As a leading provider of cellular enhancement systems, we are familiar with the oddities of cellphone reception.  Below ground level, tall buildings, and large buildings are all examples of common dead-zones—places where it’s next to impossible to get a signal or catch a call. You may also notice that seasonal changes cause your cell strength to shift.

In a dense urban area, a signal can only travel a few hundred yards before interfering with the next antenna. In rural areas, fewer stronger signals are spread across wider distances because there are fewer obstructions in the way. Without any disruptions, a normal phone can communicate with cell towers as far as 45 miles away. In most cases, you’re no farther than 20 miles away from the nearest tower.

Cell signal is sensitive enough that something like a tree, or a bad storm can obstruct a clear path for signals. At different times of year, the trees are either lush with leaves or freshly leafed out. When trees become fuller, it can interfere with signal strength in a noticeable way. If the culprit is the trees, adding a commercial cellular repeater may help.

No matter if your building suffers poor cell strength all year, or only in the spring or winter, there is something you can do about it. It’s called an in-building cellular enhancement system.

What is an In-Building Cellular Enhancement System?

An in-building cellular enhancement system improves cellular strength and coverage throughout a building by extending and distributing cellular signals from a given mobile network operator. This system is commonly installed in conjunction with a distributed antenna system (DAS). The system connects to carrier’s signal source (typically either a base transceiver station or a bi-directional amplifier). The signal is transmitted and received through the operator’s licensed radio frequency. Optical fiber, coaxial cable, or Category 5e/Category 6 twisted pair cable is used to transport the frequency throughout the building.

There are passive and active in-building systems. Passive in-building cellular enhancement systems are more common in smaller buildings with less rigorous wireless communication requirements. A passive system operates with a coaxial cable-only or other components that do not require AC or DC power for operation. This type of system is less expensive to install and is not typically used in buildings that measure over 100,000 square feet. 

An active in-building cellular enhancement system can convert the radio frequency into unique forms, including optical signals. It uses products that require AC or DC power to convert near the signal source. Because it requires AC or DC power at both ends of the cable, it is considered ‘active.’ Active in-building systems are more complex and are therefore used in larger buildings or campuses. It can convert and transport radio frequency through optical fiber. One system can deploy coverage across 1-million square feet of space. You can expand an active system by adding active equipment to increase coverage antennas.

Want to Improve Cell Signal Strength? We Can Help! 

In-building cellular enhancement systems, often referred to as The Fourth Utility, boost cellular coverage. It’s not cut and dry to re-amplify signals from the major carriers’ cellular frequencies. We are experts in this department and have the right tools to provide solutions for every carrier. Our plan is custom tailored to your budget, signal coverage requirements, and the size and layout of your building.

We offer in-building cellular enhancement systems so that you can enjoy clear cellular coverage 365 days a year. Contact us today to learn more.

A wireless site survey is the first step to configuring an in-building radio enhancement system. This guide explains how to prepare for a wireless site survey at your building, including things the surveyor will need to know about your building and communication needs. 

The latest construction codes require thick concrete walls and LEED certified windows, all things that are great for safety and building stability, but not so great for signal reception. Wireless signals struggle to move through thick layers of concrete and metal, causing ‘dead spots’ where cell phones and 2-way radios fail to work.

We design and install custom Radio Enhancement Systems to improve signal strength for cellular networks as well as radios for Fire Departments and other first responders. We offer free pre-testing of signal strength level and site survey. If the building is not in construction yet, we can create a quote based on floor plan. Contact us today to learn more.

Passive Vs. Active Vs. Predictive Wireless Site Surveys

There are three different types of site surveys:

1. Passive
2. Active
3. Predictive

Passive surveys are generally used when seeking rogue devices, gauging downlink RF coverage, initial surveys, and validating final RF setting. They are performed in listen-only mode and do not associate with the access point (AP).

Active surveys are conducted with the APs associated with the survey client used throughout the assessment. It shows changes in data rates regarding RF condition fluctuations, as well as retransmissions. Active surveys are commonly associated with new WLAN deployments due to the design detail they provide.

Productive surveys rely on the use of a specialized software program that can detect and analyze the coverage area using RF algorithms to perform AP placements. In most cases, productive surveys do not include field measurements of any kind. This type of survey is common:

• Prior to construction
• To apply for a budgetary environment for WLAN-related hardware
• In cases when roaming requirements are more lenient

How to Prepare for a Site Survey

Prior to a site survey, there are a few things you can do to prepare and get the most out of it. The site surveyor needs a variety of information from you to design the best possible in-building radio enhancement system. Such as:

• What type of RF application is necessary—data, location, voice, etc.? 
• What type of building is it? Multi-floor, single-floor, warehouse, campus, indoor-outdoor, etc.? Have the digital floor plans available for review.
• What devices will be used and what are the requirements for these devices?

The surveyor will conduct the initial walkthrough to confirm the survey area, identify the access building type, and pinpoint trouble zones. In addition, he or she will check for unnoticed details that are not marked on the main coverage map, and check for misplaced roaming paths.

The survey helps to determine things like adequate server model, of which there are three options: data, voice, and location. Next up, we determine proper deployment characteristic; is dense deployment necessary, are constant calls going to be coming through or is this a temporary position? The necessary tools are then decided upon to complete the survey. To complete this step, the surveyor must collect the digital floor plans.

What Makes a Poor Site Survey?

A poor site survey can look good on paper but end up failing to provide adequate coverage to all areas of a building. Sometimes, looking at the survey data files can tell you more than the survey report. It is possible for data to report incorrectly due to issues with an important site survey tool such as the heat map calibration.

Looking for a reliable wireless site survey that lends itself to clear communication across the building? Highland Wireless has you covered!

Site surveys are essential to ensure desired operations by assessing the Radio Frequency (RF) and how it reacts in a specific location or environment. Without proper assessment and planning, there are range of issues that will crop up regarding poor coverage.

It is not unheard of for site surveys to be glossed over or improperly conducted, hence why wireless signals for cellular or two-way radios are poor in many buildings. This is especially true for large buildings in dense urban areas. Thick concrete and metal creates areas that are difficult for wireless signals to penetrate, leading to weak, inconsistent, or even non-existent service. This slows down business and can turn disastrous if first responders are unable to communicate in an emergency. In Miami, and a growing number of cities, the latest regulations require the proper equipment to ensure seamless communication for first responder radios.

A site survey will tell you if you need an in-building radio system (donor antenna system, bi-directional amplifier, and distributed antenna system), as well as how to best design the system. Property size, building layout, and signal strength are just some of the factors that may influence custom enhancement systems.

We offer free pre-testing of signal strength levels and site surveys. Pre-construction? We offer quotes based off floor plans. Contact us today to learn more.

4 Benefits to Undergoing a Wireless Site Survey

Save Money & Protect Productivity 

A wireless site survey will identify signal strength at all points of your building, creating the foundations for a solid radio enhancement system. It offers information about where to put access points to get around poor signal and interference. Guessing how many APs you need and where to place them can result in poor signals and dead spots if you don’t install enough. This can hurt your bottom line. Plus, if you install too many APs, you’re wasting money at no real benefit.

It is not cost-effective or productive to install enhancement equipment without a site survey. That’s why all in-building wireless enhancement systems designed and installed by Highland Wireless come with a free site survey.

Identify Problem Areas

Different aspects of a building or property can interfere with signal strength, such as a pole, extra-thick walls, the presence of metal, or even temperature fluctuations. A site survey can identify problem spots, while citing solutions to fix issues.

Wireless Site Surveys Help Protect Safety

In an emergency, poor signal strength can disable first responders from communicating. In the past, this has led to devastating outcomes. By ensuring your building, campus, or property offers adequate coverage, you could ultimately save lives and reduce panic in an emergency.

Site Surveys Also Help Protect Security

The security of your business is important and a site survey helps protect it by serving as the foundation for a solid and secure network for authorized devices. By selecting the location of your APs, you can proactively optimize network security. For instance, a site survey can locate areas with better security and can even help meet compliance regulations. 

Get a Free Site Survey

Highland Wireless offers free pre-signal testing strength and site surveys. Contact us today to learn more.

Anything can happen out on the water. Thankfully, two-way radios offer marine solutions to keep your crew safe, well-connected, and prepared to respond to an emergency. To keep vessels and the lives they transport as safe as possible, there are several systems and technologies working together for both ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications. 

By improving upon the storage and exchange of information, including administrative, commercial, technical, navigational, and environmental information, the overall autonomy of ships and their adaptability increases as well. Ultimately, this leads to greater safety, security and efficiency.

Why Two Way Radios are Used Out at Sea

Two-way radios are used for marine communication because they help resolve several common issues faced when trying to communicate on-board a ship, including:

Battery Life

Digital transmissions utilize less energy and that means radios stay powered on for longer. This is important for long shifts, as well as emergency situations when there isn’t enough time to stop and charge radios.

Sound Quality

In the vast ocean, it’s easy for communication platforms to fall short, but not two-way radios designed for marine communication. Digital radios turn voice signals into neatly packaged digital data, capable of transmitting information without interference of background noise like wind or loud engines.

Communicate Ship-to-Ship & Ship-to-Shore

Ships can communicate with people all over the world by message, voice, or through data transmission. In fact, digital radios can send data regarding sea levels and engine performance. In addition, they can be programmed to control important components of the ship equipment such as lights or surveillance equipment.

Durable: Water-proof, Dust-proof & Heat-proof

Two-way radios are built tough to weather just about any storm.

What is Vessel Watch?

Vessel Watch is a state-of-the-art software that offers extended capabilities to traditional two-way radio systems. It improves important features for a higher level of oversight and efficiency. The level of enhancement is completely customizable based upon a vessel’s needs and budget.

Vessel Watch offers: 

Alarm Monitoring

Two-way radios can be integrated the vessel’s alarm system. As a result, in an emergency, Vessel Watch sends out instant and detailed alarm notifications to selected groups or individuals.

Remotely Control Alarms, Doors & Lighting

Pre-program quick commands and enjoy the flexibility and convenience to control lighting, sound, fans, and on-board devices directly from your handset.

Schedule Tasks

Vessel Watch can be programed to send out automatic reminders to appropriate crew members so that they don’t miss crucial tasks, meetings, etc. Additionally, there is a log that records completed tasks while providing legal documentation of each achievement.

Crew Call Button

Alert or call on a crew member in seconds by transforming a smartphone or tablet into a Crew Call Button. The press of one button sends an immediate service request to the crew member(s) of your selection. When the crew receives the call, they can press to confirm. The caller will see that they confirmed receiving the signal and are responding to the request.

Do You Need Hands-Free Reliable Communication?

OTTO Connect Wireless Intercom is a communications solution for teams requiring clear and hands-free communication. No need to press a button to communicate. Thanks to a Full Duplex feature, you can transmit and receive messages simultaneously. Regardless of noise, if you are within one mile of the OTTO, it offers a clear communication system that sounds like you’re in a conference room as opposed to on the deck of a noisy ship.

Learn more about Marine Communication Solutions offered through Highland Wireless

There are three main components to most distributed antenna systems. These components include the Donor Antenna System, the Bi-Directional Amplifier, and the Distributed Antenna System. All three components work together to produce clear in-building communication signals. In addition, they improve the signal coming out of the building, ultimately improving the quality and clarity of incoming and outgoing calls.

Benefits of a Radio Enhancement System:

• Stronger signal throughout the entire building for seamless communication
• Maintains signal strength in an emergency. Allows Fire Departments and other First Responders to communicate without limitations, potentially saving lives.
• It’s not just convenient, according to the latest regulations it’s the law.
• Compliant with the International Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association
• DAS can simultaneously operate various bands for multiple operators
• Scalable for large and complex locations with unique demands
• Can increase range for mobile devices on a variety of cellular plans

A Closer Look at The Interworking Parts of a Radio Enhancement System

To better understand how the components of a radio enhancement system work together, you must first understand how they work individually. Continue reading for a breakdown of each of the three components.

What is the Donor Antenna System?

The Donor Antenna System is typically placed on top of a building where it has the greatest height and proximity to the nearest communication tower. The donor antenna is positioned in the direction of the closest tower for the best results. The donor antenna is the part of the system responsible for bringing signal into and out of the building.

As the most fundamental antenna in a radio enhancement system, it is placed on top of the roof. Yet, this puts the donor antenna at risk of high winds, rain, and other forces. In aims to preserve the donor antenna, at Highland Wireless, we utilize Category 5 Hurricane-Rated bracketing and R-56 Lightning Protection standards. This keeps the donor antenna protected and going strong, even in harsh conditions.

What is the Bi-Directional Amplifier?

The Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) works with the Donor Antenna to receive and amplify signals inside of your building. This important component can process transmitting signals from handheld devises being used inside of the building. It transports these signals out to the communications tower via the donor antenna.

While in some cases a bi-directional amplifier may be installed without a distributed antenna system, it works best when paired with a DAS.

What is the Distributed Antenna System?

The Distributed Antenna System (DAS) is a network of in-building antennas specially designed for each building. In fact, the design of the system plays an integral role in how the system functions and how much it improves signal strength. A well-designed DAS generally includes a coaxial cable, unequal power dividers and splitters, as well as ceiling mounted antennas. Larger buildings benefit from the use of fiber as well.

Improve Communication & Get More Done with Highland Wireless

We design and install superior wireless radio enhancement systems in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association and the International Fire Code. Thanks to our vast experience and industry connections, we have what it takes to find solutions to address a wide variety of systems across various platforms. Contact us today to learn more and set up your free pre-testing of signal strength levels and site survey.