Measurement system, analysis device, measurement method, and analysis program

Abstract

A measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an information processing device that calculates pieces of path information for a plurality of radio waves transmitted from a transmission station and arriving at measurement points; an analysis device that sets, on the basis of the individual pieces of path information, a plurality of measurement points at which the propagation characteristics of the radio waves should be measured, and analyzes and outputs the propagation characteristics of the radio waves; and a measurement device that measures the propagation characteristics of the radio waves at the plurality of measurement points. The analysis device includes: a reflection influence calculation unit that calculates, on the basis of the individual pieces of path information calculated by the information processing device, the influences of the individual paths on the reception power at the individual measurement points; a measurement density calculation unit that divides, into a plurality of subregions, a target region for which the propagation characteristics of the radio waves are to be measured, and calculates, for each of the subregions and on the basis of the result of the calculation by the reflection influence calculation unit, the density at which measurement points are to be positioned; and an interpolation unit that performs interpolation for the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the measurement device at the measurement points positioned at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

Description

Measurement system, analysis device, measurement method, and analysis program

[0001] The present invention relates to a measurement system, an analysis device, a measurement method, and an analysis program.

[0002] In recent years, new wireless communication systems, such as 5G and local 5G, have been introduced. In order to provide these wireless communication systems with high quality, it is important to install the optimal wireless base station for the wireless communication system. Methods for this include evaluation using propagation simulation and on-site wireless propagation characteristic surveys.

[0003] Conventionally, in on-site radio propagation characteristic surveys, a person typically holds a radio and measures the area of ​​interest. However, this method has drawbacks in terms of manpower and work time. Therefore, to improve the efficiency of measurement work, studies are being conducted to install a radio on an automated vehicle such as an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and automatically measure radio wave propagation characteristics (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Issei Makino and two others, "Indoor Local 5G Wireless Performance Measurement Using Automated Guided Vehicles", Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, IEICE Technical Report, 2021, pp. 34-39

[0005] When measuring radio wave propagation characteristics with high accuracy using autonomous vehicles such as AGVs, it has been necessary to significantly increase the number of measurement points within the target area. Furthermore, wireless communication systems such as 5G are increasingly using high-frequency radio waves. Furthermore, as the number of wireless terminals installed in the target area for wireless communication increases and the use of high-frequency radio waves advances, it is necessary to measure the measurement area at high density. Therefore, the increase in measurement time and cost due to the wide-area and high-density measurement points presents a challenge.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a measurement system, an analysis device, a measurement method, and an analysis program that enable efficient measurement of the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication.

[0007] A measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a measurement system for measuring radio wave propagation characteristics, and comprises an information processing device that calculates path information of multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point, an analysis device that sets multiple measurement points where the radio wave propagation characteristics should be measured based on each of the path information calculated by the information processing device, and analyzes and outputs the radio wave propagation characteristics, and a measurement device that measures the radio wave propagation characteristics at the multiple measurement points set by the analysis device, wherein the analysis device has a reflection influence calculation unit that calculates the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on each path information calculated by the information processing device, a measurement density calculation unit that divides a target area where the radio wave propagation characteristics are to be measured into multiple small areas and calculates the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results calculated by the reflection influence calculation unit, and an interpolation unit that interpolates the radio wave propagation characteristics measured by the measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

[0008] In addition, an analysis device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an analysis device that analyzes and outputs the propagation characteristics of radio waves, and is characterized by having: a reflection influence calculation unit that calculates the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on the results of calculations by an information processing device of path information for multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; a measurement density calculation unit that divides a target area in which the propagation characteristics of radio waves are to be measured into multiple small areas and calculates the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results of calculations by the reflection influence calculation unit; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the propagation characteristics of radio waves measured by a measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

[0009] Furthermore, a measurement method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a measurement method in which a measurement system measures the propagation characteristics of radio waves, and is characterized by including an information processing step of calculating path information of multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; a reflection influence calculation step of calculating the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on each path information calculated by the information processing step; a measurement density calculation step of dividing a target area in which the propagation characteristics of the radio waves are to be measured into multiple small areas and calculating the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results calculated by the reflection influence calculation step; and an interpolation step of interpolating the propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by a measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation step.

[0010] Furthermore, an analysis program according to one embodiment of the present invention is an analysis program executed by an analysis device that analyzes and outputs the propagation characteristics of radio waves, and is an analysis program for causing a computer to function as each part of the analysis device, which has: a reflection influence calculation unit that calculates the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on the results of calculations by an information processing device of path information for multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; a measurement density calculation unit that divides a target area in which the propagation characteristics of radio waves are measured into multiple small areas and calculates the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results of calculations by the reflection influence calculation unit; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the propagation characteristics of radio waves measured by the measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently measure the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a measurement system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first operation example of the measurement system according to an embodiment; FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second operation example of the measurement system according to an embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a measurement device according to an embodiment; (a) is a diagram illustrating a target area for measuring propagation characteristics and an overview of the measurement system; (b) is a diagram illustrating an example of a received power map of radio waves measured by the measurement system;

[0013] First, the background to the invention will be described. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an overview of a measurement system 1 for measuring propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication. Fig. 5(a) is a diagram showing a target area for measuring propagation characteristics and an overview of the measurement system 1. Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of a received power map 5 of radio waves measured by the measurement system 1.

[0014] 5(a), in a measurement system 1 for measuring the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication, for example, a mobile object 3 such as an AVG moves along an automatic driving route 4 within a target area 100 where the propagation characteristics of radio waves transmitted by a base station (wireless base station) 2 are to be measured. The mobile object 3 is provided with a receiver (not shown) and has the function of measuring the propagation characteristics of radio waves while moving.

[0015] The propagation characteristics of the radio waves measured by the mobile object 3 are visualized, for example, as a received power map shown in Fig. 5(b). At this time, data for areas other than the measurement points where the mobile object 3 measured the radio waves within the target area 100 is interpolated using the results of measurements made by the mobile object 3.

[0016] Furthermore, conventionally, an information processing device that executes a simulation acquires information about a target area where propagation characteristics are to be measured, determines measurement points for a full point search, and calculates a measurement route. Measurements in the target area are then performed until all measurement points are completed, which can increase measurement time and costs.

[0017] Next, a measurement system that enables efficient measurement of the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication will be described in detail.

[0018] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a measurement system 10 according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement system 10 according to one embodiment includes an information processing device 20, an analysis device 30, and a measurement device 40.

[0019] The information processing device 20 calculates path information of multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point. The information processing device 20 then calculates data (calculated data) related to wireless communication quality (radio wave intensity, phase, arrival time, etc.) through simulation using position information of the transmitting station in the target area where propagation characteristics are measured and path information of the radio waves transmitted from the transmitting station and arriving at the measurement point (reflection point, number of reflections, angle of arrival, propagation distance, etc.), and outputs the calculated results to the analysis device 30.

[0020] The analysis device 30 has, for example, a reflection influence calculation unit 300, a measurement density calculation unit 302, and an interpolation unit 304, and sets multiple measurement points at which to measure the propagation characteristics of radio waves based on each of the path information calculated by the information processing device 20, analyzes the propagation characteristics of the radio waves, and outputs them.

[0021] For example, the reflection influence calculation unit 300 acquires the calculation data calculated by the information processing device 20 and the path information of each radio wave, calculates the influence (degree of influence) that each path has on the received power at each measurement point based on the path information, and outputs the calculation results to the measurement density calculation unit 302.

[0022] The reflection influence calculation unit 300 may calculate the ratio of the received power of the direct wave to the received power of each reflected wave for each measurement point based on each path information, taking into account the phase.

[0023] Furthermore, the reflection influence calculation unit 300 may calculate the ratio of the received power components due to the primary reflected wave to the received power components due to the secondary reflected wave and beyond, taking into account the phase, based on each path information.

[0024] The measurement density calculation unit 302 divides the target area in which the propagation characteristics of radio waves are to be measured into a predetermined number of small areas, calculates the density at which measurement points for measuring radio waves are to be placed in each small area according to the influence of each path calculated by the reflection influence calculation unit 300, and outputs the calculation result (measurement point density) to the measurement device 40.

[0025] The measurement density calculation unit 302 may divide the target area into small areas in a grid format. Alternatively, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may divide the target area into small areas according to the distance from the base station. Alternatively, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may divide the target area into small areas according to the angle from a horizontal plane at the same height as the base station. Alternatively, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may set the measurement density according to the influence of each path in adjacent small areas.

[0026] Furthermore, when the reflection influence calculation unit 300 calculates the ratio of the received power of the direct wave to the received power of each reflected wave taking into account the phase, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density according to the ratio of the component of each reflected wave to the direct wave. In this case, the measurement system 10 can analyze the propagation characteristics of radio waves with emphasis on the boundary between line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight.

[0027] Furthermore, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density for each small region in accordance with the variance within the small region of the ratio of each reflected wave component to the direct wave input from the reflection influence calculation unit 300. In this case, the measurement system 10 can adjust the measurement point density for each small region in accordance with the fluctuation range of the influence of the reflected wave.

[0028] Furthermore, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density for each small region according to the average or variance of the gradient within the small region of the ratio of each reflected wave component to the direct wave input from the reflection influence calculation unit 300. In this case, the measurement system 10 can adjust the measurement point density for each small region according to the magnitude of the transition in the influence of the reflected wave.

[0029] In addition, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density for each small region according to the average or variance of the gradient within the small region of the ratio of each reflected wave component to the direct wave input from the reflection influence calculation unit 300.

[0030] Furthermore, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density for each small area according to the component ratio of the received power due to the secondary reflected wave and thereafter to the received power due to the primary reflected wave input from the reflection influence calculation unit 300. In this case, the measurement system 10 can adjust the measurement point density for each small area while taking into account the influence of reflected waves even in areas outside the line of sight of the transmitting station.

[0031] Furthermore, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density for each small area in accordance with the variance within the small area of ​​the component ratio of the received power due to secondary and subsequent reflected waves to the received power due to the primary reflected wave input from the reflection influence calculation unit 300. In this case, the measurement system 10 can adjust the measurement point density for each small area in accordance with the range of variation in the influence of reflected waves even in areas outside the line of sight of the transmitting station.

[0032] Furthermore, the measurement density calculation unit 302 may adjust the measurement density for each small region according to the average or variance of the gradient within the small region of the component ratio of the received power due to secondary and subsequent reflected waves to the received power due to the primary reflected wave, which is input from the reflection influence calculation unit 300. In this case, the measurement system 10 can adjust the measurement point density for each small region according to the magnitude of the change in the influence of reflected waves, even in regions outside the line of sight of the transmitting station.

[0033] The interpolation unit 304 acquires the measurement data measured by the measurement device 40, and if there is an unmeasured area in the target area, performs an interpolation calculation using the measurement results of the measurement device 40.

[0034] If the measurement density calculation unit 302 divides the target area into small areas in a grid format, the interpolation unit 304 can easily perform interpolation. Also, if the measurement density calculation unit 302 divides the target area into small areas according to the distance from the base station, the received power measured in each small area tends to be close to a certain value, making the interpolation easier for the interpolation unit 304.

[0035] Furthermore, when the measurement density calculation unit 302 divides the target area into small areas according to the angle from the horizontal plane at the same height as the base station, measurement points affected by the same obstacle tend to gather in each small area, making interpolation easier. Furthermore, when the measurement density calculation unit 302 sets the measurement density according to the influence of each path in adjacent small areas, the interpolation unit 304 can refer to values ​​in adjacent small areas that are thought to have similar characteristics, making interpolation easier.

[0036] The measuring device 40 performs actual measurements (or computer simulations) of the wireless communication quality and radio wave propagation characteristics for the target area at the measurement point density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit 302 (multiple measurement points set by the analysis device 30), and outputs the measurement data to the analysis device 30.

[0037] The measurement system 10 then measures the propagation characteristics (received power, throughput, delay profile, and fading) within the target area while adjusting the measurement point density for each small area. Therefore, the measurement system 10 can optimize the number of measurement points, reduce measurement costs, and improve interpolation performance.

[0038] Next, a first operation example of the measurement system 10 will be described. Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the first operation example of the measurement system 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the measurement system 10 calculates a propagation simulation of a target region (S100) and divides the target region into small regions (S102).

[0039] Then, the analysis device 30 calculates the degree of influence of each path on the radio wave intensity for each small area (S104), and determines the density of measurement points for each small area (S106).

[0040] Thereafter, the measuring device 40 measures the wireless communication quality and radio wave propagation characteristics at the determined measurement point density (S108).

[0041] Next, a second operation example of the measurement system 10 will be described. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the second operation example of the measurement system 10 according to one embodiment. In the second operation example shown in Fig. 3, processes that are substantially the same as those in the first operation example shown in Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042] For example, in the process of S200, the measurement system 10 calculates the reflected wave component for each small region.

[0043] Furthermore, in the process of S202, the measurement system 10 determines the density of measurement points according to the ratio of the reflected wave components.

[0044] In this way, the measurement system 10 according to one embodiment divides the target area for measuring the propagation characteristics of radio waves into multiple small areas and calculates the density at which measurement points are placed for each small area, thereby making it possible to efficiently measure the propagation characteristics of radio waves used for wireless communication.

[0045] In addition, each function possessed by the above-mentioned information processing device 20 and analysis device 30 may be partially or entirely configured by hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0046] For example, the information processing device 20 and the analysis device 30 can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided via a network.

[0047] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an analysis device 30 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the analysis device 30 has an input unit 600, an output unit 601, a communication unit 602, a CPU 603, a memory 604, and an HDD 605 connected via a bus 606, and functions as a computer. The analysis device 30 is also capable of inputting and outputting data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 607.

[0048] The input unit 600 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The output unit 601 is, for example, a display device. The communication unit 602 is a communication interface for performing communication.

[0049] The CPU 603 controls each component of the analysis device 30 and performs predetermined processing, etc. The memory 604 and HDD 605 store data, etc.

[0050] The storage medium 607 is capable of storing programs and the like that cause the analysis device 30 to execute the functions of the analysis device 30. Note that the architecture that configures the analysis device 30 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

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

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

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

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

[0055] 10... Measurement system, 20... Information processing device, 30... Analysis device, 40... Measurement device, 300... Reflection influence calculation unit, 302... Measurement density calculation unit, 304... Interpolation unit, 600... Input unit, 601... Output unit, 602... Communication unit, 603... CPU, 604... Memory, 605... HDD, 606... Bus, 607... Storage medium

Claims

1. A measurement system for measuring radio wave propagation characteristics, comprising: an information processing device that calculates path information of multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; an analysis device that sets multiple measurement points where the radio wave propagation characteristics should be measured based on each of the path information calculated by the information processing device, and analyzes and outputs the radio wave propagation characteristics; and a measurement device that measures the radio wave propagation characteristics at the multiple measurement points set by the analysis device, wherein the analysis device has: a reflection influence calculation unit that calculates the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on each of the path information calculated by the information processing device; a measurement density calculation unit that divides a target area where the radio wave propagation characteristics are to be measured into multiple small areas, and calculates the density at which measurement points should be placed for each small area based on the results calculated by the reflection influence calculation unit; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the radio wave propagation characteristics measured by the measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

2. An analysis device that analyzes and outputs radio wave propagation characteristics, comprising: a reflection influence calculation unit that calculates the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on the results of calculations by an information processing device of path information for multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; a measurement density calculation unit that divides the target area in which the radio wave propagation characteristics are to be measured into multiple small areas and calculates the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results of calculations by the reflection influence calculation unit; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the radio wave propagation characteristics measured by a measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

3. A measurement method in which a measurement system measures radio wave propagation characteristics, comprising: an information processing step of calculating path information for multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; a reflection influence calculation step of calculating the influence of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on the path information calculated by the information processing step; a measurement density calculation step of dividing a target area in which radio wave propagation characteristics are to be measured into multiple small areas and calculating the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results calculated by the reflection influence calculation step; and an interpolation step of interpolating the radio wave propagation characteristics measured by a measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation step.

4. An analysis program executed by an analysis device that analyzes and outputs radio wave propagation characteristics, which causes a computer to function as each part of the analysis device, which has: a reflection effect calculation unit that calculates the effect of each path on the received power at each measurement point based on the results of calculations by an information processing device of path information for multiple radio waves transmitted from a transmitting station and arriving at a measurement point; a measurement density calculation unit that divides the target area where radio wave propagation characteristics are measured into multiple small areas and calculates the density at which measurement points are to be placed for each small area based on the results of calculations by the reflection effect calculation unit; and an interpolation unit that interpolates the radio wave propagation characteristics measured by the measurement device at the measurement points placed at the density calculated by the measurement density calculation unit.

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