Coverage vs Capacity

To be able to compare the different technologies, we  need to review the two main performance reasons that DAS solutions are deployed: to provide coverage and capacity.

Some locations experience significantly more cellular data usage than others. Think of a sports stadium hosting the Super Bowl, or a large music venue hosting Justin Timberlake. If the venue relied on a nearby cell tower to provide coverage to all those users, the tower and the local network would quickly become overwhelmed and unstable. In such applications, a DAS with high capacity is the primary need.

If there's simply not enough usable signal reaching users, either because the cell tower is too far away or due to building materials such as low-E windows in LEED Buildings blocking cell signal, the primary need is coverage. For example, a newly-built LEED-certified hospital with concrete walls might have no indoor coverage and require a DAS. Highrises often use DAS deployments because the radio frequency noise levels at higher altitudes make the signal unusable.

Identifying one of these needs as the primary requirement of your project is an important first step. Choosing the right DAS technology means making trade-offs between coverage, capacity, and price.

Our RF passive components directional coupler, power divider, power tapper etc. are used in inbuilding solutions.