RF Interference - cellular performance DAS Shield

DAS Shield™ – Reducing RF Noise to Strengthen In-Building Cellular Performance

Did you know that roughly 80% of mobile phone use happens indoors? As smartphones replace traditional landlines—at home, in the office, and everywhere else— reliable in-building cellular coverage has become essential. Yet, rising RF congestions and interference are straining traditional wireless systems, fueling demand for advanced in-building wireless (IBW), Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS), and solutions like DAS Shield™.

An RF environment can become “noisy” over time—but what does that mean? In simple terms, RF noise is the sheer volume and diversity of RF signals moving through the air at any moment. When too many signals are present, especially on the same or nearby frequencies, they compete with one another and create interference, degrading overall performance.

Understanding How Outdoor Towers Disrupt In-Building Wireless Performance

High powered cellular base station towers known as macrocells create – you guessed it – macro interference in nearly every building, since most buildings are within range of at least one macrocell.

As a result, many organizations deploy in-building wireless (IBW) networks. These systems use distributed antenna systems (DAS), small cells, and bi‑directional amplifiers (BDAs) or signal boosters to create dense indoor coverage for better cellular performance. However, while IBW networks improve access to the desired carrier signal, they do not eliminate RF noise in the environment. In effect, an IBW system is like a teacher simply speaking louder in a noisy classroom—the message may be clearer, but the underlying noise and resulting strain remain.

Key Functions and Advantages of DAS Shield™

Signals Defense offers a targeted solution to the RFG noise problem:

DAS Shield™ window films. Applied to exterior glazing, DAS Shield™ helps attenuate unwanted RF interference entering the building envelope, enabling in‑building wireless (IBW) networks to operate more efficiently and predictably. Specifically, DAS Shield™ delivers the following benefits:

Engineered to attenuate external RF signals by more than 30 dB across the 100 MHz–12 GHz band, covering virtually all frequencies used in commercial wireless communications and microwave technologies.
Enhances the physical security posture of Wi‑Fi deployments by limiting RF signal leakage beyond the building envelope, reducing external detection and reconnaissance of internal wireless networks.
Improves the signal-to-noise environment for IBW systems, allowing desired cellular signals to propagate with less external interference and resulting in more stable, higher‑quality in‑building coverage; and
Contributes to energy efficiency by rejecting significant levels of infrared, ultraviolet, and solar heat gain through the glazing system—supporting building performance goals and potentially contributing to LEED certification criteria.

Contact Signals Defense

Contact the team at Signals Defense to discuss how DAS Shield™ window films can enhance IBW performance, strengthen the security posture of your wireless networks, and support your facility’s energy‑efficiency objectives.

Visit our website Signals Defense and let’s get started today!