JP6012524B2 - ANTENNA DEVICE, ANTENNA DIRECTION CONTROL METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an antenna device, an antenna directivity control method, and a computer program.

  As an antenna device of a base station of a wireless communication system, for example, one described in Patent Document 1 is known. In the array antenna feeding apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of antenna elements are grouped, and a beam tilt angle is set by adjusting a phase shifter provided for each group.

JP 2001-211025 A

  However, in the array antenna feeding device of Patent Document 1 described above, the main beam can be directed in a desired direction, but a null is formed in a direction in which the beam is not desired while maintaining the main beam direction, or No further beam can be formed in a direction different from the main beam direction.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and while maintaining the main beam direction, a null is formed in a direction where the beam is not desired to be directed, or a beam is further formed in a direction different from the main beam direction. It is an object to provide an antenna device, an antenna directivity control method, and a computer program that can be performed.

  The antenna device according to the present invention includes a plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements, and a combination of a beam direction and a null direction, or a first beam direction and a second beam direction. For each combination of beam directions, a phase setting value storage unit that stores a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements, and input information of the beam direction and the null direction, or the first beam A phase determining unit that sets a phase setting value corresponding to the input information stored in the phase setting value storage unit in the phase shifter according to input information of a direction and a second beam direction, To do.

  An antenna device according to the present invention includes a plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements, a measurement unit that measures the received signal strength of the antenna elements, and a combination of a beam direction and a null direction A phase setting value storage unit for storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each or each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction; The phase setting value set in the phase shifter is changed so that the null direction is changed while maintaining the direction, or the second beam direction is changed while maintaining the first beam direction, and the measurement is performed. And a phase determining unit that determines a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the received signal strength.

  In the antenna device according to the present invention, the phase determination unit changes a phase setting value set in the phase shifter so as to change a null direction while maintaining a beam direction, and the measured received signal strength is minimized. It is characterized in that the phase setting value is determined.

  In the antenna device according to the present invention, the phase determination unit changes the phase setting value set in the phase shifter to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction, and the measurement is performed. The phase setting value is determined to form a null in the second beam direction where the received signal strength is maximum.

  In the antenna device according to the present invention, the phase determination unit changes the phase setting value set in the phase shifter to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction, and the measurement is performed. It is characterized in that the phase setting value having the maximum received signal strength is determined.

  In the antenna apparatus according to the present invention, the measurement unit measures the received signal strength of a downlink signal of a specific base station.

  In the antenna device according to the present invention, the measurement unit measures the received signal strength of an uplink signal of a radio communication terminal communicating with a specific base station.

  In the antenna device according to the present invention, the phase determination unit changes a phase setting value to be set in the phase shifter when detecting deterioration in communication quality based on communication quality information indicating communication quality of a wireless communication terminal. A phase control operation for determining a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength is performed.

  An antenna device according to the present invention includes a plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements, a measurement unit that measures the received signal strength of the antenna elements, and a combination of a beam direction and a null direction A phase setting value storage unit that stores a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each or each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction; A phase determining unit that sets a phase setting value in the phase shifter, the phase determining unit according to the input information of the beam direction and the null direction, or the input information of the first beam direction and the second beam direction, The phase setting value corresponding to the input information stored in the phase setting value storage unit is set in the phase shifter so that the null direction is changed while maintaining the beam direction, or the first beam direction is maintained. Shina The phase setting value set in the phase shifter is changed so as to change the second beam direction, and the phase setting value of the phase shifter is determined based on the measured received signal strength. To do.

  In the antenna directivity control method according to the present invention, a phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is provided for an antenna apparatus having a plurality of antenna elements, and each combination of a beam direction and a null direction is provided. For each combination of a beam direction and a second beam direction, storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements in a phase setting value storage unit, and inputting the beam direction and the null direction Setting the phase setting value corresponding to the input information stored in the phase setting value storage unit to the phase shifter according to the information or the input information of the first beam direction and the second beam direction; It is characterized by having.

  In the antenna directivity control method according to the present invention, a phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is provided for an antenna apparatus having a plurality of antenna elements, and each combination of a beam direction and a null direction is provided. Storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements in a phase setting value storage unit for each combination of a beam direction and a second beam direction; and a received signal intensity of the antenna element And a phase setting that is set in the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction, or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction. And changing a value to determine a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength.

  In the antenna directivity control method according to the present invention, a phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is provided for an antenna apparatus having a plurality of antenna elements, and each combination of a beam direction and a null direction is provided. Storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements in a phase setting value storage unit for each combination of a beam direction and a second beam direction; and a received signal intensity of the antenna element And the phase corresponding to the input information stored in the phase setting value storage unit according to the input information of the beam direction and the null direction, or the input information of the first beam direction and the second beam direction. Setting a set value in the phase shifter, and changing the null direction while maintaining the beam direction, or the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction As varied, by changing the phase setting value to be set in the phase shifter, and having the steps of: determining the phase setting value of said phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength.

  A computer program according to the present invention provides a computer of an antenna device having a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements, for each combination of beam direction and null direction, or first Storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each combination of the beam direction and the second beam direction in a phase setting value storage unit; Setting the phase setting value corresponding to the input information stored in the phase setting value storage unit in the phase shifter according to the input information or the input information of the first beam direction and the second beam direction; It is a computer program for executing.

  A computer program according to the present invention provides a computer of an antenna device having a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements, for each combination of beam direction and null direction, or first Storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each combination of the beam direction and the second beam direction in a phase setting value storage unit; and a received signal of the antenna element A step of measuring the intensity and a phase set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction, or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction. Changing a setting value and determining a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength. Characterized in that it is a program.

  A computer program according to the present invention provides a computer of an antenna device having a plurality of antenna elements and a phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements, for each combination of beam direction and null direction, or first Storing a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each combination of the beam direction and the second beam direction in a phase setting value storage unit; and a received signal of the antenna element Corresponding to the input information stored in the phase setting value storage unit according to the step of measuring the intensity and the input information of the beam direction and the null direction, or the input information of the first beam direction and the second beam direction Setting the phase setting value to the phase shifter, and changing the null direction while maintaining the beam direction, or maintaining the first beam direction. Changing the phase setting value set in the phase shifter so as to change the second beam direction, and determining the phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength. It is a computer program for this.

  According to the present invention, while maintaining the main beam direction, a null can be formed in a direction in which the beam is not desired to be directed, or a beam can be further formed in a direction different from the main beam direction.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an antenna device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part 20 which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a phase setting value storage unit 23. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a phase setting value storage unit 23. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a phase setting value storage unit 23. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the antenna device 1 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part 20 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of a radio | wireless communications system. It is a flowchart of the antenna directivity control process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part 20 which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the antenna directivity control process which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of a radio | wireless communications system. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of a radio | wireless communications system. It is explanatory drawing explaining the structural example of a radio | wireless communications system.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, an antenna device of a base station of a wireless communication system will be described.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an antenna device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an antenna device 1 includes a plurality (9 in the example of FIG. 1) of antenna elements 10, a phase shifter 11 provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements 10, and a transmission signal 100 for each antenna element 10. A distributor 12 for distributing and a control unit 20 for setting the phase setting value 110 in each phase shifter 11 are provided.

  The phase shifter 11 changes the phase of the transmission signal 100 to the phase setting value 110. The phase setting value 110 is a value that is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees, and 0 degrees is no phase change (maintains the original phase of the transmission signal 100).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the control unit 20 includes an input unit 21, a phase determination unit 22, and a phase setting value storage unit 23. The input unit 21 inputs input information that specifies antenna directivity. Specifically, the input information is information that designates the beam direction and the null direction. Alternatively, the input information is information that designates the first beam direction and the second beam direction. The phase determination unit 22 outputs the phase setting value 110 of each antenna device 1 stored in the phase setting value storage unit 23 according to the input information input from the input unit 21.

  3, 4, and 5 are diagrams illustrating a configuration example of the phase setting value storage unit 23. In FIG. 3, the phase setting value storage unit 23 stores the phase setting value set in the phase shifter 11 corresponding to each of the antenna elements 10 for each combination of the beam direction and the null direction. For example, FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the phase setting value Wab for forming the main beam in the direction a and forming the null in the direction b. In addition, the value of the phase setting value Wab in FIG. 4 is a value for convenience.

  The phase determination unit 22 acquires the phase setting values corresponding to the beam direction and the null direction specified by the input information from the phase setting value storage unit 23 illustrated in FIG. 3, and each of the acquired phase setting values corresponds to the corresponding phase. Set to the instrument 11. As a result, the main beam can be formed in the beam direction specified by the input information, and the null can be formed in the null direction specified by the input information.

  In FIG. 5, the phase setting value storage unit 23 stores the phase setting value set in the phase shifter 11 corresponding to each of the antenna elements 10 for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction. The configuration of the phase setting value is the same as the configuration example of FIG.

  The phase determination unit 22 acquires the phase setting values corresponding to the first beam direction and the second beam direction specified by the input information from the phase setting value storage unit 23 illustrated in FIG. 5, and acquires the acquired phase setting. Each value is set in the corresponding phase shifter 11. Thereby, a beam can be formed in both the first beam direction and the second beam direction specified by the input information.

  Note that position information (latitude, longitude) may be used as input information, and the beam direction and null direction, or the first beam direction and second beam direction may be calculated based on the position information.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the antenna device 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an antenna device 1 includes a plurality (9 in the example of FIG. 1) of antenna elements 10, a phase shifter 11 provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements 10, and a transmission signal 100 for each antenna element 10. A distributor 12 for distributing and a control unit 20 for setting the phase setting value 110 in each phase shifter 11 are provided. A reception signal 200 received by each antenna element 10 is input to the control unit 20.

  The phase shifter 11 changes the phase of the transmission signal 100 to the phase setting value 110. The phase setting value 110 is a value that is greater than or equal to 0 degrees and less than 360 degrees, and 0 degrees is no phase change (maintains the original phase of the transmission signal 100).

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the control unit 20 includes a phase determination unit 22, a phase set value storage unit 23, and a measurement unit 30. The measurement unit 30 measures the received signal strength of the received signal 200 of each antenna element 10. The phase determination unit 22 determines the phase setting value 110 to be set in each phase shifter 11 based on the received signal strength measured by the measurement unit 30. The phase set value storage unit 23 is the same as that shown in FIGS.

  Examples 1, 2, and 3 of the phase set value determination method according to the second embodiment will be described below.

(Example 1 of phase setting value determination method)
The phase determination unit 22 changes the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11 so as to change the null direction while maintaining the main beam direction. For example, when the null direction is changed while maintaining the main beam direction in the direction a, the phase setting value storage unit 23 illustrated in FIG. The phase setting value Wac in the direction c is used.

  First, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wab in each phase shifter 11, and records the first received signal intensity measured by this setting in association with the phase setting value Wab. Next, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wac in each phase shifter 11, and records the second received signal intensity measured by this setting in association with the phase setting value Wac. Next, the phase determination unit 22 compares the recorded first received signal strength with the second received signal strength to determine the minimum received signal strength. Next, the phase determination unit 22 determines the phase setting value associated with the minimum received signal strength as the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11. Thereby, it is possible to form a null so that the measured received signal intensity is minimized while maintaining the main beam direction in the direction a.

(Example 2 of phase setting value determination method)
The phase determination unit 22 changes the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11 so as to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction. For example, when the second beam direction is changed while maintaining the first beam direction in the direction a, the second set of first beam directions a is set in the phase setting value storage unit 23 illustrated in FIG. The phase setting value Wab1 in the beam direction b and the phase setting value Wac1 in the second beam direction c are used.

  First, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wab1 in each phase shifter 11, and records the first received signal intensity measured by this setting in association with the direction b. Next, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wac1 in each phase shifter 11, and records the second received signal strength measured by this setting in association with the direction c. Next, the phase determination unit 22 compares the recorded first received signal strength with the second received signal strength to determine the maximum received signal strength. Next, the phase determination unit 22 determines the direction associated with the maximum received signal strength as the direction in which a null is formed. Here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the direction in which the null is formed is determined as the direction c. Next, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wac in the null direction c paired with the beam direction a in each phase shifter 11 in the phase setting value storage unit 23 illustrated in FIG. The value 110 is determined. As a result, it is possible to form a null in the direction in which the measured received signal intensity is maximum while maintaining the main beam direction in the direction a.

(Example 3 of phase setting value determination method)
The phase determination unit 22 changes the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11 so as to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction. For example, when the second beam direction is changed while maintaining the first beam direction in the direction a, the second set of first beam directions a is set in the phase setting value storage unit 23 illustrated in FIG. The phase setting value Wab1 in the beam direction b and the phase setting value Wac1 in the second beam direction c are used.

  First, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wab1 in each phase shifter 11, and records the first received signal intensity measured by this setting in association with the direction b. Next, the phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value Wac1 in each phase shifter 11, and records the second received signal strength measured by this setting in association with the direction c. Next, the phase determination unit 22 compares the recorded first received signal strength with the second received signal strength to determine the maximum received signal strength. Next, the phase determination unit 22 determines the phase setting value associated with the maximum received signal strength as the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11. As a result, the second beam can be formed so that the measured received signal intensity is maximized while maintaining the first beam direction in the direction a.

  Examples of the received signal that the measurement unit 30 measures the received signal strength include the following Example 1 and Example 2.

(Received signal example 1)
The measurement unit 30 measures the received signal strength of the downlink signal of the specific base station (signal transmitted from the base station to the terminal). For example, in the radio communication system shown in FIG. 8, the pico base station 41 forms the pico cell 43 in the macro cell 42 formed by the macro base station 40. In this case, if the radio wave intensity of the macro cell 42 is large in the pico cell 43, the wireless communication terminal in the pico cell 43 communicates using the radio wave of the macro cell 42, and the use efficiency of the radio wave of the pico cell 43 decreases. . As a countermeasure, it is possible to form a null in the direction 45 of the picocell 43 while maintaining the direction of the main beam 44 of the macro base station 40. Thereby, the radio field intensity of the macro cell 42 in the pico cell 43 can be greatly reduced while maintaining the radio field intensity in the main service area of the macro cell 42. As a result, while maintaining the communication service quality of the macro cell 42, the radio communication terminal in the pico cell 43 is facilitated to communicate using the radio wave of the pico cell 43 instead of the radio wave of the macro cell 42. The utilization efficiency can be improved. For this purpose, the antenna device 1 of the present embodiment is applied to the macro base station 40, the measuring unit 30 measures the received signal strength of the downlink signal of the pico base station 41, and the phase determining unit 22 measures the received signal thus measured. A null direction 45 is determined based on the intensity.

(Received signal example 2)
The measurement unit 30 measures the received signal strength of an uplink signal (a signal transmitted from the terminal toward the base station) of the wireless communication terminal that communicates with the specific base station. For example, in the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 8, the antenna device 1 of the present embodiment is applied to the macro base station 40, and the measurement unit 30 receives the received signal strength of the uplink signal of the wireless communication terminal that communicates with the pico base station 41. Measure. Then, the phase determination unit 22 determines the null direction 45 based on the measured received signal strength. Thereby, the macro base station 40 can form a null in the area where the wireless communication terminal is actually communicating with the pico base station 41 in the pico cell 43.

  Examples 1 and 2 of the received signal described above can be combined with Examples 1, 2 and 3 of the phase setting value determination method described above. For example, first, the phase setting value determination method example 1 and the received signal example 2 are combined and the received signal strength measured in this implementation (the received signal strength of the uplink signal of the wireless communication terminal) is usable. Is determined by a threshold value. As a result, if available, the null direction is determined by a combination of the phase setting value determination method example 1 and the received signal example 2. On the other hand, if it cannot be used, the null direction is determined by a combination of Example 1 of the phase setting value determination method and Example 1 of the received signal. Similarly, the received signal examples 1 and 2 may be combined with the phase setting value determination method example 2 or example 3.

[Third Embodiment]
The third embodiment is a modification of the second embodiment. The configuration of the third embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIGS. 6 and 7 described above. In the third embodiment, the phase determination unit 22 changes the phase setting value 110 to be set in each phase shifter 11 when the deterioration of the communication quality is detected based on the communication quality information indicating the communication quality of the wireless communication terminal. Then, based on the received signal strength measured by the measuring unit 30, an operation of determining the phase setting value 110 of each phase shifter 11 is performed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart of antenna directivity control processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The antenna directivity control process according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

(Step S1) The phase determination unit 22 sets 0 to the variable N.

(Step S2) The phase determination unit 22 acquires the CIR (Carrier to Interference Ratio) of the wireless communication terminal. CIR is an example of communication quality information indicating the communication quality of a wireless communication terminal. The wireless communication terminal receives a unique identification signal transmitted from each base station, and calculates a CIR related to the desired base station and the interference base station based on the received signal. This CIR is transmitted from the wireless communication terminal to the base station and can be received by each base station. The phase determination unit 22 acquires the CIR received by its own base station. In the acquisition of the CIR, the phase determination unit 22 acquires a set of identification information and CIR of the wireless communication terminal so that it can be understood which wireless communication terminal is the CIR.

(Step S3) The phase determination unit 22 determines whether the acquired CIR is less than the threshold value CIR_TH. The threshold CIR_TH can be arbitrarily set. As a result of the determination, if it is less than the threshold value CIR_TH, the process proceeds to step S4, and if it is greater than or equal to the threshold value CIR_TH, the process returns to step S2.

(Step S4) The phase determination unit 22 adds 1 to the variable N. However, in this addition process, the identification information of the wireless communication terminal to be added is recorded and the record is confirmed so that the same wireless communication terminal is to be added only once. The recording is reset at the start of the antenna directivity control process.

(Step S <b> 5) The phase determination unit 22 determines whether or not a fixed time has elapsed by a fixed time timer. The clock timer is started at the start of the antenna directivity control process. The fixed time can be set arbitrarily. As a result of the determination, if a certain time has elapsed, the timer for the certain time is restarted and the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, if the fixed time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S2.

(Step S6) The phase determination unit 22 determines whether or not the variable N exceeds the threshold N_TH. The threshold value N_TH can be arbitrarily set. As a result of the determination, when the threshold value N_TH is exceeded, the process proceeds to step S7, and when it is equal to or less than the threshold value N_TH, the process returns to step S2.

(Step S <b> 7) The phase determination unit 22 changes the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11 and determines the phase setting value 110 of each phase shifter 11 based on the received signal strength measured by the measurement unit 30. Perform phase control operation. This phase control operation is the same as in the second embodiment described above.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The fourth embodiment is an example in which the first embodiment and the second embodiment are combined. The overall configuration of the fourth embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG. 6 described above. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 20 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 10, the configuration of the control unit 20 is obtained by providing an input unit 21 in the configuration of FIG. 7 described above. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of antenna directivity control processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the antenna directivity control process according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

(Step S <b> 21) The phase determination unit 22 sets the phase setting value 110 corresponding to the input information input from the input unit 21 among the phase setting values stored in the phase setting value storage unit 23 in each phase shifter 11. . This phase setting operation is the same as in the first embodiment described above. Thereby, the sparse adjustment of the phase is performed.

(Step S22) The phase determination unit 22 changes the phase setting value 110 set in each phase shifter 11, and determines the phase setting value 110 of each phase shifter 11 based on the received signal strength measured by the measurement unit 30. Perform phase control operation. This phase control operation is the same as in the second embodiment described above. Thereby, fine adjustment of the phase is performed.

  According to the fourth embodiment described above, rough phase adjustment is performed in step S21, and then fine adjustment of the phase is performed in step S22 so as to conform to the actual situation by measurement. Thereby, the time required for detailed phase adjustment can be shortened and the accuracy of phase adjustment can be improved.

  Note that the third embodiment and the fourth embodiment may be combined.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the specific structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

  In the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 8, in the case of FDD (Frequency Division Duplex), the frequency differs between the uplink signal and the downlink signal, and the control signal is transmitted between the macro base station 40 and the pico base station 41. Because they are different, each signal can be distinguished. In the radio communication system shown in FIG. 8, in the case of TDD (Time Division Duplex), the time is different between the uplink signal and the downlink signal, and the control signal is transmitted between the macro base station 40 and the pico base station 41. Because they are different, each signal can be distinguished.

  Further, the beam direction and the null direction can be adjusted in the vertical direction or in the horizontal direction. When adjusting in the vertical direction, the antenna elements 10 are arranged in the vertical direction. When adjusting in the horizontal direction, the antenna elements 10 are arranged in the horizontal direction. When adjusting in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, the antenna elements 10 are arranged in a lattice pattern in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  Further, when forming a null, three or more antenna elements 10 are provided.

  Further, the present invention can be applied to various wireless communication systems. For example, in the wireless communication system illustrated in FIG. 12, a high-rise building 53 exists in the service area of the base station 52. In this case, the base station 52 needs to radiate radio waves not only to the area in the ground direction but also to the area on the higher floor of the high-rise building 53. For this reason, the base station 52 forms the beam 51 also in the higher floor direction (second beam direction) of the high-rise building 53 while maintaining the beam 50 in the ground direction (first beam direction). At this time, by applying the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine the second beam direction for forming the beam 51 while maintaining the first beam direction of the beam 50.

  Further, in the wireless communication system illustrated in FIG. 13, a relay station (repeater) 61 that receives, amplifies, and re-radiates radio waves from the base station 60 is provided in order to secure a service area in the suburbs and the like. Yes. Here, as shown in FIG. 14, in the base station 60 that radiates radio waves to the relay station 61, when adjusting the size of its service area, the direction of the relay station 61 (first beam direction). The beam 67 for adjusting the size of its own service area is formed while the beam 65 is maintained. At this time, by applying the present invention, it is possible to appropriately determine the second beam direction for forming the beam 67 while maintaining the first beam direction of the beam 65. As a result, it is possible to suppress a reduction in radio field intensity with respect to the relay station 61 and prevent the service area of the relay station 61 from being reduced.

Further, a program for realizing the antenna device 1 described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the “computer system” may include an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
“Computer-readable recording medium” refers to a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a writable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), and a built-in computer system. A storage device such as a hard disk.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” means a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic DRAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Random Access Memory)), etc., which hold programs for a certain period of time.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna apparatus, 10 ... Antenna element, 11 ... Phaser, 12 ... Divider, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Input part, 22 ... Phase determination part, 23 ... Phase setting value memory | storage part, 30 ... Measurement part, 40 ... macro base station, 41 ... pico base station, 52, 60 ... base station, 61 ... relay station

Claims (10)

The antenna device of the first base station of the wireless communication system in which the second base station forms the second cell in the first cell formed by the first base station,
A plurality of antenna elements;
A phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements;
A measurement unit for measuring the received signal strength of the antenna element;
A phase that stores a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each combination of the beam direction and the null direction, or for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction. A set value storage unit;
Changing the phase setting value to be set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction; A phase determining unit that determines a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength, and
The measurement unit measures the received signal strength of the downlink signal of the second base station;
The phase determination unit determines a phase setting value that forms a null in the direction of the second cell while maintaining the direction of the main beam of the first base station based on the measured received signal strength.
An antenna device characterized by that. The antenna device of the first base station of the wireless communication system in which the second base station forms the second cell in the first cell formed by the first base station,
A plurality of antenna elements;
A phase shifter provided corresponding to each of the antenna elements;
A measurement unit for measuring the received signal strength of the antenna element;
A phase that stores a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements for each combination of the beam direction and the null direction, or for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction. A set value storage unit;
Changing the phase setting value to be set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction; A phase determining unit that determines a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength, and
The measurement unit measures the received signal strength of an uplink signal of a wireless communication terminal communicating with the second base station;
The phase determination unit determines a phase setting value that forms a null in the direction of the second cell while maintaining the direction of the main beam of the first base station based on the measured received signal strength.
An antenna device characterized by that.   The phase determining unit changes a phase setting value set in the phase shifter so as to change a null direction while maintaining a beam direction, and determines the phase setting value at which the measured received signal strength is minimum. The antenna device according to claim 2.   The phase determining unit changes a phase setting value set in the phase shifter so as to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction, and the measured received signal intensity is the maximum. The antenna apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a phase setting value that forms a null in the beam direction of 2 is determined.   The phase determining unit changes a phase setting value set in the phase shifter so as to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction, and the phase where the measured received signal intensity is maximum The antenna device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna device is determined as a set value. The phase determination unit changes a phase setting value to be set in the phase shifter when the deterioration of communication quality is detected based on communication quality information representing the communication quality of the wireless communication terminal, and the measured received signal strength A phase control operation for determining a phase setting value of the phase shifter based on
The antenna device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein The antenna directivity control method of the antenna device of the first base station of the wireless communication system in which the second base station forms the second cell in the first cell formed by the first base station,
Phaser corresponding to each of the antenna elements to the antenna device having a plurality of antenna elements provided,
For each combination of the beam direction and the null direction, or for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction, a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is a phase setting value. Storing in the storage unit;
A measurement step of measuring the received signal strength of the antenna element;
Changing the phase setting value to be set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction; a determination step of determining a phase setting value of said phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength, the possess,
In the measurement step, the received signal strength of the downlink signal of the second base station is measured,
In the determining step, based on the measured received signal strength, a phase setting value that forms a null in the direction of the second cell while maintaining the direction of the main beam of the first base station is determined.
The antenna directivity control method characterized by the above-mentioned. The antenna directivity control method of the antenna device of the first base station of the wireless communication system in which the second base station forms the second cell in the first cell formed by the first base station,
Phaser corresponding to each of the antenna elements to the antenna device having a plurality of antenna elements provided,
For each combination of the beam direction and the null direction, or for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction, a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is a phase setting value. Storing in the storage unit;
A measurement step of measuring the received signal strength of the antenna element;
Changing the phase setting value to be set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction; a determination step of determining a phase setting value of said phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength, the possess,
In the measuring step, the received signal strength of the uplink signal of the wireless communication terminal communicating with the second base station is measured,
In the determining step, based on the measured received signal strength, a phase setting value that forms a null in the direction of the second cell while maintaining the direction of the main beam of the first base station is determined.
The antenna directivity control method characterized by the above-mentioned. An antenna device of the first base station of a wireless communication system in which a second base station forms a second cell in a first cell formed by the first base station , each comprising a plurality of antenna elements and each of the antenna elements the computer of the antenna device and a phase shifter provided in correspondence to,
For each combination of the beam direction and the null direction, or for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction, a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is a phase setting value. Storing in the storage unit;
A measurement step of measuring the received signal strength of the antenna element;
Changing the phase setting value to be set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction; a determination step of determining a phase setting value of said phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength, a computer program for execution,
In the measurement step, the received signal strength of the downlink signal of the second base station is measured,
In the determining step, based on the measured received signal strength, a phase setting value that forms a null in the direction of the second cell while maintaining the direction of the main beam of the first base station is determined.
Computer program. An antenna device of the first base station of a wireless communication system in which a second base station forms a second cell in a first cell formed by the first base station , each comprising a plurality of antenna elements and each of the antenna elements the computer of the antenna device and a phase shifter provided in correspondence to,
For each combination of the beam direction and the null direction, or for each combination of the first beam direction and the second beam direction, a phase setting value set in the phase shifter corresponding to each of the antenna elements is a phase setting value. Storing in the storage unit;
A measurement step of measuring the received signal strength of the antenna element;
Changing the phase setting value to be set to the phase shifter so as to change the null direction while maintaining the beam direction or to change the second beam direction while maintaining the first beam direction; a determination step of determining a phase setting value of said phase shifter based on the measured received signal strength, a computer program for execution,
In the measuring step, the received signal strength of the uplink signal of the wireless communication terminal communicating with the second base station is measured,
In the determining step, based on the measured received signal strength, a phase setting value that forms a null in the direction of the second cell while maintaining the direction of the main beam of the first base station is determined.
Computer program.

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