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TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS

CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY

RFS RADIAFLEXRadiating
Cable Helps Provide Seamless Wireless
Connectivity to Millions of Bostons MBTA Subway Riders

Radiating Cable Helps Provide

RFS RADIAFLEX
Seamless Wireless Connectivity to Millions of Bostons
MBTA Subway Riders

One of the primary challenges in designing a solution to offer comprehensive wireless access within the
Boston
The
Challenge
subway system was addressing the citys highly complex system of underground and underwater tunnels.
radiating cable was the key to achieving unparalleled technical performance and reliability.
RFS RADIAFLEX
During the initial phases of the MBTA
project, which included eight platforms in
four stations all relatively close to each
other ( mile apart or less, with relatively
straight paths), InSite was able to use
antennas to provide wireless connectivity.
But as the job progressed, the
environment began to include more
complex environments such as narrow
tunnels, long curves, up and down hill
areas, sections of track under bodies of

water, and more.

he rapid growth of wireless communications

has resulted in

todays transit passengers demanding a seamless wireless experience

for the duration of their commutes. For Bostons subway riders, this

quality user experience includes being able to use their wireless devices within
the citys highly complex system

of underground and underwater tunnels.

However, the in-tunnel environment is one of the worlds most challenging

from an RF perspective. The twists, turns and constrained cross-sections of
any tunnel, coupled with the large -- and fast-moving -- vehicles it carries,
present an onerous RF distribution challenge. Furthermore, the modern
wireless communications systems that serve transit passengers must also

Given the nature of

the DAS business, you dont
want to have to worry about
the technology in place,
so it is critical to have good
components and good
vendors

simultaneously accommodate a wide variety of commercial technologies

from 2G to 3G, 4G and beyond

.
Additionally, there were instances where

As a result of this growing trend, The Massachusetts Bay Transportation

space to mount the equipment was not

Authority (MBTA), the public transportation system of Greater Boston,

available and/or there was limited signal

initiated a project to provide continuous, end to end wireless coverage in the

propagation. InSite had also reached a

underground stations and tunnels of its transit system. After a public bidding

point where it had to work around the

process, the MBTA awarded a contract to provide and

massive flood gates on one of the

operate a neutral

host wireless distributed antenna system (DAS) in the subway system

systems Red Line routes. These gates are

to InSite Wireless, a company focused on the design, construction, operation,

large doors that allow the tunnels to be

and maintenance of shared wireless infrastructure for complex indoor and

sealed to prevent water passage during

outdoor environments. InSite specializes in neutral host DAS utilized by

the construction of highway tunnels.

multiple carriers, specifically targeted at customers who seek seamless wireless

coverage in the most challenging of physical environments such as convention

With all of these factors in play, antennas

centers, casinos, airports and transit systems, where either the quality of

were no longer a viable option.

wireless signals is impaired by building structures or the signal capacity is

insufficient to meet uctuating occupancies.

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The Solution

InSite engineers had to design a system to

To work around the ood gates, the InSite

accommodate the varied geometry of the

team used existing cable sleeves (used for

tunnels and the different types of trains

electricity wiring and other existing cabling)

used on each line, as well as a way to get

to thread the RADIAFLEX cable through the

past the ood gates without interfering

gates and into the rest of the tunnel

with their operation. To solve problem

ensuring seamless wireless service.

installation areas, the designers specified

RADIAFLEX radiating cable from RFS.

Time constraints were also a key issue for

RADIAFLEX radiating cables facilitate radio

the cable installation process. Due to the

communication where the usual free space

MBTAs schedule, installers are only able to

propagation of electromagnetic waves is

work when trains are not running. After

hampered, undesired or impossible - in

the process of shutting down power, work

environments such as tunnels, mines,

trains and other vehicles coming through,

buildings, and large complexes like

the installers get an average of only 2 to

exhibition grounds or airports.

2.5 hours per night to work.

Radiating cable is similar to regular

In this kind of installation process, hi-rail

antenna cable, with slots cut into the outer

vehicles (trucks fitted with special train

conductor that allow the cable to work like

wheels to allow them to drive on the

a sprinkler hose and spray out low levels

tracks) are used to put hangers on the

of signal along its entire length. For

wall of tunnels, which tend to be

example, a single radiating cable extending

crowded, so installers have to be

1,100-1,500 feet will spread an RF signal

extremely careful about where to locate

out to serve a long curve.

them. RFS RADIAFLEX cables include

numerous features to simplify installation.
To help installers find the correct position,
for example, the RADIAFLEX cable jacket
is equipped with two guides that fit
exactly into the rear open part of RFS

We have found
to be a
RADIAFLEX
technically superior cable,
and the quality of product
and ease of installation have
been critical factors in our
success

standard clic clamps or in the open slots

of heavy-duty clamps. This simplification
can be critical under tight time
constraints.

Joe Mullin
Vice President of Engineering and
Operations at InSite Wireless

Furthermore, the highest risk for

malfunction, besides cable handling, is
poor installation of connectors. RFS onepiece connectors for radiating cable are
virtually foolproof, further simplifying the
In s tal le rs h ad to wor k a rou n d th e mas si ve oo d g ate s,
wh ic h al l ow th e tu nn el s to b e sea le d to p reve nt wa ter
pa ss ag e du ri ng c o ns tru ct io n o f hi gh way tu n ne ls . Exi s tin g c ab le s le eves w ere u sed to th rea d RA DIA FLEX c ab le
th rou g h th e gat es an d i nt o th e r est o f th e t un ne l.

installation process. RFS also offers a wide

range of standard and special drums in
order to meet specific project needs.

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TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS

CASE STUDY

RFS RADIAFLEXRadiating
Cable Helps Provide Seamless Wireless Connectivity
to Millions of Bostons MBTA Subway Riders

Designing a DAS with Unparalleled Technical

Performance and Reliability Now and Into the Future

There have been numerous challenges

The RADIAFLEX suite of radiating cables

brought on by the rapid growth in

feature RFS patented higher order

wireless usage, and the resulting

mode suppression technique that

introduction of new frequency bands.

allows RFS to offer cables that support

Whereas connectivity needs were once

current and future in-tunnel and in-

adequately served at 800 MHz and

building commercial and private radio

below, technology systems now have to

services from 698 MHz to 2700 MHz for

address a wide variety of frequencies

valuable cost savings. As a result of this

ranging from 700MHz up to 2700 MHz.

patented higher mode suppression,

selected RADIAFLEX cables have no stop
band from 698-2700 MHz. RADIAFLEX

In designing a system
such as the MBTA neutral
host DAS, it is critical to find
a cable that will serve all of
the relevant frequency
ranges efficiently.
RADIAFLEX had the peak
performance we needed,
while covering all of the
required frequencies.

Furthermore, InSite required a radiating

cable solution without stop bands to
accommodate a high-performance,
future-proof design for the MBTA DAS
installation. RFS is the only company on
the market with the intellectual property
and leading-edge technology to suppress

cables are future-proof with respect to

RF spectrum re-banding / re-farming,

Th e per io d ic re pe tit io n o f t he s lo t or s lo t gr ou p c aus es

res o nan c es an d h armo n ic s

ensure low insertion loss and excellent

coupling performance, and feature
halogen-free, non-corrosive, low-smoke
and ame-retardant jacket material for
safe and reliable long-term cable
operation.

A single s lot or a gr oup

of slot s

Is r e pla ce d by 2 sl ot s a t
spe cific dist a nce

Ea ch slot i s a gai n r e pla ce d by

2 slot s at s peci fic dist a nce

RFS P a te nt e d highe r m ode

There are a number of

cable manufacturers; the
challenge is finding one that
offers consistent technical
performance and reliability,
while also providing an
economical solution.
RFS excelled in all of these
areas.

supr ess ion

Th e the or y b eh in d R FS h ig h er ord er mo d e s u pp res si o n

tec h ni qu e

stop bands in radiating cables.

R FS pat en ted h ig h er mo de s up pre

ss io n w ith no s to p b and s

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Conclusion

To date, InSite Wireless has used close to 30,000 feet of

RADIAFLEX cable for the MBTA project, with plans to use
approximately 30,000 feet more in the projects final phase
of completion. Upon its anticipated 2012 completion, the
MBTA installation will be the first neutral host DAS offering
end-to-end coverage throughout the entire subway
including 35 underground stations and 19 miles of
connecting tunnels.

T-Mobile currently provides 13 miles of

coverage to 26 underground stops on the
MBTA subway line. As a result, our
customers are now able to carry on
conversations, text and use the Web while
traveling underground in Boston as
seamlessly as they are able to above ground,
with no interruption to their wireless service.
Ensuring this quality user experience for our
customers is critical, and it would not be
possible without the technologically
advanced DAS system installed within the
MBTA subway system.
Tom Ellefson
RA DI AFLEX c ab le s i nc lu de n um ero us feat ure s to s im pl if y in st all ati o n. C ab le j ac ket s are eq ui p ped
wi th tw o gu i des th at fit e xac tl y i n to th e rear o pe n p art of R FS st and ard cl ic cl amp s, or i n th e
op en s l ot s of h eavy - du ty c lam ps , an d R FS o n e- pi ec e co nn ec to rs fo r rad i ati ng c ab le a re vir tu all y
fo ol pr oo f.

Northeast Vice President of

Engineering at T-Mobile

About InSite Wireless

InSite Wireless specializes in the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of shared wireless infrastructure solutions that
enhance the quality and capacity of wireless voice and data services in public facilities and complex environments. InSite built and
launched its first DAS at the Moscone Center in San Francisco in 2001, and has developed and currently operates additional projects
in convention centers (including the Boston Convention and Exhibit Center), casinos, airports, sports stadiums, and transit systems
like the MBTA subway system. InSites parent company, InSite Wireless Group, LLC, also owns InSite Towers, LLC, which develops,
manages, and owns nearly 600 telecommunications towers and sites for wireless carriers.