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:

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

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

A24 High Gain Antenna

  • 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

rocket m5 on a tripod mount

NanoBridge - an excellent low-cost bridge solution

NanoBridge - an excellent low-cost bridge solution

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

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.


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.

AP UniFi Outdoor outside, mounted in the wall and send the wireless signal to the front building to allow the customers connect to internet (just send signal for 4/5 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 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]

Posted by George Hardesty on 5th Sep 2023

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