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Originally published at Internet.comSierra Wireless' AirCards are PCMCIA and USB cards targeted to cellular network providers, who in turn offer them to their customers allowing those customers to access the data capabilities of their wireless, cellular networks. I.E., using an AirCard, a user can connect their PCMCIA or USB port equipped laptops or other devices to the Internet through the provider's cellular network service. Providers therefore, typically provide these cards as a part of their wireless Internet access service packages.
The AirCards themselves are offered in several flavors, supporting multiple networking topologies from GSM/GPRS through CDMA 1xEV-DO (and, in the newer offerings, EV-DO Rev. A) in a PCMCIA Type II Card, ExpressCard, or USB form factor. Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP are supported in the 580/775/850/860 cards; with NT additionally supported in the 775/850/860 and Windows CE/Pocket PC supported on the 775 itself. Newer cards, including the 595, 597E, and 875, list support for Windows 2000/XP and are labeled as Vista ready. 3rd party drivers and/or native OS support are available or under development for Mac OS X on all cards and for Linux on the 775.
Features common to all cards include the vendor's Watcher Software, which provides configuration and monitoring capabilities (the provider may include their own software); SMS messaging capabilities; an SDK for developers; and an optional external antenna. Additionally, the vendor notes the cards are compatible with all major instant messaging, E-mail, PIM, and VPN applications.
AirCards offered by Sierra Wireless include:
- 580: Operating in the 1900Mhz band over CDMA 1xEV-DO networks (backwards compatible to CDMA 1xRTT). Maximum downlink/uplink speeds are listed at 2.4 Mb/sec and 153 Kb/sec respectively (typical connection speeds are 400-700K down and 40-80K up). The 580 is inserted into a 32-bit CardBus slot.
- 775: A quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 Mhz) card for GSM/GPRS and EDGE networks. Maximum downlink/uplink speeds are listed at 216 Kb/sec (each) with typical connection speeds ranging from 100-130 Kb/sec. The 775 features true network interface card operation plus dial-up networking (DUN) modes.
- 850/860: Operates on HSDPA capable UMTS networks, with backwards compatibility to EDGE/GSM/GPRS networks. The 850 is primarily for use by Asian/European customers and supports the 2100 Mhz band (as well as 800/900/1800/1900); while the 860 is for use in North America with operation in the 800/850/900/1800/1900 bands. Maximum downlink/uplink speeds are listed at 1.8 Mb/sec and 384 Kb/sec respectively (typical connection speeds are 400-700K down and 300-350K up).
- 875: Also an HSDPA capable PC Card with backwards compatibility to EDGE/GSM/GPRS networks. Maximum performance is listed at 3.6 Mb/sec (down) and 384 Kb/sec (up) on HSDPA/UMTS connections, while EDGE/GPRS performance is listed at 216 Kb/sec in both directions. Tri-band HSDPA/UMTS is supported (850/1900/2100) as is quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900). The 875 is also expected to be available in a USB version (875U).
- 595/597E: Supports EV-DO Revision A networks and maximum downlink/uplink rates of 3.1 Mb/sec and 1.8 Mb/sec, respectively. The cards are expected to be backward compatible to existing EV-DO and CDMA 1x networks. The 595 is a PC Card, while the newer 597E is an ExpressCard (34). The 595 is also expected to be available in a USB version (595U).
The 595 and 875 are due in 3Q/2006; while the new 597E is expected in the first quarter of 2007. The 595U is expected in 4Q/2006 while the 875U is expected in 1Q/2007. The vendor states that HSDPA capable cards in ExpressCard form factors will be rolled out later next year; and an adapter will be available for those wishing to use an ExpressCard AirCard in a PC Card slot. All other cards are available now.
Visit the Sierra Wireless Web site for further information.Author: EITPlanet Staff
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