Fixed Wireless Equipment

smartBridges Adds Range

smartBridges says its new AirPointPro Outdoor offers 11 Mbps of data rate at 34 kilometers (21 miles) in free open space. The company believes its long range access points will help WISPs build cheaper deployments.

by Wayne Kawamoto [September 3, 2002]

smartBridges says its airPointPro Outdoor multi-role wireless access point was developed to overcome the twin challenges of obtaining adequate range and throughput to provide sufficient broadband access to subscribers.

airPoint Pro Outdoor functions in a bridge mode that supports point-to-point and point-to-multipoint configurations and is designed to offer flexibility in extending wireless coverage.

The airPointPro Outdoor has been FCC certified with several antenna configurations that are normally used by WISPs and outdoor wireless installers. This may help WISPs to choose an antenna with the pattern and gain characteristics that best conform to their coverage requirements and local regulatory limits.

The airPointPro Outdoor relies on the company's LongRange wireless radio technology that promises higher data throughput and longer operating ranges. With a suitable external antenna, the range may extend over 34 kilometers (21 miles) at 11 Mbps of data rate in free open space. At a lower speed of 1 Mbps, the range may be even greater. Improved range shouldlower wireless infrastructure costs for WISPs so they may cover large areas with fewer access points.

To increase range and ensure network connectivity, airPointPro Outdoor relies on Dynamic Rate Scaling. In addition to WEP security that uses a 40/64/128 bit key, airPointPro Outdoor is equipped with MAC level security that restricts access to pre-registered wireless clients based on their MAC ID.

Housed in a NEMA 4X weatherproof casing, the airPointPro Outdoor is built to perform reliably under all climatic conditions. With the powerSHOT, a standard PoE accessory, the airPoint Pro Outdoor may be powered over an outdoor rated ethernet cable that's provided with the unit.

The airPointPro Outdoor package includes simpleManager, a software tool for making initial network configuration, performing site survey, and monitoring signal quality and transmission statistics. The company says that its airPointPro Outdoor will find use in a variety of settings such as public parks, stadiums, marinas, convention centers, warehouses, beaches and shipyards.

"Fixed Wireless Broadband growth has been plagued by the unavailability of the right equipment at the right price," said Dilish Adhikari, smartBridges vice president of marketing. "With airBridge Outdoor and now airPointPro Outdoor—smartBridges completes an outdoor product suite that is functionally broad and operationally cost-effective. Network roll-outs and expansions can now be unhindered and efficient—just in line with the needs of wireless service providers."

Availability and pricing
The airPointPro Outdoor is available now at a list price of $439 in global markets through smartBridges' distributor network.

Products can be viewed and purchased on the company website.

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