Satellite signal reception characteristic estimation apparatus, method thereof, and program thereof

A satellite signal reception characteristic estimation apparatus for estimating reception characteristics of satellite signals from a satellite in order to install a satellite antenna at an optimal position, the satellite signal reception characteristic estimation apparatus comprising:

• a satellite orbital information collection unit that collects and outputs orbital information for the satellite, the orbital information being information relating to satellite orbits;
• a peripheral environment spatial information collection unit that collects and outputs spatial information for a peripheral environment of an installation position of the satellite antenna, the spatial information being image information of the peripheral environment of the installation position of the satellite antenna;
• a positional information collection unit that collects and outputs positional information for the installation position of the satellite antenna, the positional information being three-dimensional coordinate information that indicates the installation position of the satellite antenna;
• and
• a simulation unit that estimates the reception characteristics of the satellite signals at the installation position of the satellite antenna by performing a simulation based on the orbital information, the spatial information, and the positional information outputted from the satellite orbital information collection unit, the peripheral environment spatial information collection unit, and the positional information collection unit, wherein calculations and analyses performed by the simulation unit in order to estimate the reception characteristics of the satellite signals at the installation position of the satellite antenna comprise (1) calculation of the satellite orbits on a celestial sphere, (2) identification of structures in the peripheral environment, (3) analysis of the reception characteristics of the satellite signals over time, and (4) analysis of an open area on the celestial sphere in which the satellite signals can always be captured.