JP7779403B2 - Radio wave visualization system, evaluation condition creation device, radio wave visualization method, and evaluation condition creation program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a radio wave visualization system, an evaluation condition creation device, a radio wave visualization method, and an evaluation condition creation program.

In recent years, the introduction of new wireless communication systems, such as 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System) and local 5G, has progressed explosively. When installing these wireless communication systems, evaluation using radio wave propagation simulation is essential. Furthermore, to efficiently evaluate radio wave propagation, technologies are being investigated that visualize the results of radio wave propagation simulations and optimize wireless communication system settings.

For example, when visualizing radio wave propagation, a three-dimensional environmental model is created for the environment in which the wireless communication system is installed, and a propagation simulation is performed by setting the basic performance of the wireless communication system (center frequency, frequency band, transmission power, antenna conditions, installation location) and the evaluation conditions required for the propagation simulation (number of reflections, number of diffractions, transmission/reflection conditions, etc.) (see, for example, non-patent document 1).

It is desirable to perform radio wave propagation simulation and visualization before installing a wireless communication system. When installing a wireless communication system in an actual environment, the environment may change and requirements may differ for each communication area, so a system that can evaluate radio wave propagation characteristics in real time is required.

Tetsuro Imai, "Mobile Radio Propagation Simulation Based on Ray-Tracing Method", IEICE, 2009, IEICE Transactions B Vol. J92-B No. 9, pp.1333-1347

However, in order to visualize radio wave propagation in real time, it is necessary to perform each step of the propagation simulation in real time. In particular, it is known that calculations in propagation simulations can become a bottleneck. Specifically, as the evaluation conditions for propagation simulations become more complex, the calculation load increases exponentially, making real-time visualization difficult.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a radio wave visualization system, evaluation condition creation device, radio wave visualization method, and evaluation condition creation program that can shorten the time required to visualize radio wave propagation depending on the expected frequency of radio wave use.

A radio wave visualization system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a model creation unit that creates a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the topography and buildings, of an area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station communicate wirelessly; a UI unit that outputs base station information indicating the location of the base station and terminal station information indicating the location and movement status of the terminal station in response to an operator's input; a first evaluation condition creation unit that creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used in evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit and the performance of the wireless communication system; and a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used in evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit, the performance of the wireless communication system, and the environment of the area. a propagation simulator that executes simulations of a plurality of propagation characteristics using a plurality of evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit and the second evaluation condition creation unit, respectively, on the three-dimensional scale model created by the model creation unit, and outputs the simulation results; a selection unit that selects the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit, giving priority to the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit, over the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit; and a visualization unit that sequentially visualizes the simulation results of the plurality of propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit.

In addition, an evaluation condition creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an evaluation condition creation device that creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for a propagation simulator that simulates the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station communicate wirelessly using a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the topography and buildings, of the area to be evaluated, and is characterized by having a UI unit that outputs base station information indicating the position of the base station and terminal station information indicating the position and movement status of the terminal station in response to operational input by an operator, a first evaluation condition creation unit that creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit and the performance of the wireless communication system, and a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit, the performance of the wireless communication system, and the environment of the area, in accordance with the expected frequency of radio wave use, in order of high-frequency areas where radio wave use is expected to be high.

Furthermore, a radio wave visualization method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a model creation process for creating a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the topography and buildings, of an area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station communicate wirelessly; an operation process for outputting base station information indicating the position of the base station and terminal station information indicating the position and movement status of the terminal station in response to an operator's operation input; a first evaluation condition creation process for creating a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the operation process and the performance of the wireless communication system; and a second evaluation condition creation process for creating a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the operation process, the performance of the wireless communication system, and the environment of the area, where radio waves are frequently used. a propagation simulation step of simulating a plurality of propagation characteristics using the plurality of evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step and the second evaluation condition creation step, respectively, for the three-dimensional scale model created in the model creation step, and outputting the simulation results; a selection step of selecting the simulation results executed in the propagation simulation step using the evaluation conditions created in the second evaluation condition creation step, giving priority to the simulation results executed in the propagation simulation step over the simulation results executed using the evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step; and a visualization step of sequentially visualizing the simulation results of the plurality of propagation characteristics selected in the selection step.

The present invention makes it possible to shorten the time required to visualize radio wave propagation depending on the expected frequency of radio wave use.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a radio wave visualization system according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a radio wave visualization method in which the radio wave visualization system visualizes radio waves. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an evaluation condition creating device.

The following describes a radio wave visualization system according to one embodiment using the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic overview of the configuration of a radio wave visualization system 1 according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the radio wave visualization system 1 includes, for example, a model creation unit 2, an evaluation condition creation device 3, a prediction unit 4, a change unit 5, a propagation simulator 6, a selection unit 7, and a visualization unit 8. The radio wave visualization system 1 simulates and visualizes the propagation of radio waves in an environment including the topography and buildings of an area (target area) where a wireless communication system is planned to be installed, in which, for example, one or more base stations and one or more terminal stations communicate wirelessly.

The model creation unit 2 acquires environmental information indicating the environment of the target area and creates a scale model to reproduce the environment of the target area. For example, the model creation unit 2 creates a reduced three-dimensional scale model using a specified material, for example, a 3D (three-dimensional) printer, that reproduces the environment, including the topography and buildings, of the area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station communicate wirelessly.

The evaluation condition creation device 3 has, for example, a UI (user interface) unit 30, a first evaluation condition creation unit 31, and a second evaluation condition creation unit 32.

The UI unit 30 includes, for example, a touch panel or a mouse, and outputs, in response to operational input by the operator, base station information indicating the position of the base station, and terminal station information indicating the position and movement status of the terminal station, etc., to the first evaluation condition creation unit 31, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32, the prediction unit 4, and the change unit 5. For example, the UI unit 30 outputs to the prediction unit 4, etc., information indicating the acceleration and movement direction in operational input using the touch panel or mouse, etc., included in the terminal station information.

The UI unit 30 also outputs information distinguishing between the characteristics of the target area, the terminal station, and the base station in response to operator input. For example, the UI unit 30 may be configured to output information specifying whether the target area is an office, a residence, a factory, etc., and information specifying whether the terminal station is a walking person, a moving car, a flying drone, etc.

The first evaluation condition creation unit 31 acquires wireless communication system information related to the wireless communication system and creates evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves. For example, the first evaluation condition creation unit 31 creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the target area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit 30 and the performance of the wireless communication system, and outputs them to the propagation simulator 6.

The second evaluation condition creation unit 32 acquires wireless communication system information related to the wireless communication system and wireless communication system information related to the wireless communication system, and creates evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves. For example, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the target area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit 30, as well as the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the target area, in order of the expected frequency of radio wave use, starting from the high-frequency area where radio wave use is expected to be high, and outputs them to the propagation simulator 6.

The prediction unit 4 predicts candidate destinations for the terminal station, for example, based on terminal station information output by the UI unit 30, and outputs the predicted results to the second evaluation condition creation unit 32. When the prediction unit 4 makes a prediction, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates multiple evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the target area, based on the candidate destinations for the terminal station predicted by the prediction unit 4.

The change unit 5 changes the conditions for setting a high-frequency area where radio wave usage is expected to be high, for example, based on terminal station information output by the UI unit 30, to the second evaluation condition creation unit 32.

The propagation simulator 6 has, for example, a first propagation simulator 61 and a second propagation simulator 62, and performs simulations of the propagation characteristics of radio waves. Note that the propagation simulator 6 may also be configured as a single simulator.

The propagation simulator 6 performs simulations of multiple propagation characteristics on the three-dimensional scale model created by the model creation unit 2 using multiple evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 31 and the second evaluation condition creation unit 32, respectively, and outputs the simulation results to the selection unit 7.

For example, in the propagation simulator 6, the first propagation simulator 61 executes a simulation of multiple propagation characteristics using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 31, and the second propagation simulator 62 executes a simulation of multiple propagation characteristics using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32. In other words, the propagation simulator 6 may execute simulations of multiple propagation characteristics in parallel. Furthermore, the propagation simulator 6 may execute simulations of propagation characteristics in order of decreasing distance between the base station and the terminal station.

The selection unit 7 selects the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32, giving priority to the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 31. The selection unit 7 then outputs the simulation results to the visualization unit 8 in the order selected.

The visualization unit 8 is, for example, a display (display device), and sequentially visualizes the simulation results of the multiple propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit 7.

Next, we will explain an example of a radio wave visualization method in which the radio wave visualization system 1 visualizes radio waves. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a radio wave visualization method in which the radio wave visualization system 1 visualizes radio waves.

As shown in Figure 2, in order to visualize radio waves, the radio wave visualization system 1 first creates a three-dimensional scale model (S100). Then, the radio wave visualization system 1 accepts operational input from the operator to the UI unit 30 (S102).

Next, the radio wave visualization system 1 sets evaluation conditions (first evaluation conditions) for the first propagation simulator 61 (S104) and sets evaluation conditions (second evaluation conditions) for the second propagation simulator 62 (S106).

Then, the radio wave visualization system 1 causes the propagation simulator 6 to perform propagation simulations based on the first evaluation condition and the second evaluation condition, for example, in parallel (S108).

The selection unit 7 selects the simulation results performed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32, giving priority to the simulation results performed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 31 (S110).

The visualization unit 8 sequentially visualizes the simulation results of the multiple propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit 7.

Then, if the operator further inputs an operation to the UI unit 30, the radio wave visualization system 1 returns to processing S102. Furthermore, if it becomes necessary to recreate the three-dimensional scale model due to a change in the target environment, for example, the radio wave visualization system 1 returns to processing S100.

In this way, the radio wave visualization system 1 selects and prioritizes the simulation results performed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 over the simulation results performed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 31, and visualizes them sequentially, thereby reducing the time required to visualize radio wave propagation depending on the expected frequency of radio wave use.

In addition, each part of the radio wave visualization system 1 may be configured in part or in whole using hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

For example, each component of the radio wave visualization system 1 can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided via a network.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the evaluation condition creation device 3. As shown in Figure 3, for example, the evaluation condition creation device 3 has an input unit 90, an output unit 91, a communication unit 92, a CPU 93, a memory 94, and an HDD 95 connected via a bus 96, and has the functionality of a computer. In addition, the evaluation condition creation device 3 is capable of inputting and outputting data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 97.

The input unit 90 is, for example, included in the above-mentioned UI unit 30 and is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The output unit 91 is, for example, a display device such as a display that corresponds to the above-mentioned visualization unit 8. The communication unit 92 is, for example, a network interface.

The CPU 93 controls each component of the evaluation condition creation device 3 and performs predetermined processing, etc. The memory 94 and HDD 95 are storage units that store data, etc.

The storage medium 97 is capable of storing programs and the like that execute the functions of the evaluation condition creation device 3. Note that the architecture that constitutes the evaluation condition creation device 3 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 3.

1...Radio wave visualization system, 2...Model creation unit, 3...Evaluation condition creation device, 4...Prediction unit, 5...Change unit, 6...Propagation simulator, 7...Selection unit, 8...Visualization unit, 30...UI unit, 31...First evaluation condition creation unit, 32...Second evaluation condition creation unit, 61...First propagation simulator, 62...Second propagation simulator, 90...Input unit, 91...Output unit, 92...Communication unit, 93...CPU, 94...Memory, 95...HDD, 96...Bus, 97...Storage medium

Claims (8)

a model creation unit that creates a three-dimensional scale model of an environment including topography and buildings in an area to be evaluated for propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station communicate wirelessly;
a UI unit that outputs base station information indicating the position of the base station and terminal station information indicating the position and movement status of the terminal station in response to an operation input by an operator;
a first evaluation condition creating unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit and the performance of the wireless communication system;
a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions used to evaluate the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area in accordance with an assumed frequency of use of radio waves, in descending order of frequency of use of radio waves, based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit, the performance of the wireless communication system, and the environment of the area;
a propagation simulator that executes a plurality of propagation characteristic simulations on the three-dimensional scale model created by the model creation unit using a plurality of evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit and the second evaluation condition creation unit, respectively, and outputs the simulation results;
a selection unit that selects a simulation result executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit, giving priority to the simulation result executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit;
a visualization unit that sequentially visualizes the simulation results of the plurality of propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit. a prediction unit that predicts candidate destinations of the terminal station based on the terminal station information output by the UI unit;
The second evaluation condition creating unit
The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of evaluation conditions used for evaluating radio wave propagation characteristics for the area are created based on the candidate destinations of the terminal station predicted by the prediction unit. The propagation simulator
3. The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1, wherein a simulation of a plurality of propagation characteristics using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit and a simulation of a plurality of propagation characteristics using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit are performed in parallel. The propagation simulator
The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the simulation of propagation characteristics is performed in ascending order of distance between the base station and the terminal station. The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a change unit that changes the conditions for setting a high-frequency area where radio waves are expected to be used frequently, in the second evaluation condition creation unit. An evaluation condition creation device creates a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station perform wireless communication, for a propagation simulator that simulates the propagation characteristics of radio waves using a three-dimensional scale model of an environment including topography and buildings of an area to be evaluated,
a UI unit that outputs base station information indicating the position of the base station and terminal station information indicating the position and movement status of the terminal station in response to an operation input by an operator;
a first evaluation condition creating unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit and the performance of the wireless communication system;
and a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area, in accordance with the assumed frequency of radio wave use, in order from a high-frequency area where radio wave use is assumed to be high, based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the UI unit, the performance of the wireless communication system, and the environment of the area. a model creation step of creating a three-dimensional scale model of an environment including topography and buildings of an area to be evaluated for propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system in which a base station and a terminal station communicate wirelessly;
an operation step of outputting base station information indicating the position of the base station and terminal station information indicating the position and movement status of the terminal station in response to an operation input by an operator;
a first evaluation condition creation step of creating a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the operation step and the performance of the wireless communication system;
a second evaluation condition creation step of creating a plurality of evaluation conditions used to evaluate the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area in accordance with the assumed frequency of radio wave use, in descending order of frequency of radio wave use, based on the base station information and terminal station information output by the operation step, the performance of the wireless communication system, and the environment of the area;
a propagation simulation step of performing a plurality of propagation characteristic simulations on the three-dimensional scale model created in the model creation step using the plurality of evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step and the second evaluation condition creation step, respectively, and outputting the simulation results;
a selection step of selecting a simulation result executed in the propagation simulation step using the evaluation conditions created in the second evaluation condition creation step, in preference to a simulation result executed using the evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step;
a visualization step of sequentially visualizing the simulation results of the plurality of propagation characteristics selected in the selection step. An evaluation condition creation program for causing a computer to function as each part of the evaluation condition creation device described in claim 6.