Introduction to DAS Networks

Author: Michelle McCausland

Excerpts taken from presentation given by Stephen Shotts - Errigal U - Wireless Telecom & DAS Primer - November 2015 07_-_errigal_university_-_wireless_telecom_das_primer_2015.pptx

DAS - Stands for Distributed Antenna Systems

• A single traditional “tower” is replaced by smaller, typically fiber-fed, remote amplifiers.
• DAS is widely used indoors and outdoors - in hotels, shopping centers, stadiums.

Pros:

• Less loss between amplifier and antenna (requiring lower power).
• Signal can be placed more exactly.
• Hardware supports “neutral host” configuration.

Cons:

• Installation costs are higher compared to an average tower.
• Maintenance costs are higher (more nodes, fiber repairs are costly).
• Added complexity (multiple vendors and configurations).

Currently 74,000 active DAS nodes deployed in the US.

Crown Castle – A traditional tower company

• 28,000 DAS “Nodes” including “Extension Units”
• Acquisitions: Newpath ($115M) and NextG Communications ($1B), as well as other local fiber companies.

ExteNet Systems

• 8,000 DAS “Nodes” including “Extension Units”
• Acquisitions: Former Mobilitie DAS assets by way of SBA Communications (tower Co.)

Future Customer(s):

• American Tower Company
• 8,000 DAS “Nodes” + tower monitoring (lights, generators, etc.)
• Other smaller integrators, venue owners, and DAS OEMs

DAS OEMs (hardware vendors)

• Commscope (Andrew) – Hardware manufactured in Germany.
  • Models: ION-M, ION-B, ION-U, TSUN
• TE Connectivity (LGC, ADC, recently acquired by Commscope) – Based in San Jose.
  • Models: LRCS, Prism, Fusion, Spectrum.
• Corning Mobile Access – Primarily only indoor DAS.
  • Models: MA1000/2000, CorningOne
• BravoTech Internaitonal (BTI) – Errigal worked with them to improve their SNMP Agent.
• Powerwave - Out of business, but hardware is still deployed.
• SOLiD – Made in Korea. Offers NOC services out of CA.
• Zinwave - Made in UK. Extremely poor SNMP agent design.
• Teko Telecom - Made in Italy. Deployed in Levi’s stadium.

NOTE: See the following page for more info on DAS and NON DAS OEMs: OEMs

Assess your knowledge by seeing if you can answer the following questions:

1. What does the term DAS stand for?
2. Where are DAS systems used?
3. What are some advantages of DAS systems? Name 2
4. What are some dis-advantages of DAS systems? Name 2
5. Approximately how many DAS nodes are actively used in the US?
6. Name 3 DAS OEMs