Information processing device

Abstract

An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention creates a database for use in optimizing parameters to be configured for improving communication quality of a wireless communication system. The information processing device includes: a map extraction unit that extracts, as information on a map, outdoor environment information that affects propagation of radio waves; a propagation simulation unit that simulates propagation of radio waves on the basis of the environment information extracted by the map extraction unit; a data manipulation unit that performs, on the result of the simulation by the propagation simulation unit, data manipulation based on external information that affects the environment information extracted by the map extraction unit; and a storage unit that stores the result of the data manipulation by the data manipulation unit.

Description

Information processing device

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device used for optimizing parameters set to improve communication quality in a wireless communication system.

[0002] In recent years, new wireless communication systems, such as the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G) and local 5G, have been introduced. To provide high-quality wireless communication systems, it is important to set optimal parameters for the wireless communication system. Methods for achieving this include parameter optimization using propagation simulations and on-site wireless propagation characteristic surveys.

[0003] Conventionally, a common method has been to detect the situation in an area where a target wireless communication system is installed by sensing, and then optimize wireless communication parameters. However, there are cases where only the situation in a nearby area where sensing is possible can be grasped, and optimization taking into account the communication situation in a distant area cannot be performed. Therefore, a method of grasping wireless propagation characteristics using a database created in advance and controlling wireless communication parameters has been studied (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Kentaro Ishizu and four others, "Wireless Network System Operable in TV White Spaces in Cooperation with Databases," IEICE Technical Report, SR2012-4, May 2012.

[0005] When optimizing communication parameters in a constantly changing wireless environment, it is necessary to grasp wireless quality in real time. However, when considering environmental fluctuations such as the movement of people and robots, changes in the configuration of the environment and indoor layout, and changes in wireless base stations and wireless terminal stations, it is necessary to perform simulation calculations for a huge number of combinations and create a large-scale database. In the past, simulations and database creation could require a huge amount of time and calculations depending on the complexity of the target environment and the high level of accuracy required.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing device that makes it possible to efficiently optimize parameters that are set to improve the communication quality of a wireless communication system.

[0007] An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that creates a database used to optimize parameters that are set to improve the communication quality of a wireless communication system, and is characterized by having: a map extraction unit that extracts outdoor environmental information that affects the propagation of radio waves as information on a map; a propagation simulation unit that simulates the propagation of radio waves based on the environmental information extracted by the map extraction unit; a data processing unit that processes the results of the simulation by the propagation simulation unit based on external information that affects the environmental information extracted by the map extraction unit; and a memory unit that stores the results of the data processing by the data processing unit.

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently optimize parameters that are set to improve the communication quality of a wireless communication system.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system including an information processing device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of a database configured by a storage unit; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of a wireless communication system; FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of an information processing device according to an embodiment; and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment.

[0010] A wireless communication system 1 including an information processing device according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system including an information processing device according to an embodiment.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes one or more terminal stations 2, a base station 3, and an information processing device 4, and has the function of creating a database used to optimize parameters set to improve the communication quality of the wireless communication system 1.

[0012] The base station 3 accommodates one or more terminal stations 2 via a wireless network under the control of the information processing device 4. Furthermore, the base station 3 may be configured in advance with conditions such as a transmission point, a reception point, a frequency, a band, reflection, and the number of diffractions.

[0013] The information processing device 4 includes a map extraction unit 40, a propagation simulation unit 41, a data processing unit 42, a storage unit (database) 43, and an optimization unit 44. The base station 3 may further include a mobile unit simulation unit 45.

[0014] The map extraction unit 40 extracts outdoor environmental information that affects radio wave propagation as map information, and outputs it to the propagation simulation unit 41 (and the mobile unit simulation unit 45).

[0015] For example, the map extraction unit 40 acquires, as input information, map information of a specified area from the past, present, and future, as well as spatial information such as people flow information, traffic information, and material information of structures in the specified area, and extracts outdoor environmental information as information on the map (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) map information).

[0016] The environmental information is information required for the propagation simulation unit 41 to perform the simulation, such as outdoor map information, point cloud data, 3D maps, and building information, and if time information is available, it also includes time information (from the past to the present). The map extraction unit 40 may assign priorities to the environmental information and map information before extracting them. Examples of priorities include the order of frequency of use, the order of probability of people being present, the order of probability of cars being present, and a specified order.

[0017] The map extraction unit 40 may also collect information on buildings and roads that will be constructed in the future from the Internet and reflect this information in the map information as future information, or may add material information on walls, ground, etc., to extract outdoor environmental information as information on the map.

[0018] The map extraction unit 40 may then place transmission points at locations where a base station 3 may be installed, such as building walls, rooftops, and steel towers (without performing unnecessary calculations).

[0019] The map extraction unit 40 may also arrange transmission points assuming a moving object such as a drone or an automobile, and arrange reception points within the movement range of a person or object. The map extraction unit 40 may also optimize the installation intervals of the transmission and reception points (widening the intervals if the results do not change even when the transmission and reception points are arranged more closely) based on information stored in the storage unit 43 (described later). If the storage unit 43 stores the results of a propagation simulation, the map extraction unit 40 may automatically select map information to be considered based on the influence of the results.

[0020] The propagation simulation unit 41 simulates radio wave propagation based on the environmental information and map information extracted by the map extraction unit 40, and outputs the simulation results to the data processing unit .

[0021] For example, the propagation simulation unit 41 simulates network topology, radio wave propagation, internet traffic, etc., and outputs received power, propagation paths, received power / phase / propagation delay information for each propagation path, etc. In this case, the propagation simulation unit 41 may be configured in advance with conditions such as transmission points, reception points, frequencies, bands, reflections, number of diffractions, antenna directivity, etc.

[0022] The propagation simulation unit 41 may also be configured to simulate radio wave propagation using simulation results from a mobile simulation unit 45 (described later). The propagation simulation unit 41 may also omit simulation calculations for locations below the required minimum reception sensitivity, depending on the use case. The propagation simulation unit 41 may also omit calculation steps related to output when map information associated with the results stored in a storage unit 43 (described later) has the same structure as newly input map information.

[0023] The data processing unit 42 processes the results of the simulation by the propagation simulation unit 41 based on external information that affects the environmental information extracted by the map extraction unit 40, and outputs the processed data to the memory unit 43.

[0024] For example, the data processing unit 42 processes data based on the above-mentioned external information for different times including the past and the present. The data processing unit 42 may also process data based on the above-mentioned external information so as to reduce the amount of data stored in the storage unit 43. The data processing unit 42 may also process data based on the above-mentioned external information so as to reduce the amount of calculation required when optimizing parameters to be set to improve communication quality.

[0025] For example, the data processing unit 42 may change the size of the surfaces of the 3D map model in accordance with the frequency parameters of the propagation simulation, and may reduce the number of wall surfaces in accordance with the number of reflections. The data processing unit 42 may also compress the data by grouping similar data in the frequency direction, the spatial direction, or the time direction.

[0026] The data processing unit 42 then integrates external information such as time information, location information, and sensor information with the results input from the propagation simulation unit 41. The data processing unit 42 may statistically evaluate the results of the map information output by the propagation simulation unit 41 and determine the type and granularity of the map information.

[0027] The storage unit 43 stores the results of data processing performed by the data processing unit 42, and constitutes a database used to optimize parameters to be set in order to improve the communication quality of the wireless communication system 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an outline of the database constituted by the storage unit 43.

[0028] The optimization unit 44 performs processing to optimize the parameters stored in the storage unit 43 and controls the base station 3 using the parameters.

[0029] For example, the optimization unit 44 performs processing to optimize the communication quality of the wireless communication system 1, and outputs information for selecting communication parameters such as the optimal frequency, communication system, communication method, directivity, transmission power, beam selection, and band.

[0030] Here, frequency selection refers to selecting the frequency of radio waves used in wireless communication between the terminal station 2 and the base station 3. Furthermore, communication method selection refers to selecting a communication method such as a communication protocol or a modulation method for transmission and reception. Furthermore, directivity selection refers to selecting the radiation pattern of radio waves transmitted by the base station 3. Furthermore, transmission power selection refers to selecting the transmission power of radio waves. Furthermore, beam selection refers to selecting the radiation direction of radio waves to be transmitted. Furthermore, band selection refers to selecting the bandwidth of data communication.

[0031] The mobile object simulation unit 45 simulates the influence of moving people, automobiles, etc. on the propagation of radio waves based on the environmental information extracted by the map extraction unit 40 , and outputs the simulation results to the propagation simulation unit 41 .

[0032] For example, the mobile object simulation unit 45 may have a function as a people flow simulation unit that performs a simulation to generate a people flow based on the environmental information and map information extracted by the map extraction unit 40. In this case, the mobile object simulation unit 45 may be configured to change the congestion level, the direction of the people flow, etc., and output the position information of people from the simulation results together with time information.

[0033] The mobile object simulation unit 45 may also have a function as a traffic simulation unit that performs a simulation of generating vehicles such as automobiles based on the environmental information and map information extracted by the map extraction unit 40. In this case, the mobile object simulation unit 45 may be configured to change the congestion level, the direction of movement of automobiles, etc., and output the position information of automobiles together with time information from the simulation results.

[0034] That is, the wireless communication system 1 can perform a simulation in advance using, for example, publicly available map information or spatial information, and can grasp and optimize propagation characteristics (received power, throughput, delay profile, fading, etc.) In this case, the information processing device 4 can reduce the cost required for creating a database to be stored in the storage unit 43.

[0035] In addition, the information processing device 4 may be configured so that when the memory unit 43 stores 3D map information and the structure is similar to that of the 3D map information to be newly added, the memory unit 43 stores the non-common parts of the 3D map information to be newly added.

[0036] The information processing device 4 may also be configured to change the granularity of the faces of the 3D model depending on the frequency of the propagation simulation and reduce the number of faces of the 3D data depending on the number of reflections.The information processing device 4 may also generate future information by predicting several patterns of development in rural areas based on chronological changes in urban areas.The information processing device 4 may also include weather data depending on the communication system used in the assumed use case.

[0037] Next, a description will be given of an operation example of the wireless communication system 1. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the wireless communication system 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the map extraction unit 40 of the information processing device 4 acquires spatial information (S100) and extracts map information (S102).

[0038] Next, the propagation simulation unit 41 performs a propagation simulation (S104), the data processing unit 42 processes the data (S106), and the storage unit 43 creates a database (S108).

[0039] Then, the optimization unit 44 performs optimization processing (S110), controls the base station 3 (S112), and returns to processing of S110 if parameter setting for the base station 3 has not been completed (S114: No), or terminates processing if parameter setting has been completed (S114: Yes).

[0040] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 4 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 4 extracts map information (S200).

[0041] Next, the propagation simulation unit 41 performs a propagation simulation (S202), the data processing unit 42 processes the data (S204), and the storage unit 43 creates a database (S206).

[0042] Then, if the information processing device 4 determines that all database creation processes have not been completed (S208: No), it returns to S200, and if all database creation processes have been completed (S208: Yes), it terminates the process.

[0043] In this way, the information processing device 4 can efficiently optimize the parameters to be set in order to improve the communication quality of the wireless communication system 1.

[0044] In addition, each function possessed by the information processing device 4, the terminal station 2, and the base station 3 may be configured in part or in whole by hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0045] For example, the information processing device 4, the terminal station 2, and the base station 3 can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided via a network.

[0046] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device 4 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the information processing device 4 has an input unit 50, an output unit 51, a communication unit 52, a CPU 53, a memory 54, and an HDD 55 connected via a bus 56, and functions as a computer. The information processing device 4 is also configured to input and output data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 57.

[0047] The input unit 50 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, etc. The output unit 51 is, for example, a display device, etc. The communication unit 52 is, for example, a wireless network interface.

[0048] The CPU 53 controls each component of the information processing device 4 and performs predetermined processing, etc. The memory 54 and the HDD 55 are storage units that store data, etc., and correspond to the storage unit 43 described above, for example.

[0049] The storage medium 57 is capable of storing programs and the like that cause the information processing device 4 to execute functions. The architecture constituting the information processing device 4 is not limited to the example shown in Fig. 5. In addition, other components constituting the wireless communication system 1, such as the terminal station 2 and the base station 3, may also have the same hardware configuration as the information processing device 4.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, it is clear that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Therefore, addition, omission, substitution, and other modifications of components may be made without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0051] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry, including general purpose processors, application specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform the described functions.

[0052] A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory.

[0053] In this specification, a circuitry, unit, or means is hardware that is programmed to realize or performs the described functions, which may be any hardware disclosed herein or any hardware known to be programmed to realize or perform the described functions.

[0054] If the hardware is a processor considered to be a type of circuitry, the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of the hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0055] 1...wireless communication system, 2...terminal station, 3...base station, 4...information processing device, 40...map extraction unit, 41...propagation simulation unit, 42...data processing unit, 43...storage unit, 44...optimization unit, 45...mobile simulation unit, 50...input unit, 51...output unit, 52...communication unit, 53...CPU, 54...memory, 55...HDD, 56...bus, 57...storage medium

Claims

1. An information processing device that creates a database used to optimize parameters set to improve the communication quality of a wireless communication system, comprising: a map extraction unit that extracts outdoor environmental information that affects radio wave propagation as information on a map; a propagation simulation unit that simulates radio wave propagation based on the environmental information extracted by the map extraction unit; a data processing unit that processes data based on external information that affects the environmental information extracted by the map extraction unit from the results of the simulation by the propagation simulation unit; and a memory unit that stores the results of data processing by the data processing unit.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the data processing unit processes data based on the external information from different times including the past and the present.

3. An information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data processing unit processes data based on the external information so as to reduce the amount of data stored in the storage unit.

4. An information processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data processing unit processes data based on the external information so as to reduce the amount of calculation when optimizing the parameters.

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