Terminal device and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a mechanism for realizing measurement that eliminates the shielding effect of shielding objects. A terminal device includes: one or more antenna modules; and a control unit that controls a process for changing the receivable direction of the antenna module while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module for measurement caused by the shielding object, and a process for measuring downlink communication quality according to the change of the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal device and a method. Background Art

[0002] The wireless communication environment in recent years faces the problem of exponential growth of data services. Therefore, attempts have been made to disperse services and effectively utilize wireless resources by providing a large number of small cells within a macro cell to obtain a higher network density. The technology of utilizing small cells in this way is called small cell enhancement. Note that a small cell is a concept that may include various types of cells (e.g., femtocells, nanocells, picocells, and microcells) that are smaller than a macro cell and are arranged at a position overlapping with a macro cell.

[0003] In addition, as one of the wireless resource expansion measures, research has been conducted to achieve large-capacity communications such as 10 to 20Gbps for 5G by adopting broadband transmission using a higher frequency band than that of 4G (LTE: Long Term Evolution). However, the propagation attenuation of radio waves increases in higher frequency bands. Therefore, the coverage (communicable area) of the base station is narrower than that using a low frequency band. Moreover, the straightness of radio waves increases in high frequency bands. Therefore, due to the shielding of shielding objects such as buildings, people and vehicles, the transmitting and receiving devices are placed in an over-the-horizon state. In this case, the communication quality (i.e., the radio wave propagation environment) may be greatly deteriorated. Therefore, it is assumed that a combination of low frequency bands and high frequency bands is used to achieve extremely high throughput within the coverage of the high frequency band while ensuring a wide coverage of the low frequency band. Note that it is desirable to use a high frequency band with a narrow coverage in a small cell smaller than a macro cell.

[0004] The use of beams (or beam patterns) to eliminate the magnitude of propagation attenuation of radio waves in high-frequency bands has also been studied. In order to select the best beam to be used in communication, beam scanning can be adopted, which uses multiple available beams to send or receive measurement signals (known signals). The beam formed by the transmitting side is also called a transmit beam, and the beam formed by the receiving side is also called a receive beam. The best transmit beam is selected based on the measurement results of the measurement signal sent from the transmitting side along with the beam scanning. This process is also called transmit beam scanning. In addition, the best receive beam is selected based on the measurement results obtained when the measurement signal is received by the receiving side along with the beam scanning. This process is also called receive beam scanning. PTL 1 listed below discloses a technology associated with receive beam scanning, that is, a technology for sequentially setting the antenna directivity in all directions in the horizontal plane of the portable terminal to measure the reception level in each direction.

[0005] Citation List

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] PTL 1

[0008] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-135198 Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] However, for example, the technology described in the above-mentioned PTL 1 does not take into account the point that the user's body can become an obstruction. The propagation attenuation of radio waves increases particularly in the high-frequency band. In this case, the measurement result in the case where there is an obstruction between the base station and the terminal device will be greatly different from the measurement result in the case where there is no obstruction between them.

[0011] Thus, the present disclosure provides a mechanism for achieving a measure of the obstruction effect of obstructions being eliminated.

[0012] Solutions to the problem

[0013] According to the present disclosure, a terminal device is provided, comprising: one or more antenna modules; and a control unit, which controls a process for changing the receivable direction of the antenna module while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module for measurement caused by an obstruction, and a process for measuring the downlink communication quality according to the change in the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a terminal device including one or more antenna modules. The method includes: controlling a process for changing a receivable direction of the antenna module while fixing a shielding state of the antenna module for measurement caused by a shielding object, and a process for measuring downlink communication quality according to a change in the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Figure 2 It is a diagram for explaining the outline of the proposed technology.

[0017] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of arrangement of antenna modules in the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 : is a diagram for explaining an example of first instruction information displayed by the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0020] Figure 6 : is a diagram showing an example of a measurement result display screen displayed in the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0021] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a measurement process performed by the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of second instruction information displayed by the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0023] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of second instruction information displayed by the terminal device according to the present embodiment.

[0024] Fig.10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that constituent elements having substantially the same functional configuration in the present specification and the drawings are given the same reference numerals to omit repeated descriptions.

[0026] In addition, in some cases, elements having substantially the same functional configuration in this specification and the drawings are distinguished by adding different alphabetical characters at the end of the same reference numerals. For example, multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished from each other as needed, such as terminal devices 200A, 200B, and 200C. However, in the case where it is not particularly necessary to distinguish between multiple elements having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same number is given. For example, in the case where it is not necessary to particularly distinguish between terminal devices 200A, 200B, and 200C, these are simply referred to as terminal devices 200.

[0027] Note that the description will be given in the following order.

[0028] 1. Introduction

[0029] 1.1 System Configuration Example

[0030] 1.2 Overview of the proposed technique

[0031] 2. Configuration Example

[0032] 2.1 Function Configuration Example

[0033] 2.2. Layout of antenna modules

[0034] 3. Technical features

[0035] 3.1 Frequency Band

[0036] 3.2 Measurement Processing

[0037] 3.3 User support processing

[0038] 4. Modifications

[0039] 4.1. First Modification

[0040] 4.2. Second Modification

[0041] 5. Hardware Configuration Example

[0042] 6. Summary

[0043] <<1. Introduction>>

[0044] <1.1、System Configuration Example>

[0045] Figure 1 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown in , the system 1 according to the present embodiment includes base stations 100 ( 100A to 100C) and terminal devices 200 ( 200A to 200C).

[0046] Each base station 100 is a communication device that operates a cell 10 (one of 10A to 10C) and provides wireless services for one or more terminal devices 200 located in the cell 10. For example, the base station 100A provides wireless services for the terminal device 200A, the base station 100B provides wireless services for the terminal device 200B, and the base station 100C provides wireless services for the terminal device 200C. For example, each cell 10 can operate in accordance with any wireless communication system such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (Advanced LTE), and 5G. In addition, it is assumed that 5G includes NR (New Radio), NRAT (New Radio Access Technology), and FEUTRA (Further Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access).

[0047] The base station 100A is a macrocell base station that operates a macrocell 10A. The macrocell base station 100A is connected to a core network 20. The core network 20 is connected to a packet data network (PDN) 30 via a gateway device (not shown).

[0048] The base stations 100B and 100C are small cell base stations that operate the small cells 10B and 10C, respectively. The small cell base stations 100B and 100C are connected to the macro cell base station 100A.

[0049] For example, the core network 20 may include an MME (Mobility Management Entity), an S-GW (Serving Gateway), a P-GW (PDN Gateway), a PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function), and an HSS (Home Subscriber Server). Alternatively, the core network 20 may include a 5G entity having functions similar to these functions. The MME is a control node that processes signals of the control plane, and manages the mobility status of the terminal device. The S-GW is a control node that processes signals of the user plane, and serves as a gateway device that switches the transmission path of user data. The P-GW is a control node that processes signals of the user plane, and serves as a gateway device that becomes a connection point between the core network 20 and the PDN 30. The PCRF is a control node that controls policies and costs for QoS (Quality of Service) and the like used for bearer. The HSS is a control node that processes subscriber data and controls services.

[0050] Each terminal device 200 is a communication device that wirelessly communicates with the base station 100 under the control of the base station 100. Each terminal device 200 may be a so-called user terminal (user equipment UE). For example, each terminal device 200 transmits an uplink signal to the base station 100 and receives a downlink signal from the base station 100.

[0051] Note that in the case where there is no need to distinguish between these base stations, the macro cell base station 100 and the small cell base station 100 are hereinafter collectively referred to as a base station 100 .

[0052] <1.2. Overview of Proposed Technology>

[0053] Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the proposed technology. Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , a user holding a terminal device 200 walks between base stations 100A and 100B. Base stations 100A and 100B transmit transmission beams 11A and 11B to the terminal device 200, respectively.

[0054] exist Figure 2 In the case depicted in the left part of , the user points the terminal device 200 toward the base station 100B, and turns his or her back toward the base station 100A. Therefore, the transmission beam 11B is received and is not shielded, while the transmission beam 11A is shielded by the user's body. Figure 2 The right part depicts the Figure 2 The left part shows the case where the user turns 180 degrees. Figure 2In the case shown in the right part, the user points the terminal device 200 toward the base station 100A and turns his or her back toward the base station 100B. Therefore, the transmission beam 11A is received and not blocked, while the transmission beam 11B is blocked by the user's body. In this way, the blocking state of the transmission beam 11 is changed only by the user's turning around without shifting. As a result, the communication quality changes.

[0055] In the case where the user changes the way of holding the terminal device 200, the shielding state of the transmission beam 11 can be similarly changed. For example, in the case where the way of holding the terminal device 200 is changed from covering the antenna module to holding a part away from the antenna module, the shielding state of the transmission beam 11 changes. As a result, the communication quality changes.

[0056] In this way, the communication quality changes according to the shielding state of the transmission beam 11. Therefore, it is difficult to eliminate the shielding influence caused by the shielding object and to achieve accurate measurement simply by switching the antenna module to be used or switching the transmission beam 11.

[0057] Although the transmit beam has been described above, similar situations also apply to the receive beam. In either the transmit beam measurement or the receive beam measurement, it is desirable to implement measurement eliminating the shadowing effect caused by the shadowing object as described above and select the best beam.

[0058] Therefore, according to the proposed technology, the terminal device 200 changes the direction of the terminal device 200 while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module caused by the shielding object, and realizes measurement according to the change of the direction of the terminal device 200. For example, the terminal device 200 instructs the user to turn around at the same place while fixing the shielding state of the terminal device 200 caused by the user (for example, the way of holding the terminal device 200 with the hand, the positional relationship between the body and the terminal device 200, etc.). At this time, the terminal device 200 changes the direction of the terminal device 200 while fixing the state in which the antenna module is not shielded by the shielding object. Then, each time the direction of the terminal device 200 changes as the user turns, the terminal device 200 measures the communication quality by performing a receiving beam scan. In this way, the terminal device 200 is able to measure the communication quality of the transmission beams arriving in various directions and the receiving beams traveling in various directions in a state where the influence of the shielding object is eliminated.

[0059] In addition, according to the proposed technology, the terminal device 200 compares the communication quality in various directions in a state where the influence of the shielding object is eliminated, and instructs the user to set the terminal device 200 in the direction where the best communication quality is obtained. By setting the terminal device 200 in the direction where the best communication quality is obtained according to the instruction, the user can establish communication with the best communication quality of the terminal device 200 at the current location.

[0060] In addition, according to the proposed technology, the terminal device 200 can compare the communication quality at various positions, and instruct the user to adopt a combination of a position and a direction that obtains the best communication quality. By moving and setting the terminal device 200 to a direction corresponding to the instruction, the user can establish communication with the best communication quality of the terminal device 200 near the current position. In addition, according to the proposed technology, the terminal device 200 can compare the communication quality at various positions, and instruct the user to adopt a combination of a position and a direction that obtains the best communication quality, as well as a way to hold the terminal device 200 by hand.

[0061] <<2. Configuration Example>>

[0062] <2.1、Function Configuration Example>

[0063] Reference will be made later Figure 3 An example of the configuration of the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment is described. Figure 3 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Figure 3 The terminal device 200 includes an antenna module 210, a wireless communication unit 220, a sensor unit 230, an output unit 240, a storage unit 250 and a control unit 260.

[0064] -Antenna module 210

[0065] Each antenna module 210 transmits the signal output from the wireless communication unit 220 as a radio wave into the space. In addition, each antenna module 210 converts the radio wave existing in the space into a signal and outputs the signal to the wireless communication unit 220.

[0066] Each antenna module 210 constitutes an array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., a plurality of antenna elements constituting a MIMO antenna). In addition to the antenna elements, each antenna module may include an antenna switch that switches the connection destination of each antenna element between a plurality of circuits (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication systems, or a transmission circuit or a reception circuit) included in the wireless communication unit 220. Furthermore, each antenna module 210 may include various devices accompanying the antenna elements.

[0067] - Wireless communication unit 220

[0068] The wireless communication unit 220 transmits and receives signals. For example, the wireless communication unit 220 receives a downlink signal from a base station and transmits an uplink signal to the base station.

[0069] -Sensor unit 230

[0070] The sensor unit 230 detects various types of information associated with the terminal device 200 .

[0071] The sensor unit 230 has a function as a posture information acquisition unit that acquires posture information associated with the terminal device 200. For example, the posture information acquisition unit calculates and acquires posture information representing the posture of the terminal device 200 based on the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor, the angular velocity detected by the gyro sensor, and the geomagnetism detected by the magnetic field sensor.

[0072] The sensor unit 230 has a function as a position information acquisition unit, which acquires position information associated with the terminal device 200. For example, the position information acquisition unit receives a GNSS signal (e.g., a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite) from a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) satellite, detects position information consisting of the longitude and latitude of the device, and outputs the detected position information. Note that the position information acquisition unit may detect the position information using any other technology. For example, the position information acquisition unit may detect the position information by sending and receiving with Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a cellular phone, a PHS, a smart phone, etc., or detect the position information by near field communication, etc. In addition, the position information associated with the terminal device 200 may include the height of the terminal device 200. For example, the height of the terminal device 200 is acquired based on the atmospheric pressure detected by the atmospheric pressure sensor. Therefore, the position information is a concept that includes not only the position in the horizontal direction but also the position in the height direction.

[0073] - Output unit 240

[0074] The output unit 240 outputs information to the user. For example, the output unit 240 includes a display device such as a display, a light emitting device such as an LED (light emitting diode), a sound output device such as a speaker, or a vibration device such as an eccentric motor. In addition, the output unit 240 outputs an image (still image or moving image), light, sound, or vibration.

[0075] - Storage unit 250

[0076] The storage unit 250 temporarily or permanently stores programs used for operations of the terminal device 200 and various types of data.

[0077] -Control unit 260

[0078] The control unit 260 functions as an arithmetic processor and a controller, and controls the overall operation within the terminal device 200 under various programs. For example, the control unit 260 is implemented in the form of an electronic circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a microprocessor. Note that the control unit 260 may include a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs to be used, calculation parameters, etc., and a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores parameters that are variable when appropriate.

[0079] The control unit 260 includes a measurement control unit 261 and a user support unit 263. The measurement control unit 261 has a function for controlling the overall processing associated with the measurement of the communication quality of the downlink communication accompanying the reception beam scanning. The user support unit 263 has a function for controlling the processing for communication quality improvement based on the measurement result obtained by the measurement control unit 261. The operation details of these constituent elements will be described in detail below.

[0080] Note that the control unit 260 may further include constituent elements other than the above constituent elements. Therefore, the control unit 260 may perform operations other than the operations of the above constituent elements. For example, the control unit 260 causes the wireless communication unit 220 to send and receive information to and from other devices, causes the sensor unit 230 to detect information, and causes the output unit 240 to output information.

[0081] <2.2. Layout of antenna modules>

[0082] A receivable direction is defined according to the arrangement of antenna elements for each antenna module 210. In other words, a formable reception beam direction is defined for each antenna module 210.

[0083] The terminal device 200 has one or more antenna modules 210. Therefore, the terminal device 200 has one or more receivable directions. It is preferred to arrange multiple antenna modules 210 at different positions and in different directions in the terminal device 200 so as to receive radio waves coming from a large number of different directions. Figure 4 An example of arrangement of the antenna module 210 in the terminal device 200 is described.

[0084] Figure 4 2 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the antenna module 210 in the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Figure 4As shown in , it is assumed that the display plane of the display 241 of the terminal device 200 corresponds to the XY plane, the long side direction of the display 241 corresponds to the Y axis, and the short side direction of the display 241 corresponds to the X axis. It is further assumed that the axis perpendicular to the display 241 corresponds to the Z axis, the front surface side (i.e., the front side) of the display 241 corresponds to the positive direction of the Z axis, and the rear surface side (i.e., the rear side) of the display 241 corresponds to the negative direction of the Z axis. The different postures of the terminal device 200 are Figure 4 The left and right parts of Figure 4 In the left part, the positive direction of the X axis is toward the east, the positive direction of the Y axis is toward the north, and the negative direction of the Z axis is toward the vertical direction. Figure 4 In the right part, the positive direction of the X axis is toward the east, the negative direction of the Y axis is toward the vertical direction, and the positive direction of the Z axis is toward the south.

[0085] according to Figure 4 In the example depicted in FIG. 2 , six antenna modules 210 (210A to 210F) are arranged at different positions of the terminal device 200. Each of the six antenna modules 210 is capable of forming three receiving beams 12 in directions different for each beam, and has a receivable direction 13 in a direction (i.e., orientation) different for each antenna module. The receivable direction 13 of each antenna module 210 is a direction covered by a plurality of formable receiving beams.

[0086] Specifically, Figure 4 As shown in the left part of FIG, the antenna module 210A is provided at the end of the terminal device 200 in the positive direction of the Y axis. In addition, the antenna module 210A is capable of forming three receiving beams 12A in different directions for each beam on the XY plane on the positive side of the Y axis. The receivable direction 13A of the antenna module 210A is the direction covered by the receiving beam 12A, and Figure 4 In the example shown, the antenna module 210B has a width extending from east to west around the north direction. The antenna module 210B is arranged at the end of the terminal device 200 in the positive direction of the X-axis, and is capable of forming three receiving beams 12B in different directions for each beam on the XY plane on the positive side of the X-axis. The receivable direction 13B of the antenna module 210B has a width extending from south to north around the east direction. The antenna module 210C is arranged at the end of the terminal device 200 in the negative direction of the Y-axis, and is capable of forming three receiving beams 12C in different directions for each beam on the XY plane on the negative side of the Y-axis. The receivable direction 13C of the antenna module 210C has a width extending from east to west around the south direction. The antenna module 210D is arranged at the end of the terminal device 200 in the negative direction of the X-axis, and is capable of forming three receiving beams 12D in different directions for each beam on the XY plane on the negative side of the X-axis. The receivable direction 13D of the antenna module 210D has a width extending from south to north around the west direction.

[0087] As in Figure 4 As shown in the right part of , the antenna module 210E is arranged at the end of the terminal device 200 in the positive direction of the Y axis, and is capable of forming three receiving beams 12E in different directions for each beam on the XZ plane on the negative side of the Z axis. The receivable direction 13E of the antenna module 210E has a width extending from east to west around the north direction. The antenna module 210F is arranged at the end of the terminal device 200 in the negative direction of the Y axis, and is capable of forming three receiving beams 12F in different directions for each beam on the XY plane on the positive side of the Z axis. The receivable direction 13F of the antenna module 210F has a width extending from east to west around the south direction.

[0088] In the case of a smartphone, it is assumed that beams can be formed in six plane directions (positive and negative directions on each axis), as shown in FIG. Figure 4 Typically, the terminal device 200 measures the downlink measurement signal while switching a total of 18 beams (ie, the reception beams 12A to 12F), and selects a combination of the antenna module 210 and the reception beam 12 that produces the best communication quality.

[0089] In addition, in this specification, the action of setting the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 to a predetermined direction refers to the action of setting the center direction of the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 to the predetermined direction.

[0090] <<3. Technical Features>>

[0091] <3.1. Frequency band>

[0092] According to the present embodiment, the frequency bands are classified into a first frequency band and a second frequency band.

[0093] The first frequency band is a frequency band higher than a predetermined frequency. The second frequency band is a frequency band lower than a predetermined frequency. For example, the predetermined frequency may be 6 GHz. In other words, the first frequency band may be a frequency band higher than 6 GHz, and the second frequency band may be a frequency band lower than 6 GHz.

[0094] In different examples, the first frequency band may be a millimeter wave band, and the second frequency band may be a microwave band. Note that the millimeter wave band is a band from 30 to 300 GHz, and the microwave band is a band from 300 MHz to 30 GHz. In another different example, the first frequency band may be 26 GHz (n258), 28 GHz (n257, n261), 3 9 GHz (n260) and Sub6 (n77-79), and the second frequency band may be UHF (ultra-high frequency). Note that UHF is a band from 300 MHz to 3 GHz. In yet another different example, the first frequency band may be SHF (ultra-high frequency) and EHF (extremely high frequency), and the second frequency band may be UHF. Note that SHF is a band from 3 to 30 GHz, and EHF is a band from 30 to 300 GHz.

[0095] The terminal device 200 measures the communication quality in the first frequency band, and communicates using the first frequency band based on the measurement result.

[0096] <3.2, Measurement Processing>

[0097] - Turning on / off the antenna module 210

[0098] The terminal device 200 (e.g., the measurement control unit 261) performs measurement in the turned-on state of the antenna module 210 used for measurement and in the turned-off state of the antenna module 210 not used for measurement. Therefore, the terminal device 200 performs reception beam scanning using only the antenna module 210 used for measurement. One or more of the antenna modules 210 can be used for measurement.

[0099] The terminal device 200 measures the communication quality in the first frequency band. For the measurement, for example, the terminal device 200 selects the antenna module 210 that communicates using the first frequency band as the antenna module 210 for measurement. In the case where one antenna module 210 is allowed to use both the first frequency band and the second frequency band, the terminal device 200 measures the communication quality in the first frequency band by turning on the corresponding antenna module 210.

[0100] Note that, unless otherwise specified, the following description will be given on the assumption that the antenna module 210A is an antenna module for measurement.

[0101] -Overview of the measurement process

[0102] The terminal device 200 (eg, the measurement control unit 261) controls the first process and the second process to measure the communication quality in a state where the influence of the shielding object is eliminated. The first process includes a process for implementing a posture change of the terminal device 200. The second process includes measurement accompanied by reception beam scanning.

[0103] -First treatment

[0104] The first process is a process of changing the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 used for measurement while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module 210 caused by the shielding object. Changing the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 used for measurement is equivalent to changing the direction (i.e., posture) of the terminal device 200. Preferably, the change of the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 is performed in a discrete manner, such as a change of every 30 degrees of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction. This approach attempts to reduce the load caused by the change. In addition, the change of the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 can be a change of 180 degrees in the vertical direction and a change of 360 degrees in the horizontal direction.

[0105] In the following description, the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 for measurement will also be referred to as a measurable direction. The measurable direction changes according to the posture of the terminal device 200 and the arrangement of the antenna module 210 in the terminal device 200. Therefore, the terminal device 200 recognizes the measurable direction based on the arrangement of the antenna module 210 for measurement and the posture information associated with the terminal device 200.

[0106] The shielding state of the antenna module 210 caused by the shielding object is also considered to be the relative positional relationship between the shielding object and the antenna module 210. For example, the shielding object is the body of the user of the terminal device 200. For example, the shielding state of the antenna module 210 caused by the shielding object is defined by the way of holding the terminal device 200 by hand. In the case where the terminal device 200 is kept in a state where the part where the antenna module 210 is provided is covered by the hand, the corresponding antenna module 210 is shielded by the user's hand. In a different example, the shielding state of the antenna module 210 caused by the shielding object is defined by the positional relationship between the user's body and the antenna module 210. In the case where the user's body is located in a measurable direction of the antenna module 210, the antenna module 210 is shielded by the user's body.

[0107] The terminal device 200 performs a process for changing the measurable direction while fixing the state in which the obstruction is not in the measurable direction. In one example, the state in which the obstruction is not in the measurable direction is a state in which a portion of the antenna module 210 used for measurement is not covered by the hand and is maintained. In another example, the state in which the obstruction is not in the measurable direction is a state in which the user's body is not in the measurable direction. Specifically, in the case where the antenna module 210A is used for measurement, the state in which the obstruction is not in the measurable direction is a state in which the end of the terminal device 200 in the negative direction of the Y-axis is held in front of the user's body and the XY plane of the terminal device 200 is aligned with the horizontal plane. This process realizes the measurement of communication quality in any direction in the second process in the state in which the obstruction is not in the measurable direction.

[0108] More specifically, the terminal device 200 outputs first instruction information from the output unit 240 for instructing the user to change the measurable direction while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module 210 for measurement. For example, the first instruction information includes information for giving instructions on a way to hold the terminal device 200, and information for giving instructions to change the measurable direction while fixing the holding way, i.e., instructions to change the direction of the terminal device 200. The user changes the measurable direction while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module 210 for measurement with reference to the first instruction information. For example, the user rotates the terminal device 200 in front of the user's body without changing the position of the terminal device 200 while holding the end of the terminal device 200 in the negative direction of the Y-axis and aligning the XY plane of the terminal device 200 with the horizontal plane. This rotation action changes the measurable direction. The first instruction information allows the user to effectively change the measurable direction. Figure 5 An example of the first instruction information is described.

[0109] Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of first instruction information displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 The measurement screens 40 ( 40A and 40B) shown in FIG. 4 are presented as an example of the first instruction information. Each measurement screen 40 is a screen for supporting measurement, and is displayed by the output unit 240 of the terminal device 200 .

[0110] like Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 4 , the measurement screen 40A includes a UI (user interface) element 41, which indicates a complete view of the terminal device 200 viewed from the positive side of the Z axis in the negative direction of the Z axis. In addition, the measurement screen 40A includes a UI element 42, which is information indicating the arrangement of the antenna module 210 in the terminal device 200. The UI element 42 is superimposed on the UI element 41, and indicates the position of the antenna module 210A in the complete view of the terminal device 200 viewed from the positive side of the Z axis. The measurement screen 40A may also include information indicating Figure 4 4. The UI element 42 allows the user to recognize the arrangement of the antenna modules 210 that are not visible from the outside.

[0111] The measurement screen 40A includes a UI element 43, which is information indicating the antenna module 210A used for measurement. The antenna module 210A used for measurement should be avoided from being shielded by a shield. Therefore, the UI element 43 includes a text describing that the antenna module 210A represented by the UI element 42 should be avoided from being shielded by a shield. The UI element 43 allows the user to easily recognize that the shielding of the antenna module 210A should be avoided. In this way, a measurement that eliminates the influence of the user's body can be achieved. In addition, for example, in the case where the terminal device 200 is composed of a plurality of openable and closable shells, the measurement screen 40A may include information for giving instructions for an open or closed state to be maintained during measurement. In this way, a measurement that eliminates the influence of the shell can be achieved. An example of information for giving instructions for a way to hold the terminal device 200 is presented as UI elements 41 to 43.

[0112] The measurement screen 40A includes UI elements 44 to 47, each of which constitutes information associated with a measurable direction. UI elements 44 to 47 are presented as examples of information for giving instructions for changing the direction of the terminal device 200. UI element 44 is information indicating a measurable direction. The direction of the acute angle of the triangle in the circle indicates the measurable direction. UI element 45 is an icon indicating a measurable direction. UI element 45 is set in the direction of the acute angle of the triangle in the circle of UI element 44. When the user performs a rotation action, the triangle in the circle of UI element 44 rotates by an amount equivalent to the rotation amount of the rotation action. According to the rotation, UI element 45 shifts to a position in front of the acute angle of the triangle. UI element 46 represents the north direction with "N". UI element 47 is information indicating the direction in which the measurable direction should be directed. The direction in which the measurable direction should be directed is a direction in which the measurable direction has not yet been set in the measurement target direction for measurement, wherein the measurement target direction is the direction (i.e., orientation) in which the measurable direction is to be set for measurement. In the case where the UI element 47 is located in the direction facing the UI element 44 , that is, in the case where there is alignment between the UI element 45 and the UI element 47 , this state corresponds to a state where the measurable direction is set in the unmeasured measurement target direction.

[0113] The measurement screen 40A may display a UI element 48 indicating throughput in a case where communication is established during measurement.

[0114] The user continues the rotation action with reference to the measurement screen 40A until the measurable direction becomes the unmeasured measurement target direction. The measurement screen 40B is a screen in a state where the measurable direction becomes the unmeasured measurement target direction. The measurement screen 40B includes UI elements similar to the measurement screen 40A. However, in the measurement screen 40B, the UI element 47 is located in the direction facing the UI element 44, and the UI element 45 and the UI element 47 are aligned with each other. Therefore, the measurable direction is set to the unmeasured measurement target direction.

[0115] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, although the measurable direction is represented by the direction of the acute angle of the triangle within the circle of the UI element 44, the mode for expressing the measurable direction is not limited to this example. For example, a rhombus can be set in a circle instead of a triangle to use the direction of the acute angle of the rhombus on one end side in the longitudinal direction to represent the measurable direction. In a more simplified form, a UI element such as a compass can be used to represent the measurable direction using the direction of the North Pole of the compass. In this case, the effect of affordance can be expected.

[0116] Additionally, UI element 46 is an optional element and need not be displayed.

[0117] In addition, the measurement screen 40A may further include a UI element representing the user's body as another example of information for giving instructions on the way to hold the terminal device 200. For example, a UI element representing the position of the user's body is set below the UI element 41, that is, on the side opposite to the UI element 42, and indicates that the user's body should be located on the side opposite to the antenna module 210A represented by the UI element 42. In this way, the user is able to hold the terminal device 200 without the antenna module 210A being shielded by the user's body.

[0118] In addition, the measurement screen 40A may further include a UI element indicating a position to be held by the user's hand as another example of information for giving instructions on the way to hold the terminal device 200. For example, the UI element indicating the position to be held by the user's hand is set below the UI element 41, that is, on the side opposite to the UI element 42, indicating that the user should hold the end of the terminal device 200 with the hand on the side opposite to the antenna module 210A indicated by the UI element 42. In this way, the user can hold the terminal device 200 without the antenna module 210A being shielded by the user's hand.

[0119] In addition, the first instruction information may be output as a bright color or blinking pattern output from the light emitting device, a vibration pattern output from the vibration device, or the like, as well as the display of the measurement screen 40. In addition, Figure 5The measurement screen 40 shown in FIG. 4 may be output from an external display device connected to the terminal apparatus 200 in a wired or wireless manner.

[0120] - Second treatment

[0121] The second process is a process for measuring the downlink communication quality according to the change of the measurable direction. Specifically, when the measurable direction is changed by the first process, the terminal device 200 performs reception beam scanning and measures the communication quality of each reception beam.

[0122] The terminal device 200 performs reception beam scanning in a state where the measurable direction is set to the unmeasured measurement target direction, and measures the communication quality of each reception beam in the measurable direction. At this time, the terminal device 200 uses the antenna module 210 in the turned-on state to measure the communication quality in the first frequency band.

[0123] For example, the measured communication quality is RSRP (reference signal received power), RSRQ (reference signal received quality), RSSI (received signal strength indication), S / N, CSI (channel state information), CQI (channel quality indication), etc.

[0124] The terminal device 200 can measure the SSB (SS (Synchronization Signal) / PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) block) as a target. Note that the SSB is a block consisting of the PSS (Primary Synchronization Signal), SSS (Secondary Synchronization Signal) and PBCH. The base station 100 performs transmit beam scanning using a different beam for each SSB. The SSB can be specified by the TCI state (Transmission Configuration Indication State) or SRS-SpatialRelationInfo (Sounding Reference Signal-SpatialRelationInfo).

[0125] The terminal device 200 can measure the CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal) as a target. Note that the CSI-RS is a measurement signal for a transmission beam or a reception beam of the terminal device 200.

[0126] The measurement period can be set according to the ssb-periodicityServingCell (the transmission interval of the SSB set) or the periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS transmission period. Note that the measurement period can be set according to the subcarrier spacing or the frequency band. For example, as the subcarrier spacing becomes longer, the measurement period of each antenna module 210 can be made shorter. Moreover, as the frequency band becomes higher, the measurement period of each antenna module 210 can be made shorter.

[0127] The terminal device 200 stores a combination of information indicating a measurement result (hereinafter referred to as measurement result information) and information indicating a measurement environment (hereinafter referred to as measurement environment information) in a storage unit. The storage unit here may be the storage unit 250 of the terminal device 200, or may be a storage unit provided in an external device such as a server on the cloud.

[0128] The measurement result information includes information representing the communication quality of each receiving beam obtained as a result of the receiving beam scanning. For example, the measurement result information includes information representing identification information associated with the receiving beam and information representing the communication quality of the corresponding receiving beam associated with each other for each receiving beam. In addition, the measurement result information includes information representing a measurable direction during the measurement. Specifically, the measurement result information includes a combination of information representing a measurable direction during the measurement and information representing the communication quality for each receiving beam. Based on the measurement result information, it can be determined in which direction the antenna module 210 is to be set to obtain appropriate communication quality, that is, to select a receiving beam that produces the best (or stable) communication quality.

[0129] The measurement environment information may include location information associated with the terminal device 200 at the time of measurement. With reference to this information, it may be determined at which position and direction the antenna module 210 is to be set to obtain appropriate communication quality.

[0130] The measurement environment information may include configuration information associated with the terminal device 200. The configuration information associated with the terminal device 200 may include the product model and serial number of the terminal device 200, the model of the antenna module 210, the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) and the MAC address. Note that the measurement environment information may include only the IMEI, the MAC address and the serial number. Other items of the configuration information may be identified based on the IMEI, the MAC address and the serial number and with reference to the database. In addition, the model of the antenna module 210 may be identified based on information indicating the product model of the terminal device 200 and the arrangement of the antenna module 210. For example, the arrangement of the antenna module 210 may be identified based on at least identification information associated with a receiving beam for data communication or identification information associated with a transmitting beam. In addition, the configuration information associated with the terminal device 200 may include information indicating the type of the terminal device 200. For example, the type of the terminal device 200 may be a device type such as "mobile device", "fixed device", "smartphone" and "drone", or a use case type such as "high-speed mobile" and "low-speed mobile". The type of the terminal device 200 may be identified based on configuration information such as a product model and a serial number associated with the terminal device 200. Referring to the configuration information of the terminal device 200 allows measurement results obtained from a different terminal device 200 having configuration information that is the same as or similar to the configuration information of the terminal device 200 to be used in the user support process described below.

[0131] The measurement environment information may include identification information associated with the antenna module 210 used for measurement. With reference to this information, it may be determined in which direction the antenna module 210 is to be set to obtain appropriate communication quality.

[0132] - Details of the measurement process combining the first process and the second process

[0133] The terminal device 200 performs the first process and the second process alternately. Specifically, the terminal device 200 performs measurement every time the measurable direction changes. In this way, when the measurable direction is set in each measurement target direction, a combination of measurement result information and measurement environment information is accumulated.

[0134] The terminal device 200 may appropriately output information indicating the progress of the measurement. Figure 6 Describes an example of information representing measurement progress.

[0135] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a measurement result display screen displayed in the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Figure 6 The measurement result display screen 50 shown in FIG. 1 is an example of information indicating the progress of measurement. Figure 6As shown in , the measurement result display screen 50 includes a UI element 51, which represents a complete view when the terminal device 200 is viewed from the positive side of the Z axis. In addition, the measurement result display screen 50 includes UI elements 52 each representing the measurement target direction and UI elements 53 each representing the measurement result. A plurality of UI elements 52 are arranged radially around the terminal device 200. The direction of each radial line represents the measurement target direction. Each UI element 53 is composed of 0 to 4 bars, each bar representing the communication quality level. The larger the number of bars, the higher the communication quality. The UI element 53 representing the measurement result is superimposed on the UI element 52, which corresponds to the measured measurement target direction in which the measurement has been completed. Specifically, the UI element 52 on which the UI element 53 is superimposed represents the measured measurement target direction, and the UI element 52 on which the UI element 53 is not superimposed represents the unmeasured measurement target direction. Note that a dead spot can be displayed to represent the measurement target direction in which the communication quality (radio wave strength) required for communication as the measurement result is not obtained. The user can easily recognize the communication quality in each direction with reference to the measurement result display screen 50 , and can also easily recognize the measurement target direction that has been measured or not measured.

[0136] -Processing Flow

[0137] Figure 7 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a measurement process performed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Figure 7 As shown, the terminal device 200 initially displays information indicating the arrangement of the antenna module 210 for measurement (step S102). Figure 5 The UI elements 41 and 42 in the measurement screen 40 are described. Subsequently, the terminal device 200 turns off the antenna module 210 not used for measurement, and turns on the antenna module 210 used for measurement (step S104). For example, the terminal device 200 turns on only the antenna module 210A, and turns off the other antenna modules 210. Subsequently, the terminal device 200 determines whether there is an unmeasured measurement target direction (step S106).

[0138] In the case where there is an unmeasured measurement target direction (step S106: Yes), the terminal device 200 selects one of the unmeasured measurement target directions as the direction to which the measurable direction is to be set, and displays information indicating the direction to which the measurable direction is to be set (step S108). Figure 5The UI element 47 in the measurement screen 40 described above. Subsequently, the terminal device 200 displays the change of the measurable direction according to the rotation action sequence of the user (step S110). Then, when the measurable direction is set in the direction to which the measurable direction is to be set, the terminal device 200 starts measuring (step S112). Next, the terminal device 200 stores the combination of the measurement result information and the measurement environment information in the storage unit (step S114). Thereafter, the process returns to step S106 again.

[0139] In a case where it is determined in step S106 that there is no unmeasured measurement target direction (step S106 : No), the process ends.

[0140] - Additional information

[0141] Note that the above example is a case where the antenna module used for measurement is one antenna module 210A. However, the present technology is not limited to this example, and a plurality of antenna modules 210 may be used for measurement. In this case, the measurement is performed in a state where the plurality of antenna modules 210 are turned on, or the measurement is performed while switching the antenna modules 210 in the turned-on state one by one.

[0142] <3.3、User Support Processing>

[0143] The terminal device 200 (e.g., the user support unit 263) identifies the direction to which the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 used in data communication is to be set based on the information stored in the storage unit. The information stored in the storage unit is a combination of the measurement result information and the measurement environment information. Note that in the case where a plurality of measurement result information associated with the same measurement environment information (e.g., position) is stored, the measurement result information may be subjected to statistical processing such as weighted averaging, which increases the weight as it approaches the average or the closest data. In addition, user support processing may be performed based on the measurement result information obtained by the statistical processing.

[0144] In the following description, the receivable direction 13 of the antenna module 210 used in data communication will also be referred to as a data-communicable direction. The data-communicable direction changes according to the posture of the terminal device 200 and the arrangement of the antenna module 210 in the terminal device 200. Therefore, the terminal device 200 recognizes the data-communicable direction based on the arrangement of the antenna module 210 used for communication and the posture information associated with the terminal device 200.

[0145] The direction to which the data communication direction is to be set is also referred to as a target direction hereinafter.

[0146] The target direction may be a direction of preferred communication quality indicated by the measurement result. For example, the terminal device 200 selects a combination of a measurable direction and a receiving beam that produces the best communication quality among the communication qualities of each receiving beam for each measurable direction, and identifies the measurable direction of the selected combination as the target direction. By setting the data communication direction as the target direction, data communication using the receiving beam with the best communication quality can be achieved. Therefore, the terminal device 200 is allowed to communicate with the best communication quality.

[0147] The target direction may be a direction in which the communication quality indicated by the measurement result varies little. For example, the terminal device 200 selects a combination of a measurable direction and a receiving beam that produces the least varying communication quality in the communication quality of each receiving beam for each measurable direction, and identifies the selected combined measurable direction as the target direction. Note that the change in communication quality is a change in communication quality over time, and may be caused by the influence of obstructions such as cars and people passing between the base station 100 and the terminal device 200. By setting the data communication direction in the target direction, data communication using a receiving beam that produces the least varying communication quality may be achieved. Therefore, the terminal device 200 is allowed to communicate with the most stable communication quality.

[0148] The terminal device 200 causes the output unit 240 to output the second instruction information, and the second instruction information includes information indicating the target direction. More specifically, the second instruction information includes information for instructing the user to change the data communication direction and set the data communication direction in the target direction. The user continues the rotation action until the data communication direction is changed to the target direction with reference to the second instruction information. With reference to the second instruction information, the data communication direction can be easily set in the target direction. Note that the terminal device 200 selects the receiving beam that produces the best communication quality or the communication quality with the smallest change as represented by the measurement result information, and uses the selected receiving beam to establish data communication when the data communication direction is set to the target direction. In addition, the terminal device 200 uses the transmission beam corresponding to the selected receiving beam (for example, a beam with the same directional pattern as the directional pattern of the selected receiving beam) to establish data communication. In this way, data communication can be achieved in an environment where the best communication quality or the communication quality with the smallest change is obtained.

[0149] For example, in the case of establishing data communication using the first frequency band, the second instruction information is output. For example, data communication using the first frequency band can be implemented in an application requiring high throughput. Figure 8 An example of the second instruction information is described.

[0150] like Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of second instruction information displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Figure 8 The state in which the terminal device 200 executes the video viewing application while being held by the user at the side is shown. The video viewing screen 60A includes a UI element 61 indicating the throughput and a UI element 62 instructing the user to change the data communication direction. Each UI element 61 and 62 is superimposed on the video. UI element 62 corresponds to the second instruction information. UI element 62 includes a right arrow ">" in the case of instructing a right rotation action, and includes a left arrow "<" in the case of instructing a left rotation action. The number of arrows indicates the amount of rotation required to reach the target direction. The video viewing screen 60B is a screen including UI elements similar to the UI elements in the video viewing screen 60A, and the video viewing screen 60B is displayed when the user performs a right rotation action according to the UI element 62, resulting in the data communication direction reaching the target direction. The UI element 62 in the video viewing screen 60B includes information "Complete" indicating that the direction has reached the target direction. In addition, because the data communication direction has reached the target direction, the throughput represented by the UI element 61 is increased from 150Mbps to 1Gbps.

[0151] Note that the second instruction information can be superimposed on a screen of, for example, an AR (augmented reality) or VR (virtual reality) application, rather than on a video viewing application. In addition, the second instruction information can be displayed as a single message, rather than superimposed on the application screen. In addition, information for instructing the user to change the direction of data communication can be represented, for example, by the color of the screen, rather than by an arrow such as represented by UI element 62. For example, in the case of a right rotation action instruction, the right end of the screen is displayed in red, and in the case of a left rotation action instruction, the left end of the screen is displayed in red. The amount of rotation required to reach the target direction can be displayed by the size of the red display area. In addition, the throughput represented by UI element 61 can be displayed only when the data communication direction has reached the target direction.

[0152] The target direction here is identified based on the measurement result information obtained for the common measurement environment information. For example, the target direction is identified based on the measurement result information obtained for the common position during the measurement. In other words, the target direction is identified for each position.

[0153] The second instruction information may include information for giving instructions for shifting to a position where the user will be located (hereinafter also referred to as a target position) during data communication. In this case, the target direction of the second instruction information is a direction for setting the data communicable direction at the target position. For example, the target position is a position included in a displaceable area of ​​the user, and has a target direction indicated by a measurement result as a direction for obtaining the best communication quality or the least variable communication quality. The user's displaceable area is located, for example, at a distance of several meters from the current position, and can be set to any area. The user shifts to the target position with reference to the second instruction information, and then sets the data communicable direction to the target direction. In this way, data communication with a more suitable communication quality than that produced by a simple rotation action at the current position can be achieved. Referring to the second instruction information Fig. 9 An example of the second instruction information including information for giving an instruction to shift to a target position is described.

[0154] Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of second instruction information displayed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 9 A state in which the second instruction information is superimposed on an image 70 captured as an image of a field of view in front of the user's eyes under an image viewing application is shown. UI element 71 is information indicating a target position. UI element 72 is information for instructing the user to move to the target position. Each of UI elements 71 and 72 corresponds to the second instruction information. UI element 73 is information indicating a target direction at the target position. UI element 74 is information indicating the current throughput. UI element 75 is information indicating a throughput obtained when the data communicable direction is set in the target direction at the target position.

[0155] Note that, in addition to the image viewing application, the second instruction information may be, for example, superimposed on the screen of the AR or VR application. In addition, the second instruction information may be displayed as a single piece of information instead of being superimposed on the application screen. In addition, the second instruction information may be presented in conjunction with Figure 5 The UI elements 44 to 47 shown or Figure 8 The UI element 62 is shown similarly, but the target direction is displayed using the UI element 73. In addition, the throughput represented by the UI elements 74 and 75 is displayed only when both the user moves to the target position and sets the data communicable direction in the target direction are achieved.

[0156] - Additional information

[0157] When the data communicable direction is set as the target direction, the terminal device 200 selects a reception beam that produces the best communication quality or the communication quality with the smallest variation as indicated by the measurement result information, and establishes data communication using the selected reception beam.

[0158] In addition, although the antenna module 210 for data communication and the antenna module 210 for measurement are generally composed of the same antenna module, these antenna modules may be composed of antenna modules different from each other. The terminal device 200 may switch the antenna module 210 to use the antenna module 210 for measurement also in data communication.

[0159] The second instruction information may include information for giving instructions on the shielding state of the antenna module 210 for data communication. The information for giving instructions on the shielding state of the antenna module 210 for data communication refers to information instructing the user not to shield the antenna module 210 for data communication, such as information for giving instructions on the way to hold the terminal device 200. Note that the information for giving instructions on the way to hold the terminal device 200 may be in the same manner as the reference Figure 5 The UI elements 41 to 43 described are similar in manner to represent information of the antenna module 210 for data communication. In different examples, the information for giving instructions on how to hold the terminal device 200 may include information for giving instructions on the position of the user's body and / or information for giving instructions on the position to be held by the user's hand. In this way, deterioration of communication quality due to shielding the antenna module 210 during data communication can be avoided.

[0160] The second instruction information can also be generated based on information stored in the storage unit and obtained from measurements of different terminal devices 200 (i.e., a combination of measurement result information and measurement environment information). Specifically, the target direction and target position can be identified based on information obtained by measurements using multiple terminal devices 200. For example, the measurement results obtained by different terminal devices 200 are applied to positions and directions that are not measured by the terminal device 200 itself to generate the second instruction information that will be output from the terminal device 200. Here, preferably, the different terminal devices 200 have configuration information that is the same as or similar to the configuration information of the terminal device 200. This is because, if the configuration information for each terminal device 200 is different, different measurement results will be obtained even from the same measurement environment. The application of the above-mentioned measurement results allows a more suitable target direction and target position to be identified.

[0161] For example, machine learning such as deep learning can be used to achieve recognition of the target direction and target position. For example, when a position is input, a model is generated by machine learning, which outputs the position and direction where the best communication quality is obtained and the throughput at the corresponding position and direction. By utilizing this model, even for unmeasured positions and directions, it is possible to estimate the measurement results and use the estimation results for user support.

[0162] The target direction may be identified by an external device such as a server on the cloud. In addition, the target direction may be identified in advance, and a combination of the target direction and the measurement environment information may be stored in a storage unit. For example, a 3D map containing the target direction for each position (each position in the horizontal direction and the height direction) may be created and provided to the terminal device 200. In addition, preferably, a 3D map provided to the terminal device 200 is created based on measurement results obtained by a different terminal device 200 having configuration information that is the same as or similar to the configuration information of the terminal device 200.

[0163] <<4. Modifications>>

[0164] <4.1. First Modification>

[0165] According to the above example, the terminal device 200 is a smart phone used by the user, and does not have a mechanism for changing the posture by itself. However, the present technology is not limited to this example. The terminal device 200 can be a device that can change the posture autonomously. Examples of this type of terminal device 200 include robots, drones, and self-driving cars.

[0166] In this case, instead of outputting the first instruction information to change the measurable direction, the terminal device 200 may control the posture of the terminal device 200. In this case, the terminal device 200 performs measurement while autonomously rotating.

[0167] Similarly, instead of outputting the second instruction information to change the data communication direction to the target direction, the terminal device 200 can control the posture of the terminal device 200. In addition, the terminal device 200 can be shifted to the target position. In this way, appropriate communication quality can be obtained autonomously.

[0168] <4.2. Second Modification>

[0169] Although the example has been described based on the assumption that an instruction of a rotation action is given to the user under the display of a measurement screen for measurement, the present disclosure is not limited to this example. Measurement can be performed during the execution of a common application. Specifically, the measurement process can be performed in the background without giving a rotation action instruction to the user. In this case, the terminal device 200 can perform the measurement without causing the user to consciously perform a rotation action.

[0170] In addition, for the direction in which measurement was not performed, the terminal device 200 stores a combination of information indicating that measurement was not performed and measurement environment information in the storage unit. This is because the direction may be left unmeasured when the measurement is performed in the background. In addition, even if the antenna module 210 used for measurement performs measurement in a shielded state, the terminal device 200 stores the information indicating that measurement was not performed and the measurement environment information associated with each other in the storage unit. This is necessary because, in the case of performing measurement in the background, the antenna module 210 used for measurement may be shielded by the user. In addition, the measurement result information obtained by measuring under such conditions is error information, and the shielding effect of the shielding object is not eliminated from the error information.

[0171] <<5. Hardware Configuration Example>>

[0172] Finally, refer to Fig.10 The hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is described. Fig.10 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device according to the present embodiment. Note that Fig.10 The information processing device 900 shown in FIG. Figure 3 The terminal device 200 shown in FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a terminal device 200. The information processing performed by the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment is realized by cooperative operation of the software and hardware described below.

[0173] like Fig.10 As shown in FIG. 9 , the information processing device 900 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 901, a ROM (read only memory) 902, a RAM (random access memory) 903, and a host bus 904a. The information processing device 900 also includes a bridge 904, an external bus 904b, an interface 905, an input device 906, an output device 907, a storage device 908, a drive 909, a connection port 911, and a communication device 913. The information processing device 900 may include circuits and processing circuits such as DSPs and ASICs instead of the CPU 901 or in addition to the CPU 901.

[0174] The CPU 901 functions as an arithmetic processor and a controller, and controls the overall operation within the information processing device 900 under various types of programs. In addition, the CPU 901 may be a microprocessor. The ROM 902 stores programs, calculation parameters, and the like used by the CPU 901. The RAM 903 temporarily stores programs for execution by the CPU 901 and parameters that are appropriately variable in the execution, and the like. For example, the CPU 901 may be configured Figure 3 A control unit 260 is shown.

[0175] The CPU 901, the ROM 902, and the RAM 903 are connected to each other via a host bus 904a including a CPU bus, etc. The host bus 904a is connected to an external bus 904b such as a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect / Interface) bus via a bridge 904. Note that the host bus 904a, the bridge 904, and the external bus 904b are not necessarily configured separately, but their functions may be mounted on one bus.

[0176] For example, the input device 906 is implemented by a device that can input information from a user, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, a button, a microphone, a switch, and a joystick. In addition, for example, the input device 906 may be a remote control device using infrared light or other radio waves, or may be an external connection device such as a cellular phone and a PDA that operates corresponding to the operation of the information processing device 900. In addition, for example, the input device 906 may include an input control circuit or the like that generates an input signal based on information input from the user using the above-mentioned input device, and outputs the generated input signal to the CPU 901. The user of the information processing device 900 is allowed to input various types of data to the information processing device 900, and to give instructions for processing operations to the information processing device 900 by operating the input device 906.

[0177] In addition, the input device 906 may be constituted by a device that detects information associated with the user. For example, the input device 906 may include various types of sensors, such as an image sensor (e.g., a camera), a depth sensor (e.g., a stereo camera), an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic field sensor, an optical sensor, a sound sensor, a distance measurement sensor, and a force sensor. In addition, the input device 906 may acquire information associated with the state of the information processing device 900 itself, such as the posture and movement speed of the information processing device 900, and information associated with the surrounding environment of the information processing device 900, such as the brightness and noise surrounding the information processing device 900. In addition, the input device 906 may include a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module that receives a GNSS signal (e.g., a GPS signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite) from a GNSS satellite and measures location information including the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the device. In addition, regarding location information, the input device 906 may detect the location by sending and receiving with Wi-Fi (registered trademark), a cellular phone, a PHS, a smart phone, etc., or by near field communication, etc. For example, the input device 906 may be constituted Figure 3 A sensor unit 230 is shown.

[0178] The output device 907 is constituted by a device capable of visually or auditorily notifying the user of acquired information. Examples of this type of device include display devices such as a CRT display device, a liquid crystal display device, a plasma display device, an EL display device, a laser projector, an LED projector, and a lamp, audio output devices such as a speaker and headphones, a printer device, and the like. For example, the output device 907 outputs the results obtained by various processes performed by the information processing device 900. Specifically, the display device visually displays the results obtained by various processes performed by the information processing device 900 in various forms such as text, images, tables, and graphs. On the other hand, the audio output device converts an audio signal constituted by reproduced audio data, acoustic data, etc. into an analog signal, and outputs the analog signal auditorily. For example, the output device 907 may be constituted Figure 3 The output unit 240 is shown.

[0179] The storage device 908 is a device for data storage formed as an example of a storage unit of the information processing device 900. For example, the storage device 908 is implemented in the form of a magnetic storage device such as an HDD, a semiconductor storage device, an optical storage device, and a magneto-optical storage device. The storage device 908 may include a storage medium, a recording device that records data in the storage medium, a reading device that reads data from the storage medium, a deleting device that deletes data recorded in the storage medium, and the like. The storage device 908 stores a program executed by the CPU 901, various types of data, various types of data acquired from the outside, and the like. For example, the storage device 908 may be configured Figure 3 Storage unit 250 is shown.

[0180] The drive 909 is a reader / writer for storage media, and is built in the information processing apparatus 900 or externally connected to the information processing apparatus 900. The drive 909 reads information recorded in an attached removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor memory, and outputs the read information to the RAM 903. In addition, the drive 909 can write information to a removable recording medium.

[0181] The connection port 911 is an interface connected to an external device, and is an external port which is connected to an external device and is configured to transfer data via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like, for example.

[0182] For example, the communication device 913 is a communication interface composed of a communication device and the like to connect to the network 920. For example, the communication device 913 is a communication card for a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), LTE (Long Term Evolution), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or WUSB (Wireless USB), etc. In addition, the communication device 913 is a router for optical communication, a router for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), a modem for various types of communication, etc. For example, the communication device 913 is capable of sending and receiving signals between the communication device 913 and the Internet or other communication devices according to a predetermined protocol such as TCP / IP, etc. For example, the communication device 913 may be configured Figure 3 The antenna module 210 and the wireless communication unit 220 are shown.

[0183] Note that the network 920 is a wired or wireless transmission path for information transmitted from a device connected to the network 920. For example, the network 920 may include a public network such as the Internet, a telephone network, and a satellite communication network, various types of LANs (Local Area Networks) including Ethernet (registered trademark), and WANs (Wide Area Networks). In addition, the network 920 may include a private network such as an IP-VPN (Internet Protocol-Virtual Private Network).

[0184] An example of a hardware configuration capable of realizing the functions of the information processing device 900 according to the present embodiment has been described above. The above-mentioned various constituent elements may be realized using a general-purpose component, or the above-mentioned various constituent elements may be realized by hardware dedicated to the functions of the various constituent elements. Therefore, the hardware configuration that is allowed to be used is appropriately changed according to the technical level of each case for practicing the present embodiment.

[0185] Note that it is allowed to generate a computer program for executing each function of the information processing device 900 of the present embodiment described above and incorporate it into a PC or the like. In addition, it is allowed to provide a computer-readable recording medium storing the computer program. For example, the recording medium is a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a flash memory, etc. In addition, the above-mentioned computer program can be distributed, for example, via a network instead of using a recording medium.

[0186] <<6. Conclusion>>

[0187] Referenced above Figures 1 to 10The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail. As described above, the terminal device 200 according to the present embodiment includes one or more antenna modules 210. In addition, the terminal device 200 controls the first processing of changing the measurable direction while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module 210 for measurement caused by the shielding object, and the second processing for measuring the downlink quality according to the change of the measurable direction. In simpler terms, while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module 210 for measurement caused by the shielding object, the terminal device 200 performs measurement every time the measurable direction changes. Because the shielding state is fixed, the measurement result is not affected by the shielding caused by the shielding object. Therefore, the terminal device 200 realizes the measurement while eliminating the shielding effect of the shielding object. Here, the terminal device 200 controls the first processing and the second processing while fixing the state that the shielding object is not in the measurable direction. In this way, accurate measurement can be achieved in a state where the radio waves sent and received between the base station 100 and the terminal device 200 are not shielded by the shielding object.

[0188] Although the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to this example. It is obvious that within the scope of the technical ideas described in the claims, a person of ordinary skill in the technical field of the present disclosure can think of various modified examples and correction examples. Needless to say, it should be understood that these modifications and corrections also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0189] For example, although the embodiment has been described under the assumption that the proposed technology is applied to the first frequency range, the present technology is not limited to this example. For example, the proposed technology may be applied to the second frequency band.

[0190] Furthermore, the processes described with reference to the flowcharts and sequence diagrams in this specification do not necessarily need to be performed in the order shown in the figures. Several process steps may be performed in parallel. Moreover, additional process steps may be employed, and a portion of the process steps may be omitted.

[0191] In addition, it is possible to allow the creation of a computer program (i.e., a computer program for causing a processor (e.g., a CPU, a DSP, and a BB (baseband) processor) included in the device of the present specification (e.g., a base station, a base station device, or a module for a base station device, or a terminal device or a module for a terminal device) to be used as a constituent element of the aforementioned device (e.g., a measurement control unit 261 and / or a user support unit 263)). In addition, a recording medium having the above-mentioned computer program recorded thereon may be provided. In addition, a device including the following components may be provided: a memory storing the computer program; and one or more processors (e.g., a base station, a base station device, or a module for a base station device, or a terminal device, or a module for a terminal device) capable of executing the computer program. In addition, the technology of the present disclosure includes a method for operating the constituent elements of the aforementioned device (e.g., the measurement control unit 261 and / or the user support unit 263).

[0192] In addition, the advantageous effects described in this specification are presented only for illustrative or exemplary purposes and are therefore not limited to these advantageous effects. Therefore, in addition to or in place of the above-mentioned advantageous effects, according to the description of this specification, the technology disclosed in this disclosure can provide other advantageous effects that are obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0193] Note that the following configurations belong to the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0194] (1) A terminal device comprising:

[0195] one or more antenna modules; and

[0196] A control unit that controls processing for changing a receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement while fixing a shielding state of the antenna module for measurement caused by a shielding object, and processing for measuring downlink communication quality according to the change in the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement.

[0197] (2) A terminal device according to (1) above, wherein the control unit performs processing for changing the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement while fixing the state in which the shielding object is not located in the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement.

[0198] (3) A terminal device according to (2) above, wherein:

[0199] The obstruction is the body of the user of the terminal device, and

[0200] The control unit causes the output unit to output first instruction information for instructing the user to change a receivable direction of the antenna module while fixing a shielding state of the antenna module used for the measurement.

[0201] (4) The terminal device according to (3) above, wherein the first instruction information includes information indicating arrangement of the antenna module in the terminal device.

[0202] (5) The terminal device according to (3) or (4) above, wherein the first instruction information includes information indicating the antenna module used for the measurement.

[0203] (6) According to any one of the above (3) to (5), the first instruction information includes information indicating a receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement.

[0204] (7) According to any one of the above (3) to (6), the first instruction information includes information indicating the direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement should face.

[0205] (8) The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the control unit causes the storage unit to store a combination of information indicating a result of the measurement and information indicating a measurement environment.

[0206] (9) The terminal device according to (8) above, wherein the information indicating the result of the measurement includes information indicating the communication quality for each reception beam and information indicating a receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement.

[0207] (10) A terminal device according to (8) or (9) above, wherein the information representing the measurement environment includes at least any one of the following: location information of the terminal device when performing the measurement, configuration information of the terminal device, and identification information of the antenna module used for the measurement.

[0208] (11) A terminal device according to any one of (8) to (10) above, wherein the control unit causes the storage unit to store a combination of information indicating a state in which the measurement is not performed and information indicating the measurement environment for the direction in which the measurement is not performed.

[0209] (12) A terminal device according to any one of the above (8) to (11), wherein the control unit causes the output unit to output second instruction information, the second instruction information including information generated based on information stored in the storage unit and indicating the direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module for data communication should be directed.

[0210] (13) The terminal device according to (12) above, wherein the direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the data communication should be oriented is a direction with good communication quality indicated by the measurement result.

[0211] (14) The terminal device according to (12) above, wherein the direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the data communication should be oriented is a direction in which communication quality with little variation is obtained as indicated by the measurement result.

[0212] (15) According to any one of the terminal devices (12) to (14) above, the second instruction information includes instructions for instructing the user to move to a position where the user should be located when performing the data communication.

[0213] (16) According to any one of the terminal devices (12) to (15) above, the second instruction information is generated based on information stored in the storage unit and obtained by other terminal devices performing the measurement.

[0214] (17) A terminal device according to any one of (1) to (16) above, wherein:

[0215] The terminal device includes a device capable of changing posture, and

[0216] The control unit changes a receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement by controlling a posture of the terminal device.

[0217] (18) The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (17) above, wherein the control unit measures the communication quality of a frequency band higher than a predetermined frequency.

[0218] (19) The terminal device according to (18) above, wherein the predetermined frequency is 6 GHz.

[0219] (20) A method performed by a terminal device including one or more antenna modules, the method comprising:

[0220] Controlling a process for changing a receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement while fixing a shielding state of the antenna module for measurement caused by a shielding object, and a process for measuring downlink communication quality according to a change in the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement.

[0221] Reference numerals list

[0222] 1: System

[0223] 10: Community

[0224] 11: Send beam

[0225] 12: Receive beam

[0226] 13: Measurable direction, data communication direction

[0227] 20: Core Network

[0228] 30: PDN

[0229] 100: Base station

[0230] 200: Terminal device

[0231] 210: Antenna module

[0232] 220: Wireless communication unit

[0233] 230: Sensor unit

[0234] 240: Output unit

[0235] 250: Storage unit

[0236] 260: Control unit

[0237] 261: Measurement control unit

[0238] 263: User Support Unit

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: one or more antenna modules; as well as A control unit, the control unit controlling a first process and a second process, the first process being used to change the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement based on the rotation of the terminal device while fixing the shielding state of the antenna module for measurement, while turning on the antenna module for measurement and turning off the antenna module not for measurement, so that the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement changes according to the posture of the terminal device and the arrangement of the antenna module for measurement in the terminal device, and the second process being used to measure the downlink communication quality according to the change in the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement, wherein the shielding state of the antenna module is a state caused by a shielding object, The control unit compares the downlink communication qualities measured in various directions, and enables the output unit to output second instruction information indicating the target direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module for data communication should be directed, wherein the target direction is the direction with the best or most stable communication quality determined by the comparison.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit performs a first process for changing the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement while fixing a state in which the shielding object is not located in the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement.

3. The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein: The obstruction is the body of the user of the terminal device, and The control unit causes the output unit to output first instruction information for instructing the user to change a receivable direction of the antenna module while fixing a shielding state of the antenna module used for the measurement.

4. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein: The first instruction information includes information indicating arrangement of the antenna module in the terminal device.

5. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein: The first instruction information includes information indicating the antenna module used for the measurement.

6. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein: The first instruction information includes information indicating a receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement.

7. The terminal device according to claim 3, wherein: The first instruction information includes information indicating a direction to which the receivable direction of the antenna module for the measurement should face.

8. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit causes the storage unit to store a combination of information indicating a result of the measurement and information indicating a measurement environment.

9. The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein: The information indicating the result of the measurement includes information indicating the communication quality for each reception beam and information indicating the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement.

10. The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein: The information representing the measurement environment includes at least any one of the following: location information of the terminal device when performing the measurement, configuration information of the terminal device, and identification information of the antenna module used for the measurement.

11. The terminal device according to claim 8, wherein: The control unit causes the storage unit to store, for the direction in which the measurement is not performed, a combination of information indicating a state in which the measurement is not performed and information indicating the measurement environment.

12. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module for the data communication should be directed is a direction in which the communication quality is good as indicated by the measurement result.

13. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module used for the data communication should be directed is a direction in which communication quality with little variation is obtained as indicated by the measurement result.

14. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The second instruction information includes instructions for instructing the user to move to a position where the user should be located when the data communication is performed.

15. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit causes the storage unit to store a combination of information indicating a result of the measurement and information indicating a measurement environment, and the second instruction information is generated further based on information stored in the storage unit obtained by the measurement performed by another terminal device.

16. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The terminal device includes a device capable of changing posture, and The control unit changes a receivable direction of the antenna module used for the measurement by controlling a posture of the terminal device.

17. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit measures communication quality of a frequency band higher than a predetermined frequency.

18. The terminal device according to claim 17, wherein: The predetermined frequency is 6 GHz.

19. A method performed by a terminal device comprising one or more antenna modules, the method comprising: controlling a first process and a second process, the first process being used to change the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement based on the rotation of the terminal device while the antenna module for measurement is turned on and the antenna module not for measurement is turned off while the shielding state of the antenna module for measurement is fixed, so that the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement changes according to the posture of the terminal device and the arrangement of the antenna module for measurement in the terminal device, and the second process being used to measure downlink communication quality according to the change in the receivable direction of the antenna module for measurement, wherein the shielding state of the antenna module is a state caused by a shielding object; comparing downlink communication qualities measured in each direction; and The output unit is caused to output second instruction information indicating a target direction in which the receivable direction of the antenna module for data communication should be oriented, the target direction being a direction with the best or most stable communication quality determined by the comparison.

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