WO2024252523A1 - Station placement design device, station placement design method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

The objective of the present disclosure is to provide appropriate station placement design according to the intended use.　For this purpose, the present disclosure is a station placement design device for designing the placement of base stations for wireless communications, the station placement design device including a selection unit that performs processing to select, from among a plurality of candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base stations, a designated number of the wireless communication devices for which a first design value to be considered in the designing meets a first target value, in order of highest second design value to be considered in the designing.

Description

Station placement design device, station placement design method, and program

This disclosure relates to design techniques for installing wireless communication base stations.

Generally, to build a coverage area for wireless communication such as cellular or wireless LAN (Local Area Network), station placement design is carried out to determine the installation location of base stations and the direction of antennas. In station placement design, after selecting the location of the base stations, methods such as the ray tracing method (Non-Patent Document 1) are used to perform a simulation evaluation of the coverage area.

In addition, when remotely controlling a robot, communication quality such as radio wave strength takes priority, while when providing an Internet connection environment for users in cafes, stores, etc., cost takes priority. Therefore, there is a need to select the type of wireless communication device to be installed as a base station and design the base station according to the purpose of use.

NTT DoCoMo Technical Journal vol.15 no.3<https://www.nttdocomo.co.jp/binary/pdf/corporate/technology/rd/technical_journal/bn/vol15_3/vol15_3_020jp.pdf>

However, with conventional technology such as that shown in Non-Patent Document 1, it was difficult to design appropriate station placement depending on the intended use.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above points, and aims to perform appropriate station placement design according to the intended use.

In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is a station placement design device that designs the placement of a wireless communication base station, and has a selection unit that selects a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices that have a high second design value considered when performing the design among multiple candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base station and whose first design value considered when performing the design satisfies a first target value.

As explained above, the present invention has the effect of enabling appropriate station placement design depending on the intended use.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an electrical hardware configuration diagram of the station design apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an electrical hardware configuration of a communication terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a station design device according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an area subject to station placement design. 4 is a flowchart showing a station placement design method executed by the station placement design device according to the embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing a station placement design method executed by a station placement design device according to an embodiment.

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[System configuration of the embodiment]
First, the overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a communication system according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 10 of the embodiment is constructed by a station placement design device 30 and a communication terminal 50. The communication terminal 50 is managed and used by a user. The user refers to the output result of the station placement design device 30 and decides on the next action to be taken.

The station design device 30 and the communication terminal 50 can communicate with each other via a communication network 100 such as the Internet. The connection form of the communication network 100 may be either wireless or wired.

The station placement design device 30 is composed of one or more computers. When the station placement design device 30 is composed of multiple computers, it may be referred to as a "station placement design device" or a "station placement design system." The station placement design device 30 is a device that designs the installation of wireless communication base stations, and performs more appropriate station placement design by selecting an appropriate wireless communication device from candidates for wireless communication devices (5G antennas, Wi-Fi APs (Access Points), etc.) to be installed as a base station according to the intended use.

The communication terminal 50 is a computer, and FIG. 1 shows a notebook computer as an example. In FIG. 1, a user operates the communication terminal 50. Note that the station design device 30 may perform processing alone, without using the communication terminal 50.

[Hardware configuration]
<Hardware configuration of station design device>
Next, the electrical hardware configuration of the station placement design device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the electrical hardware configuration of the station placement design device.

As shown in FIG. 2, the station design device 30 is a computer equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303, an SSD (Solid State Drive) 304, an external device connection I/F (Interface) 305, a network I/F 306, a media I/F 309, and a bus line 310.

Of these, CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire station design device 30. ROM 302 stores programs used to drive CPU 301, such as IPL (Initial Program Loader). RAM 303 is used as a work area for CPU 301.

The SSD 304 reads and writes various data according to the control of the CPU 301. Note that a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be used instead of the SSD 304.

The external device connection I/F 305 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external devices include a display, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and a printer.

The network I/F 306 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 100.

The media I/F 309 controls the reading and writing (storing) of data to a recording medium 309m such as a flash memory. Recording media 309m includes DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs) and Blu-ray Discs (registered trademarks).

The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 301 shown in FIG. 2.

<Hardware configuration of communication terminal>
Next, the electrical hardware configuration of the communication terminal 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the electrical hardware configuration of the communication terminal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the communication terminal 50 is a computer and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an SSD 504, an external device connection I/F (Interface) 505, a network I/F 506, a display 507, an input device 508, a media I/F 509, and a bus line 510.

Of these, CPU 501 controls the operation of the entire communication terminal 50. ROM 502 stores programs used to drive CPU 501, such as IPL. RAM 503 is used as a work area for CPU 501.

The SSD 504 reads and writes various data under the control of the CPU 501. Note that a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be used instead of the SSD 504.

The external device connection I/F 505 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external devices include a display, a speaker, a keyboard, a mouse, a USB memory, and a printer.

The network I/F 506 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 100.

Display 507 is a type of display means such as liquid crystal or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) that displays various images.

The input device 508 is a keyboard, pointing device, etc., and is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving the cursor, etc. When the user uses a keyboard, the pointing device function may be turned off.

The media I/F 509 controls the reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium 509m such as a flash memory. Recording media 509m includes DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (registered trademarks).

The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc., for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 3.

[Functional configuration of the embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of a station design device according to the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the station design device 30 has an input unit 31, a candidate extraction unit 33, a selection unit 35, and an output unit 37. Each of these units has a function that is realized by an instruction from the CPU 301 in FIG. 2 based on a program.

<Input section>
The input unit 31 inputs design environment information, design condition information, and design goal information from the communication terminal 50 .

The "design environment information" includes information showing the size of the area for which the station is designed, the size and location of structures, whether or not there is obstruction, a 3D map of the area, etc.

The "design condition information" includes information indicating the type of wireless communication method (5G, Wi-Fi, etc.) to be installed as a base station, the number of base stations that can be installed (inventory number, etc.), the positions (candidate base station installation positions) and directions in which base stations can be installed within the area targeted for station design, the evaluation positions for communication quality (signal strength) within the area targeted for station design, and the design derivation mode, etc. In this embodiment, the "wireless communication method" may also be simply referred to as the "communication method."

The "design derivation modes" include a cost priority mode, a communication quality priority mode, and a cost and communication quality compatible mode, and are set in advance according to the purpose of use of the wireless communication device in each station design target area. For example, the cost priority mode is set for an area in an office where a PC or the like is operated, the communication quality priority mode is set for an area where a robot is remotely operated by remote control, and the compatible mode is set for an area in an office where a robot is remotely operated. Note that the station design target area may, for example, be one floor of a building or a location section of an outdoor exhibition hall. Also, for example, one floor may be divided into multiple areas and a different mode may be set for each area.

The "design target information" includes communication quality such as radio wave strength (also called "received power") and equipment cost for each type of wireless communication device (5G, Wi-Fi, etc.). The equipment cost is the unit price of the wireless communication device, but may also include the installation cost of the wireless communication device.

Furthermore, the "design target information" includes information indicating target values when designing station placement (target values for communication quality such as radio wave strength, and target values for equipment costs), as well as priorities when calculating using communication quality and equipment costs. For example, when the communication method is 5G, the target value for radio wave strength (RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power) is "-105 dBm," and the target value for equipment cost is "10 million yen." Furthermore, when the communication method is Wi-Fi, the target value for radio wave strength (RSSI; Received Signal Strength Indicator) is "-75 dBm," and the target value for equipment cost is "1 million yen."

In addition, each piece of information included in the design environment information, design condition information, and design goal information may be other than the examples given above. For example, the design goal information may include the operating cost of the equipment (power consumption, etc.) and a target value for this operating cost in addition to or instead of the equipment cost.

<Candidate Extraction Unit>
The candidate extraction unit 33 calculates, based on the design environment information and design condition information acquired from the input unit 31, what level of communication quality will be achieved when a wireless communication device is installed at a specific installation position candidate within a target area for station placement design, thereby calculating multiple (i=1, 2, ..., I) station placement design result candidates.

Here, the station placement design target area will be described using FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of the station placement design target area. In FIG. 5, an indoor area is described, but an outdoor area may also be used. As shown in FIG. 5, within the station placement design target area, multiple installation position candidates c1 to c6 are set at various points on the ceiling, radio wave quality evaluation positions e1 at various points on the floor, and structures s1, etc.

Note that the installation position candidates c1 to c6 are collectively referred to as "installation position candidates c." The evaluation position e1 and the like are collectively referred to as "evaluation position e." Furthermore, the structure s1 and the like are collectively referred to as "structure s." Furthermore, the numbers of installation position candidates c, evaluation positions e, and structures s shown in FIG. 5 are merely examples, and are not limited to the numbers shown in FIG. 5.

The station placement design device 30 of the embodiment selects one or more optimal installation position candidates c for the 5G base station from the multiple installation position candidates c. The station placement design device 30 may also select one or more optimal installation position candidates c for the Wi-Fi base station from the multiple installation position candidates c.

Next, returning to FIG. 4, the candidate extraction unit 33 estimates the received power (radio wave intensity) by performing radio wave propagation estimation (simulation) such as ray tracing using a 3D model. Specifically, the candidate extraction unit 33 estimates the received power at each evaluation position for each combination by performing radio wave propagation estimation for each evaluation position at which 5G radio waves can be received from each base station related to each combination of 5G antennas of a predetermined type when installed in a predetermined installation direction at a predetermined installation position candidate based on the design environment information and design condition information. Alternatively, the candidate extraction unit 33 estimates the received power at each evaluation position for each combination by performing radio wave propagation estimation for each evaluation position at which Wi-Fi radio waves can be received from a base station related to each combination of AP devices of a predetermined type when installed in a predetermined installation direction at a predetermined installation position candidate based on the design environment information and design condition information. For example, if there are six ceiling installation position candidates, four installation directions, two types of 5G antennas, and ten floor evaluation positions, the candidate extraction unit 33 estimates the reception power by performing 480 (=6×4×2×10) calculations. If there are six ceiling installation position candidates, four installation directions, three types of AP devices, and ten floor evaluation positions, the candidate extraction unit 33 estimates the reception power by performing 720 (=6×4×3×10) calculations.

In addition, when the radio wave propagation estimation unit 32 calculates the throughput instead of the received power, the throughput may be predicted from a conversion table of received power and throughput that is prepared in advance by acquiring experimental data or by link level simulation, for example.

<Selection section>
The selection unit 35 judges whether there is one or more design result candidates in which each design value (equipment cost, communication quality value) satisfies all of the target values (equipment cost target value, communication quality target value) included in the design target information. That is, the selection unit 35 judges whether there is one or more design result candidates in which the design value (equipment cost) satisfies the equipment cost target value and the design value (communication quality value) satisfies the communication quality target value.

If there is one or more design result candidates that satisfy all of the target values, the selection unit 35 selects a design result candidate that satisfies all of the target values included in the design goal information. From the selected design result candidates, the selection unit 35 selects a specific wireless communication device that is a top predetermined number of design results with the highest inverse of device cost or communication quality value based on the priority between the target information included in the design goal information. For example, in an area where a robot is remotely operated, the communication quality has the highest priority, and the device cost has the second highest priority. Also, in an area where a PC (Personal Computer) or the like is operated in an office, the device cost has the highest priority, and the communication quality has the second highest priority.

On the other hand, if there is not one or more design result candidates (none at all) whose design values satisfy all of the target values included in the design target information, the selection unit 35 determines whether the design derivation mode included in the design condition information is a cost priority mode, a communication quality priority mode, or a cost and communication quality compatible mode.

In the case of the cost-priority mode, the selection unit 35 calculates each cost evaluation function f _c (c(i)) that satisfies the target value of cost and each communication quality evaluation function f _q (q(i)) that indicates the communication quality corresponding to each f _c (c(i)), as shown below, where c _t is the target value of cost and q _t is the target value of communication quality.

・Set the cost evaluation function as follows: f _c (c(i))=0 (c(i) ≦ c _t )
f _c (c(i))=−∞(c(i)> c _t )
・The communication quality evaluation function is set as follows: f _q (q(i))=q(i)/q _t
In addition, in the case of the communication quality priority mode, the selection unit 35 calculates each communication quality evaluation function f _q (q(i)) that satisfies the target value of the communication quality and each cost evaluation function f _c (c(i)) that indicates the cost corresponding to each f _q (q(i)), as shown below.

・Set the cost evaluation function as follows: f _c (c(i))=(c(i)/c _t ) ^-1
・Set the quality evaluation function as follows: f _q (q(i))=0 (q(i)≧q _t )
_fq (q(i))=－∞(q(i)< _qt )
Furthermore, in the case of a mode that balances cost and communication quality, the selection unit 35 calculates a cost evaluation function f _c (c(i)) that becomes higher as the cost is lower, and a communication quality evaluation function f _q (q(i)) that becomes higher as the communication quality corresponding to this f _c (c(i)) is higher, as shown below.

・The cost evaluation function is set as follows: f _c (c(i))=w _c・(c(i)/c _t ) ^-1
・The quality evaluation function is set as follows: f _q (q(i))= w _q・(q(i)/q _t )
(w _c and w _q are weighting coefficients)
Furthermore, the selection unit 35 calculates each total satisfaction level (T _s (i)), and selects a top predetermined number of T _s (i) having the highest total satisfaction level (T _s (i)) as the design result.

<Output section>
The output unit 37 outputs the final design result. Examples of the output include displaying on a display connected to the station design device 30, printing on a printer or the like connected to the station design device 30, or transmitting to the communication terminal 50 via the communication network 100.

[Processing or Operation of the Embodiment]
Next, the process or operation of the station placement design device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 are flowcharts showing a station placement design method executed by the station placement design device according to the embodiment.

S10: The input unit 31 inputs design environment information, design condition information, and design goal information from a communication terminal 50 or the like.

S11: The candidate extraction unit 33 extracts multiple (i=1, 2, ..., I) design result candidates based on the design environment information and design condition information.

S12: Determine whether there is one or more design result candidates that meet all of the target values (equipment cost, communication quality) included in the design goal information.

S13: If there is one or more design result candidates that satisfy all of the target values (S12; YES), the selection unit 35 selects a design result candidate that satisfies all of the target values included in the design goal information.

S14: The selection unit 35 selects a top predetermined number of design results from the selected design result candidates that have the highest design value for the inverse of the device cost or the highest design value for communication quality, based on the priority order between the goal information included in the design goal information.

S16: In process S12, if there is one or more design result candidates that satisfy all of the target values (no candidates exist at all) (S12; NO), the selection unit 35 determines whether the design derivation mode included in the design condition information is a cost-priority mode, a communication quality-priority mode, or a cost-and-communication quality-compatible mode.

S17: In the case of cost priority mode (S16; cost priority), the selector 35 calculates each cost evaluation function f _c (c(i)) that satisfies the target value of cost and each communication quality evaluation function f _q (q(i)) that indicates the communication quality corresponding to each f _c (c(i)). Here, c _t is the target value of the equipment cost, and q _t is the target value of the communication quality.

S18: In the case of communication quality priority mode (S16; communication quality priority), the selection unit 35 calculates each communication quality evaluation function f _q (q(i)) that satisfies the target value of communication quality, and each cost evaluation function f _c (c(i)) that indicates the cost corresponding to each f _q (q(i)).

S19: In the case of a mode that balances cost and communication quality (S16; balances cost and communication quality), the selection unit 35 calculates a cost evaluation function f _c (c(i)) that becomes higher as the cost is lower, and a communication quality evaluation function f _q (q(i)) that becomes higher as the communication quality corresponding to this f _c (c(i)) is higher.

S20: After any one of steps S17 to S19, the selection unit 35 calculates each total satisfaction level (T _s (i)), and selects a top predetermined number of T _s (i) having the highest total satisfaction level (T _s (i)) as the design result.

Then, the process proceeds to step S15, where the output unit 37 outputs the final design results.

〔others〕
The above embodiment can also be expressed as follows.

(1) In other words, regarding steps S17 and S20, the selection unit 35 selects a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices among multiple candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as base stations, which have a first design value (e.g., device cost or operation cost) considered when designing that satisfies a first target value (e.g., is equal to or less than a predetermined value) and have a high second design value (e.g., communication quality) considered when designing.

(2) In other words, regarding steps S18 and S20, the selection unit 35 is a station placement design device having a selection unit that performs a selection process of a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices among multiple candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as base stations, in which a first design value (e.g., communication quality) taken into consideration when performing design satisfies a first target value (e.g., a predetermined value or more) and which have a low second design value (e.g., device cost or operating cost) taken into consideration when performing design.

(3) In other words, regarding processes S19 and S20, the selection unit 35 selects a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices from among multiple candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as base stations, which have the highest sum of the first target value achievement degree (e.g., achievement degree below a predetermined value) of a first design value (e.g., device cost or operating cost) taken into account when performing the design and the second target value achievement degree (e.g., achievement degree above a predetermined value) of a second design value (e.g., communication quality) taken into account when performing the design.

(4) In other words, regarding processes S13 and S14, when there is a wireless communication device among multiple candidates for wireless communication devices to be installed as a base station, whose first design value (e.g., device cost or operating cost) satisfies a first target value (e.g., a predetermined value or less) and whose second design value (e.g., communication quality) satisfies a second target value (e.g., a predetermined value or more), the selection unit 35 does not perform the above selection process (S17, S18) but selects a top predetermined number of the wireless communication devices with low first design values or a top predetermined number of the wireless communication devices with high second design values.

[Effects of the embodiment]
As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide an effect that appropriate station placement design can be performed depending on the purpose of use.

〔supplement〕
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may have the following configurations or processes (operations).

(1) The station design device 30 can be realized by a computer and a program, but this program can also be recorded on a (non-temporary) recording medium or provided via the communication network 100.

(2) In the above embodiment, a notebook computer is shown as an example of a communication terminal 50, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the communication terminal 50 may be a desktop computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a smartwatch, a car navigation device, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, etc.

(3) Each CPU 301, 501 may be multiple, not just single.

(4) In each of the above embodiments, the candidate extraction unit 33 estimates the received power at each evaluation position e by radio wave propagation estimation (simulation) such as ray tracing using a 3D model, but this is not limited to this. The radio wave propagation estimation unit 32 may, for example, actually measure and predict the received power (radio wave intensity) by calibrating the radio wave propagation estimation result based on actual measurement data at each evaluation position (part of it).

(5) The station placement design device may also perform station placement design for other generations of mobile communication systems, such as 4G and 6G, instead of 5G.

10 Communication system 30 Station placement design device 31 Input unit 33 Candidate extraction unit 35 Selection unit 37 Output unit

Claims (8)

A station placement design device for designing the placement of a wireless communication base station,
A station placement design device having a selection unit that performs a selection process of a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices having high second design values to be considered when performing the design, among a plurality of candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base station, among which a first design value to be considered when performing the design satisfies a first target value. The station placement design device according to claim 1, wherein the first design value satisfies a first target value, indicating that the equipment cost or operation cost related to the wireless communication device is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and the second design value indicates a communication quality value of the wireless communication device. A station placement design device for designing the placement of a wireless communication base station,
A station placement design device having a selection unit that performs a selection process of a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices having low second design values to be considered when performing the design, among a plurality of candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base station, among which a first design value to be considered when performing the design satisfies a first target value. The station placement design device according to claim 3, wherein the first design value satisfies a first target value, indicating that a communication quality value related to the wireless communication device is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the second design value indicates the device cost or operating cost of the wireless communication device. A station placement design device for designing the placement of a wireless communication base station,
A station placement design device having a selection unit that performs a selection process of a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices among multiple candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base station, the top predetermined number of wireless communication devices having a high sum of a first target value achievement degree of a first design value considered when performing the design and a second target value achievement degree of a second design value considered when performing the design. The station placement design device according to claim 1 or 2,
When there is a predetermined wireless communication device whose first design value satisfies the first target value and whose second design value satisfies the second target value among a plurality of candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base station, the selection unit selects a top predetermined number of the wireless communication devices whose first design value is low or a top predetermined number of the wireless communication devices whose second design value is high without performing the selection process. A station placement design method executed by a station placement design device that designs installation of a wireless communication base station,
The station placement design method includes a station placement design device that performs a selection process for a top predetermined number of wireless communication devices having high second design values taken into consideration when performing the design, among a plurality of candidate wireless communication devices to be installed as the base station, among which a first design value taken into consideration when performing the design satisfies a first target value. A program for causing a computer to execute the method described in claim 7.

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