MikroTik LHG XL 5 ac 4-pack

The MikroTik LHG series consists of compact and lightweight wireless devices, each featuring a dual polarization grid antenna. These antennas are engineered to transmit and receive signals across both horizontal and vertical polarizations, significantly enhancing signal quality and bandwidth efficiency. The feature is paramount in areas prone to interference or in situations where network capacity needs to be amplified without additional frequency allocation. The series' design, characterized by its grid structure, not only mitigates wind load but also sharpens signal directionality, a critical factor for maintaining robust connections over extensive distances.

Designed for versatility, the LHG series excels in establishing point-to-point (PtP) links—direct wireless connections between two distinct locations—leveraging the directional capabilities of its dual polarization grid antenna to concentrate the signal flow. These links are vital for bridging distant networks or devices, ensuring high-speed, reliable communication pathways. Commonly, PtP links find application in telecommunications for network node interconnections, in security frameworks to link surveillance cameras to control centers, and in bridging the digital divide by extending network reach to remote or underserved areas.

The MikroTik LHG XL 5 ac, available in a convenient 4-pack, is an enhanced version within the Light Head Grid (LHG) series, engineered for users requiring robust, high-powered, long-range wireless functionality. This model's prowess in long-distance communication is amplified by its expansive grid and elevated gain antenna, enhancing its capacity to harness and direct signals over considerable distances. Such characteristics render it exceptionally effective for creating point-to-point (PtP) links, where its ability to focus and project a strong signal ensures dependable connectivity between remote locations. The larger grid and higher gain antenna not only extend the wireless reach but also intensify the signal's focus, facilitating reliable passage over vast areas. This makes the LHG XL 5 ac an optimal choice for bridging extensive gaps, be it in rural broadband implementations, linking expansive industrial sites, or connecting separate buildings across extensive campus environments.

In PtP configurations, this model shines by offering a direct, high-speed data conduit that can surpass traditional wired connections in flexibility and cost-efficiency. Additionally, as Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), the LHG XL 5 ac stands out for its capacity to maintain a stable and potent connection to central network infrastructures over extended distances, ensuring users in remote locations enjoy reliable network services.

Further distinguishing the LHG XL 5 ac is its adherence to the advanced 802.11a/n/ac wireless standards, ensuring compatibility with a broad spectrum of networking environments. These standards facilitate operation in the less congested 5 GHz band, leading to higher data rates and minimized interference. The inclusion of the 802.11ac standard, in particular, marks a significant step up in network efficiency and capacity, especially beneficial in scenarios with high user density and demanding data transmission needs. This alignment with high-frequency bands and the latest wireless protocols underscores the LHG XL 5 ac's capability to deliver faster, more reliable connections, solidifying its status as a premium solution for long-range wireless networking.

One of the key features of the LHG XL 5 ac is its high-performance 5GHz radio, offering a data transfer rate of up to 867Mbps, a significant improvement over previous models. This high-speed capability is rooted in the device’s compliance with the 802.11ac standard, which is optimized for the less congested 5GHz band. This band is preferred for its larger number of non-overlapping channels, facilitating faster and more stable connections while reducing interference, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive wireless applications. With an 867Mbps data rate, the LHG XL 5 ac excels in efficient bandwidth utilization and is capable of managing and distributing network resources to support simultaneous high-bandwidth activities. This efficiency ensures that each connected device or application receives adequate bandwidth to function optimally, thereby enhancing the overall network performance and user experience.

The device’s antenna, operating within a comprehensive 5.15 to 5.875 GHz frequency range, boasts a high gain of 27 dBi, enabling it to amplify and focus signals powerfully over extended distances. Coupled with a 7-degree beamwidth, the antenna targets its transmission and reception capabilities narrowly and effectively, minimizing signal dispersion and interference risks. This focus is crucial for maintaining a strong, stable, and clear signal path in long-range wireless communications, thus ensuring reliability and consistency in connectivity, especially in environments where point-to-point links or high-quality Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) connections are necessary.

Maintaining its user-friendly design, the LHG XL 5 ac is delivered disassembled, optimizing both convenience and shipping cost-effectiveness. Its assembly process is straightforward, featuring an intuitive grounding point to enhance safety during installation. At the heart of its technological capability is the Qualcomm-developed IPQ-4018 chipset, which is revered in the networking industry for its integration of high-performance features, particularly within routers and access points. The chipset's quad-core processor, operating at 716 MHz, significantly amplifies the LHG XL 5 ac's processing capabilities. This enhancement is pivotal for efficiently managing simultaneous tasks, thereby ensuring the device can adeptly handle the demands of challenging network environments. It supports advanced networking functions, including sophisticated routing protocols, quality of service (QoS) adjustments, and robust security measures, all while maintaining a responsive network experience under varying loads.

Complemented by 256 MB of RAM, the LHG XL 5 ac achieves excellent multitasking performance, facilitating a seamless operation even in scenarios laden with heavy network traffic. Equipped with 16 MB of storage memory, it adeptly accommodates the operating system and essential operational data. A critical enhancement is the inclusion of a 1 Gbps Ethernet port, greatly enhancing the device's wired connection speed. This upgrade enables the device to support high-speed data transfer, making it an exemplary choice for environments where large-volume file transfers, high-definition media streaming, and the accommodation of numerous concurrent users are the norm. Despite these advanced features, the LHG XL 5 ac maintains an impressive energy efficiency, with a peak power consumption of merely 7W.