Wireless communication system, wireless communication system management method, wireless communication device, and control device

Abstract

This wireless communication system comprises a terminal device and a control device for controlling a wireless communication device which is used to wirelessly communicate with the terminal device. The wireless communication device comprises an electromagnet. The terminal device comprises a magnetic sensor. The control device turns on / off the electromagnet. The control device acquires from the terminal device first magnetic field information detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is turned off. The control device acquires from the terminal device second magnetic field information detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is turned on. The control device estimates the direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device on the basis of the difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for estimating a direction from a wireless communication device to a terminal device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In a wireless communication system including a terminal device and a wireless communication device, it is useful to recognize the direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as the "terminal direction").

[0003] Consider a dynamic reflector (RIS: Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) as an example of a wireless communication device. A dynamic reflector is composed of many reflecting elements, and is capable of dynamically controlling reflection characteristics such as the reflection direction. By using such a dynamic reflector, it is possible to form a propagation path that bypasses an obstacle, or to form multiple propagation paths for a single terminal device. This makes it possible to improve communication performance such as communication quality and spatial multiplexing. In order to utilize a dynamic reflector to appropriately perform wireless communication with a terminal device, it is necessary to recognize the terminal direction and appropriately control the reflection direction of radio waves by the dynamic reflector.

[0004] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a method for estimating the position of a wireless LAN terminal. According to this method, when a terminal belongs to an access point using a distributed antenna, the access point estimates the position of the terminal.

[0005] Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a geomagnetic sensor. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] Hosoda et al., “Wireless LAN Terminal Location Estimation Method Using Access Points with Distributed Antennas”, Transactions of Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 61, No. 1, pp. 3-15 (Jan. 2020) [Non-Patent Document 2] Geomagnetic sensor, Tech Web (https: / / techweb.rohm.co.jp / iot / knowledge / iot05 / s-iot05 / 01-s-iot05 / 5055) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that can easily estimate the direction from a wireless communication device to a terminal device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The first aspect relates to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system includes: A terminal device; A control device that controls a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with a terminal device; Equipped with. The wireless communication device includes an electromagnet. The terminal device is equipped with a magnetic sensor. A controller switches the electromagnets on and off. The control device acquires from the terminal device information about the first magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is off. The control device acquires from the terminal device information about the second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is on. The control device estimates a direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device based on the difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field.

[0009] A second aspect relates to a wireless communication system management method for managing a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system includes a terminal device and a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with the terminal device. A method for managing a wireless communication system includes: A process of switching on and off an electromagnet provided in the wireless communication device; A process of acquiring information on a first magnetic field detected by a magnetic sensor included in the terminal device when the electromagnet is off; acquiring information of a second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is on; A process of estimating a direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device based on a difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. Includes.

[0010] The third aspect relates to a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with a terminal device. The wireless communication device includes a control device and an electromagnet. A controller switches the electromagnets on and off. The control device acquires, from the terminal device, information on the first magnetic field detected by a magnetic sensor included in the terminal device when the electromagnet is off. The control device acquires information about the second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor from the terminal device when the electromagnet is on. The control device estimates a direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device based on the difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field.

[0011] The fourth aspect relates to a control device that controls a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with a terminal device. The controller comprises one or more processors. The one or more processors switch on and off an electromagnet included in the wireless communication device. The one or more processors acquire, from the terminal device, information on a first magnetic field detected by a magnetic sensor included in the terminal device when the electromagnet is off. The one or more processors acquire information of the second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor from the terminal device when the electromagnet is on. The one or more processors estimate a direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device based on a difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, by utilizing an electromagnet in a wireless communication device and a magnetic sensor in a terminal device, it is possible to easily estimate the direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a terminal direction estimation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a process related to a terminal direction estimation process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by a control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] 1. Wireless communication systems 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication system 1 includes a wireless communication device 10 and a terminal device 20. Examples of the terminal device 20 include a smartphone and a PC.

[0016] The wireless communication device 10 is used for wireless communication with the terminal device 20. Examples of the wireless communication device 10 include a base station, an access point, and a repeater. The base station and the access point may perform beamforming. The repeater repeats signal communication between another wireless communication device 10 and the terminal device 20. Examples of the repeater include a repeater capable of beam control (smart repeater), a dynamic reflector that reflects radio waves (RIS: Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), and the like.

[0017] A dynamic reflector is composed of a large number of reflecting elements, and is capable of dynamically controlling reflection characteristics such as the reflection direction. For example, a dynamic reflector is a metasurface reflector. By using such a dynamic reflector, it is possible to form a propagation path that bypasses an obstacle, or to form multiple propagation paths for a single terminal device 20. This makes it possible to improve communication performance such as communication quality and spatial multiplexing number.

[0018] In a wireless communication system 1 including a wireless communication device 10 and a terminal device 20, it is useful to recognize the direction from the wireless communication device 10 to the terminal device 20 (hereinafter referred to as "terminal direction D"). For example, in order to appropriately perform wireless communication with the terminal device 20 using a dynamic reflector, it is necessary to recognize the terminal direction D and appropriately control the reflection direction of radio waves by the dynamic reflector. The terminal direction D is also useful for beamforming in the wireless communication device 10.

[0019] Hereinafter, a "terminal direction estimation process" for estimating the terminal direction D from the wireless communication device 10 to the terminal device 20 will be described.

[0020] 2. Terminal direction estimation process FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the terminal direction estimation process according to the present embodiment.

[0021] The wireless communication device 10 according to this embodiment includes a control device 100 and an electromagnet 110. The control device 100 controls the wireless communication device 10. The control device 100 also switches the electromagnet 110 ON / OFF. The electromagnet 110 generates a magnetic field when it is turned ON by the control device 100. Furthermore, the control device 100 is capable of communicating with a terminal device 20. As a modified example, the control device 100 may be provided outside the wireless communication device 10, and the wireless communication device 10 and the electromagnet 110 may be controlled from outside.

[0022] On the other hand, the terminal device 20 according to this embodiment includes a magnetic sensor 210 that detects a magnetic field. The magnetic field is defined in a predetermined coordinate system (x, y, z). For example, the x-axis is parallel to the latitude line, the y-axis is parallel to the meridian line, and the z-axis is the vertical axis. The magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 210 has an x ​​component, a y component, and a z component.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing related to the terminal direction estimation processing.

[0024] In step S110, the control device 100 turns off the electromagnet 110 of the wireless communication device 10. The magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 210 of the terminal device 20 at this time is hereinafter referred to as a "first magnetic field H1 (x1, y1, z1)." The first magnetic field H1 corresponds to the geomagnetism at the position of the terminal device 20. The control device 100 acquires information on the detected first magnetic field H1 from the terminal device 20.

[0025] In step S120, the control device 100 turns on the electromagnet 110 of the wireless communication device 10. The electromagnet 110 generates a magnetic field around it. The magnetic field caused by the electromagnet 110 at the position of the terminal device 20 is hereinafter referred to as the "electromagnet-induced magnetic field He." In addition, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 210 of the terminal device 20 at this time is hereinafter referred to as the "second magnetic field H2 (x2, y2, z2)." The second magnetic field H2 is given by the vector sum of the first magnetic field H1 and the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He (H2=H1+He). The control device 100 acquires information on the detected second magnetic field H2 from the terminal device 20.

[0026] It is preferable that the current of the electromagnet 110 is controlled so that an electromagnet-induced magnetic field He that is stronger than the earth's magnetic field is generated at the position of the terminal device 20 .

[0027] The order of steps S110 and S120 may be reversed.

[0028] In step S130, the control device 100 estimates the terminal direction D based on a comparison between the first magnetic field H1 and the second magnetic field H2. As described above, the second magnetic field H2 is given by the vector sum of the first magnetic field H1 and the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He (H2=H1+He). Therefore, the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He at the position of the terminal device 20 is given by the difference between the second magnetic field H2 and the first magnetic field H1 (He=H2-H1). The control device 100 estimates the terminal direction D based on the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He, which is the difference between the second magnetic field H2 and the first magnetic field H1.

[0029] For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when the angle between the installation direction of the electromagnet 110 (the direction connecting the north pole and the south pole) and the terminal direction D is relatively small, the direction of the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He at the position of the terminal device 20 and the terminal direction D become nearly parallel. For example, the wireless communication device 10 is a dynamic reflector, and the electromagnet 110 is installed so that its installation direction is substantially perpendicular to the reflecting surface of the dynamic reflector. In this case, the angle between the terminal direction D toward the terminal device 20 that receives the radio waves reflected by the dynamic reflector and the installation direction of the electromagnet 110 becomes relatively small. Therefore, the direction of the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He at the position of the terminal device 20 and the terminal direction D become nearly parallel. For example, the control device 100 approximately estimates that the terminal direction D is parallel to the direction of the electromagnet-induced magnetic field He. In this case, the azimuth angle φ and the zenith angle θ of the terminal direction D are expressed by the following equations (1) and (2), respectively.

[0030]

number

[0031]

number

[0032] In step S140, the control device 100 controls the wireless communication device 10 based on the estimated terminal direction D. For example, if the wireless communication device 10 is a dynamic reflector, the control device 100 controls the reflection direction of the radio wave by the dynamic reflector based on the estimated terminal direction D. In other words, the control device 100 controls the reflection direction so that the radio wave incident on the dynamic reflector is reflected in the terminal direction D. As another example, the control device 100 may control beamforming in the wireless communication device 10 based on the estimated terminal direction D.

[0033] As described above, according to this embodiment, by utilizing the electromagnet 110 of the wireless communication device 10 and the magnetic sensor 210 of the terminal device 20, it is possible to easily estimate the terminal direction D from the wireless communication device 10 to the terminal device 20.

[0034] It can be said that the present embodiment provides a wireless communication system management method including estimation of the terminal direction D and control of the wireless communication device 10.

[0035] 3. Configuration and processing examples 3-1.Example of wireless communication device configuration 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication device 10. The wireless communication device 10 includes a control device 100, an electromagnet unit 120, and a wireless communication unit .

[0036] The control device 100 controls the wireless communication device 10. For example, the control device 100 includes one or more processors 101 (hereinafter simply referred to as "processor 101") and one or more storage devices 102 (hereinafter simply referred to as "storage device 102"). The processor 101 performs various information processing. The processor 101 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The storage device 102 stores various information required for processing by the processor 101. Examples of the storage device 102 include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SSD (Solid State Drive). The processor 101 executes a control program, which is a computer program, to realize the functions of the control device 100. The control program is stored in the storage device 102. The control program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The control program may be provided via a network. As yet another example, the control device 100 may be realized using hardware such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0037] The electromagnet section 120 includes the electromagnet 110, a current supply unit that supplies current to the electromagnet 110, a switch that turns the current supply ON / OFF, etc. The current supply in the electromagnet section 120, that is, the ON / OFF of the electromagnet 110, is controlled by the control device 100 (processor 101).

[0038] The wireless communication unit 130 performs wireless communication with the terminal device 20. For example, the wireless communication unit 130 includes an antenna and a transmission / reception circuit. As another example, the wireless communication unit 130 may include a plurality of reflecting elements. The wireless communication unit 130 is controlled by the control device 100 (processor 101). For example, the control device 100 controls the radio wave reflection direction based on the terminal direction D.

[0039] 3-2. Example of terminal device configuration 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 includes a control device 200, a magnetic sensor 210, and a wireless communication unit 230.

[0040] The control device 200 controls the terminal device 20. For example, the control device 200 includes one or more processors 201 (hereinafter simply referred to as "processor 201") and one or more storage devices 202 (hereinafter simply referred to as "storage device 202"). The processor 201 performs various information processing. The processor 201 includes, for example, a CPU. The storage device 202 stores various information required for processing by the processor 201. Examples of the storage device 202 include a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a HDD, and an SSD. The processor 201 executes a control program, which is a computer program, to realize the functions of the control device 200. The control program is stored in the storage device 202. The control program may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0041] The magnetic sensor 210 detects a magnetic field. Examples of the magnetic sensor 210 include a Hall sensor, a Magneto Resistance (MR) sensor, and a Magneto Impedance (MI) sensor (see Non-Patent Document 2).

[0042] The wireless communication unit 230 performs wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10 (control device 100). For example, the wireless communication unit 230 includes an antenna and a transmission / reception circuit. The wireless communication unit 230 is controlled by the control device 200 (processor 201).

[0043] 3-3. Processing flow example FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the control device 100 (processor 101).

[0044] In step S111, the control device 100 turns the electromagnet 110 off.

[0045] In step S112 after step S111, the control device 100 transmits a first feedback request REQ1 to the terminal device 20 via the wireless communication unit .

[0046] The control device 200 of the terminal device 20 receives the first feedback request REQ1 via the wireless communication unit 230. At this time, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 210 is the first magnetic field H1. In response to the first feedback request REQ1, the control device 200 transmits first feedback information FB1 indicating the first magnetic field H1 to the control device 100 via the wireless communication unit 230.

[0047] In step S113, the control device 100 receives the first feedback information FB1 from the terminal device 20 via the wireless communication unit .

[0048] In step S114, the control device 100 stores the received first feedback information FB1 in the storage device .

[0049] Incidentally, the above steps S111 to S114 correspond to step S110 shown in FIG.

[0050] In step S121, the control device 100 turns on the electromagnet 110.

[0051] In step S122 after step S121, the control device 100 transmits a second feedback request REQ2 to the terminal device 20 via the wireless communication unit .

[0052] The control device 200 of the terminal device 20 receives the second feedback request REQ2 via the wireless communication unit 230. At this time, the magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor 210 is the second magnetic field H2. In response to the second feedback request REQ2, the control device 200 transmits second feedback information FB2 indicating the second magnetic field H2 to the control device 100 via the wireless communication unit 230.

[0053] In step S123, the control device 100 receives the second feedback information FB2 from the terminal device 20 via the wireless communication unit .

[0054] In step S124, the control device 100 stores the received second feedback information FB2 in the storage device 102.

[0055] In step S125, the control device 100 turns the electromagnet 110 off.

[0056] Incidentally, the above steps S121 to S125 correspond to step S120 shown in FIG.

[0057] In step S130, the control device 100 estimates the terminal direction D based on a comparison between the first feedback information FB1 and the second feedback information FB2 stored in the storage device 102. More specifically, the control device 100 estimates the terminal direction D based on the difference between the second magnetic field H2 indicated by the second feedback information FB2 and the first magnetic field H1 indicated by the first feedback information FB1. Information on the estimated terminal direction D is stored in the storage device 102 and is used for controlling the wireless communication device 10.

[0058] 3-4.Modifications 7 is a block diagram showing a modified example. In the modified example, the control device 100 is provided outside the wireless communication device 10, and controls the wireless communication device 10 and the electromagnet 110 from outside.

[0059] The control device 100 includes a processor 101 , a storage device 102 , a communication device 103 , and a control interface 104 .

[0060] The communication device 103 communicates with the terminal device 20. The processor 101 transmits feedback requests REQ1 and REQ2 to the terminal device 20 via the communication device 103. In addition, the processor 101 receives feedback information FB1 and FB2 from the terminal device 20 via the communication device 103.

[0061] The control interface 104 is an interface for controlling the wireless communication device 10. The processor 101 transmits control information for controlling the wireless communication device 10 to the wireless communication device 10 via the control interface 104. For example, the control information includes information instructing the wireless communication device 10 to be turned on / off. By transmitting such control information to the wireless communication device 10, the processor 101 can switch the electromagnet 110 on / off. As another example, the control information may include a terminal direction D estimated by the processor 101.

[0062] The wireless communication device 10 includes an electromagnet unit 120 , a wireless communication unit 130 , a control interface 140 , and a control unit 150 .

[0063] The control unit 150 receives control information from the control device 100 via the control interface 140. The control unit 150 switches the electromagnet 110 ON / OFF in accordance with the control information. The control unit 150 also controls the wireless communication unit 130. For example, the control unit 150 controls the radio wave reflection direction based on the terminal direction D. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1. Wireless communication systems 10 Wireless communication devices 20 Terminal Equipment 100 Control device 101 Processor 102 Storage device 110 Electromagnet 210 Magnetic Sensor H1 First magnetic field H2 Second magnetic field He electromagnet-induced magnetic field FB1 First feedback information FB2 Second feedback information REQ1 First feedback request REQ2 Second feedback request

Claims

1. A terminal device; a control device for controlling a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with the terminal device; Equipped with the wireless communication device includes an electromagnet; The terminal device includes a magnetic sensor, The control device includes: Switching the electromagnet on and off; acquiring, from the terminal device, information on a first magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is off; acquiring, from the terminal device, information on a second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is turned on; A direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device is estimated based on a difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. Wireless communication system.

2. 2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, After turning off the electromagnet, the control device transmits a first feedback request to the terminal device; In response to the first feedback request, the terminal device transmits first feedback information indicating the first magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor to the control device; After turning on the electromagnet, the control device transmits a second feedback request to the terminal device; In response to the second feedback request, the terminal device transmits second feedback information indicating the second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor to the control device. Wireless communication system.

3. 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, The wireless communication device is a dynamic reflector. Wireless communication system.

4. 4. The wireless communication system according to claim 3, The control device controls a direction in which the dynamic reflector reflects radio waves based on the direction from the dynamic reflector to the terminal device. Wireless communication system.

5. 5. The wireless communication system according to claim 3, The electromagnet is installed so that the direction connecting the north pole and the south pole of the electromagnet is perpendicular to the reflecting surface of the dynamic reflector. Wireless communication system.

6. A wireless communication system management method for managing a wireless communication system including a terminal device and a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with the terminal device, comprising: A process of switching on and off an electromagnet included in the wireless communication device; A process of acquiring information on a first magnetic field detected by a magnetic sensor included in the terminal device when the electromagnet is off; acquiring information of a second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor when the electromagnet is on; estimating a direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device based on a difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field; Includes A method for managing a wireless communication system.

7. A wireless communication device used for wireless communication with a terminal device, A control device; Electromagnets and Equipped with The control device includes: Switching the electromagnet on and off; When the electromagnet is off, information on a first magnetic field detected by a magnetic sensor included in the terminal device is acquired from the terminal device; acquiring information about a second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor from the terminal device when the electromagnet is turned on; A direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device is estimated based on a difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. Wireless communication device.

8. A control device that controls a wireless communication device used for wireless communication with a terminal device, One or more processors; The one or more processors: Switching on and off an electromagnet included in the wireless communication device; When the electromagnet is off, information on a first magnetic field detected by a magnetic sensor included in the terminal device is acquired from the terminal device; acquiring information about a second magnetic field detected by the magnetic sensor from the terminal device when the electromagnet is turned on; A direction from the wireless communication device to the terminal device is estimated based on a difference between the first magnetic field and the second magnetic field. Control device.

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