JP2016143947A - Wireless access point, communication control method, program thereof, and wireless communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress throughput degradation in communication between a wireless access point and a wireless communication terminal.SOLUTION: A wireless access point includes a band adjustment information table for storing the information identifying a wireless communication terminal, and a predetermined transmission rate preset individually for communication with respective wireless communication terminal, in association, and band adjustment means. When the wireless access point (a) is connected with more than one wireless communication terminals, and (b) transmits the data owned by each wireless communication terminal simultaneously toward each wireless communication terminal over a network, the band adjustment means transmits the data to each wireless communication terminal, based on the information of the band adjustment information table, with each predetermined transmission rate as the upper limit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to communication between a wireless access point and a wireless communication terminal in a wireless LAN communication system.

  In recent years, with the widespread use of wireless LAN, an infrastructure mode for performing wireless communication via a wireless access point when a wireless communication terminal uses the wireless LAN is well known. In this mode, it is possible to communicate with all wireless communication terminals within the range where the wireless access point can communicate, and by connecting to a wired network using the wireless access point, wireless communication on the destination network is possible. Communication (Internet communication) can be performed with the terminal.

  Here, it is assumed that one wireless access point (hereinafter also referred to as AP) and a plurality of wireless communication terminals (hereinafter also referred to as STA) are connected to perform wireless communication. In the wireless communication between the AP and each STA, when the same band is set and wireless communication is performed simultaneously, the AP allocates the band to the plurality of STAs when performing wireless communication with the plurality of STAs. The throughput of communication performed between STAs decreases.

JP 2012-4922 A

  Here, in the wireless communication system disclosed in Patent Document 1, the wireless communication terminal measures the throughput of communication with the wireless relay device, and when the throughput does not reach a predetermined level, the wireless communication device is in communication with the wireless relay device. By switching the channel to be used, a decrease in throughput between the wireless relay device and the wireless communication terminal is suppressed.

  However, since the wireless communication terminal actually performs wireless communication between the wireless communication terminal and the wireless relay device and determines whether or not the throughput has reached a predetermined level, the wireless communication disclosed in Patent Document 1 is performed. In the communication system, a decrease in throughput is allowed for a certain period of time, and even when communication between the wireless communication terminal and the wireless relay device does not reach a predetermined throughput, it is not possible to cope with a case where it is desired to switch the channel of the wireless communication terminal. For example, there is a case where the throughput is not lowered by preferentially allocating a band to a specific wireless communication terminal.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and when performing wireless communication simultaneously with a wireless access point and a plurality of wireless terminal devices, by adjusting the bandwidth used with the plurality of wireless communication terminal devices, The purpose is to perform efficient communication.

  In order to solve the above problems, a wireless access point according to one embodiment of the present invention is a wireless access point that is connected to a wireless communication terminal and performs data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two wireless communication terminals. A band adjustment information table for storing information for identifying the wireless communication terminals and a predetermined transmission rate set individually in advance for communication with each wireless communication terminal; And (b) each wireless communication terminal is connected to (b) at least two wireless communication terminals based on the information of the band adjustment information table. When each required data is communicated to each wireless communication terminal via the network at the same time, the predetermined transmission rate is set as the upper limit. Comprising transmitting data to the respective of the respective wireless communication terminals.

  Further, the bandwidth adjusting means may further include (2) when the wireless access point is connected to (a) one wireless communication terminal, or (b) connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals. When the required data is not simultaneously communicated to the at least two or more wireless communication terminals via the network, the data is transmitted to each wireless communication terminal with the maximum transmission rate of the wireless communication terminal as an upper limit.

  A communication control method according to an aspect of the present invention is a communication control method in a system in which a wireless access point is connected to a wireless communication terminal and performs data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two or more wireless communication terminals. The wireless access point stores at least information identifying a currently connected wireless communication terminal and a predetermined transmission rate individually set in advance for communication with each wireless communication terminal; and a wireless access point; Is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and determines whether to communicate each data required by each wireless communication terminal simultaneously to each wireless communication terminal via the network, A wireless access point is connected to at least two wireless communication terminals, and each wireless communication terminal When determining that the communication towards the wireless communication terminals through the respective data simultaneously network, a maximum of a predetermined transmission rate, and transmitting data to each of the respective wireless communication terminals.

A program according to an aspect of the present invention is a program for connecting at least two wireless communication terminals and simultaneously performing data communication via a network with at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and at least information for identifying the wireless communication terminals And band adjustment information storage means for storing in association with predetermined transmission rates individually set in advance for communication with each wireless communication terminal,
A program for functioning as a bandwidth adjustment means, wherein the bandwidth adjustment means connects a wireless access point to at least two wireless communication terminals based on information stored in the bandwidth adjustment information storage means, and When each piece of data required by a communication terminal is simultaneously communicated to each wireless communication terminal via a network, the data is transmitted to each wireless communication terminal with a predetermined transmission rate as an upper limit.

  A wireless communication system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a wireless communication terminal, a wireless access point that performs data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and an authentication device connected to the network. An authentication apparatus includes an authentication information table that stores predetermined authentication information and a predetermined transmission rate that are individually set in advance for communication with a wireless communication terminal, and a wireless access point. An authentication unit that collates connection authentication information for connection between the wireless access point and the wireless communication terminal that is transmitted and information in the authentication information table, and transmission that transmits the collation result and a predetermined transmission rate to the wireless access point The wireless access point is a bandwidth adjustment information table for storing connection authentication information and a predetermined transmission rate. And a bandwidth adjustment means, the bandwidth adjustment means, based on the information in the bandwidth adjustment information table, (1) the wireless access point is connected to at least two wireless communication terminals, and the wireless communication terminal When each required data is communicated simultaneously to each wireless communication terminal via the network, the data is transmitted to each wireless communication terminal with each predetermined transmission rate as an upper limit.

  Further, the bandwidth adjusting means may further include (2) when the wireless access point is connected to (a) one wireless communication terminal, or (b) connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals. When required data is not simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminal via the network, the data is transmitted to each wireless communication terminal with the maximum transmission rate of the wireless communication terminal as an upper limit.

  When wireless communication is performed simultaneously with a wireless access point and a plurality of wireless terminal devices, the wireless access point and the wireless access point are connected via an authentication device that manages authentication information and bandwidth adjustment information of each wireless communication terminal. The wireless access point automatically adjusts the bandwidth to be used with a plurality of wireless communication terminal devices, thereby enabling efficient communication.

1 is an overall system diagram according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a hardware configuration of a wireless access point, a wireless communication terminal, and an authentication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of the wireless access point concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the authentication apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an operation | movement flow of the wireless access point concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an operation | movement flow of the authentication apparatus concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of the band adjustment information table according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the band adjustment information table according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the authentication information table concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of the authentication information table concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is an example of the information for connection authentication concerning Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a system whole figure concerning Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  Numerical values, constituent elements, arrangement positions of constituent elements, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is an overall system diagram according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless access point 1 includes a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface. The authentication device 2 includes at least a wired communication interface and further includes an authentication function. For example, the authentication device 2 is a RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) server for the purpose of centrally managing determination of availability of network resources. is there. The wireless communication terminal 10 and the wireless communication terminal 11 are provided with a wireless communication interface, such as a notebook PC, a tablet, or a smartphone. Note that the wireless communication is realized by a wireless LAN that conforms to, for example, the IEEE 802.11 standard. The wireless communication terminal 11 is a new wireless communication terminal that requests the wireless access point 1 for wireless connection. The wireless access point 1 and the authentication device 2 are connected via a LAN 15. Here, the LAN 15 may be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN, but a wired LAN is more preferable in terms of security. The first embodiment of the present invention will be described as a wired LAN. In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, two wireless communication terminals are described. However, a plurality of wireless communication terminals may be connected to one wireless access point.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the wireless access point 1, the authentication device 2, the wireless communication terminal 10, and the wireless communication terminal 11 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. These devices have the same hardware configuration except that the configuration of the communication interface provided is different. For example, the wireless access point 1 includes both wired and wireless communication interfaces, but the authentication device 2 includes only a wired interface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, these devices include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a storage device 23, a WNIC (Wireless Network Interface Card 24 IC). (Network Interface Card) 25 and an internal bus 26 for connecting each component.

  The CPU 20 is a processor that executes a control program stored in the ROM 21.

  The ROM 21 is a read-only storage area that holds a control program and the like.

  The RAM 22 is a storage area used as a work area used when the CPU 20 executes a control program.

  The storage device 23 is a storage area for storing a control program, control information, device information, authentication information, or the like.

  The WNIC 24 includes a wireless communication interface that performs wireless communication. For example, a wireless LAN communication interface conforming to the IEEE802.11a, b, g, n, and ac standards.

  The NIC 25 includes a wired communication interface that performs wired communication. For example, a wired LAN communication interface conforming to the IEEE 802.3 standard or the like.

  The internal bus 26 is a bus that electrically connects the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, storage device 23, WNIC 24, and NIC 25 to exchange signals.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wireless access point 1.

  The wireless access point 1 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a reception unit 31, a transmission unit 32, a band adjustment unit 33, a band adjustment information table 34, and the like.

  Each function will be described below using a part of FIGS. 3 and 4.

The receiving unit 31 receives predetermined information necessary for connection together with connection requests from the STA 10 and the STA 11. Examples of the predetermined information include a MAC address, a user name necessary for using the STA, a password for authentication thereof, and the like (hereinafter collectively referred to as connection authentication information). The connection authentication information is transmitted from the transmission unit 32 to the reception unit 42 of the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. 4 via the bandwidth adjustment means 33 (details will be described later).
Further, the receiving unit 31 shows the authentication result information obtained by the authentication unit 43 of the authentication apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 4 and the bandwidth adjustment information registered in advance for the STA in FIG. It is received from the transmission unit 41 of the authentication device 2 shown and transmitted to the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 (details will be described later). Furthermore, the receiving unit 31 receives various control information, radio frames, and other information necessary for communication in communication performed between the AP 1, the authentication device 2, and each STA. The receiving unit 31 is realized by the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, storage device 23, WNIC 24, NIC 25, and the like.

  The transmission unit 32 transmits a radio frame to each connected STA at the transmission rate determined for each STA by the band adjustment unit 33 based on the band adjustment information table 34. Further, when there is a connection request from the new STA (STA11) to the AP1, the transmission unit 32 receives the connection authentication information of the STA via the bandwidth adjustment unit 33, and receives the reception unit 42 of the authentication device 2 shown in FIG. (Details will be described later). Furthermore, the transmission unit 32 transmits various control information and other information necessary for communication in communication performed between the AP 1, the authentication device 2, and each STA. The transmission unit 32 is realized by the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, storage device 23, WNIC 24, NIC 25, and the like.

  The bandwidth adjustment unit 33 performs the following determination and execution based on the information in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34.

(1) When there are at least two or more STAs connected to AP1 and at least two or more STAs connected to AP1 simultaneously communicate required data from LAN 15 via AP1, bandwidth adjustment information table 34 The required data is transmitted to each STA via the transmission unit 32 with the maximum transmission rate set for each STA as an upper limit based on the above information.
In other words, under the condition (1), in order to avoid a decrease in throughput in communication between AP1 and each STA, which occurs when a plurality of STAs simultaneously occupy each band by communication with AP1, AP1 uses authentication device 2 Thus, communication is performed between the STAs with the maximum transmission rate set in advance by the administrator for communication with each STA as an upper limit. As a result, for example, it is possible to preferentially allocate a band to a specific STA.

  (2) There is only one STA connected to AP1, or there are at least two STAs connected to AP1, and at least two STAs connected are required from LAN 15 via AP1. When data is not communicated at the same time, the required data is transmitted to each STA via the transmission unit 32 with the maximum transmission rate that each STA can communicate as an upper limit. In other words, under the condition (2), since each STA does not occupy a bandwidth in communication with AP1 at the same time, AP1 exhibits maximum performance without being aware of a decrease in throughput in communication with each STA. it can.

  Note that a situation in which a plurality of STAs communicate with AP1 “simultaneously” under the conditions (1) and (2) described above refers to a situation in which AP1 starts and ends communication with two or more STAs. In the overlapped time zone, one or a plurality of packets destined for each STA are mixedly transmitted from the AP. Specifically, a situation where “simultaneously” communication is performed is a situation where two or more STAs communicate with AP1 in the same communication time period, or a situation where one of two or more STAs is communicating (same channel). In other words, the AP1 can start communication with other STAs other than the STA before the communication is completed. Further, the bandwidth adjusting unit 33 receives the result of the authentication from the determination unit 43 of the authentication device 2 that the AP 1 is not authorized to connect to the STA that requested the connection, and Do not connect. Furthermore, when there is data transmission from each STA to AP1 based on the bandwidth adjustment information in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34, an upper limit is set on the transmission rate of each STA, the transmission amount is limited, and each STA and AP1 You may make it perform communication between. The band adjusting unit 33 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

  The bandwidth adjustment information table 34 is registered in advance for the authentication result information obtained by the authentication unit 43 of the authentication apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 4 and the authenticated STA based on the connection authentication information of the STA that requested the connection. 4 is an information table for receiving and storing the bandwidth adjustment information being received from the receiving unit 31. The information stored in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 includes at least the identifier of the wireless connection terminal such as the MAC address of the wireless communication terminal connected to the AP 1 and the maximum preset for the wireless communication terminal recognized by the authentication device 2. It includes bandwidth adjustment information that is the transmission rate. Information of the band adjustment information table 34 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The band adjustment information table 34 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the authentication device 2.

  The authentication device 2 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes a reception unit 41, a transmission unit 42, an authentication unit 43, an authentication information table 44, and the like. Each function will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 3.

The receiving unit 41 receives connection authentication information necessary for the connection received by the AP 1 from each of the STA 10 and STA 11 from the transmitting unit 32 of the AP 1 shown in FIG.
The receiving unit 41 also receives various control information, radio frames, and other information necessary for communication in communication performed between the AP 1 and the authentication device 2. The receiving unit 41 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, the NIC 25, and the like.

  The transmission unit 42 includes authentication result information that is a result of authentication performed by the authentication unit 43 based on information in the authentication information table 44, and a band that is registered in the authentication information table 44 in advance for each STA that has been authenticated. The adjustment information is transmitted to the receiving unit 31 of AP1 shown in FIG. In addition, in the communication performed between the AP 1 and the authentication device 2, the transmission unit 42 also transmits various control information, radio frames, and other information necessary for communication. The transmission unit 42 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, the NIC 25, and the like.

  The authentication unit 43 determines, based on the information in the authentication information table 44, whether or not the administrator who manages the authentication device 2 allows wireless communication between the AP 1 and the STA that requests connection, and transmits the authentication result. To the unit 42. The determination as to whether or not to permit wireless communication between the AP 1 and the STA requesting the wireless connection performed by the authentication unit 43 is based on the connection authentication information and the authentication information table of the STA transmitted via the transmission unit 32 of the AP 1. This is performed by collating each information (FIG. 8 to be described later) registered in advance in 44. The contents to be verified are, for example, a user name and a password corresponding to the user name. Here, the contents to be collated are not limited to the information for collation shown in the first embodiment of the present invention. For example, it may be unique information that each wireless communication terminal can identify. The authentication unit 43 also determines whether or not the administrator of the authentication device 2 has newly set connection authentication information for each STA to be used in the authentication device 2 using an input device (not shown) or the like. . The authentication unit 42 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

The authentication information table 44 is an information table in which connection authentication information of each STA that the administrator of the authentication device 2 wants to use is registered in the authentication device 2 in advance using an input device (not shown) or the like.
The information registered in the authentication information table 44 can be updated at any time by the administrator of the authentication device 2. Information in the authentication information table 44 will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. The authentication information table 44 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

  Next, the operation flow of the wireless access point 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in order with reference to FIG.

  In step S501, the receiving unit 31 determines whether or not the AP1 has received a wireless connection request from a new STA (STA11) other than the STA to which the AP1 is connected. If received, the process proceeds to step S502 (Yes in step S501). If not received, step S501 is repeated (No in step S501).

  In step S502, the transmission unit 32 of AP1 transmits the connection authentication information acquired from the STA 11 via the reception unit 31 to the reception unit 41 of the authentication device 2 via the bandwidth adjustment unit 33 (FIG. 5). (See (1)).

  In step S503, whether or not the reception unit 32 of AP1 permits wireless communication between AP1 and the STA 11 that requests wireless connection via the transmission unit 42 from the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2. The authentication result and band adjustment information registered in advance in the authentication information table 44 for the authenticated STA are received. The receiving unit 32 stores the received authentication result and band adjustment information in the band adjustment information table 34 (see (2) in FIG. 5).

  In step S504, the bandwidth adjustment means 33 of AP1 performs wireless communication with the STA 11 if the authentication is approved based on the authentication result performed by the authentication device 2 (Yes in step S504). If the result is that the authentication is not approved, wireless communication is not performed with the STA 11 (No in step S504). That is, in the authentication apparatus 2, an STA that is not previously permitted to perform wireless communication between the AP 1 and the STA is permitted to perform wireless communication in the authentication apparatus 2 even if it makes a wireless connection request to the AP 1. Unless it is set by, wireless communication cannot be performed between the AP1 and the STA. Thus, it is effective for improving security.

  In step S505, the bandwidth adjustment means 33 of AP1 determines whether the number of STAs connected to AP1 is two or more based on the information in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 from the reception unit 31. If there are two or more units, the process proceeds to step S506 (Yes in step S505). If there is one, step S505 is repeated (No in step S505).

  In step S506, the bandwidth adjustment means 33 is a data which two or more STAs connected to AP1 should wirelessly communicate with AP1 at the same time based on the connection authentication information from the receiving unit 31 and the information in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34. It is determined whether or not to exchange. If so, the process proceeds to step S507 (Yes in step S506). If not, step S506 is repeated (No in step S506). Here, if one STA is wirelessly connected to AP1 or two or more STAs are not communicating at the same time, AP1 sets the maximum transmission rate that STA has as a maximum transmission rate. Since data is exchanged, the performance of the STA can be fully utilized.

  In step S507, based on the information in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34, the bandwidth adjustment unit 33 sets the maximum transmission rate specified in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 to the STAs for the two or more STAs. To exchange data. That is, even if the maximum possible transmission rate with which each STA is provided is higher than the transmission rate of the bandwidth adjustment information in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34, the administrator of the authentication device 2 can manage each STA set in the authentication information table 44 in advance. The transmission rate to each STA is limited up to the maximum intended transmission rate. As a result, when data is exchanged simultaneously between two or more connected STAs with AP1, unintended throughput The decrease can be suppressed.

  Next, the operation flow of the authentication apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in order with reference to FIG.

  In step S601, the administrator of the authentication device 2 uses an input device (not shown) or the like to determine whether or not a new setting request for connection authentication information of the STA to be used has been made. If a setting request has been made, the process proceeds to step S602 (Yes in step S601). If a setting request has not been made, step S601 is repeated (No in step S601).

  In step S602, the authentication information table 44 is updated based on a new setting request, that is, connection authentication information for a new STA to be used.

  In step S603, the authentication unit 43 of the authentication apparatus 2 has received the authentication request and connection authentication information of the STA 11 that requests wireless connection with the AP 1 and transmitted from the AP 1 connected via the LAN 15. (See (1) in FIG. 6). If received, the process proceeds to step S604 (Yes in step S603). If not received, step S603 is repeated (No in step S603).

  In step S604, the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 collates the connection authentication information of the STA 11 with each information registered in the authentication information table 44, and authenticates the authentication result and the authenticated STA. The bandwidth adjustment information stored in the information table 44 is combined and transmitted to the transmitter 42.

In step S605, the transmitting unit 42 of the authentication device 2 transmits the authentication result for the authenticated STA and the bandwidth adjustment information to the receiving unit 31 of AP1 together (see (2) in FIG. 6).
Further, when the authentication of the STA 11 requesting the wireless connection is not permitted in the collation in step S604, only the authentication result is transmitted to the transmission unit of AP1 (see (2) in FIG. 6).

  Here, referring to FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, and FIG. 9, the bandwidth adjustment information table 34, the authentication information table 44, and the connection authentication information. Each content of will be described in detail.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are examples of the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 of AP1.

  Information in the band adjustment information table 34 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The information stored in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 is a connection terminal identifier (for example, a MAC address) of a wireless communication terminal connected to the AP 1, and for each STA stored in the authentication information table 44 of the authentication device 2. The bandwidth adjustment information is the maximum transmission rate preset by the administrator of the authentication device 2. FIG. 7A shows the authentication result of the STA received from the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 and the maximum transmission rate accepted by the STA. In FIG. 7B, authentication result information for the STA that has made a new wireless connection request to the AP 1 received from the authentication unit 43 of the authentication device 2 and band adjustment information that is the maximum transmission rate allowed for the STA are added. Shows the situation. That is, since the authentication unit 43 of the authentication apparatus 2 has been authenticated for the STA that has made a new wireless connection request to the AP 1, the STA stores the STA in the band adjustment information table 34 as authentication result information via the transmission unit 42 of the authentication apparatus 2. Connection terminal identifier and bandwidth adjustment information are added. If authentication is not permitted, new information is not added to the bandwidth adjustment information table 34. The information on the STAs under the control of AP1 stored in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 may be deleted regardless of the connection state when the connection is disconnected. You may do it.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are examples of the authentication information table 44 of the authentication device 2.

  Information in the authentication information table 44 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Information stored in the authentication information table 44 includes authentication information (for example, a user name, a password corresponding to the user name), and a transmission rate intended by the administrator of the authentication device 2 between each STA and the AP 1 to be used. Band adjustment information indicating the maximum transmission rate at which wireless communication can be performed. FIG. 8A shows the contents of the authentication information table 44 preset by the administrator of the authentication apparatus 2. FIG. 8B shows the contents of the authentication information table 44 to which the authentication information of the STA to be used by the administrator of the authentication apparatus 2 and the bandwidth adjustment information set in the STA are added.

  FIG. 9 is an example of connection authentication information received when the AP 1 makes a wireless connection request from a new STA.

  The connection authentication information will be described with reference to FIG.

  The connection authentication information is authentication information (for example, a user name, a password corresponding to the user name), a STA MAC address, and the like. Each information of the authentication information for connection is not limited to the information described in the first embodiment of the present invention, and may be unique information that can identify each of the wireless communication terminals, for example.

(Embodiment 2)
As described above, in the first embodiment described above, the AP 1 receives the authentication information for connection from the STA requesting the wireless connection, and authenticates the authentication device 2 based on the authentication information table preset by the administrator of the authentication device 2. The authentication result determined by the unit 43 is received. After that, AP1 exchanges data with each STA up to the maximum transmission rate set for each STA in the bandwidth adjustment information table 34 with each connected STA. .

  In the first embodiment, it is assumed that a plurality of STAs are connected to one AP. However, in a large office or the like, a plurality of APs are connected to a plurality of STAs under each of them, and a plurality of APs are also adjacent to each other.

  The second embodiment relates to a function implemented in a wireless access point in order to avoid a decrease in throughput of communication performed between an AP and each STA even in such a situation.

  FIG. 10 is an overall system diagram according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the AP 701 and the AP 702 include a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface. The authentication device 703 has at least a wired communication interface and an authentication function. The AP 701, AP 702, and the authentication device 703 are connected via a LAN 715, and the AP 701, AP 702 are arranged adjacent to each other. Further, the STA 710 and the STA 711 have a wireless communication interface, and are wirelessly connected under the control of the AP 701. The STA 712 and the STA 713 have a wireless communication interface, and are wirelessly connected under the AP 702. Each device has the hardware configuration described in the first embodiment, and the same functions are provided to the STAs 710, 711, 712, and 713.

  In the second embodiment, when the AP 701 and the AP 702 currently use adjacent channels and communication is performed between each AP and a plurality of subordinate STAs, the APs communicate with each other. Each AP changes the channel in order to avoid interference due to. In the second embodiment, in addition to the setting of the maximum transmission rate for each STA described in the first embodiment, since the AP 701 and the AP 702 are connected by the LAN 715, the channel in which each AP is currently operating is determined. Notify information and change to channels that are not close to each other. Along with this channel change, both AP 701 and AP 702 notify a plurality of STAs under the control of a channel change by using a beacon (for example, using Beacon Channel Switch Announcement). In this way, if each AP urges a plurality of subordinate STAs to change channels and applies the maximum transmission rate for each STA set for communication between the AP and each subordinate STA, each of the plurality of APs Under the situation where a plurality of STAs are connected to each other and a plurality of APs are adjacent to each other, and at least two or more STAs simultaneously pass between each AP and the plurality of STAs. Even when data to be communicated is exchanged from the LAN to which each AP is connected, the throughput between each AP and each STA can be reduced by adjusting the upper limit of the transmission rate of the subordinate STA. Can be suppressed.

(Other embodiments)
In the first and second embodiments, an embodiment has been described in which an authentication device is provided separately from a wireless access point, and the bandwidth adjustment information that is the maximum transmission rate for each STA is specified in the authentication device. In this embodiment, the authentication apparatus may not be provided, and the maximum transmission rate may be input and stored in advance in the wireless access point itself. In the case where a high security level such as RADIUS server authentication is not required, there is an advantage that the system can be simplified. In this case, in a wireless communication system having a plurality of wireless access points, the maximum transmission rate may be set individually. However, as described in the second embodiment, setting data is shared between wireless access points. May be.

  When wireless access points that perform wireless communication with a plurality of wireless communication terminals communicate with at least two or more wireless communication terminals simultaneously, a decrease in throughput is suppressed in communication with each wireless communication terminal.

1, 701, 702 Wireless access point 2,703 Authentication devices 10, 11, 710, 711, 712, 713 Wireless communication terminals 15, 715 LAN
20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 storage device 24 WNIC
25 NIC
26 Internal bus 31 Reception unit 32 Transmission unit 33 Band adjustment means 34 Band adjustment information table 41 Reception unit 42 Transmission unit 43 Judgment unit 44 Authentication information table

Claims (6)

A wireless access point that connects to a wireless communication terminal and performs data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two wireless communication terminals,
A band adjustment information table that associates and stores information for specifying the wireless communication terminals and predetermined transmission rates that are individually set in advance for communication with the respective wireless communication terminals;
Band adjustment means,
The band adjustment means is based on the information of the band adjustment information table.
(1) The wireless access point is connected to (b) at least two or more wireless communication terminals, and (b) each data required by each wireless communication terminal is simultaneously transmitted to each wireless communication terminal via the network. A wireless access point that transmits the data to each wireless communication terminal with the predetermined transmission rate as an upper limit when communicating toward the wireless communication terminal; The band adjusting means further includes
(2) When the wireless access point is connected to (a) one wireless communication terminal, or (b) even if it is connected to at least two wireless communication terminals, the necessary data is simultaneously transmitted via the network. 2. The wireless access point according to claim 1, wherein, when communication is not performed toward the at least two or more wireless communication terminals, data is transmitted to each of the wireless communication terminals with an upper limit of a maximum transmission rate included in the wireless communication terminals. . A communication control method in a system in which a wireless access point is connected to a wireless communication terminal and performs data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two wireless communication terminals,
Storing at least information specifying a connected wireless communication terminal and a predetermined transmission rate individually set in advance for communication with each of the wireless communication terminals; and
Whether or not the wireless access point is connected to at least two wireless communication terminals and each piece of data required by each wireless communication terminal is simultaneously communicated to each wireless communication terminal via the network. A step of judging;
When it is determined that the wireless access point is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals and the respective data required by the wireless communication terminals are simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminals via the network. And a step of transmitting the data to each wireless communication terminal with the predetermined transmission rate as an upper limit. At least a wireless access point connected to a wireless communication terminal and performing data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two wireless communication terminals,
Band adjustment information storage means for storing information identifying the wireless communication terminal and a predetermined transmission rate set individually for communication with the respective wireless communication terminals in association with each other;
A program that functions as a bandwidth adjustment means,
The band adjustment unit is based on information stored in the band adjustment information storage unit.
When the wireless access point is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals and the respective data required by the wireless communication terminals are simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminals via the network, the predetermined A program for transmitting the data to each of the wireless communication terminals with the transmission rate as the upper limit. A wireless communication system comprising a wireless communication terminal, a wireless access point that performs data communication via a network simultaneously with at least two wireless communication terminals, and an authentication device connected to the network,
The authentication device
An authentication information table for storing predetermined authentication information and a predetermined transmission rate that are individually set in advance for communication with a wireless communication terminal in association with each other;
An authentication unit that collates connection authentication information for connecting the wireless access point and the wireless communication terminal transmitted from the wireless access point, and information in the authentication information table; the collation result; and the predetermined transmission A transmitter for transmitting a rate to the wireless access point;
With
The wireless access point is
A bandwidth adjustment information table for storing the connection authentication information and the predetermined transmission rate;
Band adjustment means,
The band adjustment means is based on the information of the band adjustment information table.
(1) When the wireless access point is connected to at least two or more wireless communication terminals and each piece of data required by the wireless communication terminal is simultaneously communicated to the wireless communication terminals via the network, A wireless communication system that transmits the data to each wireless communication terminal with the predetermined transmission rate as an upper limit. The band adjusting means further includes
(2) When the wireless access point is connected to (a) one wireless communication terminal, or (b) even if it is connected to at least two wireless communication terminals, the required data is simultaneously transmitted to the network. The wireless communication system according to claim 5, wherein, when communication is not performed via the wireless communication terminal, data is transmitted to each wireless communication terminal with an upper limit of a maximum transmission rate included in the wireless communication terminal.