From “four bar lifestyles” to new public safety requirements to bring-your-own-device, in-building communications has hit its stride. Today, distributed antenna systems (DAS) are an essential component of in-building communications, increasing service availability for users and providing valuable capacity off-loading for carriers. DAS is opening new opportunities for traditional networking VARS, cabling contractors and system integrators, and is creating an entirely new segment for newcomers. With strong growth and tangible skill set requirements, DAS is very attractive; however, even seasoned players will find the leap into DAS a challenge.
To most, DAS business will feel like your traditional communications projects and to some degree it is. But don’t be fooled, there are some significant differences. So what does it take to get on board? What do you need to know to deliver a turnkey distributed antenna system? There are three areas that present a significant difference.
Environment: ‘It takes lots of wire to make DAS work!’
Sounds funny but nothing is truer. It takes copper and/or fiber connections from antennas to radios and radios to the repeater to make it all work. DAS, however, is not as easy as just pulling cable. The challenge for most comes when dealing with the RF requirements presented by each deployment. Site surveys are critical. You need to map cellular signal levels, assess interference levels and sources, identify dead zones, locate equipment closets and head end. Building density is also a significant obstacle when designing a DAS network. The more walls, floors and square footage you have, the more access points/antennas that will be required.
Accurate building architectural drawings that indicate materials used in construction are a must when establishing your RF requirements, as well as fire ratings for all walls, floor and ceilings to accurately address cable and management materials and fire proofing core sleeves.
New construction projects may also require public safety access to the network as first-responders move from the old wired solutions to in-building wireless solutions. IFC 510 sets the bar high. Check your local jurisdictions for their requirements and work with your client, building owner and local government throughout the project. This will no doubt include a final inspection to obtain a certificate of occupancy for new construction.
Carrier coordination: Spectrum, approvals, schedules
DAS deployments include carriers. In larger projects, carriers will be primarily running the project. These are typically your larger venue roll outs like campuses, arenas and stadiums. In smaller public venues and larger enterprise settings, you may be the prime and your coordination with the carrier(s) will be required throughout the project, from developing requirements and system design, to installation and commissioning.
It is not uncommon that a DAS deployment will support more than one carrier. Since each carrier utilizes unique spectrum, each carrier engagement will need to be coordinated, including registering the network and executing re-transmission agreements with the carrier, obtaining the necessary equipment and design approvals, scheduling installation of carrier equipment, establishing head-end or BTS configurations, and coordinating radio commissioning and system turn up.
During the design phase, you will need to work closely with the carriers. Based on requirements, your system design will include the point-to-point donor antenna to the carrier tower, or coordinating an onsite base transceiver station (BTS) installation with a wired backhaul. When you’re commissioning your DAS network, you are essentially connecting the DAS to the carrier’s network. It’s easy to understand the importance of working very closely with the carrier.
Competitive business: Comprehensive design, documentation and proposals
DAS deployments can be complex. They support multiple solutions, including in-building cellular enhancement, public safety RF, Wi-Fi and WiMAX. To be competitive, you need to create detailed, designs, supporting documentation and comprehensive bids. This includes site surveys with heat maps, designs that reference building construction, and installation standards and techniques. There are powerful tools at your disposal, such as the industry-standard IBwave design program that predicts coverage for all types of wireless technologies. You will need detailed drawings to fully utilize design solutions as they will be the deciding factor for antenna placement, cabling paths and equipment room locations.
Equally important is an accurate bill of materials (BOM). This BOM will be the basis of your scope of work and your costing models for your proposal. The competitive difference boils down to accuracy and completeness. Key documents in your proposal will include design drawings, installation details with standards, RF signal heat maps, link budgets, interference analysis, and equipment submittals for approved and proposed components.
With the deployment complete, you should be prepared to deliver comprehensive post installation testing results including cable layouts and RF propagation patterns. These reports will be an important part of an ongoing maintenance program establishing baseline RF environment measurements to compare with future RF interference and ever-changing usage scenarios.
Bottom line? To be competitive, you need to be complete.
TESSCO Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:TESS) is a Your Total Source® for DAS solutions. From design to delivery, we offer VARs, contractors, and integrators a complete DAS bill of materials, professional services, and world-class distribution and logistics support.
