Radio wave environment measurement device, analysis device, and radio wave environment remote improvement system, method, and program

Abstract

The present invention improves a radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to a site in a radio wave dead zone. A measurement device 200 comprises: a space configuration data acquisition unit 11A that acquires space configuration data 21 at a certain measurement position at a work site; an imaging data acquisition unit 12A that acquires imaging data 22 of the work site at the same certain measurement position; a measurement position determination data transmission unit 13A that transmits, to an analysis device, the space configuration data 21 and the imaging data 22; a measurement position reception unit 14A that receives, from the analysis device, an instruction 24 pertaining to a radio wave environment measurement position; a radio wave environment data acquisition unit 15A that acquires radio wave environment data 25 at the instructed measurement position; a measurement position association unit 16A that associates each of the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25 with coordinate data of the instructed measurement position; an analysis data transmission unit 17A that transmits associated data 26 to the analysis device; and a member placement reception unit 18A that receives, from the analysis device, an instruction 28 pertaining to placement of a radio wave environment changing member.

Description

Radio wave environment measuring device, analysis device, and radio wave environment remote improvement system, method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system, a method, and a program for measuring a radio wave environment at a site in a radio wave dead zone and remotely improving the radio wave environment at the site.

[0002] In recent years, radio waves in a high frequency band of approximately 2 GHz to 300 GHz, called centimeter waves or millimeter waves, have been used in wireless communications that constitute mobile phone networks and the like. Such short-wavelength radio waves have a tendency to travel in a straight line, and if there is an obstacle in the path of the radio waves, they are likely to create dead zones where the radio waves cannot reach. To investigate such dead zones of radio waves outdoors or indoors, devices for measuring the electric field strength of space, such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1, have been used up to now.

[0003] For example, measuring the radio wave propagation environment, such as the electric field strength in space, and interpreting the results requires specialized knowledge. For this reason, measurements of the radio wave propagation environment are carried out by experts with specialized knowledge, such as land radio engineers, who actually go to the outdoor or indoor site. Because radio waves cannot be seen directly, it is not easy, even for experts, to understand the causes of radio wave dead zones, eliminate the dead zones, and improve the radio wave environment, and it takes time.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-198936

[0005] As the service areas of wireless communications using centimeter and millimeter waves (e.g., 5th generation mobile communications systems) expand, dead zones are also appearing. However, specialists such as land radio engineers are nationally certified, and the number of such specialists is limited. As a result, it has become difficult to dispatch specialists such as land radio engineers to the sites of dead zones, which continue to increase as the service area expands. There is a need to efficiently eliminate dead zones and improve the radio environment without dispatching specialists to these sites.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to improve the radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to a radio wave dead zone.

[0007] The present invention for solving the above problems includes, for example, the following aspects. a measurement position receiving unit that receives instructions regarding a measurement position for the radio wave environment within the work site from the analysis device; a radio wave environment data acquiring unit that acquires radio wave environment data regarding the radio wave environment at the specified measurement position; a measurement position associating unit that associates each of the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data with coordinate data of the specified measurement position; an analysis data transmitting unit that transmits the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data, each associated with the coordinate data, to the analysis device; and a component placement receiving unit that receives instructions regarding the placement of a radio wave environment changing component within the work site from the analysis device. (Item 2) The radio wave environment measuring device according to item 1, wherein the imaging range of the work site displayed by the imaging data includes the line of sight of the site worker. (Item 3) The radio wave environment measuring device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the imaging data is acquired via a wearable camera worn or equipped by the site worker. (Item 4) The radio wave environment measuring device according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the imaging range of the work site displayed by the imaging data includes the pointing direction of an antenna. (Item 5) The radio wave environment measuring device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the radio wave environment data is acquired via an antenna.(Item 6) A radio wave environment remote improvement system comprising: a radio wave environment measuring device according to any one of items 1 to 5, which is operated by an on-site worker; and a radio wave environment analysis device, which is connected to the radio wave environment measuring device via a communication network and is operated by an operator in a remote location, and which comprises: a measurement position determination data display unit that displays on a display screen spatial configuration data relating to the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site and image data of the work site at the measurement position, which are received from the measuring device; a measurement position transmission unit that transmits to the measuring device instructions relating to the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site, which are input by the operator; a radio wave environment analysis unit that analyzes the radio wave environment at the measurement position based on the spatial configuration data associated with coordinate data of the specified measurement position received from the measuring device and radio wave environment data relating to the radio wave environment at the measurement position; and a component placement transmission unit that transmits to the measuring device instructions relating to the placement of a radio wave environment changing component within the work site, which are input by the operator.(Item 7) A radio wave environment measurement method executed by a radio wave environment measurement device operated by a site worker and connected via a communication network to a radio wave environment analysis device operated by an operator in a remote location, the radio wave environment measurement method comprising: a spatial configuration data acquisition step of acquiring spatial configuration data related to the spatial configuration of a work site at a certain measurement position within the work site; an imaging data acquisition step of acquiring imaging data of the work site at the measurement position; a measurement position determination data transmission step of transmitting the spatial configuration data and the imaging data to the analysis device; a measurement position receiving step of receiving from the analysis device instructions related to a measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site; a radio wave environment data acquisition step of acquiring radio wave environment data related to the radio wave environment at the specified measurement position; a measurement position associating step of associating each of the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data with coordinate data of the specified measurement position; an analysis data transmission step of transmitting to the analysis device the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data, each associated with the coordinate data; and a component placement receiving step of receiving from the analysis device instructions related to the placement of a radio wave environment changing component within the work site.(Item 8) A method for remotely improving a radio wave environment executed by a radio wave environment remote improvement system comprising a radio wave environment measuring device operated by a site worker and a radio wave environment analyzing device operated by a remote operator, the method being connected to each other via a communication network, the method comprising: a spatial configuration data acquisition step in which the measuring device acquires spatial configuration data relating to the spatial configuration of the work site at a measurement position within the work site; an imaging data acquisition step in which the measuring device acquires imaging data of the work site at the measurement position; a measurement position determination data transmission step in which the measuring device transmits the spatial configuration data and the imaging data to the analyzing device; a measurement position determination data display step in which the analyzing device displays the spatial configuration data and the imaging data received from the measuring device on a display screen of the analyzing device; a measurement position transmission step in which the analyzing device transmits to the measuring device an instruction regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site, which is input by the operator; and a radio wave environment data acquisition step in which the measuring device acquires radio wave environment data relating to the radio wave environment at the specified measurement position. 10. A radio wave environment remote improving method comprising: a measurement position associating step in which the measuring device associates each of the space configuration data and the radio wave environment data with coordinate data of the specified measurement position; an analysis data transmitting step in which the measuring device transmits the space configuration data and the radio wave environment data, each associated with the coordinate data, to an analyzing device; a radio wave environment analyzing step in which the analyzing device analyzes the radio wave environment of the measurement position based on the space configuration data and the radio wave environment data, each associated with the coordinate data; and a component placement transmitting step in which the analyzing device transmits to the measuring device instructions regarding the placement of a radio wave environment altering component within the work site, which instructions are input by the operator. (Item 9) A program for causing a computer to function as each component of the radio wave environment measuring device described in any one of Items 1 to 5. (Item 10) A program for causing a computer to function as each component of the radio wave environment remote improving system described in Item 6.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to improve the radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to the radio wave dead zone.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a radio wave environment remote improving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a combination of components arranged on the work site side in a radio wave environment remote improving system according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram viewed from above in the vertical direction illustrating an example of the arrangement of a radio wave environment measuring device and an imaging device at a work site. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the function of a radio wave environment measuring device provided in a radio wave environment remote improving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the function of a radio wave environment analysis device provided in a radio wave environment remote improving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the procedure of a radio wave environment remote improving method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is an example of a screen display of a radio wave environment analysis device. FIG. 8 is an example of a screen display of a radio wave environment analysis device. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional procedure for improving a radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to a radio wave dead zone. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a conventional procedure for improving a radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to a radio wave dead zone.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description and drawings, the same reference numerals will denote the same or similar components, and therefore, redundant description of the same or similar components will be omitted. [System Configuration]

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a radio wave environment remote improving system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] A radio wave environment remote improving system 100 according to one embodiment includes a radio wave environment measuring device 200, a radio wave environment analysis device 300, a LIDAR device 400, and an imaging device 500. In the following description, the radio wave environment remote improving system 100 will also be simply referred to as system 100. Similarly, the radio wave environment measuring device 200 will also be simply referred to as measuring device 200, and the radio wave environment analysis device 300 will also be simply referred to as analysis device 300.

[0013] Measuring device 200 is an apparatus operated at the work site by a field worker 92. Analyzing device 300 is an apparatus operated by an operator 93 at a remote location away from the work site. Measuring device 200 and analyzing device 300 are connected via a communication network 91.

[0014] The LIDAR device 400 and the imaging device 500 are disposed at the work site and are connected to the measuring device 200 so as to be able to communicate data with each other. The LIDAR device 400 measures spatial configuration data 21 relating to the spatial configuration of the work site. The spatial configuration data 21 is, for example, three-dimensional point cloud data. For example, a three-dimensional laser scanner can be used as the LIDAR device 400. The imaging device 500 generates imaging data 22 of the work site. The imaging data 22 is, for example, two-dimensional image data. For example, a known digital camera can be used as the imaging device 500. The spatial configuration data 21 and the imaging data 22 are measured and generated at certain measurement positions within the work site. Preferably, these measurement positions are approximately the same position.

[0015] The field worker 92 is located in a radio wave blind zone, which is the work site. The operator 93 is located in a remote location away from the work site. The operator 93 is, for example, an expert in measuring radio waves propagating through space, and is preferably a person who holds a national qualification such as a land radio engineer.

[0016] The measuring device 200 is equipped with an antenna 34 and measures radio wave environment data 25 related to the radio wave environment at the work site via the antenna 34. Furthermore, the measuring device 200 acquires spatial configuration data 21 and image data 22 of the work site from the LIDAR device 400 and the imaging device 500. The measuring device 200 associates the various data 21, 22, and 25 measured and acquired about the work site with the measurement position to create analysis data 26 and transmits the created analysis data 26 to the analysis device 300. The analysis device 300 receives the analysis data 26 from the measuring device 200 and analyzes the radio wave environment at the work site based on the received analysis data 26. Based on the analysis results of the radio wave environment by the analysis device 300, the operator 93 gives instructions to the site worker 92 via the network 91 to improve the radio wave environment at the work site. The instructions from the operator 93 include instructions 24 related to the measurement position of the radio wave environment at the work site and instructions 28 related to the placement of radio wave environment altering members at the work site. Following instructions from a remote operator 93 via the network 91, the field worker 92 measures the radio wave environment and places a radio wave environment modification member at the location of the work site specified by the operator 93. The radio wave environment modification member is, for example, a film-like reflector that can reflect radio waves over a wide range of space. For example, the radio wave reflector disclosed in JP 2023-099422 A can be used as such a radio wave modification member. Note that the reflection characteristics of the radio wave reflector used in the radio wave modification member are not limited to regular reflection, in which the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are equal, as exemplified in JP 2023-099422 A, but may also be reflection in which the angle of incidence and the angle of reflection are different (referred to here as polarized reflection).

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a combination of components arranged on the work site side in a radio wave environment remote improving system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] In another embodiment of the radio wave environment remote improvement system, as shown in FIG. 2A, the imaging device 500 can be a wearable camera worn or equipped by a field worker 92. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2B, the imaging device 500 can be attached to a position vertically aligned with the antenna 34 of the measuring device 200. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2C, the LIDAR device 400 and the imaging device 500 can be integrated into, for example, a tablet terminal or a smartphone 600. Some recent tablet terminals and smartphones 600 are equipped with the LIDAR device 400 and the camera 500.

[0019] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of a radio wave environment measuring device and an image capturing device at a work site, viewed from above in the vertical direction. In the figure, the image capturing range (image capturing angle) of the image capturing device 500 is indicated by reference numeral 94, the pointing direction of the antenna 34 is indicated by reference numeral 95, and the viewing angle of a human worker 92 at the work site is indicated by reference numeral 96.

[0020] The imaging range (imaging angle) 94 of the imaging device 500 is preferably equal to or greater than approximately 60°, and more preferably equal to or greater than approximately 90°. The imaging range 94 of the imaging device 500 preferably includes the line of sight of the field worker 92. More preferably, the imaging direction of the imaging device 500 is along the line of sight of the field worker 92. In order to prevent physical and electromagnetic interference with the antenna 34, the imaging device 500 is preferably disposed at a position corresponding to the direction of orientation of the antenna 34. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the imaging device 500 is disposed at a position opposite to the direction of orientation 95 of the antenna 34. In the example shown in FIG. 2(B) , the imaging device 500 is disposed at a position along the vertical direction of the antenna 34.

[0021] Preferably, the antenna 34 of the measuring device 200 is a directional antenna. Preferably, the direction of direction 95 of the antenna 34 is along the imaging direction of the imaging device 500, i.e., along the line of sight of the field worker 92.

[0022] The data acquisition range of the LIDAR device 400 is preferably an angular range equivalent to a human field of view 96. Illustratively, the human field of view 96 is approximately 200° horizontally and approximately 130° vertically, with the front as the center value. More preferably, the data acquisition range of the LIDAR device 400 is approximately 360° (all around) horizontally and approximately 300° vertically. [Device Configuration]

[0023] 4 and 5 are block diagrams for explaining the functions of each device included in the radio wave environment remote improvement system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of the radio wave environment measurement device. Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the radio wave environment analysis device.

[0024] The radio wave environment measuring device 200 according to one embodiment shown in Fig. 4 includes a data processing unit 10A, an auxiliary storage device 20A, a communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 31A, an input unit 32A, a display unit 33A, and an antenna 34. Similarly, the radio wave environment analyzing device 300 according to one embodiment shown in Fig. 5 includes a data processing unit 10B, an auxiliary storage device 20B, a communication I / F unit 31B, an input unit 32B, and a display unit 33B.

[0025] The data processing units 10A and 10B are configured as software, while the auxiliary storage devices 20A and 20B, the communication I / F units 31A and 31B, the input units 32A and 32B, the display units 33A and 33B, and the antenna 34 are configured as hardware.

[0026] The measuring device 200 can be configured using, for example, a commercially available area tester. For example, the electric field strength measuring device described in Patent Document 1 or OneAdvisor 800 by VIAVI Solutions, Inc. can be used as the measuring device 200. The analyzing device 300 can be configured using, for example, a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer. Although not shown, each of these devices 200 and 300 further includes, as hardware components, a processor such as a CPU that processes data, and memory that the processor uses as a working area for data processing.

[0027] The data processing units 10A and 10B each execute a program P Ａ, P Ｂ In this embodiment, the data processing units 10A and 10B are provided as software functional blocks.

[0028] In this embodiment, the data processing unit 10A includes a space configuration data acquisition unit 11A, an imaging data acquisition unit 12A, a measurement position determination data transmission unit 13A, a measurement position reception unit 14A, a radio wave environment data acquisition unit 15A, a measurement position association unit 16A, an analysis data transmission unit 17A, and a component placement reception unit 18A. The data processing unit 10B includes a measurement position determination data display unit 13B, a measurement position transmission unit 14B, a radio wave environment analysis unit 17B, and a component placement transmission unit 18B.

[0029] The auxiliary storage devices 20A and 20B are non-volatile storage devices that store an operating system (OS), various control programs, and data generated by the programs. The auxiliary storage devices 20A and 20B are configured, for example, with flash memory, an embedded multi-media card (eMMC), or a solid-state drive (SSD). Various data, such as those shown below, are created and stored in the auxiliary storage devices 20A and 20B through processing by the data processing units 10A and 10B, and input from the communication I / F units 31A and 31B, input units 32A and 32B, and antenna 34.

[0030] In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 20A stores space configuration data 21, image data 22, radio wave environment data 25, analysis data 26, and a measurement device program P Ａ The auxiliary storage device 20B stores instructions 24 relating to measurement positions, radio wave environment analysis result data 27, instructions 28 relating to component placement, and the analysis device program P. Ｂ The data indicated by the dashed lines in the figure is data that is sent and received between the devices 200 and 300 and is temporarily stored.

[0031] Measurement device program P Ａis a computer program for realizing the respective units 11A to 18A in the data processing unit 10A, which is a functional block. Ｂ is a computer program for realizing the respective units 13B, 14B, 17B, and 18B in the data processing unit 10B. Ａ , P Ｂ The programs P can be installed in the devices 200 and 300 via a network 91 such as the Internet or a dedicated line connected by the communication I / F units 31A and 31B. Ａ , P Ｂ The program P is read by the respective devices 200 and 300 from a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a memory card on which the program P is recorded. Ａ , P Ｂ can be installed on the respective devices 200 and 300 .

[0032] The communication I / F units 31A and 31B transmit and receive data between the devices 200, 300, 400, and 500 included in the system 100 via a wired or wireless network 91. The communication I / F units 31A and 31B can be various wired or wireless connections such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and Bluetooth (registered trademark). The input units 32A and 32B can be configured, for example, by a mouse or a keyboard, and the display units 33A and 33B can be configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The input units 32A and 32B and the display units 33A and 33B can be integrated as a touch panel.

[0033] Various types of data stored in the auxiliary storage devices 20A and 20B will be described. The spatial configuration data 21 is data relating to the spatial configuration of the work site. In this embodiment, the spatial configuration data 21 is three-dimensional point cloud data, and is acquired through the LIDAR device 400. The imaging data 22 is data obtained by capturing an image of the work site. In this embodiment, the imaging data 22 is two-dimensional image data, and is acquired through the imaging device 500.

[0034] The measurement position instruction 24 is an instruction regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site. In this embodiment, the instruction 24 is coordinate data in the three-dimensional point cloud data that is the space configuration data 21, and is input by the operator 93 of the analysis device 300 via the input unit 32B.

[0035] The radio wave environment data 25 is data related to the radio wave environment. In this embodiment, the radio wave environment data 25 includes PCI (Physical Cell ID), SSB (Single Side Band) Index, SS-RSRP, PS-RSRP, SS-SINR, SS-RSRQ, and EVM (Error Vector Magnitude). These data items of the radio wave environment data 25 are measured by the measurement device 200 via the antenna 34. These data items exemplified for the radio wave environment data 25 are well known to experts such as terrestrial radio engineers, and therefore will not be described in detail herein.

[0036] The analysis data 26 is data in which the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25 are each associated with an instruction 24 regarding a measurement position. That is, the analysis data 26 is the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25 at a certain measurement position within the work site instructed by the operator 93. The data 26 is created by the measurement position associating unit 16A of the measuring device 200.

[0037] The radio wave environment analysis result data 27 is data representing the results of a numerical simulation of electromagnetic field analysis. The numerical simulation is, for example, a radio wave propagation simulation using a ray tracing method. In this embodiment, the radio wave environment analysis result data 27 includes SS-RSRP, PS-RSRP, SS-SINR, and SS-RSRQ as data items, and is created by the radio wave environment analysis unit 17B of the analysis device 300.

[0038] The radio wave environment analysis result data 27 includes numerical simulation values ​​of electromagnetic field analysis at a certain measurement position within the work site specified by the operator 93, and the analysis data 26 includes actual measurement values ​​of the radio wave environment data 25 at a certain measurement position within the work site specified by the operator 93. This allows the remote operator 93 to compare, for example, the above-mentioned SS-RSRP, PS-RSRP, SS-SINR, and SS-RSRQ between the analysis data 26 and the radio wave environment analysis result data 27 relating to the same certain measurement position. This allows the operator 93 to grasp the degree of deviation between the ideal numerical simulation values ​​and the actual measurement values ​​of the radio wave environment at a certain measurement position within the work site.

[0039] The component placement instructions 28 are instructions regarding the placement of radio wave environment altering components within the work site. In this embodiment, the component placement instructions 28 are coordinate data in the three-dimensional point cloud data that is the space configuration data 21, and are input by the operator 93 of the analysis device 300 via the input unit 32B.

[0040] Each functional block included in the data processing unit 10A of the measurement device 200 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0041] The spatial configuration data acquisition unit 11A acquires spatial configuration data 21 relating to the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site. The imaging data acquisition unit 12A acquires imaging data 22 of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site. Preferably, these certain measurement positions are approximately the same location. The measurement position determination data transmission unit 13A transmits the spatial configuration data 21 and imaging data 22 to the analysis device 300.

[0042] The measurement position receiving unit 14A receives instructions 24 regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site from the analysis device 300. The radio wave environment data acquiring unit 15A acquires (measures) radio wave environment data 25 regarding the radio wave environment at the instructed measurement position 24. The measurement position associating unit 16A associates each of the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25 with the coordinate data of the instructed measurement position 24. The analysis data transmitting unit 17A transmits the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25, each associated with the coordinate data, to the analysis device 300. The component placement receiving unit 18A receives instructions 28 regarding the placement of radio wave environment changing components within the work site from the analysis device 300.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 5, the functional blocks included in data processing unit 10B of analysis device 300 will be described.

[0044] The measurement position determination data display unit 13B receives spatial configuration data 21 relating to the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site and imaging data 22 of the work site from the measurement device 200, and displays them on the display unit 33B.

[0045] The measurement position transmitting unit 14B transmits to the measuring device 200 an instruction 24 input by the operator 93 regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site.

[0046] The radio wave environment analysis unit 17B receives from the measurement device 200 the spatial configuration data 21 associated with the coordinate data of the measurement position 24 specified by the operator 93, and the radio wave environment data 25 relating to the radio wave environment of the measurement position 24, and analyzes the radio wave environment of the measurement position 24 based on the received data 21 and 25. The radio wave environment analysis unit 17B stores the analysis result as radio wave environment analysis result data 27 in the auxiliary storage device 20B.

[0047] The component placement transmitting unit 18B transmits instructions 28 regarding the placement of radio wave environment altering components in the work site, which are input by the operator 93, to the measuring device 200. [Processing Procedure]

[0048] 6 is a flowchart for explaining the steps of a method for remotely improving a radio wave environment according to one embodiment of the present invention. 7 to 9 are examples of screen displays of a radio wave environment analysis device.

[0049] A method for remotely improving a radio wave environment according to one embodiment is a method executed by the system 100 described above with reference to FIGS.

[0050] First, steps S1 to S3 are performed at the work site. In step S1 (spatial configuration data acquisition step), the measurement device 200 at the work site acquires spatial configuration data 21 related to the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site. In step S2 (imaging data acquisition step), the measurement device 200 acquires imaging data 22 of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site. Preferably, these certain measurement positions are approximately the same location. In step S3 (measurement position determination data transmission step), the measurement device 200 transmits the spatial configuration data 21 and imaging data 22 to the remote analysis device 300.

[0051] Next, steps S4 and S5 are performed at the remote location. In step S4 (measurement position determination data display step), the remote analysis device 300 displays the spatial configuration data 21 and imaging data 22 received from the measurement device 200 on the display unit 33B of the analysis device 300. An example of the screen display in step S4 is shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the spatial configuration data 21 and imaging data 22 are displayed side by side. This allows the operator 93 to intuitively understand the situation at the work site, which is a radio wave dead zone, and appropriately determine at which position at the work site the radio wave environment data should be measured. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the position at which the on-site worker 92 measured the spatial configuration data 21 and imaging data 22 is indicated by reference numeral 920 in the spatial configuration data 21. In other words, the imaging data 22 can be said to be data taken from the perspective of the on-site worker 92, captured at the position indicated by reference numeral 920 in the spatial configuration data 21.

[0052] In step S5 (measurement position transmission step), the analysis device 300 transmits instructions 24 regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site, input by the operator 93, to the measurement device 200 at the work site. An example of the screen display in step S5 is shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the measurement position of the radio wave environment data instructed by the operator 93 is indicated by reference numeral 24. The analysis device 300 transmits data of the coordinates indicated by reference numeral 24 in the space configuration data 21 to the measurement device 200. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the operator 93 is instructing the site worker 92 to measure the radio wave environment data 25 near a wall 98 located opposite a window 97.

[0053] The worker returns to the work site and performs steps S6 to S8. In step S6 (radio wave environment data acquisition step), the measuring device 200 at the work site acquires (measures) radio wave environment data 25 related to the radio wave environment at the specified measurement position 24. The field worker 92 measures the radio wave environment data 25 using the measuring device 200 at the measurement position specified by the operator 93. The measured radio wave environment data 25 is recorded in the measuring device 200.

[0054] In step S7 (measurement position associating step), the measuring device 200 associates each of the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25 with the coordinate data of the specified measurement position 24. In step S8 (analysis data transmitting step), the measuring device 200 transmits the space configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25, each associated with the coordinate data, as analysis data 26 to the remote analysis device 300.

[0055] The operator returns to the remote location and performs steps S9 to S11. In step S9 (radio wave environment analysis step), the remote analysis device 300 analyzes the radio wave environment at the measurement position 24 specified by the operator 93 based on the spatial configuration data 21 and the radio wave environment data 25 (i.e., the analysis data 26), each of which is associated with the coordinate data. The analysis results are stored in the auxiliary storage device 20B as radio wave environment analysis result data 27.

[0056] In step S10, it is determined whether the radio wave environment at the work site has improved. This determination is made, for example, by comparing the analysis data 26 and the radio wave environment analysis result data 27 relating to the same measurement location. The determination is made, for example, by an operator 93, and the analysis device 300 acquires the determination result made by the operator 93. Alternatively, the determination may be made autonomously by the analysis device 300, for example, by comparing the numerical values ​​of the above-mentioned data items relating to the radio wave environment data.

[0057] For example, if it is determined that the analysis data 26 and the radio wave environment analysis result data 27 sufficiently match (Yes in step S10), it can be determined that the radio wave environment at the work site is appropriate or has been improved, and the series of processes in the radio wave environment remote improvement method is terminated. Conversely, if it is determined that the analysis data 26 and the radio wave environment analysis result data 27 do not sufficiently match (No in step S10), the process of step S11 is performed. In step S11 (component placement transmission step), the operator 93 inputs instructions 28 regarding the placement of radio wave environment altering components at the work site into the analysis device 300, and the remote analysis device 300 transmits the instructions 28 input by the operator 93 to the measurement device 200 at the work site. An example of the screen display in step S11 is shown in FIG. 9 . In FIG. 9 , the placement position of the radio wave environment altering component designated by the operator 93 is indicated by reference numeral 28. The analysis device 300 transmits coordinate data indicated by reference numeral 28 in the space configuration data 21 to the measurement device 200. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the operator 93 is about to instruct the field worker 92 to place a radio wave environment change member on a wall 99 located to the side of the window 97 .

[0058] The process returns to the work site. In step S12 (receiving step of component placement), the measuring device 200 at the work site receives instructions 28 regarding the placement of the radio wave environment altering component within the work site from the remote analyzing device 300. At the work site, the on-site worker 92 places the radio wave environment altering component at the position instructed by the remote operator 93. Thereafter, the series of processes of the radio wave environment remote improving method shown in steps S1 to S12 are repeated until it is determined in step S10 that the radio wave environment at the work site has improved.

[0059] As described above, the system and method for remotely improving a radio wave environment according to one embodiment of the present invention can improve the radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to a radio wave dead zone.

[0060] 10 and 11 are flowcharts for explaining a conventional procedure for improving the radio wave environment without dispatching an expert to the radio wave dead zone.

[0061] Conventionally, to investigate radio wave dead zones, devices for measuring the electric field strength of space have been used, such as that disclosed in Patent Document 1. If an attempt is made to improve the radio wave environment using the measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1 without dispatching an expert to the radio wave dead zone, as in the radio wave environment remote improvement method according to one embodiment, the radio wave environment is conventionally improved according to the procedure shown in the following steps S901 to S915.

[0062] In the conventional procedure, similar to step S1, spatial configuration data relating to the spatial configuration of the work site is measured (step S901), and radio wave environment data 25 is measured at a measurement position determined by the on-site worker (step S902). Subsequently, the measured spatial configuration data and radio wave environment data are each associated with the measurement position (step S903), and the associated data is transmitted to a remote operator (expert) (step S904).

[0063] In the conventional procedure, an operator (expert) at a remote location then analyzes the radio wave environment (step S905) and extracts areas of the radio wave environment at the work site where there is uncertainty (step S906). An area of ​​the radio wave environment where there is uncertainty is an area where the actual measured values ​​of the radio wave environment data do not match the values ​​of the numerical simulation obtained by analyzing the radio wave environment. If it is determined that an area of ​​the radio wave environment where there is uncertainty exists at the work site (Yes in step S907), the on-site worker at the work site remeasures the radio wave environment data at the position corresponding to the unknown area indicated by the remote operator (step S908).

[0064] The radio wave environment improvement work is performed after it has been confirmed that there are no areas with an unclear radio wave environment. If it is determined that there are no areas with an unclear radio wave environment at the work site (No in step S907), the on-site worker places a radio wave environment improvement member at a location determined by the on-site worker (step S909). Thereafter, a series of processes similar to steps S901 to S905 are executed (steps S910 to S914) for the work site that has been changed by the placement of the radio wave environment improvement member. If the analysis of the radio wave environment by a remote operator (expert) in step S914 determines that the radio wave environment at the work site has improved (Yes in step S915), the series of processes ends. Conversely, if it is determined that the radio wave environment at the work site has not improved (No in step S915), the series of processes from step S909 onward are executed.

[0065] According to the conventional procedure, since there is no expert at the work site, a non-expert on-site worker first measures the radio wave environment data and transmits the measured radio wave environment data to a remote expert. In the radio wave environment remote improvement method according to one embodiment, image data 22 of the work site is acquired (imaged) in step S2, and the acquired image data 22 is transmitted to a remote expert in step S3. However, according to the conventional procedure, the image data of the work site is not provided to a remote expert.

[0066] Furthermore, in the conventional procedure, in order for a remotely located expert to grasp the radio wave environment at the work site, it is necessary to remotely extract parts of the radio wave environment at the work site where the radio wave environment is unknown. Therefore, in the conventional procedure, there is a problem that the radio wave environment data is repeatedly measured at the work site before the process of determining (examining) the improvement of the radio wave environment at the work site.

[0067] In contrast, according to the system and method for remotely improving a radio wave environment according to one embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 , in addition to spatial configuration data 21 of the work site, image data 22 of the work site is transmitted to the remotely located expert to request instructions from the expert regarding the measurement location of the radio wave environment. This allows the remotely located expert to check the work site in real time. Furthermore, while conventionally, experts extract areas of unknown radio wave environments, according to the system and method for remotely improving a radio wave environment according to one embodiment, the experts instead directly instruct the work site on the measurement location of the radio wave environment. The experts also directly instruct the work site on the placement location of radio wave environment altering components used to improve the radio wave environment.

[0068] In this way, the system and method for remotely improving a radio wave environment according to one embodiment can improve the radio wave environment more efficiently, even compared to conventional procedures, without dispatching an expert to the radio wave dead zone.

[0069] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.

[0070] The data processing unit 10A of the measuring device 200 located at the work site may further include a measurement position display unit that displays on the display unit 33A instructions 24 related to the measurement position received from the remote analyzing device 300. In this case, the content displayed on the display unit 33A by the measurement position display unit of the measuring device 200 may be similar to the example display related to the space configuration data 21 on the display unit 33B of the analyzing device 300 shown in FIG.

[0071] Similarly, the data processing unit 10A of the measuring device 200 located at the work site may further include a component placement display unit that displays on the display unit 33A instructions 28 regarding the placement positions of the radio wave environment altering components received from the remote analyzing device 300. In this case, the content displayed on the display unit 33A by the component placement display unit of the measuring device 200 may be similar to the example display of the spatial configuration data 21 on the display unit 33B of the analyzing device 300 shown in FIG.

[0072] In the above embodiment, the measuring device 200 is realized as an integrated device, but the measuring device 200 does not have to be an integrated device, and the processor, memory, auxiliary storage device 20A, etc. may be located in different locations and connected to each other via a network. The input unit 32A, display unit 33A, and antenna 34 also do not necessarily have to be located in one place, and may be located in different locations and connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. The analyzing device 300 is similar to the measuring device 200.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the functional blocks 11A-18A constituting the data processing unit 10A are implemented by software, but some or all of these functional blocks 11A-18A may be implemented as hardware. The processing of the functional blocks 11A-18A constituting the data processing unit 10A does not need to be performed by a single processor, but may be distributed among multiple processors. Some or all of the functions of the data processing unit 10A and the data items in the auxiliary storage device 20A may be cloud-based on another server device (not shown) connected via the communication I / F unit 31A. The data processing unit 10B of the analysis device 300 is similar to the data processing unit 10A of the measurement device 200.

[0074] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10A, 10B Data processing unit 11A Space configuration data acquisition unit 12A Imaging data acquisition unit 13A Measurement position determination data transmission unit 13B Measurement position determination data display unit 14A Measurement position reception unit 14B Measurement position transmission unit 15A Radio wave environment data acquisition unit 16A Measurement position association unit 17A Analysis data transmission unit 17B Radio wave environment analysis unit 18A Component placement reception unit 18B Component placement transmission unit 20A, 20B Auxiliary storage device 21 Space configuration data 22 Imaging data 24 Measurement position instruction 25 Radio wave environment data 26 Analysis data 27 Radio wave environment analysis result data 28 Component placement instruction 31A Communication interface unit (communication I / F unit) 32A, 32B Input unit 33A, 33B Display unit 34 Antenna 91 Communication network 92 Site worker 93 Operator 100 Radio wave environment remote improvement system 200 Radio wave environment measuring device 300 Radio wave environment analyzing device 400 LIDAR device 500 Imaging device 600 Smartphone

Claims

1. A radio environment measurement device operated by a field worker, which is connected to a radio environment analysis device operated by a remote operator via a communication network, comprising: a spatial configuration data acquisition unit that acquires spatial configuration data regarding the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site; an imaging data acquisition unit that acquires imaging data of the work site at the measurement position; a measurement position determination data transmission unit that transmits the spatial configuration data and the imaging data to the analysis device; a measurement position reception unit that receives an instruction regarding the measurement position of the radio environment within the work site from the analysis device; a radio environment data acquisition unit that acquires radio environment data regarding the radio environment at the instructed measurement position; a measurement position association unit that associates each of the spatial configuration data and the radio environment data with the coordinate data of the instructed measurement position; an analysis data transmission unit that transmits the spatial configuration data and the radio environment data, each associated with the coordinate data, to the analysis device; and a member arrangement reception unit that receives an instruction regarding the arrangement of radio environment change members within the work site from the analysis device.

2. The radio environment measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging range of the work site displayed by the imaging data includes the direction of the field worker's line of sight.

3. The radio environment measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging data is acquired via a wearable camera worn or equipped by the field worker.

4. The radio environment measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging range of the work site displayed by the imaging data includes the pointing direction of the antenna.

5. The radio environment measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the radio environment data is acquired via an antenna.

6. A radio wave environment measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is operated by an on-site worker, and a radio wave environment analysis device, which is operated by an operator at a remote location and is connected to the radio wave environment measurement device via a communication network, a measurement position determination data display unit that displays, on a display screen, spatial configuration data regarding the spatial configuration of the work site and imaging data of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site received from the measurement device; a measurement position transmission unit that transmits an instruction regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site, input from the operator, to the measurement device; a radio wave environment analysis unit that analyzes the radio wave environment at the measurement position based on the spatial configuration data associated with the coordinate data of the instructed measurement position and the radio wave environment data regarding the radio wave environment at the measurement position, received from the measurement device; a member arrangement transmission unit that transmits an instruction regarding the arrangement of a radio wave environment changing member within the work site, input from the operator, to the measurement device; a radio wave environment analysis device comprising the above; A radio wave environment remote improvement system comprising the above.

7. A radio environment measurement method executed by a radio environment measurement device operated by a field worker, which is connected via a communication network to a radio environment analysis device operated by a remote operator, the method comprising: a spatial configuration data acquisition step of acquiring spatial configuration data regarding the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site; an imaging data acquisition step of acquiring imaging data of the work site at the measurement position; a measurement position determination data transmission step of transmitting the spatial configuration data and the imaging data to the analysis device; a measurement position reception step of receiving an instruction regarding the measurement position of the radio environment within the work site from the analysis device; a radio environment data acquisition step of acquiring radio environment data regarding the radio environment at the instructed measurement position; a measurement position association step of associating each of the spatial configuration data and the radio environment data with the coordinate data of the instructed measurement position; an analysis data transmission step of transmitting the spatial configuration data and the radio environment data, each associated with the coordinate data, to the analysis device; and a member arrangement reception step of receiving an instruction regarding the arrangement of radio environment changing members within the work site from the analysis device.

8. A method for remotely improving radio wave environment, which is executed by a radio wave environment remote improvement system including a radio wave environment measurement device operated by an on-site worker and a radio wave environment analysis device operated by an operator at a remote location, the two being connected to each other via a communication network. The measurement device includes: a spatial configuration data acquisition step of acquiring spatial configuration data regarding the spatial configuration of the work site at a certain measurement position within the work site; an imaging data acquisition step of acquiring imaging data of the work site at the measurement position; a measurement position determination data transmission step of transmitting the spatial configuration data and the imaging data to the analysis device; a measurement position determination data display step of displaying, on a display screen of the analysis device, the spatial configuration data and the imaging data received from the measurement device; a measurement position transmission step of transmitting, to the measurement device, an instruction regarding the measurement position of the radio wave environment within the work site, which is input by the operator; a radio wave environment data acquisition step of acquiring radio wave environment data regarding the radio wave environment at the instructed measurement position; a measurement position association step of associating each of the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data with the coordinate data of the instructed measurement position; an analysis data transmission step of transmitting the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data, each associated with the coordinate data, to the analysis device; a radio wave environment analysis step of analyzing the radio wave environment at the measurement position based on the spatial configuration data and the radio wave environment data, each associated with the coordinate data; and a member arrangement transmission step of transmitting, to the measurement device, an instruction regarding the arrangement of radio wave environment changing members within the work site, which is input by the operator.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as each part of the radio wave environment measurement device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

10. A program for causing a computer to function as each part of the radio wave environment remote improvement system according to claim 6.

Images