Understanding The Working Of The Cellular DAS

By Edna Booker


There are many situations where some spots have poor cellular network coverage. In some cases, the network is not available at all. This is common in high rise buildings, underground transportation systems and the highly populated areas like shopping malls, hospitals, college campuses, and stop arenas where the existing network system is overwhelmed by the demand such as many places in Raleigh city. The distributed antenna system, also known as the cellular DAS is the technology that boosts network coverage in areas with poor connectivity by installing a network of small antennas in the area that serve as repeaters.

The antennas are physically connected using a coaxial cable or the fiber to a central controller. This central controller is in turn connected to some wireless carrier network base station. The system increases the signal reliability and the power consumption is also less. Since the distributed antenna systems operate on RF spectrum that is licensed to a wireless carrier, it is not possible for an enterprise to undertake the deployment of DAS without one or more carriers.

The system works by simply relying on the presses of additional antennas which in turn increases the chance of a good line-of-sight channel. Since the provision of cellular signals is a very power demanding process due to the problems penetration and shadowing that leads to signal losses, the DAS relies on the active repeater amplifiers or passive splitters and feeder configurations. The two configurations increases efficiency and thus reduce the power consumption.

In this way, the network is distributed through signal leakage. Since the transmitted power is split among a number of antenna elements that covers the same area as a single antenna, the total power required is highly reduced.

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.

For better installation options, the industry has generally opted for a long contract with the majority of players choosing ten year contracts. However, the carrier owner who bears all the costs related to the purchase and installation of the equipment gets the exclusive rights over the platform. In order to recoup their cost, they charge the competitors and any other users fees for the use of their platform.

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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