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 know Floor plans Frequency band or actual frequencies If VHF/UHF we must have actual frequencies Donor Signal Strength If we don’t have this we’re really just guessing Building Code Requirements

What we don’t know Fire wall locations and type Riser locations Must infer from the floor plans Interior/exterior wall materials Floor deck construction Stair well construction/materials What is above the suspended ceiling Existing ambient signal from outside

What we don’t know, cont. Availability of cable mounting Cabling requirements Location of BDA Cable routing to donor antenna/roof penetration HVAC routing Firewall penetration locations Power availability

There’s a lot we don’t know So we make assumptions and bid the project Then we wait, and wait some more. Often these take many months, not always Then 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 Steps Review original design, compare with actual building Check outdoor ambient signal inside Confirm cable routing Confirm donor antenna location and donor cable routing Measure donor RSSI and azimuth Confirm BDA location Review changes with designer

Do your paperwork Is building permit required? Do the plans require a PE stamp? File plans with Fire Marshall/AHJ Check 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 tips Keep cable reels small, ft Make up a cart that can hold the reels and allow you to navigate hallways Use cable prep tools to make the connector install quick and consistent Follow 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 Anritsu E-Series Spectrum Master™, Cell Master ™, and Site Master ™ ™ Spectrum Master Cell Master Site Master

CW Test First Test 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 free space loss is 38.6dB If projected output at each antenna is -10dBm, should be seeing 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 test Commission the BDA using manufacturers procedure Be sure to filter out unwanted signals Test the worst areas to verify before calling for inspection Inspector 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 Requirements Signal 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 localities Amplifier failure alarms Code does vary by municipality

Critical Areas Defined Exit 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 Rooms Where ever the fire inspector wants

Cellular DAS? Maybe best to partner with experienced VAR Requires carrier coordination Signal 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-CPUSE Omni directional CELLMAX-D-CPUSE Directional Typical Coverage – m 2 (15K-20K ft 2 )

What is Important for an In-Building Cable? FeatureWhy is it Important?Benefit BroadbandAbility to support existing and future 4G technologies & frequencies Lowest cost of ownership PIMAbility to add additional technologies and frequencies without distortion Lowest cost of ownership Weight & Strength Ease of installation / Durability of product Lowest installation cost CostLowest cost systemLowest CAPEX, best ROI Wide Selection Optimize cable to meet applicationLowest CAPEX, best ROI Dependable Service Obtain product how you want itLowest CAPEX, best ROI Low Temp Rating Shipping, storing, and initial install during cold weather Lowest installed cost, easy logistics

22 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

23 Cellular Specialties Axell, Andrew MobileAccess & Zinwave CSI, Andrew, Microlabs & more Type – Repeater/BDA Uses – Medium office, manufacturing, 50k-150k sq ft Frequency bands – Cell, PCS, iDen, AWS, LTE, public safety > 700Mhz Type – Fiber DAS & Cat5 DAS Uses – Large office, hospitals, stadiums, arenas, airports, convention centers, hotels > 100k sq ft Frequency bands – 136 Mhz to 6 Ghz Type – Passive DAS components, optical fiber Uses – passive components to augment all types of in-building deployments Our Toolbox

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