DAS Overview

Technology Review Committee

A Distributed Antenna System (or DAS) employs multiple geographically distributed radio access nodes (called “nodes”) to improve either the coverage or capacity of cellular service in a specific indoor or outdoor area. Unlike traditional cellular towers, these node antennas are of low power and low height. As such, they generally compliment “macro-cellular” towers, designed to provide coverage over a much larger geographic area (typically measured in square miles). An outdoor DAS typically uses existing infrastructure to mount the antennas and control boxes, such as utility poles, street lights or building walls. A typical DAS node can transmit and receive calls within a ¼ to ½ mile radius, depending on factors such as height, terrain and obstacles. A shared DAS is one in which multiple cell operators utilize a common DAS network.

A DAS network includes the antennas and equipment at each node, the fiber-optic backbone, and the central processing system, called the Hub. The transmission data received by the equipment installed at individual DAS nodes are “front-hauled” to the central Hub, typically via fiber-optic cable, where the data is provided to individual cell carriers. Individual fiber-optic cable runs are typically less than 10 miles in length. In addition, since the network is operated as an adjunct to the cellular network, there is a Network Operations Center (NOC) operated by the DAS provider that controls the DAS network and responds to alarms, etc. In a shared DAS network, there is space allocated in each node’s housing for several cellular service providers to house their equipment. In some circumstances, there is a need to deploy multiple cabinets to accommodate additional carriers’ equipment.
                                                              
Operationally and administratively, a DAS acts as a “network extension” for each cellular service provider. Operationally, a DAS brings all the signals back from the various nodes to the central Hub for processing, versus macro/micro cells that process radio signals locally, then connect directly to the cellular service provider’s switching center. Administratively, micro-cells tend to be owned and operated by individual cellular service providers, whereas, a DAS is more typically owned and operated by a third-party telecom company that leases “space” on the network to various cellular service providers. Cellular service providers that have either deployed or leased space on a shared DAS generally do not charge their subscribers a premium for the use of the DAS network.

The major benefit of a DAS is that, since it utilizes existing infrastructure, it is less visually obtrusive than cell towers. It can also be more spectrally efficient since the lower power signals allow the re-use of radio frequencies at closer intervals than would be possible with a macro-cellular tower. The main disadvantage of a DAS is that, due to the lower power, lower height, and consequent need for more nodes, it tends to be more expensive to deploy and maintain compared with towers.

The initial plan to deploy DAS nodes includes the following sites within or close to the Village (see below):

Note: The 5 Village maintained Right of Way approved roads include: Oak Knoll, Ridge, Meadow Hill, Bradwell and Princeton

Note: Village Road Reference for Right of Way Mapping

The Village maintains many local roads in the community. The State’s Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) maintains some roads: Route 25 (Elgin) Route 68 (Dundee) Route 62 (Algonquin) Route 59 (Sutton/Hawthorne), and Lake Cook, County Line, Cook Line Road as it is variously named along the Village’s Route. IDOT can be reached at (847) 705-4600.

Cook County maintains the roads known as Penny, Old Sutton, Bateman, Otis, Donlea, and Brinker. They are under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Highway Department. The telephone number for the local maintenance facility is (847) 397-4145.

McHenry County maintains County Line Road from Deepwood Road (Private Road) west to State Route 62 (Algonquin).

The remainder of the roads maintained by the Village are the rest, unless they are private roads or lanes which are maintained by the residents of those roads in their entirety. Right-of-way varies with the type of road. Check your property deed for details. In the case of DAS no poles will be places along Private Lanes.