JP2021077921A - Antenna construction assistance method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an antenna construction assistance method that can easily determine a direction of an antenna used for high-speed communication and improve efficiency of construction.SOLUTION: A direction of a beam forming central axis 91 which is an actual lobe central axis of an array antenna 5 installed at a desired spot and an angle and/or a radio wave propagation range 92 is calculated from radiation pattern information when at least some of a plurality of radiation elements of the array antenna 5 are excited by a predetermined signal and antenna outer shape information which is composed of states of an outer shape of the array antenna 5 installed at the desired spot and the angle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an antenna construction assisting method, and more particularly to an antenna construction assisting method capable of easily determining the direction of an antenna used for high-speed communication and improving the efficiency of construction.

In recent years, 5G (fifth generation mobile communication system) capable of high-speed communication has attracted attention. 5G has features such as large-capacity communication at ultra-high speed, ultra-low delay communication, and simultaneous connection of a large number of devices.

Radio waves in the high frequency band used to realize high-capacity high-speed communication in 5G cannot cover a wide communication area because radio wave propagation loss increases. Therefore, in order to expand the communication area, it is necessary to provide a large number of small cells, which are small base stations covering a small area.

An array antenna is generally used as a high frequency band antenna in a small base station. The array antenna is composed of a large number of elements, and controls the amplitude and phase of the signal transmitted to each element to generate a beam and give it directivity.

As a result, the propagation direction of the beam may not match the antenna angle, so it is unclear in which direction the beam propagates. Therefore, in order to receive the radio waves of the directional array antenna in good condition. , The receiving antenna needs to be located within the coverage area of the radio wave.

Therefore, various proposals have been made to confirm the directivity direction of the antenna. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a mobile wireless terminal in which a laser is attached to a directional antenna and the directional direction of the directional antenna is matched with the target direction so that the radiation direction of the laser can be found to be the directional direction of the antenna. It is disclosed.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, a directional array antenna is attached to both a moving base station and a mobile terminal so that the direction of the mobile terminal is changed by 360 degrees, and the mobile terminal receives radio waves from the base station. A wireless communication system that displays the radio wave reception strength on the screen and points the mobile terminal in the direction that maximizes the radio wave reception level, and manually changes the direction of the mobile terminal to the direction with the highest radio wave efficiency. Has been done.

Special Fair 8-031732 Gazette Japanese Patent No. 4879098

As described above, in order to realize a large-capacity high-speed communication using a high-frequency band in 5G, it is necessary to provide a large number of small cells which are small base stations covering a small area.

An array antenna composed of a large number of elements is used in a small cell, which is a small base station, and the amplitude and phase of the signal transmitted to each element are controlled to coordinately operate a large number of elements. By doing so, a large number of directional beams are generated so that a large number of users can be connected at the same time.

In addition, the array antenna is controlled so that the communication speed does not decrease due to beam interference by a large number of users. As described above, the small base station is provided with a high-performance control unit for controlling the array antenna.

However, in order to realize 5G, it is necessary to introduce new equipment, a large amount of investment is required even for a small base station, and the construction period required for antenna installation, testing, etc. becomes long. Therefore, the construction and migration of 5G requires a large amount of cost and time, and are not widely used.

Therefore, the inventor narrows down the antenna beam of the array antenna at the base station and sends it to a specific place, a repeater provided on the user side of the building, in a small area connecting the base station and the user (user). By expanding the communicable area via the repeater, simplifying the base station configuration and base station array antenna construction, and reducing the base station installation cost, the introduction of new equipment becomes easier. I came up with that.

Therefore, instead of generating a large number of beams and connecting with a large number of users at the same time, the control device etc. is greatly simplified, the beam of the array antenna is narrowed down, and the repeater is located at a specific point. In order for the beam to reach, it is necessary to ensure that the array antenna is oriented with respect to the directivity of the beam of the array antenna.

Therefore, according to the present invention, regarding the installation of an antenna in a small base station in a high-frequency communication system, an antenna is attached to a support of the small base station in the last one mile, which is the last section connecting the base station of a telecommunications carrier and a user (user). In the construction of the antenna and the communication confirmation work, the array antenna can be easily pointed in the correct direction, and the antenna construction and the communication confirmation can be performed easily and efficiently in a short time. The purpose is to provide an auxiliary method.

In order to achieve the above object, the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention includes radiation pattern information when at least a part of the plurality of radiation elements is excited by a predetermined signal for an antenna in which a plurality of radiation elements are arranged. From the antenna outer shape information consisting of the outer shape of the antenna installed at a desired point and angle, the direction and direction of the beamforming central axis which is the actual lobe central axis of the antenna installed at the desired point and angle. / Or it is characterized by calculating the radio wave propagation range.

Further, the radiation pattern information of the present invention is characterized in that it is the central axis theoretical information and / or the radio wave propagation theoretical range of the lobe in the radiation pattern.

Further, the direction of the beamforming central axis of the present invention is characterized by being the direction, elevation / depression angle and / or reaching point of the beamforming central axis.

Further, the radio wave propagation range of the present invention is characterized in that the radio wave intensity and / or communication speed for each radio wave propagation position is also included.

Further, in the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, the antenna installed by combining the point where the antenna is installed, the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface of the installed antenna faces, and the radiation pattern information are combined. It is characterized in that the direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis, which is the actual lobe central axis, is calculated.

Further, the direction and / or the radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis of the present invention can be displayed on the display unit of the portable terminal.

Further, the portable terminal of the present invention includes a camera unit capable of photographing the antenna and the display unit capable of displaying an image captured by the camera unit, and the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation. It is characterized in that the range can be superimposed and displayed on a landscape image around the point where the antenna is installed, which is taken from the camera unit.

Further, the portable terminal of the present invention is a head-up display, and includes a display unit including a camera unit capable of photographing the antenna and a transmissive display, and the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation. The range is superimposed on the user's field of view of the head-up display in the vicinity of the point where the antenna is installed, and can be displayed on the display unit.

Further, the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention is based on the location of the portable terminal, the location where the antenna is installed, and the antenna external shape information obtained from the antenna taken by the camera unit. It is characterized in that the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface is facing is calculated.

Further, the point where the antenna of the present invention is installed detects or inputs the direction in which the antenna is photographed by the camera unit, and is obtained from the antenna external shape information obtained from the antenna photographed by the camera unit. , It is characterized in that it is specified by calculating the distance from the location of the portable terminal.

Further, in the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, the orientation of the radio wave emitting surface of the antenna is based on the dimensional data of the installed antenna and the antenna outer shape information obtained by photographing the antenna with the camera unit. It is characterized by calculating the direction in which the antenna is located.

Further, the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention is an antenna external shape preliminary information management device that manages the antenna external shape preliminary information associated with each direction by photographing the antenna in advance from various directions with respect to the antenna to be installed. The antenna outer shape information obtained by photographing the antenna with the camera unit is collated with the antenna outer shape preliminary information to calculate the direction in which the antenna is facing.

Further, the portable terminal of the present invention can display the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range even when the display unit transitions to a state in which the antenna is not displayed. It is characterized by.

Further, the display unit of the present invention is characterized in that a desired direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range can be drawn.

Further, the portable terminal of the present invention has a required adjustment angle of the antenna from the current state of the antenna with respect to the direction and / or the radio wave propagation range of the desired beamforming central axis drawn. It is characterized in that it is possible to output information related to the state adjustment of the mounting bracket of the antenna and / or the signal adjustment of the excitation signal to the plurality of radiating elements.

According to the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, it is possible to easily confirm the radiation pattern at the actual installation location for an antenna in which a plurality of radiation elements whose radiation patterns such as the propagation direction of the beam are unknown from the outside are arranged. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the direction in which the antenna is facing is as expected, so that the antenna can be easily installed.

That is, according to the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, the direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis at the actual installation location can be easily confirmed for the array antenna whose beam propagation direction is unknown from the appearance. This makes it possible to easily confirm whether or not the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface of the antenna is facing is as expected, so that the antenna can be easily installed.

Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm whether the direction in which the array antenna is facing is as expected, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of construction, shorten the work time, and reduce the number of workers (cost reduction). It is possible.

Also, in this case, it is necessary to have a skilled person because it is possible to easily confirm whether the direction in which the array antenna is facing is as expected through visual observation of the radiation pattern of the array antenna at the actual installation location. For example, even a person who does not understand Japanese can easily visually confirm whether the direction in which the antenna is facing is as expected, and the number of construction personnel in antenna construction is not limited. It is expected that it will be easier to secure.

In addition, when it is necessary to adjust the antenna angle, adjust the state of the antenna mounting bracket, and / or adjust the excitation signal to the plurality of radiating elements because the direction in which the array antenna is facing is not as expected. Since the information related to the adjustment can be confirmed in advance, the antenna can be adjusted by lowering it to the ground, and even if the antenna is installed in a dangerous place such as a high place, it can be adjusted in a dangerous place such as a high place. It is possible to ensure the safety of construction personnel by eliminating the need for the work.

Further, by utilizing the present invention, the antenna beam of the array antenna in a small base station is narrowed down and sent to a repeater or WiFi antenna provided on the user side of a specific place or building, so that the repeater or WiFi antenna can be used. Since the area that can be communicated through is expanded, the number of small base stations themselves can be reduced and the cost can be reduced without constructing the user's communicable area only with expensive small base stations. The construction and migration of 5G, which requires the above, will be facilitated, and the spread of 5G will be facilitated. That is, even in areas where 5G area development by telecommunications carriers has not progressed, 5G can be easily disseminated by independently constructing and using a 5G system (local 5G). In addition, the construction and dissemination of regional communication systems will be facilitated by installing wireless LAN 802.11ay that uses high frequencies and high frequency antennas that are used in other communication methods, without limiting to 5G.

Further, according to the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, for an array antenna whose beam propagation direction is unknown from the outside, not only the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range at the actual installation location, but also the radio wave propagation range. The radio wave strength and / or communication speed can be easily confirmed, and the antenna can be easily installed.

Further, according to the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, for an array antenna whose beam propagation direction is unknown from the outside, by using a portable terminal, the direction of the beamforming central axis at the actual installation location and / Alternatively, the radio wave propagation range can be easily confirmed, and it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface of the antenna is facing is as expected, so that the antenna can be installed efficiently.

In this case, by using the portable terminal, the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range is superimposed and displayed on the landscape image around the point where the antenna is installed, which is taken from the camera unit of the portable terminal. It is possible, and it is possible to easily and reliably construct the antenna.

If the portable terminal is a head-up display, the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range is superimposed on the user's field of view of the head-up display around the point where the antenna is installed. It can be displayed on the part, and it is possible to easily and surely install the antenna.

Further, according to the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, the direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the desired beamforming central axis for which correction or the like is desired can be drawn on the display unit of the portable terminal, and is drawn. From the current antenna state to the desired beamforming central axis direction and / or radio wave propagation range, the required antenna adjustment angle, antenna mounting bracket state adjustment and / or excitation to multiple radiating elements. Since the information related to the signal adjustment of the signal can be output, it is possible to easily make corrections and the like, and it is possible to easily construct the antenna.

It is a functional block diagram of the antenna construction assistance system used in the antenna construction assistance method which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the display image in the portable terminal of FIG. It is a top view which shows the relationship between the portable terminal, the antenna, and a building about the display image of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the radiation pattern information in this invention, (a) is a view from a plane direction, (b) is a view from a side direction. It is an external view of the array antenna in this invention, (a) is a front view, (b) is a rear view, (c) is a left side view, (d) is a plan view. Regarding the array antenna of FIG. 5, (a) is a front left perspective view with the radio wave emitting surface facing upward, and (b) is a front left left perspective view with the radio wave emitting surface facing downward. It is a figure. Regarding the array antenna of FIG. 5, (a) is a rear left left perspective view with the radio wave emitting surface facing upward, and (b) is a rear left left perspective view with the radio wave emitting surface facing downward. It is a figure. It is a flowchart which concerns on the antenna construction assistance method (antenna construction assistance system) of this invention. It is an example of the display image in the portable terminal of FIG. 1, and shows the pre-transition image and the post-transition image. It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the heterogeneous network to which this invention is applied. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a method of relaying radio waves in a building in a heterogeneous network, in which (a) shows an array antenna and a panoramic view of the building, and (b) shows details of each floor of the building.

Hereinafter, a mode for carrying out the antenna construction assisting method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention makes it possible to easily confirm the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range at the actual installation location for the array antenna whose beam propagation direction is unknown from the outside. Since it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the direction in which the antenna is facing is as expected, it is possible to streamline the construction of the antenna and easily perform the construction.

That is, in the present invention, the actual lobe center of the array antenna installed by combining the point of the installed antenna, the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface of the installed array antenna faces, and the radiation pattern information of the array antenna. The direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis, which is the axis, is calculated and displayed on the display of the portable terminal, which makes it easy to check whether the direction in which the antenna is facing is as expected. As a result, the construction of the antenna can be made more efficient and easier.

[Configuration of antenna construction assistance system used for antenna construction assistance method]
The antenna construction assisting method of the present invention can be realized by, for example, the antenna construction assisting system described below. Therefore, first, the configuration of the antenna construction assisting system will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an antenna construction assisting system used in the antenna construction assisting method according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an example of a display image in the portable terminal of FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the relationship between the portable terminal, the antenna, and the building with respect to the display image of FIG. 4A and 4B are views showing an example of radiation pattern information in the present invention, FIG. 4A is a view from a plane direction, and FIG. 4B is a view from a side direction. 5A and 5B are external views of the array antenna according to the present invention, where FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a rear view, FIG. 5C is a left side view, and FIG. 5D is a plan view. 6A and 6B are front left perspective views of the array antenna of FIG. 5 with the radio wave emitting surface facing upward, and FIG. 6B is a frontal view with the radio wave emitting surface facing downward. It is a side left perspective view. 7A and 7B are a rear left perspective view of the array antenna of FIG. 5 with the radio wave emitting surface facing upward, and FIG. 7B is a rear side with the radio wave emitting surface facing downward. It is a side left perspective view.

[Outline of antenna construction assistance system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the antenna construction assisting system 1 is largely composed of an antenna construction assisting device 2 and a portable terminal 3. The antenna construction assisting device 2 is configured by mounting predetermined software on a computer connected to the portable terminal 3 by the communication network 7, and assists in antenna construction based on a program of the predetermined software. The direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis at the place where the array antenna (antenna) is actually installed can be calculated and displayed.

The portable terminal 3 is connected to the antenna construction assisting device 2 by the communication network 7, and corresponds to a smartphone, a tablet PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a mobile PC, a goggle type smart device, etc., and is to be constructed. The direction and / or radio wave propagation range 92 of the beamforming central axis 91 at the place where the array antenna 5 as shown in FIG. 2 was actually installed, in which the antenna construction assisting device 2 formed a calculation and an image by photographing the antenna. Is displayed on the display unit. It is also possible that the portable terminal 3 itself is configured to have the function of the antenna construction assisting device 2.

Further, the communication network 7 enables mutual communication between the antenna construction assisting device 2 and the portable terminal 3 regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

Further, the present invention makes it possible to easily confirm the radiation pattern when at least a part of a plurality of radiation elements is excited by a predetermined signal in an array antenna in which a plurality of radiation elements are arranged. That is, the array antenna is composed of a large number of elements, controls the amplitude and phase of the signal transmitted to each element, and cooperates with the large number of elements to generate various beams having directivity. Therefore, even if the antenna has an array antenna whose radiation pattern such as the beam propagation direction is unknown from the outside, the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range can be easily confirmed. Yes, for example, the array antenna 5 takes the form shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, in the array antenna 5, a radio wave radiation surface 55 composed of a large number of elements is arranged on the front side of the box-shaped housing 51, and on the back side of the housing 51, a shaft portion and the like are arranged. It is attached to the support pole 52 via a mounting bracket 53 configured by the above. Of course, it may be attached to a wall surface or the like instead of the indicator pole 52, and the fixing method or the like is not limited.

Further, the array antenna 5 is not limited to the form shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, but has a configuration in which a radio wave emitting surface is arranged on a curved surface or a configuration in which a radio wave emitting surface is arranged on a spherical surface. However, it is clear that the present invention is not limited to its form, configuration, and the like.

[Antenna construction assistance device]
The antenna construction assisting device 2 is composed of a calculation unit 21, an image recognition unit 22, a beam image forming unit 23, a radiation pattern information management unit 25, an antenna dimension data management unit 26, an antenna external shape preliminary information management unit 27, and an input / output 28. To.

[Calculation unit]
The calculation unit 21 is for calculating the position and the direction in which the array antenna 5 is facing from the antenna outer shape information consisting of the outer shape of the array antenna 5 installed at a desired point or angle. Even when the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 is facing is corrected, it is possible to calculate the angle at which the antenna 5 required for the correction should be adjusted.

[Image recognition unit]
The image recognition unit 22 is for recognizing (the state of the outer shape of the antenna 5) as the antenna outer shape information from the image transmitted from the portable terminal 3, and therefore has an image recognition function, for example, an array. By recognizing the antenna 5, the positions of the four front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the housing shown in FIG. 5A can be specified, and the four corners of the radio wave emitting surface 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d can also be specified. It is possible to identify the position of. Similarly, it is also possible to specify the positions of the back corners 51e, 51f, 51g, 51h of the housing. This image recognition function is performed by using artificial intelligence (AI) or the like in which the same type of array antenna is photographed in advance from various directions and angles to machine-learn the corners of the housing and the corners of the radio wave radiation surface. This is a known technique, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Beam image forming unit]
The beam image forming unit 23 uses the position of the array antenna 5 calculated by the calculation unit 21, the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface 55 is directed, and the radiation pattern information read by the radiation pattern information DB 25a as shown in FIG. It forms an actual beam image (direction and / or radio wave propagation range 92 of the beamforming central axis 91) of the array antenna 5 installed at a desired point and angle.

In the beam image formed by the beam image forming unit 23, the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 includes the direction, elevation / depression angle and / or arrival point of the beamforming central axis, and the radio wave propagation range 92 includes each radio wave propagation position. Also includes the signal strength and / or communication speed of.

Further, the beam image formed by the beam image forming unit 23 is not limited to one beam image as shown in FIG. For example, in addition to the case where a plurality of beams are multiplexed by beamforming of the array antenna 5, the case where a plurality of beam images are displayed by showing not only the main lobe but also the side lobes, and the excitation conditions of the array antenna 5. It is also possible to display a plurality of beam images, such as when displaying a plurality of beam images in which the above is changed for each excitation condition.

[Radiation pattern information management department]
The radiation pattern information management unit 25 manages the radiation pattern information for each model of the array antenna 5 and predetermined excitation conditions, and includes a radiation pattern information database (radiation pattern information DB) 25a. The radiation pattern information DB 25a stores in advance radiation pattern information for each predetermined excitation condition for each model of the array antenna 5. This is because the array antenna 5 can perform various beamforming depending on not only the change of the radiation pattern for each model but also the amplitude and phase of the signal transmitted to each element, so that the radiation pattern changes depending on the excitation conditions. is there.

This radiation pattern information is the direction of the lobe theory central axis 91a and / or the radio wave propagation theoretical range 92a in the case of beamforming as shown in FIG. 4, and the direction of the lobe theory central axis 91a is the direction of the central axis. The elevation / depression angle and / or the reaching point are included, and the radio wave propagation theoretical range 92a includes the radio wave strength and / or the communication speed at each point starting from the array antenna 5. Therefore, for example, in the actual beam image of the array antenna 5 as shown in FIG. 2, the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and the radio wave propagation range 92, as well as the radio wave intensity and communication speed as shown in FIG. 4 are displayed. It is also possible (not shown in FIG. 2).

Further, in the description of the present invention, the lobe theory central axis 91a constituting the radiation pattern information is beamformed in the direction in which the array antenna 5 is actually installed at the site and the radio wave radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing. The radio wave propagation theoretical range 92a, which is defined as the beamforming central axis 91 and similarly constitutes the radiation pattern information, is the direction in which the array antenna 5 is actually installed at the site and the radio wave radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing. It is defined as a radio wave propagation range 92 by radiating radio waves to. Furthermore, the lobe central axis theoretical arrival point 93a, which similarly constitutes the radiation pattern information, is beamformed in the direction in which the array antenna 5 is actually installed at the site and the radio wave radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing. It is defined as the beamforming central axis arrival point 93.

Further, in the description of the present invention, the word lobe does not mean only the main lobe, but can include a side lobe, and the side lobe also has a theoretical central axis, a radio wave propagation theoretical range, and a central axis theory arrival point. Can be stored in the radiation pattern information DB 25a as radiation pattern information and used.

For example, in the array antenna 5 shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, when a perpendicular line is drawn in the front direction from the central portion 55e of the radio wave emitting surface 55, this vertical line coincides with the lobe theory central axis 91a in FIG. Rather, the direction of the lobe theory central axis 91a changes and deviates depending on the characteristics of each array antenna 5, the amplitude and phase of the signal transmitted to each element of the array antenna 5, and therefore the array antenna 5 From the appearance, the propagation direction of the beam becomes unclear, and the application of the present invention is awaited. This also applies to a configuration in which a radio wave emitting surface is arranged on a curved surface or a configuration in which a radio wave emitting surface is arranged on a spherical surface.

[Antenna Dimension Data Management Department]
The antenna dimension data management unit 26 manages the external dimensions (antenna dimension data) of each model of the array antenna 5, and includes an antenna dimension database (antenna dimension DB) 26a. The antenna dimension DB 26a stores, for example, the positions of the four housing front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d of the array antenna 5 shown in FIG. 5A in advance as spatial coordinate data relative to each other. Further, this may be spatial coordinate data relative to each other at the positions of the four radio wave emitting surface corners 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d of the array antenna 5, or these may be combined, and this point is Of course, the positions may be the positions of the back corners 51e, 51f, 51g, 51h of the housing.

By storing these antenna dimension data in the antenna dimension DB 26a in advance, the position of the array antenna 5 and the array can be obtained by photographing the array antenna 5 installed at the site by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3. The calculation unit 21 can calculate the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the antenna 5 is facing. The direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing means the direction and elevation / depression angle in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 is facing.

In this case, by photographing the array antenna 5 installed at the site, the antenna outer shape information consisting of the outer shape of the antenna can be obtained, and by comparing with the antenna size data stored in the antenna size DB26a, the array antenna 5 can be obtained. The inclination of the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 with respect to the portable terminal 3 (the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 is facing) is calculated from the external state, and the distance from the size of the array antenna 5 to the array antenna 5 is calculated. By using the data obtained by detecting the shooting point and the shooting direction of the array antenna 5 by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3, the position of the array antenna 5 and the radio wave of the array antenna 5 can be calculated. The calculation unit 21 calculates the direction in which the radiation surface 55 is facing. This point is a known technique, and detailed description of the calculation method and the like will be omitted.

For example, if the image recognition unit 22 can specify the positions of the four housing front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, how the four housing front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are located in the image. By comparing with the dimensional data of the antenna, the data obtained by detecting the shooting point and the shooting direction of the array antenna 5 by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3 can be used from the location of the portable terminal 3. By calculating the distance to the array antenna 5, the calculation unit 21 can calculate the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing.

Various methods are assumed for this calculation method, and known methods can be adopted. For example, the positional relationship of the four points of the front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the housing shown in FIG. 5A and the line connecting the front corners 51a, 51b of the housing are the horizontal sides (horizontal axis). The line connecting the front corners 51a and 51d of the housing is defined as the vertical side (vertical axis), and the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing are determined from the inclination and length in the space. In the space of two diagonal lines consisting of a method of calculating by the calculation unit 21 and a line connecting the front corners 51a and 51c of the housing and a line connecting the front corners 51b and 51d of the housing. It is also assumed that the calculation unit 21 calculates the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing from the inclination and the length.

For example, as described above, when the positional relationship of the four points of the four housing front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d shown in FIG. 5A is used, the array antenna 5 is as shown in FIG. 5A. When the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3 captures the image from the front, the shape composed of the four points of the front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d of the housing becomes a completely rectangular shape, and the portable terminal 3 captures the image. Depending on the distance from, the distance between the four points of the front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d of the housing becomes smaller as the image is taken from a distance, and becomes larger as the image is taken from a near field.

On the other hand, when the array antenna 5 is caught from diagonally left on the front side with the radio wave emitting surface 55 facing upward as shown in FIG. 6A, the front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the housing are taken. The shape composed of the four points is a parallelogram whose upper side is located on the left side of the lower side, and between the four points of the front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d of the housing depending on the distance from the portable terminal 3 for photographing. The distance becomes smaller as the shooting distance increases, and the distance increases as the shooting distance increases.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the array antenna 5 is captured from the diagonally left side on the front side with the radio wave emitting surface 55 facing downward, the front corners 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d of the housing are obtained. The shape composed of the four points is a parallelogram whose upper side is located on the right side of the lower side, and in FIG. 6 (b), the array antenna 5 is captured from the left side of FIG. 6 (a). The area on the quadrangle composed of the four points 51a, 51b, 51c, and 51d of the front corner of the housing is small, and the front corner of the housing 51a, depending on the distance from the portable terminal 3 for photographing. The distance between the four points 51b, 51c, and 51d becomes smaller as the image is taken from a distance, and increases as the image is taken from a near field.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, these are the same when the array antenna 5 is captured from the back side. For example, the image recognition unit 22 takes a picture from the front side of the array antenna 5 or from the back side. By determining whether to shoot, or by clarifying whether the shooting is from the front side or the back side of the array antenna 5 according to the photographer's own settings, the rear corner of the housing as shown in FIG. 7A. The calculation unit 21 may calculate the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing by utilizing the positional relationship of the four points of the units 51e, 51f, 51g, and 51h. The same applies to FIG. 7 (b) in which the direction in which the array antenna faces is different from that in FIG. 7 (a).

Further, in the first place, the image recognition unit 22 serves as the outer edge of the front side and the back side of the housing 51 of the array antenna 5 by the image recognition unit 22 without specifying four points at the front and back corners of the housing. It is also possible to recognize the image of the vertical side (axis) and the vertical side (vertical axis) and calculate the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing by the calculation unit 21 from the inclination and length in the space. Often, there are various known methods for calculating the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing from the image recognition of the array antenna 5, and the calculation is limited to any method as long as it is possible. It's not something.

Therefore, if the image recognition unit 22 can recognize the external state of the array antenna 5, it does not ask the shooting direction of the front side, the back side, the side side, the flat side, the bottom side, etc. of the array antenna 5. Further, in order to facilitate image recognition by the image recognition unit 22, the external state of the array antenna 5 may be recognized by marking various parts of the array antenna 5 in advance with identification marks and the like.

In this way, from the image recognition of the array antenna 5, the inclination of the array antenna 5 (the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 is facing) is calculated from the outer shape of the array antenna 5, and from the size of the array antenna 5. The distance from the portable terminal 3 to the array antenna 5 is calculated, and the position of the array antenna 5 and the position of the array antenna 5 are determined by using the data obtained by detecting the shooting point and the shooting direction of the array antenna 5 by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3. There are various known techniques for calculating the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Antenna outline preliminary information management department]
The antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27 (also referred to as an antenna outer shape preliminary information management device) is associated with the direction in which the image data of the antenna outer shape taken in advance from various directions for each model of the array antenna 5 is taken. It is managed as information, and has an antenna external shape preliminary information database (antenna external shape preliminary information DB) 27a. The antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27 is used by the calculation unit 21 to calculate the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing by selectively using the antenna dimension data management unit 26. Is.

That is, the antenna outer shape preliminary information DB 27a manages a large number of outer shape image data taken from various directions for each model of the array antenna 5 as the antenna outer shape preliminary information in association with the shooting direction, and is the front surface of the array antenna 5. The array antenna 5 is stored in association with the photographing direction from various directions regardless of the side (for example, FIGS. 5 and 6) and the back side (for example, FIG. 7).

As a result, the image recognition unit 22 recognizes the array antenna 5 photographed by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3, and the calculation unit 21 displays the image of the array antenna 5 recognized by the image recognition unit 22 and the antenna outline preliminary information DB 27a. When the image of the stored array antenna 5 is collated and the image of the array antenna 5 stored in the antenna outline preliminary information DB 27a is matched, the photographed direction associated and stored in advance can be read out. The inclination of the radio radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 with respect to the portable terminal 3 (the direction in which the radio radiation surface 55 is facing) is calculated, and the distance from the portable terminal 3 to the array antenna 5 is calculated from the size of the array antenna 5. And further, by using the data obtained by detecting the point where the array antenna 5 was photographed and the direction in which the array antenna 5 was photographed by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3, the position of the array antenna 5 and the radio radiation of the array antenna 5 are emitted. Calculate the direction in which the surface 55 is facing. This point is a known technique, and detailed description of the calculation method and the like will be omitted.

In this case, by using the preliminary information of the antenna outer shape, for example, as shown in FIG. 7B, the corners 51e, 51f, 51g on the back surface of the housing can be confirmed, but the support pole 52 of the array antenna 5 makes it possible to confirm the back surface of the housing. Even if the corner portion 51h cannot be confirmed, the state as shown in FIG. 7B (the state in which the rear corner portion 51h of the housing cannot be confirmed by the support pole 52) is also photographed in advance to obtain preliminary information on the antenna outer shape. If it is managed as, collation is possible. As a result, the calculation unit 21 collates the image of the array antenna 5 recognized by the image recognition unit 22 with the image of the array antenna 5 stored in the antenna outline preliminary information DB 27a, and if they match, they are associated in advance. Since it is possible to read out the stored shooting direction and calculate the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing, it becomes a blind spot like the rear corner 51h of the housing and does not appear in the image. However, it is possible to calculate the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing without any problem.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, when the antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27 is used, the radio wave emitting surface 55 faces upward from the horizontal direction as shown in FIG. 7A (causing an elevation angle). Various elevation and depression angles formed by the radio wave emitting surface 55 with respect to the horizontal direction, such as when the radio wave radiation surface 55 is oriented downward from the horizontal direction (when a depression angle is generated) as in the same case (b). In, image data of the outer shape of the array antenna 5 from various directions is managed as preliminary antenna outer shape information in association with the shooting direction.

In this case, the image recognition of the array antenna 5 taken by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3 in the image recognition unit 22, the image of the array antenna 5 recognized by the image recognition unit 22 in the calculation unit 21, and the antenna outline preliminary information DB 27a The collation with the image of the array antenna 5 stored in the above can be performed by using artificial intelligence (AI) or the like whose accuracy is improved by machine learning, which is a known technique, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Further, when managing various outer shape states of the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 as antenna outer shape preliminary information in association with the shooting direction of the image data of the outer shape of the array antenna 5, the array antenna 5 is actually used. In addition to the case of taking a picture in advance, the outer edge of the outer shape of the array antenna 5 is derived from the 3D antenna dimension data, and the outer edge of the array antenna 5 is managed in advance in relation to the direction assumed to be taken. The image of the array antenna 5 recognized by the image recognition unit 22 may be collated with the image of the array antenna 5 recognized by the image recognition unit 22, and the array antenna 5 stored in advance in the antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27. As long as the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing can be calculated by collating the images of, the method is not limited to a specific method.

Therefore, if the image recognition unit 22 can recognize the external state of the array antenna 5, it does not ask the shooting direction of the front side, the back side, the side side, the flat side, the bottom side, etc. of the array antenna 5. Further, in order to facilitate image recognition by the image recognition unit 22, the external state of the array antenna 5 may be recognized by marking various parts of the array antenna 5 in advance with identification marks and the like. As described above, there are various known techniques for calculating the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the array antenna is facing from the image recognition of the array antenna 5, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27 can selectively use the antenna dimension data management unit 26 to determine the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface 55 of the array antenna is facing. The calculation unit 21 can perform the calculation.

[Input / output section]
The input / output unit 28 is used for inputting information to each component of the antenna construction assisting device 2 and outputting information from each component, and is composed of input / output devices such as a display, a keyboard, and a mouse. Further, the input / output device of the portable terminal 3 can be used as the input / output unit 28.

[Portable terminal]
The portable terminal 3 is connected to and from the antenna construction assisting device 2 by a communication network 7, and is composed of a display unit 31, a camera unit 32, and an input unit 33. The beamforming central axis 91 of the actually installed array antenna 5 as shown in FIG. 2, which is provided with a camera unit 32 for photographing the array antenna 5 to be constructed, and the antenna construction assisting device 2 has calculated and formed an image. The direction and / or radio wave propagation range 92 of the above is displayed on the display unit 31, and an input unit 33 including a keyboard, a touch panel, a mouse, and the like is provided for performing an input operation.

Therefore, the portable terminal 3 corresponds to a smartphone, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a mobile PC, a goggle type smart device, or the like.

For example, when the portable terminal 3 is a smartphone, a tablet PC, a mobile phone, a mobile PC, a goggle type head mount display, or the like, the portable terminal 3 has a beamforming central axis as shown in FIG. The direction of 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 is superimposed on the landscape image around the point where the array antenna 5 taken from the camera unit 32 is installed and displayed on the display unit 31.

Here, the periphery of the point where the array antenna 5 is installed corresponds to the range of the landscape image displayed on the display unit 31, and usually includes a desired point where the array antenna 5 is installed. , Not limited to this.

In this case, in FIG. 2, the outer edge of the image captured by the camera unit 32 is designated by reference numeral 81, and the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 of the beam radiated from the array antenna 5 and the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 are the building 6. It can be confirmed that the beam has reached the transmission / reception antenna 61 in the building 6.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the positional relationship between the portable terminal 3, the array antenna 5, and the building 6 in the state of FIG. 2, and the array antenna 5 and the building 6 are located in the outer edge 81 of the image that is the shooting range of the camera unit 32. You can see that it fits.

For example, when the portable terminal 3 is a goggle-type head-up display or the like that directly displays information in the user's field of view, such as a prompter, the portable terminal 3 can shoot the array antenna 5. A display unit 31 including a camera unit 32 and a transmissive display is provided, and the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 with respect to the field of view of the user of the head-up display around the point where the array antenna 5 is installed. The radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 is superimposed and displayed on the display unit 31.

Here, the periphery of the point where the array antenna 5 is installed usually corresponds to the range of the field of view of the user of the head-up display and includes a desired point where the array antenna 5 is installed. It is not limited to.

Therefore, for example, the landscape in FIG. 2 is directly visually recognized by the user's field of view, and the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 is displayed on the display unit 31 made of a transmissive display. The positional relationship of each component on the plane of FIG. 3 is the same as in the case where the portable terminal 3 is a type of portable terminal 3 that displays a landscape of a smartphone, tablet PC, or the like as an image.

The portable terminal 3 can shoot and save the shooting point (location of the portable terminal 3) and the shooting direction in association with the shot image, and further transmit the image to the antenna construction assisting device 2. This makes it possible to calculate the position of the array antenna 5 from the position of the portable terminal 3 and the shooting direction.

That is, the points where the array antenna 5 is installed are the points where the array antenna 5 is photographed by the camera unit 32 (the location of the portable terminal 3) and the data in which the imaged direction is detected, and the antenna dimension DB26a and / by the calculation unit 21. Alternatively, the array antenna 5 is calculated by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3 by calculating the distance at the array antenna 5 from the size of the array antenna 5 by calculating based on the data stored in the antenna outline preliminary information DB 27a. The position of the array antenna 5 is calculated by using the data obtained by detecting the shooting point and the shooting direction.

The direction in which the array antenna 5 is photographed can be detected by the camera unit 32, or can be input by the photographer.

In this way, if the location where the array antenna 5 is installed is known, the location of the portable terminal 3, the location where the array antenna 5 is installed, and the antenna obtained from the array antenna 5 photographed by the camera unit 32 are obtained. Based on the external shape information, the calculation unit 21 calculates based on the data stored in the antenna dimension DB 26a and / or the antenna external shape preliminary information DB 27a, and calculates the direction in which the radio radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing. Is possible.

Regarding the position of the array antenna 5, it is assumed that the position is determined in advance by the antenna construction plan, and it is assumed that the photographer inputs the position by himself / herself.

Further, the portable terminal 3 can be displayed in 3D by distinguishing a landscape image into an image projected on the right eye and a left eye by using a goggle type terminal or 3D glasses. It is also possible to project an image to be displayed so that it can be confirmed on a screen or the like. Further, it is assumed that the direction and / or the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 of the beamforming central axis 91 is displayed by superimposing it on the map image around the portable terminal 3.

[Processing flow of antenna construction assistance system]
Next, the processing flow in the embodiment of the antenna construction assisting system 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart relating to the antenna construction assisting method (antenna construction assisting system) of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the antenna construction assisting system 1 of the present invention, first, the model of the array antenna 5 to be constructed on site, the excitation conditions for beamforming, etc. are determined by using the input unit 33 of the portable terminal 3. And input (S1). These input conditions can be changed at any stage.

Next, using the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3, the state of the outer shape of the array antenna 5 installed at a desired point and angle is photographed (S2). At this time, the portable terminal 3 associates the shooting point and the shooting direction with the shot image and transmits the image to the antenna construction assisting device 2.

Next, the image recognition unit 22 of the antenna construction assisting device 2 performs a recognition process of the captured array antenna 5 (S3).

Next, the calculation unit 21 reads out the position and direction in which the array antenna 5 was photographed by the camera unit 32, and the dimensions of the array antenna 5 from the antenna dimension DB26a, and the array antenna 5 photographed by the camera unit 32. The location where the array antenna 5 is installed is specified by calculating the distance from the location of the portable terminal 3 to the array antenna 5 from the size of the antenna 5. If the location where the array antenna 5 is installed is known, the location of the portable terminal 3 (the shooting location of the camera unit 32), the location where the array antenna 5 is installed, and the array antenna 5 photographed by the camera unit 32 can be used. Based on the obtained antenna external shape information, the calculation unit 21 accesses the antenna size DB 26a and calculates the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the array antenna 5 is facing from the antenna size data stored in advance (S4).

Alternatively, as described above, for S4, the position of the array antenna 5 can be calculated by using the antenna outer shape preliminary information DB 27a. In that case, the calculation unit 21 recognizes the array antenna 5 taken by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3 in the image recognition unit 22, and the image and antenna of the array antenna 5 recognized by the image recognition unit 22 in the calculation unit 21. When the image of the array antenna 5 stored in the external preliminary information DB 27a is collated and matches the image of the array antenna 5 stored in the external preliminary information DB 27a, the photographed direction stored in advance in association with the image. Is read out, the inclination of the radio radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 with respect to the portable terminal 3 (the direction in which the radio radiation surface 55 is facing) is calculated, and the array from the portable terminal 3 is calculated from the size of the array antenna 5. By calculating the distance to the antenna 5 and also using the data obtained by detecting the shooting point and the shooting direction of the array antenna 5 by the camera unit 32 of the portable terminal 3, the position of the array antenna 5 and the array are used. The direction in which the radio wave emitting surface 55 of the antenna 5 is facing is calculated.

As described above, the antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27 is selectively used with the antenna dimension data management unit 26 so that the position of the array antenna 5 and the radio wave radiation surface 55 of the array antenna 5 face. The calculation unit 21 can calculate the direction in which the antenna is located.

Next, the beam image forming unit 23 reads out the radiation pattern information from the radiation pattern information DB 25a, and adjusts the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface 55 is facing to the position of the array antenna 5 and the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface 55 is facing. / Or a beam image such as (outer edge) 92 of the radio wave propagation range is formed and transmitted to the portable terminal 3 to be displayed on the display unit 31 (S5).

As a result, for the array antenna 5 whose beam propagation direction is unknown from the outside, the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range 92 at the actual installation location can be easily confirmed, and the array antenna 5 can be easily confirmed. Since it is possible to easily confirm whether or not the direction in which the antenna is facing is as expected, it is possible to efficiently construct the array antenna 5.

[Correction of array antenna angle, etc.]
When the beam image such as the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 displayed in S5 was confirmed, the beam did not reach the transmission / reception antenna 61 of the desired building 6, or the radio wave propagation occurred. Of course, it is assumed that it is out of range.

At that time, the user of the portable terminal 3 can input the desired direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 to the display unit 31 via the input unit 33. It can be drawn on the display unit 31. A desired beam image can be drawn by inputting with a touch pen or moving the direction and / or the radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92 of the beamforming central axis 91 with a finger.

In this case, the calculation unit 21 determines the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 for which correction or the like is desired from the corrected beam image (direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or radio wave propagation range (outer edge) 92). And / or with respect to the radio wave propagation range 92, from the current state of the array antenna 5, the required adjustment angle of the array antenna 5, the state adjustment of the mounting bracket of the array antenna 5 and / or a plurality of radiation elements of the array antenna 5 Information related to signal adjustment of the excitation signal to the antenna can be calculated and output, and the construction of the array antenna 5 can be easily readjusted at the construction site.

[Screen transition on portable terminals]
In FIG. 2, in the display unit 31 of the portable terminal 3, one image includes the direction of the array antenna 5 and the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range 92 including the arrival point 93 of the beamforming central axis. The building 6 provided with the transmission / reception antenna 61 is also contained in the image 81.

On the other hand, when the arrival point 93 of the beamforming central axis is a long distance, or when the building 6 provided with the transmitting / receiving antenna 61 is a long distance, not all of them fit in one image together with the array antenna 5. Is assumed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the present invention can display the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range 92 by changing the image displayed on the display unit 31 of the portable terminal 3. ..

That is, FIG. 9 is an example of a display image in the portable terminal 3 of FIG. 1, and shows a pre-transition image and a post-transition image. In this case, the portable terminal 3 can display the direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range 92 even when the display unit 31 does not display the array antenna 5. For example. As shown in the pre-transition image (outer edge) indicated by reference numeral 82 and the post-transition image (outer edge) indicated by reference numeral 83 in FIG. 9, even when the array antenna 5 is not displayed in the post-transition image 83. The direction of the beamforming central axis 91 and / or the radio wave propagation range 92 can be displayed.

[Application of the present invention to heterogeneous networks]
The present invention can be applied to the form of a heterogeneous network composed of various frequency bands and various wireless technologies.

The application of the present invention to heterogeneous networks will be described below with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a heterogeneous network in which the present invention is used. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an example of a method of relaying radio waves in a building in the heterogeneous network in FIG. 10, where FIG. 11A shows an array antenna and a panoramic view of the building, and FIG. 11B shows details of each floor of the building. Shown.

As shown in FIG. 10, the heterogeneous network is composed of a macro cell, a small cell located in the macro cell, a spot cell, and the like.

A macro cell in a heterogeneous network covers a communication area of several kilometers, a small cell covers a communication area of several hundred meters, and a spot cell covers a communication area of a specific place, a building, etc. located within several hundred meters. It covers.

The frequency bands in the heterogeneous network include the existing frequency bands such as LTE 800 MHz, 1.5 GHz, and 2 GHz, which are communication standards, as well as the frequency band of NR (New Radio) of less than 6 GHz and the frequency band of 6 GHz or more. , Existing frequency bands and higher frequency bands can be used. In addition, wireless technology is composed of communication standards such as NR, LTE, and WiFi.

In a heterogeneous network, control information and user data are transmitted separately in a plurality of cells having different frequency bands and communication areas. For example, a macro cell with a wide communication area handles control signals in an existing frequency band (called C-plane), and a small cell or spot cell handles user data in a high frequency band such as millimeter waves, which makes it easy to secure a wide band (called C-plane). (Called U-plane).

As shown in FIG. 10, in the macro cell, the control signal is mainly handled in the existing LTE and NR frequency bands of less than 6 GHz and in the frequency band of 6 GHz or more (C-plane), and in the small cell, the frequency of NR is 6 GHz or less. Bands, frequency bands above 6 GHz and WiFi are used. Further, in the spot cell, a frequency band exceeding 6 GHz of NR and WiFi are used.

The antenna of a small base station small cell in a heterogeneous network can reduce the size of the antenna element in a high frequency band for 5G (SHF band, EHF band, etc.), and controls the phase and amplitude of the multi-element antenna. , A super multi-element antenna (Massive MIMO) that produces a beam with directivity (beamforming) is suitable.

In addition, the spot cell ultra-multi-element antenna cooperates with a large number of antenna elements to perform beamforming to form radio waves in a specific direction.

The spot cell has an array antenna to increase the directivity by beamforming, for example, a relay antenna is provided in the building to communicate with the spot cell, and the inside of the building is WiFi (for example, a communication standard) capable of high-speed communication. By using (802.11ay, etc.), it is possible to handle user data (U-plane). In addition, the U-plane that handles user data is not limited to being used as a set with the C-plane that handles control signals, but can also be used in a communication system that is only U-plane that handles user data.

As shown in FIG. 10, as the antenna provided in the spot cell of the base station, in addition to the super multi-element antenna for 5G, a small (accommodating) antenna for WiFi is also provided. By providing the WiFi antenna, it is possible to communicate with the WiFi terminal with a small WiFi antenna without communication of the control signal on the C-plane.

In this way, the spot cell of the base station in the heterogeneous network supports not only 5G high-speed communication but also other communication standards such as WiFi, and call control using the 5G and WiFi bands at the same time. It is also possible to do.

Further, in the heterogeneous network, when the 5G band of the spot cell of the base station is tight and the communication is congested, the call control can be performed only in the WiFi band.

Further, the call control may change the transmission (unit) of WiFi in the spot cell to the transmission of the 5G array antenna, and the embodiment of the call control is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 11, the array antenna 5, the building 6, the transmission / reception antenna 61, and the details thereof are shown in FIG. 11, in the present invention, the beam from the array antenna 5 is controlled by focusing on a specific building or the like. By doing so, the beam directing direction of the array antenna can be easily grasped, and the radio wave of the high frequency band obtained by beam forming the distance between the spot cell of the small base station and the building from the array antenna 5 of the spot cell is used for the building. It communicates with the antenna (transmission / reception antenna 61) of the (5G) client module provided externally, and has a WiFi communication function provided in each user's room from the repeater 62 of the client module to the 802.11 repeater provided on each floor. Data communication is possible with the CATV controller 63. As a result, the spot cell on which the antenna is installed according to the present invention is suitable for covering a specific place or building.

Further, in the heterogeneous network, the communication area with the user can be expanded by installing a large number of small base stations.

In this way, the heterogeneous network controls the direction and output of radio waves, leaving the place where communication can be performed with a small cell or spot cell that covers a small communication area to a small base station, and the large area is covered by a macro cell. To do. In this way, even if the size of the base station (cell), which is the service area covered by one base station and one antenna, is different, cells of various sizes can be mixed and used by adjusting the radio waves. Communication network can be formed.

In this case, by using the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, it is possible to easily narrow down the antenna beam of the array antenna in the base station forming a part of the communication network and fly it to a specific place or the user side of the building. Therefore, by streamlining the configuration of the base station and the construction of the array antenna of the base station, the introduction cost of the base station can be reduced and the introduction of new equipment becomes easy. This makes it possible to further popularize new 5G communication networks, and even in areas where 5G area development by telecommunications carriers is not progressing, it is possible to independently build and use 5G systems (local 5G). Become.

Further, the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention is not limited to 5G when only the U-plane that handles 5G user data is used in the high frequency communication system, and the high frequency in WiFi using the array antenna technology is used. It can be applied to the wireless LAN 802.11ay to be used, and further to the communication method widely using the array antenna technology. In addition, it can also be applied to use in a communication method that can be used only by establishing a link without connection control, such as proxy response that does not require a C-plane that handles control signals and a dedicated line.

The present invention can be embodied in many forms without departing from its essential properties. Therefore, it goes without saying that the above-described embodiments are merely explanatory and do not limit the present invention.

Further, the functional block diagram shown in FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the antenna construction assisting system 1 used in the antenna construction assisting method of the present invention, and does not limit a specific mounting form. That is, it is not necessary to implement the hardware corresponding to the functional block in the figure, and it is of course possible to have a configuration in which the functions of a plurality of functional units are realized by executing a program by one processor. Further, a part of the functions realized by the software in the embodiment may be realized by the hardware, and further, a part of the functions realized by the hardware may be realized by the software.

1 Antenna construction assistance system 2 Antenna construction assistance device 3 Portable terminal 5 Array antenna (antenna)
6 Building 7 Communication network 21 Calculation unit 22 Image recognition unit 23 Beam image formation unit 25 Radiation pattern information management unit 25a Radiation pattern information DB
26 Antenna dimension data management unit 26a Antenna dimension DB
27 Antenna outer shape preliminary information management unit 27a Antenna outer shape preliminary information DB
28 Input / output unit 31 Display unit 32 Camera unit 33 Input unit 51 Housing 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d Housing front corner 51e, 51f, 51g, 51h Housing rear corner 52 Support pole 53 Mounting bracket 55 Radio radiation surface 55a, 55b, 55c, 55d Radio wave radiation surface corner 55e Radio wave radiation surface center 61 Transmission / reception antenna 62 Repeater 63 CATV controller 81 Image (outer edge)
82 Pre-transition image (outer edge)
83 Post-transition image (outer edge)
91 Beamforming central axis 91a Lobe theory central axis 92 Radio wave propagation range (outer edge)
92a Radio wave propagation theory range (outer edge)
93 Beamforming central axis arrival point 93a Lobe central axis theoretical arrival point

Claims (15)

For an antenna in which a plurality of radiating elements are arranged, radiation pattern information when at least a part of the plurality of radiating elements is excited by a predetermined signal and
From the antenna outer shape information consisting of the outer shape of the antenna installed at a desired point and angle,
An antenna construction assisting method comprising calculating the direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis which is the actual lobe central axis of the antenna installed at a desired point and angle. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 1, wherein the radiation pattern information is the central axis theoretical information and / or the radio wave propagation theoretical range of the lobe in the radiation pattern. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the beamforming central axis is the direction, elevation / depression angle and / or arrival point of the beamforming central axis. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 1, wherein the radio wave propagation range also includes a radio wave intensity and / or a communication speed for each radio wave propagation position. Beamforming central axis that is the actual lobe central axis of the antenna installed by combining the point where the antenna is installed, the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface of the installed antenna is facing, and the radiation pattern information. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 1, wherein the direction and / or radio wave propagation range is calculated. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 5, wherein the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range can be displayed on a display unit of a portable terminal. The portable terminal includes a camera unit capable of photographing the antenna and a display unit capable of displaying an image captured by the camera unit.
6. The claim 6 is characterized in that the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range can be superimposed and displayed on a landscape image around the point where the antenna is installed, which is taken from the camera unit. Antenna construction assistance method described in. The portable terminal is a head-up display.
A display unit including a camera unit capable of photographing the antenna and a transmissive display is provided.
The beamforming central axis direction and / or the radio wave propagation range can be superimposed on the user's field of view of the head-up display around the point where the antenna is installed and displayed on the display unit. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 6. From the location of the portable terminal, the point where the antenna is installed, and the antenna external shape information obtained from the antenna taken by the camera unit, the direction in which the radio wave emitting surface of the antenna is directed is calculated. The antenna construction assisting method according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the antenna construction assisting method is performed. The point where the antenna is installed detects or inputs the direction in which the antenna is photographed by the camera unit, and the portable terminal is obtained from the antenna external shape information obtained from the antenna photographed by the camera unit. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 9, wherein the antenna is specified by calculating the distance from the location of the antenna. It is characterized in that the direction in which the radio wave radiation surface of the antenna is directed is calculated from the dimensional data of the installed antenna and the antenna external shape information obtained by photographing the antenna with the camera unit. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 9. With respect to the installed antenna, the antenna is photographed in advance from various directions, and the antenna is mounted by the camera unit using an antenna external preliminary information management device that manages the antenna external preliminary information associated with each direction. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 9, wherein the antenna outer shape information obtained by photographing is collated with the antenna outer shape preliminary information to calculate the direction in which the antenna is facing. The claim is characterized in that the portable terminal can display the direction of the beamforming central axis and / or the radio wave propagation range even when the display unit transitions to a state in which the antenna is not displayed. Item 7. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 8. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 6, wherein a desired direction and / or radio wave propagation range of the beamforming central axis can be drawn on the display unit. The portable terminal has a required adjustment angle of the antenna and mounting of the antenna from the current state of the antenna with respect to the direction of the desired beamforming central axis drawn and / or the radio wave propagation range. The antenna construction assisting method according to claim 14, wherein information relating to state adjustment of metal fittings and / or signal adjustment of excitation signals to the plurality of radiating elements can be output.

Images