Project Management: Carrier RF Source Installation
Carrier RF Source Installation is not part of the DAS deployment activities. However, in the some of our past projects we had to track the progress of carrier activities for installation RF Sources.
Keep in mind, carriers may not share all the internal details of the progress, but they may share some of the major milestones.
It’s good to have a bi-weekly or monthly call with the carrier to discuss the progress of signal source installation. So, I will spend a few minutes on this simplified tracker that can be used for this purpose.
First one is RF Source type, which is important to know. One carrier may decide to install a repeater, another one may want to install small cell, whereas another carrier may go after a full blown BTS. Different RF Sources will have different timelines, so it’s important to know them.
Equipment ordered and delivered is pretty self explanatory. We are talking about RF Signal Source equipment here.
Once the carrier gets the equipment in hand, depending on the type of signal source, installation can take a few days to a few weeks.
Next, backhaul installation has to be completed so that the RF Source can communicate with the core network. You will probably remember, backhaul is the connection to the internet. Also remember, backhaul is relevant for Small Cell and BTS only.
RF Source commissioning involves loading scripts or parameters into the equipment. For BTS this can be quite involved, whereas for repeaters it doesn’t take more than a few hours if that.
Once the scripts are loaded BTS or Small Cell can be turned up. Before this RF Source can be called commercially “ON AIR”, engineers will do a E911 test, to see if any user calls 911, her call will go to the correct public safety access point or PSAP. Again this 911 call testing does not apply to repeaters.
Once the RF Source is turned up, integration into DAS can start.
Integration also involves optimization of uplink noise coming out of the DAS.
Final phase is when carrier collects data to see if the DAS is working the way it should be. This is part of their Acceptance and Testing Procedure or ATP.
Related Posts:
Commissioning & Integration Milestones