Simulator system, simulation method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a simulation environment suitable for evaluation of a next generation connected service.SOLUTION: A simulator system comprises: a device simulator portion that virtually materializes an objective device; a service portion that generates presentation information as information used in the objective device by using the information related to the objective device and transmits the generated presentation information; a device simulator portion; a network simulator portion that virtually materializes communication environment between the service portions; and a distribution portion that distributes information to the network simulator portion. The distribution portion distributes to the network simulator portion, specific information as specific information applying an influence to the network simulator portion of the information related to the objective device, and the network simulator portion changes a communication quality in the communication environment by using the distributed specification information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a simulator system, a simulation method, and a computer program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, research and development of next-generation mobile communications such as Beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G has been actively conducted. By using such next-generation mobile communications, it is possible to realize connected services that have not been realized so far, such as remote driving systems and remote automated driving systems. Here, a remote driving system refers to a system in which a driver in a remote location manually controls a vehicle from the outside based on images and location information transmitted from the vehicle. Also, a remote automated driving system refers to a system in which a cloud or edge server performs automated driving based on images and location information transmitted from the vehicle. Hereinafter, services that control target devices such as vehicles via a network, such as remote driving systems and remote automated driving systems, and services that provide some information used in the target devices, are collectively referred to as "next-generation connected services."

[0003] As described above, the evolution of mobile communication networks has made it possible to realize next-generation connected services, but it is difficult to evaluate next-generation connected services on a proof-of-concept basis in the early stages. This is because, for example, when evaluating a remote automated driving system, it is necessary to arrange and modify an actual vehicle and build a cloud system, which requires a large investment in both time and cost. Considering this, in the early stages of development of next-generation connected services, it is preferable to evaluate the feasibility of the service in a simulation environment that virtually realizes an actual vehicle and a cloud system, because this leads to a shortened development lead time and a reduction in costs. In this regard, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a simulator that performs evaluation communication while synchronizing vehicle motion information (position, speed, etc.) between multiple simulators. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Dongyao Jia, Jie Sun, Anshuman Sharma, Zuduo Zheng, Bingyi Liu, "Integrated simulation platform for conventional, connected and automated driving: A design from cyber-physical systems perspective", ScienceDirect Volume 124, March 2021, Article 102984. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, there is currently a problem that there is no simulation environment suitable for evaluating such next-generation connected services. For example, the simulator described in Non-Patent Document 1 is not suitable for real-time simulation such as next-generation connected services because the performance cannot be scaled when the evaluation communication in the network simulator increases. Note that such a problem is not limited to the case where a vehicle shown in the example of the remote driving system or remote automatic driving system is used as a target device for the connected service, but is common to the case where any device such as a robot or a drone is used. In addition, such a problem is not limited to the case where a connected service is built using B5G or 6G, which are next-generation mobile communications, but is common to the case where a connected service is built using any communication system.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a simulation environment suitable for evaluating next-generation connected services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized in the following forms. A simulator system comprising: a device simulator unit that virtually realizes a target device, a service unit that acquires information about the target device from the device simulator unit, generates provision information that is information used in the target device using the acquired information, and transmits the generated provision information to the device simulator unit, a network simulator unit that virtually realizes a communication environment between the device simulator unit and the service unit, and a distribution unit that distributes information to the network simulator unit, the network simulator unit including a plurality of network simulator units that virtually realize different communication environments, the distribution unit distributes specific information, which is specific information that affects the network simulator unit, among the information about the target device, to each of the plurality of network simulator units, and the plurality of network simulator units use the distributed specific information to change the communication quality in each of the communication environments. The present invention can also be realized in the following forms.

[0008] (1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a simulator system is provided, comprising: a device simulator unit that virtually realizes a target device; a service unit that acquires information about the target device from the device simulator unit, generates provided information that is information used in the target device using the acquired information, and transmits the generated provided information to the device simulator unit; a network simulator unit that virtually realizes a communication environment between the device simulator unit and the service unit; and a distribution unit that distributes information to the network simulator unit, wherein the distribution unit distributes specific information, which is specific information that affects the network simulator unit, among the information about the target device, to the network simulator unit, and the network simulator unit uses the distributed specific information to change communication quality in the communication environment.

[0009] According to this configuration, the simulator system includes a device simulator unit that virtually realizes a target device, a service unit that generates provision information that is information used in the target device using information about the target device acquired from the device simulator unit and transmits the generated provision information to the device simulator unit, and a network simulator unit that virtually realizes a communication environment between the device simulator unit and the service unit, so that a simulation environment in which a next-generation connected service can be evaluated can be provided. Also, according to this configuration, the distribution unit distributes specific information that is specific information that affects the network simulator unit to the network simulator unit, and the network simulator unit changes the communication quality in the communication environment using the distributed specific information, so that a real-time evaluation of the next-generation connected service can be performed while updating the communication quality of the communication environment virtually realized by the network simulator unit. In other words, an evaluation based on the actual situation can be realized for a next-generation connected service (e.g., a remote driving system, a remote automatic driving system, etc.) in which the communication quality changes as the target device moves. Furthermore, according to this configuration, the device simulator unit and the network simulator unit share specific information via the distribution unit, so there is no need to synchronize directly between them, and their operations are not hindered by synchronization. As a result, according to this configuration, it is possible to provide a simulation environment suitable for evaluating next-generation connected services.

[0010] (2) In the simulator system of the above form, the network simulator unit may include a plurality of network simulator units that virtually realize different communication environments, and the distribution unit may distribute the specific information to each of the plurality of network simulator units, and the plurality of network simulator units may each change the communication quality in each of the communication environments using the specific information distributed thereto. According to this configuration, by utilizing the multiple communication environments realized by the multiple network simulator units, it is possible to perform service evaluation using the multiple communication environments in parallel, thereby realizing an evaluation that is more in line with reality. Also, the distribution unit distributes the specific information to the multiple network simulator units, and the multiple network simulator units use the distributed specific information to change the communication quality in each communication environment. Therefore, it is not necessary to synchronize the multiple network simulator units, and each network simulator unit can be operated in parallel as an independent separate process.

[0011] (3) In the simulator system of the above embodiment, the system may further include at least one of a first multiplexing device unit that aggregates communications from each of the plurality of network simulator units to the service unit and distributes communications from the service unit to each of the plurality of network simulator units, and a second multiplexing device unit that aggregates communications from each of the plurality of network simulator units to the device simulator unit and distributes communications from the device simulator unit to each of the plurality of network simulator units. According to this configuration, at least one of a first multiplexing device unit that aggregates and distributes communications between the plurality of network simulator units and the service unit, and a second multiplexing device unit that aggregates and distributes communications between the plurality of network simulator units and the device simulator unit is further provided. By using such a first multiplexing device unit, the plurality of network simulator units can be regarded as one line and processed from the service unit. Similarly, by using the second multiplexing device unit, the plurality of network simulator units can be regarded as one line and processed from the device simulator unit. Therefore, by using the plurality of network simulator units, the first multiplexing device unit, and the second multiplexing device unit, a network whose performance can be scaled according to the amount of traffic from the service unit or the device simulator unit can be configured. In other words, according to this configuration, a highly scalable simulator system can be configured.

[0012] (4) In the simulator system of the above form, when the plurality of network simulator units are divided into a first group, a second group, and a third group each consisting of one or more of the network simulator units, the simulator system may include a first network composed of the network simulator units belonging to the first group, a second network composed of the network simulator units belonging to the second group, and the first multiplexing device unit and the second multiplexing device unit that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units belonging to the second group, and a third network composed of the network simulator units belonging to the third group, and the first multiplexing device unit and the second multiplexing device unit that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units belonging to the third group. According to this configuration, the system includes a first network composed of a network simulator unit belonging to a first group, a second network composed of a network simulator unit, a first multiplexing device unit, and a second multiplexing device unit belonging to a second group, and a third network composed of a network simulator unit, a first multiplexing device unit, and a second multiplexing device unit belonging to a third group. This allows service evaluation to be performed in an environment where the first network, whose performance is not scalable, and the second and third networks, whose performance is scalable, are mixed, thereby making it possible to configure a simulator system with even higher scalability.

[0013] (5) In the simulator system of the above embodiment, the network simulator unit and the device simulator unit each have a map, the information regarding the target device includes location information of the target device, and the distribution unit distributes the location information of the target device to the network simulator unit as the specific information. The network simulator unit may use the distributed location information of the target device to estimate a radio wave environment around the location of the target device from the map, and change communication quality in the communication environment depending on the estimated radio wave environment. According to this configuration, the location information of the target device is used as the specific information, and the network simulator unit estimates the radio wave environment around the location of the target device from a map using the distributed location information of the target device, and changes the communication quality in the communication environment according to the estimated radio wave environment. Therefore, it is possible to realize a more realistic evaluation of next-generation connected services (e.g., remote driving systems, remote automatic driving systems, etc.) in which the radio wave environment changes as the target device moves and the communication quality changes due to this change in the radio wave environment.

[0014] (6) In the simulator system of the above aspect, the device simulator unit may virtually realize one or more sensors that the target device has, and use information obtained from the one or more sensors as the specific information. According to this configuration, the device simulator unit virtually realizes one or more sensors possessed by the target device and uses information obtained from the one or more sensors possessed by the target device as specific information, thereby enabling an evaluation that is more accurate to reality to be realized.

[0015] (7) In the simulator system of the above aspect, the device simulator unit may virtually realize a vehicle as the target device. According to this configuration, the device simulator unit virtually realizes a vehicle as a target device, making it possible to evaluate next-generation connected services that use vehicles, such as remote driving systems and remote automated driving systems.

[0016] (8) In the simulator system of the above form, the information regarding the target device that the service unit obtains from the device simulator unit includes a camera image of a camera virtually mounted on the virtually realized target device, and the service unit may display the camera image obtained from the device simulator unit on a display unit. According to this configuration, the service unit displays the camera image acquired from the device simulator unit on the display unit, so that the communication environment between the device simulator unit and the service unit can be grasped at a glance by checking the image quality of the camera image displayed on the display unit. This is because the quality of the communication environment is proportional to the quality of the camera image displayed on the display unit.

[0017] The present invention can be realized in various forms, for example, in the form of a simulator device, an information processing device, a simulator system, a method executed in an information processing device to realize the functions of each of these devices and systems, a computer program to realize the functions of each of these devices and systems, a server device for distributing the computer program, a non-transitory storage medium on which the computer program is stored, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a next-generation connected service. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the simulator system. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of a simulator system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a next-generation connected service. The term "next-generation connected service" refers to a service for controlling a target device such as a vehicle via a network, or a service for providing some information used in a target device (not limited to a vehicle) via a network. FIG. 1(A) shows an overview of a remote automated driving system as an example of a next-generation connected service. FIG. 1(B) shows an overview of a remote driving system as another example of a next-generation connected service.

[0020] The remote automatic driving system Sa is a system in which a server SV performs automatic driving based on images and position information transmitted from a vehicle C1. As shown in FIG. 1(A), in the remote automatic driving system Sa, the server SV and a vehicle C1 as a target device are communicably connected via a network NT. The vehicle C1 transmits "information about the target device" to the server SV. The information about the target device includes, for example, position information, speed information, images, and the like. The server SV uses the information about the target device to generate "provided information" for controlling the vehicle C1, and transmits the provided information to the vehicle C1. The provided information includes, for example, information for controlling the vehicle C1, such as a steering angle and an accelerator opening. The vehicle C1 controls the vehicle C1 based on the received provided information. This makes it possible to realize remote automatic driving.

[0021] The remote driving system Sb is a system in which a driver OP in a remote location manually controls the vehicle C2 from the outside based on images, position information, and the like transmitted from the vehicle C2. As shown in FIG. 1(B), in the remote driving system Sb, an information processing device terminal PC and a vehicle C2 as a target device are communicably connected via a network NT. The vehicle C2 transmits information (described above) related to the target device to the terminal PC. The driver OP operates the terminal PC while referring to information (e.g., images, etc.) related to the target device displayed on the terminal PC. The terminal PC generates provided information (described above) according to the operation content of the driver OP and transmits the provided information to the vehicle C2. The vehicle C2 controls the vehicle C2 based on the received provided information. This makes it possible to realize remote driving.

[0022] In the example of FIG. 1, a remote automatic driving system Sa and a remote driving system Sb using a vehicle are exemplified as target devices. However, the next-generation connected service may be configured as a system for remotely and automatically operating a drone, or may be configured as a system for remotely and automatically operating a robot. That is, any device other than a vehicle can be used as the target device. In addition to the exemplified drones and robots, the target device may also include devices such as smartphones. In addition, the network NT is constructed by, for example, Beyond 5G (B5G) or 6G, which are next-generation mobile communications, but the network NT may be constructed by mobile communications other than B5G or 6G, may be constructed by wireless communications, may be constructed by wired communications, or may be constructed by vehicle-to-vehicle communications.

[0023] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The simulator system 1 is a system that can virtually construct a next-generation connected service as described in Fig. 1 using one or more information processing devices and evaluate the next-generation connected service. As shown in Fig. 2, the simulator system 1 includes a service unit 10, a network simulator unit 20, a device simulator unit 30, and a distribution unit 40.

[0024] The device simulator unit 30 is a functional unit that virtually realizes a target device. The target device is any device that is to be controlled (or to which information is provided) by the simulator system 1, such as the vehicles C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 1, a robot, a drone, or a smartphone. The device simulator unit 30 virtually realizes one or more sensors that the target device has. The device simulator unit 30 acquires information acquired from each of the one or more virtually realized sensors as information about the target device, and transmits it to the service unit 10.

[0025] A specific example will be described by taking the remote automatic driving system Sa in Fig. 1(A) as an example. The device simulator unit 30 virtually realizes, for example, the following a1 to a4 as sensors mounted on the vehicle C1. (a1) Camera (a2) GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor (a3) Vehicle speed sensor (a4) Radio wave intensity sensor Then, the device simulator unit 30 acquires and transmits the following b1 to b4 corresponding to the sensors a1 to a4 as information on the target device. Hereinafter, the following information indicated by b1 to b4 will also be simply referred to as "sensor information". (b1) Camera image (b2) Location information of vehicle C1 (b3) Vehicle C1’s speed information (b4) Received signal strength at vehicle C1

[0026] The service unit 10 is a functional unit that provides a predetermined service to the target device. The service unit 10 generates information to be provided by using sensor information (information on the target device) acquired from the device simulator unit 30, and transmits the generated information to be provided to the device simulator unit 30. Note that a well-known automatic driving technology can be used for the process in which the service unit 10 generates the information to be provided from the sensor information.

[0027] A specific example will be described by taking the remote automatic driving system Sa in Fig. 1(A) as an example. The service unit 10 generates and transmits, for example, the following c1 and c2 as provided information for the vehicle C1. (c1) Steering angle of vehicle C1 (c2) Accelerator opening of vehicle C1

[0028] The network simulator unit 20 is a functional unit that virtually realizes a communication environment between the device simulator unit 30 and the service unit 10. In the example of FIG. 2, the network simulator unit 20 includes a plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn (n is a natural number). The network simulator units NS1 to NSn virtually realize different communication environments, respectively. Here, the "different communication environments" may be different carriers that comply with the same next-generation mobile communication (e.g., 6G), or different networks that comply with different communication methods. In the latter case, for example, the network simulator unit NS1 may be a network that complies with B5G, the network simulator unit NS2 may be a network that complies with 6G, the network simulator unit NS3 may be a network that complies with wireless communication, and the network simulator unit NS4 may be a network that complies with wired communication.

[0029] The distribution unit 40 acquires sensor information (information on the target device) from the device simulator unit 30. The distribution unit 40 then extracts specific information that affects the network simulator unit 20 from the sensor information (information on the target device) and distributes it to the network simulator unit 20. The specific information that affects the network simulator unit 20 is also simply called "specific information." In this embodiment, the case where the "received signal strength" exemplified in b4 above is used as the specific information is exemplified. Note that instead of receiving all of the sensor information b1 to b4, the distribution unit 40 may receive only the specific information (e.g., b4: received signal strength) and distribute the received specific information (e.g., b4).

[0030] The process realized by the device simulator unit 30 is also called a "device simulation process", and the function realized by the device simulator unit 30 is also called a "device simulation function". Similarly, the process realized by the service unit 10 is also called a "service process", and the function realized by the service unit 10 is also called a "service function". The process realized by the network simulator unit 20 is also called a "network simulation process", and the function realized by the network simulator unit 20 is also called a "network simulation function". The process realized by the distribution unit 40 is also called a "distribution process", and the function realized by the distribution unit 40 is also called a "distribution function".

[0031] Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a processing procedure in the simulator system 1. For convenience of illustration, only two of n network simulator units NS1 to NSn are extracted and illustrated in Fig. 3. The processing shown in Fig. 3 may be started upon start-up of an information processing device constituting the simulator system 1, or may be started upon execution of a predetermined application implemented in the information processing device. In step S10, the functional units of the service unit 10, the network simulator unit 20, the device simulator unit 30, and the distribution unit 40 are started.

[0032] The processing shown in steps S20 to S28 is also called "first processing SA". The first processing SA is processing for realizing the function of the next-generation connected service. The processing shown in steps S30 to S26 is also called "second processing SB". The second processing SB is processing for changing (updating) the communication quality of the communication environment virtually realized by the network simulator unit 20. The first processing SA and the second processing SB are executed asynchronously, but the processing SA and SB may be executed synchronously. In addition, the first processing SA and the second processing SB may be executed the same number of times or may be different. For example, the second processing SB may be executed once while the first processing SA is executed multiple times.

[0033] The first process SA will be described. In step S20, the device simulator unit 30 acquires sensor information (e.g., b1 to b4) from virtually realized sensors (e.g., a1 to a4). In step S22, the device simulator unit 30 transmits the sensor information to the service unit 10. At this time, the device simulator unit 30 communicates with the service unit 10 using one of the virtual communication environments realized by the multiple network simulator units NS1 to NSn (FIG. 3: dashed circle). Which communication environment is used may be determined depending on the quality of the communication, or may be determined using an arbitrary selection program. In the illustrated example, the device simulator unit 30 transmits the sensor information to the service unit 10 using the network simulator unit NS1.

[0034] In step S24, the service unit 10 generates provision information (e.g., c1, c2) using the received sensor information. The service unit 10 also displays at least a part of the received sensor information (e.g., b1: camera image) on a display unit such as a monitor. Note that the display of the sensor information may be omitted. After that, in step S26, the service unit 10 transmits the generated provision information to the device simulator unit 30. At this time, the service unit 10 communicates with the device simulator unit 30 using one of the virtual communication environments realized by the multiple network simulator units NS1 to NSn (FIG. 3: dashed circle frame). Which communication environment is to be used may be determined according to the quality of the communication, or may be determined using an arbitrary selection program. In the illustrated example, the service unit 10 transmits the provision information to the device simulator unit 30 using the network simulator unit NS2.

[0035] In step S28, the device simulator unit 30 controls the virtually realized vehicle (target device) using the provided information received from the service unit 10. After that, the simulator system 1 transitions the process to step S20 and repeats the above-mentioned steps S20 to S28. In this way, the remote automatic driving system Sa can be virtually realized in the simulator system 1.

[0036] The second process SB will be described. In step S30, the device simulator unit 30 acquires sensor information (e.g., b1 to b4) from virtually realized sensors (e.g., a1 to a4). In step S32, the device simulator unit 30 transmits the sensor information to the distribution unit 40. In step S34, the distribution unit 40 extracts specific information (e.g., b4: received signal strength) that is specific information that affects the network simulator unit 20 from the acquired sensor information. In step S36, the distribution unit 40 distributes the specific information (e.g., b4: received signal strength) to all of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn that constitute the network simulator unit 20.

[0037] In step S36, each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn uses the distributed specific information (e.g., b4: received signal strength) to change the communication quality in the communication environment virtually realized by each functional unit. Specifically, when the received signal strength is used as the specific information as in the above example, each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn changes the communication quality to good in proportion to the magnitude of the distributed received signal strength. Thereafter, the simulator system 1 transitions the process to step S30 and repeats the above-mentioned steps S30 to S36. This makes it possible to change (update) the communication quality of the communication environment virtually realized by the network simulator unit 20 according to the sensor information (more specifically, the specific information of the sensor information).

[0038] In this way, according to the simulator system 1, a real-time simulation of the remote automatic driving system Sa can be realized by executing a first process SA that virtually realizes the remote automatic driving system Sa and a second process SB that changes (updates) the communication quality of the communication environment.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the configuration of the simulator system 1. Fig. 4 explains a specific implementation method of the service unit 10, the network simulator unit 20, the device simulator unit 30, and the distribution unit 40 explained in Figs. 2 and 3. Note that, for convenience of illustration, in Fig. 4, the number of sensors and the number of network simulator units do not match the specific examples in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0040] The device simulator unit 30 and the service unit 10 described in Figs. 2 and 3 can be configured as a real-time simulator (emulator) constructed using, for example, CARLA. The network simulator unit 20 described in Figs. 2 and 3 can be configured as a real-time simulator (emulator) constructed using, for example, OMNeT++. The distribution unit 40 described in Figs. 2 and 3 can be configured as a real-time simulator (emulator) constructed using, for example, SUMO. In Fig. 4, the parts constructed based on CARLA are indicated with dot hatching, the parts constructed based on OMNeT++ are indicated with a bold white frame, and the parts constructed based on SUMO are indicated with oblique hatching. In Fig. 4, the rectangles with lattice hatching are network interfaces connecting each network space.

[0041] CARLA is a driving control simulator based on the Unreal Engine. CARLA is equipped with various sensor models used in autonomous driving, such as LiDAR, cameras, and depth cameras, and also supports integration with RoS and Autoware. CARLA performs simulations by giving instructions to the simulator world via Python scripts. Information is exchanged between the script and CARLA via RPC (Remote Procedure Call) communication. For this reason, the communication situation can be changed by transferring this RPC communication via OMNeT++. CARLA also supports TraCI (Traffic Control Interface) provided by the traffic simulator SUMO, and information generated by CARLA can be shared and synchronized via TraCI.

[0042] OMNeT++ is a network simulator that provides various extension libraries for mobile communication networks, vehicle-to-vehicle communication networks, etc. In this embodiment, for example, three OMNeT++ libraries inet, Veins, and Simu5G can be used. inet is a library that provides OMNeT++ with a standard TCP / IP protocol stack and real-time simulation functions. Veins is an extension library for vehicle-to-vehicle communication that provides the simulator with a vehicle model and a connection function with SUMO by TraCI. Simu5G is an extension library for mobile communication networks that provides network models for LTE and 5G.

[0043] SUMO (Simulation of Urban MObility) is a traffic simulator that can generate a large number of vehicles in the simulator and simulate the flow of a fleet of vehicles. SUMO has an interface for connecting to an external client called TraCI, and can link with other simulators. In this embodiment, the function (Publish / Subscribe) of the distribution unit 40 between CARLA and OMNeT++ is realized using SUMO's TraCI. All of the above-mentioned CARLA, OMNeT++, and SUMO are simulators of OSS (Open Source Software).

[0044] In the example of FIG. 4, the simulator system 1 is composed of three network spaces N1 to N3. Each of the network spaces N1 to N3 is constructed using a different information processing device. For example, a PC (Personal Computer) can be used as the information processing device. The information processing device is configured to include a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a communication unit, a storage unit, and an input / output unit, which are not shown. Each functional unit described in FIG. 4 is realized by the CPU expanding a computer program stored in the ROM into the RAM and executing it. Note that each of the network spaces N1 to N3 may be constructed using one information processing device. When each of the network spaces N1 to N3 is realized by one information processing device, for example, it is sufficient to construct them as a virtual network using the network namespace function of Linux (registered trademark).

[0045] The first network space N1 includes four functional units (a service functional unit 101 and sensor display units 302a to c) configured by CARLA. The service functional unit 101 is a functional unit that generates the provided information c1 and c2. The sensor display unit 302a is a functional unit that displays information acquired by a sensor A of the target device. If the sensor A is, for example, a camera, the sensor display unit 302a displays an image acquired by the camera. If the sensor A is other than a camera (for example, a vehicle speed sensor), the sensor display unit 302a displays the vehicle speed acquired by the vehicle speed sensor. Similarly, the sensor display unit 302b is a functional unit that displays information acquired by a sensor B of the target device, and the sensor display unit 302c is a functional unit that displays information acquired by a sensor C of the target device. The service functional unit 101 and the sensor display units 302a to c correspond to the service unit 10 in FIG. 2. The sensor display units 302a to c may be omitted.

[0046] The second network space N2 includes three functional units (network simulator functional units NS1-3) configured by OMNeT++. In the illustrated example, the network simulator functional units NS1, NS2, and NS3 virtually realize communication environments realized by different communication carriers. The network simulator functional units NS1-3 correspond to the network simulator unit 20 in FIG. 2. Each of the network simulator functional units NS1-3 includes distribution IFs 205a-c, which are interfaces for receiving information distributed from the distribution functional unit 401. The distribution IFs 205a-c will be described in detail later.

[0047] The third network space N3 includes a device simulator function unit 301 and a distribution IF 305, which are functional units configured by CARLA, a distribution function unit 401, which is a functional unit configured by SUMO, and distribution IFs 204a-c, which are functional units configured by OMNeT++.

[0048] The device simulator functional unit 301 is a functional unit in which various sensors (LiDAR, camera, depth camera, etc.) realized by CARLA are defined. In addition to these various sensors, the device simulator functional unit 301 also defines the vehicle itself equipped with the sensors and the virtual world in which the vehicle runs. The distribution IF 305 is an interface for distributing information from the CARLA-based device simulator functional unit 301 to the SUMO-based distribution functional unit 401. The distribution IF 305 can be constructed using a SUMO connection program that is provided as standard in CARLA. The device simulator functional unit 301 and the distribution IF 305 correspond to the device simulator unit 30 in FIG. 2. The distribution functional unit 401 is a functional unit that distributes specific information realized by SUMO. The distribution functional unit 401 corresponds to the distribution unit 40 in FIG. 2.

[0049] The distribution IFs 204a-c of the third network space N3 and the distribution IFs 205a-c of the second network space N2 are interfaces for distributing information from the SUMO-based distribution function unit 401 to the OMNeT++-based network simulator function units NS1-3. The distribution IFs 204a-c of the third network space N3 can be constructed using a daemon program for SUMO connection provided by Veins, an OMNeT++ library. The distribution IFs 205a-c of the second network space N2 can be constructed using the TraCI Manager that runs within the OMNeT++ process.

[0050] The communications indicated by solid lines in Fig. 4, specifically, communications between the service functional unit 101 and the device simulator functional unit 301, and between the sensor display units 302a-c and the device simulator functional unit 301, are performed by the OMNeT++ process of the network simulator functional units NS1-3. On the other hand, the communications indicated by dashed lines in Fig. 4, specifically, communications between the device simulator functional unit 301, the distribution unit 40, and the network simulator functional units NS1-3 via the distribution IFs 305, 204a-c, 205a-c, are performed using TraCl of SUMO. SUMO allows connection with multiple clients, so that input and output of information between multiple clients as shown in Fig. 4 is possible.

[0051] As described above, the simulator system 1 of the first embodiment includes the device simulator unit 30 that virtually realizes the target device, the service unit 10 that generates provided information (provided information for controlling the target device in the above specific example) that is information used in the target device using information (sensor information) related to the target device acquired from the device simulator unit 30 and transmits the generated provided information to the device simulator unit 30, and the network simulator unit 20 that virtually realizes the communication environment between the device simulator unit 30 and the service unit 10, so that it is possible to provide a simulation environment in which the next-generation connected service can be evaluated (FIG. 3: first process SA). Furthermore, according to this simulator system 1, the distribution unit 40 distributes specific information that is specific information that affects the network simulator unit 20 to the network simulator unit 20, and the network simulator unit 20 changes the communication quality in the communication environment using the distributed specific information (FIG. 3: second process SB). Therefore, it is possible to perform real-time evaluation of the next-generation connected service while updating the communication quality of the communication environment virtually realized by the network simulator unit 20. In other words, it is possible to realize an evaluation based on the actual situation of a next-generation connected service in which the communication quality changes as the target device moves (for example, the remote driving system Sb and the remote automatic driving system Sa described in FIG. 1). Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1, the device simulator unit 30 and the network simulator unit 20 share specific information via the distribution unit 40, so there is no need to synchronize directly between them, and the operations of each unit are not hindered due to synchronization. As a result, the simulator system 1 can provide a simulation environment suitable for evaluating next-generation connected services.

[0052] Moreover, according to the simulator system 1 of the first embodiment, by utilizing the multiple communication environments realized by the multiple network simulator units NS1 to NSn, it is possible to execute service evaluation using the multiple communication environments in parallel, and therefore it is possible to realize evaluation that is more in line with reality. Also, the distribution unit 40 distributes the specific information to the multiple network simulator units NS1 to NSn (FIG. 3: step S34), and the multiple network simulator units NS1 to NSn use the distributed specific information to change the communication quality in each communication environment (FIG. 3: step S36). This eliminates the need to synchronize the multiple network simulator units NS1 to NSn, and allows the network simulator units NS1 to NSn to operate in parallel as independent separate processes.

[0053] Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1 of the first embodiment, the device simulator unit 30 virtually realizes one or more sensors that the target device has (a1 to a4 above, the sensor display units 302a to c in FIG. 4). Then, the simulator system 1 uses information acquired from one or more sensors that the target device has (e.g., b4) as the specific information. Therefore, the simulator system 1 can realize an evaluation that is more in line with the actual situation.

[0054] Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1 of the first embodiment, the device simulator unit 30 virtually realizes the vehicles C1 and C2 (FIG. 1) as target devices. Therefore, for example, it is possible to realize evaluation of next-generation connected services using vehicles such as the remote driving system Sb and the remote automatic driving system Sa as described in FIG.

[0055] Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1 of the first embodiment, the service unit 10 causes the display unit to display the camera image acquired from the device simulator unit 30 (FIG. 3: step S24). Therefore, the user can grasp at a glance the communication environment between the device simulator unit 30 and the service unit 10 by checking the image quality of the camera image displayed on the display unit. This is because the quality / badness of the communication environment is proportional to the quality / badness of the image quality of the camera image displayed on the display unit.

[0056] <Second embodiment> 5 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system 1A of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, a network is configured in which the performance of the network simulator unit 20 can be scaled according to the amount of traffic from the service unit 10 or the device simulator unit 30. The simulator system 1A of the second embodiment further includes a first multiplexing device unit 50a and a second multiplexing device unit 50b in addition to the configuration described in the first embodiment.

[0057] The first multiplexing device unit 50a is connected between the service unit 10 and the network simulator unit 20 (specifically, the network simulator units NS1 to NSn). As a result, the network simulator units NS1 to NSn appear as one line from the service unit 10. The first multiplexing device unit 50a aggregates communications from each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn to the service unit 10. The first multiplexing device unit 50a also distributes communications from the service unit 10 to each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn. By using the first multiplexing device unit 50a, the service unit 10 is not restricted by communication performance (line width) compared to a case where communication is performed using only a single network simulator unit NSx (x is an arbitrary natural number). As a result, the service unit 10 can improve processing performance by operating a number of processes in parallel.

[0058] The second multiplexing device unit 50b is connected between the device simulator unit 30 and the network simulator unit 20 (specifically, the network simulator units NS1 to NSn). As a result, the network simulator units NS1 to NSn appear as one line from the device simulator unit 30. The second multiplexing device unit 50b aggregates communications from each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn to the device simulator unit 30. In addition, the second multiplexing device unit 50b distributes communications from the device simulator unit 30 to each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn. By using the second multiplexing device unit 50b, the device simulator unit 30 is no longer restricted by communication performance (line width) compared to a case where communication is performed using only a single network simulator unit NSx. As a result, the device simulator unit 30 can improve processing performance by operating a number of processes in parallel.

[0059] The first multiplexing device unit 50a and the second multiplexing device unit 50b can be configured using, for example, a multipath TCP protocol. The first multiplexing device unit 50a and the second multiplexing device unit 50b can distribute communication traffic equally to each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn. The first multiplexing device unit 50a and the second multiplexing device unit 50b may distribute communication traffic according to the performance of the CPU core on which the process of each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn operates. In the illustrated example, both the first multiplexing device unit 50a and the second multiplexing device unit 50b are used, but at least one of the first multiplexing device unit 50a and the second multiplexing device unit 50b may be provided.

[0060] In this way, the configuration of the simulator system 1A can be modified in various ways, and the first multiplexing device unit 50a and the second multiplexing device unit 50b may be used to configure a network that can scale the performance of the network simulator unit 20. The simulator system 1A of the second embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1A of the second embodiment, at least one of a first multiplexing device unit 50a that aggregates and distributes communications between the plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn and the service unit 10 and a second multiplexing device unit 50b that aggregates and distributes communications between the plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn and the device simulator unit 30 is further provided. By using such a first multiplexing device unit 50a, the service unit 10 can process the plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn as one line. Similarly, by using the second multiplexing device unit 50b, the device simulator unit 30 can process the plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn as one line. Therefore, by using the plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn, the first multiplexing device unit 50a, and the second multiplexing device unit 50b, a network whose performance can be scaled according to the amount of traffic from the service unit 10 or the device simulator unit 30 can be configured. That is, according to the simulator system 1A, a highly scalable simulator system can be configured.

[0062] <Third embodiment> 6 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system 1B of the third embodiment. In the third embodiment, a network in which a network whose performance cannot be scaled and a network whose performance can be scaled are mixed is configured. The simulator system 1B of the third embodiment includes a network simulator unit 20B instead of the network simulator unit 20 in the configuration described in the first embodiment, and further includes first multiplexing device units 50a1-50ai (i is a natural number equal to or greater than 2) and second multiplexing device units 50b1-50bi.

[0063] The network simulator unit 20B includes a plurality of network simulator units NS1 to NSn, NS11 to NS1n, ..., NSi1 to NSin. The number of simulators included in the network simulator unit 20B can be determined arbitrarily. Here, the network simulator units NS1 to NSn are defined as a "first group", the network simulator units NS11 to NS1n are defined as a "second group", and the network simulator units NSi1 to NSin are defined as a "y-th group". y is a natural number equal to or greater than 3, and y=i+1.

[0064] A network made up of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn belonging to the first group is also called a "first network NN1."

[0065] The network simulator units NS11 to NS1n belonging to the second group are connected to a first multiplexing device unit 50a1 that aggregates and distributes communication traffic between the service unit 10. The network simulator units NS11 to NS1n belonging to the second group are connected to a second multiplexing device unit 50b1 that aggregates and distributes communication traffic between the device simulator unit 30. The details of the first multiplexing device unit 50a1 and the second multiplexing device unit 50b1 are as described in the second embodiment. The network configured of the network simulator units NS11 to NS1n belonging to the second group and the first multiplexing device unit 50a1 and the second multiplexing device unit 50b1 that aggregate and distribute communication for the network simulator units NS11 to NS1n belonging to the second group is also called a "second network NN2".

[0066] The network simulator units NSi1-NSin belonging to the y-th group are connected to a first multiplexing device unit 50ai that aggregates and distributes communication traffic between the service unit 10. The network simulator units NSi1-NSin belonging to the y-th group are connected to a second multiplexing device unit 50bi that aggregates and distributes communication traffic between the device simulator unit 30. Details of the first multiplexing device unit 50ai and the second multiplexing device unit 50bi are as described in the second embodiment. Note that a network composed of the network simulator units NSi1-NSin belonging to the y-th group and the first multiplexing device unit 50ai and the second multiplexing device unit 50bi that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units NSi1-NSin belonging to the y-th group is also referred to as a "y-th network NNy."

[0067] In this way, the service unit 10 and the device simulator unit 30 can perform the communications in steps S22, S26, and S32 of FIG. 3 by using any of the first network NN1, whose performance is not scalable, or the second network NN2 through the yth network NNy, whose performance is scalable.

[0068] In this way, the configuration of the simulator system 1B can be modified in various ways, and the simulator system 1B may be configured to include a first network NN1 whose performance is not scalable, and a second network NN2 to a y-th network NNy whose performance is scalable. The simulator system 1B of the third embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1B of the third embodiment, the simulator system 1B includes a first network NN1 consisting of network simulator units NS1-NSn belonging to the first group, a second network NN2 consisting of network simulator units NS11-NS1n belonging to the second group, a first multiplexing device unit 50a1 and a second multiplexing device unit 50b1, and a y-th network NNy consisting of network simulator units NSi1-NSin belonging to the y-th group (e.g., y=3), a first multiplexing device unit 50ai and a second multiplexing device unit 50bi. In this way, service evaluation can be performed in an environment where the first network NN1, whose performance is not scalable, and the second and y networks NN2, NNy (e.g., y=3), whose performance is scalable, are mixed, so that a simulator system with even higher scalability can be configured.

[0070] <Fourth embodiment> 7 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system 1C of the fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, location information of a target device is used as the specific information instead of the received signal strength. The simulator system 1C of the fourth embodiment includes a network simulator unit 20C instead of the network simulator unit 20, a device simulator unit 30C instead of the device simulator unit 30, and a distribution unit 40C instead of the distribution unit 40 in the configuration described in the first embodiment.

[0071] The network simulator unit 20C differs in that each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn includes a map 60. Similarly, the device simulator unit 30 differs in that it includes a map 60. Each map 60 is the same map, and includes position information of a communication base station corresponding to the communication method implemented in the network simulator unit 20. The distribution unit 40C differs from the first embodiment in part in the processing content of the second process SB in FIG.

[0072] 3 (second process SB), the distribution unit 40C extracts, from the acquired sensor information, specific information (b2: location information of the target device) that is specific information that affects the network simulator unit 20. In step S36, the distribution unit 40 distributes the specific information (b2: location information of the target device) to all of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn that constitute the network simulator unit 20.

[0073] In step S36 of FIG. 3 (second process SB), each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn uses the distributed location information of the target device to find communication base stations around the location of the target device from the map 60. Then, each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn estimates the radio wave environment around the location of the target device using the distance from the target device to the surrounding communication base stations. After that, each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn changes (updates) the communication quality according to the estimated radio wave environment. Note that each of the network simulator units NS1 to NSn may also take into account the presence or absence of obstructions and environmental factors (e.g., weather, etc.) when estimating the radio wave environment.

[0074] In this way, the configuration of the simulator system 1C can be modified in various ways, and various information other than the received signal strength can be used as the identification information. In the above example, the location information of the target device is used, but the speed information of the target device may be used as the identification information. The simulator system 1C of the fourth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment described above.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the simulator system 1C of the fourth embodiment, the simulator system 1C uses the target device's location information b2 as the identification information, and the network simulator unit 20C estimates the radio wave environment around the target device's location from the map 60 using the distributed target device's location information b2, and changes the communication quality in the communication environment according to the estimated radio wave environment. This makes it possible to realize a more realistic evaluation of next-generation connected services (such as a remote driving system Sb and a remote automatic driving system Sa) in which the radio wave environment changes as the target device moves and the communication quality changes due to this change in the radio wave environment.

[0076] <Fifth embodiment> 8 is a schematic diagram of a simulator system 1D of the fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, a system is configured using a single network simulator unit NS. The simulator system 1D of the fifth embodiment includes a network simulator unit 20D instead of the network simulator unit 20 in the configuration described in the first embodiment. The network simulator unit 20D is configured from a single network simulator unit NS.

[0077] In this way, the configuration of the simulator system 1D can be modified in various ways, and the system may be configured using a single network simulator unit NS. The simulator system 1D of the fifth embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the simulator system 1D of the fifth embodiment can simplify the configuration of the simulator system 1D, making it easier to build the system.

[0078] <Modifications of this embodiment> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, a part of the configuration realized by hardware may be replaced by software, and conversely, a part of the configuration realized by software may be replaced by hardware. In addition, for example, the following modifications are also possible.

[0079] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, an example of the configuration of the simulator system 1, 1A to 1D is shown. However, the configuration of the simulator system 1 is merely an example, and any aspect can be adopted. For example, the simulator system 1 may include a plurality of service units 10, and may include a plurality of device simulator units 30. In the above embodiment, the simulator system 1 is configured as a real-time simulator (a simulator in which real time corresponds to time within the simulator). However, the simulator system 1 may be configured as a system in which real time does not correspond to time within the simulator.

[0080] In the above embodiment (FIG. 4), an example of a technique that can be used to configure the simulator systems 1, 1A to 1D is shown. However, the simulator system 1 may be configured using a known simulator. For example, the distribution unit 40 may be configured using MQTT (Message Queueing Telemetry Transport) or ZeroMQ instead of SUMO.

[0081] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, an example of the processing procedure of the first process SA and the second process SB is illustrated. However, these processing procedures can be modified in various ways, and the processing content in each step may be added / omitted / modified, and the execution order of the steps (procedures) may be changed.

[0082] For example, in the above embodiment, the specific information is information selected from the sensor information of the target device. However, any information can be used as the specific information as long as it satisfies both of the following conditions 1 and 2. (Condition 1) Information about the target device (Condition 2) Information that affects the network simulator unit 20 For example, the weather in the vicinity of the target device's location may be used as information that satisfies conditions 1 and 2. This is because weather affects the radio wave environment. For example, environmental factors in the vicinity of the target device's location may be used as information that satisfies conditions 1 and 2. The environmental factors may be any information that affects the radio wave environment, such as the address where the target device is located (whether it is in an urban area or not). The congestion status of communication traffic in the network simulator unit NSx to which the target device is connected may be used as information that satisfies conditions 1 and 2.

[0083] For example, in the above embodiment, the control command (steering angle, accelerator opening) to the vehicle C1 is exemplified as the provided information. However, any information can be used as the provided information as long as it is information used in the target device. For example, the provided information can be various information such as map information, route information, road information, etc., which is displayed on the target device and is used as a reference for controlling the target device.

[0084] [Variation 3] The configurations of the simulator systems 1, 1A to 1D of the first to fifth embodiments and the configurations of the simulator systems 1, 1A to 1D of the first and second modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0085] Although the present aspect has been described above based on the embodiment and modified examples, the above-mentioned embodiment of the aspect is intended to facilitate understanding of the present aspect and does not limit the present aspect. The present aspect may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents are included in the present aspect. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it may be deleted as appropriate.

[0086] The present invention can also be realized in the following forms. [Application example 1] 1. A simulator system comprising: a device simulator section for virtually implementing a target device; a service unit that acquires information about the target device from the device simulator unit, generates information to be provided that is used in the target device by using the acquired information, and transmits the generated information to the device simulator unit; a network simulator unit that virtually realizes a communication environment between the device simulator unit and the service unit; a distribution unit that distributes information to the network simulator unit; Equipped with the distribution unit distributes specific information, which is specific information that affects the network simulator unit, among the information regarding the target device, to the network simulator unit; The network simulator unit changes communication quality in the communication environment using the distributed specific information. [Application example 2] The simulator system according to Application Example 1, the network simulator unit includes a plurality of network simulator units each virtually realizing a different communication environment, The distribution unit distributes the specific information to each of the plurality of network simulator units, The plurality of network simulator units each change a communication quality in the communication environment using the specific information that is distributed to the plurality of network simulator units. [Application example 3] The simulator system according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2, a first multiplexing device unit that aggregates communications from each of the plurality of network simulator units to the service unit and distributes communications from the service unit to each of the plurality of network simulator units; a second multiplexing device unit that aggregates communications from each of the plurality of network simulator units to the device simulator unit and distributes communications from the device simulator unit to each of the plurality of network simulator units; The simulator system further comprises at least one of: [Application example 4] The simulator system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, When the plurality of network simulator units are divided into a first group, a second group, and a third group each of which is composed of one or more of the network simulator units, a first network configured from the network simulator units belonging to the first group; a second network including the network simulator units belonging to the second group, and the first multiplexing device unit and the second multiplexing device unit that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units belonging to the second group; a third network including the network simulator units belonging to the third group, and the first multiplexing device unit and the second multiplexing device unit that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units belonging to the third group; A simulator system comprising: [Application example 5] The simulator system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, the network simulator unit and the device simulator unit each have a map; The information about the target device includes location information about the target device; The distribution unit distributes location information of the target device to the network simulator unit as the identification information, The network simulator unit uses the distributed location information of the target device to estimate the radio wave environment around the location of the target device from the map, and changes the communication quality in the communication environment according to the estimated radio wave environment. [Application Example 6] The simulator system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 5, The device simulator unit Virtually realizing one or more sensors of the target device; A simulator system that uses information obtained from the one or more sensors as the specific information. [Application Example 7] The simulator system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 6, The device simulator unit is a simulator system that virtually realizes a vehicle as the target device. [Application Example 8] The simulator system according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 7, the information about the target device acquired by the service unit from the device simulator unit includes a camera image of a camera virtually mounted on the virtually realized target device, The service unit displays the camera image acquired from the device simulator unit on a display unit. [Application Example 9] A simulation method, comprising: a device simulation process for virtually realizing a target device; a service step of acquiring information about the target device, generating information to be provided that is information to be used in the target device using the acquired information, and transmitting the generated information to be provided; a network simulation step of virtually realizing a communication environment between the device simulation step and the service step; A distribution step of distributing the information; Equipped with In the distribution step, specific information that is specific information that affects the network simulation step is distributed to the network simulation step among information about the target device, A simulation method, wherein in the network simulation step, communication quality in the communication environment is changed using the distributed specific information. [Example 10] A computer program comprising: A device simulation function that virtually realizes the target device, a service function of acquiring information about the target device, generating information to be provided that is information to be used in the target device by using the acquired information, and transmitting the generated information to be provided; a network simulation function for virtually realizing a communication environment between the device simulation function and the service function; A distribution function for distributing information; Run the command, the distribution function distributes specific information, which is specific information that affects the network simulation function, among the information related to the target device, to the network simulation function; A computer program in which, in the network simulation function, the communication quality in the communication environment is changed using the distributed specific information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1,1A~1D…Simulator system 10. Service Department 20, 20B~20D…Network simulator section 30, 30C…Device simulator section 40,40C…Distribution Department 50a,50a1~50ai…1st multiplex unit 50b,50b1~50bi...Second multiplex unit 101…Service Functions Division 301...Device simulator function section 302a, 302b, 302c...Sensor display section 401…Distribution function section C1, C2…Vehicle 204a~c…Distribution IF 205a~c…Distribution IF 305…Distribution IF N1: First network space N2: Second network space N3: Third network space NN1: Network 1 NN2: Second network NNy...yth network NS, NS1~NSn, NS11~NS1n, NSi1~NSin...Network simulator section NT…Network OP…Driver PC: Terminal SA: 1st process SB: Second process SV...Server Sa…Remotely operated automated driving system Sb...Remote operation system

Claims

1. 1. A simulator system comprising: a device simulator section for virtually implementing a target device; a service unit that acquires information about the target device from the device simulator unit, generates information to be provided that is used in the target device by using the acquired information, and transmits the generated information to the device simulator unit; a network simulator unit that virtually realizes a communication environment between the device simulator unit and the service unit; a distribution unit that distributes information to the network simulator unit; Equipped with the network simulator unit includes a plurality of network simulator units each virtually realizing a different communication environment, the distribution unit distributes specific information, which is specific information that affects the network simulator unit, among the information about the target device, to each of the plurality of network simulator units; The plurality of network simulator units each change a communication quality in the communication environment using the specific information that is distributed to the plurality of network simulator units.

2. 2. The simulator system of claim 1, a first multiplexing device unit that aggregates communications from each of the plurality of network simulator units to the service unit and distributes communications from the service unit to each of the plurality of network simulator units; a second multiplexing device unit that aggregates communications from each of the plurality of network simulator units to the device simulator unit and distributes communications from the device simulator unit to each of the plurality of network simulator units; The simulator system further comprises at least one of:

3. 3. The simulator system according to claim 2, When the plurality of network simulator units are divided into a first group, a second group, and a third group each of which is composed of one or more of the network simulator units, a first network configured from the network simulator units belonging to the first group; a second network including the network simulator units belonging to the second group, and the first multiplexing device unit and the second multiplexing device unit that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units belonging to the second group; a third network including the network simulator units belonging to the third group, and the first multiplexing device unit and the second multiplexing device unit that aggregate and distribute communications for the network simulator units belonging to the third group; A simulator system comprising:

4. The simulator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the network simulator unit and the device simulator unit each have a map; The information about the target device includes location information about the target device; The distribution unit distributes location information of the target device to the network simulator unit as the identification information, The network simulator unit uses the distributed location information of the target device to estimate the radio wave environment around the location of the target device from the map, and changes the communication quality in the communication environment according to the estimated radio wave environment.

5. The simulator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The device simulator unit Virtually realizing one or more sensors of the target device; A simulator system that uses information obtained from the one or more sensors as the specific information.

6. The simulator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The device simulator unit is a simulator system that virtually realizes a vehicle as the target device.

7. The simulator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the information about the target device acquired by the service unit from the device simulator unit includes a camera image of a camera virtually mounted on the virtually realized target device, The service unit displays the camera image acquired from the device simulator unit on a display unit.

8. A simulation method, comprising: a device simulation process for virtually realizing a target device; a service step of acquiring information about the target device, generating information to be provided that is information to be used in the target device using the acquired information, and transmitting the generated information to be provided; a network simulation step of virtually realizing a communication environment between the device simulation step and the service step; a distribution step of distributing the information; Equipped with the network simulation step is executed in a plurality of functional units each virtually realizing a different communication environment, In the distribution step, specific information that is specific information that affects the network simulation step among the information related to the target device is distributed to the network simulation steps by each of the functional units, A simulation method, wherein in a network simulation step performed by each of the functional units, the communication quality in each of the communication environments is changed using the specific information distributed respectively.

9. A computer program comprising: A device simulation function that virtually realizes the target device, a service function of acquiring information about the target device, generating information to be provided that is information to be used in the target device by using the acquired information, and transmitting the generated information to be provided; a network simulation function for virtually realizing a communication environment between the device simulation function and the service function; A distribution function for distributing information; Run the command, the network simulation function is executed in a plurality of functional units each virtually realizing a different communication environment, The distribution function distributes specific information, which is specific information that affects the network simulation function, among the information about the target device, to a network simulation function of each of the functional units; A computer program, wherein a network simulation function performed by each of the functional units changes communication quality in each of the communication environments using the specific information delivered to each of the functional units.

Images