SAF Australia
Click on the below questions to see the answers or scroll down to read all.
Q: What is the maximum link distance SAF microwave radios can cover?
Q: What is the maximum data speed of SAF licensed microwave radios?
Q: What is the maximum data speed of SAF unlicensed radios?
Q: What is your standard lead time? Do you keep any local stock of radios?
Q: Which frequency bands can be used in Australia license- free?
Q: What are the restrictons on radiated power (EIRP) for class-licensed radios in Australia?
Q: What are the benefits of licensed microwave radios compared to license-free radios?
Q: What is the cost of ACMA spectrum licensing?
Q: What is ACM and what are the benefits of using this feature?
Q: What is the power consumption of SAF radios?
Q: What interfaces are available with SAF radios?
Q: Does SAF microwave radio equipment require clear LOS (line of sight) to operate?
Q: What is the maximum link distance SAF microwave radios can cover?
A: SAF microwave radios are suitable for up to 100km paths (provided there is clear line of sight between the sites) depending on various factors, such as the required data speed, location (rain zone), elevation of the sites and others.
Q: What is the maximum data speed of SAF licensed microwave radios?
A: Maximum data speed of SAF radios is 366 Mbps full duplex per radio, that`s 366 Mbps in each direction of transmission.
2+0 configuration can be used to double the troughput achieving up to 732Mbps full-duplex data rate.
It is important to note that a 56MHz channel is required to achieve 366 Mbps throughput; in Australia 56MHz is only available in one licensed frequency band- 18GHz. Two next largest channels available in Australia are:
50MHz in 22GHz licensed frequency band, allows to achieve up to 313Mbps full duplex per radio and
40MHz in 6GHz and 11GHz licensed frequency bands; this channel size allows to achieve up to 245Mbps full duplex per radio.
Full 366Mbps data speed can also be achieved with 24GHz license-free radios.
Q: What is the maximum data speed of SAF unlicensed radios?
A: Maximum data speed of 5.4GHz and 5.8GHz radios is 180Mbps aggregate (180Mbps in both directions in total- equivalent to maximum 90Mbps full-duplex); maximum data speed of 24GHz radios is 366Mbps full-duplex.
Q: What is your standard lead time? Do you keep any local stock of radios?
A: Yes, we do keep local stock of radios in our NSW warehouse. Our stock typically includes licence-free 5GHz and 24GHz radios as well as some licenced radios, especially in the most popular frequency bands like 11GHz, 18GHz and 22(23)GHz. If we don`t have the required radios in stock, standard lead time is around 5 to 6 weeks.
Q: Which frequency bands can be used in Australia license- free?
A: SAF radios are available in the following unlicensed frequency bands: 5.4GHz, 5.8GHz and 24GHz.
Q: What are the restrictons on radiated power (EIRP) for class-licensed radios in Australia?
A: Maximum EIRP (Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power) figures for unlicensed radios are as follows:
5.4GHz- 1W (30dBm),
5.8GHz- 4W (36dBm) and up to 200W (53dBm) in regional and remote areas and
24GHz - 100mW (20dBm)
A: EIRP is radio tx power plus antenna gain minus any losses.
Q: What are the benefits of licensed microwave radios compared to license-free radios?
A: Main benefit of using licensed microwave radios is interference-free operation. Obtaining a frequency channel license from ACMA provides exclusive rights of use of this channel in the particular area.
Other benefits of licensed microwave radios over unlicensed radios include faster data speeds, longer distances, much lower latency and a range of extra features such as ACM, QoS, jumbo frame support, 1+1 and 2+0 configurations and others.
An exception is SAF 24GHz license-free radios- these provide the same data speeds and features as licensed radios, however, due to strict ACMA limitations on radiated power for this frequency band, it is only suitable for very short distances- maximum 2.5km (less with maximum data speed).
Q: What is the cost of ACMA spectrum licensing?
A: Spectrum licensing involves the following fees and charges:
1. ACMA application charge - $164.00 (GST free) per hop
2. Spectrum allocation charge- typically $600.00 (plus GST) per hop
3. Annual ACMA license fee- this annual tax varies between under $100.00 and over $12,000.00 per hop per annum depending on:
ACMA license fee calculator is available on the ACMA website- http://auction.acma.gov.au/fees_calc/step1.asp or contact us for a free consultation on which frequency band and channel size is the most suitable and cost-effective for your situation.
Q: What is ACM and what are the benefits of using this feature?
A: ACM stands for Adaptive Coding and Modulation.
In situations when link conditions worsen (typically due to environmental conditions) to the extent where a link with the same availability level without ACM would drop service, SAF radios with ACM feature automatically switch down to a lower modulation (and lower throughput) to preserve the link data operation. As soon as environmental conditions have improved, ACM automatically switches back to the original modulation and data speed.
This allows to achieve higher link availability figures (significantly reducing or often eliminating any link downtime) as well as reduce antenna sizes.
ACM feature is available with all licensed SAF CFIP product line radios as well as license-free 24GHz equipment.
Q: What is the power consumption of SAF radios?
A: Power consumption of radios depends on the model as well as frequency band. SAF CFIP Full Outdoor (FODU) solution is our most energy-efficient radio equipment making it highly efficient and cost-effective for sites utilising solar, wind or other alternative energy sources.
7-38GHz 100Mbps CFIP FODUs draw a maximum of 22-26W per unit (depending on frequency band) and 7-38GHz 366Mbps CFIP Lumina radios draw a maximum of 33W per unit with standard power and maximum 41W per unit with high power.
Q: What interfaces are available with SAF radios?
A: Available interfaces are- Fast Ethernet, electrical Gigabit Ethernet, optical Gigabit Ethernet (single mode or multi mode), E1 (up to 63E1), STM-1 (up to 3x STM-1). Different combinations of interfaces are available, please contact us for further details.
Q: Does SAF microwave radio equipment require clear LOS (line of sight) to operate?
A: Yes, all microwave radios require clear LOS to operate, except very low frequency bands, like 1.4GHz- 1.5GHz that can operate in NLOS (near line of sight) conditions.
Send your question to info@safaustralia.com.au.
Have an urgent requirement? Contact us, we might have a suitable solution in stock.
SAF Australia provide innovative, reliable and flexible microwave radio solutions tailored to suit customers`needs and combined with excellent local support and service. Here are the TOP 10 REASONS TO CHOOSE SAF.
How can we help you? If you have any questions or would like to receive a no obligation quote, please contact us on
02 4982 0079, 0432 034 473 or info@safaustralia.com.au.
We will be happy to assist you.
SAF Australia work with distributors across the country, join us and become part of a winning combination. Contact us today.
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