Satellite communication support equipment, method, and program thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a satellite communication support device that enables confirmation of the mobile station's movement route, ensuring sufficient signal strength for communication. [Solution] The satellite communication support device comprises a position acquisition unit, a modeling unit, and a visualization unit. The position acquisition unit acquires the position of the satellite station, the position of the mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will move. The modeling unit estimates the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination, based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information on external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station. The visualization unit visualizes the signal strength in the region between the mobile station's position and the destination.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a satellite communication assistance device, method, and program thereof.

Background Art

[0002] A communication service for a mobile station serving as a ground station using a low-earth orbit satellite is provided. In Patent Document 1, in a communication service using a low-earth orbit satellite, an elevation angle is calculated by an elevation angle calculator based on the position information of the low-earth orbit satellite, and by changing the directivity pattern of the antenna of the mobile station, good communication can be achieved regardless of the position of the communication satellite. A device is described that enables this.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the device disclosed in Patent Document 1, depending on the position of the low-earth orbit satellite, the direction directed from the ground mobile station may be at a low elevation angle, and depending on the location of the mobile station to be arranged, there may be a possibility that a clear line of sight (LOS) cannot be obtained due to terrain or atmospheric conditions. Along with this, there is a problem that the signal strength for communication deteriorates or the communication itself is interrupted. Therefore, there is a possibility that the signal strength that enables communication cannot be ensured during the movement of the mobile station to the destination, resulting in communication interruption.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a satellite communication assistance device, method, and program that solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A satellite communication support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: position acquisition means for acquiring the position of a satellite station, the position of a mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will move; modeling means for estimating the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination based on transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station and information on external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station; and visualization means for visualizing the signal strength in the region between the mobile station's position and the destination.

[0007] A method according to one aspect of the present disclosure involves a computer that acquires the location of a satellite station, the location of a mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will travel; estimates the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's location to the destination based on transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information on external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station; and visualizes the signal strength in the region between the mobile station's location and the destination.

[0008] A program according to one aspect of this disclosure obtains the location of a satellite station, the location of a mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will travel; estimates the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's location to the destination based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information on external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station; and visualizes the signal strength in the region between the mobile station's location and the destination. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the above embodiment, it becomes possible to confirm the mobile station's route in which a sufficient signal strength for communication can be secured. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of a satellite communication support device according to one embodiment, and the system configuration including the satellite communication support device. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart showing the operation of a satellite communication support device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of model building using machine learning, which is used in the modeling department. [Figure 4] This is an illustrative diagram of how to construct an atmospheric model that takes into account the altitude between the satellite station and the mobile station. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of a case where NLOS (Non-Linear Operating System) occurs between a satellite station and a mobile station. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example where two recommended travel routes were selected. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the results of the signal intensity visualization process in a region including the travel route. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example configuration of a satellite communication support device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration in a satellite communication support system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, a satellite communication support device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the satellite communication support device according to one embodiment, and the system configuration including the satellite communication support device. In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes the satellite communication support device, reference numeral 2 denotes a satellite station, reference numeral 3 denotes a mobile station, and reference numeral 4 denotes a weather information server. Satellite station 2 is a low-Earth orbit satellite, etc., and is a communication satellite that communicates with a mobile station 3 on or near the ground. Mobile station 3 is a communication base station that is mobile on or near the ground and communicates with satellite station 2. When mobile station 3 communicates with satellite station 2 while moving, satellite communication support device 1 performs visualization processing by presenting a travel route with a good communication environment and displaying the signal strength (radio wave strength) in a predetermined range including that travel route. Weather information server 4 is a server that provides information on the atmosphere and weather, including between satellite station 2 and mobile station 3, in response to a request from satellite communication support device 1. The satellite communication support device 1, mobile station 3, and weather information server 4 are all connected to each other via a network (NW) so that they can communicate with each other. Mobile station 3 accesses satellite communication support equipment 1 via a network and receives services related to a mobile route that allows for maintaining good communication with satellite station 2. Mobile station 3 is a communication base station that is mounted on a means of transportation such as a car or airplane, or that is mobile along with the means of transportation. In the following explanation, a communication base station mounted on a vehicle moving on the ground, or a communication device that is mobile along with the vehicle, such as a smartphone, will be used as an example.

[0012] The satellite communication support device 1 comprises a position acquisition unit 11, a modeling unit 12, a route recommendation unit 13, a visualization unit 14, and a storage unit 15. The position acquisition unit 11 performs processing to acquire the current location of the satellite station 2, the current location of the mobile station 3, and the destination to which the mobile station 3 will move. The modeling unit 12 performs processing to estimate the signal strength on the mobile station side from the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination when communicating with the satellite station 2. The route recommendation unit 13 performs processing to output a recommended travel route for the mobile station 3 to the destination based on the signal strength on the mobile station 3 side estimated by the modeling unit 12. The visualization unit 14 performs processing to display the signal strength in a predetermined area including the recommended travel route by the route recommendation unit 13. The storage unit 15 stores various data necessary for processing by the satellite communication support device 1.

[0013] The modeling unit 12 also includes a condition setting unit 121. The condition setting unit 121 performs the process of setting transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3, as well as information that constitutes external factors between the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3, for the purpose of building a model for simulation. The route recommendation unit 13 includes a line-of-sight confirmation unit 131. The line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 determines whether the line of sight from the mobile station 3 to the satellite station 2 is obstructed by the positional relationship between the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3, and by mountains, structures, etc., between them. The storage unit 15 includes communication setting data 151, terrain data 152, and map data 153. The communication setting data 151 consists of information such as communication specifications for the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3, installation conditions such as antenna height and angle, and equipment status, for the purpose of estimating signal strength in the modeling unit 12. The terrain data 152 consists of information about the topography of the ground surface, including the position and size of structures on the ground. The map data 153 consists of map information necessary when a means of transportation, such as a car, moves across the Earth's surface. In one embodiment of this disclosure, the data stored in the storage unit 15 is described as being provided in the satellite communication support device 1, but the invention is not limited to this. The satellite communication support device 1 may access an external device that stores such data and acquire the necessary data.

[0014] First, the construction of the model by the modeling unit 12 will be described. The modeling unit 12 performs a process of estimating the signal strength on the mobile station 3 side from the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination when communicating with the satellite station 2. To perform this simulation, for example, a system using machine learning is constructed. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the construction of a simulation system constructed by machine learning for the model for the simulation used by the modeling unit 12. As the teacher data for machine learning, as the input teacher data, · Communication specifications of the satellite station at point A, installation conditions such as antenna height and angle, transmission and reception setting information such as device status · Communication specifications of the mobile station at point B, installation conditions such as antenna height and angle, transmission and reception setting information such as device status · Information such as weather information and terrain information including atmospheric information between point A and point B, which are external factors is used, and as the output teacher data, · Signal strength at the mobile station at point B is used. Here, as the "communication specifications", power, frequency, polarization, and directivity are included. As the "installation conditions", latitude, longitude, and altitude are included. As the "device status", radio wave characteristics or optical characteristics, tracking performance, etc. are included. As the "weather conditions", temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, air density, wind speed, etc. are included. Note that as the "transmission and reception setting values", information such as transmission power, transmission frequency, radio beam information, and antenna pattern may also be included. As the "terrain conditions", in addition to the terrain regarding the undulation of the ground surface, information on the undulation of the ground surface due to artificial buildings is also included. Note that the "weather information and terrain information between point A and point B" is information regarding the transmission path and corresponds to the loss factor setting and propagation model setting based on the external factor information in the model. Note that the input teacher data for machine learning does not necessarily require all of the above information, and may include a part of the transmission and reception setting information and a part of the information that is an external factor.

[0015] The aforementioned trained model is capable of simulating signal strength at the mobile station communicating with a satellite station, taking into account radio beam conditions (angle, polarization, directivity), topographic conditions between locations (considering Fresnel zone and knife-edge diffraction), surface conditions (ground permittivity, conductivity, atmospheric refractive index), meteorological conditions (rain, fog, gas, climate zone), and temporal and situational variations.

[0016] Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram of how to construct a simulation system that includes an atmospheric model considering the altitude between the satellite station and the mobile station. As shown in Figure 4, it is preferable to input the "weather conditions" into n layers (where "n" is a positive integer) considering the altitude. This allows for more accurate setting of loss factors, and as a result, enables the construction of a model that can perform more accurate simulations.

[0017] Next, the operation of the satellite communication assistance device 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the satellite communication assistance device 1. The position acquisition unit 11 of the satellite communication assistance device 1 acquires the positions of the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3 (S11). Further, the position acquisition unit 11 receives an input of the destination of the mobile station 3 from the mobile station 3 that has made a service request. Here, the positions of the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3 are their latitude, longitude, and altitude information. Note that when the position acquisition unit 11 receives a service request from the mobile station 3 to the satellite communication assistance device 1, the position information obtained from the GPS signal measured by the mobile station 3 is also received from the mobile station 3. Also, the position acquisition unit 11 selects one or more satellite stations that can communicate based on the position information of the mobile station 3 at the time when the position acquisition unit 11 receives a service request from the mobile station 3 and at the time when the mobile station 3 has moved to the destination. Note that the orbital information of the satellite station 2 is included in the communication setting data 151, and the position acquisition unit 11 can select a satellite station that can communicate with the mobile station 3 that has made a service request by referring to the communication setting data 151. Further, the position acquisition unit 11 also acquires the change information of the positions of the selected one or more satellite stations 2 in consideration of the current position information of the satellite station 2 and the estimated travel time to the destination of the mobile station 3 from the orbital information of the selected satellite station 2. In this way, the position acquisition unit 11 makes a selection of the satellite station 2 considering that the satellite station 2 serving as the communication destination in the mobile station 3 may change as the mobile station 3 moves. Note that in order to obtain the estimated travel time, the satellite communication assistance device 1 may also acquire the user's means of movement, such as a car or a bicycle, from the user of the mobile station 3.

[0018] The condition setting unit 121 of the modeling unit 12 sets various conditions (parameters) for model setting (S12). The communication setting data 151 is assumed to contain information regarding the transmit / receive setting values ​​of each satellite station, and information regarding the transmit / receive setting values ​​of various mobile stations 3. The condition setting unit 121 obtains the transmit / receive setting value for the satellite station 2 selected by the position acquisition unit 11 from the communication setting data 151 and uses it as an input value to the modeling unit 12. The condition setting unit 121 also obtains the transmit / receive setting value for the mobile station 3 from the communication setting data 151 and uses it as an input value to the modeling unit 12. Here, the satellite communication auxiliary device 1 may also obtain the transmit / receive setting value of the mobile station 3 from the mobile station 3 when a service request is received from the mobile station 3. Alternatively, the satellite communication auxiliary device 1 may also obtain information that identifies the mobile station 3, such as the MAC address (Medium Access Control Address), when a service request is received from the mobile station 3, and use this information to refer to the communication setting data 151 and obtain the transmit / receive setting value of the mobile station 3. The condition setting unit 121 processes the position information of satellite station 2, the position information of mobile station 3, and weather information and terrain information in a three-dimensional spatial range determined from the destination of mobile station 3, acquired by the position acquisition unit 11, as input values ​​to the modeling unit 12. The condition setting unit 121 obtains the aforementioned weather information for the three-dimensional spatial range for modeling by querying the weather information server 4. The condition setting unit 121 also obtains information on the relief of the ground surface, including structures, in the aforementioned three-dimensional spatial range by referring to the terrain data 152. Regarding weather information, the weather information including weather forecasts during the travel time from the current location of mobile station 3 to the destination may be set as information on the temporal progression. This makes it possible to simulate the temporal progression of the signal strength at mobile station 3 during the mobile station 3's travel period.

[0019] The route recommendation unit 13 selects candidate travel routes from the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination (S13). The route recommendation unit 13 selects one or more travel routes from the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination by referring to the map data 153. In order to limit the number of candidate travel routes for the recommended travel route, the route recommendation unit 13 estimates the travel time for each travel route based on the predetermined travel speed of the mobile station 3. The route recommendation unit 13 may then select as candidate recommended travel routes from the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination any travel route whose travel time is n times or less (where "n" is a real number of 1 or more) the travel time of the shortest travel route. Note that limiting the number of candidate travel routes for the recommended travel route can shorten the processing time.

[0020] In this process, the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 of the route recommendation unit 13 may remove from the candidate routes any route selected in S13 where the section where there is no line of sight (NLOS: Non-Line Of Sight) between satellite station 2 and mobile station 3 exceeds a predetermined value. Furthermore, if there are multiple satellite stations 2 selected in step S12, the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 may determine the NLOS section based on the assumption that each satellite station 2 switches to communication with a satellite station 2 that has a line of sight between it and mobile station 3. Figure 5 shows an example of a case where NLOS occurs. As shown in Figure 5, if satellite station 2 is a low-Earth orbit satellite, the elevation angle of mobile station 3 relative to satellite station 2 will be low due to the positional relationship between satellite station 2 and mobile station 3. In this case, depending on the ground topography between satellite station 2 and mobile station 3, such as the presence of mountains or buildings, there may be cases where there is no line of sight from mobile station 3 to satellite station 2. In such cases, there is a high probability that communication failure will occur even if satellite station 2 and mobile station 3 attempt to establish communication. Therefore, the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 performs a process to remove travel routes in which communication failures may occur at a predetermined ratio from the list of recommended travel routes. "Above a predetermined value" means that the ratio of sections with NLOS to the travel route is above a predetermined value. Alternatively, "Above a predetermined value" means that the distance of the sections with NLOS relative to the travel route is above a predetermined value. Or, if the provisional travel speed of the mobile station 3 can be estimated, "Above a predetermined value" may mean that the time of the sections with NLOS relative to the travel route is above a predetermined value. Note that when the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 performs a process to remove travel routes from the list of recommended travel routes based on NLOS in this process, it determines whether or not there is an obstacle between the satellite station 2's position information and the mobile station 3's position information on the travel route.

[0021] The route recommendation unit 13 obtains estimated signal strength distribution data on the ground in the area near the section connecting the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination, based on the value set in S12, from the modeling unit 12 (S14). Preferably, the estimated signal strength distribution data includes the temporal changes associated with the movement of the mobile station 3. If there are multiple satellite stations 2 selected in step S12, the modeling unit 12 preferably calculates the estimated signal strength on the premise that the mobile station 3 will switch to communication with the satellite station 2 with the highest communication strength.

[0022] Next, the route recommendation unit 13 determines a recommended travel route for the mobile station 3 to its destination based on the acquired signal strength distribution data on the ground, and outputs the recommended travel route to the mobile station 3 (S15). At this time, the route recommendation unit 13 may also display a map from the mobile station 3's current location to its destination to the mobile station 3 and show the recommended travel route on that map. The route recommendation unit 13 selects the travel route with the shortest section in which the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value from among the multiple candidate travel routes as the recommended travel route. Alternatively, the route recommendation unit 13 may output multiple recommended travel routes to the mobile station 3, showing them in order of the shortest section in which the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value. Or, if the estimated signal strength for several of the candidate travel routes is all above a predetermined value, the route recommendation unit 13 may use a second predetermined value that defines a good signal strength value to select the travel route with the longest section in which the signal strength is below the second predetermined value as the recommended travel route.

[0023] In addition, the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 may perform the process of excluding recommended travel routes by NLOS in S13 in S15. If this is done in S15, the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 will perform the process of excluding recommended travel routes by considering both the direct NLOS on the travel route and the estimated signal strength. Even if there are undulations such as mountains or buildings between the satellite station 2 and the mobile station 3, and the satellite station 2 is not directly visible from the mobile station 3, communication may still be possible due to the diffraction of communication radio waves or atmospheric conditions. Therefore, in order to take these points into consideration, the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 may perform the process of excluding recommended travel routes by NLOS in S13 in S15. In this case, the route recommendation unit 13 will determine a recommended travel route to the destination of the mobile station 3 based on the acquired ground signal strength distribution data for travel routes other than those excluded from selection by the line-of-sight confirmation unit 131 among the candidate travel routes selected in S13, and output the recommended travel route to the mobile station 3.

[0024] Figure 6 shows an example in which two recommended travel routes are selected by S15. In the example in Figure 6, out of the three candidate travel routes selected based on the positional relationship between the satellite station and the mobile station, travel route 3 is eliminated from the list of candidate travel routes due to the relationship with obstacles between the satellite station and the mobile station, so that travel route 1 becomes the first recommended travel route and travel route 2 becomes the second recommended travel route.

[0025] The visualization unit 14 performs a visualization process for the signal strength in the recommended travel route determined by the route recommendation unit 13, or in the area including the recommended travel route (S16). Here, "visualization" means making the information regarding the signal strength available to the mobile station 3. The "area including the recommended travel route" is the area from the mobile station 3's current location to the destination that includes the recommended travel route and surrounds an external area at a predetermined distance from the recommended travel route. The "visualization" method may be a visualization display that allows the mobile station 3 to check the estimated signal strength along one or more recommended travel routes determined in S15. Alternatively, the "visualization" method may be a visualization display that allows the mobile station 3 to check the estimated signal strength within a predetermined wide range from the mobile station 3's current location to the destination, including one or more recommended travel routes determined in S15. Furthermore, the "visualization display" may be a display that allows the mobile station to check the estimated signal strength using color coding, shading, bar graphs, etc., according to the range of signal strength. Figure 7 shows an example of the results of signal strength visualization by the visualization unit 14. In the example in Figure 7, the ground is divided into blocks, and the average signal strength for each block divided along each candidate travel route is visualized. In Figure 7, the signal strength is shown in four levels of intensity. In the example in Figure 7, the visualization process confirms that the signal strength is strongest and most stable on recommended travel route 1. It can also be confirmed that the signal strength is relatively strong and stable on recommended travel route 2. On the other hand, it can be seen that on travel route 3, there are places where sufficient signal strength cannot be obtained due to the influence of obstacles. The user of mobile station 3 can easily determine which travel route is preferable to take to reach their destination from the perspective of signal strength by receiving visualization information of signal strength in the candidate travel routes from the satellite communication auxiliary device 1. Mobile station 3 may also move while displaying the visualization information of signal strength provided on the navigation device on the mobile station 3 side overlaid on a map. In particular, to reconfirm the signal strength along the travel route to the destination, it is preferable to display a visualization of the signal strength overlaid on the map when the user of mobile station 3 displays a wide area on the navigation device.Since the actual arrival time at the destination may differ from the initial estimated time, mobile station 3 may obtain the latest signal strength visualization information from satellite communication support device 1 at this time.

[0026] Furthermore, the signal strength on the mobile station 3 side may be affected not only by the positional relationship between satellite station 2 and mobile station 3 and the topography of the ground between satellite station 2 and mobile station 3, but also by changes in weather conditions while mobile station 3 is moving from its current location to its destination. Therefore, it is preferable that the modeling unit 12 in S14 incorporates changes in weather conditions, including atmospheric conditions, as predicted weather values ​​while mobile station 3 is moving from its current location to its destination, and outputs an estimated value of the signal strength on the mobile station 3 side that takes the temporal progression into account. Then, it is preferable that the route recommendation unit 13 and the visualization unit 14 determine a recommended travel route for mobile station 3 that takes the temporal progression into account and visualize the estimated value of the signal strength on the satellite station 2 side.

[0027] As explained above, the satellite communication support device 1 for mobile stations enables communication stabilization at the mobile station 3 by pre-calculating an arrangement that allows for stable communication even when the direction pointed from the ground is at a low elevation angle depending on the position of the satellite station 2, particularly when communicating between the satellite station 2 and the low-Earth orbit satellite, and the mobile station 3 which is a ground station.

[0028] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the modeling unit 12 uses a simulation system trained by machine learning. In this case, when providing service to the mobile station 3, the satellite communication support device 1 may receive feedback regarding the signal strength measured when the mobile station 3 moves to its destination. The satellite communication support device 1 may use this feedback value as training data for retraining when constructing a simulation system using machine learning. Alternatively, the satellite communication support device 1 may utilize an existing simulation tool that predicts the signal strength on the mobile station side, rather than a simulation system trained by machine learning.

[0029] Furthermore, while the current location of mobile station 3 has been described as the current location of mobile station 3 at the time of the service request, it is not limited to this. For example, the satellite communication support device 1 may obtain input from mobile station 3 regarding the planned starting location of the movement when a service request is made, as the current location of mobile station 3. This would enable the satellite communication support device 1 to provide a more versatile service regarding the provision of recommended movement routes.

[0030] Furthermore, while providing service to mobile station 3 uses weather information at the time of receiving a service request from mobile station 3 as input to the model, it is not limited to this. For example, the satellite communication support device 1 may obtain input from mobile station 3 regarding the planned start time of movement when a service request is received from mobile station 3. This enables the satellite communication support device 1 to provide a more versatile service regarding the provision of recommended movement routes. In this case, the condition setting unit 121 of the modeling unit 12 uses external factors such as weather information from the planned start time of movement of mobile station 3 as input values ​​for model construction.

[0031] Furthermore, while mobile station 3 is described as a means of transportation that travels on the ground, such as a car, or one that is mounted on a means of transportation that travels on the ground, such as a smartphone, it is not limited to these. For example, instead of a car, it could be an airplane flying near the ground relative to the altitude of the satellite, or a ship at sea.

[0032] Furthermore, although it was explained that in S15 the route recommendation unit 13 selects a travel route in S13, checks the predicted signal strength on the mobile station 3 side along the selected travel route in S15, and determines the recommended travel route, it is not limited to this. For example, the route recommendation unit 13 may select a travel route and rank the recommended travel routes based on the estimated signal strength from the current location of the mobile station 3 to the destination in S14.

[0033] Furthermore, although the satellite communication support device 1 has been described as providing services such as suggesting recommended travel routes to the mobile station 3, it is not limited to this. For example, the mobile station 3 may be equipped with the functions of the satellite communication support device 1.

[0034] Furthermore, the satellite communication support device 1 may not provide a recommended travel route, but instead provide visualization information of signal strength in a predetermined area, including the section from the mobile station 3's current location to the destination, along with map information. Even if a recommended travel route is not provided, the user of the mobile station 3 can determine their own travel route to the destination by referring to the visualization information of signal strength, including map information.

[0035] Figure 8 shows an example configuration of a satellite communication support device 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The satellite communication support device 1 comprises a position acquisition unit 11, a modeling unit 12, and a visualization unit 14. The position acquisition unit 11 acquires the position of the satellite station, the position of the mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will move. The modeling unit 12 estimates the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information on external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station. The visualization unit 14 visualizes the signal strength in the region between the mobile station's position and the destination.

[0036] Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the satellite communication support device 1. Here, the satellite communication support device 1 consists of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 61, RAM (Random Access Memory) 62, non-volatile memory 63 such as ROM (Read Only Memory), a recording device 64, etc. The non-volatile memory 63 and the recording device 64 store programs that realize the functions of the satellite communication support device 1. The RAM 62 is used as a work area to temporarily store data used by the CPU 61, etc., while it is operating. The satellite communication support device 1 may also include input / output ports 65 for connecting other input / output devices. The non-volatile memory 63 may be composed of EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc., and the recording device 64 may be composed of a hard disk, SSD, etc., so that the computer programs that realize the functions of the satellite communication support device 1 can be updated on these devices.

[0037] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications to the structure and details of the present disclosure are possible, as can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0038] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0039] (Note 1) A position acquisition means for acquiring the position of a satellite station, the position of a mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will move, A modeling means for estimating the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's location to the destination, based on transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information regarding external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station. Visualization means for visualizing signal strength in the region between the location of the mobile station and the destination, A satellite communication support device equipped with the following features.

[0040] (Note 2) A route recommendation means that outputs a recommended travel route for the mobile station to the destination based on the estimated signal strength, A satellite communication auxiliary device as described in Appendix 1, further comprising the above.

[0041] (Note 3) The route recommendation means outputs, among multiple travel routes, the travel route in which the section where the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value is short, as the recommended travel route. The satellite communication support device described in Appendix 2.

[0042] (Note 4) Equipped with map data for ground movement, The route recommendation means uses the map data to select a plurality of candidate travel routes from the location of the mobile station to the destination. Satellite communication auxiliary equipment as described in Appendix 2 or 3.

[0043] (Note 5) The route recommendation means excludes from the candidate routes any route in which the section between the satellite station and the mobile station is not visible from a predetermined value or more. Satellite communication auxiliary equipment as described in Appendix 3 or 4.

[0044] (Note 6) The route recommendation means outputs a plurality of recommended travel routes, showing the order of the travel routes in which the estimated signal strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value for the shortest interval among the plurality of candidate travel routes. A satellite communication auxiliary device as described in any one of the appendices 3 to 5.

[0045] (Note 7) The visualization means visualizes the signal strength along the mobile station's travel route. A satellite communication auxiliary device as described in any one of the appendices 2 to 6.

[0046] (Note 8) The modeling means divides the distance between the satellite station and the mobile station into multiple altitudes and estimates the signal strength using the atmospheric model for each divided altitude as input values. A satellite communication auxiliary device as described in any one of the appendices 1 through 7.

[0047] (Note 11) The satellite station's location, the mobile station's location, and the destination to which the mobile station will move are obtained. Based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information regarding external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station, the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination is estimated. To visualize the signal strength in the region between the location of the mobile station and the destination, A method of performing something using a computer.

[0048] (Note 12) Based on the estimated signal strength, the mobile station outputs a recommended travel route to the destination. The method described in Appendix 11 for further carrying out the same.

[0049] (Note 13) Among multiple travel routes, the travel route with the shortest section where the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value is output as the recommended travel route. The method described in Appendix 12.

[0050] (Note 14) Equipped with map data for ground movement, Using the aforementioned map data, select the multiple candidate travel routes from the location of the mobile station to the destination. The method described in Appendix 12 or 13.

[0051] (Note 15) Of the multiple candidate travel routes, routes in which the section between the satellite station and the mobile station is not visible from a predetermined value or more are excluded from the candidate travel routes. The method described in Appendix 13 or 14.

[0052] (Note 16) From among the multiple candidate travel routes, the system outputs multiple recommended travel routes, showing them in order of the shortest interval between which the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value. The method described in any one of the appendices 13 to 15.

[0053] (Note 17) To visualize the signal strength along the mobile station's travel route, The method described in any one of the appendices 12 to 16.

[0054] (Note 18) The distance between the satellite station and the mobile station is divided into multiple altitudes, and the signal strength is estimated using the atmospheric model for each divided altitude as input values. The method described in any one of the appendices 11 to 17.

[0055] (Note 21) The satellite station's location, the mobile station's location, and the destination to which the mobile station will move are obtained. Based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information regarding external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station, the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination is estimated. To visualize the signal strength in the region between the location of the mobile station and the destination, A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

[0056] (Note 22) Based on the estimated signal strength, the mobile station outputs a recommended travel route to the destination. The program described in Appendix 21 further performs the following.

[0057] (Note 23) Among multiple travel routes, the travel route with the shortest section where the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value is output as the recommended travel route. The program described in Appendix 22.

[0058] (Note 24) Equipped with map data for ground movement, Using the aforementioned map data, select the multiple candidate travel routes from the location of the mobile station to the destination. The program described in Appendix 22 or 23.

[0059] (Note 25) Of the multiple candidate travel routes, routes in which the section between the satellite station and the mobile station is not visible from a predetermined value or more are excluded from the candidate travel routes. The program described in either Appendix 23 or 24.

[0060] (Note 26) From among the multiple candidate travel routes, the system outputs multiple recommended travel routes, showing them in order of the shortest interval between which the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value. The program described in any one of the appendices 23 to 25.

[0061] (Note 27) To visualize the signal strength along the mobile station's travel route, The program described in any one of the appendices 22 to 26.

[0062] (Note 28) The distance between the satellite station and the mobile station is divided into multiple altitudes, and the signal strength is estimated using the atmospheric model for each divided altitude as input values. The program described in any one of the appendices 21 to 27. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 1. Satellite communication support equipment 2 satellite stations 3 Mobile Station 4. Weather information server 11 Position acquisition part 12 Modeling Department 13 Recommended Routes 14 Visualization part 15 Storage section 121 Condition Setting Section 131 Foresight Confirmation Section 151 Communication settings data 152 Topographic Data 153 Map data

Claims

1. A position acquisition means for acquiring the position of a satellite station, the position of a mobile station, and the destination to which the mobile station will move, A modeling means for estimating the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's location to the destination, based on transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information regarding external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station. Visualization means for visualizing signal strength in the region between the location of the mobile station and the destination, A satellite communication support device equipped with the following features.

2. A route recommendation means that outputs a recommended travel route for the mobile station to the destination based on the estimated signal strength, The satellite communication auxiliary device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The route recommendation means outputs, among multiple travel routes, the travel route in which the section where the estimated signal strength is below a predetermined value is short, as the recommended travel route. The satellite communication support device according to claim 2.

4. Equipped with map data for ground movement, The route recommendation means uses the map data to select a plurality of candidate travel routes from the location of the mobile station to the destination. The satellite communication support device according to claim 3.

5. The route recommendation means excludes from the candidate routes any route in which the section between the satellite station and the mobile station is not visible from a predetermined value or more. The satellite communication support device according to claim 4.

6. The route recommendation means outputs a plurality of recommended travel routes, showing the order of the travel routes in which the estimated signal strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value for the shortest interval among the plurality of candidate travel routes. The satellite communication support device according to claim 4.

7. The visualization means visualizes the signal strength along the mobile station's travel route. A satellite communication support device according to any one of claims 2 to 6.

8. The modeling means divides the distance between the satellite station and the mobile station into multiple altitudes and estimates the signal strength using the atmospheric model for each divided altitude as input values. A satellite communication support device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The satellite station's location, the mobile station's location, and the destination to which the mobile station will move are obtained. Based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information regarding external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station, the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination is estimated. To visualize the signal strength in the region between the location of the mobile station and the destination, A method of performing something using a computer.

10. The satellite station's location, the mobile station's location, and the destination to which the mobile station will move are obtained. Based on the transmission and reception setting information necessary for communication between the satellite station and the mobile station, and information regarding external factors between the satellite station and the mobile station, the signal strength on the mobile station side from the mobile station's position to the destination is estimated. To visualize the signal strength in the region between the location of the mobile station and the destination, A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

Images