Communication control device, communication device, communication control method, and communication method

Abstract

A communication control device of the present disclosure includes a frequency management apparatus including circuitry that receives a request from a first communication device, receives second operation information from another frequency management apparatus, determines first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the second operation information, and transmits the first operation information to the first communication device. The circuitry, based on at least the second operation information, calculates a first interference at the first communication device by the second communication device, calculates a second interference at the second communication device by the first communication device, and determines the first operation information based on the first and second interferences.

Description

COMMUNICATION CONTROL DEVICE, COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD, AND COMMUNICATION METHODCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2024-193251 filed on November 1, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a communication control device, a communication device, a communication control method, and a communication method.

[0003] In January 2023, the United States Federal Communication Commission (FCC) issued Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (hereinafter NPRM) toward establishing rules for use and licensing of a primarily assigned frequency band (5030 to 5091 MHz) for control and non-payload communication (hereinafter CNPC) application of an unmanned aircraft system (hereinafter UAS).

[0004] The same NPRM proposes that one or more dynamic frequency management systems (hereinafter DFMS) manage frequency access in order to address complexity involved in coordinating interference-protected shared access to the same band.

[0005] In addition, in the present proposal, the DFMS is proposed to determine, through an automated process, temporary use of a specific frequency in a specific geographical region and period adjusted to a flight plan submitted by an operator in response to a frequency allocation request of an NNA spectrum from a UAS operator, and allocate the frequency to the requesting operator.

[0006] WO 2019 / 230671 ASummary

[0007] In a case where there are two or more DFMSs, it is considered that it is necessary to implement coordination of interference-protected shared accesses in coordination between the DFMSs. On the other hand, such an adjustment method has not been sufficiently studied.

[0008] Thus, the present disclosure provides a communication control device, a communication device, a communication control method, and a communication method that achieve shared access coordination implementation of a frequency between communication control devices in an environment where there is a plurality of communication control devices such as DFMS.

[0009] A communication control device of the present disclosure includes a frequency management apparatus including circuitry that receives a request from a first communication device, receives second operation information from another frequency management apparatus, determines first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the second operation information, and transmits the first operation information to the first communication device. The circuitry, based on at least the second operation information, calculates a first interference at the first communication device by the second communication device, calculates a second interference at the second communication device by the first communication device, and determines the first operation information based on the first and second interferences.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating a communication system constructed according to a system model according to the present embodiment.Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of a communication device according to the present embodiment.Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of a DP according to the present embodiment.Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of a frequency management system as a communication control device according to the present embodiment.Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a CPAS.Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure in a basic form of the present disclosure.Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an approved operation route and an operation route related to a new operation plan request.Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a polygon of a cube.Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a license area of the communication device is configured using a plurality of polygons as illustrated in Fig. 8.Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of Application Form 1 of the present disclosure.Fig. 11 is a flowchart of an example of performing processing according to a value of adjustment flag information.Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of Application Form 2.Fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating a procedure of Application Form 3.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In one or more embodiments described in the present disclosure, elements included in each of the embodiments can be combined with each other, and the combined resultant also forms part of the embodiments described in the present disclosure.

[0012] <1: System model> Fig. 1 illustrates a communication system constructed according to a system model according to the present embodiment. The communication system includes three entities: a frequency management system 100 (frequency management systems A, B, …, C), a communication device 200, and a domain proxy (DP) 300. The frequency management system 100 functions as a communication control device that controls the communication device 200. A plurality of architectures can be configured according to a combination of these entities, and an example in which two architectures are included is shown in the drawing.

[0013] More specifically, the first architecture is an architecture in which the frequency management system directly manages the communications device. As illustrated on the left side of Fig. 1, the frequency management system A manages a plurality of the communication devices 200 (communication devices 1-1, 1-2, …). Each communication device directly exchanges information with the frequency management system A and adjusts a wireless parameter such as a used frequency channel and transmission power. Similarly, as illustrated on the right side of Fig. 1, the frequency management system N manages one communication device 200 (communication device N-1). The communication device N-1 directly exchanges information with the frequency management system N and adjusts a wireless parameter such as a used frequency channel and transmission power.

[0014] The second architecture is an architecture in which the domain proxy (DP) exchanges information with the frequency management system instead of the communication device. More specifically, as illustrated in the center of Fig. 1, the domain proxy (DP) 300 manages one or more communication devices 2-1 and 2-2, and the DP 300 exchanges information with the frequency management system B instead of the communication devices 2-1 and 2-2.

[0015] The present embodiment may include both a case where only one of the two architectures is included and a case where these architectures are mixed.

[0016] Next, each entity will be described.

[0017] The communication device 200 is a device that can operate in a three-dimensional space (target space) such as land, sea, and sky under the control or management of the frequency management system 100 and performs wireless communication with an arbitrary device. For example, a mobile object such as a mobile terminal or a drone (flight vehicle) is a representative example, and the mobile object is not limited thereto. For example, the communication device may be a base station capable of communicating with a subordinate terminal. The communication device 200 performs flight and wireless communication on the basis of wireless parameter information and operation information approved by the frequency management system 100. Note that the definitions of the wireless parameter information and the operation information will be described later.

[0018] Fig. 2 illustrates a functional block of the communication device 200. The communication device 200 includes a recording unit 210, a control unit 220, a first communication unit 230, and a wireless communication unit 240. The function of the communication device 200 may be achieved by a hardware circuit such as a processor and an ASIC and a storage circuit such as a memory, or may be achieved by causing a CPU to execute a computer program.

[0019] The recording unit 210 has a function of recording or storing information received from the frequency management system 100 or the DP 300. Furthermore, the recording unit 210 has a function of storing information (for example, specification information of the communication device 200 and information set by a user) necessary for generating a frequency use request to be described later. The recording unit 210 includes a storage unit such as a memory that stores the information.

[0020] The control unit 220 has a function of controlling exchange of information with the frequency management system 100 and adjusting a wireless parameter (frequency and transmission power) of the first communication unit 230 based on the information recorded or stored by the recording unit 210. More specifically, the control unit 220 controls transmission of a request (frequency use request or approval request) related to approval of an operation plan (operation information and wireless parameter information) to the frequency management system 100, and obtains approval of the operation plan. The approved operation plan is stored by the recording unit 210. The control unit 220 controls operation (flight) by driving a drive unit (not illustrated) and adjusting the wireless parameter on the basis of the approved operation plan. The operation control includes frequency use control. Note that, in a case where the DP 300 is present, the control unit 220 performs control to transmit the frequency use request to the frequency management system B via the DP 300.

[0021] The first communication unit 230 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from at least one of the frequency management system 100 or the DP 300.

[0022] The wireless communication unit 240 has a function of transmitting a signal for CNPC (for example, a signal for monitoring and controlling the communication device), a signal for payload (for example, a signal of sensing data), and the like.

[0023] Here, when the communication device 200 transmits the frequency use request to the DP 300 or the frequency management system 100, the request desirably includes the following operation information and wireless parameter information as the operation plan desired to be approved. However, it is not essential to include all the following information, and only some information may be included.Operation information (various information)

[0024] ・ Frequency use request identification ID ・ Frequency use request application date and time (UNIX time, UTC time, etc.) ・ Communication device identifier - Device serial number - Device authentication number (identifier indicating passing of device authentication such as FCC ID) ・ Frequency use area information (latitude, longitude, altitude, and the like for each time) ・ Communication device function information - Moving speed (normal speed, maximum speed, minimum speed, etc.) - Operable frequency range - Antenna information (antenna gain, antenna type, etc.) - Noise power - Interference protection reference information (SIR, SINR, INR, etc.)Wireless parameter information

[0025] ・ Frequency channel (center frequency + channel bandwidth, combination of lower limit and upper limit frequency, predefined channel identifier, etc.) ・ Transmission power (EIRP, etc.)

[0026] Hereinafter, supplementary explanation will be made on the frequency use request identification ID, the frequency use request application date and time, the communication device identifier, the frequency use area information, and the communication device function information.

[0027] The frequency use request identification ID is an identification ID for the frequency management system 100 and the DP 300 to uniquely identify the operation information.

[0028] The frequency use request application date and time may be used, for example, when the frequency management system 100 performs frequency allocation based on “First come, first served”.

[0029] The communication device identifier is an identifier for the frequency management system 100 or the DP 300 to uniquely identify the communication device 200. In addition, the device authentication number may be used to determine whether FCC authentication is acquired.

[0030] The frequency use area information is information regarding an area where the communication device 200 utilizes (uses) the frequency, and includes, for example, data of a set of time and position. For example, any geographic space on land may be represented in a polygon format or the like. The geographic space may be represented in another shape such as a circle in addition to the polygon. In addition, an operation route of the communication device 200 at each time may be represented by three-dimensional information. For example, in a case where the communication device 200 is a drone, an operation route (flight route) of the drone may be represented as follows (latitude, longitude, altitude, and the like). The frequency management system 100 that has received the frequency use request may calculate a cumulative interference power to be given to another communication device for each time in the following table, for example, in frequency use request processing (approval processing for the operation plan).

[0031] The communication device function information can be used for interference calculation and the like by the frequency management system 100. As described above, the moving speed, the operable frequency range, the antenna information, the noise power, and the interference protection reference information are included, and only some of these may be included, or items other than those listed herein may be included.

[0032] The DP 300 is an entity that exchanges information with the frequency management system 100 instead of the one or more communication devices 200. The DP 300 transmits the wireless parameter information and operation information related to the communication device 200 managed by the DP to the frequency management system 100. The DP receives the approved wireless parameter information and operation information from the frequency management system 100 and transmits the received information to the communication device 200 managed by the DP. As a result, the communication device 200 is operated in accordance with the wireless parameter information and the operation information.

[0033] Fig. 3 illustrates a functional block of the DP 300. The DP 300 includes a recording unit 310, a control unit 320, a first communication unit 330, and a second communication unit 340. The function of the DP 300 may be achieved by a hardware circuit such as a processor and an ASIC and a storage circuit such as a memory, or may be achieved by causing the CPU to execute a computer program.

[0034] The recording unit 310 has a function of recording information acquired from the communication device 200 and the frequency management system 100. The recording unit 310 includes a storage unit such as a memory that stores the information.

[0035] The control unit 320 has a function of controlling the communication device 200 managed by its own DP 300 based on the information acquired from the frequency management system 100.

[0036] The first communication unit 330 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the communication device 200.

[0037] The second communication unit 340 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from the frequency management system 100.

[0038] Fig. 4 illustrates a functional block of the frequency management system 100 as the communication control device according to the present embodiment. The frequency management system 100 includes a recording unit 110, a control unit 120, a first communication unit 130, and a second communication unit 140. The function of the frequency management system 100 may be achieved by a hardware circuit such as a processor and an ASIC and a storage circuit such as a memory, or may be achieved by causing the CPU to execute a computer program.

[0039] The first communication unit 130 has a function of receiving the information from the communication device 200 or the DP 300 and transmitting (notifying) the information to the communication device 200 or the DP 300.

[0040] The second communication unit 140 has a function of transmitting and receiving information to and from another frequency management system 100.

[0041] The control unit 120 controls exchange of information of the subordinate communication device 200 and exchange of information with another frequency management system 100. Furthermore, as the processing according to the present embodiment, the control unit 120 performs processing (approval processing) of the frequency use request received from the communication device 200, and performs processing of notifying the communication device 200 of a result of the approval processing. In the processing of the frequency request, for example, the control unit 120 determines or adjusts the wireless parameter permitted to be used by the communication device 200 using the information recorded in the recording unit 110.

[0042] The recording unit 110 has a function of recording information acquired from the communication device 200 and information acquired from the DP 300. Furthermore, the recording unit 110 has a function of recording information acquired in advance by the control unit 120 in order to perform the approval processing according to the present embodiment and information acquired by the control unit 120 in the approval processing. For example, in a case where the control unit 120 approves the operation plan of the subordinate communication device 200 as a result of the approval processing, the approved operation plan is recorded as an approved operation plan. The recording unit 110 includes a storage unit such as a memory that stores the acquired information.

[0043] <2: Cooperative periodic activities among SASs (CPAS)> In this section, as a comparative example, cooperative periodic activities among SASs (CPAS) performed under a dynamic spectrum access (DSA) system called a citizens broadband radio service (CBRS ) introduced in the 3550 to 3700 MHz band in the United States will be described.

[0044] Under the DSA system, a spectrum access system (hereinafter SAS) responsible for frequency management is provided so as not to cause harmful interference to an existing protection target system (Incumbent) in the band, that is, for the purpose of existing system protection. The FCC rules allow a plurality of companies to each operate SAS.

[0045] When each SAS performs frequency management without cooperation, there is a concern that radio interference greatly affects the protection of the existing system. Thus, all SASs periodically (once a day) perform cooperative processing called CPAS. In the CPAS, information called a Full Dump Record is exchanged between a plurality of SASs which is a communication control device, the cumulative interference power and the like with respect to an existing protection system in each SAS and the communication device under its own SAS or another SAS are calculated, and an allowable wireless parameter is determined and notified to the communication device under the control of each SAS based on a result of the calculation. Specifically, the communication device under the control of each SAS is a base station called a citizen broadband radio service device (CBSD). Details of a procedure of such a CPAS will be described below.

[0046] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of the procedure of the CPAS. Two SAS_A and SAS_B are assumed as a plurality of SASs (communication control devices). Although one CBSD_A is shown as CBSD (base station), other CBSDs may be present. Although SAS_A will be mainly described below, a processing flow similar to that of SAS_A is also performed for SAS_B. In addition, since an algorithm of the cumulative interference calculation is not a point of the present disclosure, details of description related to the cumulative interference calculation such as Iterative Allocation Process (IAP) will be omitted.

[0047] At time T1, which is a predetermined time once a day, each SAS generates the Full Dump Record, which is information necessary for calculating the cumulative interference power. The Full Dump Record includes the position information, used frequency channel information, and the like of each CBSD under the control of its own SAS.

[0048] At time T2, SAS_A acquires the Full Dump Record of SAS_B, and performs processing such as cumulative interference calculation with respect to the protection target system and wireless parameter adjustment of the subordinate CBSD by using the information. In the drawing, as examples of processing, synchronization with FCC database, Pre-IAP Filtering, Move List creation by IAP, and the like are also described; however, since these processing are not related to the points of the present disclosure, detailed description is omitted. As a specific example of the adjustment of the wireless parameter, each SAS calculates the cumulative interference power and the like by the CBSD with respect to the protection target system (Incumbent) such as an FSS or a US marine radar, and adjusts the wireless parameter such as the transmission power and the frequency channel of each CBSD under the control of each SAS so that the value becomes equal to or less than an allowable interference amount.

[0049] At time T3, each SAS notifies the CBSD under the control of its own SAS of the wireless parameter information adjusted on the basis of the calculation result of the cumulative interference power and the like.

[0050] The above is a rough flow of processing in the CPAS. Here, as a point, in the CBRS, the CPAS processing described above is periodically executed only once a day. In addition, in a case where all the procedures performed at the times T1, T2, and T3 described above are executed, a total processing time may be on the order of several hours depending on the number of communication devices, the area range, the number of protection target systems (Incumbents), the method of calculating the cumulative interference power, and the like.

[0051] On the other hand, in Public-Safety, UAS communication, private 5G, and the like, there is a case where the communication device wants to immediately use the frequency at an arbitrary timing (when disaster occurs, etc.). Since the processing such as CPAS illustrated in Fig. 5 is performed only once a day, such a requirement may not be satisfied. Thus, it is also conceivable to execute processing corresponding to the above-described CPAS each time the frequency use request is generated, perform calculation of the cumulative interference power between the communication devices 200, and the like, and process the frequency use request. However, in a case where the processing such as the CPAS illustrated in Fig. 5 is executed a plurality of times in an aperiodic manner, there is a possibility that the processing time becomes enormous. Thus, even in a case where each communication device requests the frequency use at an arbitrary timing, such a mechanism that immediately processes the request is required.

[0052] Note that, in the UAS communication, in a case where it is known in advance that the frequency use request processing periodically occurs, the processing corresponding to the CPAS may be executed periodically (for example, a plurality of times a day) in accordance with the timing of the occurrence. On the other hand, in a case where the frequency use request aperiodically occurs due to the occurrence of a disaster and the like, it is not realistic to perform the processing corresponding to the CPAS each time the frequency use request occurs because the processing time may become enormous. The present disclosure proposes a method for immediately processing the frequency use request that needs immediate response.

[0053] <3: Processing content in control unit of frequency management system> In the present disclosure, under an environment in which a plurality of frequency management systems (communication control devices) is installed, each frequency management system performs the approval processing for the frequency use request at a timing when the frequency management system receives the frequency use request from the communication device managed by its own system. That is, each time each frequency management system receives the frequency use request from the communication device managed by its own system, the approval processing of the request is performed. As a result of the approval processing, each frequency management system generates and notifies the operation information and the wireless parameter information to the communication device managed by its own system. In a case where the processing such as the CPAS described above is used, the frequency use requests are collectively processed periodically (for example, once a day) regardless of the timing at which the frequency use request is received, and therefore, the request for immediate response of the frequency use request may not be satisfied; however, in the present disclosure, since the processing is performed each time at the timing at which the frequency use request is received, the request for immediate response can be satisfied. Hereinafter, a basic form of the present disclosure and specific examples thereof will be described, and then some application forms will be described.

[0054] <3.1: Basic form of present disclosure> Points in the basic form of the present disclosure are as follows.

[0055] The frequency management system which is the communication control device according to the present embodiment performs the following two points.

[0056] ・ Each time the frequency management system receives the frequency use request from the communication device, the frequency use request is processed to generate the operation information and the wireless parameter information regarding the communication device. The generated information can be acquired from another frequency management system at an arbitrary timing. ・ When the frequency management system receives the frequency use request from the communication device, the frequency management system acquires the operation information and the wireless parameter information regarding the communication device managed by another frequency management system, and immediately processes the frequency use request using the information.

[0057] The above processing is processing that is not performed by an existing method such as the CPAS performed once a day, and is a point in the present disclosure.

[0058] Fig. 6 illustrates the example of the procedure in the basic form of the present disclosure. The frequency management systems A and B are illustrated as the plurality of frequency management systems, and a communication device A managed by the frequency management system A is illustrated as one or more communication devices. Fig. 6 illustrates an entity having a minimum configuration, and two or more communication devices may be actually present under the control of the frequency management system A. In addition, there may be three or more frequency management systems. Note that, for the sake of explanation, it is assumed that the frequency management system B in Fig. 6 has already approved the frequency use request from a subordinate communication device B (not illustrated), and the communication device B is operating according to the wireless parameter information and the like generated according to a result of the approval processing.

[0059] First, the communication device A transmits the frequency use request to the frequency management system A (S110). The frequency use request includes the operation information and wireless parameter information regarding the communication device A. Details of the operation information and the wireless parameter information are as defined in <1: System model>. This frequency use request corresponds to an approval request for a first operation plan. The first operation plan includes, as the operation information and the wireless parameter information, first wireless parameter information regarding a first frequency desired by the communication device A, and at least first operation information regarding a use area of the frequency desired by the communication device A (first communication device).

[0060] At the timing of receiving the frequency use request from the communication device A, the frequency management system A acquires, from the frequency management system B, the operation information and the wireless parameter information (the approved second operation plan) regarding the communication device B managed by the frequency management system B (S120). The second operation plan includes, as the operation information and the wireless parameter information, at least second wireless parameter information regarding a frequency for which the communication device B (second communication device) has been approved and second operation information regarding a use area of the frequency for which the communication device B (second communication device) has been approved. Although it is assumed that the communication device B is currently in operation (flight) according to the approved operation information and wireless parameter information, a case where the communication device B waits for the start of operation may also be included.

[0061] Thereafter, the frequency management system A uses operation information / wireless parameter information (second operation plan) acquired from the frequency management system B and operation information / wireless parameter information (first operation plan) regarding the communication device A to perform the frequency use request processing of the communication device A (approval processing for the first operation plan) (S130). As an example, the frequency management system A calculates the cumulative interference power from the communication device A to the communication device B and the cumulative interference power from the communication device B to the communication device A, and may determine whether the value satisfies a criterion or is, for example, equal to or less than the allowable interference amount (threshold). Note that, in a case where there is a communication device (another communication device) other than the communication device A under the control of the frequency management system A, the cumulative interference power means the sum of interference power given from the communication device A and the other communication device to the communication device B. Similarly, in a case where there is a communication device (another communication device) other than the communication device B under the control of the frequency management system B, the cumulative interference power means the sum of interference power given from the communication device B and the other communication device to the communication device A.

[0062] In a case where the frequency management system A approves the frequency use request related to the communication device A, that is, in a case where the frequency management system A approves the first operation plan, the frequency management system A reflects the operation information and the wireless parameter information regarding the communication device A in the information owned by its own system. As the operation information and the wireless parameter information regarding the communication device A, information included in the frequency use request may be used; however, in a case where approval after partial change of the operation information and the wireless parameter information is permitted, the partially changed operation information and wireless parameter information may be used. The following information and the like regarding the communication device A are generated as approved information (S140). Note that, in a case where the frequency use request is not approved, that is, in a case where the first operation plan is not approved, the frequency management system A does not need to generate approved information.

[0063] ・ Frequency use area information (latitude, longitude, altitude, and the like for each time) ・ Wireless parameter - Frequency channel (center frequency + channel bandwidth, etc.) - Transmission power (EIRP, etc.) ・ Moving speed (normal speed, maximum speed, minimum speed, etc.) ・ Antenna information (antenna gain, antenna type, etc.) ・ Interference protection reference (SIR, SINR, INR, etc.) Note that, as a matter of course, necessary information may be appropriately added in addition to the above information.

[0064] Finally, the frequency management system A transmits the result of the approval processing including whether to approve the frequency use request to the communication device A (S150). The result of the approval processing may include the above-described approved information. The communication device A starts operation according to the approved information. For example, the communication device A performs wireless communication in accordance with the wireless parameter (frequency channel, transmission power) while flying by controlling driving of its own device so as to pass through a position (latitude, longitude, altitude) for each time indicated in the frequency use area information. The communication device A can fly without causing a physical collision with the communication device B in a state where power interference is suppressed with the communication device B under the control of the frequency management system B.

[0065] As described above, the operation information / the wireless parameter acquired in step S120 reflect the latest approved information of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B. Thus, the frequency management system A can immediately process the frequency use request of the communication device A in real time.

[0066] As a partial modification of a basic form of the present disclosure, the frequency management system A may transmit the result of the approval processing of the frequency use request to the communication device A in step S150, and then notify or transmit the approved information regarding the communication device A to another frequency management system B. As a result, the frequency management system B does not need to acquire the operation information and the wireless parameter information regarding the communication device A from the frequency management system A at the stage of receiving the frequency use request from the communication device managed by the frequency management system B, and can process the frequency use request at high speed.

[0067] <3.1.1 Specific example of approval processing performed in real time in response to reception of frequency use request> Fig. 7 illustrates an example of the operation plan approved for communication devices 1 and 2 and the operation plan related to a new operation plan request (frequency use request or operation plan approval request) for the communication device 3. There are the two frequency management systems A and B, the communication devices 1 and 2 are managed by the frequency management system A, and the communication device 3 is managed by the frequency management system B. The communication devices 1 and 2 have already obtained frequency use approval from the frequency management system A, and perform wireless communication while flying (operating) along the approved operation route. In this state, the communication device 3 transmits the frequency use request to the frequency management system B.

[0068] The frequency management system B performs processing including the following procedures (1) to (3) at the timing of receiving the frequency use request from the communication device 3.

[0069] (1) The frequency management system B uses the second communication unit 140 to acquire approved information (in this example, approved information of the communication devices 1 and 2) held in the recording unit 110 by the frequency management system A. (2) The control unit 120 of the frequency management system B calculates the cumulative interference power in each of the communication devices 1 to 3 using the operation information and the wireless parameter information regarding the communication device 3 and the approved information acquired in the procedure (1), and determines approval or disapproval of the frequency use request of the communication device 3. When the approval is determined, it may be permitted to change a part of the operation information and the wireless parameter information included in the frequency use request (for example, the frequency permitted to be used is changed from the value specified in the request, or the transmission power is made smaller than the value specified in the request). Note that the cumulative interference power may be calculated not only for the communication devices 1 to 3 but also for an existing protection system (Incumbent). (3) In a case where the frequency use request is approved in the procedure (2), the control unit 120 of the frequency management system B generates approved information for the communication device 3. In addition, the first communication unit 130 of the frequency management system B transmits a result of the approval processing indicating that the frequency use request has been approved to the communication device 3. The approved information may be included in the result of the approval processing. The frequency management system B records the approved information by the recording unit 110.

[0070] Next, the above procedures (1) to (3) will be described in detail. First, regarding the procedure (1), it is desirable that the approved information includes the operation information and the wireless parameter information described in the previous section.

[0071] Some examples of the frequency use area information in the operation information will be described. For example, an operation position of each communication device may be represented by a three-dimensional position for each time in the following format.

[0072]

[0073] Latn, t0, Lonn, t0, and Altn, t0are the latitude, longitude, and altitude of the communication device n at time t0, respectively. Note that the position information is not limited to latitude, longitude, and altitude, and may be coordinate values such as x, y, and z, or may be position information registered in an information management device managed by national regulatory authority (NRA) or its entrusted institution.

[0074] The frequency management system B calculates, for example, the cumulative interference power in each of the communication devices 1 to 3 at each time. At this time, a path loss may be calculated by calculating a three-dimensional distance between the communication devices using a three-dimensional position information in the format of (1). The frequency use area information, the wireless parameter, the moving speed information, the antenna information, and the interference protection reference information will be described as information that can be used in the calculation.

[0075] The frequency use area information may define a part in the three-dimensional space as a license area. In this case, the communication device can use the frequency anywhere within the license area. There are various representation methods for the license area. For example, the three-dimensional space may be divided into polygons, and the license area may be configured by a set of one or more polygons. At this time, vertex coordinates of each polygon may be represented by three-dimensional coordinates, and each polygon may be specified by the vertex coordinates of the polygon.

[0076] Fig. 8 illustrates an example of a polygon of a cube. The polygon is specified by eight vertex coordinates.

[0077] Fig. 9 illustrates an example in which the license area of the communication device n is configured using a plurality of polygons as illustrated in Fig. 8. The license area includes a plurality of polygons continuous in a longitude direction (Lon. direction). Note that the license area including a set of one or more polygons may be unchanged from the start to the end of the flight, or the license area may vary depending on the time of flight. For example, a leftmost polygon among four polygons illustrated in the drawing may be available only within a certain time from the start of flight. In the example of Fig. 9, the license area includes the plurality of polygons; however, the license area may include a sphere and the like in addition to the polygons.

[0078] For the wireless parameter, information of the frequency channel and the transmission power is at least required. The frequency management system B calculates the cumulative interference power and the like using the information. Note that the transmission power may be determined in advance, and in this case, the value of the transmission power may be omitted from the frequency use request or the approved information.

[0079] The moving speed information may be utilized when calculating adjacent channel interference in consideration of Doppler shift. In particular, the maximum speed is information necessary for calculating a maximum Doppler shift.

[0080] The antenna information is used as necessary in the calculation of the cumulative interference power and the like.

[0081] The interference protection reference information is important information for determining whether to approve the frequency use request, and the frequency management system B determines whether the cumulative interference power of each communication device becomes equal to or less than the interference protection reference (threshold).

[0082] <3.2: Application Form 1 of the present disclosure> In the basic form of the present disclosure described above, it is assumed that while a certain frequency management system is performing the frequency use request processing, another frequency management system does not process the frequency use request at the same time. On the other hand, in actual operation, it is also conceivable that this assumption is not established.

[0083] Thus, in Application Form 1 of the present disclosure, each frequency management system generates adjustment flag information indicating whether its own system is executing the frequency use request processing (approval processing for the operation plan), thereby providing a method for enabling the frequency request processing even in a case where the above assumption is not established. The adjustment flag information corresponds to flag information for identifying whether or not the frequency use request processing (approval processing for the operation plan) is being executed. The flag information has a first value (for example, 1) or a second value (for example, 0). The first value indicates that the approval processing is being executed, and the second value indicates that the approval processing is not executed. Details of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0084] Fig. 10 illustrates a procedure of Application Form 1 of the present disclosure. Steps S210 to S260 correspond to processing added from the basic form, and perform processing related to the adjustment flag information.

[0085] A point of Application Form 1 is to grasp a processing status of the frequency use request in another frequency management system using the adjustment flag information.

[0086] Hereinafter, changes from the basic form will be specifically described. Note that, here, processing contents are described with reference to the frequency management system A, and description of processing of the same steps as in the basic form described above (see Fig. 6) is omitted.

[0087] Each of the frequency management systems A and B initializes the adjustment flag information to 0 before receiving the frequency use request from the communication device managed by its own system (S210, S220). The adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B corresponds to first flag information indicating whether or not the frequency management system B is executing the frequency request processing, and the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system A corresponds to second flag information indicating whether or not the frequency management system A is executing the frequency request processing.

[0088] When the frequency management system A receives the frequency use request from the communication device A managed by its own system (S110), the frequency management system A transmits an adjustment flag acquisition request to the frequency management system B (S230).

[0089] Upon receiving the adjustment flag acquisition request, the frequency management system B transmits the adjustment flag information of its own system to the frequency management system A (S240). This adjustment flag information corresponds to third flag information indicating whether or not the frequency management system B is executing the approval processing for the third operation plan related to the communication device (third communication device) managed by the frequency management system B.

[0090] The frequency management system A checks the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B, and in a case where the adjustment flag information is 0 (in a case where the frequency request processing is not executed), the adjustment flag information of its own system is set to 1 (S250). Then, similarly to the case of the basic form processing, the frequency use request processing is performed (S120 to S140).

[0091] In a case where the frequency use request is approved and there is no other frequency use request to be processed, the frequency management system A initializes the adjustment flag information of its own system to 0 (S260). The frequency management system A transmits the result of the approval processing to the communication device A (S150).

[0092] In the above description, the case where the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B is 0 in step S250 has been described; however, in a case where the adjustment flag information is 1, separate processing is required. Hereinafter, an example will be described in which different processing is performed depending on whether the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B is 0 or 1.

[0093] Fig. 11 is a flowchart of an example in which different processing is performed according to the value of the adjustment flag information. The frequency management system A transmits the adjustment flag acquisition request to the frequency management system B to acquire the adjustment flag information (S310). It is determined whether the adjustment flag information is 0 (No in S320), and in a case where the adjustment flag information is 1, standby is performed for a constant or arbitrary time (standby time) τ (S330), and transmits the adjustment flag acquisition request again to acquire the adjustment flag information. Until the adjustment flag information having a value of 0 is acquired, transmission of the adjustment flag acquisition request to the frequency management system B at each interval of the standby time τ to acquire the adjustment flag information is repeated. As described above, in a case where the adjustment flag information (third flag information) is 1 (first value), standby is performed for a constant or arbitrary time, and after the constant or arbitrary time has elapsed, acquisition of the adjustment flag information from the frequency management system B again is repeatedly performed until the adjustment flag information indicating 0 (second value) is acquired.

[0094] In a case where the adjustment flag information having a value of 0 is acquired, the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system A is set to 1 (S340), and the frequency use request processing (approval processing) is performed (S340), as in Fig. 10. The frequency management system A determines whether to approve the frequency use request (whether to approve the operation plan) (S350). In the case of approval, the approved information is generated (S360), and the adjustment flag information is set to 0 (S370). Then, a result of the approval processing indicating approval of the frequency use request is transmitted to the communication device A (S380). Note that steps S340 to S380 are the same processing as steps S250, S120, S130, S140, S260, and S150 in Fig. 10.

[0095] On the other hand, in a case where the frequency management system A does not approve the frequency use request in step S350, the frequency management system A sets the adjustment flag information to 0 (S390), and transmits a result of the approval processing indicating disapproval of the frequency use request to the communication device A (S400).

[0096] Note that the order of the steps described above is an example, and the order of some steps may be changed. For example, the order of steps S390 and S400 may be reversed, and the order of steps S370 and S380 may be reversed.

[0097] As a method of designing the standby time τ in step S330, for example, the following method may be used.

[0098] (Method 1) The frequency management system A may determine the standby time τ according to the number of communication devices managed by the frequency management system B. For example, as the number of communication devices increases, τ is set longer. This is because, in a case where the number of communication devices is large, if τ is set small, the probability that the adjustment flag information is 1 increases. On the other hand, in a case where the number of communication devices is small, the probability that the adjustment flag information is 0 becomes high, and in this case, the frequency use request can be more quickly processed by setting τ to be small. The number of communication devices described above may be a sum of the number of communication devices of at least one type among the communication device that is actually flying, the communication device that has been approved and is on standby for flight, and other communication devices (communication devices that may transmit a request from the current time point).

[0099] (Method 2) The standby time τ may be determined according to the number of communication devices in a certain area. Here, a certain area may be a region serving as an administrative district such as a prefecture or a state, or may be a region partitioned by other criteria. For example, the standby time τ may be determined according to the number of communication devices in an area overlapping with the area managed by the frequency management system A among the areas managed by the frequency management system B. For example, as the number of communication devices increases, τ is set longer. This is because, in a case where the number of communication devices is large, if τ is set small, the probability that the adjustment flag information is 1 increases. On the other hand, in a case where the number of communication devices is small, the probability that the adjustment flag information is 0 becomes high, and in this case, the frequency use request can be more quickly processed by setting τ to be small. The number of communication devices described above is the number of communication devices managed by the frequency management system B, and may be defined as in (Method 1).

[0100] (Method 3) The standby time τ may be determined according to the number of other frequency management systems in the same area as the area in which the frequency management system A is provided. These frequency management systems may perform flight management of the communication device in the area. Considering a case where the number of frequency management systems other than the frequency management system A is F and a case where the number of frequency management systems other than the frequency management system A is F+G (G > 0), in the former case where the number is F, there is a high probability that the number of frequency use requests received per frequency management system is large; therefore, τ may be set longer than in the latter case where the number is (F+G). Here, as in (Method 2), an area may be a region serving as an administrative district such as a prefecture or a state, or may be a region partitioned by other criteria.

[0101] (Method 4) Note that the value of τ may be a fixed value or a variable value. In the case of setting to the variable value, for example, the standby τ may be calculated as in the following equation (2) using a random number value CW such as a contention window in CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avoidance) and a fixed value SL such as a slot time.

[0102]

[0103] Note that the CW may be acquired randomly from a certain range [p, q], and dispersion of the standby time may be adjusted according to the values of p and q. At this time, p and q may be set in consideration of the contents described in (Method 1) to (Method 3). For example, in a case where the number of communication devices is large, p and q are set to be larger. Note that this similarly applies to SL. In addition, in a case where a time zone or a time period in which there are many frequency use requests from the communication device is known in advance, τ may be set large only in the period, or p, q, and SL may be set large.

[0104] <3.3: Application Form 2 of the present disclosure> In Application Form 1 of the previous section, it has been described that while the frequency management system B processes the frequency use request, the frequency management system A waits for the processing of the frequency use request to the communication device managed by its own system until the processing of the frequency management system B ends. In Application Form 2 of the present disclosure, in a case where the frequency management system B processes the frequency use request, the frequency management system A substitutes the frequency use request performed by the frequency management system B. As a result, the frequency management system A can collectively process the frequency use request of the frequency management system B and the frequency use request of its own system A. Thus, the frequency management system A does not need to wait until the processing of the frequency management system B ends.

[0105] Fig. 12 illustrates a procedure of Application Form 2. Steps equivalent to those in the basic form are denoted by equivalent reference numerals. A point in Application Form 2 is that the frequency management system A performs proxy processing of the frequency use request processed by the frequency management system B.

[0106] Hereinafter, in the description of the processing procedure in Application Form 2, processing contents will be described with reference to the frequency management system A. In addition, it is assumed that the frequency management system B is executing the frequency use request processing.

[0107] It is assumed that the frequency management system A initializes the adjustment flag information to -0 before receiving the frequency use request from the communication device A (S410). It is assumed that the frequency management system B is processing the frequency use request and the adjustment flag information is set to 1 (S420).

[0108] Upon receiving the frequency use request from the communication device A (S110), the frequency management system A acquires the adjustment flag information from the frequency management system B by transmitting the adjustment flag acquisition request (S430, S440). Here, the value of the adjustment flag information acquired from the frequency management system B is 1.

[0109] The frequency management system A acquires the operation information and the wireless parameter information of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B (S120). The information to be acquired includes information on the communication device approved by the frequency management system B and information on the communication device being processed by the frequency management system B (operation information and wireless parameter information included in the frequency use request). The frequency management system A transmits, to the frequency management system B, a proxy notification message indicating that proxy processing is to be performed on the frequency use request being processed by the frequency management system B (S450). In a case where the frequency management system B accepts the proxy processing, the adjustment flag information of its own system is changed from 1 to “A” (S460), and a proxy acceptance message indicating that the proxy processing is accepted is transmitted to the frequency management system A (S470). Note that “A” is an example of a value indicating that proxy processing of the frequency use request processing is performed by another management system, and although “A” is used here for convenience, another value may be used.

[0110] When receiving the proxy acceptance message from the frequency management system B, the frequency management system A sets the adjustment flag information of its own system to “A-B” (S480). Note that the value is an example of a value indicating that the frequency use request of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B is being subjected to proxy processing, and although “A-B” is used here for convenience, another value may be used.

[0111] The frequency management system A processes both the frequency use request of the communication device managed by its own system and the frequency use request of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B (S490). As described above, the frequency management system A acquires the adjustment flag information (third flag information) indicating whether or not the frequency request processing (approval processing for the third operation plan) related to the third communication device managed by the frequency management system B (another communication control device) is being executed. Then, in a case where the adjustment flag information is 1, that is, in a case where the adjustment flag information is the first value indicating that the frequency management system B is executing the approval processing for the third operation plan, the frequency management system A performs proxy processing of the approval processing for the third operation plan performed by the frequency management system B.

[0112] In a case where the frequency management system A approves the frequency use request of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B, the frequency management system A transmits a result of the approval processing indicating the approval to the frequency management system B (S500). The result of the approval processing may include the approved operation information and wireless parameter information.

[0113] In a case where each of the frequency management systems A and B approves the frequency use request, the approved information described in Section 3.1 is generated (S140A, S140B), and the adjustment flag information is initialized to 0 (S210A, S220B).

[0114] The frequency management system A transmits the result of the approval processing of the frequency use request to the communication device A (S150). Note that, similarly to the frequency management system A, the frequency management system B also transmits the result of the approval processing for the frequency use request to the communication device (communication device B) managed by its own system B.

[0115] In a case where the frequency management system B does not accept the proxy processing in the procedure described above, the frequency management system B transmits a message indicating the fact to the frequency management system A. The frequency management system A may repeat processing similar to steps S310, S320, and S330 in the flowchart of Fig. 11 and wait for the end of the processing of the frequency management system B.

[0116] Note that, as a modification of the present application form, even in a case where the frequency management system B requests the frequency management system A to perform proxy processing of the frequency use request processing in step S470, the frequency management system B may continue the frequency use request processing. Thereafter, the frequency management system B may compare the processing result of the frequency use request processed by its own system with the processing result of the frequency use request processed by the frequency management system A. As a result, for example, it can be seen whether the respective cumulative interference power results calculated by the frequency management systems A and B match.

[0117] In addition, as another modification of the present application example, the frequency management system B may receive a proxy request of the frequency request processing from the frequency management system A and perform proxy processing of the frequency request processing of the frequency management system A. In this case, for example, the frequency management system B may set the adjustment flag information to “B-A”, and the frequency management system A may set the adjustment flag information to “B”. The frequency management system B processes both the frequency use request of the communication device managed by its own system and the frequency use request of the communication device managed by the frequency management system A. After processing these frequency use requests, the frequency management system B transmits a result of the approval processing of the frequency use request of the communication device managed by the frequency management system A to the frequency management system A. The other processing is similar to that in Fig. 12.

[0118] <3.4: Application Form 3 of the present disclosure> In the basic form and Application Forms 1 and 2 described above, the frequency management system acquires the operation information and the wireless parameter information of the communication device managed by another frequency management system, and calculates the cumulative interference power and the like using the information. In Application Form 3 of the present disclosure, a method of processing the frequency use request from the communication device managed by its own system without calculating of the cumulative interference power and the like will be described.

[0119] The point of Application Form 3 is to approve the frequency use request without calculating the cumulative interference power and the like in a case where a distance between the communication devices is equal to or more than a threshold in the entire operation route (route from departure to arrival).

[0120] Application Form 3 assumes that the cumulative interference power is sufficiently smaller than an allowable interference amount in a case where the communication devices fly spatially sufficiently apart (for example, in a case where the communication devices are separated by a threshold or more in a three-dimensional distance).

[0121] Fig. 13 illustrates a procedure of Application Form 3. Steps equivalent to those in the basic form are denoted by equivalent reference numerals. Hereinafter, details of the processing procedure of Application Form 3 will be described with reference to the frequency management system A.

[0122] First, as a premise, it is assumed that the communication device B managed by the frequency management system B has already obtained approval of the frequency use request from the frequency management system B and is flying. When the frequency management system A receives the frequency use request from the communication device A (S110), the frequency management system A acquires the operation information and the wireless parameter information of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B (S120).

[0123] The frequency management system A performs distance threshold determination processing (S510). More specifically, a distance to the communication device B is calculated at each time from the departure to the arrival of the communication device A using the operation information of the communication device managed by the frequency management system B. Note that, regarding the distance, for example, the three-dimensional distance may be calculated from the three-dimensional position information indicated in Section 3.1.1.

[0124] In a case where the calculated distance at each time is equal to or less than a threshold, the frequency management system A approves the frequency use request of the communication device A without performing the cumulative interference power calculation and the like (S520).

[0125] The subsequent processing (S140, S150) is the same as that in the basic form.

[0126] According to this method, the frequency management system can omit the calculation of the cumulative interference power and the like, and can shorten the processing time of the frequency use request. As a result, each communication device is more likely to be able to use the frequency faster.

[0127] Note that the present application form may be applied to Application Forms 1 and 2. Specifically, in a case where the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B is 1 in Application Forms 1 and 2, it is determined whether the distance between the communication devices being processed by the communication device A and the frequency management system B is equal to or less than the threshold at each time. In a case where the distance between the communication devices is equal to or less than the threshold at each time, the frequency management system A continues the frequency use request processing received by its own system on the assumption that the cumulative interference power between the communication devices is sufficiently equal to or less than an allowable value.

[0128] Hereinafter, additional items (1) to (3) for each application form will be described.

[0129] (1) In Application Forms 1 and 2, even when the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B is 1, in a case where separation of the used frequency channels of the respective communication devices is sufficiently large, the frequency management system A may continue the frequency use request processing received by its own system. That is, in Application Form 1, the frequency management system A does not need to wait for the processing end of the frequency management system B. In Application Form 2, the frequency management system A does not need to perform proxy processing of the processing of the frequency management system B. The case where the separation of the used frequency channels of the respective communication devices is sufficiently large is, for example, a case where an interval between the used frequency channels of the respective communication devices is equal to or more than a threshold, or a case where there is no relationship in the same channel or adjacent channels.

[0130] (2) In a case where the frequency use request is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, each frequency management system may record a time at which each communication device first transmits the frequency use request, and determine the processing order of the frequency use request by using the time. For example, in Application Form 1, in a case where the adjustment flag information of the frequency management system B is 1, the frequency management system A needs to suspend the frequency use request processing. At this time, in a case where another communication device C transmits the frequency use request to the frequency management system A in addition to the communication device A, the frequency management system A needs to process the frequency use request of each of the communication device A and the communication device C. In a case where a plurality of frequency use requests is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, it is necessary for the frequency management system A side to grasp an order in which the communication devices A and C have transmitted the frequency use requests and to process the requests in order. Thus, the frequency management system A needs to record a transmission time of the frequency use request of each of the communication devices A and C. The transmission time of the frequency use request may be a time (for example, application date and time) included in the frequency use request, or may be a time when the frequency management system A actually receives the frequency use request.

[0131] (3) As the value of the adjustment flag information, a value other than 0 and 1 may be used as long as it is information that can uniquely identify whether or not the frequency use request is being processed.

[0132] Note that the embodiment described above represents an example for embodying the present disclosure, and the present disclosure can be implemented in various other modes. For example, various modifications, substitutions, omissions, or combinations thereof are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. Such modifications, substitutions, omissions, and the like are also included in the scope of the present disclosure, and are similarly included in the inventions disclosed in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

[0133] Furthermore, the effects of the present disclosure described in the present specification are merely an example, and other effects may be achieved.Supplementary Note

[0134] The present embodiment can also have the following configurations. (1) A frequency management apparatus comprising circuitry configured to: receive a request from a first communication device; receive second operation information from another frequency management apparatus; determine first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the second operation information, and transmit the first operation information to the first communication device, wherein, based on at least the second operation information, the circuitry is further configured to calculate a first interference at the first communication device by the second communication device, calculate a second interference at the second communication device by the first communication device, and determine the first operation information based on the first and second interferences. (2) The frequency management apparatus according to (1), wherein the second operation information includes operating frequencies used by a second communication device, and the circuitry determines the first operation information, which includes operating frequencies for the first communication device, based on the operating frequencies included in the second operation information. (3) The frequency management apparatus according to (2), wherein the first operation information is determined to reduce interference. (4) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the circuitry uses a moving speed of at least the first communication device to calculate a doppler shift of frequencies used by the first communication device in order to calculate at least one of the first and second interferences. (5) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the request from the first communication device includes requested frequencies, and the circuitry approves the request in a case that a sum of the first and second interferences is below a predetermined threshold. (6) The frequency management apparatus according to (5), wherein the circuitry does not approve the request in a case that the sum of the first and second interferences is above the predetermined threshold. (7) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the request from the communication device is received aperiodically. (8) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the circuitry maintains a copy of the first operation information therein. (9) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the first operation information includes one or more of: a frequency use area, at least one wireless parameter, a frequency channel, transmission power, moving speed of the first communication device, antenna information, and an interference protection reference. (10) The frequency management apparatus according to (9), wherein the frequency use area is provided in latitude and longitude coordinates. (11) The frequency management apparatus according to (9) or (10), wherein the antenna information includes at least antenna gain and antenna type. (12) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the circuitry receives the request via a domain proxy device. (13) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein the circuitry is further configured to transmit the first operation information to the another frequency management apparatus. (14) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the request includes a position of the first communication device. (15) The frequency management apparatus according to (14), wherein the position of the first communication device is a three-dimensional (3D) position. (16) The frequency management apparatus according to (15), wherein the 3D position is given in latitude, longitude, and altitude. (17) The frequency management apparatus according to any one of (1) to (16), wherein the circuitry is configured to receive a plurality of second operation information from at least the another frequency management apparatus, and determine the first operation information based on the plurality of second operation information. (18) The frequency management apparatus according to (17), wherein each of the plurality of second operation information corresponds to a different communication device. (19) A frequency management method comprising: receiving, by circuitry of a frequency management apparatus, a request from a first communication device; receiving, by the circuitry of the frequency management apparatus, second operation information from another frequency management apparatus; determining, by the circuitry of the frequency management apparatus, first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the operation information, the first operation information being determined to reduce interference; and transmitting, by the circuitry of the frequency management apparatus, the first operation information to the first communication device. (20) A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by circuitry of a frequency management apparatus, cause the circuitry to perform a method comprising: receiving a request from a first communication device; receiving second operation information from another frequency management apparatus; determining first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the operation information, the first operation information being determined to reduce interference; and　　　　　　transmitting the first operation information to the first communication device. (21) An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising circuitry configured to: transmit a request to a frequency management apparatus; receive first operation information from the frequency management device, wherein the first operation information is based on the request and second operation information from another frequency management device, the first operation information being based on interference at the unmanned aerial vehicle and interference at another communication device.

[0135] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0136] 100 Frequency management system 110 Recording unit 120 Control unit 130 First communication unit 140 Second communication unit 200 Communication device 210 Recording unit 220 Control unit 230 First communication unit 240 Wireless communication unit 310 Recording unit 320 Control unit 330 First communication unit 340 Second communication unit

Claims

1. A frequency management apparatus comprising circuitry configured to: receive a request from a first communication device; receive second operation information from another frequency management apparatus; determine first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the second operation information, and transmit the first operation information to the first communication device, wherein, based on at least the second operation information, the circuitry is further configured to calculate a first interference at the first communication device by the second communication device, calculate a second interference at the second communication device by the first communication device, and determine the first operation information based on the first and second interferences.

2. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second operation information includes operating frequencies used by a second communication device, and the circuitry determines the first operation information, which includes operating frequencies for the first communication device, based on the operating frequencies included in the second operation information.

3. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first operation information is determined to reduce interference.

4. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry uses a moving speed of at least the first communication device to calculate a doppler shift of frequencies used by the first communication device in order to calculate at least one of the first and second interferences.

5. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request from the first communication device includes requested frequencies, and the circuitry approves the request in a case that a sum of the first and second interferences is below a predetermined threshold.

6. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the circuitry does not approve the request in a case that the sum of the first and second interferences is above the predetermined threshold.

7. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request from the communication device is received aperiodically.

8. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry maintains a copy of the first operation information therein.

9. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation information includes one or more of: a frequency use area, at least one wireless parameter, a frequency channel, transmission power, moving speed of the first communication device, antenna information, and an interference protection reference.

10. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the frequency use area is provided in latitude and longitude coordinates.

11. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the antenna information includes at least antenna gain and antenna type.

12. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry receives the request via a domain proxy device.

13. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is further configured to transmit the first operation information to the another frequency management apparatus.

14. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the request includes a position of the first communication device.

15. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the position of the first communication device is a three-dimensional (3D) position.

16. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the 3D position is given in latitude, longitude, and altitude.

17. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to receive a plurality of second operation information from at least the another frequency management apparatus, and determine the first operation information based on the plurality of second operation information.

18. The frequency management apparatus according to claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of second operation information corresponds to a different communication device.

19. A frequency management method comprising: receiving, by circuitry of a frequency management apparatus, a request from a first communication device; receiving, by the circuitry of the frequency management apparatus, second operation information from another frequency management apparatus; determining, by the circuitry of the frequency management apparatus, first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the operation information, the first operation information being determined to reduce interference; and transmitting, by the circuitry of the frequency management apparatus, the first operation information to the first communication device.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by circuitry of a frequency management apparatus, cause the circuitry to perform a method comprising: receiving a request from a first communication device; receiving second operation information from another frequency management apparatus; determining first operation information for the first communication device based on the request and the operation information, the first operation information being determined to reduce interference; and transmitting the first operation information to the first communication device.

21. An unmanned aerial vehicle comprising circuitry configured to: transmit a request to a frequency management apparatus; receive first operation information from the frequency management device, wherein the first operation information is based on the request and second operation information from another frequency management device, the first operation information being based on interference at the unmanned aerial vehicle and interference at another communication device.

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