6.30.2015

The Cellular DAS: The Basics

By Edna Booker


In order to deal with the isolated spots that have poor network coverage inside a large building, a network of small antennas are usually installed in the building to serve as repeaters. This is known as the distributed antenna system (cellular DAS). The technology is very important in the areas that have a weak coverage or no coverage, such as the underground transportation system, and college campuses. It also offers a suitable solution in places with large gathering where the existing network coverage is overwhelmed by the demand such as in the sport gatherings, airports, and hospitals among others that are common in the Raleigh city.

Basically, the DAS system is able to increase the signal reliability with far much less power consumption. This is achieved by installing a network of separate antenna nodes. All the nodes are then connected to a common source via a coaxial cable or a fiber cable. In this way, the power gets transmitted to several antenna elements which results to the reduced power consumption with increased network signal.

The DAS systems are either active or passive. In the active systems, the signal is passed from the roof antennas through the fiber cables and the signals are boosted and amplified through the way. The passive systems on the other hands grab the cellular signals from the roof antennas and then run them through some leaky feeder cables that are located throughout the building.

The DAS antenna node are very compact. As such, they can be deployed indoors and even outside. In addition to this, they are smaller in size and require less power allowing them to be installed in the areas where the zoning restriction don't allow the cell towers to be placed. In fact, it can be tied to a given wireless carrier such as Verizon or AT&T. The best option, however, is the use of a neutral-host provider that has a multiple carriers.

The DAS antenna nodes can be installed indoors as well as outdoors since they are very compact. They are also small in size and the power requirement is less. This means that the system can be installed at any remote location where the zoning restriction cannot allow the traditional cell towers to be installed. In some cases, the system is tied to the wireless carriers like the AT&T and the Verizon. In most cases, the neutral-host providers are used given that they come with multiple carrier ability.

In most cases, the cost of the equipment, installation cost, maintenance cost, and upgrading of the system are all borne by the carrier. This means that a carrier is likely to accept to bear the cost if the deployment fits within its network plan and is able to cover a large number of the subscribers. In most cases, the DAS system is shared with multiple carriers to keep the cost down.

However, in the case of a carrier-owned DAS, the wireless service provider is the one to pay for the cost of equipment, the equipment installation cost, and the maintenance and upgrade of the same. The installer, in this case, has the exclusive rights on the system. As such, the competitors have to pay the installer to use it. In some cases, the installation is done by a third party entity that bears all the costs and recoups the cost by charging the service providers in order to get the system access.

The DAS systems offers the voice services and data services to all mobile devices in densely populated areas like the shopping malls, tall buildings, sport arenas, and the university or college campuses. Generally, the technology eases the zoning and antenna placement, less power consumption, and reduces the need for site development. In addition to this, less BTS are used since the Simulcast means less need for the Backhaul.




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