Package Contents

Hardware Overview

Alignment Bracket
Elevation Adjustment
Azimuth Adjustment
Ground Bonding Point
Lock Bolts
Port Cover
Cover Lock

LEDs, Ports, and Display

Speed LED (Data Port)
Off	10/100 Mbps
On	1000 Mbps
Link/Activity LED (Data Port)
Off	No Ethernet Link
On	Ethernet Link Established
Random Flashing	Ethernet Activity
GPS LED (Auxiliary Port)
Off	No GPS Synchronization
On	Operational (Strong Signal)
Normal Flash*	Operational (Weak Signal)
Modulation LED (Auxiliary Port)
Off	¼x or 1x (QPSK SISO)
Short Flash*	2x (QPSK MIMO)
Normal Flash*	4x (16QAM MIMO)
Long Flash*	6x (64QAM MIMO)
Master/Slave LED
Off	Slave Mode
On	Master Mode
RF Link Status LED
Off	RF Off
Short Flash*	Syncing
Normal Flash*	Beaconing
Long Flash*	Registering
On	Operational
Speed LED (Configuration Port)
Off	10 Mbps
On	100 Mbps
Link/Activity LED (Configuration Port)
Off	No Ethernet Link
On	Ethernet Link Established
Random Flashing	Ethernet Activity
Reset Button
To reset to factory defaults, press and hold the Reset button for more than five seconds while the unit is powered on.
Data Port
10/100/1000 Mbps port handles all user traffic.
Auxiliary Port
Port for audio tone aiming.
LED Display
Digital display used for power, status, and mode information. RX Power (-dBm) Number Decodable RX Signal Flashing Number Undecodable RX Signal Overload Condition
Configuration Port
10/100 Mbps, secured port for configuration. By default, this is the only port that can monitor, configure, and/or update firmware.

* Short Flash (1:3 on/off cycle)
Normal Flash (1:1 on/off cycle)
Long Flash (3:1 on/off cycle)

Installation Requirements

• 17 mm wrench
• 13 mm socket wrench or driver
• Clear line of sight between airFiber radios
• Clear view of the sky for proper GPS operation
• Mounting location with < 0.5° displacement due to twist and sway under wind loading
• Mounting point:
  • At least 1 meter below the highest point on the structure
  • For tower installations, at least 3 meters below the top of the tower
• Ground wires – min. 8 AWG (10 mm2) and max. length: 1 meter. As a safety precaution, ground the airFiber radios to grounded masts, poles, towers, or grounding bars.

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

• (Recommended) 2 Outdoor GigE PoE surge protectors

	Note: For guidelines about grounding and lightning protection, follow your local electrical regulatory codes.

• Outdoor, shielded Category 5e (or above) cabling and shielded RJ-45 connectors should be used for all wired Ethernet connections. Category 6 is required for installations with long cable runs (up to 100 m).

  We recommend that you protect your networks from harmful outdoor environments and destructive ESD events with industrial-grade, shielded Ethernet cable from Ubiquiti. For more details, visit ui.com/toughcable

Connecting Power over Ethernet

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4. 

airFiber Configuration

The instructions in this section explain how to access the airFiber Configuration Interface and configure the following settings:

• Wireless Mode Configure one airFiber AF-24 as the Master and the other as the Slave.
• Duplex The airFiber AF-24 supports both half-duplex and full-duplex operation. Half-duplex operation provides more frequency planning options at the cost of higher latency and throughput. Full-duplex operation provides the highest throughput and lowest latency; however, you have fewer frequency management options.
  • Half Duplex (default) The TX and RX Frequencies can be the same or different to suit local interference.



Half-Duplex Diagram

• Full Duplex The TX and RX Frequencies should be different.



Full-Duplex Diagram

• TX and RX Frequencies The TX Frequency on the Master must match the RX Frequency on the Slave, and vice versa.

1. Connect an Ethernet cable from your computer to the Config port on the airFiber AF-24.

   

2. Configure the Ethernet adapter on your computer with a static IP address on the 192.168.1.x subnet (for example, 192.168.1.100).
3. Launch your web browser. Type http://192.168.1.20 in the address field and press enter (PC) or return (Mac).

   

4. Enter ubnt in the Username and Password fields. Select your Country and Language. You must agree to the Terms of Use to use the product. Click Login.

   	Note: U.S. product versions are locked to the U.S. Country Code to ensure compliance with FCC regulations.

5. Click the Wireless tab.
6. Enter the Basic Wireless Settings:
   1. For one airFiber AF-24, select Master from the Wireless Mode drop-down. For the other airFiber AF-24, keep the default, Slave.
   2. Enter a name in the Link Name field. This should be the same on both the Master and the Slave.
   3. For the Duplex drop-down:
      • Half Duplex The default mode. The TX and RX Frequencies can be the same or different to suit local interference.
      • Full Duplex The TX and RX Frequencies should be different.
   4. Select a TX Frequency. This must match the RX Frequency of your other airFiber AF-24.
   5. Select a RX Frequency. This must match the TX Frequency of your other airFiber AF-24.
   6. If needed, change the Output Power, Maximum Modulation Rate, and/or RX Gain settings.
7. Configure the Wireless Security:
   1. Select the AES Key Type, HEX or ASCII.
   2. For the Key field:
      • HEX Enter 16 bytes (eight, 16-bit HEX values: 0-9, A-F, or a-f). You can omit zeroes and use colons, similar to the
        IPv6 format.

        	Note: The airFiber Configuration Interface supports IPv6 formats excluding dotted quad and "::" (double-colon) notation.

      • ASCII Enter a combination of alphanumeric characters (0-9, A-Z, or a-z).
8. Click Change and then click Apply.
9. In-Band Management is enabled by default, so each airFiber radio must have a unique IP Address. (If the airFiber radios use the same IP Address, then you may lose access to the airFiber radios via the Data ports.) To change the network settings:
   1. Click the Network tab.
   2. Change the IP Address, Netmask, and other settings to make them compatible with your network.
   3. Click Change and then click Apply.

Repeat the instructions in the airFiber Configuration section on your other airFiber radio. After you have configured the airFiber radios, disconnect them and move them to your installation site.

Hardware Installation

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2. 

	Note: Orient the Pole Mount Bracket around the pole so it is aimed in the direction of the other airFiber AF-24.

3. 

	Note: Loosen, but do NOT remove the eight Lock Bolts located on the Alignment Bracket.

4. 

5. 

	WARNING: To prevent injury, ensure that all four screws are seated and fully tightened.

6. 

7. 

8. Secure the other end of the ground wire to a grounded mast, pole, tower, or grounding bar.

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

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

Connecting Ethernet

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2. 

3. 

4. 

	Note: For added protection, we recommend installing two GigE PoE surge protectors. 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.

Below is a diagram of a finished installation with recommended surge protectors installed.

Alignment

Tips

• Fine-tuning is best achieved by a pair of installers with a dedicated, two-way communication link: one installer makes adjustments on one airFiber radio while the other installer reports the received signal level at the other airFiber radio. Fine-tuning (see "Fine-Tuning the Link") is necessary because the main lobe of the receiver is narrower than that of the transmitter, in both azimuth and elevation.
• To accurately align the airFiber radios for best performance, you MUST align only one end of the link at a time.
• For more convenient alignment, you may consider using long-range scopes (not included) temporarily attached to your airFiber radios.
• You may need to use additional hardware to compensate for issues such as the improper orientation of a mounting pole or significant elevation differences between the airFiber radios.

Establishing a Preliminary Link

Adjust the positions of the Master and the Slave to establish a preliminary link. This requires the Master and Slave to be within a few degrees of the line of sight between the airFiber radios.

	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. For the Master and Slave, ensure the eight Lock Bolts on the Alignment Bracket are sufficiently loose by spinning each washer by hand.

   

	WARNING: All Lock Bolts MUST be loose to avoid damage to the airFiber housing.

2. For the Master and Slave, ensure the Azimuth (AZ) and Elevation (EL) Adjustment Bolts are in the middle of their adjustment ranges.

   

3. Master Aim the Master at the Slave. If necessary, adjust the Master's position on the pole:
   1. Loosen the Hex Nuts.

      

   2. Adjust the Pole Mount Bracket and Pole Clamps.
   3. Tighten the Hex Nuts.
4. Slave Aim the Slave at the Master to achieve the strongest received signal level on the Slave's numeric LED Display, which is located next to the Config port. If necessary, adjust the Slave's position on the pole.

   

   	Note: Values on the LED Display are displayed in negative (-) dBm. For example, 61 represents -61 dBm, which is stronger than -72 dBm.

5. Master Adjust the azimuth and elevation of the Master until the strongest received signal level is displayed on the LED Display of the Master.
   1. Sweep the Azimuth (AZ) Adjustment Bolt of the Master through its adjustment range.

      

   2. Sweep the Elevation (EL) Adjustment Bolt of the Master through its adjustment range.

      

   

	Note: If the LED Display indicates an overload condition , refer to the airFiber AF-24 User Guide at: ui.com/download/airfiber

Fine-Tuning the Link

The Azimuth (AZ) and Elevation (EL) Adjustment Bolts of the Alignment Bracket adjust the azimuth and elevation within a range of ±10°. For accurate alignment, make adjustments on one end of the link while the other installer reports the received signal level at the other end of the link. Do NOT make simultaneous adjustments on the Master and Slave.

1. Slave Adjust the azimuth and elevation of the Slave until the other installer sees the strongest received signal level displayed on the LED Display of the Master.
2. Master Adjust the azimuth and elevation of the Master until the other installer sees the strongest received signal level displayed on the LED Display of the Slave.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you achieve a symmetric link, with the received signal levels within 1 dB of each other. This ensures the best possible data rate between the airFiber radios.
4. Lock the alignment on both airFiber radios by tightening all eight Lock Bolts on the Alignment Bracket.
5. Observe the LED Display of each airFiber AF-24 to ensure that the value remains constant while tightening the Lock Bolts. If the LED value changes during the locking process, loosen the Lock Bolts, finalize the alignment of each airFiber AF-24 again, and retighten the Lock Bolts.
6. For each airFiber AF-24, attach the Port Cover and turn the Cover Lock to the Locked icon.

There are three methods for determining the received signal level:

• LED Display (described above)
• airFiber Configuration Interface
• Audio tone (optional equipment required)

Refer to the airFiber AF-24 User Guide for instructions on the airFiber Configuration Interface and audio tone methods. The User Guide is 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 TX Frequency, RX Frequency, and Output Power fields are provided to the professional installer to assist in meeting regulatory requirements.

Specifications

airFiber AF-24
Dimensions	649 x 426 x 303 mm (25.55 x 16.77 x 11.93")
Weight	10.5 kg (23.15 lb) Mount Included
Operating Frequency	24.05 – 24.25 GHz
Power Supply	50V, 1.2A PoE GigE Adapter (Included)
Power Method	Passive Power over Ethernet (42-58VDC)
Max Power Consumption	< 50W
Networking Interface
Data Port	(1) 10/100/1000 Ethernet Port
Configuration Port	(1) 10/100 Ethernet Port
Integrated Split Antenna
TX Gain	33 dBi
RX Gain	38 dBi
Mounting	Pole Mount Kit (Included)
Wind Loading	306.9 N @ 200 km/hr (69 lbf @ 100 mph)
Operating Temperature	-40 to 55° C (-40 to 131° F)
Certifications	CE, FCC, IC

Receive Sensitivity
Modulation	Sensitivity	FDD Capacity*	TDD Capacity*
64QAM	-66 dBm	1500 Mbps	760 Mbps
16QAM	-72 dBm	1000 Mbps	507 Mbps
QPSK MIMO	-78 dBm	500 Mbps	253 Mbps
QPSK SISO	-80 dBm	250 Mbps	127 Mbps
¼x QPSK SISO	-87 dBm	62.5 Mbps	31.7 Mbps

* FDD = (2) 100 MHz channels and TDD = (1) 100 MHz channel