LINKPlanner v4.8.3 Now Available

A new release of the LINKPlanner is available from https://support.cambiumnetworks.com/files/linkplanner

Please note that this version has a known issue with PMP 450i and PMP 450m APs which are set to 30 MHz bandwidth. Please do NOT use this version if you are working with 30 MHz bandwidth on these products.

The key features of 4.8.3 are:

New or changed features

  • PMP 450 Release 15.2
    • Added support for AES-256 and changed DES to No Encryption

Release 15.2 no longer supports the DES encryption mode, therefore the options available are now No Encryption instead of DES Only and AES instead of Any. In addition there is a new option AES with 256 key, which uses the same radio as AES but also includes an additional license key in the BOM

  • Added support for minimum and maximum modulation modes

In PMP mode LINKPlanner allows the user to set the maximum DL and UL modulation mode for each SM.

In PTP mode LINKPlanner allows the user to set a maximum and minimum mode for each link, with the same modes in each direction of the link.

The modes available in LINKPlanner are x1, x2, x4, x6 and x8. Note that x2 and x4 allows access to both MIMO-A and MIMO-B modes. LINKPlanner defaults to x8 for maximum modes and x1 for minimum modes, changing these values will reduce the predicted throughput and may degrade the availability.

  • Modified High Priority Channel to support extension to four Data Channels

The High Priority Channel option on the SM has changed to Data Channels and now includes options from 1 to 4, see PMP screen shot above.

High Priority Disabled is now equal to 1

High Priority Enables is now equal to 2

  • Added ability to configure a maximum limit of subscribers on the AP

The AP has a new parameter for Max Registrations Allowed, by default the maximum limit is 238, but please note that if the Data Channels option is configured to higher than 1 for any SM, the limit on Virtual Circuits may be reached before the Max Registrations Allowed. If all SMs are configured to use 4 Data Channels the maximum number of subscribers is reduced to 59.

  • Updated installation reports to allow max range to be entered in kilometres
  • Removed SM antenna restriction on 2.4 GHz United States

Alternate antennas are now enabled on the 2.4 GHz United States regulation with an EIRP limit of 36 dBm, which will require the SM Max power configured on the product.

  • Retired PMP 450d subscriber module
  • cnReach
    • Added support for ETSI and Australia to PTP mode in 450 MHz band

Added ETSI and Australia regulations to the UHF 406-430 MHz and UHF 450-470 MHz bands and added a new band UHF 430-450 MHz for ETSI

  • ePMP
    • Added support for MCS 9 at 20 MHz for 11ac products
  • PTP 820
    • Added support for PTP 820G Unit Redundancy as 2x1+0 Unit Redundancy

This introduces a new link type for 2x1+0 Unit Redundancy, with a new menu option for the Ethernet Interface Protection, which has the following options:

        Line Protection Mode (Electrical)

        Line Protection Mode (Optical)

        Optical Splitter Mode – this is the default mode

        Electrical Splitter Mode

These options primarily affect the items in the BOM, with the exception of the Electrical Splitter Mode which limits the Ethernet interface to 100 Mbps Fast Ethernet.

 

  • Added support for other bandwidths to PTP 820 “Wide” radios at 11 and 18 GHz

It is now possible to plan any of the other bandwidths available on the “Narrow” radios on the PTP 820 “Wide” radios

  • Added 80 MHz at 11 GHz for RFU-A 2+0 Cross-Polar and XPIC
  • Changed LPU for PTP 820G

The LPU for PTP 820G has changed back to WB 3657, the PTP 820 Gas Tube Surge Arrestor is available through Optional Extras

  • Added RFU-C rack mount to optional extras
  • cnPilot
    • Added e700 to BOM Estimator

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  • General
    • Added ability to set a User SM Transmit Power limit

This parameter works in a similar manner to the User Limit on the PTP transmit power, where the maximum transmit power can be reduced from that calculated automatically by LINKPlanner. It cannot be used to increase the automatic value, which is limited by regulations and the SM Receive Target Level.

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  • Added ability to run Best Server using the subscriber site height instead of a fixed height for all subscribers

This allows the Best Server analysis to use the height of individual subscriber heights if they are known, instead of planning to a single height for all subscribers. If a subscriber site does not have a maximum height configured the Best Server analysis will use the fixed antenna height given on the analysis page. To change the default antenna height, untick the Use subscriber site height, set the required Antenna Height and then tick the Use subscriber site height.

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  • Added RF Elements 90° Horn antenna and made all Horn antennas available on 450/450i APs
  • Added Industrial Ethernet Cable to unlicensed band products in optional extras
  • Replaced 600SS Surge Suppressor on 30V GigE products with 30V Gigabit Surge Suppressor

The surge suppressor for 30V GigE products which previously showed the 600SS in the BOM has been updated to show the 30V Gigabit Surge Suppressor.

  • Added a display of SM count when adding new subscribers to an AP and included a warning when count exceeds number of subscribers that can be supported on an AP

Note that the warning includes the number of subscribers already connected to the AP as well as the new ones being selected. It is for information and will not prevent the subscribers being connected.

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  • Removed Spare Controller Cable from optional extras for CMM5
  • Made obsolete 90 and 120° ePMP 5 GHz sector antennas and 5 GHz 60° antenna on ePMP and 450 family
  • Added hover help on Predicted Availability on PMP to show unavailable time

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Bug Fixes

  • Corrected aggregate throughput reported in Project Summary in the reports

Applies to 2+0 link types for PTP 550 and PTP 820. Reports were showing the throughput for Link A rather than the aggregate throughput for both links.

  • Corrected issue with site names containing $$
  • Corrected frame duration reported in HCMP Expert TDD Frame Mode
  • Ensured that Add new Hub function uses network site height for APs
  • Corrected error when changing band setting on cnReach PTP
  • Corrected error when setting fixed SM Modulation Mode

 

This applies to cnReach where the SM Maximum Mod Mode was being set even when the mode was fixed and not adaptive. This will result in LINKPlanner showing a warning about failing to set sm_max_mode when an old project file is opened if the SM is set to fixed mode on an AP. This can safely be ignored. Save the file in the new version and the warning will disappear.

 

  • Force secondary XPIC ends to update when the primary transmit frequency is updated