Powering IDAS Networks

INTRODUCTION

The advent of Indoor Distributed Antenna System (IDAS) networks has greatly increased the capacity and reach of wireless service in public venues such as sports stadiums, convention centers and hotels. IDAS remote nodes, placed throughout the venue, enhance the user experience by enabling them to upload photos and videos, down-load site information or sports scores, send and receive texts and, on occasion, even make a voice call. Yet for all the benefits of the IDAS configuration, the service provider faces many deployment challenges, not the least of which is the ability to power each of these remote nodes.

Because DAS and other small cell networks are distributed and in greater quantity than macro cells, service providers have struggled with a variety of power issues. How much, if any, battery backup is needed? Should the RF network be designed to match the availability of AC or should the service provider pay electricians to install new AC access points? Should the power enclosure house the power conversion equipment, the batteries, or both? Where should the power enclosures be located?

Alpha Technologies pioneered a new power architecture for IDAS networks, one which does not require batteries or power conversion at the remote node. Instead, the new solution uses copper cable to deliver low voltage over the line from a centralized power system typically located at the host DAS node. To introduce this low voltage line power concept, Alpha Technologies has released a new white paper series called, “Line Powering IDAS Networks.”