DAS v/s Small Cell

Cell phone signals have become much more reliable in the last few years. Making
calls from your office, home, or school typically presents few problems. However,
try to upload a video or stream music while out and about, and your mobile
experience may be slower and interrupted.

This is due to a combination of factors, such as modern construction blocks and a

skyrocketing demand for wireless data bandwidth.

Distributed antenna system (DAS) is a technology designed more than 20 years ago
to extend wireless coverage and capacity, meant to reach beyond local cell towers.

The Need for DAS: Extending Cellular Coverage and Capacity

Similar to small cell, DAS allows cell phones and other wireless devices to work
reliably in situations where the existing infrastructure doesn’t provide sufficient
coverage or capacity.

In settings with poor cell coverage for any of these reasons, DAS can be used to
supplement the signals from towers, providing stronger, more reliable coverage
within a specific area.

DAS is also used to supplement cellular capacity in locations where large numbers
of people gather, such as concert venues, sports arenas, or public plazas. These
sites often experience data usage “spikes” (periods during which a significant
quantity of data is used at one time). Such situations can quickly overload a local
network. DAS can supplement the existing infrastructure with enough capacity for
periods of high usage in a geographic area.

How is DAS Different from Small Cell? Here are 7 Ways.

DAS has been in use much longer than small cells, and is often referred to as the
original small cell. Both technologies share similar power outputs, coverage areas,
and size.

However, there are big differences between DAS and small cell:

1. Supply: DAS uses one central power supply for multiple nodes, but small
cell typically requires dedicated power supply for each individual node.
 2. Cell Organization: DAS can use many nodes simultaneously to function as a
single, large cell; while small cell functions as a network of individual cells.

3. Frequency Support: DAS can support multiple frequencies (2G, 3G, 4G/LTE,
5G, VHF bands); small cell typically supports a single, defined frequency.

4. Multiple Service Provider Support: DAS can be shared by multiple carriers,

each connecting their own base stations to the shared RF distribution
system. Current small cell technology is primarily single carrier.

5. Scalability: A single DAS base transceiver station can serve up to

approximately 1,800 users and provide a coverage radius stretching
several miles long by adjusting the power to the antennas. Small cell
technology typically supports a couple dozen simultaneous subscribers and
is designed to deliver coverage over a smaller area (similar to a Wi-Fi access
point). Adding more coverage requires installing more nodes.

6. Backhaul: Each individual small cell requires its own backhaul connection
to the network source, while an entire DAS network requires only a single
backhaul connection.

7. Deployment: The primary benefits of small cell is that the technology can
be deployed faster than DAS; is less design-intensive; and has lower up-front
costs.

Small cell and DAS are solutions for different needs and can be viewed as
complementary technologies. The most appropriate solution for a given
application should suit the details of the project and the stakeholders’ objectives.
Both DAS and small cell can be used together to deliver a lower cost of ownership
and easier deployment.