How to install a cell phone signal booster for a 90,000sqft commercial space and SMBs?... It took less than 30 minutes. Cel Fi - Insanely Simple Installation of a Cell Phone Signal Booster for an Office Cel-Fi is a smart signal booster designed to eliminate in-building dead zones and improve indoor mobile phone reception for 3G and 4G voice and data. In the following, we are showing the differences between installing a Cel-Fi signal booster and a traditional conventional analog booster, such as a Wilson or zBoost booster. First, it is important to note the main difference in approach. Cel-Fi is an all-digital booster, the first of the next generation of signal boosters. The Window Unit captures the signal from the operator, and transmits over a high-speed wireless network this signal to the coverage unit, who rebroadcast in full strength in your home or office. A traditional conventional analog booster, such as a Wilson or zBoost booster, always needs an outdoor antenna, connected to an amplifier (a box the size of an Internet Wi-Fi router). Therefore, you need to first find the best location for the outdoor antenna (usually on the rooftop). Once you connect the antenna to the amplifier, you need to connect the amplifier to another indoor antenna, that you would typically locate in the area where you need coverage.

1. CEL-FI, BY NEXTIVITY INC.
How to install cell phone signal boosters …
… for a 90,000sqft commercial space …
… in less than 30 minutes.
2014
BY NEXTIVITY INC.

2. The System: Window Unit & Coverage Unit
Window Unit (WU)
Coverage Unit (CU)
Cel-Fi consists of two wireless devices that work together to increase 3G and 4G
mobile broadband connectivity
• The Window Unit receives the signal from the mobile phone network (even if only 1
bar of signal is available) and relays it to the Coverage Unit.
• The Coverage Unit converts the signal from the Window Unit and amplifies it
throughout the building.
2014
BY NEXTIVITY INC.
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3. Special Cel-Fi Installations
 Cel-Fi is often used in SME and other similar commercial
building environments.
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Open commercial architectures tend to result in larger than normal
coverage areas per floor
A lack of RF propagation between floors tends to result in separate
Cel-Fi systems per floor
No handset registration needed, quick to setup, large footprint, no
handoff issues w/macro or between Cel-Fi systems
 In some cases multiple Cel-Fi systems may be installed in
the same location to:
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Add to capacity (two Cel-Fi’s for same Operator)
Add another Operator (two Cel-Fi’s for different Operators)
Use different single band Cel-Fi’s
Serial linking of two systems to extend coverage deep into a
structure (serial configuration)
Cover a much larger area (business complex, large store)
 Special installations are outside of the scope of the Cel-Fi
consumer Quick Install Guide.
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4. Installing Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
Add these rules when installing multiple Cel-Fi Systems
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The WU-CU wireless link may be affected by high numbers of 5GHz Wi-Fi nodes if used.
Separate Cel-Fi’s and Wi-Fi nodes (1 meter minimum)
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Due to strong RF variations in commercial environments, a CU-7 may be better than an 8 or
9 (headroom for fluctuations)
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Install one system at a time (others powered OFF) so the CU# properly references the
coverage potential.
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No more than two WU’s or two CU’s should be placed next to each other (1 meter
minimum separation)
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Longer UNII setup times may result as many channels are attempted and regulatory
compliance completed on each.
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Cel-Fi is unconditionally stable when deployed in mass (they will sense each other and
mutually scale back on Gain to prevent feedback). So maximize each system potential by
preventing feedback scenarios (WU1 close to CU2 etc., see examples).
If any red light indications occur, redeploy and test again.
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5. 90,000sqft, 3 Cel-Fi’s, Less Than 30 Minutes
Real case study - company in the East Coast.
• The issue: nobody could make phone calls except near the windows on two sides of the building.
• From receiving Cel-Fi to using their mobile phones, it took our client less than 30 minutes.
In the following slides, we will explain how to best install multiple Cel-Fis in a building.
2014
BY NEXTIVITY INC.
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6. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems in a large commercial space
90,000 Square feet
2014
BY NEXTIVITY INC.
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7. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems in a large commercial space
Step 1 – Evaluate the Installation Site
The following information is useful when determining Cel-Fi candidacy, and for estimating
the number of Cel-Fi systems needed to cover a commercial building.
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2014
What type of building & construction materials of interior walls etc… Typical is concrete
exterior, with sheetrock interior walls.
Square footage of the area needing coverage
Hand drawing or layout or a schematic floor plan (showing offices, cubicles, and open area
spaces).
How many floors
Current signal levels by area (may be
“bars” of signal on an Android or Windows
handset, and indicate Service[3G/4G/LTE])
Describe any current solution that may be
in place (DAS, Microcell, Booster, etc.)
Note on current call issues, such as
“No Service” zones, or areas where there
is good signal but calls are not reliable.
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8. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems in a large commercial space
Step 2 – Estimate how many Cel-Fi’s and where they might go
Window
Unit
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Coverage
Unit
Estimate placement and coverage of individual
systems (range is approx. 3 or 4 walls away, or
quite far for open spaces)
Prefer Coverage Units higher up in open areas to
maximize coverage (may be ceiling/wall
mounted)
Prefer Window Units in isolated exterior offices
It’s the WU-CU isolation that allows higher
coverage power from the Coverage Unit.
Can use a single system to test coverage for the
site, and order based on results.
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9. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
Now lets place the Cel-Fi Pairs
(Remember Cel-Fi Pairs have same Serial Number)
CU1
Cel-Fi 1
WU1
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10. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
Now lets place the Cel-Fi Pairs
(Remember Cel-Fi Pairs have same Serial Number)
CU2
CU1
Cel-Fi 2
WU2
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WU1
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11. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
Now lets place the Cel-Fi Pairs
(Remember Cel-Fi Pairs have same Serial Number)
CU3
Cel-Fi 3
WU3
CU2
WU2
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CU1
WU1
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12. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
GOOD! Systems well placed in pairs
(Performance is maximum for each system)
CU2 is closer to it’s
companion WU2 than WU1
or WU3 (less pathloss)
(same for all Cel-Fi’s)
CU3
WU3
CU2
WU2
CU1
WU1
NOTE: It is really RF Pathloss and not distance that matters
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BY NEXTIVITY INC.
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13. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
GOOD! Systems well placed in pairs
(Performance is maximum for each system)
CU3
WU3
WU2 is closer to it’s
companion CU2 than
CU1 or CU3
(same for all Cel-Fi’s)
2014
CU2
WU2
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CU1
WU1
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14. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
GOOD! Systems well placed in pairs
(OK to have up to two same devices together)
CU3
WU3
CU2
CU1
WU2 WU1
OK (2 max with 1 meter apart)
2014
BY NEXTIVITY INC.
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15. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
NOT AS GOOD! Coupling: Reduces Performance to prevent feedback
(Performance is NOT maximum for each system)
WU2
WU1
CU3
WU3
CU1
WU2 is closer to CU3 than
its companion CU2, AND
WU2 will see CU3 more
than Macrocell
2014
CU2
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16. Example: Multiple Cel-Fi Systems
NOT AS GOOD! Coupling: Reduces Performance to prevent feedback
(Performance is NOT maximum for each system)
WU2
WU1
CU3
WU3
CU1
WU1 is closer to CU2 than
its companion CU1
(Gain will be reduced)
2014
CU2
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17. Rule Visualizations
WU – CU separation distance can be extended due to reflective metal in
commercial building floors and ceilings, as compared to a house. While this
extends coverage, it can also limit signal penetration between floors.
20 meters
WU
CU
Typical Home with 20
meters between units for
maximum boost.
Commercial construction
Can be >200 meters in open Commercial spaces
CU
WU
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18. Rule Visualizations
A loop is where a signal goes through Cel-Fi 1, into Cel-Fi 2 then back into Cel-Fi 1.
In this situation Cel-Fi will still work but the coverage footprint will be reduced.
WU#1
CU#2
2014
CU#1
WU#2
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19. Rule Visualizations
Two Window Units may be collocated if separated by 1 meter. Also install each
system such that their CU# is roughly the same.
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20. Rule Visualizations
Commercial construction techniques usually employ concrete and metal
flooring structures that can greatly reduce radio propagation between the
floors. The solution is to deploy one or more Cel-Fi units on each floor or
every other floor.
WU 4
CU 4
WU 3
CU 3
WU 2
CU 2
WU 1
2014
CU 1
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21. Rule Visualizations
Each Cel-Fi system is for a different Operator
WU 1
CU 1
CU 2
WU 2
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22. Information & Support
U.S. Headquarters: Cel-Fi, by Nextivity Inc.
12230 World Trade Drive, Suite 250
San Diego, CA 92128, USA
+1 858.485.9442 tel
+1 858.485.9445 fax
Steve Van Skike, Sr. Tech Support Mgr.
svanskike@cel-fi.com
support@cel-fi.com
Question about Cel-Fi, or just say Hi?
support@cel-fi.com
Cel-FI:
Facebook:
www.Cel-Fi.com
http://www.facebook.com/5bars
Corporate Website:
www.nextivityinc.com
2014
Follow Us On Twitter:
http://twitter.com/5bars
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