Outdoor DAS (oDAS) vs. Indoor DAS (iDAS): Systems Deployment Service
Aug 15, 2018
What is a Distributed Antenna System (DAS)?
A DAS (distributed antenna system) consists of a network of antennas that offer comprehensive wireless cellular service for an area, structure or building. DAS technology was developed to address problems with mobile connectivity faced by many building owners.
How Does DAS Work?
Active DAS consists of a wide network of antennas that are connected to the base station using fiber, ethernet and coaxial cabling. These antennas collect the signal from the participating carrier network, send it to the base station where the signals are enhanced and then redistributed through all rooms of the building using a system of internal antennas.
Types of DAS Systems:
There're two types of DAS systems – Outdoor DAS (oDAS) and Indoor DAS (iDAS).
Outdoor DAS (oDAS).
Outdoor DAS is used for outdoor facilities such as university campuses, ski resorts, remote areas, urban clusters, tunnels and so on.
Indoor DAS (iDAS).
Indoor DAS is more common and is used to enhance coverage for indoor facilities such as buildings, malls, stadiums, public halls and so on. iDAS is the most common type of DAS infrastructure.
What is the Difference Between Outdoor DAS (oDAS) and Indoor DAS (iDAS)?
Apart from the obvious difference that iDAS is for indoors and oDAS is for outdoors, there are a few critical differences between the two systems. Let us examine what they are:
Indoor DAS (iDAS) - What You Need to Know.
- iDAS is essentially about sending multiple signals through a single fiber. Using as few fibers as possible helps to minimize the cost of the system.
- iDAS does not require high RF power. This means it can work with even weak cellular signals and make them strong enough to improve mobile connectivity for those inside the building.
- iDAS makes use of RF diplexers to separate different technologies such as GSM, AWS and PCS from each other.
- iDAS solutions are more common than oDAS, which we discuss next. They are also much easier to install and deploy.
Outdoor DAS (oDAS) - What You Need to Know.
- oDAS improves the wireless coverage in outdoor environments. It is used in parking lots, shopping malls, large stores, colleges, universities and music concerts and so on.
- What oDAS does is to provide you with a seamless and unbroken coverage. It supports multiple wireless technologies such as Public Safety bands, Wi-Fi, GSM and more.
- oDAS is more difficult to deploy compared to iDAS. It has a higher level of complexity built into the system.
- oDAS makes use of Remote Radio Heads (RRHs), while iDAS uses RUs. The RRH nodes are placed in weatherproof enclosures in public areas for expanding coverage.
- oDAS has higher power requirements than iDAS.
Are you looking for an iDAS or oDAS Systems Deployment Service?
SignalBooster.com delivers both indoor and outdoor DAS solutions. We're a DAS Deployment Service that caters mainly to iDAS services but offer oDAS services on a case by case basis depending upon its size and complexity.
We're experienced at designing and deploying indoor and outdoor DAS nodes on your existing infrastructure. We make sure to install these nodes as unobtrusively as possible, so that they cannot be distinguished from the surrounding building material.
We work closely with our clients to enhance wireless voice and data even in remote areas. We're closely involved with several local communities and have formed a partnership with many carriers to expand coverage in hard-to-reach locations.
Our DAS Deployment Service includes everything from construction repair, site acquisition, doing the paperwork, obtaining permissions from the concerned authorities and DAS 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of the system.
If you have any questions on how we can assist you in developing an Indoor or Outdoor DAS network, please contact us.
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6 comments
Distributed antenna systems are a breakthrough for areas where there are so many twists and turns in a structure that a standard cell phone booster system wouldn’t help. I didn’t know there are differences between outdoor DAS and indoor DAS though until I read this. It does make sense though, especially how installing outdoor DAS is more difficult to install.
Is it the practice that an institution demand additional surface rental charges for the installation of an iDAS within it’s buildings?
People complain about the Internet and misinformation but there’s a lot to learn if you look in the right place. I didn’t know about distributed antenna systems aka DAS until I started visiting this site. As a homeowner, I’m never going to have any contact with distributed antenna system companies but you never know what the future holds for you professionally. I may work for a facility such as a stadium and they’ll be glad to have someone on staff who can point them in the right direction when it comes to a DAS network. Plus I’m intrigued by this different technology. Who needs Popular Science or Wired when they can go online?
I was interested by the talk of outdoor distributed antenna system designs for concerts. I haven’t been to an outdoor concert venue in quite some time but I’ve seen videos and everyone seems to have their cell phones. I know having all those phones in one area is going to affect signal strength (especially in remote areas where a cell phone tower might be far away). Do communication technology services set up a permanent outdoor das at the concert venue? If so, that would improve the concert going experience for people who like to take selfies and record their time at the shows.
“What’s the problem with getting signals there? Also, is DAS installation difficult?” The problem with places like shopping malls is they have materials which block cell phone signals such as concrete, steel, etc. Think of this then imagine several layers (depending on where you are in the mall) and you can understand why it’s difficult to get a good signal when your cell phone is “buried” within a mall. However, as this article mentions, a distributed antenna system is ideal for fixing this poor reception. Is DAS installation difficult to install? I’d imagine for a layperson, but not for the professionals who do so on a regular basis.
I’ve wondered how places like malls and football stadiums can improve shoppers and fans’ ability to make cell phone calls. If you think about it, the thought of not being able to call 911 when you’re shopping or attending a game is scary. I want to look more into active DAS systems and how they’re being deployed. I still have trouble getting signals when I go into the shopping mall. What’s the problem with getting signals there? Also, is DAS installation difficult?