Overview
Ubiquiti Networks has designed the first airMAX® ac radios for high performance and ease of installation. You have the freedom to deploy the Rocket® ac anywhere in the world, and it allows for a high degree of flexibility in configuring channel bandwidths (subject to local country regulations).
The Rocket ac is available as three models: the Rocket5ac Lite, Rocket5ac PtP, and Rocket5ac PtMP. All three include airMAX ac technology.
The Rocket5ac PtP and Rocket5ac PtMP also feature airPrism® technology to further enhance performance.
Pair the Rocket ac with airMAX ac antennas for optimal performance:
• PtP backhaul Rocket5ac Lite or Rocket5ac PtP with the RocketDish™ ac
• PtMP links Rocket5ac PtMP or Rocket5ac Lite1 with the airMAX ac Sector
1PtMP functionality is available with a firmware upgrade to airOS v7.1 or higher.
Software
airOS 8
Sporting an all-new design for improved usability, airOS® v7 is the revolutionary operating system for Ubiquiti® airMAX ac products.
Powerful Wireless Features
• airMAX ac Protocol Support
• Long-Range PtP Link Mode
• Selectable Channel Width
- PtP: 10/20/30/402/50/60/80 MHz
- PtMP: 10/20/30/40 MHz
• Automatic Channel Selection
• TX Power Control: Auto/Manual
• Automatic Distance Selection (ACK Timing)
• Strongest WPA2 Security
2Maximum 40 MHz channel width for the R5AC-PTMP
Usability Enhancements
• Dynamic Configuration Changes
• Instant Input Validation
• HTML5 Technology
• Optimization for Mobile Devices
• Detailed Device Statistics
• Diagnostic Tools, including Ethernet Cabling Test, RF Diagnostics, and airView® Spectrum Analyzer
Advanced RF Analytics
airMAX ac devices feature a multi‑radio architecture to power a revolutionary RF analytics engine.
An independent processor on the PCBA powers a second, dedicated radio, which persistently analyzes the full 5 GHz spectrum and every received symbol to provide you with the most advanced RF analytics in the industry.
Data from the spectrum analysis and RF performance monitoring is displayed on the Main tab and airView Spectrum Analyzer
Real-Time Reporting
The Main tab displays the following RF information:
• Persistent RF Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) constellation diagrams
• Carrier to Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (CINR) histograms
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) time series plots
Spectral Analysis
airView allows you to identify noise signatures and plan your networks to minimize noise interference.
airView performs the following functions:
• Constantly monitors environmental noise
• Collects energy data points in real‑time spectral views
• Helps optimize channel selection, network design, and wireless performance
airView runs in the background without disabling the wireless link, so there is no disruption to the network.
In airView, there are three spectral views, each of which represents different data.
• Waterfall Aggregate energy collected for each frequency
• Waveform Aggregate energy collected
• Ambient Noise Level Background noise energy shown as a function of frequency
Available with a firmware upgrade to airOS v7.1, airView provides powerful spectrum analyzer functionality, eliminating the need to rent or purchase additional equipment for conducting site surveys.
Technology
airMAX ac
Unlike standard Wi-Fi protocol, Ubiquiti’s Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) airMAX ac protocol allows each client to send and receive data using pre-designated time slots scheduled by an intelligent AP controller.
This time slot method eliminates hidden node collisions and maximizes airtime efficiency, so airMAX ac technology provides performance improvements in latency, noise immunity, scalability, and throughput compared to other outdoor systems in its class.
Intelligent QoS Priority assigned to voice/video for seamless streaming.
Scalability High capacity and scalability.
Long Distance Capable of high‑speed, carrier-class links.
Superior Performance
The next-generation airMAX ac technology boosts the advantages of our proprietary TDMA protocol.
Ubiquiti’s airMAX engine with custom IC dramatically improves TDMA latency and network scalability. The custom silicon provides hardware acceleration capabilities to the airMAX scheduler, to support the high data rates and dense modulation used in airMAX ac technology.
Throughput Breakthrough
airMAX ac supports high data rates, which require dense modulation: 256QAM – a significant increase from 64QAM, which is used in airMAX.
With their use of proprietary airMAX ac technology, airMAX ac products supports up to 500+ Mbps* (maximum 80 MHz channel width) real TCP/IP throughput – up to triple the throughput of standard airMAX products.
*Up to 330+ Mbps (maximum 40 MHz channel width) for the R5AC-PTMP.
airPrism
To enhance airMAX ac performance, Ubiquiti Networks introduces our patented airPrism technology, which is featured on the Rocket ac models, R5AC-PTP and R5AC-PTMP.
Improves SNR
High data rates require a high Signal‑to‑Noise Ratio (SNR), which is challenging to achieve, especially in noisy, high‑density areas.
Integrated into Ubiquiti’s custom silicon, airPrism technology creates a high SNR by isolating signals within the operating channel and rejecting interference using specialized circuitry, the High‑Selectivity Receiver (HSR).
Removes Interference
Depending on the product model and operating mode, available channel widths may include 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and/or 80 MHz.
Theoretically APs operate on different channels; however, because of the wider channel bandwidths, there can be overlap in spectrum usage.
airPrism technology removes up to an additional 30+ dB of adjacent channel interference through the active filtering design, so an airMAX ac AP with airPrism technology can provide significantly greater performance than a typical AP.
Facilitates AP Co-Location
Co-location is vital in many scenarios. For example, a WISP may have limited tower space, so it must co‑locate all APs within that allotted footprint. Shielding and other means can lessen interference but may be impractical.
By deploying airMAX ac APs with airPrism technology, you can co‑locate APs and enhance the overall performance of your wireless network.
Number of APs | Channel Width |
4 | 80 MHz* |
8 | 40 MHz |
16 | 20 MHz |
*Supported by R5AC-PTP only
Active Radio Frequency Filtering
Improved Latency and Noise Immunity
Features
5 GHz Frequency Band This unlicensed band of plentiful spectrum works well for long-distance links.
Gigabit Ethernet Deliver high throughput over its wired connection.
Passive Power over Ethernet (PoE) 24V Passive PoE functionality is included. Both power and data are carried over a single Ethernet cable to the Rocket ac. Use the included PoE Adapter or an optional PoE switch.
Plug and Play Integration Every airMAX antenna has a built-in Rocket mount, so no tools are needed to install the Rocket ac. (airMAX ac antennas are recommended for optimal performance.)
Rocket5ac Lite
Launched with PtP functionality, the Rocket5ac Lite adds PtMP functionality with a firmware upgrade to airOS v7.1 or higher. The Rocket5ac Lite is a cost-effective basestation for links experiencing low or moderate levels of interference.
Caution! According to current Greek Legislation, of N.F.B.A.R. and the provisions of the P.D. 98/2017 the lawful use of this product in the frequency band 5470 – 5725MHz, provides for a maximum transmit power of 1 W e.i.r.p. At this maximum power the output power of the transmitter and the gain of the antenna are both taken into account. Responsible for spectrum surveillance is H.T.P.C. This product is CE marked, P.D. 98/2017 This product is intended for outdoor use. |
Warranties - Returns: | |
Money Return: | Repair - Replacement: |
20 days | 24 months |
Specifications | |
Dimensions | 162 x 84 x 37 mm |
Weight | 250 g |
Power Supply | 24V, 0.5A Gigabit PoE Adapter |
Power Method | Passive PoE (Pairs 4, 5+; 7, 8 Return) |
Max. Power Consumption | 8.5W |
Operating Frequency | 5150 - 5875 MHz |
Processor | Atheros MIPS 74Kc, 720 MHz |
Memory | 128 MB DDR2 SDRAM, 16 MB NOR FLASH |
Networking Interface | (1) 10/100/1000 Mbps |
RF Connections | (2) RP-SMA (Waterproof ) |
LEDs | Power, LAN, (4) Signal Strength |
Channel Sizes | PtP Mode: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz PtMP Mode: 10/20/30/40 MHz |
Enclosure Characteristics | Outdoor UV Stabilized Plastic |
Supported Voltage Range | 20-26VDC |
ESD/EMP Protection | ± 24KV Air / Contact |
Operating Temperature | -40 to 80° C |
Operating Humidity | 5 to 95% Noncondensing |
Shock and Vibration | ETSI300-019-1.4 |
Wireless Approvals | FCC, IC, CE |
RoHS Compliance | Yes |
Modes | Access Point, Station |
Services | Web Server, SNMP, SSH Server, Telnet , Ping Watchdog, DHCP, NAT, Bridging, Routing |
Utilities | Antenna Alignment Tool, Discovery Utility, Site Survey, Ping, Traceroute, Speed Test |
Distance Adjustment | Dynamic Ack and Ackless Mode |
Power Adjustment | Software Adjustable UI or CL |
Security | WPA2 AES Only |
QoS | Supports Packet Level Classification WMM and User Customer Level: High/Medium/Low |
Statistical Reporting | Up Time, Packet Errors, Data Rates, Wireless Distance, Ethernet Link Rate |
Other | Remote Reset Support, Software Enabled/Disabled, VLAN Support, 256QAM |
Ubiquiti Specific Features | 30/50/60 MHz Channels, airMAX ac Mode, Traffic Shaping with Burst Support, Discovery Protocol, Frequency Band Offset, Ackless Mode |
Model Comparison Chart | |||
R5AC-Lite | R5AC-PTP | R5AC-PTMP | |
Frequency | Full-Band 5 GHz | Mid-Band 5 GHz | Mid-Band 5 GHz |
airMAX ac Technology | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
airPrism Technology | ✓ | ✓ | |
PtP Functionality | ✓ | ✓ | ✓1 |
PtMP Functionality | ✓2 | ✓1 | ✓ |
Gigabit Ethernet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Ubiquiti PoE | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Output Power | 27 dBm | 27 dBm | 27 dBm |
1Requires firmware airOS v7.1.1 or higher. 2Requires firmware airOS v7.1 or higher. |