[[http://standards.ieee.org/getieee802/download/802.11a-1999.pdf|IEEE 802.11a]] is a protocol based on the 5.8GHz [[UNII]] band (instead of the
2.4GHz IsmBand), this protocol can reach theoretical speeds of 52Mbs.  

In typical outdoor usage it will have a shorter range (though it may be
effected by water less) however it's use of WikiPedia:OFDM Modulation means it's
better at dealing with MultiPathFading issues which are especially
prevelant in warehouse / metropolitan area deployments due to
reflections.

See also: ChannelFrequencyChart, [[802.11b]], [[802.11g]], AccessPointReviews

A recent posting by JimThompson to the PersonalTelco MailingList has
more information:

{{{SamChurchill writes:
> I thought 5 Ghz could deliver backbone services to multiple users 10 miles
> away. Am I mistaken?
> 
> A Multi-Point 5.8 Ghz tower on a hill reaching 10-15 miles might make a good
> backbone for the Satellite Truck. But upon looking at the FCC part 15 rules
> now I'm not so sure. The 5.8 Ghz band can go 20 or miles but only point to
> point. Antenna gain limits EIRP for multipoint connections. Perhaps too much
> to be useful. Am I wrong?}}}
 
 Depends if you're looking at the U-NII or ISM rules.  In 5.8 under U-NII (part 15.407) rules, (which you quote) in the 5.725-5.825GHz range, we're limited to 1W + 6dBi of gain, unless we're running point-to-point, when we get 23dBi.
 
 If we're running under 15.247 (ISM), and point-to-point, then:

  (ii) Systems operating in the 5725-5850 MHz band that are used exclusively for fixed, point-to-point operations may employ transmitting antennas with directional gain greater than 6 dBi without any corresponding reduction in transmitter peak output power.
                     
 Otherwise, with p2mp (or omni) we're limited to 1W and 6dBi of gain, just like U-NII (and 2.4!).
                     
 However, the Atheros AR5000 chipset (without the LNA) has a RX sensitivity of -71dBm for 72Mbps @10% PER (Packet Error Rate) and -85dBm for 6 Mbps @10 % PER.
                     
 With the LNA, things get better (by about 3dBm), but I only know of two vendors shipping with the high-quality LNA.  Since 6Mbps isn't that interesting, lets guess that the equation is mostly linear, and figure -80dBm @ 36Mbps.
( example of high sensitive card is the [[http://www.diswire.com/SpecsSR5.pdf|SR5]] with -74dBm@54Mbps and -94dB@6Mbps on sale at [[http://www.diswire.com/|Diswire]]                     
 So, using your figures:
                     
 1. A 10-mile link using 5.8-GHz radios would experience a total path loss of approximately 132 dB.
 * Deduct another 4-5 dB for 50 feet of cable and connectors or a total loss around 136 dBm.

 1. Sensitivity gain of -80 dBm
 * With two, 6 dBi gain antennas, total gain is 12dBm.
 * A 1 watt radio is equivalent to 30 dBm.

 Total gain would be (80+12+30) or +122 dBm gain <<BR>>
 Minus total loss ~ (-136 dBm) <<BR>>
 Net result equals   (-14 dBm) <<BR>>
                                
 So, 10 miles is 'too far' at 36Mbps.  2 miles yeilds 118dBm of free space path loss @ 5.8GHz.  Stretching this link to 5 miles will get you a 6Mbps data rate.  
                                
 Suggestions:

 1. I'm fairly sure you can run 23dBm of gain on the "point to" (non-tower) end.  This changes things somewhat.  139dBm total gain, or something near to your 10 mile goal (which has a 132dBm free space loss
 * EIRP is measured sans connector loss.
 * Phased array antennas (which deliver incredible gain) 'count' as PTP.  I've seen the FCC letter.
 * 24dBm of headroom is a bit much (IMO).  Remember that OFDM is a bit better at dealing with fading, esp multipath fading.
 * Mesh networking (eg. AdhocRouting)

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[CategoryGlossary]