Sierra Wireless USB Modem User manual

2131232
Rev 1.0
Sierra Wireless USB Modem
User Guide

Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 3
Important Notice Duetothenatureofwirelesscommunications,transmission
andreceptionofdatacanneverbeguaranteed.Datamaybe
delayed,corrupted(thatis,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which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. Sierra Wireless
modems 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.
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

Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
42131232
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 7,295,171 7,287,162 D442,170 D459,303
D599,256 D560,911
andotherpatentspending.
Thisproductincludes
technologylicensedfrom:
ManufacturedorsoldbySierraWirelessoritslicenseesunder
oneormorepatentslicensedfromInterDigitalGroup.
Copyright ©2009SierraWireless.Allrightsreserved.
Trademarks “HeartoftheWirelessMachine®”isaregisteredtrademarkof
SierraWireless.Watcher®isatrademarkofSierraWireless,
registeredintheEuropeanCommunity.
SierraWireless,theSierraWirelesslogo,theredwavedesign,
thered‐tippedantenna,andTRU‐Installaretrademarksof
SierraWireless.
Windows®isaregisteredtrademarkofMicrosoftCorporation.
WindowsVista®isaregisteredtrademarkofMicrosoftCorpo‐
ration.
QUALCOMM®isaregisteredtrademarkofQUALCOMM
Incorporated.Usedunderlicense.
Macintosh®isatrademarkofAppleInc.,registeredintheU.S.
andothercountries.
QUALCOMM
®
3G

Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 5
Othertrademarksarethepropertyoftherespectiveowners.
Contact
Information
ConsultourWebsiteforup‐to‐dateproductdescriptions,
documentation,applicationnotes,firmwareupgrades,trouble‐
shootingtips,andpressreleases:
www.sierrawireless.com
Revision History
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
Revision
number Release date Changes
1.0 Sept. 2009 New document

Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
62131232

Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 7
Contents
Introducing the Sierra Wireless USB Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
About the USB modems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Services supported . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Your account and coverage area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Modem software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Frequency band support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Overview of installation steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
System requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Inserting the SIM card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Insert the modem into the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Installing the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Windows Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Mac OS X . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Attach the modem to the lanyard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using your USB Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
USB modem features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
LED operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using the microSD card (some models only). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Removing the microSD card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Removing the SIM card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Using the extension cable and clip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Connection management software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Launching Watcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Enable Airplane mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Frequency band and network selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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Reinstalling the software (Windows). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Care and Maintenance of Your USB Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Radio frequency and electrical specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Environmental specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Regulatory and Safety Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Notice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Safety and hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Regulatory information for North America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Regulatory information for EU countries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Use of external antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 9
11: Introducing the Sierra Wireless
USB Modem
• Services supported
• Your account and
coverage area
• Modem software
• Frequency band
support
About the USB modems
SierraWirelessUSBwirelessmodemsenableyoutoconnectto
theInternet,sendandreceiveemail,connecttoacorporate
networkorvirtualprivatenetwork(VPN),orviewstreaming
video,withouttheneedforacable.
TheUSBmodemsconnecttoaTypeAUSBportonyour
computer.
ThemodemsareTRU‐Installenabled.Alltherequired
softwareisonthemodem.Whenyousetupyourmodem,the
softwareisinstalledonyourcomputer.Youdonotneedan
installationCD.
Themodemshaveabuilt‐inantennaandmayhaveaslotthat
accommodatesamicroSDexternalmemorycard.Depending
onyourserviceprovider,amicroSDcardmaybeincludedin
yourpackage,oryoumayneedtopurchaseitseparately.
Services supported
Dependingonthemodel,yourmodemsupportsspeedsofup
to21Mbps(Megabitspersecond).However,actualspeed
dependsontheservicesofferedbyyourserviceprovider.
Contactyourserviceproviderandvisit
www.sierrawireless.comfordetails.
Maximumtheoreticaldataspeedsare:
•EvolvedHighSpeedPacketAccess(EvolvedHSPAor
HSPA+)—upto21 Mbps
•HighSpeedDownloadPacketAccess(HSDPA)—upto
7.2 Mbps
•HighSpeedUploadPacketAccess(HSUPA)—upto
5.76 Mbps
•ConcurrentHSDPA/HSUPA(HSPA)—upto3.6Mbps
downloadandupto1.5Mbpsupload

Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
10 2131232
•UniversalMobileTelecommunicationsSystem(UMTS)—
384 kbps(kilobitspersecond)
•EnhancedDataratesforGSMEvolution(EDGE)—
236 kbps
•GeneralPacketRadioService(GPRS)—56 kbps
GPRSandEDGEaresecondgeneration(2G)dataservices.
UMTS,HSDPA/HSUPA,andHSPA+are3Gdataservices.
Whenestablishingaconnection,yourmodemusesthefastest
availableservice.If,forexample,youareusingthemodemin
anareathathasEDGEservicebutnotUMTSorHSDPA/
HSUPAservice,themodemconnectsusingEDGEservice.
Oncetheconnectionisestablished,youhaveaccesstoall
Internetservices.
Your account and coverage area
Note: If you purchased the
modem from a GSM service
provider, you may already have
an account and a SIM card.
Otherwise, your retailer should
be able to give you the names of
companies that provide these
items.
YoumusthaveanaccountwithaGSMserviceprovidertouse
themodem.Tousethemodem’s3Gcapability,youraccount
mustbewithaserviceproviderthatoffersHSPA,HSPA+or
UMTSservice.(Themodemisbackwardscompatiblewith2G
service.)
Whenyouobtainyouraccount,youaregivenaSubscriber
IdentityModule(SIM)cardcontainingaccountinformation.
Beforeyouusethemodem,youmustinserttheSIMcardinto
it.
Yourabilitytoobtainservicedependsonthesefactors:
Note: The fee for service is
usually higher when you are
roaming (connected to a network
other than the one belonging to
your service provider).
•Networkcoverage—Youmustbewithinthenetwork
coveragearea.
•Serviceprovider—Ifyouarewithinthecoverageareaofa
networkthatisnotoperatedbyyourownserviceprovider,
youcanobtainserviceonlyifthereisaroamingagreement
betweenyourserviceproviderandthenetworkoperator.
•Accountprovisions—Youraccountmayrestrictyour
usagetocertainnetworksorlimittheamountoftimeyou
canusethenetwork.
•Frequencyband—Youcannotconnecttonetworks
operatinginbandsnotsupportedbyyourmodem,
regardlessofroamingagreementsoraccountprovisions.
MostserviceprovidershavecoveragemapsontheirWebsites.

Introducing the Sierra Wireless USB Modem
Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 11
Modem software
Themodemcomeswithconnectionmanagementsoftware.
Dependingonyourcarrier,itmaycomewithcarrier‐specific
softwareorthefollowingsoftwaremadebySierraWireless:
•SierraWirelessWatcher®forWindowsor3GWatcherfor
Mac®.Usethissoftwaretomanagethemodemand
monitoryourconnections.
•Driversoftwarethatformstheinterfacebetweenthe
modemandyourWindowsoperatingsystem
ForinformationonWatcherfeaturesandusingWatcher,see
“Connectionmanagementsoftware”onpage 24.
Frequency band support
Frequencybandssupportedbythemodem:
Technology Bands Location
2G 850 MHz (cellular band) North America
900 MHz (EGSM band) Europe
1800 MHz (DCS band) Europe and Asia
1900 MHz (PCS band) North America
3G WCDMA 800 (band Vl) Japan
WCDMA 850 (band V) North America and
Australia
WCDMA 1900 (band II) North America
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Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
12 2131232

Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 13
2
2: Getting Started
Followtheinstructionsinthischaptertosetupandstartusing
yourmodem.
Touseyourmodem,you’llneed:
Note: Keep a written record in a
secure place of the account
information that your service
provider gives you.
•Anaccountwithaserviceprovider
•ASIMcard(suppliedbytheserviceprovider)
•Aprofile,whichmaybe:
·Alreadystoredonyourmodemwhenyoupurchaseit
·Setupautomatically
·Selectedfromadrop‐downlist
·Createdmanually
Overview of installation steps
1. Checkthesystemrequirements.
2. InserttheSIMcardintothemodem.
3. Insertthemodemintoyourcomputer.(Thenecessary
softwareisinstalledandeithertheprofileissetup
automaticallyorWatcherpromptsyoutocreateaprofile.)
System requirements
Themodemissupportedon:
•Windows®7
•WindowsVista®
•WindowsXP(HomeandProfessionalversions)
•Mac®OSX10.4.11orlater
Note: If you are running
Mac OS X, please refer to the
Watcher Quick Start Guide for
Mac OS X found at
www.sierrawireless.com/mac.
ToinstallaUSB‐connectedmodem,yourcomputerrequires
thefollowing:
USB port 1 USB Type A slot (USB 1.1 or 2.0)
Memory 32 MB

Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
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Inserting the SIM card
Note: To prevent the SIM card
from becoming jammed in its
slot, ensure the edge of the card
is smooth before inserting it. Do
not attach labels to your SIM
card as this may also cause it to
jam.
1. IfyourSIMcardisattachedtoalargercard,detachthe
SIMcardandremoveanyfragmentsstucktoit.
2. Removetheendcap.TheSIMcardslotistheuppermost
slotabovetheUSBconnector1.SeeFigure 2‐1.
3. InserttheSIMcard.Dependingonthemodel,your
modemmayormaynothaveaSIMtray.
IfthereisnoSIMtray:
a. GentlypushtheSIMcardintotheslotuntilthecard
willnotgoinanyfurther.
Whenitisproperlyinserted,theouteredgeoftheSIM
cardisinlinewiththeedgeofthehousing.
Figure 2-1: Inserting the SIM card into a USB modem
IfthereisaSIMtray:
a. GentlyslideopentheSIMcardtray,butdonotremove
itentirely.2
1. Depending on your model, some modems may have only one slot or the SIM slot
may be on the side of the modem.
2. If you inadvertently remove the tray entirely, reinsert it into the modem.

Getting Started
Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 15
b. PlacetheSIMcardonthetray,asshowninthe
followingillustration.
c. ClosetheSIMtray.
Note: For instructions on removing the SIM card, see page 23.
Insert the modem into the
computer
Note: To ensure FCC RF
exposure limits, ensure that
there is at least 1 cm (0.4
inches) between you and the
modem. For more safety and
regulatory information, see
page 33.
1. GentlyinsertthemodemintotheUSBslot.
Note: If the modem does not
work in the first USB slot you
insert it into, try using a different
USB slot.
Note: If the orientation of your computer’s USB slot or the thickness
of your computer are such that pressure is applied to the end or side
of the modem, 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 and notebook computer clip
instead. See “Using the extension cable and clip” on page 23.

Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
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Note: Do not forcefully insert the
modem as you may damage
connector pins.
Note: Do not insert the modem or the USB extension cable into a
USB hub or, if your keyboard is separate from your notebook
computer, a USB slot on your keyboard.
Installing the software
ThemodemcomeswithTRU‐InstallaSierraWireless
featurethatinstallsthenecessarysoftwarethefirsttimeyou
insertthemodemintoyourcomputer.(Youdonotneedan
installationCD.)
Theinstallationprocessstartsautomaticallywhenyouinsert
themodem.Followtheon‐screeninstructionsforinstallingthe
software.
Note: If you have a previous version of Watcher installed, uninstall it
before installing a new version.
Note: If the modem does not launch Watcher or the Install Software
notice, try inserting it into a different USB slot.
Windows Operating System1
Iftheinstallationprocessdoesnotstartautomatically:
1. Double‐clickMy Computer(WindowsXP)orComputer
(Windows7orWindowsVista)onyourdesktop.
2. ClicktheTRU-Installdrive.
3. UndertheTRU‐Installdrive,gototheWinfolderand
double‐clicktheSetup.exe file.
4. Followtheon‐screeninstructionsforinstallingthe
software.
Note: Do not remove the modem until the software installation is
complete. If you have inadvertently removed the modem too soon,
see “Reinstalling the software (Windows)” on page 27.
1. If you are using a Mac computer, see page 17.

Getting Started
Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 17
Connect to the network
Touseyouraccount(andconnecttoyourserviceprovider’s
network),youneedtohaveatleastoneprofilesetuponyour
modem.Dependingonhowyourmodemisconfigured,the
profilemayalreadybesetuporyoumayneedtocreateone.
Oncethesoftwareissuccessfullyinstalledandtheprofileisset
up,themodemisreadytouse.
Anytimeyouusethemodemwiththesamecomputer,TRU‐
Installverifiesthatthecorrectsoftwareisalreadyinstalled.
Thisprocesstakesafewseconds.
Ifyouneedtore‐installthesoftware,seepage 27.
ForinformationonusingWatcher,see“Connection
managementsoftware”onpage 24orviewtheOnlineHelp
thatcomeswithWatcher.
Mac OS X
1. Afterinsertingthemodem,double‐clicktheinstaller
package.
Ifyoudonotseetheinstallerpackage:
a. OpenFinder.
b. UnderDevices,clickTRU-Install.
c. Doubleclicktheinstallerpackage.
2. Followtheon‐screeninstructions.
3. Restartourcomputerwhenprompted.
Scenario Required action
Watcher automatically detects or creates a default
profile. Click Connecta.
Watcher prompts you to create a data profile. 1. Click Yes, then....
•If Watcher opens the Options window Profile
pane and pre-selects an appropriate profile
(normally the name of your service provider)
from the drop-down list...
a. Click OK to accept that profile (or choose
another from the drop-down list).
b. Click Connecta.
•If Watcher opens the Options window Profile
pane, the Profile name field is blank, and
your service provider is not included in the
drop-down list...
You need to create a profile manually. Refer to the
Watcher online help for details.
a. The first time you insert the modem in the computer, it takes a few seconds for the modem to locate the net-
work. While it is scanning for a network, the Connect button is unavailable.

Sierra Wireless USB Modem User Guide
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Connect to the network
Oncethesoftwareissuccessfullyinstalled,themodemisready
touse.
1. ClicktheConnectbuttontoconnecttothenetwork.
Attach the modem to the
lanyard
Tokeepeverythingtogether,threadthelanyardthroughthe
capandthemodem,asshownintheillustrations.
Youcanalsoattachthelanyardtothecap.
➊➋ ➌ ➍
➊➋

Rev 1.0 Sep. 09 19
3
3: Using your USB Modem
• USB modem LED
operation
• Using the microSD
card (some models
only)
• Using the extension
cable and clip
• Connection
management
software
USB modem features
USBmodemshaveaUSBconnectorandslotsforaSIMcard
andamicroSDexternalstoragecard.LEDsonthefrontofthe
modemprovidestatusinformation.
Note: 1. Depending on the modem, the microSD card slot may be on
the side of the modem.
microSD card slot1
USB connector
Cap
SIM card slot
Data LED
Power LED

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LED operation
TheUSBmodemhastwoLEDsthatshowthecurrentstatusof
themodem.
LED State Indicates
Power Off Indicates one of the following states:
•The modem is not inserted in the computer.
•The computer is off or in “suspend and resume” mode.
•The modem radio has been turned off using Watcher (see “Enable
Airplane mode” on page 25) or another connection client.
Solid Blue The power is on, the modem is working normally.
Blinking Blue The firmware is being updated.
Do not remove the modem from the computer.
Blinking Amber The modem is searching for service (initializing).
Solid Amber Modem error—either the modem is having a problem initializing
(searching for service) or is offline because of a failure.
Contact your service provider.
Data Off The modem is unable to detect 2G or 3G service.
Blinking Amber The modem has detected a 2G network (EDGE, GPRS, GSM) and is
ready to connect.
Solid Amber The modem is connected to a 2G network and is able to send and
receive data.
Blinking Blue The modem has detected a 3G network (UMTS, HSPA, HSPA+) and is
ready to connect.
Solid Blue The modem is connected to a 3G network and can send and receive
data.