High-Density and De-Densified Smart Campus Communications

5Evolved Campus Connectivity

The previous chapters covered three basic technologies that generally tend to give rise to three overlay networks: (i) on‐site Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), usually for intranet or Internet access; (ii) cellular networks, especially in the context of building‐level access with Distributed Antenna Systems (DASs); and (iii) networks to support distributed devices in an Internet of Things (IoT) context. Additionally, the chapters that follow describe technologies used for in‐building/in‐campus localization using Real‐Time Location Systems (RTLSs), which may comprise a fourth communication overlay. Traditionally, these systems have employed and deployed different technologies, different facilities, different implementations, different administrative support, and different security mechanisms. Using applications‐specific solutions might give the impression that a better technical fit is achievable and perhaps some savings in hardware expenditure; however, the better financial measure is Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). When the TCO is taken into account, using one solution across multiple requirements may be cheaper overall rather than using individual solutions for individual requirements, due, typically, to the higher operations cost (including training, sparing, software upgrade management) associated with a larger set of technology solutions.

This chapter reviews some of the latest discrete technologies applicable to the campus environment, ...