Clear Comms LLC

What is DAS and how can it help your business?

A DAS or Distributed Antenna System, in layman's terms, is a cellular amplifier that communicates with surrounding cell phone towers and disperses cell phone signal throughout a desired area. In a DAS, a main roof mounted donor antenna runs to an analog or digital amplifier/repeater then disperses the desired frequencies to several discrete directional and/or bi-directional antennas throughout the building.

Design

While designing these systems it is important to know what level the desired frequencies are at outside in order to regulate the amount of signal loss as it travels through the cables, couplers, and terminations. A finely tuned instrument called a spectrum analyzer is used in the monitoring of these frequencies from top to bottom.

Installation of the System

During installation, the medium used to transmit can vary greatly due to the length of the cable runs and the building’s structure. These cables have traditionally been bulky coaxial cables that were hard to install without damaging, due to its sensitivity to bends. In recent years a move to fiber optical and Category 6 cables have been implemented to increase frequency flow and productivity of the amplifier and allow more of an ease of installation. While these fiber and category systems are easier to install, the cost is reflected as such, when compared to a coaxial based system.

Terminating cables in a coaxial system is just as varied as the cable types available. They can vary in price from a very expensive JMA crimp on connector, that requires a special pneumatic tool, to a lower cost hand crimp connector. With connectors, as with cabling, cost also reflects quality. Regardless of which you choose for your system, usually special training for the termination of these cables is required.

The placement and type of antennas used also has a direct relation to the type of building the install is done in. For example, walls made of concrete or metal have a much higher reflection rate than walls made of wood or drywall. This means they block more signal and require either more antennas or a more powerful amplifier. There may be areas in buildings, such as a warehouse, where direct placement of an omnidirectional antenna is inaccessible. In this situation, a well placed directional antenna can cover the area from an opposing wall, saving time on installation and cost to the customer.

Commissioning

In the commissioning of these systems, a close relationship with the carriers and knowledge of the FCC's rules and regulations is needed. The ability to take the maximum amount of power from the towers without impeding the initial coverage desired by said carriers is detrimental to installing a system. An incorrectly installed or tuned system can result in disconnected systems and hefty fines for the installers, so care is always taken when making any system operational.

With all of these equations combined and executed correctly, your building will be blanketed with a strong and reliable cellular atmosphere.

Conclusion

We all know the pleasurable side of having data and voice privileges on our phones with social media accounts but in today's reality this access has changed from us playing snake to an actual lifeline for our businesses and public safety issues. Nobody wants to miss that important phone call, text message or email, notifying us of a sick child needing to be picked up, priority forms being sent over, or an alert for a possible shooter in the area. Ensuring first responders have the ability to communicate in times of an emergency is turning into a priority for many buildings now with the loss of signal due to solid building materials. So what can be done to ensure your day-to-day business practices and safety concerns are up to date and reliable? Clear Comms can help, where peace of mind is our guarantee.