JP2004357056A - Method for eliminating radio wave interference, and radio communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio wave interference eliminating method for eliminating radio wave interference caused by the existence of a plurality of radio LANs and radio communication equipment comprising a function for eliminating radio wave interference. <P>SOLUTION: When an STA existing in a state in which radio wave interference occurs detects a radio wave interference state, the STA requests an AP (application program) to change a frequency channel in use by radio communication between the current APs (step S1). The AP that receives the change request transmits a processing result in response to the request to STA (step S2). The STA performs processing relating to a change in the frequency channel. The AP confirms that the STA receives the change request processing result, and notifies the STA of the frequency channel change in the case of changing the frequency channel (step S3). Then, the SP stops using the current frequency channel in use and performs frequency channel changing processing. The STA uses the changed frequency channel to start radio communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to wireless communication technology, and more particularly, to a radio interference canceling method for canceling radio interference and a radio communication device having a function of canceling radio interference.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) has been introduced to offices, homes, and the like in consideration of ease of installation, economy of introduction cost, and the like. The wireless LAN can move each terminal forming the wireless LAN within a communicable range in comparison with a wired LAN that has been used before the introduction of the wireless LAN. The boundaries indicating possible ranges are ambiguous.
[0003]
When a plurality of wireless LANs are adjacent to each other because a boundary indicating a communicable range is ambiguous, a terminal exists in a range where a communicable range of each of the plurality of wireless LANs overlaps. Sometimes. The terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a terminal existing in the overlapping range) receives the respective radio waves in the wireless LAN adjacent to each other, so that a radio interference problem may occur.
[0004]
As a method for solving the above-described radio interference, a method is used in which terminals existing in the overlapping range detect a surrounding radio wave environment and determine a frequency channel used for wireless communication based on the detection result. Is done.
[0005]
As a conventional technique for determining a frequency channel used for wireless communication so as to eliminate radio wave interference, a communication device group for performing wireless communication, and a communication device connected to these communication device group and wired, There has been a wireless LAN system including a frequency channel control device that dynamically selects a frequency channel to be used based on an error occurrence state detected in a group (see Patent Document 1).
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-271336 (page 3, FIG. 1)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 uses a frequency used when a wireless communication device group performs wireless communication in order to eliminate radio wave interference generated when the wireless communication device group performs wireless communication. Channels are switched, and a frequency channel control device having only a function of dynamically switching frequency channels based on an error occurrence state detected by the wireless communication device group is newly installed by connecting to the wireless communication device group by wire. Had to be done.
[0008]
Therefore, the present invention provides a radio interference cancellation method for eliminating radio interference caused by the presence of a plurality of wireless LANs without newly providing a frequency channel control device or the like for controlling a frequency channel used in a wireless LAN. It is an object to provide a wireless communication device having a function of canceling the radio wave interference.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the wireless communication apparatus is in a range in which it can wirelessly communicate with a first wireless communication apparatus that controls a frequency channel, and can wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication apparatus. In a radio interference canceling method for canceling radio interference generated in a second wireless communication device, the second electronic device acquires a frame from a radio wave received during the wireless communication, and refers to the acquired frame to perform wireless communication. A first wireless communication device that determines whether a radio wave used in a communicable range is received and receives a radio wave used in a range different from the wireless communicable range based on a result of the determination; Transmitting a frequency channel change request to the second electronic device, responding to the transmitted change request, notifying the second electronic device of disconnection of the wireless communication after the response, and stopping the use of the frequency channel after the notification. Features To.
[0010]
With such a configuration, it is possible to eliminate the radio wave interference state.
[0011]
Further, according to the invention according to claim 7, in a wireless communication device that is in a range where it can wirelessly communicate with an external wireless communication device that controls a frequency channel and that can wirelessly communicate with an external wireless communication device using a frequency channel, Acquiring means for acquiring a frame from a radio wave received during wireless communication, and determining means for referring to the frame acquired by the acquiring means to determine whether or not a radio wave used in a wireless communicable range has been received Transmitting means for transmitting a frequency channel change request to an external wireless communication device based on a result of the determination that the determining means has received a radio wave used in a range different from the wirelessly communicable range; and Receiving means for receiving a response made by the external wireless communication device in response to the change request transmitted by the means; and receiving a response based on the response received by the receiving means. Characterized by comprising a stop means to stop the use of the channel.
[0012]
With such a configuration, it is possible to eliminate the radio wave interference state.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating a radio wave interference problem that occurs when two wireless LANs are adjacent to each other.
[0015]
A first basic service area (hereinafter, referred to as a BSA (Basic Service Area)) 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a first access point (hereinafter, referred to as an AP) serving as a radio communication control station that performs frequency channel control and the like. This indicates a range in which wireless communication is possible centering on 3. The first BSA 1 belongs to the first AP 3 and the second station (hereinafter referred to as STA) 6 under the control of the first AP 3. The electronic device group is referred to as a first basic service set (hereinafter, referred to as a BSS (Basic Service Set)). In the first BSA 1, for example, the first AP 3 and the second STA 6, which is a wireless communication terminal, can perform wireless communication.
[0016]
Further, in a space adjacent to the first BSA1, there is a second BSA2 centered on a second AP4 serving as a base station. Depending on the arrangement of the first AP 3 and the second AP 4, there may be a range 20 where the first BSA 1 and the second BSA 2 overlap, for example, as shown in FIG.
[0017]
In the case where the first BSA1 and the second BSA2 are arranged so that the overlapping range 20 exists, it is assumed that the power of the first AP3 is first turned on. After the power is turned on, the first AP 3 detects the surrounding radio wave environment and selects an arbitrary frequency channel (for example, the first frequency channel) used when performing wireless communication. Further, it is assumed that the power of the second AP 4 is turned on. After the power is turned on, the second AP 4 also detects the radio wave environment around itself and selects an arbitrary frequency channel (for example, the second frequency channel) to be used when performing wireless communication. Depending on how the frequency channel used by each of the first AP 3 and the second AP 4 is selected, radio interference occurs in the overlapping range 20.
[0018]
Now, the first STA 5 performs wireless communication with the first AP 3 in the overlapping range 20 in which the above-described radio interference occurs (hereinafter, referred to as the overlapping range 20 in the radio interference state). It is assumed that the user has moved from a place other than the first BSA1 and the second BSA2 in order to perform.
[0019]
The first STA 5 starts wireless communication with the first AP 3 using the first frequency channel. At this time, since the first AP 3 exists in the overlapping range 20 in the radio wave interference state, the first AP 3 is affected by the radio wave transmitted by the second AP 4. Further, the radio wave transmitted by the first STA 5 performing wireless communication with the first AP 3 also affects the second AP 4 due to radio wave interference.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a radio wave interference problem that occurs when two wireless LANs are adjacent to each other.
[0021]
The description contents of the first AP 3, the second AP 4, and the respective BSAs centering on the respective APs are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 1. Similarly to the content described with reference to FIG. 1, the frequency channel used by the first AP 3 (for example, the first frequency channel as in the case described with reference to FIG. 1) and the second AP 4 are used. Consider a case where radio frequency interference occurs when each of the frequency channels to be used (for example, the second frequency channel, as in the case described with reference to FIG. 1) is selected.
[0022]
Since the first BSA1 and the second BSA2 shown in FIG. 2 do not have a range in which the BASs of the first BSA1 and the second BSA2 overlap with each other, when the power of the first AP3 and the second AP4 is turned on, the radio interference may occur. There is no range to occur.
[0023]
However, the first STA 5 moves into the first BSA 1 shown in FIG. 2 to perform wireless communication with the first AP 3, and the second STA 6 performs wireless communication with the second AP 4. Suppose that it has moved into the 2nd BSA2 shown in FIG.
[0024]
The first STA 5 starts wireless communication with the first AP 3 using the first frequency channel. Therefore, radio waves related to the first frequency channel are transmitted from the first STA 5 to a range 7 centered on the first STA 5. Further, the second STA 6 starts wireless communication with the second AP 4 using the second frequency channel. Therefore, radio waves related to the second frequency channel are transmitted from the second STA 6 to a range 8 centered on the second STA 6. Similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 1, the radio waves related to the first frequency channel and the radio waves related to the second frequency channel cause radio interference with each other. In the overlapping range 21 of the wireless communication range 8 of the two STAs 6, the first STA 5 and the second STA 6 are mutually affected by radio wave interference.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the STA and the AP according to the present invention.
[0026]
FIG. 4 is a table that defines the contents regarding radio wave interference.
[0027]
The first bridge circuit 11 is connected to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a main memory 12, a display 13, and a second bridge circuit 14. The first bridge circuit 11 includes a memory controller (not shown) for controlling the main memory 12 and a graphics controller (not shown) for controlling the display 13.
[0028]
The CPU 10 controls the entire electronic device according to the present invention, performs data calculations, and the like.
[0029]
The main memory 12 stores an OS (Operating System), a device driver, an application program to be executed, and the like.
[0030]
The main memory 12 is loaded with, for example, an application program that is software for performing settings related to wireless communication. Using this program, the user of the electronic device can set the "radio wave interference detection mode" shown at 22a in FIG. In the setting of the radio interference detection mode, when "detect radio interference" is set (meaning "valid" in FIG. 4), the electronic device is capable of detecting radio interference around its own device. Become. Furthermore, when the radio wave interference detection mode is set to "valid" and the radio wave interference is detected, the electronic device changes the "radio wave interference state" shown in 22b of FIG. If no radio interference is detected, "no radio interference" is stored. In addition, in the setting of the radio interference monitoring mode, when “not detect radio interference” is set (meaning “invalid” in FIG. 4), the electronic device does not detect radio interference around its own device. Here, it is set that the user of the electronic device starts the software and does not perform the setting operation of the radio interference detection mode, but detects radio interference as an initial setting of the radio interference detection mode. No problem.
[0031]
The display 13 displays various information. For example, the surrounding radio wave environment of the electronic device (for example, whether or not there is radio wave interference) or the like is displayed by using an application or utility loaded on the main memory 12.
[0032]
The second bridge circuit 14 is connected to the magnetic disk device 15, an EC (Embedded Controller) 16a, a sound controller 17a, and a wireless module 19.
[0033]
The magnetic disk device 15 stores an OS, a device driver, an application program to be executed, and the like, and is transferred to the main memory 12 as appropriate.
[0034]
The EC 16a is connected to an LED 16b that indicates the operation status of each device. The EC 16a controls operations such as turning on and blinking the LED 16b.
[0035]
The LED 16b performs operations such as lighting and blinking according to the surrounding radio wave environment of the electronic device. For example, when the electronic device is in the radio wave interference state area, the LED 16 is turned on or blinks. When the electronic apparatus is not in the radio wave interference state area, the LED 16 is turned off. The operation control such as lighting and blinking of the LED 16b is performed, for example, by processing the operation content of the wireless module 19 described later by the wireless communication control software 12a loaded on the main memory 12 and described later. Based on the LED controller.
[0036]
A speaker 17b that emits sound is connected to the sound controller 17a. The sound controller 17a controls the operation of the speaker 17b.
[0037]
The speaker 17b emits a warning sound or the like according to a radio wave environment around the electronic device. For example, a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 17b when the electronic device is in the radio wave interference state region, and a warning sound is not generated from the speaker 17b when the electronic device is not in the radio wave interference state region. The control related to the alarm sound of the speaker 17b is performed, for example, by processing the operation content of the wireless module 19 described later by the wireless communication control software 12a loaded on the main memory 12 and described later. This is performed by the sound controller 17a.
[0038]
The wireless module 19 is connected to the antenna unit 18 that transmits and receives radio waves. The wireless module 19 includes a high frequency unit (not shown), a BB (Base Band) unit (not shown), and a MAC (Media Access Control) unit (not shown).
[0039]
The antenna unit 18 receives a radio wave. The high frequency unit selects a frequency related to the radio wave received by the antenna unit 18 and performs a frequency conversion process on the selected frequency to a frequency that can be processed by the BB unit, which will be described later. The BB unit modulates and demodulates the frequency-converted signal to convert it into a baseband signal. The MAC unit processes the baseband signal based on the control contents defined in the MAC layer of the data link layer in the second layer of the OSI basic reference model. Further, the wireless communication control software 12a loaded into the main memory 12 from the magnetic disk device 15 performs processing such as recognition of a received frame based on the signal processed by the MAC unit. The wireless communication control software 12a can be re-installed with the upgrade of the wireless communication technology according to the present invention. At the time of frame transmission, a radio wave is transmitted via the antenna unit 18 by following a process reverse to the process described above.
[0040]
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a procedure for eliminating a radio wave interference state between the STA and the AP according to the present invention.
[0041]
As described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the STA existing in the overlapping range of the state where the radio wave interference is occurring detects the radio wave interference state, the STA is currently used in the wireless communication with the AP. It requests the AP to change the existing frequency channel (step S1). The AP that has received the frequency channel change request transmits a processing result based on the change request to the STA as a response to the change request (step S2). The STA performs a process related to the change of the frequency channel based on a process result transmitted from the AP. The AP confirms that the STA has received the result of the change request processing, and when changing the frequency channel, notifies the STA of the frequency channel change (step S3). After that, the AP performs a channel change process. Wireless communication is started between the STA and the AP using the frequency channel changed by the AP. Hereinafter, the contents described with reference to FIG. 5 will be described in detail.
[0042]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure performed until an STA located in an area where radio wave interference occurs requests the AP to change the frequency channel.
[0043]
The processing procedure will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 illustrating the problem of radio interference caused by two wireless LANs being adjacent to each other.
[0044]
Before the first STA 5 shown in FIG. 1 detects radio wave interference occurring around the own device, the first STA 5 uses the frequency channel selected by the first AP 3 to perform the first The wireless communication with the AP 3 is performed (the wireless communication operation between the first STA 5 and the first AP 3 is referred to as a normal operation in the first STA 5). The first STA 5 receives a radio wave for performing wireless communication, and acquires a reception frame from the received radio wave (step S4).
[0045]
The first STA 5 refers to a BSS ID that is set in the acquired received frame and that indicates the BSS to which the electronic device capable of wireless communication that transmitted the received frame belongs (step S5). The first STA 5 refers to the BSS ID to determine whether or not the first STA 5 is performing wireless communication with a wirelessly communicable electronic device in the BSA to which the first STA 5 belongs (step S6). When the first STA 5 performing wireless communication with the first AP 3 receives a radio wave, and the BSS ID set in the data frame related to the radio wave is an ID indicating the first BSS (step S6 no). That is, the wireless communication is being performed with the first AP 3 belonging to the same BSS as the first STA 5, that is, the radio wave used in the first BSA 1 is being received. Therefore, the first STA 5 performs a normal operation (step S7).
[0046]
However, when the first STA 5 in wireless communication with the first AP 3 receives a radio wave, and the BSS ID set in a data frame acquired from the radio wave is an ID indicating the second BSS ( Step S6 yes), the first STA 5 has received the radio wave transmitted from the second AP 4 belonging to the second BSS. The first AP 3 wirelessly communicates with the first STA 5, and receives radio waves transmitted from the second AP 4 in a situation where normally only radio waves transmitted from the first STA 5 are received. In other words, since the radio wave used in the second BSA 2 different from the first BSA 1 is being received, the first STA 5 determines that radio wave interference is occurring around its own device. (Step S8).
[0047]
In the process of determining that radio wave interference has occurred based on the reception of the BSS ID, it is not determined that radio wave interference has occurred simply by receiving the BSS ID, but using the frequency of receiving the BSS ID as an index. There is no problem even if it is determined that radio wave interference has occurred. Further, when judging whether or not a radio wave interference state exists, it does not matter if RSSI (reception strength) detected in the physical layer is considered as an index of the judgment standard.
[0048]
The first STA 5 that has recognized that the radio wave interference has occurred stores the “radio wave interference state” shown in FIG. 4 in a state of “there is radio wave interference”.
[0049]
The first STA 5 that has recognized that radio wave interference has occurred performs an operation of changing a frequency channel used in wireless communication with the first AP 3 in order to eliminate the radio wave interference state. When changing the frequency channel (step S9 yes), the first STA 5 requests the first AP 3 to change the frequency channel (step S10). If the first STA 5 confirms that the first AP 3 has received the frequency channel change request transmitted from the first STA 5 (step S11 yes), the first STA 5 performs processing for the change request performed by the first AP 3 Enter the waiting state to wait.
[0050]
The process of determining whether there is radio wave interference, which is the process in step S8, is performed by the above-described radio communication control software 12a, and it is determined that there is radio wave interference, that is, the first STA5 differs from the first BSA1 Based on the determination that the radio wave used in the second BSA 2 is being received, the EC 16a controls the LED 16b and turns on or blinks the LED 16b to notify the user of the radio wave interference state. The sound controller 17a controls the speaker 17b based on the determination made by the wireless communication control software 12a that the radio interference state is present, and emits a sound to notify the user of the radio interference state. Alternatively, based on the determination made by the wireless communication control software 12a that the radio interference state is present, the main It is possible to notify the user of radio interference by displaying the information on the display 13 using software for notifying the user of the information on the surrounding radio wave environment of the electronic device. is there. With these configurations, the user can recognize that the first STA 5 is in a radio wave interference state.
[0051]
In addition, the frame related to the frequency channel change request transmitted from the first STA 5 to the first AP 3 as the process in step S10 includes an undefined portion of the Management frame or the Control frame prepared in the IEEE 802.11 standard. It can be newly defined by using it.
[0052]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a frequency channel change processing procedure performed by the AP that has received the frequency channel change request.
[0053]
Similar to the description of FIG. 6, the processing procedure will be described below with reference to FIG. 1, which describes a radio interference problem that occurs when two wireless LANs are adjacent to each other.
[0054]
Before the first STA 5 shown in FIG. 1 detects the radio wave interference and further requests the first AP 3 to change the frequency channel used in the wireless communication with the first AP 3, the first AP 3 Performs wireless communication with a group of STAs (including the first STA 5) existing in the BSA of the own device using the frequency channel selected by the own device (the first AP 3 and the STA group). Is referred to as a normal operation in the first AP 3). The first AP 3 performing the normal operation acquires the received frame related to the received radio wave, and refers to the BSS ID set in the acquired received frame. The first AP 3 refers to the BSS ID to determine whether or not the first AP 3 is performing wireless communication with a wirelessly communicable electronic device in the BSS to which the first AP 3 belongs. When the first AP 3 receives a reception frame indicating a frequency channel change request among reception frames transmitted from a wirelessly communicable electronic device in the BSS to which the first AP 3 belongs (step S12 yes), A process related to a request to change the frequency channel currently used for wireless communication is performed (step S13).
[0055]
The content of this process is a content for performing a process related to the change of the currently used frequency channel based on the wireless communication processing status performed by the first AP 3. For example, when the first AP 3 is performing wireless communication with a STA having a higher priority for performing wireless communication compared to the first STA 5, the first AP 3 indicates a frequency channel change request. After receiving the received frame, for example, the process related to the change request is not immediately performed, and the process waits until the wireless communication with the STA having the higher priority is completed. This will be described in detail later.
[0056]
After performing the processing related to the frequency channel change request in step S13, the first AP 3 transmits the processing result to the first STA 5 as a response to the change request (step S14).
[0057]
In addition, when the first AP 3 receives a reception frame that does not mean a frequency channel change request (step S12 no), the first AP 3 does not perform the process related to the request for changing the frequency channel currently used for wireless communication, and It performs wireless communication with the STA5. That is, the first AP 3 performs a normal operation (step S15).
[0058]
When the first AP 3 confirms that the first STA 5 has received the processing result related to the frequency channel change request made in step S14 (step S16 yes), the first STA 5 requests the change request. It is determined whether or not to change the frequency channel (step S17). If the first AP 3 cannot confirm that the first STA 5 has received the processing result related to the frequency channel change request made in step S14 (step S16 no), the first AP 3 sends the first STA 5 again to the first STA 5. The result of the processing is transmitted.
[0059]
In step S17, when the first AP 3 changes the frequency channel for which the change request has been made from the first STA 5 (step S17 yes), the first AP 3 notifies the STA 5 of disconnecting the wireless communication. (Step S18). Further, when the first AP 3 does not change the frequency channel for which the change request has been made from the first STA 5 (step S17 no), the process currently performed by the first AP 3 is completed.
[0060]
The first AP 3 changes the frequency channel used in the wireless communication (Step S19). As a method of changing the frequency channel performed by the first AP 3, a method of changing the frequency channel before the change, that is, a method of selecting a frequency channel different from the currently used frequency channel can be considered. Further, the first AP 3 may detect a radio wave environment around the first AP 3 and select a frequency channel having a low possibility of causing radio wave interference with the detected radio wave, for example.
[0061]
The first AP 3 performs a normal operation after changing the frequency channel used for wireless communication.
[0062]
Note that, in addition to the processing in step S14, the frame related to the processing result for the frequency channel change request transmitted from the first AP 3 to the first STA 5 is a frame of a Management frame or a Control frame prepared in the IEEE 802.11 standard. It is possible to newly define using an undefined part.
[0063]
By using the undefined portions of these frames, it becomes possible to conform to the IEEE 802.11 standard.
[0064]
In addition, a deauthentication frame or a diassociation frame defined by a standard conforming to IEEE 802.11 can be used as a frame related to the wireless communication disconnection notification, which is the process in step S18.
[0065]
Further, in the processing in step 18, if the first AP 3 wants to notify the STA group in the first BSA to which the first AP 3 belongs to disconnect the wireless communication, the first AP 3 disconnects the wireless communication. As a frame related to the notification, it is possible to newly define a frame by using an undefined part of a Management frame or a Control frame prepared in the IEEE 802.11 standard.
[0066]
By using these newly defined frames, it is possible to notify the STA group in the first BSA 1 to the multicast that wireless communication has been disconnected. Further, by utilizing the undefined portions of these frames, it is possible to conform to the IEEE 802.11 standard.
[0067]
Then, the first AP 3 stops using the currently used frequency channel without notifying the first STA 5 of the disconnection of the wireless communication, which is the processing in step S18, from the first AP 3 to the first STA 5. There is no problem even if the frequency channel is changed.
[0068]
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a frequency channel change processing procedure in the STA waiting for a response to the frequency channel change request.
[0069]
Similar to the description of FIGS. 6 and 7, the processing procedure will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 illustrating the radio interference problem that occurs when two wireless LANs are adjacent to each other.
[0070]
The state of the first STA 5 shown in FIG. 1 is a state of waiting for processing to be performed by the first AP 3 after the processing of step S11 yes described with reference to FIG. When the first STA 5 receives the processing result related to the request to change the frequency channel (step S20 yes), the first STA 5 changes the frequency channel currently used in the wireless communication with the first AP 3. It is determined whether or not to perform (step S21). When the first STA 5 changes the frequency channel (step S21 yes), the first STA 5 updates the “radio wave interference state” shown in FIG. 4 to a state of “no radio wave interference” (step S22).
[0071]
Further, the first STA 5 receives the wireless communication disconnection notification transmitted from the first AP 3 and terminates the wireless communication currently being performed with the first AP 3. After the reception, the first STA 5 performs a frequency channel scan operation, and detects a frequency channel newly selected by the first AP 3. Then, the first STA 5 performs reconnection of wireless communication with the first AP 3 using the new frequency channel (step S23).
[0072]
Note that if the first AP 3 does not transmit a wireless communication disconnection notification to the first STA 5 and stops using the currently used frequency channel and newly selects a frequency channel, the first AP 3 The STA 5 performs a frequency channel scan operation based on the fact that the currently used frequency channel cannot be used, and detects the frequency channel newly selected by the first AP 3.
[0073]
By the way, in the processing of step S20 described above, when the first STA 5 has not received the processing result related to the request to change the frequency channel currently used for wireless communication (step S20 no), the first STA 5 The wireless communication with the first AP 3 is in progress, that is, in the normal operation state (step S24). If the first STA 5 does not receive the processing result related to the frequency channel from the first AP 3 even after the predetermined time has elapsed, that is, if the first STA 5 has timed out (step S25 yes), the “radio wave” illustrated in FIG. The value of “interference detection mode” or “radio wave interference state” is updated (step S26). This updating method is based on the setting regarding the wireless communication function of the first STA 5, and an example of the updating method described below can be considered.
[0074]
First, the first STA 5 is configured to determine that “the first AP 3 is not implemented to process the frequency channel change request” based on the generated timeout. In this case, the first STA 5 changes the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” from valid to invalid. That is, the setting is made so that the radio wave interference around the own device is not detected. Alternatively, the first STA 5 changes the value of the “radio wave interference state” from “with radio wave interference” to “no radio wave interference” without changing the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” while keeping it valid.
[0075]
According to the updating method described above, the first STA 5 cancels the state of waiting for the frequency channel change process performed by the first AP 3 because the first STA 5 does not detect radio wave interference or determines that there is no radio wave interference. Is done. Then, the first STA 5 performs wireless communication with the first AP 3 in a state where radio wave interference is occurring.
[0076]
Next, the first STA 5 is a case where “a request for a frequency channel change is made to the first AP 3” even though a timeout has occurred. In this case, the first STA 5 does not change the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” while keeping it valid, and changes the value of the “radio wave interference state” again while keeping the value of “radio interference present”.
[0077]
According to the above-described updating method, the first STA 5 is released from the state of waiting for the frequency channel change process performed by the first AP 3 because “the radio station determines again that there is radio interference”. Further, the first STA 5 requests the first AP 3 again to change the currently used frequency channel, which is the processing content described in step S10 of FIG.
[0078]
Also, in the processing of step S21 described above, if the first STA 5 has not changed the frequency channel currently used for wireless communication with the first AP 3 (step S21 no), the first STA 5 Then, the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” or the “radio wave interference state” shown in FIG. 4 is updated (step S27). The operation of updating the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” or the “radio wave interference state” is transmitted from the first AP 3 and included in the processing result of the request to change the frequency channel, “the reason why the frequency channel is not changed”. Is performed based on the contents of the above, and an example of an updating method described below can be considered.
[0079]
First, the content of the "reason not to change the frequency channel" transmitted from the first AP 3 is that "the first STA 5 is an STA that does not have the right to make a frequency channel change request". Is the case. In this case, a change is made so as not to perform the operation of detecting radio wave interference around the own device, which is an operation necessary for making a request to change the frequency channel. That is, the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” is changed from valid to invalid. Alternatively, the first STA 5 changes the value of the “radio wave interference state” from “with radio wave interference” to “no radio wave interference” without changing the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” while keeping it valid. The first STA 5 recognizes the value of the “radio wave interference state” as “no radio wave interference”, and issues a request to change the frequency channel to the first AP 3 when the value is recognized as “the presence of radio wave interference”. Not performed.
[0080]
In the case of the updating method described above, since the first STA 5 does not request the first AP 3 to change the frequency channel again (step S28 no), the first STA 5 is in a state where the radio interference occurs. Then, wireless communication with the first AP 3 is performed.
[0081]
Next, there is a case where the content of "reason not to change the frequency channel" transmitted from the first AP 3 is "the first STA 5 has to make a frequency channel change request again". . The case where this content is transmitted from the first AP 3 means that, for example, the first AP 3 is temporarily transmitting / receiving data with STAs other than the first STA 5 in its own BSA, that is, in a busy state. Is the case. In the above case, the first STA 5 does not change the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” while keeping the value valid, but changes the value of the “radio wave interference state” again with the value of “the presence of radio interference”.
[0082]
According to the above-described updating method, the first STA 5 determines again that there is radio wave interference, and thus requests the first AP 3 again to change the currently used frequency channel (step S28). yes), and retransmit the frequency channel change request (step S29).
[0083]
Then, the content of the "reason for not changing the frequency channel" transmitted from the first AP 3 is that "the first STA 5 has to make a frequency channel change request again after a predetermined time has elapsed". This is the case for content. The case where this content is transmitted from the first AP 3 means, for example, that the first AP 3 is transmitting streaming data to an STA other than the first STA 5 in its own BSA. This is a case in which wireless communication is performed with STAs other than the STA 5 of FIG. In the above case, the first STA 5 does not change the value of the “radio wave interference detection mode” while keeping the value valid, but changes the value of the “radio wave interference state” again with the value of “the presence of radio interference”.
[0084]
According to the updating method described above, the first STA 5 again determines that “radio wave interference is present” after a predetermined time has elapsed, and instructs the first AP 3 to change the currently used frequency channel again. A request is made (step S28 yes), and a request for changing the frequency channel is made (step S29). It should be noted that the first STA 5 determines again that "radio wave interference is present", and after a predetermined time elapses, there is no problem even if the first STA 5 requests the first AP 3 to change the currently used frequency channel.
[0085]
The control regarding the suspension of the use of the frequency channel used in the state where the radio wave interference occurs is performed by the above-described radio communication control software 12a, and the EC 16a controls the LED 16b based on the determination of the suspension of the use of the frequency channel. The sound controller 17a controls the speaker 17b based on the determination that the use of the frequency channel is stopped by the wireless communication control software 12a to notify the user of the radio wave interference state by turning on or blinking. By emitting a sound, the user is notified of the radio wave interference state, or is loaded on the main memory 12 based on the determination that the use of the frequency channel is stopped by the wireless communication control software 12a. Software that informs the user of information about the Using Towea, by displaying the information on the display 13, by stop using the frequency channel to the user to notify that the interference state is eliminated, it is possible. By adopting these configurations, the user can recognize that the radio wave interference state occurring in the first STA 5 has been eliminated.
[0086]
Further, after stopping the use of the frequency channel used in a state where the radio wave interference is occurring, the AP selects a frequency channel different from the frequency channel, and the STA performs wireless communication with the AP using the different frequency channel. The control related to restarting is performed by the wireless communication control software 12a described above, and based on the determination that wireless communication has been restarted using a different frequency channel, the EC 16a controls the LED 16b, and turns on or blinks the LED 16b. The sound controller 17a controls the speaker 17b based on the determination that the radio communication control software 12a has performed the radio communication control software 12a and has resumed the radio communication using a different frequency channel. Control and emit a sound to give the user The electronic device loaded in the main memory 12 based on the determination that the wireless communication has been restarted by using the wireless communication control software 12a and using a different frequency channel. By using software that informs the user of information about the surrounding radio wave environment to the user, the information is displayed on the display 13, thereby stopping the use of the frequency channel to notify the user that the radio wave interference state has been resolved. It is possible. With these configurations, the user can recognize that the first STA 5 has again started wireless communication with the first AP 3.
[0087]
The STA in the radio wave interference state can cancel the radio wave interference state by stopping the use of the frequency channel that generates the radio wave interference. Further, after the use of the frequency channel causing the radio wave interference is stopped, the wireless communication can be performed again by using a frequency channel different from the frequency channel.
[0088]
Note that the description given with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8 is based on the situation described with reference to FIG. 1, but is also applicable to the situation described with reference to FIG. 2, and is further limited to these situations. Not something.
[0089]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment as long as it does not depart from the gist of the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the access point and the station used in the description of the above-described embodiment, and may be an electronic device having the same function as those devices.
[0090]
【The invention's effect】
According to the invention described in detail above, it is possible to eliminate radio wave interference.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a first diagram showing a radio wave interference problem that occurs when two wireless LANs are adjacent to each other.
FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a radio wave interference problem that occurs when two wireless LANs are adjacent to each other;
FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of the STA and the AP according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a table that defines contents related to radio wave interference.
FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a procedure for eliminating a radio wave interference state between a STA and an AP according to the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure performed by an electronic device capable of wireless communication located in an area where radio wave interference occurs.
FIG. 7 is an exemplary flowchart showing a procedure of a frequency channel change process performed by an electronic device capable of wireless communication which has received a frequency channel change request.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a frequency change processing procedure in an electronic device capable of wireless communication waiting for a response to a frequency channel change request.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 ... first BSA, 2 ... second BSA, 3 ... first AP, 4 ... second AP,
5 first STA, 6 second STA,
10 CPU, 11 first bridge circuit, 12 main memory,
13 ... display, 14 ... second bridge circuit,
15 ... magnetic disk drive, 16a ... EC, 16b ... LED,
17a: sound controller, 17b: speaker, 18: antenna,
19 ... wireless module,

Claims (19)

Radio interference that exists in a range in which it is possible to wirelessly communicate with a first wireless communication device that controls a frequency channel and that cancels out radio interference that occurs in a second wireless communication device that can wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication device In the resolution method,
The second electronic device acquires a frame from a radio wave received during the wireless communication,
With reference to the obtained frame, it is determined whether or not a radio wave used in the wireless communicable range has been received,
Receiving a radio wave used in a range different from the range in which the wireless communication can be performed, based on a result determined to be, transmitting the frequency channel change request to the first wireless communication device,
The first wireless communication device responds to the transmitted change request,
Notifying the second electronic device of disconnecting the wireless communication after the response,
After the notification, the radio wave interference canceling method stops using the frequency channel. A second wireless communication device that exists in a range in which it can wirelessly communicate with a first wireless communication device that controls a frequency channel and that can wirelessly communicate with the first wireless communication device using the frequency channel. In radio interference cancellation method to cancel radio interference,
The second electronic device acquires a frame from a radio wave received during the wireless communication,
With reference to the obtained frame, it is determined whether or not a radio wave used in the wireless communicable range has been received,
Receiving a radio wave used in a range different from the range in which the wireless communication can be performed, based on a result determined to be, transmitting the frequency channel change request to the first wireless communication device,
The first wireless communication device responds to the transmitted change request,
After the response, the use of the frequency channel is stopped. The first wireless communication device, after stopping the use of the frequency channel, selects a frequency channel different from the frequency channel,
The method of claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication device starts wireless communication using the different frequency channel. The second wireless communication device determines that the first wireless communication device is busy based on the content of the response,
2. The radio interference canceling method according to claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the frequency channel change request to the first wireless communication device again based on the determined state of the first wireless communication device. The second wireless communication device, while being included in the response, receives a value of a predetermined time until again requesting the change of the frequency channel,
Based on the content of the response, determine that the first wireless communication device is in a wireless communication state that guarantees QoS,
The frequency channel change request is transmitted to the first wireless communication device again based on the determined state of the first wireless communication device and the value of the received predetermined time until the request is made again. The method for eliminating radio wave interference according to claim 1, wherein: The method according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication device transmits the frequency channel change request to the first electronic device again when the second wireless communication device does not receive the response. In a wireless communication device that exists in a range in which wireless communication can be performed with an external wireless communication device that controls a frequency channel and that can perform wireless communication using the external wireless communication device and the frequency channel,
Acquisition means for acquiring a frame from a radio wave received during the wireless communication,
With reference to the frame obtained by the obtaining means, determining means for determining whether or not received a radio wave used in the wireless communicable range,
A transmission unit that transmits the frequency channel change request to the external wireless communication device based on a determination result that the determination unit determines that a radio wave used in a range different from the range in which the wireless communication can be performed is received. ,
Receiving means for receiving a response performed by the external wireless communication device to the change request transmitted by the transmitting means,
Stopping means for stopping use of the frequency channel based on the response received by the receiving means,
A wireless communication device comprising: After suspending the use of the frequency channel by the suspending means, and selected by the external wireless communication device, using a frequency channel different from the suspended frequency channel, means for starting wireless communication,
The wireless communication device according to claim 7, comprising: Determining means for determining that the external wireless communication device is busy based on the content of the response;
Based on the state of the external wireless communication device determined by the determination unit, a transmission unit that transmits the frequency channel change request to the external device again,
The wireless communication device according to claim 7, comprising: Included in the received response, receiving means for receiving a value of a predetermined time until again requesting the change of the frequency channel,
Determining means for determining that the external wireless communication device is performing wireless communication ensuring QoS based on the content of the response;
A transmitting unit that transmits the frequency channel change request to the external device again based on a state of the external wireless communication device determined by the determining unit and a value of a predetermined time until the request is made again;
The wireless communication device according to claim 7, comprising: When the response is not received by the receiving unit, a transmitting unit that transmits the frequency channel change request to the external wireless communication device again,
The wireless communication device according to claim 7, comprising: By the determining means, receiving a radio wave used in a range different from the wireless communicable range, based on the determination result determined, based on the determination result, to notify the user that the radio interference state,
The wireless communication device according to claim 7, comprising: Notifying means for notifying the user that the radio wave interference state has been eliminated, based on the operation of stopping the use of the frequency channel by the canceling means,
The wireless communication device according to claim 7, comprising: Notifying means for notifying to a user that wireless communication has been started, based on an operation of starting wireless communication using the different frequency channel by the starting means,
The wireless communication device according to claim 8, comprising: The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein the frame used for the change request of the frequency channel is defined using Management Frame or Control Frame. While controlling the frequency channel used by the external wireless communication device, in the wireless communication device capable of wireless communication using the external wireless communication device and the frequency channel,
Receiving means for receiving a frequency channel change request from the external wireless communication device,
Response means for responding to the change request received by the receiving means,
Notifying means for notifying the external wireless communication device of disconnecting wireless communication after the response by the responding means,
After notifying the disconnection by the notifying means, stopping means to stop using the frequency channel,
A wireless communication device comprising: While controlling the frequency channel used by the external wireless communication device, in the wireless communication device capable of wireless communication using the external wireless communication device and the frequency channel,
Receiving means for receiving a frequency channel change request from the external wireless communication device,
Response means for responding to the change request received by the receiving means,
After the response by the response unit, suspending means for suspending use of the frequency channel,
Wireless communication device characterized by comprising: After suspending the use of the frequency channel by the suspending means, selecting means for selecting a frequency channel different from the frequency channel,
The wireless communication device according to claim 16, further comprising: 18. The wireless communication device according to claim 16, wherein a frame used for a response to the change request is defined by using a Management Frame or a Control Frame.

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