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

Abstract

To shorten, without using an external sensing device, time in which radio communication quality is deteriorated.SOLUTION: A radio communication system includes one or more first radio communication devices, and one or more second radio communication devices. The first radio communication device includes: a radio communication part configured to form abeam and performing radio communication with the second radio communication device; and a beam control part for controlling the beam. The second radio communication device is configured to: receive reference signals that the beam control part controls the radio communication part to transmit respectively via a plurality of kinds of the beams; and inform of transmission information indicating information regarding radio transmission of the received reference signals. The first radio communication device or a control device includes: an estimation prediction part for estimating or predicting, using the received transmission information, a propagation environment or future communication quality between the first radio communication device and the second radio communication device; and a control part for controlling the radio communication between the first radio communication device and the second radio communication device based on the estimation or prediction result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a control device, a wireless communication method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Systems such as 5G (fifth generation mobile communication systems) use high frequency bands in the millimeter wave band. In addition, in order to achieve even higher speeds and larger capacities in future wireless communication systems such as 6G (sixth generation mobile communication systems), it is expected that even higher frequency bands will be used, which will enable wider bandwidths to be secured (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). However, high frequency bands have large propagation losses, as well as high directivity and low transparency. Therefore, high frequency bands are significantly affected by the degradation of communication quality due to obstructions (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

[0003] To avoid degradation of communication quality, it is common to use a means for detecting fluctuations in communication quality and controlling wireless station switching. In addition, it has been proposed to perform wireless station switching control before communication quality degradation occurs based on predictions using cameras (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3). This technology has shown the possibility of avoiding degradation of communication quality due to blockage of line-of-sight communication paths. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] "White Paper: 5G Advancements and 6G," NTT Docomo, Inc., Version 3.0, February 2021 [Non-patent document 2] 3GPP TR38.901 V16.0.0: "Study on channel model for frequencies from 0.5 to 100 GHz (Release 16)," Oct. 2019. [Non-patent document 3] Y. Koda, K. Nakashima, K. Yamamoto, T. Nishio, and M. Morikura, "Handover Management for mmWave Networks With Proactive Performance Prediction Using Camera Images and Deep Reinforcement Learning," IEEE Transactions on Cognitive Communications and Networking, vol. 6, no. 2, June 2020. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When wireless station switching control is performed based on the detection of fluctuations in communication quality, temporary degradation of communication quality cannot be avoided from the time the fluctuation is detected until the control is completed. Furthermore, when wireless station switching control is performed based on predictions using cameras, incorporating sensing devices other than those used for normal wireless communication into wireless communication devices raises concerns about increases in device size and cost.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a wireless communication system, a control device, a wireless communication method, and a program that can shorten the period during which the quality of wireless communication deteriorates without using an external sensing device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication system having one or more first wireless communication devices and one or more second wireless communication devices, wherein the first wireless communication device comprises a wireless communication unit that forms a beam and communicates wirelessly with the second wireless communication device, and a beam control unit that controls the beam formed by the wireless communication unit, the second wireless communication device comprises a notification unit that receives reference signals transmitted by the wireless communication unit using each of multiple types of beams under the control of the beam control unit and notifies transmission information indicating information related to the wireless transmission of the received reference signals, and the first wireless communication device or a control device connected to the first wireless communication device comprises an estimation and prediction unit that estimates or predicts the propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device using the transmission information notified by the notification unit, and a control unit that controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on the results of the estimation or prediction by the estimation and prediction unit.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a control device in a wireless communication system having one or more first wireless communication devices, one or more second wireless communication devices, and a control device that controls the first wireless communication devices, the control device comprising: an estimation and prediction unit that acquires transmission information indicating information regarding wireless transmission when the second wireless communication device receives a reference signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device by each of multiple types of beams, and uses the acquired transmission information to estimate or predict the propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device; and a control unit that controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on the results of the estimation or prediction by the estimation and prediction unit.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication method in a wireless communication system having one or more first wireless communication devices and one or more second wireless communication devices, comprising: a transmission step in which the first wireless communication device transmits a wireless reference signal using each of multiple types of beams; a notification step in which the second wireless communication device receives the reference signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device using each of multiple types of beams and notifies transmission information indicating information regarding the wireless transmission of the received reference signal; an estimation and prediction step in which the first wireless communication device or a control device connected to the first wireless communication device estimates or predicts the propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device using the transmission information notified in the notification step; and a control step in which the first wireless communication device or the control device controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on the result of the estimation or prediction in the estimation and prediction step.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the above-described control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to shorten the period during which the quality of wireless communication deteriorates without using an external sensing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device and a control device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing control of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a control device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system 1 includes a wireless communication device 2, an opposing wireless communication device 3, and a control device 4. Although FIG. 1 shows two wireless communication devices 2 and one opposing wireless communication device 3, the number of wireless communication devices 2 and opposing wireless communication devices 3 is arbitrary. The wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 communicate wirelessly. Wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 is affected by obstruction and reflection by a shield 5. The wireless communication device 2 is also connected to the control device 4.

[0014] The wireless communication device 2 has a function of performing beamforming by controlling either or both of the phase and amplitude of multiple antenna elements. Furthermore, the wireless communication device 2 has a function of performing beam sweeping, which sweeps the beam formed by beamforming while changing it.

[0015] The opposing wireless communication device 3 has a function of acquiring transmission information when the wireless communication device 2 performs wireless transmission using each type of beam in beam sweeping, and feeding back the acquired transmission information to the wireless communication device 2. The transmission information indicates one or more of received signal strength, signal-to-noise power ratio, communication distance, propagation path information (CSI: channel state information), etc., and reception timing. The reception timing may be expressed as the reception time at the opposing wireless communication device 3, or, if the order and time of transmission of each beam in beam sweeping are predetermined, the reception timing may be expressed as the order of reception. The reception timing can also be used as information for identifying the beam formed by the wireless communication device 2.

[0016] The control device 4 acquires, via the wireless communication device 2, transmission information of each type of beam fed back from the opposing wireless communication device 3. The control device 4 has a function of using the acquired transmission information to estimate or predict the propagation environment between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3, such as obstruction or reflection by a shielding object 5, and the future communication quality of the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3. The control device 4 uses an estimation model for this estimation or prediction. The estimation model represents the correspondence between one or more pieces of information included in the transmission information and the estimated or predicted propagation environment or future communication quality. The estimation model may use machine learning or a prediction method such as linear prediction. Hereinafter, information representing the propagation environment or future communication quality estimated or predicted by the estimation model will be referred to as estimation result information.

[0017] The control device 4 has a function of controlling wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 based on transmission information of each type of beam and estimation result information obtained using an estimation model. For example, the control device 4 selects a beam to be used for data communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 based on the estimation result information, and controls the wireless communication device 2 to form the selected beam. Also, for example, the control device 4 controls to switch the wireless communication device 2 to which the opposing wireless communication device 3 is connected based on the estimation result information.

[0018] The wireless communication device 2 may be provided with a function of estimation or prediction using an estimation model. The control device 4 may be a device integrated with the wireless communication device 2. The control devices 4 of the multiple wireless communication devices 2 may be connected via a network, and the connected control devices 4 may perform cooperative control. Multiple wireless communication devices 2 may be connected to one control device 4. In this case, the control device 4 may perform cooperative control of the multiple wireless communication devices 2 connected to the control device 4 itself.

[0019] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the wireless communication device 2 and the control device 4 according to this embodiment. The wireless communication device 2 includes a transmission unit 21, a signal processing unit 22, a beam control unit 23, a transmission / reception unit 24, and a plurality of antenna elements 25.

[0020] The transmission unit 21 is a functional unit that transmits signals between the control device 4 and a higher-level device (not shown) on the network. The signal processing unit 22 is a functional unit that performs signal processing in wireless communication. For example, the signal processing unit 22 receives transmission data addressed to the opposing wireless communication device 3 from a higher-level device on the network or the control device 4 via the transmission unit 21. The signal processing unit 22 converts the transmission data addressed to the opposing wireless communication device 3 into signals to be transmitted from each antenna element 25 and outputs the signals to the beam control unit 23. The signal processing unit 22 also receives a received signal, which is a combination of signals received by each antenna element 25, from the beam control unit 23, and obtains the signal transmitted from the opposing wireless communication device 3 from the received signal. The signal processing unit 22 outputs the obtained transmission signal from the opposing wireless communication device 3 to the higher-level device on the network or the control device 4 via the transmission unit 21.

[0021] The beam control unit 23 is a functional unit that controls the beam to be formed. The transceiver unit 24 is a functional unit that performs beamforming by controlling one or both of the phase and amplitude of a signal, and processes related to signal transmission and reception. For example, the beam control unit 23 adjusts the weight of each antenna element 25 so as to form the directivity of radio waves in a predetermined beam direction. When transmitting a radio signal, the beam control unit 23 outputs the transmission signal from each antenna element 25 generated by the signal processing unit 22 to the transceiver unit 24 and instructs the weight of each antenna element 25 for forming a beam. The transceiver unit 24 forms a beam by adjusting one or both of the phase and amplitude of the signal to be transmitted from each antenna element 25 using the weight instructed by the beam control unit 23, and transmits the radio signal. Furthermore, when receiving a radio signal, the beam control unit 23 instructs the transceiver unit 24 on the weight of each antenna element 25 for forming a beam. The transceiver unit 24 adjusts one or both of the phase and amplitude of the radio signal received by each antenna element 25 using the weight instructed by the beam control unit 23. The transceiver 24 outputs a received signal obtained by combining the adjusted radio signals to the beam control unit 23. The beam control unit 23 outputs the received signal input from the transceiver 24 to the signal processing unit 22.

[0022] The control device 4 includes a transmission unit 41, a signal processing unit 42, a storage unit 43, an estimation / prediction unit 44, and a control unit 45. The transmission unit 41 is a functional unit that transmits signals between the wireless communication device 2, a higher-level device (not shown) on the network, another control device 4, etc. The signal processing unit 42 is a functional unit that performs signal processing related to wireless communication. The signal processing unit 42 receives a transmission signal from the opposing wireless communication device 3 output by the wireless communication device 2 from the transmission unit 41, and obtains data from the received transmission signal. The signal processing unit 42 also transmits a transmission signal, in which data to be transmitted to the opposing wireless communication device 3 is set, to the wireless communication device 2 via the transmission unit 41.

[0023] The storage unit 43 is a functional unit that stores information used in the processing of the estimation / prediction unit 44. The information used in the processing of the estimation / prediction unit 44 includes feedback information from the opposing wireless communication device 3. The feedback information indicates transmission information for each type of beam in the beam sweep.

[0024] The estimation / prediction unit 44 is a functional unit that uses the feedback information and estimation model stored in the storage unit 43 to estimate or predict the propagation environment between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3, such as obstructions and reflections, and the future communication quality of wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3. The control unit 45 controls wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 based on the estimation or prediction result in the estimation / prediction unit 44. For example, the control unit 45 performs control to specify a beam to be used for data communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3, and control to switch the wireless communication device 2 to which the opposing wireless communication device 3 is connected.

[0025] Note that the wireless communication device 2 may include some or all of the storage unit 43, the estimation / prediction unit 44, and the control unit 45. As shown in Fig. 2 , the signal processing unit may be divided among devices such as a CU (Central Unit), a DU (Distributed Unit), and an RU (Radio Unit) in 5G NR (New Radio), or the signal processing unit may be integrated into one of the devices such as the wireless communication device 2 or the control device 4.

[0026] 3 is a flow diagram showing an example of control of the wireless communication system 1 according to this embodiment. First, the wireless communication device 2 transmits a reference signal using beam sweep (step S11). The opposing wireless communication device 3 acquires transmission information such as received signal strength, signal-to-noise power ratio, reception timestamp, and propagation path information based on the reference signals received by each type of beam in the beam sweep. The reception timestamp indicates the time when the opposing wireless communication device 3 received the reference signal. The opposing wireless communication device 3 transmits feedback information, in which the transmission information of each beam and a transmission timestamp are set, to the wireless communication device 2 (step S12). The transmission timestamp is the transmission time of the feedback information from the opposing wireless communication device 3. The wireless communication device 2 outputs the received report signal to the control device 4.

[0027] Next, the estimation / prediction unit 44 of the control device 4 estimates or predicts the propagation environment between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 and the future communication quality of the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 based on the feedback information and the estimation model (step S13). Machine learning may be used for the estimation model. For example, the estimation model receives as input one or more of received signal strength, signal-to-noise power ratio, and propagation path information arranged in chronological order based on reception timestamps or transmission timestamps, and outputs a numerical value indicating the propagation environment between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 and the future communication quality of the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3. Furthermore, a learning period for performing machine learning of the estimation model may be provided before or during operation. In this case, training data indicating the correct propagation environment and future communication quality corresponding to the feedback information is input to the control device 4. The estimation / prediction unit 44 performs machine learning of the estimation model using the feedback information and training data.

[0028] The control unit 45 determines whether control is necessary based on the estimation result information, which is the result of estimation or prediction by the estimation / prediction unit 44 (step S14). Specifically, for example, the control unit 45 determines that control is necessary when it is predicted that the wireless communication device 2 and the opposite wireless communication device 3 will be out of line of sight after a predetermined time, or when it is predicted that the received signal strength, signal-to-noise power ratio, etc. after the predetermined time will be equal to or less than a predetermined value. The control unit 45 may also determine that control is necessary when the difference between the predicted received signal strength, signal-to-noise power ratio, etc. after a predetermined time between the wireless communication device 2 to which the opposite wireless communication device 3 is currently connected and the predicted received signal strength or signal-to-noise power ratio after a predetermined time when the opposite wireless communication device 3 is connected to another wireless communication device 2 exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, the processes of steps S11 to S13 are performed between the opposite wireless communication device 3 and the multiple wireless communication devices 2. Then, feedback information is aggregated in one control device 4, and estimation result information is obtained for the opposite wireless communication device 3 and each wireless communication device 2. Alternatively, the estimation result information obtained in each of the control devices 4 connected to each of the wireless communication devices 2 is collected in one of the control devices 4 or transmitted and received between the control devices 4 .

[0029] When the control unit 45 determines that control is necessary (step S14: YES), it performs control based on the estimation result (step S15). For example, the control unit 45 selects a beam that the wireless communication device 2 will use for data communication with the opposing wireless communication device 3, and instructs the opposing wireless communication device 3 to use the selected beam. Specifically, for example, the control unit 45 may select a beam in a direction predicted to have the highest communication quality after a predetermined time, or may select a beam in a direction predicted to ensure line-of-sight from the wireless communication device 2 to the opposing wireless communication device 3 after a predetermined time. The control unit 45 may also perform control to switch the wireless communication device 2 to which the opposing wireless communication device 3 is connected. Specifically, for example, the control unit 45 may switch the connection target to a wireless communication device 2 predicted to have the highest communication quality for wireless communication with the opposing wireless communication device 3 after a predetermined time, or may switch the connection target to a wireless communication device 2 predicted to ensure line-of-sight with the opposing wireless communication device 3 after a predetermined time.

[0030] The wireless communication device 2 or the opposing wireless communication device 3 performs data communication under the control of the control unit 45 of the control device 4 (step S16). For example, when the control unit 45 of the control device 4 instructs the wireless communication device 2 to use a beam for data communication, the beam control unit 23 of the wireless communication device 2 adjusts the beam of the transceiver unit 24 to form the instructed beam. As a result, the wireless communication device 2 performs wireless communication with the opposing wireless communication device 3 using the beam selected by the control unit 45 of the control device 4. Furthermore, when switching the connection destination of the opposing wireless communication device 3, the control unit 45 of the control device 4 transmits connection switching information indicating the wireless communication device 2 that will be the connection destination after the connection switching to the opposing wireless communication device 3. When the opposing wireless communication device 3 receives the connection switching information via the wireless communication device 2, it switches its connection from the currently connected wireless communication device 2 to the wireless communication device 2 that is the connection destination indicated by the connection switching information. Alternatively, the control unit 45 of the control device 4 may notify the connection switching information to one or both of the wireless communication device 2 to which the opposing wireless communication device 3 is currently connected and the wireless communication device 2 that will be the connection destination after the connection switching. The wireless communication device 2 that is the current connection destination and the wireless communication device 2 that is the connection destination after the connection switching operate cooperatively to switch the connection destination of the opposite wireless communication device 3.

[0031] If the control unit 45 of the control device 4 determines that control is not necessary (step S14: NO), the control unit 45 continues the current data communication without changing the beam (step S16). After the process of step S16, the wireless communication system 1 repeats the process from step S11.

[0032] 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the wireless communication system 1 according to this embodiment. First, the wireless communication device 2 performs beam sweeping to wirelessly transmit a reference signal while changing the beam over time (step S21). The nth beam is referred to as Beam #n, and the reference signal transmitted by Beam #n is referred to as reference signal #n, where n is an integer between 1 and N, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 2. The beam control unit 23 outputs the reference signal #n generated by the signal processing unit 22 to the transceiver unit 24, and controls the signal processing unit 22 to form Beam #n. The transceiver unit 24 transmits the reference signal #n by Beam #n formed by the antenna element 25.

[0033] The opposing wireless communication device 3 receives reference signals #1 to #N transmitted from the wireless communication device 2 via Beams #1 to #N, respectively. The opposing wireless communication device 3 calculates transmission information such as received signal strength, signal-to-noise power ratio, reception timestamp, and propagation path information based on the reference signals #n received via each Beam #n. The opposing wireless communication device 3 transmits to the wireless communication device 2 a report signal that sets the transmission information calculated for each of Beams #1 to #N, the transmission timestamp, the device identification information of the wireless communication device 2, and the device identification information of the opposing wireless communication device 3 (step S22). The transceiver 24 of the wireless communication device 2 combines the signals received by the antenna elements 25 in accordance with control from the beam control unit 23 to generate a received signal. The signal processing unit 22 obtains the report signal transmitted by the opposing wireless communication device 3 from the received signal.

[0034] Note that the wireless communication device 2 may specify the feedback timing for each beam of the opposing wireless communication device 3 by setting it in a reference signal. The opposing wireless communication device 3 transmits a report signal at the specified feedback timing. Then, the beam control unit 23 of the wireless communication device 2 controls the transceiver unit 24 to sweep the reception beam and receive the report signal, similar to the beam sweep when transmitting the reference signal. Alternatively, the opposing wireless communication device 3 may transmit a report signal that sets feedback information that aggregates the transmission information of each beam, at the feedback timing of the beam with the strongest received signal strength.

[0035] When the control device 4 is provided outside the wireless communication device 2, the signal processing unit 22 of the wireless communication device 2 transmits the report signal received from the opposing wireless communication device 3 to the control device 4 (step S23). The signal processing unit 42 of the control device 4 receives the report signal from the wireless communication device 2 via the transmission unit 41. The signal processing unit 42 acquires feedback information, the device ID of the wireless communication device 2, and the device ID of the opposing wireless communication device 3 from the report signal, and writes them to the storage unit 43. The estimation / prediction unit 44 uses the feedback information and prediction model written to the storage unit 43 to estimate or predict the propagation environment between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3 and the future communication quality of the wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposing wireless communication device 3. The estimation / prediction unit 44 outputs estimation result information indicating the estimation or prediction result to the control unit 45.

[0036] When it is determined that control is necessary based on the estimation result information, the control unit 45 determines the content of the control. The control unit 45 generates a control signal for controlling the wireless communication device 2 or the opposing wireless communication device 3 in accordance with the determined control content, and outputs the control signal to the wireless communication device 2 from the transmission unit 41 (step S24). For example, in FIG. 4, the control unit 45 transmits a control signal to the wireless communication device 2, specifying Beam#x (x is any integer between 1 and N) as the beam used for communicating a data signal to the opposing wireless communication device 3. The signal processing unit 22 of the wireless communication device 2 outputs the control signal received via the transmission unit 21 to the beam control unit 23. The beam control unit 23 controls the transceiver unit 24 to form Beam#x when transmitting a wireless signal addressed to the opposing wireless communication device 3 in accordance with the received control signal (step S25).

[0037] Note that the explanation up to this point has been given on the assumption that the wireless communication device 2 performs beam sweeping and performs control based on feedback information from the opposing wireless communication device 3, but similar control is possible even when downlink and uplink are switched, and this is included in the embodiments of the present invention. In other words, the opposing wireless communication device 3 has similar functions as the beam control unit 23, the transceiver unit 24, the storage unit 43, the estimation / prediction unit 44, and the control unit 45. The opposing wireless communication device 3 may perform beam sweeping, and estimate or predict the propagation environment such as obstruction and reflection and future communication quality based on feedback information from the wireless communication device 2, and perform control based on the estimated or predicted results.

[0038] Furthermore, the estimation / prediction unit 44 of the control device 4 estimates or predicts the propagation environment between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposite wireless communication device 3 that is the target of estimation or prediction, and the future communication quality of wireless communication between the wireless communication device 2 and the opposite wireless communication device 3 that is the target of estimation or prediction, based on feedback information from the opposite wireless communication device 3 that is the target of estimation or prediction and the estimation model. At this time, the estimation / prediction unit 44 may use feedback information from another opposite wireless communication device 3, in addition to the feedback information from the opposite wireless communication device 3 that is the target of estimation or prediction. The other opposite wireless communication device 3 may be, for example, an opposite wireless communication device 3 that is within a predetermined distance from the opposite wireless communication device 3 that is the target of estimation or prediction.

[0039] Furthermore, if a plurality of opposing wireless communication devices 3 can transmit feedback information to the wireless communication device 2 in step S12 of Fig. 3 without interfering with each other, the wireless communication system 1 can perform the process of Fig. 3 in parallel for those plurality of opposing wireless communication devices 3. Similarly, if a plurality of opposing wireless communication devices 3 can transmit report signals to the wireless communication device 2 in step S22 of Fig. 4 without interfering with each other, the wireless communication system 1 can perform the process of Fig. 4 in parallel for those plurality of opposing wireless communication devices 3. For example, the plurality of opposing wireless communication devices 3 can transmit data without interference by changing the frequency or transmission timing, or by orthogonalizing the data by encoding or the like.

[0040] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve communication quality and connectivity while reducing the size and cost of the wireless communication device in a high-frequency band wireless communication system without using additional external sensing equipment or the like.

[0041] In particular, in high frequency bands, there is a trend toward narrow beams in order to ensure high beam gain, and it is expected that communication radio wave sensing using beam sweeping will provide higher resolution. Furthermore, it is expected that sensing information obtained by communication radio wave sensing will have a higher correlation with communication quality compared to sensing outside of wireless communication. This embodiment focuses on the above points, and control based on communication radio wave sensing using beam sweeping makes it possible to efficiently improve communication quality while suppressing increases in the size and cost of wireless communication devices.

[0042] The functions of the control device 4 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by a computer. In this case, a program for implementing the functions of the estimation / prediction unit 44 and the control unit 45 may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. The program may also be provided over a network. Note that the term "computer system" herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, as well as storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" may also include media that dynamically store programs for a short period of time, such as communication lines used when transmitting programs via networks such as the Internet or telephone lines, or media that store programs for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory within a computer system serving as a server or client. The program may also be designed to implement some of the above-described functions, or may be capable of implementing the above-described functions in combination with a program already stored in the computer system.

[0043] The control device 4 may be realized by multiple computers connected to a network. In this case, it is possible to arbitrarily select which of the multiple computers will realize each functional unit of the control device 4. Furthermore, the same functional unit may be realized by multiple computers.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a device configuration diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 4. The control device 4 includes a processor 71, a storage unit 72, a communication interface 73, and a user interface 74. The processor 71 is a central processing unit that performs calculations and control. The processor 71 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit). The processor 71 realizes the functions of the estimation / prediction unit 44 and the control unit 45 by reading and executing programs from the storage unit 72. The storage unit 72 further has a work area and the like when the processor 71 executes various programs. The communication interface 73 is connected to other devices so as to be able to communicate with them. The communication interface 73 realizes the transmission unit 41 and the signal processing unit 42. The user interface 74 is an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device (mouse, tablet, etc.), a button, a touch panel, etc., or a display device such as a display. Human operations are input through the user interface 74.

[0045] All or part of the functions of the estimation / prediction unit 44 and the control unit 45 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0046] According to this embodiment, it is possible to improve communication quality without using an external sensing device such as a camera.

[0047] According to the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication system includes one or more first wireless communication devices and one or more second wireless communication devices. For example, the first wireless communication device corresponds to the wireless communication device 2 in the embodiment, and the second wireless communication system corresponds to the opposing wireless communication device 3 in the embodiment. The first wireless communication device includes a wireless communication unit and a beam control unit. The wireless communication unit forms a beam and wirelessly communicates with the second wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication unit corresponds to the transceiver 24 in the embodiment. The beam control unit controls the beam formed by the wireless communication unit. The second wireless communication device includes a notification unit that receives reference signals transmitted by the wireless communication unit using each of multiple types of beams under the control of the beam control unit and notifies transmission information indicating information related to wireless transmission of the received reference signals. The first wireless communication device or a control device connected to the first wireless communication device includes an estimation and prediction unit and a control unit. The estimation and prediction unit estimates or predicts the propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device using the transmission information notified by the notification unit. The control unit controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on the result of the estimation or prediction by the estimation and prediction unit. For example, the control unit selects a beam to be formed by the first wireless communication device based on the result of the estimation or prediction, or instructs the second wireless communication device to switch the first wireless communication device to which it is connected based on the result of the estimation or prediction.

[0048] The transmission information may include one or more of received power, communication quality, communication distance, and transmission path information of the radio that transmitted the reference signal, and the reception timing of the reference signal. Furthermore, the propagation environment may include shielding or reflection of the radio signal between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device.

[0049] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it is clear that the above embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Therefore, additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications of components may be made without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1...wireless communication system, 2...wireless communication device, 3...opposing wireless communication device, 4...control device, 5...shield, 21...transmission unit, 22...signal processing unit, 23...beam control unit, 24...transmission / reception unit, 25...antenna element, 41...transmission unit, 42...signal processing unit, 43...storage unit, 43...estimation / prediction unit, 45...control unit, 71...processor, 72...storage unit, 73...communication interface, 74...user interface

Claims

1. A wireless communication system having one or more first wireless communication devices and one or more second wireless communication devices, the first wireless communication device, a wireless communication unit that forms a beam and wirelessly communicates with the second wireless communication device; a beam control unit that controls a beam formed by the wireless communication unit; Equipped with the second wireless communication device, a notification unit that receives reference signals transmitted by the wireless communication unit using each of a plurality of types of beams under the control of the beam control unit, and notifies transmission information indicating information related to wireless transmission of the received reference signals; The first wireless communication device or a control device connected to the first wireless communication device, an estimation / prediction unit that estimates or predicts a propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device using the transmission information notified by the notification unit; a control unit that controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on a result of estimation or prediction by the estimation prediction unit, Wireless communication system.

2. the control unit selects a beam to be formed by the first wireless communication device or instructs switching of the first wireless communication device to which the second wireless communication device is connected, based on a result of the estimation or prediction by the estimation and prediction unit.

10. The wireless communication system of claim 1.

3. the transmission information includes one or more of reception power, communication quality, communication distance, and transmission path information of a radio wave that transmits the reference signal, and a reception timing of the reference signal; 3. The wireless communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the propagation environment includes shielding or reflection of a radio signal between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device; The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A control device in a wireless communication system having one or more first wireless communication devices, one or more second wireless communication devices, and a control device that controls the first wireless communication devices, an estimation and prediction unit that acquires transmission information indicating information related to wireless transmission when the second wireless communication device receives a reference signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device by each of a plurality of types of beams, and estimates or predicts a propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device using the acquired transmission information; a control unit that controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on a result of estimation or prediction by the estimation prediction unit; A control device comprising:

6. A wireless communication method in a wireless communication system having one or more first wireless communication devices and one or more second wireless communication devices, comprising: The first wireless communication device, a transmitting step of transmitting a wireless reference signal using each of a plurality of types of beams; The second wireless communication device, a notification step of receiving a reference signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device by each of a plurality of types of beams, and notifying transmission information indicating information related to wireless transmission of the received reference signal; The first wireless communication device or a control device connected to the first wireless communication device, an estimation and prediction step of estimating or predicting a propagation environment or future communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device using the transmission information notified in the notification step; a control step in which the first wireless communication device or the control device controls wireless communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on a result of the estimation or prediction in the estimation and prediction step; A wireless communication method comprising:

7. Computer, A program for causing the control device of claim 5 to function.

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