Wireless communication device

Abstract

To provide a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method that can suppress a difference in radio wave quality between users.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device includes a storage unit that stores a standard beam table composed of a set of a plurality of antenna weight vectors corresponding to a beam pattern having uniform beam angular intervals, and a control unit that generates an optimized beam table by determining a direction in which a wireless communication device of the communication partner exists as an optimization target direction and changing the beam angle interval of the standard beam table to be smaller for the optimization target direction, and uses an optimized beam table to communicate with the wireless communication device of the communication partner.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication device. position

Background Art

[0002] In order to increase the capacity of wireless communication, development of wireless communication devices using the millimeter wave band has been progressing by widening and raising the frequency band of the frequency band used. For example, the 60 GHz band is considered for use in small cells linked to a mobile communication network, a wireless access network of a wireless Internet service provider, or as a wireless backhaul link used in a wireless base station, a wireless relay station, or a public wireless LAN communication access point.

[0003] In the millimeter wave band with large propagation loss, generally a beam antenna with high gain and sharp directivity is used. In the IEEE802.llad standard, in consideration of the movement of a communication partner or Point-to-multipoint (P2MP) communication with a plurality of communication partners, a beam forming antenna whose beam direction can be varied by electrical control from a control unit is used. Also, in the IEEE802.llad standard, at the start of communication and during communication, an optimal beam direction is sequentially searched between the local station and the partner station.

[0004] ​In a wireless communication device compliant with the IEEE802.llad standard, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a suitable beam direction search is performed by a beamforming process called Sector-level sweep (SLS) and Beam Refinement Protocol (BRP) phase. In the technology described in Patent Document 1, usually, first, at least one set of AWVs that realize an omnidirectional beam pattern is used, and second, one standard beam table with a uniform beam angle interval is used. And in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when sequentially switching and scanning a plurality of beam patterns for a certain angle range using a standard beam table including a series of beam patterns, the radiation direction of each designed beam pattern is made to have an equal angle interval.

[0005] In recent years, moreover, the provision of Internet connection services using a wireless access network by a WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider) and connection services of a wireless access network by a wireless communication carrier called Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) are becoming widespread. In these services, the installation location of the user's antenna is fixed and generally does not move. For this reason, it is required to provide excellent services for a fixed user location.

[0006] Generally, in broadband wireless communication technology, the Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) is switched according to the quality of the radio wave. In a situation where the radio wave quality is good, high-speed communication is performed, and in an environment where the quality has deteriorated, connection is ensured by performing low-speed communication. Due to a slight difference in radio wave quality, the MCS may be switched. As a result, users located exactly in the direction of the beam have good radio wave quality, while users located in the trough between beams have deteriorated radio wave quality.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, for example, in the background art described in Patent Document 1, the radiation directions of each beam pattern are arranged at equal angular intervals. For this reason, a difference in data rate may occur between a user in the direction of the peak of the beam and a user in the direction of the valley of the beam.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method capable of suppressing a difference in radio wave quality between users.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] A wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a standard beam table configured by a set of a plurality of antenna weight vectors corresponding to a beam pattern in which the angular interval of the beam is equal, and determines the direction in which a wireless communication device of a communication partner exists as an optimization target direction, generates an optimized beam table by changing so as to densify the angular interval of the beam of the standard beam table with respect to the optimization target direction, and controls communication with the wireless communication device of the communication partner using the optimized beam table.

[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, beams are densely arranged in the direction in which a wireless communication device of a communication partner exists. As a result, according to an aspect of the present invention, each wireless communication device of a communication partner can perform stable communication with a high-speed MCS with good communication quality, so that a difference in radio wave quality between users can be suppressed.

[0012] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores a set of a plurality of the antenna weight vectors, and the control unit selects a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern in the direction to be optimized, arranges the selected set of the antenna weight vectors, determines a beam to be set in the vicinity of the direction to be optimized, selects and arranges a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity, determines a beam to be set in a non-optimized region excluding the direction to be optimized and its vicinity, and selects and arranges a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the non-optimized region, thereby generating the optimized beam table.

[0013] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, when the control unit determines a beam to be set in the vicinity of the direction to be optimized and selects and arranges a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity, the control unit determines two first adjacent beams adjacent to the beam in the direction to be optimized, respectively, with an angular interval between each of the two first adjacent beams and the beam in the direction to be optimized being a first angular interval, selects and arranges a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the determined first adjacent beams, and the first angular interval may be equal to or less than 1 / 2 of the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table.

[0014] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, when the control unit determines a beam to be set in the vicinity of the direction to be optimized and selects and arranges a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity, the control unit determines two second adjacent beams adjacent to each of the first adjacent beams, respectively, with an angular interval between each of the two second adjacent beams and the corresponding first adjacent beam being a second angular interval, selects and arranges a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the determined second adjacent beams, and the second angular interval may be smaller than the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table and larger than the first angular interval.

[0015] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, the first angular interval may be 1 / 4 or less of the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table, and the second angular interval may be 1 / 2 or less of the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table.

[0016] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, when the control unit determines a beam to be set in the non-optimization region excluding the optimization target direction and the vicinity of the optimization target direction, and selects and arranges a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined non-optimization region, the beam arrangement may be adjusted so as to suppress deterioration of the gain at the trough between the beam set in the non-optimization region and the beam adjacent to the beam.

[0017] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, when the control unit adjusts the beam arrangement in the non-optimization region, the angular interval of the beams may be unevenly adjusted in each non-optimization region to adjust the balance of the number of beams between the plurality of non-optimization regions.

[0018] In a wireless communication device according to an aspect of the present invention, when adjusting the balance of the number of beams, the control unit may adjust so as to suppress the difference between the gain at the shallowest trough and the gain at the deepest trough in all non-optimization regions.

[0019] A wireless communication method according to an aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication device including a storage unit that stores a standard beam table, determines the direction in which a wireless communication device of a communication partner exists as an optimization target direction, generates an optimized beam table by changing so as to densify the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table with respect to the optimization target direction, and causes communication with the wireless communication device of the communication partner using the optimized beam table.

Advantages of the Invention

[0020] According to one aspect of the present invention, the difference in radio wave quality between users can be suppressed.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0023] (Configuration example of wireless communication system) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a wireless communication system using a wireless communication device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a first wireless communication device 2 (hereinafter also simply referred to as the wireless communication device 2), a second wireless communication device 3-1, a second wireless communication device 3-2, a second wireless communication device 3-3, a second wireless communication device 3-4, a second wireless communication device 3-5, and a second wireless communication device 3-6. In the following description, when one of the second wireless communication devices 3-n (n is an integer from 1 to 6) is not specified, it is referred to as the second wireless communication device 3.

[0024] The first wireless communication device 2 is connected to a higher-level network such as a provider network via an optical fiber line or another communication line, and thereby is connected to a network such as the Internet. Further, the first wireless communication device 2 is a wireless communication device installed by a service provider such as a WISP or a wireless communication carrier.

[0025] The second wireless communication device 3 is installed, for example, in a user's home that uses a service provided by a service provider such as a WISP or a wireless communication carrier. Note that the number of the second wireless communication devices 3 is not limited to six and may be one or more.

[0026] At least one of the first wireless communication device 2 and the second wireless communication devices 3-1 to 3-6 includes a beamforming antenna and includes a control unit that executes beamforming inside the device. The first wireless communication device 2 and the second wireless communication devices 3 recognize each other's existence in the process of performing beamforming, select an appropriate beam, and perform wireless communication using an MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) according to the quality of the radio wave. In the following description, an example in which the first wireless communication device 2 includes a beamforming antenna and includes a control unit that executes beamforming inside the device will be described.

[0027] Note that the first wireless communication device 2 and the second wireless communication devices 3 are not limited to a service provider and its service user, and an organization such as a company or a public institution may lay both of them as an internal network.

[0028] (Explanation of terms used in the embodiment) Here, an outline of a wireless communication device that communicates using a beamforming antenna and an explanation of terms used in the embodiment will be given. The basic configuration of a beamforming antenna is to shift the phase of each antenna element that is aligned and supply power, so that radio waves with aligned phases are radiated in a desired direction, and a beam with sharp directivity is radiated.

[0029] In the design of the beam pattern of a beam that radiates radio waves in a desired direction, based on the arrangement of each antenna element of the antenna array, the distance between the antenna elements, the wavelength of the radiated radio wave, etc., the phase conditions are calculated so that the radio waves radiated from each antenna element interfere and reinforce in the desired direction, and the phase and power for supplying power to each antenna element are determined.

[0030] A wireless communication device equipped with a beamforming antenna includes a beam table composed of a plurality of Antenna Weight Vectors (AWVs). Here, an AWV refers to a vector representing the gain of an amplitude adjuster corresponding to each antenna element and the phase shift amount of a variable phase shifter. When the beamforming antenna is composed of n antenna elements, a set of n AWVs indicates one beam pattern.

[0031] What is calculated based only on the AWV for the radiation directivity of the entire array antenna is called the array factor. When the antenna element is an omnidirectional antenna, the array factor is directly the radiation pattern of the entire array antenna. When the antenna element has directivity, the product of the array factor and the radiation pattern of the antenna element becomes the radiation pattern of the entire array antenna.

[0032] (Configuration example of wireless communication device) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication device 2 includes an antenna 21 and a control unit 22. The control unit 22 includes a BBIC 221, an RFIC 222, a control system 223, a NI (Network Interface) 224, and a PS (Power Supply) 225. The RFIC 222 includes a LUT 2221 and a beamformer 2222. The control system 223 includes a storage 2231.

[0033] The antenna 21 is a digital phased array type beamforming antenna in which a plurality of elements are arranged and the plurality of elements can be electrically controlled by the set value of an AWV (Antenna Weight Vector).

[0034] BBIC221 is, for example, a Baseband Integrated Circuit. BBIC221 is a circuit section that processes Baseband signals and also mediates, in some cases, the control of RFIC222 from the control system 223.

[0035] RFIC222 is, for example, a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit, responsible for processing high-frequency signals, transmitting and receiving millimeter-wave signals, and performing beamforming. RFIC222 sets the AWV by setting numerical values in the LUT2221.

[0036] LUT2221 is a Look Up Table that accommodates a plurality of sets of AWVs as a beam pattern table. Each set of AWVs corresponds to one beam pattern and is composed of AWVs corresponding to the number of antenna elements. Also, LUT2221 stores an optimized beam table optimized by the control system 223 as described later.

[0037] The beamformer 2222 controls the power supply to the antenna elements based on the set value of the AWV.

[0038] The control system 223 is connected to an upstream network such as the Internet connected to the wireless communication device 2 via NI224. The control system 223 mediates the communication between the first network via NI224 and the second network connected by a communication line via the antenna 21 by controlling BBIC221 and RFIC222. The control system 223 executes the control of BBIC221 and RFIC222, for example, according to a program by referring to various databases. Note that the control system 223 may include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an SoC (System-on-a-Chip), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0039] The storage 2231 stores a plurality of pre-designed sets of AWVs and a plurality of beam tables obtained by combining a plurality of sets of AWVs for a predetermined number of beams. The storage 2231 is a recording medium such as, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash memory. Alternatively, the storage 2231 may be a non-volatile memory area included in an ASIC, an SoC, or the like. As the set of AWVs, there is at least one set of AWVs that realizes a quasi-omni beam pattern, and second, there is at least one standard beam table in which the angular intervals of the beams are uniform. The standard beam table is a series of beams that cover a certain angular range, and each beam consists of a series of sets of AWVs corresponding to the beam patterns in each direction. The storage 2231 further stores an optimized beam table. In addition, the storage 2231 stores a group of sets of AWVs that are the source of selection for constructing the optimized beam table.

[0040] NI224 is a network interface and is an interface for connecting the wireless communication device 2 to the upstream network. PS225 is a power supply unit that supplies the power supplied from the outside to each part of the wireless communication device 2.

[0041] Here, an example of the information stored in the storage 2231 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the array factor of each of 31 beams existing at 4-degree intervals in an angular range of 120 degrees from 30 degrees to 150 degrees in the standard beam table stored in the storage 2231 according to the present embodiment in polar coordinates. Note that the beam angular interval is 4 degrees.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram depicting only the beam with the largest gain in each direction in the standard beam table stored in the storage 2231 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the direction [degrees], and the vertical axis represents the array factor [dB].

[0043] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a processing procedure in which the wireless communication device 2 according to the present embodiment dynamically configures an optimization beam table.

[0044] (Step S1) The control system 223 determines the target direction of optimization. (Step S2) The control system 223 selects an AWV for the beam in the target direction of optimization.

[0045] (Step S3) The control system 223 selects an AWV for the first adjacent beam. (Step S4) The control system 223 selects an AWV for the second adjacent beam.

[0046] (Step S5) The control system 223 selects AWVs for the beams in the unoptimized regions so that the angular intervals are substantially uniform. (Step S6) The control system 223 unevenly changes the angular intervals of the beams in the unoptimized regions.

[0047] (Step S7) The control system 223 changes the balance of the number of beams between the unoptimized regions. (Step S8) The control system 223 determines whether the imbalance in gain at the valleys has been minimized. If the control system 223 determines that the imbalance in gain at the valleys has been minimized (Step S8; Yes), the process ends. If the control system 223 determines that the imbalance in gain at the valleys has not been minimized (Step S8; No), the process from Step S6 is repeated.

[0048] Thus, in this embodiment, a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern in the optimization target direction is selected, the selected set of antenna weight vectors is arranged, a beam to be set in the vicinity of the optimization target direction is determined, a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity is selected and arranged, and a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the non-optimization region excluding the optimization target direction and its vicinity is selected and arranged to generate an optimized beam table.

[0049] (First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, an example of the processing procedure for the wireless communication device 2 to dynamically configure an optimization beam table for two directions (70 degrees and 110 degrees) will be described with reference to FIG. 5. As a specific example, as a result of the first wireless communication device 2 starting communication with the second wireless communication device 3 using an omnidirectional beam pattern and a standard beam table, the case where it is determined that the communication partner exists in two directions, namely the 70-degree direction and the 110-degree direction, will be described.

[0050] In this case, the control system 223 determines to generate an optimization beam table optimized for two directions, namely the 70-degree direction and the 110-degree direction (step S1).

[0051] Here, the storage 2231 stores a plurality of beams that are the sources for selecting the beams constituting the optimization beam table, that is, sets of AWVs. In the following example, AWVs have been calculated and prepared in advance for 1201 beams covering an angular range of 120 degrees at intervals of 0.1 degrees.

[0052] Next, the control system 223 densely arranges beams in the desired directions, namely 70 degrees and 110 degrees and their vicinity (steps S2 to S4).

[0053] Here, the reasons for performing the processes of steps S2 to S4 will be described. The standard beam table has an angular interval of 4 degrees. Even if a 70-degree beam is selected as the optimal beam in the standard beam table, when the direction of the actual user's device is close to 68 degrees or 72 degrees, it corresponds to the trough between the beams, the gain deteriorates, and an MCS with a slower communication speed may be selected. Therefore, the control system 223 selects a 70.0-degree beam from the 1201 beams that are the selection sources, that is, 1201 sets of AWVs, and arranges it in the optimized beam table. Similarly, the control system 223 also selects an 110.0-degree beam from the 1201 sets of AWVs for 110 degrees and arranges it in the optimized beam table (step S2).

[0054] Next, the control system 223 arranges the second and third beams as the first adjacent beams (69.0-degree beam, 71.0-degree beam) so as to sandwich the 70.0-degree beam. Similarly, the control system 223 arranges the second and third beams as the first adjacent beams (109.0-degree beam, 111.0-degree beam) so as to sandwich the 110.0-degree beam (step S3). In the embodiment, the second and third beams are referred to as the first adjacent beams.

[0055] The control system 223 arranges the fourth and fifth beams as the second adjacent beams (67.0-degree beam, 73.0-degree beam) so as to sandwich the three beams (70.0-degree beam, 69.0-degree beam, 71.0-degree beam). Similarly, the control system 223 arranges the fourth and fifth beams as the second adjacent beams (107.0-degree beam, 113.0-degree beam) so as to sandwich the three beams (110.0-degree beam, 109.0-degree beam, 111.0-degree beam) (step S4). In the embodiment, the fourth and fifth beams are referred to as the second adjacent beams. By the processes of steps S2 to S4, the control system 223 makes the angular intervals of the beams in the vicinity of the 70-degree direction and the vicinity of the 110-degree direction dense respectively.

[0056] In this embodiment, two angular intervals, i.e., the angular interval between the second first adjacent beam and the beam in the optimization direction, and the angular interval between the beam in the optimization direction and the third first adjacent beam, are defined as the first angular interval, and this is made narrower than the angular interval in the standard beam table.

[0057] Also, in this embodiment, two angular intervals, i.e., the angular interval between the fourth second adjacent beam adjacent to the second first adjacent beam and the second first adjacent beam, and the angular interval between the fifth second adjacent beam adjacent to the third first adjacent beam and the third first adjacent beam, are defined as the second angular interval. And in this embodiment, the second angular interval is made narrower than the angular interval in the standard beam table and wider than the first angular interval.

[0058] In this embodiment, for example, the first angular interval is set to 1 degree, which is 1 / 4 of 4 degrees, the angular interval in the standard beam table. Also, in this embodiment, the second angular interval is set to 2 degrees, which is narrower than 4 degrees and wider than 1 degree of the first angular interval.

[0059] Note that the first angular interval is preferably at most half of the angular interval in the standard beam table, and more preferably at most 1 / 4. The second angular interval is preferably at most 3 / 4 of the standard beam table, and more preferably at most 1 / 2. In order to enable selection of such beams, it is preferable that the number of AWV sets serving as selection sources is approximately 4 times the number of beams in the standard beam table. When the number of beams in the standard beam table is N, it is preferable that at least (N - 1)×4 + 1 sets of AWV sets are prepared in advance.

[0060] Next, the control system 223 determines the number of beams to be arranged in each of the first non-optimization region from 30 degrees, which is the starting direction, to 67.0 degrees, which is the direction of the fourth second adjacent beam close to the beam of 70.0 degrees, which is the first optimization direction, the second non-optimization region from 73.0 degrees, which is the direction of the fifth second adjacent beam close to the beam of the first optimization direction, to 107.0 degrees, which is the direction of the fourth second adjacent beam close to the beam of 110.0 degrees, which is the second optimization direction, and the third non-optimization region from 113.0 degrees, which is the direction of the fifth second adjacent beam close to the beam of the second optimization direction, to 150 degrees, which is the ending direction, and arranges the beams (step S5).

[0061] Specifically, first, the control system 223 distributes the number of beams according to the ratio of the angular ranges of the non-optimization regions. In this embodiment, the control system 223 arranges 7 beams in the first non-optimization region, 6 beams in the second non-optimization region, and 8 beams in the third non-optimization region. Next, the control system 223 arranges the beams with a substantially uniform angular distribution in each non-optimization region.

[0062] An example of the optimized beam table at this stage is shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the array factor of the optimized beam table after re-arranging the beams when the communication partners exist in two directions of 70 degrees and 110 degrees. In FIG. 6, the horizontal axis and the vertical axis are the same as those in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 6, in the directions of 70 degrees and 110 degrees, the beams are densely arranged including the vicinity, and the valleys of the gain are shallow, so that the second wireless communication device 3 used by any user can perform stable communication with good communication quality and a high-speed MCS.

[0063] In the first embodiment, further optimization of the gain is performed. In the beam table of FIG. 6, although the vicinity of the optimization direction is improved, there are directions where the valleys of the gain are deep in other directions. For example, the array factor [dB] in the directions of 90 degrees and 94.8 degrees is 11.21 [dB]. In this embodiment, for this, the valleys of the gain are leveled to suppress the degradation of the gain.

[0064] Here, specific examples of optimization will be described. First, in each non-optimized region, the control system 223 adjusts the beam direction so that the beam interval becomes narrower in the direction where the gain valley is deep and wider in the direction where the gain valley is shallow, and replaces the set of AWVs to be selected (step S6).

[0065] In the case of the first non-optimized region in FIG. 6, the seventh valley at 64.4 degrees is 11.23 dB, the first valley at 32.7 degrees is 11.77 dB, and the difference between the maximum and minimum of the gain valleys in this region is 0.54 dB.

[0066] The control system 223 reduces the interval between the seventh beam and the eighth beam where the seventh valley is formed by 0.1 degree, increases the interval between the first beam and the second beam where the first valley is formed by 0.1 degree, relocates the seventh beam from the first beam, and recalculates the array factor. The difference between the maximum and minimum of the gain valleys in this region after relocation is improved from 0.54 dB to 0.50 dB.

[0067] The control system 223 repeats these processes. When the difference between the maximum and minimum of the gain valleys in this region becomes, for example, 0.02 dB and no improvement is made compared to before relocation after relocation, the arrangement at 0.02 dB is adopted and the optimization operation is completed. The control system 223 executes these processes for each non-optimized region.

[0068] Next, after the above processes are completed, the control system 223 compares the deepest gain valleys in each non-optimized region, and performs an operation of reducing one beam in the non-optimized region with a shallower gain valley and increasing one beam in the non-optimized region with a deeper gain valley (step S7). In the first embodiment, the deepest gain valleys are 11.50 dB in the first non-optimized region, 11.21 dB in the second non-optimized region, and 11.63 dB in the third non-optimized region, respectively. The control system 223 reduces the number of beams in the third non-optimized region from 8 to 7 and increases the number of beams in the second non-optimized region from 6 to 7.

[0069] The control system 223 arranges the beams again with a substantially uniform angular distribution in the angular range of each non-optimized region according to the increased or decreased number of beams.

[0070] The control system 223 repeats steps S6 - S7, adopts the arrangement when the difference between the shallowest valley gain and the deepest valley gain is minimized in all non-optimized regions, and completes the rearrangement of the non-optimized regions. The finally obtained optimized beam table after completing this process is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0071] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the array factor after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimizing the optimized beam table in the first embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 7 are the same as those in FIG. 4. FIG. 8 is a polar coordinate display diagram of the array factor after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimizing the optimized beam table in the first embodiment. The coordinates in FIG. 8 are the same as those in FIG. 3.

[0072] At the stage of FIG. 6 before rearrangement after optimization, the number of beams in the first non-optimized region is 7, the number of beams in the second non-optimized region is 6, and the number of beams in the third non-optimized region is 8. The deepest gain valley is 11.21 dB in the 90.0-degree direction, and the shallowest gain valley is 11.83 dB in the 147.6-degree direction, with a difference of 0.62 dB. After the optimal arrangement, the number of beams in the three non-optimized regions is adjusted to 7, 7, and 7, and the intervals are also adjusted unevenly. The deepest gain valleys are 11.41 dB in the 87.9-degree direction and the 92.1-degree direction, and the shallowest gain valleys are 11.53 dB in the 51.0-degree and 129.0-degree directions, with a difference of 0.12 dB, showing an improvement compared to before the optimal arrangement.

[0073] In the first embodiment, the wireless communication device 2 sets the optimized beam table generated in this way in the LUT 2221 and uses it for the next search for the beam direction. As a result of beam search after the next time, when the number of wireless communication devices of the communication partner increases or decreases, or when the wireless communication device on the other side disappears in the direction that has existed conventionally and communication with wireless communication devices in other directions is started, the control system 223 regenerates the optimized beam table. In such a case, the control system 223 may start over from the search using the standard beam table.

[0074] (Comparative Example) Here, a comparative example will be described. In the IEEE802.llad standard, the relationship between the MCS and the Receiver sensitivity for 60 GHz millimeter-wave band communication called Directional multi-gigabit (DMG) is shown. For example, the sensitivity required for MCS10 is -55 dBm, the sensitivity required for MCS11 is -54 dBm, and the sensitivity required for MCS12 is -53 dBm, and the MCS switches with a slight difference in radio wave quality.

[0075] Therefore, users who install a wireless communication device exactly at the direction position of the beam have good radio wave quality, while users who install a wireless communication device at the position between the beams have deteriorated radio wave quality. In the case of the prior art, for example, a user located exactly in the direction of the beam can use MCS12, but another user located in the valley between the beams may only be able to use MCS11. Here, in the case of the IEEE802.llad standard, the data rate in each MCS is 3,080 Mbps for MCS10, 3,850 Mbps for MCS11, and 4,620 Mbps for MCS12. For example, when MCS11 cannot be used and MCS10 is used, the performance is reduced by 20% compared to MCS11. Also, when MCS12 cannot be used and MCS11 is used, the performance is reduced by 17% compared to MCS12.

[0076] In contrast, according to the first embodiment, since the optimization of the optimization beam table is performed as described above for two directions, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 with respect to FIG. 4, it is possible to arrange the gain valleys to be shallow in the vicinity of the optimization direction. As a result, according to the first embodiment, since the gain valleys are arranged to be shallow in the vicinity of the optimization direction, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of the user who installs the wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS with a slow communication speed from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users. Further, according to the first embodiment, since the optimization beam table is rearranged after optimization, for example, as shown in FIG. 7 with respect to FIG. 6, it is possible to reduce the difference in gain valleys in the non-optimized region. As a result, according to the first embodiment, since the difference in gain valleys in the non-optimized region is reduced, even when the wireless communication device of the communication partner increases after the determination of the optimization direction, etc., and communication with wireless communication devices in other directions is started, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of the user who installs the wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS with a slow communication speed from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users.

[0077] (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, an example of a processing procedure for the wireless communication device 2 to dynamically configure an optimization beam table for three directions (70 degrees, 110 degrees, and 130 degrees) will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0078] In this case, the control system 223 determines to generate an optimization beam table optimized for three directions: 70 degrees, 110 degrees, and 130 degrees (step S1). Next, the control system 223 densely arranges beams in the desired directions, that is, 70 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, and their vicinity (steps S2 to S4).

[0079] In this embodiment, the control system 223 selects and arranges AWVs of 70.0 degrees, 110.0 degrees, and 130.0 degrees from the candidate AWVs for 70 degrees, 110 degrees, and 130 degrees (step S2). Next, the control system 223 arranges the second and third first adjacent beams so as to sandwich the beams of 70.0 degrees, 110.0 degrees, and 130.0 degrees respectively (step S3). For each of 70.0 degrees, 110.0 degrees, and 130.0 degrees, the control system 223 arranges the fourth and fifth second adjacent beams so as to sandwich three beams including the second and third first adjacent beams (step S4).

[0080] By the processes of steps S2 to S4, the control system 223 makes the angular intervals of the beams in the vicinity of the 70-degree direction, the 110-degree direction, and the 130-degree direction dense respectively. Next, the control system 223 determines the number of beams to be arranged in each non-optimized region and arranges the beams (step S5). An example of the optimized beam table at this stage is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table before rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the second embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 9 are the same as those in FIG. 4.

[0081] Next, in each non-optimized region, the control system 223 adjusts the beam direction so that the beam interval becomes narrow in the direction where the gain valley is deep, and the beam interval becomes wide in the direction where the gain valley is shallow, and replaces the set of selected AWVs. The control system 223 uses the difference between the maximum and minimum of the gain valleys in the non-optimized region as an index, and ends the adjustment of the non-optimized region when no improvement is achieved even after replacement (step S6).

[0082] Next, after the above processing is completed, the control system 223 compares the deepest gain valleys of each non-optimized region, and performs an operation of reducing one beam in the non-optimized region with a shallower gain valley and increasing one beam in the non-optimized region with a deeper gain valley (step S7).

[0083] Based on the increased or decreased number of beams, the control system 223 arranges the beams again with a substantially uniform angular distribution within the angular range of each non-optimized region.

[0084] The control system 223 repeats steps S6 to S7, and when the difference between the gain of the shallowest valley and the gain of the deepest valley becomes the smallest in all non-optimal regions, it adopts the arrangement at that time and completes the rearrangement of the non-optimized regions. The optimized beam table finally obtained after completing this process is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the second embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 10 are the same as those in FIG. 4. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the second embodiment in polar coordinates. The coordinates in FIG. 11 are the same as those in FIG. 3.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, according to the second embodiment, in the vicinity of the desired three directions, the beams are densely arranged and the deterioration of the gain is slight, and for the non-optimized region, the deep gain valley can be improved as a result of the leveling adjustment.

[0087] According to the second embodiment, since the optimization of the optimized beam table is performed for three directions as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, it is possible to have an arrangement where the gain valleys are shallow in the vicinity of the optimization direction. As a result, according to the second embodiment, since the gain valleys are shallow in the vicinity of the optimization direction, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of a user who installs a wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users. Also, according to the second embodiment, since the optimized beam table is rearranged after optimization, for example, as shown in FIG. 10 with respect to FIG. 9, it is possible to reduce the difference in the gain valleys in the non-optimized region. As a result, according to the second embodiment, since the difference in the gain valleys in the non-optimized region is reduced, even when, for example, the number of wireless communication devices of a communication partner increases after the determination of the optimization direction and communication with wireless communication devices in other directions is started, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of a user who installs a wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS with a slow communication speed from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users.

[0088] (Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, a processing procedure example in which the wireless communication device 2 dynamically configures an optimized beam table for four directions (52 degrees, 70 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees) will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0089] In this case, the control system 223 determines to generate an optimized beam table optimized for four directions: the 52-degree direction, the 70-degree direction, the 110-degree direction, and the 130-degree direction (step S1). Next, the control system 223 densely arranges beams in the desired directions, that is, 52 degrees, 70 degrees, 110 degrees, 130 degrees, and the vicinity thereof (steps S2 to S4).

[0090] In this embodiment, the control system 223 selects and arranges AWVs of 52.0 degrees, 70.0 degrees, 110.0 degrees, and 130.0 degrees from the candidate AWVs for 52 degrees, 70 degrees, 110 degrees, and 130 degrees (step S2). Next, the control system 223 arranges the second and third first adjacent beams so as to sandwich each of the beams of 52.0 degrees, 70.0 degrees, 110.0 degrees, and 130.0 degrees (step S3). For each of 52 degrees, 70 degrees, 110 degrees, and 130 degrees, the control system 223 arranges the fourth and fifth second adjacent beams so as to sandwich three beams including the second first adjacent beam and the third first adjacent beam (step S4).

[0091] By the processes of steps S2 to S4, the control system 223 densifies the angular intervals of the beams in the vicinity of the 52-degree direction, 70-degree direction, 110-degree direction, and 130-degree direction, respectively. Next, the control system 223 determines the number of beams to be arranged in each non-optimized region and arranges the beams (step S5). An example of the optimized beam table at this stage is shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table before re-arranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the third embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 12 are the same as those in FIG. 4.

[0092] Next, in each non-optimized region, the control system 223 adjusts the beam direction so that the beam interval becomes narrow in the direction where the gain valley is deep and the beam interval becomes wide in the direction where the gain valley is shallow, and replaces the selected set of AWVs. The control system 223 uses the difference between the maximum and minimum of the gain valleys in the non-optimized region as an index and ends the adjustment of the non-optimized region when no improvement is achieved even after replacement (step S6).

[0093] Next, after the above processing is completed, the control system 223 compares the deepest gain valleys of each non-optimized region, and performs an operation of reducing one beam in the non-optimized region with a shallower gain valley and increasing one beam in the non-optimized region with a deeper gain valley (step S7).

[0094] Based on the increased or decreased number of beams, the control system 223 arranges the beams again with a substantially uniform angular distribution within the angular range of each non-optimized region.

[0095] The control system 223 repeats steps S6 to S7, and when the difference between the gain of the shallowest valley and the gain of the deepest valley becomes the minimum in all non-optimal regions, it adopts the arrangement at that time and completes the rearrangement of the non-optimized regions. The optimized beam table finally obtained after completing this process is shown in FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0096] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the third embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 13 are the same as those in FIG. 4. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the third embodiment in polar coordinates. The coordinates in FIG. 14 are the same as those in FIG. 3.

[0097] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, according to the third embodiment, in the vicinity of the desired four directions, the beams are densely arranged and the deterioration of the gain is slight, and for the non-optimized region, the deep gain valley can be improved as a result of the leveling adjustment.

[0098] According to the third embodiment, since the optimization of the optimized beam table is performed for four directions as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to have an arrangement with a shallow gain valley in the vicinity of the optimization direction. As a result, according to the third embodiment, since the gain valley in the vicinity of the optimization direction is made shallow, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of a user who installs a wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users. Further, according to the third embodiment, since the optimized beam table is rearranged after optimization, for example, as shown in FIG. 13 with respect to FIG. 12, it is possible to reduce the difference in the gain valley in the non-optimized region. As a result, according to the third embodiment, since the difference in the gain valley in the non-optimized region is reduced, even when the number of wireless communication devices of a communication partner increases after the determination of the optimization direction or when communication with wireless communication devices in other directions is started, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of a user who installs a wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users.

[0099] (Fourth Embodiment) In the fourth embodiment, an example of generating an optimized beam table by arranging 61 beams at two-degree intervals as a standard beam table to cover an angular range of 120 degrees from 30 degrees to 150 degrees and optimizing this for five directions of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, and 128 degrees will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0100] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the standard beam table in the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 15, the horizontal axis is the direction [degrees], and the vertical axis is the array factor [dB]. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the array factor in the standard beam table of the fourth embodiment in polar coordinates. Compared with FIG. 4 of the first embodiment where the number of beams is 31, the deterioration of the gain in the valley is smaller in FIG. 15. However, there is a difference in gain between the beam direction and the valley in FIG. 15, which may cause deterioration of the MCS.

[0101] In this case, the control system 223 determines to generate an optimized beam table optimized in five directions of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, and 128 degrees (step S1). Next, the control system 223 densely arranges beams in the desired directions, namely 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, 128 degrees, and their vicinity (steps S2 to S4).

[0102] In this embodiment, the control system 223 selects and arranges those of 36.0 degrees, 60.0 degrees, 90.0 degrees, 106.0 degrees, and 128.0 degrees from the AWVs serving as selection sources for 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, and 128 degrees (step S2). Next, the control system 223 arranges two first adjacent beams, the second and the third, so as to sandwich each of the beams of 36.0 degrees, 60.0 degrees, 90.0 degrees, 106.0 degrees, and 128.0 degrees (step S3). The control system 223 arranges fourth and fifth second adjacent beams so as to sandwich three beams including the second first adjacent beam and the third first adjacent beam for each of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, and 128 degrees (step S4).

[0103] By the processes of steps S2 to S4, the control system 223 makes the angular intervals of the beams in the vicinity of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, and 128 degrees dense. Next, the control system 223 determines the number of beams to be arranged in each non-optimized region and arranges the beams (step S5). An example of the optimized beam table at this stage is shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table before repositioning the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the fourth embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 17 are the same as those in FIG. 15. In the fourth embodiment, for example, the first angular interval is set to 0.5 degrees, which is 1 / 4 of 2 degrees, the angular interval of the standard beam table. Also, in the fourth embodiment, the second angular interval is set to be narrower than 2 degrees and wider than 1 degree of the first angular interval, i.e., 1.0 degree. The two angular intervals, namely the angular interval between the second first adjacent beam and the beam in the optimized azimuth direction, and the angular interval between the beam in the optimized azimuth direction and the third first adjacent beam, are the first angular interval. The two angular intervals, namely the angular interval between the fourth second adjacent beam adjacent to the second first adjacent beam and the second first adjacent beam, and the angular interval between the fifth second adjacent beam adjacent to the third first adjacent beam and the third first adjacent beam, are the second angular interval.

[0104] Next, in each non-optimized region, the control system 223 adjusts the beam direction so that the beam interval becomes narrower in the direction where the gain valley is deep and wider in the direction where the gain valley is shallow, and replaces the set of AWVs to be selected. The control system 223 uses the difference between the maximum and minimum of the gain valleys in the non-optimized region as an index, and ends the adjustment of the non-optimized region when no improvement is achieved even after replacement (step S6).

[0105] Next, after the above processing is completed, the control system 223 compares the deepest gain valleys in each non-optimized region, and performs an operation of reducing one beam in the non-optimized region with a shallower gain valley and increasing one beam in the non-optimized region with a deeper gain valley (step S7).

[0106] The control system 223 arranges the beams again in a substantially uniform angular distribution within the angular range of each non-optimized region according to the increased or decreased number of beams.

[0107] The control system 223 repeats steps S6 to S7, and in all non-optimal regions, adopts the arrangement when the difference between the gain of the shallowest valley and the gain of the deepest valley is minimized, and completes the rearrangement of the non-optimized region. The optimized beam table finally obtained after completing this process is shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0108] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the fourth embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 18 are the same as those in FIG. 15. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the fourth embodiment in polar coordinates. The coordinates in FIG. 19 are the same as those in FIG. 16.

[0109] As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, according to the fourth embodiment, in the vicinity of the desired five directions, the beams are densely arranged and almost no deterioration in gain is observed, and for the non-optimized region, the deep gain valleys can be improved as a result of the leveling adjustment.

[0110] According to the fourth embodiment, since the optimization of the optimization beam table is performed for five directions as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, it is possible to make the valley of the gain shallow in the vicinity of the optimization direction. As a result, according to the fourth embodiment, since the valley of the gain is made shallow in the vicinity of the optimization direction, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of the user who installs the wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users. Further, according to the fourth embodiment, since the optimization beam table is rearranged after optimization, for example, as shown in FIG. 18 with respect to FIG. 17, it is possible to reduce the difference in the valley of the gain in the non-optimized region. As a result, according to the fourth embodiment, since the difference in the valley of the gain in the non-optimized region is reduced, even when the wireless communication device of the communication partner increases after the determination of the optimization direction and communication with the wireless communication devices in other directions is started, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of the user who installs the wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users.

[0111] (Fifth Embodiment) In the fifth embodiment, an example of generating an optimized beam table that covers an angular range of 120 degrees from 30 degrees to 150 degrees with 61 beams as a standard beam table and is optimized for six directions of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, 128 degrees, and 140 degrees will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0112] In this case, the control system 223 determines to generate an optimized beam table optimized for six directions of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, 128 degrees, and 140 degrees (step S1). Next, the control system 223 densely arranges beams in the desired directions, that is, 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, 128 degrees, 140 degrees, and the vicinity thereof (steps S2 to S4).

[0113] In this embodiment, the control system 223 selects and arranges AWVs of 36.0 degrees, 60.0 degrees, 90.0 degrees, 106.0 degrees, 128.0 degrees, and 140.0 degrees from the candidate AWVs for 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, 128 degrees, and 140 degrees (step S2). Next, the control system 223 arranges two first adjacent beams, the second and the third, so as to sandwich each of the beams of 36.0 degrees, 60.0 degrees, 90.0 degrees, 106.0 degrees, 128.0 degrees, and 140.0 degrees (step S3). For each of 36 degrees, 60 degrees, 90 degrees, 106 degrees, 128 degrees, and 140 degrees, the control system 223 arranges fourth and fifth second adjacent beams so as to sandwich three beams including the second first adjacent beam and the third first adjacent beam (step S4).

[0114] By the processes of steps S2 to S4, the control system 223 makes the angular intervals of the beams in the vicinity of the 36-degree direction, 60-degree direction, 90-degree direction, 106-degree direction, 128-degree direction, and 140-degree direction dense respectively. Next, the control system 223 determines the number of beams to be arranged in each non-optimized region and arranges the beams (step S5). An example of the optimized beam table at this stage is shown in FIG. 20. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table before re-arranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the fifth embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 20 are the same as those in FIG. 15.

[0115] Next, in each non-optimized region, the control system 223 adjusts the beam directions so that the beam intervals become narrower in the direction where the valleys of the gain are deep and wider in the direction where the valleys of the gain are shallow, and replaces the set of selected AWVs. The control system 223 uses the difference between the maximum and the minimum of the valleys of the gain in the non-optimized region as an index, and ends the adjustment of that region when no improvement is achieved even after replacement (step S6).

[0116] Next, after the above processing is completed, the control system 223 compares the deepest gain valleys of each non-optimized region, and performs an operation of reducing one beam in the non-optimized region with a shallower gain valley and increasing one beam in the non-optimized region with a deeper gain valley (step S7).

[0117] Based on the increased or decreased number of beams, the control system 223 arranges the beams again in a substantially uniform angular distribution within the angular range of each non-optimized region.

[0118] The control system 223 repeats steps S6 to S7, and when the difference between the gain of the shallowest valley and the gain of the deepest valley becomes the smallest in all non-optimal regions, it adopts the arrangement at that time and completes the rearrangement of the non-optimized regions. The optimized beam table finally obtained after completing this process is shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0119] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the fifth embodiment. The horizontal axis and the vertical axis in FIG. 21 are the same as those in FIG. 15. FIG. 22 is a diagram showing the array factor of the beam table after rearranging the beams in the non-optimized region after optimization in the fifth embodiment in polar coordinates. The coordinates in FIG. 22 are the same as those in FIG. 16.

[0120] As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, according to the fifth embodiment, in the vicinity of the desired six directions, the beams are densely arranged and almost no gain degradation is observed. Also, for the non-optimized region, the deep gain valley could be improved as a result of the leveling adjustment.

[0121] According to the fifth embodiment, since the optimization of the optimized beam table is performed for the six directions as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, it is possible to have an arrangement with a shallower gain valley in the vicinity of the optimization direction. As a result, according to the fifth embodiment, since the arrangement with a shallower gain valley is adopted in the vicinity of the optimization direction, it is possible to prevent the communication quality of the user installing the wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam from deteriorating and a slow MCS from being selected, and to reduce the difference in communication speed between users.

[0122] As described above, in the present embodiment, a beam table with a uniform angular interval of beams is used, and a beam table optimized in a specific direction is additionally prepared by dynamic means and applied as appropriate. Also, in the present embodiment, a group of sets of AWVs that are the source of selection for constructing the optimized beam table is held. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the direction to be optimized is not limited to one direction, and beam tables and the like targeting a plurality of directions such as two directions and three directions are also prepared according to the number of users.

[0123] Here, when the directions to be optimized are multiple directions, if an optimized beam table is prepared in advance, the amount of data will be enormous. Or, when trying to handle it with a limited amount of data, the patterns of the optimized beam tables that can be prepared will be limited.

[0124] Therefore, in the present embodiment, when preparing the optimized beam table, a group of sets of AWVs that are the source of selection is prepared in advance, and an appropriate set of AWVs is selected and combined from the group of sets of AWVs that are the source of selection, so as to generate an optimized beam table on the spot.

[0125] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, when rearranging the beam arrangement, the trough between the beam at the outermost end of the non-optimized region and the beam at the outermost end of the optimized region may also be considered.

[0126] As described above, according to each of the embodiments, since an optimized beam table is generated in the direction where the wireless communication device of the communication partner exists, the beams are densely arranged in the direction where the wireless communication device of the communication partner exists. As a result, according to each of the embodiments, each wireless communication device of the communication partner can perform stable communication with a high communication quality and a high-speed MCS, so the difference in radio wave quality between users can be suppressed. Also, according to the fifth embodiment, since the optimized beam table is rearranged after optimization, for example, as shown in FIG. 21 with respect to FIG. 20, the difference between the valleys of the gain in the non-optimized region can be reduced. As a result, according to the fifth embodiment, since the difference between the valleys of the gain in the non-optimized region is reduced, even when communication with wireless communication devices in other directions is started, such as when the number of wireless communication devices of the communication partner increases after the determination of the optimization direction, the communication quality of the user who has installed the wireless communication device in the valley direction of the beam is prevented from deteriorating and an MCS with a slow communication speed is selected, and the difference in communication speed between users can be reduced.

[0127] As described above, the embodiments for carrying out the present invention have been described using the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments, and various modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0128] 1... Wireless communication system 2... First wireless communication device (wireless communication device) 3-1 to 3-6, 3... Second wireless communication device 21... Antenna 22... Control unit 221... BBIC 222... RFIC 223... Control system 224... NI 225... PS 2221... LUT 2222... Beamformer 2231... Storage

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a standard beam table composed of a set of a plurality of antenna weight vectors corresponding to a beam pattern in which the angular intervals of the beams are equal; A control unit that determines the direction in which the wireless communication device of the communication partner exists as an optimization target direction, generates an optimized beam table by changing the angular interval of the beams of the standard beam table to be dense with respect to the optimization target direction, and uses the optimized beam table to communicate with the wireless communication device of the communication partner; comprising: The storage unit stores a set of a plurality of the antenna weight vectors; The control unit: Selects a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the optimization target direction, arranges the selected set of antenna weight vectors, Determines a beam to be set in the vicinity of the optimization target direction, selects and arranges a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity, Determines a beam to be set in a non-optimized region excluding the optimization target direction and its vicinity, and selects and arranges a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the non-optimized region, thereby generating the optimized beam table, a wireless communication device.

2. The control unit: When determining a beam to be set in the vicinity of the optimization target direction and selecting and arranging a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity, Two first adjacent beams adjacent to the beam of the optimization target direction are each determined to have an angular interval with the beam of the optimization target direction as a first angular interval, and a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern corresponding to the determined first angular interval is selected and arranged, The first angular interval is 1 / 2 or less of the angular interval of the beams of the standard beam table. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit When determining a beam to be set in the vicinity of the optimization target direction and selecting and arranging a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined vicinity, Determine two second adjacent beams adjacent to each of the first adjacent beams, respectively, with the angular interval between each of the first adjacent beams being determined as a second angular interval, and select and arrange a set of antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern corresponding to the determined second angular interval, The second angular interval is smaller than the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table and larger than the first angular interval. The wireless communication device according to claim 2.

4. The first angular interval is 1 / 4 or less of the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table, and the second angular interval is 1 / 2 or less of the angular interval of the beams in the standard beam table. The wireless communication device according to claim 3.

5. The control unit When determining a beam to be set in the non-optimization region excluding the optimization target direction and the vicinity of the optimization target direction, and selecting and arranging a set of the antenna weight vectors corresponding to the beam pattern of the beam to be set in the determined non-optimization region, Adjust the beam arrangement so as to suppress the deterioration of the gain at the valley between the beam set in the non-optimization region and the beam adjacent to the beam. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

6. The control unit When adjusting the beam arrangement in the non-optimization region, Adjust the angular interval of the beams unevenly in each of the non-optimization regions and adjust the balance of the number of beams between the plurality of non-optimization regions. The wireless communication device according to claim 5.

7. The control unit When adjusting the balance of the number of beams, In all non-optimized regions, adjust so as to suppress the difference between the gain of the shallowest valley and the gain of the deepest valley. The wireless communication device according to claim 6.

Images