Point to Multi-Point Wireless Links

WiFi Bridges: Point-to-Point & Point-to-Multipoint Links

WIFi Bridges are used for point-to-point links and point to multipoint links.

Long-distance point to point links: Ubiquiti offers several types of bridges that are excellent options:

• The NanoBridge series is the best equipment for point-to-point links: One NanoBridge on each end of the link.
• For very long-distance links (over 7 miles): Use a Ubiquiti RocketM5 with a RocketDish on each side of the link:
• Use the 30dBi RocketDish (2-FT diameter) for less than 20 miles.
• For more than 20 miles, use the RocketDish 34dBi, which is 3-FT in diameter.

Point-to-point bridges: Antenna-type used in a is parabolic-type antenna

• Parabolics are also known as "dish" or "grid" antennas. Grid or dish antennas are far better than Yagi for point to point.
• Ubiquiti bridges have a parabolic antenna integrated as part of the bridge

Point-to-multipoint bridges: Antenna-type used is typically sectoral or panel antenna, but yagi antennas can be used.

• For long point-to-point to multipoint links to end-users (such as a marina): RocketM2 with a large 2.4GHz sectoral antenna
• For long point-to-multi-point links to locations such as a building: Use Ubiquiti RocketM5 with a large 5GHz sectoral antenna
• Point-to-multipoint bridge using Ubiquiti NanoSation M5 (5GHz) passing signal through 3 or 4 walls in an apartment building with NanoStation M5 on each end.

WiFi Frequency Ranges: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 900MHz: Uses, advantages & disadvantages of each frequency band

Mounts for Bridges

If you are not an expert, and you are experimenting with trying to make a very long-distance link: Try this:

• Use signal booster with a high-gain antenna on one end: See example network diagram. Test and if it's not enough signal-strength; put a high-gain antenna on both ends.
• If it's not enough signal-strength: Put a high-gain grid antenna (such as the A24 Grid Antenna above-left) on both ends.

rocket m5 on a tripod mount

NanoBridge - an excellent low-cost bridge solution

right: snaps in backside of dish / left: snaps in backside of Ubiquiti antenna

RBSXTLite5: 12 mile links - 15KM. MikroTik Point to Multipoint

We have a customer that is using RBSXTLite5 for Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and he regularly makes links of 15KM from the base station to the RBSXTLite5: He has about 15 examples of such long-range point to multipoint links already.

• RB/SXT Lite5 is a MikroTik CPE 5GHzwith an integrated 16dBi Dual Polarity Antenna.
• On the Base Station side, he uses the PSECTOR antenna.

Optimizing Throughput on Point-to-Point Links w/Ubiquiti gear

Example of attempting to obtain 50Mbps throughput on point-to-point links:

• The actual throughput bit-rate is about half of the bitrate shown in Ubiquiti AirControl
• If the radio signal strength is showing very good (i.e., -64 dbm) but the throughput is much lower than your expectation, then the problem is interference.
• CCQ is the best benchmark for interference:
  • 98 - 100 CCQ is very good.
  • 50 - 70 CCQ is bad and indicates a lot of re-transmissions
  • 71 to 97 is between good and bad
  • Falling CCQ is indication of increasing interference in an area.
  • CCQ is not the percentage of packets that are passing successfully to the other side of the link, but there is correlation between a high CCQ and the percentage of packets that are passing through the link.
• Ubiquiti POE switches have default throughput set at 10MBps: Of course, this would be the limitation if you are using a Ubiquiti POE switch and have not changed this setting to 100Mbps.

Another Potential Solution: Wide Channel: Bond two channels with 20Mbps each, to make one Wide Channel with 40Mbps

• Wide Channel is not a configuration option in AirControl
• Wide Channel is more susceptible to interference

-64 dbm signal strength is the most optimum in any link

NanoStationM5 signal passes through walls | UAPOUTDOOR 2GHz: Point to Multi-Point

Where the pink line is: The past configuration was: There were two Ubiquiti NanoStation m5's attached as a bridge, and they passed through the building (3 or 4 walls in the middle and one/two apartments) without any problem: Our customer said "really awesome performance." The distance of the pink line is 80 meters = 262 ft +/- The new configuration will be to use UAPOUTDOOR where the red-dot is to simply serve as a hotspot for the apartments.

Use a UniFi Outdoor AP in the red circle to send signal for the apartments on the yellow line (buildings, its only for 4 apartments), the distance is about 40-50 meters. [dib_prod_809]