Individual Service Items for General RF Engineering Work
The following service work is typical of the other services we perform on DAS’s and for general system RF work:
- DAS Engineering and Procurement Management
We work with the customer to generate requirements and needs, and then develop a design that can be put into a Bid Process for procurement and implementation. The exact results can be tailored but usually consist of plans and layouts, materials lists, special instructions for installation, and a detailed specification. We can also help the customer to manage site walks and respond to bid questions, and then assist in the evaluation and scoring of bids and proposals to find the best value solution.We often are also tasked with installation supervision and system commissioning; this provides the best quality control on a new system.
This type of DAS Engineering work can be used for multi-WSP system and for cellular system but is most often used for procurement of DAS systems for public buildings for enabling Public Safety communications within the building. It can be just as well done for new contruction as for retrofitting a DAS into existing construction.
- DAS Maintenance: Troubleshoot and Repair
We will perform test as required with or without system baseline info. Once the problem(s) are identified, the needed repairs will be determined and priced, the fixes will be implemented after customer approval, with a system retest at completion.
- DAS Site Audits and Upgrades
An existing DAS site is tested against the baseline readings taken at the time of installation. If no prior audit existed, complete recordings will be taken for an audit report. Then the site may also be optimized if found to net be up to operating system requirements.
We can provide upgrades needed for any Distributed Antenna System. These may be for extending coverage area, or for enhanced services.
- Wireless Interference Mitigation
Wireless interference (RFI, or RF interference) is one of the most difficult types of field work, as the source and character of the interference is usually unknown. We employ spectrum analyzers and wideband antennas, test phones and other devices, along with long years of experience, to identify the likely source of interference. Pulsed systems and most standard wireless interferers have distinct spectrum shapes that can be used to narrow down the search. Directional searches and calculations on intermodulation and harmonics will usually lead to the source. With a cooperative approach, we can help to engage any outside interferer to help find a solution.
- Wireless Link Engineering
We engineer and implement radio systems links of all types including:
- SCADA links for traffic control and any other SCADA link controls
- STL inks
- Local area microwave links (spread spectrum and other technologies)
- Site Line Sweeps and Fiber Sweeps
This is the well-established type of coaxial antenna line sweep, and can be done for indoor or outdoor Distributed Antenna System (DAS), as well as macro system towers. The standard procedures of utilizing a precision short and load set at the far end of the line will be used if a crew is available; otherwise the line can be swept with the existing antenna as a termination. Sweep reports will be issued if required for records.
Similarly, we can sweep fiber portions of a DAS to troubleshoot or document performance.
- Site PIM Testing
PIM (passive intermodulation) has been a common problem in crowded radio environments for decades. It has become more of an issue in modern cell sites as newer wideband technologies have been deployed and sites have become re and more crowded.
Staff members of Corsico RF started performing PIM testing 25 years ago in high density military RF environments. We have carried this experience and knowledge into the new PIM testing regimen that is now becoming standard in the cellular industry. Please contact us about our PIM testing services.