E500 29dBm @ 2.4GHz 28dBm @ 5 GHz and 5dbi antenna gain
E501S 29dBm @ 2.4GHz 28dBm @ 5 GHz 10.5 dBi on 2.4GHz 13 dBi on 5GHz antenna gain
E502S 29dBm @ 2.4GHz 28dBm @ 5 GHz 12.5 dBi @ 2.4 GHz and 15.9 dBi @ 5 GHz antenna gain
From specs above definitely the max range cannot be the same 213m (700Ft) as shown in the specs sheet
good point. yes the max range for the products will be different, but it is highly dependent on the client (subscriber) as well. There are also cases where the range is dependent on regulatory domain as well as frequency band and sub-bands (like in 5GHz) where EIRP limits are lower than other 5GHz bands. let me get you some ranges for AP to client and AP to AP (mesh)
in terms of EIRP for the e500/501S/502S for the FCC regulatory domain we have the following summary:
RF Band |
E502S FCC Max EIRP (dBm) |
e501S FCC Max EIRP (dBm) |
e500 FCC Max EIRP (dBm) |
2400-2483.5MHz |
36 |
36 |
35 |
5150-5250MHz |
36 |
33 |
29 |
5250-5350MHz |
30 |
30 |
29 |
5470-5725MHz |
30 |
30 |
29 |
5725-5850MHz |
36 |
36 |
35 |
in FCC regulatory domains there are restrictions on maximum transmit EIRP when operating in point-to-multipoint (PMP) mode. In the 5GHz band I (5150-5250MHz) and Band IV (5725-5850MHz) if operating in Point-to-Point (PTP) mode you can go higher (mesh mode or other deployment modes might desire this).
When it comes to range there are two ranges:
AP to AP (mesh mode)
AP to client
So when listing the AP to client mode there are always variations since the client can vary dramatically. In Mesh mode the assumptions are consistent and known. When it comes to the e500 vs. e501S and e502S the peak gain areas in the pattern are a higher percentage the more directional the antenna becomes (e500 peak gain points are very small while e501S and e502S the peak gains are seen at a higher percentage).
so when calcualting range for an e500 vs. e502S you will likely see more consistency in the e502S number vs. e500 due to the type of antenna (collinear array type on e500 vs. directional patch array on e501S and e502S).
will post some range numbers for the e501S and e502S shortly for you.
This is a complex question with complex answers.
What's the noise floor? If the noise floor creeps up above the receiver sensitivity of the radios, the links will be noise limited and likely have shorter range.
Where's the noise floor? (Just because it's noisy on ground level doesn't mean it's noisy on the rooftoop!)
Ten to fifteen years ago, we used to assume that access used 2.4 GHz and meshing used 5 GHz, since almost nobody had 5 GHz clients. Now, 2.4 GHz is noisy, and 5 GHz is used for access. (What's going on in each band? Where does it make sense to have access? meshing?)
Why are you interested in range? (In other words, what about throughput?) A given AP may have fantastic range, but even if the noise floor is very low, the throughput at max range may not be sufficient for the client!
Notice that the client range is likely dependent upon the client's transmit power, since it is likely less than the AP's transmit power. In other words, the range is inbound or uplink limited.
Notice that the meshing range is dependent upon how much throughput you'd like to have in the mesh. If you need more throughput, the APs have to be closer together.
Sorry, but life is full of tradeoffs!
I hope this helps!
Dave