Where can a distributed antenna system be used?

A distributed antenna system (DAS) is a system designed to expand the coverage of typically outdoor wireless services such as cellular, private radio systems, public safety radios, etc., but can also be used for indoor wireless, such as wireless LANs. The intrusion of these services into buildings varies with their frequency and power, but it is generally difficult for an outdoor signal to cover a large space inside a building well. A distributed antenna system can act as a repeater, or it can be used to provide complete infrastructure for the wireless services.

A distributed antenna system is a connected network of antenna sites called nodes that provide wireless service within a geographic area or structure. The individual antennas are typically mounted on top of light or auxiliary rods, in secured cabinets or in ceilings.

Since DAS comes from the cellular industry, it should come as no surprise, this is also where they are currently most effective. The current common use of a distributed antenna system is to expand the coverage in the cellular industry to both voice coverage and data coverage. Other applications are on the horizon for these systems such as building management, energy management, physical and other security, and even the provision of WLANs are just a few examples of this growing market.

In some areas, the use of a distributed antenna systems just makes sense. For example, in the healthcare industry, areas such as operating rooms must remain sterile so that maintenance of equipment in the rooms or installation of new equipment can cause harmful interference. DAS must be installed either when the hospital is built or is under renovation. The same can be said for laboratory areas where precision measurements and testing require a clean room.

Another use of a distributed antenna system would be in a high security area with limited access. Typically, encryption and authentication methods in these areas are in addition to AES and 802.1X, such as FIPS 140-2, and the classified communications encryption standards are also in place. DAS can only work in these areas with WLAN traffic for authorized personnel only.