For 5-GHz clients, the cell radius is comparatively smaller because higher the frequency, higher is the
attenuation. The 2.4-GHz band has almost 13 dB better link budget than 5 GHz.
Note
Comparison of Link Budgets of AP1520 Series and AP1552 Series in 2.4- and 5-GHz Bands (-E Domain)
In the -E Domain, EIRP limits are comparatively much lower. EIRP limit for 2.4 Ghz is 20 dBm and for 5
GHz is 30 dBm.
Let us consider 5 GHz because it is used as a backhaul for mesh. We can take a legacy data rate of 9 Mbps
to estimate the range.
PLE is 2.3 for backhaul.
AP to AP RF Link Budget, 5.6 GHz: 9 Mbps (-E domain)
Note
Table 25: AP to AP RF Link Budget, 5.6 GHz: 9 Mbps (-E domain)
Cisco 1522
Cisco 1552 E/H
Cisco 1552 I/C
Parameter
22 dBm
19 dBm, Composite
22 dBm, Composite
Tx Power Conducted at 9
Mbps, 20 MHz bandwidth
0.5 dB
0.5 dB
0 dB
Tx Antenna Cable Loss
8 dBi
7 dBI
4 dBi (inbuilt antenna)
Tx Antenna Gain
0 dB
4 dB
4 dB
Tx Beamforming (BF)
30.5 dBm
30.5 dBm
30 dBm
Tx EIRP
8 dBi
7 dBI
4 dBi
Rx Antenna Gain
0.5 dB
0.5 dB
0 dB
Rx Antenna Cable Loss
–88 dBm at 9 Mbps
–91 dBm at 9 Mbps
–91 dBm at 9 Mbps
Rx Sensitivity
125 dB
127 dB
125 dB
System Gain
9 dB
9 dB
9 dB
Fade Margin
471 meters (1543 feet)
575 meters (1888 feet)
471 meters (1543 feet)
Range between APs
(LOS, PLE = 2.3)
The AP1552 models with inbuilt antennas (1552C/I) have the same system gain as AP1522s for 5 GHz
backhaul giving the AP to AP distance of 1543 feet.
Link Budget Analysis for AP to Client (-E Domain)
Cisco Mesh Access Points, Design and Deployment Guide, Release 7.3
OL-27593-01
81
Site Preparation and Planning
Cell Planning and Distance