JP7842003B2 - Radio wave visualization system, evaluation condition creation device, radio wave visualization method, and evaluation condition creation program - Google Patents

Description

This 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 been exponentially progressing. When installing these wireless communication systems, evaluation using radio wave propagation simulations is essential. Furthermore, to efficiently evaluate radio wave propagation, technologies are being explored that visualize the results of radio wave propagation simulations and optimize the settings of wireless communication systems.

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. The basic performance of the wireless communication system (center frequency, frequency band, transmission power, antenna conditions, installation location) and evaluation conditions necessary for propagation simulation (number of reflections, number of diffractions, transmission/reflection conditions, etc.) are then set, and the propagation simulation is performed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Radio wave propagation simulations and visualizations should ideally be performed before installing wireless communication systems. When installing wireless communication systems in actual environments, environmental changes and differing requirements for each communication area necessitate a system that can evaluate radio wave propagation characteristics in real time.

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, real-time operation of each step in the propagation simulation is essential for real-time visualization of radio wave propagation. In particular, the computation in the propagation simulation is known to be a bottleneck. Specifically, as the evaluation conditions for the propagation simulation become more complex, the computational load increases exponentially, making real-time visualization difficult.

This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a radio wave visualization system, an evaluation condition creation device, a radio wave visualization method, and an evaluation condition creation program that can efficiently visualize the propagation characteristics of radio waves according to 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 terrain and buildings, of an area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system; a first evaluation condition creation unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for use in evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves to the area based on the performance of the wireless communication system; a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for use in evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves to the area, in order from high-frequency areas where radio wave usage is assumed to be high, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the area, according to the assumed frequency of radio wave usage; and the model creation unit that creates... The system is characterized by comprising: a propagation simulator that performs simulations of multiple propagation characteristics using multiple evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit and the second evaluation condition creation unit, respectively, on a three-dimensional scale model, and outputs the simulation results; a selection unit that prioritizes and selects the simulation results performed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit over the simulation results performed 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 multiple propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit.

Furthermore, an evaluation condition creation device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an evaluation condition creation device that creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system, for a propagation simulator that simulates the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system using a three-dimensional scale model of the environment including the terrain and buildings of the area to be evaluated. The device is characterized by comprising: a first evaluation condition creation unit that creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area based on the performance of the wireless communication system; and a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the area, in order from high-frequency areas where radio wave usage is assumed to be high, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the area, according to the assumed frequency of radio wave usage.

Furthermore, a radio wave visualization method according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized by including: a model creation step of creating a three-dimensional scale model of the environment including the terrain and buildings of an area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system; a first evaluation condition creation step of creating a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves to the area based on the performance of the wireless communication system; a second evaluation condition creation step of creating a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves to the area, in order from high-frequency areas where the frequency of radio wave use is assumed to be high, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the area, according to the assumed frequency of radio wave use; a propagation simulation step of performing simulations of a plurality of propagation characteristics 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 prioritizing and selecting the simulation results performed in the propagation simulation step using the evaluation conditions created in the second evaluation condition creation step over the simulation results performed using the evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step; and a visualization step of sequentially visualizing the simulation results of a plurality of propagation characteristics selected in the selection step.

According to this invention, it is possible to efficiently visualize the propagation characteristics of radio waves according to the expected frequency of radio wave usage.

This figure schematically illustrates the configuration of a radio wave visualization system according to one embodiment. This figure shows an example of a radio wave visualization method used by a radio wave visualization system to visualize radio waves. This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of an evaluation condition creation device.

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

As shown in Figure 1, the radio wave visualization system 1 includes, for example, a model creation unit 2, an evaluation condition creation device 3, an extraction unit 4, a modification 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 terrain and buildings in an area (target area) where a wireless communication system is planned to be installed, for example, involving one or more base stations and one or more terminal stations.

The model creation unit 2 acquires environmental information representing 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, including the terrain and buildings, of the area to be evaluated for the radio wave propagation characteristics used in a wireless communication system where base stations and terminal stations communicate wirelessly, using a predetermined material, for example, a 3D printer.

The evaluation condition creation device 3 includes, for example, a first evaluation condition creation unit 30 and a second evaluation condition creation unit 32. The evaluation condition creation device 3 creates multiple evaluation conditions for use in evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication systems, for a propagation simulator that simulates the propagation characteristics of radio waves using a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the terrain and buildings of the area to be evaluated.

For example, the first evaluation condition creation unit 30 creates multiple evaluation conditions used to evaluate the radio wave propagation characteristics for a target area, based on the performance of the wireless communication system.

Furthermore, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the target area, starting with high-frequency areas where radio wave usage is expected to be high, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the target area, according to the expected frequency of radio wave usage (predicting the frequency of use).

For example, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates evaluation conditions for each of the XY axis direction (horizontal direction) and the Z axis direction (vertical direction), starting with candidate high-frequency regions (candidate locations/positions) where radio wave usage is expected to be frequent, as illustrated below.

XY axis direction (horizontal direction):
Outdoors, evaluation conditions are created in the following order: sidewalks, roads, and plazas.
Indoors, evaluation criteria are created in the following order: seating area, corridor, room, and conference room.

Z-axis direction (vertical direction):
Prioritize a device height of approximately 1 meter when creating evaluation conditions.
When creating evaluation conditions, prioritize a base station height that is approximately the same as the top of a building's wall.

Furthermore, the extraction unit 4 extracts high-frequency regions where radio wave usage is expected to be high, based on the environment of the target region. If there is prior information indicating candidate locations for high-frequency regions, the extraction unit 4 extracts high-frequency regions based on that information. If there is no prior information indicating candidate locations for high-frequency regions, the extraction unit 4 may perform image analysis of the target region to extract high-frequency regions where radio wave usage is expected to be high.

If the extraction unit 4 extracts a high-frequency region, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates multiple evaluation conditions, starting with the high-frequency region extracted by the extraction unit 4, according to the expected frequency of radio wave usage.

Furthermore, the modification unit 5 modifies the conditions for setting high-frequency regions where radio wave usage is expected to be high, based on modification information (e.g., terminal station information) input by the operator via a user interface (not shown) to the second evaluation condition creation unit 32.

For example, the modification unit 5 changes the conditions for setting high-frequency areas where radio wave usage is expected to be high, based on the expected movement paths of moving objects (people or vehicles) within the target area.

Specifically, the extraction unit 4 or modification unit 5 adjusts the priority order of candidates for evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32, for example, according to the radio wave usage scenario (walking, cars, drones, office use, teleworking, factories, etc.).

The propagation simulator 6 includes, for example, a first propagation simulator 60 and a second propagation simulator 62. The propagation simulator 6 uses multiple evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30 and the second evaluation condition creation unit 32, respectively, to simulate multiple propagation characteristics on the three-dimensional scale model created by the model creation unit 2, and outputs the simulation results to the selection unit 7.

For example, the propagation simulator 6 performs simulations of multiple propagation characteristics using evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30, while the second propagation simulator 62 performs simulations of multiple propagation characteristics using 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. Alternatively, the propagation simulator 6 may execute simulations of propagation characteristics in order of increasing distance between base stations and terminal stations. Furthermore, the propagation simulator 6 may be configured as a single simulator.

The selection unit 7 prioritizes selecting the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 over the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30. The selection unit 7 then outputs the simulation results to the visualization unit 8 in the order they were selected.

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

Next, we will describe an example of a radio wave visualization method used by the radio wave visualization system 1. Figure 2 shows an example of a radio wave visualization method used by the radio wave visualization system 1.

As shown in Figure 2, the radio wave visualization system 1 first creates a three-dimensional scale model (S100) in order to visualize radio waves.

Next, the radio wave visualization system 1 has its first evaluation condition creation unit 30 set evaluation conditions (first evaluation conditions) for the first propagation simulator 60 (S102), and its second evaluation condition creation unit 32 set evaluation conditions (second evaluation conditions) for the second propagation simulator 62 (S104).

Then, the radio wave visualization system 1 has the propagation simulator 6 execute propagation simulations based on the first and second evaluation conditions, for example, in parallel (S106).

The selection unit 7 prioritizes the simulation results obtained by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 over the simulation results obtained by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30 (S108).

The visualization unit 8 sequentially visualizes the simulation results of the multiple propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit 7 (S110).

Furthermore, if the radio wave visualization system 1 needs to change the evaluation conditions due to changes in the target environment, it returns to the processes of S102 and S104, and if it needs to recreate the three-dimensional scale model, it returns to the process of S100.

Thus, the radio wave visualization system 1 prioritizes the visualization of simulation results performed by the propagation simulator 6 using evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 over simulation results performed by the propagation simulator 6 using evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30. This allows for efficient visualization of radio wave propagation characteristics according to the expected frequency of radio wave use.

Furthermore, each component of the radio wave visualization system 1 may be partially or entirely composed of hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or it may be composed of a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

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

Figure 3 shows 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, providing computer functionality. Furthermore, 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, a keyboard and mouse. The output unit 91 is, for example, a display device such as a display corresponding to the visualization unit 8 described above. 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. The memory 94 and HDD 95 are storage units for storing 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 of 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...Extraction unit, 5...Modification unit, 6...Propagation simulator, 7...Selection unit, 8...Visualization unit, 30...First evaluation condition creation unit, 32...Second evaluation condition creation unit, 60...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 creates a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the terrain and buildings, of the area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication systems.
A first evaluation condition creation unit creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the radio wave propagation characteristics in the region based on the performance of the wireless communication system,
A second evaluation condition creation unit creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the aforementioned region, in order from high-frequency regions where radio wave usage is expected to be high, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the aforementioned region, according to the expected frequency of radio wave usage.
A propagation simulator that performs simulations of multiple propagation characteristics using multiple 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 prioritizes and selects the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the second 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.
A radio wave visualization system characterized by having a visualization unit that sequentially visualizes the simulation results of multiple propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit. The aforementioned propagation simulator is
The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1, characterized in that it performs in parallel simulations of multiple propagation characteristics using evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit and simulations of multiple propagation characteristics using evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit. The system further includes an extraction unit that extracts high-frequency regions where radio waves are expected to be frequently used, based on the environment of the aforementioned region.
The second evaluation condition creation unit is:
The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it creates a plurality of evaluation conditions according to the expected frequency of use of radio waves, starting from the high-frequency region extracted by the extraction unit. The radio wave visualization system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a modification unit for the second evaluation condition creation unit, which modifies the conditions for setting high-frequency regions where radio waves are expected to be frequently used. The aforementioned modified part is,
The radio wave visualization system according to claim 4, characterized in that it changes the conditions for setting a high-frequency region where radio waves are expected to be frequently used, based on the expected movement path of a moving object moving within the aforementioned region. In a propagation simulator that simulates the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication systems using a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the terrain and buildings of the area to be evaluated, an evaluation condition creation device is used to create multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves.
A first evaluation condition creation unit creates multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the radio wave propagation characteristics in the region based on the performance of the wireless communication system,
An evaluation condition creation device characterized by having a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the aforementioned region, in order from high-frequency regions where radio waves are expected to be frequently used, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the aforementioned region, according to the expected frequency of radio wave use. A model creation process to create a three-dimensional scale model of the environment, including the terrain and buildings, of the area to be evaluated for the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in wireless communication systems,
A first evaluation condition creation step involves creating a plurality of evaluation conditions to be used for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the region, based on the performance of the wireless communication system.
A second evaluation condition creation step involves creating multiple evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the aforementioned region, starting from the high-frequency region where radio wave usage is expected to be high, based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the aforementioned region, according to the expected frequency of radio wave usage.
A propagation simulation step is performed on the three-dimensional scale model created in the model creation step, using multiple evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step and the second evaluation condition creation step, respectively, to simulate multiple propagation characteristics, and outputs the simulation results.
A selection step in which the simulation results obtained by the propagation simulation step using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation step are selected with priority over the simulation results obtained by the first evaluation condition creation step using the evaluation conditions,
A method for visualizing radio waves, characterized by including a visualization step of sequentially visualizing the simulation results of multiple propagation characteristics selected in the selection step. A program for creating evaluation conditions, which causes a computer to function as one of the components of the evaluation condition creation apparatus described in claim 6.