Project Management: Commissioning & Integration Milestones
To download a template DAS project management workbook, please contact us.
Initial configuration & confirm connectivity and visibility of all electronics: Commissioning starts with checking all connectivity – especially fiber. Integrator makes sure that all the devices connected to the head-end are visible from data controller.
CW Test - compare calculated vs. measured results: Remember CW stands for Continuous Wave signal. It’s a blank signal and we use it to test the DAS. Engineers will feed a measured CW signal from the head-end electronics, and measure the signal going in and coming out of all the electronics down to the antennas. Then they will compare the measured signal against the calculated values – it allows engineers to verify if the DAS is functioning as expected.
First phase of Noise optimization: As we add electronics to the system, it gives rise to noise. This rise of noise can be calculated. Noise optimization is essentially minimizing unwanted signal.
Walk test of floors (with CW signal): This step is optional and not so common, but I will go ahead and quickly explain it. It is possible to create a heat map of CW signal on the floor plan with the help of a RF scanner and proper software. This data collection can enable the engineers to verify the performance of the DAS with CW signal. Engineers can then determine if the DAS is performing as predicted during design phase.
Integration or adding Carrier Signal Source: Once the engineers complete all the steps described above, your DAS is ready to accept carrier signal - which means Sprint or AT&T or Verizon can now join the DAS. We are assuming at this point that the intended carriers have installed and turned up their signal source at the site. In the next slide, we will touch upon a few milestones that you – as a Project Manager – can track although it’s the operators who are responsible for the installation and turn up of Signal sources.
Second phase of noise optimization: In this phase, we minimize and optimize the noise for individual frequencies going to the signal sources from the DAS which means the uplink path. Pretty much in all cases, this is done in conjunction with the carriers or operators.
Collecting signal data: in most projects, carriers collect signal in the DAS coverage area to validate their expectation and the performance of the DAS.
Related Posts:
Carrier RF Source Installation
To download a template DAS project management workbook, please contact us.
