Microlab today introduces the SMART Passives System, an innovative, patent pending solution for monitoring transmission lines, components, and antennas for in-building Emergency Services Communications Systems. These capabilities are enabled by Microlab’s new System Monitor, Alarm, Report Technology (SMART), first being deployed in the SMART Coupler. The SMART Coupler consists of a specially designed broadband, passive, directional coupler for 130 – 960 MHz combined with active, diagnostic tools for system monitoring with failure detection and isolation capabilities. The real-time monitoring capabilities that the SMART Coupler provides will ensure that Public Safety DAS owners can depend on the operation of their critical communication systems.
“Unlike commercial wireless systems, conventional two-way, push-to-talk, public safety radio systems do not have constant radio traffic, as these critical communications systems are used only during an emergency event,” said Dino Giordano, Vice President of Product. “We developed our SMART Passives in response to feedback and requests from our customers and partners in public safety system integration who need to ensure their DAS is operational and available during an emergency.”
The SMART Passives System is made up of a SMART Gateway at the head-end and SMART Couplers deployed in the DAS. Each coupler reports the Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) at each port based on a calibrated CW tone generated by the gateway. By storing and comparing the VSWR at each port over time the SMART system can report failures such as an open or short circuit. The gateway then communicates the alarm via e-mail, SMS, or SNMP and pinpoints the location where the failure occurred. SMART Couplers are designed to replace the required tappers and couplers already used in a passive DAS network and require no additional hardware, special tools, power or Ethernet connectivity. Power for the SMART Coupler and all communications back and forth with the SMART Gateway is done over existing RF coaxial cable.
Microlab will show the new SMART Coupler in North America at the International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE) March 6th-7th, 2019 in Las Vegas, NV and at Critical Communications Europe, March 12th-13th, 2019 in Coventry, UK.