Interference area information output device, interference area information output system, interference area information output method, and interference area information output program

Abstract

To allow an interference area to be estimated more accurately in underwater acoustic communication.SOLUTION: An interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs, by sound waves, wireless communication with a wireless communication device that is present underwater estimates an interference area, which is a range where interference waves may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits the interference waves, which are sound waves that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution that indicates the speed of sound at each underwater point around the interference source, and outputs interference area information including information about the interference area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an interference area information output device, an interference area information output system, an interference area information output method, and an interference area information output program. [Background technology]

[0002] It is being considered to communicate using acoustic waves underwater. Hereinafter, communication using acoustic waves underwater will be referred to as underwater acoustic communication.

[0003] Because radio waves are significantly attenuated underwater, sound waves are more suitable for communication than radio waves at deep water.

[0004] In recent years, a method has been known in which a control device on land or on water communicates with an underwater communication device via a base station floating on the water surface. When a control device on land or on water communicates with an underwater communication device via a base station floating on the water surface, the communication between the base station and the communication device is performed by underwater acoustic communication. In addition, the communication between the base station and the control device is performed by radio communication or wired communication.

[0005] Further, related techniques include those described in Patent Documents 1 to 4. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-117205 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2012-173224 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2013-068553 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2017-181448 A [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] Takenobu Tsuchiya, "Numerical analysis of acoustic wave propagation in the ocean," Information Processing Society of Japan Research Report, June 2019 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, if an interference source occurs, interference may occur in the sound waves transmitted from the communication device or the base station, resulting in a deterioration in communication quality. The interference source is an object that emits interference waves. The interference waves are sound waves that may interfere with underwater sound communication.

[0009] In order to avoid the influence of interference waves on underwater high-speed communication, it is possible to change the position of the communication device or change the frequency used for underwater sonic communication according to the position of the interference source. However, there is a possibility that the influence of interference waves cannot be avoided underwater by only considering the position of the interference source. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to accurately estimate the interference area. Note that the interference area is an area where interference may occur in communication between the communication device and the base station.

[0010] In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present invention is to provide an interference area information output device, an interference area information output system, an interference area information output method, and an interference area information output program that enable more accurate estimation of an interference area in underwater communication via sound waves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, an interference area information output device is connected to a base station that uses sound waves to communicate wirelessly with a wireless communication device located underwater, and is equipped with an estimation unit that estimates an interference area, which is a range in which the interference waves may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits interference waves, which are sound waves that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source, and an output unit that outputs interference area information including information about the interference area.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the interference area information output system is an interference area information output system connected to a base station that uses sound waves to communicate wirelessly with a wireless communication device located underwater, and is equipped with an estimation means for estimating an interference area, which is a range in which the interference waves may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits interference waves, which are sound waves that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source, and an output means for outputting interference area information including information on the interference area.

[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, an interference area information output method is an interference area information output method of an interference area information output device connected to a base station that communicates wirelessly with a wireless communication device located underwater using sound waves, and estimates an interference area, which is a range in which the interference waves may interfere with the wireless communication, based on position information of an interference source that emits interference waves, which are sound waves that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source, and outputs interference area information including information about the interference area.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the interference area information output program is an interference area information output program of an interference area information output device connected to a base station that communicates wirelessly with a wireless communication device located underwater using sound waves, and causes a computer to realize an estimation function of estimating an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on position information of an interference source that emits interference waves, which are sound waves that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source, and an output function of outputting interference area information including information on the interference area. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the above-described aspects of the present invention, it becomes possible to more accurately estimate an interference area in underwater communication using sound waves. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an interference area information output device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the interference area information output device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system including an interference area information output device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an interference area information output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image showing an interference area. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of an image showing an interference area. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the interference area information output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the interference area information output device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to each embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A specific example of the interference area information output device 10 in the first embodiment is an interference area information output device 20 in a second embodiment described later.

[0018] 1 shows an example of the configuration of an interference area information output device 10 according to the present embodiment. The interference area information output device 10 includes an estimation unit 11 and an output unit 12.

[0019] The interference area information output device 10 is connected to a base station. The base station performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device by using sound waves. The wireless communication device is located underwater.

[0020] The estimation unit 11 estimates an interference area based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution in water around the interference source. The interference area is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with wireless communication.

[0021] The interference wave is a sound wave that may interfere with wireless communication. The interference source is an object that emits the interference wave. The topographical information is information that indicates the shape of the land. The sound speed distribution indicates the sound speed at each point in the water around the interference source.

[0022] The output unit 12 outputs interference area information including information on the interference area.

[0023] Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of an operation flow of the interference area information output device 10 of this embodiment.

[0024] The estimation unit 11 estimates an interference area based on position information of an interference source that emits an interference wave for wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution in water around the interference source (step S101).

[0025] The output unit 12 outputs the interference area information including the information on the interference area (step S102).

[0026] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the interference area information output device 10 includes an estimation unit 11 and an output unit 12. The interference area information output device 10 connects to a base station. The base station performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device by sound waves. The wireless communication device exists underwater. The estimation unit 11 estimates an interference area based on position information of an interference source that emits interference waves, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each point in the water around the interference source. The interference wave is a sound wave that may interfere with wireless communication. The interference area is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with wireless communication. The output unit 12 outputs interference area information including information on the interference area.

[0027] This allows the use of topographical information around the interference source and the underwater sound speed distribution around the interference source to estimate the interference area, making it possible to more accurately estimate the interference area in underwater sound wave communications.

[0028] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. A specific example of the interference area information output device 10 in the first embodiment is an interference area information output device 20 in the second embodiment.

[0029] 3 shows a configuration example of a communication system 60 including the interference area information output device 20 of this embodiment. The communication system 60 includes the interference area information output device 20, a base station 40, and a wireless communication device 50-i (i is an integer from 1 to N, and N is an integer equal to or greater than 1).

[0030] The base station 40 is located on the water and is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication devices 50-i using acoustic waves.

[0031] The wireless communication device 50-i exists underwater. The wireless communication device 50-i can perform wireless communication using sound waves with the base station 40. The wireless communication device 50-i can communicate with the interference area information output device 20 via the base station 40. The wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N may be collectively referred to as the wireless communication device 50.

[0032] Moreover, the frequency that the wireless communication device 50-i uses for wireless communication by sound waves with the base station 40 will hereinafter be referred to as the operating frequency. The wireless communication by sound waves may be communication by band signals. In this case, the operating frequency may be a frequency band. When the wireless communication is communication by band signals, the term "frequency" refers to a "frequency band." The operating frequencies of the wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N may be different from each other, or may include the same frequencies.

[0033] The interference area information output device 20 is connected to the base station 40. The interference area information output device 20 is located on water or on land. The interference area information output device 20 can perform wireless communication by radio waves or wired communication with the base station 40.

[0034] 4 shows an example of the configuration of the interference area information output device 20 of this embodiment. The interference area information output device 20 includes an estimation unit 21, an output unit 22, a detection unit 23, and an interference source position estimation unit 24.

[0035] The estimation unit 21 estimates the interference area based on the position information of the interference source that emits the interference wave, the topographical information around the interference source, and the sound speed distribution in water around the interference source. The interference wave is a sound wave that can interfere with the wireless communication by sound waves between the base station 40 and the wireless communication device 50-i. For example, a wave with a frequency close to the frequency used for the wireless communication by the wireless communication device 50-i can be the interference wave. In the case of wireless communication by sound waves, sound waves used in communication by other operators, natural sounds, sounds of construction work on water, land or underwater, sounds emitted by ships, etc. can also be the interference waves.

[0036] An interference source is an object that emits interference waves, such as devices that communicate by sound waves, underwater creatures, construction equipment, ships, etc.

[0037] The topographical information is information that indicates the shape of the land. For example, the topographical information indicates the topography of the ocean floor. Furthermore, the sound speed distribution indicates the sound speed at each of the underwater points around the interference source.

[0038] The interference area is a range in which an interference wave may interfere with wireless communication by sound waves between the base station 40 and the wireless communication device 50-i. A method for estimating the interference area will be described later.

[0039] Specifically, the surroundings of the interference source may be, for example, a range that the interference waves emitted by the interference source can reach. The surroundings of the interference source may be a range that the interference waves emitted by the interference source can affect wireless communication. The surroundings of the interference source may also be a predetermined range. For example, the surroundings of the interference source may be a range that is a target range for estimating the interference area, for example, a range at a predetermined distance from the base station 40.

[0040] The detector 23 detects interference waves that affect wireless communication by sound waves between the base station 40 and the wireless communication device 50-i. The detector 23 can detect interference waves by any method. An example of the method for detecting interference waves will be described later.

[0041] The interference source position estimation unit 24 estimates the position of the interference source that emits the interference wave detected by the detection unit 23. The method of estimating the position of the interference source will be described later.

[0042] In this embodiment, the estimation unit 21 estimates the interference area using the position of the interference source estimated by the interference source position estimation unit 24, but the position of the interference source may be estimated by another device. Also, the detection of the interference wave may be performed by another device.

[0043] The output unit 22 outputs interference area information including information on the interference area estimated by the estimation unit 21. A method for outputting the interference area information will be described later.

[0044] Next, a method for detecting an interference wave will be described. There are a method for detecting an interference wave based on a sound wave received by the base station 40, and a method for detecting an interference wave based on a sound wave received by the wireless communication device 50.

[0045] First, a method for detecting interference waves based on sound waves received by base station 40 will be described.

[0046] In this case, base station 40 transmits information on the received sound waves to interference area information output device 20. The sound wave information includes information on the direction from which the sound waves arrive and information on the frequency of the sound waves. Note that base station 40 does not need to transmit information on sound waves used in communications with wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N or sound waves with frequencies that do not affect the frequencies used by wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N.

[0047] For example, when the base station 40 receives any of the following sound waves, the interference area information output device 20 can determine that an interference wave has occurred. Sound waves coming from a direction where no wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N exist Sound waves coming from the direction in which the wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N are present, but with a frequency different from the frequency used by the wireless communication devices present in that direction Sound waves with unknown identity Next, a method for detecting an interference wave based on a sound wave received by the wireless communication device 50-i will be described.

[0048] In this case, the wireless communication device 50-i transmits information on the received sound waves to the interference area information output device 20 via the base station 40. The sound wave information includes information on the direction from which the sound waves arrive and information on the frequency of the sound waves. Note that the wireless communication device 50-i does not need to transmit information on sound waves used in communication with the base station 40 or sound waves of frequencies that do not affect the frequencies used by the wireless communication devices 50-1 to 50-N.

[0049] Furthermore, when the wireless communication device 50-i is affected by interference waves, it cannot communicate using the frequency it was using before it was affected by the interference waves, and therefore in this case, the wireless communication device 50-i communicates with the base station 40 using one of the spare frequencies that is not affected by the interference waves.

[0050] The detector 23 may detect the interference wave based on a sound wave received by an information acquisition device (not shown). The information acquisition device is mounted on, for example, an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) for acquiring information. In this case, the information acquisition device can detect the interference wave using information similar to the method of detecting the interference wave based on the sound wave received by the wireless communication device 50-i.

[0051] Next, a method for estimating the position of an interference source will be described. The position of an interference source is estimated by an interference source position estimator 24.

[0052] For example, the interference source position estimation unit 24 receives information on interference waves received by the base station 40 from the base station 40. The information on the interference waves includes information on the direction of arrival and frequency of the interference waves. The interference source position estimation unit 24 also receives information on interference waves received by the wireless communication device 50-i from the wireless communication device 50-i. The interference source position estimation unit 24 then estimates the position of the interference source using information on interference waves that are estimated to be interference waves from the same interference source among the received information on interference waves. For example, the interference source position estimation unit 24 can determine the position of the interference source as the intersection of a straight line extending from the position of the device (base station 40 or wireless communication device 50-i) that received the interference wave to the direction of arrival of the interference wave. Note that the interference source position estimation unit 24 may, for example, regard interference waves of the same frequency as interference waves from the same interference source.

[0053] The position of the wireless communication device 50-i may be measured based on an inertial sensor provided in the wireless communication device 50-i.

[0054] Also, the interference source position estimation unit 24 can estimate the position of the wireless communication device 50-i, for example, based on the arrival direction of the sound wave emitted by the wireless communication device 50-i with respect to the base station 40. For example, the interference source position estimation unit 24 receives information on the arrival direction of the sound wave emitted by the wireless communication device 50-i from the base station 40. Also, the interference source position estimation unit 24 receives information on the vertical position (depth) of the wireless communication device 50-i from the wireless communication device 50-i via the base station 40. Then, the interference source position estimation unit 24 can estimate the position of the wireless communication device 50-i based on the information on the arrival direction and the information on the vertical position (depth). In this case, the wireless communication device 50-i is provided with a pressure (depth) sensor.

[0055] The interference source position estimator 24 may further estimate the position of the interference source based on the received signal level of the interference wave. In this case, the information on the interference wave further includes information on the received signal level at the device that received the interference wave.

[0056] Next, a method for estimating an interference area will be described.

[0057] The estimation unit 21 can estimate the interference area based on position information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, topographical information about the vicinity of the interference source, and the sound speed distribution in water around the interference source.

[0058] Of the information used to estimate the interference area, the position information of the interference source that emits the interference wave is estimated by the interference source position estimator 24 as described above in this embodiment.

[0059] The topographical information of the vicinity of the interference source is stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) inside or outside the interference area information output device 20. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the base station 40 does not move, or if it does move, the moving distance is short. The storage unit stores topographical information indicating the underwater (e.g., ocean bottom) topography around the base station 40.

[0060] Regarding the speed of sound in water, for example, the speed of sound in the ocean depends on the water temperature, pressure (depth), and salinity. Therefore, the estimation unit 21 may estimate the sound speed distribution in the vertical and horizontal directions based on at least one of the water temperature and salinity around the interference source. The estimation unit 21 may receive information acquired by an information acquisition device from an information acquisition device (not shown), and estimate the sound speed distribution in the vertical and horizontal directions based on the received information.

[0061] The information acquiring device acquires information on the depth of the information acquiring device. Also, the information acquiring device acquires information on at least one of the water temperature and salinity concentration around the information acquiring device. For example, the information collecting device includes a depth sensor and acquires information on the depth of the information acquiring device. Also, for example, the information acquiring device includes a water temperature sensor and acquires information on the water temperature around the information acquiring device. Also, for example, the information acquiring device includes a salinity concentration sensor and acquires information on the salinity concentration around the information acquiring device. Note that the information acquiring device may be a wireless communication device 50-i. Also, the information acquiring device may be an underwater drone for acquiring information, or the like.

[0062] Regarding the position of the information acquisition device, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) cannot be used underwater. Therefore, the estimation unit 21 may estimate the position of the information acquisition device based on the direction of arrival of the sound waves emitted by the information acquisition device with respect to the base station 40. For example, the estimation unit 21 receives information on the direction of arrival of the sound waves emitted by the information acquisition device from the base station 40. The estimation unit 21 also receives information on the vertical position (depth) of the information acquisition device from the information acquisition device via the base station 40. Then, the estimation unit 21 can estimate the position of the information acquisition device based on the information on the direction of arrival and the information on the vertical position (depth).

[0063] Alternatively, the estimation unit 21 may receive information from an information server (not shown). The information server may estimate the current water temperature and salinity at a predetermined location based on, for example, information on past water temperature and salinity at the predetermined location or information on past water temperature and salinity in an environment similar to the predetermined location.

[0064] Furthermore, the estimation unit 21 can receive information on the vertical position (depth) from the wireless communication device 50-i. The wireless communication device 50-i includes a pressure (depth) sensor and acquires information on the vertical position (depth) of the wireless communication device 50-i. Furthermore, the estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the wireless communication device 50-i in the same manner as described above.

[0065] Furthermore, the estimation unit 21 can simulate the propagation of interference waves based on the sound speed distribution in the vertical and horizontal directions by, for example, the method described in Non-Patent Document 1, and estimate the interference area.

[0066] The estimation unit 21 may also estimate the interference area based on the position of the interference source and the predicted value of the sound speed distribution. For example, the estimation unit 21 may estimate the future interference area based on the future position of the interference source and the predicted value of the future sound speed distribution. For example, the estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the interference source by any method. The estimation unit 21 also estimates the future water temperature and salinity concentration. The estimation unit 21 may receive information on the future water temperature and salinity concentration from an information server. At this time, the information server estimates the future water temperature and salinity concentration at a predetermined position based on, for example, weather forecast information and information on past water temperature and salinity concentration.

[0067] The estimation unit 21 can estimate the future position of the interference source, for example, in the following manner.

[0068] For example, the estimation unit 21 can estimate the speed of the interference source from the change over time in the position of the interference source estimated by the interference source position estimation unit 24.

[0069] Also, for example, the estimation unit 21 may estimate the future position of the interference source by using the ship's position information. The estimation unit 21 may receive the ship's position information from a server (not shown) that provides it. The information provided from the server may be, for example, information from an Automatic Identification System (AIS). The ship's position information may be the ship's position information visually confirmed by a land-based observer. The ship's position information may also include a history of past position information.

[0070] In this case, the estimation unit 21 estimates the ship that is the interference source based on the ship's position information and the position of the interference source. The estimation unit 21 may estimate, for example, that a ship that exists within a predetermined range from the position of the interference source is the interference source. When two or more ships exist within a predetermined range from the position of the interference source, the estimation unit 21 may narrow down the ships estimated as candidates for the interference source based on the change over time in the position of the interference source.

[0071] The estimation unit 21 uses the speed of the ship estimated as an interference source as the speed of the interference source. For example, the estimation unit 21 can estimate the speed of the interference source based on time-dependent changes in position information of the ship estimated as an interference source. The estimation unit 21 may also use ship speed information included in the AIS information as information on the speed of the interference source.

[0072] The estimation unit 21 can then use the estimate of the speed of the interference source to estimate the future position of the interference source.

[0073] The size of the future interference area changes depending on the sound wave propagation and underwater noise level at the destination of the interference source. Since sound wave propagation changes depending on the sound speed distribution that depends on the future water temperature and future salinity concentration, the size of the interference area changes even for a stationary interference source. Furthermore, since the water temperature and salinity change depending on the presence or absence of rainfall, and the underwater noise level changes depending on the wind speed on the water surface and the presence or absence of rainfall, meteorological information may be used to estimate the water temperature, salinity and underwater noise level.

[0074] Next, a method for outputting interference area information will be described.

[0075] The output unit 22 may output, for example, image information for displaying an image on a display means (not shown) as the interference area information. At this time, the image displayed on the display means may be an image showing the interference area superimposed on a map.

[0076] An example of an image showing an interference area is shown in Fig. 5. In Fig. 5, a black circle indicates the position of a wireless communication device of the own carrier. A white circle indicates an estimated position of an interference source. A dashed circle indicates an interference area. In the example of Fig. 5, the interference area is shown two-dimensionally, but it may be shown three-dimensionally.

[0077] The interference area information may include information on past interference areas. The interference area information may include information on future interference areas. For example, the information may be an image showing the movement of the interference area or the change in size over time.

[0078] Another example of an image showing an interference area is shown in Figure 6. In Figure 5, the triangle indicates the current estimated position of a moving interference source. Also in Figure 5, the current and future interference areas are shown.

[0079] The interference area information may also include position information of the base station 40. The interference area information may also include position information of the wireless communication device 50. The interference area information may also include information on the frequency used by the wireless communication device 50. The interference area information may also include information on the area in which services are provided by the communication system 60. The interference area information may also include position information of ships (information from AIS). The interference area information may also include information on sound speed distribution. The interference area information may also include topographical information.

[0080] The interference area information may also include information indicating the direction of arrival of an interference wave with respect to the base station 40. The interference area information may also include information indicating the received signal level of the interference wave at the base station 40. In this case, the information indicating the direction of arrival may be shown, for example, by a sector-shaped image item indicating an area where an interference source may exist. The received signal level may also be shown, for example, by the color of the image item.

[0081] By outputting the interference area information as described above, a user who has referred to the interference area information can take measures to avoid the influence of interference by referring to the interference area information. For example, the user may change the frequency used by the wireless communication device 50 when the wireless communication device 50 passes through an interference area. Also, for example, the user may change the location of the wireless communication device 50. Also, for example, the user may change the location of the base station 40. Also, measures to avoid the influence of interference may be taken by a control device (not shown) to which the interference area information is output.

[0082] In addition, in underwater acoustic communication, the reach of acoustic waves varies depending on the underwater environment. If the frequency used is changed based on interference area information that does not take the underwater environment into consideration, interference waves may reach areas outside the range estimated as the interference area, resulting in interference outside the range estimated as the interference area. In this embodiment, the interference area is estimated using topographical information about the area around the interference source and the sound speed distribution in the water around the interference source. This makes it possible to estimate the interference area more accurately.

[0083] Furthermore, the output unit 22 may further output recommendation information regarding a response of the wireless communication device 50 to avoid interference. Furthermore, the output unit 22 may output image information for displaying an image on a display means, as the recommendation information.

[0084] In this case, the interference area information output device may further include a recommended information generating unit 35. An example of the configuration of the interference area information output device 30 including the recommended information generating unit 35 is shown in FIG.

[0085] The recommended information generating unit 35 generates recommended information for avoiding interference, for example, for a wireless communication device passing through an interference area among the wireless communication devices 50. The recommended information may be, for example, information on how to change the position, frequency used, transmission sound wave level, etc. of the wireless communication device to avoid interference.

[0086] The recommended information generating unit 35 may set, as the recommended information, for example, information on a moving route where the wireless communication device does not pass through an interference area, or information on a moving route that passes through the interference area in the shortest time. Also, for example, the recommended information generating unit 35 may set, as the recommended information, information on a frequency that can reduce the influence of the interference wave when the wireless communication device passes through an interference area. Also, for example, the recommended information generating unit 35 may set, as the recommended information, a reduction in the transmission sound wave level when it is desired to reduce the influence of interference waves from sound waves transmitted by the wireless communication device to the interference wave. Also, for example, the recommended information generating unit 35 may set, as the recommended information, a reduction in the transmission sound wave level when it is desired to reduce the influence of interference waves on sound waves transmitted by the wireless communication device.

[0087] Furthermore, the recommendation information generating unit 35 may schedule the frequency to be used and the sound wave level to be transmitted by the wireless communication device based on the future interference area, and may set information on the scheduled frequency to be used and the sound wave level to be the recommendation information.

[0088] Next, an example of an operation flow of the interference area information output device 20 is shown in FIG.

[0089] The detector 23 detects interference waves that affect wireless communication using sound waves between the base station 40 and the wireless communication device 50-i (step S201).

[0090] The interference source position estimation unit 24 estimates the position of the interference source that emits the interference wave detected by the detection unit 23 (step S202).

[0091] The estimation unit 21 estimates the interference area based on the position information of the interference source, topographical information of the vicinity of the interference source, and the sound speed distribution in water around the interference source (step S203).

[0092] The output unit 22 outputs the interference area information including the information on the interference area estimated by the estimation unit 21 (step S204).

[0093] As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the interference area information output device 20 includes an estimation unit 21 and an output unit 22. The interference area information output device 20 connects to a base station. The base station performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device by sound waves. The wireless communication device exists underwater. The estimation unit 21 estimates an interference area based on position information of an interference source that emits interference waves, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each point in the water around the interference source. The interference wave is a sound wave that may interfere with wireless communication. The interference area is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with wireless communication. The output unit 22 outputs interference area information including information on the interference area.

[0094] This allows the use of topographical information around the interference source and the underwater sound speed distribution around the interference source to estimate the interference area, making it possible to more accurately estimate the interference area in underwater sound wave communications.

[0095] In addition, using the output interference area information, the control device or user can control the wireless communication device or base station to reduce the influence of interference. For example, it becomes possible to change the location of the wireless communication device, change the frequency used in wireless communication between the wireless communication device and the base station, change the location of the base station, etc.

[0096] The estimation unit 21 may also estimate the sound speed distribution based on the water temperature around the interference source, thereby enabling the estimation unit to more accurately estimate the interference area in underwater communication using sound waves.

[0097] The estimation unit 21 may further estimate the sound speed distribution based on the salinity concentration around the interference source, thereby enabling the estimation unit to more accurately estimate the interference area in communication by sound waves in seawater.

[0098] Furthermore, the estimation unit 21 may estimate the interference area based on the position of the interference source and a predicted value of the sound speed distribution. This enables an interference avoidance measure that takes into account the position of the interference source and changes in the underwater environment.

[0099] The estimation unit 21 may also estimate the speed of the interference source and estimate the position of the interference source using the estimated speed, thereby making it possible to estimate the change in the position of the interference source.

[0100] Furthermore, the output unit 22 may output image information for displaying an image on a display unit as the information on the interference area, thereby making it possible to present the information on the interference area in an easily understandable manner to the user.

[0101] The interference area information output device 20 may further include a detection unit 23 that detects an interference wave and an interference source position estimation unit 24 that estimates the position of the interference source. This allows the interference area information output device 20 to detect the interference wave and estimate the position of the interference source.

[0102] [Hardware configuration example] An example of the configuration of hardware resources for implementing the interference area information output device (10, 20, 30) in each of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention using one information processing device (computer) will be described. Note that the interference area information output device may be implemented physically or functionally using at least two information processing devices. The interference area information output device may also be implemented as a dedicated device. Also, only a portion of the functions of the interference area information output device may be implemented using an information processing device. Also, at least a portion of the functions of the control device may be implemented on the cloud.

[0103] 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device capable of implementing the interference area information output device according to each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, a calculation device 93, a storage device 94, a non-volatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

[0104] 1 can be realized by a communication interface 91 and a computing device 93. The estimation unit 11 can be realized by the computing device 93.

[0105] The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the interference area information output device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device by wire or / and wirelessly. When the interference area information output device is realized using at least two information processing devices, the devices may be connected to each other via the communication interface 91 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0106] The input / output interface 92 is a man-machine interface including a keyboard as an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

[0107] The arithmetic device 93 is realized by an arithmetic processing device such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor, and a plurality of electric circuits. The arithmetic device 93 can, for example, read various programs stored in a non-volatile storage device 95 into the storage device 94 and execute processing according to the read programs.

[0108] The storage device 94 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be referenced by the arithmetic device 93, and stores programs, various data, etc. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

[0109] The non-volatile storage device 95 is, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and is capable of storing various programs, data, and the like.

[0110] The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 97, which will be described later.

[0111] The recording medium 97 is any recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor flash memory.

[0112] Each embodiment of the present invention may be realized, for example, by configuring an interference area information output device using an information processing device 90 illustrated in FIG. 9, and supplying a program capable of realizing the functions described in each of the above embodiments to this interference area information output device.

[0113] In this case, the embodiment can be realized by having the arithmetic device 93 execute the program supplied to the interference area information output device. Also, it is possible to configure some, but not all, of the functions of the interference area information output device in the information processing device 90.

[0114] Furthermore, the interference area information output device may be configured so that the above program is recorded on a recording medium 97 and appropriately stored in the non-volatile storage device 95 at the shipping stage or operation stage of the interference area information output device. In this case, the method of supplying the above program may employ a method of installing the program in the interference area information output device using an appropriate jig at the manufacturing stage before shipping or at the operation stage. The method of supplying the above program may employ a general procedure such as a method of downloading the program from an external source via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0115] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0116] (Appendix 1) An interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, an estimation unit that estimates an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution that indicates the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; and an output unit that outputs interference area information including information on the interference area; An interference area information output device comprising:

[0117] (Appendix 2) The estimation unit estimates the sound speed distribution based on a water temperature around the interference source. 2. An interference area information output device according to claim 1.

[0118] (Appendix 3) The estimation unit further estimates the sound speed distribution based on a salinity concentration around the interference source. 3. An interference area information output device according to claim 2.

[0119] (Appendix 4) The estimation unit further estimates the interference area based on the position of the interference source and the predicted value of the sound speed distribution. An interference area information output device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3.

[0120] (Appendix 5) The estimation unit estimates a speed of the interference source and estimates a position of the interference source using the estimated speed. 5. An interference area information output device according to claim 4.

[0121] (Appendix 6) The output unit outputs image information for displaying an image on a display means as information on the interference area. An interference area information output device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5.

[0122] (Appendix 7) A detection unit that detects the interference wave; an interference source position estimation unit that estimates a position of the interference source; 7. The interference area information output device according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0123] (Appendix 8) An interference area information output system connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, an estimation means for estimating an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; an output means for outputting interference area information including information on the interference area; An interference area information output system comprising:

[0124] (Appendix 9) An interference area information output method for an interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, comprising: an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, is estimated based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution that indicates the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; outputting interference area information including information on the interference area; A method for outputting interference area information.

[0125] (Appendix 10) An interference area information output program for an interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, On the computer, an estimation function for estimating an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; and an output function for outputting interference area information including information on the interference area; An interference area information output program that makes this possible.

[0126] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0127] 10, 20, 30 Interference area information output device 11, 21 Estimation part 12, 22 Output section 23 Detection unit 24 Interference source location estimation unit 35 Recommendation information generator 40 base station 50, 50-i wireless communication equipment 60 Communication Systems 90 Information processing equipment 91 Communication Interface 92 Input / Output Interface 93 Arithmetic unit 94 Storage device 95 Non-volatile storage devices 96 Drive device 97 Recording media

Claims

1. An interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, an estimation unit that estimates an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution that indicates the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; and an output unit that outputs interference area information including information on the interference area; An interference area information output device comprising:

2. The estimation unit estimates the sound speed distribution based on a water temperature around the interference source.

2. The interference area information output device according to claim 1.

3. The estimation unit further estimates the sound speed distribution based on a salinity concentration around the interference source. The interference area information output device according to claim 2 .

4. The estimation unit further estimates the interference area based on the position of the interference source and the predicted value of the sound speed distribution.

4. The interference area information output device according to claim 1, wherein the interference area information output device outputs interference area information corresponding to the interference area information.

5. The estimation unit estimates a speed of the interference source and estimates a position of the interference source using the estimated speed.

5. The interference area information output device according to claim 4.

6. The output unit outputs image information for displaying an image on a display means as information on the interference area.

2. The interference area information output device according to claim 1.

7. A detection unit that detects the interference wave; an interference source position estimation unit that estimates a position of the interference source; The interference area information output device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

8. An interference area information output system connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, an estimation means for estimating an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; an output means for outputting interference area information including information on the interference area; An interference area information output system comprising:

9. An interference area information output method for an interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, comprising: an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, is estimated based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution that indicates the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; outputting interference area information including information on the interference area; A method for outputting interference area information.

10. An interference area information output program for an interference area information output device connected to a base station that performs wireless communication with a wireless communication device present underwater using sound waves, On the computer, an estimation function for estimating an interference area, which is a range in which the interference wave may interfere with the wireless communication, based on location information of an interference source that emits an interference wave, which is a sound wave that may interfere with the wireless communication, topographical information around the interference source, and a sound speed distribution indicating the sound speed at each underwater point around the interference source; and an output function for outputting interference area information including information on the interference area; An interference area information output program that makes this possible.

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