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menuAF-4X Quick Start Guide

Package Contents

airFiber AF-4X
GPS Antenna Mount
External GPS Antenna
Metal Strap
Zip Ties (Qty. 2)
Universal Bracket
airFiber PoE (24V, 1A) with Mounting Bracket
Power Cord

Antenna Compatibility

The airFiber AF-4X radio is designed for use with the following airFiber X antenna models:

The AF-4X can also operate with the following RocketDish antenna models:

1 Check your local/regional regulations for the maximum antenna gain allowed for your application.
2 Requires Universal Bracket (included) or AF-5G-OMT-S45 Conversion Kit (not included).

Installation Requirements

Hardware Overview

airFiber Antenna Connectors

Used to attach RF antenna cables (not included).

GPS Antenna Connector

Used to attach the GPS Antenna.

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, GPS, LINK, and Signal 1-4 LEDs light on. Once the CPU code takes over, the GPS, LINK, and Signal 1-3 LEDs turn off. Signal 4 LED remains on 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 device is fully booted.

Signal Level Once fully booted, the Signal 1-4 LEDs act as a bar graph showing how close the device is to ideal aiming. This is auto-scaled based on the link range, the antenna gains, and the configured TX power of the remote device. Each Signal LED has three possible states: On, Flashing, and Off. All Signal LEDs would be solidly on in an ideal link. 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

GPS LED

Off

No GPS Synchronization

Non-Operational (Weak Signal)

On

Operational (Strong Signal)

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.

Installation Overview

We recommend that you configure your paired AF-4X radios before site installation. The overview below summarizes the installation procedure, and the subsequent sections provide detailed installation information.

Connecting Power over Ethernet

  1. WARNING: Use only the included adapter, model POE-24-AF5X. Failure to do so can damage the unit and void the product warranty.

airFiber Configuration

Use the airFiber Configuration Interface to configure the following settings:

Repeat the instructions in the airFiber Configuration section on the other radio.

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

Hardware Installation

Install a Ground Wire

  1. At the installation site, secure the other end of the ground wire to a grounded mast, pole, tower, or grounding bar.
  2. 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 an airFiber X Antenna

Follow the instructions in this section to mount the AF-4X to an airFiber X antenna or to a RocketDish antenna equipped with the AF-5G-OMT-S45 Conversion Kit.

Note: To mount the radio to a RocketDish using the included Universal Bracket, go to “Mount to a RocketDish Antenna”.

The airFiber X antenna AF-5G30-S45 is shown in this section:

Mount to a RocketDish Antenna

Note: If you are mounting the AF-4X on a RocketDish equipped with the AF-5G-OMT-S45 Conversion Kit, refer to “Mount to an airFiber X Antenna”

The RocketDish RD-5G30 antenna is shown in this section:

Mount the External GPS Antenna

Locate a mounting point that has a clear view to the sky, and is above and as far away as possible from the radio.

  1.  
  2. OR

Connecting Power over Ethernet

  1. WARNING: Use only the included adapter, model POE-24-AF5X. Failure to do so can damage the unit and void the product warranty.

Optional

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-5G30-S45:

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 six 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 six hex head bolts.
  2. Note: Do NOT make simultaneous adjustments on the Master and Slave.

  3. Slave Visually aim the Slave at the Master. To adjust the Slave’s position, adjust the azimuth and elevation as described in step 1.
  4. 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.

  5. Slave Aim the Slave at the Master to achieve the strongest signal level on the Master.
  6. 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.

  7. Master Aim the Master at the Slave to achieve the strongest signal level on the Slave.
  8. 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.
  9. Lock the alignment on both airFiber antennas by tightening all the nuts and bolts.
  10. 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 X 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, and Frequency fields are provided to the professional installer to assist in meeting regulatory requirements.

Specifications

airFiber AF-4X

Dimensions

224 x 82 x 48 mm (8.82 x 3.23 x 1.89")

Weight

0.35 kg (0.77 lb)

RF Connectors

(2) RP-SMA Weatherproof (CH0, CH1)

(1) SMA Weatherproof (GPS)

GPS Antenna

External, Magnetic Base

Power Supply

24V, 1A PoE Gigabit Adapter (Included)

Power Method

Passive Power over Ethernet

Certifications

FCC Part 15.407

CE EN 302502 v1.2.1, EN 301 893 v1.7.1

Operating Temperature

-40 to 55° C (-40 to 131° F)

Networking Interface

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

System

Processor INVICTUS IC
Maximum Throughput 500+ Mbps
Encryption 128-bit AES
OS airOS F
Wireless Modes Master/Slave

Radio

Operating Frequency 4700-4990 MHz
(Depends on Regulatory Region)
Max. Conducted TX Power 24 dBm
(Depends on Regulatory Region)
Frequency Accuracy ± 2.5 ppm without GPS Synchronization
± 0.2 ppm with GPS Synchronization
Channel Bandwidth 3.5/5/7/10/14/20/​28/30/40/50/56 MHz Selectable*
Programmable Uplink and Downlink Duty Cycles

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