Ubiquiti airFiber 11 (AF-11)

The Ubiquiti airFiber 11 (AF-11) is a carrier-grade, modular point-to-point (PtP) radio platform engineered specifically for use in the licensed 11 GHz frequency band. As part of Ubiquiti’s airFiber product line, the AF-11 is designed to deliver ultra-high-performance wireless backhaul connectivity over long distances. It provides service providers, enterprises, and government agencies with a cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional fiber infrastructure, especially in areas where laying cables is logistically or economically challenging.

At the heart of the airFiber 11 is its custom-built RF and modem design, optimized for high throughput and ultra-low latency. Supporting full-duplex communication, the AF-11 enables symmetric data transfer, crucial for latency-sensitive applications such as VoIP, video conferencing, and data center replication. The platform supports channel bandwidths from 3.5 MHz to 56 MHz, offering flexibility in link capacity planning, and supports both FDD and TDD modes to suit a variety of regulatory environments and link performance goals.

The AF-11 is unique among wireless radios in that it offers complete modularity. It does not include a built-in duplexer, allowing users to choose and install the appropriate low-band or high-band duplexer (sold separately) depending on their licensed frequency range. This design gives network engineers maximum flexibility and enables the use of one radio model across multiple regulatory regions or link designs. Additionally, it can operate in either single-polarity or dual-polarity mode, with support for MIMO configurations when two radios and two duplexers are paired together.

To maximize deployment success, the AF-11 offers a comprehensive range of professional features. The system integrates Ubiquiti’s GPS synchronization technology, which enables precise timing across multiple radios co-located on a single tower. This reduces self-interference, enables more efficient spectrum reuse, and improves network scalability. Moreover, the airFiber 11 features robust security protocols including AES-128 encryption to safeguard data transmission across sensitive applications.

Physically, the AF-11 is housed in a rugged, outdoor-rated enclosure capable of withstanding harsh environmental conditions. It is designed for pole mounting and is compatible with Ubiquiti’s airFiber AF-11G35 35 dBi dish antenna, enabling high-gain, long-distance links. Installation is simplified with weatherproof RF connectors and passive PoE support, which reduces cabling requirements and facilitates remote deployments.

Network administrators can manage the AF-11 via Ubiquiti’s airOS interface, a web-based configuration tool that provides access to performance monitoring, diagnostics, and firmware upgrades. The device is also fully supported by the UISP (Ubiquiti Internet Service Provider) management platform, which offers centralized monitoring and device orchestration across distributed networks.

In summary, the Ubiquiti airFiber 11 (AF-11) is a modular, high-capacity wireless backhaul radio designed for the 11 GHz licensed spectrum. With its advanced RF features, GPS synchronization, and flexible deployment options, it is a premium solution for building resilient, high-throughput wireless infrastructure.