HPE Aruba 518 Series Wireless Access Points Model Overview
The HPE Aruba Networking 518 Series Ruggedized Access Point offers advanced Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) performance specifically designed for harsh environments such as industrial freezers and warehouses. With superior 4x4:4 MU-MIMO capability and integrated Bluetooth for location services, this access point ensures fast, reliable connectivity with maximum aggregate data rates of up to 3 Gbps. Built to withstand extreme temperatures and moisture, alongside featuring dynamic OFDMA and ClientMatch technologies, the 518 Series delivers an optimized user experience for a diverse range of applications and client devices.
Key features:
High Performance Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with up to 3 Gbps throughput.
Durable Design for extreme conditions, including temperature and moisture protection.
Advanced Technology with integrated Bluetooth for IoT applications.
ClientMatch technology ensures optimal connectivity for all clients.
Intelligent Power Monitoring for efficient energy consumption management.
Data Rate: Up to 4.8 Gbps on 5 GHz and 575 Mbps on 2.4 GHz
Operating Temperature: -40°C to +55°C
Moisture Protection: IP55 rated
Client Capacity: Supports up to 512 clients per radio
Power Consumption: Max 32.0W (dual ports)
Mounting: Compatible with various mounting kits
Bluetooth Support: Bluetooth 5 and Zigbee for IoT deployments
HPE Aruba R4H01A Wireless Access Points Overview
High performance Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) for harsh weather-protected and indoor environments
The hardened, Aruba 518 Series access point delivers high Wi-Fi 6 performance in harsh, weather-protected environments such as warehouses, industrial freezers or enclosures in extreme environments such as stadiums. It delivers 4x4:4SS MU-MIMO capability, Aruba's advanced ClientMatch and integrated Bluetooth to enable Aruba location services.
Purpose-built to survive in the harshest outdoor environments, 518 Series APs withstand exposure to extreme high and low temperatures, persistent (non-precipitant) moisture, and are sealed to keep out airborne contaminants. All electrical interfaces include industrial strength surge protection.
Aruba Wi-Fi 6 access points provide high-performance connectivity in dense mobile and IoT environments. With maximum aggregate on air data rate of 3 Gbps (HE80/HE40), the 518 Series APs deliver the speed and reliability needed for demanding environments.
INCREDIBLE EFFICIENCY
The 518 Series APs are designed to optimize user experience by maximizing Wi-Fi efficiency and dramatically reducing airtime contention between clients.
Features include Uplink and Downlink Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Downlink Multi-User MIMO (MU MIMO) and cellular co-location. With up to 4 spatial stream and 160 MHz channel capability, the 518 provides groundbreaking wireless capabilities for any application.
Advantages of OFDMA
This capability allows Aruba Wi-Fi 6 APs to handle multiple Wi-Fi 6 enabled clients simultaneously on a single radio. Channel utilization is optimized per transaction by matching allocated bandwidth in a channel to the offered user load. These sub divisions of the channel are referred to as Resource Units (RU).
Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO)
The 518 Series APs support downlink MU-MIMO similar to Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac Wave 2) APs. With the introduction OFDMA in Wi-Fi 6, the overhead for this capability is reduced and MU-MIMO effectiveness is substantially improved for large client counts.
Wi-Fi 6 and MU-MIMO aware client optimization
Aruba's patented AI powered ClientMatch technology ensures that all clients are attached to their best serving Access Point. Session metrics, network metrics, applications and client type are used to identify and maintain the best connection.
Advanced Cellular Coexistence (ACC)
The ACC feature uses built in filtering to automatically minimize the impact of interference of high power cellular base stations, in building distributed antenna systems as well as small cell and femtocell equipment.
Wireless Access Points, HPE Aruba 518 Series, AP-270-MNT-ADP AP-228 to AP-270-MNT-XX Outdoor Mount Adapter (required for AP-270-MNT-X and AP-OUT-MNT-X)
Item on backorder — chat for lead time
$43.72
Top Wireless Antennas Purchased With HPE Aruba R4H01A
What wireless standards and performance does the HPE Aruba AP-518 support?
The AP-518 delivers enterprise-grade Wi-Fi 6 performance with a 4×4:4 radio on 5 GHz and 2×2:2 on 2.4 GHz, supporting HE160 channels for up to 3 Gbps aggregate capacity. It leverages OFDMA and MU-MIMO technology to serve hundreds of simultaneous clients, making it ideal for high-density deployments in warehouses and logistics facilities. We offer this access point as part of our comprehensive wireless networking solutions.
Is the HPE Aruba AP-518 suitable for outdoor or harsh environments?
Yes, the AP-518 is engineered for environments where reliability is non-negotiable with an IP55-rated, dust- and water-resistant sealed chassis design. It operates reliably in temperatures from –20 °C to +55 °C with 5–95% relative humidity, and features built-in surge arrestors to protect against electrical threats. Contact us today to discuss deployment in your specific environmental conditions.
What antenna options and connectivity does the AP-518 provide?
The AP-518 includes six RP-SMA external antenna connectors that accommodate high-gain directional or sector antennas for flexible RF coverage optimization. It also features 2×1 GbE PoE ports, 1×1 GbE port, and 1×USB-C for out-of-band management, supporting both PoE (802.3af/at) and 12 V DC power inputs with typical draw of 18 W. Visit barcodesinc.com to explore antenna configurations available from us.
Does the AP-518 support IoT and indoor location services?
Yes, the AP-518 includes onboard Bluetooth 5 and Zigbee radios that create a turnkey IoT and indoor-location platform, enabling seamless integration of sensors and location-based applications. It also features Target Wake Time technology to extend battery life of connected IoT sensors, making it ideal for warehouse automation and asset tracking deployments. Contact us today for IoT integration guidance.
What roaming and interference management features does the AP-518 offer?
The AP-518 includes Aruba's ClientMatch technology for seamless roaming across your wireless network and Adaptive Cellular Coexistence (ACC) features that dynamically optimize RF performance and minimize interference from nearby cellular networks. These capabilities ensure reliable connectivity for mobile devices and scanners moving throughout your facility. We offer complete AP-518 solutions optimized for logistics environments.
What are the physical dimensions and power requirements for the AP-518?
The AP-518 measures 225 × 225 × 72 mm and weighs 1.2 kg, making it compact for flexible mounting in warehouses and outdoor locations. It requires PoE (802.3af/at) or 12 V DC power with typical power consumption of 18 W, allowing efficient integration into existing network infrastructure. Visit barcodesinc.com or contact us today for installation specifications and power budget planning.
Full specifications (PDF)
