All three AX50 Series nodes run the same Anywhere Operating System, offer a data rate of up to 1,201 Mbps per radio, are rated IP67 and are managed with Anywhere Node Manager. They differ in the number of radios, the antennas and where they are designed to be used, and most networks combine more than one of them.
The three nodes side by side
| AX52e | AX52 | AX51 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radios | 2 × 5 GHz | 2 × 5 GHz | 1 × 5 GHz |
| Data rate per radio | Up to 1,201 Mbps | Up to 1,201 Mbps | Up to 1,201 Mbps |
| Antennas | Two external | Built-in 17 dBi plus external | Built-in 17 dBi |
| Operating temperature | -35°C to 65°C | -35°C to 60°C | -35°C to 60°C |
| Power | 20 W max | 20 W max | 12 W max |
| Suited to | Backhaul, rail and mobile deployments | Multi-hop mesh and ring networks | Last-mile and point-to-point links |
From the datasheets. Full specifications are on each product page.
AX51: cost-efficient point-to-point links
The AX51 has one radio and a built-in 17 dBi directional antenna. It suits a single link from one site to another, last-mile extensions to a camera or building, and small point-to-multipoint layouts. It can also join dual-radio nodes as part of a daisy chain or a mesh network.
AX51 details →AX52: mesh and ring networks
The AX52 has two radios, one with a built-in 17 dBi antenna and one with a connector for an external antenna, and two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports. With two radios, each node can receive on one and pass traffic on with the other, which is what keeps throughput up over many hops. It is the usual choice for city surveillance, campuses and multi-hop backbones.
AX52 details →AX52e: backhaul, rail and moving assets
The AX52e has two radios with external antennas, so each link can use the antenna that suits it, from panels to dishes. It runs in mobile or static mode, operates up to 65°C, and meets rolling-stock standards including EN 50155 and EN 45545-2, so the same node works on a train and at the trackside. It is the choice for long-distance backhaul, train-to-ground links, cranes and vehicle offload.
AX52e details →Why two radios matter in a chain
A chain of conventional point-to-point links needs a pair of radios for every link, plus switches and cables between them at each site. A dual-radio node uses one radio towards each neighbour in a single unit. For a chain of five links, that is 6 dual-radio nodes instead of 10 conventional radios, 40% fewer devices, with no external switch needed at each relay site.
Quick guide
| If you need | Start with |
|---|---|
| A single link between two buildings | AX51 at each end |
| A camera or building at the edge of an existing mesh | AX51 |
| A ring or mesh across a campus or city | AX52 |
| Long links with high-gain panel or dish antennas | AX52e |
| Train-to-ground, cranes or vehicle video offload | AX52e in mobile and static modes |
| Equipment on rolling stock | AX52e |
Plan the links first
The right node often depends on the link: its distance, the antennas it needs and the throughput it must carry. Plan the radio paths first, then choose the node for each site.
Open the link planner →