In a world of widespread mobile device usage and ever-increasing demand for ubiquitous cellular coverage, many businesses and property owners are turning to distributed antenna systems (DAS) to boost wireless signals throughout their facilities. However, deploying a DAS is a major undertaking that requires careful planning and professional installation.
What is a Distributed Antenna System?
A DAS is a network of separate antenna nodes strategically placed throughout a property to provide enhanced cellular coverage and capacity. The antennas are connected via fiber optic or coaxial cabling to a central telecommunications room that integrates with a signal source, typically from a mobile operator’s base station.
Rather than trying to broadcast a single, powerful signal that penetrates walls and obstacles, a DAS leverages multiple lower-powered antennas to evenly distribute and reinforce the signal everywhere it’s needed. This ensures reliable, seamless connectivity with no dead zones or coverage gaps.
DAS Installation Process
Installing a DAS is a complex, multi-phase project that requires extensive site surveying, design, and professional installation services. Here’s an overview of what’s involved:
1. Site Survey & Design
The first step is sending technicians onsite to fully evaluate the property layout, construction materials, wireless usage needs, and other factors. Using specialized tools, they conduct RF data mapping and testing to determine precise antenna locations and densities.
Based on this analysis, RF engineering teams then design the full DAS infrastructure. This includes antenna quantities/positioning, cable routing paths, telecommunications room setup, integration points for wireless carriers, electrical/grounding requirements, and more.
2. Cabling & Hardware Installation
With the design complete, professional installers begin running miles of coaxial and/or fiber optic cabling throughout the facility. This involves opening ceilings, drywall, and cable trays to route and terminate cables connecting the head-end equipment to the distributed antenna locations.
The antennas themselves are mounted throughout the property based on coverage needs. Some may be installed in ceilings, while others are mounted on walls or poles. All antennas must be carefully positioned and aimed to achieve optimal performance based on the design specifications.
In the main telecommunications room, head-end racks and hardware are installed to process and combine the wireless carrier signals for distribution over the DAS network.
3. System Integration & Testing
After cabling and hardware installation, the DAS must be integrated with wireless carriers’ networks and signal sources. Extensive testing and calibration is required to commission the system and ensure coverage meets design requirements across all areas of the property.
The DAS is tuned and optimized on a per-carrier basis to maximize performance and identify any coverage gaps that could require additional antennas. Upon successfully passing tests for each carrier, the system is activated for live wireless traffic.
4. Monitoring & Maintenance
A properly installed DAS requires ongoing monitoring and maintenance to ensure coverage continues meeting needs and supporting new wireless technologies as they emerge. The system will require periodic optimizations, hardware upgrades/replacements, trouble-shooting, and integration of new carriers over time.
DAS installation companies often provide monitoring services to remotely analyze system performance data, detect faults or interference issues, and dispatch technicians for on-site maintenance as needed.
When to Consider a DAS
Not every property needs or can justify the expense of a full DAS deployment, so it’s important to evaluate if such a system is warranted. Some common scenarios where DAS provides significant benefits include:
– Large campuses, malls, arenas, resorts or convention centers with very high mobile usage
– Commercial high-rises, hospitals or public venues with poor exterior signal penetration
– Transportation hubs like airports, subways or multi-level garages
– Industrial facilities, warehouses or plants constructed with materials blocking outside signals
– Emergency services sectors like police, fire departments or call centers with crucial communication needs
Hiring Professional Installation Services
While some businesses may have in-house telecom staff capable of running cabling, integrating a DAS properly requires specialized training, certifications, test equipment and experience that most internal IT teams simply don’t have access to.
Given the system complexity and need for comprehensive RF mapping/design, it’s highly advisable to employ professional installation services from companies specializing in DAS deployments. This allows access to OEM-certified technicians and engineers, proprietary planning tools, established carrier integration processes, and accountability for full system performance.
Investing in a distributed antenna system is a significant financial and logistical undertaking, but provides critical wireless coverage capabilities that are essential for businesses and properties today and into the future. With proper professional installation, a DAS ensures seamless mobility and connectivity for employees, customers, students, visitors and more.