The Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) is the oldest hospital in the Canadian province of British Columbia and is considered as one of the busiest in the Frasier Health Authority. This hospital serves the communities of New Westminster, Coquitlam, Port Moody, and Port Coquitlam. The redevelopment of RCH Phase 1 will add 39,000 square metres of space to meet current and future demand for health services and also to address critical infrastructure issues.
Phase One of the RCH Redevelopment Project included the design and construction of the new Mental Health (MHSU) Building, an Energy Centre, 3.5 levels of underground parking, associated tunnel and bridge connection to the existing campus. This redevelopment going forward will have an additional two phases which will take the project up to the year 2026.
In 2016, Fraser Health Authority was seeking an experienced Distributed Antenna System (DAS) provider and integrator to design, supply, install, commission and maintain a multi-technology, multi-carrier DAS for the Royal Columbian Hospital. As a major part of its redevelopment project and Cartel was able to fit in professionally to RCH’s requirement.
Cartel designed, deployed, and commissioned a DAS to enable multiple systems to work harmoniously together covering bands 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, 2100 MHz, and 2600 MHz. This was a complex solution due to a requirement for coverage on the mental health floors utilizing custom-designed ceiling enclosures for the antennas. The DAS will enable Cellular signals from the major Canadian wireless providers such as TELUS, Rogers, Bell, and Freedom are routed to the Host Unit located at interconnection point (POI).
Cartel’s design includes a fiber optic module (FIU & FCM), fiber amplifiers (FBDA), and 198 antennas installed across the facility. Cartel has also supplied and installed a rooftop donor antenna system as a requirement. A low-band DAS system comprised of three subsystems: the Facilities Maintenance Organization DAS, E-Comm (first responder) DAS, and Security/Paging DAS which were part of the system designs.
Each subsystem is comprised of a roof-mounted donor antenna, power amplifiers, active and passive signal distribution infrastructure, and a shared network of wideband ceiling mount antennas installed throughout the buildings. Cartel’s low-band DAS design includes fiber optic amplifiers (FBDA) and 113 service antennas.
“The Cartel team provided a complete DAS solution for Phase 1 including designing and deployment of coverage enhancement for Cellular, E-Comm, Paging, Security, and FMO PTT Radio services. This included the Mental Health building, Energy Centre, bridge, and underground parking. Next, they presented a comprehensive SLA for the current equipment including coverage testing, preventative maintenance, and support. Together, we are on the right road for expanding coverage into the rest of the campus.” Doug Redwood, Executive Director – Capital Facility Projects, IMIT Solutions Royal Columbia Hospital.
Cartel provided agile systems design, responding to multiple changes during the construction period of RCH, working in parallel to resolve any coverage requirements for the Phase One project. Cartel ensured that Royal Columbian Hospital received a fully calibrated and operational system covering all the band signals in preparation of the redevelopment project opening. Cartel employing it's typical care, discretion, and courtesy in working alongside many trades as the construction site transitioned again to a functioning hospital.
If your project requires a multi-carrier cellular, Public Safety, PTT radio, and other low-band frequency coverage enhancement Distributed Antenna System, please give us a call. Cartel will ensure a solution to fit your requirements.
