Communication device, communication method, information processing device, and information processing method

Abstract

A communication device of the present invention comprises: an acquisition unit that acquires setting information on a feed for an array antenna, the setting information being calculated on the basis of an evaluation criterion based on an equivalent omnidirectional radiation power (EIRP) and a power density under a predetermined regulation area average; and a communication control unit that controls the array antenna on the basis of the setting information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a communication method, an information processing device, and an information processing method. Background Art

[0002] Communication devices capable of implementing beamforming are known. Communication devices capable of implementing beamforming include, for example, an array antenna, which includes a plurality of antenna elements and forms a directional beam by changing the phase of a signal to be provided to each antenna element. Generally speaking, the communication device has setting information about power feed to the array antenna, and controls the array antenna according to the setting information. The setting for controlling the array antenna is adjusted so that the peak EIRP is maximized.

[0003] Reference List

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: WO 2021 / 084592 Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] When the array antenna is controlled so that the peak EIRP is maximized, the power density tends to increase. However, in order to protect the human body, regulations on power density (PD) are formulated for wireless devices (such as mobile terminals) used near the human body. When the regulations on power density are not met, the communication equipment has no choice but to suppress the output of radio waves in order to meet the regulations. This makes it impossible for the communication equipment to achieve high communication performance (such as long communication distance, stable communication quality, low latency, high reliability and high throughput).

[0008] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a communication device, a communication method, an information processing device, and an information processing method that can achieve high communication performance.

[0009] It should be noted that the problem or purpose described above is only one of the problems or purposes that can be solved or achieved by the multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0010] Solutions to the Problem

[0011] In order to solve the aforementioned problem, a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit, which acquires setting information about power feeding for an array antenna, wherein the setting information is calculated based on an evaluation criterion, wherein the evaluation criterion is based on an equivalent isotropic radiated power EIRP and a power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area; and a communication control unit, which controls the array antenna based on the setting information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 Beamforming is shown.

[0013] Figure 2 Beamforming is shown.

[0014] Figure 3 The incident power density is shown.

[0015] Figure 4 Shows time average control.

[0016] Figure 5 A control example of the embodiment is shown.

[0017] Figure 6 Shows how the development equipment implements the simulation.

[0018] Figure 7 The EIRP simulation results are shown.

[0019] Figure 8 The effect of the embodiment when the time average control is performed is shown.

[0020] Fig. 9 A configuration example of a development system and a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0021] Fig.10 A configuration example of a development device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0022] Fig.11 A configuration example of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0023] Fig.12 A configuration example of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0024] Fig.13 Shows the circuit configuration of the antenna.

[0025] Fig.14 An example of the configuration of the antenna is shown.

[0026] Fig.15 An example of the configuration of the antenna is shown.

[0027] Fig.16 It is along Fig.15 The cross-sectional view obtained along the AA line in FIG.

[0028] Fig.17 Another configuration example of the antenna is shown.

[0029] Fig.18 is a flowchart showing the optimization process according to the first embodiment.

[0030] Fig.19 The operation of the communication device according to the second embodiment is summarized.

[0031] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the optimization process according to the second embodiment.

[0032] Fig.21 The comparison results of power density before and after power optimization are shown.

[0033] Fig. 22 The effect on the beam direction if the power to each antenna port is varied individually is shown.

[0034] Fig.23 Show Fig. 22 The relationship between θ and φ in .

[0035] Fig.24 This shows the usefulness of the optimization approach. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the following embodiments, the same reference numerals are attached to the same parts to omit repeated descriptions.

[0037] In addition, in the present specification and the drawings, a plurality of components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by appending different numbers after the same reference numerals. For example, a plurality of configurations having substantially the same functional configuration are distinguished as the terminal device 30 when necessary. 1 , 30 2 and 30 3 However, it should be noted that when there is no need to particularly distinguish between a plurality of components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numeral is attached. For example, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between the terminal device 30 1 , 30 2 and 30 3 When the terminal device 30 1 , 30 2 and 30 3 Simply referred to as terminal device 30.

[0038] One or more embodiments (including examples and variations) to be described later can be implemented independently. On the other hand, at least a portion of the multiple embodiments to be described later can be appropriately implemented in combination with at least a portion of other embodiments. Multiple embodiments may include different novel features. Therefore, multiple embodiments may contribute to solving different purposes or problems and may exhibit different effects.

[0039] <<1. Overview>>

[0040] First, the embodiment will be outlined.

[0041] <1-1. Overview of Beamforming>

[0042] Figure 1 and 2 1 shows beamforming. A communication device capable of implementing beamforming includes, for example, an array antenna, wherein the array antenna includes a plurality of antenna units. Figure 1 and 2 In the example of , the array antenna includes four antenna elements E1 to E4. The communication device implements directional beams by changing the phase of the signal to be provided to each antenna element. For example, Figure 1 As shown in , a communication device can radiate radio waves vertically by feeding phase-aligned power to each antenna element. Figure 2 As shown in , the communication device can shift the radio wave transmission direction by feeding phase-shifted power to each antenna element.

[0043] In order to control the feeding phase, the communication device needs to know in advance the phase information about each antenna unit in a specific direction. Therefore, generally speaking, the communication device pre-stores the setting information about the power feeding for the array antenna. For example, the communication device pre-stores the beamforming table about the phase of the signal to be provided to each antenna unit in the array antenna. The communication device controls the array antenna according to the setting information.

[0044] <1-2. Overview of EIRP and PD>

[0045] Generally speaking, the settings for the control array antenna are adjusted so that the peak EIRP is maximized. Here, EIRP is an abbreviation for equivalent isotropic radiated power and effective isotropic radiated power. EIRP indicates the intensity of radio waves radiated in a fixed direction. More specifically, EIRP is required under the assumption that the level at which a communication device radiates radio waves in all directions is the same as the level at which a communication device radiates radio waves in a specific direction. For example, W or dBm is used as its unit. Since EIRP is directly related to the communication distance and communication speed, it is desirable that the power be as high as possible.

[0046] When the array antenna is controlled so that the peak EIRP is maximized, the power density tends to increase. In order to protect the human body, regulations on power density (PD) are formulated for communication equipment. The regulations are formulated for each country. For example, in Japan, when a frequency band exceeding 6 GHz is used in a wireless device used near the human body such as a mobile phone terminal, the incident power density of the radio wave emitted from the wireless device must be set to the allowable value indicated in (1) and (2) below. It should be noted that the averaging time is specified by the regulations and is an average of six minutes in Japan.

[0047] (1) Frequency bands exceeding 6 GHz and 30 GHz or below

[0048] 4cm in the human body 2 The energy delivered to any body surface area (excluding the hands) for an average of six minutes is 2 mW / cm 2 or less.

[0049] (2) Frequency bands exceeding 30 GHz and 300 GHz or below

[0050] In the human body 1cm 2 The energy delivered to any body surface area (excluding the hands) for an average of six minutes is 2 mW / cm 2 or less.

[0051] Here, power density is the energy passed per unit area perpendicular to the direction of electromagnetic wave propagation. In addition, the incident power density is the power density under the average area of ​​the predetermined regulations. More specifically, the incident power density is the power density under the average area on any body surface (or any free space). It should be noted that the position of the body surface (free space) can be replaced by a flat surface that is a fixed distance away from the outer cover surface of the communication device. For example, the position of the body surface (free space) can be a flat surface at a position 2mm away from the outer cover surface, or a flat surface at a position 15mm away from the outer cover surface. This position can be different for each country (for each regulation).

[0052] Figure 3 The incident power density is shown. Figure 3 The frame C in the figure indicates a predetermined regulatory area (average area). In the case of (1) above, the frame C is a quadrilateral frame having d1 and w1 of 2 cm respectively. In this case, the regulatory area is 4 cm 2 . In addition, in the case of (2) above, the frame C is a quadrilateral frame having d1 and w1 of 1 cm respectively. In this case, the regulatory area is 1 cm 2 .exist Figure 3In the example, the incident power density is the average power density of the radio waves passing through frame C.

[0053] Here, the frame C is located, for example, at a position having the highest average power density on the surface of the housing of the communication device or on a flat surface at a predetermined distance (e.g., several millimeters to several centimeters) from the surface of the housing H. As described above, the predetermined distance may be different for each country (for each regulation). It should be noted that in the following description, this frame C is referred to as an average frame C.

[0054] It should be noted that the regulatory values ​​here (e.g., the size of the average frame C, the allowable value of the average time and power density) are different for each country (for each regulation). The technology described in the embodiments can also be applied to regulations other than the regulatory values ​​described above.

[0055] <1-3. Problem Overview>

[0056] As described above, when the array antenna is controlled so that the peak EIRP is maximized, the power density tends to increase. When the regulations on power density are not met, the communication device has no choice but to suppress the output of radio waves to meet the regulations. For example, in order to meet the regulations, the communication device reduces the average power density to a specified value or lower by reducing the power or implementing time average control. Figure 4 shows time average control. Figure 4 In the example of , the communication device reduces the average power density to a prescribed value or lower by shortening the total power transmission period t1 in the averaging time T (eg, six minutes).

[0057] Since the suppressed output reduces the EIRP, the communication device cannot achieve high communication performance (such as long communication distance, stable communication quality, low latency, high reliability, and high throughput).

[0058] <1-4. Overview of the Solution>

[0059] In an embodiment, not only EIRP but also power density (PD) is considered when optimizing setting information about power feeding for array antennas (e.g., phase values ​​for beamforming). That is, in an embodiment, EIRP optimization is implemented at an output that satisfies power density regulations.

[0060] Figure 5 A control example of the embodiment is shown. Figure 5In the example, an array antenna including four antenna units E1 to E4 is deployed inside the housing H of the communication device. The object M is deployed near the array antenna. The object M is a component of the communication device deployed inside the housing H. The object M can be an antenna of another frequency band or a structure such as a camera. The object M can be another metallic object. Further, in Figure 5 the example, an average frame C is deployed on a flat surface at a predetermined distance (e.g., several millimeters to several centimeters) from the surface of the housing H.

[0061] In the embodiment, instead of simply performing phase optimization in the straight-ahead direction, when optimizing the feed phase, for example, the radio wave reflection on the object M as shown in Figure 5 is also considered. This enables the communication device to reduce the power density in the average frame C.

[0062] The optimization of the embodiment can be implemented by the following processing.

[0063] For example, the developer of the communication device models the housing structure of the communication device. Subsequently, the developer performs an electromagnetic field simulation and calculates the EIRP and the power density based on the results of the electromagnetic field simulation. A computer (hereinafter referred to as a development device) calculates the EIRP and the power density. Figure 6 shows how the development device performs the simulation. In Figure 6 the example, the simulation results of the power density on a flat surface at a predetermined distance (e.g., several millimeters to several centimeters) from the surface of the housing H are shown. In Figure 6 the example, the average frame C is shown at the position on the flat surface having the highest average power density. The development device calculates the EIRP of the array antenna and the power density under the average of the predetermined regulatory area while changing the setting regarding the feed phase. By applying the calculated values to a predetermined evaluation criterion, the development device calculates the setting information regarding the power feed for the array antenna (e.g., the optimal value of the feed phase of each antenna unit).

[0064] Figure 7 shows the EIRP simulation results. The vertical axis represents the back-off EIRP. The horizontal axis represents the peak EIRP. The back-off EIRP is the EIRP when the output of the radio wave is suppressed to meet the regulation regarding the power density (PD). The peak EIRP is the EIRP when the output suppression for the power density regulation is not performed. For example, when the communication device performs Figure 4 the time-average control in, the back-off EIRP is the EIRP when the total power transmission period is suppressed to meet the regulation (the case of t1 < T), and the peak EIRP is the EIRP when the total power transmission period is not suppressed (the case of t1 = T). Figure 7Each point in the graph shows the EIRP simulation result under a specific setting.

[0065] In the traditional optimization method using only peak EIRP as the evaluation criterion, it would be given Figure 7 The setting of the result shown in B1 in FIG. 1 is selected as the optimal value of the feeding phase. In this result, the peak EIRP is the highest. In this case, the EIRP in the total output (peak EIRP) is 27.4 dBm, and the EIRP in the specified output (back-off EIRP) is 21.2 dBm. However, in the embodiment described, the optimization including not only the peak EIRP but also the power density (PD) is implemented. Therefore, Figure 7 The setting of the result shown in B2 in FIG. 1 is selected as the optimal value of the feeding phase. In this case, the EIRP in the total output (peak EIRP) is 27.0 dBm, and the EIRP in the specified output (back-off EIRP) is improved to 21.9 dBm. It should be noted that in the given Figure 7 In the setting of the result shown in B3 in FIG. 1 , PD is reduced. However, since the peak EIRP is also low, the setting is not good.

[0066] By controlling communications using the settings determined by the method of the described embodiments, the communications device can improve EIRP while meeting power density regulations. Figure 8 The effect of the embodiment when the time average control is implemented is shown. Figure 8 As shown in , by controlling communication using the settings determined by the method of the embodiment, the communication device can, for example, extend the total power transmission period from t1 to t2. As a result, the communication device can achieve high communication performance (e.g., long communication distance, stable communication quality, low latency, high reliability, and high throughput).

[0067] It should be noted that in the case of simply using a brute force method for the phase, a huge number of combinations, such as nearly one million combinations, will be generated. Therefore, it takes a long time to optimize the setting information. For example, in the case of a brute force method, the optimization time is approximately one day for each module, frequency band, and polarized wave. Therefore, in the embodiment, the amount of calculation is reduced by Bayesian optimization. By using Bayesian optimization, the development device can shorten the optimization time for each module, frequency band, and polarized wave to approximately 10 to 20 minutes.

[0068] <<2. System Configuration>>

[0069] The foregoing is an overview of the embodiment. Before describing the embodiment in detail, the configurations of a development system 1 including an information processing device of the embodiment and a communication system 2 including a communication device of the embodiment will be described.

[0070] <2-1. System Configuration Example>

[0071] Fig. 9 A configuration example of a development system 1 and a communication system 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0072] The development system 1 is used to develop communication devices (such as terminal devices and base stations). The development system 1 includes a development device 10. The development system 1 may include a plurality of development devices 10. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , the development system 1 includes, for example, a development device 10 serving as a development device 10 1 and 10 2 .

[0073] The communication system 2 is used to provide a wireless network for users. Through the coordinated operation of the various wireless communication devices constituting the communication system 2, the communication system 2 provides users with a wireless network capable of mobile communication. The communication system 2 includes a base station 20 and a terminal device 30. The communication system 2 may include multiple base stations 20 and multiple terminal devices 30. Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 1 , the communication system 2 includes a base station 20 serving as a base station 20. 1 , 20 2 and 20 3 , and includes a terminal device 30 serving as a terminal device 30 1 , 30 2 and 30 3 .

[0074] The terminal device 30 can be connected to the network by using radio access technologies (RAT) such as long term evolution (LTE), new radio (NR), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this case, the terminal device 30 may be able to use different types of radio access technologies (wireless communication methods). For example, the terminal device 30 may be able to use NR and Wi-Fi. In addition, the terminal device 30 may be able to use different types of cellular communication technologies (such as LTE and NR). LTE and NR are types of cellular communication technologies, and mobile communication of terminal devices is achieved by arranging multiple areas covered by base stations into a honeycomb shape.

[0075] It should be noted that in the following description, "LTE" includes LTE Advanced (LTE-A), LTE Advanced Professional Edition (LTE-A Pro), and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA). In addition, NR includes New Radio Access Technology (NRAT) and Further EUTRA (FEUTRA). It should be noted that a single base station can manage multiple cells. In the following explanation, a cell supporting LTE is referred to as an LTE cell, and a cell supporting NR is referred to as an NR cell.

[0076] NR is the next generation (fifth generation) radio access technology of LTE (fourth generation communication including LTE Advanced and LTE Advanced Professional). NR is a radio access technology that can support various use cases, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC). NR has been studied in 3GPP (registered trademark) for a technical framework to support utilization scenarios, requirements, deployment scenarios, etc. in these use cases.

[0077] It should be noted that the wireless network can support radio access technologies (RATs) such as long term evolution (LTE) and new radio (NR). LTE and NR are types of cellular communication technologies, and mobile communication of terminal devices is achieved by arranging multiple areas covered by base stations into a honeycomb shape. It should be noted that the radio access method used by the communication system 2 is not limited to LTE and NR, and may include other radio access methods such as wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) and code division multiple access 2000 (cdma 2000).

[0078] In addition, the base stations constituting the wireless network may be ground stations or non-ground stations. The non-ground stations may be satellite stations or aircraft stations. When the non-ground stations are satellite stations, the wireless network may be a bent pipe (transparent) type mobile satellite communication system.

[0079] It should be noted that in the embodiments, the ground station (also referred to as a ground base station) refers to a base station (including a relay station) installed on the ground. Here, "on the ground" has a broad meaning, including not only on land but also underground, above water, and underwater. It should be noted that in the following description, the description of "ground station" can be replaced by "gateway".

[0080] It should be noted that an LTE base station may be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNodeB) or eNB. In addition, a base station of NR may be referred to as a gNodeB or gNB. In addition, in LTE and NR, a terminal device (also referred to as a mobile station or terminal) may be referred to as a user equipment (UE). It should be noted that a terminal device is a type of communication device and is also referred to as a mobile station or terminal.

[0081] It should be noted that an LTE base station may be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNodeB) or an eNB. In addition, a base station of NR may be referred to as a gNodeB or a gNB. In addition, in LTE and NR, a terminal device (also referred to as a mobile station or a terminal) may be referred to as a user equipment (UE). It should be noted that the terminal device 30 is a type of communication device and is also referred to as a mobile station or a terminal.

[0082] It should be noted that the terminal device 30 can be connected to the network by using a radio access technology (wireless communication method) other than LTE, NR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. For example, the terminal device 30 can be connected to the network by using low power wide area (LPWA) communication. In addition, the terminal device 30 can be connected to the network by wireless communication using a unique standard.

[0083] Here, LPWA communication is wireless communication that realizes low-power and wide-range communication. For example, LPWA radio is an Internet of Things (IoT) wireless communication using a specific low-power radio (e.g., 920MHz) or industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. It should be noted that the LPWA communication used by the terminal device 30 may follow the LPWA standard. Examples of LPWA standards include, for example, ELTRES, ZETA, SIGFOX, LoRaWAN, and NB-Iot. Of course, the LPWA standard is not limited thereto, and other LPWA standards may be used.

[0084] It should be noted that the devices in the drawings can be regarded as devices in a logical sense. That is, the various parts of the devices in the drawings can be implemented by virtual machines (VMs), containers, containers, etc., and can be implemented on physically identical hardware.

[0085] In the described embodiment, the concept of communication equipment includes not only portable mobile object equipment (terminal equipment) such as mobile terminals, but also equipment installed in structures or mobile objects. The structures or mobile objects themselves can be regarded as communication equipment. In addition, the concept of communication equipment includes not only terminal equipment, but also base stations and relay stations. Communication equipment is a type of processing equipment and information processing equipment. In addition, communication equipment can also be referred to as sending equipment or receiving equipment.

[0086] The configuration of the devices constituting the development system 1 and the communication system 2 will be described in detail below. It should be noted that the configuration of the devices described below is merely an example. The configuration of the devices may be different from the following configuration.

[0087] <2-2. Configuration example of development equipment>

[0088] First, the configuration of the development device 10 will be described.

[0089] The development device 10 is an information processing device (computer) for calculating setting information to be used by a communication device (e.g., a terminal device 30) in the communication system 2. Here, the setting information refers to, for example, power feed for an array antenna in the communication device. In this case, the setting information may include a setting value of at least one of a feed power and a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the array antenna.

[0090] Fig.10 1 shows a configuration example of a development device 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The development device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an input unit 12, and a control unit 13. It should be noted that Fig.10 A functional configuration is shown, and the hardware configuration may be different from this configuration. In addition, the functions of the development device 10 may be statically or dynamically distributed and implemented in multiple physically separate configurations. For example, the development device 10 may include multiple server devices.

[0091] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for communicating with another device. The communication unit 11 may be a network interface or an equipment connection interface. For example, the communication unit 11 may be a local area network (LAN) interface such as a network interface card (NIC), or may be a USB interface including a universal serial bus (USB) host controller, a USB port, etc. In addition, the communication unit 11 may be a wired interface or a radio interface. The communication unit 11 acts as a communication device for the development device 10. The communication unit 11 communicates with the base station 20, etc. under the control of the control unit 13.

[0092] The input unit 12 is an input device for receiving various inputs from the outside. For example, the input unit 12 may be a data input interface for inputting various data for electromagnetic field simulation. In this case, the data input interface may be an equipment connection interface such as a USB interface. In addition, the input unit 12 is an operation device for a user to perform various operations, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an operation key.

[0093] The control unit 13 is a controller that controls each unit of the development device 10. The control unit 13 is implemented by a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), and a graphics processing unit (GPU). For example, the control unit 13 is implemented by executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the development device 10 by the processor using a random access memory (RAM) or the like as a work area. It should be noted that the control unit 13 can be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Any of the CPU, MPU, GPU, ASIC, and FPGA can be regarded as a controller.

[0094] like Fig.10As shown in , the control unit 13 includes a first computing unit 131 and a second computing unit 132. The various blocks (the first computing unit 131 and the second computing unit 132) constituting the control unit 13 are functional blocks that each indicate the function of the control unit 13. These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each of the functional blocks described above may be a software module implemented by software (including microprograms), or may be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block may be a processor or an integrated circuit. Any method for constituting such functional blocks may be adopted. It should be noted that the control unit 13 may include functional units different from the functional blocks described above.

[0095] It should be noted that the development device 10 may have a configuration other than the foregoing. For example, the development device 10 may include a storage unit. The storage unit is a data readable / writable storage device, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a flash memory, and a hard disk. The storage unit of the development device 10 may store, for example, a model (simulation model) of the housing structure of the terminal device 30 used for electromagnetic field simulation.

[0096] <2-3. Base station configuration example>

[0097] Next, a description will be given of a configuration of the base station 20. The base station 20 may also be referred to as a base station (BS).

[0098] The base station 20 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the terminal device 30. The base station 20 may perform wireless communication with the terminal device 30 via a relay station, or may perform wireless communication with the terminal device 30 directly.

[0099] The base station 20 is a type of communication device. More specifically, the base station 20 is a device corresponding to a wireless base station (e.g., a base station, a node B, an eNB, and a gNB) or a radio access point. The base station 20 may be a wireless relay station. In addition, the base station 20 may be an optical extension device referred to as a remote radio head (RRH) or a radio unit (RU). In addition, the base station 20 may be a receiving station such as a field pickup unit (FPU). In addition, the base station 20 may be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) donor node or an IAB relay node that provides a radio access line and a wireless backhaul line through time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or space division multiplexing.

[0100] It should be noted that the base station 20 can use cellular communication technology or wireless LAN technology as a radio access technology. Of course, the radio access technology used by the base station 20 is not limited thereto. The base station 20 can use other radio access technologies. For example, the base station 20 can use low power wide area (LPWA) communication technology as a radio access technology.

[0101] In addition, the wireless communication used by the base station 20 can use a millimeter wave band (30 to 300 GHz band) or a quasi-millimeter wave band (e.g., 20 to 30 GHz band). Of course, the base station 20 can use a band below 6 GHz (Sub6) or other bands (6 to 20 GHz band) to implement wireless communication.

[0102] In addition, the base station 20 may implement wireless communication using radio waves or wireless communication using infrared and visible light (optical radio). In addition, the base station 20 may be able to implement non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) communication with the terminal device 30. Here, NOMA communication refers to communication (sending, receiving, or both) using non-orthogonal resources. It should be noted that the base station 20 may be able to implement NOMA communication with another base station 20.

[0103] It should be noted that the base station 20 may be able to communicate with each other through an interface (e.g., NG interface and S1 interface) between the base station and the core network. Any wired interface and wireless interface may be used as the interface. In addition, the base station may be able to communicate with each other through an interface (e.g., Xn interface, X2 interface, S1 interface and F1 interface) between the base stations. Any wired interface and wireless interface may be used as the interface.

[0104] It should be noted that the concept of a base station includes not only a donor base station but also a relay base station (also referred to as a relay station). For example, a relay base station may be any one of an RF repeater, a smart repeater, and a smart surface. In addition, the concept of a base station includes not only a structure having the function of a base station but also a device installed in the structure.

[0105] The structure includes buildings, such as high-rise buildings, houses, steel towers, station facilities, airport facilities, port facilities, office buildings, school buildings, hospitals, factories, commercial facilities and stadiums. It should be noted that the concept of the structure includes not only buildings, but also non-building structures such as tunnels, bridges, dams, walls and iron columns, and facilities such as cranes, gates and windmills. In addition, the concept of the structure includes not only structures on land (on the ground in a narrow sense) or underground, but also structures on water such as docks and super-large floating bodies, and underwater structures such as marine observation facilities. Base stations can also be referred to as information processing equipment.

[0106] The base station 20 may be a donor station or a relay station. In addition, the base station 20 may be a fixed station or a mobile station. A mobile station is a movable wireless communication device. In this case, the base station 20 may be a device installed in a mobile object, or may be the mobile object itself. For example, a relay station having mobility may be regarded as a base station 20 acting as a mobile station. In addition, devices that originally have mobility and are equipped with a base station function (at least a part of the base station function) (such as vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represented by drones, and smart phones) also correspond to the base station 20 acting as a mobile station.

[0107] Here, the mobile object may be a mobile terminal such as a smart phone and a mobile phone. In addition, the mobile object may be a mobile object moving on land (on the ground in a narrow sense) (vehicles such as cars, bicycles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, trains, and linear electric locomotives), or a mobile object moving underground (for example, in a tunnel) (for example, a subway). In addition, the mobile object may be a mobile object moving on water (ships such as passenger ships, cargo ships, and hovercrafts), or a mobile object moving underwater (submersible vessels such as semi-submersible ships, submarines, and unmanned submarines). It should be noted that the mobile object may be a mobile object moving in the atmosphere (aircraft such as airplanes, airships, and drones).

[0108] In addition, the base station 20 can be a ground base station (ground station) installed on the ground. For example, the base station 20 can be deployed in a structure on the ground, or can be installed in a mobile object moving on the ground. More specifically, the base station 20 can be an antenna installed in a structure such as a building and a signal processing device connected to the antenna. Of course, the base station 20 can be a structure or a mobile object itself. "On the ground" has a broad meaning, including not only on land (on the ground in a narrow sense), but also underground, on water and underwater. It should be noted that the base station 20 is not limited to a ground base station. For example, when the communication system 2 is a satellite communication system, the base station 20 can be an aircraft station. From the perspective of a satellite station, an aircraft station located on the earth is a ground station.

[0109] It should be noted that the base station 20 is not limited to a ground station. The base station 20 may be a non-ground base station (non-ground station) capable of floating in the air or in space. For example, the base station 20 may be an aircraft station or a satellite station.

[0110] Satellite stations can float outside the atmosphere. Satellite stations can be equipment installed in space mobile objects such as artificial satellites, or can be space mobile objects themselves. Space mobile objects move outside the atmosphere. Examples of space mobile objects include artificial celestial bodies such as artificial satellites, spacecraft, space stations and probes. It should be noted that the satellite acting as a satellite station can be any one of a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite and a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite. Of course, a satellite station can be equipment installed in a low earth orbit satellite, a medium earth orbit satellite, a geostationary earth orbit satellite or a high elliptical orbit satellite.

[0111] An aircraft station is a wireless communication device capable of floating in the atmosphere, such as an aircraft. An aircraft station may be a device installed in an aircraft or the like, or may be the aircraft itself. It should be noted that the concept of an aircraft includes not only heavy aircraft such as airplanes and gliders, but also light aircraft such as balloons and airships. In addition, the concept of an aircraft includes not only heavy aircraft and light aircraft, but also rotorcraft such as helicopters and autogyros. It should be noted that an aircraft station (or an aircraft equipped with an aircraft station) may be an unmanned aircraft such as a drone.

[0112] It should be noted that the concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes unmanned aerial vehicle systems (UAS) and tethered unmanned aerial vehicle systems (tethered UAS). In addition, the concept of unmanned aerial vehicles includes lighter-than-air (LTA) UAS and heavier-than-air (HTA) UAS. In addition, the concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes high altitude UAS platforms (HAPs).

[0113] The coverage of the base station 20 can be as large as a macro cell or as small as a pico cell. Of course, the size of the coverage of the base station 20 can be as small as a femto cell. In addition, the base station 20 can have beamforming capabilities. In this case, a cell or service area can be formed for each beam in the base station 20.

[0114] Fig.11 2 shows a configuration example of a base station 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. It should be noted that Fig.11 A functional configuration is shown, and the hardware configuration may be different from this configuration. In addition, the functions of the base station 20 may be distributed and implemented in a plurality of physically separated configurations.

[0115] The wireless communication unit 21 is a signal processing unit for wirelessly communicating with another wireless communication device (e.g., the terminal device 30). The wireless communication unit 21 operates under the control of the control unit 23. The wireless communication unit 21 supports one or more radio access methods. For example, the wireless communication unit 21 supports both NR and LTE. In addition to NR or LTE, the wireless communication unit 21 can support W-CDMA or cdma 2000. In addition, the wireless communication unit 21 can support automatic retransmission technology, such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ).

[0116] The wireless communication unit 21 includes a transmission processing unit 211, a reception processing unit 212, and an antenna 213. The wireless communication unit 21 may include a plurality of transmission processing units 211, a plurality of reception processing units 212, and a plurality of antennas 213. It should be noted that when the wireless communication unit 21 supports multiple radio access methods, each unit of the wireless communication unit 21 may be configured separately for each radio access method. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 and the reception processing unit 212 may be configured separately by LTE and NR. In addition, the antenna 213 may include a plurality of antenna units (e.g., a plurality of patch antennas). In this case, the wireless communication unit 21 may be configured to be able to implement beamforming. The wireless communication unit 21 may be configured to be able to implement polarization beamforming using vertically polarized waves (V-polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H-polarized waves).

[0117] The transmission processing unit 211 implements the processing of transmitting downlink control information and downlink data. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 encodes the downlink control information and downlink data input from the control unit 23 by using encoding methods such as block encoding, convolutional encoding, turbo encoding, etc. Here, in such encoding, encoding using polarization codes and encoding using low-density parity check (LDPC) codes can be implemented. Subsequently, the transmission processing unit 211 modulates the coded bits by predetermined modulation methods such as BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM and 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation diagram do not necessarily need to be equidistant from each other. The constellation diagram may be a non-uniform constellation diagram (NUC). Subsequently, the transmission processing unit 211 multiplexes the modulation symbols and downlink reference signals of each channel, and arranges the multiplexed modulation symbols and downlink reference signals to predetermined resource units. Subsequently, the transmission processing unit 211 implements various signal processing on the multiplexed signal. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 performs processing such as conversion to the time domain by fast Fourier transform, adding a guard interval (cyclic prefix), generating a baseband digital signal, converting into an analog signal, orthogonal modulation, up-conversion, removing redundant frequency components, and power amplification. The signal generated by the transmission processing unit 211 is transmitted from the antenna 213.

[0118] The receiving processing unit 212 processes the uplink signal received by the antenna 213. For example, the receiving processing unit 212 performs down-conversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, control of amplification level, orthogonal demodulation, conversion into digital signals, removal of guard intervals (cyclic prefixes), extraction of frequency domain signals by fast Fourier transform, etc. on the uplink signal. Subsequently, the receiving processing unit 212 separates uplink channels such as physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) and physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) and uplink reference signals from these processed signals. In addition, the receiving processing unit 212 demodulates the received signal by using modulation schemes such as binary phase shift keying (BPSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) for the modulation symbols of the uplink channel. The modulation method used in the demodulation may be 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), 64QAM, or 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation diagram do not necessarily need to be equidistant from each other. The constellation diagram may be a non-uniform constellation diagram (NUC). Then, the reception processing unit 212 performs decoding processing on the coded bits of the demodulated uplink channel. The decoded uplink data and uplink control information are output to the control unit 23.

[0119] Antenna 213 is an antenna device (antenna means) that converts electric current and radio waves into each other. Antenna 213 may include one antenna unit (e.g., one patch antenna), or may include multiple antenna units (e.g., multiple patch antennas). When antenna 213 includes multiple antenna units, wireless communication unit 21 may be configured to be able to implement beamforming. For example, wireless communication unit 21 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a radio signal using multiple antenna units. It should be noted that antenna 213 may be a dual-polarized wave antenna. When antenna 213 is a dual-polarized wave antenna, wireless communication unit 21 may use vertically polarized waves (V polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H polarized waves) to send radio signals. Subsequently, wireless communication unit 21 may control the directivity of radio signals sent using vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves. In addition, wireless communication unit 21 may send and receive spatially multiplexed signals by including multiple layers of multiple communication units. It should be noted that antenna 213 may have a configuration similar to that of antenna 313 of terminal device 30.

[0120] The storage unit 22 is a data readable / writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, and a hard disk. The storage unit 22 serves as a storage device of the base station 20.

[0121] The control unit 23 is a controller that controls each unit of the base station 20. The control unit 23 is implemented by a processor such as a CPU and an MPU. For example, the control unit 23 is implemented by executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the base station 20 by the processor using a RAM or the like as a work area. It should be noted that the control unit 23 can be implemented by integrated circuits such as ASICs and FPGAs. CPUs, MPUs, ASICs, and FPGAs can all be regarded as controllers. In addition, the control unit 23 can be implemented by a GPU to supplement or replace the CPU. It should be noted that the control unit 23 can operate in the same manner as each block of the control unit 13 of the development device 10. In addition, the control unit 23 can operate in the same manner as each block of the control unit 33 of the terminal device 30.

[0122] In the embodiment, the concept of the base station may include an assembly of multiple physical or logical devices. For example, in the embodiment, the base station may be distinguished into multiple devices such as a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU). Subsequently, the base station may be interpreted as an assembly of the multiple devices. In addition, the base station may be any one or both of the BBU and the RU. The BBU and the RU may be connected via a predetermined interface (e.g., an enhanced common public radio interface (eCPRI)). It should be noted that the RU may also be referred to as a remote radio unit (RRU) or a radio point (RD). In addition, the RU may correspond to a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU) to be described later. In addition, the BBU may correspond to a gNB central unit (gNB-CU). In addition, the RU may be a wireless device connected to the gNB-DU to be explained later. The gNB-CU, gNB-DU, and the RU connected to the gNB-DU may follow an open radio access network (O-RAN). In addition, the RU may be a device integrated with an antenna. The antenna of the base station (e.g., an antenna integrated with the RU) may adopt an advanced antenna system and support MIMO (e.g., FD-MIMO) or beamforming. In addition, the antenna of the base station may include, for example, 64 transmit antenna ports and 64 receive antenna ports.

[0123] In addition, the antenna mounted on the RU may be an antenna panel including one or more antenna units. The RU may be installed with one or more antenna panels. For example, the RU may be installed with two types of antenna panels including an antenna panel for horizontally polarized waves and an antenna panel for vertically polarized waves, or two types of antenna panels including an antenna panel for right-hand circularly polarized waves and an antenna panel for left-hand circularly polarized waves. In addition, the RU may form and control an independent beam for each antenna panel.

[0124] It should be noted that a plurality of base stations may be connected to each other. One or more base stations may be included in a radio access network (RAN). In this case, the base station may be simply referred to as a RAN, a RAN node, an access network (AN), or an AN node. It should be noted that the RAN in LTE may be referred to as an enhanced universal terrestrial RAN (EUTRAN). The RAN in NR may be referred to as an NGRAN. In addition, the RAN in W-CDMA (UMTS) may be referred to as an UTRAN.

[0125] It should be noted that an LTE base station may be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNodeB) or an eNB. In this case, the EUTRAN includes one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). In addition, an NR base station may be referred to as a gNodeB or a gNB. In this case, the NGRAN includes one or more gNBs. The EUTRAN may include a gNB (en-gNB) connected to a core network (EPC) in an LTE communication system (EPS). Similarly, the NGRAN may include an ng-eNB connected to a core network 5GC in a 5G communication system (5GS).

[0126] It should be noted that when the base station is an eNB, gNB, etc., the base station may be referred to as 3GPP access. In addition, when the base station is a radio access point, the base station may be referred to as non-3GPP access. In addition, the base station may be an optical extension device referred to as a remote radio head (RRH) or a radio unit (RU). In addition, when the base station is a gNB, the base station may be obtained by combining the gNB-CU and gNB-DU described above, or may be any one of the gNB-CU and gNB-DU.

[0127] Here, for communication with the UE, the gNB-CU hosts multiple upper layers in the access layer (e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). On the other hand, the gNB-DU hosts multiple lower layers in the access layer (e.g., radio link control (RLC), medium access control (MAC), and physical layer (PHY)). That is, among the messages / information to be described later, RRC signaling (semi-static notification) can be generated by the gNB-CU, and MAC CE and DCI (dynamic notification) can be generated by the gNB-DU. Alternatively, for example, in the RRC configuration (semi-static notification), some configurations such as IE: cellGroupConfig can be generated by the gNB-DU, and the rest of the configurations can be generated by the gNB-CU. These configurations can be sent and received through the F1 interface to be described later.

[0128] It should be noted that a base station can be configured to communicate with another base station. For example, when multiple base stations are obtained by combining eNB or eNB and en-gNB, the base stations can be connected to each other through the X2 interface. In addition, when multiple base stations are obtained by combining gNB or gn-eNB and gNB, the devices can be connected to each other through the Xn interface. In addition, when multiple base stations are obtained by combining gNB-CU and gNB-DU, the devices can be connected to each other through the F1 interface described above. The messages / information (such as RRC signaling, MAC control unit (MAC CE) and DCI) to be described later can be sent between multiple base stations, for example, through the X2 interface, Xn interface or F1 interface.

[0129] The cell provided by the base station may be referred to as a serving cell. The concept of a serving cell includes a primary cell (PCell) and a secondary cell (SCell). When a dual connection is set for a UE (e.g., a terminal device 30), the PCell provided by the leading node (MN) and zero or one or more SCells may be referred to as a leading cell group. Examples of dual connections include EUTRA-EUTRA dual connection, EUTRA-NR dual connection (ENDC), EUTRA-NR dual connection with 5GC, NR-EUTRA dual connection (NEDC), and NR-NR dual connection.

[0130] It should be noted that the serving cell may include a primary secondary cell or a primary SCG cell (PSCell). When dual connectivity is set for a UE, the PSCell and zero or one or more SCells provided by a secondary node (SN) may be referred to as a secondary cell group (SCG). Unless special settings are made (e.g., PUCCH on an SCell), the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is sent in the PCell and PSCell, but not in the SCell. In addition, radio link failures are also detected in the PCell and PSCell, but not in the SCell (no detection is required). As described above, the PCell and PSCell have special roles in the serving cell and are therefore also referred to as special cells (SpCells).

[0131] One downlink component carrier and one uplink component carrier may be associated with one cell. In addition, the system bandwidth for one cell may be divided into a plurality of bandwidth parts (BWPs). In this case, one or more BWPs may be set for the UE, and the UE may use one BWP as an active BWP. In addition, the radio resources (e.g., frequency band, parameter set (subcarrier spacing), and time slot format (time slot configuration)) that may be used by the terminal device 30 may be different for each cell, each component carrier, or each BWP.

[0132] <2-4. Configuration example of terminal equipment>

[0133] Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 may also be referred to as user equipment (UE).

[0134] The terminal device 30 is a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates with another communication device such as the base station 20. The terminal device 30 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smart device (smart phone or tablet device), a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a personal computer. In addition, the terminal device 30 may be equipment such as a commercial camera with a communication function, or may be a motorcycle, a mobile relay vehicle, etc. equipped with communication equipment such as a field pickup unit (FPU). In addition, the terminal device 30 may be an industrial robot with a communication function. In addition, the terminal device 30 may be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device or an Internet of Things (IoT) device.

[0135] It should be noted that the terminal device 30 may be able to implement NOMA communication with the base station 20. In addition, the terminal device 30 may be able to use automatic retransmission techniques such as HARQ when communicating with the base station 20. The terminal device 30 may be able to implement sidelink communication with another terminal device 30. The terminal device 30 may be able to use automatic retransmission techniques such as HARQ when implementing sidelink communication. It should be noted that the terminal device 30 may also be able to implement NOMA communication in communication (sidelink) with another terminal device 30.

[0136] In addition, the terminal device 30 may be able to implement LPWA communication with another communication device (e.g., the base station 20 and another terminal device 30). In addition, the wireless communication used by the terminal device 30 may be wireless communication using a quasi-millimeter wave band or a millimeter wave band. In addition, the base station 20 may implement wireless communication using a frequency band below 6 GHz (Sub6) or other frequency bands (6 to 20 GHz). In addition, the wireless communication (including sidelink communication) used by the terminal device 30 may be wireless communication using radio waves, or may be wireless communication (optical radio) using infrared and visible light.

[0137] In addition, the terminal device 30 can be a mobile object device. The mobile object device is a movable wireless communication device. In this case, the terminal device 30 can be a wireless communication device installed in a mobile object, or it can be the mobile object itself. For example, the terminal device 30 can be a vehicle moving on a road, such as a car, a bus, a truck and a motorcycle, a vehicle moving on a rail installed in a track (such as a train), or a wireless communication device installed on a vehicle. It should be noted that the mobile object can be a mobile terminal, or it can be a mobile object moving on land (on the ground in a narrow sense), underground, on water or underwater. In addition, the mobile object can be a mobile object moving in the atmosphere, such as a drone and a helicopter, or it can be a mobile object moving outside the atmosphere, such as an artificial satellite.

[0138] The terminal device 30 can be connected to multiple base stations or multiple cells at the same time to implement communication. For example, when a base station supports a communication area through multiple cells (such as pCell and sCell), multiple cells can be bundled together through carrier aggregation (CA) technology, dual connection (DC) technology or multi-connection (MC) technology to achieve communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 30. Alternatively, the terminal device 30 can communicate with multiple base stations 20 via cells of different base stations 20 through coordinated multi-point transmission and reception (CoMP) technology.

[0139] Fig.12 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a terminal device 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal device 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. It should be noted that Fig.12 A functional configuration is shown, and the hardware configuration may be different from this configuration. In addition, the functions of the terminal device 30 may be implemented dispersedly in a plurality of physically separated configurations.

[0140] The wireless communication unit 31 is a signal processing unit for wirelessly communicating with another wireless communication device (e.g., the base station 20 and another terminal device 30). The wireless communication unit 31 operates under the control of the control unit 33. The wireless communication unit 31 includes a transmission processing unit 311, a reception processing unit 312, and an antenna 313. The wireless communication unit 31, the transmission processing unit 311, the reception processing unit 312, and the antenna 313 may have a configuration similar to the wireless communication unit 21, the transmission processing unit 211, the reception processing unit 212, and the antenna 213 of the base station 20. In addition, similar to the wireless communication unit 21, the wireless communication unit 31 may be configured to be able to implement beamforming. In addition, similar to the wireless communication unit 21, the wireless communication unit 31 may be configured to be able to send and receive spatially multiplexed signals.

[0141] The storage unit 32 is a data readable / writable storage device such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, and hard disk. The storage unit 32 serves as a storage device of the terminal device 30.

[0142] The control unit 33 is a controller that controls each unit of the terminal device 30. The control unit 33 is implemented by a processor such as a CPU and an MPU. For example, the control unit 33 is implemented by the processor by executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 30 using a RAM or the like as a work area. It should be noted that the control unit 33 can be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC and an FPGA. CPU, MPU, ASIC, and FPGA can all be regarded as controllers. In addition, as a supplement or alternative to the CPU, the control unit 33 can be implemented by a GPU.

[0143] like Fig.12 As shown in , the control unit 33 includes an acquisition unit 331 and a communication control unit 332. Each block (acquisition unit 331 to communication control unit 332) constituting the control unit 13 is a functional block indicating the function of the control unit 13. These functional blocks can be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each functional block described above can be a software module implemented by software (including microprograms), or can be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block can be a processor or an integrated circuit. Any method for constituting such a functional block can be used. It should be noted that the control unit 13 may include functional units different from the functional blocks described above. It should be noted that the control unit 33 can operate in the same manner as each block (first computing unit 131 to second computing unit 132) of the control unit 13 of the development device 10.

[0144] <2-5. Antenna Configuration Example>

[0145] Next, the configuration of the antenna in the communication device of the embodiment will be described. In the following description, the configuration of the antenna 313 of the terminal device 30 will be described as the configuration of the antenna in the communication device. It should be noted that the configuration of the antenna described below can be applied to the antenna 213 of the base station 20.

[0146] Fig.13 The circuit configuration of the antenna 313 is shown. Fig.13A phased array antenna is shown as a configuration example of the antenna 313. The antenna 313 includes a plurality of antenna elements E1 to En and a plurality of phase shifters P1 to Pn. It should be noted that the phase shifters P1 to Pn may not be regarded as a configuration of the antenna 313 but as a configuration of the wireless communication unit 21. The wireless communication unit 21 in the terminal device 30 forms a directional beam by controlling the phases of the plurality of antenna elements E1 to En using the phase shifters P1 to Pn.

[0147] Fig.14 A configuration example of the antenna 313 is shown. Fig.14 As a configuration example of the antenna 313, a one-dimensional array antenna (linear array antenna) is shown in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged one-dimensionally. Fig.14 In the example of , four antenna elements E1 to E4 are arranged in one line in a section of length d2×width w2 (depth d2×width w2) on a substrate.

[0148] It should be noted that in the described embodiments, the size of the array antenna refers to the size of the section in which the antenna elements are arranged. Fig.14 In the example of , the size of the segment of length d2×width w2 is the size of the array antenna. It should be noted that if the array antenna is modularized, the size of the module can be regarded as the size of the array antenna. Fig.14 In the example of , the size of the segment of length d3×width w3 (depth d3×width w3) can be regarded as the size of the array antenna.

[0149] Fig.15 A configuration example of the antenna 313 is shown. Fig.15 A patch antenna is shown as a configuration example of the antenna 313. Fig.15 Only a portion of the antenna 313 is shown in the example of FIG. 3 . A patch antenna is a rectangular microstrip antenna. A patch antenna comprises an antenna element (patch) disposed on a dielectric substrate having a ground plane on the back side. Fig.15 An arrangement example of a feed point F1 is shown. The feed point is a feeding position of an antenna element (patch). Fig.16 It is along Fig.15 The cross-sectional view taken along the AA line in FIG. Fig.16 As shown in FIG. 1 , the wireless communication unit 21 can feed power to the patch from behind the patch antenna. It should be noted that the method of feeding power is not limited to Fig.16 Other methods can be used. In addition, although Fig.15 In the example of FIG. 1 , only one feeding point is arranged in one antenna unit (patch), but multiple feeding points can be arranged in one antenna unit (patch).

[0150] It should be noted that the antenna 313 is not limited to a one-dimensional array antenna (linear array antenna). Fig.17 Another configuration example of the antenna 313 is shown. As a configuration example of the antenna 313, Fig.17 A two-dimensional array antenna (planar array antenna) is shown, in which a plurality of antenna elements are arranged two-dimensionally. Fig.17 In the example of , 64 antenna elements E11 to E88 of 8×8 are arranged in a section of length d4×width w4 (depth d4×width w4) on the substrate. It should be noted that the multiple antenna elements are not limited to being arranged in a matrix (arranged in a quadrilateral). For example, the multiple antenna elements can be arranged in a triangle.

[0151] As described above, the size of the array antenna refers to the size of the section in which the antenna elements are arranged. Fig.17 In the example of , the size of the segment of length d4×width w4 is the size of the array antenna. It should be noted that if the array antenna is modularized, the size of the portion including the dielectric substrate can be regarded as the size of the array antenna. Fig.17 In the example of , the size of the segment of length d5×width w5 (depth d5×width w5) can be regarded as the size of the array antenna.

[0152] In the following description, the size of the section in which the antenna units are arranged may be referred to as the size of the antenna array. The term "array antenna" in the following description may be appropriately replaced with "antenna array". In addition, the term "antenna array" in the following description may be appropriately replaced with "array antenna".

[0153] The configuration of the antenna described above is only an example. The antenna configuration of the communication device in the embodiment is not limited to the example described above. For example, a number other than 4 or 64 antenna elements can be provided in the array antenna. For example, a number within the range of 2 to 64 antenna elements can be provided. Of course, more than 64 antenna elements can be provided. In addition, the antenna element is not limited to a patch antenna.

[0154] <<3. Development system and communication system operation>>

[0155] The foregoing describes the configurations of the development system 1 and the communication system 2. Next, the operations of the development system 1 and the communication system 2 having such configurations will be described.

[0156] <3-1. First embodiment>

[0157] First, the operations of the development system 1 and the communication system 2 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0158] The development system 1 is used to develop a communication device (e.g., terminal device 30) constituting a communication system 2. As described above, the communication device includes an array antenna, and power is fed to the array antenna based on setting information about power feeding to the array antenna. The development system 1 determines the setting information to be used by the communication device.

[0159] The setting information includes a setting value of at least one of a feed power and a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the array antenna. In the first embodiment, the setting information optimized by the development system 1 includes a setting value of a feed phase for a plurality of feed points of the array antenna. The setting value of the feed phase is set independently for each feed point (for each antenna port).

[0160] As described above, the development system 1 considers not only EIRP but also power density when optimizing the setting information about power feeding for the array antenna. More specifically, the development system 1 calculates the EIRP of the array antenna and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area while changing the setting about power feeding for the array antenna. Subsequently, the development system 1 calculates the setting information about power feeding for the array antenna (optimal value of the feeding phase) by applying the calculated value to an evaluation criterion (first evaluation criterion). The evaluation criterion is, for example, an optimization evaluation function based on EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area.

[0161] Fig.18 is a flowchart showing the optimization process according to the first embodiment. The control unit 13 in the development device 10 of the development system 1 executes Fig.18 It should be noted that the developer of the communication device models the housing structure of the communication device before performing the optimization process. In the following description, the model of the housing structure may be referred to as a simulation model. Fig.18 The optimization process is described in the flowchart of FIG.

[0162] First, the first calculation unit 131 of the control unit 13 selects a combination of the set values ​​of the feeding phases of the plurality of feeding points from various possible combinations (step S101). In the following description, the combination of the set values ​​of the feeding phases of the plurality of feeding points may be referred to as the set values ​​of the feeding phases. It should be noted that, in the first embodiment, the set values ​​of the feeding power of the plurality of feeding points are determined by hardware. The set value of the feeding power may be fixed. In the first embodiment, the set value of the feeding power may be the same at all feeding points.

[0163] Next, the first calculation unit 131 calculates the EIRP of the array antenna and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area (step S102). For example, the first calculation unit 131 calculates the EIRP and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area by performing electromagnetic field simulation based on a simulation model. The power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area is, for example, the average power density in an average frame C. In the following description, the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area may be referred to simply as power density.

[0164] Next, by applying the values ​​(EIRP and power density) calculated in step S102 to the optimization evaluation function, the second calculation unit 132 calculates the evaluation value of the setting value selected in step S101 (step S103). In the case of controlling the array antenna by using the setting value selected in step S101, the optimization evaluation function is used to evaluate the control result.

[0165] In the optimization evaluation function used in the embodiment, not only EIRP but also power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area is considered as an element. For example, the second calculation unit 132 uses the function in the following expression (1) as the optimization evaluation function. In the example of expression (1), the score is the evaluation value.

[0166] Fraction = 2 × Pe-Pb (1)

[0167] Here, Pe is the EIRP calculated in step S102, and dBm is used as its unit. For example, Pe is a combined EIRP value calculated by setting the power / phase of each feed point in the simulation model. Here, phase is a set value of the feed phase selected in step S101, and deg (degree) is used as its unit. For example, phase is a phase parameter set to each antenna port. The phase is set independently for each antenna port. In addition, power is a set value of feed power, and W is used as its unit. For example, power is the power fed to each antenna port and is determined by hardware.

[0168] In addition, Pb is a power back-off value that satisfies regulations, and dBm is used as its unit. Pb is calculated by the following expression (2), for example.

[0169] Pb=10×log((PDreg-PDsim) / 10) (2)

[0170] Here, PDreg is the regulatory power density, and W / m 2 In the case of Japan's radio wave law, PDreg is 20W / m 2 (=2mW / cm 2). PDreg has different values ​​under different regulations.

[0171] In addition, PDsim is the power density calculated in step S102, and W / m 2 is used as its unit. For example, PDsim is a power density calculated by the following steps: setting power / phase in the simulation model, determining the Poynting vector, and averaging the Poynting vectors for the regulatory area. As described above, phase is the set value of the feed phase selected in step S101, and deg (degree) is used as its unit. In addition, power is the set value of the feed power, and W is used as its unit.

[0172] It should be noted that the optimization evaluation function in expression (1) indicates that Figure 7 =The value on the horizontal axis on the graph in + the value on the vertical axis. That is, since the peak EIRP on the horizontal axis is represented by Pe and the backoff EIRP on the vertical axis is represented by Pe-Pb, 2×Pe-Pb is given by Pe+(Pe-Pb) in Expression (1). In the first embodiment, the set value is optimized in order to maximize this value.

[0173] The second calculation unit 132 calculates the evaluation value by applying the values ​​(EIRP and power density) calculated in step S102 to the optimization evaluation function in the above expression (1). Subsequently, the second calculation unit 132 stores the calculated evaluation value in the storage unit in association with the set value selected in step S101. It should be noted that the optimization evaluation function in expression (1) is only an example. The optimization evaluation function is not limited to this example.

[0174] Subsequently, the second calculation unit 132 determines whether the end condition of the optimization process is satisfied (step S104). For example, the second calculation unit 132 determines whether the evaluation values ​​of all possible setting values ​​are calculated. When the end condition is not satisfied (step S104: No), the control unit 13 returns the process to step S101. The control unit 13 repeats the process of steps S101 to S104 until the end condition is satisfied. That is, the control unit 13 repeats the calculation of the EIRP and the power density and the calculation of the evaluation value while changing the setting value of the feeding phase.

[0175] When the end condition is met (step S104: Yes), the second calculation unit 132 determines the optimal value of the setting value as the setting value for controlling the array antenna (step S105). For example, the second calculation unit 132 determines the setting value of the feed phase with the highest evaluation value as the setting value for the terminal device 30 to control the array antenna.

[0176] It should be noted that the example of using the brute force method for possible combinations of setting values ​​is described above. In this case, a large number of combinations, such as approximately one million combinations, will be generated. Therefore, it will take a long time to optimize the setting information. Therefore, in the processing of steps S101 to S104, the control unit 13 can reduce the amount of calculation by using Bayesian optimization instead of the brute force method.

[0177] After determining the setting value, the control unit 13 ends the optimization process.

[0178] The communication device (eg, the terminal device 30) constituting the communication system 2 stores setting information for controlling the array antenna, including the setting value determined in step S105. Then, the communication device controls the array antenna based on the stored setting information.

[0179] According to the first embodiment, the development device 10 considers not only the EIRP but also the power density averaged under the predetermined regulatory area when determining the setting information. Therefore, the communication device can exhibit high communication performance while satisfying the power density regulations. The communication device controls the array antenna based on the setting information determined in this way. Therefore, the communication device can exhibit high communication performance while satisfying the power density regulations.

[0180] <3-2. Second Embodiment>

[0181] Next, the operations of the development system 1 and the communication system 2 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0182] The size of the average frame C can be smaller than the array antenna. For example, in the Japanese radio wave law, the average frame C has a size of 1 cm at 30 GHz or higher. 2 area. In contrast, in order to narrow the characteristics of beamforming, the array antenna still needs a size of approximately 20 mm even at 30 GHz or higher. This results in the size of the average frame C being smaller than the condition of the antenna array. In this case, by adjusting the power of each antenna port, the power density peak can be reduced while maintaining the total power. As a result, the EIRP under the condition of satisfying the power density regulation can be improved.

[0183] Fig.19 The operation of the communication device according to the second embodiment is summarized. In the second embodiment, the communication device reduces the power going to the central antenna element that has a large contribution to the power density peak, and increases the power going to the outer antenna elements (antenna elements located at the edge). It can be imagined that this enables the communication device to reduce the maximum value of the power density while maintaining the total power and EIRP. Specifically, in the case of Fig.19 In the case of tilted beams as shown in , it is effective to allocate a large amount of power to the outer sides.

[0184] The optimization process according to the second embodiment will be described later. As described above, the setting information includes a set value of at least one of the feed power and the feed phase for each of the plurality of feed points of the array antenna. In the second embodiment, the setting information optimized by the development system 1 includes both the set value of the feed phase and the set value of the feed power. In the second embodiment, the set value of the feed power is set independently for each feed point (for each antenna port).

[0185] As described above, the development system 1 considers not only EIRP but also power density when optimizing the setting information about power feeding for the array antenna. More specifically, the development system 1 calculates the EIRP of the array antenna and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area while changing the setting about power feeding for the array antenna. Subsequently, the development system 1 calculates the setting information about power feeding for the array antenna (optimal value of the feeding power) by applying the calculated value to the evaluation criterion (second evaluation criterion). The evaluation criterion is, for example, an optimization evaluation function based on EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area.

[0186] Fig. 20 is a flowchart showing the optimization process according to the second embodiment. The control unit 13 in the development device 10 of the development system 1 executes Fig. 20 It should be noted that the developer of the communication device models the housing structure of the communication device before performing the optimization process. In the second embodiment, the size of the array antenna is smaller than the average frame C. For example, the average frame C has, for example Figure 3 The dimensions of length d1×width w1 are shown in FIG. The array antenna has, for example, Fig.17 In this case, at least one of the length and width of the array antenna is smaller than the length or width of the average frame C. Of course, both the length and width of the array antenna may be smaller than the length or width of the average frame C. In the following description, the model of the housing structure may be referred to as a simulation model. Fig. 20 The optimization process is described in the flowchart of FIG.

[0187] First, the control unit 13 performs the optimization process described in the first embodiment to calculate the set value of the feeding phase of each of the plurality of feeding points (step S201). The set value of the feeding phase calculated here is the optimal value of the feeding phase calculated by applying the EIRP and the power density calculated while changing the feeding phase to the first evaluation criterion.

[0188] Subsequently, the first calculation unit 131 of the control unit 13 selects a combination of the set values ​​of the feed power of the plurality of feed points from various possible combinations (step S202). Here, the first calculation unit 131 can select a combination of the set values ​​of the feed power so that the sum of the power fed to each feed point (antenna port) is the same as the sum of the equal power feeding. Here, the time of equal power feeding refers to the time of feeding the same power level to each feed point (antenna port) as in the first embodiment. In the following description, the combination of the set values ​​of the feed power of the plurality of feed points may be simply referred to as the set value of the feed power.

[0189] Next, the first calculation unit 131 calculates the EIRP of the array antenna and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area (step S203). For example, the first calculation unit 131 calculates the EIRP and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area (hereinafter simply referred to as power density) by performing electromagnetic field simulation based on a simulation model. It should be noted that when the EIRP calculated here falls below the EIRP at the time of equal power feeding, the first calculation unit 131 may return the processing to step S202 instead of advancing the processing to step S204, and select another set value of the feeding power.

[0190] Next, by applying the values ​​(EIRP and power density) calculated in step S203 to the optimization evaluation function, the second calculation unit 132 calculates the evaluation value of the setting value selected in step S202 (step S204). In the case of controlling the array antenna by using the setting value selected in step S202, the optimization evaluation function is used to evaluate the control result.

[0191] In the optimization evaluation function used in the embodiment, not only EIRP but also power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area is considered as an element. For example, the second calculation unit 132 uses the function in the following expression (3) as the optimization evaluation function. In the example of expression (3), the score is the evaluation value. In the second embodiment, in order to maximize the evaluation value, the set value is optimized.

[0192] Score = EIRPgain + PDgain (3)

[0193] Here, EIRPgain is the gain of EIRP under power control, and dBm is used as its unit. Pb is calculated by, for example, the following expression (4).

[0194] EIRPgain=EIRP2-EIRP1 (4)

[0195] Here, EIRP1 is the EIRP without power control, and dBm is used as its unit. In addition, EIRP2 is the EIRP under power control, and dBm is used as its unit.

[0196] In addition, PDgain is the PD back-off reduction gain under power control, and dBm is used as its unit. PDgain is calculated, for example, by the following expression (5).

[0197] EIRPgain = 10 × log(PD1 / PD2) (5)

[0198] Here, PD1 is the PD (power density) without power control, and dBm is used as its unit. In addition, PD2 is the PD (power density) under power control, and dBm is used as its unit.

[0199] It should be noted that when calculating the evaluation value, the condition that the EIRP calculated in step S203 is below the EIRP at equal power feeding can be invalidated. That is, when calculating the evaluation value using expression (3), the second calculation unit 132 can discard the set value (or the calculation result of the evaluation value) that satisfies EIRP2 < EIRP1.

[0200] In addition, when calculating the evaluation value, the sum of the powers fed to each feeding point (antenna port) can be the same as the sum at equal power feeding. That is, when calculating the evaluation value using expression (3), the second calculation unit 132 can discard the set value (or the calculation result of the evaluation value) whose sum of the powers fed to each feeding point (antenna port) is not the same as the sum at equal power feeding.

[0201] The second calculation unit 132 calculates the evaluation value by applying the values (EIRP and power density) calculated in step S203 to the optimization evaluation function in the previous expression (3). Subsequently, the second calculation unit 132 stores the calculated evaluation value in the storage unit in association with the set value selected in step S202. It should be noted that the optimization evaluation function in expression (3) is merely an example. The optimization evaluation function is not limited to this example.

[0202] Subsequently, the second calculation unit 132 determines whether the end condition for the optimization process is satisfied (step S205). For example, the second calculation unit 132 determines whether the evaluation values of all possible set values have been calculated. When the end condition is not satisfied (step S205: No), the control unit 13 returns the process to step S202. The control unit 13 repeats the processes of steps S202 to S205 until the end condition is satisfied. That is, the control unit 13 repeats the calculation of EIRP and power density and the calculation of the evaluation value while changing the set value of the feeding power.

[0203] When the end condition is satisfied (step S205: yes), the second calculation unit 132 determines the optimal value of the set value as the set value for controlling the array antenna (step S206). For example, the second calculation unit 132 determines the set value of the feed phase having the highest evaluation value as the set value for the terminal device 30 to control the array antenna. The set value of the feed power determined here can be calculated so that the feed power to the antenna unit located at the edge of the array antenna is greater than the feed power to the antenna unit located at the center of the array antenna.

[0204] It should be noted that in the processing of steps S202 to S205 , the control unit 13 can reduce the amount of calculation by using Bayesian optimization instead of the brute force method.

[0205] After determining the setting value, the control unit 13 ends the optimization process.

[0206] The communication device (eg, the terminal device 30) constituting the communication system 2 stores setting information for controlling the array antenna, including the setting value determined in step S206. Then, the communication device controls the array antenna based on the stored setting information.

[0207] Fig.21 The results comparing the power density before and after power optimization are shown. Specifically, Fig.21 The comparison result of the power density when the array antenna radiates radio waves at the set value (equal power) before power optimization and the power density when the array antenna radiates radio waves at the set value (optimized power) after power optimization is shown. It can be seen that the peak is shifted to the left before power optimization, but the power density becomes equal through power optimization.

[0208] It should be noted that varying the power at each feed point (antenna port) in order to optimize power density may affect the beam direction. Fig. 22 The effect on the beam direction when the power going to each antenna port is changed individually is shown. Specifically, Fig. 22 The results of the confirmation of the impact of five patch antenna array waveforms are shown. In addition, Fig.23 Show Fig. 22 The relationship between θ and φ in . Fig. 22 A slight influence on the beam direction is revealed. This is considered to be because the phase provided to each port has a large influence on the beam direction. Therefore, even if the power of each feed point (antenna port) is optimized, no particular problem is considered in actual use.

[0209] According to the second embodiment, the development device 10 considers not only the EIRP but also the power density averaged under the predetermined regulation area when determining the setting information. Therefore, the communication device can exhibit high communication performance under the conditions of the power density regulation. The communication device controls the array antenna based on the setting information determined in this way. Therefore, the communication device can exhibit high communication performance while satisfying the power density regulation.

[0210] <3-3. Usefulness of optimization measures>

[0211] Fig.24 The effectiveness of the optimization method is shown. Specifically, Fig.24 The relationship between the size of the average frame C, the size of the antenna array and the antenna peripheral structure, and the optimization means are shown. Fig.24 In the description below, the antenna array may also be referred to as an array antenna.

[0212] Here, the antenna peripheral structure refers to a structure related to the radio wave radiation around the antenna array. For example, the antenna peripheral structure may be the outer cover of the communication device in which the antenna array is deployed. In addition, for example, when the inner side of the outer cover of the communication device is covered with metal and a window for radiating radio waves is opened only in the portion where the antenna array is deployed, the antenna peripheral structure may be the window itself. It should be noted that the antenna peripheral structure may be the peripheral structure of a millimeter wave antenna (millimeter wave array antenna).

[0213] exist Fig.24 In the figure, a circle indicates that the corresponding optimization means are useful, and a triangle indicates that the corresponding optimization means are not necessarily useful. In addition, phase optimization indicates the phase optimization means described in the first embodiment, and power optimization indicates the power optimization means described in the second embodiment.

[0214] When the size of the average frame C is larger than either the antenna array or the antenna peripheral structure, neither phase optimization nor power optimization is necessarily useful. In addition, when the size of the average frame C is larger than the antenna array and smaller than the antenna peripheral structure, phase optimization is useful, but power optimization is not necessarily useful. In addition, when the size of the average frame C is smaller than the antenna array and larger than the antenna peripheral structure, phase optimization is not necessarily useful, but power optimization is useful. When the size of the average frame C is smaller than both the antenna array and the antenna peripheral structure, both phase optimization and power optimization are useful.

[0215] When considering mobile wireless devices such as smartphones, the millimeter wave reflective structures may be larger than the average framework, so it is believed that optimization through phase control is always useful. In addition, the vertical relationship between the antenna array size and the specified size may change depending on the frequency. When using large antenna arrays, power control is still useful even at frequencies of 30 GHz or below.

[0216] <3-4. Switching of setting information>

[0217] The optimization method of the embodiment is used to adjust the setting information about the power feed for the array antenna, thereby reducing the power density. Although the optimization of the embodiment is effective on the transmitting side, there is no power density restriction on the receiving side. Therefore, the traditional EIRP optimization (i.e., antenna efficiency optimization) has better communication performance.

[0218] Therefore, when the optimization means of the embodiment optimizes the setting information (e.g., beam parameters), the communication device ideally switches the setting information between when sending and when receiving. More specifically, the communication device (e.g., terminal device 30) in the communication system 2 controls the array antenna based on the setting information when sending radio waves, and the setting information is calculated based on the evaluation criteria (first evaluation criteria and / or second evaluation criteria) described above. In contrast, when receiving radio waves, the communication device controls the array antenna based on other setting information, and the setting information is calculated based on another evaluation criterion (e.g., traditional evaluation criteria) that does not include power density under a predetermined regulatory area average as an element.

[0219] It should be noted that when the communication device is a terminal device 30, the terminal device 30 controls the beam parameters when transmitting based on the direction of the base station 20 detected when receiving. Therefore, the terminal device 30 implements control so that the direction of the beam parameters when transmitting matches the direction of the beam parameters when receiving.

[0220] <<4. Variation>>

[0221] The embodiments described above are by way of example, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[0222] For example, although in the previously described embodiments (first and second embodiments), the development device 10 calculates the setting information used by the terminal device 30, the development device 10 may calculate the setting information of another communication device. For example, the development device 10 may calculate the setting information used by the base station 20 in the optimization process. In this case, the other communication device (e.g., the base station 20) can control the transmission of radio waves based on the setting information calculated by the development device 10.

[0223] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the optimal value of the feeding phase is calculated by applying the EIRP and the power density calculated while changing the feeding phase to the first evaluation criterion ( Fig. 20 Then, the optimal value of the feeding power is calculated by applying the EIRP and the power density calculated while changing the feeding power to the second evaluation criterion ( Fig. 20 202 to S206 in the step S201 of the second embodiment). However, the value of the feeding phase used in the optimization process according to the second embodiment does not necessarily need to be calculated based on the first evaluation criterion. For example, the value of the feeding phase may be calculated based on another evaluation criterion that does not include the power density under the predetermined regulatory area average as a factor (for example, it may be calculated by a conventional method). In this case, the term "first evaluation criterion" in step S201 of the second embodiment may be replaced with "another evaluation criterion".

[0224] The control device that controls the development device 10, the base station 20, or the terminal device 30 of the embodiment may be implemented by a dedicated computer system or a general-purpose computer system.

[0225] For example, a communication program for performing the operations described above is stored in a computer-readable recording medium for distribution, such as an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape, and a flexible disk. Subsequently, the program is installed in a computer, for example, and the processing described above is performed to constitute a control device. In this case, the control device may be a device (e.g., a personal computer) outside the development device 10, the base station 20, or the terminal device 30. In addition, the control device may be a device (e.g., a control unit 13, a control unit 23, or a control unit 33) inside the development device 10, the base station 20, or the terminal device 30.

[0226] In addition, the communication program described above can be stored in a disk device in a server device on a network such as the Internet, so that, for example, the communication program can be downloaded to a computer. In addition, the functions described above can be implemented by the cooperation of an operating system (OS) and application software. In this case, the part other than the OS can be stored in a medium for distribution, or the part other than the OS can be stored in a server device, so that, for example, the part can be downloaded to a computer.

[0227] In addition, among the various processes described in the embodiments described above, all or part of the processes described as being automatically implemented can be implemented manually, or all or part of the processes described as being manually implemented can be automatically implemented by known methods. In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the processing procedures, specific names, and information including various data and parameters in this document and the accompanying drawings can be optionally changed. For example, the various information shown in each of the accompanying drawings is not limited to the information shown.

[0228] In addition, each component of each of the devices shown is functional and conceptual, and does not necessarily need to be physically configured as shown. That is, the specific form of distribution / integration of each device is not limited to the form shown, and all or part of the devices can be configured in any unit by functionally or physically distributing / integrating according to various loads and usage conditions. It should be noted that the configuration by distribution / integration can be implemented dynamically.

[0229] Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be appropriately combined in the case where the processing contents do not contradict each other. Furthermore, the order of the respective steps in the flowcharts of the embodiments described above may be appropriately changed.

[0230] In addition, the embodiments may be implemented as any configuration constituting a device or system, such as a processor acting as a system large-scale integration (LSI), a module using multiple processors, a unit using multiple modules, a collection obtained by further adding other functions to a unit, etc. (that is, a partial configuration of a device), for example.

[0231] It should be noted that in the described embodiments, a system means an assembly of a plurality of components such as devices and modules (components), and it is not important whether all the components are inside the same housing. Therefore, a plurality of devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network and one device housing a plurality of modules in one housing are both systems.

[0232] Furthermore, the present embodiment may adopt a cloud computing configuration, for example, in which a function is collaboratively shared and processed by multiple devices over a network.

[0233] <<5. Conclusion>>

[0234] As described above, the information processing device (e.g., development device 10) of the embodiment calculates the EIRP of the array antenna and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area while changing the setting for the power feed to the array antenna. Subsequently, the information processing device calculates the setting information about the power feed to the array antenna by applying the calculated value to an evaluation criterion based on the EIRP and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area. That is, the information processing device considers not only the EIRP but also the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area when determining the setting information. Therefore, the information processing device can enable the communication device to exhibit high communication performance under the conditions specified by the power density.

[0235] Furthermore, the communication device controls the array antenna based on the setting information determined in this way. Therefore, the communication device can exhibit high communication performance while satisfying the power density regulation.

[0236] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In addition, components of different embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined.

[0237] In addition, the effects of the embodiments described in this specification are merely examples and not limitations. Other effects may be exhibited.

[0238] It should be noted that the present technology may also have the following configurations.

[0239] (1) A communication device comprising:

[0240] an acquisition unit, which acquires setting information about power feeding for the array antenna, wherein the setting information is calculated based on an evaluation standard, wherein the evaluation standard is based on an equivalent isotropically radiated power EIRP and a power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area; and

[0241] The communication control unit controls the array antenna based on the setting information.

[0242] (2) The communication device according to (1),

[0243] The setting information includes a setting value of at least one of a feeding power and a feeding phase for each of a plurality of feeding points of the array antenna.

[0244] (3) The communication device according to (2),

[0245] The setting information includes a setting value calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to the evaluation criteria, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing settings regarding power feed to the array antenna.

[0246] (4) The communication device according to (3),

[0247] Wherein, as the setting value, the setting information at least includes a value of a feeding phase of each of a plurality of feeding points of the antenna array.

[0248] (5) The communication device according to (4),

[0249] The set value is an optimum value of a feeding phase calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to the evaluation criteria, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the feeding phase.

[0250] (6) The communication device according to (5),

[0251] Wherein, the optimal value is calculated by using Bayesian optimization.

[0252] (7) The communication device according to (3),

[0253] Wherein, as the setting value, the setting information includes at least a value of a feeding power of each of a plurality of feeding points of the array antenna.

[0254] (8) The communication device according to (7),

[0255] The set value is an optimum value of the feed power calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to the evaluation standard, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the feed power.

[0256] (9) The communication device according to (8),

[0257] wherein at least one of the array antenna and the peripheral structure of the array antenna has a size smaller than an average frame under a predetermined regulatory area average, and

[0258] The set value of the feed power is calculated so that the feed power to the antenna elements located at the edge of the antenna array is greater than the feed power to the antenna elements located at the central part of the antenna array.

[0259] (10) A communication device according to claim (8) or (9),

[0260] Wherein, the optimal value is calculated by using Bayesian optimization.

[0261] (11) The communication device according to (3),

[0262] Among them, as the setting value, the setting information includes a value of a feeding phase for each of a plurality of feeding points of the array antenna, and a value of a feeding power for each of a plurality of feeding points of the array antenna.

[0263] (12) The communication device according to (11),

[0264] Wherein, the evaluation criteria include a first evaluation criteria and a second evaluation criteria, and

[0265] The setting values ​​include:

[0266] an optimum value of a feeding phase calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to a first evaluation criterion, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the feeding phase; and

[0267] An optimum value of a fed power calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to a second evaluation criterion, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the fed power at the optimum value of the calculated feeding phase.

[0268] (13) The communication device according to (12),

[0269] wherein the size of the average frame under the predetermined regulatory area average is smaller than the size of the array antenna, and

[0270] The set value of the feed power is calculated so that the feed power to the antenna element located at the edge of the array antenna is larger than the feed power to the antenna element located at the central portion of the array antenna.

[0271] (14) The communication device according to (12) or (13),

[0272] Wherein, the optimal value is calculated by using Bayesian optimization.

[0273] (15) The communication device according to any one of (1) to (14),

[0274] Among them, the communication control unit switches the setting for controlling the array antenna between when transmitting radio waves and when receiving radio waves.

[0275] (16) The communication device according to (15),

[0276] The communication control unit controls the antenna array based on setting information calculated according to the evaluation criteria when sending radio waves, and controls the antenna array based on other setting information when receiving radio waves, wherein the other setting information is calculated based on another evaluation criterion that does not include the power density under the predetermined regulatory area average.

[0277] (17) A communication method, comprising:

[0278] acquiring setting information on power feeding for the array antenna, the setting information being calculated based on an evaluation criterion including an equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and a power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area as factors; and

[0279] The array antenna is controlled based on the setting information.

[0280] (18) An information processing device comprising:

[0281] a first calculation unit that calculates an equivalent isotropically radiated power EIRP of the array antenna and a power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area while changing settings regarding power feed to the array antenna; and

[0282] The second calculation unit calculates setting information on power feeding for the array antenna by applying the calculated value to an evaluation criterion based on the EIRP and the power density in the predetermined regulatory area average.

[0283] (19) The information processing device according to (18),

[0284] The setting information is a setting value of at least one of a feed power and a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array.

[0285] (20) An information processing method comprising:

[0286] calculating an equivalent isotropically radiated power EIRP of the array antenna and a power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area while changing settings regarding power feed to the array antenna; and

[0287] Setting information on power feeding for the array antenna is calculated by applying the calculated value to an evaluation criterion based on the EIRP and the power density at the predetermined regulatory area average.

[0288] Reference numerals list

[0289] 1. Development System

[0290] 2. Communication System

[0291] 10——Development equipment

[0292] 20——Base Station

[0293] 30——Terminal equipment

[0294] 11 - Communication unit

[0295] 12 - Input unit

[0296] 13, 23, 33 - Control unit

[0297] 21, 31——Wireless communication unit

[0298] 22, 32 - Storage Unit

[0299] 131——First computing unit

[0300] 132——Second computing unit

[0301] 331 - Get Unit

[0302] 332——Communication control unit

[0303] 211, 311——Send processing unit

[0304] 212, 312——Receiving Processing Unit

[0305] 213, 313——Antenna

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: an acquiring unit, which acquires setting information about power feeding for the antenna array, wherein the setting information is calculated based on an evaluation standard, wherein the evaluation standard is based on an equivalent isotropically radiated power EIRP and a power density averaged under a predetermined regulatory area; as well as The communication control unit controls the antenna array based on the setting information.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, in, The setting information includes a setting value of at least one of a feed power and a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array.

3. The communication device according to claim 2, in, The setting information includes setting values ​​calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to the evaluation criteria, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing settings regarding power feed to the antenna array.

4. The communication device according to claim 3, in, The setting information includes at least, as the setting value, a value of a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array.

5. The communication device according to claim 4, in, The set value is an optimum value of a feeding phase calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to the evaluation standard, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the feeding phase.

6. The communication device according to claim 5, in, The optimal value is calculated by using Bayesian optimization.

7. The communication device according to claim 3, in, The setting information includes at least, as the setting value, a value of feed power for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, in, The set value is an optimum value of the feed power calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to the evaluation standard, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the feed power.

9. The communication device according to claim 8, in, At least one of the antenna array and the peripheral structure of the antenna array has a size that is smaller than the size of the average frame under the predetermined regulatory area average, and The set value of the feed power is calculated so that the feed power to the antenna elements located at the edge of the antenna array is greater than the feed power to the antenna elements located at the central part of the antenna array.

10. The communication device according to claim 8, in, The optimal value is calculated by using Bayesian optimization.

11. The communication device according to claim 3, in, The setting information includes, as the setting value, a value of a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array, and a value of a feed power for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array.

12. The communication device according to claim 11, in, The evaluation criteria include a first evaluation criterion and a second evaluation criterion, and The setting values ​​include: an optimum value of a feeding phase calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to a first evaluation criterion, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the feeding phase; and An optimum value of a fed power calculated by applying EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area to a second evaluation criterion, wherein the EIRP and power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area are calculated while changing the fed power at the optimum value of the calculated feeding phase.

13. The communication device according to claim 12, in, The size of the average frame under the predetermined regulatory area average is smaller than the size of the antenna array, and The set value of the feed power is calculated so that the feed power to the antenna elements located at the edge of the antenna array is greater than the feed power to the antenna elements located at the central part of the antenna array.

14. The communication device according to claim 12, in, The optimal value is calculated by using Bayesian optimization.

15. The communication device according to claim 1, in, The communication control unit switches settings for controlling the antenna array between when radio waves are transmitted and when radio waves are received.

16. The communication device according to claim 15, in, The communication control unit controls the antenna array based on setting information calculated according to the evaluation criteria when transmitting radio waves, and controls the antenna array based on other setting information when receiving radio waves, wherein the other setting information is calculated based on another evaluation criterion that does not include power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area.

17. A communication method, comprising: Acquiring setting information about power feeding for the antenna array, the setting information being calculated based on an evaluation criterion including an equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and a power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area as factors; and The antenna array is controlled based on the setting information.

18. An information processing device, comprising: A first calculation unit, which calculates an equivalent isotropically radiated power EIRP of the antenna array and a power density averaged under a predetermined regulatory area while changing a setting regarding power feeding to the antenna array; as well as A second calculation unit calculates setting information on power feeding for the antenna array by applying the calculated value to an evaluation criterion, wherein the evaluation criterion is based on the EIRP and the power density at the predetermined regulatory area average.

19. The information processing device according to claim 18, in, The setting information is a setting value of at least one of a feed power and a feed phase for each of a plurality of feed points of the antenna array.

20. An information processing method, comprising: While changing the setting about the power feed to the antenna array, calculating the equivalent isotropic radiated power EIRP of the antenna array and the power density averaged over a predetermined regulatory area; as well as Setting information on power feeding for the antenna array is calculated by applying the calculated value to an evaluation criterion based on the EIRP and the power density at the predetermined regulatory area average.

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