Microlab has introduced 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.
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.
