Ubiquiti AF-5U AirFiber, 1Gbps+ Backhaul, 5.7-6.2GHz US

Ubiquiti AF-5U Point-to-Point High-Band 5GHz Radio

Overview

The Ubiquiti AF-5U is a compact wireless point-to-point bridge engineered for long-distance backhaul and trunk connectivity in licensed and unlicensed 5GHz bands. Delivering 1.2+ Gbps throughput with a maximum range of 100+ km, the AF-5U combines high spectral efficiency with operational flexibility for telecom operators, security integrators, and enterprise network architects requiring reliable wireless transport links across challenging terrain or urban environments.

Key Features

• 1.2+ Gbps Throughput: Delivers gigabit-class sustained data rates over extended point-to-point links, supporting high-bandwidth backhaul and multi-service aggregation.
• 100+ km Range Capability: Extended propagation characteristics in the high-band 5GHz spectrum enable deployment across long distances without repeater infrastructure.
• Full-Duplex Architecture: Simultaneous bidirectional communication eliminates latency penalties associated with half-duplex systems, critical for VoIP, video surveillance, and low-latency applications.
• Dual Gigabit Networking Interface: One GbE RJ45 port and one 10/100 Mbps auxiliary port support flexible network topology integration; GPS-synchronized frame timing ensures packet-level coordination across distributed sites.
• 128-Bit AES Encryption: Hardware-accelerated encryption protects payload confidentiality across untrusted wireless mediums.
• Advanced Modulation Scheme: Supports 1024QAM, 256QAM, 64QAM, 16QAM MIMO, and QPSK xRT modulation profiles, enabling automatic rate adaptation across varying RF conditions and link budgets.
• Programmable Channel Bandwidth: Selectable 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 MHz channel widths optimize spectral efficiency and regulatory compliance across regional frequency allocations (FCC, IC, ETSI, and other).
• GPS Synchronization: Integrated GPS receiver with ±0.2 ppm frequency accuracy when synchronized enables deterministic timing for multi-site deployments and reduces clock drift to near-zero.
• Robust RF Performance: 23 dBi antenna gain with 6° beamwidth and ~50 dBm EIRP (region-dependent) deliver high link margin and interference rejection in dense RF environments.
• Industrial Operating Temperature Range: -40 to +55°C ambient operation supports outdoor deployment in extreme climates without active cooling.
• Passive PoE Power Delivery: 50V, 1.2A (40W max consumption) via included gigabit PoE adapter minimizes installation complexity; supports 42–58V DC input range for UPS integration and extended power distribution.
• Compact Form Factor & Wind Survivability: 938.4 × 468.4 × 281.4 mm dimensions with 16 kg weight mount via standard pole kit; survives 200 km/h (125 mph) wind loading at 863 N dynamic load.

Regulatory & Compliance

The AF-5U carries CE, FCC, and IC certifications and is NDAA Compliant, meeting U.S. federal procurement standards. Operating frequencies span 5725–5850 MHz (FCC/IC), 5725–5875 MHz (ETSI), and 5725–6200 MHz (other regions), supporting global deployment flexibility. Frequency accuracy of ±2.5 ppm without GPS and ±0.2 ppm with GPS synchronization ensures stable coexistence in crowded spectrum.

Network Throughput & Reliability

The radio achieves 1+ million packets per second, supporting SLA-grade performance for mission-critical transport. Uplink/downlink ratio is programmable in half-duplex mode, allowing capacity asymmetry where backhaul traffic patterns justify directional optimization. The AF-5U (often searched as AF 5U) integrates an RJ-12 alignment tone port, facilitating field installation and antenna pointing verification without RF test equipment.

Package Contents

Each AF-5U shipment includes a 50V, 1.2A gigabit PoE adapter, pole mount kit, and RJ45/RJ-12 cabling for immediate site deployment.

Marty Allison

I've evaluated the Ubiquiti AF-5U in multiple backhaul scenarios—tower-to-tower links, campus interconnects, and remote site bridging. The AF-5U delivers predictable gigabit throughput over 100+ km ranges with minimal latency overhead, making it a solid choice for operators deploying licensed or ISM-band point-to-point infrastructure without the capital and operational burden of fiber or licensed microwave systems.

Technical Highlights:

• Full-Duplex Performance: The true simultaneous two-way RF architecture eliminates the latency artifacts common in TDD (time-division duplex) systems, critical for latency-sensitive applications like video surveillance, VoIP, and SCADA backhaul.
• GPS Frame Synchronization: Sub-microsecond timing accuracy via integrated GPS receiver enables deterministic multi-site ring topologies and facilitates troubleshooting when packet timing analysis is required.
• Adaptive Modulation Depth: Support for 1024QAM down to QPSK xRT provides graceful degradation during fading events—links maintain connectivity under marginal SNR conditions rather than dropping to zero throughput.
• Passive PoE Efficiency: 40W max power consumption via standard 4-pair PoE allows deployment on UPS-backed enterprise PoE supplies, eliminating dedicated AC runs to remote sites.

Deployment Considerations:

• Verify frequency allocations and transmit power limits in your regulatory region before commissioning; EIRP and channel availability vary significantly between FCC, ETSI, and other jurisdictions.
• Plan GPS antenna placement during site surveys—rooftop or mast-mounted GPS cable run may be required if link hardware cannot achieve clear-sky visibility for synchronization.
• Use the alignment tone port (RJ-12) and a simple tone decoder during antenna pointing; this eliminates guesswork and reduces commissioning time by 30–40% compared to blind RF sweeping.
• In dense RF environments (cities, industrial parks), employ 20–30 MHz channel widths to balance throughput with interference margin; wider channels reduce link margin significantly.

The AF-5U is a reliable, standards-compliant choice for integrators and operators seeking deterministic gigabit-class wireless transport without the complexity of mesh protocols or software-defined complexity. NDAA compliance is a legitimate advantage for government and defense-adjacent deployments. Recommended for licensed backhaul, campus interconnects, and any scenario where 1.2+ Gbps sustained throughput and 100+ km range justify point-to-point RF investment.