Wireless communication device, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To increase the speed of initial access of radio communication.SOLUTION: A radio communication apparatus includes: first communication means which establishes radio communication based on a first communication standard using a multibeam antenna; and second communication means which establishes radio communication based on a second communication standard which is different from the first communication standard. The radio communication apparatus includes: transmission means which transmits, during a period in which the first communication means executes initial access operation, configuration information to be used in another device communicably connected via the second communication means, to the another device via the second communication means; receiving means which receives opposite device information obtained related to the initial access operation on the another device during the period in which the first communication means executes the initial access operation; and determination means which determines, based on the opposite device information and device information related to the initial access operation executed by the first communication means, device beam configuration to be used by the first communication means for the multibeam antenna of the device and opposite device beam configuration to be used by the another device for the multibeam antenna of the another device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to increasing the speed of initial access operations in wireless communication. [Background technology]

[0002] Currently, the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) is continuing to develop 5G, and studies have begun on Beyond 5G and 6G (B5G / 6G), which are more advanced versions of 5G. To achieve faster communications, B5G / 6G is also considering the use of the terahertz band, which is higher than the frequency band currently used for wireless communications. As an example, a "virtualized terminal" has been proposed that connects a user terminal and peripheral devices (such as wearable devices) in the terahertz band (Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] KDDI, "B5G / 6G White Paper 2.0.1 Edition," October 2021, pp. 43-45 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the terahertz band has the property that radio waves tend to travel in a highly directional manner and have large propagation losses, so it is expected that a high-gain, narrow-beam multi-beam antenna will be used for both transmission and reception. Establishing communication using a multi-beam antenna requires control to ensure that both transmission and reception are optimally tuned. For this reason, if existing wireless communication procedures (such as random access procedures) that assume an omnidirectional antenna are used for initial access in communication using a multi-beam antenna, it will take a long time to establish communication.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a technique for speeding up an initial access operation in wireless communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a wireless communication device according to the present invention has the following arrangement: It is configured to be able to selectively use one narrow beam from multiple narrow beams, each with a different directivity. Uses a multi-beam antenna and uses terahertz radio waves. a first communication means for performing wireless communication based on a first communication standard; a second communication means for performing wireless communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard; a transmitting means for transmitting, via the second communication means, to a counterpart device that is communicatively connected via the second communication means, setting information to be used in the counterpart device during a period in which the first communication means is executing an initial access operation; a receiving means for receiving counterpart device side information obtained in the counterpart device regarding the initial access operation during a period in which the first communication means executes the initial access operation; The partner device side information ,before The initial access operation The data obtained in the device itself regarding the initial access operation during the period in which the and determining a local side of the first communication means to be used by the local multi-beam antenna based on the local side information. Narrow Beam and a counterpart device side used by the counterpart device multi-beam antenna. Narrow Beam and a determining means for determining With death, The device itself and the other device are time-synchronized, the host device side information includes one or more records associating a narrow beam used in transmission by the host device's multi-beam antenna with time information when the initial access operation is performed, The counterpart device side information includes one or more records that associate a narrow beam used for reception in the counterpart device multi-beam antenna when the initial access operation is performed, time information, and reception power information. . [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for speeding up an initial access operation in wireless communication. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system including a UE and a PD. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of a UE and a PD. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a UE. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a PD. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when starting terahertz communication. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing data generated when terahertz communication is started. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 illustrates initial access via a random access procedure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] (First embodiment) As a first embodiment of a wireless communication device according to the present invention, a wireless communication device capable of communication based on two mutually different communication standards will be described below as an example.

[0011] <Overall system configuration> 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 including a user equipment (UE) 101 and a peripheral device (PD) 102. Here, it is assumed that the UE 101 is a smartphone and the PD 102 is a smart watch, which is a wearable terminal, but the present invention is not limited to these devices. As will be described in detail later, the UE 101 and the PD 102 are configured to be capable of Bluetooth (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred to as BT) communication and terahertz communication.

[0012] In terahertz communications, both UE 101 and PD 102 use multi-beam antennas with high gain and narrow beams (e.g., beam widths of less than 10°) for both transmission and reception. For example, an antenna for terahertz communications is configured to be able to switch directivity in multiple predetermined directions; in Figure 1, UE 101 uses narrow beams in 32 directions, and PD 102 uses narrow beams in 12 directions. For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed here that each device uses narrow beams with similar characteristics for transmission and reception.

[0013] When terahertz communication is performed between UE 101 and PD 102, each device selects a narrow beam in one direction for communication. In other words, to start data transmission and reception via terahertz communication, it is necessary to determine a beam pair (a pair of narrow beams used by UE 101 and PD 102) in the initial access operation.

[0014] On the other hand, in BT communication, an omnidirectional antenna is used, so that neither the UE 101 nor the PD 102 needs beam control for communication.

[0015] <Hardware configuration> 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the UE 101. Note that the hardware configuration related to communication is also common to the PD 102, so only the UE 101 will be described below.

[0016] In one example, the UE 101 includes a processor 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage device 204, a first communication circuit 205, and a second communication circuit 206. The processor 201 is a computer including one or more processing circuits such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and performs overall processing of the device and each of the processes described below by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 or the storage device 204.

[0017] The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores information such as programs and various parameters related to the processes executed by the UE 101. The RAM 203 functions as a workspace when the processor 201 executes a program and is a random access memory that stores temporary information. The storage device 204 is constituted by, for example, a detachable external storage device or the like.

[0018] The first communication circuit 205 is constituted by a circuit for wireless communication compliant with a first communication standard that requires beam control for establishing communication. Therefore, the first communication circuit 205 includes a circuit for beam control of a multi-beam antenna (not shown). In the following description, the terahertz communication standard under current consideration is taken as an example of the first communication standard for explanation, but any communication standard that requires beam control for the initial access operation can be applied.

[0019] The second communication circuit 206 is constituted by a circuit for wireless communication compliant with an arbitrary second communication standard. However, it is desirable that the communication standard is one in which communication is always established or communication can be established with a short initial access operation time (for example, beam control is not required for the initial access operation). In the following description, BT is taken as an example of the second communication standard for explanation, but for example, it is also possible to use a wireless LAN (IEEE802.11 series) standard or a wireless WAN (4G, 5G, etc.).

[0020] <Functional Configuration of UE101> FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the UE 101. As its functions, the UE 101 has, for example, a first communication control unit 301, a second communication control unit 302, a control unit 303, a storage unit 304, and a display unit 305. Note that in FIG. 3, only the functions particularly related to the present embodiment are shown, and illustration of other various functions that the UE 101 may have is omitted. For example, when the UE 101 is a smartphone, it naturally has various input functions (GPS receiver, camera, microphone) and various output functions (vibration, speaker, etc.).

[0021] 3 are shown only schematically, and each functional block may be realized as an integrated unit or may be further subdivided. Each function in FIG. 3 may be realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage device 204. Alternatively, each function may be realized, for example, by the processors present inside the first communication circuit 205 and the second communication circuit 206 executing predetermined software.

[0022] The first communication control unit 301 controls wireless communication via the first communication circuit 205. Specifically, wireless communication conforming to the first communication standard is performed according to instructions from the control unit 303. In particular, if communication has not been established with a counterpart device (here, PD 102), an initial access operation is performed to determine a beam ID to be used for communication with the counterpart device. The beam ID is an index corresponding to the beam direction. For example, beam IDs #1 to #32 are set for narrow beams in 32 directions of UE 101 as shown in FIG. 1. After the beam ID to be used for communication with the counterpart device is determined, data transmission and reception with the counterpart device is performed.

[0023] The second communication control unit 302 controls wireless communication via the second communication circuit 206. Specifically, wireless communication conforming to the second communication standard is executed in accordance with instructions from the control unit 303. As described above, an omnidirectional antenna is used in wireless communication via the second communication circuit 206, so beam control for communication is not required. Also, in BT communication, if pairing (registering the other device) has been performed in advance, data can be sent and received immediately if the other device (here, PD 102) is within the communication range.

[0024] The control unit 303 controls the operations of the first communication control unit 301 and the second communication control unit 302. Specifically, when receiving an instruction from the user to start terahertz communication with a counterpart device via the graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the display unit 302, it transmits setting information to the counterpart device via the second communication control unit 302 and instructs the first communication control unit 301 to start an initial access operation. The setting information is information used when the counterpart device performs an initial access operation for terahertz communication. Then, based on the information obtained by the initial access operation (results obtained by both the UE101 and the PD102), a beam pair (a pair of the beam ID used by the UE101 and the beam ID used by the counterpart device) is determined, and data transmission and reception by terahertz communication are started using the determined beam pair. Details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0025] The storage unit 304 stores various types of information when the control unit 303 controls the operations of the first communication control unit 301 and the second communication control unit 302. Details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The display unit 305 receives user input from the user and displays a GUI that provides various types of information to the user. For example, when the UE101 is a smartphone, it displays a GUI such as a specific application that uses terahertz communication or an application for communication settings.

[0026] <Functional Configuration of PD102> FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the PD 102. The PD 102 has, as its functions, for example, a first communication control unit 401, a second communication control unit 402, a control unit 403, and a storage unit 404. Note that FIG. 4 only shows functions particularly related to this embodiment, and various other functions that the PD 102 may have are not shown. For example, if the PD 102 is a smartwatch, it naturally has other functions such as various input functions (GPS receiver, biometric sensor) and various output functions (vibration, speaker, etc.). Note that, unlike the UE 101 (FIG. 3), a display unit is not shown in FIG. 4; however, this only implicitly indicates that a display unit is not essential for communication-related functions. In other words, it is natural that the PD 102 may have a display unit as a peripheral device (smartwatch).

[0027] 4 is a schematic diagram, and each functional block may be realized by being integrated or further subdivided. Each function in FIG. 4 may be realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage device 204. Alternatively, each function may be realized, for example, by the processors present inside the first communication circuit 205 and the second communication circuit 206 executing predetermined software.

[0028] The first communication control unit 401 controls wireless communication via the first communication circuit 205. Specifically, it executes wireless communication conforming to the first communication standard according to instructions from the control unit 403. In particular, it executes an initial access operation according to setting information received from the UE 101 via the second communication circuit 206, and stores the result in the storage unit 404. It also executes data transmission and reception with a partner device (here, the UE 101) via terahertz communication according to a beam ID received from the UE 101 via the second communication circuit 206. The beam ID is an index corresponding to the beam direction. For example, beam IDs #1 to #12 are set for the 12-directional narrow beams of the PD 102 as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] The second communication control unit 402 controls wireless communication via the second communication circuit 206. Specifically, wireless communication conforming to the second communication standard is executed in accordance with instructions from the control unit 403. As described above, an omnidirectional antenna is used in wireless communication via the second communication circuit 206, so beam control for communication is not required. Also, in BT communication, if pairing (registering the other device) has been performed in advance, data can be sent and received immediately if the other device (here, UE 101) is within the communication range.

[0030] The control unit 403 controls the operations of the first communication control unit 401 and the second communication control unit 402. Specifically, the control unit 403 causes the first communication control unit 401 to perform an initial access operation in accordance with setting information received from the UE 101 via the second communication circuit 206, and causes the first communication control unit 401 to store the result in the storage unit 404. The control unit 403 then transmits the result stored in the storage unit 404 to the UE 101 via the second communication circuit 206. The control unit 403 also causes the first communication control unit 401 to start transmitting and receiving data with a partner device via terahertz communication in accordance with the beam ID received from the UE 101 via the second communication circuit 206. Details will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0031] The storage unit 404 stores various information used when the control unit 403 controls the operations of the first communication control unit 401 and the second communication control unit 402. Details will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0032] <Device Operation> First, a case will be described in which a random access procedure used in existing wireless communications assuming an omnidirectional antenna is applied to an initial access operation for communications using a multi-beam antenna. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing operations when a random access procedure is used for initial access. As shown in the figure, for example, initial access operation is initiated by inputting a user instruction to both UE 701 and PD 702. However, since neither UE 701 nor PD 702 has information about the other device, each device performs beam sweeping (sequential switching of beam direction) at random timing as an autonomous operation. Then, both devices perform transmission operations using beam sweeping and reception operations using beam sweeping.

[0033] Therefore, beam sweeping is repeatedly attempted until a pair (beam pair) of the transmit (or receive) beam direction used by the UE 701 and the receive (or transmit) beam direction used by the PD 702 coincides with an appropriate combination. In particular, the greater the number of beam directions in a multi-beam antenna, the lower the probability of an appropriate combination occurring by chance, and the longer the initial access operation takes (for example, several minutes). Furthermore, if the initial access operation takes a long time, the relative positional relationship between the UE 701 and the PD 702 may change during that time (due to a change in the user's position and orientation, for example), and it may take even longer for the beam pair to coincide with an appropriate combination.

[0034] Next, an example of the flow of processing executed in the wireless communication system of the present invention will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an operation sequence when UE 101 and PD 102 start terahertz communication. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing data generated when terahertz communication starts. S502 to S508 correspond to the initial access operation, and S510 and after correspond to actual communication by terahertz communication. As will be described in detail later, S502 to S507 are executed repeatedly, and therefore this part will be referred to as the initial access loop below.

[0035] For simplicity of explanation, the following describes an example in which UE 101, which is capable of user input (GUI operation) that triggers the start of terahertz communication, starts processing. However, as described above, there is essentially no difference between UE 101 and PD 102 in terms of communication functions, and processing may be started by either device.

[0036] In step S501, BT pairing is performed between the UE 101 and the PD 102. As described above, once pairing is performed, data can be immediately transmitted and received via BT communication if the other device is within the communication range. In addition, control is performed to synchronize the time between the UE 101 and the PD 102. In addition, it is preferable that the UE 101 and the PD 102 acquire capability information related to terahertz communication from each other in the other device. In this embodiment, it is assumed that information related to the beam ID range of the other device is acquired. Information such as the frequency width available to each device may also be acquired.

[0037] In step S502, UE 101 determines the beam ID (BeamID@PD) to be used by PD 102 in the (current) initial access loop. As described above, in the example of Fig. 1, the range of beam IDs for PD 102 is #1 to #12, and UE 101 selects one beam ID from this range.

[0038] As described above, the initial access loop is repeatedly executed, but a different beam ID is determined for each beam used by PD 102. Here, an example is described in which the beams in the 12 directions shown in Fig. 1 are selected and determined in order from top to bottom, but the beam ID used by PD 102 may be determined by other determination methods.

[0039] In step S503, the UE 101 notifies the PD 102 of the beam ID determined in S502 via BT communication. In step S504, the PD 102 sets the beam ID notified via BT communication in the first communication control unit 401.

[0040] In step S505, the UE 101 controls the first communication control unit 301 to perform beam sweeping. In step S506, the PD controls the first communication control unit 401 to record the reception status of the beam sweeping performed by the UE .

[0041] Specifically, UE 101 transmits signals while sequentially changing the beam ID (BeamID@UE) it uses (#1 to #32). It also records time information (timestamp) when it changes to each beam ID. Recording table 601 in FIG. 6 is a table (own device information) containing N records generated in storage unit 304 at this time. PD 102, on the other hand, records the received power (RSSI, etc.) of the signal transmitted from UE 101 along with time information (timestamp) while keeping the beam ID fixed to the one set in S504. Recording table 602 in FIG. 6 is a table (counter device information) generated in storage unit 404 at this time. Note that PD 102 may not be able to receive signals of all beam IDs (BeamID@UE) of UE 101, and therefore recording table 602 is a table containing M or fewer records.

[0042] In step S507, the PD 102 transmits the record table 602 created in the storage unit 404 to the UE 101 via BT communication.

[0043] In the above-mentioned initial access loop (S502 to S507), PD 102 sequentially changes the beam ID used for reception and sequentially transmits the recording results (recording table 602) to UE 101. As a result, UE 101 obtains recording table 602 and recording table 602 for the beam IDs of all 12 directions of PD 102.

[0044] In step S508, UE 101 generates table 603 from the obtained set of 24 (= 12 × 2) recording tables. Table 603 is a table that combines 24 recording tables based on time information (timestamp). Therefore, table 603 includes all combinations of UE 101's beam ID (BeamID@UE) and PD 102's beam ID (BeamID@PD) (excluding combinations that are not received at all). Therefore, UE 101 refers to table 603 and determines the beam pair (pair of UE 101's beam ID and PD 102's beam ID) with the best reception condition (for example, the highest reception power).

[0045] In step S509, UE 101 notifies PD 102 via BT communication of the beam ID (BeamID@PD; beam setting on the other device side) determined in S508. In step S510, UE 101 sets the beam ID (BeamID@UE; beam setting on the own device side) determined in S508 in the first communication control unit 301. In addition, in step S511, PD 102 sets the beam ID notified via BT communication in the first communication control unit 401. Thereafter, in step S512, data transmission and reception by terahertz communication is started between UE 101 and PD 102.

[0046] By going through this procedure, it is possible to determine the beam pair with the best reception condition. In particular, while UE 101 is performing beam sweeping, PD 102 waits for signals in one fixed beam direction and records the reception state. Therefore, depending on the accuracy of time synchronization, it is possible to perform beam sweeping of UE 101 at a very high speed (for example, several milliseconds / beam ID). Therefore, even if the initial access loop is repeated as many times as the number of beam IDs in PD 102, it is possible to significantly reduce the time for the initial access operation (for example, on the order of several seconds to several tens of seconds) compared to when a random access procedure is used. Note that the beam sweeping speed may be determined by calculating backward from the allowable time for the initial access operation.

[0047] In the above description, the sequence of Fig. 5 is executed when a user input (GUI operation) that triggers the start of terahertz communication is made, but it may be executed at other times. For example, the sequence of Fig. 5 may be executed in advance, triggered by an arbitrary operation by the user on UE 101. Furthermore, if a communication interruption occurs in terahertz communication (due to a change in the user's position and posture, for example) while data is being transmitted or received via terahertz communication, the sequence of Fig. 5 may be executed again.

[0048] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the initial access operation by the first communication unit (terahertz communication) using a multi-beam antenna with narrow beams is controlled via communication by the second communication unit different from the first communication unit, thereby making it possible to reduce the time required for the initial access operation by the first communication unit.

[0049] (Variation) In the first embodiment described above, the reception status is detected for all combinations of beam directions (beam IDs) of UE 101 and PD 102. However, the reception status may be detected by thinning out the beam directions (beam IDs) for at least one of UE 101 and PD 102. For example, UE 101 may perform beam sweeping at intervals of five beam IDs (#1 → #6 → #11...). In this case, the time required for one beam sweep (S505) can be reduced to approximately one-fifth.

[0050] Also, PD 102 may perform beam sweep reception using, for example, three predetermined beam IDs. For example, in S501, PD 102 reports to UE 101 that it has three beam IDs. In this case, the number of repetitions of the initial access loop (S502 to S507) executed by UE 101 is reduced to three, making it possible to further shorten the time required for the entire initial access operation.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the initial access loop (S502 to S507) is repeated the number of times corresponding to the number of beam IDs of PD 102, and then a beam pair is determined (S508). However, a configuration may be adopted in which a beam pair is determined each time an initial access loop is completed. In this case, for example, the initial access loop may be terminated when a beam pair having an RSSI value equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is detected, and the operation may proceed to S509 and subsequent steps.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which UE 101 transmits beam sweeps and PD 102 receives the beam sweeps in the initial access loop. However, a configuration may be adopted in which UE 101 receives beam sweeps and PD 102 transmits beam sweeps in the initial access loop. In this case, in S501, UE 101 determines and uses a beam ID (BeamID@UE) to be used by itself. Then, a table equivalent to recording table 602 is generated in UE 101, and a table equivalent to recording table 601 is generated in PD 102. Therefore, a configuration may be adopted in which PD 102 determines a beam pair (S508), or a configuration may be adopted in which information generated by PD 102 (equivalent to recording table 601) is transmitted to UE 101, and UE 101 determines a beam pair (S508).

[0053] This invention enables faster initial access operations in wireless communications, which can contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0054] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 101 User equipment (UE); 102 Peripheral device (PD); 301 First communication control unit; 302 Second communication control unit; 303 Control unit; 304 Storage unit; 305 Display unit

Claims

1. A first communication means for performing wireless communication based on a first communication standard using radio waves in the terahertz band by utilizing a multi-beam antenna configured to selectively use one narrow beam from among multiple narrow beams each having a different directivity; a second communication means for performing wireless communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard; a transmitting means for transmitting, via the second communication means, to a counterpart device that is communicatively connected via the second communication means, setting information to be used in the counterpart device during a period in which the first communication means is executing an initial access operation; a receiving means for receiving counterpart device side information obtained in the counterpart device regarding the initial access operation during a period in which the first communication means executes the initial access operation; a determination means for determining a narrow beam on the local device side to be used by the first communication means in its local device multi-beam antenna and a narrow beam on the remote device side to be used by the remote device multi-beam antenna, based on the remote device side information and the local device side information obtained by the local device regarding the initial access operation during the period in which the initial access operation is performed; and The device itself and the other device are time-synchronized, the host device side information includes one or more records associating a narrow beam used in transmission by the host device's multi-beam antenna with time information when the initial access operation is performed, The counterpart device side information includes one or more records associating a narrow beam used for reception in the counterpart device multi-beam antenna when the initial access operation is executed, time information, and reception power information. A wireless communication device comprising:

2. The determining means combines the record included in the local device information and the record included in the remote device information based on the time information, and determines the local device narrow beam and the remote device narrow beam based on the combination of narrow beams that maximizes the received power information.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

3. the second communication standard is the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, The wireless communication device and the other device are paired, The wireless communication device and the partner device are time-synchronized during the pairing.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

4. The wireless communication device acquires, from the other device during the pairing, information regarding the number of narrow beams available in the other device's multi-beam antenna.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 3.

5. The multi-beam antenna of the device itself can use M (M is a positive integer) different narrow beams, The first communication means performs beam sweeping by sequentially switching among m (m is a positive integer between 1 and M) different narrow beams in the initial access operation.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

6. The multi-beam antenna of the remote device can use N different narrow beams (N is a positive integer), The first communication means performs the beam sweep for each of n (n is a positive integer between 1 and N) different narrow beams in the multi-beam antenna of the remote device.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 5.

7. The first communication means determines a switching speed of the narrow beam in the beam sweep depending on the accuracy of time synchronization between the wireless communication device and the counterpart device.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 5.

8. A method for controlling a wireless communication device having a first communication means for performing wireless communication based on a first communication standard using radio waves in the terahertz band by utilizing a multi-beam antenna configured to selectively use one narrow beam from among a plurality of narrow beams each having a different directivity, and a second communication means for performing wireless communication based on a second communication standard different from the first communication standard, a transmitting step of transmitting, via the second communication means, setting information to be used in a counterpart device that is communicatively connected via the second communication means during a period in which the first communication means is performing an initial access operation; a receiving step of receiving, at the other device, information on the other device side obtained in relation to the initial access operation during a period in which the first communication means executes the initial access operation; a determination step of determining a narrow beam on the local device side to be used by the first communication means in its local device multi-beam antenna and a narrow beam on the remote device side to be used by the remote device multi-beam antenna, based on the remote device side information and the local device side information obtained by the local device regarding the initial access operation during the period in which the initial access operation is performed; Including, The device itself and the other device are time-synchronized, the host device side information includes one or more records associating a narrow beam used in transmission by the host device's multi-beam antenna with time information when the initial access operation is performed, The counterpart device side information includes one or more records associating a narrow beam used for reception in the counterpart device multi-beam antenna when the initial access operation is executed, time information, and reception power information. A control method comprising:

9. A program for causing a computer connected to a first communication unit that performs wireless communication based on the first communication standard and a second communication unit that performs wireless communication based on the second communication standard to execute the control method described in claim 8.

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