JP2014075673A - Radio telemetering system and gateway station - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio telemetering system and a gateway station for reducing a system introduction cost.SOLUTION: A radio telemetering system includes: a meter for measuring a prescribed physical quantity; a slave radio unit for wirelessly transmitting the measured value output from the meter; a master radio unit 21 for receiving the measured value wirelessly transmitted from the slave radio unit; a gateway 12 for connecting the master radio unit 21 to a WAN 11 that can also be used for other applications; and a server connected to the WAN 11 for collecting the measurement values. The gateway 12 includes a plurality of logical gateways 31 and 32, the logical gateway 31 connecting the master radio unit 21 to the WAN 11 and the logical gateway 32 connecting a master radio unit 24 to the WAN 11.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless telemetering system that collects measurement values via a wireless network, and more particularly to a wireless telemetering system used for each meter (measuring instrument) such as gas, water, and electric power.

  The conventional wireless telemetering system includes a measuring instrument that measures a predetermined physical quantity, a wireless slave that wirelessly transmits a measurement value output from the measuring instrument, and the measured value that is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless slave. A gateway station that connects the wireless master unit to a shared communication network that is also used for other purposes, and a server that is connected to the shared communication network and collects the measurement values. Yes.

  In such a radio telemetering system, a single base unit radio (wireless base unit) is connected to the gateway station, and a radio unit (wireless base unit and radio unit) that can be connected under the gateway is configured. The number was limited. In general, one gateway ID (identification code) is assigned to one gateway, and connection with the wireless master device is performed using the gateway ID. In the U-bus air (mesh system) wireless telemetering system, up to 50 wireless slaves can be connected to one wireless master connected to one gateway ID.

  Here, there is a technique of connecting a plurality of wireless master units to a T-NCU (terminal NCU; Network Control Unit) corresponding to a gateway (for example, Patent Document 1, particularly refer to FIG. 1).

  In addition, there is a technique in which the wireless master unit collectively manages conditions for transmitting meter reading data (measured values) by the wireless slave device (for example, see Patent Document 2, see FIG. 9, paragraphs 0039 to 0042 in particular).

  Furthermore, some wireless telemetering systems use a detachable nonvolatile memory in order to improve the efficiency of system restoration work (for example, Patent Document 3; see FIG. 2 in particular).

JP 2007-173965 A (particularly FIG. 1) JP 2006-146548 A (particularly FIG. 9, paragraphs 0039 to 0042) JP 2007-200124 A (particularly FIG. 2)

  However, although the conventional wireless telemetering system is configured to connect a plurality of wireless master units to a T-NCU (equivalent to a gateway), in general, a wireless master unit and a wireless master unit that can be connected to a gateway. Since the number of subordinate radio units under the control is limited, in order to connect a large number of radio base units exceeding the limit, a plurality of gateways are required, resulting in an increase in system introduction cost.

  In the conventional wireless telemetering system, although the wireless master unit collectively manages the conditions for transmitting the meter reading data (measured value) by the wireless slave unit, the accuracy of the time when the measured value is transmitted by the wireless slave unit is Because it depends on the accuracy of the time held by the wireless master unit, if the time of the wireless master unit is inaccurate, the transmission time of the measured value by the wireless slave unit will be inaccurate and the required measurement value will be required Thus, it is impossible to collect the data in the wireless master unit, and it is impossible to provide a service that requires operation at an accurate time such as time zone billing. In addition, measurements may not be collected on the server. In addition, since it is necessary to provide a memory for waiting for measurement values until the timing of transmission from the wireless master device to the server, in a configuration having a large number of wireless master devices under the gateway, a larger number of wireless slave devices and measuring devices And the capacity of the memory for waiting for transmission increases.

  In addition, conventional wireless telemetering systems use removable non-volatile memory to improve the efficiency of system recovery work, but force the operator to manually back up data to the non-volatile memory during recovery work. become. In addition, when exchanging the wireless master device for system recovery, the operator is forced to manually transfer data to the new wireless master device. Thus, in the conventional radio telemetering system, the operability of the system restoration work is lowered. In addition, the nonvolatile memory is easy to be removed, and there is a problem that the security is lowered.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a radio telemetering system and a gateway station with reduced system introduction cost.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a wireless telemetering system and a gateway station that can collect measured values at a wireless master unit or a gateway station at an appropriate timing.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide a radio telemetering system that does not degrade operability even when the system is restored and does not degrade security.

The present invention provides a measuring instrument that measures a predetermined physical quantity, a wireless slave that wirelessly transmits a measurement value output from the measuring instrument, and a wireless that receives the measurement value wirelessly transmitted from the wireless slave. A wireless telemetering system comprising: a master unit; a gateway station that connects the wireless master unit to a shared communication network that is also used for other purposes; and a server that is connected to the shared communication network and collects the measurement values. ,
The gateway station includes a plurality of logical gateway stations that connect the wireless master unit to the shared communication network.

  The present invention is also a radio telemetering system comprising a time server that provides time information to the gateway station via the shared communication network.

  Furthermore, the present invention relates to information relating to a wireless network composed of the wireless slave device and the wireless master device, and a copy of the information stored in the gateway station is stored in the server. Telemetering system.

Furthermore, the present invention is a gateway station that connects a wireless master device that receives measurement values output from a measuring instrument and transmitted wirelessly from a wireless slave device to a shared communication network that is also used for other purposes,
A gateway station having a plurality of logical gateway stations for connecting the wireless master unit to the shared communication network.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the gateway station has a plurality of logical gateway stations that connect the wireless master unit to the shared communication network, the system introduction cost can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the time server that provides time information to the gateway station via the shared communication network is provided, the measurement values can be collected at the gateway station at an appropriate timing.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, information related to the wireless network including the wireless slave device and the wireless master device, which is a copy of the information stored in the gateway station, is stored in the server, so that the operability is reduced even during system recovery. Can be suppressed, and a decrease in security can also be suppressed.

It is a figure which shows the network structure of the radio | wireless telemetering system which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the gateway. FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a reference example for comparison with FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating a processing flow of the wireless telemetering system according to the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the network structure of the radio | wireless telemetering system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the network structure of the radio | wireless telemetering system which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the time synchronization of a gateway. It is a figure explaining transmission of a meter-reading value. 12 is a timing chart illustrating a processing flow of the wireless telemetering system according to the third embodiment. It is a figure explaining the backup process of the radio | wireless telemetering system which concerns on Embodiment 4 of this invention. 10 is a timing chart showing a processing flow of the radio telemetering system according to the fourth embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a radio telemetering system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The wireless telemetering system includes a center server 10, a gateway 12, and wireless networks 13, 14, and 15. The center server 10 is a server that collects meter reading values (measured values), and is connected to a WAN (Wide Area Network) 11 such as the Internet. The WAN 11 is a shared communication network that is used not only for data transmission related to telemetering but also for other uses different from telemetering. A gateway (gate station) 12 is installed between the WAN 11 and the wireless networks 13, 14, and 15, connects the two networks to each other, and converts signals transmitted in the two networks to each other. It is.

  The wireless network (# 1) 13 includes a parent wireless device 21, a slave wireless device 22, and a meter 23. The master unit radio unit (wireless master unit) (# 1) 21 receives the meter reading value transmitted from the slave unit radio unit 22 wirelessly, and sends a control signal for requesting the transmission of the meter reading value, etc. 22 is a radio that transmits to the radio. The slave radio (wireless slave) (# 1, # 2,..., #X) 22 transmits the meter reading value (measured value) output from the meter 23 to the master radio 21 in addition to wirelessly. A wireless device that receives a control signal transmitted wirelessly from the wireless device 21, and is provided close to the meters (# 1, # 2,..., #X) 23. Wireless communication between the master radio 21 and the slave radio 22 is directly performed between the master radio 21 and the slave radio 22, and the master radio 21 and the slave radio 22 are also performed. Between the mobile phone and the other handset via the other handset radio 22. Meters (# 1, # 2,..., #X) 23 are measuring instruments that measure predetermined physical quantities related to gas, water, power, and the like.

  Similarly to the wireless network (# 1) 13, the wireless network (# 2) 14 includes a parent wireless device 24, a slave wireless device 25, and a meter 26. Similarly, the wireless network (#N) 15 includes a master radio 27, a slave radio 28, and a meter 29.

  For example, a wireless communication system using the 920 MHz band is suitable.

  The gateway 12 is directly connected to the master wireless devices 21, 24, 27 in the wireless networks 13, 14, 15.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the gateway. The gateway 12 has a plurality of logical gateways 31, 32 and 33. The logical gateway 31 has a unique logical ID (identification code) = 1 (usually a 12-digit or 14-digit ID is used. The same applies to the following description). On the other hand, the gateway is set logically (virtual). The logical gateway 31 can be connected to one or more base station radios 21. From the viewpoint of the base radio device 21, the logical gateway 31 can be regarded as one gateway. The logical gateway 32 is a gateway similar to the logical gateway 31, has a logical ID = 2, and can be connected to one or more master radio units 24. The logical gateway 33 is the same, has a logical ID = 3, and can be connected to one or more master wireless devices 27.

  As described above, the logical gateways 31, 32, and 33 play a role of connecting the master wireless devices 21, 24, and 27 to the WAN 11.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a reference example for comparison with FIG. The gateways 34, 35, and 36 are physical gateways, and are connected to the parent radios 21, 24, and 27, respectively. Compared to the configuration of FIG. 2B, the configuration of FIG. 2A can connect a large number of base station radios to the WAN 11 using a small number of physical gateways. As a result, a large number of wireless networks can be connected to the WAN 11, and a large number of slave radio devices under the wireless network can be connected to the WAN 11.

  For example, in a system that can accommodate 50 slave radio units in one radio network, a total of 250 slave radio units can be combined into one physical gateway by including five logical gateways in one physical gateway. Can be accommodated under various gateways. Since a U-bus air (cluster tree system) radio telemetering system can accommodate 240 master radios and slave radios, a system comparable to this can be provided.

  FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing a processing flow of the radio telemetering system according to the first embodiment. Here, a case will be described in which the meter reading value of meter #X is transmitted to the gateway using a route connecting master radio device # 1, slave radio device # 1, and slave radio device #X in this order.

  First, in step ST1, a signal indicating “a meter reading request to meter #X” is transmitted from the gateway to base station radio # 1 at a predetermined time. Subsequently, in step ST2, a signal indicating “a meter reading request to meter #X” is transmitted from master radio # 1 to slave radio # 1. Subsequently, in step ST3, a signal indicating "request for meter reading to meter #X" is transmitted from slave unit radio # 1 to slave unit radio #X. Subsequently, in step ST4, a signal indicating "request for meter reading to meter #X" is transmitted from slave unit wireless device #X to meter #X.

  Subsequently, in step ST5, the meter reading value held in the meter #X is transmitted from the meter #X to the handset radio #X as a signal indicating "meter reading response from the meter #X". Subsequently, in step ST6, a signal indicating "meter reading response from meter #X" is transmitted from slave unit radio #X to slave unit radio # 1. Subsequently, in step ST7, a signal indicating "meter reading response from meter #X" is transmitted from slave unit radio # 1 to base unit radio # 1. Subsequently, in step ST8, a signal indicating “meter reading response from meter #X” is transmitted from the master radio # 1 to the gateway.

  Meter reading values of other meters are similarly transmitted to the gateway, and meter reading values of meters under the gateway are collected by the gateway. In step ST9, the collected meter reading value of each meter is notified from the gateway to the center server as a signal including “meter reading value of meter #X” and a signal including the meter reading values of other meters. In this way, the meter reading values of all meters under the center server are collected by the center server.

  Note that the gateway has a function to select the route for transmitting the meter reading value and the control signal, and it is possible to select an appropriate route according to the wireless network configuration and communication status at that time. is there.

  As described above, in the first embodiment, the gateway has a plurality of logical gateways, and each of the logical gateways is connected to the master radio, so that the parent that can be connected to one gateway is used. Even when the number of mobile radios is limited, it can be expanded to connect a large number of base radios. For this reason, it becomes possible to reduce system introduction cost.

  In general, the gateway has a storage area with a larger capacity than the base radio and slave radio, so even if the number of meters under the gateway increases, there is a problem of insufficient storage area. There is an advantage that is difficult to do.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a radio telemetering system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the gateway 12 is connected to the WAN 11 by wire. In the second embodiment, the gateway 12 is wirelessly connected. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned and description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, since the gateway is configured to be wirelessly connected to the shared communication network (WAN), restrictions on the installation location of the gateway are reduced, and the system can be easily constructed.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a network configuration of a radio telemetering system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the third embodiment, a time server 30 is additionally provided in the radio telemetering system of the first embodiment. The time server 30 is a server that is installed so as to be connected to the WAN 11 and provides time information to client-side devices that are connected to face each other via the WAN 11. Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned and description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the time synchronization of the gateway. The gateway 12 periodically acquires time information from the time server 30 via the WAN 11 and updates the time information held by the gateway 12 itself. That is, the gateway 12 performs time synchronization periodically using the time server 30. Based on the accurate time information obtained in this way, the gateway 12 collects the meter reading value of each meter, so that the meter reading value can be collected at an appropriate timing.

  Further, the logical gateway 31 configuring the gateway 12 has information regarding the wireless network (# 1) 13. Similarly, the logical gateway 32 has information related to the wireless network (# 2) 14, and the logical gateway 33 has information related to the wireless network (# 3) 15. The information regarding the wireless network includes, for example, the ID of each meter, the ID of the base radio / slave radio, a meter management table, a routing table, and meter periodic meter reading settings (setting values for regularly reading each meter) ) Information such as a local ID list. As the ID of the meter / master radio / slave radio, for example, unique addresses individually assigned to the meter / master radio / slave radio can be used. The meter management table is a table in which meter IDs are associated with local IDs used in the wireless network. Meter ID generally has a large amount of information, and a meter management table is used to convert this into a local ID having a small amount of information. The routing table is a table in which a destination ID assigned to a meter reading value or a control signal is associated with a transmission destination ID. The local ID list is a list for managing the local ID list used in the wireless network, and serves to prevent the local ID from being duplicated in the same wireless network.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating transmission of meter reading values. The gateway 12 that is time-synchronized using the time server 30 collects the meter reading values from each meter and transmits them to the center server 10 as described in the first embodiment. In this way, the center server 10 collects meter reading values from all of the meters under its control. As described above, since the meter reading values are collected through the gateway 12 that is accurately time-synchronized, the meter reading values can be collected at an appropriate timing. For this reason, it is possible to provide a service that requires an operation at an accurate time such as time zone billing. In addition, the meter reading value data is not lost in the middle due to accurate control, or the data is not waited when collecting the meter reading values, and an unnecessary capacity is not secured as a data waiting memory.

  FIG. 8 is a timing chart showing a processing flow of the radio telemetering system according to the third embodiment. In step ST0 before the “meter reading request to meter #X” signal is transmitted in step ST1, exchange for time synchronization is performed between the time server and the gateway. For example, a signal requesting time information is transmitted from the gateway as a client to the time server, and the time server receiving the signal provides the time information to the gateway in response thereto. Since the processing flow for shifting to step ST1 is the same as that in FIG.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, since the time server that provides time information to the gateway via the shared communication network (WAN) is provided, the measurement value (meter reading value) is collected at the gateway at an appropriate timing. can do.

  It is also possible to synchronize the parent radios under the gateway with each other using accurate time information held by the gateway. In this case, the master radio under the gateway also holds accurate time information, and it is possible to collect meter reading values at a more appropriate timing.

  Also in the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, it is possible to configure a wireless telemetering system by wirelessly connecting the gateway 12 to the WAN 11. In that case, restrictions on the installation location of the gateway are reduced, and the system can be easily constructed.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining backup processing of the radio telemetering system according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. The logical gateway 31 constituting the gateway 12 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. 6, the logical gateway 32 is information about the wireless network (# 1) 13, the logical gateway 32 is information about the wireless network (# 2) 14, and the logical gateway 33 is Information about the wireless network (# 3) 15 is held. In addition to this, “information about the wireless network # 1”, “information about the wireless network # 2”,..., “Information about the wireless network #N” held by the gateway 12 is sent to the center server 10, and these information are stored. The duplicate is stored in the center server 10. Communication at this time is encrypted.

  Here, for example, if there is a change such as a new slave radio added to the radio network 14, the information of the radio network # 2 is updated accordingly, so the master radio (# 2) 24 is changed. The “information on the wireless network # 2” held by the logical gateway 32 is updated with the information sent via the route. In addition, a copy of the latest information after the sequential update is sent to the center server 10, and the information held by the center server 10 is also updated to the latest.

  FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing a processing flow of the radio telemetering system according to the fourth embodiment. First, in step ST11, network information update is notified from the wireless network # 2 (particularly from the parent wireless device # 2 therein) to the gateway (before replacement). Upon receiving this notification, the gateway updates the information of the wireless network # 2 that it owns. Next, in step ST12, the backup data update is notified from the gateway to the center server. Upon receiving this notification, the center server updates the backup data of the gateway held by itself.

  Here, when the exchange of the gateway occurs, the gateway before the exchange is disconnected from the network, and the gateway after the exchange is connected to the network. When the exchanged gateway is connected to the network, in step ST13, a gateway data restoration request is sent from the exchanged gateway to the center server. Next, in step ST14, the gateway backup data held by the center server is transferred from the center server to the gateway (after replacement). Upon receiving this, the gateway (after replacement) stores the data in its own memory and returns to the operating state.

  In addition, the warranty period of the base unit radio and slave unit radios constituting the wireless network is generally as long as about 10 years, whereas the warranty period of the gateway is about 5 years shorter than that. Is generally. For this reason, it is very useful to back up gateway information with a high exchange frequency in the center server.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment, since information related to the wireless network and a copy of the information stored in the gateway is stored in the server, the initial setting by the operator even when the system is restored such as after gateway replacement Can be made unnecessary, and a decrease in operability can be suppressed. In addition, since information is not extracted via a non-volatile memory or the like, a decrease in security can be suppressed. In addition, security can be further improved by backup using encrypted communication.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the gateway data is backed up to the center server has been described. However, the configuration in which the wireless network information held by the master radio is backed up to the gateway or the center server, or the “ A configuration is also possible in which “wireless network information” is used as a backup of wireless network information held by the parent wireless device. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the need for initial setting when exchanging the parent radio, and to suppress a decrease in operability.

10 Center server 11 WAN (Internet)
12 Gateway (Kanmon Station)
13, 14, 15 Wireless network 21, 24, 27 Master wireless device (wireless master device)
22, 25, 28 Slave radio (wireless slave)
23, 26, 29 Meter (measuring instrument)
30 Time server 31, 32, 33 Logical gateway

Claims (4)

A measuring instrument that measures a predetermined physical quantity; a wireless slave that wirelessly transmits a measurement value output from the measuring instrument; and a wireless master that receives the measurement value transmitted wirelessly from the wireless slave; A wireless telemetering system comprising a gateway station that connects the wireless master unit to a shared communication network that is also used in other applications, and a server that is connected to the shared communication network and collects the measurement values,
The gateway station includes a plurality of logical gateway stations that connect the wireless master unit to the shared communication network. 2. The radio telemetering system according to claim 1, further comprising a time server that provides time information to the gateway station via the shared communication network. 2. The radio according to claim 1, wherein information related to a radio network composed of the radio slave unit and the radio master unit, which is a copy of the information stored in the gateway station, is stored in the server. Telemetering system. A gateway station that connects a wireless master unit that receives measurement values output from a measuring instrument and transmitted wirelessly from a wireless slave unit to a shared communication network that is also used for other purposes.
A gateway station comprising a plurality of logical gateway stations for connecting the wireless master unit to the shared communication network.

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