#InbuildingWireless – Current and Future Needs
When it comes to implementing new technologies, it can be overwhelming when there are many variables to consider. Deploying an in-building wireless system is often no exception to this, as you have to consider multiple operators, multiple technologies (2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G), and multiple frequency bands. The planning phase is critical for a successful deployment, and in the upcoming weeks we will discuss the top 5 errors to avoid when implementing an in-building wireless system.
For our first week, we will discuss Error #1: Only thinking about current needs.
The telecommunication ecosystem is constantly evolving, so considering future needs and requirements is necessary to avoid implementing a wireless system that will be quickly obsolete. Some items to consider include:
• Is the system future-proof to support future technologies, and can these upgrades be done remotely via software?
• Can multiple operators be added in the future as required? With Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) gaining traction in the workplace, having a system which supports additional operators as required is often a necessity.
• Can the system migrate easily from coverage to capacity with the increase in data consumption such as video streaming or website browsing?
• Other than providing 2G, 3G, 4G services, can the system support various wireless devices like Wi-Fi access points and/or security cameras over the same network?
An ideal system would be modular and ready to implement the above upgrades when required, without the costly need to rip-and-replace. Having a digital system that is software-configurable allows for a simplified network that can easily be configured or re-configured when needed in the future.
With such an architecture, additional mobile operators can be added without changes to the original distribution network. Another important aspect to consider in a multi-operators scenario is power allocation. Power allocation among the different mobile operators should be monitored and regulated based on vendor standards to ensure optimal users experience. With an all-digital and software-configurable platform, the settings is done at the network level with a Graphical User Interface (GUI). This makes monitoring much easier.
In addition, with a software-configurable digital solution, enterprises can easily upgrade to 4G and even 5G with just a click of a button. This is possible because the digital signal processing is conducted using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) devices that enable signal processing changes or upgrades by simply uploading a new image into FGPA. Therefore, with an all-digital and software configurable solution, enterprises only need to make the hardware investment initially, and can simply expand and upgrade their network without a major overhaul.
If you would like to share any comments or questions, please tweet us @DaliWireless. To read our past blog entries, click here.
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