Date: 20/06/2012

Mindspeed integrates support for smart DAS in its small-cell-base-station chips

Mindspeed Technologies has integrated support for smart Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) technology into its range of System-on-Chip (SoCs) for small cell products to support 'hybrid' systems, with small cell base stations feeding DAS equipment.

Mindspeed explains: DAS has been a traditional way to improve cellular coverage within large buildings, such as shopping malls, offices or airports, by 'piping' radio signals over coaxial cables to ensure it reaches all areas. While good for improving coverage, this does not solve today's problem of data capacity caused by the explosive growth in traffic from smartphones and tablets. In contrast, small cells cost-effectively create capacity and improve service quality for customers, but getting them to cover all areas of a large building can be a challenge. By integrating support for DAS into its SoCs, Mindspeed now enables solutions that combine the two, efficiently delivering both capacity and coverage in these challenging indoor environments.

"Just as people have found with Wi-Fi, small cells and DAS should be seen as complementary technologies rather than competitive," said Doug Pulley, chief technology officer, wireless, at Mindspeed. "Combining small cells and DAS opens up new opportunities for both technologies and allows carriers to cost-effectively address both coverage and capacity in large buildings. Many retail complexes and offices have DAS systems installed which enable capacity upgrades and a migration path to 4G. Mindspeed is the only company to support DAS on its chips for small cells, and is leading the industry with new capabilities and creating new opportunities."

"The combination of DAS and small cells make an extremely good fit, especially in medium sized buildings where there is existing fiber, coax or CAT5 cabling that distributes the RF signals. In many buildings, there is no reason to drive DAS using traditional three-sector macro base stations, but rather to use small cells to drive DAS, possibly on every floor," says Aditya Kaul, practice director, mobile networks, at ABI Research. "Mindspeed is using some clever technology to combine the two, but the benefits are clear: small cells generate coverage from thin air and DAS gets RF where it needs to go. It is critical that in-building systems start to penetrate small and medium sized enterprises and related verticals, and the fact that DAS and small cells can combine forces is proof we are entering a heterogeneous network future."