Control device, control method, and terminal device

Abstract

A control device according to the present disclosure comprises: an acquiring unit that acquires weather information relating to the weather in a zone between a ground station and a non-ground station, and the weather in a zone between a terminal device and the non-ground station; an estimating unit that estimates, on the basis of the acquired weather information, a relationship between the communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, and the communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station; and a communication control unit that, on the basis of the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link.

Description

Control device, control method, and terminal device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a terminal device.

[0002] There are known techniques for controlling feeder links, which are networks between ground stations such as gateway (GW) stations and non-ground stations such as aircraft or satellites, and service links, which are networks between terminal devices such as mobile stations and non-ground stations.

[0003] For example, a technique is known in which, when the communication conditions of a feeder link of an air vehicle deteriorate, data communication is switched to data communication via another air vehicle with better communication conditions (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, a technique is known in which, when the communication quality of a feeder link between a satellite and a gateway station deteriorates, a terminal device is handed over from the satellite connected to the gateway station to another satellite connected to another gateway station, thereby maintaining the communication quality of the service link between the terminal device and the satellite (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

[0004] Furthermore, a technique is known in which the amount of attenuation in a network such as a feeder link due to weather is estimated from weather information, and then control parameters of the network transmission method are controlled according to the amount of attenuation (for example, Patent Document 3).

[0005] JP 2023-061594 A JP 2023-083465 A JP 2019-216383 A

[0006] Conventional technologies can control feeder links and service links. However, simply controlling the feeder links and service links may not properly perform communication via non-terrestrial stations. For example, if the communication capacity of the feeder link becomes smaller than the communication capacity of the service link due to external factors such as weather, communication via non-terrestrial stations, which is expected to have a larger communication capacity than the service link, may not be properly performed.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to propose a control device, a control method, and a terminal device that can appropriately perform communication via a non-terrestrial station.

[0008] The control device according to the present disclosure includes an acquisition unit that acquires weather information relating to the weather in an area between a ground station and a non-ground station and the weather in an area between a terminal device and the non-ground station; an estimation unit that estimates, based on the acquired weather information, a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station; and a communication control unit that performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0009] 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a control system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a non-terrestrial station according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of attenuation rate information. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of estimation of the position of a ground station. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for estimating whether or not the communication characteristics of a feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of a service link. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of acquisition of information about links and link switching (basic type). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of link switching (additional type). FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of link switching (non-via-ground-station type). FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a ground station according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a control system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a control device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of a control device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of a non-terrestrial station according to an embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in the following order: 1. First embodiment 1-1. Overview of control system according to first embodiment 1-2. Configuration of control system according to first embodiment 1-3. Flow of control processing according to first embodiment 2. Modification 3. Second embodiment 3-1. Overview of control system according to second embodiment 3-2. Configuration of control system according to second embodiment 3-3. Flow of control processing according to second embodiment 4. Third embodiment 4-1. Overview of control system according to third embodiment 4-2. Configuration of control system according to third embodiment 4-3. Flow of control processing according to third embodiment 5. Other embodiments 6. Effects of control device according to the present disclosure 7. Hardware configuration 8. Supplementary information

[0012] (1. First embodiment) (1-1. Overview of control system according to first embodiment) An overview of a control system 1 according to a first embodiment will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview of a control system according to the first embodiment. The control system 1 includes a non-terrestrial station 100, a terrestrial station 200, and a terminal device 300.

[0013] The non-terrestrial station 100 is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The non-terrestrial station 100 is, for example, an artificial satellite such as a geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, or a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, or a pseudo satellite such as a high altitude platform station (HAPS). In FIG. 1 , satellites 100A and 100B are shown as examples of the non-terrestrial station 100.

[0014] The non-terrestrial station 100 communicates with the terrestrial station 200 via a feeder link 10, which is a network between the terrestrial station 200 and the non-terrestrial station 100. The non-terrestrial station 100 also communicates with the terminal device 300 via a service link 20, which is a network between the terminal device 300 and the non-terrestrial station 100.

[0015] The ground station 200 is, for example, a gateway station or a base station. In Fig. 1, a gateway station 200A and a gateway station 200B are shown as examples of the ground station 200. The ground station 200 communicates with the non-ground station 100 via the feeder link 10.

[0016] The terminal device 300 is, for example, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) such as an airplane or a drone, a smartphone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, or a wireless communication terminal or wireless communication device such as a communication module or a communication chip. In Fig. 1, an airplane 300A, a drone 300B, and a smartphone 300C are shown as examples of the terminal device 300. The terminal device 300 communicates with the non-ground station 100 via the service link 20.

[0017] In FIG. 1A, a satellite 100A communicates with a gateway station 200A via a feeder link 10A. The satellite 100A also communicates with an airplane 300A via a service link 20A. The satellite 100A also communicates with a drone 300B via a service link 20B. The satellite 100A also communicates with a smartphone 300C via a service link 20C.

[0018] In FIG. 1(a), each of the service links 20A, 20B, and 20C accommodates one terminal device 300, but the service link 20 may accommodate multiple terminal devices 300 in one service link, and may be a cell or a sector.

[0019] The satellite 100A acquires information for estimating communication characteristics, such as weather information, of the feeder link 10A based on the status of the feeder link 10A with the GW station 200A via the feeder link 10A. The satellite 100A also acquires information for estimating communication characteristics, such as weather information, of the service links 20A to 20C based on the status of the service links 20A to 20C with the airplane 300A, the drone 300B, and the smartphone 300C via the service links 20A to 20C, respectively.

[0020] 1A, the weather in the area between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A, and the weather in the area between the airplane 300A and the smartphone 300C and the satellite 100A are both sunny. Therefore, there is no attenuation due to external factors such as rainfall in the communication characteristics such as the communication capacity of the feeder link 10A and the communication characteristics such as the communication capacity of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0021] Here, the satellite 100A can only perform appropriate communication within a range in which the communication characteristics such as the communication capacity of the feeder link 10A are greater than the communication characteristics such as the communication capacity of the entire service links 20A to 20C.

[0022] However, as shown in Figure 1(b), due to external factors such as a change in weather, such as the appearance of rain clouds 30 in the area between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A, the communication capacity of the feeder link 10A may decrease relatively to the communication capacity of the service links 20A to 20C. In this case, the communication capacity of the feeder link 10A may become smaller than the total communication capacity of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0023] As a result, there is a risk that communication via the non-terrestrial station 100, where the communication capacity of the feeder link is expected to be greater than the communication capacity of the service link, may not be carried out properly.

[0024] In order to solve the problem of appropriately performing communication via the non-terrestrial station 100, the satellite 100A acquires weather information regarding the weather in the area between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A, and the weather in the area between the airplane 300A, the smartphone 300C, and the satellite 100A. The weather information includes information on the weather itself, such as sunny, cloudy, rain, snow, and fog, information on the degree of weather, such as heavy rain and drizzle, information on numerical degrees, such as the amount of precipitation, the amount of snow, and humidity, and information on the range of weather, such as areas where the weather will worsen and cloud height.

[0025] Next, based on the acquired weather information, the satellite 100A estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A, which is the network between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A, and the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C, which are the networks between the airplane 300A to the smartphone 300C and the satellite 100A.

[0026] Next, based on the relationship between the estimated communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A and the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C, the satellite 100A switches the feeder link to another feeder link, switches the service link to another service link, or switches the feeder link and the service link to another feeder link and another service link, respectively.

[0027] The communication characteristics are characteristics of communication performed via a network such as a feeder link, a service link, etc. For example, the communication characteristics include communication capacity, channel quality, which is the quality of a network such as a feeder link or a service link, delay time, and changes in these communication characteristics (such as changes in communication capacity).

[0028] 1C, an example of the above-mentioned processing by the satellite 100A will be described below. First, the satellite 100A acquires weather information for each area based on weather forecast information related to the weather forecast and location information related to the locations of the satellite 100A, the GW station 200A, and the airplane 300A to the smartphone 300C.

[0029] For example, the satellite 100A acquires weather forecast information from a database of weather forecast information, and also acquires location information from at least one of the airplane 300A to the smartphone 300C.

[0030] Next, the satellite 100A compares the weather forecast information with the location information to obtain weather information indicating that the weather in the area between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A is cloudy. Similarly, the satellite 100A obtains weather information indicating that the weather between the airplane 300A-smartphone 300C and the satellite 100A is sunny.

[0031] The satellite 100A may also obtain information regarding switchable service links and information regarding switchable feeder links.

[0032] For example, the satellite 100A acquires information about a feeder link 10B between the satellite 100A and a GW station 200B that is different from the GW station 200A, as information about a switchable feeder link.

[0033] Next, based on the acquired weather information, satellite 100A estimates changes in the relationship between the communication capacity of feeder link 10A and the sum of the communication capacities of service link 20A, service link 20B, and service link 20C as the relationship between the communication characteristics of feeder link 10A and the communication characteristics of service links 20A to 20C.

[0034] 1(c), rain clouds 30 occur in the area between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A, causing the weather in the area between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A to deteriorate relatively compared to the weather between the airplane 300A, smartphone 300C, and the satellite 100A. In this case, the satellite 100A estimates that the communication capacity of the feeder link 10A will be relatively reduced compared to the communication capacity of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0035] Next, the satellite 100A switches the feeder link 10A or at least one of the service links 20A to 20C to another feeder link or another service link based on the relationship between the estimated communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A and the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C. For example, if the satellite 100A estimates that the communication capacity of the feeder link 10A will decrease relatively to the communication capacity of the service links 20A to 20C, it switches the feeder link 10A to another feeder link.

[0036] Specifically, the satellite 100A switches the feeder link 10A to the feeder link 10B, which is a switchable feeder link, so that the communication capacity of the feeder link is greater than the communication capacity of the service link.

[0037] In this way, the satellite 100A switches the service link etc. based on the relationship between the estimated communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A and the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C. This allows the satellite 100A to switch from one feeder link to another or from one service link to another so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link are higher than the communication characteristics of the service link, thereby enabling appropriate communication via the non-ground station 100.

[0038] (1-2. Configuration of the control system according to the first embodiment) (Configuration of the non-terrestrial station) Next, an example of the configuration of the control system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described using FIG. 2. First, an example of the configuration of the non-terrestrial station 100 will be described using FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the non-terrestrial station according to the first embodiment. The non-terrestrial station 100 includes an FL (Feeder Link) wireless communication unit 101, an SL (Service Link) wireless communication unit 102, a memory unit 103, a weather sensor unit 104, a position sensor unit 105, and a control unit 106.

[0039] The FL wireless communication unit 101 is, for example, a network interface controller. The FL wireless communication unit 101 includes an FL reception processing unit 1011 and an FL transmission processing unit 1012. The FL wireless communication unit 101 wirelessly communicates with a ground station 200, which is another wireless communication device, via an antenna 1013.

[0040] The FL reception processing unit 1011 performs reception processing of control information and data of the feeder link from the ground station 200 via the antenna 1013 .

[0041] The FL transmission processing unit 1012 performs processing for transmitting control information and data of the feeder link to the ground station 200 via the antenna 1013 .

[0042] The SL wireless communication unit 102 is, for example, a network interface controller. The SL wireless communication unit 102 includes an SL reception processing unit 1021 and an SL transmission processing unit 1022. The SL wireless communication unit 102 wirelessly communicates with the terminal device 300 via an antenna 1023.

[0043] The SL reception processing unit 1021 performs a process of receiving control information and data of the service link from the terminal device 300 via the antenna 1023 .

[0044] The SL transmission processing unit 1022 performs processing for transmitting control information and data of the service link to the terminal device 300 via the antenna 1023 .

[0045] The storage unit 103 is a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk, and stores various data. For example, the storage unit 103 stores attenuation rate information 1031.

[0046] The attenuation rate information 1031 is information for obtaining the attenuation rate of communication characteristics that attenuate according to distance information between the terrestrial station 200 and the non-terrestrial station 100, and between the terminal device 300 and the non-terrestrial station 100, which is estimated from the position information of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300, weather information, and frequency information related to the frequency used for communication.

[0047] An example of the attenuation rate information 1031 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the attenuation rate information. The attenuation rate information 1031 is information for acquiring or calculating the attenuation rate of communication characteristics in any state, and is a database.

[0048] For example, the attenuation rate information 1031 is composed of the distance between the terrestrial station 200 and the non-terrestrial station 100 based on the location information or the distance between the terminal device 300 and the non-terrestrial station 100, the frequency indicated by the frequency information, and the attenuation rate for each weather condition indicated by the weather information.

[0049] As an example, the attenuation rate information 1031 is defined as the attenuation rate of communication characteristics for each frequency and distance in other weather conditions, such as cloudy, rainy, snowy, and foggy weather, compared to communication characteristics for each frequency and distance in clear weather.

[0050] The attenuation rate information 1031 can also be regarded as amplification rate information. The attenuation rate information 1031 may be defined as an attenuation rate for any condition, not just the weather.

[0051] Alternatively, the attenuation rate information 1031 may be configured from communication characteristics such as distance, frequency, communication capacity for each weather, channel quality, and delay time, and may be used to calculate the attenuation rate.

[0052] For example, the attenuation rate information 1031 may be set using elements such as the weather, the distance between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 or the distance between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300, or the communication characteristics for each frequency used for communication.

[0053] In this case, the attenuation rate information 1031 may be evaluation data relating to communication characteristics such as weather, the distance between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 or the distance between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300, and communication capacity, channel quality, delay time, etc., for each frequency used for communication, which have been measured in advance, or may be defined based on the evaluation data measured in advance.

[0054] For example, the attenuation rate information 1031 may be prepared as a database for estimating the amount of change in communication characteristics by measuring communication characteristics such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time in communications using various frequencies between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200, or between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300, which are separated by various distances under various weather conditions.

[0055] The weather here includes information on the weather itself, such as sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy, foggy, etc.; information on the degree of weather, such as heavy rain or drizzle; information on the numerical degree, such as the amount of precipitation, amount of snowfall, and humidity; information on the range of weather, such as areas where the weather is worsening and cloud height, and attenuation rate information 1031 may be defined for each of these.

[0056] By using this attenuation rate information 1031 or a database of the attenuation rate information 1031, if it is possible to acquire, for example, by measurement, the communication characteristics of communication using an arbitrary frequency between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200, which are separated by an arbitrary distance in fine weather, it is possible to estimate the communication characteristics of communication using the same frequency, at the same distance, in different weather, for example, in rainy weather, as well as the difference therebetween, i.e., the amount of change. Furthermore, the amount of change in the communication characteristics of communication using a different frequency, at a different distance, in different weather can also be estimated by using the attenuation rate information 1031.

[0057] Furthermore, without obtaining actual communication characteristics by measurement or the like, the amount of change in communication characteristics in any two or more environments or times indicated by weather, distance, and frequency, for example, two times before and after a weather change, can be estimated by using the attenuation rate information 1031.

[0058] This allows the amount of change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link to be estimated by obtaining information on weather, distance, and frequency, and by comparing the estimated amount of change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link, it is possible to estimate the need to switch between the feeder link and the service link.

[0059] Here, only distance, frequency, and weather are shown as parameters for defining the attenuation rate information 1031, i.e., the value of the communication characteristic for calculating the attenuation rate for an arbitrary state or the attenuation rate between arbitrary states. However, parameters such as differences between feeder links and service links, and the positions of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300 may also be included.

[0060] Returning to the explanation of Figure 2, the weather sensor unit 104 is a sensor that measures weather. For example, the weather sensor unit 104 measures the weather around the non-terrestrial station 100 using a rainfall sensor installed in the non-terrestrial station 100. The weather sensor unit 104 also measures the weather around the terrestrial station 200 and the weather around the terminal device 300 using a weather observation sensor installed in the non-terrestrial station 100.

[0061] The position sensor unit 105 is a sensor that measures the position, for example, a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that measures the position of the non-terrestrial station 100.

[0062] The control unit 106 is, for example, a controller, and includes an assist information receiving unit 1061 to a communication control unit 1072.

[0063] The assist information receiving unit 1061 receives assist information for assisting the processing of the non-terrestrial station 100 from the terrestrial station 200 or the terminal device 300 .

[0064] For example, the assist information receiving unit 1061 receives, as assist information, from the ground station 200, information on the weather between the ground station 200 and the non-ground station 100, the position of the ground station 200, and communication characteristics of the feeder link, which are measured or estimated by the ground station 200. In addition, the assist information receiving unit 1061 receives, as assist information, from the terminal device 300, information on the weather between the terminal device 300 and the non-ground station 100, the position of the terminal device 300, and communication characteristics of the service link, which are measured or estimated by the terminal device 300.

[0065] The location information acquisition unit 1062 acquires location information for estimating the location of the feeder link and the location of the service link based on information regarding the location measured by the location sensor unit 105, assist information received by the assist information receiving unit 1061, etc.

[0066] For example, the location information acquisition unit 1062 acquires the locations of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300 as location information.

[0067] As an example, when acquiring the position of the non-terrestrial station 100, the position information acquisition unit 1062 acquires the position of the non-terrestrial station 100 measured by GNSS or the position of the non-terrestrial station 100 calculated based on information in the SIB (System Information Block).

[0068] Specifically, in the case of 5G (Generation) NR (New Radio), the location information acquisition unit 1062 acquires the location of the non-terrestrial station 100 calculated based on information in SIB19. In the case of LTE (Long Term Evolution), the location information acquisition unit 1062 acquires the location of the non-terrestrial station 100 calculated based on information in SIB31.

[0069] As an example, when acquiring the position of the ground station 200, the position information acquisition unit 1062 acquires the position of the ground station 200 determined based on assist information and information on NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) GW Location provided to the gNB (next generation Node B).

[0070] An example of estimating the position of the ground station 200 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of estimating the position of a ground station.

[0071] If the location information acquisition unit 1062 can acquire the location of an RP (Reference Point) 400, it can also use the location information acquisition unit 1062 to estimate the location of the GW station 200A. The RP is a reference point determined by the network for synchronizing the timing of uplink and downlink, and is taken as an arbitrary point between the satellite 100A and the GW station 200A.

[0072] For example, when a Kmac value is set in the SIB, the location information acquisition unit 1062 can estimate the location of the GW station 200A as being the location that is Kmac value / 2×c (the speed of light) ahead from the location of the RP 400 in the direction from the satellite 100A to the RP 400. The Kmac value is a scheduling offset provided by the network that corresponds to the round-trip time (RTT) between the RP 400 and the gNB when the frame timing of the downlink and the uplink are not aligned in the gNB.

[0073] Returning to the description of Fig. 2, as an example, when acquiring the position of the terminal device 300, the position information acquisition unit 1062 acquires the position of the terminal device 300 measured by the GNSS provided in the terminal device 300 as assist information.

[0074] The location estimation unit 1063 estimates the location of the feeder link and the location of the service link based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 1062. For example, when the location of the RP can be acquired, the location estimation unit 1063 estimates the location of the RP as the location of the feeder link. For example, the location estimation unit 1063 estimates the location of the terminal device 300 acquired as assist information from the terminal device 300 as the location of the service link.

[0075] The distance estimation unit 1064 estimates distance information regarding the feeder link distance and the service link distance based on the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 1062. For example, the distance estimation unit 1064 estimates these distances as the feeder link distance based on the location of the non-terrestrial station 100 and the location of the terrestrial station 200. Furthermore, the distance estimation unit 1064 estimates these distances as the service link distance based on the location of the non-terrestrial station 100 and the location of the terminal device 300.

[0076] The weather information acquisition unit 1065 acquires information related to the weather. For example, the weather information acquisition unit 1065 acquires information related to the weather from the weather sensor unit 104, a weather forecast database, the ground station 200, or the terminal device 300. When acquiring weather forecast information from the weather forecast database, the weather information acquisition unit 1065 may acquire the weather forecast information at predetermined time intervals, or may acquire the weather forecast information again whenever the weather changes.

[0077] Furthermore, the weather information acquisition unit 1065 acquires the weather around the non-terrestrial station 100 , the weather around the terrestrial station 200 , and the weather around the terminal device 300 measured by the weather sensor unit 104 .

[0078] The weather estimation unit 1066 estimates the weather at the location of the feeder link and the weather at the location of the service link based on the information about the weather acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 1065 and the location of the feeder link and the location of the service link estimated by the location estimation unit 1063.

[0079] The weather at the location of the feeder link is the weather in an area corresponding to the location of the feeder link between the earth station 200 and the non-earth station 100. In other words, the weather at the location of the feeder link is the weather in an area that may cause changes in the communication characteristics of the feeder link. The weather at the location of the service link is the weather in an area corresponding to the location of the service link between the terminal device 300 and the non-earth station 100. In other words, the weather at the location of the service link is the weather in an area that may cause changes in the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0080] For example, the weather estimation unit 1066 compares weather forecast information with the location of the feeder link, and estimates the weather in the area between the ground station 200 and the non-ground station 100 as the weather at the location of the feeder link.

[0081] Furthermore, the weather estimation unit 1066 compares the weather forecast information with the position of the service link, and estimates the weather in the area between the terminal device 300 and the non-terrestrial station 100 as the weather at the position of the service link. When there are multiple terminal devices 300, the weather estimation unit 1066 may estimate the weather at the position of the service link based on the position of one representative terminal device 300, or may estimate the weather at the position of the service link based on the positions of multiple terminal devices 300.

[0082] The weather change determination unit 1067 determines a change in the relative relationship between the weather at the feeder link location and the weather at the service link location based on the weather at the feeder link location and the weather at the service link location estimated by the weather estimation unit 1066. In other words, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines whether a change in the relative relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link is expected. For example, if there is no change in the weather at the feeder link location and the weather at the service link location improves, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relative to the weather at the service link location. In other words, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that a relative deterioration in the communication characteristics of the feeder link relative to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected.

[0083] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates the communication characteristics of the feeder link from the distance of the feeder link between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 estimated by the distance estimation unit 1064, the weather at the location of the feeder link estimated by the weather estimation unit 1066, the frequency used for communication between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200, and the attenuation rate information 1031 of the communication characteristics stored in the memory unit 103, etc.

[0084] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may use the information on the positions of the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 1062 and the position of the feeder link estimated by the position estimation unit 1063 to estimate the communication characteristics of the feeder link.

[0085] Here, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may use the communication characteristics of the feeder link, such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time, measured by the non-terrestrial station 100, as estimated values ​​of the communication characteristics, or may use them to assist in estimating the communication characteristics of the feeder link.

[0086] Furthermore, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may estimate the communication characteristics of the feeder link based on information measured or estimated by the ground station 200, or may use the information to assist in estimating the communication characteristics of the feeder link.

[0087] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates the communication characteristics of the service link from the distance of the service link between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300 estimated by the distance estimation unit 1064, the weather at the location of the service link estimated by the weather estimation unit 1066, the frequency used for communication between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300, and the attenuation rate information 1031 of the communication characteristics stored in the memory unit 103, etc.

[0088] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may use the information on the positions of the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 1062 and the position of the service link estimated by the position estimation unit 1063 to estimate the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0089] Here, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may use the communication characteristics of the service link, such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time, measured by the non-terrestrial station 100, as estimated values ​​of the communication characteristics, or may use them to assist in estimating the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0090] Furthermore, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may estimate the communication characteristics of the service link based on information measured or estimated by the terminal device 300, or may use the information to assist in estimating the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0091] Here, the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link include communication capacity, channel quality, delay time, and variations in these communication characteristics, for example, variations in communication capacity. That is, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may estimate the communication characteristics of the feeder link including variations in the communication characteristics of the feeder link as the communication characteristics of the feeder link, and may estimate the communication characteristics of the service link including variations in the communication characteristics of the service link as the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0092] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may estimate the amount of change in the communication characteristics as the amount of change at an arbitrary point in time, for example, as the amount of change in the communication characteristics before and after a weather change.

[0093] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may estimate the amount of change in the communication characteristics as the amount of change relative to an arbitrary reference, for example, as the amount of change in the communication characteristics relative to a case where there is no attenuation, such as a clear day.

[0094] Here, the communication characteristic estimation unit 1068 may use the attenuation rate information 1031 of the communication characteristic when estimating the communication characteristic or the amount of change in the communication characteristic.

[0095] The communication characteristic estimation unit 1068 may use, as the communication characteristics, information such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time that is actually acquired by measurement, etc. Alternatively, the communication characteristic estimation unit 1068 may use information such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time that is actually acquired by measurement, etc. in estimating the communication characteristics, and may use this information to complement the estimation of the communication characteristics.

[0096] For example, the communication characteristic estimation unit 1068 may estimate the communication characteristics using the attenuation rate information 1031 of the communication characteristics based on information on communication characteristics such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time that have actually been obtained by measurement or the like, or that have been estimated from the obtained information.

[0097] In addition, when estimating communication characteristics, the communication characteristic estimation unit 1068 may use information on communication characteristics such as communication capacity, channel quality, and delay time that has been actually obtained by measurement or estimated from the obtained information to complement the estimation of communication characteristics using the communication characteristic attenuation rate information 1031.

[0098] In this case, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 acquires the communication characteristics of the feeder link based on the communication state of the FL wireless communication unit 101. Alternatively, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates the communication characteristics of the feeder link based on the value acquired from the FL wireless communication unit 101.

[0099] Similarly, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates the communication characteristics of the service link based on the communication state of the SL wireless communication unit 102. Alternatively, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates the communication characteristics of the service link based on values ​​acquired from the SL wireless communication unit 102.

[0100] The communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link estimated by the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068. For example, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines the relationship between the channel quality of the feeder link and the channel quality of the service link as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0101] Furthermore, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, including the relationship between the amount of change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the amount of change in the communication characteristics of the service link. In this case, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines a change in the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the estimated amount of change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the amount of change in the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0102] For example, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines a change in the relationship between the estimated communication capacity of the feeder link and the estimated communication capacity of the service link as a change in the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0103] In this case, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 acquires (references) attenuation rate information 1031, which is the attenuation rate or amplification rate of the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link according to the location information, frequency information, and weather information, and, based on the amount of change in the communication capacity of the feeder link and the service link estimated based on the attenuation rate information 1031, determines that the communication capacity of the feeder link has decreased or will decrease relatively to the communication capacity of the service link if the amount of attenuation or attenuation rate of the communication capacity of the feeder link is greater than the amount of attenuation or attenuation rate of the communication capacity of the service link.

[0104] In this way, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 can determine whether the communication characteristics of the feeder link are relatively degraded compared to the communication characteristics of the service link, based on the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0105] On the other hand, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 may determine the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the determination results of weather changes at the positions of the feeder link and the service link by the weather change determination unit 1067, without having the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimate the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link.

[0106] For example, if the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively compared to the weather at the location of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 may determine that the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively compared to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0107] An example of a process for estimating whether or not the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relative to the communication characteristics of the service link will be described below with reference to Fig. 5, based on the results of the determination of weather changes at the feeder link position and the service link position by the weather change determination unit 1067. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for estimating whether or not the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relative to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0108] The term "weather will become relatively worse" does not necessarily mean that the weather has already become relatively worse, but also means that the weather is predicted to become relatively worse in the future. Therefore, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 may estimate the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, including the future prediction, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0109] 5, among cases C1 to C8, cases C1 to C4 correspond to cases where the weather at the feeder link location worsens, or where the weather at the feeder link location remains unchanged and the weather at the service link location improves. These are cases where the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relative to the weather at the service link location. In these cases, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 may determine that the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relative to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0110] In case C1, only the weather at the location of the feeder link 10A worsens due to the rain clouds 30. Therefore, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0111] In case C2, there is no change in the weather at the location of the feeder link 10A, whereas the weather at the location of the service link 20A improves as the rainclouds 30A disappear. Therefore, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0112] In case C3, the weather at the location of the feeder link 10A and the weather at the locations of the service links 20A to 20C both worsen. Even if the rain cloud 30 and the rain cloud 30C are raining at the same level, if the frequency used for the feeder link is set higher than the frequency used for the service link, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0113] That is, the weather change determination unit 1067 can determine that the impact of rain on the feeder link, which uses a high frequency, is greater than the impact of rain on the service link. In other words, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the feeder link is more susceptible to weather changes than the service link, and that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relatively compared to the weather at the service link location. This means that in this case, the weather change determination unit 1067 can predict that the change in communication characteristics will be greater for the feeder link than for the service link.

[0114] In this case, the weather change determination unit 1067 takes into consideration the frequencies used in the service link and the feeder link and determines that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relatively compared to the weather at the service link location, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 estimates that the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A will deteriorate relatively compared to the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0115] On the other hand, the weather change determination unit 1067 may determine that the weather at the positions of both the service link and the feeder link is rainy, and then may not determine that the weather at the position of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively compared to the weather at the position of the service link, without taking into consideration the frequencies used in the service link and the feeder link.

[0116] In this case, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 may determine the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link, taking into consideration the frequencies used in the service link and the feeder link. Specifically, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 may determine that the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A are relatively degraded compared to the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0117] In case C4, the weather at the location of the feeder link 10A deteriorates due to the appearance of rain clouds 30, whereas the weather at the locations of the service links 20A to 20C improves due to the disappearance of rain clouds 30C. Therefore, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the locations of the feeder links will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the locations of the service links, and the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates that the communication characteristics of the feeder link 10A will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service links 20A to 20C.

[0118] The weather change determination unit 1067 may take into account the degree of weather, for example, the degree of rain, when determining the weather at the locations of the service link and the feeder link. For example, in case C3, if heavy rain is falling from rain cloud 30 and light rain is falling from rain cloud 30C, it can be determined that the weather at the location of feeder link 10A is worse than the weather at the locations of service links 20A to 20C, where light rain is falling from rain cloud 30C, because heavy rain is falling from rain cloud 30. In this case, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that this is a case in which the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0119] In this case, the weather information acquisition unit 1065, the weather estimation unit 1066, and the weather change determination unit 1067 will acquire, estimate, and determine, respectively, information including the degree of weather.

[0120] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 2, if the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that the communication characteristics of the feeder link will be relatively degraded compared to the communication characteristics of the service link, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about links that can be switched from the currently used link.

[0121] For example, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about a feeder link that can be switched from the currently used feeder link from the ground station 200, etc. The link information acquisition unit 1070 can also acquire information about a switchable feeder link that is determined based on the positions of the non-ground station 100, the ground station 200, and the terminal device 300 from the ground station 200, etc.

[0122] Furthermore, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information on service links that can be switched from the currently used service link, as well as information on feeder links that can be switched from the currently used feeder link.

[0123] In addition, the link information acquisition unit 1070 may acquire information about links that can be switched from the currently used link, and may also acquire information about the non-terrestrial station 100, terrestrial station 200, and terminal device 300 that communicate via the link.

[0124] An example of how to obtain information about a link will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of how to obtain information about a link and how to switch links (basic type). In Fig. 6, the link information obtaining unit 1070 obtains information about switchable links having different components according to a link switching pattern.

[0125] 6A shows a case where the feeder link 10A is switched to the feeder link 10B. In this case, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about the feeder link 10B. The link information acquisition unit 1070 also acquires information about another GW station 200B that can establish the feeder link 10B with the satellite 100A.

[0126] Being able to establish a link means being at a distance, position, or angle that allows a link to be established from both communication partners via the link, and having the resources (frequency, bandwidth, etc.) to communicate via the link.

[0127] 6(b) shows a case where the feeder link 10A is switched to the feeder link 10C and the feeder link 10D. In this case, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about the feeder link 10C and the feeder link 10D. The link information acquisition unit 1070 also acquires information about another satellite 100B that can establish the feeder link 10C with the GW station 200A and the feeder link 10D with the satellite 100A.

[0128] Fig. 6(c) shows a case where feeder link 10A is switched to feeder link 10E, and Fig. 6(c) shows a case where service link 20C is switched to service link 20D between smartphone 300C and another satellite 100B.

[0129] In this case, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about the feeder link 10E and the service link 20D. The link information acquisition unit 1070 also acquires information about another satellite 100B that can establish a feeder link 10E with the GW station 200A and a service link 20D with the smartphone 300C.

[0130] Figure 6(d) shows a case where feeder link 10A is switched to feeder link 10F, and Figure 6(d) shows a case where service link 20C is switched to service link 20D.

[0131] In this case, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about the feeder link 10F and the service link 20D. The link information acquisition unit 1070 also acquires information about another satellite 100B that can establish a service link 20D with the smartphone 300C, and another GW station 200B that can establish a feeder link 10F with the other satellite 100B.

[0132] The link determination unit 1071 determines a destination link to switch to based on information about links that can be switched from the currently used link, which information is acquired by the link information acquisition unit 1070. For example, the link determination unit 1071 determines a destination feeder link from among the switchable feeder links so that the communication characteristics, such as the communication capacity, of the feeder link are greater than the communication characteristics, such as the communication capacity, of the service link.

[0133] The link determination unit 1071 can also determine the switch destination link based on the weather at the location of the link that is a candidate for the switch destination. The link determination unit 1071 can also determine the switch destination link based on the weather around the non-terrestrial station 100 that communicates via the switch destination link, the weather around the terrestrial station 200, and the weather around the terminal device 300. For example, the link determination unit 1071 determines the switch destination to be a feeder link where the weather at the location of the feeder link is sunny.

[0134] The link determination unit 1071 can also determine the link to be switched to based on the distance between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 and the distance between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300. For example, the link determination unit 1071 determines, as the feeder link to be switched to, the feeder link for communication between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 with the shortest distance among the distances between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terrestrial station 200 that communicate via the feeder links that are candidates for the switchover destination.

[0135] Furthermore, when determining a service link to be switched to, the link determination unit 1071 determines the service link to be switched to so that the communication characteristics of the service link satisfy predetermined criteria. For example, the link determination unit 1071 determines the service link to be switched to based on the communication capacity and limitations of the service link. Specifically, the link determination unit 1071 determines the service link to be switched to so that the communication capacity of the service link does not exceed the maximum capacity. Alternatively, the link determination unit 1071 determines the service link to be switched to so as not to use a service link that is subject to limitations.

[0136] The link determination unit 1071 can also determine a feeder link to which to switch from the currently used feeder link so that switching of the service link or the like does not occur.

[0137] The link determination unit 1071 can also determine a switch-destination service link from among the currently used service links as switchable service links.

[0138] The communication control unit 1072 controls wireless communication with other wireless communication devices. The communication control unit 1072 also switches a feeder link to another feeder link based on the switching information determined by the link determination unit 1071. The communication control unit 1072 also switches a service link to another service link based on the switching information determined by the link determination unit 1071.

[0139] That is, the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link to another feeder link based on the relationship between the estimated communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. Also, the communication control unit 1072 switches the service link to another service link based on the relationship between the estimated communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0140] For example, the communication control unit 1072 performs at least one of switching the currently used feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on at least one of information on feeder links to which the currently used feeder link can be switched, acquired by the link information acquisition unit 1070, or information on service links to which the currently used service link can be switched. Specifically, the communication control unit 1072 switches the currently used feeder link to the switch-to feeder link determined by the link determination unit 1071 based on the information on switchable feeder links.

[0141] An example of link switching (basic type) will be described below with reference to Fig. 6. In Fig. 6, when it is determined that the communication characteristics, such as the communication capacity, of the feeder link will be relatively reduced compared to the communication characteristics, such as the communication capacity, of the service link due to a change in weather, the communication control unit 1072 switches the currently used link to another link that can be switched.

[0142] In this case, the communication control unit 1072 switches the currently used feeder link or service link to another feeder link or another service link so that the communication characteristics, such as the communication capacity, of the feeder link are greater than the communication characteristics, such as the communication capacity, of the service link. Also, the communication control unit 1072 switches the currently used feeder link or service link to another feeder link or another service link so that the communication capacity of the feeder link or service link does not exceed the maximum capacity or so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link or service link satisfy a predetermined standard.

[0143] In FIG. 6A, the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to a feeder link 10B between another GW station 200B and the satellite 100A.

[0144] In FIG. 6B, the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to a feeder link 10C and a feeder link 10D between the GW station 200A and the satellite 100A via another satellite 100B.

[0145] 6(c), the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to a feeder link 10E between the GW station 200A and another satellite 100B. The communication control unit 1072 also switches the service link 20C to a service link 20D between the smartphone 300C and another satellite 100B.

[0146] 6(b) and 6(c), when the feeder link 10A is switched to the feeder link 10C or the feeder link 10E, the GW station 200A communicates with the plurality of satellites 100A and 100B. In this case, the GW station 200A may communicate with each of the plurality of satellites 100A and 100B using a plurality of antennas (for example, two antennas), or may communicate with these satellites using a single antenna.

[0147] 6(d), the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to a feeder link 10F between another GW station 200B and another satellite 100B. The communication control unit 1072 also switches the service link 20C to a service link 20D between a smartphone 300C and another satellite 100B.

[0148] Next, an example of link switching (addition type) will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of link switching (addition type). In Fig. 7, the communication control unit 1072 adds at least one of another service link and another feeder link while leaving the original service link and the original feeder link. However, by adding at least one of another service link and another feeder link, at least one of the original service link and the original feeder link becomes thinner.

[0149] In FIG. 7A, the communication control unit 1072 adds a feeder link 10B while leaving the feeder link 10A.

[0150] In FIG. 7B, the communication control unit 1072 adds a feeder link 10C and a feeder link 10D while leaving the feeder link 10A.

[0151] 7C, the communication control unit 1072 adds a feeder link 10E while leaving the feeder link 10A. Also, the communication control unit 1072 adds a service link 20D while leaving the service link 20C.

[0152] 7D, the communication control unit 1072 adds a feeder link 10F while leaving the feeder link 10A. Also, the communication control unit 1072 adds a service link 20D while leaving the service link 20C.

[0153] Next, an example of link switching (not via a terrestrial station) will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of link switching (not via a terrestrial station). In Fig. 8, the communication control unit 1072 switches a feeder link to another feeder link via another non-terrestrial station 100 in each of the basic types described above.

[0154] In FIG. 8A, the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to another feeder link 10B1 and a feeder link 10B2 that are further routed via another satellite 100F compared to the basic type in FIG. 6A.

[0155] In FIG. 8B, the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to another feeder link 10C, a feeder link 10D1, and a feeder link 10D2 that are further routed via another satellite 100F compared to the basic type in FIG. 6B.

[0156] In FIG. 8C, the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to another feeder link 10E1 and a feeder link 10E2 that are further routed via another satellite 100F compared to the basic type of FIG. 6C.

[0157] In FIG. 8(d), the communication control unit 1072 switches the feeder link 10A to another feeder link 10F1 and a feeder link 10F2 that are further routed via another satellite 100F compared to the basic type of FIG. 6(d).

[0158] (Configuration of Ground Station) Next, an example of the configuration of the ground station 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ground station according to the first embodiment. The ground station 200 includes an FL wireless communication unit 201, a ground station communication unit 202, a memory unit 203, a weather sensor unit 204, a position sensor unit 205, and a control unit 206.

[0159] The FL wireless communication unit 201 is, for example, a network interface controller. The FL wireless communication unit 201 includes an FL reception processing unit 2011 and an FL transmission processing unit 2012. The FL wireless communication unit 201 wirelessly communicates with the non-terrestrial station 100 via an antenna 2013.

[0160] The FL reception processing unit 2011 performs reception processing of control information and data of the feeder link from the non-terrestrial station 100 via the antenna 2013 .

[0161] The FL transmission processing unit 2012 performs processing for transmitting control information and data of the feeder link to the non-terrestrial station 100 via the antenna 2013 .

[0162] The ground station communication unit 202 is, for example, a network interface controller. The ground station communication unit 202 includes a ground station reception processing unit 2021 and a ground station transmission processing unit 2022. The ground station communication unit 202 communicates with another ground station via a cable 2023 such as an optical fiber. The ground station communication unit 202 can also wirelessly communicate with another ground station via an antenna or the like instead of the cable 2023.

[0163] The ground station reception processing unit 2021 performs reception processing of control information and data from another ground station via a cable 2023 .

[0164] The ground station transmission processing unit 2022 performs processing for transmitting control information and data to another ground station via a cable 2023 .

[0165] The storage unit 203 is a storage device such as a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 203 stores various types of data.

[0166] The weather sensor unit 204 is a sensor that measures the weather. For example, the weather sensor unit 204 measures the weather around the ground station 200 using a rainfall sensor installed in the ground station 200.

[0167] The position sensor unit 205 is a sensor that measures the position. For example, the position sensor unit 205 is a GNSS that measures the position of the ground station 200.

[0168] The control unit 206 is, for example, a controller, and includes a location information acquisition unit 2061 to a communication control unit 2068.

[0169] The position information acquisition unit 2061 acquires the position of the ground station 200 as position information based on information about the position measured by the position sensor unit 205, etc.

[0170] The position estimation unit 2062 estimates the position of the feeder link based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 2061. For example, the position estimation unit 2062 estimates the position of the terrestrial station 200 as the position of the feeder link. Instead of the position of the terrestrial station 200, the position estimation unit 2062 can also estimate, as the position of the feeder link, a position shifted by an arbitrary distance from the position of the terrestrial station 200 in the direction of the non-terrestrial station 100, which is the direction of the radio waves captured by the terrestrial station 200, the position of the RP, or the like.

[0171] The weather information acquisition unit 2063 acquires information related to the weather. For example, the weather information acquisition unit 2063 acquires information related to the weather from the weather sensor unit 204 or a weather forecast database.

[0172] The weather estimation unit 2064 estimates the weather at the position of the feeder link based on the information about the weather acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 2063 and the position of the feeder link estimated by the position estimation unit 2062 .

[0173] For example, the weather estimation unit 2064 compares weather forecast information with the location of the feeder link, and estimates the weather in the area between the ground station 200 and the non-ground station 100 as the weather at the location of the feeder link.

[0174] The communication characteristics estimation unit 2065 estimates the communication characteristics of the feeder link from the position of the ground station 200 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 2061, the position of the feeder link estimated by the position estimation unit 2062, the weather at the position of the feeder link estimated by the weather information acquisition unit 2063, the frequency used for communication between the non-ground station 100 and the ground station 200, etc.

[0175] In addition, the communication characteristics estimation unit 2065 may acquire the communication characteristics of the feeder link based on the communication state of the FL wireless communication unit 201, or may estimate the communication characteristics of the feeder link based on information acquired from the FL wireless communication unit 201, or may use the information to assist in the estimation.

[0176] The link information control unit 2066 acquires information about links that can be switched from the currently used link from another ground station, etc. For example, the link information control unit 2066 acquires information about feeder links that can be switched from the currently used feeder link and service links that can be switched from the currently used service link from another ground station, etc. In addition, the link information control unit 2066 transmits information about these switchable links to the non-ground station 100 via the FL transmission processing unit 2012.

[0177] The assist information transmitting unit 2067 transmits, as assist information to the non-terrestrial station 100, information regarding the communication characteristics of the feeder link, such as the position of the ground station 200 measured or estimated by the ground station 200, the weather around the ground station 200, the position of the feeder link, the weather at the position of the feeder link, and acquired or estimated values ​​of the communication characteristics of the feeder link.

[0178] For example, the assist information transmitter 2067 transmits the weather around the ground station 200 or the weather at the position of the feeder link measured or estimated by the weather sensor unit 204 or the weather estimation unit 2064 to the non-ground station 100 via the FL transmission processing unit 2012. In addition, the assist information transmitter 2067 transmits the position of the ground station 200 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 2061 or the position of the feeder link estimated by the position estimation unit 2062 to the non-ground station 100 via the FL transmission processing unit 2012.

[0179] The communication control unit 2068 controls wireless communication with other wireless communication devices. The communication control unit 2068 also switches the feeder link to another feeder link based on information regarding the feeder link switching determined by the non-terrestrial station 100.

[0180] (Configuration of Terminal Device) Next, an example of the configuration of the terminal device 300 will be described using Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. The terminal device 300 includes an SL wireless communication unit 301, a storage unit 302, a weather sensor unit 303, a position sensor unit 304, and a control unit 305.

[0181] The SL wireless communication unit 301 is, for example, a network interface controller. The SL wireless communication unit 301 includes an SL reception processing unit 3011 and an SL transmission processing unit 3012. The SL wireless communication unit 301 wirelessly communicates with the non-terrestrial station 100 via an antenna 3013.

[0182] The SL reception processing unit 3011 performs reception processing of control information and data of the service link from the non-terrestrial station 100 via the antenna 3013 .

[0183] The SL transmission processing unit 3012 performs processing for transmitting control information and data of the service link to the non-terrestrial station 100 via the antenna 3013 .

[0184] The storage unit 302 is a storage device such as a hard disk, an optical disk, etc. The storage unit 302 stores various types of data.

[0185] The weather sensor unit 303 is a sensor that measures the weather. For example, the weather sensor unit 303 measures the weather around the terminal device 300 using a rainfall sensor installed in the terminal device 300.

[0186] The position sensor unit 304 is a sensor that performs measurements related to the position. For example, the position sensor unit 304 is a GNSS that measures the position of the terminal device 300.

[0187] The control unit 305 is, for example, a controller, and includes a location information acquisition unit 3051 to a communication control unit 3057.

[0188] The position information acquisition unit 3051 acquires the position of the terminal device 300 as position information based on information about the position measured by the position sensor unit 304, etc.

[0189] The position estimation unit 3052 estimates the position of the service link based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 3051. For example, the position estimation unit 3052 estimates the position of the terminal device 300 as the position of the service link. Instead of the position of the terminal device 300, the position estimation unit 3052 can also estimate, as the position of the service link, a position shifted by an arbitrary distance from the position of the terminal device 300 in the direction of the non-terrestrial station 100, which is the direction of the radio waves captured by the terminal device 300.

[0190] The weather information acquisition unit 3053 acquires information related to the weather. For example, the weather information acquisition unit 3053 acquires information related to the weather from the weather sensor unit 303 or a weather forecast database.

[0191] The weather estimation unit 3054 estimates the weather at the location of the service link based on the information about the weather acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 3053 and the location of the service link estimated by the location estimation unit 3052 .

[0192] For example, the weather estimation unit 3054 compares weather forecast information with the location of the service link, and estimates the weather in the area between the terminal device 300 and the non-terrestrial station 100 as the weather at the location of the service link.

[0193] The communication characteristics estimation unit 3055 estimates the communication characteristics of the service link from the position of the terminal device 300 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 3051, the position of the service link estimated by the position estimation unit 3052, the weather at the position of the service link estimated by the weather information acquisition unit 3053, the frequency used for communication between the non-terrestrial station 100 and the terminal device 300, etc.

[0194] In addition, the communication characteristics estimation unit 3055 may acquire the communication characteristics of the service link based on the communication state of the SL wireless communication unit 301, or may estimate the communication characteristics of the service link based on information acquired from the SL wireless communication unit 301, or may use the information to assist in the estimation.

[0195] The assist information transmitting unit 3056 transmits, as assist information to the non-terrestrial station 100, information regarding the communication characteristics of the service link, such as the position of the terminal device 300 measured or estimated by the terminal device 300, the weather around the terminal device 300, the position of the service link, the weather at the position of the service link, and acquired or estimated values ​​of the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0196] For example, the assist information transmitter 3056 transmits the weather around the terminal device 300 or the weather at the location of the service link measured or estimated by the weather sensor unit 303 or the weather estimation unit 3054 to the non-terrestrial station 100 via the SL transmission processing unit 3012. The assist information transmitter 3056 also transmits the location of the terminal device 300 acquired by the location information acquisition unit 3051 or the location of the service link estimated by the location estimation unit 3052 to the non-terrestrial station 100 via the SL transmission processing unit 3012.

[0197] The communication control unit 3057 controls wireless communication with other wireless communication devices. The communication control unit 3057 also switches the service link to another service link based on information regarding the service link switching determined by the non-terrestrial station 100. That is, the communication control unit 3057 switches the service link to another service link based on the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link estimated based on weather information and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0198] (1-3. Flow of control processing according to the first embodiment) An example of the flow of control processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing according to the first embodiment. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of estimation processing according to the first embodiment.

[0199] First, an example of the flow of control processing by the non-terrestrial station 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0200] The location information acquisition unit 1062 acquires location information of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300 relating to the feeder link and service link controlled by the non-terrestrial station 100 (step S11).

[0201] The location estimation unit 1063 estimates the location of the feeder link and the location of each service link associated with the feeder link (step S12).

[0202] For example, the position estimation unit 1063 estimates the position of the RP and the position of the ground station 200 as the position of the feeder link based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 1062. Furthermore, the position estimation unit 1063 estimates the position of the terminal device 300 as the position of the service link based on the position information acquired by the position information acquisition unit 1062.

[0203] The distance estimation unit 1064 estimates the distance of the feeder link between the terrestrial station 200 and the non-terrestrial station 100 and the distance of the service link between the terminal device 300 and the non-terrestrial station 100 based on the positions of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300 (step S13).

[0204] Next, the weather information acquisition unit 1065 acquires information about the weather (step S14). For example, the weather information acquisition unit 1065 acquires information about the weather from the weather sensor unit 104, a weather forecast database, the ground station 200, or the terminal device 300.

[0205] The weather estimation unit 1066 estimates the weather at the location of the feeder link and the weather at the location of the service link based on the information about the weather acquired by the weather information acquisition unit 1065 and the location of the feeder link and the location of the service link estimated by the location estimation unit 1063 (step S15).

[0206] For example, the weather estimation unit 1066 compares the weather forecast information with the position of the feeder link to estimate the weather in the area between the ground station 200 and the non-ground station 100 as the weather at the position of the feeder link. Also, the weather estimation unit 1066 compares the weather forecast information with the position of the service link to estimate the weather in the area between the terminal device 300 and the non-ground station 100 as the weather at the position of the service link.

[0207] Next, the weather change determination unit 1067 estimates whether the weather at the feeder link location will change relative to the weather at the service link location based on the weather information on the weather at the feeder link location and the weather at the service link location. For example, it determines whether the weather at the feeder link location will worsen relative to the weather at the service link location (step S16). Here, it may be determined whether a relative change in the weather at the feeder link location relative to the weather at the service link location is expected.

[0208] If the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relative to the weather at the service link location (step S16; Yes), the process proceeds to estimating the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link.

[0209] Conversely, if the weather change determination unit 1067 does not determine that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relatively compared to the weather at the service link location (step S16; No), the non-terrestrial station 100 returns to the processing of step S11.

[0210] An example of the process of determining whether the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the service link location, which is performed in step S16 of FIG. 11, will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0211] First, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines whether the weather at the feeder link location is worsening (step S31). For example, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines whether the weather change corresponds to the above-mentioned case C1, case C3, or case C4 periodically or at a timing when a change in the weather at the feeder link location or the service link location is predicted based on weather forecast information.

[0212] If the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the feeder link location will worsen (step S31; Yes), it determines that the weather at the feeder link location will worsen relative to the weather at the service link location (step S33). That is, the determination in step S16 of FIG. 11 is Yes.

[0213] For example, if the change in weather corresponds to case C1, case C3, or case C4, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will worsen in the future.

[0214] If the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the feeder link location will not worsen (step S31; No), it determines whether the weather at the feeder link location will not change and the weather at the service link location will improve (step S32). For example, the weather change determination unit 1067 determines whether the weather change corresponds to the above-mentioned case C2.

[0215] If the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that there is no change in the weather at the feeder link location and that the weather at the service link location will improve (step S32; Yes), it determines that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the service link location (step S33).For example, if the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather change corresponds to the above-mentioned case C2, it determines that the weather at the feeder link location will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the service link location.

[0216] If the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that there is no change in the weather at the feeder link location and that the weather at the service link location is not improving (step S32; No), it determines that the weather at the feeder link location is not worsening relative to the weather at the service link location (step S34). In other words, the determination in step S16 of FIG. 11 is No.

[0217] Here, information on the estimated weather at the location of the service link and the weather at the location of the feeder link is stored in the memory unit 103 and may be used as information for determining weather changes when estimating whether a relative deterioration in the weather at the location of the feeder link compared to the weather at the location of the service link will occur or is expected.

[0218] Returning to the explanation of Figure 11 . When it is determined that a relative deterioration in the weather at the feeder link location relative to the weather at the service link location has occurred or is expected, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 estimates the communication characteristics of the feeder link based on weather information related to the weather at the feeder link location. The communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 also estimates the communication characteristics of the service link based on weather information related to the weather at the service link location. Here, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 may estimate a change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link as the communication characteristics of the feeder link, or may estimate a change in the communication characteristics of the service link as the communication characteristics of the service link (step S17).

[0219] Here, information on the estimated communication characteristics of the service link and the communication characteristics of the feeder link is also stored in the memory unit 103, and may be used when subsequently estimating the communication characteristics of the service link and the communication characteristics of the feeder link, or the amount of change between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0220] Next, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines whether a relative degradation of the communication characteristics of the feeder link relative to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected (step S18). This determination can also be rephrased as a process of determining whether a switching condition for the feeder link or the service link is satisfied.

[0221] For example, if the communication capacity of the feeder link estimated by the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 is expected to be lower than the estimated communication capacity of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that the communication characteristics of the feeder link are expected to be relatively lower than the communication characteristics of the service link (step S18: Yes). In this case, the process proceeds to obtain switchable link information.

[0222] If the communication capacity of the feeder link estimated by the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 is not expected to be lower than the estimated communication capacity of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 determines that the case does not correspond to a case in which a relative deterioration in the communication characteristics of the feeder link with respect to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected (step S18: No). In this case, the non-terrestrial station 100 returns to the processing of step S11.

[0223] Here, if the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 can also directly determine that this is a case in which a relative deterioration in the communication characteristics of the feeder link is expected to occur relative to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0224] In other words, when the weather change determination unit 1067 determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively compared to the weather at the location of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 can determine that this is a case in which a relative deterioration in the communication characteristics of the feeder link is expected compared to the communication characteristics of the service link, without estimating the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link and comparing them.

[0225] Next, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about feeder links and service links that can be switched from the currently used feeder link and service link (step S19). For example, the link information acquisition unit 1070 acquires information about feeder links that can be switched from the currently used feeder link from the ground station 200, etc.

[0226] Next, the link determination unit 1071 determines a destination of the feeder link or service link to be switched to (step S20). For example, the link determination unit 1071 determines a destination feeder link or service link to be switched to from among the switchable feeder links or service links so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link, such as the communication capacity, are greater than the communication characteristics of the service link, such as the communication capacity.

[0227] Next, the communication control unit 1072 updates the feeder link and the service link (step S21).

[0228] For example, the communication control unit 1072 switches to another feeder link or adds a feeder link based on the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, and information about the switch-to feeder link determined by the link determination unit 1071. Furthermore, the communication control unit 1072 switches the currently used service link to another service link based on the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, and information about the switch-to service link determined by the link determination unit 1071.

[0229] (2. Modification) In the above example, the subject of the control processing is the non-terrestrial station 100. However, the subject of the control processing is not limited to the non-terrestrial station 100. For example, the subject of the control processing may be the terrestrial station 200 or the terminal device 300. When the subject of the control processing is the terminal device 300, the terminal device 300 can acquire or estimate the communication characteristics of the service link or changes in the communication characteristics based on information monitored by the terminal device 300, such as a CQI (Channel Quality Indicator) or a Measurement Report.

[0230] In the above example, each service link (service link 20A to service link 20C) is associated with one terminal device 300 (airplane 300A, drone 300B, and smartphone 300C). However, each service link may be associated with multiple terminal devices 300.

[0231] (3. Second embodiment) (3-1. Overview of control system according to second embodiment) An overview of a control system 1X according to a second embodiment will be described using FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an overview of a control system according to a second embodiment. The control system 1X includes a ground station 200X instead of the ground station 200. The control system 1X also includes a control device 500. The control system 1X uses the control device 500 as the main body of control processing instead of the non-ground station 100.

[0232] 13, GW stations 200A to 200C are shown as an example of the ground station 200X. The ground station 200X communicates with the control device 500 on behalf of another ground station.

[0233] The control device 500 is an example of a control device according to the present disclosure. The control device 500 is a control device of the ground station 200X or in a core network. For example, the control device 500 controls the entire satellite 100A, satellite 100B, and satellite 100G in the control system 1X via the GW stations 200A to 200C. The control device 500 also switches a feeder link or a service link to another feeder link or another service link so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500 are optimized or maximized.

[0234] (3-2. Configuration of the control system according to the second embodiment) (Configuration of the control device) Next, an example of the configuration of the control system 1X according to the second embodiment will be described using Figs. 14 and 15. First, an example of the configuration of the control device 500 will be described using Fig. 14. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control device according to the second embodiment. The control device 500 has a control unit 106X instead of the control unit 106 for each unit that the non-terrestrial station 100 has.

[0235] The control unit 106X includes an assist information receiving unit 1061X to a communication control unit 1072X instead of the assist information receiving unit 1061 to the communication control unit 1072 in the control unit 106.

[0236] The assist information receiving unit 1061X receives assist information for assisting the processing of the control device 500 from the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300 in the control system 1X.

[0237] The position information acquisition unit 1062X acquires the positions of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200, and the terminal device 300 in the control system 1X.

[0238] The position estimation unit 1063X estimates the position of a feeder link within the control system 1X and the position of each service link associated with that feeder link. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, the position estimation unit 1063X estimates the position of feeder link 10A and the positions of service links 20A to 20C based on that feeder link 10A. The position estimation unit 1063X also estimates the positions of feeder link 10G, feeder link 10H, and feeder link 10I, and the positions of each service link based on these feeder links.

[0239] The processing of the distance estimation unit 1064X is equivalent to the processing of the distance estimation unit 1064 in the first embodiment, and the processing is performed for each feeder link or each service link.

[0240] The processing of the weather information acquisition unit 1065X is equivalent to the processing of the weather information acquisition unit 1065 in the first embodiment, and acquires weather information from non-terrestrial stations 100, terrestrial stations 200, and terminal devices 300 within the control system 1X, or from a database, etc.

[0241] The processing of the weather estimation unit 1066X is also similar to the processing of the weather estimation unit 1066 in the first embodiment, and performs processing for each feeder link or each service link.

[0242] The processing of the weather change determination unit 1067X is also equivalent to the processing of the weather change determination unit 1067 in the first embodiment, and performs processing for each combination of a feeder link and a service link via a non-terrestrial station 100.

[0243] The processing of the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068X is also equivalent to the processing of the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 in the first embodiment, and performs processing for each feeder link or each service link.

[0244] The processing of the communication characteristics determination unit 1069X is also equivalent to the processing of the communication characteristics determination unit 1069 in the first embodiment, and performs processing for each combination of a feeder link and a service link via a non-terrestrial station 100.

[0245] The processing of the link information acquisition unit 1070X is also equivalent to the processing of the link information acquisition unit 1070 in the first embodiment, and acquires information on available feeder links and service links in the control system 1X from the ground station 200 or the like.

[0246] The link determination unit 1071X determines the feeder link or service link to be switched to so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500 are optimized or maximized.

[0247] For example, when multiple feeder links are switched individually, the link determination unit 1071X assigns a priority to the feeder link to be switched. Specifically, the link determination unit 1071X assigns a higher priority to the feeder link to be switched as the amount of change in communication characteristics of the feeder link to be switched increases.

[0248] As another example, when switching of a plurality of feeder links is performed simultaneously, the link determination unit 1071X determines a combination of feeder links and service links to be switched to so as to maximize the communication capacity of the control system 1X.

[0249] The communication control unit 1072X switches a feeder link or a service link to another feeder link or another service link so as to optimize or maximize the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500. The communication control unit 1072X may switch links such as multiple feeder links individually or simultaneously.

[0250] As an example, when switching between multiple feeder links individually, the communication control unit 1072X switches from one feeder link to another in descending order of priority assigned by the link determination unit 1071X. Specifically, the communication control unit 1072X switches from one feeder link to another in descending order of the amount of change in communication characteristics of the feeder link to be switched.

[0251] As another example, when multiple feeder links are switched simultaneously, the communication control unit 1072X switches the multiple feeder links to other multiple feeder links so as to maximize the communication capacity of the control system 1X.

[0252] (Configuration of Ground Station) Next, an example of the configuration of the ground station 200X will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a ground station according to the second embodiment. Compared to the ground station 200, the ground station 200X includes a Core NW (Network) communication unit 202X instead of the ground station communication unit 202.

[0253] The core NW communication unit 202X is, for example, a network interface controller. The core NW communication unit 202X includes a CN reception processing unit 2021X and a CN transmission processing unit 2022X. The core NW communication unit 202X communicates with the control device 500 via a cable 2023 such as an optical fiber. The core NW communication unit 202X may wirelessly communicate with the control device 500 via an antenna or the like instead of the cable 2023.

[0254] The CN reception processing unit 2021X performs reception processing of control information and data from the control device 500 via the cable 2023.

[0255] The CN transmission processing unit 2022X performs processing for transmitting control information and data to the control device 500 via the cable 2023.

[0256] (3-3. Flow of Control Processing According to Second Embodiment) An example of the flow of control processing according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing according to the second embodiment.

[0257] The process of step S41 is equivalent to the process of step S11 in FIG. 11, and is performed for each of the non-terrestrial station 100, the terrestrial station 200X, and the terminal device 300 in the control system 1X.

[0258] The processes in steps S42, S43, S45, and S47 are equivalent to the processes in steps S12, S13, S15, and S17 in FIG. 11, and are performed for each feeder link or service link.

[0259] For example, in step S42, the position estimation unit 1063X estimates the position of the feeder link in the control system 1X and the position of each service link associated with the feeder link.

[0260] 13, the position estimation unit 1063X estimates the position of the feeder link 10A and the positions of the service links 20A to 20C based on the feeder link 10A. The position estimation unit 1063X also estimates the positions of the feeder link 10G, the feeder link 10H, and the feeder link 10I, and the positions of the service links based on these feeder links.

[0261] The processes in steps S44 and S49 are equivalent to steps S14 and S19 in FIG. 11, and acquire information within the control system 1X.

[0262] The processing in steps S46 and S48 is equivalent to the processing in steps S16 and S18 in FIG. 11, and is performed for each combination of a feeder link and a service link via a non-terrestrial station 100.

[0263] In the process of step S50, the link determination unit 1071X determines a feeder link or a service link to be switched to so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500 are optimized.

[0264] For example, when multiple feeder links are switched individually, the link determination unit 1071X assigns a priority to the feeder link to be switched. Specifically, the link determination unit 1071X assigns a higher priority to the feeder link to be switched as the amount of change in communication characteristics of the feeder link to be switched increases.

[0265] As another example, when switching of a plurality of feeder links is performed simultaneously, the link determination unit 1071X determines a combination of feeder links and service links to be switched to so as to maximize the communication capacity of the control system 1X.

[0266] In the process of step S51, the communication control unit 1072X updates the feeder links and service links so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500 are optimized.

[0267] As an example, when switching between multiple feeder links individually, the communication control unit 1072X switches from one feeder link to another in descending order of priority assigned by the link determination unit 1071X. Specifically, the communication control unit 1072X switches from one feeder link to another in descending order of the amount of change in communication characteristics of the feeder link to be switched.

[0268] As another example, when multiple feeder links are switched simultaneously, the communication control unit 1072X switches the multiple feeder links to other multiple feeder links so as to maximize the communication capacity of the control system 1X.

[0269] (4. Third Embodiment) (4-1. Overview of Control System According to Third Embodiment) Hereinafter, an overview of a control system 1Y according to a third embodiment will be described. The control system 1Y includes a control device 500Y instead of the control device 500.

[0270] The control device 500Y determines the feeder link or service link to switch to so that the communication characteristics of the entire network are optimized or maximized, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location.

[0271] (4-2. Configuration of control system according to third embodiment) Next, an example of the configuration of a control system 1Y according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 17. Hereinafter, an example of the configuration of a control device 500Y included in the control system 1Y will be described with reference to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device according to the third embodiment. Compared to the control device 500, the control device 500Y includes a control device 106Y instead of the control device 106X.

[0272] Compared to the control unit 106X, the control unit 106Y includes a weather change determination unit 1067Y, a communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y, a link determination unit 1071Y, and a communication control unit 1072Y instead of the weather change determination unit 1067X, communication characteristics determination unit 1069X, link determination unit 1071X, and communication control unit 1072X.

[0273] The weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether the relationship between the weather at the feeder link location and the weather at the service link location will change relatively, including cases where the weather at the feeder link location improves relatively compared to the weather at the service link location. In other words, the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether a relative change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link relative to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected. For example, the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether the relationship between the weather at the feeder link location and the weather at the service link location will change relatively, including cases where it is determined that the situation corresponds to cases C5 to C8 in addition to cases C1 to C4 described above.

[0274] The communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. For example, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y determines whether the communication characteristics of the feeder link change relatively to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0275] The link determination unit 1071Y determines the feeder link or service link to switch to so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500Y are optimized or maximized, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location.

[0276] For example, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location, the link determination unit 1071Y determines a combination of feeder links and service links to switch to so that the communication capacity of the control system 1Y is maximized.

[0277] The communication control unit 1072Y switches the feeder link or service link to another feeder link or another service link so that the communication characteristics of the entire network are optimized or maximized, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location.

[0278] For example, even if the weather at the location of the feeder link becomes relatively better than the weather at the location of the service link, the communication control unit 1072Y switches from multiple feeder links to other multiple feeder links so as to maximize the communication capacity of the control system 1Y.

[0279] (4-3. Flow of control processing according to the third embodiment) An example of the flow of control processing according to the third embodiment will be described using Fig. 18. Fig. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of control processing according to the third embodiment. Steps S61 to S65, step S67, and step S69 are similar to steps S41 to S45, step S47, and step S49.

[0280] The weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether the weather at the feeder link location will change relatively to the weather at the service link location (step S66). This means that the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether a relative change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link due to a weather change is expected. For example, the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether a relative change in the weather at the feeder link location will occur relative to the weather at the service link location, including a case where the weather at the feeder link location becomes better relatively to the weather at the service link location.

[0281] Specifically, the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines whether the weather at the feeder link location changes relatively to the weather at the service link location, including cases C1 to C4 described above as well as cases C5 to C8 described above.

[0282] The communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. Then, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y determines whether a relative change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link with respect to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected (step S68). For example, even if the weather at the location of the feeder link improves relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y determines whether a relative change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link with respect to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected.

[0283] Here, if the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines that the weather at the location of the feeder link will change relatively to the weather at the location of the service link, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y can also directly determine that this is a case in which a relative change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected.

[0284] In other words, if the weather change determination unit 1067Y determines that the weather at the feeder link location will change relatively to the weather at the service link location, the communication characteristic determination unit 1069Y can determine that this is a case in which a relative change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link relative to the communication characteristics of the service link is expected, without estimating and comparing the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link.

[0285] The link determination unit 1071Y determines the destination of the feeder link or service link so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device 500Y are optimized, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location (step S70).

[0286] For example, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location, the link determination unit 1071Y determines a combination of feeder links and service links to switch to so that the communication capacity of the control system 1Y is maximized.

[0287] The communication control unit 1072Y updates (switches / adds) the feeder link or service link to another feeder link or another service link so that the communication characteristics of the entire network are optimized, even if the weather at the feeder link location is relatively better than the weather at the service link location (step S71).

[0288] For example, even if the weather at the location of the feeder link becomes relatively better than the weather at the location of the service link, the communication control unit 1072Y switches from multiple feeder links to other multiple feeder links so as to maximize the communication capacity of the control system 1Y.

[0289] (5. Other Embodiments) The processes according to the embodiments can be implemented in various different forms other than the above-described embodiments.

[0290] Of the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. The various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0291] The components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional components and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of the configuration can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on various loads and usage conditions.

[0292] The above-described embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate within the scope of not causing any contradiction in the processing content.

[0293] The effects described in this specification are merely examples and are not limiting, and other effects may also be present.

[0294] (6. Effects of the control device according to the present disclosure) As described above, the control device according to the present disclosure (in the embodiment, the non-terrestrial station 100, the control device 500, and the control device 500Y) includes an acquisition unit (in the embodiment, the weather estimation unit 1066 and the weather estimation unit 1066X), an estimation unit (in the embodiment, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068 and the communication characteristics estimation unit 1068X, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069, the communication characteristics determination unit 1069X, and the communication characteristics determination unit 1069Y), and a communication control unit (the communication control unit 1072, the communication control unit 1072X, and the communication control unit 1072Y).

[0295] The acquisition unit acquires weather information related to the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station and the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-ground station. The estimation unit estimates, based on the acquired weather information, a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station. The communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0296] In this way, the control device switches the feeder link or the service link based on the relationship between the estimated communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, thereby enabling the control device to, for example, switch a feeder link to another feeder link or switch a service link to another service link so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link are higher than the communication characteristics of the service link, thereby enabling appropriate communication via a non-terrestrial station.

[0297] The estimation unit also estimates, as the communication characteristics of the feeder link, communication characteristics of the feeder link including a change amount in the communication characteristics of the feeder link; as the communication characteristics of the service link, communication characteristics of the service link including a change amount in the communication characteristics of the service link; and, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, a relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link including a relationship between the change amount in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0298] This allows the control device to switch the feeder link or the service link to another feeder link or another service link as necessary, for example, when the amount of change in the communication characteristics of the feeder link differs from the amount of change in the communication characteristics of the service link, thereby enabling appropriate communication via a non-terrestrial station.

[0299] The estimation unit estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, including future predictions, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. This allows the control device to switch the feeder link or the service link to another feeder link or another service link so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link are higher than the communication characteristics of the service link when the communication characteristics of the feeder link are predicted to be lower than the communication characteristics of the service link. This allows the control device to more appropriately communicate via a non-terrestrial station.

[0300] The estimation unit estimates the relationship between the communication capacity of the feeder link and the communication capacity of the service link as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. In communication via a non-terrestrial station, the communication capacity of the feeder link is expected to be larger than the communication capacity of the service link. Therefore, the control device can more appropriately estimate the relationship between the communication capacity of the feeder link and the communication capacity of the service link, for example.

[0301] The communication control unit at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link so that the communication capacity of the feeder link is greater than the communication capacity of the service link. This allows the control device to switch the feeder link or the service link to another feeder link or another service link so that appropriate communication via a non-terrestrial station is performed, thereby more appropriately performing communication via a non-terrestrial station.

[0302] The communication control unit at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link so that the communication capacity of the feeder link or the service link does not exceed the maximum capacity. This allows the control device to properly perform communication between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, thereby more properly performing communication via the non-terrestrial station.

[0303] The estimation unit estimates the relationship between the channel quality of the feeder link and the channel quality of the service link as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. Communication via a non-terrestrial station affects the relationship between the channel quality of the feeder link and the channel quality of the service link. Therefore, the control device can more appropriately estimate these relationships by, for example, estimating the relationship between the channel quality of the feeder link and the channel quality of the service link.

[0304] When the communication characteristics of the feeder link deteriorate relative to the communication characteristics of the service link, the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link. This allows the control device to switch the feeder link or the service link to another feeder link or service link so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link are higher than the communication characteristics of the service link, for example, when the communication characteristics of the feeder link approach the communication characteristics of the service link. This allows the control device to more appropriately communicate via a non-terrestrial station.

[0305] The estimation unit estimates that when the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station deteriorates relatively compared to the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-ground station, the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively compared to the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0306] When the weather in the area between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station deteriorates relative to the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, the communication characteristics of the feeder link tend to deteriorate relative to the communication characteristics of the service link. Therefore, by performing the estimation as described above, the estimation unit can appropriately estimate the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0307] The acquisition unit further acquires information regarding a feeder link that can be switched from the feeder link, or information regarding a service link that can be switched from the service link, and the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on at least one of the acquired information regarding the feeder link that can be switched from the feeder link, or the acquired information regarding the service link that can be switched from the service link.

[0308] A feeder link, which is a non-terrestrial network used for communication with a non-terrestrial station such as a satellite or HAPS, and a service link, which is a non-terrestrial network used for communication between a non-terrestrial station and a terminal device, have different characteristics from terrestrial networks in that they are susceptible to and more susceptible to external factors such as weather and weather changes in terms of communication capacity, channel quality, transmission delay, etc. In contrast, the control device switches a feeder link or service link to a switchable feeder link or service link based further on information about the switchable feeder link or service, so that even when switching feeder links or service links with different characteristics as described above, it is possible to switch to another appropriate feeder link or service link.

[0309] The communication control unit switches the feeder link to a feeder link between another ground station and a non-ground station, a feeder link between a ground station and a non-ground station via another non-ground station, a feeder link between a ground station and another non-ground station, or a feeder link between another ground station and another non-ground station.

[0310] The control device can avoid switching the service link to another service link by switching the feeder link to another feeder link via the same non-ground station.The control device can switch the feeder link to another feeder link via another non-ground station that is less affected by weather by switching the feeder link to another feeder link via another non-ground station.

[0311] The control device can switch the feeder link to another feeder link via the same ground station, thereby eliminating the need to switch networks between the same ground station and another ground station, etc. By switching the feeder link to another feeder link via another ground station, the control device can switch the feeder link to another feeder link via another ground station that is less affected by weather.

[0312] The communication control unit adds at least one of another service link and another feeder link while leaving the service link and the feeder link. This allows the control device to add the service link or the feeder link while leaving the service link and the feeder link so that the communication characteristics of the feeder link are higher than the communication characteristics of the service link. This allows the control device to more appropriately perform communication via a non-terrestrial station.

[0313] The communication control unit switches the feeder link to another feeder link via another non-ground station, which allows the control device to switch to another feeder link via another non-ground station that is less affected by weather, thereby enabling more appropriate communication via the non-ground station.

[0314] The acquisition unit further acquires location information regarding the locations of the non-terrestrial station, the terrestrial station, and the terminal device, or location information regarding the locations of the feeder link between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station and the service link between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, as well as frequency information regarding the frequency used for communication between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station and the frequency used for communication between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, and the estimation unit estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the acquired location information, frequency information, and weather information.

[0315] The communication characteristics of the feeder link and the service link depend on location information, distance information between the non-terrestrial station and the terrestrial station and between the non-terrestrial station and the terminal device estimated from the location information, frequency information, and weather information. Therefore, the control device can appropriately estimate the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link by estimating the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the location information, frequency information, and weather information.

[0316] The estimation unit estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the attenuation rate or amplification rate of the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link according to the acquired location information, frequency information, and weather information.

[0317] The communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link are attenuated or amplified depending on the location information, the distance information between the non-terrestrial station and the terrestrial station and between the non-terrestrial station and the terminal device estimated from the location information, the frequency information, and the weather information. Therefore, by making the estimation as described above, the control device can appropriately estimate the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

[0318] The control device may be a non-terrestrial station. This allows the control device to measure weather information such as the weather around the non-terrestrial station, the weather around the terrestrial station, and the weather around the terminal device using a weather observation sensor or the like installed in the non-terrestrial station. This allows the control device to use the weather information in a timely manner to estimate the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. Furthermore, the control device can obtain the communication status of both the feeder link and the service link via the non-terrestrial station in a more timely manner.

[0319] The controller may be a controller at a ground station or within the core network, which allows the controller to control the entire network, facilitating optimization or maximization of communication characteristics of the entire control system.

[0320] The communication control unit performs at least one of switching a feeder link to another feeder link or switching a service link to another service link so that the communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device are optimized or maximized. As a result, for example, when the control device switches multiple feeder links or multiple service links via multiple non-terrestrial stations to other multiple feeder links or other multiple service links, it can select an optimal combination of switch destinations at the time of switching all at once.

[0321] (7. Hardware Configuration) Information devices such as the non-terrestrial station 100 according to each of the above-described embodiments are realized by a computer 1000 configured as shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a hardware configuration diagram showing an example of a computer that realizes the functions of a non-terrestrial station according to the embodiments. The computer 1000 includes a CPU 1100, a RAM 1200, a ROM 1300, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 1400, a communication interface 1500, and an input / output interface 1600. The various components of the computer 1000 are connected by a bus 1050.

[0322] The CPU 1100 operates and controls each unit based on programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400. The CPU 1100 loads the programs stored in the ROM 1300 or the HDD 1400 into the RAM 1200 and executes processing corresponding to the various programs.

[0323] The ROM 1300 stores boot programs such as a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) that is executed by the CPU 1100 when the computer 1000 starts up, and programs that depend on the hardware of the computer 1000 .

[0324] HDD 1400 is a computer-readable recording medium that non-temporarily records programs executed by CPU 1100 and data used by such programs. Specifically, HDD 1400 is a recording medium that records a control program according to the present disclosure, which is an example of program data 1450.

[0325] The communication interface 1500 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to an external network 1550 (such as the Internet). The CPU 1100 receives data from other devices and transmits data generated by the CPU 1100 to other devices via the communication interface 1500.

[0326] The input / output interface 1600 is an interface for connecting the input / output device 1650 and the computer 1000. The CPU 1100 receives data from input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse via the input / output interface 1600. The CPU 1100 transmits data to output devices such as a display, a speaker, and a printer via the input / output interface 1600. The input / output interface 1600 can also function as a media interface for reading a program recorded on a predetermined recording medium.

[0327] The media may be optical recording media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) and PDs (Phase Change Rewritable Discs), magneto-optical recording media such as MOs (Magneto-Optical disks), tape media, magnetic recording media, or semiconductor memories.

[0328] When the computer 1000 functions as the non-terrestrial station 100 according to the embodiment, the CPU 1100 of the computer 1000 executes a control program loaded onto the RAM 1200 to realize the functions of the control unit 106 and the like shown in Fig. 2. The HDD 1400 stores the control program according to the present disclosure and data in the storage device.

[0329] The CPU 1100 reads and executes the program data 1450 from the HDD 1400. However, as another example, the CPU 1100 can also obtain these programs from other devices via an external network 1550.

[0330] (8. Supplementary Information) The present technology may also be configured as follows: (1) A control device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires weather information related to the weather in an area between a ground station and a non-ground station and the weather in an area between a terminal device and the non-ground station; an estimation unit that estimates, based on the acquired weather information, a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link that is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station and communication characteristics of a service link that is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station; and a communication control unit that performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. (2) The control device according to (1), wherein the estimation unit estimates, as the communication characteristics of the feeder link, communication characteristics of the feeder link including a change amount in the communication characteristics of the feeder link; as the communication characteristics of the service link, communication characteristics of the service link including a change amount in the communication characteristics of the service link; and, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, a relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link including a relationship between a change amount in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and an amount of change in the communication characteristics of the service link. (3) The control device according to (1) or (2), wherein the estimation unit estimates, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, a relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link including a future prediction. (4) The control device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the estimation unit estimates, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, a relationship between a communication capacity of the feeder link and a communication capacity of the service link. (5) The control device according to (4), wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link so that a communication capacity of the feeder link becomes larger than a communication capacity of the service link.(6) The control device according to (4) or (5), wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link so that the communication capacity of the feeder link or the service link does not exceed a maximum capacity. (7) The control device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the estimating unit estimates a relationship between a channel quality of the feeder link and a channel quality of the service link as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. (8) The control device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link when the communication characteristics of the feeder link are relatively degraded compared to the communication characteristics of the service link. (9) The control device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the estimation unit estimates that communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to communication characteristics of the service link when weather in an area between the ground station and the non-ground station deteriorates relatively to weather in an area between the terminal device and the non-ground station. (10) The control device according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein the acquisition unit further acquires at least one of information on a feeder link to which the feeder link can be switched or information on a service link to which the service link can be switched, and the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link based on at least one of the acquired information on a feeder link to which the feeder link can be switched or information on a service link to which the service link can be switched.(11) The control device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the communication control unit switches the feeder link to a feeder link between another ground station and the non-ground station, a feeder link between the ground station and the non-ground station via another non-ground station, a feeder link between the ground station and the other non-ground station, or a feeder link between the other ground station and the other non-ground station. (12) The control device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the communication control unit adds at least one of another service link and another feeder link while leaving the service link and the feeder link. (13) The control device according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the communication control unit switches the feeder link to another feeder link via another non-ground station. (14) The control device according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the acquisition unit further acquires location information related to locations of the non-terrestrial station, the terrestrial station, and the terminal device, or locations of a feeder link between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station and a service link between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, and frequency information related to a frequency used for communication between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station and a frequency used for communication between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, and the estimation unit estimates a relationship between communication characteristics of the feeder link and communication characteristics of a service link based on the acquired location information, frequency information, and weather information. (15) The control device according to (14), wherein the estimation unit estimates the relationship between communication characteristics of the feeder link and communication characteristics of the service link based on attenuation rates or amplification rates of communication characteristics of the feeder link and communication characteristics of the service link according to the acquired location information, frequency information, and weather information. (16) The control device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the control device is a non-terrestrial station. (17) The control device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the control device is a control device of a ground station or in a core network.(18) The control device according to (17), wherein the communication control unit at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link so as to optimize or maximize communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device. (19) A control method including: a computer acquiring weather information related to weather in an area between an earth station and a non-earth station and weather in an area between a terminal device and the non-earth station, estimating a relationship between communication characteristics of the feeder link, which is a network between the earth station and the non-earth station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-earth station, based on the acquired weather information, and performing at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. (20) A control program for causing a computer to function as a control device, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires weather information relating to the weather in an area between a ground station and a non-ground station and the weather in an area between a terminal device and the non-ground station; an estimation unit that estimates, based on the acquired weather information, a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station; and a communication control unit that performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link. (21) A terminal device comprising: a communication control unit that switches the service link to another service link based on a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, estimated based on weather information related to the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station and the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station.(22) A control method, in which a computer switches the service link to another service link based on a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, estimated based on weather information related to the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station and the weather in the area between a terminal device and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station. (23) A control program, in which a computer functions as a terminal device, comprising: a communication control unit that switches the service link to another service link based on a relationship between communication characteristics of the feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, estimated based on weather information related to the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station and the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of the service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station.

[0331] 100 Non-ground station 101 FL wireless communication unit 102 SL wireless communication unit 103 Storage unit 104 Weather sensor unit 105 Position sensor unit 106 Control unit 1011 FL reception processing unit 1012 FL transmission processing unit 1013 Antenna 1021 SL reception processing unit 1022 SL transmission processing unit 1023 Antenna 1031 Attenuation rate information 1061 Assist information receiving unit 1062 Position information acquisition unit 1063 Position estimation unit 1064 Distance estimation unit 1065 Weather information acquisition unit 1066 Weather estimation unit 1067 Weather change determination unit 1068 Communication characteristics estimation unit 1069 Communication characteristics determination unit 1070 Link information acquisition unit 1071 Link determination unit 1072 Communication control unit

Claims

1. A control device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires weather information relating to the weather in an area between a ground station and a non-ground station, and the weather in an area between a terminal device and the non-ground station; an estimation unit that estimates, based on the acquired weather information, the relationship between the communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, and the communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station; and a communication control unit that performs at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates, as the communication characteristics of the feeder link, communication characteristics of the feeder link including a change amount in the communication characteristics of the feeder link; as the communication characteristics of the service link, communication characteristics of the service link including a change amount in the communication characteristics of the service link; and, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, a relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link including a relationship between the change amount in the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the change amount in the communication characteristics of the service link.

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates a relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link, the relationship including future predictions, as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates a relationship between a communication capacity of a feeder link and a communication capacity of a service link as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

5. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link so that the communication capacity of the feeder link becomes larger than the communication capacity of the service link.

6. The control device according to claim 4, wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link so that the communication capacity of the feeder link or the service link does not exceed a maximum capacity.

7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the estimation unit estimates a relationship between a channel quality of a feeder link and a channel quality of a service link as the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link when the communication characteristics of the feeder link deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service link.

9. The control device according to claim 8, wherein the estimation unit estimates that the communication characteristics of the feeder link will deteriorate relatively to the communication characteristics of the service link when the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station deteriorates relatively to the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-ground station.

10. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires at least one of information regarding a feeder link that can be switched from the feeder link or information regarding a service link that can be switched from the service link, and the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link based on at least one of the acquired information regarding a feeder link that can be switched from the feeder link or information regarding a service link that can be switched from the acquired service link.

11. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit switches the feeder link to a feeder link between another ground station and the non-ground station, a feeder link between the ground station and the non-ground station via another non-ground station, a feeder link between the ground station and the other non-ground station, or a feeder link between the other ground station and the other non-ground station.

12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit adds at least one of another service link and another feeder link while leaving the service link and the feeder link.

13. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control unit switches the feeder link to another feeder link via another non-terrestrial station.

14. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit further acquires location information relating to the locations of the non-terrestrial station, the terrestrial station, and the terminal device, or the locations of a feeder link between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station and a service link between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station, and frequency information relating to a frequency used for communication between the terrestrial station and the non-terrestrial station and a frequency used for communication between the terminal device and the non-terrestrial station; and the estimation unit estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the acquired location information, frequency information, and weather information.

15. The control device according to claim 14, wherein the estimation unit estimates the relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link based on the attenuation rate or amplification rate of the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link according to the acquired location information, frequency information and weather information.

16. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control device is a non-terrestrial station.

17. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a control device in a ground station or in a core network.

18. The control device according to claim 17, wherein the communication control unit performs at least one of switching the feeder link to the other feeder link or switching the service link to the other service link so that communication characteristics of the entire network controlled by the control device are optimized or maximized.

19. A control method comprising: a computer acquiring weather information relating to the weather in an area between a ground station and a non-ground station and the weather in an area between a terminal device and the non-ground station; estimating, based on the acquired weather information, a relationship between communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, and communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station; and performing at least one of switching the feeder link to another feeder link or switching the service link to another service link, based on the estimated relationship between the communication characteristics of the feeder link and the communication characteristics of the service link.

20. A terminal device comprising: a communication control unit that switches a service link to another service link based on the relationship between the communication characteristics of a feeder link, which is a network between the ground station and the non-ground station, estimated based on weather information related to the weather in the area between the ground station and the non-ground station and the weather in the area between the terminal device and the non-ground station, and the communication characteristics of a service link, which is a network between the terminal device and the non-ground station.

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