Ubiquiti airMAX LiteBeam Gen 2 5AC 5GHz 23dBi CPE

Overview & Positioning

The LiteBeam Gen 2 5AC is a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) radio/antenna combo designed for outdoor wireless broadband connections in the 5 GHz band. It belongs to Ubiquiti’s airMAX line of products and is intended for use in point-to-point (PtP) or point-to-multipoint (PtMP) links, where one side is fixed and the device is deployed at the subscriber or remote site. The Gen 2 version brings enhancements in noise immunity, mounting, and usability over earlier models

One of the innovations is the Inner Feed technology, which embeds the radio electronics directly into the feedhorn of the reflector antenna

Key Features & Capabilities

Here are the standout attributes and capabilities you should know:

Radio / Performance

• Operating frequency (main radio): 5,150 – 5,875 MHz (region dependent)

• Dedicated management radio (Wi-Fi): 2,412 – 2,472 MHz (or in some regions)

• Transmit power (max): ~ 25 dBm (±2 dB tolerance)

• Antenna gain: 23 dBi (directional reflector)

• Channel widths supported:
   • PtP Mode: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 / 50 / 60 / 80 MHz
   • PtMP Mode: 10 / 20 / 30 / 40 MHz

• Throughput (typical): over 450 Mbps (subject to link conditions)

• Modulation / Sensitivity: supports a variety of modulation schemes (e.g. BPSK, QPSK, QAM) with corresponding receive sensitivity down to around –96 dBm in favorable conditions

Hardware & Physical Specs

• Dimensions: approx. 358 × 271.95 × 272.5 mm ( ≈ 14.09 × 10.71 × 10.73 in)

• Weight:
   • Without mount: ~ 800 g (1.76 lb)
   • With mounting hardware: ~ 980 g (2.16 lb)

• Power / PoE:
   • Uses Passive PoE, 24 V, 0.3 A (Gigabit PoE adapter included with single-pack)
   • Max power consumption: ~7 W
   • Supported voltage range: 24 V ± 10% (i.e. 22 – 26 V)

• Networking Interface: Single Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000) RJ45 port, which carries both data and power (PoE)

• Environmental / Mechanical:
   • Operating temperature: –40 °C to +70 °C (–40 to 158 °F)
   • Operating humidity: 5% to 95% non-condensing
   • Wind survivability: up to 200 km/h (125 mph) 
   • Wind loading: ~275 N at 200 km/h (~61.8 lbf) 
   • ESD / EMP protection: ± 24 kV (contact and air)

Mechanical & Mounting Design

• Uses a two-axis mount system so you can adjust both azimuth and elevation separately for fine alignment

• Has a built-in bubble level to assist with alignment in field installations

• The kit includes parts like side reflectors, feed, mounting strap, wingnut hardware, etc

• Designed for quick assembly and deployment with minimal tools (often just a wrench)

Software, Management & Protocols

• Operating System: airOS Version 8, used across Ubiquiti’s airMAX ac product line

• Wireless Modes Supported:
   • PtP (Point-to-Point)
   • PtMP (Point-to-Multipoint)
   • Mixed airMAX mode for both kinds of clients

• Advanced Features & Tools:
   • Automatic channel selection to reduce interference
   • Transmit power control (automatic or manual)
   • Dynamic ACK timing / distance selection (important for long links)
   • Detailed RF diagnostics, spectrum analysis (airView®), and link monitoring tools
   • airMagic channel selection tool (for optimizing channel usage)

• Management / Setup via Mobile:
   Because of the integrated management radio, you can use a mobile app (e.g. Ubiquiti’s UMobile / UISP) to connect to the device, configure it, view status, update firmware, and perform diagnostics without disrupting the main link.

• Security: Supports WPA2 encryption (AES) and standard best practices for wireless authentication

Benefits & Trade-offs

Advantages

• High gain in compact form: 23 dBi directional gain gives good reach for relatively small, lightweight hardware.

• Reduced signal loss: Inner Feed design eliminates separate feed cables, thereby reducing insertion/cable loss.

• Good interference and noise immunity: Because of tighter beamwidth and directional pattern, it rejects off-axis noise sources better (i.e. spatial filtering)

• Ease of installation and alignment: Two-axis mount, bubble level, and quick assembly make field deployment simpler.

• Robust: Operates over wide temperature and humidity ranges, and can survive strong winds.

• Independent management radio: Configuration and management don’t interfere with the data link.

• Modern features: Full support for wide channel widths, adaptive features, diagnostics, and advanced firmware features.

Potential Limitations / Considerations

• Requires precise alignment: Being highly directional, misalignment is more punishing than with wide-beam antennas.

• Line-of-sight (LOS) required: As with many outdoor wireless links, obstructions (trees, terrain) severely degrade performance.

• Performance depends on environment: Throughput of “450 Mbps+” is in ideal conditions; real world experience may be lower depending on interference, distance, weather, etc.

• Passive PoE limitations: Voltage drop over long cable runs may matter; ensure proper cable gauge and voltage considerations.

• Regulatory constraints: In different countries, the allowed transmit power and channels in the 5 GHz band may vary; you must configure to comply with local laws.

• Wind and physical stress: While rated for strong winds, prolonged exposure or storms may stress mounting hardware; good mounting design is essential.

Use Cases & Deployment Scenarios

Here are some typical environments where the LiteBeam Gen 2 5AC is often used:

• Wireless ISP (WISP) subscriber link (CPE): The device can be mounted on a customer’s roof or pole and connected via Ethernet indoors.

• Backhaul / bridging: As part of a point-to-point backhaul link between two sites.

• Rural connectivity: For remote areas where wired infrastructure is expensive; this can bridge distances between base stations and dispersed users.

• Enterprise / campus deployments: To connect outbuildings, remote offices, or across parts of a campus without trenching fiber.

Because it supports both PtP and PtMP, it’s flexible in network architecture