How To: Install the InHand IR302 cell modem

Overview

Use the guidance in this article to install and use your InHand IR302 cell modem.

Prerequisites

List any necessary prerequisites or requirements before starting: 

  • Before installing be sure to activate your data plan by following the instructions included in the box.

 

Instructions

The cellular antennas must be located on the outside of any enclosure. Even plastic enclosures can degrade or block a cellular signal.

 

 

Step 1: If the modem is ordered with a data plan, an activation instruction sheet will be included with a SIM card. Insert the SIM card into the modem as shown below, ensuring the SIM card is in the "SIM 1" position. Follow the data plan activation instructions provided to activate the data plan.

 

 

Step 2: Connect the DIN rail to either the left or right side of the modem using the included bracket and screws.

 

Step 3: Locate a suitable location to install the cell modem. If installing in a Powered Enclosure Kit (PEK), mount on the DIN rail.

Step 4: If using the PEK or other suitable enclosure, use the 2x short SMA extension cables to connect from the Cellular1 and Cellular2 connectors on the modem to create a bulkhead connector on the enclosure.

Step 5: Connect the antennas to the bulkhead connectors on the enclosure, or directly to the cell modem if not using an enclosure.

Step 6: Connect the power cord to the cellular modem.

Step 7: Connect the eGauge meter via Ethernet to a LAN port on the modem.

Troubleshooting and Tips

 

The modem has a "Signal" LED with 3 different colors to indicate the signal strength level:

  • Red: Signal strength 0-10 (Signal strength is weak, please check antenna and the signal strength of current location).
  • Yellow: Signal strength 11-20 (signal strength is adequate, and the modem can be used).
  • Green: Signal strength 21-30 (signal strong).

Other LED behavior is described below:

Power (red) Status (green) Cellular (yellow) Description
Off Off Off Powered off
On Off Off System failure
On On Off The module or SIM card is not
recognized
On On Blinking Dialing (Connection attempt is being made)
On On On Dialing Succeeded (A connection to the provider was made. This does not guarantee the SIM card data plan is active)
On Blinking On Software Upgrade in progress
On Blinking, then On Off A reset is being performed

 

 

Additional Resources

Detailed SIM card Install instructions

Step 1: Use the SIM card remover tool to eject the SIM card tray.

SIM card remover tool
image.png
Insert SIM card removal tool into SIM card ejection port

Step 2: Remove the SIM card from the SIM card holder. The SIM card has 2 outer shells that must be removed prior to inserting into the holder.

Full SIM card
image.png
SIM card with 2 outer shells removed

Step 3: Insert the SIM card (with no outer shells) into the lower (SIM 1) position of the SIM card holder tray and insert back into the IR302 modem.

Full SIM card

 

SIM with 2 outer shells removed

 

Step 4: Insert the SIM card (with no outer shells) into the lower (SIM 1) position of the SIM card holder tray and insert back into the IR302 modem. 

 

 
 

Additional Diagnostics & Troubleshooting

This section contains information and diagnostics that can be helpful in identifying poor signal or other issues. Connect a computer to a LAN port of the modem and visit http://192.168.2.1/ logging in with username adm and password 123456. If this does not work, perform a factory reset and initial configuration as described in the above sections.

Page Location Description
Tools → Ping Have the modem ping an external IP or domain.
Status → Modem Contains signal level, RSSI, SIM card number, network type and other modem-related information
Status → Network Connections Dialup (cellular) IP information from cellular provider
Status → Device List DHCP list of connected devices to the LAN ports
Status → Log Raw log from modem

Status → Modem Value Descriptions

The following values may be found in Status → Modem.

  • RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) is a measure of of the received power
  • RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) is a measure of the quality of the received signal
  • SINR (Signal to Interference and Noise Ratio) is another measure of of the quality of the received signal, taking into account the amount of valid data compared to noise or errors received

The table below describes the values for each of the points. If any values are Weak or Medium, modem connectivity may not work or may be intermittent. Conversely, cellular connectivity can be limited or nonfunctional even if all values are Good or Excellent due to issues such as congestion or high traffic on local towers or the providers network, or inter-cell interference.

Condition RSRP (dBm) RSRQ (dB) SINR (dB)
Excellent ✓✓✓ >=-80 >=-10 >=20
Good ✓✓ -80 to -90 -10 to -15 13 to 20
Medium ✓ -90 to -100 -15 to -20 0 to 13
Weak <=-100 <-20 <=0