Understanding Antennas for Distributed Antenna System (DAS)

A distributed antenna system (DAS) antenna is engineered to increase communications capacity for large areas. DAS antennas are used in wireless communications systems for public outdoor area such as stadiums, interior spaces such as office buildings, and transportation facilities including airports.

A DAS antenna is linked to a distributed antenna system, which is a network of small antennas distributed amongst a large indoor or outdoor area to provide wireless coverage. DAS antennas are built to transmit radio frequency signals from cellular or Wi-Fi networks and deliver them to the distributed antenna system. This improves coverage and capacity by amplifying and rebroadcasting the signals.

DAS antennas can be designed for different frequency bands and technologies such as cellular or Wi-Fi, as well as more specialized applications like UHF, FirstNet, TETRA, Emergency Services Networks for Emergency Services, and public safety applications.

DAS antennas are available in a variety of forms, including omni-directional antennas, directional antennas, and panel antennas. Users can choose the correct DAS antenna based on the coverage and capacity requirements of the specific application for their needs. DAS antennas can be installed in a variety of ways depending on the building structure and layout. These includes ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, and outdoor-mounted DAS antennas.

DAS antennas advantages include the following:

• Helps improve coverage: A DAS antenna provides better coverage than a cellular antenna because the distributed antenna system that the antenna is a part of delivers the signal evenly throughout the building or outdoor area. This improved coverage results in fewer dead zones, dropped calls, or poor signal quality.

• In-building coverage: Including a DAS antenna system inside a building helps avoid the problem of higher frequencies, such as 5G, being less able to penetrate from outside to inside buildings.

• Increase capacity: A DAS antenna can increase the capacity of a cellular network because it can manage a larger number of users and a larger number of data traffic than a single cellular antenna. This capability is paramount in large buildings or high-traffic areas where a large amount of people are simultaneously using their mobile devices.

• Carrier-neutral: A DAS antenna can help support numerous wireless carriers and technologies, including 3G, 4G, and 5G, without needing a separate antenna for each carrier. This capability is significant for businesses that want to provide their employees or customers wireless coverage regardless of their carrier or device.

• Lower power consumption: A DAS antenna requires less power because it is closer to the user, and it can operate at a lower power level compared to a cellular antenna. It is possible that a DAS system may be more energy-efficient and cost-effective long term.

• Reduce interference: A DAS antenna can reduce interference from other wireless devices, including Wi-Fi routers or Bluetooth devices, due to its design to operate in a specific frequency band. A DAS antenna can also filter out unwanted signals. This results in the DAS system providing more reliable and constant wireless coverage.

Our DAS antennas are engineered to address performance requirements while enabling efficiency, dependability, versatility, and low-profile form factors.

• Wide range of products: Our DAS antennas offer a variety of frequency bands and applications, including omnidirectional and directional antennas, as well as antennas with high gain and narrow beamwidth for long-range coverage.

• Low Passive Intermodulation (PIM) ratings: PIM is the creation of interference within a passive antenna or device when two or more signals are present. Low PIM ratings are a key feature of our DAS antenna range, which enables optimal performance and a wider DAS system.

• Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) Options: Our multi-port solutions allow a DAS installer to choose a MIMO DAS solution that can greatly improve the performance and capability of a DAS network.

• Innovative design: Our DAS antennas are designed to help increase performance and reliability. For example, our CFSA69594 antennas are offer a ultra-low profile design at less than 8mm depth. It's modular design suppots being configured for different frequency bands and coverage areas.

• Approved by major cellular operators: Our DAS antennas are approved by most major cellular operators worldwide which means that they do not need to go through certification processes prior to use. This can save the installer thousands in design-in costs.

• Easy installation: Our DAS antennas are designed for easier installation and require low levels of maintenance, which can result in saved time and cost for the installer. Our DAS antennas are available with many types of connectors, such as 4.3-10 and N type, to make additions to an existing DAS system simple. Many of our DAS antennas come with the option of hard tile ceiling mounts, meaning the same antenna technology can be used in multiple areas.

• QR Code: Eachof our DAS antennas is supplied with a QR code on the back of the antenna that allows the system manager to simply scan the code with a smartphone to see all the required performance data of the antenna.

 Why do I need DAS antennas?

DAS antennas, as part of a wider distributed antenna system, allow larger buildings, stadiums, and campus areas to provide consistent and high-quality RF coverage throughout a specified area of the building. Smaller buildings or those with low wireless demand may not require a DAS system. In those instances, TE’s fixed wireless access antennas may be the solution.

What should I consider before installing a DAS system?

A full site survey should be carried out in advance of any DAS antennas installation. This will support proper placement/positioning of the antennas as well as identify any weak or dead spots that may be created by walls, pillars, or structures inside a building.

What are the advantages of TE's DAS antennas?

TE has a wide range of DAS antennas in multiple frequenices, formats, and directionalities. Ultra-low profile ceiling mount antennas are available in single or multi-port MIMO format as a discrete solution for in-building DAS antenna coverage.

What are the key differentiators of TE’s DAS antennas?

TE’s DAS antennas are extremely high performance, high quality, and perhaps most importantly, low PIM (Passive Intermodulation)-rated. These attributes ensure optimal performance from the antenna