complement the software application, resulting in a full-feature telephone
set. Software on PCs allows for onscreen dialing and access to a user’s
contact lists.
Unlike conventional TDM telephones VoIP telephone instruments are
really network appliances. A VoIP telephone with an LCD display allows
users to browse the Internet or access an organization’s network, including
applications and databases. With the use of XML, the VoIP system can pro-
vide the user with access to many applications such as news, stock market
reports, and weather and telephone listings. The applications on the VoIP tele-
phone can be tailored to building use. For example, in a hotel the VoIP tele-
phone may allow a guest to order room service or check out or it may
provide for hotel housekeeping or engineering staff to enter or access data.
More critical to a smart building is the VoIP’s capability to integrate into
building systems such as HVAC, lighting control, access control, and video
surveillance cameras. This allows users control of their environment by setting
temperatures, lighting schedules, lighting levels, opening and closing window
blinds.
It is clear that VoIP will be the dominant future technology used in tele-
phone systems. With telephone systems mimicking and riding on data net-
works and utilizing similar standard cabling infrastructure and dominant
network protocols, they can easily be integrated and converged into other
smart building systems.
Distributed Antenna System
Understanding wireless communication systems in buildings can be confusing
as there is a range of different systems and applications and radio frequencies
for the systems. In addition, an established business model for systems deploy-
ment or a clear contractual model for providing certain wireless services does
not exist. Buildings may need cellular coverage, a Wi-Fi system, extended wire-
less public safety communications, radio frequency identification (RFID) sys-
tems, paging and other wireless devices. For building owners, in-building
wireless systems can have several benefits: greater tenant and user satisfaction,
fewer facility operational problems, increased public safety capabilities and
improved tenant amenities.
Among the wireless services cellular service has become the most important
in buildings because of high penetration of cell phone usage in the population,
reliance by many on the cell phone as a primary phone, and the added impor-
tance of receiving and transmitting email and text. Some cell carriers
report that around 60% of the telephone calls have some “indoor component.”
Voice Networks and Distributed Antenna Systems 117