Help improve LiteBeam 5AC Gen2 throughput

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TommySharp

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#293432 20-Jan-2022 13:16

I've setup a couple of LiteBeams to connect up my workshop which is about 250m from the main house. It's working well but the throughput seems to max out at 145Mbps... I've tinkered with the alignment to try improve things but this is the best I can get.

Maybe someone with more experience could give me a hand with finding out what the issue is?

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#2854083 20-Jan-2022 13:25

Lower your output power, aim for around a -50 signal. That speed is correct for a 20MHz channel. You can use a wider channel if you need more throughput. Best to use between 5725 & 5850Mhz for fixed PtP.

Azzura

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#2854086 20-Jan-2022 13:35

Try going wider channel bandwidth.

Try different freq area.

Check LOS....

Site might help.... https://link.ui.com/#

TommySharp

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#2854141 20-Jan-2022 13:50

Thanks for the input guys! I've poked around the admin screens a bit and changing the settings on the dish at the house to this has improved things a LOT... Sitting at 320Mbps.... How do I "lower your output power"...?

Azzura

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#2854156 20-Jan-2022 14:12

It is output power.....judging by the slider ---i'd say it is already as low as it can go.

I'd try going even wider than 40. I think they can go 80 in the settings. If it doesn't hold stable....you could increase output a little or you can just reduce the channel width again.

wratterus

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#2854159 20-Jan-2022 14:15

Yeah those radios are super overkill for that distance & it looks like you can't get the power low enough to be ideal. Make sure you've lowered the power output on both radios.

It shouldn't cause you any major issues. if you are fairly rural crank the channel width to 80MHz & see what you get. If you are urban I'd recommend leaving it at 40. It looks like your spectrum is pretty damn clean there so thinking you are out on your own somewhere?

Bear in mind you'll need to change the station to 80MHz manually, it won't auto switch like it does for 20/40.

Also run a real test over the link, don't just look at the pretty numbers in the UI.

TommySharp

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#2854160 20-Jan-2022 14:20

Thanks guys, will keep tinkering…. Just out of interest, what would be a more suitable setup for this distance?

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TommySharp

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#2854161 20-Jan-2022 14:21

Should I be setting PTP on? It appears that is the only way I can get more than 40mhz…

wratterus

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#2854164 20-Jan-2022 14:33

Yes

TommySharp

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#2854168 20-Jan-2022 14:41

Awesome, they look to be linking up at 450Mbs when I use 60mhz and a real world test maxes out at about 300Mbs...
I'll tinker some more another day now that I know which buttons to turn but for now it's way better... Thanks for the help!

wratterus

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#2854175 20-Jan-2022 14:52

You'll probably find 80MHz better than 60.

anatokidave

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#2854523 21-Jan-2022 10:55

A few more points to consider:

First up, relevant information on channel use is contained in the RSM doc entitled 'Important information for users of Wi-Fi devices in the 5 GHz band'.

As part of the setting-up process, I would use the channel scan function on both your AP and client to find some clear channels (this feature can by found under 'Tools'). If you are in a rural location, then most of the band should be clear. If there is a WISP operating in ur area, then it is likely to be using spectrum between 5725 and 5865.

The screenshot of link shows that it is excellent and is providing maximum bandwidth for that 20Mhz channel width. As noted above, the link might be running a bit 'hot' - eg the signal levels are at the threshold of overwhelming the receivers on each unit.

You don't describe what the use-case is for internet the workshop - but if it is not being used for anything more than social media, email, web browsing, you-tube, or streaming, then you have plenty of capacity.

I'm figuring that you wanted to see if you could achieve the advertised '450Mbps' through put that is advertised for these units. However, by using an 80Mhz channel width, you are opening yourself up to increased noise and interference, especially if you use the spectrum between 5725 and 5865 GHz. This chunk of spectrum is used by WISP's for longer range point to point links. 5725 to 5865 is the only part of the GURL spectrum where users are permitted to use increased power levels to achieve stable links. IMHO, using an 80Mhz channel width between 5725 and 5865 represents poor practice and will quickly render 5GHz unusable for longer-range rural links (a tragedy of the commons issue).

My approach in this situation would be to chose a couple of channels between 5500 and 5725 GHz, because that spectrum is usually clear and in most cases, you will not interfere with either indoor Wifi (It is my experience that most domestic equipment defaults to the lower part of the band (5170 to 5350) ) or long-range links. Using Ubiquiti AC units, I can achieve maximum capacity in the DFS (lower power) portions of the band on links of up to about 1500m. If you are near a general weather radar site (Kaeo, Tamahunga, Mamaku, New Plymouth airport, Mahia, Outlook Hill (Wellington), Rakaia Trig, Blue Spur Range (Hokitika), Dunedin, and Invercargill Airport) - then keep clear of that part of the spectrum.

My experience is that Ubnt AC gear usually needs a CINR ratio of at least 30dB to achieve maximum throughput (ie the signal level needs to be at least 30dB above the noise + interference level.) You can get this info from the dashboard.

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TommySharp

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#2854561 21-Jan-2022 12:21

@anatokidave thank you for that info... I will definitely use it when I ticker with the settings again.

raytaylor

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#2854784 22-Jan-2022 01:17

TommySharp:

Thanks guys, will keep tinkering…. Just out of interest, what would be a more suitable setup for this distance?

Mikrotik Wireless Wire - either the cubes or the dishes.
They do about 1gbit throughput.

A pair of dishes for 1km
The cubes for up to 400m
The oblong flatpanel ones for up to 100m.

They come as a pair pre-configured out of the box.

There is no need to ever use 5ghz for such short distance links anymore. 60ghz will do 1gbit easily for almost the same cost.

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raytaylor

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#2854785 22-Jan-2022 01:24

anatokidave:

You don't describe what the use-case is for internet the workshop - but if it is not being used for anything more than social media, email, web browsing, you-tube, or streaming, then you have plenty of capacity.

This is a good point - the general user radio license at 5ghz only allows you to transmit at a power level that achieves the link capacity you require. Not to get the fastest link possible.
This means if your only using it for the stuff anatokidave mentions, then it should only be a 20mhz wide channel which provides plenty of bandwidth as you dont need to be transmitting at any power level over more of the band than you need.

I do like that you have used some larger dishes - this keeps your beamwidth nice and tight so your less likely to cause interference to someone else's link outside your intended path. Its good to use a larger dish and a lower transmit power. But in this case because the link is so short, the radios cant be turned down enough to stop overpowering the receivers.

Anything over -50 is too hot and will typically damage the receivers over time.

>-50 too hot
-60 is considered 100% perfect signal if there isnt much interference
-80 is considered a bad signal

So this is a perfect use case for the 60ghz wireless wire kits as I suggested in my previous response above. They are designed for short links such as this with super fast speed.

Ray Taylor

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TommySharp

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#2872591 22-Feb-2022 12:11

Thanks @raytaylor for the reply.

Does this mean that if mine are running at -40 then they could be damaged?
What if I adjust the alignment out slightly to drop the signal to -50?

I took a look at the MikroTik cubes you mention but they seem to be double the price at about $500NZ, maybe there is a ubiquiti alternative that isn't so expensive? I got these LiteBeam dishes for NZ$130 each :-)

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