Simple Guide to In-Building Coverage Systems for Building Owners, Managers and Tenants
Accessing high-quality network coverage for mobile phones or tablet devices can be problematic within large buildings such as commercial offices, hospitals and shopping centres. Often the solution to rectify such coverage issues is to install an In-Building Coverage (IBC) System. This guide provides you with an easy-to-understand overview of IBC systems why they are required, the safety of such systems, and what is involved in their design and installation. Enersus, who are specialists in wireless technology solutions, has prepared this guide to answer some of the commonly asked questions about IBC systems. If you have additional questions, please contact us at sales@enersus.com What is an In-Building Coverage System? The components of an IBC system are generally: An In-Building Coverage (IBC) system is a telecommunications solution that provides network coverage within buildings that have reception issues. RF Signal Source (typically located nearby to the building s Main Distribution Frame MDF) The most common form of an IBC system is a Distributed Antenna System (DAS). RF Components and Antennas Cabling that connects the Signal Source to the Components and Antennas.
Why do we need an IBC system in our building? High rise office buildings, hospitals, sporting stadiums and other large buildings will often experience restricted mobile phone and data network access. This is because signals from the telecommunications carriers outdoor network infrastructure, such as mobile towers and signal sources, can be compromised due to the building s structure. Additionally, as smart phones and tablets become increasingly popular, the demand for network accessibility is becoming greater. During the past five years, indoor wireless usage has grown from 30 per cent to more than 70 per cent. As more and more people use these devices in buildings without a dedicated service, congestion levels increase creating further network accessibility issues. The prime causes of poor indoor coverage are restricted access to outdoor telecommunications signals and network congestion due to the high number of mobile phone users within large buildings. Another reason is interference caused by too many signal sources, which provide good signal strength but cause poor call quality or call drop outs. If there are network black spots within your building, an IBC system will rectify these coverage issues. There is not a one size fits all approach to IBC solutions they are designed by specialist RF engineers who tailor a system that is specific to the network coverage issues in that building. What are the benefits of an IBC system? The obvious benefit is that residents, tenants and visitors to the building experience quality network coverage on their wireless devices. Providing a high-quality wireless network within a building helps to retain existing tenants and attract new tenants. In fact, one of the criteria for grading commercial high rises is the quality of network coverage. For example, a building can only be categorised as Premium or A-Grade if it provides a certain level of coverage. Increasing a building s rating can help attract and retain tenants, and justify a higher rental charge for office space. Another benefit, is that most full IBC systems have back-up power. Therefore, if there is a loss of power within a building, phone coverage remains unaffected. This is particularly important in emergency situations when communication is vital. The Enersus team has the largest combined experience in providing in-building coverage system designs in Australia.
Who decides to install an IBC system? The decision to install an IBC system is based on a number of factors. Typically one of the following organisations will decide an IBC system is required within a building: Telecommunications carriers, eg. Telstra, Optus, Vodafone If a carrier has clients within the building who need better in-building coverage they may decide to install a DAS, upgrade an existing DAS or co-locate with another carrier. For example, Telstra may have a DAS within a commercial high rise in which Optus has key customers. Optus could choose to co-locate on Telstra s existing DAS to provide better coverage for their clients. The three major carriers have an agreement in place to simplify infrastructure sharing. Property developers When property developers plan the construction of a new building, they generally include a DAS in their scope of works. This ensures that when the property is completed, tenants will receive network access. However, having a DAS within a building does not guarantee that one of the telecommunications carriers will connect to it. The decision to connect is made by the telecommunications carriers. Property owner A property owner or manager may decide to pay for the installation or upgrade of a DAS. For example, NSW Health may decide to pay for an IBC system in a new hospital. It s important to liaise with one of the telecommunication carriers to ensure it meets Australian carrier standards and to gain approval for the design and technology used. Who designs and installs IBC systems? Installing a DAS is not as simple as running electrical or ethernet cabling. It is a specialised field requiring experts who understand the technical intricacies and industry regulations involved. IBC systems are designed and installed by organisations, such as Enersus, who have qualified RF engineers and technicians with experience in these systems. The RF engineers design the system to ensure it provides the required coverage and is compliant with industry standards. Qualified teams then install the DAS according to detailed plans provided by the engineers. The installers are certified tradespeople with electrical and/ or communications backgrounds, who adhere to strict site access and safety regulations. Are these systems safe? Yes. The Australian Government has established very strict guidelines around exposure to radio frequency (RF) fields. The ARPANSA (Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency) Standard 1 ensures devices that emit RF electromagnetic energy, such as IBC systems, comply with the exposure limits. These regulations apply to all radio-emitting devices including Wi-Fi, two-way, mobiles and theft protection systems. There has been extensive research into RF exposure which has found that the level of exposure from an IBC system is extremely low and completely safe. In fact, you are exposed to a higher level of RF when using a mobile phone handset in a building without a dedicated mobile system than you would be in a building with an IBC system. This is because your phone uses more power to maintain call quality in an area that has poor service. The World Health Organisation (WHO) 2 has investigated health concerns regarding mobile phone usage and signal sources. WHO advise that, based on international research, exposures from signal sources and wireless technologies in publicly accessible areas are normally thousands of times below international standards. This is lower or comparable to RF exposures from radio or television broadcast transmitters. 1. ARPANSA, Radiation Protection Series, www.arpansa.gov.au/publications/codes/rps3.cfm 2. WHO, Electromagnetic fields and public health, www.who.int/peh-emf
What is the process for installing an IBC system? 1 Site Survey and Design 2 Equipment Room Fit Out 3 Cable Installation 4 Antenna and Component Installation 5 Termination, Test and Labelling of Cables 6 Commission, Integrate and Test System 7 As Built Documentation 8 Maintenance (including Upgrades)
1 Site Survey and Design 3 Cable Installation An initial site survey is carried out to determine the coverage issues. A specialist engineer who has knowledge of AC/DC power, heating/cooling systems, structural issues, building materials and radio signal will undertake these surveys. Typically the engineer will accompany a site acquisition representative and any other stakeholders to determine the most practical IBC solution for the building. The RF engineer, in consultation with the building management, will then develop a detailed design and precise manual, for approval by the mobile carrier/s. 2 Most IBC systems require a nominated area within the building, typically an enclosed room such as an equipment room, to install the IBC infrastructure. Components of this infrastructure include: Signal Source (BTS or Repeater equipment) Power systems Alarm systems Equipment Room Fit Out Temperature control systems. The mobile carriers have strict requirements, including highly specific hardware, which define what can be installed in equipment rooms. All IBC systems have some cable that is installed as part of the complete system. The cable is typically installed in risers to connect each floor back to the signal source. Cable is also installed above suspended ceilings or onto a slab to connect between antennas and the components located in the risers. In buildings that are already occupied, the installation of the cable is usually done outside business hours or when the floor is least populated. The cable is often attached to various types of cable support systems such as cable trays, conduit with saddles or catenary wire. In some cases the cable can be more than 25mm in diameter. Due to the specialised nature of this work it is imperative that it is carried out by properly trained and qualified technicians. Installing antenna systems can take a couple of days or up to a few months, depending on the size of the building and the complexity of the works. 4 Antenna and Component Installation IBC systems use a range of components and antennas to provide the correct signal level in the required areas of coverage. Components can be either active (AC or DC powered) or passive (unpowered) and are usually located in the riser or as part of the antenna. The installation of these items is less disruptive as the work is in discrete locations, such as risers, within the building. The installation work is usually done outside business hours, although in some cases it may be possible to complete during normal hours depending on the impact on the day-to-day operations of the building. In most cases the antennas are mounted to the ceiling or on walls and are designed to blend into the surroundings.
Termination, Testing and Labelling of Cabling 5 7 As-Built Documentation Once the cabling has been installed, connectors are fitted to each end to connect antennas, or other components, to the signal source. Tests are conducted on each cable and labels applied to identify each one, in accordance with the detailed design and provided as part of the as-built documentation. In some cases labels are applied at defined intervals along the length of the cable for future identification of the cable s purpose. Depending on the cable type, there may be a need for a series of different tests to be conducted during and at the completion of the IBC system deployment. In systems that have coaxial cabling, there is a critical test needed for PIM (Passive Intermodulation) to ensure the quality of the system and signal meets the minimum carrier interference standards. After the IBC system has been deployed and testing confirms it meets the mobile carrier s standards, the complete IBC system is documented. The document typically includes an updated version of the detailed design with test results, photos of the deployed system, configuration data of the signal source and general site information. The as-built documentation is typically managed by the mobile carrier once the system has been accepted, with copies provided to building management and third parties where required. 8 Maintenance (including Upgrades) 6 Commission, Integrate and Test System After the DAS has been deployed, the carrier s network equipment is interconnected to the DAS. This hardware is commissioned and subsequently integrated into the mobile carrier s core network from outside the building. If the signal source is a base station, the integration uses a transmission link using optical fibre, copper or microwave radio. If the DAS is using active components, there also will be a commissioning process on the DAS to ensure the complete system is working correctly. Once the integration is completed a walk test of the existing outdoor signal and the new IBC signal is measured to ensure the performance of the system meets the mobile carrier s standards. This test requires an engineer to walk around a large portion of the IBC system s coverage area using specialised equipment to record the results. The IBC system is deployed based on specific technologies such as 2G or 3G. As technology evolves, the system is often upgraded to support newer technologies such as 4G (LTE). Upgrades range from a simple process of interconnecting a new signal source to the DAS to significant changes to an existing DAS, right through to a completely new layer of infrastructure. IBC systems should have routine maintenance to ensure they are still reliably servicing the coverage area. Upgrades also can involve replacing some components and/or cables if external factors have caused damage.
Terminology Like any industry, telecommunications has words and acronyms that are generally unknown outside the industry. Listed below are some common words and acronyms, and their meanings. IBC DAS In-Building Coverage Distributed Antenna System Active DAS Passive DAS Hybrid DAS Distribution of signal using powered components and antennas Distribution of signal using non-powered components and antennas Combination of Passive and Active DAS 2G 3G 4G LTE Microwave RF Coupler Splitter Combiner MIMO SISO BTS Repeater UPS Original digital cellular technology (GSM, DCS, PCS) First data-centric cellular technology (Voice still circuit switched) Current data-centric cellular technology (Voice and Data packet switched) Long Term Evolution a type of 4G technology High-capacity transmission system in areas where fibre is not viable Radio Frequency Component designed to distribute RF signals Component designed to distribute RF signals Component designed to distribute RF signals Multiple Input, Multiple Output. Allows much faster data services Single Input, Single Output. Traditional DAS solution Base Transceiver Station (sometimes referred to as a Base Station) the equipment that transmits and receives mobile signals Retransmits external signals inside the building to improve coverage. Repeaters can only be used when a good external signal is available Uninterruptable power supply - generally a battery backup to provide DC power to BTS if mains power is lost About Enersus This information was provided by Enersus, a specialist wireless telecommunications provider. Enersus is a leading provider of In-Building Coverage (IBC) systems to improve network capacity in commercial buildings, hospitals and stadiums. The company has designed and installed more than 100 customised IBC systems. Phone: +61 1300 660 874 Email: sales@enersus.com www.enersus.com