JP6810071B2 - Wireless power supply system to the aircraft - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless power transmission device and an air vehicle equipped with the wireless power transmission device, an air vehicle equipped with a wireless power receiving device that receives power from the wireless power transmission device, and a wireless power supply system.

Currently, there are various flying objects equipped with power-consuming devices such as aircraft, drones, balloons, airships, and flying radio-controlled toys. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose an aircraft capable of flying by rotationally driving a propeller with a motor powered by a battery.

JP-A-2015-05934 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-22231

In a conventional flying object, as a method of supplying electric power to a power consuming device mounted on the flying object, for example, a method of supplying electric power from a power storage device (secondary battery or the like) mounted on the flying object, or the flying object. There is a method of supplying electric power from a power generation device such as a solar power generation panel or a gasoline generator mounted on the vehicle. However, the conventional power supply method is insufficient from the viewpoint of realizing stable power supply for a long period of time to the power consuming equipment mounted on the air vehicle while continuing the flight of the air vehicle.

On the other hand, in recent years, wireless power supply technology (wireless power supply technology) using an energy beam such as a microwave has been developed, and its practical application is progressing. However, in the wireless power transmission device used in the existing wireless power transfer technology, when power is supplied to an air vehicle moving or turning in the sky, the power receiving efficiency is poor and efficient wireless power supply cannot be realized.

The wireless power transmission device according to one aspect of the present invention acquires a beam transmission unit that transmits an energy beam for power supply to a wireless power receiving device mounted on an air vehicle and control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the wireless power receiving device. It has an information acquisition unit and a control unit that controls the energy beam so that the power receiving efficiency of the wireless power receiving device is increased based on the control information.
In the wireless power transmission device, the control may include a control for changing the direction of the energy beam transmitted from the beam transmitting unit.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control may include a control for changing the range of the energy beam transmitted from the beam transmitting unit.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control may include a control for forming the energy beam.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control may include a control for changing the divergence angle of the energy beam.
Further, the wireless power transmission device may include two or more beam transmission units, and the control may include a control for independently changing the directions of the energy beams transmitted from the two or more beam transmission units.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, in the control, the two or more beam transmission units are associated with each beam receiving region obtained by dividing the beam receiving unit of the wireless power receiving device into a plurality of portions, and the position of each beam receiving region is set. A control for changing the direction of the energy beam transmitted from each beam transmitting unit may be included accordingly.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control for changing the direction of the energy beam may include the control for the drive unit, which has a drive unit that changes at least one of the position and the direction of the beam transmission unit.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the beam transmission unit has an antenna capable of forming the energy beam having directivity, and at least one of control for changing the direction of the energy beam and control for changing the range of the energy beam. The control of may include control over the antenna.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the antenna is an array antenna composed of a plurality of directional antennas, and the beam transmitting unit simultaneously transmits a plurality of energy beams having different frequencies from the array antenna. At least one of the control for changing the direction of the energy beam and the control for changing the range of the energy beam controls the array antenna, and the directions in which the plurality of energy beams having different frequencies are transmitted are independent of each other. May include control to change.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control information is transmitted from the position information and attitude information of the beam receiving unit where the wireless power receiving device receives the energy beam, the power receiving efficiency information of the wireless power receiving device, and the flying object. At least one of the received information of the guide beam may be included.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control information may include control information transmitted from the flying object.
Further, in the wireless power transmission device, the control information may acquire flight control information transmitted to the flying object without passing through the flying object.

The wireless power transmission device may be installed in a facility installed on the ground or a mobile body moving on the ground.
Further, the wireless power transmission device may be installed in an air vehicle different from the air vehicle.

Further, the air vehicle according to another aspect of the present invention is an air vehicle that flies with at least one device of a power receiving device, a power generation device, and a power storage device that receives electric power supplied from the outside, and the wireless power transmission. A device is mounted, and an energy beam for power supply obtained by converting electric power obtained from at least one device is transmitted from the wireless power transmission device to a wireless power receiving device mounted on another air vehicle.

Further, the air vehicle according to still another aspect of the present invention is an air vehicle that flies with a wireless power receiving device provided with a beam receiving unit that receives an energy beam for power supply transmitted from the wireless power transmitting device. The control unit of the wireless power transmission device has an information transmission unit that transmits control information used for controlling the energy beam.

The flying object may have a power generation device including a photovoltaic panel for generating electric power.
Further, the aircraft may have a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a mobile communication base station.
Further, the flying object may have a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a mobile communication terminal device.

Further, the wireless power supply system according to still another aspect of the present invention is a wireless power supply system that supplies electric power to an air vehicle, and is one of the wireless power transmission devices and the power supply transmitted from the wireless power transmission device. It is provided with a wireless power receiving device provided in the air vehicle so as to receive an energy beam for use.

According to the present invention, it is possible to realize an efficient wireless power supply with high power receiving efficiency to an air vehicle.

The schematic block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The schematic block diagram which shows an example of the whole structure of the communication system which concerns on another embodiment. The perspective view which shows an example of HAPS used for the communication system of embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state of wireless power supply to HAPS. FIG. 5 is a side view showing another example of HAPS used in the communication system of the embodiment. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the wireless relay station of HAPS in embodiment. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the microwave power receiving part of HAPS. The block diagram which shows the other configuration example of the radio relay station of HAPS in embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the situation that HAPS moves out of the range of a microwave beam, and power cannot be received by a microwave power receiving part on HAPS. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the case where the microwave beam is transmitted over the entire flight range in which HAPS moves. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the microwave power transmission apparatus of embodiment. Explanatory drawing which shows an example which sets the divergence angle of a microwave beam based on the time when HAPS is located at the upper end of a flight airspace. Explanatory drawing which shows an example which sets the divergence angle of a microwave beam based on the time when HAPS is located at the lower end of a flight airspace. The explanatory view which shows how the transmission direction of a microwave beam changes according to the movement of HAPS in an embodiment. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the microwave power transmission apparatus of the modification 1. An explanatory diagram showing an example in which GPS information from HAPS is received by a microwave power transmission device via a mobile communication network in the first modification. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the microwave power transmission apparatus of the modification 2. An explanatory diagram showing an example in which the HAPS control information from the remote control device is received by the microwave power transmission device via the mobile communication network in the second modification. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the microwave power transmission device of the modification 3. The explanatory view which shows how the transmission direction of a microwave beam changes according to the movement of HAPS in the modification 3. The flowchart which shows the control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna in the modification 3. An explanatory diagram showing a situation in which a portion of a microwave beam that cannot be received by HAPS increases due to a change in the distance between HAPS and a microwave power transmission device, resulting in a decrease in power receiving efficiency. The flowchart which shows the control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna in the modification 4. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing how the divergence angle of the microwave beam is changed according to the distance between the HAPS and the microwave power transmission device in the modified example 4. The block diagram which shows one configuration example of the microwave power transmission apparatus of the modification 5. The flowchart which shows the flow of the control which changes the direction of each parabolic antenna in the modification 5. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing how the amount of overlap in the range of the microwave beam from each parabolic antenna is changed according to the distance between the HAPS and the microwave power transmission device in the modified example 5. (A) is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the shape of the range in which the microwave beam is transmitted does not match the overall shape of the rectenna portion of HAPS. (B) is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the shape of the range in which the microwave beam is transmitted matches the overall shape of the rectenna portion of HAPS. (C) is an explanatory diagram showing how the relative orientation (attitude) of the HAPS with respect to the microwave power transmission device changes, and the portion A of the microwave beam that cannot be received by the HAPS increases. (A) and (b) are explanatory views showing how the HAPS turns and the relative direction (posture) of the HAPS with respect to the microwave power transmission device changes. The flowchart which shows the control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna in the modification 6. (A) and (b) are explanatory views showing how the beam shape of the microwave beam is changed according to the change in the relative direction (posture) of the HAPS with respect to the microwave power transmission device in the modified example 6. (A) and (b) are other explanations showing how the beam shape of the microwave beam is changed in response to the change in the relative direction (posture) of the HAPS with respect to the microwave power transmission device in the modified example 6. Figure. The flowchart which shows the control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the parabolic antenna in the modification 7. In the modifications (a) and (b), in the modified example 7, the shape of the entire range of the microwave beam transmitted from each parabolic antenna is changed according to the change in the relative direction (attitude) of the HAPS with respect to the microwave power transmission device. Explanatory drawing which shows the state of being changed. The explanatory view which shows the control part with respect to the antenna element in the beam control part 159 of the modification 8. The flowchart which shows the control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna in the modification 8. In the modified example 8, (a) and (b) are ranges of microwave beams of three different frequencies transmitted from the array antenna according to the change in the relative orientation (attitude) of the HAPS with respect to the microwave power transmission device. Explanatory drawing which shows how the whole shape is changed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
The communication system according to the present embodiment is suitable for realizing a three-dimensional network of fifth-generation mobile communication that supports simultaneous connection to a large number of terminal devices and low delay.

As shown in FIG. 1, this communication system includes high-altitude platform stations (HAPS) 10 and 20 as an air vehicle, which is a plurality of flight-type (levitation-type) communication relay devices. The HAPSs 10 and 20 are located in an airspace at a predetermined altitude, and form three-dimensional cells (three-dimensional areas) 41 and 42 as shown in the hatched region in the figure in the cell formation target airspace 40 at a predetermined altitude. The HAPS 10 and 20 are air vehicles (solar planes, airships, etc.) that are controlled to float (fly) in a high altitude floating airspace 50 of 100 [km] or less from the ground or sea surface by autonomous control or external control. ) Is equipped with a wireless relay station.

The airspace 50 in which the HAPS 10 and 20 are located is, for example, an airspace in the stratosphere having an altitude of 11 [km] or more and 50 [km] or less. The airspace 50 may be an airspace having an altitude of 15 [km] or more and 25 [km] or less in which the weather conditions are relatively stable, and in particular, an airspace having an altitude of approximately 20 [km]. Hrsl and Hrsu in the figure indicate the relative altitudes of the lower and upper ends of the airspace 50 where HAPS 10 and 20 are located with respect to the ground (GL), respectively.

The cell formation target airspace 40 is a target airspace for forming a three-dimensional cell with one or more HAPS in the communication system of the present embodiment. The cell formation target airspace 40 is located between the airspace 50 where the HAPS 10 and 20 are located and the cell formation region near the ground covered by the base station 90 such as a conventional macrocell base station, and has a predetermined altitude range (for example, 50 [for example]. It is an airspace (altitude range of m] or more and 1000 [m] or less). Hcl and Hcu in the figure indicate the relative altitudes of the lower end and the upper end of the cell formation target airspace 40 with respect to the ground (GL), respectively.

The cell formation target airspace 40 in which the three-dimensional cell of the present embodiment is formed may be above the sea, river, or lake.

The wireless relay stations of HAPS 10 and 20, respectively, form beams 100 and 200 for wireless communication with a terminal device which is a mobile station toward the ground. The terminal device may be a communication terminal module incorporated in a drone 60, which is an aircraft such as a small helicopter that can be remotely controlled, or may be a user device used by a user in an airplane 65. In the cell formation target airspace 40, the regions through which the beams 100 and 200 pass are the three-dimensional cells 41 and 42. A plurality of beams 100, 200 adjacent to each other in the cell formation target airspace 40 may partially overlap.

The wireless relay stations of HAPS 10 and 20, respectively, are connected to the core network of the mobile communication network 80 via a feeder station (gateway) 70 which is a relay station installed on the ground or at sea. Communication between the HAPS 10 and 20 and the feeder station 70 may be performed by wireless communication using radio waves such as microwaves, or by optical communication using laser light or the like.

The HAPS 10 and 20 may autonomously control their own flight movement and processing at a wireless relay station by executing a control program by a control unit composed of a computer or the like incorporated therein. For example, HAPS10 and 20 respectively have their own current position information (for example, GPS (Global Positioning System) position information), pre-stored position control information (for example, flight schedule information), and the positions of other HAPS located in the vicinity. Information and the like may be acquired, and flight movement and processing at the wireless relay station may be autonomously controlled based on the information.

Further, the flight movement of each of the HAPS 10 and 20 and the processing at the wireless relay station may be controlled by the remote control device 85 as a management device provided in the communication center of the mobile communication network 80 or the like. In this case, the HAPS 10 and 20 incorporate a control communication terminal device (for example, a mobile communication module) so that the control information from the remote control device 85 can be received, and the terminal identification information (for example, can be identified from the remote control device 85). For example, an IP address, a telephone number, etc.) may be assigned. The MAC address of the communication interface may be used to identify the control communication terminal device. Further, the HAPS 10 and 20, respectively, send information such as information on the flight movement of the HAPS itself or its surroundings, processing by the wireless relay station, and observation data acquired by various sensors to a predetermined destination such as the remote control device 85. You may send it.

In the cell formation target airspace 40, a region (a region in which the three-dimensional cells 41 and 42 are not formed) in which the beams 100 and 200 of the HAPS 10 and 20 do not pass may occur. In order to complement this region, as shown in the configuration example of FIG. 1, a radial beam 300 is formed from the ground side or the sea side upward to form a three-dimensional cell 43, and an ATG (Air To Ground) connection is made. A base station (hereinafter referred to as "ATG station") 30 to perform may be provided.

Further, by adjusting the positions of the HAPS 10 and 20 and the divergence angle (beam width) of the beams 100 and 200 without using the ATG station 30, the wireless relay stations of the HAPS 10 and 20 are set to the cell formation target airspace 40 by 3. Beams 100 and 200 may be formed to cover the entire upper end surface of the cell formation target airspace 40 so that the dimensional cells are formed all over.

The three-dimensional cell formed by the HAPS 10 and 20 may be formed so as to reach the ground or the sea surface so that it can communicate with a terminal device located on the ground or the sea.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the communication system according to another embodiment.
In FIG. 2, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to those in FIG. 1, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, communication between the HAPS 10 and the core network of the mobile communication network 80 is performed via the feeder station 70 and the low earth orbit artificial satellite 72. In this case, the communication between the artificial satellite 72 and the feeder station 70 may be performed by wireless communication using radio waves such as microwaves, or by optical communication using laser light or the like. Further, the communication between the HAPS 10 and the artificial satellite 72 is performed by wireless communication using radio waves such as microwaves, but may be performed by optical communication using laser light or the like.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example of HAPS 10 used in the communication system of the embodiment.
The HAPS 10 of FIG. 3 is a solar-powered HAPS, and includes a main wing portion 101 and a plurality of motor-driven propellers 103 as propulsion devices for a bus power system at one end edge of the main wing portion 101 in the lateral direction. A solar power generation panel (hereinafter referred to as "solar panel") 102 as a power generation device having a solar power generation function is provided on the upper surface of the main wing portion 101. Further, pods 105 as a plurality of equipment accommodating portions accommodating mission equipment are connected to two locations in the longitudinal direction of the lower surface of the main wing portion 101 via a plate-shaped connecting portion 104. This mission device may be built in the lower part of the main wing portion 101, or the pod 105 may be directly attached to the lower part of the main wing portion 101 and stored in the pod 105. Inside each pod 105, a wireless relay station 110 as a mission device and a battery 106 as a power storage device are housed. The battery 106 may be built in the main wing portion 101. Further, wheels 107 used for takeoff and landing are provided on the lower surface side of each pod 105. The electric power generated by the solar panel 102 is stored in the battery 106, and the motor of the propeller 103 is rotationally driven by the electric power supplied from the battery 106, and the wireless relay process by the wireless relay station 110 is executed.

The solar-powered HAPS 10 can be lifted by lift by, for example, making a turning flight or a figure eight flight, and can fly so as to stay in a predetermined range in the horizontal direction at a predetermined altitude. The solar-powered HAPS 10 can fly like a glider when the propeller 103 is not rotationally driven. For example, when the power of the battery 106 is surplus due to the power generation of the solar panel 102 in the daytime, the power rises to a high position, and when the solar panel 102 cannot generate power at night, the power supply from the battery 106 to the motor is stopped and the glider You can fly like.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the state of wireless power supply to the HAPS 10.
The HAPS 10 includes a microwave power receiving unit as a wireless power receiving device that generates electric power by receiving a high-output power feeding microwave beam (energy beam) transmitted from the microwave power transmitting device as a wireless power transmitting device. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rectenna portion constituting the microwave power receiving portion includes a power receiving antenna portion (for example, a planar array antenna) 131a as a beam receiving portion provided on the lower surface of the main wing portion 101 of the HAPS 10. A rectifier is provided, and a microwave beam for feeding from a microwave power transmission device is received by a power receiving antenna unit 131a, rectified by the rectifier, and converted into DC power. In the example of FIG. 3, the power receiving antenna portion 131a is provided over almost the entire lower surface of the main wing portion 101, but the location, range, size, etc. of providing the power receiving antenna portion 131a are appropriately set. The electric power received by the microwave power receiving unit is also stored in the battery 106, and the motor of the propeller 103 is rotationally driven by the electric power supplied from the battery 106, and the wireless relay process by the wireless relay station 110 is executed.

The microwave power transmission device is provided in, for example, a microwave power supply station 75 which is a facility on the ground or at sea, an airship 25 which is an airship, and the like, and transmits microwave beams 750 and 250 for power supply toward HASPS 10. .. Further, the microwave power transmission device may be installed on a moving body such as a vehicle such as an automobile or a ship moving on the ground or on the sea. Details of the configuration and operation of the microwave power transmission device will be described later.

The wireless power supply system that supplies electric power to the HAPS10, which is an air vehicle, by means of an energy beam uses a microwave power receiving unit as a wireless power receiving device provided in the HAPS10 and a microwave power transmitting device as a wireless power transmitting device. It is composed. In the wireless power supply (remote energy beam feeding) of the present embodiment, a case where a microwave beam is used as the energy beam will be described, but another energy beam such as a laser beam may be used.

Further, the HAPS 10 includes a wireless communication antenna device 140 as a communication unit used for wireless communication by radio waves such as microwaves with other HAPS and artificial satellites. In the example of FIG. 3, the wireless communication antenna devices 140 are arranged at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the main wing portion 101, but the wireless communication antenna devices 140 may be arranged at other positions of the HAPS 10. The communication unit used for wireless communication with other HAPS or artificial satellites is not limited to the one that performs wireless communication by radio waves such as microwaves, and may be another method such as optical communication.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another example of HAPS 20 used in the communication system of the embodiment.
The HAPS 20 of FIG. 5 is an unmanned airship type HAPS, and has a large payload, so that a large capacity battery can be mounted. The HAPS 20 includes an airship main body 201 filled with a gas such as helium gas for buoyancy, a motor-driven propeller 202 as a propulsion device for a bus power system, and an equipment accommodating portion 203 for accommodating mission equipment. Be prepared. A wireless relay station 210 and a battery 204 are housed inside the device housing unit 203. The motor of the propeller 202 is rotationally driven by the electric power supplied from the battery 204, and the wireless relay process by the wireless relay station 210 is executed.

The unmanned airship type HAPS20 also has a microwave power receiving unit as a wireless power receiving device that generates electric power by receiving a high-power power feeding microwave beam transmitted from a microwave power transmitting device. As shown in FIG. 5, the rectenna unit constituting the microwave power receiving unit of the HAPS 20 includes a power receiving antenna unit (for example, a planar array antenna) 131a provided on the lower surface of the airship main body 201 of the HAPS 20 and a rectifier. The power receiving microwave beam from the microwave power transmission device is received by the power receiving antenna unit 131a, rectified by the rectifier, and converted into DC power. In the example of FIG. 5, the power receiving antenna portion 131a is provided over almost the entire lower surface of the airship main body 201, but the location, range, size, etc. of providing the power receiving antenna portion 131a are appropriately set. The electric power received by the microwave power receiving unit is stored in the battery 204, and the motor of the propeller 202 is rotationally driven by the electric power supplied from the battery 204, and the wireless relay process by the wireless relay station 210 is executed.

A solar panel having a solar power generation function may be provided on the upper surface of the airship main body 201, and the electric power generated by the solar panel may be stored in the battery 204.

In addition, the unmanned airship type HAPS 20 also includes a three-dimensional directional wireless communication antenna device 140 as a communication unit used for wireless communication using radio waves such as microwaves with other HAPS and artificial satellites. In the example of FIG. 5, the wireless communication antenna device 140 is arranged on the upper surface of the airship main body 201 and the lower surface of the equipment accommodating portion 203, but the wireless communication antenna device 140 may be arranged on other parts of the HAPS 20. Good. The communication unit used for wireless communication with other HAPS or artificial satellites is not limited to the one that performs wireless communication by radio waves such as microwaves, and may be another method such as optical communication.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 of the HAPS 10 and 20 of the present embodiment.
The wireless relay stations 110 and 210 of this embodiment are examples of repeater type wireless relay stations. The wireless relay stations 110 and 210 have a 3D cell forming antenna unit 111, a transmission / reception unit 112, a feed antenna unit 113, a transmission / reception unit 114, a repeater unit 115, a monitoring control unit 116, and a power supply unit 117, respectively. Be prepared. Further, each of the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 includes a wireless communication unit 125 used for communication between HAPS and the like, and a beam control unit 126, respectively.

The 3D cell forming antenna unit 111 has an antenna that forms radial beams 100 and 200 toward the cell forming target airspace 40, and forms three-dimensional cells 41 and 42 that can communicate with the terminal device. The transmission / reception unit 112 constitutes the first wireless communication unit together with the 3D cell formation antenna unit 111, has a transmission / reception duplexer (DUP: Duplexer), an amplifier, and the like, and has a three-dimensional cell 41 via the 3D cell formation antenna unit 111. , 42 sends a wireless signal to the terminal device in the area and receives a wireless signal from the terminal device.

The feed antenna unit 113 has a directional antenna for wireless communication with the feeder station 70 on the ground or at sea. The transmission / reception unit 114 constitutes a second wireless communication unit together with the feed antenna unit 113, has a transmission / reception duplexer (DUP: Duplexer), an amplifier, and the like, and transmits a wireless signal to the feeder station 70 via the feed antenna unit 113. Or receives a radio signal from the feeder station 70.

The repeater unit 115 relays the signal of the transmission / reception unit 112 transmitted / received to / from the terminal device and the signal of the transmission / reception unit 114 transmitted / received to / from the feeder station 70. The repeater unit 115 may have a frequency conversion function.

The monitoring control unit 116 is composed of, for example, a CPU and a memory, and by executing a program incorporated in advance, it monitors the operation processing status of each unit in the HAPS 10 and 20 and controls each unit. In particular, the monitoring control unit 116 controls the motor drive unit 141 that drives the propellers 103 and 202 by executing the control program, moves the HAPS 10 and 20 to the target position, and stays in the vicinity of the target position. To control.

The power supply unit 117 supplies the electric power output from the batteries 106 and 204 to each unit in the HAPS 10 and 20. The power supply unit 117 has a function of storing the electric power converted from the power feeding microwave beams 750 and 250 by the microwave power receiving unit 130 into the batteries 106 and 204. Further, the power supply unit 117 may have a function of storing the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation panel or the like or the electric power supplied from the outside by wire or the like in the batteries 106 and 204.

The wireless communication unit 125 communicates with other nearby HAPS 10, 20 and artificial satellites 72 by radio waves such as microwaves. This communication enables dynamic routing that dynamically relays wireless communication between a terminal device such as a drone 60 and a mobile communication network 80, and backs up another HAPS when one of the HAPSs fails. By wirelessly relaying the mobile communication system, the robustness of the mobile communication system can be enhanced.

The beam control unit 126 controls the beam direction and intensity of radio waves used for inter-HAPS communication and communication with artificial satellites, and responds to changes in relative positions with other nearby HAPS (radio relay stations). It controls to switch other HAPS (radio relay station) that performs wireless communication. This control may be performed based on, for example, the position and posture of the HAPS itself, the position of the surrounding HAPS, and the like. Information on the position and attitude of the HAPS itself is acquired based on the output of the GPS receiver, gyro sensor, acceleration sensor, etc. incorporated in the HAPS, and the information on the position of the surrounding HAPS is obtained by remote control provided in the mobile communication network 80. It may be obtained from the control device 85 or another HAPS management server.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power receiving unit 130 of the HAPS 10.
In FIG. 7, the microwave power receiving unit 130 includes a rectenna unit 131, a rectenna control unit 132, an output device 133, a pilot signal transmitting antenna unit 134, and a beam direction control unit 135. The rectenna unit 131 receives and rectifies the feeding microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the ground or sea microwave feeding station 75 or the feeding airship 25. The rectenna control unit 132 controls the power receiving process and the rectification process of the feeding microwave beam by the rectenna unit 131. The rectenna control unit 132, for example, performs ON / OFF control of power receiving processing and rectification processing of the power feeding microwave beam by the rectenna unit 131, monitoring the amount of power received by the rectenna unit 131, and the power received by the rectenna unit 131. You may control the distribution of power to the battery. If it is not necessary to control the rectenna unit 131, the rectenna control unit 132 may not be provided. The output device 133 outputs the rectified electric power output from the rectenna unit 131 to the batteries 106 and 204. Prior to receiving power from the power feeding microwave beams 750 and 250, the pilot signal transmitting antenna unit 134 feeds a pilot signal beam (guide beam) including a laser beam for guiding the feeding microwave beam. It transmits to the station 75 and the airship 25 for power supply. The beam direction control unit 135 controls the direction of the beam of the pilot signal.

The control related to the power supply control system (energy management system) at the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 in the HAPS 10 and 20 of the present embodiment is such that efficient energy management is performed by an algorithm according to the situation as follows, for example. To execute.
The balance between the electric power supplied to the bus power system and the electric power supplied to the mission system is adjusted and changed according to the instruction from the monitoring and control unit 116 for the electric power stored in the batteries 106 and 204. Specifically, for example, when the number of active users (the number of terminal devices) is small in the three-dimensional cell formed by HAPS 10 and 20, the amount of power supplied from the mission system to the bus power system is accommodated, and the altitude of HAPS 10 and 20 is high. May be controlled to be raised and stored as potential energy. Further, when the mission system requires electric power, the supply amount to the bus power system may be reduced, and the flight mode of the HAPS 10 and 20 may be controlled to shift to the glider mode using potential energy.

In addition, during the period when the microwave power receiving unit 130 receives the power feeding microwave beam and outputs electric power, if there is spare capacity other than the storage in the batteries 106 and 204, the altitude of HAPS 10 is raised as potential energy. It may be controlled to store. Further, in the solar plane type HAPS 10, when the solar panel 102 is generating electric power, the altitude of the HAPS 10 may be raised and controlled to be stored as potential energy.

The HAPS 10 and 20 of the present embodiment adopt a configuration in which the electric power received by the microwave power receiving unit 130 is temporarily stored by the batteries 106 and 204, but the batteries 106 and 204 are not always necessary. For example, in a system in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 for power supply can be constantly received by the rectenna unit 131, the power received by the microwave power receiving unit 130 is directly supplied to the power consuming equipment of the bus power system or the mission system. It may be configured to be used. Further, even if the system does not always receive the power feeding microwave beams 750 and 250 at the rectenna section 131, the microwave power receiving section 130 receives the electric power during the period when the power generation device does not generate power by using it in combination with the power generation device such as the solar panel 102. Batteries 106 and 204 are not always necessary if they are to be covered by the generated power. In addition, in a type of flying object such as HAPS10 that floats by lift, even if it becomes impossible to temporarily supply electric power to the bus power system, during that time, it shifts to glider mode using potential energy and flies. Can be maintained.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 of the HAPS 10 and 20 of the embodiment.
The wireless relay stations 110 and 210 in FIG. 8 are examples of base station type wireless relay stations.
In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 6 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. Each of the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 of FIG. 8 further includes a modem unit 118, and includes a base station processing unit 119 instead of the repeater unit 115. Further, each of the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 includes a wireless communication unit 125 and a beam control unit 126, respectively.

For example, the modem unit 118 executes demodulation processing and decoding processing on the received signal received from the feeder station 70 via the feed antenna unit 113 and the transmission / reception unit 114, and outputs a data signal to the base station processing unit 119 side. To generate. Further, the modem unit 118 executes coding processing and modulation processing on the data signal received from the base station processing unit 119 side, and transmits the data signal to the feeder station 70 via the feed antenna unit 113 and the transmission / reception unit 114. Generate a signal.

The base station processing unit 119 has, for example, a function as an e-NodeB that performs baseband processing based on a method compliant with the LTE / LTE-Advanced standard. The base station processing unit 119 may process in a manner conforming to future mobile communication standards such as the 5th generation.

The base station processing unit 119 executes demodulation processing and decoding processing on the received signal received from the terminal devices located in the three-dimensional cells 41 and 42 via the 3D cell forming antenna unit 111 and the transmission / reception unit 112, for example. , Generates a data signal to be output to the modem unit 118 side. Further, the base station processing unit 119 executes coding processing and modulation processing on the data signal received from the modem unit 118 side, and performs the three-dimensional cell 41, 42 via the 3D cell forming antenna unit 111 and the transmission / reception unit 112. Generates a transmission signal to be transmitted to the terminal device of.

The uplink and downlink duplex schemes for wireless communication with terminal devices via radio relay stations 110 and 210 are not limited to specific schemes, and may be, for example, Time Division Duplex (TDD) schemes. Alternatively, a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system may be used. Further, the access method for wireless communication with the terminal device via the wireless relay stations 110 and 210 is not limited to a specific method, and for example, an FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) method, a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) method, and the like. It may be a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) method or OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Access). In addition, the wireless communication has functions such as diversity coding, transmission beamforming, and spatial division multiplexing (SDM: Spatial Division Multiplexing), and by using a plurality of antennas for both transmission and reception at the same time, per unit frequency. You may use MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output: Multi-Input and Multi-Output) technology which can increase the transmission capacity of the above. Further, the MIMO technology may be SU-MIMO (Single-User MIMO) technology in which one base station transmits a plurality of signals at the same time and the same frequency as one terminal device, or one base station may have a plurality of multiple signals. Even with MU-MIMO (Multi-User MIMO) technology, which transmits signals to different communication terminal devices at the same time and frequency, or multiple different base stations transmit signals to one terminal device at the same time and frequency. Good.

In the present embodiment, the microwave power receiving unit 130 that receives and receives the microwave beam (energy beam) transmitted from the microwave power transmission device is attached to the microwave power supply station 75 or the power supply airship 25 provided with the microwave power transmission device. On the other hand, it is mounted on the relatively moving HAPS 10 and 20. When the transmission directions of the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the microwave power transmission station 75 and the microwave power transmission device of the power supply airship 25 are fixed, the HAPS 10 and 20 are microwaves as shown in FIG. When moving out of the range of the beams 750 and 250, the microwave beam 750 and 250 cannot be received by the power receiving antenna unit 131a of the rectenna unit 131 of the HAPS 10 and 20, and the microwave power receiving unit 130 cannot receive power. Become. Due to the non-power receiving period during which the microwave power receiving unit 130 cannot receive power, the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 deteriorates.

The "power receiving efficiency" here is the ratio of the amount of power that the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 can obtain from the microwave beam to the amount of energy of the microwave beam transmitted from the microwave power transmitting device. To say.

On the other hand, for example, in the case where the HAPS 10 and 20 move within a limited flight range, as shown in FIG. 10, the divergence angle of the microwave beam having a fixed transmission direction is widened, and the limited flight range is widened. It is conceivable to send a microwave beam over the entire area of. As a result, the rectenna section 131 of the HAPS 10 and 20 can always receive the microwave beam, so that the non-power receiving period (HAPS 10 and 20 are located outside the range of the microwave beam) during which the microwave power receiving section 130 cannot receive power. Period) disappears. However, by widening the divergence angle of the microwave beam, the energy density of the microwave beam is lowered, so that the amount of power received per unit time that can be received by the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 is reduced. Moreover, most of the microwave beam is not always received by the HAPS 10 and 20 and is wasted. Therefore, the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 is still poor.

Therefore, in the microwave power transmission device provided in the microwave power supply station 75 and the power supply airship 25 in the present embodiment, the microwave beam is controlled so that the power reception efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 is increased. ing. Hereinafter, the control of the microwave beam in the present embodiment will be described.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present embodiment.
The microwave power transmission device 150 of the present embodiment includes a parabolic antenna 151, a drive support base 152, a pilot signal receiving unit 153, a beam control unit 154, and a support base control unit 155.

The parabolic antenna 151 functions as a beam transmitting unit, and transmits the microwave beams 750 and 250 for feeding to the microwave power receiving unit 130 mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20. In this embodiment, a parabolic antenna is used as an antenna for transmitting the microwave beams 750 and 250. However, as long as the antenna can transmit the microwave beams 750 and 250 for feeding, the type and method of the antenna may be changed. There are no particular restrictions. The type and method of the antenna may be appropriately changed according to the type of beam used as the energy beam for feeding.

The drive support base 152 functions as a drive unit, supports the parabolic antenna 151, and changes the direction of the parabolic antenna 151. The drive support base 152 includes an antenna support portion that supports the parabolic antenna 151, and a rotary drive portion that rotationally drives the antenna support portion around a rotation axis of one axis or two or more axes. As the drive support base 152, for example, a gimbal can be used, but there is no particular limitation as long as the direction of the parabolic antenna 151 can be controlled. Further, in the present embodiment, the orientation of the parabolic antenna 151 is changed, but instead of or with the change of the orientation of the parabolic antenna 151, the position of the parabolic antenna 151 (horizontal position or vertical position). You may adopt the drive part which changes.

The pilot signal receiving unit 153 receives the pilot signal (control information) 134a (see FIG. 14) transmitted from the pilot signal transmitting antenna unit 134 mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20. It is composed of an antenna unit for receiving a pilot signal and a signal processing unit for acquiring the position information of HAPS 10 and 20, which are the sources of the pilot signal, from the pilot signal received by the antenna unit. The pilot signal receiving unit 153 outputs the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the received pilot signal to the support base control unit 155, which will be described later.

The beam control unit 154 controls the parabolic antenna 151 so that microwave beams 750 and 250 having a predetermined intensity are transmitted from the parabolic antenna 151. The intensities of the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the parabolic antenna 151 may be fixed or variably controlled. The divergence angles of the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the parabolic antenna 151 are fixed due to the structure of the parabolic antenna 151.

The divergence angle of the microwave beams 750 and 250 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the HAPS 10 and 20 are located at the upper end Hrsu of the airspace 50 which is the flight range of the HAPS 10 and 20, the power receiving antenna portion of the HAPS 10 and 20 It may be set as narrow as possible within the range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted over the entire 131a. In this case, as long as the HAPS 10 and 20 are within the airspace 50, they may be located at any position in the vertical direction on the premise that the microwave beam transmission direction is controlled as described later (as shown in FIG. 12). Even if it is located at the lower end Hrsl of 50), all or most of the microwave beams 750 and 250 can be received by the power receiving antenna portion 131a of HAPS 10 and 20.

Further, the divergence angle of the microwave beams 750 and 250 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, when the HAPS 10 and 20 are located at the lower end Hrsl of the airspace 50 which is the flight range of the HAPS 10 and 20, the power reception of the HAPS 10 and 20 is performed. It may be set as narrow as possible within the range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted to the entire antenna portion 131a. In this case, if the HAPS 10 and 20 are within the airspace 50, the power receiving antenna of the HAPS 10 and 20 is always located regardless of the position in the vertical direction on the premise that the transmission direction of the microwave beam is controlled as described later. The entire portion 131a can receive the microwave beams 750 and 250.

Which of the above settings has high power receiving efficiency, that is, whether it is possible to improve the power receiving efficiency by receiving a high-density microwave beam in a part of the power receiving antenna part 131a of the rectenna part 131, or the rectenna. Whether or not the power receiving efficiency can be improved by receiving a microwave beam having a relatively low density by using the entire power receiving antenna unit 131a of the unit 131 depends on various conditions, and is appropriately selected.

The support base control unit 155 drives the drive support base 152 to change the direction of the parabolic antenna 151 based on the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 output from the pilot signal reception unit 153, and the micro transmitted from the parabolic antenna 151. The transmission direction of the wave beams 750 and 250 is controlled to be directed to the HAPS 10 and 20.

According to the present embodiment, by controlling the drive of the drive support base 152 by the support base control unit 155, as shown in FIG. 14, the direction of the parabolic antenna 151 changes with the movement of the HAPS 10 and 20, and the microwave wave. The delivery direction of the beams 750 and 250 changes to follow the movement of the HAPS 10 and 20. As a result, even if the divergence angle of the microwave beams 750 and 250 is set narrow as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 in order to obtain the microwave beams 750 and 250 with high energy density (microwave beams 750 and 250). (Even if the range of HAPS 10 and 20 is set narrower), the non-power receiving period (the period in which HAPS 10 and 20 are located outside the range of the microwave beam) during which power cannot be received by the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 disappears. Or less. As a result, the rectenna unit 131 on the HAPS 10 and 20 can continuously receive the high energy density microwave beams 750 and 250, or can receive the high energy density microwave beams 750 and 250 for a period of time. become longer. As a result, deterioration of the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 can be suppressed, or the power receiving efficiency can be improved.

[Modification 1]
Next, a modified example of the control information in the present embodiment (hereinafter, referred to as “modified example 1”) will be described.
In the first modification, the output information (GPS) of the GPS receiving device mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20 is replaced with the pilot signal as the beam direction control information which is the control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130. Information) is used. The GPS receiving device is composed of a GPS receiving module, a GPS antenna, etc., receives radio waves from a plurality of GPS satellites arranged around the earth, and based on the reception results, the latitude, longitude, and the latitude and longitude at which HAPS 10 and 20 are located are located. Calculate altitude data.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 1.
The microwave power transmission device 150 of the first modification is different from the microwave power transmission device shown in FIG. 11 in that it includes a GPS information receiving unit 156 instead of the pilot signal receiving unit 153. In FIG. 15, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to those in FIG. 11 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The GPS information receiving unit 156 receives the GPS information (control information) received by the GPS receiving device mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20. Since this GPS information includes information for specifying the positions of HAPS 10 and 20, the GPS information receiving unit 156 can specify the position of HAPS 10 and 20 by receiving the GPS information. The GPS information receiving unit 156 directly or indirectly receives the GPS information transmitted from the communication unit mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20.

As a method of directly receiving, for example, a radio wave transmitted from the wireless communication antenna device 140 mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20 and a pilot signal transmitted from the pilot signal transmitting antenna unit 134 are received by the GPS information receiving unit 156. It receives directly and acquires GPS information included in the received radio waves and pilot signals. Alternatively, for example, the GPS information receiving unit 156 directly receives the radio signal transmitted from the 3D cell forming antenna unit 111 of the HAPS 10 and 20 and the feed antenna unit 113 to acquire the GPS information included in the received radio signal. To do.

As a method of indirectly receiving, for example, GPS transmitted via a mobile communication network by using the function as a base station, the function as a relay station, or the function as a terminal device of HAPS 10 and 20. The information is received and acquired by the GPS information receiving unit 156. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 16, GPS information transmitted from HAPS 10 and 20 to the core network of the mobile communication network 80 via a feeder station 70 installed on the ground or at sea by wireless communication is moved. It is received by the GPS information receiving unit 156 of the microwave power transmitting device 150 connected to the communication network 80 by wire or wirelessly.

The GPS information receiving unit 156 outputs the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the acquired GPS information to the support base control unit 155. As a result, the support base control unit 155 drives the drive support base 152 to change the direction of the parabolic antenna 151 based on the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20, and the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the parabolic antenna 151. Is controlled so that the sending direction of is directed to the HAPS 10 and 20.

According to this modification 1, since the positions of HAPS 10 and 20 can be obtained with high accuracy by GPS information, the control of directing the transmission direction of the microwave beams 750 and 250 toward HAPS 10 and 20 is performed with higher accuracy. Can be done.

[Modification 2]
Next, another modification of the control information in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification is referred to as “modification 2”) will be described.
In the second modification, the flight (movement) of the HAPS 10 and 20 is remotely controlled by the mobile communication network 80 instead of the pilot signal as the beam direction control information which is the control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130. The HAPS control information used when controlled by the device 85 is used.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the second modification.
The microwave power transmission device 150 of the second modification is different from the microwave power transmission device shown in FIG. 11 in that the HAPS control information receiving unit 157 is provided instead of the pilot signal receiving unit 153. In FIG. 17, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to those in FIG. 11 described above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The HAPS control information receiving unit 157 receives the HAPS control information transmitted from the remote control device 85 to the HAPS 10 and 20 from the remote control device 85. Since the HAPS control information is control information for controlling the flight (movement) of the HAPS 10 and 20, the HAPS control information receiving unit 157 receives the HAPS control information, and at the transmission destination of the HAPS control information. The position of a certain HAPS 10, 20 can be specified.

When the HAPS control information transmitted from the remote control device 85 to the HAPS 10 and 20 is transmitted via the mobile communication network (mobile communication network 80), the HAPS control information from the remote control device 85 is transmitted to the HAPS 10 and 20. Not only that, the microwave power transmission device 150 is added. Then, as shown in FIG. 18, the HAPS control information receiving unit 157 receives the HAPS control information transmitted from the remote control device 85 to the HAPS 10 and 20 via the mobile communication network 80.

The HAPS control information receiving unit 157 outputs the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the acquired HAPS control information to the support base control unit 155. As a result, the support base control unit 155 drives the drive support base 152 to change the direction of the parabolic antenna 151 based on the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20, and the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the parabolic antenna 151. Is controlled so that the sending direction of is directed to the HAPS 10 and 20.

According to the second modification, it is not necessary to mount the configuration for transmitting the control information used in the microwave power transmission device 150 on the HAPS 10 and 20, and the weight and power consumption of the HAPS 10 and 20 can be reduced.

[Modification 3]
Next, a modification of the direction control of the microwave beam in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification will be referred to as “modification 3”) will be described.
In the third modification, the direction of the microwave beams 750 and 250 is directed toward HAPS 10 and 20 by controlling the antenna instead of driving the drive support 152 to control the direction of the parabolic antenna 151. To control. In the present modification 3, GPS information is used as the beam direction control information which is the control information as in the above-described modification 1, but other beam direction control information may be used.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the third modification. In FIG. 19, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to those in FIG. 15, and the description thereof will be omitted.
In the microwave power transmission device 150 of the third modification, instead of the parabolic antenna 151, an antenna capable of changing the transmission direction of the microwave beams 750 and 250 by antenna control is used as the beam transmission unit. For example, an array antenna in which antenna elements composed of a plurality of omnidirectional antennas (omni-antennas) are arranged may be used, and the signal phase of each antenna element may be controlled to form a directional beam. Further, for example, an array antenna in which antenna elements composed of a plurality of directional antennas are arranged may be used, and the signal phase of each antenna element may be controlled to form a beam having directivity. In the third modification, an array antenna 158 in which antenna elements composed of a plurality of omnidirectional antennas are arranged is used.

Further, in the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 3, the drive support base 152 and the support base control unit 155 are omitted, and the array antenna 158 is controlled by the beam control unit 159 using the data stored in the storage unit 160. Then, the transmission direction of the microwave beams 750 and 250 is controlled to be directed toward HAPS 10 and 20. That is, the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 3 is a microwave beam 750 transmitted from the array antenna 158 in the direction corresponding to the positions of the HAPS 10 and 20 specified from the GPS information under the control of the beam control unit 159. It has a beamforming function that directs 250. A plurality of types of precoding candidate data that can be used in the beamforming function are stored in the storage unit 160.

Here, with the beamforming function by precoding, a plurality of types (N) of signal phase sets (precoding) of each antenna element of the array antenna 158 are prepared so that the microwave beam is transmitted in a specific direction. It is a function to control the beam by selecting one of them and performing precoding control. In the present embodiment, the array antenna 158 of the microwave power transmission device 150 (microwave power transmission station 75, power supply airship 25) is processed by data processing in the beam control unit 159 based on the positions of HAPS 10 and 20 specified from GPS information. The relative directions of HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to are specified. Then, the beam control unit 159 selects the precoding that is optimal for the relative positions of the HAPS 10 and 20, and as shown in FIG. 20, the beam direction is such that the microwave beam is directed to the HAPS 10 and 20. Take control.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 in the third modification.
In the beam control of the array antenna 158 in the third modification, the GPS information receiving unit 156 receives the GPS information (S1), and the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 of the source of the GPS information obtained from the GPS information is the beam. It is output to the control unit 159. The beam control unit 159 specifies the current positions of HAPS 10 and 20 from this position information (S2).

Subsequently, the beam control unit 159 performs a process of specifying the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 (S3). This process is performed using the current position information of the microwave power transmission device 150. This processing is necessary when the microwave power transmission device 150 is installed on a moving body such as an airship 25 for power supply, and the microwave power transmission device 150 is a ground or sea microwave power transmission station 75. It can be omitted if it is installed in such a fixed facility.

After specifying the relative directions of the HAPSs 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 in this way, the beam control unit 159 can use the HAPS10, 10 for the array antenna 158 from among a plurality of types of precoding candidates stored in the storage unit 160. Based on the relative directions of 20, the precoding candidates that direct the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 toward the HAPS 10 and 20 are selected (S4). The precoding candidates in the third modification are configured to form beams having different directions. Therefore, the transmission direction (beam direction) of the microwave beam is specified according to the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the array antenna 158, and a precoding candidate suitable for the specified beam direction is selected.

When the precoding candidate is selected, the beam control unit 159 performs precoding control for controlling the amplitude and phase of the signal of each antenna element of the array antenna 158 according to the precoding candidate data (S5). As a result, the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 is directed to follow the moving HAPS 10 and 20, and the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 receives power from the HAPS 10 and 20 even at the moving destination. It can be received by the antenna unit 131a.

In the third modification, the beam direction of the array antenna 158 is controlled by controlling the signal phase of each antenna element of the array antenna 158, but the beam direction of the array antenna 158 is controlled by another method. You may. Further, in the present modification 3, a suitable precoding candidate is selected from the precoding candidates prepared in advance according to the specific result of the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 seen from the array antenna 158, and the beam direction and range (beam). Although the divergence angle) is controlled, the beam direction may be calculated in real time from the specific result, and the beam direction may be controlled based on the calculation result.

According to the third modification, in controlling the direction of the microwave beam, mechanical equipment such as the drive support 152 is not required, and the direction of the microwave beam can be changed more quickly, so that the speed is higher. It becomes easy to deal with flying objects that move with.

In addition, although this modification 3 is an example in which a single beam is formed by the array antenna 158, it is also possible to form a plurality of beams transmitted in different directions by the array antenna 158. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, it is possible to simultaneously transmit a microwave beam to a plurality of HAPSs 10 and 20 located in different directions and to supply electric power to the plurality of HAPSs 10 and 20 at the same time. .. At this time, the microwave beams transmitted to the HAPS 10 and 20 need to be adjusted so that their frequencies are different from each other.

[Modification example 4]
Next, one modification of the control content of the microwave beam in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification will be referred to as “modification example 4”) will be described.
By changing the transmission direction of the microwave beams 750 and 250 so as to follow the movement of the HAPS 10 and 20, as in the above-described embodiments and modifications 1 to 3, the non-reception period is eliminated (or reduced). The power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 is improved. However, when the range in which the microwave beam is transmitted (the divergence angle of the microwave beam) is fixed, as shown in FIG. 22, the distance between the HAPS 10 and 20 and the microwave power transmission device 150 changes, so that the HAPS 10 , 20 may increase the portion A of the microwave beam that cannot be received, resulting in a decrease in power receiving efficiency.

Therefore, in the present modification 4, not only the beam direction control information for controlling the transmission direction of the microwave beam but also the microwave beam is transmitted as the control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130. Beam range control information for controlling the range is also used. In particular, in the present modification 4, the position information for specifying the position of the HAPS 10 and 20 is used as the beam range control information, and the relative distance between the HAPS 10 and 20 and the microwave power transmission device 150 is specified from the position information. , Controls to change the range of the microwave beam (the divergence angle of the microwave beam).

In the present modification 4, in order to realize the control of changing the range of the microwave beam, an antenna capable of changing the divergence angle (beam width) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 is used as the beam transmitting unit. Specifically, an array antenna 158 in which antenna elements composed of a plurality of omnidirectional antennas are arranged is used. Then, the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 4 controls the array antenna 158 by the beam control unit 159 using the data stored in the storage unit 160, so that the HAPS 10 and 20 are the same as the modification 3 described above. The beam direction is controlled so that the microwave beam faces, and the range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted so that the microwave beams 750 and 250 are concentrated on the power receiving antenna portion 131a on the HAPS 10 and 20. Controls the width (radiation angle of microwave beam).

Since the basic hardware configuration of the microwave power transmission device 150 in the present modification 4 is the same as that of the above-described modification 3, a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 4 is shown. Refers to FIG.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 in the present modification 4.
In the beam control of the array antenna 158 in the present modification 4, the GPS information receiving unit 156 receives the GPS information (S11), and the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 of the source of the GPS information obtained from the GPS information is the beam. It is output to the control unit 159. The beam control unit 159 identifies the current positions of HAPS 10 and 20 from this position information (S12).

Subsequently, the beam control unit 159 performs a process of specifying the relative direction and the relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 (S13). The distance between the array antenna 158 of the microwave power transmission device 150 and the HAPS 10 and 20 can be calculated from the current position of the array antenna 158 and the current position of the HAPS 10 and 20 specified from the GPS information.

After specifying the relative directions and relative distances of the HAPSs 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 in this way, the beam control unit 159 can use the array antenna 158 from among a plurality of types of precoding candidates stored in the storage unit 160. Based on the relative direction and relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to, a precoding candidate for directing the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 toward the HAPS 10 and 20 is selected (S14). The precoding candidates in the present modification 4 are configured to form beams having different directions and ranges (beam divergence angles). Therefore, the transmission direction (beam direction) and range (beam divergence angle) of the microwave beam are specified according to the relative direction and relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the array antenna 158, and the specified beam direction and range (beam divergence angle) are specified. Select a precoding candidate that matches.

When the precoding candidate is selected, the beam control unit 159 performs precoding control for controlling the amplitude and phase of the signal of each antenna element of the array antenna 158 according to the precoding candidate data (S15). As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 is directed to follow the moving HAPSs 10 and 20, and is concentrated on the power receiving antenna portion 131a on the HAPSs 10 and 20. As described above, the directions and ranges (beam divergence angles θ1 → θ2) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 are changed.

According to the present modification 4, by controlling the range of the microwave beams 750 and 250, even if the distance between the HAPS 10 and 20 and the microwave power transmission device 150 (array antenna 158) changes, the HAPS 10 and 20 can receive it. The increase of the portion of the microwave beam that does not exist is suppressed, and the HAPS 10 and 20 can receive the microwave beam without waste (always receive the high-density microwave beam), and high power receiving efficiency can be obtained.

Although the array antenna 158 forms a single beam in the present modification 4, it is also possible for the array antenna 158 to transmit a plurality of beams in different directions and in different ranges. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, a microwave beam is simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of HAPSs 10 and 20 located in different directions and distances, and power is supplied to the plurality of HAPSs 10 and 20 at the same time, respectively. HAPS 10 and 20 receive a microwave beam without waste (always receive a high-density microwave beam), and high power receiving efficiency can be obtained. At this time, the microwave beams transmitted to the HAPS 10 and 20 need to be adjusted so that their frequencies are different from each other.

Further, in the present modification 4, the beam direction and the beam direction and the beam direction are selected from the precoding candidates prepared in advance according to the specific result of the relative direction and the relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 seen from the array antenna 158. Although the range (beam divergence angle) is controlled, the beam direction and range may be calculated in real time from the specific result, and the beam direction and range may be controlled based on the calculation result.

[Modification 5]
Next, another modification of the control content of the microwave beam in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification is referred to as “modification 5”) will be described.
In the above-described modification 4, an array antenna 158 capable of changing the divergence angle (beam width) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 by antenna control is used as the beam transmission unit, and the array antenna 158 is controlled by the beam control unit 159. Then, the width of the range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted is controlled so that the microwave beams 750 and 250 are concentrated on the power receiving antenna portion 131a on the HAPS 10 and 20. On the other hand, in the present modification 5, a plurality of parabolic antennas whose divergence angles (beam widths) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 cannot be changed are used as the beam transmitting unit, and the range of the microwave beam transmitted from each parabolic antenna is used. By changing the amount of overlap of the microwave beams 750 and 250, the width of the entire range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted is controlled. Even with a directional antenna such as a horn antenna or a helical antenna, it is possible to control the width of the entire range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted, similarly to the parabolic antenna.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 5.
The microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 5 is different from the microwave power transmission device shown in FIG. 15 in the above-mentioned modification 1 in that it includes a plurality of parabolic antennas 151A and 151B and drive supports 152A and 152B. ing. In FIG. 25, the same reference numerals are given to the parts common to those in FIG. 15, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the present modification 5, as the control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130, not only the beam direction control information for controlling the transmission direction of the microwave beam but also the beam direction control information for controlling the transmission direction of the microwave beam is used as in the above-described modification 4. Beam range control information for controlling the range in which the microwave beam is transmitted is also used. Then, as in the above-described modification 4, the position information for specifying the position of the HAPS 10 and 20 is used as the beam range control information, and the relative distance between the HAPS 10 and 20 and the microwave power transmission device 150 is used from the position information. Is specified, and control is performed to change the range of the microwave beam (the amount of overlap of the range of the microwave beam transmitted from each of the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B).

FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing a control flow for changing the directions of the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B in the fifth modification.
In the control in the present modification 5, the GPS information receiving unit 156 receives the GPS information (S21), and the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 of the source of the GPS information obtained from the GPS information is transmitted to the support base control unit 155. It is output. The support base control unit 155 identifies the current positions of HAPS 10 and 20 from this position information (S22). Then, the support base control unit 155 performs a process of specifying the relative direction and the relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158, similarly to the beam control unit 159 of the modification 4 described above (S23).

After specifying the relative direction and relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 in this way, the support base control unit 155 drives the drive support base 152 based on the relative direction and relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20. Then, the orientations of the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B are changed independently (S24). Specifically, the transmission directions of the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B are controlled so as to face the HAPS 10 and 20 according to the relative directions of the HAPS 10 and 20. Further, the relative transmission directions of the microwave beams 750 and 250 transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B are changed according to the relative distances of the HAPSs 10 and 20, and the microwaves transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B are changed. Change the amount of overlap in the beam range.

Specifically, in the support base control unit 155, the shorter the relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 to the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B, the smaller the amount of overlap in the microwave beam range, and the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted. Control to expand the size of the entire range. On the contrary, the longer the relative distance of the HAPS 10 and 20 to the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B, the larger the overlap amount of the microwave beam range and the narrower the width of the entire range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted. To control.

According to the present modification 5, even when an antenna whose divergence angle (beam width) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 cannot be changed, such as the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B, is used, as shown in FIG. 27, the microwave beam 750 , 250 can change the width of the entire transmission range. As a result, even if the distance between the HAPS 10 and 20 and the microwave power transmission device 150 (array antenna 158) changes, the increase in the portion of the microwave beam that cannot be received by the HAPS 10 and 20 is suppressed, as in the modification 4 described above. , HAPS10, 20 can receive the microwave beam without waste (can always receive the high-density microwave beam), and high power receiving efficiency can be obtained.

[Modification 6]
Next, another modification of the control content of the microwave beam in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification is referred to as "modification 6") will be described.
By changing the range of the microwave beams 750 and 250 according to the distance from the HAPS 10 and 20, as in the above-described modification 4 and 5, the HAPS 10 and 20 and the microwave power transmission device 150 (array antenna 158). Even if the distance to and from is changed, the HAPS 10 and 20 can receive the microwave beam without waste (they can always receive the high-density microwave beam), and high power receiving efficiency can be obtained. However, as shown in FIG. 28 (a), the shape (beam shape) of the range in which the microwave beam is transmitted does not match the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 that receives the microwave beam. In addition, a microwave beam portion A (shaded portion in FIG. 28A) that cannot be received by the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 is always generated, which causes a decrease in power receiving efficiency.

Here, by using an antenna capable of changing the range shape (beam shape) in which the microwave beam is transmitted, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), the shape (beam) in the range in which the microwave beam is transmitted is used. The shape) can be made closer to the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 that receives the microwave beam, and the portion A of the microwave beam that cannot be received by the power receiving antenna portion 131a can be suppressed to a small extent. In this case, since the higher-density microwave beam can be received by the power receiving antenna unit 131a, the power receiving efficiency can be improved.

However, even if the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam is matched with the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the rectenna portion 131 as shown in FIG. 28 (b), the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150 A relative change in orientation (posture) may lead to a decrease in power receiving efficiency. For example, when the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 is a long shape and the shape is asymmetrical in rotation, the HAPS 10 and 20 rotate as shown in FIGS. 29 (a) and 29 (b). As a result, when the relative orientation (attitude) of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150 changes, as shown in FIG. 28 (c), the portion A of the microwave beam that cannot be received by the HAPS 10 and 20 increases. It may lead to a decrease in power receiving efficiency.

Therefore, in the present modification 6, as shown in FIG. 28 (b), the microwave power transmission device is made while matching the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam with the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the rectenna portion 131. Control is performed to change the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam according to the change in the relative orientation (posture) of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to 150.

In this modification 6, in order to realize control for changing the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam, an antenna capable of changing the divergence angle (beam width) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 by antenna control as a beam transmitting unit. Is used. Specifically, an array antenna 158 in which antenna elements composed of a plurality of omnidirectional antennas are arranged is used. Then, in the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 6, the array antenna 158 is controlled by the beam control unit 159 using the data stored in the storage unit 160 so that the microwave beam is directed to the HAPS 10 and 20. The beam direction is controlled and the range shape (beam shape) to which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted is controlled. As in the modified example 4 described above, the width of the range in which the microwave beams 750 and 250 are transmitted may also be controlled.

Since the basic hardware configuration of the microwave power transmission device 150 in the present modification 6 is the same as that of the above-described modification 4, a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 6 is shown. Refers to FIG.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 in the present modification 6.
In the present modification 6, the HAPS 10 and 20 are provided with a directional sensor as an attitude detection means, and the GPS information receiving unit 156 of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 6 has GPS information (control) from the HAPS 10 and 20. Not only the information) but also the directional information (attitude information) output from the directional sensor is received (S31). In the beam control of the array antenna 158 in the sixth modification, the position information of the HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the received GPS information and the attitude information of the HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the received directional information (directions of the HAPS 10 and 20) are obtained. It is output from the GPS information receiving unit 156 to the beam control unit 159.

The beam control unit 159 identifies the current positions of the HAPS 10 and 20 from the position information acquired from the GPS information receiving unit 156 (S32). Then, a process of specifying the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 is performed (S33).

Further, the beam control unit 159 identifies the attitude (direction) of the HAPS 10 and 20 from the attitude information acquired from the GPS information receiving unit 156 (S34). Then, a process of specifying the orientation of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 is performed (S35). Since the relative moving direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 can be specified from the attitude information of the HAPS 10 and 20, the relative orientation of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 (for example, from the array antenna 158). The long direction (long direction of the main wing portion 101) of the entire shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 seen can be specified.

After identifying the relative directions and relative directions of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 in this way, the beam control unit 159 is among the plurality of types of precoding candidates stored in the storage unit 160. Therefore, a precoding candidate suitable for the relative direction and the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the array antenna 158 is selected (S36). The precoding candidates in the present modification 6 are configured to form beams having different directions and range shapes (elliptical shapes having different major axis directions). Therefore, the transmission direction (beam direction) and range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam are specified according to the relative direction and relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the array antenna 158, and the specified beam direction and range shape are specified. Select a precoding candidate that matches (beam shape). Specifically, the precoding candidates that match the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam are, for example, the long direction of the entire shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 (the long direction of the main wing portion 101). , The one having the smallest angle with the long axis direction of the elliptical shape related to the beam shape can be mentioned.

When the precoding candidate is selected, the beam control unit 159 performs precoding control for controlling the amplitude and phase of the signal of each antenna element of the array antenna 158 according to the precoding candidate data (S27). As a result, the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 is directed to follow the moving HAPSs 10 and 20, and as shown in FIG. 31B, the directions of the HAPSs 10 and 20 are changed by turning or the like. The beam shape is changed to follow.

According to the present modification 6, by controlling the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beams 750 and 250 according to the directions of the HAPS 10 and 20, the directions of the HAPS 10 and 20 due to turning with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150 and the like can be changed. Even if it changes, as shown in FIGS. 32 (a) and 32 (b), it is possible to suppress an increase in the portion A of the microwave beam that cannot be received by the HAPS 10 and 20, and suppress a decrease in the power receiving efficiency. That is, the effect of increasing the power receiving efficiency by matching the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam with the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a is obtained by the relative orientation (posture) of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150. It can be obtained continuously even if it changes.

Further, in the present modification 6, a suitable precoding candidate is selected from the precoding candidates prepared in advance according to the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 and the specific result of the relative direction seen from the array antenna 158. , The beam direction and range shape (beam shape) are controlled, but the beam direction and range shape may be calculated in real time from the specific result, and the beam direction and range shape may be controlled based on the calculation result.

[Modification 7]
Next, another modification of the control content of the microwave beam in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification is referred to as "modification example 7") will be described.
In the above-described modification 6, an array antenna 158 capable of changing the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam by antenna control is used as the beam transmission unit, and the array antenna 158 is controlled by the beam control unit 159 to control the HAPS 10 Even if the directions of, 20 change, the range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam is controlled to be changed accordingly. On the other hand, in the present modification 7, a plurality of parabolic antennas whose range shape (beam shape) of the microwave beam cannot be changed are used as the beam transmitting portion, and the relative range of the microwave beam transmitted from each parabolic antenna is relative. By changing the position, the shape of the entire range in which the microwave beam is transmitted is changed. Even with a directional antenna such as a horn antenna or a helical antenna, it is possible to control the shape of the entire range in which the microwave beam is transmitted, as in the parabolic antenna.

Since the basic hardware configuration of the microwave power transmission device 150 in the present modification 7 is the same as that of the above-mentioned modification 5, a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 7. Refers to FIG. 25.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the microwave beam transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B in the present modification 7.
Similar to the above-described modification 6, the GPS information receiving unit 156 of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the modification 7 has not only the GPS information (control information) from the HAPS 10 and 20, but also the orientation information (direction) output from the orientation sensor. Information) is also received (S41). Then, the position information of HAPS10, 20 obtained from the received GPS information and the attitude information of HAPS10, 20 (direction of HAPS10, 20) obtained from the received orientation information are transmitted from the GPS information receiving unit 156 to the support stand control unit 155. Is output to.

Similar to the beam control unit 159 of the modification 6 described above, the support base control unit 155 identifies the current positions of the HAPS 10 and 20 from the position information acquired from the GPS information reception unit 156 (S42), and the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B. A process of specifying the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the above is performed (S43). Further, the support base control unit 155 identifies the attitude (direction) of the HAPS 10 and 20 from the attitude information acquired from the GPS information receiving unit 156 (S44), and parabolic, as in the beam control unit 159 of the modification 6 described above. A process for specifying the overall shape (including the orientation of the main wing portion 101 in the long direction) of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the rectenna portion of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the antennas 151A and 151B is performed (S45).

In this way, after specifying the relative directions of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B and the overall shape (including the orientation) of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the rectenna portion of the HAPS 10 and 20, the support base control unit 155 Drives the drive support base 152 based on the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 and the overall shape (including the direction) of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20, and the orientation of each of the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B. Is changed independently (S46). Specifically, the transmission directions of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A, 151B are controlled to face the HAPS10, 20 according to the relative directions of the HAPS 10 and 20. Will be done. Further, based on the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20, the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B so that the entire shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a is covered by the entire microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B and 250B. The relative transmission directions of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, and 250B transmitted from the antenna are changed. The beam shape (for example, the solid angle at the time of beam transmission or the beam diameter) may be changed along with the relative transmission directions of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, and 250B.

Specifically, the support base control unit 155, for example, as shown in FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b), has the HAPS 10 and 20 specified according to the orientation (attitude) of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the parabolic antenna. Based on the overall shape (including orientation) of the power receiving antenna portion 131a, the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of HAPS 10 and 20 is in the elongated direction (the elongated direction of the main wing portion 101) and the microwaves transmitted from each parabolic antenna. Relative transmission directions of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A, 151B so that the arrangement directions of the irradiation ranges of the wave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, and 250B coincide with each other. Alternatively, change both the transmission direction and the beam shape). As a result, the shape of the entire range of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B transmitted from the parabolic antennas 151A and 151B is changed to follow the change in the orientation (posture) of the HAPS 10 and 20 due to turning or the like. , The entire shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a can be reliably covered by the entire microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, and 250B.

According to the present modification 7, the range shape of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B (the arrangement direction of the ranges of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B) is controlled according to the orientation of the HAPS 10 and 20. As a result, even if the orientation (posture) of the HAPS 10 and 20 changes due to turning with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150 or the like, as shown in FIGS. 34 (a) and 34 (b), the microwave cannot always be received by the HAPS 10 and 20. The beam portion can be minimized and the decrease in power receiving efficiency can be suppressed. That is, the effect of increasing the power receiving efficiency by matching the shape of the entire range of each microwave beam 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B with the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a is exhibited relative to the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150. It can be obtained continuously even if the direction (posture) changes.

[Modification 8]
Next, another modification of the control content of the microwave beam in the present embodiment (hereinafter, this modification is referred to as “modification 8”) will be described.
In the above-described modification 6, by controlling the array antenna 158 by the beam control unit 159, even if the directions (postures) of the HAPS 10 and 20 change, the range shape of the microwave beam (beam transmission direction, Alternatively, control is performed to change both the beam sending direction and the beam shape). On the other hand, in the present modification 8, a plurality of microwave beams can be transmitted from the array antenna 158, and the relative position of the range in which each microwave beam is transmitted is changed to obtain the microwave beam. Controls to change the shape of the entire transmission range.

Since the basic hardware configuration of the microwave power transmission device 150 in the present modification 8 is the same as that of the above-described modification 6, a block diagram showing a configuration example of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 8 is shown. Refers to FIG.

However, as shown in FIG. 35, the beam control unit 159 of the present modification 8 includes a phase change unit 159a that changes the signal phase with respect to the transmission signals having three types of frequencies f1, f2, and f3 that are different from each other. Have. Each power transmission signal whose phase has been changed by the phase changing unit 159a is combined and input to each antenna element 158a constituting the array antenna 158 via the transmission amplifier 159b. The phase changing unit 159a changes the signal phase of each antenna element 158a according to the precoding candidate data selected from the plurality of types of precoding candidates stored in the storage unit 160. As a result, in the present modification 8, microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B, 750C, 250C having frequencies f1, f2, and f3 different from each other are simultaneously transmitted from the array antenna 158 in directions independent of each other. be able to.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the microwave beam transmitted from the array antenna 158 in the present modification 8.
The GPS information receiving unit 156 of the microwave power transmission device 150 of the present modification 8 is not only the GPS information (control information) from the HAPS 10 and 20 but also the orientation information (direction) output from the orientation sensor, as in the modification 6 described above. Information) is also received (S51). Then, the position information of HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the received GPS information and the attitude information (direction of HAPS 10 and 20) of HAPS 10 and 20 obtained from the received azimuth information are transmitted from the GPS information receiving unit 156 to the beam control unit 159. It is output.

Similar to the modification 6 described above, the beam control unit 159 identifies the current positions of the HAPS 10 and 20 from the position information acquired from the GPS information receiving unit 156 (S52), and the relative HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158. A process for specifying the direction is performed (S53). Further, the beam control unit 159 identifies the attitudes (directions) of the HAPS 10 and 20 from the attitude information acquired from the GPS information receiving unit 156 (S54), and the HAPS 10 seen from the array antenna 158, as in the modification 6 described above. , 20 Performs a process of specifying the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the rectenna portion (including the orientation of the main wing portion 101 in the elongated direction) (S55).

In this way, if the relative directions of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 and the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a of the rectenna portion of the HAPS 10 and 20 (including the orientation of the main wing portion 101 in the elongated direction) are specified. , The beam control unit 159 has a relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 with respect to the array antenna 158 and an overall shape of the power receiving antenna unit 131a of the HAPS 10 and 20 from among a plurality of types of precoding candidates stored in the storage unit 160. A precoding candidate suitable for (including the orientation of the main wing portion 101 in the long direction) is selected (S56). The precoding candidate in the present modification 8 is composed of different combinations of microwave beam directions at frequencies f1, f2, and f3. For example, it is a combination of the directions of the microwave beams of the frequencies f1, f2, and f3 so that the ranges in which the microwave beams of the frequencies f1, f2, and f3 are transmitted are lined up in a straight line. Precoding candidates composed of a plurality of different combinations are prepared.

The beam control unit 159 is set so that the transmission direction of the microwave beam of each frequency f1, f2, f3 is directed toward HAPS10,20, and the overall shape of the power receiving antenna unit 131a of HAPS10, 20 is the long direction (main wing portion 101). The precoding candidate having the smallest angle between the (long direction) and the arrangement direction of the microwave range of each frequency f1, f2, f3 is selected. Then, when the precoding candidate is selected, the beam control unit 159 performs precoding control for controlling the amplitude and phase of the signal of each antenna element of the array antenna 158 by the phase changing unit 159a according to the precoding candidate data. (S57). As a result, the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B, 750C, 250C of each frequency f1, f2, f3 transmitted from the array antenna 158 are directed to follow the moving HAPS 10, 20 and are also directed. As shown in FIGS. 37 (a) and 37 (b), the arrangement direction of the microwave beam range of each frequency f1, f2, f3 is changed so as to follow the change of direction of HAPS10, 20 due to turning or the like, and each frequency. The shape of the entire range of the microwave beams of f1, f2, and f3 has been changed to follow the change in direction of HAPS10 and 20 due to turning, etc., and the entire range of microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B, 750C, 250C receives power. The entire shape of the antenna portion 131a can be reliably covered.

According to the present modification 8, the transmission directions of the microwave beams 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B, 750C, and 250C of the three types of frequencies f1, f2, and f3 simultaneously transmitted from the array antenna 158 are set to the HAPS 10 and 20. By controlling the change according to the direction, even if the direction (attitude) of the HAPS 10 and 20 changes due to turning or the like with respect to the microwave power transmission device 150, as shown in FIGS. 37 (a) and 37 (b), it is always possible. The portion of the microwave beam that cannot be received by the HAPS 10 and 20 can be minimized, and the decrease in power receiving efficiency can be suppressed. That is, the effect of increasing the power receiving efficiency by matching the shape of the entire range of each microwave beam 750A, 250A, 750B, 250B, 750C, 250C with the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion 131a is exhibited in the HAPP10, which is applied to the microwave power transmission device 150. It can be continuously obtained even if the relative orientation (posture) of 20 changes.

In the present modification 8, the specific result of the relative direction of the HAPS 10 and 20 as seen from the array antenna 158 and the overall shape of the power receiving antenna portion of the rectenna portion (including the orientation of the main wing portion 101 in the elongated direction) is used. Correspondingly, a suitable one is selected from the precoding candidates prepared in advance, and each transmission direction of the microwave beam of each frequency f1, f2, f3 is controlled, and each frequency f1 is controlled in real time from the specific result. , F2, f3, each transmission direction of the microwave beam may be calculated, and each transmission direction of the microwave beams of each frequency f1, f2, f3 may be controlled based on the calculation result.

The control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the microwave power receiving unit 130 on the HAPS 10 and 20 is not limited to the beam direction control information and the beam range control information described above. For example, the power receiving efficiency information for specifying the power receiving efficiency in the microwave power receiving unit 130 of the HAPS 10 and 20 may be used as the control information. In this case, the microwave power transmission device 150 may receive feedback of the power reception efficiency information sent from the HAPS 10 and 20 and control the transmission direction and range of the microwave beam so as to increase the power reception efficiency. ..

Further, the above-described embodiments and the configurations shown in the respective modifications may be used in combination as appropriate. For example, the array antenna 158 may be supported by the drive support base 152, and the drive support base 152 may be driven by the support base control unit 155 to mechanically change the orientation of the array antenna 158. In this case, for example, while the transmission direction and range of the microwave beam are changed by the drive control of the drive support base 152 by the support base control unit 155, the microwave beams 750 and 250 are controlled by the control of the array antenna 158 by the beam control unit 159. It is possible to control the transmission direction and range by fine-tuning.

Further, the microwave power transmission device 150 shown in the above-described embodiment and each modification is not limited to the one installed in the microwave power supply station 75 or the power supply airship 25. For example, the microwave power transmission device 150 may be mounted on the HAPS 10 and 20, and in this case, it is possible to realize a system in which the power is shared between the HAPS 10 and 20.

Further, the microwave power receiving unit 130 shown in the above-described embodiment and each modification is not limited to the one installed in the HAPS 10 and 20, and consumes electric power such as an aircraft, a drone, a balloon, an airship, and a flying radio-controlled toy. It can be installed on any aircraft equipped with equipment.

In addition, the processing process described in the present specification, as well as the wireless power receiving device mounted on the flying object such as HAPS10, 20, the flying object such as the power feeding airship 25, and the ground or sea such as the microwave power feeding station 75. Components such as wireless power transmission devices such as microwave power transmission device 150 installed in facilities, feeder stations, remote control devices, terminal devices (user devices, mobile stations, communication terminals), base station devices, etc. are implemented by various means. can do. For example, these steps and components may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

Regarding hardware implementation, the substance (for example, wireless power receiving device, wireless power transmitting device, wireless relay station, feeder station, base station device, wireless relay station device, terminal device (user device, mobile station, communication terminal), remote control device , Hard disk drive device, or optical disk drive device) means one or more application-specific ICs (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), such as processing units used to realize the above steps and components. ), Digital Signal Processing Device (DSPD), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), Processor, Controller, Microcontroller, Microprocessor, Electronic Device, as described herein. It may be implemented in other electronic units, computers, or combinations thereof designed to perform the function.

For firmware and / or software implementation, means such as processing units used to implement the components are programs (eg, procedures, functions, modules, instructions) that perform the functions described herein. , Etc.) may be implemented. In general, any computer / processor readable medium that explicitly embodies the firmware and / or software code is a means such as a processing unit used to implement the steps and components described herein. May be used to implement. For example, the firmware and / or software code may be stored in memory and executed by a computer or processor, for example, in a control device. The memory may be implemented inside the computer or processor, or may be implemented outside the processor. The firmware and / or software code may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), or electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM). ), FLASH memory, floppy (registered trademark) discs, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), magnetic or optical data storage devices, etc., even if they are stored on a computer- or processor-readable medium. Good. The code may be executed by one or more computers or processors, or the computers or processors may be made to perform the functional embodiments described herein.

Also, the description of the embodiments disclosed herein is provided to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to manufacture or use the disclosure. Various amendments to this disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art and the general principles defined herein are applicable to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be accepted in the broadest range consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

10 HAPS (solar plane type)
20 HAPS (airship type)
25 Airship for power supply 40 Cell formation target airspace 41, 42, 43 3D cell 50 Airspace where HAPS is located 60 Drone 65 Airplane 70 Feeder station 72 Artificial satellite 75 Microwave power supply station 80 Mobile communication network 85 Remote control device 101 Main wing 102 Solar panel (photovoltaic panel)
103, 202 Propeller 104 Connection part 105 Pod 106, 204 Battery 107 Wheel 110,210 Wireless relay station 111 3D (3D) cell formation Antenna part 112 Transmission / reception part 113 Feed antenna part 114 Transmission / reception part 115 Repeater part 116 Monitoring control part 117 Power supply unit 118 Moderator unit 119 Base station processing unit 125 Wireless communication unit 126 Beam control unit 130 Microwave power receiving unit 131 Rectainer unit 131a Power receiving antenna unit 132 Rectener control unit 133 Output device 134 Pilot signal transmitting antenna unit 134a Pilot signal 135 Beam direction control Unit 140 Wireless communication antenna device 141 Motor drive unit 150 Microwave power transmission device 151, 151A, 151B Parabolic antenna 152, 152A, 152B Drive support 153 Pilot signal reception 154 Beam control 155 Support base control 156 GPS information reception 157 HAPS control information receiver 158 Array antenna 158a Antenna element 159 Beam control 159a Phase change 159b Transmitter amplifier 160 Storage 750,250 Microwave beam for power supply

Claims (21)

It is a wireless power transmission device
A beam transmitter that sends an energy beam for power supply to the wireless power receiving device mounted on the aircraft,
An information acquisition unit that acquires control information for increasing the power receiving efficiency of the wireless power receiving device, and
Based on the control information, even if the relative attitude of the beam receiving portion of the wireless power receiving device with respect to the wireless power transmitting device changes, the range of the energy beam is aligned with the overall shape of the beam receiving portion. A wireless power transmission device including a control unit that controls the energy beam. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 1,
The control includes a control for changing the direction of the energy beam transmitted from the beam transmitting unit. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 1 or 2.
The control includes a control for changing a range of the energy beam transmitted from the beam transmitting unit. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 3,
The control includes a control for forming the energy beam. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 3 or 4.
The control includes a control for changing the divergence angle of the energy beam. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 3 to 5,
It has two or more beam transmission units
A wireless power transmission device including a control for independently changing the directions of the energy beams transmitted from the two or more beam transmission units. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 6,
In the control, the two or more beam transmitting units are associated with each beam receiving region obtained by dividing the beam receiving unit of the wireless power receiving device into a plurality of parts, and the beam transmitting unit transmits the beam according to the position of the beam receiving region. A wireless power transmission device comprising a control for changing the direction of the energy beam. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 2, 6 or 7.
It has a drive unit that changes at least one of the position and direction of the beam transmission unit.
A wireless power transmission device, wherein the control for changing the direction of the energy beam includes control for the drive unit. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 2 to 8.
The beam transmitting unit has an antenna capable of forming the energy beam having directivity.
A wireless power transmission device, wherein at least one of the control for changing the direction of the energy beam and the control for changing the range of the energy beam includes a control for the antenna. In the wireless power transmission device according to claim 9,
The antenna is an array antenna composed of a plurality of directional antennas.
The beam transmitting unit simultaneously transmits a plurality of energy beams having different frequencies from the array antenna.
At least one of the control for changing the direction of the energy beam and the control for changing the range of the energy beam controls the array antenna, and the directions in which the plurality of energy beams having different frequencies are transmitted are independent of each other. A wireless power transmission device characterized by including control to change the energy. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The control information includes position information and attitude information of a beam receiving unit in which the wireless power receiving device receives the energy beam, power receiving efficiency information of the wireless power receiving device, and reception information of a guide beam transmitted from the flying object. A wireless power transfer device comprising at least one piece of information. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
The control information is a wireless power transmission device including control information transmitted from the flying object. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.
The control information is a wireless power transmission device characterized in that flight control information transmitted to the flying object is acquired without passing through the flying object. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
A wireless power transmission device characterized in that the wireless power transmission device is installed in a facility installed on the ground or a mobile body moving on the ground. In the wireless power transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 13.
A wireless power transmission device characterized in that the wireless power transmission device is installed in an air vehicle different from the air vehicle. An air vehicle that flies with at least one device, a power receiving device, a power generation device, and a power storage device, that receives electric power supplied from the outside.
The wireless power transmission device according to claim 15 is installed.
A flying object characterized in that an energy beam for power supply obtained by converting electric power obtained from at least one device is transmitted from the wireless power transmitting device to a wireless power receiving device mounted on another flying body. An air vehicle that flies with a wireless power receiving device provided with a beam receiving unit that receives an energy beam for power supply transmitted from the wireless power transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.
An air vehicle, wherein the control unit of the wireless power transmission device has an information transmission unit that transmits control information used for controlling the energy beam. In the flying object according to claim 16 or 17.
An air vehicle characterized by having a power generation device equipped with a photovoltaic power generation panel for generating electric power. In the flying object according to any one of claims 16 to 18.
An aircraft characterized by having a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a mobile communication base station. In the flying object according to any one of claims 16 to 19.
An air vehicle characterized by having a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a mobile communication terminal device. A wireless power supply system that supplies power to an aircraft
The wireless power transmitting device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 and a wireless power receiving device provided in the flying object so as to receive an energy beam for power supply transmitted from the wireless power transmitting device. A featured wireless power supply system.