Control station

Abstract

The present disclosure pertains to a control station. This control station is notified of a reception level of radio waves by a receiving device that receives, in the sky, radio waves transmitted by a transmitting device, and the control station is configured to perform processing for designating information about the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device, and determination processing for determining, as a communication frequency, the frequency of the radio waves that the transmitting device was transmitting at the timing when the reception level reached a maximum level.

Description

Control Station

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control station.

[0002] In a small aircraft equipped with a wireless communication device that is composed of a transmitter and a receiver and can freely set the communication frequency, there is a demand for improving the reception level of the receiver in wireless communication in the sky. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for improving the radiation efficiency of wireless communication using an antenna by changing the communication frequency. In other words, by optimizing the communication frequency, the reception level in wireless communication can be increased.

[0003] One method for optimizing the communication frequency used for wireless communication in the sky is to measure the reception level beforehand using a small aircraft before flight. For example, the communication frequency can be optimized by transmitting radio waves of a specific frequency while the small aircraft is placed on the ground and measuring the reception level.

[0004] Patent No. 7210606

[0005] However, with the above-mentioned method, errors in antenna characteristics, such as VSWR (Voltage Standing Wave Ratio), occur due to the influence of the ground. These errors tend to be particularly large at low frequencies. As a result, when wireless communication using the optimized communication frequency is performed in the air, the antenna's radiation efficiency decreases, resulting in a problem of reduced reception levels.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a control station that can improve the reception level and realize efficient communication in wireless communication in the sky.

[0007] An aspect of the present disclosure is a control station that is notified of the radio wave reception level from a receiving device that receives radio waves transmitted by a transmitting device in the sky, and is preferably configured to perform a process of specifying information about the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device and a determination process of determining the frequency of the radio waves that the transmitting device was transmitting at the time the reception level reached its maximum as the communication frequency.

[0008] According to aspects of the present disclosure, it is possible to improve reception levels and achieve efficient communication in wireless communication in the sky.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a method for optimizing a communication frequency according to a comparative example. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control station according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example hardware configuration of a control station according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a reception device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a radio wave reception unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating a method for determining a communication frequency according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] First Embodiment Before describing this embodiment, a comparative example will be described. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a method for optimizing a communication frequency according to the comparative example.

[0011] In the comparative example, the communication frequency is adjusted and optimized to increase the reception level in the sky of the receiving device 6. The receiving device 6 is a small flying object, in this case a drone, equipped with a wireless communication device. The reception level of the receiving device 6 is measured using a measuring instrument 8 connected to the receiving device 6.

[0012] The reception level of the receiving device 6 according to this comparative example is measured with the receiving device 6 placed on the ground 10. Therefore, an error occurs between the antenna characteristics and the values ​​in the sky due to the influence of the ground. This error tends to be particularly large when the frequency is low. As a result, when wireless communication using an optimized communication frequency is performed in the sky, the antenna radiation efficiency decreases, resulting in a problem of a decrease in reception level. The present disclosure solves this problem.

[0013] 2 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The optimization method according to the present embodiment differs from the comparative example in that a receiving device that measures the reception level is located in the sky. Note that the receiving device 6 according to the present embodiment is capable of detecting the frequency of the received radio wave.

[0014] The wireless communication system 100 includes a control station 2. The control station 2 transmits a control signal to a transmitting device 4 and specifies information on radio waves to be transmitted by the transmitting device 4. The transmitting device 4 is a small flying object, which is a drone in this example, equipped with a wireless communication device.

[0015] The information on the radio waves to be transmitted may be, for example, a specific frequency, a profile showing changes in frequency over time, or a frequency that changes over time according to the profile. The profile showing changes in frequency over time is information defined by, for example, a specified frequency width and sweep time. The frequency that changes over time according to the profile is, for example, multiple specific frequency values ​​that change by a specific frequency width for each specific sweep time.

[0016] The transmitting device 4 transmits radio waves of a specified frequency to the receiving device 6 located in the sky. The receiving device 6 is a small flying object equipped with a wireless communication device, and is a drone in this example. Note that although the transmitting device 4 is shown here as being located in the sky, it may also be placed on the ground 10.

[0017] The receiving device 6 receives in the sky the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device 4 and detects the reception level of the received radio waves. The receiving device 6 also notifies the control station 2 of the detected radio wave reception level. The receiving device 6 also detects the frequency of the radio waves when the reception level is detected and notifies the control station 2 of the same.

[0018] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control station according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, a procedure when the control station 2 transmits an instruction to the transmitting device 4 or the receiving device 6 will be described.

[0019] The control station 2 includes an input / output unit 21. The input / output unit 21 transmits input control information to a control unit 22. The control information may be, for example, information about radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device 4, or information about the time when the receiving device 6 receives radio waves. The control information may also be directly input by, for example, a measurer.

[0020] The control unit 22 transmits the input control information to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays the received control information. By visually checking this display, the measurer can confirm the control information including the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the transmitter 4.

[0021] The control unit 22 also transmits the input control information to the radio unit 24. The radio unit 24 converts the input control information into a control signal and transmits it to the antenna unit 25. The antenna unit 25 transmits the received control signal to the transmitting device 4.

[0022] Next, a procedure will be described for the control station 2 to receive a notification from the receiving device 6. The antenna unit 25 receives a notification signal including notification information from the receiving device 6 and transmits it to the radio unit 24. The radio unit 24 converts the notification signal into notification information and transmits it to the control unit 22.

[0023] The control unit 22 transmits the notification information to the display unit 23. The display unit 23 displays the received notification information. By visually checking this display, the person measuring can confirm the notification information including the reception level of the radio waves received by the receiving device 6.

[0024] Furthermore, the control unit 22 transmits the notification information to the input / output unit 21. The input / output unit 21 outputs the notification information. For example, the input / output unit 21 may output the notification information to a computer so that the computer can store the reception level and the frequency in association with each other.

[0025] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control station according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Each function of the control station 2 may be partially or entirely configured by hardware such as a programmable logic device (PLD) or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0026] For example, the control station 2 can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided via a network.

[0027] 4, the control station 2 has an input unit 200, an output unit 201, a communication unit 202, a CPU 203, a memory 204, and an HDD 205 connected via a bus 206, and functions as a computer. The control station 2 is also capable of inputting and outputting data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 207.

[0028] The input unit 200 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, etc. The output unit 201 is, for example, a display device such as a display.

[0029] The communication unit 202 is, for example, a communication interface that communicates with a wireless device to be controlled.

[0030] The CPU 203 controls each component of the control station 2 and performs predetermined processing, etc. The memory 204 and HDD 205 store data, etc.

[0031] The storage medium 207 is capable of storing programs and the like that cause the control station 2 to execute the functions of the control station 2. Note that the architecture that configures the control station 2 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0032] 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a transmission device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, a procedure when the transmission device 4 transmits radio waves to the reception device 6 in accordance with an instruction from the control station 2 will be described.

[0033] The transmitting device 4 includes an antenna unit 41. The antenna unit 41 is an antenna used when the transmitting device 4 communicates wirelessly with the control station 2. The antenna unit 41 receives a control signal from the control station 2 and transmits it to a wireless unit 42.

[0034] The radio unit 42 converts the received control signal into control information and transmits it to the control unit 43. The control unit 43 transmits to the radio wave transmitting unit 44 information for transmitting radio waves at the frequency included in the received control information.

[0035] The radio wave transmitting unit 44 transmits a radio wave transmission instruction based on the received information to the antenna unit 45. The antenna unit 45 is an antenna used when the transmitting device 4 transmits radio waves to the receiving device 6. The antenna unit 45 transmits radio waves to the receiving device 6 based on the transmission instruction. This radio wave is transmitted at a frequency specified by the control station 2.

[0036] Next, a procedure will be described for when the transmitting device 4 transmits notification information to the control station 2. This information transmission is performed, for example, when the transmitting device 4 is unable to transmit radio waves due to a malfunction, in order to notify the control station 2 of this information.

[0037] When radio wave transmission unit 44 is unable to transmit radio waves, it transmits information to control unit 43. Control unit 43 transmits the received information to wireless unit 42. Alternatively, control unit 43 may add information required to identify the cause of the malfunction to the information transmitted to wireless unit 42. The information required here is, for example, weather information such as the reception level, temperature, or humidity at the time of the malfunction.

[0038] The radio unit 42 converts the received information into a notification signal and transmits it to the antenna unit 41. The antenna unit 41 transmits the received notification signal to the control station 2.

[0039] The antenna unit 41, the wireless unit 42, the control unit 43, the radio wave transmitting unit 44, and the antenna unit 45 are mounted on a small mobile body 46. In this example, the small mobile body 46 is a drone.

[0040] 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a receiving device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, a procedure in which the receiving device 6 transmits the reception level of the radio wave received from the transmitting device 4 to the control station 2 will be described.

[0041] The receiving device 6 includes an antenna unit 65. The antenna unit 65 is an antenna used to receive radio waves from the transmitting device 4. The antenna unit 65 receives radio waves from the transmitting device 4 and transmits them to the radio wave receiving unit 64.

[0042] The radio wave receiving unit 64 measures the reception level and time of the received radio waves and transmits them to the control unit 63. The control unit 63 transmits notification information including the reception level of the received radio waves to the wireless unit 62. The time may be synchronized in advance between the transmitting device, the receiving device, and the control station, or the control station may obtain the time difference between the transmitting device and the receiving device.

[0043] The radio unit 62 converts the received notification information into a notification signal and transmits it to the antenna unit 61. The antenna unit 61 is an antenna used when the receiving device 6 communicates wirelessly with the control station 2. The antenna unit 61 transmits the received notification signal to the control station 2.

[0044] Next, we will explain the procedure when the receiving device 6 receives control information from the control station 2. This information reception is performed in order to receive control information including information related to the measurement of the reception level when the control station 2 performs control related to the measurement of the reception level. The information related to the measurement of the reception level is, for example, the time period or length of time during which radio waves should be received.

[0045] The antenna unit 61 receives a control signal from the control station 2 and transmits it to the radio unit 62. The radio unit 62 converts the received control signal into control information and transmits it to the control unit 63. The control unit 63 transmits the control information, which includes information related to the measurement of the reception level, to the radio wave receiving unit 64.

[0046] The radio wave receiving unit 64 measures the reception level of the received radio wave based on the information relating to the measurement of the reception level.

[0047] The antenna unit 61, the wireless unit 62, the control unit 63, the radio wave receiving unit 64, and the antenna unit 65 are mounted on a small mobile body 66. In this example, the small mobile body 66 is a drone.

[0048] 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the radio wave receiving unit according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. First, the operation of the radio wave receiving unit 64 when the receiving device 6 receives control information from the control station 2 will be described.

[0049] The output control unit 641 included in the radio wave receiving unit 64 receives the control information transmitted from the control unit 63. The output control unit 641 transmits information relating to measurement of the reception level included in the control information to the level measuring unit 645.

[0050] Next, the operation of the radio wave receiving unit 64 when the receiving device 6 transmits the reception level of the radio waves received from the transmitting device 4 to the control station 2 will be described. The wideband filter 642 of the radio wave receiving unit 64 receives the radio waves from the antenna unit 65. The wideband filter 642 is a filter that can receive signals over a wide band. As a result of this operation, the frequency band that the receiving device 6 can receive becomes the band of the wideband filter 642.

[0051] The wideband filter 642 transmits the received radio waves to the amplifier 643. The amplifier 643 amplifies the received radio waves and transmits them to the detector 644. The detector 644 detects the amplified radio waves and transmits them to the level measuring unit 645.

[0052] The level measurement unit 645 measures the reception level of the detected radio waves and its change over time. Furthermore, the level measurement unit 645 transmits notification information including the measured reception level of the radio waves to the control unit 63. Note that the level measurement unit 645 may refer to information related to the measurement of the reception level to include information about the time when the reception level is maximum in the notification information.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] First, in step 100, the control station 2 transmits a control signal. Specifically, the control station 2 transmits a control signal including information about the radio waves to be transmitted by the transmitting device 4 to the transmitting device 4, thereby specifying the information about the radio waves to be transmitted by the transmitting device 4. Here, the information about the radio waves to be transmitted is information specifying the frequency and time of the radio waves. The control station 2 also transmits a control signal including information specifying the frequency and time of the radio waves to be received by the receiving device 6 to the receiving device 6.

[0055] Next, in step 102, the transmitting device 4 transmits radio waves. The radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device 4 at this time are determined in accordance with the control signal received from the control station 2. In this step, the transmitting device 4 transmits radio waves of a specified frequency for a specified time. Next, in step 104, the transmitting device 4 stops transmitting radio waves.

[0056] Next, in step 106, the receiver 6 detects the frequency and reception level of the received radio wave and notifies the control station 2. Next, in step 108, the control station 2 stores the notified frequency and reception level of the radio wave.

[0057] Next, in step 110, the measurer determines whether to continue the process. If yes, the process returns to step 100. If no, the process proceeds to step 112.

[0058] The measurement person may make the determination in step 110 based on, for example, whether a specific communication quality is satisfied. The case where the specific communication quality is satisfied may be, for example, when the VSWR becomes equal to or less than a specific threshold value, and the input and output impedances become equal.

[0059] In step 112, the control station 2 determines the communication frequency and ends the process. For example, the control station 2 determines the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device at the timing when the reception level received by the receiving device 6 reached its maximum as the communication frequency. In this case, the control station 2 first identifies the timing when the reception level reached its maximum. Next, the control station 2 determines the frequency notified by the receiving device 6 at the identified timing as the communication frequency.

[0060] As described above, according to this embodiment, the reception level of wireless communication in the sky can be improved by optimizing the communication frequency using the receiving device 6 located in the sky.

[0061] 9 is a flowchart showing processing performed by a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is based on the premise that the receiving device 6 does not have a function for detecting the frequency of the received radio waves.

[0062] First, in step 200, the control station 2 transmits a control signal. Specifically, the control station 2 transmits a control signal including information about the radio waves to be transmitted by the transmitting device 4 to the transmitting device 4, thereby specifying the information about the radio waves to be transmitted by the transmitting device 4. The control station 2 may also transmit a control signal including information about the measurement of the reception level to the receiving device 6.

[0063] The information about the radio waves to be transmitted here is a profile showing the change in frequency over time, or a frequency that changes over time along that profile. The profile showing the change in frequency over time is information defined, for example, by the frequency width and sweep time of the radio waves. The frequency that changes over time along the profile is, for example, multiple specific frequency values ​​that change continuously or discretely by a specific frequency width for each specific sweep time.

[0064] Next, in step 202, the transmitting device 4 transmits radio waves. The radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device 4 at this time are determined in accordance with the control signal received from the control station 2. In this step, the transmitting device 4 transmits radio waves at a frequency swept over a specified frequency width and sweep time. Next, in step 204, the transmitting device 4 stops transmitting radio waves.

[0065] Next, in step 206, the receiving device 6 detects the reception level of the radio waves received and its change over time, and notifies the control station 2. The detected reception level here includes the change over time in the reception level. Next, in step 208, the control station 2 stores the notified reception level of the radio waves.

[0066] Next, in step 210, the measurer determines whether to continue the process. If yes, proceed to step 212. If no, proceed to step 214.

[0067] The measurement person's determination in step 210 may be based on, for example, whether a specific communication quality is satisfied. Satisfying the specific communication quality may be, for example, when the VSWR falls below a specific threshold and the input and output impedances become equal. Alternatively, the above determination may be based on whether the transmitter 4 has finished sweeping all the frequencies of radio waves that it can transmit, or whether a peak is confirmed on a curve showing the change in reception level over time.

[0068] In step 212, the control station 2 stores the candidate communication frequency and returns to step 202. For example, the control station 2 determines and stores, as a candidate communication frequency, the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device at the timing when the reception level received by the receiving device 6 reached its maximum. In this case, the control station 2 first identifies the timing when the reception level reached its maximum. Next, the control station 2 applies the identified timing to the profile and determines the identified frequency as the communication frequency.

[0069] In step 214, the control station 2 determines a communication frequency from the communication frequency candidates stored therein, and then ends the process. For example, the control station 2 determines, from the communication frequency candidates stored therein, the frequency at which the reception level is maximized as the communication frequency.

[0070] 10 is a graph illustrating a method for determining a communication frequency according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. The upper graph illustrates the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device 4 in step 202. That is, a straight line 70 illustrates the change over time in the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device 4.

[0071] The lower graph shows the reception level of the radio wave received by the receiving device 6 in step 206. That is, curve 80 shows the change over time in the reception level received by the receiving device 6.

[0072] Here, curve 80 shows a maximum value at time t, which indicates that the reception level is at its maximum at time t. By subsequently referring to line 70, the frequency of the radio waves being transmitted by transmitter 4 at time t can be determined.

[0073] The frequency identified here can be used as a candidate for the communication frequency in step 212. That is, the control station 2 according to this embodiment can determine a candidate for the communication frequency based on the change over time in the frequency of the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device 4 and the timing at which the reception level of the radio waves received by the receiving device 6 reaches a maximum.

[0074] Although an example has been shown here in which the change over time in the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device 4 is swept over a specified frequency width and sweep time, this is not limiting. In other words, the frequency of the radio wave transmitted by the transmitting device 4 may be changed in any manner as long as it changes according to a specific pattern so that the frequency is determined in accordance with a specific time t.

[0075] Furthermore, the process of determining the frequency corresponding to a specific time t may be performed by the control station 2 or by the receiving device 6. When this process is performed by the receiving device 6, the control station 2 transmits a control signal including information related to the measurement of the reception level to the receiving device 6. The information related to the measurement of the reception level is, for example, the time period or length of time during which radio waves should be received.

[0076] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to improve the reception level and realize efficient communication in wireless communication in the sky by optimizing the communication frequency using the receiving device 6 located in the sky. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the receiving device 6 does not have a function for detecting the frequency of the received radio wave, it is possible to determine the communication frequency as long as the reception level can be measured.

[0077] 2 control station 4 transmitting device 6 receiving device

Claims

1. A control station that is notified of the reception level of radio waves transmitted by a transmitting device from a receiving device in the sky that receives the radio waves, and is configured to perform a process of specifying information about the radio waves transmitted by the transmitting device, and a determination process of determining the frequency of the radio waves that the transmitting device was transmitting at the time when the reception level reached its maximum as the communication frequency.

2. A control station according to claim 1, wherein the receiving device notifies the frequency of the radio wave when the reception level is detected, and the determination process includes a process of identifying the timing at which the reception level becomes maximum, and a process of determining the frequency notified by the receiving device at that timing as the communication frequency.

3. A control station as described in claim 1, wherein the radio wave information is a profile showing changes in frequency over time, or a frequency that changes over time in accordance with said profile, and said determination process includes a process of identifying the timing at which said reception level is at its maximum, and a process of determining the frequency identified by applying said timing to said profile as said communication frequency.

4. The control station according to claim 3, wherein the profile is information defined by a specified frequency width and sweep time.

Images