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With the growing reliance on mobile communications for everything from mission critical applications at work to multimedia entertainment at home, the demand for reliable high-speed cellular coverage has never been greater.

The benefits of 5G technology, including blazing speed, lower latency, and the capacity to support many devices simultaneously, make it particularly attractive to users whose applications demand faster downloads and uploads.

Industries ranging from healthcare to transportation to manufacturing increasingly rely on DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems) technology to ensure the network performance and seamless connectivity required to get the most benefit from 5G.

The Importance of DAS to 5G

Distributed Antenna Systems are critical for the successful deployment and operation of 5G networks. They help to extend and improve the coverage of 5G signals, especially in areas traditional cell towers can not reach effectively, including building interiors, underground facilities, and densely populated urban areas.

DAS solutions address issues like signal attenuation that are caused when cellular signal is impeded by physical obstacles and/or congestion in densely populated areas. The indoor coverage problem for 5G is more acute than it is with 3G and 4G since 5G cellular signals are often deployed on higher and more attenuated frequencies.

In a DAS implementation, the antennas are connected via fiber optic or coaxial cables to a central hub that acts as a central point of control, receiving and distributing the signals.

In the case of 5G, the hub interfaces with the core network to access 5G’s high-speed data streams. Radio units (RUs) convert the digital data from the central hub into radio waves for transmission.

With mobile service providers using a combination of spectrum bands to deliver 5G services, DAS technology needs to be able to accommodate these various frequencies:

• Low-Band (Sub-1 GHz)
• Mid-Band (1-6 GHz): 

Each of these bands has its own coverage, capacity, and penetration characteristics, and they are often used in combination to provide comprehensive 5G service. Low-band frequencies offer broader coverage and better indoor penetration, while mid-band frequencies provide a balance of coverage and capacity.

Designing the right 5G Distributed Antenna System

Designing a 5G DAS requires careful consideration of a number of factors to ensure maximum coverage, signal strength and quality.

The coverage requirements  – This includes the total area that needs to be covered, the range of each individual antenna within the DAS, the user density of the area in terms of number of users and devices, and any physical obstructions that could impede signal reception.

The signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) needed for reliable connectivity – An RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) of -70 dBm or better and an SNR of 20dB or higher are recommended.

Frequency bands to be utilized  – 5G operates in multiple frequency bands, with each band having different propagation characteristics that will affect the number of antennas used and where they are placed.

DAS regulatory approval  – The DAS needs to comply with local regulations and standards for electromagnetic radiation and safety. Some organizations choose to implement a hybrid DAS solution to optimize connectivity while they wait for carrier approval for an active DAS.

The need for open modularity and adaptability – Ideally the DAS should have the built-in flexibility to accommodate add-ons with the scalability to meet future growth and increased user demands.

DAS Solutions Optimized for 5G

WilsonPro, a leading provider of cellular repeater technology offers a broad range of enterprise DAS solutions that support 5G.

Take the WilsonPro Hybrid DAS Solution, for example, which combines WilsonPro repeater and Zinwave DAS technology to deliver a versatile solution with the proven precision of BDA (bi-directional amplifier technology) to ensure consistent and reliable 5G connectivity even in interior with sub-par in-building wireless coverage.

WilsonPro Hybrid DAS offers:

• Open design architecture with the modularity to integrate different systems and ensure coverage across multiple frequencies and protocols ((e.g. CBRS radio, First Responder coverage, Band 71 or C-Band) without having to replace the entire network.
• Pre-approved core components designed for fast and precise optimization of signal strength and reception with low attenuation.
• Simplified multi-carrier wireless connectivity with the ability to add on bands to immediately optimize coverage.

• RF over fiber coverage, high speed data transmission, low latency, and the scalability and high-bandwidth capacity to accommodate future growth.

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The result is a DAS solution  that can adapt to any changes over time, offering future readiness in any environment while lowering upfront implementation and system costs as well as ongoing total cost of ownership.

With the WilsonPro Hybrid DAS, business enterprises now have a fast, simple, and cost-effective way to capitalize on the blazing speed, low latency, and other advantages of 5G technology. 

Realizing the Full Potential of 5G

5G is here to stay, and users are just starting to realize its advanced capabilities. But making the most of its huge potential requires a DAS solution with the features and functionality to offer optimal 5G coverage.

Choosing and implementing the right solution requires proper upfront planning and careful consideration of the many factors that can impact 5G signal performanceTo learn more WilsonPro DAS solutions to support 5G, contact us today.