OCC's Unique DAS System

When OCC’s Asheville location needed improved cell coverage in their manufacturing building in 2007, OCC decided the best way to solve their problem was to do it themselves. OCC designed and produced their first Cellular Distribution System (CDS), a unique Distributed Antenna System (DAS). A DAS is a collection of low-power antennas distributed across a designated area to provide signal coverage for cellular devices. A DAS is usually installed where the provider’s macro coverage is not sufficient, a common occurrence. The DAS increases coverage to where there was none previously.

OCC’s CDS is a bi-directional amplification based system that enhances wireless coverage, allowing all the smartphones, iPads, tablets, and other devices access to broad band data service and continuous coverage. Now, employees don’t drop calls, can pay fees from their phones, and stay online throughout the day. Consumers use their mobile devices to pay bills, compare prices, and plan their day. We are entering the day when we all expect full coverage, at all times. 

“While much of the DAS information you may read talks about large stadiums and casinos, most customers are similar to us, small to mid-size companies with partial macro coverage” says Dr. Ian Timmins, Director of Engineering.

The OCC manufacturing facility is similar to many other manufacturing and office structures anywhere in the country; a steel structure that prohibits the penetration of cellular signals. All structural materials inhibit signal, so any office building will have this issue to some extent.

The CDS system creates a signal path for wireless transmission into and out of the building, bypassing the inhibitive materials in the building structure. In most circumstances, the providers signal is the strongest on the building’s roof, so a donor antenna is placed on the roof. A low loss 50 ohm coaxial cable is installed connecting the antenna to the CDS unit. The rack mounted CDS system is then connected to multiple indoor antennas throughout the facility to make the cellular signal within the facility as good as it is on the roof.

 “We are effectively bringing the carrier signal from the roof to the employees within the building” said Timmins.

OCC's Asheville facility coverage map

Once a company decides to install this DAS system, the question becomes “How do we place the internal antennas to maximize coverage within the affected area?” OCC utilizes propagation analysis software that enables them to accurately model signal strength throughout the space for a specific CDS design.

“Propagation analysis is really the key to an effective installation, as it removes all guess work from the process”, says Oscar Gamez, CDS Applications Engineer.

Using an AutoCad or PDF drawing showing the area to be covered, OCC can determine where to place the antennas to maximize the enhanced coverage by the CDS system. Each building structure is unique, and therefore each DAS installation must be addressed accordingly, and the propagation analysis takes guesswork out of the equation.

Once the CDS system is installed, business can be completed with ease. Production managers and sales team members can speak from across the building, inside sales can reach inventory, and inventory can be checked and entered into a tablet simultaneously. After the installation, mobile devices work as well inside as outside, and make working easy with a constant signal. The supported signal bands are shown in the chart.  

OCC’s Cellular Distribution System is now in its 3rd generation and supports 4G coverage. It is provider independent, supporting signals from all major U.S. carriers. As a communication company that manufactures copper and fiber optic products, the OCC Cellular Distribution System is an ideal fit to make OCC a one-stop shop for your communication needs.