Sierra Wireless AirCard 580 - Manual (Page 29)

Watcher™ Basics
v2 Apr.04 21
Indicator area and icons
Depending on the AirCard 580’s operating status, various
icons are displayed in the Indicator Area.
Table 4-2: Indicator Area Icons
Icon Meaning
The Signal Strength icon displays when Watcher is turned on. The bars indicate the
strength of the radio signal. Four bars signify that the signal strength is at its
maximum peak. The strength will change depending on where you are.
This displays when no signal is available or when the AirCard 580 is powered off. The
antenna symbol is red and the bars are dimmed. When this occurs, no connection is
possible for one of the following reasons:
• No antenna is attached
• You are outside the CDMA network coverage area
• The signal strength is too weak
• A network or account problem is preventing the AirCard 580 from obtaining
service
The Service Indicator icons display which network service is currently available at
your location (3G - 1xEV-DO and 1xRTT or 2G)
1xEV-DO service is the default connection. This icon displays “3G 1x EVDO” and
communicates that the 1xEV-DO network is available. Watcher defaults to the best
available network connection once connected. (For example: if all three connection
types are available, Watcher selects the 1xEV-DO connection first, by default,
because it is the premier service).
The “3G 1xRTT” icon signifies that because the 1xEV-DO network is currently
unavailable, Watcher establishes a session with the next best network connection
available (1xRTT).
The “2G” icon signifies that only the 2G network is available. The “3G 1xEVDO” icon
becomes dimmed and 3G changes to read 2G.
The icon is “off” (dimmed) when no service is available.