JP2006186551A - Radio device, radio communication system using it, and method of determining distance/position in it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio device which determines the position of a newly added radio device to a plurality of communication ranges or a plurality of radio devices among the plurality of the radio devices and the newly added radio device. <P>SOLUTION: Three time differences are calculated between the propagation period which a beacon frame propagates from the radio device 10 to the radio devices 20, 30, and 40 and the propagation period which the beacon frame propagates from the radio device 10 to the radio devices 50. Moreover, three time lengths are detected after the three radio devices 20, 30, and 40 receive the beam frame from the radio device 10 until it receives the data frame from the radio device 50. Three communication ranges d<SB>D2</SB>, d<SB>D3</SB>, and d<SB>D4</SB>among the radio device 50 and the three radio devices 20, 30, and 40 are determined based on the three time differences, the three time lengths and a response time in the radio device 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio apparatus, a radio communication system using the same, and a distance / position determining method therefor, and more particularly, a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of radio apparatuses and one radio apparatus, and 1 for a plurality of radio apparatuses. The present invention relates to a wireless device for determining the position of two wireless devices, a wireless communication system using the wireless device, and a distance / position determining method in the wireless communication system.

  In a conventional wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system, a CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) method is used as a physical layer protocol, and a CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense) is used as a medium access control method in a data link layer. Multiple Access with Collation Avidance) is used.

  This CSMA / CA method is a method for avoiding a communication collision by constantly monitoring whether or not another terminal is transmitting a packet and whether or not a packet addressed to itself is being transmitted (non-patent). Reference 1). That is, each terminal transmits data after confirming that the network is continuously available for a predetermined time or more.

Thus, in the conventional wireless LAN system, data communication is performed using the CSMA / CA method.
By Koizumi, “All of Data Communication with Illustrations”, Nihon Jitsugyo Publishing Co., Ltd., November 20, 1999, p. 272.

  However, in a conventional wireless LAN system, when a new wireless device enters a wireless communication system that includes a plurality of wireless devices and performs wireless communication between the plurality of wireless devices, the plurality of wireless devices There is a problem that it is impossible to determine a plurality of communication distances between the wireless device and the new wireless device. In addition, there is a problem that the position of a new wireless device cannot be determined for a plurality of wireless devices.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of radio apparatuses and a newly added radio apparatus or a new one for a plurality of radio apparatuses. It is to provide a wireless device for determining a position of a wireless device added to the network.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide wireless communication for determining a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of wireless devices and a newly added wireless device or a position of a newly added wireless device with respect to a plurality of wireless devices. Is to provide a system.

  Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to determine a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of wireless devices and a newly added wireless device, or a distance / to determine a position of a newly added wireless device relative to a plurality of wireless devices. It is to provide a position determination method.

  According to the present invention, a wireless device transmits a first frame including a plurality of communication time zones assigned to a plurality of wireless devices, and receives a first frame from the parent device n (n is A radio comprising (positive integer) number of observation devices and an observed device that receives the first frame from the parent device and transmits the second frame in synchronization with the communication time zone assigned to itself. A wireless device that determines n first communication distances between n observation devices and an observed device in a network, and includes a determination unit. The determining means includes n time differences indicating a difference in propagation time between the observed device and each of the n observation devices when the first frame propagates to the observed device and the n observation devices, Each of the n observation devices receives n first time lengths, which are the time lengths between the reception timing of the first frame and the second frame reception timing, and the observed device receives the first frame. On the basis of the response time from when the second frame is transmitted until the second frame is transmitted, the n first propagation times at which the second frame propagates from the observed device to the n observation devices are calculated. N first communication distances are determined based on the calculated n first propagation times.

  Preferably, the determination unit is provided in the master unit.

  Preferably, the wireless device further includes reception means and calculation means. The receiving means receives n time lengths from n observers. The computing means is configured to determine the first and second based on the round trip time from when the master unit transmits the first frame to the observed device and when the second frame is received from the observed device, and the response time. The second propagation time in which the frame propagates between the parent device and the observed device is calculated, and the calculated second propagation time and the first frame are propagated from the parent device to each of the n observation devices. Based on the n third propagation times, n time differences are calculated. Then, the determining means calculates n first propagation times based on the n time lengths received by the receiving means, the n time differences calculated by the calculating means, and the response time.

  Preferably, the determination means is provided in any one of the n observation devices.

  Preferably, the wireless device further includes a reception unit, a detection unit, and a calculation unit. The receiving means receives n-1 (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) time lengths from n-1 observation devices, and the master unit transmits the first frame to the observed device. The round trip time until the second frame is received from the observed device is received from the parent device. The detecting means detects a time length between the reception timing of the first frame and the reception timing of the second frame in the wireless device. The computing means computes a second propagation time for the first and second frames to propagate between the parent device and the observed device based on the response time and the round trip time received by the receiving means, N time differences are calculated based on the calculated second propagation time and n third propagation times in which the first frame propagates from the parent device to each of the n observation devices. Then, the determining means is based on the time length detected by the detecting means, the n-1 time lengths received by the receiving means, the n time differences calculated by the calculating means, and the response time. n first propagation times are calculated.

  Preferably, the determination unit is provided in the observed apparatus.

  Preferably, the wireless device further includes reception means and calculation means. The receiving means receives n time lengths from n observation devices, and from the time when the parent device transmits the first frame to the observation device until the second frame is received from the observation device. Receive round-trip time from parent machine. The computing means computes a second propagation time for the first and second frames to propagate between the parent device and the observed device based on the response time and the round trip time received by the receiving means, N time differences are calculated based on the calculated second propagation time and n third propagation times in which the first frame propagates from the parent device to each of the n observation devices. Then, the determining means calculates n first propagation times based on the n time lengths received by the receiving means, the n time differences calculated by the calculating means, and the response time.

  Preferably, the determination unit holds n second communication distances between the parent device and the n observation devices, and the third communication between the parent device and the observed device based on the round trip time. The distance is determined, and based on the determined third communication distance, the n second communication distances that are held, and the determined n first communication distances, Further determine the position of the observed device relative to the observation device.

  According to the present invention, the wireless communication system includes a master unit, n (n is a positive integer) number of observation devices, an observed device, and a determination device. The base unit transmits a first frame including a plurality of communication time zones assigned to a plurality of wireless devices. The n observation devices receive the first frame from the parent device. The observed device receives the first frame from the parent device and transmits the second frame in synchronization with the communication time zone assigned to itself. The determining means determines n first communication distances between the n observation devices and the observed device. Then, the determining apparatus includes n time differences indicating a difference in propagation time between the observed device and each of the n observation devices when the first frame propagates to the observed device and the n observation devices. And n time lengths each consisting of a time length between the reception timing of the first frame and the reception timing of the second frame in each of the n observation devices, and the observation device in the first frame N first propagation times for the second frame to propagate from the observed device to the n observation devices are calculated based on the response time from the reception of the second frame to the transmission of the second frame. Then, n first communication distances are determined based on the calculated n first propagation times.

  Preferably, the determination device is mounted on any of the parent device, the observation device, and the observed device.

  Preferably, the determination device holds n second communication distances between the parent device and the n observation devices, and performs third communication between the parent device and the observed device based on the round trip time. The distance is determined, and based on the determined third communication distance, the n second communication distances that are held, and the determined n first communication distances, Further determine the position of the observed device relative to the observation device.

  Further, according to the present invention, the distance / position determination method includes a master unit that transmits a first frame including a plurality of communication time zones assigned to a plurality of wireless devices, and a first frame received from the master unit. N observation devices (n is a positive integer) and an observed device that receives the first frame from the parent device and transmits the second frame in synchronization with the communication time zone assigned to itself Is a distance / position determination method for determining n first communication distances between n observation devices and an observed device in a wireless network comprising the first frame and the n frames. A first step of calculating n time differences indicating a difference in propagation time between each of the observed devices and each of the n observation devices when propagating to the other observation devices, and each of the n observation devices Reception timing of the first frame and reception timing of the second frame in each A second step of detecting n time lengths consisting of a time length between and a response time from when the device under test receives the first frame to when the second frame is transmitted Based on the third step, n time differences, n time lengths, and response times, the n first frames propagated from the observed device to the n observed devices, respectively. A fourth step of calculating a propagation time and determining n first communication distances based on the calculated n first propagation times.

  Preferably, the distance / position determining method includes a fifth step of determining a second communication distance between the parent device and the observed device based on the round trip time, the determined second communication distance, and the parent device. Based on the n third communication distances between the n observation devices and the determined n first communication distances, the position of the observed device relative to the parent device and the previous n observation devices And a sixth step of determining.

  In the present invention, n time differences that are differences between the propagation time for the first frame to propagate from the parent device to the n observation devices and the propagation time for the first frame to propagate from the parent device to the observed device. Is calculated. Also, n time lengths from when the n observation devices receive the first frame from the parent device to when the second observation device receives the second frame from the observed device are detected. Then, n communication distances between the observed device and the n observation devices are determined based on the n time differences, the n time lengths, and the response time in the observed device. Further, using the n communication distances and the communication distance between the parent device and the observed device, the position of the observed device with respect to the parent device and the n observation devices is determined.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to determine a plurality of communication distances between a newly added device to be observed, the parent device, and n observation devices (a plurality of wireless devices). Moreover, the position of the newly added observed device with respect to the parent device and n number of observation devices (a plurality of wireless devices) can be determined.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. A wireless communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50. Each of the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 includes antennas 1 to 5 that radiate a beam composed of an omni pattern.

  The wireless device 10 functions as a coordinator (parent device). Then, the wireless device 10 periodically transmits a beacon frame to the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, 50 via the antenna 1. The beacon frame will be described later.

The radio apparatuses 20, 30, and 40 function as an observation device (Observer; O ₁ , O ₂ , O ₃ ). The wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 receive the beacon frame from the wireless device 10 and the data frame from the wireless device 50 via the antennas 2 to 4, respectively.

  The wireless device 50 functions as an observed device. The wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame from the wireless device 10 via the antenna 5, and transmits the data frame to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 after a certain time has elapsed after receiving the beacon frame.

In the wireless communication system 100, the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 perform wireless communication with each other, and communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , between the wireless device 10 and the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, The positions of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40 relative to the _dC3 and the wireless device 10 are known.

In the present invention, when the wireless device 50 is newly added in a situation where the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 are performing wireless communication with each other, the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 are added. And the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless device 10 shown in FIG. The wireless device 10 includes switches 11, 18, 22, 24, a reception amplifier 12, a transmission amplifier 13, a reception mixer 14, a transmission mixer 15, a demodulation circuit 16, a modulation circuit 17, and a beacon reception synchronization local unit. An oscillator 19, a general reception local oscillator 21, a beacon operation crystal oscillator / multiplier 23, a beacon frame / general interframe time measuring device 25, a clock / time slot generator 27, and a communication controller 27 are included. .

  The switch 11 is connected to the antenna 1 and is connected to the terminal 11A or the terminal 11B by a switching signal EX1 from the communication controller 27. The switching signal EX1 is at an H (logic high) level or an L (logic low) level. The switch 11 is connected to the terminal 11A when it receives the H level switching signal EX1, and is connected to the terminal 11B when it receives the L level switching signal EX1.

  Then, the switch 11 outputs the reception signal from the antenna 1 to the reception amplifier 12 via the terminal 11A. In addition, the switch 11 receives a transmission signal from the transmission amplifier 13 via the terminal 11B and outputs the received transmission signal to the antenna 1.

  The reception amplifier 12 amplifies the reception signal received from the antenna 1 via the switch 11 to a predetermined level and outputs the amplified reception signal to the reception mixer 14.

  The transmission amplifier 13 amplifies the transmission signal from the transmission mixer 15 to a predetermined level, and outputs the amplified transmission signal to the antenna 1 via the switch 11.

  The reception mixer 14 receives the carrier frequency f1 or f2 via the switch 18, and converts the frequency of the reception signal received from the reception amplifier 12 into the carrier frequency f1 or f2. Then, the reception mixer 14 outputs the reception signal converted to the carrier frequency f1 or f2 to the demodulation circuit 16.

  The transmission mixer 15 receives the carrier frequency f1 or f3 via the switch 24, converts the frequency of the modulation signal received from the modulation circuit 17 into the carrier frequency f1 or f3, and generates a transmission signal. Then, the reception mixer 15 outputs the transmission signal converted to the carrier frequency f1 or f3 to the transmission amplifier 13.

  The demodulation circuit 16 demodulates the reception signal from the reception mixer 14 and generates a beacon frame BCF or a general data frame DF. Then, the demodulation circuit 16 outputs the demodulated beacon frame BCF or data frame DF to the communication controller 27. Further, the demodulating circuit 16 outputs a Vco signal Vc for correcting the reception tuning deviation to the switch 22. Further, the demodulation circuit 16 outputs a signal INI indicating the start of the frame and a signal FIN indicating the end of the frame to the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25. Further, the demodulation circuit 16 detects the phase deviation Δθ when the received signal is demodulated, and outputs the detected phase deviation Δθ to the communication controller 27.

  Modulation circuit 17 receives transmission data from communication controller 27, modulates the received transmission data by a predetermined method, for example, QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) method, and outputs the modulated signal to transmission mixer 15. .

  The switch 18 is connected between the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 and the general reception local oscillator 21 and the reception mixer 14. Switch 18 receives switching signal EX2 from communication controller 27. Switching signal EX2 is at H level or L level. The switch 18 is connected to the terminal 18A when it receives the H level switching signal EX2, and is connected to the terminal 18B when it receives the L level switching signal EX2.

  When the switch 18 is connected to the terminal 18 </ b> A, the switch 18 outputs the carrier frequency f <b> 1 from the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 to the reception mixer 14. When connected to the terminal 18B, the switch 18 outputs the carrier frequency f2 from the general reception local oscillator 21 to the reception mixer 14.

  The beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 receives the Vco signal Vc from the demodulation circuit 16 via the switch 22 and reproduces the carrier frequency f1 of the wireless device that transmitted the beacon based on the received Vco signal Vc. The beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 holds the regenerated carrier frequency f1 and outputs the carrier frequency f1 to the terminal 18A of the switch 18 and the terminal 24B of the switch 24.

  The carrier frequency f1 is used as a time measurement reference and a frequency reference when generating a modulation signal.

  The general reception local oscillator 21 receives the Vco signal Vc from the demodulation circuit 16 via the switch 22, and reproduces the carrier frequency f2 when the received Vco signal Vc is received. The general reception local oscillator 21 holds the reproduced carrier frequency f2 and outputs the carrier frequency f2 to the terminal 18B of the switch 18.

  The switch 22 is connected between the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 and the general reception local oscillator 21 and the demodulation circuit 16. Then, the switch 22 receives a switching signal EX3 from the communication controller 27. Switching signal EX3 is at the H level or the L level. The switch 22 is connected to the terminal 22A when it receives the H level switching signal EX3, and is connected to the terminal 22B when it receives the L level switching signal EX3.

  When connected to the terminal 22A, the switch 22 outputs the Vco signal Vc to the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19. Further, when connected to the terminal 22B, the switch 22 outputs the Vco signal Vc to the general reception local oscillator 21.

  The beacon operation crystal oscillator / multiplier 23 is a reference oscillator when the wireless device 10 operates as a beacon transmitter, and generates a carrier frequency f3 of a reference transmission frequency by the multiplier. Then, the beacon operation crystal oscillator / multiplier 23 outputs the generated carrier frequency f3 to the terminal 24A of the switch 24.

  The switch 24 is connected between the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 and the beacon operation crystal oscillator / multiplier 23, the transmission mixer 15, and the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25. The switch 24 receives the switching signal EX4 from the communication controller 27. Switching signal EX4 is at H level or L level. The switch 24 is connected to the terminal 24A when it receives the H level switching signal EX4, and is connected to the terminal 24B when it receives the L level switching signal EX4.

  When connected to the terminal 24A, the switch 24 outputs the carrier frequency f3 to the transmission mixer 15, the beacon frame / general interframe time measuring device 25, and the clock / time slot generator 26. Further, when connected to the terminal 24B, the switch 24 outputs the carrier frequency f1 to the transmission mixer 15, the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25, and the clock / time slot generator 26.

  The beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25 counts the components of the periodic signal having the carrier frequency f1 or f3 based on the signals INI and FIN and the carrier frequency f1 or f3, and outputs the count number to the communication controller 27. To do.

  The clock / time slot generator 26 generates an operation clock for the communication controller 27 and a signal for determining the time slot, and outputs the generated operation clock and a signal for determining the time slot to the communication controller 27.

  The communication controller 27 has a table TBL. The table TBL includes a MAC (Media Access Control) address, a count number, and a phase deviation. The MAC address is an address of a communication partner. The count number is the count number counted by the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25. The phase deviation is a phase deviation detected by the demodulation circuit 16.

  When the communication controller 27 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 and then receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50, the communication controller 27 detects the MAC address of the wireless device 50 from the data frame DF, and stores the detected MAC address in the table. Stored in the TBL MAC address column. When the communication controller 27 receives the phase deviation from the demodulation circuit 16, the communication controller 27 stores the received phase deviation in the phase deviation column corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless device 50, and the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25. When the count number is received, the received count number is stored in the count number column corresponding to the MAC address of the wireless device 50.

  Further, the communication controller 27 calculates a time length T1 from when the beacon frame BCF is transmitted until the data frame DF is received based on the count number and the phase deviation stored in the table TBL.

  Further, the communication controller 27 calculates time lengths T2, T3, and T4 from the reception of the beacon frame BCF to the reception of the data frame DF based on the count number and the phase deviation stored in the table TBL.

  Furthermore, the communication controller 27 transmits the calculated time lengths T1 to T4 to other wireless devices.

Further, the communication controller 27 holds the communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , d _C3 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and the held communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , d _{Based on C3} , the time lengths T1 to T4, and the response time tc in the wireless device 50, the communication distances d _D1 and d between the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and the wireless device 50 are performed by a method described later. _D2 , _dD3 , and _dD4 are determined.

The communication controller 27, the communication distance _{d D1, d D2, d D3} , d D4 was its determined using, for determining the position of the wireless device 50 to the wireless device 10, 20, 30, and 40.

  Further, the communication controller 27 generates switching signals EX1 to EX4 each having an H level or an L level. Then, the communication controller 27 outputs the switching signal EX1 from the terminal EXTR to the switch 11, outputs the switching signals EX2 and EX3 from the terminal EXR to the switches 18 and 22, respectively, and outputs the switching signal EX4 from the terminal MDE to the switch 24. .

  Furthermore, the communication controller 27 generates transmission data and outputs the generated transmission data to the modulation circuit 17 from the terminal TD.

  Further, the communication controller 27 exchanges data with the host computer via the host interface HSIF.

  Each of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40 and 50 has the same configuration as the wireless device 10 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of the beacon frame BCF. The beacon frame BCF is periodically transmitted. The beacon frame BCF includes a header HED and a plurality of time slots SL1 to SLk (k is a positive integer). The header HED includes designation information that designates a time slot SLk used by each wireless device.

  In the case of the wireless communication system 100, since there are five wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, the beacon frame BCF includes five time slots SL1 to SL5. The designation information designates the time slots SL1 to SL5 as time slots used by the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50, respectively.

  Accordingly, the wireless device 10 periodically transmits the beacon frame BCF and transmits the data frame DF in synchronization with the time slot SL1 after transmitting the beacon frame BCF. The wireless device 20 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10, waits until the time slot SL2 is started after receiving the beacon frame BCF, and transmits the data frame DF in synchronization with the time slot SL2. . Further, the wireless devices 30, 40, and 50 receive the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10, and after receiving the beacon frame BCF, wait until the timing at which the time slots SL3 to SL5 are started, respectively, and the time slots SL3 and SL3, respectively. Data frame DF is transmitted in synchronization with ~ SL5.

  Each of the time slots SL1 to SLk has a time length of several tens of msec.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method in which the demodulation circuit 16 shown in FIG. 2 detects a phase deviation. The wireless device 10 receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50 after transmitting the beacon frame BCF, and the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 receive data from the wireless device 50 after receiving the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10. Receive the frame DF.

  In this case, the beacon frame BCF is transmitted at the carrier frequency f3, and the data frame DF is transmitted at the carrier frequency f1. Therefore, the radio apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 are not necessarily able to receive the data frame DF in synchronization with the clock signal having the carrier frequency f3, and the reception timing of the data frame DF is determined from the clock signal having the carrier frequency f3. Shift.

  The wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 receive the data frame DF from the wireless device 50. The demodulation circuit 16 of the radio apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 samples the data frame DF from the reception mixer 14 in synchronization with the clock signal CLK_f3_1 (clock signal having the carrier frequency f3), and starts reception of the data frame DF. Detection is performed at the sampling timing ST1.

  The data frame DF is data modulated by QPSK. Therefore, when the phase of the clock signal CLK_f3_1 having the carrier frequency f3 matches the phase of the clock signal CLK_f1_1 having the carrier frequency f1, the sampling timing for detecting the reception start of the data frame DF is the start timing t_ds of the data frame DF. Matches.

  However, since the phase of the clock signal CLK_f3_1 is actually shifted from the phase of the clock signal CLK_f1_1, the sampling timing ST1 for detecting the start of the data frame DF does not coincide with the start timing t_ds of the data frame DF.

  Therefore, the demodulation circuit 16 represents the data frame DF by sin (ωt + Δθ), and determines the phase deviation Δθ so that sin (ωt + Δθ) matches the actually received data frame DF. Thereby, the demodulation circuit 16 detects the phase deviation Δθ.

  FIG. 5 is a signal space diagram of data modulated by QPSK. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the in-phase component I of the phase, and the vertical axis represents the quadrature component Q of the phase. When the phase of the clock signal CLK_f3_1 is not shifted from the phase of the clock signal CLK_f1_1, the data frame DF is composed of components SS1 to SS4 present at the four vertices of the square 1.

  However, when the phase of the clock signal CLK_f3_1 is shifted from the phase of the clock signal CLK_f1_1, the data frame DF is composed of components SS′1 to SS′4 present at the four vertices of the square 2. The diagonal 4 of the square 2 is offset from the diagonal 3 of the square 1. Therefore, the difference between the angle of the diagonal line 3 with respect to the horizontal axis and the angle of the diagonal line 4 with respect to the horizontal axis is the phase deviation Δθ.

  Therefore, the demodulation circuit 16 holds the signal space diagram shown in FIG. 5, and plots the components of the data frame DF received from the radio apparatus 50 in the signal space diagram to obtain the angle between the diagonal line 3 and the diagonal line 4. The difference may be detected as a phase deviation Δθ.

  Thus, the demodulation circuit 16 detects the phase deviation Δθ by one of the two methods described above.

A method for determining the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 between the radio apparatuses 10, 20, 30, 40 and the radio apparatus 50 will be described.

  The wireless device 10 modulates the beacon frame BCF with the carrier frequency f3 and transmits it to the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and 50. Then, the wireless device 10 measures the time between the timing when the beacon frame BCF is transmitted and the timing when the data frame DF is received from the wireless device 50.

  That is, the beacon operation crystal oscillator / multiplier 23 of the wireless device 10 generates the carrier frequency f3 and outputs it to the terminal 24A. The communication controller 27 generates an H level switching signal EX4 and outputs it from the terminal MDE to the switch 24.

  Then, the switch 24 is connected to the terminal 24A in response to the H level switching signal EX4, and outputs the carrier frequency f3 to the transmission mixer 15, the beacon frame / general interframe time measuring device 25, and the clock / time slot generator 26. To do.

  The clock / time slot generator 26 generates the operation clock CLK_f3 and the time slots SL1 to SL5 of the communication controller 27 based on the carrier frequency f3, and communicates the generated operation clock CLK_f3 and time slots SL1 to SL5. Output to the controller 27. Further, the communication controller 27 generates an L level switching signal EX1 and outputs it to the switch 11 from the terminal EXTR.

  The communication controller 27 generates a beacon frame BCF based on the time slots SL1 to SL5 from the clock / time slot generator 26, outputs the generated beacon frame BCF from the terminal TD to the modulation circuit 17, and also outputs the beacon frame BCF. In synchronization with the output timing, the components of the operation clock CLK_f3 from the clock / time slot generator 26 are counted, and the measurement of the time after the output of the beacon frame BCF is started.

  Then, the modulation circuit 17 modulates the beacon frame BCF from the communication controller 27 by the QPSK method, and outputs the modulated beacon frame BCF to the transmission mixer 15.

  The transmission mixer 15 receives the modulated beacon frame BCF from the modulation circuit 17, converts the frequency of the received beacon frame BCF to the carrier frequency f <b> 3, and outputs it to the transmission amplifier 13. Then, the transmission amplifier 13 amplifies the beacon frame BCF and outputs it to the terminal 11B.

  The switch 11 is connected to the terminal 11B according to the L level switching signal EX1 from the communication controller 27, and outputs the beacon frame BCF from the transmission amplifier 13 to the antenna 1. The antenna 1 transmits a beacon frame BCF.

  As a result, the wireless device 10 transmits the beacon frame BCF to the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and 50.

  The antenna 1 receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50 after transmitting the beacon frame BCF. The communication controller 27 generates an H level switching signal EX1 and outputs it from the terminal EXTR to the switch 11, generates L level switching signals EX2 and EX3, and outputs them from the terminal EXR to the switches 18 and 22, respectively.

  The switch 11 is connected to the terminal 11A in response to an H level switching signal EX1 from the communication controller 27, and outputs the data frame DF received from the antenna 1 to the reception amplifier 12.

  The reception amplifier 12 amplifies the data frame DF and outputs it to the reception mixer 14. The switch 18 is connected to the terminal 18B in response to the L level switching signal EX2, and outputs the carrier frequency f2 from the general reception local oscillator 21 to the reception mixer 14.

  The reception mixer 14 converts the frequency of the data frame DF from the reception amplifier 12 into a baseband at the carrier frequency f2 and outputs the baseband to the demodulation circuit 16. Demodulation circuit 16 demodulates data frame DF and outputs the demodulated data frame to switch 22 and communication controller 27. Further, the demodulation circuit 16 detects the phase deviation Δθ by the method described above, and outputs the detected phase deviation Δθ to the communication controller 27.

  The switch 22 is connected to the terminal 22B in response to the L level switching signal EX3, and outputs the data frame DF to the general reception local oscillator 21. Then, the general reception local oscillator 21 reproduces the carrier frequency f2 when receiving the data frame DF based on the data frame DF.

  Further, the communication controller 27 receives the data frame DF and the phase deviation Δθ from the demodulation circuit 16. When the communication controller 27 receives the data frame DF, the communication controller 27 stops time measurement, and based on the measured time and the phase deviation Δθ, the time from when the beacon frame BCF is transmitted until the data frame DF is received. The length T1 is calculated.

  The wireless device 20 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 and then receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50. And the radio | wireless apparatus 20 measures the time length T2 from the timing which received the beacon frame BCF to the timing which received the data frame DF.

  That is, the antenna 2 receives the beacon frame BCF and outputs it to the switch 11. The communication controller 27 of the wireless device 20 generates an H level switching signal EX1 and outputs it from the terminal EXTR to the switch 11, generates H level switching signals EX2 and EX3, and outputs them from the terminal EXR to the switches 18 and 22, respectively. Then, an L level switching signal EX4 is generated and output from the terminal MDE to the switch 24.

  The switch 11 is connected to the terminal 11A in response to the H level switching signal EX1 and outputs a beacon frame BCF to the reception amplifier 12. The reception amplifier 12 amplifies the beacon frame BCF and outputs it to the reception mixer 14.

  The beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 outputs the carrier frequency f 1 to the switches 18 and 24. The switch 18 is connected to the terminal 18A according to the switching signal EX2 at the H level, and outputs the carrier frequency f1 to the reception mixer 14. The switch 24 is connected to the terminal 24B in response to the L-level switching signal EX4, and outputs the carrier frequency f1 to the transmission mixer 15, the beacon frame / general frame measuring instrument 25, and the clock / time slot generator 26.

  Then, the reception mixer 14 converts the frequency of the beacon frame BCF from the reception amplifier 12 into the baseband at the carrier frequency f1, and outputs the baseband to the demodulation circuit 16. The demodulation circuit 16 generates a signal INI_B (a kind of signal INI) indicating that reception of the beacon frame BCF is started, and outputs the signal INI_B to the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25.

  Further, the demodulation circuit 16 outputs the Vco signal Vc to the switch 22, demodulates the beacon frame BCF, and outputs it to the communication controller 27. The switch 22 is connected to the terminal 22A in response to the H level switching signal EX3, and outputs the Vco signal Vc to the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19.

  Based on the Vco signal Vc, the beacon reception synchronization local oscillator 19 reproduces the carrier frequency f3 of the wireless device 10 that transmitted the beacon frame BCF, holds the reproduced carrier frequency f3, and uses the carrier frequency f3 as the carrier frequency f1. Output as.

  When the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25 receives the carrier frequency f1 from the switch 24, it generates a clock signal CLK_f1 having the carrier frequency f1. When receiving the signal INI_B from the demodulating circuit 16, the beacon frame / general frame time measuring unit 25 starts counting the components of the clock signal CLK_f1.

  The clock / time slot generator 26 generates a clock signal CLK_f1 having the carrier frequency f1 based on the carrier frequency f1 from the switch 24, and outputs the generated clock signal CLK_f1 to the communication controller 27.

  Thereafter, the antenna 2 receives the data frame DF and outputs it to the switch 11. The communication controller 27 generates L level switching signals EX2 and EX3 and outputs them from the terminal EXR to the switches 18 and 22, respectively.

  The switch 11 outputs the data frame DF to the reception amplifier 12, and the reception amplifier 12 amplifies the data frame DF and outputs it to the reception mixer 14.

  The general reception local oscillator 21 outputs the carrier frequency f 2 to the switch 18. The switch 18 is connected to the terminal 18B in response to the L level switching signal EX2, and outputs the carrier frequency f2 to the reception mixer 14.

  Then, the reception mixer 14 converts the frequency of the data frame DF from the reception amplifier 12 into a baseband at the carrier frequency f2, and outputs the baseband to the demodulation circuit 16. The demodulation circuit 16 generates a signal INI_D (a kind of signal INI) indicating that the data frame DF has started to be received, and outputs the signal INI_D to the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25.

  Further, the demodulation circuit 16 outputs the Vco signal Vc to the switch 22, demodulates the data frame DF and outputs it to the communication controller 27, and detects the phase deviation Δθ1 when receiving the data frame DF by the method described above. To the communication controller 27. The switch 22 is connected to the terminal 22B in response to the L level switching signal EX3, and outputs the data frame DF to the general reception local oscillator 21.

  Based on the Vco signal Vc, the general reception local oscillator 21 reproduces the carrier frequency f2 when receiving the data frame DF, holds the reproduced carrier frequency f2, and outputs the carrier frequency f2 to the switch 18.

  When receiving the signal INI_D from the demodulating circuit 16, the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25 stops counting the components of the clock signal CLK_f1. Then, the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25 outputs the count number Ncnt1 from the timing of receiving the signal INI_B to the timing of receiving the signal INI_D to the communication controller 27.

  The communication controller 27 uses the count number Ncnt1 from the beacon frame / general frame time measuring device 25 and the phase deviation Δθ1 from the demodulation circuit 16 to receive the data frame DF after the wireless device 20 receives the beacon frame BCF. The time length T2 until receiving is calculated. Further, the communication controller 27 stores the MAC address of the wireless device 50 that has transmitted the data frame DF in the MAC address column of the table TBL, and sets the count number Ncnt1 and the phase deviation Δθ1 in the count number and phase deviation columns of the table TBL, respectively. To store.

  The wireless device 30 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 and then receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50. And the radio | wireless apparatus 30 measures time length T3 from the timing which received the beacon frame BCF to the timing which received the data frame DF.

  In addition, the wireless device 40 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 and then receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50. And the radio | wireless apparatus 40 measures the time length T4 from the timing which received the beacon frame BCF to the timing which received the data frame DF.

  The detailed operation in which the wireless devices 30 and 40 measure the time lengths T3 and T4, respectively, is the same as the detailed operation in which the wireless device 20 measures the time length T2.

  The wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10, and then transmits the data frame DF to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 after a predetermined time tc has elapsed.

  In this case, the detailed operation in which the wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 is the same as the detailed operation in which the wireless device 20 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10.

  When the wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 50 operates in synchronization with the clock signal CLK_f1.

  The communication controller 27 of the wireless device 50 detects the time slot SL5 to be used by the wireless device 50 based on the header HED of the beacon frame BCF demodulated by the demodulation circuit 16, and receives the beacon frame BCF ( Wait until the start timing of the time slot SL5 from the start timing of the beacon frame BCF shown in FIG.

  At the start timing of the time slot SL5, the communication controller 27 generates a data frame DF and outputs the data frame DF to the modulation circuit 17 from the terminal TD. Further, the communication controller 27 generates an L level switching signal EX1 and outputs it to the switch 11 from the terminal EXTR.

  The modulation circuit 17 modulates the data frame DF by the QPSK method, and outputs the modulated data frame DF to the transmission mixer 15.

  When the wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame BCF, the transmission mixer 15 receives the carrier frequency f <b> 1 from the switch 24. Accordingly, the transmission mixer 15 converts the frequency of the data frame DF received from the modulation circuit 17 into the carrier frequency f1 and outputs it to the transmission amplifier 13. The transmission amplifier 13 amplifies the data frame DF and outputs it to the terminal 11B.

  The switch 11 is connected to the terminal 11B in response to the L level switching signal EX1, and outputs the data frame DF from the transmission amplifier 13 to the antenna 5. The antenna 5 transmits the data frame DF.

  Thereby, the radio | wireless apparatus 50 transmits data frame DF to the radio | wireless apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 after fixed time tc elapses after receiving the beacon frame BCF.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart of the beacon frame BCF and the data frame DF transmitted and received by the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 shown in FIG.

  The wireless device 10 transmits a beacon frame BCF to the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and 50 at timing t1. The wireless device 10 receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50 at timing t13. Therefore, the wireless device 10 measures the time length T1 from the timing t1 to the timing t13 by the above-described operation.

  Further, the wireless device 20 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 at timing t2, and receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50 at timing t10. Accordingly, the wireless device 20 measures the time length T2 from the timing t2 to the timing t10 by the above-described operation.

  Further, the wireless device 30 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 at timing t4, and receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50 at timing t12. Accordingly, the wireless device 30 measures the time length T3 from the timing t4 to the timing t12 by the above-described operation.

  Further, the wireless device 40 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10 at timing t3, and receives the data frame DF from the wireless device 50 at timing t11. Therefore, the radio | wireless apparatus 40 measures time length T4 from the timing t3 to the timing t11 by the operation | movement mentioned above.

The beacon frame BCF transmitted from the wireless device 10 propagates to the wireless device 20 with a time length T5 from timing t1 to timing t2. Since the communication distance d _C1 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 20 is known, the time length T5 is calculated by T5 = d _C1 / c (c is the speed of light).

Similarly, the time length T6 in which the beacon frame BCF transmitted from the wireless device 10 propagates to the wireless device 30 is calculated by T6 = d _C2 / c, and the beacon frame BCF transmitted from the wireless device 10 is calculated by the wireless device 40. The time length T7 to propagate to is calculated by T7 = d _C3 / c.

A time length T8 in which the beacon frame BCF transmitted from the wireless device 10 propagates to the wireless device 50 is T8 = d _D1 / c using the communication distance d _D1 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50.

  The time from when the wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame BCF to when the data frame DF is transmitted is the time from the timing t5 to the timing t9. And the radio | wireless apparatus 50 is equal to the time tc shown in FIG. 3 until it transmits data frame DF synchronizing with time slot SL5 allocated to the radio | wireless apparatus 50 after receiving the beacon frame BCF.

  Therefore, the time length from timing t5 to timing t9 is time tc.

  Since each of the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 receives the beacon frame BCF from the wireless device 10, it is possible to predict the timing at which the wireless device 50 transmits the data frame DF.

  That is, the wireless device 20 receives the beacon frame BCF at the timing t2, and predicts that the wireless device 50 transmits the data frame DF at the timing t6 when the time tc has elapsed from the timing t2.

  In addition, the wireless device 30 receives the beacon frame BCF at timing t4, and predicts that the wireless device 50 transmits the data frame DF at timing t8 when time tc has elapsed from timing t4.

  Further, the wireless device 40 receives the beacon frame BCF at the timing t3, and predicts that the wireless device 50 transmits the data frame DF at the timing t7 when the time tc has elapsed from the timing t3.

  However, since the wireless device 50 receives the beacon frame BCF at the timing t5, the timing for actually transmitting the data frame DF is the timing t9 when the time tc has elapsed from the timing t5.

  Therefore, there is a difference of time length T9 between the transmission timing t6 of the data frame DF predicted by the radio apparatus 20 and the timing t9 at which the data frame DF is actually transmitted.

  In addition, a deviation of the time length T10 occurs between the transmission timing t8 of the data frame DF predicted by the radio apparatus 30 and the timing t9 at which the data frame DF is actually transmitted.

  Further, there is a deviation of the time length T11 between the transmission timing t7 of the data frame DF predicted by the radio apparatus 40 and the timing t9 at which the data frame DF is actually transmitted.

The time length T12 for the data frame DF to propagate from the radio apparatus 50 to the radio apparatus 20 is d _D2 / c, and the time length T13 for the data frame DF to propagate from the radio apparatus 50 to the radio apparatus 30 is d _D3 / c. The time length T14 in which the data frame DF propagates from the wireless device 50 to the wireless device 40 becomes d _D4 / c.

  Then, the time length T2 is expressed by the following equation.

T2 = tc + T9 + T12 (1)
The time length T3 is expressed by the following equation.

T3 = tc + T10 + T13 (2)
Further, the time length T4 is expressed by the following equation.

T4 = tc + T11 + T14 (3)
The time length T9 is a difference between the propagation time d _C1 / c in which the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 20 and the propagation time d _D1 / c in which the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 50. Therefore, T9 = d _D1 / c−d _C1 / c.

The time length T10 includes a propagation time d _C2 / c for the beacon frame BCF to propagate from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 30 and a propagation time d _D1 / c for the beacon frame BCF to propagate from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 50. Therefore, T10 = d _D1 / c−d _C2 / c.

Further, the time length T11 includes a propagation time d _C3 / c in which the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 40, and a propagation time d _D1 / c in which the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 50. Therefore, T11 = d _D1 / c−d _C3 / c.

Then, when T9 = d _D1 / c−d _C1 / c and T12 = d _D2 / c are substituted into Expression (1), Expression (1) becomes the following expression.

T2 = tc + d _D1 / c-d _C1 / c + d _D2 / c (4)
Further, when T10 = d _D1 / c−d _C2 / c and T13 = d _D3 / c are substituted into Expression (2), Expression (2) becomes the following expression.

T3 = tc + d _D1 / c-d _C2 / c + d _D3 / c (5)
Further, when T11 = d _D1 / c−d _C3 / c and T14 = d _D4 / c are substituted into the expression (3), the expression (3) becomes the following expression.

T4 = tc + d _D1 / c-d _C3 / c + d _D4 / c (6)
Since the time length T1 is a time length from when the wireless device 10 transmits the beacon frame BCF to when the data frame DF is received from the wireless device 50, the time length T1 is expressed by the following equation.

T1 = 2 × (d _D1 / c) + tc (7)
As described above, the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 measure the time lengths T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively, and the time tc is known, so the time tc and the measured time length T1 are obtained. Substituting into equation (7), the communication distance d _D1 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50 and the propagation time d _D1 / c during which the beacon frame BCF or the data frame DF propagates between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50 Can be calculated.

Then, if the propagation time d _D1 / c and the measured time length T2 are substituted into the equation (4), the communication distance d _C1 is known, so the communication distance d between the radio device 20 and the radio device 50 is known. _D2 can be calculated.

Further, if the propagation time d _D1 / c and the measured time length T3 are substituted into the equation (5), the communication distance d _C2 is known, so the communication distance d between the radio device 30 and the radio device 50 is known. _D3 can be calculated.

Further, if the propagation time d _D1 / c and the measured time length T4 are substituted into the equation (6), the communication distance d _C3 is known, so the communication distance d between the wireless device 40 and the wireless device 50 is known. _D4 can be calculated.

Therefore, the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 between the radio devices 10, 20, 30, 40 and the radio device 50 can be determined.

When the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 are determined, the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 can also be determined.

And when radio | wireless apparatus 10,20,30,40,50 is arrange | positioned planarly, communication distance _dD1 , _dD2 , _dC1 , communication distance _dD1 , _dD3 , _dC2 , and communication distance _dD1 , D _D4 , and d _C3 , the position of the wireless device 50 relative to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, and 40 can be determined.

  Therefore, when the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 are arranged in a plane, the wireless device 10, any one of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and the wireless device 50 The position of the wireless device 50 relative to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 can be determined.

Further, when the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 are three-dimensionally arranged, the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _C1 , d _C2 , d _D3 , the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _C1. , D _C3 , d _D4 , and communication distances d _D1 , d _C2 , d _C3 , d _D3 , d _D4 , the position of the wireless device 50 relative to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 can be determined.

  Therefore, when the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 are three-dimensionally arranged, the wireless device 10, any two wireless devices of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and the wireless device 50 The position of the wireless device 50 relative to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 can be determined.

  When determining the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, and 40, the position of the wireless device 50 may be determined using coordinates.

When the radio devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 are arranged in a plane, the radio device 10 is arranged at the origin using xy orthogonal coordinates, and each position of the radio devices 20, 30, 40, 50 is determined. Is represented by (x, y) coordinates, and the wireless devices using the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 determined by the above-described method and the known communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , d _C3. Each position of 20, 30, 40, 50 is determined.

Further, when the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 are three-dimensionally arranged, the xyz orthogonal coordinates are used, the wireless device 10 is disposed at the origin, and each position of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, and 50 is determined. Is expressed by (x, y, z) coordinates, and the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 determined by the above-described method and the known communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , d _C3 are used. The positions of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40, 50 are determined.

In the present invention, any of the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 may determine the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 by the method described above.

[When Wireless Device 10 Determines Communication Distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 ]
In this case, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 holds the communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , and d _C3, and sets the time lengths T2, T3, and T4 measured by the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40, respectively. , 30, 40. Then, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 measures the time length T1 and the time tc is known, so that the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the wireless devices 10, 20, The position of the wireless device 50 relative to 30,40 can be determined.

That is, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 substitutes the measured time length T1 and the known time tc into the equation (7), and the beacon frame BCF and the data frame DF are transmitted between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50. calculates the propagation time _{d D1} / c propagating between known and is based on the communication distance _{d C1, d C2, d C3} , beacon frames BCF propagate respectively from the wireless device 10 to the wireless device 20, 30, 40 The propagation times d _C1 / c, d _C2 / c, and d _C3 / c are calculated.

Then, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 determines the difference d _D1 / cd _C1 / c between the calculated propagation time d _D1 / c and the calculated propagation times d _C1 / c, d _C2 / c, d _C3 / c. c, d _D1 / c−d _C2 / c, d _D1 / c−d _C3 / c are calculated to propagate the beacon frame BCF to the radio apparatuses 20, 30, and 40, and the beacon frame BCF is the radio apparatus 50. The time differences d _D1 / c−d _{C 1} / c, d _{D 1} / c−d _{C 2} / c, and d _D1 / c−d _{C 3} / c are calculated.

Thereafter, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 substitutes the time length T2 received from the wireless device 20, the known time tc, and the calculated time difference d _D1 / c−d _C1 / c into Expression (4). The communication distance d _D2 between the wireless device 20 and the wireless device 50 is calculated.

Further, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 substitutes the time length T3 received from the wireless device 30, the known time tc, and the calculated time difference d _D1 / c−d _C2 / c into Expression (5). The communication distance d _D3 between the wireless device 30 and the wireless device 50 is calculated.

Further, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 substitutes the time length T4 received from the wireless device 40, the known time tc, and the calculated time difference d _D1 / c−d _C3 / c into Expression (6). The communication distance d _D4 between the wireless device 40 and the wireless device 50 is calculated.

Further, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 calculates the communication distance d _D1 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50 based on the calculated propagation time d _D1 / c.

Then, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 uses the communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , d _C3 , d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4, and the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40. Determine the position.

When the wireless device 10 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 , the antenna 1, the switch 11, the reception amplifier 12, and the communication controller 27 that outputs the H level switching signal EX 1 to the switch 11 are wireless “Receiving means” for receiving three time lengths T2, T3, T4 from the devices 20, 30, 40 is configured.

Further, the time length T1 constitutes “round trip time”, and the time tc constitutes “response time”. The propagation time (T1−tc) / 2 = d _D1 / c constitutes “propagation time” in which the beacon frame BCF and the data frame DF propagate between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50.

Further, the propagation times d _C1 / c, d _C2 / c, and d _C3 / c constitute three “propagation times” in which the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 to the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40.

Further, the time differences d _D1 / c-d _C1 / c, d _D1 / c-d _C2 / c, and d _D1 / c-d _C3 / c are propagation times when the beacon frame BCF propagates to the radio apparatuses 20, 30 and 40. And three “time differences” indicating the time difference between the propagation time for the beacon frame BCF to propagate to the wireless device 50.

Furthermore, three time lengths T2, T3, T4, three time differences _dD1 / _cdC1 / c, _dD1 / _cdC2 / c, _dD1 / _cdC3 / c, response The communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 that determines the three communication distances d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 based on the time tc constitutes “determination means”.

Further, based on the round trip time T1 and the response time tc, the propagation time d _D1 / beacon frame BCF and the data frame DF propagate between the wireless device 10 (master device) and the wireless device 50 (observed device). c is calculated, and the calculated propagation time d _D1 / c and the three propagations in which the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 (parent device) to the three wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 (observer), respectively. Based on the times d _C1 / c, d _C2 / c, and d _C3 / c, three time differences d _D1 / c−d _C1 / c, d _D1 / c−d _C2 / c, d _D1 / c−d _C3 The communication controller 27 of the wireless device 10 that calculates / c constitutes “calculation means”.

[When any of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40 determines the communication distances _dD1 , _dD2 , _dD3 , _dD4 ]
For example, a case where the wireless device 20 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 will be described.

In this case, the wireless device 20 receives the time length T1 measured by the wireless device 10 from the wireless device 10, and receives the time lengths T3 and T4 measured by the wireless devices 30 and 40 from the wireless devices 30 and 40, respectively. The communication controller 27 of the wireless device 20 measures the time length T2. Then, since the time tc is known, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 20 uses the above-described method, and the wireless device 50 for the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the wireless devices 10, 20, 30 and 40. Can be determined.

The detailed operation in which the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 20 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 is the communication of the wireless device 10. This is the same as the operation in which the controller 27 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40.

When any one of the wireless devices 30 and 40 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 , the wireless device 20 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 . Same as the case.

When any of the wireless devices 20, 30, 40 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 , the antenna (any one of the antennas 2 to 4), the switch 11, the reception amplifier 12, and the H level The communication controller 27 that outputs the switching signal EX1 to the switch 11 converts two time lengths (two time lengths of time lengths T2, T3, and T4) into two wireless devices (wireless devices 20, 30, 40). 2), and a “reception unit” for receiving the round trip time T1 from the wireless device 10.

  Further, the communication controller 27 that detects one time length (any one of the time lengths T2, T3, and T4) constitutes “detection means”.

[When Wireless Device 50 Determines Communication Distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 ]
In this case, the wireless device 50 receives the time length T1 measured by the wireless device 10 from the wireless device 10, and uses the time lengths T2, T3, and T4 measured by the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40, respectively. 40. Since the time tc is known, the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 50 performs the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the position of the wireless device 50 relative to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 by the method described above. Can be determined.

The detailed operation in which the communication controller 27 of the wireless device 50 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40 is the communication of the wireless device 10. This is the same as the operation in which the controller 27 determines the communication distances d _D1 , d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 and the position of the wireless device 50 with respect to the wireless devices 10, 20, 30, 40.

  In this case, the communication controller 27 that outputs the antenna 5, the switch 11, the reception amplifier 12, and the switching signal EX1 of H level to the switch 11 has three time lengths T2, T3, and T4 as three wireless devices 20, “Receiving means” that receives from 30 and 40 and receives the round-trip time T1 from the wireless device 10 is configured.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the distance / position determining method according to the present invention. When a series of operations is started, the wireless device 50 (when the beacon frame BCF propagates from the wireless device 10 (master device) to the wireless devices 20, 20, 40 (observer) and the wireless device 50 (observed device). 3 time differences d _D1 / cd _C1 / c, d _D1 / cd _C2 / c, d _D1 indicating the difference in propagation time between each of the wireless devices 20, 30 and 40 / C−d _C3 / c is calculated (step S1).

  Then, in the radio devices 20, 30, and 40, three time lengths T2, T3, and T4 are detected (step S2). Subsequently, a response time tc from when the wireless device 50 (observed device) receives the beacon frame BCF to when the data frame DF is transmitted is detected (step S3). This response time tc is detected as a time length between the start timing of the header HED and the start timing of the time slot SL5 in the beacon frame BCF shown in FIG.

Thereafter, three time differences d _D1 / cd _C1 / c, d _D1 / cd _C2 / c, d _D1 / cd _C3 / c, three time lengths T2, T3, T4, and response time tc is substituted into the equations (4) to (6), and the three propagations in which the data frame DF propagates from the wireless device 50 (observed device) to the three wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 (observer), respectively. Times d _D2 / c, d _D3 / c, and d _D4 / c are calculated, and based on the calculated three propagation times d _D2 / c, d _D3 / c, and d _D4 / c, Three communication distances d _D2 , d _D3 , and d _D4 between the radio apparatuses 20, 30, and 40 are calculated (step S4).

Then, the round trip time T1 and the response time tc from when the wireless device 10 transmits the beacon frame BCF to when the data frame DF is received from the wireless device 50 are substituted into the equation (7), and the wireless device 10 (master device) A communication distance d _D1 with the wireless device 50 (observed device) is calculated (step S5).

Then, based on the communication distance d _D1 , the three communication distances d _D2 , d _D3 , d _D4 , and the three known communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , d _C3 , the wireless device 10 (master unit) and The position of the wireless device 50 (observed device) with respect to the three wireless devices 20, 30, 40 (observing device) is determined (step S6).

  Thereby, a series of operations are completed.

  The beacon frame BCF constitutes a “first frame”, and the data frame DF constitutes a “second frame”.

In the above description, the three communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , and d _C3 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 have been described as being known. Instead, the three communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , and d _C3 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless devices 20, 30, and 40 may be measured. In this case, the three communication distances d _C1 , d _C2 , and d _C3 are obtained by the same method as the method for obtaining the communication distance d _D1 between the wireless device 10 and the wireless device 50.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  The present invention is applied to a wireless device that determines a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of wireless devices and a newly added wireless device or a position of a newly added wireless device with respect to a plurality of wireless devices. The present invention is also applied to a wireless communication system that determines a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of wireless devices and a newly added wireless device or a position of a newly added wireless device with respect to a plurality of wireless devices. The Furthermore, the present invention provides a distance / position determination method for determining a plurality of communication distances between a plurality of wireless devices and a newly added wireless device or a position of a newly added wireless device relative to a plurality of wireless devices. Applied.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a radio communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of a beacon frame. It is a figure for demonstrating the method in which the demodulation circuit shown in FIG. 2 detects a phase deviation. It is a signal space figure of the data modulated by QPSK. 2 is a timing chart of beacon frames and data frames transmitted and received by the wireless device shown in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a distance / position determining method according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

  1 to 5 antenna, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 wireless device, 11, 18, 22, 24 switch, 11A, 11B, 18A, 18B, 22A, 22B, 24A, 24B terminal, 12 receiving amplifier, 13 transmitting amplifier , 14 reception mixer, 15 transmission mixer, 16 demodulation circuit, 17 modulation circuit, 19 local oscillator for beacon reception synchronization, 21 local oscillator for general reception, 23 crystal oscillator / multiplier for beacon operation, 25 beacon frame / interframe time Measuring instrument, 26 clock / time slot generator, 27 communication controller, 100 wireless communication system.

Claims (13)

A parent device that transmits a first frame including a plurality of communication time zones assigned to a plurality of wireless devices, and n (n is a positive integer) number of observation devices that receive the first frame from the parent device And the n frames in a wireless network including an observed device that receives the first frame from the parent device and transmits the second frame in synchronization with the communication time zone assigned to the first frame. A wireless device for determining n first communication distances between an observation device and the observed device,
N time differences indicating a difference in propagation time between the observed device and each of the n observation devices when the first frame propagates to the observed device and the n observation devices; , N time lengths each consisting of a time length between the reception timing of the first frame and the reception timing of the second frame in each of the n observation devices, and the observed device Based on the response time from the reception of the first frame to the transmission of the second frame, the n frames propagated from the observed device to the n observation devices, respectively. A radio apparatus comprising: a determining unit that calculates a first propagation time and determines the n first communication distances based on the calculated n first propagation times.   The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is provided in the parent device. Receiving means for receiving the n time lengths from the n observers;
Based on the round trip time from when the master transmits the first frame to the observed device until the second frame is received from the observed device, and the response time, the first and The second frame calculates a second propagation time that propagates between the parent device and the observed device, and the calculated second propagation time and the first frame are transmitted from the parent device, respectively. computing means for computing the n time differences based on the n third propagation times propagating to the n observers;
The determining means determines the n first propagation times based on the n time lengths received by the receiving means, the n time differences calculated by the calculating means, and the response time. The wireless device according to claim 2, wherein the wireless device performs calculation.   The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is provided in any one of the n observation devices. After the n-1 (n is an integer of 2 or more) time lengths are received from the n-1 observation devices, and the parent device transmits the first frame to the observed device. Receiving means for receiving a round-trip time from the parent device until the second frame is received from the device to be observed;
Detecting means for detecting a time length between the reception timing of the first frame and the reception timing of the second frame in the wireless device;
Based on the response time and the round trip time received by the receiving means, a second propagation time for the first and second frames to propagate between the parent device and the observed device is calculated, The n time differences are calculated based on the calculated second propagation time and n third propagation times at which the first frame propagates from the parent device to the n observation devices, respectively. And an arithmetic means for performing
The determining means includes a time length detected by the detecting means, n-1 time lengths received by the receiving means, n time differences calculated by the calculating means, and the response time. The radio apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the n first propagation times are calculated based on the n first propagation times.   The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit is provided in the observed apparatus. The n time lengths are received from the n number of observation devices, and the second frame is received from the observed device after the master transmits the first frame to the observed devices. Receiving means for receiving a round trip time from the parent machine until
Based on the response time and the round trip time received by the receiving means, a second propagation time for the first and second frames to propagate between the parent device and the observed device is calculated, The n time differences are calculated based on the calculated second propagation time and n third propagation times at which the first frame propagates from the parent device to the n observation devices, respectively. And an arithmetic means for performing
The determining means determines the n first propagation times based on the n time lengths received by the receiving means, the n time differences calculated by the calculating means, and the response time. The wireless device according to claim 6, wherein the wireless device performs calculation.   The determining means holds n second communication distances between the parent device and the n observation devices, and sets the second communication distance between the parent device and the observed device based on the round trip time. 3 communication distances, and based on the determined third communication distance, the n second communication distances that are held, and the determined n first communication distances, The radio apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further determining a position of the observed device relative to a parent device and the n observation devices. A master unit that transmits a first frame including a plurality of communication time zones assigned to a plurality of wireless devices;
N observers (n is a positive integer) receiving the first frame from the master unit;
An observed device that receives the first frame from the parent device and transmits the second frame in synchronization with the communication time zone assigned to the first frame;
A determination device for determining n first communication distances between the n observation devices and the observed device;
The determination device indicates a difference in propagation time between the observed device and each of the n observation devices when the first frame propagates to the observed device and the n observation devices. n time differences each consisting of a time length between the reception timing of the first frame and the reception timing of the second frame in each of the n observers; Based on the response time from when the observed device receives the first frame to when the second frame is transmitted, the second frame is transmitted from the observed device to the n number of observation devices. A wireless communication system that calculates n first propagation times to be propagated and determines the n first communication distances based on the calculated n first propagation times.   The wireless communication system according to claim 9, wherein the determination device is mounted on any of the parent device, the observation device, and the observed device.   The determination device holds n second communication distances between the parent device and the n observation devices, and sets the second communication distance between the parent device and the observed device based on the round trip time. 3 communication distances, and based on the determined third communication distance, the n second communication distances that are held, and the determined n first communication distances, The radio communication system according to claim 9 or 10, further determining a position of the observed device relative to a parent device and the n number of observation devices. A parent device that transmits a first frame including a plurality of communication time zones assigned to a plurality of wireless devices, and n (n is a positive integer) number of observation devices that receive the first frame from the parent device And the n frames in a wireless network including an observed device that receives the first frame from the parent device and transmits the second frame in synchronization with the communication time zone assigned to the first frame. A distance / position determination method for determining n first communication distances between an observation device and the observed device,
N time differences indicating a difference in propagation time between the observed device and each of the n observation devices when the first frame propagates to the observed device and the n observation devices; A first step of computing;
A second step of detecting n time lengths each comprising a time length between the reception timing of the first frame and the reception timing of the second frame in each of the n observers;
A third step of detecting a response time from when the observed device receives the first frame to when the second frame is transmitted;
Based on the n time differences, the n time lengths, and the response time, the n first frames that the second frame propagates from the observed device to the n observed devices, respectively. A distance / position determination method including a fourth step of calculating a propagation time and determining the n first communication distances based on the calculated n first propagation times. A fifth step of determining a second communication distance between the parent device and the observed device based on the round trip time;
Based on the determined second communication distance, n third communication distances between the parent device and the n observation devices, and the determined n first communication distances. The distance / position determination method according to claim 12, further comprising a sixth step of determining a position of the observed device relative to the parent device and the n number of observation devices.

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