LigoWave 6GHz Wireless Bridge FAQ: Technical Questions, Compatibility, and Deployment Answers

W-Jet 5 is LigoWave’s proprietary protocol engineered specifically for carrier-grade point-to-point (PTP) scenarios. It minimizes interference and stabilizes latency across long-distance links, making it the preferred protocol for dedicated backhaul applications. W-Jet 5 is used exclusively in the LigoPTP RapidFire series LigoPTP 6-N and LigoPTP 6-25.

iPoll 3 is LigoWave’s proprietary protocol optimized for point-to-multipoint (PTMP) deployments. It uses a polling mechanism where the base station pollinates connected CPE devices, managing airtime allocation to ensure fairness and efficiency across multiple clients. iPoll 3 is used in the LigoDLB ac series LigoDLB 6-15ac, LigoDLB 6-20ac, and LigoDLB 5ac.

Both protocols are backward-compatible with previous LigoWave device generations, and both support 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80MHz channel widths. The choice between W-Jet 5 and iPoll 3 should be based on deployment topology (PTP vs PTMP) rather than any technical superiority each is optimized for its intended use case.

The LigoPTP RapidFire 6-N, LigoPTP RapidFire 6-25, LigoDLB 6-15ac, and LigoDLB 6-20ac all operate in the 5.900-6.400GHz frequency band. This 500MHz spectrum range covers what is commonly referred to as the lower 6GHz band for unlicensed or lightly-licensed use in many regulatory domains worldwide.

The LigoDLB 5ac operates in the 5.150-5.850GHz frequency band (standard 5GHz UNII and ISM bands), providing backward compatibility with existing 5GHz wireless infrastructure.

Regulatory approval for 6GHz operation varies by country. Network operators should verify that the specific 5.900-6.400GHz band is approved for outdoor wireless bridge use in their deployment country before purchasing. Visit ligowave-cn.com for the latest regulatory compliance information.

Yes, LigoPTP and LigoDLB devices can coexist in the same network, but they serve different roles. A typical deployment architecture uses LigoPTP RapidFire devices (6-N or 6-25) for the dedicated point-to-point backhaul links that connect aggregation points to the core network, while LigoDLB ac devices (6-15ac, 6-20ac, or 5ac) serve as the point-to-multipoint access layer connecting individual subscriber locations.

The LigoPTP devices run W-Jet 5 protocol and handle the backhaul segment, while LigoDLB devices run iPoll 3 and handle the access segment. Management can be unified through the Infinity Controller platform. Channel planning must be carefully coordinated to avoid cross-band interference, particularly when both device types are deployed on the same tower or within close proximity.

Two LigoWave models feature N-type connectors for external antenna support: the LigoPTP 6-N RapidFire and the LigoDLB 5ac. The LigoPTP 6-N uses N-connectors to attach external antennas for point-to-point backhaul, providing flexibility to select antennas optimized for specific range, gain, and beamwidth requirements. The LigoDLB 5ac is the only 5GHz model with external antenna support, also via N-type connectors.

The remaining three models (LigoPTP 6-25 RapidFire, LigoDLB 6-15ac, and LigoDLB 6-20ac) have integrated directional panel antennas with fixed gains (25dBi, 15dBi, and 20dBi respectively). The integrated antenna design eliminates the need for external cables and connectors, reducing signal loss and installation complexity.

Maximum range depends on antenna configuration, local regulations, terrain, and required throughput. Based on LigoWave’s published specifications:

• LigoPTP 6-N RapidFire: Range is antenna-dependent; with high-gain parabolic antennas, reliable links exceeding 50km have been documented in published case studies.
• LigoPTP 6-25 RapidFire: Range is antenna-dependent with its integrated 25dBi panel antenna; a published case study demonstrates 460Mbps at 10.78km.
• LigoDLB 6-15ac: Recommended PTP up to 7km, PTMP up to 5km.
• LigoDLB 6-20ac: Recommended PTP up to 7km, PTMP up to 4km.
• LigoDLB 5ac: Maximum PTP distance of 20km (antenna dependent), PTMP distance depends on antenna selection.

These distances assume clear line-of-sight with appropriate Fresnel zone clearance. Actual achievable range depends on site-specific conditions including terrain, foliage, and atmospheric conditions.

The LigoPTP 6-N’s N-type connectors support a wide range of external antennas including parabolic dishes, panel antennas, and sector antennas. The antenna selection guide is as follows:

• For links under 10km: A 20-25dBi panel antenna provides sufficient gain with a manageable beamwidth for alignment.
• For links between 10-30km: A 25-30dBi parabolic dish antenna is recommended to provide adequate link margin.
• For links exceeding 30km: A 30dBi or higher parabolic dish antenna is necessary, requiring careful alignment and stable mounting.

The 6-N’s 45-degree antenna tilt option adds flexibility when mounting at non-optimal positions, which is particularly useful in deployments constrained by existing tower infrastructure. For detailed guidance on antenna selection for specific link distances, refer to the LigoPTP RapidFire technical documentation available at ligowave-cn.com/6g-50km-wireless-bridge.

This is a common point of confusion. The LigoDLB 6-20ac has a higher antenna gain (20dBi vs 15dBi), which typically provides better range. However, the recommended PTMP range differs because of how these devices are typically deployed in point-to-multipoint topologies:

The 6-20ac’s higher gain antenna has a narrower beamwidth, which makes it better suited for PTP links or PTMP client connections where precise alignment is feasible. The 6-15ac’s lower gain antenna has a wider beamwidth, providing greater alignment tolerance in PTMP installations where the CPE may need to connect to a base station from varying angles.

In PTP mode, both models share the same 7km recommended maximum distance. The 20dBi antenna of the 6-20ac provides approximately 40-50% more link budget compared to the 6-15ac under equivalent conditions, which is advantageous for PTP links with challenging propagation conditions.

Single-side configuration is a LigoPTP RapidFire series feature that simplifies link setup. When the master device is configured with the desired link parameters (channel, bandwidth, IP addressing, etc.), these settings are automatically pushed to the slave device over the wireless link. This eliminates the need to physically access both devices for configuration a significant advantage when one end of a link is installed at a remote tower site.

This feature is available exclusively on the LigoPTP RapidFire series (6-N and 6-25). The LigoDLB ac series devices require individual configuration via the LigoWave OS web interface or through the Infinity Controller platform. The RapidFire series’ built-in 2.4GHz management radio further simplifies installation by allowing wireless configuration via smartphone or tablet during the alignment process.

Yes. While 60% Fresnel zone clearance is recommended for reliable 6GHz links, the practical requirement is that there should be no significant obstacles in the direct path between the two antennas. Trees, buildings, and terrain features that intrude into the Fresnel zone will cause signal attenuation, multi-path interference, or complete link failure.

The 6GHz band (5.900-6.400GHz) is more susceptible to obstruction than 5GHz due to its slightly higher frequency. Foliage attenuation at 6GHz is approximately 0.5-1.0dB per meter of vegetation penetration, which can quickly degrade link performance on marginal links. For deployments in forested areas, LigoWave recommends raising antenna heights to achieve clearance above tree canopies, or selecting a location with a natural clearing in the signal path.

All LigoWave models support channel widths of 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80MHz. The recommended channel width depends on the deployment requirements:

• 80MHz is recommended for maximum throughput in clean spectrum environments. It provides the highest data rates (up to 700Mbps on LigoPTP, 500Mbps+ on LigoDLB) and is ideal for links with adequate signal margin.
• 40MHz is recommended for longer links or environments with moderate interference. It provides a balance between throughput and link robustness, with approximately half the noise bandwidth of 80MHz.
• 20MHz or narrower is recommended for very long links, high-interference environments, or when regulatory constraints limit channel bandwidth. These narrower channels provide maximum link margin and interference rejection at the cost of reduced throughput.

For LigoPTP RapidFire series devices, the W-Jet 5 protocol’s adaptive modulation automatically adjusts the modulation rate based on channel conditions, ensuring the highest possible throughput at the selected channel width.

The LigoDLB ac series devices (6-15ac, 6-20ac, 5ac) have a single Gigabit Ethernet port, which limits their ability to support daisy-chain topologies without external Ethernet switches. For a daisy-chain or repeater deployment, each device must be connected via Ethernet to a switch or another device.

In contrast, the LigoPTP RapidFire series (6-N and 6-25) features two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one of which supports PoE passthrough. This allows daisy-chaining multiple RapidFire devices without requiring external power or switches at intermediate points the PoE passthrough port delivers power to the next device in the chain while the second Ethernet port handles data connectivity. This is a significant advantage for linear topology deployments such as pipeline or railway monitoring where multiple repeater points are needed along a linear route.

Power requirements vary by product family. The LigoPTP RapidFire series (6-N and 6-25) uses standard 802.3af/at Power over Ethernet with a maximum consumption of approximately 18W. The LigoDLB ac series (6-15ac, 6-20ac, 5ac) uses 24VDC passive PoE with a maximum consumption of 10W.

The LigoDLB series’ lower power consumption makes it particularly well-suited for solar-powered or battery-backed deployments in remote locations. A typical 10W LigoDLB device can be powered by a 50W solar panel with a 40Ah battery, providing 24/7 operation with approximately 4 hours of daily peak sunlight. The LigoPTP RapidFire series’ higher power consumption should be accommodated with larger solar arrays and battery banks when grid power is unavailable.

All LigoWave models are designed for outdoor operation with appropriate environmental protection ratings. The LigoPTP RapidFire series (6-N and 6-25) has an IP-67 rating, meaning it is fully protected against dust ingress and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The LigoDLB ac series (6-15ac, 6-20ac, 5ac) has an IP-65 rating, meaning it is fully protected against dust ingress and protected against water jets from any direction.

All models share an operating temperature range of -40°C to 65°C, making them suitable for deployment in most global climate zones including desert, arctic, and tropical environments. For extreme cold weather installations, LigoWave recommends pre-warming the device by applying PoE power 5-10 minutes before establishing the wireless link, allowing the internal components to reach their optimal operating temperature.

The LigoPTP RapidFire series features IEC Class 4 surge protection, while the LigoDLB ac series provides 3kV line-to-ground and 1kV line-to-line surge protection. Both exceed typical requirements for outdoor telecommunications equipment.

The Infinity Controller is LigoWave’s centralized network management platform that provides automated device onboarding, predefined network scenarios, and real-time performance monitoring across LigoPTP, LigoDLB, and NFT series devices. It simplifies multi-device management with features including centralized firmware management, configuration backup and restore, alerting and notifications, and performance analytics.

All five LigoWave models (LigoPTP 6-N, LigoPTP 6-25, LigoDLB 6-15ac, LigoDLB 6-20ac, and LigoDLB 5ac) support Infinity Controller management. The controller can be deployed as either a cloud-based or on-premises solution, depending on organizational requirements and data sovereignty considerations. For specific setup instructions and feature availability by model and firmware version, refer to the Infinity Controller documentation on ligowave-cn.com.

Yes, LigoWave maintains backward compatibility across product generations. The iPoll 3 protocol used in the LigoDLB ac series is compatible with previous iPoll generations, allowing LigoDLB 6-15ac, 6-20ac, and 5ac devices to operate alongside older LigoWave CPE and base station equipment in the same PTMP network. The W-Jet 5 protocol used in the LigoPTP RapidFire series is also backward-compatible with earlier W-Jet versions.

Compatibility considerations include:

• Protocol version: Ensure all devices in a PTMP sector use compatible iPoll versions. Mixed-generation sectors should be tested for compatibility before full deployment.
• Frequency band: 6GHz devices (LigoPTP 6-N, 6-25, LigoDLB 6-15ac, 6-20ac) operate in the 5.900-6.400GHz band and cannot directly communicate with 5GHz devices (LigoDLB 5ac) over the air. Backward compatibility at the network level is achieved through Ethernet connectivity and Infinity Controller management.
• Management platform: Infinity Controller supports all current-generation LigoWave devices, providing a unified management interface regardless of the specific hardware model or firmware version.

For specific compatibility information involving older LigoWave device models not listed in this FAQ, contact LigoWave technical support or consult the compatibility matrix available on the official website.