Challenges of Designing & Implementing Distributed Antenna Systems BOB BUTCHKO Partner/EVP b.butchko@lordcotech.com www.lordcotech.com
Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Bi-directional radio communication system linking a specific outdoor area with multiple antennas, or an entire building, in-door area, from a single central antenna to an established macro communication system / network.
In-Building DAS Hot subject for cabling industry! Session headline.. 1. Recently Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are being applied in increasing numbers for a wide variety of technologies 2. Support of commercial wireless providers and public safety applications are primary drivers in this trend.
Our wireless world. Commercial Communications Global Society is addicted to Life-Style Electronic Appliances Cell Phones / Blackberries / Internet Incessant demand for. FULL BAR SERVICE ANYWHERE ANYTIME WITHOUT INTERRUPTION
Our wireless world.. Emergency Communications Post 9/11.. Inter-jurisdictional - INTEROPERABILITY In-building communications - PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SYSTEMS
What is the last thing these first responders want to hear?
BONK!
Our Wireless World.. Commercial Communications Cell Phone Coverage Wi-Fi / Data Networks Emergency Communications Public Safety Radio
Indisputable Fact.. No matter how many towers the carriers erect or How many repeater sites counties install There will always outdoor areas or indoor areas that are without adequate coverage
4G - Fourth generation of cellular standards A 4G cellular system must have target peak data rates of up to approximately 100 Mbit/s for high mobility such as mobile access and up to approximately 1 Gbit/s for low mobility such as nomadic/local wireless access, according to the ITU requirements Data not voice is primary concern Must get receiver closer to donor antenna Absolute bonanza for outdoor and indoor infrastructure providers
What does this all mean? MORE INFRASTRUCTURE
What is In-Building Wireless Can APPLY TO VOICE, DATA, VIDEO All Handheld RF Communications Public Safety Radio Maintenance, Security, Concierge Mobile Phone Full-bars Throughout the Structure Single or Multiple Carriers Broadband Services Wireless Internet Services Provider (WISP) Wi-Fi Hot Spots, Full Building Coverage Instance On-Demand Internet
In-Building Market Size (Equipment + Services) Global IBW Total Equipment and Services Market will grow at 20% CAGR between 2008 and 2014 ABI Research
In-Building Market 2008 ($5.5 billion) 2014 ($15.4 billion) Approx 1% of buildings covered in NA Approx 3.3% of buildings covered in NA Distributed Radios (femtocells and picocells) will steal market share from Passive DAS systems by 2014 ABI Research
Key Market Trends.. Specific verticals such as hotels, malls, casinos, financial institutions lead the way for IBW The carrier-owned business model is the most prominent worldwide with a move towards shared cost model with multi-carrier systems. Neutral host model is limited to certain verticals in North America such as hospitality, shopping malls. Building owners have been proactive in the healthcare vertical and are starting to get proactive in the university vertical. However IBW is still very much driven by the carrier to a large extent but this is changing IBW requirements for LTE and MIMO are still in the initial stages but will drive additional infrastructure needs. ABI Research
Key Market Trends.. Innovations in IBW systems include digital DAS and repeater systems, optical multiplexing, wideband DAS systems, unshielded CAT5 support in DAS, and using HVAC ducts to distribute RF signals within and building. DAS suppliers are focusing on having maximum utilization of existing infrastructure and cabling with minimum disruption to the building. Femtocells and Picocells are expected to play a more prominent role in IBW systems both as a feeder into DAS as well as a distributed radio solution especially in buildings that are 100,000 square feet and smaller. Public safety has been traditionally a scattered market limited to NA, and in Europe to some extent. $900 million of Obama stimulus funding is likely to be allocated in 2H 2010 for public safety IBW ABI Research
Wireless Stats 2010 2005 2000 1995 Wireless subscribers 233 million 208 110 34 Wireless Penetration (% of total US Pop.) 76% 70 39 13 Wireless Only Households 12.8% 7.7 N/A N/A Incremental Capital Investment Minutes of Use $24 billion $25.2 $18.4 $4.9 1.8 trillion 1.5 trillion 259 billion 37.7 million Cell Sites 195.5 thousand 184 104 23 E 911 calls-per day 291 thousand 260 139 55
Market Configuration.. Enterprise Large Complex Structures Inner Wireless / Corning Limited Application Smaller Commercial Structures OCC Home / Hobbyist Wilson - SpotWave
Design Challenges First and foremost.. This is a RF Engineering task that requires specific skill sets Accurate readings up front CAD software is an estimation tool, not the gospel Link budgets are a must Caution: overkill / under-kill Keeping down the costs Don t reinvent the wheel Fulfilling carrier expectations
Some Design Considerations 1. Old Building, new building 2. Physical type of structure, size, number of floors, subgrade 3. Time line for deployment 4. Select the appropriate solution set 5. Number of subscribers per carrier 6. Number of carriers/providers, number of access protocols, number of bands which ones etc. 7. Existing cable infrastructure 8. Conduit, plenum, work hours, lifts, historical, 9. dbm design goals -95,-85,-80 etc. 10. Interference issues 11. RF source
Some Design Considerations Open Warehouse Manufacturing space Cubed offices Dry-walled office Number of offices Hi-rise Government Historic Mall Airport Convention center Stadium/Arena
In-Building Implementation Start early in the process get clear decision on scope IBW has not Crossed the Chasm costs are paramount Timing is critical for cost savings or cost overruns Carrier cooperation and co-ordination Carriers only care about their customers, full bars, no dropped calls, increase ARPU, period
Typical Costs Per Square Foot Costs (Cents) PSRS Average 20-25 Mobile phone coverage Average 55-65 Broadband infrastructure Average 5-15 All Services Combined Average 65-75 BUT ALWAYS WELL < 1% Copyright 2010 all rights reserved
Actual Costs: Silver Spring Gateway Total Square Footage 717,400 PSRS $182,030.84 OR $0.25 Mobile Phone $406,946.73 OR $0.57 Broadband $59,645.98 OR $0.08 All Services Combined $469,742.76 OR $0.64
PLAN OF ACTION Initial assessment Define and reserve vertical chases for DAS cabling Submit mid-construction budgetary proposal Monitor construction progress Once building is closed-up/skins-on complete a comprehensive signal strength survey Do final design based on live test and recorded imperial data Submit final turnkey, fixed-fee, proposal Install system Test and optimize Conduct county test and secure compliance of coverage documentation Owner submit documentation to county L&CT submit invoice. Copyright 2010 all rights reserved
IBW Technology Brief System Fundamentals: Distributed Antenna System..DAS Fiber Cabling Coaxial cable called Heliax / Radiax Couplers, power dividers Internal spot antennas Access points Signal Boosters Bi-Directional Amplifiers, BDA s Roof Top Antenna Systems External Antenna Arrays Multi-Service Mesh Networks