Takeaways from Adam Baer’s Presentation at the HECC Conference
By John Crum, Tech Electronics
Tech Electronics DAS expert Adam Baer was on hand at the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators Conference to discuss cellular DAS and its impact on the K-12 environment.
DAS, or distributed antenna systems, help to amplify cellular and radio signal within buildings, and are becoming increasingly common in schools especially as more AHJs (authorities having jurisdiction) begin to enforce their requirements.
ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement Systems) have been required in the International Fire Code since 2009, according to Baer, although only recently have they begun to be enforced.
While emergency communication is one of the most important applications of DAS, it can also be used simply to improve cell reception in school buildings. There are lots of different options to implement this technology, but Baer said he feels Tech partner Nextivity’s systems are best suited to K-12 applications.
Nextivity
“I personally think that Nextivity is a great fit for the schools mostly because of how you guys utilize the systems, the number of people in your buildings, as well as the size of your buildings,” said Baer.
He also pointed to Nextivity’s Intelliboost system as another aspect of the product that places them above their competitors.
Baer said previously, DAS systems could be employed using the nearest cell tower, but as the three major cell carriers, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, have become more competitive this is no longer the case.
The different differences in towers mean the different carriers will need different levels of amplification to adequately improve cell coverage. Baer said unintelligent DAS systems struggle with this discrepancy.
“It allows the system to be an intelligent booster and amplify each carrier individually,” said Baer. “So if we’ve got AT&T here and we’ve got Verizon here, we can give AT&T that ½ watt boost, but Verizon down here needs three watts to get up to that level. That’s what Intelliboost brings to the table.”
As ERCES requirements become more commonly enforced, emergency communication can also begin to play a role in cellular DAS systems. According to Baer, all cell phones with a SIM card should, in theory, be able to call emergency services, whether that bill has been paid.
If the caller is in a cellular dead zone with no signal, that won’t be the case.
ERCES
Situations like these are where cellular DAS systems can have an impact in an emergency.
To see how implemented cellular DAS impacted a school in St. Louis, read this case study on Tech’s work with Maplewood-Richmond Heights Elementary School.
For more information on how to implement DAS/ERCES systems and navigate shifting regulations for new construction, contact us.
