AFC OverviewNEW!

Automatic Frequency Coordination (AFC) is a system that enables unlicensed Wi-Fi users to operate in the same frequency spectrum as licensed users, specifically in the 5.925–6.425 GHz (U-NII-5) and 6.525–6.875 GHz (U-NII-7) frequency spans.

Approved AFC cloud-based operators have access to a regulator's database which stores geolocation coordinates and associated power levels of licensed users operating in the 6 GHz spectrum.

The AFC server responds to requests made by ExtremeCloud IQ on behalf of eligible ExtremeCloud IQ APs for access to 6 GHz SP spectrum based on the geo-location coordinates of the APs. The AFC server responds by querying its database to verify whether there is an existing licensed 6 GHz service in that geo-location. If there is no conflict with licensed users in the AP's geo-location, the AFC server sends a response to ExtremeCloud IQ specifying over which channels and at which power levels the AP can operate.

ExtremeCloud IQ Smart-RF automatically selects the AP 6 GHz radio channel and power level after the AFC server allocates 6 GHz SP spectrum.

Here are some key points about AFC:

Increased Range and Performance: AFC deployments enable increased range and performance for indoor Access Points (APs) by allowing them to operate in the 6 GHz band up to the same power limits that APs are allowed to use in non-DFS 5 GHz channels.
Outdoor APs: AFC deployment enables outdoor APs to operate in the 6 GHz U-NII-5 & U-NII-7 bands in countries where regulatory bodies allow the use of 6 GHz for Wi-Fi, such as the United States.

ExtremeCloud IQ supports AFC with the AP5050 and AP5020. The AP5050 supports 6 GHz Standard Power based on geo-location coordinates provided by an integral GPS module. For APs that do not have an integral GPS module, ExtremeCloud IQ offers AFC with Geo-Location Agent support. The AP5020 supports 6 GHz Standard Power based on geo-location coordinates assigned by the Geo-Location Agent.

The AP5050, with its integral GPS module, does not require additional configuration, but it does require a GPS signal. The AP5020 with the Geo-Location Agent support does require a configuration update before the assigned AP can receive the geo-location from the Geo-Location Agent.

Table 1. Definitions
Term	Definition
LPI	6 GHz Radio Low Power Indoor.
Standard Power (SP)	6 GHz Radio Standard Power Indoor or Outdoor, which matches the 5 GHz Power level.
6 GHz Power Mode	The AP5020 6 GHz radio can be configured to LPI or SP/LPI. The SP spectrum is based on the geo-location.The SP/LPI option is standard power with a fallback option to low power. If the agent can not determine the allowable SP spectrum for the area, or if the SP spectrum is not allowed in the area, the AP5020 6GHz radio will revert to LPI, and the AP5050 6GHz radio reverts to zero power. If one or more radios are configured to SP, the AP consumes an AFC AP-license.
6 GHz Power Level	The 6 GHz radios configured to SP operate with SP power level only if the AP is assigned the AFC spectrum based on the AP geo-location coordinates. If the AP5020 is not assigned the AFC spectrum, it can be configured to operate with LPI power level. If the AP5050 is not assigned an AFC spectrum, it reverts to zero power.