Automated Frequency Coordination

AFC Support for 6 GHz Standard Power Mode

The Cisco Catalyst IW9167EH access point has eight N-type female connectors to support multiple antenna options, such as the Self-Identifying Antennas (SIA) on designated three SIA ports, dual-band antennas, and single-band antennas. The IW9167EH is compatible with SIA antennas for the 6 GHz band.

The IW9167EH supports the Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) 6 GHz Standard Power mode. A standard power AP joins the system. Before enabling standard power, the AP must get the available frequencies and the power in each frequency range from the AFC system.

The AFC system computes the available frequencies and maximum allowable power based on the information provided by the regulatory body (FCC for United States). The response is sent back to controller, which may assign a standard power channel to the AP based on the allowed channel list returned by the AFC system.

Standard Power AP coordinate through an AFC service. The AFC accesses information and, along with the AP’s geographical location and antenna characteristics, creates a topographical propagation map modeling the AP’s interference radius. This map allows you to assign maximum transmission power and coordinate/configure the channel settings to avoid interference.


Note

A power cycle is mandatory after the first installation of the SIA antenna.
Table 1. Radio 6 GHz power mode support

Deployment Mode

Low Power Indoor Support

Standard Power Support

Outdoor

No

Yes

The transmission power is limited to a maximum of 36 dB Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP), and APs must be coordinated through an AFC service. These APs are allowed to operate in the UNII-5 (5.925-6.425 GHz) and UNII-7 (6.525-7.125 GHz) in the -B (U.S) domain.

Table 2. 6 GHz Target Power

Conducter Per Path Power

Antenna Gain

Tx x Rx Chains

Max EIRP

Max EIRP (SP/AFC)

20-80Mhz

160Mhz

17 dBm

16 dBm

7 dBi*

4x4

30 dBm*

36 dBm

Verifying AFC Status on AP

To verify the AFC request and response data on AP, run the show rrm afc command. 

Device#show rrm afc
Location Type: 1
Deployment Type: 2
Height: 129
Uncertainty: 5
Height Type: 0
Request Status: 5
Request Status Timestamp: 2023-08-31T06:20:17Z
Request Id Sent: 5546388983266789933
Ellipse 1: longitude: -121.935066 latitude: 37.512830 major axis: 43 minor axis:
 9 orientation: 36.818100
AFC Response Request ID: 5546388983266789933
AFC Response Ruleset ID: US_47_CFR_PART_15_SUBPART_E

To verify the current operating power mode, run the show controllers dot11Radio 2 | i Radio command. 

Device#show controllers dot11Radio 2 | i Radio
Dot11Radio2     Link encap:Ethernet  HWaddr 24:16:1B:F8:06:C0
Radio Info Summary:
Radio: 6.0GHz (SP)