Broadband Services FAQ 

Aeris broadband services allow commercial applications and wireless devices to exchange messages of any length over streaming IP sessions. Aeris provides the following broadband services:

• 1xRTT OnDemand
• EV-DO OnDemand
• GPRS OnDemand
• EDGE OnDemand

Aeris Broadband Services enable M2M communications over Internet Protocol (IP) sessions.

Aeris Broadband Services are used by commercial applications and devices to communicate large amounts of data. Example uses for Aeris Broadband Services include the following:

• Download a new calibration file for an engine controller.
• Re-flash firmware within a device or piece of equipment.
• Transmit detailed diagnostic data over time, such as a memory dump for use in diagnosing equipment failure.
• Transmit frequently recurring messages, such as temperature reports every 60 seconds.

Device developers can use off-the-shelf RF modules. Aeris Broadband Services work with any certified RF module that supports CDMA or GSM.

1xRTT OnDemand and EV-DO OnDemand are available throughout the Aeris CDMA footprint. GPRS OnDemand and EDGE OnDemand are available throughout the Aeris GSM footprint.

The setup time differs depending on the IP session technology (1xRTT, GPRS, EVDO, or EDGE). Typically 5-45 seconds. Also, the setup time is shorter for an RF Module that is still registered from a previous session in the Aeris HLR database. Typically 1-15 seconds.

Messages can be of any length.

When a commercial application wants to establish an IP session with a deployed device, the application sends a session request to the Aeris switching center using a shoulder tap command. Once an IP session is set up, the commercial application and the device can exchange application-specific data over the session.

A shoulder tap command is a non-data-bearing message sent using MicroBurst or SMSDirect. In response to a shoulder tap, a device initiates an IP session with the commercial application.