User Guide Minstrel 540TM User Guide GU-01016914 Version 1
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice and should not be construed as a commitment by Novatel Wireless, Inc. unless such commitment is expressly given in a covering document. The information herein is the exclusive property of Novatel Wireless Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic storage, reproduction, execution, or transmission without the prior written consent of Novatel Wireless, Inc.
Welcome.................................................................................................................................4 Getting Started....................................................................................................................... 5 Requirements ............................................................................................................. 6 Overview of the Minstrel 540 Modem .........................................................................
Welcome Welcome to the Minstrel 540 User Guide.
Getting Started Minstrel 540TM User Guide GU-01016914 Version 1
Requirements The following is required to set up and use your Minstrel 540 for sending and receiving data across the Internet: • An HP Jornada 540-series Pocket PC • Microsoft® ActiveSync® software to allow you to communicate between your desktop PC and the Jornada • Modem application software for the Jornada (included with your Minstrel) • An account with a Wireless IP service provider in your area • Application software for your Jornada such as an email client and web browser Wireless IP serv
Overview of the Minstrel 540 Modem The Minstrel 540 Wireless IP modem has many important features, including three status indicator LEDs, a latch for attaching the unit to the Jornada, and a DC jack for powering the unit and charging the battery using the supplied AC adapter. Information on the LEDs is provided in the section following. For more information on the latch and the DC jack, refer to sections Attaching the Minstrel to the Jornada and Charging the Battery, respectively.
Status Indicator LEDs The Minstrel 540 has three LED indicators that allow you to easily determine the status of various modem parameters. Service LED The LED labeled with the icon below indicates the status of the connection to the Wireless IP network. The table below explains the various states of this LED. Color State Meaning Green Solid The Minstrel is registered to the Wireless IP network and, therefore, data can be sent and received across the Internet.
Data/Message Waiting LED The LED labeled with the icon shown below is used to indicate the transfer of data and provide notification of waiting messages. The table below shows the various states of this LED and their meanings. Color State Meaning Green Flashing The Minstrel is sending or receiving data. Red Flashing The Minstrel has received a push message notification. Push messaging must be enabled for this to occur.
Battery LED The LED labeled with the icon below indicates the state of the Minstrel’s internal battery. The table below describes the various states of this LED. Color State Meaning Green Flashing The Minstrel’s battery is being charged. The Minstrel is being powered by the AC adapter. Green Solid The Minstrel’s battery is fully charged and the AC adapter is still plugged in and, therefore, powering the unit. Red Flashing The Minstrel’s battery is low and requires charging.
Overview of the Minstrel 540 Software In order for you to configure and operate your wireless modem, the software described below is provided on the CD-ROM included with your Minstrel 540. This software can be installed on your Jornada following the instructions provided in the section Installing the Software. Configuration Wizard The Configuration Wizard utility is designed to guide you step-by-step through the setup of your Minstrel 540.
Charging the Battery The Minstrel 540 contains a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery. This battery is shipped only partially charged, so it is necessary to charge the battery to its full capacity before using the unit. To charge the battery, plug the supplied AC adapter into an outlet and insert the barrel connector at the end of the adapter cord into the DC jack. The DC jack is found at the bottom of the right side of the Minstrel.
Installing the Software To install the application software required to configure and use your Minstrel 540, first establish a connection between the Jornada and your desktop computer using the cradle or sync cable and the Microsoft® ActiveSync® software included with the Jornada. For information on how to connect your Jornada to your desktop computer, refer to the documentation provided with your Jornada.
Attaching the Minstrel to the Jornada The Minstrel 540 attaches to the HP Jornada to create a single, integrated unit using a system consisting of a footmount and a latch mechanism. The footmount is installed on the Jornada and the Minstrel latches to this footmount to secure the unit in place. In order to configure and use your wireless modem, attach the Minstrel to the Jornada as described below.
The steps provided on the previous page will only need to be completed once, as the footmount is designed to stay permanently attached to the Jornada. Once the footmount is installed, the Jornada can be inserted into and removed from the Minstrel quite easily. Inserting the Jornada To insert the Jornada into the wireless modem cradle, position the devices so that the back of the Jornada lies flat against the front of the Minstrel.
Removing the Jornada To remove the Jornada from the wireless modem, depress the two buttons on the sides of the Minstrel and slide the Jornada in an upwards direction. The footmount is designed to stay permanently attached to the Jornada unit. There is no need to remove the footmount when the Jornada is not inserted into the Minstrel.
Configuring the Minstrel In order to connect to the Internet, the Minstrel 540 must first be configured with the necessary parameters to be able to register to the Wireless IP network. The Configuration Wizard utility guides you through this configuration. To configure the Minstrel, first connect the Minstrel to the Jornada as explained in Attaching the Minstrel to the Jornada. Then, start the Configuration Wizard utility.
Once Modem Manager starts, a window will appear stating that the modem requires configuration and asking if you wish to run Configuration Wizard. Tap Yes. NOTE: If your modem has been configured previously, this prompt will not appear. Select Configuration Wizard from the Modem menu to start the Configuration Wizard utility in this case.
The Configuration Wizard will launch, displaying the Welcome screen. To configure the modem, complete the steps provided on each of the screens that follow, tapping the Next > and < Back buttons to move between screens. Once the modem has been configured successfully, the Successful! screen will appear. Tap Finish to close the Configuration Wizard and return to the Modem Manager.
For more information on Configuration Wizard and the configuration process, refer to the Minstrel 540 Help file included with the Configuration Wizard software on your HP Jornada. The section entitled Using the Minstrel 540 Help contains information on how to access this file.
Connecting to the Internet In order to send and receive data across the Internet, the Minstrel register to the Wireless IP network. To connect to the network once configuration has been completed, start the Modem Manager program. When Modem Manager launches, the modem will automatically attempt to register. To start Modem Manager, select Programs from the Start menu and then tap the Modem Manager icon.
The Modem Manager will launch, displaying status information about the Minstrel and its connection to the Wireless IP network in the Status tab. When all three check boxes at the top of the Status tab are checked, the modem is registered and ready to send and receive data. You can now start any third-party applications you have installed to send and receive email and download web pages.
Working with the Minstrel 540 Minstrel 540TM User Guide GU-01016914 Version 1
Managing the Network Connection In order to send and receive data across the Internet, the modem must be connected, or registered, to the Wireless IP network. The Modem Manager software allows you to control this connection in the following ways: • • • establishing the network connection disconnecting from the network closing the PPP session Connecting to the Network To establish a connection to the Wireless IP network, start the Modem Manager program.
The Modem Manager will launch, displaying status information about the Minstrel and its connection to the Wireless IP network in the Status tab. When all three check boxes at the top of the Status tab are checked, the modem is registered and ready to send and receive data.
Disconnecting from the Network To disconnect, or de-register, from the Wireless IP network and power off the modem, select Shutdown from the Modem menu of the Modem Manager software. The Modem Manager software will exit as the modem de-registers.
Closing the PPP Session To close the active PPP session but remain registered to the Wireless IP network, tap the Menu icon and select Disconnect from the Minstrel menu. The Modem Manager software will exit as soon the PPP session closes. Closing the PPP session means that the modem cannot send and receive data across the Internet. However, because the modem is registered, it can still communicate with the Wireless IP network, including receiving push message notifications.
Using the Minstrel 540 Help For easy reference, the Minstrel 540 Help file is included with the Modem Manager software.
Accessing the Help File To access the Minstrel 540 Help, select Help from the Start menu. If the Modem Manager or Configuration Wizard applications are active, the Help system will automatically open to the section specific to the screen you are working with at the time. Otherwise, select All Installed Help from the View menu once the Help system is active. Then, select Minstrel 540 by Novatel Wireless from the list displayed.
Using the HP Jornada Software The HP Jornada comes with a variety of applications that can be used with the Minstrel 540. Due to the fact these applications are constantly being upgraded, please download the most recent version of any third-party software from the software vendors’ web sites. Having the most recent version will ensure that the applications work effectively with the Minstrel.
Microsoft® Pocket Outlook To use the Inbox portion of Microsoft® Pocket Outlook for sending and receiving email with your wireless modem, you must first set up the application to use the Minstrel 540 for the remote connection to your mail server. To do this, select Minstrel from the Connection: drop-down list on page (1/4) when setting up the new service. For information on setting up new services, consult the Help file included with the Inbox program or the documentation provided with the HP Jornada.
Glossary Minstrel 540TM User Guide GU-01016914 Version 1
Glossary A-Pp auto power-off Auto power-off is a feature of the Minstrel 540 that, when enabled, will cause the modem to de-register and power off whenever the active PPP session is closed. CDPD CDPD, or Cellular Digital Packet Data, is a Wireless IP technology developed for use on cellular phone frequencies. CDPD uses unused cellular channels to transmit data in packets. To send and receive data across the Internet, the Minstrel 540 must first register to the CDPD network.
Glossary Pr-Si primary DNS address As with personal computers that access the Internet, modems using CDPD technology must also have access to a Domain Name Server (DNS). The DNS translates Universal Resource Locators (URLs) such as World Wide Web addresses or domain names into IP addresses and is shared by multiple devices. In order to get the translated IP addresses, the modem will try to connect to the primary DNS.
Glossary Sl-Z sleep mode The Minstrel 540 can be configured to automatically enter sleep mode when the modem is not actively transmitting or receiving data. In this mode, the modem will consume very little power, thus extending the host device's battery life. SPI The SPI is an identifier for a Wireless IP service provider and is called the Service Provider Identifier. This number is used globally for each specific service provider.
