Project Management: DAS Construction Milestones
Let’s get into the DAS Construction milestones. To download a template DAS project management workbook, please contact us.
Number 1, installation of antennas. Starting with installing antennas is a good practice. This will be a visual guide for the installers – they will know where to terminate their cable.
No. 2, fiber installation. Fiber installation will take place between DAS Head-end room to all the IDF rooms where the remotes will be installed. For all fiber DAS, installers will have to pull additional fiber (and power cable) to the access points out on the floor. Refer to the chapter on DAS 3.0 for more information.
No. 3, testing of fiber includes OTDR testing and Optical Loss testing. Verification means making sure they all pass optical budget and back reflection requirement of DAS manufacturer.
No.4 is installation of coaxial cable which will usually run from the remotes in IDF room - to the antennas. This is where having the antennas pre-installed helps the installer visually. Note that this and the next steps may not be necessary for DAS 3.0 or the all fiber solution.
No. 5 and 6 are sweep and PIM tests which are required for coaxial cable. Once the cable installation is complete, including termination or connectorization), these cable tests will begin. Again, cable tests include Sweep and PIM Testing. Make sure that you sweep first and then do the PIM test, and make sure both of the tests pass. Troubleshoot if they don’t.
No. 7 is placing or installing all the electronics. If we have electronics at the beginning of the project, this step can be done earlier. These electronics will be in the MDF rooms or IDF closets or telco rooms. However, if you are using all fiber DAS or DAS 3.0, these will be right next to the antennas.
This will be a good time to install all the head-end electronics – hence no. 8 is installation of head-end electronics. If you have a multi-building campus you are working on, it’s not unusual to have – what we call remote head-end electronics in each building. Make sure installers are using rack diagrams to install head-end electronics.
Next no. 9 is making all the interconnections. This is basically installation of jumpers between the remote electronics and coax line coming from antennas or for all-fiber DAS this will be the jumpers between the remote access points and antennas. You will also have to connect fiber jumpers between the remote electronics and the fiber coming from the head-end electronics. On the head-ends, you will have to connect all fiber jumpers from fiber housing to the head-end electronics.
No. 10. is usually not a step, but wanted to mention that separately because of its significance. Usually, the installers will label the cable, antennas and electronics as they install them. As a project manager, make sure to spot test that labeling is taking place and they are correct. It’s a good practice to label the head-end electronics so that it will all make sense when you go back to the head-end a few months later. Labeling schemes should be included in the design or construction ready documents.
Related Posts:
Commissioning & Integration Milestones
To download a template DAS project management workbook, please contact us.
