Content of research

The radio propagation environment inside a vehicle is a special environment that differs from the conventional propagation model due to multiple reflections caused by the surrounding metal and the presence of fixtures and passengers inside. It is therefore necessary to evaluate the characteristics of radio wave propagation, including the effects of absorption and scattering of radio waves by the bodies of passengers, to estimate the quality of the wireless connection under actual operational conditions. However, it is difficult to evaluate the propagation characteristics by actual measurement or simple numerical analysis (e.g., ray tracing). This study addresses modeling of the propagation environment in vehicles, which has been difficult in the past, and realizes a simulation method in a very large analysis space by using a supercomputer.

Potential for social implementation

• ・We have developed a new method to evaluate the propagation characteristics of wireless communication systems in office and passenger transportation environments. It is expected to apply these results to the optimal design (as well as safety evaluation) of wireless communication environments, such as MIMO and multiple bandwidths, which will become more and more complex in the future

Appealing points to industry and local governments

It is expected to progress as a promising method to achieve the visualization of radio wave propagation in computer space, and to be applied to the use of radio waves and electromagnetic fields in general. Detailed measurements of radio wave propagation characteristics in environments filled with many human bodies, such as large offices, are practically impossible, and computer simulations will have to be used in the future. This research will be a pioneer for this purpose.