Base Station Beam Estimation Using Drone Signal Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for estimating beam direction and width of base station antennas require pre-calculation using 3D maps, which may lead to errors due to map discrepancies between estimation and actual field conditions.
Innovation Solution
An estimation apparatus and method that utilizes a drone-mounted antenna device with multiple elements to receive transmission signals, acquiring position and azimuth data, and processing these signals to estimate beam direction and width without relying on pre-calculation maps, using signal processing units to analyze channel responses and power distributions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pre-calculation using 3D maps is performed for beam parameter estimation, then estimation can be conducted with available map data, but errors occur due to map discrepancies between estimation and actual field conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/map-based pre-calculation system with a signal processing system. Instead of relying on 3D map data and geometric calculations, the invention uses actual radio wave signal measurements and channel response analysis to estimate beam parameters, substituting physical map data with electromagnetic field measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces channel response as an intermediary between the transmitted signal and the beam parameter estimation. The channel response, obtained through signal processing of received reference signals, serves as a mediator that captures actual propagation conditions and enables accurate beam parameter derivation without relying on pre-stored map data.
2Measurement precision
If 3D map data is updated to match field conditions, then estimation accuracy improves, but the complexity and time required for map maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the estimation system to self-calibrate by using actual signal measurements from the environment. The system automatically adapts to field conditions through channel response analysis without requiring external map updates or manual maintenance, making the estimation process self-sufficient and independent of map data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter used for estimation from static map data to dynamic channel response characteristics. By transitioning from geographic coordinates and map-based calculations to signal-based channel impulse response analysis, the system eliminates the need for map maintenance while achieving accurate beam parameter estimation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional map-based estimation methods are used, then beam parameters can be estimated with existing infrastructure, but the precision is reduced due to map discrepancies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/map-based estimation system with a signal processing system. Instead of relying on 3D map data and geometric calculations, the invention uses actual radio wave signal measurements and channel response analysis to estimate beam parameters, substituting physical map data with electromagnetic field measurements for higher precision.
Data Source
AI summary
The estimation apparatus includes an antenna device that receives beams of a transmission signal transmitted from a base station antenna, as a reception signal at measurement points in a measurement area, a position and azimuth acquisition device that acquires a position and an azimuth of the measurement points at which the antenna device is disposed, a data recording device that records data of the reception signal received by the antenna device disposed at the measurement points, and data of the position and the azimuth of the measurement points acquired by the position and azimuth acquisition device, and a signal processing device that estimates a beam direction and a beam width of the beams from the data of the reception signal and the data of the position and the azimuth of the measurement points, which have been recorded in the data recording device.