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menuAF-11 Quick Start Guide

Package Contents

airFiber AF-11
Zip Ties (Qty. 2)
airFiber Gigabit PoE (50V, 1.2A)
Power Cord

Antenna Compatibility

The airFiber AF-11 radio is designed for use with the airFiber X antenna model AF-11G35*.

* Check your local/regional regulations for the antenna gain allowed for your application

Installation Requirements

Hardware Overview

Low-Band Duplexer

High-Band Duplexer

Chain 0 / Chain 1

When the Chain 0 or Chain 1 duplexer is installed, its N-type connector is located here, allowing connection to an RF cable (Chain 1 is covered by the removable duplexer cap).

Signal LEDs
  Signal 4 LED will light blue when on.
Signal 3 LED will light green when on.
Signal 2 LED will light yellow when on.
Signal 1 LED will light red when on.

Bootup to airOS When powering on, the Power, MIMO, LINK, and Signal 1-4 LEDs light on. Once the CPU code takes over, the MIMO, LINK, and Signal 1-3 LEDs turn off. Signal 4 LED remains lit to indicate the boot sequence is underway.

Initializing airFiber Software When the airFiber application begins to boot under airOS®, the Signal 4 LED goes from solidly on to a 2.5 Hz flash. This continues until the AF‑11FX is fully booted.

Signal Level Once fully booted, the Signal 1-4 LEDs act as a bar graph showing how close the AF‑11FX is to ideal aiming. This is auto-scaled based on the link range, the antenna gains, and the configured TX power of the remote AF‑11FX. Each Signal LED has three possible states: On, Flashing, and Off. All Signal LEDs would be solidly on in an ideal link. For example, if the link has a 1 dB loss, the Signal 4 LED will flash; a 2 dB loss and the Signal 4 LED will turn off. The full bar graph LED states are shown below.

dB loss
0 -1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6
-7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13

Link LED

Off

RF Off

Syncing

Beaconing

Registering

On

Operational

MIMO LED

Off

Radio Configured in SISO Mode

On

Radio Configured in MIMO Mode

MGMT LED

Off

No Ethernet Link

On

Ethernet Link Established

Random Flash

Ethernet Activity

Data LED

Off

No Ethernet Link

On

Ethernet Link Established

Random Flash

Ethernet Activity

Power LED

Off

No Power

On

Powered On

Management Port

10/100 Mbps, secured Ethernet port for configuration. In-Band Management is enabled by default in the airFiber Configuration Interface. When In-Band Management is disabled, the MGMT port is the only port that can monitor, configure, and/or update firmware.

Reset Button

To reset to factory defaults, press and hold the Reset button for more than 10 seconds while the device is already powered on.

Data Port

Gigabit PoE port for handling all user traffic and powering the device.

VDC IN

The terminal block can be used to power the AF-11 with +50VDC, 1.2A instead of PoE.

TX 0, RX 0

The TX and RX SMA ports for the Chain 0 Low-Band Duplexer or High-Band Duplexer (SISO and MIMO modes).

RX 1, TX 1

The RX and TX SMA ports for the Chain 1 Low-Band Duplexer or High-Band Duplexer (MIMO mode only). In SISO mode, these unused ports are protected by the duplexer cap.

N Connector

Female N-type connector into which the antenna cable is plugged.

SMA Port

High-band and low-band channel SMA ports.

Note: Duplexers are not included with the AF-11. SISO mode requires one Low-Band Duplexer or one High-Band Duplexer. MIMO mode requires either two Low-Band Duplexers or two High-Band Duplexers.

Installation Overview

We recommend that you configure your paired AF-11 radios before site installation. The overview below summarizes the installation procedure, and the subsequent sections provide detailed installation information.

Installing the Duplexers

Installing the Duplexer for SISO Mode

    3. Note: Position the low channel and high channel ports to yield the required transmit and receive frequencies.

    4. WARNING: Tighten the collars alternately, a half turn at a time, until both are fully tightened. Failure to do so may result in damage to the Duplexer.

  5. Repeat steps 1-4 for the radio to be used on the other end of the link, ensuring that the numbers on the second radio’s Duplexer are in the reverse order of the numbers on first radio’s Duplexer.

    6. Note: For example, if the numbers on the first radio’s Duplexer are (left to right) 1/3, then the numbers on the second radio’s Duplexer should be 3/1.

Installing the Duplexers for MIMO Mode

Note: MIMO operation requires two licenses, one per polarization and two Duplexers of the same band type.

    3. Note: Position the low channel and high channel ports to yield the required transmit and receive frequencies. Also, ensure that the numbers on the right-side Duplexer are in the reverse order of the numbers on the left-side Duplexer.

    4. WARNING: Tighten the collars alternately, a half turn at a time, until both are fully tightened. Failure to do so may result in damage to the Duplexer.

  6. Repeat steps 1-5 for the other radio to be used in the link, ensuring that the numbers on the second radio’s Duplexers are in the reverse order of the numbers on the first radio’s Duplexers.

Note: For example, if the numbers on the first radio’s Duplexers are (left to right) 2/4 and 4/2, the numbers on the second radio’s Duplexers should be 4/2 and 2/4.

Connecting Power over Ethernet

WARNING: Use only the included adapter, model POE-50-60W. Failure to do so can damage the unit and void the product warranty.

airFiber Configuration

Access the airFiber Configuration Interface and configure the following settings:

Repeat the instructions in the airFiber Configuration section on the other AF-11 radio.

For details on the airFiber Configuration Interface, refer to the airFiber AF-11FX User Guide, available at: ui.com/download/airfiber

Hardware Installation

Install a Ground Wire

  3. At the installation site, secure the other end of the ground wire to a grounded mast, pole, tower, or grounding bar.

    4. WARNING: Failure to properly ground your airFiber radio will void your warranty.

    Note: The ground wire should be as short as possible and no longer than one meter in length.

Mount to the airFiber AF-11G35 Antenna

  1. Attach an RF Cable to an RF connector labeled H or V. Then slide the silicone boot over the RF connector to protect it.

    Note: For SISO mode, use the RF connector (H or V) as determined by your licensing. Keep the other RF connector covered with the included Metal Cap.

    If using MIMO mode, remove the cap over the second RF connector (V or H) and attach an RF Cable. Then slide the silicone boot over the RF connector to protect it.

  4.  

    		5.

    Note: Align the dot on the side of the shroud with the arrowhead on the dish antenna.

Connecting Data

  3. If you are using DC power, connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your LAN.

Connecting Power

Follow the instructions for the source of power that you are using: Power over Ethernet or DC Power.

Power Over Ethernet

WARNING: Use only the included adapter, model POE-50-60W. Failure to do so can damage the unit and void the product warranty.

DC Power

  1. Connect a DC power cable to the Terminal Block. (The +VDC and GND can be connected to either terminal.)

  2. Connect the other end of the DC power cable to a DC power supply that supplies +50VDC.

    3. WARNING: Applying a negative voltage such as -48VDC will damage the radio.

  3. Connect the DC power supply to its source.

Surge Protection

For added protection, install two surge suppressors, such as the Ubiquiti Ethernet Surge Protector, model ETH-SP-G2, at the end of each link. Install the first surge protector within one meter of the airFiber DATA port, and install the second surge protector at the ingress point of the location housing the wired network equipment.

Alignment

Tips

Establishing a Link

Adjust the positions of the Master and the Slave to establish a link. The following section features the airFiber X antenna, AF-11G35:

Note: The Master must be aimed first at the Slave because the Slave does not transmit any RF signal until it detects transmissions from the Master.

  1. Master Visually aim the Master at the Slave. To adjust the Master’s position, adjust the azimuth and the elevation.

    Adjust the azimuth:

    1. Loosen the four flange nuts on the two pole clamps.
    2. Rotate the antenna to point towards the other end of the link.
    3. Tighten the four flange nuts on the two pole clamps.

    Adjust the elevation angle:

    1. Loosen the eight hex head bolts to so that the washers can spin freely by hand.
    2. Tighten or loosen the Elevation Adjustment Bolt to set the desired tilt.
    3. Tighten the eight hex head bolts.

    		2.

    Note: Do NOT make simultaneous adjustments on the Masterand Slave.
  2. Slave Visually aim the Slave at the Master. To adjust the Slave’s position, adjust the azimuth and elevation as described in step 1.
  3. Check to see if a link is established. Ensure that the LINK LED is solidly lit green and the Signal LEDs of the Slave are displaying signal levels.

  4. Slave Aim the Slave at the Master to achieve the strongest signal level on the Master.

    5. Note: Refer to the Signal LEDs section for details on the signal values.

    Note: Maximum signal strength can best be achieved by iteratively sweeping through both azimuth and elevation.

  5. Master Aim the Master at the Slave to achieve the strongest signal level on the Slave.
  6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you achieve an optimal link, with all four Signal LEDs solidly lit. This ensures the best possible data rate between the airFiber radios.
  7. Lock the alignment on both airFiber antennas by tightening all the nuts and bolts.
  8. Observe the Signal LEDs of each airFiber radio to ensure that the values remain constant while tightening the nuts and bolts. If any LED value changes during the locking process, loosen the nuts and bolts, finalize the alignment of each airFiber antenna again, and retighten the nuts and bolts.

For detailed information on setting up an airFiber link, see the airFiber AF-11FX User Guide available at: ui.com/download/airfiber

Installer Compliance Responsibility

Devices must be professionally installed and it is the professional installer’s responsibility to make sure the device is operated within local country regulatory requirements.

The Output Power, Antenna Gain, Cable Loss*, TX Frequency and RX Frequency fields are provided to the professional installer to assist in meeting regulatory requirements.

* Cable Loss includes loss due to the Duplexer(s).

Specifications

airFiber AF-11

Dimensions

327 x 112 x 86 mm (12.87 x 4.41 x 3.39")

Weight

2.26 kg (5.0 lb)

RF Connectors

(4) SMA Weatherproof, Two per Chain:
TX 0, RX 0 (Chain 0) and TX 1, RX 1 (Chain 1)
(2) N-Type Waterproof, One per Duplexer

Power Supply

50V, 1.2A PoE Gigabit Adapter (Included)

Power Method

Passive Power over Ethernet, DC Power Block

Supported Voltage Range

38-56VDC

Certifications

FCC Part 101, ETSI EN 302 217

Mounting

AF-11G35 Mount Compatible

Operating Temperature

-40 to 55° C (-40 to 131° F)

Networking Interface
Data(1) 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port
Management(1) 10/100 Ethernet Port

System

Processor

INVICTUS™ 2 IC

Maximum Throughput

1.2+ Gbps

Encryption

128-bit AES

OS

airOS F

Wireless Modes

SISO/MIMO

Radio

Operating Frequency

10.7-11.7 GHz
(Depends on Regulatory Region1)

Max. Conducted TX Power

30 dBm
(Depends on Regulatory Region1)

Frequency Accuracy

± 1 ppm

Channel Bandwidth

3.5/5/7/10/14/20/​28/30/40/50/56 MHz Selectable2

Programmable Uplink and Downlink Duty Cycles

1 For region-specific details, refer to the Compliance chapter
of the airFiber AF-11FX User Guide at ui.com/download/airfiber

2 Channel widths may vary according to country/region regulations.

Declaration of Conformity

© Ubiquiti Inc. All rights reserved.