1. In-Building DAS
RF Compliance Guide

2. Overview: Regulatory/compliance groups
Function
Manager
NEPA/FAA/FCC
NEPA
FAA Determination
FCC ASR Registration
Migratory Birds
Robin Haeffner RF
RF Exposure Analysis
Spectrum Clearing
RF Interference
David “DJ” Kilian
LICENSING/IMPLEMENTATION
FCC Spectrum License Compliance
Construction Approval
In-Service Approval
Sonya Dutton )
COMMUNICATIONS
Training
Internal Auditing
Formal Department Communications
Peggy Quinn )
EPA & OSHA
Environmental Phase 1 Analysis
OSHA Compliance
Jeff McCook )

3. Overview: Regulatory/compliance APPROVALS
NEPA Compliance
FAA/FCC ASR Compliance
RF Compliance
Licensing Compliance
_____________________________________
Construction & In-Service Approval

4. WHY COMPLIANCE FOR RF EXPOSURE?
Priority 1: Safety
Priority 2: Licensing
All FCC spectrum licensees must follow all federal guidelines.
Below GP Above GP Above Occ Above 10x Occ.
Thermal Effects:
Rise in body temperature.
Tissue burns.
Changes in immune system.
Neurological effects.
Behavioral effects.

5. FCC REQUIREMENTS

6. OET Bulletin 65 RF exposure (NOT emissions) safety guidelines
Introduced Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits in accessible areas
Frequency-specific limits
Limits in terms of a Spatial-Average
Two tiers of MPE limits:
Occupational – Those with RF Safety & Awareness training
General Population – Those without RF Safety & Awareness training
Occupational MPE limit = 5 x General Population MPE limit

7. OET Bulletin 65 Controlled Environment Requirements 5% Rule
Restrict access (locked/alarmed access points)
Create awareness (signage, barriers, safety plans)
5% Rule
Any licensee contributing at least 5% of the General Population MPE is deemed a Significant Contributor.
All Significant Contributors to areas deemed out of compliance are responsible for implementing compliance mitigation (signage, barriers, safety plans).
Annual Evaluations
Termed Categorical Exclusion (from annual compliance evaluations)
Dependent on Operating Power (ERP/EIRP) & Antenna Location/Height (AGL).
Most (if not all) DAS applications will be Categorically Excluded.
Not an exclusion from initial determination of compliance.

8. EVALUATING IN-BUILDING SYSTEMS

9. typical in-building system

10. System components requiring evaluation

11. In-building Rf compliance: analysis tools
RF Exposure Compliance Analysis Tool
RoofView
iBwave Electromagnetic Field Report

12. In-building Rf compliance: existing donor antenna(s) options
RoofView Model
EME/RFE Report
RFE Compliance Analysis Tool
NOTE: Inaccessible donor antennas are currently excluded.

13. In-building Rf compliance: donor antenna What’s “accessible”?
Inaccessible – You cannot walk in front of
and/or touch the antenna.
Accessible – You can walk
in front of and/or touch the
antenna.

14. In-building Rf compliance: existing service antenna(s) options
RoofView Model
EME/RFE Report
iBwave EMF Report
RFE Compliance Analysis Tool
Service
Antenna

15. MULTI-LICENSEE IN-BUILDING DAS fcc requirements
When performing an evaluation for compliance with the FCC's RF guidelines all significant contributors to the ambient RF environment should be considered.
Applicants are expected to make a good-faith effort to consider these other transmitters.
Significance can be taken to mean any transmitter producing more than 5% of the applicable exposure limit at accessible locations.
The percentage contributions are then added to determine whether the limits are (or would be) exceeded.
If the MPE limits are exceeded, then the responsible party or parties must take action to either bring the area into compliance or submit an EA.

16. MULTI-LICENSEE IN-BUILDING DAS: 5% RULE

17. MULTI-LICENSEE IN-BUILDING DAS COMPLIANCE OPTIONS
Multi-Licensee System Compliance Options
Evaluation by Approved 3rd Party RF Consultant
RSI, SiteSafe, EBI, Trott
See RF Resource Page (Slide 21)
iBwave EMF Report
RFE Compliance Analysis Tool
RF re-design required for systems with high RF levels in uncontrollable areas.

18. RECOMMENDATIONS

19. General In-Building DAS Recommendations
Reduce Accessibility
Mount donor antenna so that it is inaccessible.
Maximize the separation distance.
If predicted exposure levels are in excess of the General Population MPE limit:
Increase separation distance between the antenna and a 6-foot person (raise the antenna height).
Reduce total input power into antennas.
Request an EME Assessment report from all Neutral Hosts.
Have large-scale BTS-fed DAS designed in iBwave.
Re-evaluate RF Compliance if there is a change in any of the following:
Power
Service (AWS/700 etc..)
Antenna type
Separation distance

20. QUESTIONS?

21. RF Resource page
RF COMPLIANCE PROGRAM - WEBSITE FOR RESOURCE DOCUMENTS
A new Network Regulatory website has been developed and may be accessed at the web link listed below.
All Network Regulatory RF documentation will be posted on this site for your reference/use going forward.  We highly recommend that you subscribe so you can receive notifications when the documents are updated (more information below).
Web Link:
Instructions: Expand the “Network Regulatory” group in the left column, expand “Construction Regulatory” group, and click on “FCC RF / RFE Program Documents”
NOTE: Be sure to subscribe (via “Manage Subscription” – RF is included in “Construction Regulatory” and “Training – Communication”) so you’ll be notified via when documents are added or modified.

22. definitions RF Compliance Tools In-Building DAS Components
Donor (Roof) Antenna
Usually mounted on a roof or the side of a structure. This antenna provides a two-way (uplink and downlink) interface for the RF into a structure. These antennas need a clear line-of-sight path to a macro cell site (sometimes called a Donor Site).
BTS
(Not Shown)
Base Transceiver (Transmit + Receive) Station. Equipment that helps facilitate wireless communications between mobiles and the main network. Can be used in place of a Donor Antenna.
BDA
Bi-Directional Amplifier. Also known as a “Repeater” or “Signal Booster”. This is an RF two-way (uplink/downlink) amplifier that takes weak signals and increases the RF signal strength.
Coax Cables
Cables that route RF signals from one source to another.
Antenna Taps/Splitters
Devices that take portions of RF signal in order to feed indoor (service) antennas.
Indoor Antenna
Also known as a “Service” antenna. Device that wirelessly transmits RF waves (providing service) inside a structure.
RF Compliance Tools
RoofView Model
VZW approved radiation exposure modeling tool.
EME/RFE Report
Assessment for potential radiation exposure hazards that includes predictive modeling and actual spatially-averaged radiation readings.
iBwave EMF Report
Tool that calculates exposure levels for every service antenna for a project designed in iBwave.
RFE Compliance Analysis Tool
Tool that calculates exposure levels, outlines compliance requirements, and provides a color-coded compliance status.