What is a Cellular distributed antenna system (DAS)?
Distributed Antenna Systems is a communications system that brings in wireless signals from outside your building, amplifies that signal with a signal booster, and then evenly distributes those signals throughout the building for greatly improved wireless signal quality. Here we will look at the 2 main types of DAS, how DAS works, why you should utilize this system, the benefits DAS can provide and the DAS services and solutions that NCS offers.
Why is it important?
Cellular might be perfect outside of a building, dropping down once you're inside the building. This is because common building materials such as low-e glass, metal, and concrete can block or degrade wireless signals. This results in poor wireless service within buildings, potentially compromising internal and external corporate and personal communications. This problem is especially prevalent in large buildings that are divided into multiple rooms. To fix this all-too-common problem, you'll need to amplify the cellular signal in your building or property so that it provides good service to every square inch of the property. This is exactly how distributed antenna systems (DAS) solve this problem by extending cellular coverage within buildings.
How does a DAS work?
The SolidRF Fiber DAS 4400 is an active DAS cellular communications system that enhances voice and data carrier signals for buildings that have poor indoor cellular reception. It improves reception for all major cellular networks and is scalable from 50,000 to 400,000 square feet of indoor space.
The system's Master Unit (MU) and Remote Units (RUs) are connected by fiber-optic cable and can be separated by hundreds or thousands of feet with no appreciable signal loss. It makes the Fiber DAS 4400 an excellent system for use in tall or long buildings, where the outside donor antennas are far from the building area that needs improved cell signal. This provides a low-cost-per-square-foot alternative to single-carrier active DAS installations.
How to measure DAS’ performance? Coverage vs Capacity
The coverage area is related to the signal strength at the outdoor antenna, not a fixed value, we give the coverage area refers to the outdoor antenna position signal strength above -80dBm, is the maximum possible coverage area, if the signal strength at the outdoor antenna is lower than -80dbm, the coverage area will decrease accordingly, the signal at the outdoor antenna is weaker, The smaller the area covered.The coverage area is calculated based on the coverage radius of each indoor antenna, that is, the distance from the indoor antenna to communicate, for example, within 20 feet of the indoor antenna, the coverage area of the antenna is 3.14*20^2=1250 square feet, multiplied by the number of indoor antennas.
How much signal amplification can be read from the mobile phone received signal strength RSRP, comparing the value of the amplifier before and after opening can be calculated.
Signal Sources: A cell tower nearby
Type of DAS Design: Passive DAS vs Active DAS; Hybrid DAS; Digital DAS；Analog DAS
The SolidRF Fiber DAS 4400 is a hybrid distribution system. Passive distribution system refers to the distributed system composed of passive devices such as work splitter, coupler and cable. Active distribution system refers to the distribution system with active nodes such as line amplifier and repeater in the middle. RU is equivalent to an active repeater. The section between RU and the indoor antenna can be directly connected with four indoor antennas by cable, or more circuits can be separated from the splitter and coupler to connect more indoor antennas. A RU can be connected to up to 16 indoor antennas. RU to the indoor antenna can be regarded as a passive distribution system, so it should be hybrid.
Features of the SolidRF Fiber DAS 4400
- Brings powerful, affordable active DAS cellular signal to commercial and public buildings.
- Point-to-point fiber-optic trunkline delivers amplified signal from the Master Unit up to 3,300 feet (1 km) downline to up to four Remote Units with no appreciable loss of signal.
- The system, as sold here, covers up to 100,000 indoor square feet with one Remote Unit. With additional Remote Units (sold separately), it can scale up to 400,000 square feet.
- Excellent for long and tall buildings with large distances between the outside donor antenna and the area where signal coverage is needed.
- Available for add-to-cart purchase with self-installation or as a custom-designed system for your building or other large enclosed area. Amplifier units may be wall-mounted or rack-mounted.
- Improves 5G, 4G LTE, and 3G voice and data on all common cellular frequencies. (Learn more about 5G compatibility.)
- Carrier agnostic: Works with all major cellular carriers and networks in the United States and Canada.
The SolidRF Fiber DAS 4400 provides cellular reception in large buildings of all types, at industrial and utility sites, and for many other applications.
Who is the SolidRF Fiber DAS 4400 for?
- Multi-floor office buildings.
- Warehouses and distribution centers.
- Below-ground parking garages, basement facilities, and bunkers.
- Hotels and convention centers.
- Healthcare and other medical facilities.
- Power plants, dams, and mines.
