Purpose:
The purpose of this standard is to afford designers and installers an opportunity to enhance their knowledge of quality DASs, understand the requirements of superior performing systems, and provide requirements and recommendations for the design and installation of standards-compliant, vendor-neutral systems.
Categories of Criteria:
Two categories of criteria are specified—mandatory and advisory:
• Mandatory criteria generally apply to protection, performance, administration and compatibility; they specify the absolute minimum acceptable requirements.
• Advisory or desirable criteria are presented when their attainment will enhance the general performance of the system in all its contemplated applications.
Mandatory requirements are designated by the word shall; advisory recommendations are designated by the words should, may, or desirable, which are used interchangeably in this standard. Where possible, requirements and recommendations are separated to aid in clarity.
Notes, cautions, and warnings found in the text, tables, or figures are used for emphasis or for offering informative suggestions.
Scope:
This standard provides industry and service provider neutral requirements and acceptable best practices for the design and installation of DAS. For brevity, as used in this document, the terms distributed antenna system or DAS includes other in-building wireless and similar systems, such as radiating cable and small-cell networks, unless these systems are specifically described.
The document will address, at minimum, the following:
• A description of a typical DAS
• Components used within a DAS
• Types of host systems (2-way voice, cellular, LTE, public safety, business band, analog, digital, other)
• Compliance and integration with existing related codes and standards and other legal concerns
• Coordination with the host system owner(s)
• RF system design methods
• Telecommunication infrastructure design
• Installation and commissioning methods
• Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and radio frequency interference (RFI) mitigation
• Designer, installer and service personnel qualifications
• Administration, labeling and documentation
• Inspection, testing and maintenance
There are also sections devoted to trouble spot areas where RF coverage is often difficult, such as stairwells and elevators, and to special locations, such as hospitals, parking garages, schools and industrial plants. While the specific requirements and recommendations of this standard were written for areas within North America, the general principles and recommendations are applicable throughout the world.
Limitations:
Although the principles of this standard are applicable to all signal source technologies, this standard does not specifically address:
• Wi-Fi
Although some vendors are beginning to include Wi-Fi capability in their DAS product lines, Wi-Fi networks are relatively mature and can often be deployed just as effectively using standard structured cabling methods.
• WiMAX
At the time of publication, WiMAX technology is not highly used within DAS deployments.