Sierra Wireless AB300A Cellular 3W Power Booster for CDPD Modem User Manual AirBooster 350 User Guide

Sierra Wireless Inc. Cellular 3W Power Booster for CDPD Modem AirBooster 350 User Guide

user manual

User Guideo Welcome o Overview o Components o Supported Prods.o Safety Noticeso Specificationso Installationo Using AirBoostero Troubleshootingo Serviceo Contact Us2110195 Rev DNovember 1999Welcome to the AirBooster™ 350 RF amplifierThe AirBooster 350 is an intelligent RF amplifier for boosting some SierraWireless Class III (600mW) CDPD devices to Class I (3W). The amplifier isan "intelligent" booster in that it does not simply apply a fixed gain to avarying input RF level like a linear amplifier would. Instead, the AirBoosteramplifier takes a constant RF level from the CDPD device and applies asmuch gain as the CDPD system requires at that moment.A GPS Option is also available, adding a GPS receiver inside the package.This is available as a field upgrade kit or pre-installed at the factory.Documentation related to GPS is covered in a separate section.Your AirBooster 350 ComponentsAll AirBooster 350 packages will include the following components:AirBooster™ 350 RF amplifier.● Power Cable.● Sierra Wireless Product CD-ROM with this Documentation including a3 Year Warranty.● 4 Screws with Washers.● Mounting Template.● Quick Start Guide.● Units with the factory installed GPS option will also include:DB-9 Serial Cable.● Additional accessories are available from Sierra Wireless. These include:RF Connector Cables (an assortment of lengths and connector optionsare available).● GPS Options (Factory Installed or Field Upgrade Kit).● GPS antennas (Magnetic or Hard Mount options).● For details on these and other Sierra Wireless accessories contact sales orvisit our web site.Supported ProductsAt the time of this writing, the AirBooster 350 RF amplifier is supported bythe following Sierra Wireless products:AirCard® 350 CDPD Adapter● SB300 OEM Module● Additional Sierra Wireless products may be added to this list. Consult ourweb site for a complete and current list.
CAUTION - The AirBooster 350 amplifier is designed to beused exclusively with supported Sierra Wireless products.Attaching non-supported devices will not harm the device or theamplifier but will severely impair transmissions from the device.o Welcome (top) o Overviewo Safety Notices o Hazards o Regulatory o Patentso SpecificationsImportant NoticeBecause of the nature of wireless communications, transmission andreception of data can never be guaranteed. Data may be delayed, corrupted(i.e., have errors) or be totally lost. Although significant delays or losses ofdata are rare when wireless devices such as the AirBooster 350 RF amplifierare used in a normal manner with a well-constructed network, they should notbe used in situations where failure to transmit or receive data could result indamage of any kind to the user or any other party, including but not limited topersonal injury, death, or loss of property. Sierra Wireless, Inc. accepts noresponsibility for damages of any kind resulting from delays or errors in datatransmitted or received using the AirBooster 350 RF amplifier, or for failureof the AirBooster 350 amplifier to transmit or receive such data. Safety and HazardsDo not operate the AirBooster amplifier in areas where blasting is inprogress, where explosive atmospheres may be present, near medicalequipment, near life support equipment, or any equipment which may besusceptible to any form of radio interference. In such areas, the hostcommunications device MUST BE TURNED OFF. The RF amplifier cantransmit signals that could interfere with this equipment.Do not operate your data transmitter in close proximity to any aircraft,whether the aircraft is on the ground or in flight. Near aircraft, the hostcommunications device MUST BE TURNED OFF. When operating, theAirBooster RF amplifier can transmit signals that could interfere with variousonboard systems.The driver or operator of any vehicle should not operate a wireless datadevice while in control of a vehicle. Doing so will detract from the driver oroperator's control and operation of that vehicle. In some states and provinces,operating such communications devices while in control of a vehicle is anoffence.WARNING - The FCC has developed guidelines to reduce anypossible hazard due to exposure of the human body toelectromagnetic radiation (i.e. to radio waves). This device isapproved for operation with specific Sierra Wireless modemtransmitters using a 3.0dBd or a 3.4dBd vehicle-mount antennawith at least 2dB cable loss, as described in the filing. Thecombination of cable loss and antenna gain must not exceed anoverall gain of 1dB. The antenna installation must provide aseparation distance of 20cm (8") or more between the antennaand all persons to satisfy MPE compliance.
WARNING - For FCC compliance only a tested and approvedantenna should be used in conjunction with RG58 cable of atleast 4.5m (14'9") in length. As of this writing the followingantennas have been tested and approved:Larsen model MM3800FME● Antenna World model CLR-877● Sierra Wireless continues to test other makes and models ofantennas. For the most current list, consult our website.Regulatory InformationThe equipment certifications appropriate to your device are marked on thedevice and the accompanying product specific information. Whereappropriate, the use of the equipment is subject to the following conditions:CAUTION - Unauthorized modifications or changes notexpressly approved by Sierra Wireless, Inc. could voidcompliance with regulatory rules, and thereby your authority touse this equipment.WARNING (EMI) - United States FCC Information - Thisequipment has been tested and found to comply with the limitspursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designedto provide reasonable protection against harmful interference inan appropriate installation. This equipment generates, uses, andcan radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and usedin accordance with the instructions, may cause harmfulinterference to radio communication. However, there is noguarantee that interference will not occur in a particularinstallation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference toradio or television reception, which can be determined by turningthe equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correctthe interference by one or more of the following measures:Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna● Increase the separation between the equipment andreceiver● Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit differentfrom that to which the receiver is connected● Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technicianfor help● WARNING (EMI) - Canada - This digital apparatus does notexceed the Class A limits for radio noise emissions from digitalapparatus as set out in the interference causing equipmentstandard entitled "Digital Apparatus", ICES-003 of theDepartment of Communications.Cet appareil numérique respecte les limites de bruitsradioélectriques applicables aux appareils numériques deClasse A prescrites dans la norme sur le matériel brouilleur:"Appareils Numériques", NMB-003 édictée par le ministre desCommunications. Patents and Trademarks
Portions of this product are covered by some or all of the following USpatents: 5515013, 5617106, 5629960, 5682602, 5748449, 5845216, 5845553,5878234, 5890057, and other patents pending.©1998, 1999 Sierra Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved.The information in this manual is subject to change without notice and doesnot represent a commitment on the part of Sierra Wireless, Inc. SierraWireless, Inc. shall not be liable for incidental or consequential damagesresulting from the furnishing, performance, or use of this manual.AirBooster™ is a trademark of Sierra Wireless, Inc.AirCard® is a registered trademark of Sierra Wireless, Inc.All other brand or product names, logos, trademarks, etc. mentioned in thismanual are owned by their respective companies.o Welcome (top) o Overviewo Safety Noticeso Specifications o RF Amplifier o Environmental o DB-9 PinoutsTechnical SpecificationsAirBooster 350 RF AmplifierCompliance: CDPD Release 1.1FCC Parts 15 and 22Voltage: Standard 13.8 Vdc vehicle batteryCurrent: Power Reduction Mode: 70mAEnabled (Receive): 90mA (240mA w/GPS)Maximum Transmit: 1.2A (1.35A w/GPS)Transmitter Power: Class I mobileUp to 3 Watts power output from device(Higher ERP depending on antenna/cabling)CDPD device Interface: SMA RF connectorAntenna Interface: 50 ohm TNC RF connectorGPS Interface: DB-9 at RS-232 levelnon-standard pinouts.GPS Antenna Interface: SMB RF connectorEnvironmental SpecificationsOperating Temp: -30 to +70° C (restricted duty cycle)-30 to +60° C (un-restriced duty cycle)Storage Temp: -40 to +80° CHumidity: 5 - 95%, non-condensingVibration: MIL-STD-810E,I-3.4.9.GPS DB-9 Connector PinoutsPin # RS-232 AirBooster Application1 DCD 1 Pulse/sec output from GPS module2 RxD RxD (from GPS to host)3 TxD TxD (from host to GPS)4 DTR Input (reserved, DTR is accepted)
5 GND GND Signal Ground6 DSR Output (reserved)7 RTS TxD_2 (from host to GPS secondary port)8 CTS RxD_2 (from GPS secondary port to host)9 RI Output (reserved, disregard signal) Document Map Back to Product ListUse the document map to jump to a subject of interest or turn the pages toread the full manual.Page Top Next Page©1999 Sierra Wireless, Inc. All rights reserved.

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