Control device and control method

Abstract

The present invention provides a control device, control method, and program for more accurately estimating the temperature of wireless devices that communicate wirelessly. [Solution] In a wireless communication system in which a control device 10, a wireless device 20, a test device 30, an external power supply 40, and a cooling device 60 are connected so as to be able to communicate by a GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or a bus, the control device 10 has an acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the power supplied from the external power supply to the wireless device, and a control unit that estimates the temperature of the wireless device based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technique for cooling a device with water or the like based on the temperature of the device measured by a temperature sensor has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003] ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ From one perspective, it is possible to more accurately estimate the temperature of wireless devices that communicate wirelessly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the processing performed by the control device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The principles of this disclosure will be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and should be understood as helping those skilled in the art to understand and implement this disclosure without implying any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The disclosures described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0011] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0012] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each drawing is merely illustrative for illustrating one or more embodiments. Each drawing may be associated not only with one specific embodiment but also with one or more other embodiments. As those skilled in the art will understand, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings, for example, to create embodiments not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing to illustrate an exemplary embodiment are necessarily required, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any of the drawings may be changed as appropriate.

[0013] <System Configuration> Referring to Figure 1, the configuration of the wireless communication system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication system 1 according to the embodiment. In the example of Figure 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a control device 10, a wireless device 20, a test device 30, an external power supply (system power supply) 40, a constant temperature bath 50, and a cooling device 60. Note that the number of control devices 10, wireless devices 20, test devices 30, external power supply 40, constant temperature bath 50, and cooling device 60 is not limited to the example in Figure 1.

[0014] In the example shown in Figure 1, the control device 10, wireless device 20, test device 30, external power supply 40, and cooling device 60 are connected to each other so that they can communicate via a GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) cable, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) cable, or a bus.

[0015] The control device 10 may be, for example, a personal computer or a microcomputer. The control device 10 controls, for example, the wireless device 20, the test device 30, the external power supply 40, and the cooling device 60. The control device 10 may, for example, measure the communication performance of the wireless device 20 and display it on a screen, and save the measurement results to a file or the like.

[0016] The wireless device 20 is a device that transmits and receives data wirelessly. The wireless device 20 may be, for example, a digital simple radio or a low-power transceiver. Digital simple radios are used, for example, in operations that require use over a relatively wide area, with a maximum transmission output of 5W and a communication range of about 1km to 5km (about 10km in areas with a clear line of sight), and may require registration with an administrative agency for use. Low-power transceivers are used, for example, in situations with a limited range, such as communication between staff in a restaurant or small-scale events, with a transmission output of 0.01W or less and a communication range of about 100m to 200m (about 1km to 2km in areas with a clear line of sight). The wireless device 20 of this disclosure is not limited to a digital simple radio or a low-power transceiver. The wireless device 20 of this disclosure may be any device that can communicate wirelessly, for example, a user device such as a smartphone, or various base stations. The wireless device 20 is installed inside the constant temperature chamber 50.

[0017] The wireless device 20 has a temperature sensor 22 built in or externally attached. When the control device 10 acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor 22, the control device 10 communicates with the temperature sensor 22 at a predetermined interval to acquire the temperature information. At this time, noise may be generated. For this reason, when measuring the characteristics of the wireless device 20 during transmission, it is desirable not to have the control device 10 and the temperature sensor 22 communicate.

[0018] The test apparatus 30 is a device for measuring the performance of the wireless device 20, and is used for setting various measurement parameters and reading measurement results. The test apparatus 30 may be, for example, a spectrum analyzer. In the example shown in Figure 1, the test apparatus 30 is located outside the constant temperature chamber 50.

[0019] The test device 30 may, for example, perform emission mask transmission measurement. In emission mask transmission measurement, for example, transmission for a specific time duration (e.g., 60 seconds) is performed multiple times (e.g., 2 times). Then, the average waveform during transmission is displayed on the horizontal axis of the spectrum analyzer as frequency and on the vertical axis as level (e.g., power intensity). And it is determined whether this waveform is within the standard range.

[0020] The external power supply 40 supplies power to the wireless device 20. The external power supply 40 is provided outside the thermostatic chamber 50. The external power supply 40 may communicate with the wireless device 20 using, for example, a GPIB cable, or a USB cable, etc.

[0021] The external power supply 40 may supply, for example, the current and voltage of the value instructed from the control device 10 to the wireless device 20. Also, the external power supply 40 may notify the wireless device 20 of the current value and voltage value being supplied to the wireless device 20.

[0022] The thermostatic chamber 50 is a container that can keep the inside of the thermostatic chamber 50 at a constant temperature for a relatively long time. The thermostatic chamber 50 may, for example, have a heat insulating member provided inside the housing of the thermostatic chamber 50.

[0023] The cooling device 60 cools the inside of the thermostatic chamber 50 based on an instruction from the control device 10. The cooling device 60 may cool the inside of the thermostatic chamber 50 to the temperature instructed from the control device 10, for example. The cooling device 60 may be, for example, an air-cooling fan, or a water-cooling device, etc. The cooling device 60 is used to cool the wireless device 20 installed inside the thermostatic chamber 50. Note that the cooling device 60 may be configured as a device integrated with the thermostatic chamber 50.

[0024] <Configuration of the control device 10> Referring to Figure 2, the configuration of the control device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 10 according to the embodiment. In the example of Figure 2, the control device 10 has an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12. Each of these units may be realized through the cooperation of one or more programs installed in the control device 10 and hardware such as the processor and memory of the control device 10.

[0025] The acquisition unit 11 acquires information indicating the power supplied from the external power supply 40 to the wireless device 20. Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, the control unit 12 estimates the temperature of the wireless device 20 (for example, the temperature of internal components such as the transmitter). This makes it possible to more accurately estimate the temperature of the wireless device 20 that communicates wirelessly, for example.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit 12 controls the cooling device 60 based on the estimated temperature of the wireless device 20 to cool the wireless device 20. This allows for more appropriate cooling of the wireless device 20, for example, which communicates wirelessly.

[0027] <Hardware configuration of control device 10> Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of a control device 10 according to an embodiment. In the example in Figure 3, the control device 10 (computer 100) includes a processor 101, memory 102, and a communication interface 103. These components may be connected by a bus or the like. The memory 102 stores at least a portion of the program 104. The communication interface 103 includes an interface necessary for communication with other network elements.

[0028] When program 104 is executed in cooperation with the processor 101 and memory 102, etc., the computer 100 performs at least some of the processing of embodiments of this disclosure. Memory 102 may be any type suitable for a local technology network. Memory 102 may, in non-limiting examples, be a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. Memory 102 may also be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Although only one memory 102 is shown for computer 100, computer 100 may have several physically different memory modules. Processor 101 may be any type. Processor 101 may include one or more general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and, in non-limiting examples, processors based on multicore processor architectures. Computer 100 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0029] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or in dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some embodiments may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device.

[0030] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions contained in a program module, and is executed on a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the processes or methods of this disclosure. The program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. The functionality of the program module may be combined or divided among the program module as desired in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of the program module can be executed on a local or distributed device. On a distributed device, the program module can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0031] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes are provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device. When the program code is executed by the processor or controller, the functions / operations in the flowchart and / or block diagrams it implements are performed. The program code may run entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, partially as a standalone software package, partially on a machine, partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0032] Programs can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-temporary computer-readable media. Non-temporary computer-readable media include various types of tangible recording media. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable media include magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, optical disc media, and semiconductor memory. Magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives. Magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks. Optical disc media include, for example, Blu-ray discs, CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R (Recordable), and CD-RW (ReWritable). Semiconductor memory includes, for example, solid-state drives, mask ROMs, PROMs (Programmable ROMs), EPROMs (Erasable PROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs (random access memory). Programs may also be supplied to a computer using various types of temporary computer-readable media. Examples of temporary computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. Temporary computer-readable media can supply programs to a computer via wired communication channels such as electric wires and optical fibers, or via wireless communication channels.

[0033] <Processing> Next, with reference to Figure 4, an example of the processing of the control device 10 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the control device 10 according to the embodiment. The processing in Figure 4 may be executed at intervals such as periodic intervals. Alternatively, the processing in Figure 4 may be executed, for example, when the data transmission status of the wireless device 20 changes.

[0034] In step S101, the acquisition unit 11 acquires information such as the power supplied from the external power supply 40 to the wireless device 20. Here, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire, for example, information indicating the current value, voltage value, and supply time length that the control device 10 has instructed the external power supply 40 to supply to the wireless device 20 from the control log recorded in the control device 10's storage device or the like. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire, for example, information indicating the current value, voltage value, and supply time length that the external power supply 40 has instructed the wireless device 20 to supply from the external power supply 40.

[0035] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 11 may acquire information indicating the transmission power value and transmission time when the wireless device 20 transmits data from the control log recorded in the storage device of the control device 10 or from the wireless device 20. The wireless device 20 may also transmit data wirelessly at a transmission power value set by the control device 10 or by an administrator. The transmission power value may be a value corresponding to multiple modes.

[0036] Next, the control unit 12 determines whether or not the wireless device 20 is transmitting data via wireless communication (step S102). Here, the control unit 12 may, for example, obtain information indicating whether or not the wireless device 20 is transmitting data via wireless communication from the control log recorded in the storage device of the control device 10 or from the wireless device 20.

[0037] When the wireless device 20 is transmitting data (YES in step S102), the control unit 12 estimates the temperature of the wireless device 20 based on information indicating the power supplied to the wireless device 20 from the external power supply 40 (step S103). However, if temperature information measured by a temperature sensor 22 built into or attached to the wireless device 20 is acquired periodically or at other timings while the wireless device 20 is transmitting data, there is a possibility that noise may be superimposed on the radio waves transmitted by the wireless device 20. In this disclosure, when the wireless device 20 is transmitting data, the internal temperature of the wireless device 20 is estimated (predicted) based on various parameters such as voltage and current supplied from the external power supply 40, without using the temperature sensor 22. Therefore, for example, when applied to a system that automatically measures the transmission performance of the wireless device 20, the temperature of the wireless device 20 can be determined while appropriately measuring the transmission performance.

[0038] Furthermore, since the external power supply 40 is located outside the constant temperature chamber 50, it is considered that no noise that would affect measurements will be generated even when the control device 10 acquires various parameters such as voltage and current from the external power supply 40.

[0039] Here, the control unit 12 may estimate the temperature y ([°C]) of the wireless device 20 using, for example, the following equation (1). y = f1(x1, x2, x3) ... (1)

[0040] Here, x1 is the voltage value ([V]) supplied from the external power supply 40 to the wireless device 20. x2 is the current value ([A]) supplied from the external power supply 40 to the wireless device 20. x3 is the duration (supply duration) for which power is supplied from the external power supply 40 to the wireless device 20. Function f1 may be pre-set in the control device 10 based on, for example, experiments. Alternatively, function f1 may be implemented by AI (Artificial Intelligence) such as deep learning.

[0041] Furthermore, the control unit 12 may estimate the temperature of the wireless device 20 based on the power supplied to the wireless device 20 from an external power source, the data transmission time of the wireless device 20, and at least one of the transmission power of the wireless device 20. This allows for, for example, a more accurate estimation of the temperature of the wireless device 20.

[0042] In this case, the control unit 12 may estimate the temperature y ([°C]) of the wireless device 20 using, for example, the following equation (2). y=f2(x1, x2, x3, x4, x5) ···(2)

[0043] Here, x4 is the transmission power value ([W]) of the wireless device 20. x5 is the transmission time ([sec]) of the wireless device 20. Function f2 may be pre-set in the control device 10 based on, for example, experiments. Alternatively, function f2 may be implemented by, for example, AI such as deep learning.

[0044] When the wireless device 20 is transmitting data, the control unit 12 may predict the subsequent temperature trend based on the estimated temperature trend, and if it predicts that the temperature of the wireless device 20 will exceed a threshold within a specific time, it may cool the wireless device 20 with the cooling device 60. This allows the wireless device 20 to be cooled more effectively, for example. In this case, the control unit 12 may predict the subsequent temperature trend based on the estimated temperature trend using, for example, a recurrent neural network (RNN).

[0045] Next, the cooling device 60 is controlled based on the estimated temperature of the wireless device 20 to cool the wireless device 20 (step S104), and the process is terminated. This allows the cooling device 60 to be used to lower the temperature of the wireless device 20 if, for example, the internal temperature of the wireless device 20 becomes high enough to affect its transmission performance during measurement of its transmission performance or during normal operation.

[0046] On the other hand, if the wireless device 20 is not transmitting data (for example, it is receiving data) (NO in step S102), the control unit 12 causes the temperature sensor 22 to measure the temperature of the wireless device 20 (step S105). Subsequently, the control unit 12 controls the cooling device 60 based on the temperature of the wireless device 20 measured by the temperature sensor 22 to cool the wireless device 20 (step S106), and then terminates the process. Here, the control unit 12 may, for example, compare the temperature of the wireless device 20 measured by the temperature sensor 22 with the target temperature and control the cooling device 60 so that the temperature of the wireless device 20 is near the target temperature.

[0047] <Other> In the case of a system that automatically measures the transmission performance of the wireless device 20, the transmission frequency per unit time can be increased compared to manual measurement, but the internal temperature of the wireless device 20 becomes relatively high.

[0048] To prevent the wireless device 20 from exceeding the expected temperature, the administrator (measurer) of the automated measurement system can reduce the temperature rise of the wireless device 20 by setting an appropriate waiting time for each measurement based on knowledge gained from past experience. However, in this case, the measurement is temporarily stopped until the internal temperature of the wireless device 20 drops to an appropriate temperature, which increases the time required to measure the transmission performance. Furthermore, even if an appropriate waiting time is set for each measurement, the temperature of the wireless device 20 may not necessarily reach a temperature suitable for transmission measurement.

[0049] On the other hand, the technology of this disclosure allows for more effective cooling of the wireless device 20. More specifically, for example, it can reduce the rise in temperature of the wireless device 20, which is expected to improve transmission performance by suppressing frequency deviations in the transmission frequency. Furthermore, because the rise in temperature of the wireless device 20 is reduced, the transmission power becomes more stable, which is expected to improve transmission performance by reducing spurious emissions, emissions (such as heat radiation), FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) errors, and conducted spurious emissions. Spurious emissions are unwanted radio waves emitted from the wireless device 20 or components other than the signal that is intentionally output. FSK errors are bit errors that occur in digital communication using frequency shift modulation due to a decrease in electric field strength. Conducted spurious emissions are frequency components of the signal emitted from the transmitting device that are outside the target frequency band. In addition, when the technology of this disclosure is applied to a system that automatically measures the transmission performance of the wireless device 20, the time required to measure the transmission performance can be reduced (shortened).

[0050] <Variation> The control device 10 may be a device contained in a single housing, but the control device 10 of this disclosure is not limited to this. Each part of the control device 10 may be implemented by cloud computing, for example, consisting of one or more computers. The control device 10 may also be the same device as at least one of the wireless device 20 and the external power supply 40. Such control devices 10 are also included as examples of "control devices" in this disclosure.

[0051] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0052] 1. Wireless communication system 10 Control device 11 Acquisition Department 12 Control Unit 20 Radio equipment 22 Temperature Sensor 30 Test equipment 40 External power supply 50 constant temperature bath 60 Cooling device

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires information indicating the power supplied to the wireless device from an external power source, Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, a control unit estimates the temperature of the wireless device, A control device having

2. The control unit, When the wireless device is transmitting data, the wireless device is cooled by the cooling device based on the estimated temperature. If the wireless device is not transmitting data, the cooling device will cool the wireless device based on the temperature of the wireless device measured by the temperature sensor. The control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit, When the wireless device is transmitting data, the system predicts the subsequent temperature trend based on the estimated temperature trend, and if it predicts that the temperature of the wireless device will exceed a threshold within a specific time, the cooling device is used to cool the wireless device. The control device according to claim 2.

4. The control unit estimates the temperature of the wireless device based on the power supplied to the wireless device from an external power source, the data transmission time of the wireless device, and at least one of the transmission power of the wireless device. The control device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control device We obtain information indicating the power supplied from the external power source to the wireless device. Based on the acquired information, the temperature of the wireless device is estimated. Control method.

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