in-building wireless, going from assumptions to fact

In-Building wireless, Going from Assumptions to Fact

About PCTEL

• High Performance Application Specific Antennas & Accessories

• Custom Wireless Interconnect Solutions

• Scanning Receivers for RF Networks

• Interference Management Systems

• Manufacturing Locations in the USA and Asia

• Top of the Line Stargate 24 Anechoic Antenna Test Chambers

• The Latest in Electrical Simulation and Mechanical Design Software Tools

• In-house Environmental Test Facilities• Wireless Planning and Installation

Expertise

Solutions Our Capabilities

Markets

About PCTEL In-Building Antennas

Antennas & Accessories for Optimized Indoor Coverage

• Frequency Options (900MHz-6GHz)

• 6-Port and 3-Port MIMO Designs for Spatial Diversity Applications

• Single Band, Wideband and Multi-Band Models

• Ceiling, Wall and Surface Mount Designs

• UL 94-V0 Materials and Plenum Cables

• Attractive Low Profile Housings

• Customized Cable Assemblies

• NEMA-rated Insulated Enclosures

The Journey

Image we’re all going on a journey today.

It’s the journey from assumptions to facts.

At the beginning of the journey most of what we have to work with are assumptions

At the end, through discovery (sometimes painful) we have known hard facts

Scenario

Through the contacts in your community you find yourself working with a electrical contractor that has the

contract to do all electrical work in a new high rise office, hospital, parking garage or school. And building code

requires a public safety repeater system.

The Journey Begins

Could be a site walk (be sure to bring your hardhat)

Usually it’s just plans (after all, the building is only a hole in the ground

at this time or perhaps only conceptual)

What we do knowFloor plansFrequency band or actual frequencies

• If VHF/UHF we must have actual frequenciesDonor Signal Strength

• If we don’t have this we’re really just guessingBuilding Code Requirements

What we don’t knowFire wall locations and typeRiser locations

• Must infer from the floor plansInterior/exterior wall materialsFloor deck constructionStair well construction/materialsWhat is above the suspended ceilingExisting ambient signal from outside

What we don’t know, cont.Availability of cable mountingCabling requirementsLocation of BDACable routing to donor antenna/roof penetrationHVAC routingFirewall penetration locationsPower availability

There’s a lot we don’t knowSo we make assumptions and bid the projectThen we wait, and wait some more. Often these take many months, not alwaysThen we hear we got the job and it’s time to start planning. Now we have the opportunity to start turning those assumptions that we bid on into facts

First StepsReview original design, compare with actual buildingCheck outdoor ambient signal insideConfirm cable routingConfirm donor antenna location and donor cable routingMeasure donor RSSI and azimuthConfirm BDA locationReview changes with designer

Do your paperworkIs building permit required?Do the plans require a PE stamp?File plans with Fire Marshall/AHJCheck cable fire rating requirements

This is where it’s handy to have a set of construction plans. Something the installer can follow that shows cable routing and component part numbers

Installation tipsKeep cable reels small, 600-1000 ftMake up a cart that can hold the reels and allow you to navigate hallwaysUse cable prep tools to make the connector install quick and consistentFollow the plans, especially couplers

• If you have to deviate, compare with designer

Indoor Mapping

The Anritsu E-Series Spectrum Master™, Cell Master™, and Site Master™ models are powerful battery operated instruments that can support a wide range of signal types. With the addition of option 431, Coverage Mapping users can easily make measurements and create detailed maps and reports of indoor coverage. This option supports both indoor and outdoor mapping needs.

Both indoor and outdoor mapping features are particularly helpful for contractors, RF engineers, operators, public safety technicians and LMR personnel seeking to locate signal strength and coverage holes in “real-world” environments. By sampling received measurements from discreet locations, troubleshooting can be streamlined while network planning optimized.

Learn more at www.anritsu.com

Anritsu E-Series Spectrum Master™, Cell Master ™, and Site Master ™

™

Spectrum Master Cell Master Site Master

CW Test FirstTest everything

• Connect signal generator to DAS input with level at calculated per channel power from BDA

• At each antenna check signal level with analyzer• Eg… at 8ft @800Mhz free space loss is 38.6dB• If projected output at each antenna is -10dBm,

should be seeing -48.6 on spec-an, give or take a couple dB

• Walk to farthest, most shielded locations and check signal strength to make sure you have at least -95, generally the stairwells

Commissioning and live signal testCommission the BDA using manufacturers procedure

• Be sure to filter out unwanted signalsTest the worst areas to verify before calling for inspectionInspector usually does the 20 grid test

• Only one can fail and that gives you 95% coverage• They can stand anywhere within that grid space

Typical PS Code RequirementsSignal of -95 or better in at least 95% of the building

• 100% coverage in areas determined by the fire department to be critical areas

Battery backup • 4, 8, 12 or even 24 hours

NEMA 4 rating in some localitiesAmplifier failure alarmsCode does vary by municipality

Critical Areas DefinedExit Pathways

• Stairwells Usually the target we design to

• Lobbies• Areas of public gathering in an emergency• Code compliance drawings shows this info

Fire and Pump Control RoomsWhere ever the fire inspector wants

Cellular DAS?Maybe best to partner with experienced VARRequires carrier coordinationSignal level (RSSI) is not the only measurement of quality

• 50Ω ½” Coax• N-Type Connectors

– Plenum – Corrugated + Positive Stop– LSZH – Smooth wall + EZFit

• RF Splitters/Combiners• Directional couplers / Taps

• Antennas– Indoor and Outdoor

Passive Components

CELLMAX-O-CPUSEOmni directional

CELLMAX-D-CPUSEDirectional

Typical Coverage – 1400-1850 m2 (15K-20K ft2)

What is Important for an In-Building Cable?

Feature Why is it Important? Benefit

Broadband Ability to support existing and future 4G technologies & frequencies

Lowest cost of ownership

PIM Ability to add additional technologies and frequencies without distortion

Lowest cost of ownership

Weight & Strength

Ease of installation / Durability of product

Lowest installation cost

Cost Lowest cost system Lowest CAPEX, best ROI

Wide Selection Optimize cable to meet application Lowest CAPEX, best ROI

Dependable Service

Obtain product how you want it Lowest CAPEX, best ROI

Low Temp Rating

Shipping, storing, and initial install during cold weather

Lowest installed cost, easy logistics

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Tools of the Industry

BDAs and Repeaters

Pico/Femto Cells

Active DAS

•Extends coverage indoors•BDAs are basic amplifiers and filters•Repeaters demod-remod the signal

•Cellular operators only•Single carrier solution•Does not scale well•Difficult to manage many devices

•Can be configured to add capacity and coverage•Highly Scalable to large buildings and campuses

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Cellular Specialties

Axell, Andrew

MobileAccess& Zinwave

CSI, Andrew, Microlabs &

more

Type – Repeater/BDAUses – Medium office, manufacturing, 50k-150k sq ftFrequency bands – Cell, PCS, iDen, AWS, LTE, public safety > 700Mhz

Type – Fiber DAS & Cat5 DASUses – Large office, hospitals, stadiums, arenas, airports, convention centers, hotels > 100k sq ftFrequency bands – 136 Mhz to 6 Ghz

Type – Passive DAS components, optical fiberUses – passive components to augment all types of in-building deployments

Our Toolbox

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Designs

Watch for upcoming webinar on how to do your own designsFor design assistance contact your account rep. They can put you in touch with me or one of our design team.