Fiber Optic Speed without Digging: The 2 Gbit/s Radio Relay Backhaul
Imagine being able to connect two locations with the speed of fiber optics without having to lay a single meter of Cabling. That's exactly what the Ubiquiti airFiber 24 HD makes possible. With a massive 2 Gbit/s aggregated throughput and a packet processing rate of over 1 million packets per second, this system is a true alternative to expensive dedicated lines. The basis for this performance is the INVICTUS™ Custom Silicon processor, specially developed for long-range radio relay. The result is extremely low latency of less than 0.2 milliseconds, perfectly suited for even the most demanding applications such as live streaming, financial transactions, or high-resolution video conferences.
Maximum Efficiency in the 24 GHz Band
The AF-24HD operates in the globally license-free 24 GHz band, drastically reducing total operating costs. To achieve the best possible performance in this frequency range, Ubiquiti relies on innovative technologies. The dual Antenna system with separate transmit and receive Antennas minimizes signal loss and maximizes efficiency. You have the choice between FDD mode (Frequency Division Duplexing) for maximum performance and HDD mode (Hybrid Division Duplexing) for simplified frequency planning and higher tolerance in alignment. The integrated GPS also ensures precise clock synchronization, which prevents interference when using multiple Point-to-Point systems at the same location.
Built to Last: Military Standard Robustness
A Backhaul is only as good as its reliability. The airFiber 24 HD was uncompromisingly designed for outdoor use. The weatherproof Enclosures and robust metal reflector withstand wind speeds of up to 200 km/h. The mechanical assembly was even tested by an independent laboratory according to military standard MIL-STD-810G and passed demanding vibration tests. In this way, Ubiquiti ensures that your critical connection remains stable even under the harshest environmental conditions.
Planning and Installation: What You Need to Know
The enormous performance of the 24 GHz band comes at a price: a higher susceptibility to signal attenuation due to heavy rain, also known as 'Rain Fade'. For absolutely critical connections over long distances, a backup solution should therefore be considered. Due to its weight of over 17 kg and the narrow beamwidth of less than 3.5°, installation requires stable mast Mounting and precise alignment by specialist personnel. Remember: For a functional Point-to-Point connection for enterprise locations, two Ubiquiti airFiber 24 HD devices are always required.
Strengths & Notes at a Glance
- Pro: Offers data throughput of up to 2 Gbit/s, rivaling fiber optics and ideal for carrier Backhauls.
- Pro: Achieves latency of less than 0.2 ms in FDD mode, which is crucial for time-critical applications like VoIP and live streaming.
- Pro: Operation in the license-free 24 GHz band significantly reduces total operating costs, as no license fees are incurred.
- Pro: The military-standard tested, weatherproof Enclosures ensure extremely high reliability and durability.
- Note: The 24 GHz band is very susceptible to 'Rain Fade', which can lead to performance degradation during heavy precipitation. A backup solution is recommended.
- Note: The high weight (17.3 kg) and narrow beamwidth require professional installation on a stable mast structure.
Specifications & Features
| Manufacturer: | Ubiquiti |
| Model: | airFiber 24 HD (AF-24HD) |
| EAN: | 0810354022050 |
| Manufacturer Part Number (HAN/MPN): | AF-24-HD |
| Device Type: | Point-to-Point (PtP) Radio Relay System / Wireless Bridge |
| Performance | |
| Maximum Throughput (Aggregate): | 2 Gbit/s |
| Packet Processing: | > 1 Million Packets per Second (Mpps) |
| Maximum Range: | Up to 20+ km |
| Minimum Link Distance: | approx. 25 meters (with Firmware 2.0+) |
| Latency (Full-Duplex Mode, FDD): | < 0.2 ms |
| Latency (Half-Duplex Mode, HDD): | < 2 ms |
| Processor: | Ubiquiti INVICTUS™ Custom Silicon |
| Encryption: | 128-Bit AES |
| Operating System: | airOS F |
| Radio & Antenna | |
| Operating Frequency: | 24.05 – 24.25 GHz (license-free) |
| Channel Bandwidth: | 100 MHz |
| Operating Modes: | FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing), HDD (Hybrid Division Duplexing) |
| Antenna System: | Dual-Independent 2x2 MIMO Hi-Gain Reflector Antenna |
| Antenna Gain (Transmit / TX): | 33 dBi |
| Antenna Gain (Receive / RX): | 38 dBi |
| EIRP: | ~33 dBm (FCC/IC), ~20 dBm (CE) |
| Beamwidth: | < 3.5° |
| Polarization: | Dual-Slant |
| Modulation: | 256QAM MIMO, 64QAM MIMO, 16QAM MIMO, QPSK MIMO, QPSK SISO |
| GPS Synchronization: | Yes, integrated |
| Frequency Accuracy (with GPS): | ±0.2 ppm |
| Frequency Accuracy (without GPS): | ±2.5 ppm |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 593 x 768 x 370 mm |
| Weight: | 17.3 kg (incl. Mounting) |
| Housing: | Weatherproof Enclosures with Metal Reflector |
| Wind Load: | 770 N @ 200 km/h |
| Wind Survivability: | 200 km/h |
| Mounting: | Mast Mounting Kit (included) |
| Interfaces & Power Supply | |
| Data Port: | (1) 10/100/1000 Mbit/s Gigabit Ethernet Port (RJ45) |
| Management Port: | (1) 10/100 Mbit/s Ethernet Port (RJ45) |
| Auxiliary Port: | (1) RJ-12 (for audio tone for alignment assistance) |
| Power Supply Method: | Passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) |
| Supported Voltage Range: | 42-58V DC |
| Maximum Power Consumption: | 50W |
| Environment & Certifications | |
| Operating Temperature: | -40°C to 55°C |
| Certifications: | CE, FCC, IC |
| Military Standard Tests: | MIL-STD-810G, IEC 60068-2-6 |
Scope of Delivery
| 1 x Ubiquiti airFiber 24 HD (AF-24HD) |
| 1 x Mast Mounting Kit |
| 1 x 50V, 1.2A Gigabit PoE Injectors / Power Supplies Adapter |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does rain affect the performance of the airFiber 24 HD?
Significantly. The 24 GHz frequency band is susceptible to signal attenuation by water in the atmosphere. Heavy rain can reduce signal strength by several dB per kilometer. While the AF-24HD features automatic compensation for this 'rain fade', severe rainfall over longer distances can lead to a significant throttling of speed or temporary outages, impacting the overall Network performance.
Is a license required to operate the airFiber 24 HD?
No, the system operates in the worldwide license-free 24 GHz ISM band. This means users can operate the devices without special permits or ongoing frequency fees. However, it is the installer's responsibility to comply with local and national regulations regarding transmit power (EIRP). This applies to various Network components.
What is the difference between the airFiber 24 and the airFiber 24 HD?
The airFiber 24 HD is the 'Heavy-Duty' model. The main differences include a higher maximum throughput (2 Gbit/s vs. 1.5 Gbit/s), a greater range (20+ km vs. 13+ km), higher receive antenna gain, and the ability to use higher modulation rates (up to 256QAM). Additionally, the HD model features a more robust Enclosure. These are key features for high-performance Network solutions, often found in Ubiquiti Networks airFiber products.
Can an airFiber 24 and an airFiber 24 HD establish a connection with each other?
Yes, an AF-24 and an AF-24HD can establish a functional connection. However, the maximum performance of the link will be limited by the weaker device, the AF-24. In this case, the modulation will be limited to a maximum of 64QAM, preventing the utilization of the HD model's higher throughput. This is important when designing a robust Network.
What do the operating modes FDD and HDD mean?
FDD (Frequency Division Duplexing) transmits and receives simultaneously on two different frequencies, enabling the highest throughput and lowest latency for the Network. HDD (Hybrid Division Duplexing) is a proprietary mode that uses the same frequency, making the connection more tolerant but resulting in slightly higher latency.
Isn't the Gigabit Ethernet port a bottleneck for the 2 Gbit/s throughput?
The stated throughput of 2 Gbit/s is an aggregated value from transmit and receive directions (e.g., 1 Gbit/s downlink + 1 Gbit/s uplink). The single Gigabit Ethernet port is sufficient per direction, as the full rate is often utilized through symmetrical load. This ensures efficient data flow within the Network.
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