Southern California Wireless Users Group

[Sierra Wireless AirCard 555]

Service: Verizon Wireless, Express Network Unlimited

Driving through Southern California is daunting. There are many routes, freeways and surface streets one could choose. Each with its own hazards and traffic patterns. The usual method serious drivers use is to tune into the traffic updates on AM radio. Now imagine calling up real-time traffic monitoring with accidents, freeway speeds, and live video. Oh yeah, and you can get email and all that other Internet stuff you like.

Enter the next generation AirCard with high-speed network service. Now you can drive almost anywhere, walk almost anywhere, and even boat, well, not everywhere, but certainly near the coast. And use the Internet at speeds approaching 100kbps, that’s about 2 or 3 times faster than a modem. Pretty much everywhere your voice cell phone works, this gizmo will work.

The AirCard 555 is the latest in a long line of cellular network cards produced by Sierra Wireless. It provides anywhere, anytime internet access for your laptop or PDA at tolerable speeds. The stated bandwidth is approx 100k, but it really is somewhat less than that. You can use it almost anywhere, so however fast or slow, something is better than nothing.

Previously, the cards used the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) service supported by many carriers throughout North America. I’m a longtime user of the AirCard 350, which is now being rendered obsolete by AT&T’s CDPD shutdown announcement.

The higher-speed, brand-specific products like the AirCard 555 are a welcome replacement. There are many cards that fall into this category. Most of them are manufactured by Sierra Wireless or Novatel.

I have always preferred specialized and integrated components to the one-size-fits-all approach. This product definitely fits in the specialized category. The Aircard 555 is a dedicated cellular network PCMCIA card for your laptop or PDA with a Type-II PC-card slot. It uses the CDMA2000 1xRTT cellular network protocol. This protocol fits into the contested subheading of 3G, or 3rd Generation, wireless. Which, succinctly, is fast. Just how fast, we’ll see below.

Features

Here is a short list of features from the manufacturer’s website:

• Operates as a wireless network interface card (NIC) on CDMA2000 1X networks
• Minimal power consumption achieved by superior card power management
• Easy access to Internet, LAN/Intranet and remote software applications and can make voice calls
• Simple to install and easy to use
• Extensive Laptop, PDA and Tablet PC support

Marketing-speak aside, this is essentially a network card. It lets you tap into the raw internet via a standard TCP/IP protocol stack. It looks just like another network card to your Windows operating system. (I don’t know of Mac or Linux support at this time.)

The primary interface is the AirCard Watcher software application. This is what you use to initiate and manage internet sessions or voice-calls. The shipping CD also includes Venturi web-compression software. I had interoperability problems with Venturi so I uninstalled it after a couple months.

Usability

Which brings us to usability. Essentially, there are three components, the physical card, the software, and the connection. Installation can be touchy, so follow the instructions. And do it during business hours, as each time I installed, I needed to speak with the Verizon Special Victims Unit for “activation” and other setup steps that only they know. Fortunately, once it is all working, you don’t need to talk to them again.

The card is quite rugged, no broken antennas, for example. The antenna is removable, but you will rarely need to remove it. The antenna jack rotates completely, and the shaft of the antenna is hinged. It can be oriented vertically no matter where your PC card slot is on your machine.

Once installed, the network drivers work well. However, there are problems when switching connections. For example, when I switch from DSL or WiFi to the AirCard sites may initially timeout or not respond at all. I haven’t quite identified the problem completely, but a power-off restart usually clears up any problems.

To make voice calls, you need to use the included hands-free headset (or one like it.) Unfortunately, you need the headset - the card does not integrate into the operating system audio, stereo, or microphone. (At least as far as I can tell.) This is shortsighted, and maybe support will be included in an upgrade. Also, all voice controls are through the Watcher program, so that can be clumsy. Perhaps it’s easier on a PDA.

Software

The main interface to the card is the AirCard 555 Watcher software. This can be configured to pop up automatically when the card is inserted into the PC slot. You need the Watcher up to initialize the card, and connect to the network.

Initializing the network is analogous to a phone call. You need to connect and disconnect the calls. Of course, dropped calls happen. It’s a quite frustrating when you have to re-connect while on the road. Many useful sites are on auto-refresh but the Watcher doesn’t auto-reconnect.

Voice calls are placed by typing in the phone number and clicking send. You talk and listen using the headset plugged in to the side of the card (right next to the antenna. There’s also a phone book, a scratchpad (for notes) and a trick SMS messaging interface.

Mobile Messenger is a great tool for sending SMS messages. I usually use my Sidekick and Nokia for SMS, but in trying this out it worked great. And having my laptop keyboard to SMS will easily overload my text pals.

Throughput

I ran a couple of informal tests using DSL reports. I realize there are tons of issues with doing it this way, but it’s easy, and sometimes I like easy. Maybe some time in the future I’ll do a thorough test with NetIQ or some-such.

The tests varied somewhat with each pass. But average around 50 kbps over time. [Later tests show download speeds over 90 kbps - 24 Jun 03]

Here are a couple results:

2003-05-02 21:16:49 EST: 37 / 60
Your download speed : 37222 bps, or 37 kbps.
A 4.5 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 60698 bps, or 60 kbps.

2003-05-02 21:27:10 EST: 54 / 41
Your download speed : 54296 bps, or 54 kbps.
A 6.6 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 41262 bps, or 41 kbps.

And a chart comparing this speed with Modem speed (DSL is off the chart, so I clipped it

[download speed was slow in this test - likely due to a weak cell signal of 2 bars]

[This chart shows the higher throughput with a 5-bar signal - added 24 Jun 03]

Summary

In summary, I like it. And until WiFi everywhere, or info-fueling, or some other technology works on the freeways, parks, and parking lots comes along. Cellular data connections are the way to go. There are many alternatives to the AirCard. Cell phone and data cable is one method. But this fits the bill nicely if you aren’t prepared to add yet another cable to your mobile tech-center.

Appendix

I’m going to put a few extras here that I come across.

1. While the watcher is up, hit CTRL-D then the password ##debug to get the Advanced menu for neat debugging and logging tools.

[Protocol Stats from the Watcher, Advanced menu]

2. Sierra Wireless has several accessories for the AirCard series, including a high-gain dual-band antenna replacement. And various pigtails to help you attach any type of Cellular antenna to your AirCard. Check them out at http://www.sierrawireless.com/eStore/.

[Big and Little antennas for your AirCard from Sierra Wireless. A honkin’ antenna for your car from Tessco.]

3. Good news for Mac owners! A Mac OS X driver has become available from a third-party developer. Stretched Out Software has a data-only driver for Mac OS X 10.2.5 and above. The driver presents itself as a modem to the Mac. Functionality is completely transparent at this time so there’s GUI interface or signal strength indicator. They are working on drivers for the Sierra Wireless 550, 710 & 750 cards.

[Sierra Wireless AirCard 555]

Service: Verizon Wireless, Express Network Unlimited

Driving through Southern California is daunting. There are many routes, freeways and surface streets one could choose. Each with its own hazards and traffic patterns. The usual method serious drivers use is to tune into the traffic updates on AM radio. Now imagine calling up real-time traffic monitoring with accidents, freeway speeds, and live video. Oh yeah, and you can get email and all that other Internet stuff you like.

Enter the next generation AirCard with high-speed network service. Now you can drive almost anywhere, walk almost anywhere, and even boat, well, not everywhere, but certainly near the coast. And use the Internet at speeds approaching 100kbps, that’s about 2 or 3 times faster than a modem. Pretty much everywhere your voice cell phone works, this gizmo will work.

The AirCard 555 is the latest in a long line of cellular network cards produced by Sierra Wireless. It provides anywhere, anytime internet access for your laptop or PDA at tolerable speeds. The stated bandwidth is approx 100k, but it really is somewhat less than that. You can use it almost anywhere, so however fast or slow, something is better than nothing.

Previously, the cards used the Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) service supported by many carriers throughout North America. I’m a longtime user of the AirCard 350, which is now being rendered obsolete by AT&T’s CDPD shutdown announcement.

The higher-speed, brand-specific products like the AirCard 555 are a welcome replacement. There are many cards that fall into this category. Most of them are manufactured by Sierra Wireless or Novatel.

I have always preferred specialized and integrated components to the one-size-fits-all approach. This product definitely fits in the specialized category. The Aircard 555 is a dedicated cellular network PCMCIA card for your laptop or PDA with a Type-II PC-card slot. It uses the CDMA2000 1xRTT cellular network protocol. This protocol fits into the contested subheading of 3G, or 3rd Generation, wireless. Which, succinctly, is fast. Just how fast, we’ll see below.

Features

Here is a short list of features from the manufacturer’s website:

• Operates as a wireless network interface card (NIC) on CDMA2000 1X networks
• Minimal power consumption achieved by superior card power management
• Easy access to Internet, LAN/Intranet and remote software applications and can make voice calls
• Simple to install and easy to use
• Extensive Laptop, PDA and Tablet PC support

Marketing-speak aside, this is essentially a network card. It lets you tap into the raw internet via a standard TCP/IP protocol stack. It looks just like another network card to your Windows operating system. (I don’t know of Mac or Linux support at this time.)

The primary interface is the AirCard Watcher software application. This is what you use to initiate and manage internet sessions or voice-calls. The shipping CD also includes Venturi web-compression software. I had interoperability problems with Venturi so I uninstalled it after a couple months.

Usability

Which brings us to usability. Essentially, there are three components, the physical card, the software, and the connection. Installation can be touchy, so follow the instructions. And do it during business hours, as each time I installed, I needed to speak with the Verizon Special Victims Unit for “activation” and other setup steps that only they know. Fortunately, once it is all working, you don’t need to talk to them again.

The card is quite rugged, no broken antennas, for example. The antenna is removable, but you will rarely need to remove it. The antenna jack rotates completely, and the shaft of the antenna is hinged. It can be oriented vertically no matter where your PC card slot is on your machine.

Once installed, the network drivers work well. However, there are problems when switching connections. For example, when I switch from DSL or WiFi to the AirCard sites may initially timeout or not respond at all. I haven’t quite identified the problem completely, but a power-off restart usually clears up any problems.

To make voice calls, you need to use the included hands-free headset (or one like it.) Unfortunately, you need the headset - the card does not integrate into the operating system audio, stereo, or microphone. (At least as far as I can tell.) This is shortsighted, and maybe support will be included in an upgrade. Also, all voice controls are through the Watcher program, so that can be clumsy. Perhaps it’s easier on a PDA.

Software

The main interface to the card is the AirCard 555 Watcher software. This can be configured to pop up automatically when the card is inserted into the PC slot. You need the Watcher up to initialize the card, and connect to the network.

Initializing the network is analogous to a phone call. You need to connect and disconnect the calls. Of course, dropped calls happen. It’s a quite frustrating when you have to re-connect while on the road. Many useful sites are on auto-refresh but the Watcher doesn’t auto-reconnect.

Voice calls are placed by typing in the phone number and clicking send. You talk and listen using the headset plugged in to the side of the card (right next to the antenna. There’s also a phone book, a scratchpad (for notes) and a trick SMS messaging interface.

Mobile Messenger is a great tool for sending SMS messages. I usually use my Sidekick and Nokia for SMS, but in trying this out it worked great. And having my laptop keyboard to SMS will easily overload my text pals.

Throughput

I ran a couple of informal tests using DSL reports. I realize there are tons of issues with doing it this way, but it’s easy, and sometimes I like easy. Maybe some time in the future I’ll do a thorough test with NetIQ or some-such.

The tests varied somewhat with each pass. But average around 50 kbps over time. [Later tests show download speeds over 90 kbps - 24 Jun 03]

Here are a couple results:

2003-05-02 21:16:49 EST: 37 / 60
Your download speed : 37222 bps, or 37 kbps.
A 4.5 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 60698 bps, or 60 kbps.

2003-05-02 21:27:10 EST: 54 / 41
Your download speed : 54296 bps, or 54 kbps.
A 6.6 KB/sec transfer rate.
Your upload speed : 41262 bps, or 41 kbps.

And a chart comparing this speed with Modem speed (DSL is off the chart, so I clipped it

[download speed was slow in this test - likely due to a weak cell signal of 2 bars]

[This chart shows the higher throughput with a 5-bar signal - added 24 Jun 03]

Summary

In summary, I like it. And until WiFi everywhere, or info-fueling, or some other technology works on the freeways, parks, and parking lots comes along. Cellular data connections are the way to go. There are many alternatives to the AirCard. Cell phone and data cable is one method. But this fits the bill nicely if you aren’t prepared to add yet another cable to your mobile tech-center.

Appendix

I’m going to put a few extras here that I come across.

1. While the watcher is up, hit CTRL-D then the password ##debug to get the Advanced menu for neat debugging and logging tools.

[Protocol Stats from the Watcher, Advanced menu]

2. Sierra Wireless has several accessories for the AirCard series, including a high-gain dual-band antenna replacement. And various pigtails to help you attach any type of Cellular antenna to your AirCard. Check them out at http://www.sierrawireless.com/eStore/.

[Big and Little antennas for your AirCard from Sierra Wireless. A honkin’ antenna for your car from Tessco.]

3. Good news for Mac owners! A Mac OS X driver has become available from a third-party developer. Stretched Out Software has a data-only driver for Mac OS X 10.2.5 and above. The driver presents itself as a modem to the Mac. Functionality is completely transparent at this time so there’s GUI interface or signal strength indicator. They are working on drivers for the Sierra Wireless 550, 710 & 750 cards.