Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (CURWB / URWB)
Mission-Critical Wireless Connectivity for Industrial Mobility
Modern industrial operations depend on reliable wireless communications for mobile equipment, automated systems, and remote assets. Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul provides specialized wireless connectivity for demanding fixed and mobile applications, including industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and wireless backhaul.
NetRobin helps organizations evaluate industrial wireless requirements, assess RF environments, and plan connectivity solutions designed around their operational needs.
What Is Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul?
Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) is a specialized wireless technology built on IEEE 802.11 radio foundations. It is engineered for reliable communications in demanding industrial environments — linking moving vehicles, robots and remote infrastructure to the operational network.
Traditional enterprise Wi-Fi generally connects devices such as laptops, phones, tablets and scanners. URWB addresses a different requirement: specialized fixed and mobile wireless connectivity, where links must follow fast-moving assets or carry operational traffic between sites.
In practice, a URWB deployment combines two sides: mobile radios mounted on vehicles, cranes, AGVs or other moving assets, and fixed radios installed on buildings, masts, gantries or poles. The placement, mounting height and alignment of the fixed side — together with the RF environment — shape how well the links hold up as assets move through the site.
Because of that, successful projects are planned around the movement itself: the paths vehicles travel, the speeds involved, how often they change direction, and the physical obstructions and interference sources along those paths. Mapping these requirements against what the technology can realistically deliver is the step that prevents gaps from appearing after go-live.
No wireless technology can guarantee zero packet loss or uninterrupted connectivity. Actual performance depends on the architecture, RF conditions, supported hardware, software release and deployment design — which is why requirements and environment assessment come first.
Connectivity for moving assets
Designed to keep vehicles, robots and mobile equipment connected as they travel between radios across a site.
Make-before-break handoffs
A new link is established before the previous one is released, reducing the interruption a moving client experiences during handoff.
Low-latency communications
Intended for control and telemetry traffic that is sensitive to delay. Achievable latency depends on the design, RF conditions and hardware.
Cisco Fluidity mobility
Cisco's mobility technology for URWB, used where supported to manage handoffs for fast-moving assets.
Multipath Operations
Sends traffic over redundant paths to add communication resilience for applications that need it, on supported configurations.
Fixed wireless backhaul
Point-to-point and point-to-multipoint links between buildings, poles, cameras and remote infrastructure.
Industrial and outdoor connectivity
Ruggedized hardware options for harsh indoor, outdoor and mixed operating environments.
Cisco wireless integration
Integration possibilities with supported Cisco wireless infrastructure, depending on product family and software release.
Industrial Wireless Applications
Environments where specialized fixed and mobile wireless connectivity is commonly evaluated.
Autonomous Mobile Robots and AGVs
Support reliable wireless communication for autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles moving through industrial environments.
Automated Forklifts and Industrial Vehicles
Wireless connectivity for automated forklifts, industrial vehicles and mobile equipment operating indoors, outdoors or across mixed environments.
Manufacturing and Industrial Automation
Connectivity for mobile production equipment, automated manufacturing systems and industrial operations.
Ports, Logistics and Container Terminals
Specialized wireless connectivity for moving assets, cranes, logistics equipment and operational systems.
Mining, Oil & Gas and Energy
Wireless communications for demanding industrial environments, remote operations and mobile assets.
Fixed Wireless Backhaul
Connect buildings, remote infrastructure, cameras and operational systems where installing fiber is difficult, expensive or impractical.
How NetRobin Supports Industrial Wireless Projects
Independent consulting and engineering services around your requirements — from first evaluation through post-deployment validation.
Requirements Discovery
Understand application requirements, mobility, coverage, reliability expectations, operating environment and existing infrastructure.
Industrial RF Assessment
Evaluate RF conditions, interference, coverage challenges and environmental constraints.
Wireless Architecture and Design
Help plan fixed and mobile industrial wireless architectures, antenna placement, coverage and network integration.
Deployment Planning
Assist with equipment placement, infrastructure requirements, deployment sequencing and configuration planning.
Validation and Troubleshooting
Assess connectivity, mobility behavior, RF performance and application requirements following deployment.
Integration Advisory
Evaluate how specialized industrial wireless connectivity can coexist with or complement existing enterprise Wi-Fi infrastructure.
When Do You Need URWB Instead of Traditional Wi-Fi?
Enterprise Wi-Fi is well suited to many industrial applications, including standard mobile clients and warehouse scanners. Some environments have specialized mobility, backhaul or application reliability requirements that warrant evaluating URWB.
Traditional Enterprise Wi-Fi
- Standard enterprise client connectivity
- Laptops, tablets, phones, scanners and compatible IoT devices
- Conventional WLAN roaming
- Enterprise access and coverage requirements
Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul
- Specialized fixed and mobile connectivity
- Industrial vehicles, AGVs, AMRs and remote assets
- Make-before-break mobility capabilities
- Resilient backhaul and industrial application requirements
URWB does not automatically replace traditional Wi-Fi. Many sites use both. The right technology depends on the application and the environment.
Technology Designed for Demanding Wireless Environments
Cisco supports URWB capabilities in dedicated industrial wireless deployments and in supported integrated Cisco wireless configurations. Feature availability varies by model, operating mode, licensing and software release, so compatibility is verified during design.
Cisco Fluidity and mobility
Mobility capabilities for vehicles and robots, where supported by the hardware and operating mode.
Make-before-break handoffs
Handoff behavior designed to minimise interruption for moving endpoints.
Multipath Operations
Redundant-path transmission for added resilience on supported configurations.
Fixed and mobile backhaul
Point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and mesh-style topologies for fixed and moving links.
Industrial-grade hardware
Cisco industrial wireless families such as Catalyst IW9165 and IW9167, with indoor and outdoor options.
Cisco wireless integration
Dedicated URWB deployments, or supported integrated architectures alongside Cisco enterprise wireless.
Our Approach to Industrial Wireless
- Step 01
Discover
Understand applications, mobility and reliability requirements.
- Step 02
Assess
Review the physical environment, existing network and RF conditions.
- Step 03
Design
Develop an appropriate wireless architecture and deployment approach.
- Step 04
Validate
Evaluate performance against agreed project requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul?
Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (CURWB, also called URWB) is a Cisco industrial wireless technology built on IEEE 802.11 radio foundations. It is designed for fixed and mobile connectivity in demanding environments — for example vehicles, robots and remote infrastructure that need resilient, low-latency links — rather than general-purpose client access.
How is URWB different from traditional Wi-Fi?
Enterprise Wi-Fi connects laptops, phones, tablets, scanners and compatible IoT devices, and the client decides when to roam. URWB is used for specialized point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and mobility links, with network-controlled make-before-break handoffs intended for moving industrial assets and backhaul. The two solve different problems.
Can CURWB support automated forklifts, AGVs and AMRs?
These are among the use cases Cisco positions URWB for. Whether it is the right fit depends on the vehicle controller, the application's latency and loss tolerance, the travel paths, the RF environment and the supported hardware — which is what an assessment should establish before a decision is made.
Is URWB suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments?
Yes, Cisco's industrial wireless hardware is available for indoor and outdoor deployments, including ruggedized models. Antenna selection, mounting, line of sight, clearance and environmental ratings must be planned for each location.
Can Cisco URWB and enterprise Wi-Fi coexist?
Yes. Many sites run enterprise Wi-Fi for general clients alongside URWB for specific industrial links. Coexistence requires deliberate frequency and channel planning, and some Cisco access points support URWB within integrated architectures; compatibility must be confirmed for the specific models and software in use.
Does URWB require specialized hardware?
URWB runs on supported Cisco industrial wireless hardware — for example the Catalyst IW9165 and IW9167 families — in an appropriate operating mode, with the required licensing. Not every feature is available on every model or mode, so product and software compatibility should be verified during design.
How can NetRobin help determine whether URWB is appropriate?
NetRobin reviews your applications, mobility and reliability requirements, the physical and RF environment and your existing network, then advises whether URWB, enterprise Wi-Fi, or a combination is the more appropriate fit — and what the design and validation work would involve.
Evaluating wireless for industrial mobility or backhaul?
Tell us about your application and environment. We'll help you determine whether URWB, enterprise Wi-Fi or a combination is the right fit.