SOLUTION OPTION 1:

Pure DAS Deployment using Hybrid Passive - Active DAS

The majority of DAS installations today involve active equipment. Active DAS simply
means the components require a power source to operate. an active system utilizes
fiber optic cables to connect with remote nodes. Passive DAS systems don’t need
fiber optic cables in general and consist of simple BDAs (Bi-Directional Amplifier). An
example of a passive component used in a DAS system would be a diplexer. It
doesn’t require power. The signal just runs through it. DAS installations consisting of
only passive components are rare. This is because as DAS installations get bigger
and more sophisticated, they need to be controlled and monitored remotely. This
capability is made possible by active equipment at both remote and Head-End
locations connected via fiber. DAS system integrators deploy SNMP-enabled
equipment. SNMP allows the system to be accessed and controlled via a GUI
(Graphic User Interface) using an IP network.
DAS equipment has built-in alarms which are triggered when a failure occurs and
automatically send alert messages out to the proper field personnel. System
administrators or network maintenance engineers monitor the RF power level of a
particular RU (remote unit) of a DAS installation using a smart phone or portable
device with an internet connection. This prevents expensive maintenance calls,
saving money and labor.
The majority of DAS OEMs (vendors) build equipment that transport RF signals
between a DAS Head-End and RUs via fiber optic cable. Thus equipment on both
sides have fiber optic transceivers that perform Electric to Optical (E/O) and Optical
to Electric (O/E) conversions.

Many smaller DAS installations can be passive. Think of a small office in need of
enhanced cellular coverage. A system integrator will install a directional antenna
pointing to particular carrier’s tower. The signal enters the building via low-loss
coaxial cable. A Bi-Directional amplifier known as a BDA is installed to strengthen
the signal. Integrators also use passive components such as splitters and directional
couplers to distribute RF signals between a BDA and indoor antennas. These
installations are relatively inexpensive but require a good degree of RF expertise to
ensure proper in-building coverage. Especially when there are multiple carriers and
cellular bands which need to be distributed. Adding public safety UHF (ultra-high
frequency) and VHF (very-high frequency) bands to installations will increase the
cost and complexity of the deployment even more.
Active DAS

An active DAS converts the analog radio frequency transmissions to a digital signal
from the signal source for distribution. A master unit performs this analog-to-digital
conversion. The master unit may digitize the signal from a single carrier or multiple
carriers. Once converted, the DAS transmits the digital signal through fiber optic or
Ethernet cables to remote radio units that convert the signal back to an analog
signal.

Unlike passive or hybrid systems, active DAS systems do not use coaxial cable to
distribute signal. Fiber optic or Ethernet cable runs straight to the antenna unit and
the conversion back to analog RF is done by circuitry inside the antenna.
When additional capacity is needed, like in a football stadium or airport, an active
DAS system is typically used. A state of the art active system can cover virtually any
size of building and up to any capacity.

Active DAS systems often use fiber optic cable to distribute signal between a
centralized signal source and remote nodes placed around a building. The signal
source is typically a “head-end” that combines signals from multiple carriers, which
each need to provide their own signal source to the system, typically via their own
fiber backhaul.

The equipment used in an active DAS isn’t cheap. This is one of the main drawbacks
to an active DAS system - they are extremely expensive. The other big
inconvenience of active DAS is that every installation must be approved by the cell
phone carriers affected. This is an FCC regulation, because the carriers own the
cellular frequencies. In practice carrier approval is usually granted, but the
bureaucracy involved is complicated, and the whole project can cost millions of
dollars and take years to get up and running. Once approval is granted, carriers then
need to provide a signal source for the DAS.

Hybrid DAS

Hybrid DAS is another option. A hybrid system works a lot like an active system.
Hybrid DAS uses some fiber for distribution of signal, but relies on passive coaxial
cable for much of the signal distribution. Hybrid systems can be a good solution for
medium-sized spaces, or unusual signal problems. Multiple passive systems can be
linked by fiber cable to a remote amplifier unit.
A hybrid system still has many of the same drawbacks as active DAS, however. It is
still very expensive and because it involves using signal provided by the carriers
themselves, it still needs carrier approval and involvement.

Passive DAS

Passive DAS systems typically use passive components like coaxial cable, splitters,
and diplexers to distribute signal. ​ The farther the antenna is from the signal source
and any amplifiers, the more attenuation (loss) there will be in the power broadcast
from that antenna. Designing a passive DAS correctly requires calculating precise
link budgets to make sure the outputted power at each antenna is equal.​ ​Unlike
active DAS, they use bi-directional amplifiers to rebroadcast signal from the macro
cellular network using a donor signal on the roof.

There are limitations to the reach of passive DAS solutions. Because they use coax
cable to distribute signal, signal loss is higher than with active DAS. The further
away the antennas are from the amplifier, the higher the signal loss. The signal loss
results in lower downlink output power. These restrictions mean that the maximum
coverage area for a passive DAS system is typically around 500,000 sq ft.

But the advantages of passive DAS solutions are considerable. In particular, they are
considerably cheaper than active DAS. Because they typically rebroadcast the
macro network’s signal, there is less need for carrier approval and coordination. In
fact, if the amplifier systems are classified as “consumer” boosters by the FCC (our
most popular passive DAS amplifiers, like the Wilson Pro series and the SureCall
Force5, are both approved by the FCC), they can be installed without any
pre-approval or coordination with carriers. This means that there is no need for
lengthy extra bureaucracy, and deployment times can be as quick as a few weeks.

Whether active, hybrid, or passive DAS is the right choice for your building depends
entirely on your circumstances. The coverage area required, the design of the
building, and the budget and timescale for the project, all affect which option will be
right for you. If you have a smaller building (under 500,000 sq ft), a passive solution
might be the best option for your budget.

Possible Designs:
ACTIVE DAS

Active systems convert the radio signals into a digital format that is carried over
optical fiber. The optical signals can be carried over essentially unlimited distances,
but the components (the master unit, expansion units and remote units) can be
expensive and require both power and control interfaces. In addition, the conversion
process often adds significant delay to the system, which must be compensated for
in the DAS design. Active DAS is used in outdoor deployments and in larger indoor
installations.

PASSIVE DAS
Passive DAS systems take the RF signals transmitted from the source or the
antennas and carry them over standard RF coaxial cable (coax). Since the signals
are not modified in any way, the components involved (diplexers, duplexers, splitters,
combiners, tappers, and so on) are relatively simple and inexpensive, and they do
not require power or other connections. On the flip side, however, every length of
cable and every component in the path reduces the strength of the radio signal, and
the size of the system is limited by the maximum distance the signal can travel
before it becomes too weak to be useful. As a consequence, passive DAS is best
suited for relatively small indoor applications.
DAS Components

1. Signal Source

For Active DAS, the signal source comes directly from the carrier network.
For Passive DAS, the signal source comes from pulling in and amplifying signal from
the carrier cell tower. An outside antenna known as the donor antenna is used to
capture cellular signal. Typically, a donor antenna comes in two forms:
omnidirectional & yagi antenna.
Omni Antenna
An omni-directional antenna has a 360 degree throw range with a +2 to + 5 dB gain.
It’s a multi-purpose antenna when needing to boost signal for multiple carriers and if
carrier towers are within range.

Yagi Antenna
A yagi antenna has a 110 degree throw range with a +7 to +10 dB gain. It’s a
specialized antenna when needing to boost a particular carrier and if the carrier
tower is much further away.
Note: It is possible with a use of splitter to use both antennas for all-around boost
while focusing on a specific carrier.

2. Central Amplification Unit

For Active DAS, the central amplifier is called the base station (also called BTS,
NodeB, and eNode B).
For Passive DAS, the central amplifier is simply called the amplifier (also called
repeater and signal booster).
Signal is passed to the amplifier where it is multiplied then passed along to the
in-building distribution. Most passive DAS amplifiers are capable of +60 to +70 dB
gain.

3. In-Building Distribution
Both DAS systems use indoor antennas to broadcast the boosted signal. Typically,
broadcasting antennas come in two types: dome & panel antenna.
Dome Antenna
A dome antenna has a 360 degree throw with a broadcasting range of 50 feet. It’s a
multi-purpose indoor antenna when needing to broadcast signal evenly across the
open office.

Panel Antenna
A panel antenna has a 70 degree throw with a broadcasting range of 75 feet. It’s a
specialized indoor antenna for priority areas, high ceilings, and corridors. They can
be hid behind drywalls for aesthetic reasons.

4. Cables
For Active DAS, fiber optic and ethernet cables are generally used.
For Passive DAS, LMR400 up to 100 ft, LMR600 up to 200 ft, and AL4 up to 400 ft.
References:
https://www.repeaterstore.com/pages/das-distributed-antenna-systems
https://www.signalbooster.com/pages/active-distributed-antenna-system-das-design-
installation
https://www.signalbooster.com/blogs/news/5-main-components-of-active-das-distribu
ted-antenna-system
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/LTE-performance-in-a-hybrid-indoor-DAS-​(A
ctive-vs.-Petrovi%C4%87-Savkovic/93b19de291d7dfa2ffca8b62ee2556cf869f0721
http://rhowireless.com/hybridDAS/Default.aspx
https://ytd2525.wordpress.com/2016/08/01/indoor-building-distributed-antenna-syste
m-das/