
Rev 1.0
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
22130972
Important Notice Duetothenatureofwirelesscommunications,transmission
andreceptionofdatacanneverbeguaranteed.Datamaybe
delayed,corrupted(i.e.,haveerrors)orbetotallylost.
Althoughsignificantdelaysorlossesofdataarerarewhen
wirelessdevicessuchastheSierraWirelessmodemareusedin
anormalmannerwithawell‐constructednetwork,theSierra
Wirelessmodemshouldnotbeusedinsituationswherefailure
totransmitorreceivedatacouldresultindamageofanykind
totheuseroranyotherparty,includingbutnotlimitedto
personalinjury,death,orlossofproperty.SierraWireless
acceptsnoresponsibilityfordamagesofanykindresulting
fromdelaysorerrorsindatatransmittedorreceivedusingthe
SierraWirelessmodem,orforfailureoftheSierraWireless
modemtotransmitorreceivesuchdata.
Safety and Hazards DonotoperatetheSierraWirelessmodem:
•Inareaswhereblastingisinprogress
•Whereexplosiveatmospheresmaybepresent
•Nearmedicalequipment
•Nearlifesupportequipment,oranyequipmentthatmay
besusceptibletoanyformofradiointerference.Insuch
areas,theSierraWirelessmodemMUSTBEPOWERED
OFF.TheSierraWirelessmodemcantransmitsignalsthat
couldinterferewiththisequipment.
DonotoperatetheSierraWirelessmodeminanyaircraft,
whethertheaircraftisonthegroundorinflight.Inaircraft,the
SierraWirelessmodemMUSTBEPOWEREDOFF.When
operating,theSierraWirelessmodemcantransmitsignalsthat
couldinterferewithvariousonboardsystems.
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.
Thedriveroroperatorofanyvehicleshouldnotoperatethe
SierraWirelessmodemwhileincontrolofavehicle.Doingso
willdetractfromthedriveroroperatorʹscontrolandoperation
ofthatvehicle.Insomestatesandprovinces,operatingsuch
communicationsdeviceswhileincontrolofavehicleisan
offence.
Preface
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 3
Limitation of
Liability
Theinformationinthismanualissubjecttochangewithout
noticeanddoesnotrepresentacommitmentonthepartof
SierraWireless.SIERRAWIRELESSANDITSAFFILIATES
SPECIFICALLYDISCLAIMLIABILITYFORANYANDALL
DIRECT,INDIRECT,SPECIAL,GENERAL,INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL,PUNITIVEOREXEMPLARYDAMAGES
INCLUDING,BUTNOTLIMITEDTO,LOSSOFPROFITSOR
REVENUEORANTICIPATEDPROFITSORREVENUE
ARISINGOUTOFTHEUSEORINABILITYTOUSEANY
SIERRAWIRELESSPRODUCT,EVENIFSIERRAWIRELESS
AND/ORITSAFFILIATESHASBEENADVISEDOFTHE
POSSIBILITYOFSUCHDAMAGESORTHEYARE
FORESEEABLEORFORCLAIMSBYANYTHIRDPARTY.
Notwithstandingtheforegoing,innoeventshallSierra
Wirelessand/oritsaffiliatesaggregateliabilityarisingunderor
inconnectionwiththeSierraWirelessproduct,regardlessof
thenumberofevents,occurrences,orclaimsgivingriseto
liability,beinexcessofthepricepaidbythepurchaserforthe
SierraWirelessproduct.
Patents Portionsofthisproductmaybecoveredbysomeorallofthe
followingUSpatents:
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 7,287,162 7,295,171 D442,170 D459,303
D559,256 D560,911
andotherpatentspending.
Thisproductincludes
technologylicensedfrom:
LicensedbyQUALCOMMIncorporatedunderoneormoreofthe
followingUnitedStatespatentsand/ortheircounterpartsinother
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
ManufacturedorsoldbySierraWirelessInc.oritsLicensees
underoneormorepatentslicensedfromInterDigitalGroup.
Copyright ©2008SierraWireless.Allrightsreserved.
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
42130972
Trademarks AirCardand“HeartoftheWirelessMachine”areregistered
trademarksofSierraWireless.WatcherisatrademarkofSierra
Wireless,registeredintheEuropeanCommunity.
SierraWireless,theSierraWirelesslogo,TRU‐Install,
TRU‐Locate,andtheredwavedesignaretrademarksofSierra
Wireless.
Windows®isaregisteredtrademarkofMicrosoftCorporation.
MacOSisatrademarkofAppleInc.,registeredintheU.S.and
othercountries.
PCCardandExpressCardaretrademarksofPCMCIA.
QUALCOMM®isaregisteredtrademarkofQUALCOMM
Incorporated.gpsOneisatrademarkofQUALCOMM
Incorporated.
InstallShield®isaregisteredtrademarkofMacrovisionCorpo‐
rationintheUnitedStatesofAmericaand/orothercountries.
Othertrademarksarethepropertyoftherespectiveowners.
Contact
Information
Additional
information and
updates
Forup‐to‐dateproductdescriptions,documentation,appli‐
cationnotes,firmwareupgrades,troubleshootingtips,and
pressreleases,visitwww.sierrawireless.com.
Sales Desk: Phone: 1-604-232-1488
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: 1-604-231-1109
Web: www.sierrawireless.com
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 5
Table of Contents
Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Welcome. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Feature summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Wireless modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TRU-Install . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
TRU-Locate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CDMA 3G services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Additional Compass USB modem features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Package contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
System components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Your host computing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The Compass 597 USB modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The modem drivers and enabling software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
CDMA service provider account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The CDMA wireless network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Care and maintenance of your modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
The Compass 597 software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Account activation and configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Mac requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installing on a Windows computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Installing on a Mac computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
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USB modem insertion and removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Inserting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Removing the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using the USB extension cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using a microSD card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Inserting the microSD card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Removing the microSD card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using an external antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Account configuration procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Activating on a Windows computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Activation Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Manual activation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Activating on a Mac computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Activation Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Watcher Basics (Windows) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Starting and closing Watcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Components of the Watcher window. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Window controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Docking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Always On Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Interpreting icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Connection Status Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Call Status Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Indicator area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Minimized icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
GPS Monitor window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Online Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Contents
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 7
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Watcher Lite Basics (Mac) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Starting and closing Watcher Lite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Watcher Lite window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Connection states . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
No device detected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Not activated . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Updating User Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Disconnected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Connecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Connected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Device is Locked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Determining the type of coverage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Watcher Lite menu options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Connecting to the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Viewing the amount of data transferred . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Ending a connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Displaying your phone number and ESN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Security. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Initial lock code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Warning regarding the lock code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
When the modem is locked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Locking the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Unlocking the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Powering the modem off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Uninstalling the Watcher Lite software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
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Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Environmental specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Important safety/compliance information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.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
•Care and maintenance
of your modem
Welcome
TheSierraWirelessCompass597USBmodemisadual‐band
wirelessUSBmodemforcellularandPCSnetworks,andthe
GPSfrequencyband.Itenhancesthefunctionalityofyour
mobilecomputingdevicebyadding2‐waymessagingand
high‐speedmobiledatainextendedareas,comparedto
wirelesslocalareanetworks.
Thismodemallowsyoutodothefollowing(subjecttofeature
availability),withoutusingawirelinephoneornetwork:
•ConnecttotheInternet,VPNandcorporatenetworks
•Sendandreceivelargee‐mailmessages
•SendandreceiveSMSmessages(Windowsonly)
•Uselocation‐basedservices(Windowsonly)
•Conductvideo‐conferencing
•Accessstreaming,real‐timemedia
•Playgamesonline
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 2130972
Feature summary
Note: For step-by-step instruc-
tions to access features of the
modem, consult the online help
available with the Watcher®
software for Windows (page 38).
TheCompassUSBmodemisdesignedtoprovideawiderange
ofcapabilitiesusingCDMAnetworktechnology.Implemen‐
tationofthesefeaturesdependsontheparticularservice
providerandaccountfeaturesyouhavechosen.
Somefeaturesdescribedinthismanualmaynotbesupported
byyourserviceproviderormaynotbeavailablewithyour
networkaccount.Fordetailsoftheservicesandaccounts
available,contactyourserviceprovider.
Wireless modem
Windows
Onceinstalledandconfigured,themodemcanconnecttothe
CDMAnetworkautomatically.Youjustinsertthemodem,
allowWatchertoautolaunchandauthenticateyouraccounton
thenetwork,thenlaunchyourInternetbrowser(whichyou
canalsoconfigureinWatchertolaunchautomatically)—you’re
online!
Alternatively,youcanmakeahigh‐speeddataconnection
withoutrunningWatcher—simplybylaunchingwhatever
applicationyouwanttouse(suchasyourwebbrowseror
e‐mailapplication).Fordetails,seetheonlinehelptopic
“Autoconnectbehaviour”.
Themodemalsoallowsyoutodialupamodem(suchasa
corporateserver).
Mac
Oncethemodemisinstalledandconfigured,youcanuseitto
connecttotheCDMAnetwork.Youjustinsertthemodem,
startWatcherLiteandallowittoauthenticateyouraccounton
thenetwork,thenlaunchyourInternetbrowser—you’re
online!
TRU-Install
TRU‐Install™isaSierraWirelessfeaturethatinstallsthe
necessarysoftwareanddriversthefirsttimeyouinsertthe
modemintoyourWindowsorMaccomputer.Aninstallation
CDisnotrequired.
Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 11
TRU-Locate
WithTRU‐Locate™,youcanuselocation‐basedservices(GPS)
onyourWindowscomputertoquery,forexample,the
networkforinformationonpointsofinterest(POI)thatare
nearyourcurrentlocation,ordisplaydrivinginstructions.
Note: TRU-Locate is available on Windows only; subject to feature
availability.
YourmodemrequiresanunobstructedviewofGPSsatellites
(inthesky),and,likeanyotherGPSdevice,mightnotperform
wellwithinforestedareasorneartallbuildings.
Dependingonyouraccount,youmaybechargedforeach
positionfixorafteryouhaveperformedacertainnumberof
fixes.Fordetails,contactyourserviceprovider.
Dependingonthemechanismthatthenetworkandyour
modemusetoobtainlocationinformation,GPSmaynotbe
supported:
•IfNetworkModeissetto“EVDOOnly”
•Ifyouʹreroaming
•Ifyoudonothavenetworkcoverage
•Duetootherreasons.
Ifyou’rehavingproblemsusingGPS,contactyourservice
provider.
CDMA 3G services
Themodemoperatesoveratypeofwirelessnetworkcalled
CDMA (CodeDivisionMultipleAccess).
CDMA 3Gtechnologyprovidesavarietyofconnectivity
features,dependingonyourserviceproviderandaccount:
•1x‐EVDORev.AsupportsInternetconnectionswithdata
ratesupto3.1 Mbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
1.8 Mbps(uplinktothenetwork).Averagedataratesare
450‐800 Kbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
300‐400 Kbps(uplinktothenetwork).Actualspeed
dependsonthenetworkconditions.
•1x‐EVDORev.0supportsInternetconnectionswithdata
ratesupto2.4 Mbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
153 Kbps(uplinktothenetwork).Averagedataratesare
400‐700 Kbps(downlinkfromthenetwork)and
40‐80 Kbps(uplinktothenetwork).Actualspeeddepends
onthenetworkconditions.
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
12 2130972
•1XsupportsInternetconnectionswithdataratesupto
153 Kbps.Actualspeeddependsonthenetworkcondi‐
tions.
Oncetheconnectionisestablished,youcanopenyourbrowser
andconnecttoanywebsitethatisaccessiblethroughthe
Internet,oraccessotherInternetservices(suchase‐mail).
Theconnectionis“active”whendatatransmissionis
occurring.Ifdatatransmissionstopsforaperiodoftime
(determinedbythenetwork),theconnectionbecomes
dormant.
•Circuitswitched(dial‐up)data,usingtheearlierCDMA
IS‐95specification,supportsdataconnectionstoanydial‐
inserviceatratesupto14.4 Kbps.
•QNC (QuickNetConnect)providesasimplifiedwayto
dialintoanInternetconnection(usingcircuitswitched
data)where3G(1xEV‐DOor1X)high‐speedpacket
serviceisnotavailable.
•SMS (ShortMessageService)allowsyoutosendand
receiveshorttextmessagesusingthemodem(Windows
only).
Additional Compass USB modem
features
BeyondthefeaturesoftheCDMAnetwork,themodem
providesadditionalsoftwarefeatures:
•PINsecuritycodetoprotectyourmodemandaccount
fromunauthorizeduse.
•AwizardtoassistwithactivatingyourCDMAaccount.
•SoundoptionstocustomizeringtonesforSMSmessages
(Windowsonly).
•ACallLogtotrackoutgoingcallsanddeterminethe
amountofdatatransferred(Windowsonly).
ThemodemhasamicroSD™slotthatcanbeused,witha
microSDcard(soldseparately),forfiletransferorstorage.For
moreinformation,see“UsingamicroSDcard”onpage 24.
Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 13
Package contents
Yourpackagecontainsthefollowingcomponents:
•Compass597USBmodem
•QuickStartGuide
•Carryingpouch
•Lanyard
•7‐inchUSBextensioncable
Note: Use only the supplied USB extension cable; other cables may
not work with the modem.
ToinstalltheCompassUSBmodemdriversandsoftware,you
donotneedaninstallationCD.YourmodemusestheSierra
WirelessTRU‐Installfeature.Thedriversandsoftwareare
installedwhenyouinsertthemodemintoyourcomputer.
System components
Yourmodemisjustonepartofasystemdesignedtoprovide
youwithawiderangeofcommunicationfeatures.Every
componentofthesystemisneededtoenablethesecapabilities.
Your host computing device
YournotebookordesktopcomputerhoststheUSBmodem
hardwareandrunsthecommunicationsoftware:yourweb
browserore‐mailapplication,andWatcher(Windows)or
WatcherLite(Mac)—theenablingsoftwareforthemodem.
Youmayalsohaveothersoftwareonyourcomputerthatcan
beusedwirelesslywiththemodem,suchas:filetransferappli‐
cations(FTP),chatorinstantmessaging,aVPN(Virtual
PrivateNetwork)client,clientsoftwareforacorporateserver
application.
The Compass 597 USB modem
Themodemprovidesyourcomputerwithaconnectiontothe
CDMAwirelessnetwork.
ThemodemfitsintoaUSBslotavailableonmostnotebook
anddesktopcomputers.
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
14 2130972
EveryCDMAnetworkoperatesononeofthreeradio
frequencybands.Asadual‐bandproduct,themodem
operatesontwoofthesebands(seepage 50),providingawide
coveragearea.
The modem drivers and enabling
software
Themodemdriversandenablingsoftware(Watcher
[Windows]orWatcherLite[Mac])monitorandmanageyour
wirelessconnections.
YourmodemusestheSierraWirelessTRU‐Installfeature—the
driversandsoftwareareinstalledwhenyouinsertthemodem
intoyourcomputer.
Thedevicedriversoftwareenablesthemodemtoworkwith
yourcomputer’soperatingsystem.
UsingtheWatcher(Windows)orWatcherLite(Mac)software,
youcanmanagethemodemandmonitoryourconnections.
Forstep‐by‐stepinstructionstoaccessfeaturesofWatcher
(Windows),usetheapplication’sonlinehelp.
CDMA service provider account
CompaniesthatoperateCDMAnetworksandprovideaccess
tothesenetworksarecalledserviceproviders.Tousethe
modem,youmusthaveanaccountwithaCDMAservice
provider.
Note: You can use the Lock
Modem feature to prevent others
from using your account, should
your modem be stolen.
Eachserviceproviderhasitsownpricingoptions.Theremay
beflatrateaccounts,whichprovideyouamaximumnumber
ofminutesofnetworkusageforafixedmonthlyfee.There
maybeaccountsforwhichyouarechargedfornetworkusage
bytheminuteorbytheamountofdatatransmitted.
Youraccountmayincludeavarietyofotherservicessuchas
SMSmessagingorlocation‐basedservices(Windowsonly).
Eachmodemhasbeenprovisionedatthefactoryforusewitha
particularserviceprovider.Thissetsthemodemtouse
particularradiochannelsandenablesservicesspecificforthat
provider.
Theprocessofsettingupyouraccountiscalledactivation.
Activationinvolvesactionbytheserviceproviderandconfigu‐
rationofthemodem.
Theproceduretoconfigure(activate)yourmodemiscovered
in“Activation”onpage 27.
Introducing the Compass 597 USB modem
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 15
The CDMA wireless network
Note: More information about
CDMA networks is available on
the CDMA Development Group
web site,
www.cdg.org
.
Thisistheworldwideinfrastructureprovidingtheradio
coveragethatallowsyoutostayconnected.Madeupofradio
towersandavarietyofnetworkswitches,routers,andservers,
thenetworkisaninterconnectionofmanyserviceproviders.
Note: Most service providers
have coverage maps on their
web sites.
ThereareCDMAnetworksthatoperateinthefrequencybands
supportedbythemodemthroughoutNorthAmericaand
partsofLatinAmerica,Asia,andNewZealand.However,
eachserviceprovideroperatesanetworkthatcoversalimited
geographicalareawithintheoverallCDMAcoveragearea.
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).
Mostserviceprovidershave“roaming”agreementswithother
serviceproviders,sothattheycanofferserviceoutsideofthe
coverageareaoftheirownnetworks.Forexample,assuming
youliveinVancouver(Canada),andtravelfrequentlyto
Seattle(UnitedStates),youcanobtainanaccountwitha
Vancouverserviceproviderthathasaroamingagreementwith
aserviceproviderinSeattle.Youwouldthenhavelocalservice
inVancouver,androamingserviceinSeattle.
Care and maintenance of your
modem
Aswithanyelectronicdevice,themodemmustbehandled
withcaretoensurereliableoperation.Followtheseguidelines
inusingandstoringthemodem:
•ThemodemshouldfiteasilyintoyourUSBslot.Forcing
themodemintoaslotmaydamageconnectorpins.
•Wheninsertingorremovingthemodem,alwaysgripitby
thesidesratherthantheend.
•Protectthemodemfromliquids,dust,andexcessiveheat.
•Whennotinstalledinyourcomputer,storethemodemin
asafeplace.
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
16 2130972
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 17
2
2: Getting Started
•The Compass 597
software
•Account activation and
configuration
Beforeyoucanbeginusingthemodem,youmust:
1. Insertthemodem,toinstalltheenablingsoftwareand
drivers.
2. Activateanaccountandconfigurethemodemtouseyour
account(unlessthemodemhasbeenpre‐activated).
Thissectionprovidesanoverviewofthisprocess.
The Compass 597 software
Themodemcomeswiththefollowingsoftware:
•Watcherapplicationthatyouusetomanagethemodem
andmonitoryourconnectionsonaWindowscomputer
•WatcherLiteapplicationthatyouusetomanagethe
modemandmonitoryourconnectionsonaMaccomputer
•Thedriversoftwarethatprovidestheinterfacebetween
themodemandyourWindowsorMacoperatingsystem
Detailedinstructionsforinstallingthemodemanditssoftware
areprovidedin“Installation”onpage 19.
Account activation and
configuration
Tousethemodem,youmusthaveanaccountwithaCDMA
serviceprovider.Theprocessofsettingupanaccountiscalled
activation.
Ifyoupurchasedthemodemdirectlyfromaserviceprovider,
youmayalreadyhaveanaccount;yourmodemmaybepre‐
activated.
Otherwise,runtheWatcher(Windows)orWatcherLite(Mac)
softwareandtheActivationWizard(Windows)orActivation
Assistant(Mac),whichguidesyouthroughtheactivationand
configurationprocess.(Dependingonyourconfiguration,the
softwareandtheactivationproceduremaystartautomati‐
cally.)
Compass 597 USB modem - User Guide
18 2130972
Configuringthemodeminvolvessettingthephonenumber
assignedbyyourserviceproviderandmayinvolveentering
othernetworkparametersandsettingssuchasausername
andpasswordtoaccessservices.
Yourserviceproviderneedstoknow:
•Thebillinginformationtousetocollectpaymentforyour
networkusage.
•TheESN (ElectronicSerialNumber)orMEID(Mobile
EquipmentIdentifier)assignedtoyourmodemduringthe
manufacturingprocess.(TheESNorMEIDisprintedona
labelonthemodemandcanbedisplayedinthesoftware.)
Thisnumberisusedtohelpauthenticateyouraccount
whenyouconnectforservice.
Yourequirefromyourserviceprovider:
•Anactivationcodethatgivesyouaccesstoconfigurethe
account.
•Aphonenumberforyourmodem.
•Additionalinformationspecifictoyourserviceprovider
suchas:
·AuserID(username)andpasswordtoauthenticateyour
networkconnection.
·ASID(SystemIDentifier)thatidentifiesyourhome
networkareaandisusedtogetherwithyourphone
numbertodetermineifyouare“home”or“roaming”.
Document 2130972. Rev 1.0 Apr.08 19
3
3: Installation
•System requirements
• Installation (Windows)
• Installation (Mac)
•Inserting the modem
•Removing the modem
• Using the USB
extension cable
• Using a microSD card
• Using an external
antenna Thischapterguidesyouthroughthestepsnecessarytoinstall
themodemonanotebookordesktopcomputer.
Thebasicstepsare:
1. InsertthemodemintotheUSBslot (page 22)toinstallthe
modemdriversandsoftware.
2. Ifthemodemhasnotbeenpre‐activated,usethe
ActivationWizard(Windows)orActivationAssistant
(Mac)toconfigurethemodem(asdescribedin
“Activation”onpage 27).
Beforeyoubegintheinstallationprocess,ensureyour
computerisrunningasupportedoperatingsystemandmeets
thehardwarerequirementsdescribedbelow.
System requirements
TheUSBmodemissupportedonnotebookanddesktop
computersrunning:
•WindowsVista
•Windows XP(HomeandProfessionalversions)with
ServicePack 2orlater
•Windows2000withServicePack4andUpdateRollup1
•MacOSXversion10.4ornewer
Toinstallandusethemodem,yourequireoneUSBslot.
Installation
20 2130972
Mac requirements
TheUSBmodemissupportedontheseMaccomputers
runningMacOSXversion10.4ornewer:
•MacBook™
•MacBookAir™
•MacBookPro
•PowerBook®G4
•PowerMac®G5
•desktopiMac
TocheckyourversionofMacOSX,fromtheApplemenu()
chooseAbout This Mac.Ifyourversionisearlierthan10.4,then
youmustupgradetoversion10.4ornewer.ContactanApple
reseller,anAppleretailstore,orvisitwww.apple.com/store.
Goto“InstallingonaMaccomputer”onpage 22.
Installing on a Windows
computer
Note: If you’re running Windows XP, you may require administrative
privileges, depending on the Windows XP installation.
If you’re running Windows Vista or Windows 2000, you must be
logged in with administrative privileges to install the modem software.
If you’re running Windows 2000, your computer might be restarted, as
part of the installation process; save any open documents.
ToinstallWatcherandthemodemdrivers:
Note: Do not forcefully insert the
modem. This may damage the
connector pins.
1. InsertthemodemintoyourUSBslot(asdescribedin
“Insertingthemodem”onpage 22).
2. Ifyou’rerunningWindowsVista,intheAutoPlaywindow
clickSierra Wireless Watcher Installation.
TheSoftwareInstallationWizardshouldstartautomati‐
cally.
3. Inthe“WelcometotheInstallShieldWizard”window,
selectInstalltolaunchtheInstallShield®Wizard.
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