Delivering Reliable Indoor Connectivity with Zinwave DAS Technology

Zinwave DAS Solution for a Large Agricultural Facility

Tammy van Graan

Product Integrated

WilsonPro A1000

Industry Type

Agriculture

Building Size: N/A

Our client is a public-sector agricultural institution supporting the growth and development of the agricultural sector through specialised research, farmer support, skills development and the advancement of sustainable farming practices. Its work spans agricultural research facilities, training environments and technical support services, contributing to innovation, resource management and the long-term sustainability of farming in the region. Reliable communication across these diverse operational environments is essential to supporting collaboration, research activities and day-to-day operations.

Overview of Agriculture research facility

The Problem

Supporting these diverse activities requires reliable communication across large and operationally complex facilities. With multiple buildings, specialised working environments and a range of day-to-day operational requirements, maintaining consistent indoor cellular coverage can be challenging. Weak mobile reception can affect communication between teams, limit access to mobile data and create connectivity challenges in areas where reliable signal is essential.

An initial radio frequency (RF) survey conducted by our Signal Experts identified weak and inconsistent indoor cellular signals across multiple mobile networks and frequency bands. The survey recorded signal levels as low as -123 dBm and -112 dBm, indicating particularly weak reception in the areas assessed. In addition, one 4G signal could not be detected by the survey equipment on the frequency being evaluated.

The findings highlighted significant variations in available signal strength across the different cellular services, demonstrating the challenges of achieving consistent indoor connectivity throughout a facility of this scale. While some networks and frequency bands provided stronger signals than others, the weaker readings pointed to potential difficulties with reliable voice communication and mobile data access in affected areas.

For an environment supporting diverse research, training and operational activities, inconsistent indoor reception can be more than an inconvenience. It can create barriers to effective communication and make dependable mobile connectivity difficult to maintain across different working areas. The initial survey therefore established the extent of the indoor coverage challenge and the need to address the facility's broader connectivity requirements.

Solution

To address the indoor cellular coverage challenges identified during the initial RF survey, Bolton Technical implemented a Distributed Antenna System (DAS), combining Zinwave Unitivity technology with WilsonPro RF repeaters. The solution was designed to distribute available cellular signals across designated areas of the facility through an integrated network of active DAS equipment, donor-signal repeaters and indoor antennas.

The Zinwave Unitivity system receives cellular signals at a central head-end, where they are processed for distribution over fibre to remote units positioned throughout the coverage area. These units convert the signals back to radio frequency (RF), allowing them to be distributed through indoor antennas. The WilsonPro repeaters receive and amplify donor signals to feed specific sections of the wider DAS, supporting the distribution of cellular signals in accordance with the system design.

By combining these technologies, Bolton Technical developed an integrated approach tailored to the facility’s indoor connectivity requirements. The Zinwave platform’s wideband architecture supports multiple cellular frequency bands and compatible mobile network services through a common infrastructure, subject to system configuration and the availability of suitable operator signals. Its modular design also provides flexibility to accommodate changing coverage requirements and potential future expansion.

As a specialist in cellular coverage solutions and the sole African distributor of Zinwave DAS, Bolton Technical brings together RF assessment, system design, equipment integration and installation expertise to help organisations address complex indoor connectivity challenges.

Key Benefits of the Solution

1. Multi-Network Support

The system is designed to distribute compatible cellular services from multiple mobile network operators through shared in-building infrastructure, subject to the supported frequency bands, system configuration and available operator signals.

2. Wideband Technology

Zinwave Unitivity’s wideband architecture supports multiple frequency bands and compatible wireless services within a common platform. This provides flexibility to accommodate supported services as connectivity requirements evolve.

3. Fibre-Based Signal Distribution

Fibre-optic connectivity transports signals between central equipment and remote units, supporting distribution across designated indoor areas and providing flexibility in the system layout.

4. Flexible, Scalable Infrastructure

The system’s modular architecture can accommodate changing coverage requirements and potential expansion, subject to equipment capacity, system design and compatibility with the required services.

5. Targeted Indoor Coverage

By distributing available cellular signals through a planned network of equipment and indoor antennas, the solution is designed to address coverage gaps and support voice and mobile data connectivity in designated areas.

6. Specialist Project Delivery

Bolton Technical brings together RF assessment, system planning, equipment integration and installation expertise to support the delivery of complex indoor cellular coverage projects. Testing and commissioning form part of the project process where applicable, helping assess the installed system against its design requirements.

Featured Solution in This Project

Zinwave Unitivity 5000 primary hub front view

Zinwave Unitivity 5000 primary hub left front view

Zinwave Unitivity 5000 Primary Hub

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Unitivity 5000 Primary Hub: Revolutionizing Wireless Connectivity

Elevate your network infrastructure with the Unitivity 5000 Primary Hub, the cornerstone of reliable wireless connectivity. Designed to connect seamlessly with wireless operators or public safety sources, this hub converts RF signals to optical, ensuring optimal transmission quality. Whether connecting to Secondary Hubs or Remotes, the Primary Hub streamlines network operations while providing comprehensive configuration and monitoring capabilities.

Key Features:

Advanced Connectivity: Establish direct connections to wireless operators or public safety sources, facilitating efficient data transmission across your network. With its ability to seamlessly integrate with various sources, the Primary Hub ensures a robust and reliable connection, minimizing downtime and maximizing network performance.

Flexible Routing: Harness the power of the Primary Hub's unique internal matrix, allowing for dynamic routing of wireless services to designated parts of the system based on specific requirements. This flexibility enables operators to tailor the network configuration to suit their needs, optimizing resource allocation and enhancing overall system efficiency.

Scalable Modular Design: From single configurations to multi-layered setups, the Unitivity 5000 system adapts to your needs. With support for up to four Service Modules and eight Optical or Transport Modules, scalability is effortless. This modular design enables operators to easily expand their network infrastructure as demand grows, ensuring future-proofing and investment protection.

Comprehensive Monitoring: Monitor system status with ease using the Web GUI for DAS configuration and GUI/SNMP for real-time monitoring. Alarming via relays ensures prompt notification of any issues, allowing operators to proactively address potential issues and maintain network uptime. This comprehensive monitoring capability provides peace of mind and ensures optimal performance of the network infrastructure.

Step into a new era of connectivity with the Zinwave Unitivity 5000 Primary Hub – where innovation meets performance, and adaptability meets precision. Redefine your wireless communication infrastructure and embrace a world of seamless connectivity. Your network deserves nothing less than the best, and the Unitivity 5000 Primary Hub delivers excellence at every level.

For more information and inquiries, call us at JHB 011 749 3085 or CPT 021 879 3057 or email sales@boltontechnical.co.za to explore our comprehensive range of connectivity solutions tailored for South African networks. Empower your infrastructure with reliable, high-performance connectivity solutions from ZINWAVE.

Specs

Unit Specifications

SYSTEM BANDWIDTH	150 MHz TO 2.7 GHz
GAIN CONTROL STEP RESOLUTION	1 dB
DIMENSIONS W / D / H (mm)	17.5” (444) x 17.08” (430) x 5.2” (132) (3U)
WEIGHT	33.3 LBS (15.10 Kg) UNPACKED, FULLY POPULATED
ELECTRICAL MAX LOADING	AC: 110/230 V, 50/60 HZ /80 W (MAX), 0.7A, 274 BTU/HR
OPERATING TEMP AMBIENT NON-CONDENSING	-5 TO +45 C (23 TO 113 ºF)
CONNECTIONS	ETHERNET (10/100 BASE-T), 2 ALARM RELAYS (DB-9F), 2 USB

Approvals & Listings

AFRICA	ICASA CERTIFIED
EUROPE	CE MARKED FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT DIRECTIVE 2014/53/EU AND ROHS DIRECTIVES 2011/65/EC
USA	FCC CERTIFIED
CANADA	INDUSTRY CANADA CERTIFIED
SAFETY	IEC 60950-1; EN 60950-1; UL60950-1, UL LISTED-E486578
LASER SAFETY	IEC 60825-1:2007

System Connections

PRIMARY HUB WITH SERVICE MODULES	N TYPE RF TERMINATIONS
PRIMARY HUB WITH OPTICAL MODULES	SC/APC OPTICAL CONNECTIONS
PRIMARY HUB WITH TRANSPORT MODULES	SC/APC OPTICAL CONNECTIONS
HUB INTERCONNECT PRIMARY TO SECONDARY	FIBRE SC/APC DUPLEX CONNECTORS
ALARMING	EXTERNALLY VIA DB9 CONNECTOR

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The Result

Following the implementation of the hybrid Zinwave Unitivity DAS and WilsonPro RF repeater solution, follow-up measurements demonstrated a notable improvement in indoor cellular signal strength.

With the system switched off, measured signal levels ranged between -123 dBm and -112 dBm, indicating very weak cellular reception in the areas assessed. With the system switched on, readings improved to between -83 dBm and -65 dBm.

This represents an improvement of approximately 29 to 58 dB across the reported measurement ranges, demonstrating the difference the installed system made to measured signal levels under the test conditions.

The results highlight the value of combining fibre-based DAS technology with targeted RF repeater coverage to address challenging indoor cellular reception. By distributing available cellular signals through the installed infrastructure, the solution was designed to support more reliable mobile connectivity across the designated coverage areas.

The key takeaway: The project demonstrates Bolton Technical’s ability to assess complex indoor coverage challenges and implement an integrated cellular distribution solution tailored to a facility’s requirements.