LigoPTP RapidFire link test. ZNET case.

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Even though the LigoPTP RapidFire was introduced recently, the new wireless backhaul device has already attracted a lot attention. Impressive lab test results have intrigued the loyal customers and one big Hungarian WISP (ZNET) has decided to run a 20 km link test.

Link information:

  • Devices: LigoPTP RapidFire 5-N
  • Link distance: 19,6 km (12,2 mi)
  • Coordinates:
  • Device 1: 46°38’17.49″N,  16°50’16.64″E
  • Device 2: 46°26’53.20″N,  16°47’24.15″E
  • Landscape: flat
  • Other environmental factors: fog
  • Antenna: 34 dBi (120 cm) Grante HPA dual-pol dish

Link path analysis

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Spectrum analysis

Screenshot from 2015-12-18 16-42-23

5 GHz frequency range in the area where link was tested had quite a lot of noise. Above screenshot illustrates the noise floor. LigoPTP RapidFire has a new spectrum analyzer, which illustrates not only a waveform, but also a waterfall graph.

Link statistics

Screenshot from 2015-12-18 16-26-34

The signals achieved on both sides were in the -40 to -50 range and this allowed using the highest QAM 256 modulation even on a 80 MHz channel. Other statistical information about the link can be found in the screenshot of the new user interface above.

Link test

Screenshot from 2015-12-18 16-34-58

There are various ways to measure the throughput on LigoPTP RapidFire devices. One of them is using a link test from the tools section of the user interface. Above screenshot shows the test results with different packet sizes. The max capacity in this case was 556 Mbps and the max PPS (packet per second rate) was 135,000. Alternatively, there is an Iperf tool running on the device that can be accessed via console. Below table shows link performance in different directions when generating UDP traffic.

Test Throughput, Mbps
Master → Slave, UDP, simplex AVG 477, MAX 511
Slave → Master, UDP, simplex AVG 466, MAX 502
UDP, duplex AVG 443, MAX 490

 

Both ZNET (WISP) and Accesspoint (Hungarian distributor) were satisfied with the test results and will continue to use LigoPTP RapidFire devices in their network.