Results of distributed antenna and leaky feeder systems tests at 800 MHz in the Washington D.C. metro system tunnels

The Washington D.C. Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) in cooperation with Bell Atlantic Mobile is planning to cover the entire underground portion of their subway system with cellular and an 800 MHz public safety trunked (PST) radio system. The Allen Telecom Group. Systems Division, is responsible for the antenna system design and in the first mile compared the coverage provided by a leaky-feeder system in one tunnel, and a distributed antenna system in a parallel tunnel. The coverage results were used to design the most cost-effective system for the balance of the 37-km (23-mi) system.<<ETX>>