Radio wave control system, control device, radio wave control method, and program

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a radio wave control system capable of beamforming a plurality of signals having different frequencies with a simple configuration. A radio wave control system according to the present disclosure comprises: a transmitting device (10) for transmitting a first signal of a first frequency and a second signal of a second frequency; a reflecting plate (20) that reflects or transmits the first signal and the second signal in the periodically arranged antenna elements and beamforms the first signal and the second signal in different directions; and a control device (30) for controlling the beamforming direction of the first signal and the second signal by electrically controlling the antenna elements to control the phases of the first signal and the second signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a radio wave control system, a control device, a radio wave control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the communication area of ​​5G (5th Generation), a wireless communication standard defined by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), has been expanding. Generally, 5G uses higher frequency bands than 4G (4th Generation). Therefore, the 5G wireless communication area formed by a base station is smaller than that of 4G. This requires the installation of many base stations to expand the 5G wireless communication area, which increases the installation costs for telecommunications carriers. Furthermore, the need to install many base stations limits the installation locations when multiple telecommunications carriers install their own base stations separately. Therefore, RAN (Radio Access Network) infrastructure sharing, in which base stations forming 5G communication areas are shared and used by multiple telecommunications carriers, is being considered.

[0003] In RAN infrastructure shared by multiple telecommunications carriers, beamforming enables each carrier to transmit radio waves in different directions, enabling the creation of an appropriate communication area for each carrier.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of a multi-beam antenna in which multiple antenna elements are divided into sub-units, each of which transmits radio waves in a different direction. The multi-beam antenna in Patent Document 1 distributes signals to each sub-unit using a distributor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 126522 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses the configuration of a multi-beam antenna that transmits signals of a specific frequency in any direction. Here, when multiple telecommunications carriers share a multi-beam antenna, it is necessary to perform beamforming of multiple signals having different frequencies for each telecommunications carrier. However, when performing beamforming of multiple signals having different frequencies with the multi-beam antenna disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to prepare distributors, power amplifiers, etc. for the number of frequencies, and the number of phase shifters also increases according to the number of frequencies. This poses a problem of increased device complexity.

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems, one of the objects of the present disclosure is to provide a radio wave control system, a control device, a radio wave control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that enable beamforming of multiple signals having different frequencies with a simple configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A radio wave control system according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a transmitting means for transmitting a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency, a reflector for reflecting or transmitting the first signal and the second signal at periodically arranged antenna elements to beamform the first signal and the second signal in different directions, and a control means for electrically controlling the antenna elements to control the phases of the first signal and the second signal, thereby controlling the direction in which the first signal and the second signal are beamformed.

[0009] A control device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a management means for managing the frequency and phase adjustment amount of a signal, and a control means for extracting from the management means the phase adjustment amount of a first signal of a first frequency transmitted from a transmitting device to a reflector, and controlling the phase of the first signal reflected or transmitted by or transmitted through the reflector based on the phase adjustment amount, thereby controlling the direction in which the first signal and a second signal of a second frequency are beamformed.

[0010] A radio wave control method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure determines the phases of a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency transmitted from a transmitting device to a reflector, and electrically controls periodically arranged antenna elements to achieve the determined phases of the first signal and the second signal, thereby beamforming the first signal in a specific direction and beamforming the second signal in a direction different from that of the first signal.

[0011] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following steps: determine the phases of a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency transmitted from a transmitting device to a reflector; electrically control periodically arranged antenna elements so that the phases of the first signal and the second signal are as determined; beamform the first signal in a specific direction; and beamform the second signal in a direction different from that of the first signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The present disclosure can provide a radio wave control system, a control device, a radio wave control method, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that enable beamforming of multiple signals having different frequencies with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a radio wave control system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]4 is a flowchart illustrating a radio wave control method executed in the control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transmitting device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a radio wave control system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a radio wave control system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a radio wave control system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 8] 2A and 2B are configuration diagrams of a control device and a transmission device according to respective embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An example of the configuration of a radio wave control system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The radio wave control system of Fig. 1 includes a transmitting device 10, a reflector 20, and a control device 30. The transmitting device 10 and the control device 30 may be computer devices that operate when a processor executes a program stored in a memory.

[0015] The transmitting device 10 transmits a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency. Specifically, the transmitting device 10 transmits the first signal using radio waves at the first frequency and transmits the second signal using radio waves at the second frequency. The transmitting device 10 is a device used as a transmitting means for transmitting signals. The first frequency and the second frequency may be, for example, frequencies included in a range used for mobile communications. The first frequency may be, for example, a center frequency included in a certain frequency band. The second frequency may also be a center frequency included in a certain frequency band. Furthermore, the first frequency and the second frequency may be different center frequencies in the same frequency band. Alternatively, the first frequency may be included in a frequency band different from the frequency band including the second frequency.

[0016] The dotted arrows in Fig. 1 indicate signals or radio waves carrying signals. Although Fig. 1 shows that the signals or radio waves are transmitted in a straight line, in reality, the signals or radio waves are incident on the entire reflector 20 or on a partial area of ​​the reflector 20.

[0017] The transmitting device 10 may transmit the first signal and the second signal at substantially the same timing, or may transmit the second signal at a timing different from the timing at which the first signal is transmitted.

[0018] The reflector 20 reflects or transmits the first signal and the second signal at the periodically arranged antenna elements 22. In Fig. 1, the reflector 20 is shown to have a plurality of antenna elements 22. Furthermore, the reflector 20 beamforms the first signal in a certain direction and beamforms the second signal in a direction different from the first signal.

[0019] The reflector 20 may be, for example, a metasurface reflector that uses metasurface technology. For example, the reflector 20 may be a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) reflector.

[0020] The antenna element 22 is disposed on the surface of the reflector 20. The antenna element 22 is an element that can realize any permittivity and permeability. The antenna element 22 is a structure that is sufficiently small compared to the wavelength of radio waves, and may be, for example, a patch antenna. Furthermore, whether the reflector 20 operates as a reflector that reflects radio waves or as a reflector that transmits radio waves may be determined depending on the material used for the antenna element 22. Alternatively, whether the reflector 20 operates as a reflector that reflects radio waves or as a reflector that transmits radio waves may be controlled by overlaying a glass substrate on the antenna element and adjusting the distance between the glass substrate and the antenna element.

[0021] Beamforming is a state in which radio waves reflected by or transmitted through multiple antenna elements 22 overlap, causing the radio waves to have directivity in a specific direction. In other words, radio waves having directivity in a specific direction are a state in which a composite wave of radio waves reflected by or transmitted through multiple antenna elements 22 forms a beam. Reflector 20 transmits or reflects radio waves so that the direction of directivity of the radio waves propagating a first signal differs from the direction of directivity of the radio waves propagating a second signal.

[0022] The control device 30 electrically controls the plurality of antenna elements 22 to control the phases of the first and second signals, thereby controlling the direction in which the first and second signals are beamformed. Controlling the phases of the signals may mean changing the phases of the signals or switching the phases of the signals.

[0023] For example, the control device 30 may switch the phase of the reflected or transmitted radio waves by controlling a variable resonant circuit incorporated in the reflector 20. Alternatively, when a plurality of materials with different reflection phases are arranged on the surface of the reflector 20, the control device 30 may switch the phase of the reflected or transmitted radio waves by switching the material used for the antenna element 22. Alternatively, a liquid crystal layer may be provided on the surface of the reflector 20, and the control device 30 may change the voltage applied to the reflector 20 to control the dielectric constant and switch the phase of the reflected or transmitted radio waves. A liquid crystal layer may be provided for each reflecting element.

[0024] The control device 30 controls the phase of radio waves reflected by or transmitted through the multiple antenna elements 22 so that they become a beam with directivity in a specific direction. For example, the control device 30 controls the phase of radio waves propagating a first signal so that they become a beam with directivity in a first direction. Here, radio waves of a second frequency propagating a second signal are incident on the reflector 20, which has been controlled to propagate the first signal with a first frequency into a beam with directivity in the first direction. At this time, the radio waves propagating the second signal have a different frequency and phase from the radio waves of the first signal, and are therefore reflected by or transmitted through the reflector 20 as a beam with directivity in a direction different from the first direction.

[0025] In other words, the control device 30 controls the reflector 20 so that the amount of phase rotation of the radio waves of the first frequency reflected by or passing through the reflector 20 becomes a specific value. Because the amount of phase rotation differs depending on the frequency, the amount of phase rotation of the radio waves of the second frequency reflected by or passing through the reflector 20 differs from the amount of phase rotation of the radio waves of the first frequency. As a result, the radio waves of the second frequency are reflected by or pass through the reflector 20 as a beam having directivity in a different direction from the radio waves of the first frequency reflected by or passing through the reflector 20.

[0026] Next, a radio wave control method executed by the control device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. First, the control device 30 determines the phase of a first signal of a first frequency transmitted from the transmitting device 10 to the reflector 20 (S11). Next, the phase of the second signal is determined in accordance with the determination of the phase of the first signal (S12). Next, the control device 30 electrically controls the antenna elements 22 periodically arranged on the reflector 20 so that the first signal and the second signal have the determined phases (S13). In this way, the control device 30 beamforms the first signal in a specific direction and beamforms the second signal in a direction different from that of the first signal.

[0027] Next, a configuration example of the transmitting device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The transmitting device 10 has a signal generating unit 12, a power amplifier 14, and an antenna 16. The signal generating unit 12 may be software or a module that performs processing by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the signal generating unit 12 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

[0028] The signal generating unit 12 generates a signal by modulating a carrier wave of a specific frequency with transmission data, for example. The carrier wave of a specific frequency may be a carrier wave having a specific center frequency. For example, the signal generating unit 12 generates multiple signals having different frequencies by changing the frequency of the carrier wave. The frequency of the carrier wave may be the center frequency of the carrier wave. For example, the signal generating unit 12 may generate a signal for each frequency used by a telecommunications carrier.

[0029] The power amplifier 14 may be a wideband power amplifier that amplifies a plurality of signals having different frequencies generated in the signal generating unit 12. As the wideband power amplifier, for example, a TWTA (Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier) ​​may be used, or other amplifiers that support a wide range of frequencies from several GHz to several tens of GHz may be used.

[0030] The antenna 16 transmits a signal amplified by the power amplifier 14. The signal transmitted from the antenna 16 is reflected by or transmitted through a reflector 20. The antenna 16 transmits a plurality of signals having different frequencies that are amplified by the power amplifier 14. A different antenna element may be used for each frequency in the antenna 16, or an antenna element capable of transmitting a plurality of signals having different frequencies may be used. FIG. 3 shows that signals of frequencies f1, f2, and f3 are transmitted from the antenna 16. The signals of frequencies f1, f2, and f3 may be signals having center frequencies f1, f2, and f3.

[0031] Next, a configuration example of the control device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The control device 30 has a management unit 32 and a phase control unit 34. The management unit 32 and the phase control unit 34 may be software or modules that are executed by a processor executing a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the management unit 32 and the phase control unit 34 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

[0032] The management unit 32 manages information related to the amount of phase adjustment. The amount of phase adjustment may be, for example, the phase value of the reflected or transmitted radio wave. The amount of phase adjustment may be managed, for example, as the amount of phase rotation. The amount of phase rotation may be, for example, the angle between the reflecting surface of the reflector 20 and the direction of the beam formed by the reflected or transmitted signal. The amount of phase adjustment may be managed for each frequency. For example, a phase rotation amount R1 may be associated with a frequency f1.

[0033] The phase control unit 34 controls the antenna elements arranged on the reflector 20 so as to achieve the phase adjustment amount extracted from the management unit 32. For example, the phase control unit 34 may determine a voltage value according to the phase adjustment amount. Alternatively, the phase control unit 34 may send a signal to the reflector 20 instructing switching to a material for the antenna elements that achieves the extracted phase adjustment amount.

[0034] Here, the phase rotation amount determined for each frequency will be explained. The phase control unit 34 extracts the phase rotation amount R1 associated with frequency f1 from the management unit 32. In this case, the phase control unit 34 controls the antenna element 22 so that the phase rotation amount of the signal of frequency f1 incident on the reflector 20 becomes R1. In this case, if f1=28 [GHz], the wavelength λ1 of the signal of frequency f1 is calculated as λ1=c / f1, where c is the speed of radio waves and is a value of 300,000 kilometers per second. In this case, λ1 is calculated as 10.714 [m]. If the phase rotation amount R1 is 45 [deg], the wavelength is calculated as λ1_1=λ1×(45 / 360)=1.339 [m].

[0035] Here, when the phase control unit 34 controls the antenna element 22 so that the phase rotation amount of the signal of frequency f1 incident on the reflector 20 is R1, the phase rotation amount R2 of the signal of frequency f2 incident on the reflector 20 is calculated. The speed of radio waves is the same for signals of frequencies f1 and f2. Therefore, just like the signal of frequency f1, the phase rotation amount R2 for the wavelength λ2 when the signal of frequency f2 travels a distance λ1_1 is calculated. Here, if frequency f2 = 29 [GHz], the wavelength λ2 of the signal of frequency f2 is calculated as λ2 = c / f2 = 10.345 [m]. From the phase rotation amount R2 = λ1_1 / λ2, the phase rotation amount R2 = 46.607 [deg] is calculated.

[0036] As a result, when antenna element 22 is controlled so that the phase rotation amount R1 of the signal with frequency f1=28 [GHz] incident on reflector 20 is 45 [deg], the phase rotation amount R2 of the signal with frequency f2 is also automatically determined. Specifically, the phase rotation amount R2 of the signal with frequency f2=29 [GHz] incident on reflector 20 is 46.607 [deg].

[0037] That is, a signal with frequency f1=28 [GHz] is beamformed in a direction of 45 [deg] relative to the reflector 20, and a signal with frequency f2=29 [GHz] is beamformed in a direction of 46.607 [deg] relative to the reflector 20.

[0038] As described above, the radio wave control system according to the first embodiment can form multiple beams with directivities in different directions by transmitting or reflecting multiple signals with different frequencies transmitted from the transmitting device 10 at the reflector 20. In this case, the transmitting device 10 only needs to be configured to transmit multiple signals with different frequencies. Furthermore, by using the reflector 20 to form multiple beams with directivities in different directions, it is possible to prevent the configuration of the radio wave control system that forms multiple beams from becoming complicated.

[0039] Furthermore, the power amplifier 14 in the transmitting device 10 in the first embodiment may be replaced with an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), and the transmitting device 10 may be used as a receiving device. In this case, the receiving device receives a plurality of signals having different frequencies and demodulates each of the signals.

[0040] (Embodiment 2) Next, an example configuration of a radio wave control system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 shows that sub-reflectors 41, 42, and 43 are added to the radio wave control system of Fig. 1. Sub-reflectors 41, 42, and 43 have antenna elements periodically arranged thereon, similar to reflector 20. Control device 30 is connected to reflector 20, sub-reflector 41, sub-reflector 42, and sub-reflector 43, and electrically controls the antenna elements arranged in each device.

[0041] Here, a case will be described in which the transmitting device 10 transmits a signal of frequency f1 (hereinafter referred to as f1 signal), a signal of frequency f2 (hereinafter referred to as f2 signal), and a signal of frequency f3 (hereinafter referred to as f3 signal). f1, f2, and f3 are each assumed to have different values. In other words, the f1 signal, f2 signal, and f3 signal are each assumed to be signals of different frequencies.

[0042] When an f1 signal is incident on the reflector 20, the control device 30 controls the multiple antenna elements 22 arranged on the reflector 20 so that the amount of phase rotation of the f1 signal passing through the reflector 20 is R1. In other words, the control device 30 causes the f1 signal to be beamformed in the direction of R1 relative to the reflector 20. Once the direction in which the f1 signal is beamformed is determined, the directions in which the f2 and f3 signals incident on the reflector 20 are beamformed are also determined.

[0043] The f1 signal that has passed through reflector 20 is incident on sub-reflector 41. The f2 signal that has passed through reflector 20 is incident on sub-reflector 42. The f3 signal that has passed through reflector 20 is incident on sub-reflector 43. In other words, sub-reflector 41 is arranged in the traveling direction of the f1 signal, sub-reflector 42 is arranged in the traveling direction of the f2 signal, and sub-reflector 43 is arranged in the traveling direction of the f3 signal.

[0044] Furthermore, subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 are arranged at positions where, of the f1, f2, and f3 signals, only the f1 signal is incident on subreflector 41, only the f2 signal is incident on subreflector 42, and only the f3 signal is incident on subreflector 43. In other words, subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 are arranged at positions away from reflector 20 by a distance L so that they do not overlap. For example, subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 are assumed to be squares with sides of 15 cm or rectangles with long sides of 15 cm. In this case, subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 must be arranged at positions away from reflector 20 by a distance L so that the distance between their center points is 15 cm or more. When the subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 are arranged on the same plane, the distances from the reflector 20 to the subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 are different, but here, the distance from the reflector 20 to each subreflector is considered to be distance L. Also, the distance from the reflector 20 to each subreflector is considered to be the distance from the reflector 20 to the center of each subreflector.

[0045] For example, if the phase rotation amount R1 of the f1 signal at reflector 20 is 60 degrees, the phase rotation amount R2 of the f2 signal at reflector 20 is calculated to be 62.143 degrees. In this case, the distance d between the center points of subreflectors 41 and 42 and the distance L satisfy the equation d = L × ΔR. ΔR is expressed as ΔR = (R2 - R1) × π / 180. If d = 0.15 m, R2 = 62.143 degrees, and R1 = 60 degrees, then L = 4 m. In other words, when the phase rotation amount R1 of the f1 signal is controlled to be 60 degrees, subreflectors 41 and 42, which are square or rectangular with sides measuring 15 cm, must be positioned 4 m away from reflector 20.

[0046] Furthermore, in order to clearly show the directivity of each of the f1 signal, f2 signal, and f3 signal, each sub-reflector must be placed in an area where the f1 signal, f2 signal, and f3 signal that have passed through the reflector 20 are in the far field. The far field is the distance at which the composite wave of each signal that has passed through the antenna element 22 forms a beam. On the other hand, if the distance between the reflector 20 and each sub-reflector is too close, the peaks of the amplitude of each signal do not overlap sufficiently, and a beam is not formed. The distance at which the far field occurs is 2πλ when the size D of the reflector 20 is negligibly small, and the distance at which the far field occurs increases in proportion to the wavelength λ. On the other hand, if the size D of the reflector 20 cannot be ignored, the distance at which the far field occurs is 2×D 2 / λ, and since the size D of the reflector 20 is fixed, the longer the wavelength, the shorter the distance that becomes the far field. The case where the size D of the reflector 20 cannot be ignored is when the size D of the reflector 20 is equal to or greater than the wavelength.

[0047] The control device 30 electrically controls multiple antenna elements arranged on the subreflector 41 to control the phase of the f1 signal that passes through the subreflector 41. By controlling the phase of the f1 signal, the control device 30 beamforms the f1 signal in any direction. Furthermore, the control device 30 electrically controls multiple antenna elements arranged on the subreflector 42 to control the phase of the f2 signal that passes through the subreflector 42. Furthermore, the control device 30 electrically controls multiple antenna elements arranged on the subreflector 43 to control the phase of the f3 signal that passes through the subreflector 43.

[0048] As described above, the control device 30 electrically controls the subreflectors 41, 42, and 43 in addition to the reflector 20 to control the phase of the signals incident on each subreflector. When performing phase control on the reflector 20 onto which multiple signals having different frequencies are incident, the control device 30 controls, for example, the f1 signal to be beamformed in a specific direction. At this time, the beamforming direction of the f2 and f3 signals is automatically determined by determining the beamforming of the f1 signal. Therefore, the control device 30 cannot set the beamforming direction of the multiple signals to any direction simply by performing phase control on the reflector 20 onto which multiple signals having different frequencies are incident.

[0049] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a subreflector 41 onto which the f1 signal is incident, a subreflector 42 onto which the f2 signal is incident, and a subreflector 43 onto which the f3 signal is incident are disposed at positions away from the reflector 20. The control device 30 can beamform the f1 signal, the f2 signal, and the f3 signal in any direction by independently controlling the subreflector 41, the subreflector 42, and the subreflector 43. The control device that controls the reflector 20 may be a different device from the control device that controls the subreflectors 41-43. The subreflectors 41-43 may be controlled by the same control device, or may be controlled by different control devices. Similarly, in other embodiments, the control device 30 may control the reflector and the subreflector, and the control device that controls the reflector may be different from the control device that controls the subreflector. Furthermore, when there are multiple reflectors, each reflector may be controlled by a different control device. When there are multiple subreflectors, each subreflector may be controlled by a different control device.

[0050] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the reflector 20 and the sub-reflectors 41 to 43 are shown as transmissive reflectors, but the radio wave control system may be configured using reflective reflectors.

[0051] 5 may constitute one base station. In this case, if the length of the distance L makes it impossible to install the reflector 20 and the sub-reflectors 41 to 43 horizontally to the ground, the reflector 20 and the sub-reflectors 41 to 43 may be installed vertically to the ground.

[0052] (Embodiment 3) Next, an example configuration of a radio wave control system according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 shows that sub-reflectors 51, 52, and 53 are added to the radio wave control system of Fig. 5. Sub-reflectors 51, 52, and 53 have antenna elements periodically arranged thereon, similar to reflector 20. Control device 30 is connected to reflector 20, sub-reflector 41, sub-reflector 42, sub-reflector 43, sub-reflector 51, sub-reflector 52, and sub-reflector 53, and electrically controls the antenna elements arranged in each device.

[0053] In FIG. 5, the beamforming direction of the f1 signal transmitted through the reflector 20 is determined, and the beamforming directions of the f2 and f3 signals are also determined at the same time, and thereafter the beamforming of each signal is fixed.

[0054] On the other hand, in Fig. 6, the control device 30 electrically controls the antenna elements arranged on the reflector 20 to change the beamforming direction of the f1 signal passing through the reflector 20. In Fig. 6, the f1 signal whose beamforming direction has been changed is represented as the f1' signal. Furthermore, by changing the beamforming direction of the f1 signal, the beamforming directions of the f2 signal and the f3 signal also change. The f2 signal and the f3 signal whose beamforming direction has been changed are represented as the f2' signal and the f3' signal.

[0055] The f1' signal is incident on subreflector 51, the f2' signal is incident on subreflector 52, and the f3' signal is incident on subreflector 53. Furthermore, subreflectors 51, 52, and 53 are arranged at positions where, of the f1', f2', and f3' signals, only the f1' signal is incident on subreflector 51, only the f2' signal is incident on subreflector 52, and only the f3' signal is incident on subreflector 53. The relationship of the distance between reflector 20 and subreflectors 51 to 53 is the same as the relationship of the distance between reflector 20 and subreflectors 41 to 43. The locations where subreflectors 51, 52, and 53 are arranged are determined in the same manner as the procedure for determining the locations of subreflectors 41, 42, and 43.

[0056] As described above, the radio wave control system of Fig. 6 changes the direction in which the signal passing through the reflector 20 is beamformed. This makes it possible to beamform the signal over a wider range compared to when the direction in which the signal passing through the reflector 20 is beamformed is fixed.

[0057] (Fourth embodiment) Next, an example configuration of a radio wave control system according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The radio wave control system of Fig. 7 is obtained by adding a reflector 61, a sub-reflector 71, a sub-reflector 72, and a sub-reflector 73 to the radio wave control system of Fig. 6. Similar to reflector 20, antenna elements are periodically arranged on reflector 61, sub-reflector 71, sub-reflector 72, and sub-reflector 73. Control device 30 is connected to reflector 61, sub-reflector 71, sub-reflector 72, and sub-reflector 73 in addition to the reflector and sub-reflector shown in Fig. 6, and electrically controls the antenna elements arranged on each device.

[0058] FIG. 7 shows that the control device 30 electrically controls the antenna elements arranged on the reflector 20 to beamform the f1 signal that passes through the reflector 20 to the subreflectors 41 to 43 and the subreflectors 51 to 53 as well as to the reflector 61. The f1 signal, f2 signal, and f3 signal that are beamformed toward the reflector 61 are referred to as the f1″ signal, the f2″ signal, and the f3″ signal. The f1″ signal, the f2″ signal, and the f3″ signal are incident on the reflector 61. In other words, the f1″ signal, the f2″ signal, and the f3″ signal are not incident on different reflectors, but are incident on a single reflector. Therefore, the distance between the reflector 20 and the reflector 61 may be sufficiently shorter than the distance between the reflector 20 and the subreflectors 41 to 43. For example, the distance between the reflector 20 and the reflector 61 may be such that the spacing between the f1″ signal, the f2″ signal, and the f3″ signal on the reflector 61 fits within one side of the reflector 61. In other words, in order to increase the difference between the phase rotation amount R1 of the f1″ signal, the phase rotation amount R2 of the f2″ signal, and the phase rotation amount R3 of the f3″ signal, it is not necessary to significantly adjust the refraction angles of the f1 signal, the f2 signal, and the f3 signal that pass through the reflector 20. Furthermore, if the reflector 20 is a reflective type, it is not necessary to significantly adjust the reflection angles of the f1 signal, the f2 signal, and the f3 signal that are reflected by the reflector 20.

[0059] The reflector 61 reflects the incident f1″ signal, f2″ signal, and f3″ signal. For example, the control device 30 may electrically control an antenna element arranged on the reflector 61 so as to reflect the incident f1″ signal in a specific direction. The specific direction may be, for example, a direction in which the amount of phase rotation is R11. In this case, the reflection directions of the f2″ signal and the f3″ signal are determined according to the frequencies of the f2″ signal and the f3″ signal. In other words, the control device 30 performs phase control to adjust the reflection direction of the f1″ signal, and thereby determines the reflection directions of the f2″ signal and the f3″ signal.

[0060] The f1'' signal reflected by reflector 61 is incident on subreflector 71. The f2'' signal reflected by reflector 61 is incident on subreflector 72. The f3'' signal transmitted through reflector 61 is incident on subreflector 73. In other words, subreflector 71 is positioned in the traveling direction of the f1'' signal, subreflector 72 is positioned in the traveling direction of the f2'' signal, and subreflector 73 is positioned in the traveling direction of the f3'' signal.

[0061] Furthermore, subreflectors 71, 72, and 73 are placed at positions where, of the f1'', f2'', and f3'', signals, only the f1'' signal is incident on subreflector 71, only the f2'' signal is incident on subreflector 72, and only the f3'' signal is incident on subreflector 73. The relationship of the distance between reflector 61 and subreflectors 71 to 73 is the same as the relationship of the distance between reflector 20 and subreflectors 41 to 43. The locations where subreflectors 71, 72, and 73 are placed are determined in the same manner as the procedure for determining the placement locations of subreflectors 41, 42, and 43.

[0062] 7 can transmit signals around the reflector 20 by using the reflector 61. This can further expand the communication area in which communication with the transmitter 10 can be performed.

[0063] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device 30 and the transmission device 10 (hereinafter referred to as the control device 30, etc.) described in the above embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, the control device 30, etc. includes a network interface 1201, a processor 1202, and a memory 1203. The network interface 1201 may be used to communicate with a network node. The network interface 1201 may include, for example, a network interface card (NIC) that complies with the IEEE 802.3 series. IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

[0064] The processor 1202 reads and executes software (computer programs) from the memory 1203 to perform the processing of the control device 20 and the like described using flowcharts in the above-described embodiments. The processor 1202 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU, or a CPU. The processor 1202 may include multiple processors.

[0065] The memory 1203 is configured by a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The memory 1203 may include storage located remotely from the processor 1202. In this case, the processor 1202 may access the memory 1203 via an I / O (Input / Output) interface (not shown).

[0066] 8, the memory 1203 is used to store software modules. The processor 1202 reads and executes these software modules from the memory 1203, thereby performing the processing of the control device 30 and the like described in the above-described embodiment.

[0067] As explained using FIG. 8, each of the processors possessed by the control device 30 etc. in the above-described embodiment executes one or more programs including a group of instructions for causing a computer to perform the algorithm explained using the drawings.

[0068] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0069] The technical ideas of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0070] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) transmitting means for transmitting a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency; a reflector that reflects or transmits the first signal and the second signal in periodically arranged antenna elements to beamform the first signal and the second signal in different directions; and a control means for electrically controlling the antenna elements to control the phases of the first signal and the second signal, thereby controlling the direction in which the first signal and the second signal are beamformed. (Appendix 2) a first subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a second sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; The control means The radio wave control system described in Appendix 1, electrically controls the antenna elements of the first sub-reflector so as to beamform the first signal transmitted through the reflector in a specific direction, and electrically controls the antenna elements of the second sub-reflector so as to beamform the second signal transmitted through the reflector in a direction different from the first signal beamformed at the first sub-reflector. (Appendix 3) The first sub-reflector is disposed at a position where it does not overlap with the second sub-reflector and where the first signal can be incident on the first signal and the second signal; The radio wave control system described in Appendix 2, wherein the second sub-reflector is positioned so as not to overlap with the first sub-reflector and so as to allow the second signal, of the first signal and the second signal, to be incident. (Appendix 4) a third subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a fourth sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; The control means The radio wave control system described in Appendix 2 or 3, which electrically controls the antenna element of the third sub-reflector to beamform the first signal transmitted through the reflector in a specific direction, and electrically controls the antenna element of the fourth sub-reflector to beamform the second signal transmitted through the reflector in a direction different from the first signal beamformed at the third sub-reflector. (Appendix 5) The control means At a first timing, the first signal is beamformed in a direction in which the first sub-reflector is disposed, and the second signal is beamformed in a direction in which the second sub-reflector is disposed, The radio wave control system described in Appendix 4, wherein at the second timing, the first signal is beamformed in the direction in which the third sub-reflector is located and the second signal is beamformed in the direction in which the fourth sub-reflector is located. (Appendix 6) The third sub-reflector is arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the fourth sub-reflector and where the first signal of the first signal and the second signal can be incident, The radio wave control system described in Appendix 4 or 5, wherein the fourth sub-reflector is positioned so as not to overlap with the third sub-reflector and so as to allow the second signal, of the first signal and the second signal, to be incident. (Appendix 7) a fifth subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a sixth subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a second reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements and arranged at a position where the first signal and the second signal reflected by or transmitted through the reflector can be incident, The control means A radio wave control system described in any one of appendices 2 to 6, wherein the first signal transmitted through the second reflector is beamformed in the direction where the fifth sub-reflector is located, and the second signal transmitted through the second reflector is beamformed in the direction where the sixth sub-reflector is located. (Appendix 8) 8. The radio wave control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an amplifier that amplifies the first signal and the second signal. (Appendix 9) a management means for managing the frequency and phase adjustment amount of a signal; and a control means for extracting from the management means a phase adjustment amount of a first signal of a first frequency transmitted from a transmitting device to a reflector, and controlling the phase of the first signal reflected or transmitted by the reflector based on the phase adjustment amount, thereby controlling the direction in which the first signal and the second signal of a second frequency are beamformed. (Appendix 10) The control means The control device described in Appendix 9 controls the phase of the first signal so that the first signal is beamformed to a first sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements, and controls the phase of the second signal so that the second signal is beamformed to a second sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements. (Appendix 11) determining the phase of a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency transmitted from a transmitter to a reflector; A radio wave control method executed in a control device, which electrically controls periodically arranged antenna elements so that the phases of the first signal and the second signal are determined, thereby beamforming the first signal in a specific direction and beamforming the second signal in a direction different from that of the first signal. (Appendix 12) determining the phase of a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency transmitted from a transmitter to a reflector; A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a program that causes a computer to execute the following: electrically control periodically arranged antenna elements so that the phases of the first signal and the second signal are determined, thereby beamforming the first signal in a specific direction and beamforming the second signal in a direction different from that of the first signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 10 Transmitting device 12 Signal generation unit 14 Power Amplifier 16 Antenna 20 Reflector 22 Antenna element 30 Control device 32 Management Department 34 Phase control section 41 Sub-reflector 42 Sub-reflector 43 Sub-reflector 51 secondary reflectors 52 secondary reflectors 53 secondary reflectors 61 Reflector 71 Sub-reflectors 72 secondary reflectors 73 secondary reflectors

Claims

1. transmitting means for transmitting a first signal at a first frequency and a second signal at a second frequency; a reflector that reflects or transmits the first signal and the second signal in periodically arranged antenna elements to beamform the first signal and the second signal in different directions; a control means for electrically controlling the antenna elements to control the phases of the first signal and the second signal, thereby controlling the direction in which the first signal and the second signal are beamformed; a first subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a second subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; The control means A radio wave control system that electrically controls the antenna elements of the first sub-reflector so as to beamform the first signal transmitted through the reflector in a specific direction, and electrically controls the antenna elements of the second sub-reflector so as to beamform the second signal transmitted through the reflector in a direction different from the first signal beamformed at the first sub-reflector.

2. The first sub-reflector is arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the second sub-reflector and where the first signal can be incident on the first signal and the second signal, The radio wave control system according to claim 1, wherein the second sub-reflector is positioned so as not to overlap with the first sub-reflector and so as to allow the second signal, of the first signal and the second signal, to be incident.

3. a third subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a fourth subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; The control means The radio wave control system described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna element of the third sub-reflector is electrically controlled to beamform the first signal transmitted through the reflector in a specific direction, and the antenna element of the fourth sub-reflector is electrically controlled to beamform the second signal transmitted through the reflector in a direction different from the first signal beamformed in the third sub-reflector.

4. The control means At a first timing, the first signal is beamformed in a direction in which the first sub-reflector is disposed, and the second signal is beamformed in a direction in which the second sub-reflector is disposed, The radio wave control system according to claim 3, wherein at a second timing, the first signal is beamformed in the direction in which the third sub-reflector is disposed and the second signal is beamformed in the direction in which the fourth sub-reflector is disposed.

5. The third sub-reflector is arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the fourth sub-reflector and where the first signal of the first signal and the second signal can be incident, The fourth sub-reflector is positioned so as not to overlap with the third sub-reflector, and is positioned so that the second signal of the first signal and the second signal can be incident. A radio wave control system as described in claim 3 or 4.

6. a fifth subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a sixth subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; a second reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements and arranged at a position where the first signal and the second signal reflected by or transmitted through the reflector can be incident thereon; The control means The radio wave control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first signal transmitted through the second reflector is beamformed in the direction in which the fifth sub-reflector is disposed, and the second signal transmitted through the second reflector is beamformed in the direction in which the sixth sub-reflector is disposed.

7. The radio communication system further comprises an amplifying means for amplifying the first signal and the second signal transmitted from the transmitting means, The reflector is The radio wave control system according to claim 1 , wherein the amplified first signal and the amplified second signal are beamformed in different directions.

8. a management means for managing the frequency and phase adjustment amount of a signal; a control means for extracting from the management means a phase adjustment amount of a first signal of a first frequency transmitted from a transmitting device to a reflector, and controlling a phase of the first signal reflected by or transmitted through the reflector based on the phase adjustment amount, thereby controlling a direction in which the first signal and the second signal of a second frequency are beamformed; The control means A control device that controls the phase of the first signal to beamform the first signal to a first subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements, and controls the phase of the second signal to beamform the second signal to a second subreflector having periodically arranged antenna elements.

9. Determine the phase of a first signal of a first frequency transmitted from a transmitter to a reflector so as to beamform the first signal to a first sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements, and determine the phase of a second signal of a second frequency transmitted from the transmitter to the reflector so as to beamform the second signal to a second sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; A radio wave control method executed by a control device, which electrically controls antenna elements periodically arranged on the reflector so that the phases of the first signal and the second signal are determined, beamforming the first signal to a first sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements, and beamforming the second signal to a second sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements.

10. Determine the phase of a first signal of a first frequency transmitted from a transmitter to a reflector so as to beamform the first signal to a first sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements, and determine the phase of a second signal of a second frequency transmitted from the transmitter to the reflector so as to beamform the second signal to a second sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements; A program that causes a computer to execute the following steps: electrically control antenna elements that are periodically arranged on the reflector so that the phases of the first signal and the second signal are determined, thereby beamforming the first signal to a first sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements, and beamforming the second signal to a second sub-reflector having periodically arranged antenna elements.

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