Outdoor access point (AP) What is an outdoor access point (AP)?
Outdoor access points (APs) are networking devices that provide wireless local area network (WLAN) connectivity in a form factor that protects against challenging environmental conditions—from outdoor public venues to oil rigs. Outdoor APs offer weatherproof and temperature ratings for challenging environments, with some models supporting Hazardous Locations certifications. Advanced models may also provide Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and Zigbee wireless connectivity for support of IoT devices.
- Outdoor access points explained
- What are key components of outdoor access points?
- What is the IEEE 802.11 standard for outdoor wireless access points?
- Benefits of outdoor access points
Outdoor access points explained
Wi‑Fi access points provide network access connectivity using radio technology rather than wired network cabling. This eliminates the cost and complexity of installing dedicated wired network cabling to users and devices and allows users and devices to remain wirelessly connected when mobile. To address the ubiquitous need for wireless connectivity, APs have been designed to provide Wi‑Fi for users and IoT devices across a range of environments and locations: indoors, remote, outdoors, and hazardous environments. Advances in Wi‑Fi standards (802.11) have evolved to address the growth in mobility and IoT, bandwidth demands of applications, and business requirements for high-performance, always-on, and secure wireless.
Outdoor access points support higher power levels, have purpose-built antennas, and rely on dedicated radios to connect client and IoT devices over a WLAN to provide full coverage in any weather. Most also include radios to support IoT, including low- or high-powered Bluetooth and Zigbee. Unlike indoor access points, they are waterproof and temperature hardened to better support challenging industrial IoT and manufacturing environments.
What are key components of outdoor access points?
A ruggedized network keeps devices and users connected and productive in outdoor, harsh, or hazardous environments without compromising security, performance, or operational simplicity.
Components of an outdoor AP:
- Weatherproof and rugged design: Outdoor access points must be built to withstand harsh weather conditions and extreme temperatures, with hardened exterior to withstand –40 Celsius to +65 Celsius and installed with secure mount system to withstand natural disasters such as earthquake.
- CPU and chipset: The ‘engine’ of the AP.
- Memory/Flash: The storage for the AP. Flash stores the OS and it runs in memory.
- Antennas: ‘Shape’ the RF energy from the radios to the clients, as well as allow the AP to ‘hear’ clients. Can be internal or external.
- Radios: Wireless transmitters and receivers of the AP.
- Bluetooth 6 and 802.15.4 / Zigbee radios and USB ports: Used to connect a range of IoT devices for video monitoring, temperature and humidity sensing, asset tracking, and more.
- GPS antennas: Provide location context.
- Wired network interfaces: How the APs physically connect themselves to the wired network and optional downlink wired ports for access devices.
- Trusted platform modules: Contain and store security credentials (recommended).
- Power alternatives: Depending on the deployment area and power availability, outdoor access points should accept a variety of power sources, such as PoE (Power over Ethernet) or direct AC power supply.
What is the IEEE 802.11 standard for outdoor wireless access points?
IEEE 802.11 is the wireless standard defined by IEEE and includes amendments to support technology advancements for indoor, remote, and outdoor Wi‑Fi access points. Wi‑Fi technology, based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) wireless communication standard 802.11, has continually improved, with each generation bringing faster speeds, lower latency, and better user experiences in a multitude of environments and with a variety of device types.
IEEE classification and names:
- 802.11a, 802.11g: Non-HT (Non-High Throughput)
- 802.11n (Wi‑Fi 4): HT (High Throughput)
- 802.11ac (Wi‑Fi 5): VHT (Very High Throughput)
- 802.11ax (Wi‑Fi 6): HE (High Efficiency)
- 802.11ax in 6 GHz (Wi‑Fi 6E): HE (High Efficiency)
- 802.11be (Wi‑Fi 7): EHT (Extreme High Throughput)
What is Wi‑Fi certification for access points?
Completing the certification from the Wi‑Fi Alliance, an independent industry organization, signifies that the AP has been thoroughly tested and meets all the requirements associated with a specific Wi‑Fi standard. Wi‑Fi certification ensures that devices and APs from different vendors interoperate reliably, securely, and according to the standard, such as Wi‑Fi 6.
What certifications cover outdoor access points?
- IP66: Protection against high pressure water jets.
- IP67: Protection against temporary complete water submersion.
- ATEX Zone 2 (European) and Class 1 Division 2 (North America): Protection against potentially explosive materials for a short period of time.
Benefits of outdoor access points
A ruggedized network keeps devices and users connected and productive in outdoor, harsh, or hazardous environments without compromising security, performance, or operational simplicity. Outdoor APs are built to survive weather conditions and high temperatures, and they frequently come with weatherproof enclosures that shield the internal components from moisture, dust, and other environmental elements. They can also be outfitted with high-gain antennas for long-range coverage and simultaneous support for numerous devices.
- Outdoor and ruggedized APs meet the needs of all types of enterprises.
- IoT ready outdoor access points simplify deploying and managing industrial and location-based services.
- Built-in security capabilities deliver policy-based enforcement and WPA3 compliance as part of the SASE framework.
Outdoor access point use cases
Application | Challenges solved |
| Manufacturing | Electrical noise, emissions, and immunity |
| Power substation | Specialized communication networks |
| Transportation | Shock, vibration, power interruptions |
| Traffic control system | Specialized traffic control networks |
| Refrigerated warehouse | Low temperature, humidity |
| Smart city | High and low temperatures and humidity |
| Ships | Small mounting footprints, power surges |
| Video surveillance | Camera power (PoE), wide temperature operation |
| Agriculture | Voltage dips and ripples, remote management |
| Campus | Transition between indoor and outdoor spaces |