User's Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction
ZoneDAS User Guide Page | 4
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Design Overview
ZoneDAS is a brand-new take on Active DAS architecture, one that is simple, flexible, and
highly functional. Being analogue based, it avoids digital conversion and its inherent signal
delays. Being CAT5 based, it avoids the trouble and cost of deploying coaxial cables and
fiber optics. Being modular, it offers unrivaled flexibility in band configuration, coverage,
and upgradability. Being active, it offers precise, real-time control over output signal
strength and pattern. And being smart… it compensates for cable loss and sets system gain
to match user-defined RF output—all automatically.
Like passive DAS, ZoneDAS begins with signal source(s) from one or more operators. Instead
of having a passive combiner that merges signals and sends them to passive antennas,
however, it has a Base Unit (BU) that replaces the combiner, and Remote Units (RUs) that
replace the passive antennas. And whereas passive architecture is a complex series of
compromises around limited signal strength and delicate antenna output, ZoneDAS
architecture replicates signal strength and guarantees full-strength antenna output. This
allows for a far simpler, goal-oriented design: simply place an RU wherever signal is required
and know that it will have high quality signal! After all, CAT5 cabling goes anywhere.
Basic layout looks like this: up to 4 input signals come through RF coaxial cables and plug
into the BU, which often sits in the machine room along with telephone and networking
equipment. The BU then processes these signals and sends them via CAT5 cable to its RUs (1
per cable), which are placed throughout the building to broadcast the signals. Each CAT5
cable can be up to 100 meters long, and the whole system requires just one power plug, for
the BU. RUs get power over Ethernet and do not require additional power. That’s it! As
simple as Active DAS can be.
Figure 1 Basic ZoneDAS Architecture