01
Access the source
The near-end unit receives an available 5G signal from a macro site or indoor source.
Active RIS Solution for 5G Coverage Enhancement
Active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface for 5G Networks
RFCOM Active RIS is designed for sites that have a usable donor signal but cannot reach the target area reliably because of distance, obstruction or installation limits. The system combines wireless donor access, an active relay path and digitally controlled beam shaping in a field-deployable architecture.
A targeted alternative when conventional site expansion is difficult
5G coverage gaps often appear where building penetration loss is high, the target area is far from existing infrastructure, or fiber and property coordination make a conventional RRU deployment slow and expensive.
- Uses available macro or indoor source signal through the air interface.
- Shapes horizontal and vertical beams toward the required coverage area.
- Uses an active relay path for blind-spot filling and targeted extension coverage.
- Can be evaluated in point-to-point, star, cascade or distributed architectures.
- Reduces target-area fiber work in suitable deployment scenarios.
How the RFCOM Active RIS system works
The solution forms a controlled wireless relay chain from the existing 5G source to the target coverage area.
02
Measure and align
Engineers verify donor quality and align the receiving direction for the actual site condition.
03
Shape and amplify
Phase, amplitude and active gain are controlled to form a directional relay path.
04
Cover the target area
The remote unit directs the relayed signal toward the building, route or outdoor service zone.
Deployment architecture follows the site
There is no single RIS layout for every project. Donor quality, isolation, path profile, power, mounting locations and target service levels determine the practical architecture.
Point-to-point extension
A near-end and remote unit form a controlled relay path toward one defined blind spot or service area.
Star or distributed coverage
Multiple target points may be considered when the selected product version, link budget and site geometry support the design.
Cascaded linear coverage
Roads, bridges, tunnels and other long routes may use staged relay points after delay, isolation and synchronization are verified.
Where Active RIS can be applied
Active RIS is useful when a usable donor signal exists but terrain, building layout, distance or construction restrictions prevent reliable service in the target area.
Buildings and indoor blind spots
Direct coverage toward blocked floors, dormitories, venues and other difficult indoor areas.
Farms, parks and low-density areas
Extend service toward scattered demand zones without building a complete target-area site.
Roads, bridges and linear routes
Use directional or cascade relay architecture for coverage along constrained linear environments.
Active RIS compared with conventional expansion
The correct architecture depends on signal conditions, capacity requirements, spectrum, site geometry and long-term operating needs. Active RIS is an additional engineering option, not a universal replacement for DAS, small cells or new radio sites.
| Decision factor | Conventional RRU expansion | RFCOM Active RIS |
|---|---|---|
| Signal transport | Typically requires transmission and power at the new radio location. | Uses an available wireless source signal and an active relay path. |
| Target-area construction | May require fiber, equipment room, property access and civil work. | Designed to reduce target-area construction in suitable scenarios. |
| Coverage direction | Determined by radio and antenna installation. | Digitally controlled horizontal and vertical beam shaping. |
| Best fit | High-capacity or permanent sites where full infrastructure is justified. | Blind spots, coverage edges, temporary sites and difficult construction areas. |
Active RIS Solution Questions & Answers
Practical answers for operators, neutral hosts, integrators and coverage consultants evaluating an Active RIS deployment.
What is an Active RIS solution?
An Active Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface combines controllable electromagnetic elements with active relay gain. It receives an available source signal, controls the relay direction and delivers coverage toward a selected target area.
How is Active RIS different from passive RIS?
Passive RIS mainly redirects incident radio energy and depends strongly on source strength and geometry. Active RIS adds an active relay function that can improve the available link budget. Donor quality, isolation and the complete RF design still determine whether a site is suitable.
Does Active RIS require fiber at the target coverage area?
In suitable scenarios, the radio signal is accessed through the air interface, so a new target-area fiber connection may not be required. Power, mounting, source quality and local installation conditions must still be evaluated.
Which frequency bands can RFCOM support?
Band support is product- and market-specific. RFCOM reviews the operator band, bandwidth, duplex mode, synchronization requirements and local certification needs before recommending a configuration.
Can one source serve multiple target areas?
Depending on the product version, link budget and site geometry, star, cascade or distributed layouts may be considered. The number of remote points and relay stages must be confirmed during RF design.
Where is Active RIS most useful?
Typical candidates include building blind spots, dormitories, venues, farms, parks, villages, roads, bridges, industrial areas and temporary sites where conventional construction is slow or difficult.
Is Active RIS a replacement for DAS or small cells?
No single architecture is suitable for every project. DAS and small cells remain appropriate where indoor capacity, multi-operator support or dense traffic requirements justify them. Active RIS provides another option for targeted coverage enhancement and extension.
What information is needed for an Active RIS project evaluation?
RFCOM needs the operator band, source-cell information, measured RSRP and SINR, target-area dimensions, distance, path profile, mounting locations, power availability, required coverage level and any capacity or multi-operator requirements.
Evaluate an Active RIS deployment
Share the source-signal measurements, target-area map, distance, frequency band and expected coverage level. RFCOM can review whether Active RIS, DAS, a repeater or another architecture is the better fit.
