System, communication apparatus, computer-readable storage medium and control method

Provided is a system, including: a first communication apparatus including a first directional antenna; and a second communication apparatus, loaded on a mobile object, including a second directional antenna, wherein the first communication apparatus includes: a first adjustment performing unit configured to perform a calibration of the first directional antenna; and a first notification information transmitting unit configured to transmit a first notification information to the second communication apparatus according to a completion of a calibration of the first directional antenna by the first adjustment performing unit; and wherein the second communication apparatus includes a second adjustment performing unit configured to perform a calibration of the second directional antenna according to a receipt of the first notification information.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system, a communication apparatus, a computer-readable storage medium and a control method.

2. Related Art

A flight vehicle configured to establish a service link with a communication terminal on the ground, establish a feeder link using a directional antenna with a gateway on the ground, and provide a wireless communication service to a communication terminal is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT

Patent Document

3. Technical Problem

When two communication apparatuses communicate with each other using a directional antenna, at least one of which is loaded on a mobile object, it is desirable that a technology can be provided to be able to support to realize a high communication quality as unaffected as possible by the movement of the mobile object.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1schematically illustrates one example of a system10. The system10includes a communication apparatus100and a communication apparatus200, at least one of which is loaded on a mobile object. In the example shown inFIG.1, the communication apparatus100is installed fixedly, and the communication apparatus200is loaded on the mobile object20.

The mobile object20may be any object as long as it is autonomously moveable. Examples of the mobile object20include an automobile, a ship, a drone, and a flight vehicle such as HAPS (High Altitude Platform Station) and so on.

The communication apparatus100includes a control antenna102and a directional antenna104. The control antenna102may be an antenna with the directionality lower than that of the directional antenna104. The control antenna102is, for example, an omni-antenna.

The communication apparatus200includes a control antenna202and a directional antenna204. The control antenna202may be an antenna with a lower directionality than that of the directional antenna204. The control antenna202is, for example, an omni-antenna.

The communication apparatus100and the communication apparatus200perform a wireless communication by the directional antenna104and the directional antenna204. Since the location and posture of the communication apparatus200change due to the movement of the mobile object20, the communication apparatus100is required to perform a calibration so that the directional antenna104directs correctly to the direction of the communication apparatus200. On the other hand, the communication apparatus200is also required to perform a calibration so that the directional antenna204directs correctly to the direction of the communication apparatus100. However, if the calibrations of both devices are performed, the receipt levels of the both devices change, and calibration failure happens, for example, the time required for the calibration becomes longer, the calibration is no longer possible or the like.

In contrast, the communication apparatus100and the communication apparatus200of the present embodiment take turns performing the calibration by having the other perform the calibration in response to the other receiving notification information indicating that the calibration of one has been completed.

For example, firstly, the communication apparatus200transmits, to the communication apparatus100, the mobile object information including the location information of the mobile object20by the wireless communication between the control antenna202and the control antenna102. The location information of the mobile object20may include latitude, longitude, and altitude of the mobile object20. The mobile object information may further include the moving direction of the mobile object20. The mobile object information may further include the movement velocity of the mobile object20.

The mobile object information of the mobile object20may be provided to the communication apparatus200by the mobile object control apparatus22that controls the movement of the mobile object20. The communication apparatus200may transmit the mobile object information acquired from the mobile object control apparatus22to the communication apparatus100. The mobile object control apparatus22may include various types of sensors such as a location measuring sensor like a GPS sensor, a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, and may manage the location, moving direction and movement velocity of the mobile object20.

The communication apparatus200may prestore the location information of the communication apparatus100, and controls the direction of the directional antenna204to direct to the communication apparatus100based on the location and posture of the mobile object20. The communication apparatus100estimates, with the mobile object information received from the communication apparatus200, the direction, with reference to the location of the communication apparatus100, in which the communication apparatus200is located, and controls the direction of the directional antenna104to direct to the communication apparatus200.

Then, for example, the communication apparatus100performs the calibration of the directional antenna104, by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104while continuously changing the direction of the directional antenna104. The communication apparatus100may specify the direction of the directional antenna104to which the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204is the strongest, and complete the calibration by making the direction direct to the directional antenna104. The communication apparatus100transmits the notification information to the communication apparatus200in response to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna104. The notification information may indicate the completion of the calibration.

The communication apparatus200performs the calibration of the directional antenna204, by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204while continuously changing the direction of the directional antenna204in response to the receipt of the notification information. The communication apparatus200may specify the direction of the directional antenna204to which the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104is the strongest, and complete the calibration by making the direction direct to the directional antenna204. The communication apparatus100transmits the notification information to the communication apparatus200in response to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna204. The notification information may indicate the completion of the calibration.

In this way, the calibration can be performed alternately by notifying to each other that the calibration has been completed and controlling not to perform the calibration until calibration of the other device is completed. In this way, resonance caused by starting the calibration simultaneously can be prevented.

InFIG.1, the example of the case where the communication apparatus100is fixedly installed is described, but the communication apparatus100may also be loaded on the mobile object. In this case, the communication apparatus100may transmit the mobile object information including the location information of the mobile object to the communication apparatus200by the wireless communication between the control antenna102and the control antenna202.

FIG.2schematically illustrates one example of a flow of a process of the system10. Herein, the flow of the process where the communication apparatus100and the communication apparatus200alternately perform the calibration is shown.

In step (which may be abbreviated to S)102, the communication apparatus200transmits the mobile object information of the mobile object20to the communication apparatus100by the wireless communication between the control antenna202and the control antenna102. In S104, the communication apparatus200transmits the beacon signal by the directional antenna204.

In S106, the communication apparatus100starts the calibration of the directional antenna104. The communication apparatus100searches for a direction in which the radio wave receipt intensity is the strongest, by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104while continuously changing the direction of the directional antenna104. The communication apparatus100specifies the direction of the directional antenna104in which the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104is the strongest, and completes the calibration by making the direction to direct to the directional antenna104(S108).

In S110, the communication apparatus100transmits the beacon signal by the directional antenna104. In S112, the communication apparatus200starts the calibration of the directional antenna204. The communication apparatus200searches for a direction in which the radio wave receipt intensity is the strongest, by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204while continuously changing the direction of the directional antenna204. The communication apparatus200specifies the direction of the directional antenna204in which the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204is the strongest, and completes the calibration by making the direction to direct to the directional antenna204(S114). With these steps, the first calibration is completed.

In S116, the communication apparatus100starts the calibration of the directional antenna104. The communication apparatus100may perform the calibration of the directional antenna104by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104when the data communication between the communication apparatus100and the communication apparatus200using the directional antenna104and the directional antenna204is performed. It should be noted that the communication apparatus200may transmit the beacon signal as appropriate by the directional antenna204, and the communication apparatus100may perform the calibration of the directional antenna104by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity of the beacon signal by the directional antenna104. The communication apparatus100transmits, according to the completion of the calibration (S118), the notification information to the communication apparatus200by the wireless communication between the control antenna102and the control antenna202(S120).

The communication apparatus200starts the calibration of the directional antenna204according to the receipt of the notification information (S122). The communication apparatus200may perform the calibration of the directional antenna204by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204when the data communication between the communication apparatus200and the communication apparatus100using the directional antenna204and the directional antenna104is performed. It should be noted that the communication apparatus100may transmit the beacon signal as appropriate by the directional antenna104, and the communication apparatus200may perform the calibration of the directional antenna204by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity of the beacon signal by the directional antenna204.

The communication apparatus200transmits, according to the completion of the calibration (S124), the notification information to the communication apparatus100by the wireless communication between the control antenna202and the control antenna102(S126). By repeating the processes from S116to S126, the calibration may be performed continuously between the communication apparatus100and the communication apparatus200alternately.

FIG.3schematically illustrates one example of the calibration orbit300.FIG.4schematically illustrates one example of the radio wave strength graph312.FIG.5schematically illustrates one example of the radio wave strength graph314.

The calibration orbit300shown inFIG.3includes a lateral orbit302and a longitudinal orbit304. The communication apparatus100, for example, changes the direction of the directional antenna104along the lateral orbit302firstly, and next, changes the direction of the directional antenna104along the longitudinal orbit304.

The radio wave strength graph312indicates the change of the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104when the direction of the directional antenna104is changed along the lateral orbit302by the communication apparatus100. The radio wave strength graph314indicates the change of the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104when the direction of the directional antenna104is changed along the longitudinal orbit304by the communication apparatus100.

FIG.6schematically illustrates another example of the calibration orbit300.FIG.7schematically illustrates one example of the radio wave strength graph316.

The calibration orbit300shown inFIG.6includes a gyratory orbit306. The communication apparatus100changes the direction of the directional antenna104along the gyratory orbit306. The radio wave strength graph316indicates the change of the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104when the direction of the directional antenna104is changed along the gyratory orbit306by the communication apparatus100.

FIG.8schematically illustrates one example of a functional configuration of the communication apparatus100. The communication apparatus100includes a mobile object information storage unit112, a mobile object information receiving unit114, an antenna control unit120, a notification information transmitting unit132, a notification information receiving unit134, a history storage unit142, an estimation model generation unit144and an estimation model storage unit146.

The mobile object information storage unit112stores mobile object-related information that relates to the mobile object20of the communication object. For example, when the mobile object20moves along a predetermined movement path or travels in circles in a predetermined movement path, the mobile object information storage unit112stores the information indicating the movement path of the mobile object20.

The mobile object information receiving unit114receives the mobile object information including the location information of the mobile object20. The mobile object information receiving unit114may receive the mobile object information by the wireless communication between the control antenna102and the control antenna202from the communication apparatus200of the mobile object20. The mobile object information may include a moving direction of the mobile object20. The mobile object information may also include a movement velocity of the mobile object20. The mobile object information receiving unit114stores the received mobile object information in the mobile object information storage unit112.

The antenna control unit120controls the directional antenna104. The antenna control unit120includes a tracking control unit122and an adjustment performing unit124.

The tracking control unit122predicts the location of the mobile object20based on the mobile object information stored in the mobile object information storage unit112received by the mobile object information receiving unit114, and adjusts the direction of the directional antenna104to track the mobile object20based on the predicted location. The tracking control unit122may adjust the physical pointing direction of the directional antenna104. The tracking control unit122predicts, for example, the location of the destination of the mobile object20based on the location information, moving direction and movement velocity included in the mobile object information, and adjusts the direction of the directional antenna104to make the directional antenna104direct to the direction of the predicted location.

The adjustment performing unit124performs the calibration of the directional antenna104. The adjustment performing unit124performs the calibration of the directional antenna104by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104while changing the direction of the directional antenna104continuously. The adjustment performing unit124may change the physical pointing direction of the directional antenna104continuously.

The adjustment performing unit124, for example, searches for the direction in which the radio wave receipt intensity is the strongest, by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104while changing the direction of the directional antenna104continuously. The adjustment performing unit124may specify the direction of the directional antenna104in which the radio wave receipt intensity of the directional antenna204by the directional antenna104is the strongest, and complete the calibration by making the directional antenna104direct to the direction.

The notification information transmitting unit132transmits the notification information to the communication apparatus200according to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna104by the adjustment performing unit124. The notification information transmitting unit132may transmit the notification information to the communication apparatus200via the control antenna102. The notification information transmitting unit132may transmit the notification information to the communication apparatus200by the wireless communication between the control antenna102and the control antenna202.

The notification information receiving unit134receives the notification information transmitted according to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna204by the communication apparatus200. The notification information receiving unit134may receive the notification information via the control antenna102. The notification information receiving unit134may receive the notification information transmitted by the wireless communication between the control antenna202and the control antenna102by the communication apparatus200.

The adjustment performing unit124may perform the calibration of the directional antenna104according to the receipt of the notification information from the communication apparatus200by the notification information receiving unit134, without performing the calibration of the directional antenna104during performing the calibration of the directional antenna204by the communication apparatus200.

The history storage unit142stores the history of the mobile object information stored in the mobile object information storage unit112and the direction of the directional antenna104after adjustment by the adjustment performing unit124in a location indicated by the location information included in the mobile object information.

The estimation model generation unit144generates an estimation model that estimates the direction of the directional antenna104after adjustment from the mobile object information, by using, as teacher data, the mobile object information and the direction of the directional antenna104after adjustment included in a plurality of pieces of history stored in the history storage unit142.

The estimation model storage unit146stores the estimation model generated by the estimation model generation unit144. When the plurality of pieces of history stored in the history storage unit142are provided to other apparatuses and estimation models are generated by the other apparatuses, the estimation model storage unit146may acquire and store the estimation models generated by the other apparatuses from the other apparatuses.

The adjustment performing unit124may use the estimation model stored in the estimation model storage unit146to adjust the direction of the directional antenna104. For example, the adjustment performing unit124adjusts the direction of the directional antenna104based on the direction of the directional antenna104after adjustment that is estimated by using the estimation model from the received mobile object information by the mobile object information receiving unit114. The adjustment performing unit124adjusts, for example, the estimated direction of the directional antenna104to match the direction of the directional antenna104after adjustment.

Particularly, when the mobile object20travels in circles, in the location through which the mobile object20is to pass, the direction of the directional antenna104and the directional antenna204are likely to be compatible by adjusting the direction of the directional antenna104to be the same as the direction in which the mobile object20used to pass through the location. The adjustment performing unit124can save the time for searching for the direction in which the radio wave receipt intensity is the strongest with the calibration by performing the adjustment of the directional antenna104using the estimation model.

FIG.9schematically illustrates one example of the functional configuration of the communication apparatus200. The communication apparatus200includes a target information storage unit212, a mobile object information acquisition unit214, a mobile object information transmitting unit216, an antenna control unit220, a notification information transmitting unit232, a notification information receiving unit234, a history storage unit242, an estimation model generation unit244and an estimation model storage unit246.

The target information storage unit212stores the target information related to the communication object. The target information storage unit212stores, for example, the location information of the communication apparatus100, which is the communication object.

The mobile object information acquisition unit214acquires the mobile object information of the mobile object20loaded with the communication apparatus200. The mobile object information acquisition unit214may acquire the mobile object information from the mobile object control apparatus22of the mobile object20.

The mobile object information transmitting unit216transmits the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit214to the communication apparatus100. The mobile object information transmitting unit216may transmit the mobile object information to the communication apparatus100by the wireless communication between the control antenna202and the control antenna102.

The antenna control unit220controls the directional antenna204. The antenna control unit220includes a tracking control unit222and an adjustment performing unit224.

The tracking control unit222adjusts the direction of the directional antenna204to track the communication apparatus100based on the target object information stored in the target information storage unit212and the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit214. The tracking control unit222may specify the relative locational relationship with the communication apparatus100based on the target object information and the mobile object information, and the directional antenna204may adjust the direction of the directional antenna204to direct to the direction of the communication apparatus100. The tracking control unit222, for example, specifies the relative locational relationship between the directional antenna204and the communication apparatus100by predicting the posture and location of the mobile object20based on the location information, the moving direction and the movement velocity included in the mobile object information, and the directional antenna204adjusts the direction of the directional antenna204to direct to the direction of the communication apparatus100.

The adjustment performing unit224performs the calibration of the directional antenna204. The adjustment performing unit224performs the calibration of the directional antenna204by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204while changing continuously the direction of the directional antenna204. The adjustment performing unit224may change continuously the physical pointing direction of the directional antenna204.

The adjustment performing unit224, for example, searches for the direction in which the radio wave receipt intensity is the strongest by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204while changing continuously the direction of the directional antenna204. The adjustment performing unit224may specify the direction of the directional antenna204in which the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the directional antenna204is the strongest, and complete the calibration by making the directional antenna204direct to the direction.

The notification information transmitting unit232transmits the notification information to the communication apparatus100according to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna204by the adjustment performing unit224. The notification information transmitting unit232may transmit the notification information to the communication apparatus100via the control antenna202. The notification information transmitting unit232may transmit the notification information to the communication apparatus100by the wireless communication between the control antenna202and the control antenna102.

The notification information receiving unit234receives the notification information transmitted according to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna104by the communication apparatus100. The notification information receiving unit234may receive the notification information via the control antenna202. The notification information receiving unit234may receive the notification information transmitted by the wireless communication between the control antenna102and the control antenna202by the communication apparatus100.

The adjustment performing unit224may perform the calibration of the directional antenna204according to the receipt of the notification information from the communication apparatus100by the notification information receiving unit234without performing the calibration of the directional antenna204while performing the calibration of the directional antenna104by the communication apparatus100.

The history storage unit242stores the history of the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit214and the direction of the directional antenna204after adjustment that is adjusted by the calibration of the directional antenna204by the adjustment performing unit224in the location shown by the location information included in the mobile object information.

The estimation model generation unit244generates the estimation model that estimates the direction of the directional antenna204after adjustment from the mobile object information, using, as the teacher data, the mobile object information and the direction of the directional antenna204after adjustment included in the plurality of pieces of history stored in the history storage unit242.

The estimation model storage unit246stores the estimation model generated by the estimation model generation unit244. When the plurality of pieces of history stored in the history storage unit242are provided by the other apparatuses, and the estimation models are generated by the other apparatuses, the estimation model storage unit246may acquire the estimation models generated by the other apparatuses from the other apparatuses and store them.

The adjustment performing unit224may adjust the direction of the directional antenna204using the estimation model stored in the estimation model storage unit246. For example, the adjustment performing unit224adjusts the direction of the directional antenna204based on the direction of the directional antenna204after adjustment, which is estimated using the estimation model, from the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit214. The adjustment performing unit224adjusts the direction of the directional antenna204to match the estimated direction of the directional antenna204after adjustment, for example.

FIG.10schematically illustrates a HAPS400as one example of the mobile object20. The HAPS400may be one example of a flight vehicle. The HAPS400includes a vehicle402, a central unit404, a propeller406, a pod408and a solar panel410. The central unit404includes a control apparatus420and a communication apparatus500that are not illustrated.

The electrical power generated by the solar panel410is stored in one or more batteries arranged in at least any of the vehicle402, the central unit404and the pod408. The electrical power stored in the battery is utilized by each component included in the HAPS400.

The control apparatus420may control the flight of the HAPS400. The control apparatus420controls the flight of the HAPS400by controlling the rotation of the propeller406, for example. Also, the control apparatus420may control the flight of the HAPS400by changing the angle of a flap or an elevator that is not illustrated. The control apparatus420includes various types of sensors such as a location measuring sensor such as a GPS sensor, a gyro sensor and an acceleration sensor, and may manage the location, the moving direction and the movement velocity of the HAPS400.

The communication apparatus500includes an control antenna502, a FL (Feeder Link) antenna504and a SL (Service Link) antenna506. The FL antenna504is an antenna for the feeder link. The FL antenna504may be one example of the directional antenna. The communication apparatus500forms the feeder link with the communication apparatus100on the ground by the FL antenna504. The communication apparatus500and the communication apparatus100form the feeder link using the FL antenna504and the directional antenna104.

The control antenna502is an antenna with a lower directionality than the FL antenna504. The control antenna502may be an omni-antenna, for example. The control antenna502may be one example of the control antenna202. The communication apparatus500and the communication apparatus100may form the C2 (Command Control) link by the control antenna502and the control antenna102, and communicate by the C2 link.

The SL antenna506is an antenna for the service link. The SL antenna506may be an antenna with a lower directionality than the FL antenna504, and a higher directionality than the control antenna502. The communication apparatus500forms the cell508on the ground by the SL antenna506. The communication apparatus500forms the service link with the user terminal30inside the cell508by the SL antenna506.

The user terminal30may be any terminal as long as it is a communication terminal that can be communicate with the communication apparatus500. For example, the user terminal30is a mobile phone such as a smartphone. The user terminal30may also be a tablet terminal, a PC (Personal Computer) and the like. The user terminal30may also be a so-called IoT (Internet of Thing) device. The user terminal30may include all things corresponding to so-called IoE (Internet of Everything).

The communication apparatus500may provide a wireless communication service to the user terminal30by relaying the communication between the user terminal30and the network40on the ground together with the communication apparatus100. The network40may include a core network that is provided by a telecommunication carrier. The core network may comply with any mobile communication system, for example, it complies with the 3G (3rd Generation) communication system, the LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication system, the 4G (4th Generation) communication system, and the 5G (5th Generation) or later communication system, and the like. The network40may include the Internet.

The HAPS400, for example, establishes the service link with each communication apparatus100arranged in each location on the ground and communicates with the network40on the ground via the communication apparatus100. The HAPS400covers the ground area with the cell508while flying in circles along the circular flight path in the sky of the ground area of the targeted for coverage, for example. The flight path may be a regular circle, an ellipse and so on, or even a figure eight. The circling flight of the HAPS400in the sky of the ground area may be described as a fixed-point flight. Also, the HAPS400, for example, covers the entire of the ground area by moving in the sky of the ground area while covering a part of the ground area of the targeted for coverage by the cell508.

FIG.11schematically illustrates one example of the functional configuration of the communication apparatus500. The communication apparatus500includes a target information storage unit512, a mobile object information acquisition unit514, a mobile object information transmitting unit516, an antenna control unit520, a notification information transmitting unit532, a notification information receiving unit534, a communication relay unit540, a history storage unit542, an estimation model generation unit544and an estimation model storage unit546.

The target information storage unit512stores target information related to the communication object. The target information storage unit512stores the location information of the communication apparatus100that is the communication object, for example.

The mobile object information acquisition unit514acquires the mobile object information of the HAPS400loaded with the communication apparatus200. The mobile object information acquisition unit514may receive the mobile object information from the control apparatus420of the HAPS400.

The mobile object information transmitting unit516transmits the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit514to the communication apparatus100. The mobile object information transmitting unit516may transmit the mobile object information to the communication apparatus100by the wireless communication between the control antenna502and the control antenna102.

The antenna control unit520controls the FL antenna504. The antenna control unit520includes a tracking control unit522and an adjustment performing unit524.

The tracking control unit522adjusts the direction of the FL antenna504to track the communication apparatus100based on the target object information stored in the target information storage unit512and the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit514. The tracking control unit522may specify the relative locational relationship with the communication apparatus100based on the target object information and the mobile object information, and the FL antenna504may adjust the direction of the FL antenna504to direct to the direction of the communication apparatus100. The tracking control unit522, for example, specifies the relative locational relationship between the FL antenna504and the communication apparatus100by predicting the posture and the location of the HAPS400based on the location information, the moving direction and the movement velocity included in the mobile object information, and the FL antenna504adjusts the direction of the FL antenna504to direct to the direction of the communication apparatus100.

The adjustment performing unit524performs the calibration of the FL antenna504. The adjustment performing unit524performs the calibration of the FL antenna504by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the FL antenna504while changing continuously the direction of the FL antenna504. The adjustment performing unit524may change continuously the physical pointing direction of the FL antenna504.

The adjustment performing unit524, for example, searches for the direction in which the radio wave receipt intensity is the strongest, by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the FL antenna504while changing continuously the direction of the FL antenna504. The adjustment performing unit524may specify the direction of the FL antenna504in which the radio wave receipt intensity from the directional antenna104by the FL antenna504is the strongest and complete the calibration by making the FL antenna504to direct to the direction.

The notification information transmitting unit532transmits the notification information to the communication apparatus100according to the completion of the calibration of the FL antenna504by the adjustment performing unit524. The notification information transmitting unit532may transmit the notification information to the communication apparatus100via the control antenna502. The notification information transmitting unit532may transmit the notification information to the communication apparatus100by the wireless communication between the control antenna502and the control antenna102.

The notification information receiving unit534receives the notification information transmitted according to the completion of the calibration of the directional antenna104by the communication apparatus100. The notification information receiving unit534may receive the notification information via the control antenna502. The notification information receiving unit534may receive the notification information transmitted by the wireless communication between the control antenna102and the control antenna502by the communication apparatus100.

The adjustment performing unit524may perform the calibration of the FL antenna504according to the receipt of the notification information from the communication apparatus100by the notification information receiving unit534, without performing the calibration of the FL antenna504during performing the calibration of the directional antenna104by the communication apparatus100.

The communication relay unit540relays the communication between the user terminal30and the communication apparatus100. The communication relay unit540may relay the communication between the user terminal30and the communication apparatus100by transmitting the data received from the user terminal30via the service link to the communication apparatus100via the feeder link. Herein, the adjustment performing unit124of the communication apparatus100may perform the calibration of the directional antenna104by measuring the radio wave receipt intensity by the directional antenna104of the wave modulation including the data transmitted by the communication apparatus500. In this way, by making it possible to perform the calibration utilizing the wave modulation when relaying the data communication between the user terminal30and the communication apparatus100, the need to interrupt data communication to transmit a beacon signal for calibration can be eliminated, and the calibration can be performed efficiently.

The history storage unit542stores the history of the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit514and the direction of the FL antenna504after adjustment that is adjusted by the calibration of the FL antenna504by the adjustment performing unit524in the location shown by the location information included in the mobile object information.

The estimation model generation unit544generates an estimation model that estimates the direction of the FL antenna504after adjustment from the mobile object information, by using, as teacher data, the mobile object information and the direction of the FL antenna504after adjustment included in a plurality of pieces of history stored in the history storage unit542.

The estimation model storage unit546stores the estimation model generated by the estimation model generation unit544. When the plurality of pieces of history stored in the history storage unit542are provided by other apparatuses and estimation models are generated by the other apparatuses, the estimation model storage unit546may acquire and store the estimation models generated by the other apparatuses from the other apparatuses.

The adjustment performing unit524may use the estimation model stored in the estimation model storage unit546to adjust the direction of the FL antenna504. For example, the adjustment performing unit524adjusts the direction of the FL antenna504based on the direction of the FL antenna504after adjustment, which is estimated using the estimation model, from the mobile object information acquired by the mobile object information acquisition unit514. The adjustment performing unit524, for example, adjusts the estimated direction of the FL antenna504to match the direction of the FL antenna504after adjustment.

FIG.12schematically illustrates one example of a hardware configuration of a computer1200that functions as a communication apparatus100, a communication apparatus200or a communication apparatus500. A program that is installed in the computer1200can cause the computer1200to function as one or more sections of the apparatus of the present embodiment or cause the computer1200to execute operations associated with the apparatus of the present embodiment or the one or more sections, and/or cause the computer1200to execute the process of the present embodiment or steps thereof. Such programs may be executed by a central processing unit (CPU)1212in order to cause the computer1200to execute a specific operation associated with some or all of the flowchart and the blocks in the block diagrams described in the present specification.

The computer1200according to the present embodiment includes the CPU1212, a RAM1214, and a graphics controller1216which are mutually connected by a host controller1210. The computer1200also includes a communication interface1222, a storage device1224, and an input and output unit such as an IC card drive which are connected to the host controller1210via an input and output controller1220. The storage device1224may be a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, or the like. The computer1200also includes legacy input/output units such as a ROM1230and a keyboard, which are connected to the input/output controller1220via an input/output chip1240.

The CPU1212operates according to the programs stored in the ROM1230and the RAM1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller1216is configured to acquire image data generated by the CPU1212in a frame buffer or the like provided in the RAM1214or in itself, and cause the image data to be displayed on a display device1218.

The communication interface1222communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device1224stores programs and data used by the CPU1212in the computer1200. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card, and/or writes programs and data into the IC card.

The ROM1230stores therein boot programs or the like executed by the computer1200at the time of activation, and/or stores programs depending on hardware of the computer1200. The input/output chip1240may also be configured to connect various input/output units to the input/output controller1220via a USB port, a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, a mouse port or the like.

The programs are provided via a computer readable storage medium such as an IC card. The programs are read from a computer readable storage medium, installed in the storage device1224, the RAM1214, or the ROM1230which is also an example of the computer readable storage medium, and executed by the CPU1212. Information processing written in these programs is read by the computer1200, and provides cooperation between the programs and the various types of hardware resources described above. An apparatus or a method may be configured by realizing an operation or processing of information according to a use of the computer1200.

For example, when communication is performed between the computer1200and an external device, the CPU1212may execute a communication program loaded in the RAM1214, and instruct the communication interface1222to execute communication processing based on processing written in the communication program. The communication interface1222, under the control of the CPU1212, reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer processing region provided in a recording medium such as the RAM1214, the storage device1224, or the IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes receipt data received from the network into a receipt buffer processing region or the like provided on the recording medium.

In addition, the CPU1212may cause all or necessary portion of a file or a database stored in the external recording medium such as the storage device1224or the IC card, to be read by the RAM1214, and execute various types of processing on the data on the RAM1214. Next, the CPU1212may write back the processed data to the external recording medium.

Various types of programs and various types of information such as data, a table, and a database may be stored in the recording medium, and subjected to information processing. The CPU1212may execute, on the data read from the RAM1214, various types of processing including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgement, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval/replacement, or the like described in any part in the present disclosure and specified by instruction sequences of the programs, and writes back the results to the RAM1214. In addition, the CPU1212may retrieve information in a file, a database, or the like in the recording medium. For example, when a plurality of entries each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute are stored in the recording medium, the CPU1212may retrieve, out of the plurality of entries, an entry with the attribute value of the first attribute specified that meets a condition, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in the entry, and thereby acquire the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute meeting a predetermined condition.

The above-described program or software modules may be stored in the computer-readable storage medium on or near the computer1200. In addition, a recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM provided in a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as the computer readable storage medium, so that the programs are provided to the computer1200via the network.

In the present embodiment, blocks of the flowcharts and the block diagrams may represent steps of processes in which operations are executed or sections of apparatuses responsible for performing operations. A specific step and “unit” may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied along with a computer readable instruction stored on a computer readable storage medium, and/or a processor supplied along with the computer readable instruction stored on the computer readable storage medium. A dedicated circuit may include digital and/or analog hardware circuits and may include integrated circuits (IC) and/or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include, for example, a reconfigurable hardware circuit including logical AND, logical OR, logical XOR, logical NAND, logical NOR, and other logical operations, and a flip-flop, a register, and a memory element, such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) and a programmable logic array (PLA).

The computer readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing an instruction executed by an appropriate device, so that the computer readable storage medium having the instruction stored thereon constitutes a product including an instruction that may be executed in order to provide means to execute an operation specified by a flowchart or a block diagram. Examples of the computer-readable storage medium may include an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a magneto-electric storage medium, a semiconductor storage medium, and the like. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium may include a FLOPPY (registered trademark) disk, a diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a BLU-RAY (registered trademark) disk, a memory stick, an integrated circuit card, or the like.

The computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcodes, firmware instructions, state setting data, or any of source codes or object codes described in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages, such as SMALLTALK (registered trademark), JAVA (registered trademark), or C++, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as “C” programming languages or similar programming languages.

The computer readable instruction may be provided to a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or a processor or a programmable circuit of another programmable data processing apparatus locally or via a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet or the like in order that the general purpose computer, the special purpose computer, or the processor or the programmable circuit of another programmable data processing apparatus is to execute the computer readable instruction to provide means to execute operations specified by the flowchart or the block diagram. Examples of processors include computer processors, processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, microcontrollers, etc.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

10: system;20: mobile object;22: mobile object control apparatus;30: user terminal;40: network;100: communication apparatus;102: control antenna;104: directional antenna;112: mobile object information storage unit;114: mobile object information receiving unit;120: antenna control unit;122: tracking control unit;124: adjustment performing unit;132: notification information transmitting unit;134: notification information receiving unit;142: history storage unit;144: estimation model generation unit;146: estimation model storage unit;200: communication apparatus;202: control antenna;204: directional antenna;212: target information storage unit;214: mobile object information acquisition unit;216: mobile object information transmitting unit;220: antenna control unit;222: tracking control unit;224: adjustment performing unit;232: notification information transmitting unit;234: notification information receiving unit;242: history storage unit;244: estimation model generation unit;246: estimation model storage unit;302: lateral orbit;304: longitudinal orbit;312: radio wave strength graph;314: radio wave strength graph;306: gyratory orbit;316: radio wave strength graph;400: HAPS;402: vehicle;404: central unit;406: propeller;408: pod;410: solar panel;420: control apparatus;500: communication apparatus;502: control antenna;504: FL antenna;506: SL antenna;508: cell;512: target information storage unit;514: mobile object information acquisition unit;516: mobile object information transmitting unit;520: antenna control unit;522: tracking control unit;524: adjustment performing unit;532: notification information transmitting unit;534: notification information receiving unit;540: communication relay unit;542: history storage unit;544: estimation model generation unit;546: estimation model storage unit;1200: computer;1210: host controller;1212: CPU;1214: RAM;1216: graphics controller;1218: display device;1220: input/output controller;1222: communication interface;1224: storage device;1230: ROM;1240: input/output chip