Propagation model estimation system, propagation model estimation device, and propagation model estimation method

Abstract

A propagation model estimation system according to one embodiment comprises: a selection unit that selects an area of which a radio wave propagation model is to be estimated; a modeling unit that models the radio wave reflection characteristic of within the selected area; a decision unit that decides a scaling factor of the selected area, a frequency scaling model based on the scaling factor, and one or more materials based on the modeled radio wave reflection characteristic and the frequency scaling model; a creation unit uses a 3D printer and the material(s) to create an area scale model having a structure which is that of within the selected area, scaled down by the scaling factor; a disposition unit that disposes, in the area scale model, one or more transmission stations for transmitting radio waves based on the frequency scale model and one or more reception stations for receiving, while moving, the radio waves transmitted by the transmission stations; a measurement unit that measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by the reception stations which move inside the area scale model; and an estimation unit that estimates the propagation model of the radio waves on the basis of the measured propagation characteristics of the radio waves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a propagation model estimation system, a propagation model estimation device, and a propagation model estimation method.

Background Art

[0002] Due to the explosive spread of wireless communication devices in recent years, the demand for wireless communication has been increasing. However, since frequency resources are limited, it is necessary to use not only existing frequencies but also frequencies that have not been used so far.

[0003] In order to use these frequencies, it is necessary to investigate in advance the propagation characteristics in the area to be used and the influence of interference on other systems.

[0004] Conventionally, the propagation characteristics have been clarified by measuring them in an actual area, and the propagation model has been formulated by the ITU-R (ITU Radiocommunication Sector) using various measurement results.

[0005] However, for unexploited frequencies, there may not be enough measurement results or the propagation model may not have been formulated. Therefore, a method has been proposed to create a scale model of the usage area such as a city and measure the propagation characteristics in that model environment (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0006] In addition, in the situation where the use of millimeter-wave radio waves in urban areas is progressing recently, there are many unknown elements regarding the propagation characteristics of radio waves in urban areas, and the establishment of a method for estimating the propagation model of urban areas by means of on-site measurement and the like is required.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0007]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, among the various buildings and obstacles in urban areas, especially for estimating the propagation model of low floors, the amount of data that must be acquired is enormous. In addition, since it is difficult to establish a propagation model by measuring on-site, there is a strong demand to improve the work efficiency by using a scale model (miniature model of the urban area) to measure the propagation characteristics in the laboratory with a high-frequency band according to the reduction ratio.

[0009] Conventionally, the method of estimating the propagation model by using a scale model has been studied, but it has taken a lot of time to create a scale model and measure the propagation characteristics. In addition, since the conventional scale model is simplified, the estimation accuracy of the propagation characteristics may be low depending on the environment.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a propagation model estimation system, a propagation model estimation device, and a propagation model estimation method that enable easy and accurate estimation of a propagation model.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] A propagation model estimation system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a selection unit that selects an area to estimate a radio wave propagation model, a modeling unit that models the radio wave reflection characteristics in the area selected by the selection unit, a scale factor of the area selected by the selection unit, a frequency scale model based on the scale factor, and a determination unit that determines one or more materials based on the radio wave reflection characteristics modeled by the modeling unit and the frequency scale model, a creation unit that creates an area scale model in which the structure in the area selected by the selection unit is reduced by the scale factor using the material by a 3D printer, an arrangement unit that arranges one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on the frequency scale model and one or more receiving stations that receive the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting stations while moving within the area scale model, a measurement unit that measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving within the area scale model, and an estimation unit that estimates a radio wave propagation model based on the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the measurement unit.

[0012] Further, a propagation model estimation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an arrangement unit that arranges one or more receiving stations that receive the radio waves transmitted by one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on a frequency scale model corresponding to the scale factor of the area selected as the target for estimating the radio wave propagation model within an area scale model created by reducing the structure in the selected area by the scale factor using a predetermined material by a 3D printer, a measurement unit that measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving within the area scale model, and an estimation unit that estimates a radio wave propagation model based on the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the measurement unit.

[0013] Further, the propagation model estimation method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a selection step of selecting an area to be estimated for the radio wave propagation model, a modeling step of modeling the radio wave reflection characteristics in the selected area, a determination step of determining the scale ratio of the selected area, a frequency scale model based on the scale ratio, and one or more materials based on the modeled radio wave reflection characteristics and the frequency scale model, a creation step of creating an area scale model in which the structure in the selected area is reduced by the scale ratio using the material by a 3D printer, an arrangement step of arranging one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on the frequency scale model and one or more receiving stations that receive the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting stations while moving within the area scale model, a measurement step of measuring the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving within the area scale model, and an estimation step of estimating the radio wave propagation model based on the measured radio wave propagation characteristics.

[0014] Further, the propagation model estimation method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a selection step of selecting an area to be estimated for the radio wave propagation model, a modeling step of modeling the radio wave reflection characteristics in the selected area, a determination step of determining the scale ratio of the selected area, a frequency scale model based on the scale ratio, and one or more materials based on the modeled radio wave reflection characteristics and the frequency scale model, and a creation step of creating an area scale model in which the structure in the selected area is reduced by the scale ratio using the material by a 3D printer.

[0015] In addition, the propagation model estimation method according to another embodiment of the present invention includes one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on a frequency scale model corresponding to the scale rate of an area selected as an object for estimating the radio wave propagation model. An arrangement step of arranging one or more receiving stations that receive the radio waves while moving the radio waves in an area scale model created from a predetermined material by a 3D printer by reducing the structure in the selected area at the scale rate; A measurement step of measuring the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving within the area scale model; and an estimation step of estimating a radio wave propagation model based on the measured radio wave propagation characteristics.

Advantages of the Invention

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily and accurately estimate a propagation model.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] First, the background leading to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a propagation model estimation method of a comparative example.

[0019] The propagation model estimation method of the comparative example is a method in which, instead of estimating the propagation model of radio waves through on-site actual measurement for the area to be estimated, for example, a scale model with the target area reduced to 1 / 100 is created, and the propagation model is estimated through actual measurement using the scale model.

[0020] However, in the propagation model estimation method of the comparative example, a lot of time was required for creating the scale model and measuring the propagation characteristics. Also, since the scale model of the comparative example was simplified, the estimation accuracy of the propagation characteristics might be low depending on the environment.

[0021] Therefore, the propagation model estimation system according to one embodiment is configured to be able to easily and accurately estimate the propagation model.

[0022] Hereinafter, a propagation model estimation system according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an overview of the configuration of a propagation model estimation system 1 according to one embodiment.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1, the propagation model estimation system 1 includes, for example, a selection unit 2, a modeling unit 3, a determination unit 4, a creation unit 5, and a propagation model estimation device 6.

[0024] The selection unit 2 selects an area to be estimated for the propagation model of radio waves and outputs it to the modeling unit 3 and the determination unit 4.

[0025] The modeling unit 3 models the radio wave reflection characteristics within the area selected by the selection unit 2 and outputs the modeled result to the determination unit 4.

[0026] The determination unit 4 determines the scale factor of the area selected by the selection unit 2, the frequency scale model based on the scale factor, and one or more materials based on the radio wave reflection characteristics modeled by the modeling unit 3 and the frequency scale model, and outputs the determined result to the creation unit 5.

[0027] Note that the scale ratio of the area is set with the upper limit being the size of the area scale model 7 (described later) created by the creation unit 5. Also, the frequency scale model is, for example, the reciprocal of the scale ratio of the area.

[0028] The creation unit 5 creates an area scale model 7 obtained by reducing the structure within the area selected by the selection unit 2 at the above-described scale ratio, using one or more materials determined by the determination unit 4 by means of a 3D printer (not shown).

[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the area scale model 7. The area scale model 7 is, for example, a miniature model of an area such as an urban area selected by the selection unit 2. Note that in FIG. 2, a state after a plurality of transmission stations 8 (equivalent to base stations) and reception stations 9 (equivalent to terminal stations), which will be described later, are arranged is shown.

[0030] Also, the area scale model 7 may be integrally configured, or as shown in FIG. 3, a part of the structure (such as a building or a structure) may be configured to move or change with respect to, for example, the floor.

[0031] Note that the creation unit 5 creates the area scale model 7 using point cloud data of the area selected by the selection unit 2, data such as a 3D map, etc. Also, the creation unit 5 creates the area scale model 7 by means of a 3D printer or the like, using, for example, building wall surface material information indicating materials such as the wall surfaces of buildings included in the area scale model 7.

[0032] The area scale model 7 may be made attachable with a reflective material that performs arbitrary reflection, or may be filled with substances having different reflectivities such as liquids inside or around the font range so that the radio wave reflection characteristics can be changed. Also, the area scale model 7 may be configured to be surrounded by a dark room or the like within a predetermined range to suppress unnecessary reflection.

[0033] In addition, the area scale model 7 sets a predetermined range (for example, near the center) as the effective area, and only the inside of the effective area may be used. This is because the accuracy of the end portion of the area scale model 7 may be low.

[0034] The propagation model estimation device 6 includes a placement unit 60, an environment adjustment unit 61, a measurement unit 62, an estimation unit 63, and a control unit 64, and includes the area scale model 7 created by the creation unit 5, a plurality of transmission stations 8 and a plurality of reception stations 9 arranged in the area scale model 7.

[0035] The placement unit 60 includes, for example, a robot arm (not shown), and places one or more transmission stations 8 that transmit radio waves based on the frequency scale model and one or more reception stations 9 that receive the radio waves transmitted by the transmission stations 8 while moving within the area scale model 7.

[0036] The environment adjustment unit 61 makes pseudo rain fall on the area scale model 7 or adjusts the humidity. For example, the environment adjustment unit 61 adjusts the environment by performing at least one of water droplet precipitation and humidity adjustment on the area scale model 7.

[0037] The measurement unit 62 measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the reception stations 9 moving within the area scale model 7, and outputs the measurement results to the estimation unit 63.

[0038] The estimation unit 63 estimates the radio wave propagation model based on the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the measurement unit 62. In addition, the estimation unit 63 may display the estimation result on a display device (not shown).

[0039] The control unit 64 controls each unit constituting the propagation model estimation device 6. For example, the control unit 64 may perform control so that a part of the structure within the area selected by the selection unit 2 moves or changes with respect to the area scale model 7.

[0040] The transmitting station 8 and the receiving station 9 may be provided with switches (not shown) for switching on / off the transmission or reception of radio waves, etc. respectively. In this case, the control unit 64 may control the switches for the transmitting station 8 and the receiving station 9 respectively to control the radio wave propagation status of each of the transmitting station 8 and the receiving station 9 arranged in the area scale model 7.

[0041] Note that the receiving station 9 is, for example, a terminal or the like that moves on the area scale model 7, but only the antenna may be arranged on the area scale model 7. Also, the transmitting station 8 may be configured by a drone or the like and may be provided to move.

[0042] Next, an operation example (and propagation model estimation method) of the propagation model estimation system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation example (and propagation model estimation method) of the propagation model estimation system 1.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, in the propagation model estimation system 1, the selection unit 2 selects an area to be the target for estimating the radio wave propagation model from an actual urban area or the like (S100).

[0044] The modeling unit 3 models the radio wave reflection characteristics in the area such as the urban area selected by the selection unit 2 (S102).

[0045] The determination unit 4 adjusts (determines) parameters such as the scale ratio, the material constituting the area scale model 7, and the frequency to be used (S104).

[0046] The creation unit 5 creates the area scale model 7 of the area selected by the selection unit 2 using one or more materials determined by the determination unit 4 by means of a 3D printer (not shown), etc. (S106).

[0047] In the propagation model estimation device 6, according to the control of the control unit 64, the placement unit 60 places one or more transmitting stations 8 and receiving stations 9 on the area scale model 7 respectively (S108).

[0048] The measurement unit 62 measures the propagation characteristics of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting station 8 on the area scale model 7 and received by the receiving station 9 (S110).

[0049] The estimation unit 63 estimates a radio wave propagation model based on the propagation characteristics of the radio wave measured by the measurement unit 62 (S112).

[0050] In this way, since the propagation model estimation system 1 measures the propagation characteristics of radio waves using the area scale model 7 created by the creation unit 5, it can easily and accurately estimate the propagation model. That is, the propagation model estimation system 1 can significantly shorten the creation time of the area scale model 7 compared to the creation time of the conventional scale model, and can improve the accuracy of estimating the propagation model by adaptively using a plurality of materials with different radio wave reflection characteristics.

[0051] Note that each part constituting the propagation model estimation system 1 may be partially or entirely configured by hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0052] For example, each part constituting the propagation model estimation system 1 can be realized using a computer and a program, and it is also possible to record the program on a storage medium or provide it through a network.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0053] 1... Propagation model estimation system, 2... Selection unit, 3... Modeling unit, 4... Decision unit, 5... Creation unit, 6... Propagation model estimation device, 7... Area scale model, 8... Transmitting station, 9... Receiving station, 60... Arrangement unit, 61... Environment adjustment unit, 62... Measurement unit, 63... Estimation unit, 64... Control unit

Claims

1. A selection unit that selects an area to be estimated for a radio wave propagation model, A modeling unit that models the radio wave reflection characteristics within the area selected by the selection unit, A determination unit that determines the scale ratio of the area selected by the selection unit, the frequency scale model based on the scale ratio, and one or more materials based on the radio wave reflection characteristics modeled by the modeling unit and the frequency scale model, A creation unit that creates an area scale model in which the structure within the area selected by the selection unit is reduced by the scale ratio, using the material by a 3D printer, An arrangement unit that arranges one or more transmission stations that transmit radio waves based on the frequency scale model and one or more reception stations that receive the radio waves transmitted by the transmission stations while moving within the area scale model, A measurement unit that measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the reception stations moving within the area scale model, An estimation unit that estimates a radio wave propagation model based on the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the measurement unit A propagation model estimation system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. Further comprising an environment adjustment unit that adjusts the environment by performing at least one of water droplet dropping and humidity adjustment on the area scale model The propagation model estimation system according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The area scale model is characterized in that a part of the structure within the area selected by the selection unit moves or changes The propagation model estimation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above.

4. The area scale model is characterized in that the radio wave reflection characteristics can be changed The propagation model estimation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by the above.

5. One or more receiving stations that receive radio waves while moving the radio waves transmitted by one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on a frequency scale model corresponding to the scale ratio of the area selected as the target for estimating the radio wave propagation model are arranged in an area scale model created with a predetermined material by a 3D printer by reducing the structure in the selected area by the scale ratio, a measuring unit that measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving within the area scale model, an estimating unit that estimates a radio wave propagation model based on the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the measuring unit A propagation model estimation device characterized by comprising:

6. a selection step of selecting an area to be the target for estimating the radio wave propagation model, a modeling step of modeling the radio wave reflection characteristics in the selected area, a determination step of determining the scale ratio of the selected area, the frequency scale model based on the scale ratio, and one or more materials based on the modeled radio wave reflection characteristics and the frequency scale model, a creation step of creating an area scale model in which the structure in the selected area is reduced by the scale ratio using the 3D printer with the material, an arrangement step of arranging one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on the frequency scale model and one or more receiving stations that receive the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting stations while moving within the area scale model, a measurement step of measuring the propagation characteristics of the radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving within the area scale model, an estimation step of estimating a radio wave propagation model based on the measured propagation characteristics of the radio waves A propagation model estimation method characterized by including:

7. a selection step of selecting an area to be the target for estimating the radio wave propagation model, a modeling step of modeling the radio wave reflection characteristics in the selected area, A determination step of determining a scale ratio of a selected area, a frequency scale model based on the scale ratio, and one or more materials based on the modeled radio wave reflection characteristics and the frequency scale model; A creation step of creating an area scale model in which the structure in the selected area is reduced at the scale ratio using the material by a 3D printer; A propagation model estimation method characterized by including the above.

8. One or more receiving stations that receive radio waves while moving radio waves transmitted by one or more transmitting stations that transmit radio waves based on a frequency scale model corresponding to the scale ratio of an area selected as an object for estimating a radio wave propagation model are arranged in an area scale model created with a predetermined material by a 3D printer by reducing the structure in the selected area at the scale ratio; A measurement step of measuring the propagation characteristics of radio waves received by each of the receiving stations moving in the area scale model; An estimation step of estimating a radio wave propagation model based on the measured propagation characteristics of radio waves; A propagation model estimation method characterized by including the above.

Images