top of page
Point to Point Wireless Network Design & Installation
FDNS delivers point to point wireless network design and installation for enterprise sites, data centres, utilities, construction projects, campuses and remote infrastructure. Our work is engineered around path profile and Fresnel clearance, frequency and channel planning, availability target, antenna size and mounting, capacity and modulation, with installation and acceptance aligned to the requirements of data-centre interconnect, resilient backhaul, remote-site access, CCTV transport, temporary circuits and building-to-building connectivity. We combine survey, design, field delivery, testing and documented handover so clients receive a complete telecommunications service rather than disconnected individual activities.
What is Point-to-Point wireless network design and installation?
Point-to-Point wireless links provide dedicated high-capacity connectivity between two locations where fibre is unavailable, uneconomic, temporary or difficult to deploy. FDNS designs and installs PtP wireless networks for enterprise sites, data centres, utilities, construction projects, campuses and remote infrastructure. Our process starts with both ends of the link: rooftop, mast or tower positions, path profile, line of sight, Fresnel clearance, mounting, power, cable routes and equipment-room interfaces. We then engineer frequency and channel plans, antenna size, modulation, capacity, availability targets and backhaul integration so the radio link is designed around the required service rather than headline throughput alone. This is particularly important where the connection will carry business-critical traffic, CCTV, voice, telemetry or resilient network services. FDNS can coordinate survey, installation, alignment, commissioning and handover as one controlled activity, giving the client documented settings, measured performance and a supportable point-to-point link that can be integrated with the wider LAN, WAN or telecommunications infrastructure.
What our point-to-point wireless link service includes
Path survey and line-of-sight verification
FDNS confirms end-point locations, path distance, Fresnel clearance, terrain, structures and possible obstructions before recommending a wireless route. A proper path survey reduces the risk of designing a radio link that looks viable on paper but cannot achieve stable real-world performance.
Radio, antenna and frequency engineering
We select suitable radio technology, antenna gain, frequency, channel width and link capacity around the application and regulatory environment. Link budgets are developed to account for path loss, fade margin, availability targets and expected service performance.
Mounting, power and physical infrastructure
FDNS plans pole, mast or rooftop mounting, bracket requirements, cable routes, earthing, surge protection, power and equipment access. The objective is a point-to-point wireless installation that is mechanically secure, electrically protected and maintainable throughout its service life.
Backhaul and LAN/WAN integration
Wireless links are integrated with the wider network through switching, routing, VLANs, fibre or copper interfaces and resilience requirements. This ensures the radio path operates as part of the network design rather than as an isolated connection.
Installation, alignment and acceptance testing
Our engineers install and align both ends of the link, then verify RSSI, SNR, modulation, throughput, latency and availability against the agreed design intent. Any obstruction, interference or performance issue is investigated before final acceptance.
Documentation, support and future capacity
FDNS records equipment, frequencies, alignment data, network interfaces, test results and as-built information for handover. This provides a dependable baseline for maintenance, fault investigation and later bandwidth upgrades or topology changes.
Prove the radio path, Fresnel clearance and required availability
A reliable point-to-point wireless link starts with a verified path rather than a visual assumption that two sites can see each other. FDNS assesses path profile, distance, terrain, obstructions, Fresnel-zone clearance and required service availability before selecting the final radio solution. This reduces the risk of unstable links caused by marginal geometry, seasonal vegetation or insufficient fade margin.
Select frequency, channel width and capacity for the application
The correct radio configuration depends on bandwidth, latency, availability, spectrum conditions and the regulatory environment. FDNS reviews operating frequency, channel width, modulation, interference, antenna gain and expected throughput so the link is engineered around the actual service requirement. This prevents overspecifying equipment while ensuring the connection has sufficient capacity and resilience for operational use.
Design antenna size, mounting and structure for dependable performance
Antenna diameter and mounting arrangement affect gain, beamwidth, wind loading, alignment tolerance and long-term stability. FDNS considers mast or rooftop structure, bracket design, cable routing, safe access and environmental exposure alongside RF performance. This creates a point-to-point installation that can be accurately aligned, maintained safely and kept stable in service.
Protect the link against power, backhaul and physical failure points
Duplicating radios does not provide meaningful resilience if both ends still rely on the same power source, switch, mast or upstream network. FDNS reviews end-to-end failure modes including power, LAN/WAN interfaces, physical routes, equipment positions and backhaul dependencies. Where high availability is required, the resilience strategy is built around genuinely independent infrastructure.
Document modulation, link budget and acceptance thresholds
FDNS records the planned link budget, signal levels, modulation, throughput, latency and agreed acceptance criteria so commissioning can be measured against a defined technical baseline. As-built alignment, configuration and test results are retained for handover. This gives operators clear evidence for future fault finding, capacity changes and performance comparison.
How FDNS designs, installs and proves a point-to-point wireless link
A point-to-point wireless link must be engineered as an end-to-end transmission path, not simply two radios mounted on buildings. FDNS combines path survey, Fresnel analysis, RF design, structural preparation, installation, alignment, performance testing and handover into one controlled process. This helps clients achieve predictable capacity, latency and availability while reducing the risk of poor signal margin, interference or unstable mounting arrangements.
1
1. Survey both link ends and confirm the radio path
FDNS inspects both endpoints, including rooftops, towers, masts, facades, equipment rooms and cable routes. Path distance, terrain, obstructions, access, mounting conditions, power and network interfaces are checked so the proposed point-to-point route is based on verified site conditions rather than assumptions.
2
2. Engineer the link budget, frequency and availability target
We calculate the RF path using distance, Fresnel clearance, antenna gain, frequency, channel width, modulation, fade margin and required throughput. The design also considers interference, regulatory constraints and service availability so the selected radio platform is appropriate for the required operational performance.
3
3. Prepare mounting, power, cabling and access at both sites
FDNS confirms brackets, masts, cable routes, power, earthing, network interfaces, safe access and installation resources before mobilisation. Preparing both ends together avoids delays caused by incomplete mounting structures or unsuitable equipment-room conditions once the radio team is on site.
4
4. Install, align and integrate the point-to-point radio link
Radios, antennas, mounts and cabling are installed to the engineered design, with alignment carried out to achieve the intended signal and fade margin. FDNS also integrates the link with the local network interfaces, applies consistent labelling and protects external connections against weather and mechanical damage.
5
5
5. Test throughput, latency, signal quality and resilience
The commissioned link is checked against agreed technical limits including received signal level, modulation, throughput, latency and error performance. Where resilience or failover is part of the scope, associated interfaces are also checked so the client receives measurable proof that the wireless transmission path performs as designed.
6
6. Handover alignment data, configuration and acceptance evidence
FDNS provides the relevant as-built information, radio configuration, link budget, alignment results, test evidence and known constraints. These records create a useful baseline for future maintenance, performance comparison, fault investigation and planned capacity upgrades.
Point-to-point wireless link standards, alignment, testing and commissioning
FDNS designs and commissions point-to-point wireless links as complete transmission paths, not simply as two radios mounted at opposite ends of a route. Engineering considers path profile, true line of sight, Fresnel clearance, antenna size, frequency, channel width, modulation, fade margin, expected rain attenuation, interference, mounting stability and the required throughput, latency and availability. Power, Ethernet or fibre interfaces, surge protection, earthing and maintenance access are also reviewed before installation is approved.
Commissioning compares the installed link with the engineered link budget. Received signal level, SNR, modulation, throughput, latency, packet loss and error performance are checked against the agreed limits, with antenna alignment and configuration adjusted where necessary. Where resilience is part of the requirement, associated failover paths, switches or alternative backhaul can also be tested so the client understands whether diversity exists across the full service path.
Final records can include path assumptions, equipment and antenna data, configuration, alignment results, link-budget information, throughput evidence and known constraints. FDNS ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 management systems provide a controlled framework for installation on rooftops, masts, towers and other live operational locations.
Where point-to-point wireless links are used
Point-to-point wireless is used where two sites require a dedicated high-capacity connection without waiting for a new fibre route or where physical route diversity is required. FDNS deploys links for building-to-building connectivity, enterprise backhaul, CCTV transport, remote sites, construction compounds, temporary capacity, data-centre or campus interconnect and resilient network extensions. Microwave and millimetre-wave platforms can provide high throughput over suitable paths, but the final technology and antenna arrangement are selected around distance, availability, spectrum and service objectives.
Common point-to-point wireless risks and how FDNS controls them
Wireless links can appear healthy at installation but fail to meet long-term service targets if the path is marginal. Common risks include partial Fresnel obstruction, inaccurate path data, poor mounting stability, interference, unsuitable channel width, weak fade margin, unrealistic availability assumptions and weather effects not reflected in the link budget. FDNS controls these issues through field verification, RF engineering, appropriate antenna selection, structured alignment and performance testing. This gives the client evidence that the installed link corresponds with the engineered design rather than relying only on a green status indicator from the radio.
How point-to-point wireless integrates with FDNS fibre and transmission services
A radio link normally connects into fibre, Ethernet switching or another transmission network at each end. FDNS can coordinate those interfaces with fibre installation, PON, structured cabling, point-to-multipoint wireless, CWDM/DWDM, Ethernet testing and wider telecoms infrastructure. This allows the wireless hop to be considered as part of the complete service path, including power, switching, resilience and upstream capacity, reducing the risk that a correctly aligned radio is constrained by another layer of the network.
What information is needed to design and procure a point-to-point wireless link?
A point-to-point wireless project should begin with the service requirement: endpoint locations, required throughput, latency, availability, resilience, interface type, expected growth and any requirement for physical route diversity. The brief should also identify roof, tower or mast access, mounting constraints, power, existing network interfaces and known obstructions. FDNS uses this information to assess path profile, Fresnel clearance, frequency, channel width, antenna size, fade margin and link budget before equipment is selected, giving the client a defensible engineering basis for procurement.
Prepare a complete work package for both radio-link endpoints
Both ends of the link must be treated as one installation. The work package should include mounting details, safe access, antenna positions, brackets or structures, cable routes, power, earthing, surge protection, fibre or Ethernet handoff, equipment-room interfaces and any landlord or site restrictions. Where path information is uncertain, FDNS can complete survey and verification before mobilisation. This helps prevent a project reaching installation only to discover that one endpoint cannot support the proposed antenna, cable route or network interface.
Define link-budget acceptance, throughput testing and final records
The client should agree the required signal, modulation, throughput, latency, packet loss and availability thresholds before commissioning. FDNS can test the installed link against the engineered link budget and record alignment, configuration, radio parameters and performance evidence. Where resilience forms part of the scope, failover paths and upstream interfaces should also be included in acceptance. This produces a handover package that remains useful for maintenance, re-alignment, capacity upgrades and fault investigation.
Why choose FDNS for point-to-point microwave and wireless links?
FDNS engineers point-to-point wireless links as end-to-end transmission paths, combining RF design, physical infrastructure, Ethernet or fibre interfaces and commissioning. Our engineers have worked across complex telecommunications networks in the UK, Europe and internationally, giving us the practical experience to design links around availability, capacity and resilience rather than simply selecting a pair of radios. This is especially important for business-critical backhaul, data-centre links, CCTV transport, temporary circuits and fibre-diverse connectivity.
Path profile and Fresnel clearance verified before build
FDNS checks distance, terrain, obstacles, line of sight and Fresnel-zone clearance before the final radio and antenna solution is selected. This reduces the risk of marginal paths that appear viable on mapping tools but perform poorly once weather, vegetation or structural obstructions are considered.
Link budgets designed around required availability
Frequency, channel width, antenna gain, fade margin, modulation and expected rain attenuation are engineered against the required throughput and service availability. This creates a defensible technical design rather than relying on vendor maximum-distance figures.
Mounting, power and network interfaces designed as part of the link
FDNS considers masts, rooftops, brackets, wind loading, cable routes, earthing, surge protection, power and Ethernet or fibre handoff at both ends. This prevents RF design from being separated from the physical conditions that determine long-term stability.
Alignment and performance proven during commissioning
RSSI, SNR, modulation, throughput, latency and error performance can be checked against the engineered link budget. Where resilience is required, FDNS can also verify alternate paths and network interfaces so the service is tested beyond the radio layer.
Wireless links integrated with wider transmission infrastructure
FDNS can connect point-to-point radio into fibre, Ethernet, PON, CWDM/DWDM and wider backhaul networks. This allows the wireless hop to be treated as one component of the complete service path, with capacity and resilience considered end to end.
Frequently asked questions about point-to-point wireless links
1. What is a point-to-point wireless link used for?
A point-to-point link provides a dedicated wireless connection between two sites. Typical uses include building-to-building connectivity, enterprise backhaul, remote sites, CCTV transport, temporary capacity, fibre-diverse resilience and campus or data-centre interconnect where installing new fibre is impractical or too slow.
2. How does FDNS check whether a wireless path is viable?
We assess path profile, true line of sight, Fresnel clearance, distance, terrain, buildings, vegetation and endpoint mounting positions. This is combined with frequency, antenna gain and fade-margin calculations so viability is based on the required service availability rather than visual line of sight alone.
3. How is the correct frequency and antenna size selected?
Frequency, channel width and antenna size are chosen against distance, throughput, interference, regulatory constraints, fade margin and required availability. FDNS engineers the link budget first so equipment selection supports the service rather than relying on headline vendor distance figures.
4. Can FDNS install microwave and millimetre-wave links?
Yes, where appropriate to the project. FDNS can design and install licensed, lightly licensed or unlicensed point-to-point solutions using suitable microwave or millimetre-wave platforms, subject to the required frequency planning, approvals and project specification.
5. How does FDNS commission a point-to-point wireless link?
Commissioning can include alignment, received signal level, SNR, modulation, throughput, latency, packet loss and error performance. Results are checked against the engineered link budget so the finished radio path can be shown to perform as designed.
6. Can a wireless link provide resilient backup to fibre?
Yes, if it is engineered with genuine physical and logical diversity. FDNS reviews power, switching, endpoint infrastructure, radio path and upstream network dependencies so the backup route does not unknowingly share the same failure point as the primary fibre service.
7. Can FDNS integrate the radio link with fibre and Ethernet networks?
Yes. FDNS can coordinate fibre, Ethernet switching, PON, CWDM/DWDM and other backhaul interfaces at both endpoints. This allows the wireless hop to be treated as part of the complete service path rather than as a standalone pair of radios.
8. What information is needed for a point-to-point wireless quotation?
Useful information includes endpoint addresses or coordinates, required bandwidth, latency and availability, existing network interfaces, mounting options, rooftop or mast access, power and any known obstructions. FDNS can survey both sites and develop the path design where records are incomplete.
Complete your wireless backhaul design with related FDNS services
Need a high-capacity point-to-point wireless link? Speak to FDNS
Tell us the two endpoints, required throughput, latency, availability, resilience and any existing fibre or Ethernet interfaces. FDNS can assess the path, engineer the link budget, select the radio and antenna solution, install and align the system, then prove performance against agreed commissioning criteria.
bottom of page