Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides an information processing device, method, and program for controlling the transmission power of an aircraft that forms a wireless communication area by transmitting radio waves using an SL (Service Link) antenna. [Solution] In a wireless communication system, the information processing device 200 includes an acquisition unit that acquires operational information of the wireless communication function of a wireless base station and flight position information indicating the flight position of an aircraft, and a determination unit that, when the operational information indicates that the wireless communication function of the wireless base station is not operating normally, determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the aircraft's SL antenna based on flight position information of an aircraft flying above a cell that was formed by the wireless base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, reception position information indicating a reception position where radio waves transmitted by the wireless base station and radio waves transmitted by an adjacent wireless base station of the wireless base station are received with the same received power, and received power information indicating the received power.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) that establishes a feeder link with a ground gateway, establishes a service link with a ground terminal, and provides a wireless communication service to the terminal by relaying communication between the gateway and the terminal. [Prior Art Document] [Patent Document] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-135823

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an information processing apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus may include a storage unit that stores, in association with each other, first reception position information indicating a first reception position where radio waves transmitted by one radio base station among a plurality of radio base stations installed on the ground and radio waves transmitted by an adjacent radio base station adjacent to the one radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations are received at the same first reception power, and first reception power information indicating the first reception power. The information processing apparatus may include an acquisition unit that acquires operation information indicating whether the radio communication function of each radio base station of the plurality of radio base stations is operating normally, and flight position information indicating the flight position of an aircraft that forms a radio communication area by transmitting radio waves using an SL (Service Link) antenna. When the operation information indicates that the radio communication function of the one radio base station is not operating normally, the information processing apparatus, based on the flight position information of the aircraft flying over the cell formed by the one radio base station when the radio communication function was operating normally, the first reception position information, and the first reception power information, may include a determination unit that determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna so that the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the first reception position indicated by the first reception position information satisfies a predetermined reception power condition.

[0004] In the information processing apparatus, the determination unit may determine the transmission power so that the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the first reception position is less than or equal to the first reception power indicated by the first reception power information.

[0005] In any of the above information processing apparatuses, the determination unit may determine the transmission power using P Tx =P t T -P0+P Los where P Tx may be the transmission power, P T may be the first reception power, P0 may be a predetermined power, and P LosThis may be the free-space loss of radio waves propagating from the flight position of the aircraft, indicated by the flight position information, to the first receiving position.

[0006] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the determination unit may determine the transmission power such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the first receiving position is the first received power indicated by the first received power information.

[0007] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the storage unit may further store gateway location information indicating the installation location of a gateway installed on the ground, and the determination unit may further determine the flight path of the aircraft based on the gateway location information so that the aircraft can establish a feeder link with the gateway by transmitting radio waves using an FL (Feeder Link) antenna while the aircraft is flying over the cell that was formed by one radio base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally.

[0008] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the storage unit may further store coverage area information indicating the coverage area of ​​a cell formed by each of the plurality of wireless base stations, and the determination unit may determine the flight path of the aircraft so that the wireless communication area covers more of the coverage area of ​​the cell that was formed by one of the wireless base stations when the wireless communication function was operating normally, as indicated by the coverage area information.

[0009] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the storage unit may further store frequency information indicating the frequency of radio waves transmitted by each of the plurality of wireless base stations, and the information processing device may further include a control unit that controls the SL antenna to form the wireless communication area by transmitting radio waves that have the same frequency as the frequency indicated by the frequency information of one of the wireless base stations and the same transmission power.

[0010] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the storage unit may further store in association a second receiving position information indicating a second receiving position where radio waves transmitted by one wireless base station and radio waves transmitted by other adjacent wireless base stations among the plurality of wireless base stations adjacent to the one wireless base station are received with the same second receiving power, and a second receiving power information indicating the second receiving power. The determination unit may further determine the transmission power based on the second receiving position information and the second receiving power information such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the second receiving position indicated by the second receiving position information further satisfies the receiving power condition.

[0011] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the storage unit may further store in association a third receiving position information indicating a third receiving position where radio waves transmitted by another radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations and radio waves transmitted by another adjacent radio base station adjacent to the other radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations are received with the same third receiving power, and a third receiving power information indicating the third receiving power. The determination unit may, when the operation information indicates that the wireless communication function of one radio base station and the wireless communication function of the other radio base stations are not operating normally, determine the transmission power based on the third receiving position information and the third receiving power information such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the third receiving position indicated by the third receiving position information further satisfies the received power condition.

[0012] In any of the above-mentioned information processing devices, the information processing device may be mounted on the aircraft.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, an information processing method is provided that is performed by a computer that stores in association the following: reception position information indicating a reception position where radio waves transmitted by one of a plurality of radio base stations installed on the ground and radio waves transmitted by an adjacent radio base station adjacent to the one radio base station are received with the same received power; and received power information indicating the received power. The information processing method may include an acquisition step of acquiring operation information indicating whether the wireless communication function of each of the plurality of radio base stations is operating normally, and flight position information indicating the flight position of an aircraft that forms a wireless communication area by transmitting radio waves using an SL antenna. The information processing method may include a determination step in which, when the operation information indicates that the wireless communication function of the first wireless base station is not operating normally, the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna is determined based on the flight position information of the aircraft flying over the cell formed by the first wireless base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, the reception position information, and the received power information, such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the reception position indicated by the reception position information satisfies predetermined received power conditions.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to execute the information processing method.

[0015] Furthermore, the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] An example of System 10 is shown in a schematic manner. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the flight position of the aircraft 100 and the received power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. [Figure 3]This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. [Figure 6] An example of cell-related information is shown in a general overview. [Figure 7] An example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 200 is shown in a schematic manner. [Figure 8] An example of the functional configuration of the control device 500 is shown in general terms. [Figure 9] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow of the information processing device 200. [Figure 10] A schematic example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as an information processing device 200 or a control device 500 is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0017] In the event of a disaster, when a radio base station mounted on a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) flying over an area where wireless communication services have become unavailable due to the disaster provides wireless communication services to that area, there is a risk of interference between the radio waves emitted by the radio base station mounted on the UAV and the radio waves emitted by a normally operating ground-based radio base station. In the system according to this embodiment, for example, a mechanism is employed to dynamically adjust the transmission power of the radio waves emitted by the radio base station mounted on the UAV, based on a database of received power of radio waves emitted by ground-based radio base stations stored in the UAV and the UAV's location information, so that the received power of the radio waves emitted by the radio base station mounted on the UAV is less than or equal to the received power of radio waves emitted by a normally operating ground-based radio base station. This makes it possible to avoid a mobile phone terminal that is wirelessly connected to a normally operating ground-based radio base station wirelessly connecting to the radio base station mounted on the UAV, and to minimize the occurrence of the aforementioned interference.

[0018] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. In addition, in the drawings, identical or similar parts may be given the same reference numeral to omit redundant descriptions.

[0019] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of system 10. System 10 may include an aircraft 100. System 10 may include an information processing device 200. System 10 may include a control device 500.

[0020] System 10 provides wireless communication services using the aircraft 100. The area covered by the wireless communication services using the aircraft 100 may be an area where wireless communication services are not currently provided.

[0021] Areas where wireless communication services are not provided include, for example, the coverage area of ​​a cell formed by a ground-based radio base station whose wireless communication function is not functioning properly, when its wireless communication function was functioning properly. Cases where the wireless communication function of a radio base station is not functioning properly include, for example, when the radio base station is damaged or collapsed due to a disaster such as an earthquake, tsunami, or lightning strike. Cases where the wireless communication function of a radio base station is not functioning properly also include, for example, when the radio base station has become obsolete over time. Cases where the wireless communication function of a radio base station is not functioning properly may also include when the radio base station has been shut down for maintenance, etc. Areas where wireless communication services are not provided may also include areas where no radio base stations are installed on the ground.

[0022] Here, "installed on the ground" includes being installed on buildings such as skyscrapers. In other words, "installed on the ground" is not limited to being installed on the ground itself.

[0023] The aircraft 100 may be any type of aircraft, as long as it is capable of providing radio communication services. The aircraft 100 may be, for example, a glider. The aircraft 100 may be, for example, a vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The aircraft 100 may be, for example, a balloon.

[0024] The aircraft 100 is, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle. The aircraft 100 is, for example, a drone. The aircraft 100 is, for example, a so-called HAPS that functions as a stratospheric platform. The aircraft 100 may also be a manned aircraft.

[0025] The aircraft 100 has, for example, an FL antenna 120. The FL antenna 120 transmits, for example, omnidirectional radio waves. The FL antenna 120 may also transmit directional radio waves.

[0026] The aircraft 100 establishes a feeder link 122 with a gateway 30 installed on the ground, for example, by transmitting radio waves using an FL antenna 120. The aircraft 100 may access the network 20 via the gateway 30.

[0027] Network 20 may include a core network provided by a telecommunications carrier. The core network may, for example, conform to a 5G (5th Generation) communication system. The core network may conform to a 6G (6th Generation) or later mobile communication system. The core network may conform to a 3G (3rd Generation) communication system. The core network may conform to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication system. Network 20 may include the Internet.

[0028] The aircraft 100 has, for example, an SL antenna 140. The SL antenna 140 transmits, for example, omnidirectional radio waves. The SL antenna 140 may also transmit directional radio waves.

[0029] The aircraft 100 forms a wireless communication area 142 by, for example, transmitting radio waves using the SL antenna 140. This allows the aircraft 100 to establish a service link with a communication terminal 400 within the wireless communication area 142 and provide wireless communication services.

[0030] The wireless communication area 142 includes, for example, one cell. The wireless communication area 142 includes, for example, multiple cells. In this case, the SL antenna 140 may be an antenna capable of transmitting multiple radio waves, and the aircraft 100 may have multiple SL antennas 140.

[0031] The communication terminal 400 can be any communication terminal capable of establishing a service link with the aircraft 100. For example, the communication terminal 400 may be a mobile phone such as a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a wearable device. The communication terminal 400 may also be a PC (Personal Computer). The communication terminal 400 may also be an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal. The communication terminal 400 may include anything that falls under the IoE (Internet of Everything).

[0032] The aircraft 100 has, for example, a housing section 150. The housing section 150 may house the FL antenna 120 and the SL antenna 140.

[0033] The aircraft 100 flies, for example, according to an aircraft control signal that controls the aircraft 100. The aircraft 100 flies, for example, according to an aircraft control signal received from an external device. The aircraft 100 may generate its own aircraft control signal and fly according to the generated aircraft control signal. In this case, the aircraft 100 may be an autonomous aircraft.

[0034] The aircraft 100 forms a radio communication area 142 while circling in the sky, for example. The aircraft 100 circles in a circular orbit, for example. The aircraft 100 circles in a figure-eight orbit, for example. The aircraft 100 circles in a rectangular orbit, for example. The aircraft 100 circles in a D-shaped orbit, for example. The aircraft 100 may circle in any other shape of orbit.

[0035] The aircraft 100 flies, for example, at an altitude of approximately 3 km to approximately 10 km. If the aircraft 100 is a HAPS, the aircraft 100 may fly in the stratosphere. The stratosphere may be an area with an altitude of approximately 10 km to approximately 50 km.

[0036] The aircraft 100 may have, for example, a battery. The aircraft 100 may fly using, for example, the electricity stored in the battery. The aircraft 100 may also fly using the fuel carried on board.

[0037] The aircraft 100 measures its flight position using, for example, a positioning sensor mounted on the aircraft. The positioning sensor includes, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) sensor. The positioning sensor includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor. The positioning sensor includes, for example, an RTK (Real Time Kinematic) sensor.

[0038] The aircraft 100 transmits, for example, flight position information indicating the flight position of the aircraft 100 to an external device. The aircraft 100 transmits the flight position information of the aircraft 100 to an external device, for example, via the gateway 30 and the network 20.

[0039] The aircraft 100 transmits, for example, its flight position information to the information processing device 200. The aircraft 100 also transmits, for example, its flight position information to the control device 500.

[0040] The information processing device 200 performs various information processing tasks to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft 100. For example, the information processing device 200 performs these various information processing tasks based on various information.

[0041] The information processing device 200 performs various information processing based on various information stored within itself. The information processing device 200 stores, for example, cell-related information associated with a cell formed by each of a plurality of radio base stations installed on the ground.

[0042] Cell-related information includes, for example, cell identification information that identifies the cell. Cell-related information includes, for example, radio base station information that indicates the radio base station forming the cell. Cell-related information includes, for example, coverage area information that indicates the coverage area of ​​the cell. Coverage area information includes, for example, cell center position information that indicates the center position of the cell and cell radius information that indicates the radius of the cell. Cell-related information includes, for example, adjacent cell information that indicates adjacent cells adjacent to the cell. Cell-related information includes reception position information that indicates the reception position where radio waves transmitted by the radio base station forming the cell among the plurality of radio base stations and radio waves transmitted by the radio base station forming the adjacent cell among the plurality of radio base stations are received with the same received power. Here, the same received power may include errors within a range that does not affect the various processing by the information processing device 200. Note that the radio base station forming the adjacent cell may be described as an adjacent radio base station adjacent to the radio base station forming the cell. Cell-related information includes, for example, received power information that indicates the received power. Cell-related information may include, for example, operational information indicating whether the radio communication functions of the base stations forming the cell are operating normally. Cell-related information may include, for example, frequency information indicating the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the base stations forming the cell. Cell-related information may include, for example, wavelength information indicating the wavelength of the radio waves transmitted by the base stations forming the cell. Cell-related information may also include any other information related to the cell.

[0043] The information processing device 200 performs various information processing based on various information obtained from an external device, for example. The information processing device 200 obtains various information from an external device by receiving various information from the external device via the network 20, for example.

[0044] The information processing device 200, for example, obtains flight position information of the aircraft 100 from the aircraft 100. The information processing device 200, for example, obtains operational information of each wireless base station from each of the multiple wireless base stations.

[0045] The information processing device 200 decides, for example, whether or not to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft 100 based on the operational information of each of the multiple wireless base stations. For example, if there is a wireless base station among the multiple wireless base stations whose wireless communication function is not operating normally, the information processing device 200 decides to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft 100. Details of the case when the information processing device 200 decides to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft 100 will be described later. On the other hand, if there is no wireless base station among the multiple wireless base stations whose wireless communication function is not operating normally, the information processing device 200 decides not to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft 100.

[0046] Figure 1 shows an example where the information processing device 200 is installed on the ground. The information processing device 200 may also be mounted on the aircraft 100.

[0047] The control device 500 controls the aircraft 100. The control device 500 controls the aircraft 100, for example, by transmitting aircraft control signals to the aircraft 100. The control device 500 transmits aircraft control signals to the aircraft 100, for example, via the network 20 and gateway 30.

[0048] The control device 500 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, for example. The control device 500 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that it performs a circular flight in the sky, for example. The aircraft 100 may fly according to the control provided by the control device 500.

[0049] The control device 500 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, for example by controlling the flight speed of the aircraft 100. The control device 500 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, for example by controlling the flight direction of the aircraft 100. The control device 500 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, for example by controlling the flight altitude of the aircraft 100. The control device 500 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, for example by controlling the flight attitude of the aircraft 100.

[0050] The control device 500 controls, for example, the FL antenna 120 mounted on the aircraft 100. The control device 500 controls the FL antenna 120 to establish a feeder link 122 between the aircraft 100 and the gateway 30, for example, by transmitting radio waves. The FL antenna 120 may operate in accordance with the control of the control device 500.

[0051] The control device 500 controls, for example, the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100. The control device 500 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by, for example, transmitting radio waves. The control device 500 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by, for example, transmitting radio waves at the same frequency as the radio waves transmitted by the radio base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally. The SL antenna 140 may operate in accordance with the control by the control device 500.

[0052] Figure 1 shows an example where the information processing device 200 and the control device 500 are different devices. The information processing device 200 and the control device 500 may be an integrated unit. In this case, the information processing device 200 may have a control function for controlling the aircraft 100.

[0053] Here, we will explain an example of the processing flow of System 10 when the wireless communication function of base station 310 is operating normally, but the wireless communication function of base station 330 adjacent to base station 310 is not operating normally. In this case, the area to which the wireless communication service using the aircraft 100 is provided is the coverage area of ​​cell 332 that was formed by base station 330 when its wireless communication function was operating normally.

[0054] Since the operational information of the radio base station 330 indicates that the radio communication function of the radio base station 330 is not operating normally, the information processing device 200 may decide to provide a radio communication service using the aircraft 100. In this case, the information processing device 200 may transmit coverage area information indicating the coverage area of ​​cell 332 to the control device 500 via the network 20. Based on the coverage area of ​​cell 332 indicated by the coverage area information received from the information processing device 200, the control device 500 may control the flight of the aircraft 100 so that the aircraft 100 flies over cell 332.

[0055] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100 flying above cell 332 in order to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft 100. The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 based, for example, on the flight position information of the aircraft 100 and the reception position information included in the cell-related information, which indicates a reception position 315 where radio waves transmitted by the radio base station 310 and radio waves transmitted by the radio base station 330 forming cell 312 are received with the same reception power, as well as reception power information indicating that reception power. The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 such that the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the reception position 315 indicated by the reception position information satisfies predetermined reception power conditions.

[0056] The received power condition includes, for example, that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position 315 is less than or equal to the received power indicated by the received power information. Furthermore, the statement that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position 315 is less than or equal to the received power indicated by the received power information includes both cases: when the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position 315 is less than the received power indicated by the received power information, and cases where the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position 315 is equal to the received power indicated by the received power information. The received power condition includes, for example, that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position 315 is less than the received power indicated by the received power information.

[0057] The information processing device 200 transmits transmission power information, which indicates the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140, to the control device 500 via the network 20. The control device 500 may control the SL antenna 140 to transmit radio waves at the transmission power indicated by the transmission power information received from the information processing device 200.

[0058] Currently, there is active research being conducted on technologies that use aircraft equipped with wireless communication capabilities to provide wireless communication services to areas where a ground-based wireless base station was providing services, in the event that the wireless communication functions of the said base station cease to function properly. Users who were using the wireless communication services provided by the said base station can continue to use the wireless communication services provided by the aircraft even after the base station's wireless communication functions have ceased to function properly.

[0059] On the other hand, when providing wireless communication services using the aircraft, there is a risk of radio interference occurring between the radio waves transmitted by the aircraft and the radio waves transmitted by the base station and adjacent base stations. This radio interference is one of the factors that degrades the communication quality for users using the wireless communication services provided by the base station and adjacent base stations. In particular, if the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the aircraft is the same as the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the base station and adjacent base stations, this radio interference can further degrade the communication quality for those users.

[0060] Furthermore, the wireless communication service provided by the aircraft differs from the wireless communication service provided by a base station in that the aircraft transmits radio waves while flying in the air. Therefore, considering the differences between the wireless communication service provided by the aircraft and the wireless communication service provided by a base station, it is desirable to be able to provide wireless communication services using the aircraft to areas where wireless communication services are not provided by ground-based base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of the aforementioned radio interference.

[0061] In contrast, according to the system 10 of this embodiment, the information processing device 200 stores in advance cell-related information relating to a cell formed by each of a plurality of radio base stations installed on the ground. If the wireless communication function of one of the plurality of radio base stations is not operating normally, the information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100, based on the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying over the cell that was formed by the single radio base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, and the reception position information and reception power information included in the cell-related information of the cell formed by the single radio base station, so that the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the reception position indicated by the reception position information satisfies predetermined reception power conditions. For example, the information processing device 200 determines the transmission power so that the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the reception position is less than or equal to the reception power indicated by the reception power information.

[0062] The information processing device 200 can determine the transmission power so that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position satisfies the received power condition, thereby preventing radio interference between the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 and the radio waves transmitted by adjacent radio base stations adjacent to the radio base station. Furthermore, since the radio base station does not transmit radio waves in the area where the wireless communication service using the aircraft 100 is provided, even if the transmission power is relatively small, communication terminals 400 within the service area can receive the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. The information processing device 200 can then dynamically determine the transmission power in response to changes in the flight position of the aircraft 100, so that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the receiving position satisfies the received power condition, by determining the transmission power based on the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying above the cell formed by the radio base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally. As a result, the system 10 according to this embodiment can provide wireless communication services to areas where wireless communication services are not provided by wireless base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of radio interference between radio waves transmitted by an aircraft equipped with wireless communication functionality and radio waves transmitted by a wireless base station adjacent to a wireless base station whose wireless communication functionality is not properly operating.

[0063] In addition, according to the system 10 of this embodiment, the occurrence of radio interference is suppressed by the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140, so that the occurrence of radio interference can be suppressed without using beamforming technology or a control mechanism that controls the propagation direction of radio waves transmitted by the antenna mounted on the aircraft. As a result, the system 10 of this embodiment can provide wireless communication services using the aircraft to areas where wireless communication services are not provided by wireless base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of radio interference, using a smaller and less expensive aircraft.

[0064] Furthermore, if the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 is the same as the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the radio base station when its wireless communication function was operating normally, the SL antenna 140 can transmit radio waves using the frequency resources allocated to the radio base station for transmitting radio waves. This means that since there is no need to allocate frequency resources to the aircraft, more frequency resources can be allocated to the radio base station. As a result, if the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 is the same as the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the radio base station when its wireless communication function was operating normally, the system 10 according to this embodiment can provide wireless communication services using the aircraft to areas where wireless communication services are not provided by radio base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of radio interference, with a higher efficiency in the utilization of frequency resources.

[0065] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the relationship between the flight position of the aircraft 100 and the received power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. Here, it is assumed that the EIRP (Equivalent Isotropic Radiation Power) of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 is 30 dBm, the center frequency f of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 is 2.1 GHz, and the flight altitude h of the aircraft 100 is 3000 m. Here, EIRP is the transmission power required when the antenna is replaced with an isotropic antenna. An isotropic antenna is a hypothetical antenna that radiates power uniformly in all directions and has no loss, and the EIRP of the SL antenna 140 may be just one example of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140.

[0066] The flight position of the aircraft 100 is represented as (x,y) in the xy coordinate system shown in Figure 2. The receiving position O, where the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received, is represented as (0,0) in the xy coordinate system shown in Figure 2. That is, the receiving position O is the origin of the xy coordinate system shown in Figure 2. In this case, the distance r between the flight position of the aircraft 100 and the receiving position O is given by r = (x 2 +y 2 )1 / 2 is satisfied.

[0067] When the flight position of the flying object 100 is the flight position A represented as (x A , h) in the xy coordinate system shown in FIG. 2, by substituting x A = 1000 m and h = 3000 m into the above formula, the distance r A ≒ 3160 m between the flight position A and the reception position O is derived. Also, when the flight position of the flying object 100 is the flight position B represented as (x B , h) in the xy coordinate system shown in FIG. 2, by substituting x B = 2000 m and h = 3000 m into the above formula, the distance r B ≒ 3600 m between the flight position B and the reception position O is derived. [[ID=十八]]

[0068] The free space loss P of the radio wave propagating from the flight position of the flying object 100 to the reception position O Los satisfies the relationship represented by the following formula. Note that the free space loss is the propagation loss of radio waves in a vacuum space where there are no reflectors or shields between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna.

[0069]

Equation

[0070] Here, λ is the wavelength of the radio wave transmitted by the SL antenna 140. f is the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the SL antenna 140. c is the propagation speed of the radio wave transmitted by the SL antenna 140.

[0071] Substituting r A = 3160 m, f = 2.1 GHz, and c = 3.0 × 10 8 m / s into the above formula, when the flight position of the flying object 100 is the flight position A, the free space loss P Los_A ≒ 109 dB until the radio wave transmitted by the SL antenna 140 propagates to the reception position O is derived. Also, substituting r B = 3600 m, f = 2.1 GHz, and c = 3.0 × 10 8By substituting m / s, we can determine the free-space loss P during the time it takes for the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 to propagate to the receiving position O when the flight position of the aircraft 100 is flight position B. Los_A Approximately 110 dB is derived.

[0072] The received power P when the radio waves transmitted by SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position O. Rx P Rx =P Tx -P Los This satisfies the condition. Here, P Tx This is the EIRP of the radio waves transmitted by SL antenna 140.

[0073] P in the above formula Tx =30bBm, P Los_A By substituting ≈109dB, we can determine the received power P when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position O, assuming the flight position of the aircraft 100 is flight position A. Rx_A = -79 dBm is derived. Also, P is added to the above formula. Tx =30bBm, P Los_B By substituting ≈110dB, we can determine the received power P when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position O, given that the flight position of the aircraft 100 is flight position B. Rx_B = -80 dBm is derived.

[0074] P Rx_A and P Rx_B The difference in received power between the two points ΔP Rx =P Rx_B -P Rx_A = -80 dBm - (-79 dBm) = -1 dBm. Therefore, when r changes by approximately 440 m, P Rx It can be seen that the value changes by approximately 1 dBm.

[0075] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. Here, we describe an example of radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 when the wireless communication functions of base stations 310 and 320 are operating normally, and the wireless communication function of base station 330 is not operating normally. It is assumed that base stations 310 and 320 are adjacent base stations to base station 330.

[0076] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100, for example, if the wireless communication function of the radio base station 330 is not operating normally. The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 based on, for example, the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying over the cell 332 that was formed by the radio base station 330 when the wireless communication function was operating normally, and the cell-related information of the cell 332. Here, the cell-related information of cell 332 includes at least: first reception position information indicating a reception position 315 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 330 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 310 forming cell 312 adjacent to cell 332 are received with the same first reception power; first reception power information indicating the said first reception power; second reception position information indicating a reception position 325 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 330 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 320 forming cell 322 adjacent to cell 332 are received with the same second reception power; and second reception power information indicating the said second reception power.

[0077] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 315, and the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 325, respectively, satisfies the received power conditions. As a result, the system 10 shown in Figure 3 can provide wireless communication services using the aircraft, in areas where wireless communication services are not provided by wireless base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of radio interference between the radio waves transmitted by the aircraft equipped with wireless communication functions and the radio waves transmitted by each of the multiple wireless base stations adjacent to a wireless base station whose wireless communication functions are not operating properly.

[0078] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. Here, we describe an example of radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 when the wireless communication function of base station 310 is operating normally, and the wireless communication functions of base stations 330 and 360 are not operating normally. It is assumed that base station 310 is an adjacent base station to base station 330, and base station 310 is an adjacent base station to base station 360.

[0079] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100, for example, if the wireless communication functions of the radio base stations 330 and 360 are not operating normally. The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 based on, for example, the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying above at least one of the cells formed by the radio base station 330 when the wireless communication functions were operating normally and the cell formed by the radio base station 360 when the wireless communication functions were operating normally, as well as the cell-related information of cell 332 and the cell-related information of cell 362.

[0080] Here, the cell-related information for cell 332 includes at least first reception position information indicating a reception position 315 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 330 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 310 forming cell 312 adjacent to cell 332 are received with the same first reception power, and first reception power information indicating said first reception power. Furthermore, the cell-related information for cell 362 includes at least second reception position information indicating a reception position 318 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 360 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 310 forming cell 312 adjacent to cell 362 are received with the same second reception power, and second reception power information indicating said second reception power.

[0081] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 315, and the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 318, respectively, satisfies the received power conditions. As a result, the system 10 shown in Figure 4 can provide wireless communication services using the aircraft to areas where wireless communication services are not provided by wireless base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of radio interference between the radio waves transmitted by the aircraft equipped with wireless communication functions and the radio waves transmitted by each wireless base station and adjacent wireless base stations where the wireless communication functions are not operating normally.

[0082] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another example of radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. Here, we describe an example of radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 when the wireless communication functions of base stations 310, 320, 340, and 350 are operating normally, and the wireless communication functions of base stations 330 and 360 are not operating normally. It is assumed that base stations 310 and 320 are adjacent base stations to base station 330, and base stations 340 and 350 are adjacent base stations to base station 360.

[0083] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100, for example, if the wireless communication functions of the radio base stations 330 and 360 are not operating normally. The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 based on, for example, the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying above at least one of the cells formed by the radio base station 330 when the wireless communication functions were operating normally and the cell formed by the radio base station 360 when the wireless communication functions were operating normally, as well as the cell-related information of cell 332 and the cell-related information of cell 362.

[0084] Here, the cell-related information of cell 332 includes at least: first reception position information indicating a reception position 315 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 330 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 310 forming cell 312 adjacent to cell 332 are received with the same first reception power; first reception power information indicating the said first reception power; second reception position information indicating a reception position 325 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 330 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 320 forming cell 322 adjacent to cell 332 are received with the same second reception power; and second reception power information indicating the said second reception power. Furthermore, the cell-related information of cell 362 includes at least third reception position information indicating a reception position 345 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 360 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 340 forming cell 342 adjacent to cell 362 are received with the same third reception power; third reception power information indicating said third reception power; fourth reception position information indicating a reception position 355 where radio waves transmitted by radio base station 360 and radio waves transmitted by radio base station 350 forming cell 352 adjacent to cell 362 are received with the same fourth reception power; and fourth reception power information indicating said fourth reception power.

[0085] The information processing device 200 determines the transmission power such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 315, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 325, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 345, and the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at receiving position 355 each satisfy the received power conditions. As a result, the system 10 shown in Figure 5 can provide wireless communication services using the aircraft to areas where wireless communication services are not provided by wireless base stations, while suppressing the occurrence of radio interference between the radio waves transmitted by the aircraft equipped with wireless communication functions and the radio waves transmitted by each of the multiple wireless base stations adjacent to each of the multiple wireless base stations whose wireless communication functions are not operating normally.

[0086] Figure 6 schematically shows an example of cell-related information. Here, it is assumed that the information processing device 200 stores cell-related information, including cell identification information, wireless base station information, coverage area information, adjacent cell information, reception location information, received power information, and operation information, in association with each other.

[0087] Cell A, identified by cell identification information, is formed by "Radio Base Station A," as indicated by the radio base station information for Cell A. Cell B, identified by cell identification information, is formed by "Radio Base Station B," as indicated by the radio base station information for Cell B. Cell C, identified by cell identification information, is formed by "Radio Base Station C," as indicated by the radio base station information for Cell C.

[0088] The cell center position of cell A is indicated by the cell center position information of cell A included in the coverage area information of cell A, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x A ,y A ,z A It is expressed as "). Also, the radius of cell A is "200m", as indicated by the cell radius information of cell A included in the coverage area information of cell A.

[0089] The cell center position of cell B is indicated by the cell center position information of cell B included in the coverage area information of cell B, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x B ,y B ,z B It is expressed as "). Also, the radius of cell B is "250m", as indicated by the cell radius information of cell B included in the coverage area information of cell B.

[0090] The cell center position of cell C is indicated by the cell center position information of cell C included in the coverage area information of cell C, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x C ,y C ,z C It is expressed as "). Also, the radius of cell C is "300m", as indicated by the cell radius information of cell C included in the coverage area information of cell C.

[0091] The adjacent cells to cell A are "cell B" and "cell C," as indicated by the adjacent cell information for cell A. The adjacent cell to cell B is "cell A," as indicated by the adjacent cell information for cell B. The adjacent cells to cell C are "cell A," "cell D," and "cell E," as indicated by the adjacent cell information for cell C.

[0092] The receiving position where radio waves transmitted by radio base station A forming cell A and radio waves transmitted by radio base station B forming cell B adjacent to cell A are received with the same received power is indicated by the receiving position information of cell A, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x AB ,y AB ,z AB This is expressed as "). Furthermore, the received power is "-112dBm", as indicated by the received power information for cell A.

[0093] The receiving position where radio waves transmitted by radio base station A forming cell A and radio waves transmitted by radio base station C forming cell C adjacent to cell A are received with the same received power is indicated by the receiving position information of cell A, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x AC ,y AC ,z AC This is expressed as "). Furthermore, the received power is "-114dBm", as indicated by the received power information for cell A.

[0094] The receiving position where radio waves transmitted by radio base station B forming cell B and radio waves transmitted by radio base station A forming cell A adjacent to cell B are received with the same received power is indicated by the receiving position information of cell B, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x AB ,y AB ,z AB This is expressed as "). Furthermore, the received power is "-112dBm", as indicated by the received power information for cell B.

[0095] The receiving position where radio waves transmitted by radio base station C forming cell C and radio waves transmitted by radio base station A forming cell A adjacent to cell C are received with the same received power is indicated by the receiving position information of cell C, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x AC ,y AC ,z AC This is expressed as "). Furthermore, the received power is "-114dBm", as indicated by the received power information of cell C.

[0096] The receiving position where radio waves transmitted by radio base station C forming cell C and radio waves transmitted by radio base station D forming cell D adjacent to cell C are received with the same received power is indicated by the receiving position information of cell C, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x CD ,y CD ,z CD This is expressed as "). Furthermore, the received power is "-113dBm", as indicated by the received power information of cell C.

[0097] The receiving position where radio waves transmitted by radio base station C forming cell C and radio waves transmitted by radio base station E forming cell E adjacent to cell C are received with the same received power is indicated by the receiving position information of cell C, in the xyz coordinate system as "(x CE ,y CE ,z CE This is expressed as "). Furthermore, the received power is "-115dBm", as indicated by the received power information of cell C.

[0098] The operational status of the wireless communication function of base station A, which forms cell A, is "normal," as indicated by the operational information of base station A. The operational status of the wireless communication function of base station B, which forms cell B, is "abnormal," as indicated by the operational information of base station B. The operational status of the wireless communication function of base station C, which forms cell C, is "normal," as indicated by the operational information of base station C.

[0099] Figure 7 schematically shows an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 200. The information processing device 200 comprises a storage unit 202, an acquisition unit 204, a determination unit 206, a control unit 208, and a transmission unit 210. However, it is not necessarily required that the information processing device 200 have all of these components.

[0100] The storage unit 202 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 202 stores gateway location information indicating the installation location of gateway 30. For example, the storage unit 202 stores radio base station location information indicating the installation location of each of the multiple radio base stations installed on the ground.

[0101] The storage unit 202 stores, for example, cell-related information relating to a cell formed by each of the plurality of radio base stations. The storage unit 202 stores, for example, reception location information indicating a reception location where a radio wave transmitted by one of the plurality of radio base stations and a radio wave transmitted by an adjacent radio base station adjacent to that one of the plurality of radio base stations are received with the same received power, and received power information indicating that received power, in association with each other.

[0102] The acquisition unit 204 acquires various types of information. The acquisition unit 204 acquires various types of information, for example, by receiving various types of information via the network 20. The acquisition unit 204 acquires various types of information, for example, by receiving various types of information via the network 20 and the gateway 30. The acquisition unit 204 may also acquire various types of information when the input unit of the information processing device 200 accepts input of various types of information. The acquisition unit 204 may store the acquired various types of information in the storage unit 202.

[0103] The acquisition unit 204 may, for example, acquire the flight position information of the aircraft 100. The acquisition unit 204 may, for example, acquire the flight position information of the aircraft 100 from the aircraft 100. The acquisition unit 204 may also acquire the flight position information of the aircraft 100 from the control device 500.

[0104] The acquisition unit 204 acquires, for example, operational information for each of the multiple wireless base stations. The acquisition unit 204 acquires operational information for each wireless base station, for example, by acquiring operational information for each wireless base station from each wireless base station. The acquisition unit 204 may also acquire operational information for each wireless base station by acquiring operational information for each wireless base station from a base station management device that manages the multiple wireless base stations.

[0105] The determination unit 206 determines matters concerning the aircraft 100. The determination unit 206 determines matters concerning the aircraft 100 based, for example, on various information stored in the storage unit 202. The determination unit 206 determines matters concerning the aircraft 100 based, for example, on various information acquired by the acquisition unit 204.

[0106] The determination unit 206 determines, for example, the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power, for example, when the operational information indicates that the wireless communication function of one of the multiple wireless base stations is not operating normally.

[0107] The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power based, for example, the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying above the cell formed by the radio base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, first reception position information indicating a first reception position where radio waves transmitted by the radio base station and radio waves transmitted by adjacent radio base stations adjacent to the radio base station are received with the same first reception power, and first reception power information indicating the first reception power. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power based, for example, the flight position information of the aircraft 100 flying above the installation location of the radio base station indicated by the radio base station installation location information of the radio base station, the first reception position information, and the first reception power information.

[0108] The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the first receiving position satisfies predetermined received power conditions. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the first receiving position is less than or equal to the first received power. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the first receiving position is less than the first received power. The determination unit 206 determines, for example, P Tx =P T -P0+P Los The transmission power is determined using P. Tx This is the transmission power, P T P is the first received power, P0 is a predetermined power, and P Los This is the free-space loss of radio waves propagating from the flight position of the aircraft 100, indicated by the flight position information, to the receiving position. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the first receiving position is the first received power.

[0109] The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power based, for example, when there are multiple adjacent cells to the cell, on second reception position information indicating a second reception position where radio waves transmitted by one radio base station and radio waves transmitted by other adjacent radio base stations adjacent to that radio base station are received with the same second reception power, and second reception power information indicating the second reception power. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the first reception position and the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the second reception position satisfy the reception power condition.

[0110] The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power based, for example, when the operational information indicates that the wireless communication function of one radio base station and the wireless communication function of other radio base stations among the plurality of radio base stations are not operating normally, on third reception position information indicating a third reception position where radio waves transmitted by the other radio base station and radio waves transmitted by other adjacent radio base stations adjacent to the other radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations are received with the same third reception power, and third reception power information indicating the third reception power. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the first reception position and the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the third reception position satisfy the reception power condition.

[0111] The other radio base station is, for example, an adjacent radio base station adjacent to the first radio base station. The other radio base station may be a radio base station that is not adjacent to the first radio base station.

[0112] The determination unit 206 determines, for example, the flight path of the aircraft 100. The determination unit 206 determines the flight path of the aircraft 100 based, for example, the gateway installation location information of the gateway 30.

[0113] The determination unit 206 determines the flight path of the aircraft 100, for example, so that the aircraft 100 can establish a feeder link 122 with the gateway 30 by transmitting radio waves using the FL antenna 120 while the aircraft 100 is flying over the cell. The airspace above the cell includes the airspace above the installation location of the single radio base station.

[0114] The determination unit 206 determines the flight path of the aircraft 100, for example, based on the coverage area information of the cell. The determination unit 206 determines the flight path of the aircraft 100 such that the wireless communication area formed by the aircraft 100 better covers the coverage area of ​​the cell indicated by the coverage area information of the cell.

[0115] The control unit 208 controls the aircraft 100. The control unit 208 controls the aircraft 100, for example, by generating aircraft control signals.

[0116] The control unit 208 generates aircraft control signals based on various information stored in the storage unit 202, for example. The control unit 208 also generates aircraft control signals based on various information acquired by the acquisition unit 204, for example.

[0117] The control unit 208 controls, for example, the flight of the aircraft 100. When the control unit 208 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, the aircraft control signal includes a flight control signal that controls the flight of the aircraft 100.

[0118] The flight control signals include, for example, a flight speed control signal for controlling the flight speed of the aircraft 100. The flight control signals include, for example, a flight direction control signal for controlling the flight direction of the aircraft 100. The flight control signals include, for example, a flight altitude control signal for controlling the flight altitude of the aircraft 100. The flight control signals include, for example, a flight attitude control signal for controlling the flight attitude of the aircraft 100.

[0119] The control unit 208 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that it flies over a cell formed by one of the multiple radio base stations whose radio communication function is not operating normally, based on the cell coverage area information that was formed when the radio communication function was operating normally. The control unit 208 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that it flies over the cell according to the flight path of the aircraft 100 determined by the determination unit 206.

[0120] The control unit 208 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that, for example, if there are multiple radio base stations among the multiple radio base stations whose wireless communication functions are not operating normally, each of the multiple radio base stations whose wireless communication functions are not operating normally flies over one of the cells that were formed when the wireless communication functions were operating normally.

[0121] The control unit 208 controls, for example, the FL antenna 120 mounted on the aircraft 100. When the control unit 208 controls the FL antenna 120, the aircraft control signal includes an FL antenna control signal for controlling the FL antenna 120.

[0122] The FL antenna control signal includes, for example, a transmit power control signal that controls the transmit power of the radio waves transmitted by the FL antenna 120. The FL antenna control signal also includes, for example, a frequency control signal that controls the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the FL antenna 120. The FL antenna control signal also includes, for example, a wavelength control signal that controls the wavelength of the radio waves transmitted by the FL antenna 120.

[0123] The control unit 208 controls the FL antenna 120 to establish a feeder link 122 between the aircraft 100 and the gateway 30, for example. The control unit 208 controls the FL antenna 120 to establish a feeder link 122 between the aircraft 100 and the gateway 30 while the aircraft 100 is flying over the cell.

[0124] The control unit 208 controls, for example, an SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100. When the control unit 208 controls the SL antenna 140, the aircraft control signal includes an SL antenna control signal for controlling the SL antenna 140.

[0125] The SL antenna control signal includes, for example, a transmit power control signal that controls the transmit power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. The SL antenna control signal includes, for example, a frequency control signal that controls the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140. The SL antenna control signal includes, for example, a wavelength control signal that controls the wavelength of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140.

[0126] The control unit 208 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142, for example. The control unit 208 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by transmitting radio waves with a transmission power determined by the determination unit 206, for example. The control unit 208 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by transmitting radio waves that have the same frequency and transmission power as indicated by the frequency information of one wireless base station, for example. The control unit 208 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by transmitting radio waves that have the same wavelength and transmission power as indicated by the wavelength information of one wireless base station, for example.

[0127] The transmitting unit 210 transmits various types of information. For example, the transmitting unit 210 transmits various types of information stored in the storage unit 202. For example, the transmitting unit 210 transmits various types of information acquired by the acquisition unit 204.

[0128] The transmitting unit 210 transmits various information, for example, via the network 20. The transmitting unit 210 transmits various information, for example, via the network 20 and the gateway 30.

[0129] The transmitting unit 210 transmits, for example, various types of information to the aircraft 100. The transmitting unit 210 also transmits, for example, aircraft control signals generated by the control unit 208 to the aircraft 100.

[0130] The transmitting unit 210 transmits various information to the control device 500, for example. The transmitting unit 210 transmits flight position information of the aircraft 100 to the control device 500, for example. The transmitting unit 210 transmits coverage area information of the cells formed when the wireless communication function of one of the multiple wireless base stations whose wireless communication function is not operating normally was operating normally, to the control device 500, for example. The transmitting unit 210 transmits transmission power information, which indicates the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140, as determined by the determination unit 206, to the control device 500, for example. The transmitting unit 210 transmits flight path information, which indicates the flight path of the aircraft 100, as determined by the determination unit 206, to the control device 500, for example. The transmitting unit 210 transmits frequency information of the one wireless base station to the control device 500, for example. The transmitting unit 210 transmits wavelength information of the one wireless base station to the control device 500, for example.

[0131] Figure 8 schematically shows an example of the functional configuration of the control device 500. The control device 500 comprises a storage unit 502, a receiving unit 504, a control unit 506, and a transmitting unit 508. However, it is not necessarily required that the control device 500 have all of these components.

[0132] The storage unit 502 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 502 stores gateway installation location information for gateway 30. For example, the storage unit 502 stores radio base station installation location information for each of the multiple radio base stations installed on the ground.

[0133] The receiving unit 504 receives various types of information. The receiving unit 504 receives various types of information, for example, via the network 20. The receiving unit 504 receives various types of information, for example, via the network 20 and the gateway 30. The receiving unit 504 may store the received information in the storage unit 502.

[0134] The receiving unit 504 receives various information from, for example, the aircraft 100. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, flight position information of the aircraft 100 from the aircraft 100.

[0135] The receiving unit 504 receives various information from, for example, the information processing device 200. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, flight position information of the aircraft 100 from the information processing device 200. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, coverage area information of cells formed when the wireless communication function was operating normally at a wireless base station whose wireless communication function is not operating normally. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, transmission power information of the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100 from the information processing device 200. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, flight path information of the aircraft 100 from the information processing device 200. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, frequency information of the wireless base station from the information processing device 200. The receiving unit 504 receives, for example, wavelength information of the wireless base station from the information processing device 200.

[0136] The control unit 506 controls the aircraft 100. The control unit 506 controls the aircraft 100, for example, by generating aircraft control signals.

[0137] The control unit 506 generates aircraft control signals based on various information stored in the storage unit 502, for example. The control unit 506 also generates aircraft control signals based on various information received by the receiving unit 504, for example.

[0138] The control unit 506 controls, for example, the flight of the aircraft 100. When the control unit 506 controls the flight of the aircraft 100, the aircraft control signal includes a flight control signal.

[0139] The control unit 506 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that it flies over a cell formed when the wireless communication function was operating normally, based on the coverage area information of the cell that was formed when the wireless communication function was operating normally, for example, when the wireless communication function is not operating normally at the wireless base station. The control unit 506 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that it flies over the cell according to the flight path of the aircraft 100 indicated by the flight path information of the aircraft 100.

[0140] The control unit 506 controls, for example, the FL antenna 120 mounted on the aircraft 100. When the control unit 506 controls the FL antenna 120, the aircraft control signal includes the FL antenna control signal.

[0141] The control unit 506 controls the FL antenna 120 to establish a feeder link 122 between the aircraft 100 and the gateway 30, for example. The control unit 506 controls the FL antenna 120 to establish a feeder link 122 between the aircraft 100 and the gateway 30 while the aircraft 100 is flying over the cell.

[0142] The control unit 506 controls, for example, the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100. When the control unit 506 controls the SL antenna 140, the aircraft control signal includes the SL antenna control signal.

[0143] The control unit 506 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142, for example. The control unit 506 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by, for example, transmitting radio waves with a transmission power indicated by the transmission power information received by the receiving unit 504. The control unit 506 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by, for example, transmitting radio waves with the same frequency and transmission power as the frequency indicated by the frequency information received by the receiving unit 504. The control unit 506 controls the SL antenna 140 to form a wireless communication area 142 by, for example, transmitting radio waves with the same wavelength and transmission power as the wavelength indicated by the wavelength information received by the receiving unit 504.

[0144] The transmitting unit 508 transmits various types of information. For example, the transmitting unit 508 transmits various types of information stored in the storage unit 502. For example, the transmitting unit 508 transmits various types of information received by the receiving unit 504.

[0145] The transmitting unit 508 transmits various information, for example, via the network 20. The transmitting unit 508 transmits various information, for example, via the network 20 and the gateway 30.

[0146] The transmitting unit 508 transmits, for example, various types of information to the aircraft 100. The transmitting unit 508 also transmits, for example, aircraft control signals generated by the control unit 506 to the aircraft 100.

[0147] The transmitting unit 508 transmits various types of information to the information processing device 200, for example. The transmitting unit 508 transmits the flight position information of the aircraft 100 to the information processing device 200.

[0148] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow of the information processing device 200. Here, the starting state is described as the state in which the information processing device 200 has not yet acquired operational information for each of the multiple wireless base stations installed on the ground.

[0149] In step 102 (steps may be abbreviated as S), the acquisition unit 204 determines the flight position information of the aircraft 100. In S104, the acquisition unit 204 acquires operational information of each radio base station.

[0150] In S106, the determination unit 206 determines, based on the operational information of each radio base station acquired by the acquisition unit 204 in S104, whether or not there is an area where wireless communication services cannot be used for a predetermined period of time. For example, if a radio base station whose wireless communication function is not operating normally during that period does not form a wireless communication area 142 with respect to the cell coverage area that it formed when its wireless communication function was operating normally, the determination unit 206 determines that there is an area where wireless communication services cannot be used.

[0151] If the determination unit 206 determines that there are areas where wireless communication services cannot be used during the period, the process proceeds to S108. If the determination unit 206 determines that there are no areas where wireless communication services cannot be used during the period, the process proceeds to S114.

[0152] In S108, the control unit 208 controls the flight of the aircraft 100 so that it flies over an area where wireless communication services cannot be used. If there are multiple areas where wireless communication services cannot be used, the control unit 208 may control the flight of one aircraft 100 or control the flight of multiple aircraft 100 so that they fly over multiple areas where wireless communication services cannot be used.

[0153] In S110, the determination unit 206 determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 mounted on the aircraft 100 flying over an area where wireless communication services are unavailable. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power based, for example, the flight position information of the aircraft 100, reception position information indicating the reception position where radio waves transmitted by a radio base station that formed a cell in an area where wireless communication services are unavailable when the wireless communication function is operating normally, and radio waves transmitted by an adjacent radio base station forming an adjacent cell adjacent to that cell, are received with the same reception power, and reception power information indicating that reception power. The determination unit 206 determines the transmission power such that, for example, the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna 140 are received at the reception position indicated by the reception position information satisfies predetermined reception power conditions.

[0154] In S112, the control unit 208 controls the SL antenna 140 to transmit radio waves with the transmission power determined by the determination unit 206 in S110. The SL antenna 140 transmits radio waves according to the control of the control unit 208, thereby forming a wireless communication area 142 in an area where wireless communication services are unavailable.

[0155] If, in S114, the acquisition unit 204 has not received a termination instruction to end the processing of the information processing device 200, the process returns to S102. On the other hand, if, in S114, the acquisition unit 204 has received a termination instruction, the processing of the information processing device 200 is terminated.

[0156] Figure 10 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as an information processing device 200 or a control device 500. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as one or more "parts" of the apparatus according to this embodiment, or to cause the computer 1200 to execute operations associated with the apparatus according to this embodiment or such one or more "parts", and / or to cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to this embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0157] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, a DVD drive 1226, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive 1226 may be a DVD-ROM drive and a DVD-RAM drive, etc. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive and a solid-state drive, etc. The computer 1200 also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0158] The CPU 1212 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 1216 acquires the image data generated by the CPU 1212 and stores it in the frame buffer provided in RAM 1214 or within itself, so that the image data is displayed on the display device 1218.

[0159] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD drive 1226 reads programs or data from a DVD-ROM 1227, etc., and provides them to the storage device 1224. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0160] The ROM 1230 stores boot programs and / or hardware-dependent programs of the computer 1200, which are executed by the computer 1200 upon activation. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via USB ports, parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0161] The program is provided on a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM 1227 or an IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable storage medium and installed on a storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which are examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0162] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into RAM 1214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in a recording medium such as RAM 1214, storage device 1224, DVD-ROM 1227, or IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0163] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may read all or necessary parts of files or databases stored on external recording media such as the storage device 1224, DVD drive 1226 (DVD-ROM 1227), or IC card into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write the processed data back to the external recording media.

[0164] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if multiple entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 may search among the multiple entries for an entry that matches the specified condition for the attribute value of the first attribute, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies the predetermined condition.

[0165] The program or software module described above may be stored on or near the computer 1200 in a computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0166] In this embodiment, blocks in the flowchart and block diagram may represent a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or a "part" of a device that has the role of performing an operation. A particular stage and "part" may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and programmable logic arrays (PLAs), which include logical AND, logical OR, exclusive OR, negated AND, negated OR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0167] Computer-readable media may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, computer-readable media having instructions stored therein will comprise a product containing instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0168] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and traditional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0169] Computer-readable instructions are provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to the processor or programmable circuit of a programmable data processing device such as a computer, and may be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Here, the computer may be a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or special-purpose computer, and may also be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, multiple computers execute a program collectively by having each computer execute a part of the program and passing data during program execution between computers as needed.

[0170] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, and the processors collectively execute the program by passing program execution data between them as needed. For example, in the execution of multitasking, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at each time slice. In this case, which part of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may also be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0171] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0172] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the apparatus, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before" or "prior to," and that these can be implemented in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," and "next," for convenience, this does not mean that it is essential to perform the operations in that order. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0173] 10 System, 20 Network, 30 Gateway, 100 Aircraft, 120 FL Antenna, 122 Feeder Link, 140 SL Antenna, 142 Wireless Communication Area, 150 Storage Unit, 200 Information Processing Unit, 202 Storage Unit, 204 Acquisition Unit, 206 Determination Unit, 208 Control Unit, 210 Transmitting Unit, 310 Radio Base Station, 312 Cell, 315 Receiving Location, 318 Receiving Location, 320 Radio Base Station, 322 Cell, 325 Receiving Location, 330 Radio Base Station, 332 Cell, 340 Radio Base Station, 342 Cell, 345 Receiving Location, 350 Radio Base Station, 352 Cell, 355 Receiving Location, 360 Radio Base Station, 362 Cell, 400 Communication Terminal, 500 Control Device, 502 Storage Unit, 504 Receiving Unit, 506 Control unit, 508 Transmitter, 1200 Computer, 1210 Host controller, 1212 CPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 Graphics controller, 1218 Display device, 1220 Input / Output controller, 1222 Communication interface, 1224 Storage device, 1226 DVD drive, 1227 DVD-ROM, 1230 ROM, 1240 Input / Output chip

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores, in association with, first reception position information indicating a first reception position where radio waves transmitted by one of a plurality of radio base stations installed on the ground and radio waves transmitted by an adjacent radio base station adjacent to the one radio base station are received with the same first reception power, and first reception power information indicating the first reception power. An acquisition unit that acquires operational information indicating whether the wireless communication function of each of the aforementioned plurality of wireless base stations is operating normally, and flight position information indicating the flight position of an aircraft that forms a wireless communication area by transmitting radio waves using an SL (Service Link) antenna, When the operation information indicates that the wireless communication function of the first wireless base station is not operating normally, a determination unit determines the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna, based on the flight position information of the aircraft flying over the cell formed by the first wireless base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, the first reception position information, and the first reception power information, such that the reception power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the first reception position indicated by the first reception position information satisfies predetermined reception power conditions. An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines the transmission power such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the first receiving position is less than or equal to the first received power indicated by the first received power information.

3. The aforementioned determination unit is P Ｔｘ = P Ｔ -P ０ +P Ｌｏｓ The transmission power is determined using, where P Ｔｘ P is the transmission power, Ｔ is the first received power, P ０ This is a predetermined power, P Ｌｏｓ This is the free-space loss of the radio waves propagating from the flight position of the aircraft, as indicated by the flight position information, to the first receiving position. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the determination unit determines the transmission power such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the first receiving position is the first received power indicated by the first received power information.

5. The storage unit further stores gateway location information indicating the installation location of gateways installed on the ground, Based on the gateway installation location information, the determination unit further determines the flight path of the aircraft so that, while the aircraft is flying over the cell formed by the one wireless base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, the aircraft can establish a feeder link with the gateway by transmitting radio waves using an FL (Feeder Link) antenna. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The storage unit further stores coverage area information indicating the coverage area of ​​a cell formed by each of the plurality of wireless base stations, The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the determination unit determines the flight path of the aircraft such that the wireless communication area more covers the coverage area of ​​the cell that was formed by the one wireless base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, as indicated by the coverage area information.

7. The storage unit further stores frequency information indicating the frequency of radio waves transmitted by each of the plurality of wireless base stations, The aforementioned information processing device is The control unit controls the SL antenna to form the wireless communication area by transmitting radio waves that have the same frequency as the frequency indicated by the frequency information of the aforementioned wireless base station and the same transmission power. An information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

8. The storage unit further stores, in association with, second reception position information indicating a second reception position where radio waves transmitted by one wireless base station and radio waves transmitted by other adjacent wireless base stations among the plurality of wireless base stations adjacent to the one wireless base station are received with the same second reception power, and second reception power information indicating the second reception power. The determination unit determines the transmission power based on the second reception position information and the second reception power information, such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the second reception position indicated by the second reception position information further satisfies the received power condition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

9. The storage unit further stores, in association with, third reception position information indicating a third reception position where radio waves transmitted by another radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations and radio waves transmitted by another adjacent radio base station adjacent to the other radio base station among the plurality of radio base stations are received with the same third reception power, and third reception power information indicating the third reception power. When the operation information indicates that the wireless communication function of one wireless base station and the wireless communication function of the other wireless base station are not operating normally, the determination unit determines the transmission power based on the third receiving position information and the third receiving power information such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the third receiving position indicated by the third receiving position information further satisfies the received power condition. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

10. The information processing device is mounted on the aircraft, and is the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

11. An information processing method performed by a computer that stores, in association with, reception location information indicating a reception location where radio waves transmitted by one of a plurality of radio base stations installed on the ground and radio waves transmitted by an adjacent radio base station adjacent to the one radio base station are received with the same received power, and received power information indicating the received power, An acquisition step is to acquire operational information indicating whether the wireless communication function of each of the aforementioned multiple wireless base stations is operating normally, and flight position information indicating the flight position of an aircraft that forms a wireless communication area by transmitting radio waves using an SL antenna. When the operational information indicates that the wireless communication function of the aforementioned wireless base station is not operating normally, a decision step is made to determine the transmission power of the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna, based on the flight position information of the aircraft flying over the cell formed by the aforementioned wireless base station when the wireless communication function was operating normally, the reception position information, and the received power information, such that the received power when the radio waves transmitted by the SL antenna are received at the reception position indicated by the reception position information satisfies predetermined received power conditions. An information processing method comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the information processing method described in claim 11.

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