Wireless backhaul over long distances can be tricky, especially when you are serving multiple remote nodes (surveillance cameras, access points, sensors, etc.). Traditional Point-to-Point (PTP) links scale poorly when you need many endpoints. That’s where a Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP) wireless network comes in. It consists of a central access point (base station) that communicates with multiple clients (remote nodes).
Typical uses include:
- Connecting security cameras across wide areas
- Delivering internet to multiple buildings in a campus or village
- Linking remote workstations, sensors, or IoT devices
You Need the Right Equipment
Distance and reliability depend heavily on the gear you use. For distances up to 10km, you’ll want:
- High-gain directional antennas for the subscriber units
- A powerful base station with multi-beam coverage
- Weatherproof outdoor design to withstand sun, rain, and wind
- Advanced wireless standards for speed and stability
One option designed for this purpose is the 802.11be Outdoor Wireless PTMP Bridge Kit.
802.11be Outdoor Wireless PTMP Bridge Kit
This outdoor wireless PTMP kit includes a Wi-Fi 7 base station access point with two 802.11ax wireless bridges. It leverages Wi-Fi 7 technology to deliver multi-gigabit throughput over distances up to 10 km, making it ideal for connecting surveillance cameras, access points, and remote nodes to a central hub.
It delivers speeds up to 2.3Gbps, making it perfect for heavy data use or multiple users. Designed for PTMP setups, one base station can connect with several bridges at once (within a 90° beam). It also offers advanced management features like VLAN, DHCP, and QoS for smoother performance. Built tough for outdoor use, it comes with an IP67 weatherproof rating, surge protection, and can handle temperatures from -30°C to 60°C.
Benefits of Using a Horn Antenna
Using a horn antenna at the base station offers several benefits, which include:
- Less Interference: It blocks unwanted signals from outside its coverage area, giving you a cleaner, stronger connection.
- Even Signal Quality: The coverage is more balanced, so the devices at the edges of the range get almost the same performance as those in the center.
- Strong in Harsh Weather: The horn creates less wind resistance, so it stays stable on towers or poles.
- Low Maintenance: With fewer alignment problems and no side lobes, it keeps working reliably with little upkeep.
How to Set Up a PTMP Wireless Network?
Now, follow the instructions below to install the 802.11be outdoor wireless PTMP bridge kit:
Step 1: Plan Your Network Layout
Identify your base station location, ideally high up, such as on a tower, rooftop or mast. Map the locations of all remote sites and ensure there is a clear line of sight (LOS) between the base station and each client. Even small obstructions (trees, buildings, terrain) can degrade signal strength significantly. Keep at least the first Fresnel zone mostly clear (about 60% clearance) to avoid diffraction or multi-path losses.
Step 2: Install the Base Station and Clients
Mount the base station securely on a tower or rooftop and connect it to your main network (router or switch) via Ethernet. Aim the base station to cover the area where your clients/subscriber units are located. Position each client unit at the remote site, on a pole, wall mount, or rooftop, ensuring a clear line of sight to the base station. Then, power each unit with a PoE injector.
Step 3: Configure the Network Settings
Once installed, we need to configure the networking settings.
- Connect your PC to the same network or directly to the bridge via Ethernet.
- Open your web browser, enter the IP address of the bridge (often something like 192.168.x.x) and log in with the default credentials.
- From the menu, click Wireless to access the configuration page.
- Choose PTMP mode. On the base station, set it as Access Point. On the wireless bridges, set them as Client.
- Choose the channel width, enable WPA3 encryption, and set the transmit power and antenna gain accordingly.
- Click Scan to search for networks. After a minute or so, the SSID should appear. Select it and click Join Network.
- Next, click Network from the menu. Assign static IPs to each unit. If needed, enable VLAN settings and make adjustments accordingly.
- Save configuration changes. Reboot the devices so the settings take effect.
Step 4: Test and Optimize
Check link quality, bandwidth, and latency. Run stress tests during different times of day to account for interference. You can also make alignments if needed.
Applications
- Surveillance: Connect IP cameras across large areas such as airports, farms, or campuses to a central monitoring hub without expensive cabling.
- Community Broadband: Deliver high-speed internet to villages or multiple buildings quickly and affordably, avoiding the need for trenching fiber.
- Industrial Connectivity: Link IoT devices, sensors, and SCADA systems across wide industrial sites for real-time monitoring and control.
- Campus Networking: Extend reliable Wi-Fi to dorms, offices, and classrooms, ensuring seamless connectivity across the entire campus.
