Cambium cnWave 60 GHz: Wireless Backhaul Guide
Cambium cnWave 60 GHz: Wireless Backhaul Installer Guide
Cambium's cnWave 60 GHz product range provides multi-gigabit wireless backhaul and edge access without the need for fibre between nodes. It is particularly useful for backhauling outdoor Wi-Fi access points on campuses, holiday parks, or logistics yards where trenching is not viable.
Product Range Overview
| Model | Type | Coverage | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| V5000 | Distribution Node (DN) | Up to 280° (2 sectors) | Hub node — connects up to 4 other DNs or 30 client nodes |
| V5000i | Industrial DN | Up to 280° | Same as V5000 but rated for industrial environments |
| V3000 | Client Node | — | Mid-range client connection to a V5000 |
| V2000 | Client Node | 2×2 antenna | Backhauls outdoor Wi-Fi APs or CCTV cameras. Pairs with XV2 AP series |
| V2000i | Industrial Client Node | 2×2 antenna | Same as V2000, industrial-rated |
| V1000 | Client Node | 80° beamforming | Easy alignment — wide beam simplifies pointing. Up to 2 Gbps (1+1) |
Topology Options
cnWave 60 GHz supports three deployment topologies:
- Point-to-Point (PTP) — dedicated link between two buildings or structures
- Point-to-Multipoint (PMP) — V5000 as hub serving multiple client nodes
- Distributed Mesh — V5000 nodes interconnecting to form a resilient mesh
All topologies are managed from cnMaestro, using the same management workflow as cnPilot APs and cnMatrix switches.
Wi-Fi AP Backhaul Use Case
The V2000 and V2000i are specifically optimised to backhaul Cambium's XV2 outdoor Wi-Fi 6 AP series. This creates a combined outdoor coverage solution:
- Deploy XV2-23T or XV2-2T outdoor APs at coverage points (pathways, car parks, terraces)
- Connect each AP to a V2000 client node
- Run V5000 distribution node at a point with fibre or cabled backbone access
- cnMaestro manages both the backhaul and the AP layer under a single management plane
No separate software platform is required for the backhaul layer.
Alignment and Installation
- The V1000 client node has an 80° wide beamforming antenna — reducing alignment precision needed during installation compared to traditional microwave links
- Use Cambium's free LINKPlanner tool to plan 60 GHz links before site visit — inputs include building heights, distances, and expected throughput
- Standard PoE powers all client nodes — no separate power injector needed if a PoE switch is accessible at the node location
Licence and Spectrum
60 GHz (57–71 GHz) is licence-exempt in the UK under Ofcom's general authorisation regime. No spectrum licence application is required before deployment. Verify with Ofcom for the current general authorisation conditions if deploying in structures with unusual path geometries.
This article was adapted from Cambium Networks' original guidance: "cnWave 5G Fixed and 60 GHz Fixed Wireless" — https://www.cambiumnetworks.com/products/cnwave/ Habitech-edited for UK trade installer context. Original © Cambium Networks, Ltd.