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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a
Distributed Antenna System (DAS)?
A typical DAS provides wireless service within
a very defined indoor or outdoor area.
In a DAS, wireless signals are transmitted from cellular
carriers’ outdoor macro networks wirelessly to DAS donor antenna or
via wired-connection to carrier base station equipment.
From there, a combination of fiber and coax connections
convey signals through amplifiers, hubs and repeaters to
strategically placed multi-band antenna and then on to mobile device
users. In an indoor
application, DAS overcomes radio frequency inhibiting properties of
construction materials and/or reception problems resulting from the
absence of, or lack of capacity on, a close by cell tower.
An outdoor DAS overcomes similar issues and is an excellent
option when constructing a cell tower is prohibitive due to local
codes, availability of land, or when a tower is aesthetically
unacceptable. Outdoor
DAS systems provide the additional benefit of lower power
consumption than towers.
Indoor and outdoor DAS can be configured to provide service for
multiple carriers without the need to install separate antennas for
each carrier. DAS can
also be configured to convey a variety of wireless signals including
Wi-Fi. Finally, an
installed DAS can increase available capacity of nearby outdoor
macro networks. Indoor
DAS antennas are manufactured in a variety of designs, many of which
are hardly noticeable when installed.
Outdoor DAS antenna can easily be placed atop light or
utility poles, and are much smaller and less noticeable than large
high power tower antenna units.
Why is
indoor reception a problem in some areas?
Available capacity on outdoor networks
surrounding indoor areas, construction material, among other things
can affect cellular reception indoors.
Since outdoor reception is degraded on over-crowded networks,
indoor coverage can likewise be affected.
In addition, building construction materials can inhibit
wireless penetration indoors from outdoor networks.
Thick concrete, structural and insulating metals, and
reflective glass are all examples of penetration-inhibiting
materials that can cause poor indoor reception.
Does a DAS
expose people to anything harmful?
DAS transmit radio frequency signals.
However, the level of exposure is typically less than 1% to
2% of the public safety standard established by the FCC.
That standard is conservatively set at approximately 50% of
the level commonly accepted by the scientific community as
hazardous.
Where can I
obtain more information?
www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety
US Federal Communications Commission
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety/rf-faqs.html
Excellent FCC FAQ listing
www.icnirp.org
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection
www.who.int/peh-emf
World Health Organization
What types
of wireless communications can a DAS enable?
A multiband system can transmit signals within
the licensed 800 and 1900 frequency bands as well as WLAN, Wi-Fi,
and public safety bandwidths.
Systems can also be configured to transmit other frequencies
as well such as those utilized for medical telemetry and RF id.
Can a
cellular provider install a system for me?
Yes, but typically they’ll only do so provided
the system carries that carrier’s signal exclusively.
Will a
cellular provider install a system for me at no cost?
For a carrier to install a system at no cost,
the benefits to doing so will have to outweigh the costs.
Potential benefits to the carrier may include: extending
goodwill to an important client, potential off-loading of or
freeing-up of capacity on a crowded, close by macro network, and
increased revenue per user within the structure, to name a few.
Even when benefits outweigh costs, the carrier will typically
be unwilling unless the system is exclusive.
Can
multiple cellular carriers’ signals be distributed via one system?
Yes, absolutely.
A technology agnostic, neutral host system provides the
platform to accomplish this. Streamline specializes in these types
of installations.
Are systems
designed to carry the broadest array of frequencies designed the
same as those to convey todays common cellular carrier frequencies?
No, since high and low frequencies have
different propagation characteristics, an inventory of in-use and
planned device and technology implementations at the beginning of
the design phase will help determine the standards to which a system
should be designed.
These considerations along with an understanding of the facility or
area’s specific physical propagation characteristics are critical
design inputs and have the most significant impact on the final
system.
Why are
some carriers’ signals “stronger” in a particular facility than
others?
Distance to a given carrier’s network, traffic
or available capacity on that network, technology utilized by that
carrier, and bandwidth over which that carrier broadcasts, among
other things like building materials can all have an impact on
indoor signal quality.
Why should
I be concerned about indoor reception?
Access, or lack thereof, to communications can
have consequences in times of emergency, especially in communicating
with first responders.
Industry sales data and media reports also indicate explosive growth
in the proliferation of PDA’s, smartphones and tablets.
Relative to that proliferation, the proportion of calls
originating from mobile devices is also increasing as is the use of
mobile devices to access data—particularly e-mail.
As device utility continues to improve and innovative
applications come into being, facilities with deployed DAS systems
and/or business and employers who deploy them stand to benefit in
numerous ways as these systems enhance the quality of experience for
occupants. Facility or
area-wide connectivity is quickly becoming a competitive factor
(advantage) as new mobile device-oriented business models come
online that capitalize on an increasingly “always connected
culture.” Models focused
on productivity and efficiency gains for business are rapidly
emerging. Beyond “soft”
improvements, mobile applications can enable additional ease and
convenience-oriented revenue streams and/or efficiency-driven cost
savings.