IN BUILDING SOLUTIONS (IBS) USING DISTRIBUTEDANTENNA

SYSTEM

1.INTRODUCTION

With the advent of new technologies, people using their

cellular device expect it to work
Everywhere They cannot afford a dead zone where the calls will be
dropped.
The two main factors for poor network or coverage area are an
expanding user base and
the raw materials used for building
construction.
These factors along with few others develop an area where no
coverage is possible.
A Distributed Antenna System (DAS) alleviates both issues and
provide reliable coverage throughout
the building.

The world is buzzing with mobile communications.

Smart phone usage is booming.
We have observed huge demands on the available
spectrum as a result of increase in the mobile application
and data traffic.
85% data and 70% voice traffic is generated indoor.
Poor reception in officebuildings, parking garages and
airports can lead to missed calls, opportunities, and
loss of revenue.
In this ever increasing competitive world, organization's
viability, growth and longevity depends on
employee productivity and access to key decision makers.
Businesses and people need continuous,
seamless and robust wireless coverage. Low-quality
signals, dropped connections, and lack of
coverage decrease productivity and frustrate users. To
ensure a workplace with comprehensive

Wi r
and hence the ability to have vast
service coverage is paramount. When more users
access a network, distributed antenna system works
to increase the network capacity thus allowing the
individuals to continue with their conversation or
other work on the cellular device without any interruption.
Now-a-days due to the increase in the
number of green buildings, DAS has become crucial. In
green building the low-E glass blocks the cell signals from
reaching its occupants.
Thus DAS will enable a flawless cellular coverage
transition

Figure 1: Distributed Antenna System (DAS)

when walking from outdoors into a building.

In the figure given below[2], a directional Yagi antenna is
installed on top of the building to
receive the carrier. Since most of the buildings are made from glass which
blocks the signals, there is
a need for this signal to be passed inside the building. Thus the signal from the Yagi ante
is given
to Low loss coaxial cable which is then amplified by Bi-directional amplifier to overcome
in
the cable. The amplified signal is given to service provider head end followed by fiber dis
hub. The main function of the distributer hub is to split the signals at each and every floo
signal
coming out of the hub is given to various broadband Wi-Fi ceiling antennas which are ins
each floor. Thus this antenna will radiate the signal and allow the cellular user to access t
mobile
device without any interruptions. In this way the distributed antenna system helps to in
the
coverage area efficiently.

2.COMPONENTSUSED IN IBS
The components used in IBS are Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Splitters, Couplers, Cables and
Antennas.

2.1 Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

A base transceiver station(BTS) is a piece of equipment that facilitates wireless communication
between user equipment (UE) and a network. BTS contains the equipment for transmitting and
receiving radio signals (transceivers), antennas, and equipment for encrypting and decrypting
communications with the base station controller (BSC) [3]. A BTS is controlled by a parent BSC via the
'Base Station Control Function' (BCF).

Figure 2: Base Transceiver Station

2.1.1 Splitters
RF Power splitters are required to split the Input RF Power into 2 or 3 or 4 equal parts.
2-Way Splitters operate in the frequency range 698-2700 MHz. They have a split loss of 3dB and
an insertion loss of less than 0.3dB [4].

Figure 3: 2-Way Splitter

3-Way Splitters operate in the frequency range 698-2700 MHz. They have a split loss of 4.8dB
and an insertion loss of less than 0.4dB [4].

Figure 4: 3-Way Splitter

4-Way Splitters operate in the frequency range 698-2700

MHz. They have a split loss of 6dB
and an insertion loss of less than 0.5dB [4].

Figure 5: 4-Way Splitter

2.1.2. Directional Couplers

A directional coupler provides coupling of the main signal path to another signal based on the
direction of the signal propagation. These devices are used in IBS networks to unequally split the
signal flowing in the mainline. Directional couplers operate in the frequency range 698-2700MHz [4].

Figure 6: Directional Coupler

2.1.3. Antennas
There are two types of antennas used in IBS - Omnidirectional antennas and Panel antennas.
Omnidirectional antenna is a wireless transmitting or receiving antenna that radiates or
intercepts radio frequency electromagnetic fields equally well in all horizontal directions in a flat,
two dimensional (2D) geometric plane [5]. The radiated power decreases with elevation angle above
or below the plane, dropping to zero on the antenna's axis. Radiation pattern of omnidirectional antenna is
'donut'or 'torus' shaped. Omnidirectional antenna has a gain of 2dBi.

Figure 7: Omnidirectional Antenna [6]

Panel antennas are high performance directional antennas that are designed for point to point and
point to multipoint directional wireless applications. Panel antenna has a gain of 7dBi.

Identification of potential buildings for IBS.

Design Distributed Antenna system using passive & active elements.
Prepare complete diagram with each antenna's EIRP (Effective Isotropic Radiated
Power).
Implementation of IBS solution with best professional way without disturbing
aesthetic of
building.v. LOS & Link Planning to connect site.
. RF parameter planning, RF walk test and call quality testing.
The following are the challenges that may be faced by the IBS system:
1-Type of environment - Open layout, dense layout or mixed use.
2-Building's construction materials (Sheetrock, block, metal or concrete.
3-RF design goals (required strength of signal).
4-Special application profiles (hospitals, corporate offices, hospitality, etc.)

Types of Distributed Antenna System:

There are many different approaches to how you can design an

indoor coverage system with
uniformly distributed coverage level; passive distribution, activ
distribution, hybrid solutions,
repeaters or even distributed Pico cells (Small Cells) in the
building.
The main degrading effect from the passive systems is the high
losses,
degrading the power level at the antenna points and increasing
the base station noise figure on
the higher frequencies used for 3G/4G. 3G and 4G can perform
really highspeed data transmission, but only if the radio link
quality is sufficient, and passive systems will to a large
extent compromise the performance.
Another big concern with passive distributed antenna systems
the lack of supervision.

Types of DistributedAntenna Systems

If a cable is disconnected the base station will

not generate any voltage standing wave ratio
(VSWR) alarm, due to the high return loss
through the passive distributed antenna system.
On the other hand, passive systems are relatively
easy to design; and components and cables
are rigid and solid, if installed correctly. Passive
distribution systems can be installed in really
harsh environments, damp and dusty production
facilities, tunnels, etc., places where active
components will easily fail if not shielded from
the harsh environment. Passive distribution
systems can be designed so they perform at high
data rates, even for indoor 4G solutions - but
only for relative small buildings, projects where
you can design the passive distributions
system with a low loss, short distances of coax.

Passive Components

1-Coax Cable
Obviously coax cable is widely used in all types of
distributed antenna systems, especially in
passive systems. Therefore it is important to get the basis
right with regards to cable types, and
losses.
total loss= distance( m)* attenuation per meter
Example
Calculating the total longitudinal loss of 67 m of 1 inch
2
coax on 1800 MHz
total loss= 67m *0. 1 dB/m= 6. 7dB

Splitters:

Splitters and power dividers are the most commonly used passive
components in distributed
antenna systems, Splitters are used for splitting one coax line into
two or more lines, and vice versa.
splitter loss= 10 log( no. of ports)+ insertion loss
Example:
For a 1:3 splitter ,with insertion loss, typically about 0.1 dB , the
attenuation will be:
10 log( 3)+ 0. 1dB = 4. 87 dB
Taps/Uneven Splitters: Tap splitters are used like splitters, used to
divide the signal/power
from one into two lines. The difference from the standard 1:2 splitter
is that the power is not
equally divided among the ports.

Attenuators:

Attenuators attenuate the signal with the value of the

attenuator. For example a 10 dB attenuator will
attenuate the signal by 10dB (port 2 1 port
attenuation).
Attenuators are used to bring higher power signals
down to a desired range of operation, typical to avoid
overdriving an amplifier, or to limit the impact of noise
power from an active distributed antenna system
Typical standard attenuator values are 1, 2, 3, 6 10, 12,
18, 20, 30 and 40 dB. When you combine them, you
can get the desired value; variable attenuators are also
available, but typical only for low power signals.

Dummy Loads or Terminators:

Terminators are used as matching loads on the transmission lines, often on one port of a circulator, or any 'open' or unused ports on
other components.

Circulators:
The circulator splitter is a nonreciprocal component with low insertion loss in the forward direction (ports 1-2, 2-3 and 3-1) and high
insertion loss in the reverse direction (ports 2-1, 3-2 and 1-3).
Examples of Use
The circulator can be used to protect the port of a transmitter against reverse power from reflections caused by a disconnected
antenna or cable in the antenna system.

A 3dB Coupler (90 Hybrid):

The 3dB coupler are mostly used for combining signals from two signal sources. At the same time the coupler will split the two
combined signals into two output ports.

Example of Use
If you need to combine two transmitters or two transceivers (TRXs/TRUs), you can use a 3 dB coupler.
However, if you need to combine the two transmitters and at the same time distribute the power to a passive distributed
antenna system with several antennas.

Filters:

When designing indoor solutions there are basically two

types of filters that you will encounter,the duplexer and the
diplexer or triplexer
Duplexer:
The duplexer is used to separate a combined TX/RX signal
into separate TX and RX lines.
Diplexer/Triplexer:
The diplexer will separate or combine whole bands from or
with each other, for example, input
combined 2100 and 1800MHz and output separate 2100 and
1800MHz bands.
A three band version that can separate or combine 900,
1800 and 2100 MHz is also available, called a triplexer.

5.1 Applications
More than ever, executives, clients, patients, and students rely on cellular services to work
indoors, as well as they've come to expect outdoors. From conducting business more efficiently, to
enhancing a patient's experience or improving customer responsiveness, cellular services need to
work everywhere, making the business case for enterprise mobility stronger than ever
i. Enterprise: The strong five-bar wireless signal enjoyed outside often drops to one or two bars just
before entering a building. Building materials such as heavy steel and concrete, as well as lowenergy glass used in most structures, absorb or block radio signals, causing such coverage issues. By
deploying IBS, enterprises will see coverage enhancements throughout the building regardless of the
building materials used, and will also realize unparalleled benefits.
ii. Hospitals: As hospitals continue to adopt life-critical mobile applications to improve patient care,
increase caregiver productivity, and maximize operational efficiencies, IBS seek reliable and flexible
indoor coverage infrastructures which meet the hospitals existing and future demands.
iii. Hospitality: Delivering a world-class guest experience today means offering innovative amenities
and communications capabilities that guests have come to expect when on the go. Whether traveling
on business or pleasure, guests use their Smartphones to talk, text, and surf the web, expecting robust
cellular coverage throughout the venue. IBS enables long term investment protecting for the future,
with ease of deployment today.
iv. Public Venues: Large stadiums, airports, convention centers, and arenas service tens of thousands
of visitors every day. But it's not just visitors and guests who depend on reliable mobile voice and
data communications on game day. More and more, cellular coverage can:
Improve employee productivity
Enable delivery of premium VIP amenities and mobile applications
Drive revenues and help guests stay connected
Ensure security and guest safety

5.2 Advantages
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Full mobile coverage. Bolster

reliability.
No aesthetic or deployment disruptions to the premises.
Maximum data performance.
Improved quality of service (no dropped calls, high speed data connections).
Ubiquitous wireless application access.

References
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]

Distributed Antenna System - www.accu-tech.com

In Building Distributed Antenna System - www.l-com.com
Base Transceiver System - Eagle Telephonics. In
Building Solutions - SDP Telecom.
Omnidirectional Antennas - www.whatis.techtarget.com
Radio Waves and Health, In Building Solutions(IBS) - Ericsson.
In-Building Solution - RR BPO Technologies.
The Fundamentals of In-Building Wireless Solutions - Gary Young, Bicsi.
Parveen Kumar and Poonam Gahlan, "A Minimum Process Synchronous Checkpointing
Algorithm for Mobile Distributed System", International Journal of Computer Engineering &
Technology (IJCET), Volume 1, Issue 1, 2010, pp. 72 - 81, ISSN Print: 0976 - 6367,
ISSN Online: 0976 - 6375.

[10] M.Veereshappa and Dr.S.N Mulgi, "Design and Developmentof Triple Band
Ominidirectional Slotted Rectangular Microstrip Antenna", International Journal of
Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), Volume 3, Issue 1,
2012, pp. 17 - 22, ISSN Print: 0976- 6464, ISSN Online: 0976 -6472.