Huawei RU-201

The RU-201 is a high-speed wireless WAN access component designed specifically for enterprises requiring next-generation connectivity. It enables 5G wireless broadband access services, providing reliable high-bandwidth data transmission that supports modern digital transformation needs.

It is purpose-built for deployment with the Huawei NetEngine 5G AR series routers, functioning as a remote unit (RU) that extends wireless capabilities to the router. This modular approach allows enterprises to upgrade to 5G without replacing their core routing infrastructure.

The unit is certified with an IP65 rating, meaning it is both dustproof and waterproof, capable of operating normally even in harsh outdoor or industrial environments. This makes it suitable for deployment in areas exposed to dust, rain, or humidity.

The RU-201 can be mounted either on a pole or wall, allowing flexible installation depending on site conditions. Its rugged design ensures durability and long-term reliability in both indoor and outdoor settings.

Operating temperature range is wide, from –40°C to +55°C, provided that there is no direct solar radiation. This enables installation in both cold environments and hot climates, including desert regions.

For enterprise flexibility, the RU-201 supports both 5G and 4G technologies, ensuring backward compatibility in areas where 5G coverage is limited. This dual compatibility ensures that businesses have continuous wireless access without service disruption.

It also supports both Standalone (SA) and Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G architectures, making it adaptable to different operator deployments and allowing enterprises to connect seamlessly regardless of network rollout strategies.

On the hardware side, the RU-201 provides one 2.5 GE RJ45 electrical port. The inclusion of a 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet port ensures higher performance for forwarding data traffic, particularly when backhaul over high-bandwidth 5G networks is required.

The RU-201 includes a nano-SIM card slot, supporting a single SIM card at a time. This allows enterprises to connect directly to mobile operators using either 5G or LTE subscriptions.

It comes with built-in antennas for both 5G and LTE. This design eliminates the need for external antenna accessories, simplifying installation and minimizing exposure to physical damage.

Power is supplied via PoE+ (Power over Ethernet Plus), compliant with IEEE 802.3at standards. This reduces the need for additional power cabling and allows deployment in remote locations where only Ethernet cabling is feasible. In cases where the system does not support PoE directly, a PoE injector can be used to power the RU-201.

The maximum power consumption of the device is ≤25 W, making it energy-efficient for continuous operation. Enterprises benefit from reduced energy costs while maintaining high-speed wireless access.

Heat dissipation is managed through a natural cooling design without fans. This not only reduces energy consumption and noise but also eliminates moving parts that could fail over time. Fanless operation enhances reliability and lowers maintenance requirements.

The dimensions of the unit are compact, measuring 237 mm in length, 149 mm in width, and 63.7 mm in thickness. Its slim form factor makes it unobtrusive when mounted in visible locations such as building exteriors.

The RU-201 supports a comprehensive range of frequency bands for both 5G and LTE, making it highly versatile across different regions and operator networks.

Supported 5G frequency bands include n1, n3, n5, n7, n8, n20, n28, n38, n40, n41, n77, n78, n79, n80, n81, n82, n83, and n84. This extensive band coverage ensures global usability and future-proof compatibility as operators expand 5G coverage.

Supported LTE bands include B1, B3, B5, B7, B8, B18, B19, B20, B26, B28, B32, B34, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, and B43. This means enterprises can fall back on reliable LTE connectivity wherever 5G coverage is not yet available.

For MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output), the RU-201 offers advanced configurations to maximize throughput and stability. It supports:

• Downlink 5G 4x4 MIMO on n1, n3, n7, n38, n40, n41, n77, n78, and n79.

• Downlink 5G 2x2 MIMO on n5, n8, n20, n28, and n75.

• Downlink LTE 4x4 MIMO on B1, B3, B7, B38, B39, B40, B41, B42, and B43.

• Downlink LTE 2x2 MIMO on B5, B8, B18, B19, B20, B26, B28, B32, and B34.

• Uplink 5G 2x2 MIMO on n1, n38, n40, n41, n77, n78, and n79.

These MIMO configurations enable the RU-201 to deliver high data rates, enhanced signal reliability, and better coverage performance, critical for enterprise-grade wireless broadband.

In terms of application scenarios, the RU-201 is designed for flexible and convenient wireless access. It connects to the NetEngine AR series router via Ethernet, with configuration and management performed centrally through the router.

Enterprises can use the RU-201 to establish high-speed wireless interconnection between branches and headquarters, supporting distributed networking in corporate environments.

The 5G data link can serve as a backup to wired connections such as xDSL, GE, or 10GE uplinks, ensuring business continuity in the event of primary link failures. This adds redundancy and improves overall network stability.

The device also accelerates network rollout, since enterprises can deploy 5G wireless connectivity quickly without waiting for traditional wired infrastructure to be installed. This is especially advantageous in new business locations or temporary project sites.

As a remote unit, the RU-201 operates under the control of a NetEngine AR series router. Enterprises can select the RU-201 as an add-on to provide 5G wireless functionality as needed, tailoring their deployments to project requirements.

Before installation, enterprises must determine the appropriate AR router model, cards, and software configurations to ensure compatibility and optimal performance when using the RU-201.

The RU-201 has been designed to meet the requirements of modern enterprises that demand flexible, high-speed, and resilient connectivity solutions. It represents an evolution in network access equipment by combining rugged hardware with advanced wireless capabilities.