Arrangement determination program and arrangement determination device

Abstract

An arrangement determination program according to one embodiment of the present invention causes a computer to function as each unit of an arrangement determination device including: a clustering unit that clusters a plurality of evaluation points set in a target area and serving as evaluation positions of radio communication quality into clusters based on a propagation state of radio waves so as to include only evaluation points at which reception power of radio waves required for predetermined communication is not obtained; a division unit that divides the clusters clustered by the clustering unit into clusters having a radius equal to or less than a distance at which a predetermined radio wave required for radio communication is propagated by any of propagation devices; and a determination unit that determines selection and arrangement of the propagation devices so that the required predetermined radio wave is propagated to each of the evaluation points included in the clusters divided by the division unit and cost required for installing the propagation devices to be arranged is minimized.

Description

Configuration Determination Program and Configuration Determination Device

[0001] The present invention relates to a configuration determination program and a configuration determination device for determining the arrangement of propagation devices that propagate radio waves used for wireless communication.

[0002] In wireless communication, the range that radio waves can reach from a base station and the number of terminals that a single base station can accommodate are limited. Therefore, when the number of installed base stations is small, the area that the base station can cover may be narrow, or the number of terminals that the base station can accommodate may be insufficient.

[0003] However, when the number of installed propagation devices such as base stations, relay stations, and RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) that propagate radio waves is excessive, the propagation device cost, installation cost, and operation cost increase, resulting in inefficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to determine (wireless station placement design) the placement of the propagation devices so that they are arranged in the necessary and sufficient number at appropriate locations.

[0004] For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an experimental evaluation of the environmental fluctuation tolerance of the area quality of a high-frequency band network controlled using a high-speed batch optimization control algorithm.

[0005] Daisuke Murayama, et al., "High-Speed Design Control Technology for Complex Networks Including Multiple Relay Stations", IEICE General Conference, 2024

[0006] However, in conventional area design control technologies, differences in the performance and installation costs of relay stations and RIS are not considered, resulting in an increase in installation costs due to excessive equipment laying, insufficient area coverage, and a decrease in wireless communication quality in wireless terminals in some cases.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a configuration determination program and a configuration determination device that can efficiently and appropriately determine the arrangement of propagation devices that propagate radio waves.

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides a placement determination program, which is executed by a placement determination device that determines the placement of one or more propagation devices for propagating radio waves used for wireless communication in a predetermined target area. The program comprises: a clustering unit that clusters a plurality of evaluation points set within the target area, which are evaluation positions for evaluating the quality of wireless communication, into clusters based on the radio wave propagation conditions, such that only evaluation points where the received power of radio waves necessary for predetermined communication cannot be obtained; a division unit that divides the clusters clustered by the clustering unit into clusters with a radius less than or equal to the distance at which predetermined radio waves necessary for wireless communication are propagated by any of the propagation devices; and a determination unit that determines the selection and placement of propagation devices such that the necessary predetermined radio waves are propagated to each evaluation point included in the clusters divided by the division unit, and the cost required to install the propagation devices to be placed is minimized. The placement determination device comprises a computer functioning as each part of the placement determination device.

[0009] According to the present invention, the arrangement of propagation devices for propagating radio waves can be determined efficiently and appropriately.

[0010] This is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of a placement determination device according to one embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the placement determination device. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the placement determination device. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the placement determination device. This is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a placement determination device of a comparative example.

[0011] Before describing the arrangement determination device according to one embodiment, we will first explain the background leading to the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the outline of an arrangement determination device of a comparative example.

[0012] The comparative example's placement determination device sets wind speed evaluation points within the area where wireless communication is provided, and determines the positions of base stations and relay stations in the wireless communication system so that the received power at all evaluation points is above a predetermined threshold. The evaluation points are locations where the quality of wireless communication, such as received power and throughput, is evaluated.

[0013] Furthermore, the placement determination device in the comparative example determines indicators such as the target value of the area coverage rate in area design, which determines the placement of propagation devices that propagate radio waves. Note that "covering the target area" means that the communication quality (radio wave propagation conditions), such as the received power at the evaluation point, is equal to or greater than the required value.

[0014] Furthermore, the placement determination device in the comparative example determines the candidate installation locations, candidate installation angles, and constraints such as placement location for each candidate propagation device (base station, relay station, RIS, etc.) to be installed.

[0015] The comparative example placement determination device then estimates the propagation of radio waves from candidate locations (B) to evaluation points (E) for the base station, and selects the combination of candidate locations (B) for the base station that has the most evaluation points (E) with an evaluation index (received power) above a predetermined threshold (a).

[0016] Next, the placement determination device of the comparative example estimates the propagation of radio waves from the selected base station location to the candidate location (R) for the relay station, and excludes candidate locations for the relay station where the received power is below a predetermined threshold (b).

[0017] Then, the placement determination device of the comparative example clusters the evaluation points to the number of relay stations to be placed (for example, using the k-means+ method). At this time, the placement determination device of the comparative example excludes evaluation points that would actually result in good quality of direct communication with base stations (c).

[0018] Next, the placement determination device of the comparative example estimates the propagation of radio waves from the candidate relay station locations to the evaluation points and selects the candidate relay station location for each cluster that has the most evaluation points with an evaluation index (received power) above a predetermined threshold (d), (e).

[0019] Then, the placement determination device of the comparative example determines the locations of the base station and the relay station (f).

[0020] However, the placement determination device in the comparative example does not take into account the wireless communication performance (coverage, wireless bandwidth, etc.) of the relay station and RIS, or the installation costs (equipment costs, installation costs, maintenance costs, etc.). As a result, excessive equipment installation may increase installation costs, or area coverage may be insufficient, leading to a decrease in communication quality at wireless terminals.

[0021] Therefore, the arrangement determination device according to one embodiment is configured to efficiently and appropriately determine the arrangement of propagation devices that propagate radio waves.

[0022] The following describes an arrangement determination device 10 according to one embodiment, using drawings. Figure 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating the functions of the arrangement determination device 10 according to one embodiment.

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the placement determination device 10 includes, for example, a clustering unit 20, a division unit 30, and a determination unit 40, and determines the placement of one or more propagation devices that propagate radio waves used for wireless communication in a predetermined target area. The propagation devices include base stations, relay stations, RISs, and other devices that propagate radio waves.

[0024] The clustering unit 20 clusters multiple evaluation points set within the target area, which serve as evaluation locations for wireless communication quality, into clusters based on radio wave propagation conditions, so as to include only evaluation points where the radio wave reception power necessary for a predetermined communication cannot be obtained.

[0025] The division unit 30 divides the clusters clustered by the clustering unit 20 into clusters with a radius less than or equal to the distance over which a predetermined radio wave necessary for wireless communication is propagated by one of the propagation devices.

[0026] The determination unit 40 determines the selection and placement of propagation devices for each evaluation point included in the cluster divided by the division unit 30, such that the necessary predetermined radio waves are propagated and the cost required for installing the propagation devices is minimized.

[0027] At this time, the decision unit 40 determines the selection and placement of propagation devices, for example, prioritizing RIS, relay stations, and base stations in that order. The decision unit 40 may also be configured to repeat the process until the coverage rate of radio wave propagation in the target area, or the number of installed propagation devices, reaches a predetermined value.

[0028] The placement determination device 10 then selects propagation devices and determines their installation locations in a way that minimizes the cost of area design while achieving the target area coverage rate. At this time, the placement determination device 10 decides, for example, to prioritize the installation of propagation devices with low installation costs, and repeats the process until the installed propagation devices meet the target area coverage rate.

[0029] Furthermore, the placement determination device 10 may determine the type, placement, and angle of each propagation device individually. Also, the placement determination device 10 may be configured to perform area design that minimizes costs, even if it results in a decrease in area coverage.

[0030] Next, an embodiment of the placement determination device 10 will be described. The placement determination device 10 may, for example, include a function for setting multiple evaluation points in the target area and a function for measuring the quality of wireless communication at each evaluation point.

[0031] Furthermore, the placement determination device 10 may be configured to, for example, grasp the wireless communication performance of each propagation device and the installation cost of each propagation device (price of the equipment itself, installation man-hours, maintenance costs, etc.), calculate the installation position and angle of each propagation device, and perform area design. The placement determination device 10 may also be configured to perform area design in a way that minimizes the cost while reducing the computational load, based on the performance and constraints of each propagation device.

[0032] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the placement determination device 10. First, the placement determination device 10 places the base station (B) at a location that can cover the most evaluation points (E) (a).

[0033] Next, the placement determination device 10 identifies (E) evaluation points that can be covered by the base station (b), and clusters the evaluation points that cannot be covered by the base station based on the radio wave propagation loss (path loss) between the evaluation points (c).

[0034] Here, the placement determination device 10 divides the clusters of evaluation points that cannot be covered by the base station because, in the clustering shown in (c), the cluster diameter (= path loss between evaluation points) does not fall below a predetermined threshold due to obstacles (d).

[0035] Then, the placement determination device 10 determines whether each of the divided clusters can be covered by placing an RIS(R) (e). Here, the placement determination device 10 determines that each of the divided clusters can be covered by placing an RIS(R).

[0036] In this case, the placement determination device 10 determines whether the target area coverage rate is met by placing the RIS(R) (f). Here, the placement determination device 10 determines that the target area coverage rate is met and terminates the process (determines the placement of the RIS).

[0037] Next, we will describe an example of the operation of the placement determination device 10. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the placement determination device 10.

[0038] In step 100 (S100), the placement determination device 10 determines (sets) multiple evaluation points for the target area.

[0039] In step 102 (S102), the placement determination device 10 determines a target value for the area coverage rate for the target area.

[0040] In step 104 (S104), the placement determination device 10 determines the constraints for installation, such as the installation cost, candidate installation location, and candidate installation angle for each candidate propagation device (base station, relay station, RIS, etc.) to be installed.

[0041] In step 106 (S106), the placement determination device 10 decides to install the base station at the position and angle that can cover the most evaluation points. That is, the placement determination device 10 first determines the placement of the base station because the RIS and relay stations can only be installed within the coverage area of ​​the base station.

[0042] In step 108 (S108), the placement determination device 10 performs clustering (and if necessary, splitting of the clustering). Here, the placement determination device 10 divides into clusters that can be covered by the RIS or relay station for evaluation points that cannot be covered by the base stations in the target area, and thus performs clustering so that the diameter of the cluster is below a predetermined threshold value.

[0043] Note that the placement determination device 10 performs clustering based on the path loss etc. between the evaluation points. Also, the diameter of the divided cluster is determined based on, for example, the maximum distance, maximum path loss, or received power between the evaluation points within the cluster, in order to determine whether evaluation points that cannot be covered by the base stations can be covered by the RIS or repeater. Also, the predetermined threshold value is determined by factors such as the performance of the RIS or relay station and the upper limit of the number of installed units.

[0044] In step 110 (S110), the placement determination device 10 determines whether it is possible to cover the cluster when placing the RIS within the coverage area of the base station. Then, when the placement determination device 10 determines that it is possible to cover (S110: Yes), it proceeds to the process of S112, and when it determines that it is not possible to cover (S110: No), it proceeds to the process of S114.

[0045] In step 112 (S112), the placement determination device 10 determines to place the RIS in the cluster.

[0046] In step 114 (S114), the placement determination device 10 determines whether it is possible to cover the cluster when further placing a relay station. Then, when the placement determination device 10 determines that it is possible to cover (S114: Yes), it proceeds to the process of S116, and when it determines that it is not possible to cover (S114: No), it proceeds to the process of S118.

[0047] In step 116 (S116), the placement determination device 10 determines to place a relay station in the cluster.

[0048] In step 118 (S118), the placement determination device 10 determines to place a base station in a cluster. At this time, the placement determination device 10 determines to place the base station at a position that can cover the most uncovered evaluation points.

[0049] In step 120 (S120), the placement determination device 10 determines whether it can achieve the target area coverage rate or whether the number of installed propagation devices has reached the upper limit. Then, when the determination in the process of S120 is No, the placement determination device 10 returns to the process of S108, and when the determination in the process of S120 is Yes, the process ends.

[0050] As described above, for each evaluation point included in the cluster divided by the division unit 30, the placement determination device 10 according to one embodiment determines the selection and placement of the propagation device so that the required predetermined radio wave is propagated and the cost required for installing the arranged propagation device is minimized. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently and appropriately determine the placement of the propagation device for propagating radio waves.

[0051] Each function of the placement determination device 10 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.

[0052] For example, the placement determination device 10 can be realized using a computer and a program, and it is also possible to record the program on a storage medium or provide it through a network.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the placement determination device 10. As shown in FIG. 4, for example, the placement determination device 10 includes an input unit 50, an output unit 51, a communication unit 52, a CPU 53, a memory 54, and an HDD 55 connected via a bus 56, and has functions as a computer. In addition, the placement determination device 10 is enabled to input and output data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 57.

[0054] The input unit 50 is, for example, a keyboard and mouse. The output unit 51 is, for example, a display device such as a display that outputs images. The communication unit 52 is, for example, a wired and wireless network interface, and may also have the function of an output unit that outputs data to the outside.

[0055] The CPU 53 controls each component of the placement determination device 10 and performs predetermined processing. The memory 54 and HDD 55 are storage units that store data, etc.

[0056] The storage medium 57 is capable of storing programs and the like that cause the placement determination device 10 to execute its functions. Note that the architecture of the placement determination device 10 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 4.

[0057] The functions realized by the components described herein may be implemented in a circuitry or processing circuitry, including general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to realize the functions described herein.

[0058] A processor includes transistors and other circuits and is considered circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes programs stored in memory.

[0059] In this specification, circuitry, unit, and means are hardware programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein. Such hardware may be any hardware disclosed herein, or any hardware known to be programmed to perform or execute the functions described herein.

[0060] If the hardware is a processor that is considered to be a type of circuitry, then the circuitry, means, or unit is a combination of hardware and software used to constitute the hardware and / or processor.

[0061] 10...Placement determination device, 20...Clustering unit, 30...Division unit, 40...Determination unit, 50...Input unit, 51...Output unit, 52...Communication unit, 53...CPU, 54...Memory, 55...HDD, 56...Bus, 57...Storage medium

Claims

1. A placement determination program executed by a placement determination device that determines the placement of one or more propagation devices for propagating radio waves used for wireless communication in a predetermined target area, comprising: a clustering unit that clusters a plurality of evaluation points set within the target area, which are evaluation positions for evaluating the quality of wireless communication, into clusters based on the propagation conditions such that only evaluation points for which the received power of radio waves necessary for predetermined communication cannot be obtained; a division unit that divides the clusters clustered by the clustering unit into clusters with a radius of less than or equal to the distance at which predetermined radio waves necessary for wireless communication are propagated by any of the propagation devices; and a determination unit that determines the selection and placement of propagation devices such that the necessary predetermined radio waves are propagated to each evaluation point included in the clusters divided by the division unit, and the cost required for installing the propagation devices to be placed is minimized.

2. The placement determination program according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination unit repeats processing until the coverage rate of radio wave propagation to the target area or the number of propagation devices installed reaches a predetermined value.

3. An arrangement determination device for determining the placement of one or more propagation devices for propagating radio waves used for wireless communication in a predetermined target area, comprising: a clustering unit that clusters a plurality of evaluation points set within the target area, which are evaluation positions for wireless communication quality, into clusters based on radio wave propagation conditions, such that only evaluation points where the received power of radio waves necessary for predetermined communication cannot be obtained; a division unit that divides the clusters clustered by the clustering unit into clusters with a radius less than or equal to the distance at which predetermined radio waves necessary for wireless communication are propagated by any of the propagation devices; and a determination unit that determines the selection and placement of propagation devices such that the necessary predetermined radio waves are propagated to each evaluation point included in the clusters divided by the division unit, and the cost required for installing the propagation devices to be placed is minimized.

4. The arrangement determination device according to claim 3, characterized in that the determination unit repeats the process until the coverage rate of radio wave propagation to the target area or the number of propagation devices installed reaches a predetermined value.

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