Radio wave visualization system, evaluation condition creation device, radio wave visualization method, and evaluation condition creation program

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, typified by 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System) and local 5G, has been explosively progressing. When installing these wireless communication systems, evaluation using radio wave propagation simulation is essential. Furthermore, in order to efficiently evaluate the propagation of radio waves, technologies are being considered to visualize the results of radio wave propagation simulations and optimize the settings of wireless communication systems.

For example, when visualizing the propagation of radio waves, a three-dimensional environmental model is created for the environment in which the wireless communication system is installed, and the basic performance of the wireless communication system (center frequency, frequency band, transmission power, antenna conditions) is , installation position) and evaluation conditions necessary for propagation simulation (number of reflections, number of diffraction, transmission/reflection conditions, etc.) to perform a propagation simulation (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

It is desirable to conduct radio wave propagation simulation and visualization before installing a wireless communication system. When installing a wireless communication system in an actual environment, there is a need for a system that can evaluate radio wave propagation characteristics in real time because the environment changes and the requirements may differ depending on the communication area.

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

<p>However, in order to visualize the propagation of radio waves in real time, real-time operation of each step for performing propagation simulation is essential. In particular, calculations in propagation simulation are known to be a bottleneck. Specifically, as the evaluation conditions for propagation simulation become more complex, the computational load increases exponentially, making real-time visualization difficult.</p><p>The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a radio wave visualization system that can efficiently visualize the propagation characteristics of radio waves according to the assumed frequency of use of radio waves. The purpose is to provide an evaluation condition creation device, a radio wave visualization method, and an evaluation condition creation program.</p>

<p>A radio wave visualization system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a model creation unit that creates 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; a first evaluation condition creation unit that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for use in evaluating radio wave propagation characteristics for the region based on the performance of the wireless communication system; and a plurality of evaluation conditions for use in evaluating the radio wave propagation characteristics for the region. a second evaluation condition in which conditions are created according to the expected frequency of radio wave use in order from high frequency areas where radio waves are expected to be used frequently based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the area; A creation unit and a three-dimensional scale model created by the model creation unit are subjected to 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. A propagation simulator that executes a simulation and outputs simulation results, and the first evaluation condition creation unit creates simulation results executed by the propagation simulator using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit. The present invention includes a selection unit that selects the simulation results with priority over the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator using evaluation conditions, and a visualization unit that sequentially visualizes the simulation results of the plurality of propagation characteristics selected by the selection unit. Features.</p><p>Further, the evaluation condition creation device according to an embodiment of the present invention simulates the propagation characteristics of radio waves used in a wireless communication system using a three-dimensional scale model of the environment including the topography and buildings of the area to be evaluated. An evaluation condition creation device that creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for use in evaluating radio wave propagation characteristics for a propagation simulator, each of which creates a plurality of evaluation conditions used to evaluate radio wave propagation characteristics for the region based on the performance of the wireless communication system. A first evaluation condition creation unit that creates evaluation conditions, and a plurality of evaluation conditions used to evaluate the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the area, are configured to determine the frequency of use of radio waves based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the area. The present invention is characterized by comprising a second evaluation condition creation unit that creates the second evaluation condition in accordance with the expected usage frequency of radio waves in order from the high frequency region that is expected to be high.</p><p>Further, the radio wave visualization method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a model creation step of creating a three-dimensional scale model of an environment including topography and buildings of a region 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 for the area, based on the performance of the wireless communication system; 2. Create evaluation conditions according to the expected frequency of use of radio waves in order of frequency of use of radio waves, starting from a high frequency area where the frequency of use of radio waves is assumed to be high based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the area. The three-dimensional scale model created in the evaluation condition creation step and the model creation step is subjected to multiple propagation using the plurality of evaluation conditions created in the first evaluation condition creation step and the second evaluation condition creation step, respectively. A propagation simulation step in which a simulation of characteristics is executed and the simulation results are output respectively; and a first evaluation condition creation step that uses the simulation results executed in the propagation simulation step using the evaluation conditions created in the second evaluation condition creation step. a selection step of selecting with priority over simulation results executed using evaluation conditions created in the step; and a visualization step of sequentially visualizing simulation results of a plurality of propagation characteristics selected in the selection step. Features.</p>

<p>According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently visualize the propagation characteristics of radio waves according to the assumed frequency of use of radio waves.</p>

<figref num="1">1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an outline of a configuration of a radio wave visualization system according to an embodiment.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a radio wave visualization method in which the radio wave visualization system visualizes radio waves.</figref><figref num="3">It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the evaluation condition creation device.</figref>

A radio wave visualization system according to an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a radio wave visualization system 1 according to an embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the radio wave visualization system 1 includes, for example, a model creation section 2, an evaluation condition creation device 3, an extraction section 4, a modification section 5, a propagation simulator 6, a selection section 7, and a visualization section 8. The radio wave visualization system 1 is an environment including the topography and buildings of an area (target area) in which a wireless communication system in which one or more base stations and one or more terminal stations perform wireless communication is to be installed. Simulate and visualize the propagation of radio waves.

The model creation unit 2 acquires environmental information indicating the environment of the target area, and creates a scale model for reproducing the environment of the target area. For example, the model creation unit 2 uses a reduced three-dimensional scale that reproduces the environment, including the topography and buildings, of the area that is the target of 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. A model is created using a predetermined material using, for example, a 3D (three-dimensional) printer.

The evaluation condition creation device 3 includes, for example, a first evaluation condition creation section 30 and a second evaluation condition creation section 32. Then, the evaluation condition creation device 3 sends a signal to 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 topography and buildings of the area to be evaluated. A plurality of evaluation conditions used for evaluating propagation characteristics are each created.

For example, the first evaluation condition creation unit 30 creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for use in evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves for the target area, based on the performance of the wireless communication system.

In addition, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates a plurality of evaluation conditions for evaluating the propagation characteristics of radio waves in the target area based on the performance of the wireless communication system and the environment of the target area, based on the assumption that the frequency of use of radio waves is high. Create each radio wave according to the expected frequency of radio wave use (by predicting the frequency of use), starting from the highest frequency area.

For example, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates a high-frequency area in which radio waves are expected to be used frequently, as illustrated below, in each of the XY-axis direction (horizontal direction) and Z-axis direction (vertical direction). Evaluation conditions are created in order from the candidates (candidate locations/candidate positions).

XY axis direction (horizontal direction): Outdoors, create evaluation conditions in the order of sidewalk, road, and plaza.

Indoors, evaluation conditions are created in the order of seats, hallways, rooms, and conference rooms.

Z-axis direction (vertical direction): Create evaluation conditions with priority given to a height of approximately 1 m as the height of the terminal.

The evaluation conditions are created by giving priority to the height of the base station, which is approximately at the top of the wall of a building.

Furthermore, the extraction unit 4 extracts high-frequency regions where radio waves are expected to be used frequently, based on the environment of the target region. If there is information indicating candidate locations for high-frequency regions in advance, the extraction unit 4 extracts high-frequency regions based on the information. Furthermore, if there is no information in advance 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 waves are assumed to be used frequently. good.

When the extraction unit 4 extracts a high-frequency region, the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 creates a plurality of evaluation conditions in order from the high-frequency region extracted by the extraction unit 4 according to the expected frequency of use of radio waves. Create each.

Furthermore, the changing unit 5 determines the frequency of use of radio waves for the second evaluation condition creating unit 32 based on change information (for example, terminal station information, etc.) input by the operator via a user interface (not shown). Change the conditions for setting the high frequency area that is assumed to be high.

For example, the changing unit 5 changes the conditions for setting high-frequency areas where radio waves are expected to be used frequently, based on the expected flow line of moving objects (people and cars) moving within the target area. .

Specifically, the extraction unit 4 or the modification unit 5 allows the second evaluation condition creation unit 32 to set the evaluation conditions depending on the usage scene of radio waves (walking, car, drone, office use, working from home, factory, etc.). Adjust the priority of the candidates you create.

The propagation simulator 6 includes, for example, a first propagation simulator 60 and a second propagation simulator 62. Then, the propagation simulator 6 applies a plurality of evaluation conditions to the three-dimensional scale model created by the model creation section 2 using the plurality of evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation section 30 and the second evaluation condition creation section 32, respectively. A simulation of the propagation characteristics is executed, and each simulation result is output to the selection unit 7.

For example, in the propagation simulator 6, the first propagation simulator 60 simulates a plurality of propagation characteristics using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation section 30, and the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation section 32 are used. The second propagation simulator 62 performs simulations of the plurality of propagation characteristics used.

That is, the propagation simulator 6 may execute simulations of a plurality of propagation characteristics in parallel. Further, the propagation simulator 6 may perform the simulation of the propagation characteristics in order of distance between the base station and the terminal station. Note that the propagation simulator 6 may be configured as one simulator.

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 and the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30. This option is given priority over the simulation results obtained. Then, the selection unit 7 outputs the simulation results to the visualization unit 8 in the selected order.

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

Next, an example of a radio wave visualization method in which the radio wave visualization system 1 visualizes radio waves will be described. FIG. 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 FIG. 2, the radio wave visualization system 1 first creates a three-dimensional scale model in order to visualize radio waves (S100).

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

Then, in the radio wave visualization system 1, the propagation simulator 6 executes propagation simulation based on the first evaluation condition and the second evaluation condition, for example, in parallel (S106).

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, and the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30. It is selected with priority over the simulation results obtained (S108).

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

Then, if the evaluation conditions need to be changed due to a change in the target environment, the radio wave visualization system 1 returns to the processing of S102 and S104, and if it becomes necessary to create the three-dimensional scale model again, Return to S100 processing.

In this way, the radio wave visualization system 1 uses the evaluation conditions created by the first evaluation condition creation unit 30 to calculate the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6 using the evaluation conditions created by the second evaluation condition creation unit 32. Since the visualization is given priority over the simulation results executed by the propagation simulator 6, it is possible to efficiently visualize the propagation characteristics of radio waves according to the assumed frequency of use of radio waves.

Note that each part of the radio wave visualization system 1 may be partially or entirely configured by hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be executed by a processor such as a CPU. It may also be configured as a program.

For example, each part constituting 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 through a network.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration that the evaluation condition creation device 3 has. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the evaluation condition creation device 3 has an input section 90, an output section 91, a communication section 92, a CPU 93, a memory 94, and an HDD 95 connected via a bus 96, and has a function as a computer. Furthermore, the evaluation condition creation device 3 is configured to be able to input and output data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 97.

The input unit 90 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The output unit 91 is, for example, a display device such as a display, which corresponds to the visualization unit 8 described above. The communication unit 92 is, for example, a network interface.

The CPU 93 controls each part constituting the evaluation condition creation device 3 and performs predetermined processing and the like. The memory 94 and HDD 95 are storage units that store data and the like.

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 configuring the evaluation condition creation device 3 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 3.

1... Radio wave visualization system, 2... Model creation section, 3... Evaluation condition creation device, 4... Extraction section, 5... Modification section, 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 section, 91...Output section, 92...Communication section, 93...CPU, 94...Memory, 95...HDD, 96...Bus, 97...Storage medium