Project Brief
Mobile coverage is essential in underground tunnels and train stations and providing the right solution can be a daunting task. This is one of the main challenges faced by Klang Valley MRT Line 1 which started their construction in year 2016. With Malaysia having multiple mobile operators and multi technology, the mobile coverage solution for MRT Line 1 has to be multi operator multi technology, 24/7 monitoring system and close to maintenance free as access if highly limited once in operations.
MMC-Gamuda the project owner for KVMRT has awarded the deployment of Mobile Communication System of KVMRT Line 1 to Sunwave. Sunwave was fully responsible for the design, material supply, installation and commissioning of the Mobile Communication System of KVMRT Line 1 which consist of 7 underground stations and approximately 19km of underground tunnels.
Sunwave Solution
Sunwave deployed its CrossFire High Power (HP) DAS product to extend the coverage of mobile signals for 6 local mobile operators (Celcom, Maxis, Digi, UMobile, Yes & Webe) supporting multiple technology standards across multiple bands. A total of 280 HP Remote Unit is used to provide 900, 1800, 2100, 2300 & 2600 (TDD&FDD) for 6 mobile operators.
Sunwave’s Digital CrossFire DAS which supports up to 40km of fibre length eliminates the concern of fibre distances raised by the length of tunnels and stations. With the fibre loopback feature creating redundant fibre run, potential concern of fibre damages and downtime has also been resolved. These are some of the key features why Sunwave CrossFire is a solution for Metros, Railways and Underground Trains.
CrossFire DAS also supports 24/7 network monitoring system (NMS) which is critical for MRT Line 1. Real-time software configuration can also be done without accessing the remote equipment locations as access can be difficult in underground tunnels. For CrossFire DAS, software configuration to change from SISO to MIMO without any additional hardware or hardware change is also made possible due to its technology.
Key Contribution
According to MMD-Gamuda Project Director Dato Ir Wong Wai Ching, Sunwave’s Crossfire DAS was implemented to their satisfaction and has performed well in operation since July 2017. Sunwave found to be professional, technically competent and responsive in their delivery of the project, and the quality of work and performance met their expectation.
