This question comes up fairly frequently when we conduct wireless site surveys and speak with clients over the course of a project– Can multiple antennas be used inside with a commercial cellular repeater? The simple answer is yes.
Commercial cellular repeaters are designed to be able to support multiple antennas. However, how many antennas we should install depends on several variables. How big is your facility? What is the coverage area of a system with a single antenna? Finally, what are you trying to achieve?
Multiple Antennas for Cellular Reception In Your Building
The total system that uses cellular signal repeaters, antennas, and bi-directional amplifiers all working together together to increase cellular coverage is called a distributed antenna system, or DAS.
These systems utilize indoor antennas, which are designed to be very low-profile and can be installed with minimal disturbance to your facility. Fitting them throughout a facility is less a question of space and more an issue of cost. If you are operating a shipping warehouse, for example, and have offices on one end of the facility, it may not be cost-effective to put multiple antennas throughout the entire length of the building. Instead, you may decide to prioritize the office space, as it is where phones and other cellular devices will be in highest demand.
Another factor to consider is safety. Optimizing cellular and radio reception in every corner of the building could be helpful for building occupants and/or first responders in emergency scenarios. If employees are somehow trapped on the side of the warehouse furthest from the offices, they would appreciate having strong cellular coverage in order to call for help. When first responders arrive at a building, they often communicate with two-way radios, and those radios may not be able to communicate without a specialized DAS called an Emergency Responder Radio Communications System (ERRCS).
Whether you need a DAS or an ERRCS, multiple antennas are often part of the system, and help to provide full coverage for wireless and radio signals in your building. How many antennas are needed, and where they are needed can be determined by a qualified RF engineer.
Learn More
To learn more about the equipment used in distributed antenna systems (DAS) and some best practices for building safety, check out The Safe Inside Podcast, from the Safer Buildings Coalition.
Harris Communications is a proud member of the Safer Buildings Coalition!
About Harris Communications
Harris Communications is a national company based out of Charlotte, NC that specializes in wireless in-building cellular signal enhancement and wireless solutions for commercial applications. We have over 20 years of experience and have implemented wireless enhancement solutions in facilities throughout the United States. Our repeater solutions are custom-designed to suit the needs of each individual application, using FCC-licensed amplifiers. They are compatible with all public safety frequencies and all cellular service providers.
Now that you know there’s hope to improve cellular coverage in-building, it’s time to do something about it. At Harris Communications, we can solve all types of data reach problems. If you want to work with the best distributed antenna system team in the business, schedule a call with us to get the ball rolling.
