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Seamless wireless service at American Airlines Center

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THE CHALLENGE

The adoption of wireless cellular devices that provide both voice and data services is driving the need for enhanced coverage throughout the nation. Today, consumers expect wireless cellular voice and data coverage that performs reliably almost anywhere at anytime.

Since opening in 2001, the 84,000-square-foot American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, has maintained its standing as one of the most technologically advanced venues in the world. The American Airlines Center is a premier sports and entertainment venue and home to the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, NHL’s Dallas Stars and AFL’s Dallas Vigilantes.

Wireless users expect seamless service as they transition from outdoor networks to stadiums, airports, convention centers and other large facilities. For the facility’s operator, Center Operating Company, meeting the highest customer expectations at the American Airlines Center requires keeping pace with demand for reliable wireless service by employing advanced technology, including infrastructure expansions to support the latest advancements in communications.

THE SOLUTION

Center Operating Company selected M S Benbow & Associates to provide wireless technology consulting services to help the facility stay on pace with consumer demand by managing upgrades to the cellular infrastructure needed to serve the American Airlines Center’s estimated two million annual patrons.

For the past 11 years, MSB has provided system planning, project and construction management for the multiple distributed antenna systems deployed throughout the facility.  The antenna systems have gone through several upgrades since the original equipment was installed.  Each upgrade provided coverage or capacity improvements in addition to new technological deployments.

MSB assisted with negotiating business agreements with leading wireless carriers, which maintain individual standalone systems that maintain commercial cellular service for mobile phone users and employees.

MSB provides end-to-end customer representation for cellular infrastructure projects including:

  • Project scoping
  • Contract negotiations
  • Design review
  • Project & Construction management
  • Commissioning oversight
  • RF Coverage and Performance Testing
  • A & E Drawings and related documentation

THE OUTCOME

Through its ongoing relationship with Center Operating Company, MSB has been instrumental in helping to keep the multi-purpose facility at the forefront of cellular technology improvements and provide the highest level of service to patrons of the center.

Center Operating Company in 2011 awarded MSB a Corporate Partnership Award recognizing the engineering firm for its commitment to providing engineering and project management services for the wireless infrastructure that supports an estimated two million guests annually at American Airlines Center.  MSB continues to have involvement in any aspect of cellular technology upgrades and capacity improvements at the center.

 

To learn more about MSB’s Distributed Antenna System (DAS) services, click here.

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Distributed Antenna System for Dallas/Fort Worth Airport

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THE CHALLENGE

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in conjunction with the major wireless cellular carriers embarked on an airport-wide Distributed Antenna System (DAS) upgrade in 2009 to enhance system performance and provide Long Term Evolution (LTE) data services to passengers and airport personnel.  The project included providing RF services to sixteen (16) million square feet of the campus.

THE PROCESS

One of the busiest airports in the world, DFW selected M S Benbow & Associates (MSB) to design, engineer and manage the overall system deployment for this large-scale customized telecommunications project. MSB negotiated business agreements with leading wireless equipment manufacturers and all major carriers, successfully limiting DFW Airport’s project costs. MSB also negotiated agreements with the wireless carriers to fund and implement the DAS system. With contracts secured, MSB worked with these partners to implement a DAS that provides commercial cellular service for mobile phone users and  public safety personnel. MSB also managed FAA permitting, asbestos testing, security testing and badging requirements.

THE DELIVERABLES

The upgrade includes enhanced service to five terminals, Parking Garages, and the Hyatt Hotel. It consists of over 320 remotes, 1,920 antennas, ten miles of high-density fiber cable, 25 miles of composite fiber cable, and remote monitoring and alarming for increased reliability. In addition to the design and construction phase of the project, MSB provides ongoing maintenance and support for the network.

THE RESULTS

The upgrade to the system now provides multi-frequency, multi-technology services to passengers and DFW operations personnel and has allowed DFW to become one of the first indoor wireless systems to deploy commercially available 700 MHz, Long Term Evolution (LTE) services. The expansion enables diagnostics and maintenance as well as reduces overall life cost to the service providers. The upgrade also enhanced wireless services for DFW operations and emergency personnel, providing a reliable and robust wireless system to improve operations.

The overall result of the In-building implementation has been an increase in cellular coverage from 25% to 95% of the facility. The presence of the system has directly impacted overall passenger satisfaction at DFW while at the same time increasing airport concession revenue due to the expanded cellular coverage area. MSB was honored to receive a DFW Board Commendation Award for the project.

 

To learn more about MSB’s Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Services, click here.

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Electrical

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QUALIFICATIONS

M S Benbow & Associates (MSB) is a leader in the field of electrical engineering and performs electrical analysis, reliability improvements, equipment retrofits and grassroots designs for various industries across the Gulf Coast including refineries, chemical plants and pipeline facilities. With a long history of handling complex and time-sensitive projects, we serve our clients’ needs in an efficient manner while always maintaining industry standards for reliability and safety.  With more than 20 years experience, our engineers have provided detailed engineering and design of electrical power distribution systems, system analysis, troubleshooting and technical support.

SERVICES

  • Create initial design and all levels of technical documents, including estimation, scope, specification, design and installation packages.
  • Provide all levels of system analysis to ensure that electrical systems are adequately rated and determine additional capacity, system reliability and safety.
  • Develop the required documentation to assist clients in understanding how to safely start-up, commission and operate their electrical systems.
  • Troubleshoot and assist clients in determining causes for failures and course of action to get systems back online.
  • Members of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), International Society of Automation (ISA), Louisiana Engineering Society (LES), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES). For a complete list of all affiliations and certifications click here.
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Project Management

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QUALIFICATIONS

M S Benbow & Associates (MSB) specializes in project management providing services in conceptualization, definition, design, planning, coordination, scheduling and implementation.  We adhere to a project management methodology based on the doctrine advocated by the Project Management Institute and its PMBOK® guide that is tailored to fit the technical and commercial terms of the project.  The planning process and scope definition result in classic Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and templates that are valuable tools for organizing and managing the actual work, duration and budget involved in producing a deliverable.

We have a strong commitment to dependable and reliable project management capabilities that include electrical, instrumentation, mechanical, civil/structural and communication engineering services. We have managed new project installations, equipment upgrades, plant turn-around operations, and retrofit projects for clients throughout the Gulf South.  MSB’s senior level managers have an average of more than 20 years experience in the engineering design, construction, procurement, and consulting phases of project management.

SERVICES

  • Perform project plan development including scope definition and planning; activity definition, sequencing, duration estimating, and scheduling; resource planning, cost estimating and budgeting; and, risk identification, analysis and management planning.
  • Develop a project schedule by factoring the structure, sequence of tasks, and constraints of the project and its activities.
  • Coordinate and evaluate bids and RFQs to provide recommendations to the client.
  • Create project budgets using cost considerations and baselining to support earned value measurement and reporting.
  • Execute project plan with attention to quality assurance, team development, information distribution, solicitation and source selection, and contract administration.
  • Integrate change control through scope verification; schedule, cost and quality controls; performance reporting; and, risk monitoring and control.
  • Tailor Microsoft Project and other software tools to highlight milestones and critical path line items and to create custom reporting that match the requirements of the project and client.
  • Schedule routine meetings with the client and subcontractors to review progress, provide statistical reporting and discuss the impact of variances and deviations from the overall plan.
  • Communicate with contractors, suppliers and consultants to ensure project is completed efficiently, on schedule and within budget.
  • Perform contract closeout and administrative closure.
  • Members of the Louisiana Engineering Society (LES), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and Louisiana Society of Professional Engineers. For a complete list of all affiliations and certifications click here.
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