Ubiquiti Networks is shipping what are claimed to be the first-ever mini-PCI-based WiFi radios to boast 600mW transmit power, and the first to support operating temperatures from -45 to 95 degrees Celsius. The ExtremeRange WiFi modules have both been tested extensively under Linux, the company says.

The ExtremeRange2 (XR2) is a 2.4GHz 802.11b/g card, while the ExtremeRange5 (XR5) is a 5GHz 802.11a card. They are designed for use in outdoor access points and bridges — devices that often use 802.11a for backhaul, and 802.11b/g for user access.

Ubiquiti SR2 (above) and SR5 (below), front and back
(Click each image to enlarge)
Both the XR2 and XR5 are based on Atheros's sixth-genaration 802.11a/b/g chipset, and include advanced features such as 5/10/20/40MHz channel widths, compression, QoS, and the latest WPA security standards, Ubiquiti says. Ubiquiti says both have been tested with the open source Atheros MADWIFI driver, and with Linux router distributions that include Mikrotik, StarOS, Antcor Ikarus, and OpenWRT.

Additional claimed features include:

• Industry best receiver sensitivity
• Advanced filtering for improved noise immunity
• Innovative built-in RF surge protection design

Ubiquiti president Robert J. Pera stated, “We completed our initial XR development successfully using industry-standard throughput and radio tests, [then] decided to diligently investigate radio performance under real-world scenarios using the Linux MADWIFI driver and popular third-party routing software. It was in this development cycle that we nailed some critical radio optimizations that really makes performance exceeds all expectations in outdoor environments.”

Availability

The XtremeRange X2 and X5 are shipping now, priced at about $110 from online retailers such as Microcom and WISP-Router. They are also available in high volume direct from Ubiquiti.

Additionally, extended frequency versions will ship in Q2 for carriers licensed to operate in the 2.3-2.7GHz and 5.0-6.1GHz frequency ranges, Ubiquiti says.

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