Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) is a wireless technology that delivers highly reliable, low-latency network connectivity for critical applications and devices, using IEEE 802.11 standards in the 5 GHz band.

Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) is a wireless technology developed for mission and business critical applications that demand high reliability, low latency, and robust performance. It operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and is based on the widely adopted IEEE 802.11 standards. Leveraging the 802.11 framework simplifies implementation for Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) teams. As a result, URWB enables greater deployment flexibility, reduced infrastructure costs, and accelerated installation when connecting fixed and mobile devices.

URWB is designed for wireless connectivity needs that are an integral part of your network infrastructure, rather than connecting end users like Wi-Fi technology is commonly used for.

URWB provides scalability without compromising reliability, delivering low latency and high availability. These characteristics are essential for mobile device use cases where stable connections and minimal latency are critical to ensuring safety and maintaining operational efficiency.

URWB supports two distinct connectivity models:

Mobility: Provides seamless and uninterrupted connectivity to moving devices. Commonly used for Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGV), autonomous mobile robots (AMR), trains, and other mobile devices.
Fixed infrastructure: Establishes connectivity between radios attached to stationary structures such as poles, towers, or buildings. This architecture is frequently used for wireless backhaul and physical surveillance.

Mobility roles

Base (Infrastructure — AP role)

Behavior: Serves as a fixed access point that mobile clients connect to.
Base-Relay (Infrastructure — Relay role)

Behavior: A stationary infrastructure node that extends wireless coverage by relaying traffic between bases and clients.
Client (Mobile/Vehicle)

Behavior: A moving node (e.g., mounted on a vehicle/crane/AGV) that actively scans for, connects to, and roams between infrastructure nodes.

Topologies

URWB supports multiple network configurations, including:

Fixed Mesh: Multiple nodes are interconnected, allowing data to be routed dynamically through the most efficient path. Ideal for large industrial sites or campuses where redundancy and self-healing capabilities are required.
Point-to-Multipoint (PTMP): A single central node connects to multiple remote nodes. Common in scenarios like wireless backhaul for several field devices or edge networks connecting to a central hub.
Mobility: Supports connectivity to moving assets such as vehicles or robots. Essential for use cases requiring continuous, low-latency communication while in motion.

Benefits

ultra-low latency,
seamless handoffs, even at high speed (220mph - 350Km/h),
high-throughput,
high-availability with ultra-fast failover, and
supports both fixed and mobile devices.

Limitations and restrictions

The following limitations exist for this release:

Compatibility- URWB on Cisco Wireless project supports select access points. For complete information on AP devices use case and country support, see the guide “URWB on Cisco Wireless Use Case and Country”.
Mobility architectures extending over Layer 3 networks are not supported. Mobility deployments must be deployed with all Base access points in the same network segment.
6 GHz Standard Power is not supported on URWB radios.
URWB supports up to two radio slots per access point.
2.4 GHz radios are not supported.
SD Access (Wireless Fabric) is not supported.
URWB supports one wired network port on each access point. LAN ports, on applicable access points, are not supported.
Throughput on URWB is subject to processing limitations, which varies per access point platform.

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