Setting the New Standard In Air Travel

Cellular DAS Transforms Travelers’ Experience

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is projecting a 158% increase in domestic passenger traffic by 2040. While each airport is unique, this projection adds pressure for all of them to enhance the connected passenger experience, while driving operational excellence.

So when Kansas City was poised to open a brand new, 40-gate, single terminal, stakeholders knew the $1.5 billion project needed to be a complete transformation from what travelers experienced for the previous 50 years – including ramping up their technology investment.

The MSB team’s primary task was to design a neutral host, multi-carrier, state-of-the-art Cellular Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that would seamlessly integrate with the new terminal’s architectural design. To unlock the terminal’s full technological potential, the team had to possess two crucial qualities: a comprehensive understanding of cutting-edge technological advancements and the ability to swiftly adapt to rapid changes in a complex construction environment.

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The Cellular DAS would serve multiple entities, including airport operations, vendors, travelers, visitors, and, most importantly, the airlines. The system had to be designed to enhance connectivity and communication throughout the airport to improve overall efficiency and meet the expectations of a robust, high throughput user experience throughout the terminal.  

In the design phase of the project, the MSB team had to consider passenger density during peak seasons, when millions of people pass through airports within similar time frames, potentially overwhelming cellular networks and disrupting wireless services.

A project of this magnitude also involved navigating a complex group of stakeholders that included the Kansas City Aviation Department, owners’ representatives, three wireless cellular carriers, architects and a multitude of electrical and low voltage contractors. .

In such projects, carriers have shifting expectations throughout, as they are constantly in “optimize mode”; airline carriers require a system that will support their terminal activities and airside communications; and architects have a vision for a design that’s functional without sacrificing aesthetics. Further testing the MSB team, the original opening date of the new terminal was set for late March. However, in late January, MSB learned that the new deadline would be at the end of February to accommodate the 2023 NFL Draft which was being held in Kansas City.

Airports are intricate environments that demand reliable and uninterrupted connectivity throughout their infrastructure. Staff depend on seamless connectivity for effective communication with security, first responders, catering, maintenance teams, and aircraft. By bringing them on board while still in the conceptual design phase, MSB was able to provide their expertise to guide changes and solutions that contributed to the success of the project.

For example, materials commonly used in airport construction can obstruct wireless signal transmission. To address this, MSB designed a Cellular DAS for the airport including 192 antenna and 116 multi-band remote amplifier units (RU), with overall results providing excellent signals for both arrivals and departures. The garage design included 92 antenna and 30 RU with overall signals being good for all levels.

Additionally, MSB collaborated directly with the three carriers to modify the DAS design, adapting it to support a target frequency that differed from the original specifications.

The MSB team tapped into their consulting expertise, decades of critical-thinking skills, and their in-depth knowledge to guide the various stakeholders to reach solutions that were best for the project.

Ultimately, MSB successfully managed the design, installation and deployment, ensuring the project was finished ahead of schedule, and was ready for the inaugural flight at the newly constructed Kansas City International Airport Terminal. Their comprehensive approach demonstrated MSB’s ability to adapt to shifting requirements and deliver results within the given timeframe and within budget.