Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2016 - (Page 8)

FEATURE ARTICLE LEED with DAS: Ensuring Connectivity in LEED-Certified Buildings By Andrew Maier, Vice President of Emerging Technologies | WIN Indoor distributed antenna systems (DAS) and LEED certification represent two of today's biggest building trends. Everyone is relying more on their mobile devices, boosting the need for DAS solutions, and everyone wants to be green. And the momentum is only starting to build. The market value expected by 2020 is $16.71 billion for in-building wireless[1] and a staggering $254 billion for green construction.[2] Often the two trends go hand-in-hand. DAS solutions and LEED certification are both becoming more common among Class A buildings, a situation the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International describes as the "most prestigious buildings competing for premier office users with rents above average for the area." DAS solutions and LEED certification align with these buildings' high standards. Plus, LEED-certified buildings often feature low-emissivity (low-e) glass windows, which block the transmission of both heat and cell signals. In these instances, DAS solutions are not just an amenity but a necessity in order for tenants to use their mobile devices inside the building. In most cases today, a building first completes LEED certification and then installs a DAS solution, either to compensate for low-e glass or to overcome unrelated cellular connectivity issues. So chances are, if you design, integrate, install or maintain DAS systems, your projects will probably include more LEED-certified buildings in the coming years. Let's take a look at the advantages and challenges of these installations, as well as a recent case study. Advantages of Installing a DAS in a LEED-Certified Building First and foremost, installing a DAS in a LEED-certified building with low-e glass is much easier than in a building with conventional glass. That's because the insulating properties of the low-e glass block all exterior cell signals that might compete with the interior network created with the DAS. You essentially have a blank canvas when working on these jobs. You can install the best solution for the building without needing to account for interference. For this same reason, DAS installations in buildings with low-e glass are generally less expensive as well. Challenges of Installing a DAS in a LEED-Certified Building The only real downside of DAS installation in a LEED-certified building is the potential for slowdowns due to high-finish requirements. As mentioned above, many LEED-certified buildings with DAS solutions are categorized as Class A buildings, meaning they have higher standards for everything - including aesthetics. So while you might initially be able to expedite the installation in a building that features low-e glass, you might spend extra time adjusting antenna placement later so the equipment doesn't detract from sightlines throughout the building. But of course, every installation is different - some Class A building managers won't have any issues with the placement of DAS antennas, which are designed to be low-profile anyway. Case Study: 1KFulton, Chicago Last year the historic cold-storage warehouse at 1,000 West Fulton Market completed its transformation into one of Chicago's most prestigious office and retail buildings - complete with a top-of-the-line DAS solution and LEED Gold certification. Now known simply as 1KFulton, the 550,000-square-foot Class A building houses Google's Midwest headquarters, along with several other creative and tech companies. The renovation has helped spur renewal across the entire neighborhood, turning an aging meatpacking district into one of Chicago's trendiest places to work and live. All of us at WIN were proud to provide the DAS for this significant building. 8 Antenna Systems & Technology Summer 2016 www.AntennasOnline.com http://www.AntennasOnline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2016

Editor’s Choice
LEED with DAS: Ensuring Connectivity in LEED-Certified Buildings
Advertorial: An Evolution in Antenna Design
Antennas
Components/Subsystems
Software / System Design
Test & Measurement
Industry News
Marketplace
The Unexpected Cost of Low-Cost Microwave Antennas

Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2016

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