MultiModem® GPRS USB Wireless Modem MTCBA-G-U-F4 User Guide
MultiModem® GPRS USB Wireless Modem User Guide Model MTCBA-G-U-F4 S000444C, Revision C Copyright This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior expressed written permission from MultiTech Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright © 2008 by Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc. makes no representation or warranties with respect to the contents hereof and specifically disclaims any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.
Table of Contents Contents Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications ................................................................................................ 4 Product Description ..............................................................................................................................................4 Features .................................................................................................................................................................
Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications Product Description The Multi-Tech MultiModem GPRS is an external data/fax/voice wireless modem with a USB interface. It supports mobile originated short message service (SMS) and mobile-terminated SMS. Designed for global use, it offers standards-based quad-band GSM/GPRS Class 10 performance.
Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications Safety General Safety The modem is designed for and intended to be used in fixed and mobile applications. “Fixed” means that the device is physically secured at one location and is not able to be easily moved to another location. “Mobile” means that the device is designed to be used in other than fixed locations.
Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications Package Contents Unbundled Package Modem with No Accessories 1 modem 1 mounting bracket 1 Quick Start Guide 1 MultiModem CD Note: You must supply a USB cable, bracket screws, and an antenna. Bundled Package Modem with Accessories 1 modem 1 mounting bracket 1 USB cable 1 antenna 4 rubber feet 1 Quick Start Guide 1 MultiModem CD Note: You must supply bracket screws.
Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications General Specifications General Specifications 4.3" L x 2.4" W x 0.94" H; 4.2 oz. (11 cm x 6.1 cm x 2.
Chapter 1 – Product Description and Specifications Antenna Specifications GSM/EGSM Antenna Requirements/Specifications Frequency Range: Impedance: VSWR: Typical Radiated Gain: Radiation: Polarization: Wave: 824 – 960 MHz / 1710 – 1990 MHz 50 Ohms <2.0:1 3 dBi on azimuth plane Omni Vertical Half Wave Dipole Antennas Available from Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation Activate Your Wireless Account Please see the wireless account Activation Notices located on the MultiModem CD. Choose the one for your wireless network provider and follow the directions to activate your account. Phone Numbers for the Wireless Modem Every wireless modem will have its own unique phone number. The phone number may simply be given to you by your wireless service provider or it may be on the SIM card or both.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation Attach the Modem to a Flat Surface This is an optional step. To mount the Wireless MultiModem, do the following: 1. Obtain mounting screws (two are needed) that are appropriate for the surface on which you will mount the MultiModem. For example, one might use two 6-32 self-tapping screws 5/8” in length to mount the unit in a truck to the wall of the cab behind the passenger’s seat. 2.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation Install the Modem Driver Introduction Compatibility: This wireless MultiModem is compatible with Windows Operating Systems Vista/XP/2003/2000 and Linux. Windows Drivers: The wireless MultiModem USB driver must be installed in your computer’s program directory. The Windows USB drivers are located on the MultiModem CD in the Drivers I Windows Drivers folder.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 5. The next screen prompts you to insert the disc that came with your MultiModem. If you have the disc that came with your device, insert it now. Select I don’t have the disc. Show me other options. 6. 12 Choose Browse my computer for driver software (advanced). Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 6. 7. At the Browse for driver software on your computer screen, click the Browse button. Browse to the Drivers folder on your MultiModem CD, then select the Windows_Drivers folder and then the Vista32 folder. If you were installing drivers on a Vista 64-bit Operating System, you would browse to the Vista64 folder. Click Next. 8. Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software screen appears. Select Install this driver software anyway.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 9. Installing driver software… screen appears. 10. When the software for this device has been successfully installed screen appears with Windows has finished installing the driver software for this device: GSM Device. Click Close. 14 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation Installation of the Modem 11. The Found New Hardware – MultiTech GSM Modem screen appears. If you have the disc that came with your device, insert it now. Click on I don’t have the disc. Show me other options. Click Next. 12. Choose Browse my computer for driver software (advanced). 13. Windows can’t verify the publisher of this driver software screen appears. Select Install this driver software anyway. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 14. Installing driver software progress screen appears. 15. The software for this device has been successfully installed screen appears. Windows has finished installing the driver software for this device: Multi-Tech Systems USB GSM_GPRS Wireless Modem Click Close. The installation of drivers is now complete. 16 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation Installing the Modem Driver in Windows Server 2008, XP, 2003 This installation assumes a Windows Server 2008, XP or Windows 2003 operating system. Installing the Serial Port 1. Connect the USB cable between the MultiModem and the PC. 2. Insert the MultiModem CD into your CD-ROM drive. The CD uses the Autorun feature, and after a brief delay, the MultiModem Setup – Welcome screen appears. Close the Welcome screen.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 4. The next screen is the Please choose your search and installation options. Ensure that only Include this location in the search is selected. Click the Browse button Click the Browse button 5. Browse to the Drivers folder on your MultiModem CD, then select the Windows_Drivers folder and then the XP32 folder. If you are installing drivers on an XP 64-bit Operating System, you would browse to the XP64 folder. Click Next. 18 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 6. Please wait while the wizard searches for the GSM Modem. This screen only appears briefly. 7. Please Select the best match for your hardware for the list below. Click Next. 8. A Windows Logo Testing screen appears. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 9. At the Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard – GSM Device screen. Click Finish. Installation of the USB driver is now complete. Installing the Modem Driver 1. If the Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard screen asking – Can Windows connect to Windows update to search for software? appears again. Select No, not this time and then click Next. 20 Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 2. The Found New Hardware Wizard screen appears for the MultiTech GSM Modem. 3. 4. Click on Install from a list or specific location (Advanced). Then click Next. The Please choose your search and installation options screen appears. Select Include this location in the search is selected. Click the Browse button. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 5. 22 If necessary, Browse to the Drivers folder on your MultiModem CD, then select the Windows_Drivers folder and then the XP32 folder. If you are installing drivers on an XP 64-bit Operating System, you would browse to the XP64 folder. 6. Click Next. Please wait while the wizard searches for the GSM Modem. 7. Please select the best match for your hardware from the list below. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 2 – Activation and Installation 8. The final Windows Logo Testing screen may appear depending on operating system settings. This screen pertains to the creation of a modem entity in the operating system that accommodates the wireless USB MultiModem. Click Continue Anyway. 9. The Completing the Found New Hardware Wizard screen appears. Click Finish. With the modem .inf file successfully installed, the entire software installation procedure for the MultiModem is complete. Multi-Tech Systems, Inc.
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem Changing the GPRS Band All MultiModem GPRS-F4 wireless modems support quad band (850/1900/900/1800 MHz). In reality, they operate like dual, dual-band modems. In other words, they can be configured for 850/1900 or 900/1800 MHz; they do not auto-seek the local area frequency. Build Options The GPRS-F4 wireless modems can be ordered with a default band of 850/1900 MHz or 900/1800 MHz.
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem Verifying Signal Strength Using HyperTerminal, type AT+CSQ The modem responds with the received signal strength (rssi). The modem responds with the received signal strength (rssi) and the channel bit error rate (ber). RSSI ranges from 0 to 31. Signal Strength Verification – RSSI 21 – 31 Exceptional 11 - 20 Average 0 - 10 Weak or Insufficient 99 No signal BER ranges from 0 to 7 (Seven is the highest error rate).
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem Establishing a Circuit-Switched Data (CSD) Connection A Circuit-Switched Data Connection (CDC) makes the wireless modem work similar to a regular analog modem. You must have CSD service in order to make a CSD call. Note that your wireless provider charges airtime usage for these connections. Note: Your cellular provider charges airtime usage for these connections.
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem View a List of Stored Messages. Type AT+CMGL=x For x, substitute one of the following: "REC UNREAD" Shows received unread messages. "REC READ" Shows received read messages. "STO UNSENT" Shows stored unsent messages. "STO SENT" Shows stored sent messages. "ALL" Shows messages. The modem will respond AT+CMGL: 1,"REC UNREAD","8585551212",1... The modem will continue until all UNREAD messages, numbers, and index number are listed. Read a Stored Message.
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem +CMTI: "SM",1 (indication that message was received and stored to SIM location 1) at+cmgr=1 (read message stored in location 1) +CMGR: "REC UNREAD","+17632273726",,"06/03/17,13:55:22+00" TEST1 OK at+cmgd=1 (delete message that is stored in location 1) OK Receive Example 2: Receive SMS message in text mode by directly routing the received message to the TE through the serial port using Phase 2: at+cmgf=1 (set to text mode) OK at+csms=0 (set to Phase 2) +CSMS: 1,1,1 OK a
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem Internet Access Internet access can be setup in Windows Dial-Up Networking (DUN) of the computer that the wireless modem is serving. Setup procedures will vary according to the type of wireless service provider used. To access Dial-Up Networking on your PC, go to Start > Settings > Network Connections. • For GSM-without-GPRS, a circuit-switched data connection is used. The user can set up DUN to make a conventional V.
Chapter 3 – Using Your Wireless Modem Create Your Dial-Up Connection in Windows Vista, XP, 2003, and 2000 1. Click on Start and then click on Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel, double-click on Network Connections. 3. On the Network Connections screen on the left-hand side under Network Tasks, click on Create a new connection. 4. The New Connection Wizard should appear. It will walk you through setting up your Internet connection. Click on Next > to begin. 5.
Chapter 4 – Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions Chapter 4 – Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions Troubleshooting Examples Before calling the Multi-Tech Technical Support, check to the following connections: • The right antenna is connected to the modem • The serial cable connection is correct • The power is connected correctly and the power lights on the modem are on • Verify your signal strength • Verify your network registration • Use the following situation examples to troubleshoot
Chapter 4 – Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions Which providers can I use? • Two major providers are T-Mobile and AT&T. Does this modem support High-Speed Circuit-Switched Data (HSCSD)? • No, our GSM/GPRS modems do not support HSCSD. The modem is answering, but seems to not be doing anything? • The modem is answering in voice mode. • If you are trying to make a data call, make sure the account has CSD service.
Chapter 4 – Troubleshooting and Frequently Asked Questions After changing the +CNMI, +CSCA, or +CSMP command values, the modem doesn’t store them. • When changing these command values, you must use the +CSAS command to store the changes. How do I send an SMS message to an email account? • When sending an SMS message to an email account, you must use a designated routing number that will tell the SMS server to route your message to an email account.
Appendix A – WEEE Statement Appendix A - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Statement July, 2005 The WEEE directive places an obligation on EU-based manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers to takeback electronics products at the end of their useful life. A sister Directive, ROHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) complements the WEEE Directive by banning the presence of specific hazardous substances in the products at the design phase.
