JP2005277599A - Wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication method, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication method, and a computer program whereby each communication station autonomously and distributingly sets an operating channel to carry out a sleeping operation and band reservation communication in a wireless network wherein a plurality of channels are prepared. <P>SOLUTION: Each communication station ordinarily carries out notice of beacon and data communication on a reference channel that is defined. On the occurrence of a demand of data communication, each communication station carries out the data communication through other channels. Each communication station informs of a slot utilizing state of the channel in use and a beacon transmission slot on the other channels by using the beacon through the reference channel. Further, each communication station informs of a slot utilizing state of the channel in use and a beacon transmission slot on the reference channel by using the beacon through the other channels. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer program for performing mutual communication between a plurality of wireless stations such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network). The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer program in which a wireless network is operated by performing autonomous distributed communication operations.

  More specifically, the present invention relates to a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication method in which each communication station forms a wireless network by autonomously distributed communication operations in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared, and In particular, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication apparatus, in which each communication station sets operation channels in an autonomous and distributed manner to perform sleep operation and bandwidth reservation communication in a wireless network in which a plurality of channels are prepared. The present invention relates to a communication method and a computer program.

  As a system for releasing a user from a wired LAN connection, a wireless LAN has attracted attention. According to the wireless LAN, most of the wired cables can be omitted in a work space such as an office. In recent years, the demand for wireless LAN systems has increased remarkably with the increase in speed and cost. In particular, introduction of a personal area network (PAN) is being studied in order to construct a small-scale wireless network between a plurality of electronic devices existing around a person and realize information communication. For example, different wireless communication systems are defined using frequency bands that do not require a license from a supervisory authority, such as 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band.

  One standard for wireless networks is IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1), HiperLAN / 2 (for example, Non-Patent Document 2 or Non-Patent Document 2 or Non-Patent Document 2). (See Patent Document 3), IEEE 302.15.3, Bluetooth communication, and the like.

  In addition, a method called “ultra wide band (UWB) communication” that performs wireless communication by placing information on an extremely weak impulse train has been attracting attention as a wireless communication system that realizes short-distance ultra-high-speed transmission. Is expected. Currently, an access control method for ultra-wide band communication is being studied in IEEE 802.15.3 and the like.

  In general, in order to configure a local area network using wireless technology, a device serving as a control station called an “access point” or “coordinator” is provided in the area. Form a network under overall control. In this type of wireless network, communication devices synchronize with each other by the intervention of an access point, and an access control method based on bandwidth reservation is widely adopted. That is, when information is transmitted from a certain communication device, first, a band necessary for the information transmission is reserved at an access point, and a transmission path is used so that a collision with information transmission in another communication device does not occur.

  However, when asynchronous communication is performed between a communication device on the transmission side and the reception side in a wireless communication system in which an access point is interposed, wireless communication via the access point is always required. There is a problem that the efficiency is halved.

  On the other hand, as another method of configuring a wireless network, “ad-hoc communication” in which terminals perform wireless communication directly and asynchronously has been devised. In particular, in a small-scale wireless network composed of a relatively small number of clients located in the vicinity, ad-hoc communication that allows any terminal to perform asynchronous wireless communication directly without using a specific access point is provided. It seems to be appropriate.

  Since an ad hoc wireless communication system does not have a central control station, it is suitable for configuring a home network made up of household electrical devices, for example. In an ad hoc network, even if one unit fails or power is turned off, the routing is automatically changed so that the network is unlikely to break down. The high data rate can be maintained by hopping packets between mobile stations multiple times. There is a feature that data can be transmitted to a relatively long distance. Various development cases are known for ad hoc systems (for example, see Non-Patent Document 5).

  By the way, with the spread of information communication technology, in a work environment where many communication devices are mixed in an office, it is assumed that communication stations are scattered and a plurality of networks are overlapped. In the case of a wireless network using a single channel, there is no room for repairing the situation even if another system interrupts during communication or communication quality deteriorates due to interference or the like.

  For this reason, a method is generally adopted in which a plurality of frequency channels are prepared in advance, and one frequency channel to be used in a wireless communication apparatus serving as an access point is selected to start operation. According to such a multi-channel communication method, when another system interrupts during communication or communication quality deteriorates due to interference or the like, the network operation is maintained by switching the use channel, Coexistence with the network can be realized.

  Recently, an access point having a dynamic channel selection function for automatically selecting a channel to be operated is being standardized. In this type of wireless LAN system, each terminal station defines an operation of receiving a beacon signal transmitted from an access point and searching for a desired access point. In this case, in order to connect to a desired access point, the user of the terminal station sets, for example, a predetermined access key to share encryption information, or a communication device serving as a terminal at the access point. Work such as registering address information is required.

  On the other hand, in an ad hoc network, since an operation for grasping communication devices existing around itself is performed, it is not necessary to perform channel separation in a predetermined group. However, in a wireless communication system having a plurality of channels, it is necessary to set channels to be used in advance.

  In recent years, the development of personal area networks (PANs) that perform ultra-high speed communication at a shorter distance than wireless LANs is progressing at a rapid pace. In this personal area network, a system based on IEEE 802.15.3 has been proposed.

  Here, a communication device serving as a control station called a coordinator searches for available channels, specifies a free channel as a channel to be used, and then transmits a predetermined beacon signal to communicate with surrounding communication devices. A method of forming a network between the two has been devised. Also, the terminal station performs a scanning operation over all available channels after power-on, confirms the presence or absence of a beacon signal transmitted from the surrounding coordinator, and selects a frequency channel to be used.

  In summary, in a conventional wireless communication system in which a plurality of channels are prepared, a communication method is used in which a use channel is set for each network, and one network uses the time-division multiple access within the selected channel. Is common.

International Standard ISO / IEC 8802-11: 1999 (E) ANSI / IEEE Std 802.11, 1999 Edition, Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layers (PH) ETSI Standard ETSI TS 101 761-1 51.3.1. 1 Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); HIPERLAN Type 2; Data Link Control (DLC) Layer; Part 1: Basic Trunk Data Control ETSI TS 101 761-2 V1.3.1 Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); HIPERLAN Type 2; Data Link Control (DLC) Layer; Part2: Radio Link Control (LC) C. K. “Ad Hoc Mobile Wireless Network” by Thor (published by Prentice Hall PTR)

  When using a plurality of channels in a conventional wireless communication apparatus with a communication station serving as an access point, the access point does not have other users in the vicinity because it transmits signals on the channel set by the user There is a problem that you have to confirm that. In a conventional wireless LAN system, a communication method is adopted in which a use channel is set for each network, and one network performs use by time division multiple access within a selected channel. For this reason, even if there is no other access point in the nearby space, only the operation with the set channel can be performed, and therefore the frequency utilization efficiency deteriorates. In addition, when there is another network operating on the same channel while operating on one channel, it is necessary to use that channel in a time-sharing manner, resulting in a decrease in transmission efficiency.

  On the other hand, when using a plurality of channels in an autonomous decentralized wireless communication system, it is not necessary to perform channel separation in a predetermined group in order to perform an operation of grasping communication devices existing in the vicinity of the channel. Must be set in advance.

  However, if a channel to be used at the time of initial setting is determined and operated, thereafter, communication devices existing in other channels cannot be identified, and it becomes difficult to construct an autonomous distributed network.

  In addition, when using a plurality of channels in an autonomous distributed wireless communication system, the existence of each other cannot be grasped unless adjacent stations operate on the same channel. That is, a situation may occur in which data exchange requested by a user cannot be performed even between communication stations that are physically located at a connectable position.

  In addition, in a personal area network, even if a channel that has not been used nearby is selected when the power is turned on, the network configuration that exists nearby frequently changes as the user moves. There is a problem that crossing with another network that has been set up occurs.

  In this case, when there are two users on the same channel, the utilization efficiency of the communication band that can be originally used is halved.

  In addition, when there are a plurality of use channels, two data communication operations can be performed in parallel using different channels, but each use channel is assigned to an adjacent frequency band. If this is the case, the influence on each other's channel is unavoidable, and the efficiency decreases. In other words, the interference problem should be considered not only for the same channel but also between adjacent channels.

  The present invention takes into account the technical problems as described above, and its main purpose is that each communication station establishes a wireless network by autonomously distributed communication operations in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. An object of the present invention is to provide an excellent wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method, and computer program that can be formed.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide excellent wireless communication in which each communication station can set operation channels autonomously and perform sleep operation and bandwidth reservation communication in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. A system, a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication method, and a computer program are provided.

  A further object of the present invention is to provide an excellent radio communication system, radio communication apparatus, and radio communication method capable of effectively using frequency resources by utilizing all available channels in a radio personal area network, And providing a computer program.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide an excellent wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication that can be stably operated even in a situation where they intersect with another network in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. It is to provide a communication method and a computer program.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems. The first aspect of the present invention is that each of the control stations and the controlled station has no relationship in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. A wireless communication system in which communication stations perform network operations in an autonomous and distributed manner,
Define a reference channel, each communication station performs beacon notification and data communication on the reference channel, and performs beacon notification and data communication using other channels as necessary.
The communication station describes the usage status in the usage channel and other usage channels and the usage status in the beacon transmitted on each channel.
This is a wireless communication system.

  However, “system” here refers to a logical collection of a plurality of devices (or functional modules that realize specific functions), and each device or functional module is in a single housing. It does not matter whether or not.

  In the wireless communication system according to the present invention, no coordinator is particularly arranged. Each communication station notifies the beacon information to notify other communication stations in the vicinity (that is, within the communication range) of its own existence and notifies the network configuration. In addition, a communication station that newly enters the communication range of a certain communication station detects, for example, that it has entered the communication range by receiving a beacon signal and decrypts information described in the beacon. You can know the network configuration.

  In such a case, each communication station can notify the beacon information within the transmission frame period, and can recognize the network configuration by performing a scanning operation of a beacon signal from another station. That is, the communication station can start transmitting a beacon at an appropriate timing when there is no peripheral station. Thereafter, the communication station that newly enters the communication range sets its own beacon transmission timing so as not to collide with the existing beacon arrangement.

  Here, there is a methodology of adopting a multi-channel communication method in which a plurality of usage channels are prepared in order to cope with a case where channel communication quality deteriorates due to interference or the like. In an autonomous distributed wireless communication system, each communication station needs to know a peripheral station, and therefore it is not necessary to perform channel separation in a predetermined group.

  However, since the transmission frame is multiplexed on the frequency axis by the number of channels used, the communication station receives a beacon if it does not shift to the same channel at the beacon transmission timing of another communication. However, it is difficult for a new entrant station to determine its own beacon transmission timing and transmission channel.

  Therefore, in the present invention, a reference channel is defined from a plurality of available channels, and each communication station normally transmits a beacon for managing communication devices existing around the reference channel and predetermined data. Communicate.

  In addition, when further demand for data communication occurs, the communication station uses the other channel as necessary to make effective use of the channel.

  Here, when using another channel, the communication station transmits a beacon signal using an empty slot on the channel, and the beacon signal describes information on the slot used on the channel. Notify peripheral stations.

  In addition, the communication station clearly indicates a slot for transmitting a beacon on another channel together with a slot use state on the reference channel in a beacon signal transmitted on the reference channel. Similarly, also in other channels to be used, the beacon signal clearly indicates the slot for transmitting the beacon of the reference channel together with the slot utilization status on the other channel.

  In this case, when the communication station moves from one channel to another channel and operates, the transmission / reception operation cannot be performed on the original channel, so that the local station at the timing (slot) corresponding to the transition period of the other channel. It is reported in the beacon transmitted on the original channel that the addressed use is impossible, and is notified to the peripheral stations.

  In addition, when channels used by each communication station are assigned to adjacent frequency bands, the influence on each other's channel is inevitable. Therefore, the communication station considers the influence on the adjacent channel, and in the beacon signal of its own station, the communication operation (beacon transmission / reception / reservation transmission / arbitrary reception, etc.) is performed on the adjacent channel in the specific slot along with the slot usage status. ) To notify the neighboring stations.

  In addition, the communication station grasps the channel used in a specific slot based on the beacon signal received from the neighboring station, and then transmits data on a channel adjacent to the channel grasped for use in the slot. Do not do it.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a process for performing a network operation in an autonomous and distributed manner without having a relationship between a control station and a controlled station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. A computer program written in a computer readable format to be executed on a system, wherein a reference channel is defined among the plurality of channels;
A channel setting step for setting a use channel;
A beacon generation step for generating a beacon signal describing the other usage channel and the usage status together with the usage status in the usage channel;
A beacon analysis step for analyzing a beacon signal received from a peripheral station;
Determining a channel and timing to be used for communication based on a beacon analysis result received from a neighboring station; and
Performing beacon notification and data communication on the reference channel;
Performing beacon notification and data communication using a channel other than the reference channel;
A computer program characterized by comprising:

  The computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on a computer system. In other words, by installing the computer program according to the second aspect of the present invention in the computer system, a cooperative action is exhibited on the computer system, and it operates as a wireless communication device. By activating a plurality of such wireless communication devices to construct a wireless network, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the wireless communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, an excellent radio communication system, radio communication apparatus, and radio in which each communication station can form a radio network by an autonomous distributed communication operation in a radio communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. A communication method and a computer program can be provided.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, in a wireless personal area network, an excellent wireless communication system, wireless communication apparatus, and wireless communication method that can effectively use frequency resources by utilizing all available channels. As well as computer programs.

  In addition, according to the present invention, an excellent wireless communication system, wireless communication device, and wireless communication system that can be stably operated even when a situation of crossing with another network occurs in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared, and A wireless communication method and a computer program can be provided.

  In the autonomous decentralized wireless communication system according to the present invention, a reference channel is defined, and a predetermined beacon signal is transmitted on at least one reference channel and a channel to be used respectively, so that it can be used as needed for communication. It is possible to control to dynamically switch the channel to be performed. Thus, since all channels can be used, the channel utilization efficiency is improved as compared with the conventional method in which one channel is limited to one group.

  The communication station describes in the beacon signal at which timing communication is performed on this channel, communication is performed on other channels, or communication is not possible, and the channel and timing at which the station operates is set to the peripheral station. Inform. Therefore, each communication station can perform channel management in an autonomous and distributed manner based on the description content of beacon signals received from each other.

  Then, the communication station can determine at which timing the beacon transmitting station operates or cannot operate based on the information described in the received beacon. A control method can be realized.

  In addition, when a communication station transmits data addressed to a peripheral station, efficient data communication can be performed by setting a timing at which communication addressed to the station can be performed based on beacon information and performing a transmission operation. Can be performed.

  Furthermore, the communication station notifies other stations to refrain from using the channel by notifying the beacon signal that the reservation for performing communication to the communication station that is the data transmission destination is performed, and preferentially Communication with a bandwidth secured can be performed. In this case, even in the peripheral station, it is possible to determine the use channel and slot of the own station while avoiding the slot of the channel for which priority use is declared, so that efficient communication is performed while appropriately securing the necessary bandwidth. be able to.

  In addition, the communication station describes the timing (slot) for performing reserved communication on another channel in the beacon signal broadcast on a certain usage channel, so that the peripheral station that has received this beacon signal transmits to the communication station. Can be determined to be impossible.

  Further, when a communication station is on another channel but is performing an arbitrary reception operation, it can be determined that reserved communication can be performed with respect to the communication station. improves.

  In addition, by identifying the channel to which the frequency band adjacent to the currently used channel is allocated separately from the other channels, the communication station analyzes the received beacon and reserves it in the adjacent channel. The timing at which communication is performed can be detected. And the communication station describes the usage status in the adjacent channel in the beacon so that it can refrain from data transmission addressed to itself at that timing, thus eliminating the influence on the adjacent channel. Can do.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from more detailed description based on embodiments of the present invention described later and the accompanying drawings.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The communication propagation path assumed in the present invention is wireless, and a network is constructed between a plurality of communication stations. The wireless network system according to the present invention has an autonomous distributed system configuration in which no specific control station is arranged, and channel resources are effectively used by transmission (MAC) frames having a gradual time division multiple access structure. The transmission control is performed. Each communication station can also directly and asynchronously transmit information according to an access procedure based on CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access).

  In the embodiments of the present invention described below, it is assumed that an ultra-wide band communication system that performs wireless communication by placing information on an extremely weak impulse train is applied. In IEEE 802.15.3 and the like, an access control method for ultra-wide band communication has been studied. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this.

  The processing in each communication station described below is basically processing executed in all communication stations that enter the network. However, depending on the case, not all communication stations configuring the network execute the processing described below.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of an autonomous distributed network according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated network, a plurality of wireless communication devices are arranged in space such as communication device # 1 to communication device # 7, and can directly communicate with communication devices existing in the vicinity.

  Here, the communication device # 1 can directly communicate with neighboring communication devices # 2, # 3, and # 4 in the radio wave reachable range (within the elliptical broken line centering on # 1), but outside the range. Direct communication with the communication devices # 5, # 6, and # 7 is not possible.

  Communication device # 2 can directly communicate with neighboring communication devices # 1, # 4, but cannot communicate directly with other communication devices # 3, # 5, # 6, # 7.

  Communication device # 3 can directly communicate with neighboring communication devices # 1, # 6, and # 7, but cannot communicate directly with other communication devices # 2, # 4, and # 5.

  Communication device # 4 can directly communicate with neighboring communication devices # 1, # 2, and # 5, but cannot communicate directly with other communication devices # 3, # 6, and # 7.

  Further, the communication device # 5 can directly communicate only with the communication device # 4 in the vicinity, but cannot directly communicate with the other communication devices # 1, # 2, # 3, # 6, and # 7.

  In addition, the communication device # 6 can directly communicate only with the nearby communication device # 3, but cannot communicate directly with the other communication devices # 1, # 2, # 4, # 5, and # 7.

  In addition, the communication device # 7 can directly communicate only with the nearby communication device # 3, but cannot directly communicate with other communication devices # 1, # 2, # 4, # 5, and # 6.

  In this way, in an autonomous decentralized wireless communication system in which no control station is arranged, each communication station broadcasts beacon information on the channel so that other communication stations in the vicinity (that is, within the communication range) can identify themselves. Notify and notify network configuration. Since the communication station transmits a beacon at the beginning of the transmission frame period, the transmission frame period is defined by the beacon interval. In addition, each communication station scans the channel for a period corresponding to the transmission frame period, thereby discovering a beacon signal transmitted from a peripheral station and decoding the information described in the beacon. Can know. In this specification, the beacon transmission cycle is defined as a “super frame (SF)”.

  Each communication station synchronizes gently while listening to beacons transmitted in the vicinity at a predetermined long cycle defined separately. When a new communication station appears, the new communication station sets its own beacon transmission timing so that it does not collide with the beacon transmission timing of the existing communication station. Also, the communication station sets its own beacon transmission timing so that it does not collide with a reserved area (described later) set by the neighboring station in the superframe.

  Each communication station uses its own beacon transmission timing as the head position of the super frame. In other words, each communication station sets its own super frame configuration so that the start timing does not overlap with the super frame configuration of neighboring stations. In addition, a communication station can set a beacon transmission timing of its own station so that it does not overlap with a reservation slot position of a neighboring station, so that a method for stably performing reservation communication between neighboring communication devices can be obtained. Set.

  FIG. 2 shows a multi-channel configuration in an ultra wide band wireless communication system. This figure shows that a plurality of channels are provided in a frequency band that can be used. Each communication station performs a beacon notification operation on the channel used by itself, and constructs the above-described superframe for each channel used.

  The illustrated multi-channel communication system includes nine channels having different frequency bands. In order from the lowest frequency, channel # 1 is near center frequency 3432 MHz, channel # 2 is near center frequency 3960 MHz, channel # 3 is near center frequency 4488 MHz, channel # 4 is near center frequency 5010 MHz, channel # 5 Is located near the center frequency 5808 MHz, channel # 6 is located near the center frequency 6336 MHz, channel # 7 is located near the center frequency 6864 MHz, channel # 8 is located near the center frequency 7392 MHz, and channel # 9 is located near the center frequency 7920 MHz. .

  As can be seen from FIG. 2, there is an overlap at the boundary between channels assigned to adjacent frequency bands. For this reason, the influence on each other's channel is unavoidable, and the interference problem should be considered. In this embodiment, the communication station considers the influence on the adjacent channel, and refrains from the communication operation at the same timing in the channel where the peripheral station performs the communication operation and the adjacent channel so as to avoid interference (described later). To do).

  FIG. 3 schematically shows an internal configuration of a superframe managed for each communication station in the autonomous distributed network according to the present embodiment. Each communication station has its own super frame defined by beacon transmission, and a method of using the super frame will be described below. In a multi-channel communication system, a communication station configures the illustrated superframe for each channel used by itself.

  The superframe period (Superframe Duration) is defined by each communication station by its own beacon transmission (Beacon), and is managed as a further subdivided beacon relative position for each beacon relative position based on this beacon transmission timing. Done. In the illustrated example, one superframe is equally divided into 64, and 64 relative positions, that is, slots, 0 to 63, are provided.

  Here, at the head beacon relative position (position number: 0), a self-priority use area (TPP: Transmission Prioritized Period) is set following the transmission of the beacon.

  In this preferential use area TPP, the wireless communication apparatus is in an operating state, and message transmission from itself and reception of messages addressed to itself are performed.

  Further, a location other than the beacon relative position: 0 (position numbers 1 to 63) is set as a contention use area (CAP) and is necessary between adjacent wireless communication devices when there is a demand for communication. Depending on the use.

  Further, even in the area set as the priority use area TPP, when the predetermined communication is ended or when communication is not performed, the priority use area TPP is ended, and the adjacent wireless area is automatically set as the contention use area CAP. Used as necessary between communication devices.

  Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which a part of the competitive use area CAP is set as its preferential use area TPP and used preferentially for communication from a specific wireless communication device.

  In the present embodiment, a wireless communication device operating as a communication station defines a plurality of frame intervals (InterFrame Space: IFS) from the end of the immediately preceding transmission frame (Previous Frame) until acquisition of a transmission right. A signal traffic management method is adopted in which stations perform priority transmission and competitive transmission in an autonomous and distributed manner.

  FIG. 19 shows an example of setting the frame interval. In the figure, the timing at which the transmission of the device itself may be started from the timing based on the frame or slot start position transmitted last time is defined.

  In this inter-frame space, SIFS, which is the minimum frame interval, MIFS, which is an intermediate frame interval, and LIFS, which is a long frame interval, are prepared and selected based on predetermined access control. Become. Further, a back-off setting may be added as necessary so that transmission data does not collide with other communication apparatuses.

  FIG. 24 illustrates an operation for the communication station to start transmission at appropriate frame intervals in the TPP interval and the FAP interval.

  Within the TPP interval, the communication station can start transmission after a shorter bucket interval SIFS after transmitting its own beacon. In the illustrated example, the beacon transmission station transmits an RTS packet after SIFS. After that, the transmitted CTS, data, and ACK packets are similarly transmitted in the interframe space of SIFS, so that a series of communication procedures can be executed without being disturbed by neighboring stations.

  On the other hand, in the CAP section, the beacon transmitting station also waits for MIFS + random backoff and starts transmission similarly to the other peripheral stations. In other words, transmission rights are equally given to all communication stations by random backoff. In the illustrated example, after the beacon of the other station is transmitted, the media state is first monitored by MIFS, and if the medium is cleared during this period, that is, if there is no transmission signal, random backoff is performed, and transmission is also performed during this period. When there is no signal, an RTS packet is transmitted. A series of packets such as CTS, data, and ACK transmitted due to the RTS signal is transmitted in the interframe space of SIFS, so that a series of communication procedures can be executed without being disturbed by neighboring stations. .

  Further, in the TPP section of other communication stations, peripheral communication stations wait for a frame interval LIFS + random backoff longer than MIFS and start transmission. Therefore, the transmission right is preferentially obtained to the communication station that has acquired the preferential use period TPP. However, if the communication station that has acquired the preferential use period TPP does not start data transmission at the LIFS interval, all the communication stations are equally given transmission rights by random backoff. In the illustrated example, after the beacon of the other station is transmitted, the media state is first monitored by LIFS, and during this time, if the media is cleared, that is, if there is no transmission signal, random backoff is performed, and transmission is also performed during this period. When there is no signal, an RTS packet is transmitted. A series of packets such as CTS, data, and ACK transmitted due to the RTS signal is transmitted in the interframe space of SIFS, so that a series of communication procedures can be executed without being disturbed by neighboring stations. .

  According to the signal traffic management method described above, a communication station having a high priority (that is, using a priority use area) can preferentially acquire a transmission right by setting a shorter interframe space.

  However, the priority transmission period TPP is fixed to a fixed period equal to or less than the minimum beacon interval, and thereafter, the communication station called FAP shifts to a period in which a communication right is obtained under a common IFS and random backoff under equal conditions. . For this reason, when a communication station requires a communication band exceeding the priority transmission period TPP obtained by one beacon transmission for each superframe, according to a request from an upper layer, a use slot is used as necessary. Set the reservation for.

  FIG. 25 shows a state transition diagram of a wireless communication apparatus operating as a communication station. In the illustrated example, “priority transmission mode” corresponding to the TPP period in which the local station has acquired the priority transmission right and “normal transmission mode” corresponding to the FAP period in which all communication stations have not obtained the priority transmission right. In addition, a state called “priority transmission mode” corresponding to the priority transmission period TPP of another station is defined.

  In the normal operation mode, the communication station waits for a period in which random backoff is added to the normal frame interval MIFS and then starts transmission. During the FAP period, all communication stations in the system transmit with MIFS + backoff

  Here, after the beacon transmission timing TBTT of the local station arrives and a beacon is transmitted, the mobile station transits to the priority transmission mode and acquires the priority transmission period TPP.

  Under the priority transmission mode, transmission right can be acquired without being disturbed by neighboring stations by performing transmission only in the waiting time of the frame interval SIFS shorter than MIFS. The communication station continues the priority transmission mode only for the priority transmission period TPP having a length corresponding to the bandwidth amount requested from the upper layer. When TPP ends and the process shifts to FAP, the normal transmission mode is restored.

  Further, when a beacon from another station is received and the priority transmission period of the other station is entered, a transition is made to the non-priority transmission mode. Under the non-priority transmission mode, transmission is started after waiting for a period in which random backoff is added to the frame interval LIFS longer than the frame interval MIFS in the normal transmission mode.

  When the TPP of the other station is completed and the process shifts to FAP, the normal transmission mode is restored.

  In the present embodiment, the communication station handles the super frame in units of slots, determines whether the slot is the usable band or the unusable band of the own station based on the band usage status in the peripheral station, and Accordingly, it is set as the use band of the own station. This point will be described in detail later.

  In the autonomous decentralized network according to the present embodiment, a procedure in which each communication station performs beacon transmission within a superframe will be described with reference to FIG. The figure shows an example of beacon transmission / reception in a reference channel of each wireless communication device and beacon transmission / reception in a wireless communication device that performs transmission / reception in another channel.

  The wireless communication device # 1 receives the beacon signals (N2, N3, N4) of the neighboring communication devices # 2, # 3, and # 4 in the reference channel, and the beacon signal of the wireless communication device # 1 does not overlap with the beacon signals. The signal (B1) is transmitted, and the period until the next beacon signal transmission timing (B1 ′) is set as its own superframe period.

  Similarly, communication device # 2 can transmit its beacon signal (B2) and receive beacon signals (N1, N4) of communication devices # 1, # 4 in the vicinity on the reference channel.

  Further, the communication device # 3 transmits its beacon signal (B3) in the reference channel, and the beacon signals (N1, N6, N7) of the communication devices # 1, # 6, and # 7 in the vicinity of the own station. Can be received.

  Further, the communication device # 4 transmits its beacon signal (B4) on the reference channel, and the beacon signals (N1, N2, N5) of the communication devices # 1, # 2, and # 5 in the vicinity of the own station Can be received.

  Also, the communication device # 5 can transmit its own beacon signal (B5) on the reference channel and receive the beacon signal (N4) of the communication device # 4 in the vicinity of its own station.

  Further, the communication device # 6 can transmit its own beacon signal (B6) on the reference channel and receive the beacon signal (N3) of the communication device # 3 in the vicinity of the own station.

  Also, the communication device # 7 can transmit its own beacon signal (B7) on the reference channel and receive the beacon signal (N3) of the communication device # 3 in the vicinity of its own station.

  Thereafter, a communication station that newly enters the communication range sets its own beacon transmission timing so as not to collide with an existing beacon arrangement or a reserved area in the reference channel.

  Further, the communication device # 1 that uses the upper channel of the reference channel transmits a beacon signal (B11) on the channel one level higher, sets its own superframe period in this channel, and sets the communication device # 2 in the vicinity. Beacon signal (N12) can be received.

  Further, the communication device # 2 that uses the upper channel of the reference channel transmits a beacon signal (B12) on the channel one level higher, sets its own superframe period in this channel, and sets the communication device # 1 in the vicinity. Beacon signal (N11) can be received.

  Then, the communication device # 1 that uses the other channel transmits a beacon signal (B31) on at least two channels, sets its own superframe period in this channel, and sets a communication device # 3 in the vicinity. Beacon signal (N33) can be received.

  Also, the communication device # 3 using another channel transmits a beacon signal (B33) on at least two channels, sets its own superframe period in this channel, and sets the communication device # 1 in the vicinity. Beacon signal (N31) can be received.

  As described above, in this embodiment, each communication apparatus performs access control such that one wireless transmission path is used in a time-sharing manner while taking into consideration the influence of other communication apparatuses in the vicinity.

  As described above, in an autonomous distributed wireless communication system, each communication station broadcasts beacon information on the channel, thereby notifying other communication stations in the vicinity (that is, within the communication range) of its own existence. Notify the network configuration. FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of a beacon frame used in the autonomous distributed network according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the beacon frame is roughly divided into a PHY header part (PHY Header) for identifying a signal frame, a MAC header part (MAC Header) in which address information and the like are described, and various parameters as beacon information. It is composed of three parts, a beacon payload including information.

  The PHY header is configured by a PHY header (PHY Header) in which predetermined PHY parameters are described. The MAC header information includes a receiving station address (Rx Address) in which a broadcast address is specified to identify a receiving communication device, and a transmitting station address (Tx Address) indicating a MAC address serving as source address information. ), MUX indicating the number of multiplexed MAC frames in the PHY frame, Frame type indicating that transmitted information is beacon information, Length indicating the information length of the beacon frame, MAC header part Header check sequence HCS (Header Check Sequence) for detecting the error of each field.

  Also, as a beacon payload, a slot structure (Slot Structure) for designating the usage status of each slot in its own superframe, and a group identifier set for identifying a network group including the beacon transmitting station (Group Identifier), capability information (Capability) indicating the operation capability of the beacon transmission station, attribute information (Attribute) indicating information such as attributes of the beacon transmission station, and error detection for the entire beacon frame The frame check sequence is composed of fields called FCS (Frame Check Sequence).

  Here, in the slot structure (Slot Structure) field, the usage statuses of the 64 slots based on their own beacon positions are individually described.

  FIG. 6 shows a list of slot types described in the slot structure field portion of the beacon frame. In the following, an embodiment in which 16 types of slots from 0x0 to 0xF are prepared as slot types will be described. However, slots of uses other than those shown here, and uses shown here are further described. Subdivided slots may be appropriately prepared and configured.

  The state value 0x0 indicates a sleep period slot (SPS). The peripheral station in this state can set its own reservation or the like, but cannot transmit to the corresponding communication station because the corresponding communication station is in a sleep state. On the beacon receiving station side, it is not necessary to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The status value 0x1 indicates a slot during reception (LPS). In the peripheral station in this state, it is possible to set its own reservation and the like, indicating that the corresponding communication station is in a reception standby state, and therefore transmission to the corresponding communication station is possible. Further, the beacon receiving station side does not need to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0x2 indicates a temporary provisional reservation slot (TRS), and the peripheral station in this state can set its own reservation and the like, and indicates the possibility that the corresponding communication station reserves. It is desirable to avoid reserving this slot. Further, the beacon receiving station side does not need to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0x3 indicates a neighbor priority use slot (NWR), and the peripheral station in this state can set its own reservation, but the adjacent station of the communication station performs reception. Refrain from sending until time has passed. Further, the beacon receiving station side does not need to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0x4 indicates a priority use slot (WRS), and the peripheral station in this state can set its own reservation, but the adjacent station of the communication station performs transmission preferentially. Refrain from sending until a predetermined time has elapsed. In addition, the beacon receiving station side sets its own slot use state as a neighbor priority use slot (NWR: 0x3) in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0x5 indicates an adjacent reception beacon slot (NRB), and the peripheral station in this state cannot set its own reservation, etc., preventing beacon transmission of the communication station adjacent to the communication station. Therefore, transmission is refrained until a predetermined time elapses. Further, the beacon receiving station side does not need to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0x6 indicates a non-reception beacon slot (NBS), and the peripheral station in this state cannot set its own reservation and does not prevent the beacon transmission of the adjacent station of the communication station. In addition, transmission is refrained until a predetermined time elapses. Further, the beacon receiving station side does not need to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The status value 0x7 indicates a reception beacon slot (RBS). In a peripheral station in this state, it is impossible to set its own reservation or the like, so that the beacon transmission of the adjacent station of the communication station is not hindered. Refrain from sending until a predetermined time elapses. Also, the beacon receiving station side sets its own slot use state as an adjacent reception beacon slot (NRB: 0x5) in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0x8 indicates a transmission beacon slot (TBS). In a peripheral station in this state, it is impossible to set its own reservation or the like. Refrain from sending until time has passed. On the beacon receiving station side, in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station, its own slot use state is set as a receiving beacon slot (RBS: 0x7) or a non-receiving beacon slot (NBS: 0x6). Set.

  The status value 0x9 indicates an adjacent reservation use slot (NSR), and the peripheral station in this state can set its own reservation, but the reservation transmission and reception from the adjacent station of the communication station are hindered. Therefore, the transmission operation is not performed over the entire area of the slot, and the transmission operation is not performed until a release notification is received from the communication station. Further, the beacon receiving station side does not need to change its own slot use state in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0xD indicates a reserved use slot (SRS), and the peripheral station in this state cannot set its own reservation and does not prevent reservation transmission and reception from the communication station. The transmission operation is not performed over the entire area of the slot, and the transmission operation is not performed until an open notification is received from the communication station. Further, the beacon receiving station side sets its own slot use state as an adjacent reserved use slot (NSR: 0x9) in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0xE indicates a reception reservation use slot (RRS), and the peripheral station in this state cannot set its own reservation or the like, but can only transmit to the corresponding communication station. . Further, the beacon receiving station side sets its own slot use state as an adjacent reserved use slot (NSR: 0x9) in the slot in which this state value is set.

  The state value 0xA indicates an upper channel use slot (UCM), and indicates that operation (beacon transmission / reception / reservation transmission / reception, arbitrary reception, etc.) is performed on the channel one level above. In the peripheral station in this state, it is possible to set its own reservation on this channel, but communication to the corresponding communication station is limited. On the beacon receiving station side, it is not necessary to change its own slot use state in the current channel in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The status value 0xB indicates a lower channel use slot (LCM), and indicates that operation (beacon transmission / reception / reservation transmission / reception, arbitrary reception, etc.) is performed on the channel one level above. In the peripheral station in this state, it is possible to set its own reservation on this channel, but communication to the corresponding communication station is limited. On the beacon receiving station side, it is not necessary to change its own slot use state in the current channel in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The state value 0xC indicates an other channel use slot (OCM), and indicates that operation (beacon transmission / reception / reservation transmission / reception, arbitrary reception, etc.) is performed on two or more channels. In the peripheral station in this state, it is possible to set its own reservation on this channel, but communication to the corresponding communication station is limited. On the beacon receiving station side, it is not necessary to change its own slot use state in the current channel in the slot in which this state value is set in the peripheral station.

  The status value 0xF indicates a continuous reserved slot (CRS), which is the same as the preferential usage or reserved usage status of the immediately preceding slot. The peripheral station in this state operates according to the state of the previous slot.

  FIG. 7 shows a slot configuration inside the superframe of each communication station in the autonomous distributed wireless network according to the present embodiment. In the example shown in the figure, a reserved area is set within a superframe.

  In the example shown in the figure, each communication station in the positional relationship shown in FIG. 1 shows the positional relationship of the slots based on the superframe configuration based on its own beacon transmission position (0x8). Then, while grasping the operation status in the peripheral station based on the slot configuration information described in the beacon received by each communication station from the peripheral station, its own reservation area, priority area, unavailable area, reception area, etc. The communication is set in an autonomous and distributed manner.

  As in the above-described ad hoc network management procedure, when there is a beacon of an adjacent station, it is indicated by a received beacon (0x7) or the presence of a beacon (0x6). Here, when beacon reception is set in the neighboring station, this portion is indicated as an adjacent beacon reception area (0x5).

  In addition to the reference channel serving as a base, communication device # 1 performs communication using a channel that is one level higher and a channel that is higher, and a beacon transmission position (0x8) is defined for each channel. .

  Here, the communication apparatus # 1 sets the upper channel use area (0xA), secures an area for performing reserved communication with the communication apparatus # 2, sets the other channel use area (0xC), An area for preferential use communication with the communication device # 3 is secured.

  Note that the above-described setting is also performed when receiving beacons of other communication devices in these other channels. In addition, in the area where transition is made to these other channels and an arbitrary reception operation is performed, since reception on this channel cannot be performed, the communication device # 1 is set as a sleep period (0x0).

  Furthermore, the communication device # 1 sets a reserved use area (0xD), performs multicast communication with the adjacent communication device # 2 and the communication device # 3, sets a reception reservation area (0xE), An area for receiving from the communication device is secured.

  And communication apparatus # 1 receives the setting of the priority use area (0x4) of adjacent communication apparatus # 2, and sets it as an adjacent priority area (0x3) as an unusable area.

  In other areas, the communication device # 1 is set to receive arbitrarily (0x1) in order to perform the reception operation of the reference channel.

  Communication device # 2 performs communication using a channel one level higher than the base reference channel, and a beacon transmission position (0x8) in that channel is defined.

  Here, the communication apparatus # 2 sets an upper channel use area (0xA) and secures an area for performing reserved communication with the communication apparatus # 1. Note that the above setting is also performed when receiving beacons of other communication apparatuses in these other channels. In addition, in a region where an arbitrary reception operation is performed after transitioning to these other channels, since reception on this channel cannot be performed, a sleep period (0x0) is set.

  Further, the communication device # 2 sets a priority use area (0x4) and communicates with the adjacent communication devices # 1 and # 4.

  Then, in accordance with the request for the reserved use area (0xD) of the adjacent communication apparatus # 1, the communication apparatus # 2 also sets the reserved use area (0xD), and the reception reserved area (0xE) of the communication apparatus # 1. Based on this setting, the adjacent reserved area (0x9) is set.

  In other areas, the communication device # 2 is set to receive arbitrarily (0x1) in order to perform the reception operation of the reference channel.

  Communication device # 3 performs communication using the upper channel in addition to the base reference channel, and the beacon transmission position (0x8) in that channel is defined.

  Here, the communication device # 3 sets the other channel use region (0xB) and secures an area for communication with the communication device # 1. Note that the above-described setting is also performed when receiving beacons of other communication devices in these other channels. In addition, in a region where an arbitrary reception operation is performed after transitioning to these other channels, since reception on this channel cannot be performed, a sleep period (0x0) is set.

  Furthermore, the communication device # 3 sets a temporary provisional reservation area (0x2) and performs a slot securing process with the adjacent communication device # 1.

  Then, according to the request for the reserved use area (0xD) of the adjacent communication apparatus # 1, the communication apparatus # 3 also sets the reserved use area (0xD) and also sets the reception reserved area (0xE) of the communication apparatus # 1. Based on this setting, the adjacent reserved area (0x9) is set.

  In other areas, the communication device # 3 is set to receive arbitrarily (0x1) in order to perform the reference channel reception operation.

  Based on the setting of the reserved use area (0xD) of the adjacent communication apparatus # 1, the communication apparatus # 4 sets the adjacent reserved area (0x9) as an unusable area, and the priority use area of the communication apparatus # 2 In response to the setting of (0x4), the area is set as an unusable area in the adjacent priority area (0x3).

  In other areas, the communication device # 4 is set to receive arbitrarily (0x1) in order to perform the reception operation of the reference channel.

  Communication apparatus # 5 represents a state in which a sleep period (0x0) and an arbitrary reception area (0x1) about once in several slots are set and intermittent reception operation is performed, and a low power consumption operation is performed. Yes. That is, it is shown that communication is possible from the adjacent communication device # 4 using this reception area.

  If there is a reception beacon (0x7) setting of an adjacent communication device # 4 in an arbitrary reception region, the communication device # 5 sets the region as an adjacent beacon reception region (0x5).

  Communication device # 6 represents a state in which only the beacon of the adjacent communication device is received. Based on the setting of the beacon transmission region (0x8) of the adjacent communication device # 3, when receiving a beacon in the region, Set to beacon reception area (0x7).

  Furthermore, the communication device # 6 sets the adjacent reserved region (0x9) based on the setting of the reserved communication region (0xD) of the adjacent communication device # 3. Since the reception operation is not performed in the other areas, the communication device # 6 sets the sleep period (0x0) and stops the operation during this period to perform the low power consumption operation.

  The communication device # 7 represents a state of operating in a sleep state, and based on the setting of the beacon transmission region (0x8) of the adjacent communication device # 3, the region is set as a beacon presence notification (0x6), In other areas, since no reception operation is performed, a sleep period (0x0) is set, and the operation is stopped during this period to achieve a low power consumption operation.

  Similarly to the reference channel, the use status in the channel is reported by the beacon frame in the upper channel.

  Since the reference channel is one channel below this one channel above, the communication device # 1 is in the lower channel use area (0xB) or the sleep period (0x0) during the period of operation of the reference channel. ) Is set.

  Further, during a period in which the channel is operating on a channel one level higher than this channel, the communication apparatus # 1 is set as an upper channel use area (0xA) or a sleep period (0x0).

  That is, when a beacon is received or a reserved communication is performed on the reference channel or another channel, the slot cannot be reserved, so that the communication device # 1 is set as a lower channel use area (0xB). .

  Further, when beacon reception or reservation communication is performed on the channel one level above, the slot cannot be reserved, so communication apparatus # 1 is set as the upper channel use area (0xA).

  On the other hand, when the slot can be reserved, since reception on this channel cannot be performed, the sleep period (0x0) is set.

  The communication device # 1 in the next channel sets the reserved use area (0xD) in accordance with the request for the reserved use area (0xD) of the adjacent communication apparatus # 2.

  Communication device # 2 in the channel above one sets a reserved use area (0xD), and performs settings to communicate with adjacent communication device # 1.

  In the upper channel, the use status in the channel is reported by the beacon frame in the same manner as the reference channel.

  From this upper channel, the reference channel is two channels below, so the period of operation of the reference channel is set as the other channel use region (0xC) or the sleep period (0x0).

  Further, a period in which the channel is operating in a channel one level lower than this channel is set as a lower channel use area (0xB) or a sleep period (0x0).

  That is, when beacon reception is performed on the reference channel or another channel, or when reserved communication is performed, the slot cannot be reserved, so that it is set as the other channel use area (0xC).

  In addition, when beacon reception or reservation communication is performed on the next lower channel, the slot cannot be reserved, and is set as a lower channel use area (0xB).

  On the other hand, when the slot can be reserved, since reception on this channel cannot be performed, the sleep period (0x0) is set.

  Further, communication device # 1 in the upper channel sets its own priority use area (0x4) and communicates with adjacent communication device # 3.

  Here, based on the request for the priority use area (0x4) of the adjacent communication device # 3, the own adjacent priority area (0x3) is set.

  Further, the communication device # 3 in the upper channel sets its own priority use region (0x4) to communicate with the adjacent communication device # 1, and sets a reception reservation region (0xE) to communicate with surrounding communication. An area for receiving data from the apparatus is secured.

  Here, based on the request for the preferential use area (0x4) of the adjacent communication device # 1, the self adjacent priority area (0x3) is set.

  FIG. 8 shows the setting priority when the communication station uses each slot. This is prepared to clearly indicate what kind of usage has priority when defining the slot usage status (reservation area / priority area setting or beacon transmission setting). Yes.

  The first priority order is a reserved use slot setting (setting value: 0xD), and can be used with the highest priority as long as there is no contention with a reserved use slot of another communication device. When newly setting a reserved use slot, the available area is selected.

  The second priority is the setting of the transmission beacon slot (setting value: 0x8), and it is necessary to change the beacon transmission position only when there is a conflict with the reserved use slot of another communication device. Then it can be used preferentially. Even if a conflict occurs with a reserved use slot of another communication device, the setting can be maintained with priority over the reserved use slot if it cannot be reset to another slot.

  The third highest priority order is the setting of the priority use slot (setting value: 0x4), and it is necessary to change the priority use area when there is a conflict with a reserved use slot or beacon slot of another communication device. is there. If a conflict occurs with a reserved use slot of another communication device, the setting may be upgraded as a reserved use slot if it cannot be reset to another slot.

  The 4th priority is the temporary provisional slot setting (setting value: 0x2). However, even if there is a temporary conflict with other uses, the setting is automatically canceled several frames ahead. It is not necessary to restrict the use. However, when this setting is received from another irrelevant communication device during its own slot reservation operation, it is desirable to interrupt the reservation operation if the superiority and inferiority are compared by a predetermined parameter.

  The fifth priority is the setting of the receiving operation slot (setting value: 0x1), which is an area that is arbitrarily set in each communication device, so there is contention with reserved use / priority use in other communication devices. If it happens, it will be in accordance with its use.

  FIG. 9 schematically shows a functional configuration of a wireless communication apparatus that operates as a communication station in a wireless network according to an embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, the wireless communication device 100 includes an antenna 101, a wireless reception unit 102, a reception data analysis unit 103, a beacon analysis unit 104, a use area determination unit 105, an unusable area setting unit 106, and a use. Possible area setting unit 107, central control unit 108, channel setting / sleeping setting unit 109, timing timing unit 110, access control unit 112, beacon generation unit 111, data buffer 114, and wireless transmission unit 115 and an interface 113.

  The antenna 101 wirelessly transmits a signal addressed to another wireless communication device on a predetermined frequency channel, or collects signals transmitted from the other wireless communication device. In this embodiment, it is assumed that a single antenna is provided and that transmission and reception cannot be performed in parallel.

  The wireless transmission unit 115 is a modulator that modulates a transmission signal with a predetermined modulation method such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), a D / A converter that converts a digital transmission signal into an analog signal, and analog transmission Includes an up-converter that converts the frequency of the signal and up-converts, and a power amplifier (PA) that amplifies the power of the up-converted transmission signal (both not shown).・ Wide band signal wireless transmission processing.

  The wireless reception unit 102 is a low noise amplifier (LNA) that amplifies the voltage of an ultra wide band signal received from another station via the antenna 101, a down converter that downconverts the voltage amplified reception signal by frequency conversion, Automatic gain controller (AGC), A / D converter for digital conversion of analog received signal, synchronization processing for acquisition of synchronization, channel estimation, demodulator for demodulation processing by demodulation method such as OFDM, etc. (all not shown) It receives information such as information and beacons sent from other stations at a predetermined time.

  The reception data analysis unit 103 determines whether or not the user data to be processed is based on the information extracted by the wireless reception unit 102. For example, data information sent from peripheral stations, various reservation requests, confirmation notifications, command information such as reservation notifications are analyzed. The command information is notified to the central control unit 108 and reservation processing is performed.

  The beacon generation unit 111 generates a beacon signal that the local station broadcasts every superframe. The beacon signal is transmitted at the head of the super frame. In the present embodiment, here, a beacon signal in which information such as a reserved area designated in the available area is described as its own slot usage status is generated. Further, the beacon analysis unit 104 analyzes a beacon signal that can be received from another station and a beacon signal, and extracts information on the presence of neighboring wireless communication devices and information on slots to be used. In the present embodiment, the beacon signal describes information about the available bandwidth and the unavailable bandwidth for each slot in the superframe, which is set in the communication station that is the beacon transmission source (described above).

  The interface 113 exchanges various types of information with an external device (for example, a personal computer (not shown)) 117 connected to the wireless communication apparatus 100.

  The data buffer 114 is used to temporarily store data sent from a device connected via the interface 113 and data received via the wireless transmission path before sending the data via the interface 113. The

  By analyzing the beacon signals received from the peripheral stations, it is possible to collect the usage status of the bands around the own station and to grasp the bands that are not usable at the own station and the usable bands. Based on the slot information extracted by the beacon analysis unit 104, the use area determination unit 105 determines whether or not the slot can be used by the local station.

  The unusable area setting unit 106 sets information indicating that the local station cannot be used from the determination result of the use area determining unit 105. Specifically, when the reserved communication area is set in the adjacent station, a state is set in which the own transmission cannot be used over the entire slot for the reserved communication. In addition, when the priority use area setting or beacon reception is set in the adjacent station, there is a high possibility that the communication station will use the slot. Set it in a state where it cannot.

  The available area setting unit 107 sets information indicating that the communication apparatus can use the slot based on the determination result of the use area determination unit 105. That is, when the above-described unusable area is not set or when it is clearly indicated that reception is performed, it is set that transmission to the communication station can be performed. In addition, even when the communication station is a slot where beacon reception or reservation communication is performed on another channel, it is necessary to make a setting so that transmission to this communication station cannot be performed.

  The central control unit 108 centrally performs a series of information transmission and reception processing management and transmission path access control in the wireless communication apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the central control unit 108 includes an information storage unit therein, and stores execution procedure commands such as a series of access control operations executed in the central control unit 108 and addresses of neighboring stations where beacons are detected. Keep it. Also, beacon transmission position (timing) information of neighboring stations, parameters (use slot information, preferential use area information) related to reservation communication of neighboring stations described in the beacon are stored in these information storage units.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless communication apparatus 100 uses communication using a reserved area, a preferential use area, or any other use area in an autonomous distributed wireless communication environment that does not have a relationship between a control station and a controlled station. Communication operations such as random access based on CSMA / CA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Avidance).

  The frame period is composed of a plurality of slots, but the central control unit 108 sets slots to be used for reserved communication from among the available areas set by the available area setting unit 107. The setting contents are stored in the access control unit 112, and the beacon generation unit 111 notifies the surrounding wireless communication devices as a beacon signal.

  When channel start / sleep operation setting section 109 is notified of the start time of each slot in accordance with an instruction from the timing timer section, it performs channel switching control according to the slot usage method. In addition, when a sleep operation is performed in a corresponding slot in the superframe, transmission / reception is stopped and control is performed so as to operate as a sleep state.

  The timing timer 110 counts the timing of the superframe synchronization and the timing of each slot, and activates, for example, the already acquired reservation area, own beacon transmission timing, and beacon reception timing from other communication devices. Multiply control.

  The access control unit 112 controls timing for transmitting and receiving ultra-wide band signals. For example, control of the transmission timing of each packet (RTS, CTS, data, ACK, etc.) according to its own packet transmission timing and RTS / CTS method (frame interval IFS from the previous packet reception until its own station transmits the packet) Timing setting such as setting a NAV when receiving a packet addressed to another station, and transmitting / receiving a beacon.

  FIG. 10 shows a setting example of the usable area and the unusable area in the superframe of the wireless communication device in the wireless network according to the present embodiment.

  Each communication device collects information from neighboring communication devices, and manages slots that can be used by the communication device of the communication device and slots that cannot be used by the communication device.

  The upper part of the figure shows slot numbers, and the middle part shows states of being used / available / unavailable. The lower part shows the types of initial values of the frame interval (IFS) when predetermined access control is performed.

  In the figure, in the network configuration shown in FIG. 1, when each communication device # 1 to # 7 has a slot configuration as shown in FIG. An example in which the availability of each slot is set is shown.

  In the figure, slots with a display of “B” indicate transmission beacon positions. Slot 0 represents its own transmission beacon position on the reference channel, and slot 18 and slot 54 indicate that beacon transmission is performed on another channel.

  In addition, in the figure, a slot with “◯” is a usable empty slot.

  Among them, slots 2, 4, 5, 6.14, 26, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 42, 43, 45, 46, 49, 52, 60, 61, 62 are neighboring communications. This indicates that the slot is an empty slot that is not set for use in the device.

  That is, it is indicated that these empty slots are slots that can be set for use of the own communication device thereafter. In these slots, since the intermediate frame interval (MIFS) + random backoff time is set as the initial value for starting the access control, the initial value when the random access control is performed is set to “M”. .

  In addition, slots with “x” in the figure indicate areas where beacon transmission, preferential use, and reserved use have already been set, and subsequent use settings cannot be made.

  Of these, slots 1, 7, 8, 13, 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 32, 35, 44, 47, 48, 53, 59 are slots for beacon transmission and priority use of other communication devices. Is shown. In these slots, “L” is set in order to set the long frame interval (LIFS) + random backoff time as an initial value for starting the access control.

  Slots 37, 38, 39, 40, and 41 indicate their own reserved transmission areas. In these slots, since self can start transmission with the highest priority, "S" is set with the minimum frame interval (SIFS) as the initial value for starting access control.

  Slots 3, 15, 27, 51, and 63 indicate slots for which reception reservation areas and reception for reservation use are set. In these slots, since the reception operation is performed without performing the transmission operation, the initial value when the random access control is performed is set to “R”.

  In the figure, slots marked with “*” indicate slots that have transitioned to other channels.

  Among these, slots 55 and 56 indicate slots that operate on other channels and that have been set for preferential use. In these slots, “S” is set in order to set the minimum interframe space (SIFS) as an initial value for starting the access control.

  The slots 25, 50, 57, and 58 operate on other channels, and cannot be used due to beacon transmission or priority use of other communication devices. In these slots, the long-term frame interval (LIFS) + random backoff time is set as the initial value for starting the access control, so the initial value when performing random access control is set to “L”. .

  In addition, slots 19, 20, and 21 indicate slots that operate on other channels and that they reserve and receive, and the initial value when performing random access control is set to “R”. Has been.

  Here, the slots 9, 10, 11, 12, and 22 are slots that cannot be used because they are operating in other channels. In these slots, the intermediate frame interval (MIFS) + random backoff time is set to “M” in order to set the initial value for starting the access control. Note that these slots are in a usable state when transitioning to another channel, and are therefore in a usable state in some cases.

  In addition, if the slot is operating on another channel and there is a slot in which the transmission is reserved, the transmission can be started with the highest priority. Therefore, the initial value when performing random access control is “S”. Will be set.

  FIG. 11 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the super frame in the communication apparatus # 1.

  In the figure, it operates on channel 1 (reference channel) in slots 0-8, operates on channel 3 in slots 9-12, operates on channel 1 in slots 13-17, and operates on channel 2 in slots 18-22. Operating in channel 1 in slots 23-24, operating in channel 3 in slot 25, operating in channel 1 in slots 26-49, operating in channel 2 in slot 50, and in channel 1 in slots 51-53 It represents operating on channel 3 in slots 54-58 and operating on channel 1 in slots 59-63.

  FIG. 12 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the super frame in the communication apparatus # 2.

  In the figure, it operates in channel 1 (reference channel) in slots 0 to 1, operates in channel 2 in slots 2 to 6, operates in channel 1 in slots 7 to 33, and operates in channel 2 in slots 34 to 37. This indicates that the operation is performed on the channel 1 in the slots 38 to 63.

  FIG. 13 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the superframe in communication apparatus # 3.

  In the figure, it operates on channel 1 (reference channel) in slots 0-21, operates on channel 3 in slots 22-26, operates on channel 1 in slots 27-48, and operates on channel 3 in slots 49-63. Represents what to do.

  FIG. 14 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the superframe in communication apparatus # 4.

  In the figure, the operation is performed on channel 1 (reference channel) over all slots 0 to 63.

  FIG. 15 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the superframe in communication apparatus # 5.

  The figure shows a configuration in which sleep mode (sleep mode) setting by intermittent operation can be performed together. That is, in slot 0, it operates in channel 1 (reference channel), in slots 1-7 transitions to the dormant state, in slot 8 operates in channel 1, in slots 9-15 transitions to the dormant state, in slot 16 Operates in channel 1, transitions to dormant state in slots 17-23, operates in channel 1 in slot 24, transitions to dormant state in slots 25-31, operates in channel 1 in slot 32, and operates in slots 33-39. In slot 40, operating in channel 1 in slot 40, transitioning to sleep in slots 41-47, operating in channel 1 in slot 48, transitioning to sleep in slots 49-55, in slot 56 The operation is performed in the channel 1, and the slots 57 to 63 indicate transition to the sleep state.

  FIG. 16 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the superframe in communication apparatus # 6.

  The figure shows a configuration in which sleep mode (sleep mode) setting by intermittent operation can be performed together. That is, in slot 0, it operates on channel 1 (reference channel), transitions to the sleep state in slots 1 to 23, operates in channel 1 in slot 24, and transitions to the sleep state in slots 25 to 63. Yes.

  FIG. 17 shows the transition state of the used channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication apparatus # 7.

  The figure shows a configuration in which sleep mode (sleep mode) setting by intermittent operation can be performed together. That is, the slot 0 operates on the channel 1 (reference channel), and the other slots 1 to 63 represent the configuration in which the maximum sleep mode operation is performed by transitioning to the sleep state.

  FIG. 18 shows an example of channel setting and sleep operation setting in the channel setting / sleep operation setting unit 109 of the wireless communication apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In the same figure, in accordance with the superframe cycle of the communication device # 1, the operation channel settings and sleep operation setting states of the other communication devices # 2 to # 7 are shown in a list format describing each slot. .

  In the illustrated list, communication device # 1 transmits a beacon in its slot 0, operates in channel 1 (reference channel) in slots 1 to 8, operates in channel 3 in slots 9 to 12, and operates in slots 13 to 13. 17 shows operation in channel 1, operation in channel 2 in slots 18 to 20, and operation in channel 1 in slots 31 to 33 and slots 61 to 63 thereafter.

  In the illustrated list, communication device # 2 operates on channel 1 in slots 0 to 15 and 17 on the basis of the beacon of its own communication device # 1, transmits a beacon in slot 16, and slot 18 In FIG. 20 to FIG. 20, the channel 2 operates, and thereafter, the slots 31 to 33 and the slots 61 to 63 operate in channel 1.

  In the illustrated list, the communication device # 3 operates on channel 1 in slots 0 to 16, operates on channel 3 in slots 17 to 20, based on the beacon of its own communication device # 1. The slot 31 operates on channel 3, the slot 32 transmits a beacon, and the slots 33 and 61 to 63 operate on channel 1.

  In the illustrated list, communication device # 4 transmits a beacon in slot 24 (not shown) with reference to the beacon signal of its own communication device # 1, but all other slots are in channel 1 It shows how it works.

  In the illustrated list, the communication device # 5 operates in the channel 1 in the slots 0, 8, 16, and 32 on the basis of the beacon signal of its own communication device # 1, and the slot 48 (not shown). Although the beacon is transmitted in FIG. 2, slots 2 to 3, slots 9 to 15, slots 17 to 20, slots 31, 33, and slots 61 to 63 are in a sleep state.

  In the illustrated list, the communication device # 6 transmits a beacon in the slot 8 and operates in the channel 1 in the slot 32 based on the beacon signal of the own communication device # 1, but other than that, The slot is in a dormant state.

  In the illustrated list, the communication device # 7 transmits a beacon in the slot 44 (not shown) based on the beacon signal of its own communication device # 1, but is in a sleep state in other slots. It is shown that.

  FIG. 20 shows the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 100 operating as a communication station in the autonomous distributed network according to the present embodiment in the form of a flowchart. This operation procedure is actually realized in a form in which the central control unit 108 executes a predetermined execution instruction program stored in the information storage unit.

  Each wireless communication device first acquires its own slot usage information (see FIG. 18) and current time information (step S1).

  If it is the timing to operate in the reference channel (step S2), the channel setting is set to the reference channel (step S3), and each operation is performed in the set channel.

  If the timing is to operate in another channel (step S4), the corresponding channel is set (step S5), and each operation is performed in the set channel.

  If a sleep slot is designated (step S6), the transceiver is set to a sleep state (step S7), and the process returns to the confirmation of its own slot use information (step S1). However, since transmission is possible in cases other than the sleep slot, the process proceeds to the data transmission operation (step S22).

  When the time (timing) for receiving a beacon from a peripheral station has arrived in the set channel (step S8), the receiving unit is operated to perform a beacon reception process (step S9). When a beacon is received (step S10), slot information described by the communication device is acquired (step S11), and the slot usage status of the communication device is determined (step S12).

  Further, the determination of the slot usage status is repeated until the determination of all 64 pieces of slot information is completed (step S12), and at the end, the process shifts to the determination of the data reception process (step S18).

  When the time (timing) for transmitting the self-beacon arrives (step S14), the slot usage status of the self is acquired (step S15), and a beacon parameter including the information is set (step S16). Then, a beacon transmission process is performed (step S17).

  At the end, if the reception of the own station is designated (step S18), the receiving unit is operated to perform the data reception process (step S19), and the data addressed to the own station is received (step S19). S20), the received data is received (step S21).

  In the data reception process, if reception is designated (step S18), the reception operation is repeated. If reception is no longer specified, the process returns to the confirmation of its own slot usage information (step S1), and a series of processing is repeated.

  If there is transmission data (step S22), the slot use information of the communication station that is the delivery destination is acquired (step S23), and if it can be transmitted to the communication station in the current slot (step S24), a predetermined value is obtained. Data is transmitted according to the access control procedure (step S25).

  If transmission is not possible, the transmission data is held until transmission timing is reached, the process returns to the confirmation of its own slot usage information (step S1), and a series of processing is repeated.

  FIG. 21 to FIG. 23 show the use slot determination processing procedure in step S12 of the above-described wireless communication operation in the form of a flowchart. Here, a determination process for each slot is performed for the slot use status sent as a beacon signal of each adjacent communication device.

  In a slot that is set to use a channel higher than the current channel (0xA) (step S31), the slot registers that the slot cannot be used for the communication device (step S32), and the communication device. The operation channel setting is registered (step S33).

  In a slot that is set to use a channel lower than the current channel (0xB) (step S34), the slot registers that the slot cannot be used for the communication device (step S35). The operation channel setting is registered (step S36).

  In a slot that is set (0xC) to use a channel two or more away from the current channel (step S37), this slot is registered as unusable for the communication device (step S38).

  In a slot for which continuous use is set (0xF) with the previous slot (step S39), the usage status of the previous slot is acquired (step S40), and the process proceeds to processing of the set value thereafter.

  In a slot in which a reserved area (0xE) for receiving data addressed to the local station is set (step S41), the slot is set as an adjacent reserved area (0x9) (step S42), and the slot is set. The slot is registered as a transmittable slot addressed to the communication station (step S43).

  In a slot in which a reserved area is set (0xD) for data transmission or data reception from the communication station (step S44), the slot is set as an adjacent reserved area (0x9) (step S45). The slot is registered as being unable to use the own station (step S46).

  In the slot in which the adjacent reservation setting (0x9) indicating that the reservation is made in the adjacent communication device is made (step S47), it is registered that the slot cannot be used for the communication station (step S48).

  In a slot in which beacon transmission is set (0x8) in the communication station (step S51), if it is a beacon transmission in this channel at the head of the superframe (step S52), whether or not reception of this beacon is necessary is determined. Judgment is made (step S53). If reception is necessary, this slot is set as a beacon reception area (0x7) (step S54), and the use setting of the own station is registered as being impossible in this slot (step S55).

  On the other hand, if it is not necessary to receive a beacon, this slot is set as a beacon area (0x6) (step S56).

  If it is beacon transmission in another channel other than the head of the super frame, it is registered that the use setting of its own communication device is impossible in that slot (step S57).

  In a slot that is set to receive a beacon of an adjacent station (0x7) (step S58), this slot is set as an adjacent beacon reception area (0x5) (step S59), and this slot is not used for the corresponding communication device. Registration as possible (step S60).

  In a slot in which a beacon of an adjacent station exists (however, a beacon is not received) is set (0x6) (step S61), it is registered that the slot cannot be used for the communication device (step S62). ).

  In a slot in which an adjacent beacon is received (0x5) in the adjacent station (step S63), it is registered that the slot cannot be used for the communication station (step S64).

  In the slot in which data communication is preferentially set (0x4) from the communication station (step S71), this slot is set as the adjacent preferential use area (0x3) (step S72). The usage setting is registered as impossible (step S73). However, in some cases, it may be registered that this slot cannot be used for the corresponding communication device.

  In the slot in which the priority use area is set (0x3) from the adjacent station (step S74), it is registered that the slot cannot be used for the communication device (step S75).

  In the slot in which the temporary reservation setting (0x2) of the communication station is made (step S76), the reserved use is not overlapped in the slot, so that the use setting of the own communication device cannot be registered (step S76). S77).

  In a slot in which an arbitrary reception operation area setting (0x1) is set in the communication station (step S78), the slot is registered as a transmittable slot addressed to the communication station (step S79).

  Otherwise, in a slot in which the communication station is set not to operate on this channel (0x0), this slot is registered as being unusable for the communication station (step S80).

  The present invention has been described in detail above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiment without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  In the present specification, in an autonomous distributed wireless network, each communication station can communicate with each other when performing access control to a medium while avoiding a collision in response to detection of a transmission signal from another communication station. However, the gist of the present invention is not limited to this.

  Further, in the present specification, the embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an autonomous distributed wireless network has been mainly described. Of course, the present invention is similarly applied to a network other than an autonomous distributed network. be able to.

  In short, the present invention has been disclosed in the form of exemplification, and the description of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the present invention, the claims section described at the beginning should be considered.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an autonomous distributed network according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a multi-channel configuration in an ultra-wide band wireless communication system. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a superframe managed for each communication station in the autonomous distributed network according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a procedure in which each communication station performs beacon transmission within a superframe in the autonomous distributed network according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a beacon frame used in the autonomous distributed network according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of slot types described in the slot structure field portion of the beacon frame. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a slot configuration example inside the superframe of each communication station. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the priority of setting when the communication station uses each slot. FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a functional configuration of a wireless communication apparatus that operates as a communication station in the wireless network according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a setting example of the usable area and the unusable area in the superframe of the wireless communication device. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the use channel in each slot in the super frame in the communication apparatus # 1. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the use channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication apparatus # 2. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the use channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication device # 3. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the use channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication device # 4. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the use channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication device # 5. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the used channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication device # 6. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a transition state of the use channel in each slot in the superframe in the communication device # 7. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of channel setting and sleep operation setting in the wireless communication device. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting the frame interval. FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 100 operating as a communication station in the autonomous distributed network according to the present invention. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a use slot. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a use slot. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a procedure for determining a use slot. FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating an operation for the communication station to start transmission in each of the TPP section and the FAP section. FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a state transition diagram of a wireless communication device that operates as a communication station.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Wireless communication apparatus 101 ... Antenna 102 ... Wireless reception part 103 ... Received data analysis part 104 ... Beacon analysis part 105 ... Use area determination part 106 ... Unusable area setting part 107 ... Available area setting part 108 ... Central control part 109 ... Channel setting / sleeping setting unit 110 ... Timing timer 111 ... Beacon generator
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 ... Access control part 113 ... Interface 114 ... Data buffer 115 ... Wireless transmission part

Claims (20)

A wireless communication system in which each communication station performs a network operation in an autonomous and distributed manner without having a relationship between a control station and a controlled station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared,
Defining a reference channel, each communication station performs beacon notification and data communication on the reference channel, and performs beacon notification and data communication using a channel other than the reference channel as necessary.
The communication station describes, in the beacon transmitted on each channel, other usage channels and their usage status along with the usage status of the usage channel.
A wireless communication system. The communication station determines the channel and timing used for communication based on the beacon received from the neighboring station.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1. The communication station determines the channel and timing used for data transmission to the data transmission destination based on the beacon received from the communication station that is the data transmission destination.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1. The communication station describes in the beacon transmitted on a certain usage channel the timing of operating on the other channel as the usage status on the usage channel.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1. When the communication station describes the timing for operating in another channel in a beacon received from a neighboring station on a certain usage channel, the communication station prohibits data transmission to the neighboring station at that timing.
The wireless communication system according to claim 4. The communication station describes in the beacon transmitted on a certain usage channel the timing of performing the communication operation in the adjacent channel as the usage status in the usage channel.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1. When the communication station describes the timing of performing communication operation in the adjacent channel in the beacon received from the neighboring station on a certain usage channel, the data transmission to the neighboring station is prohibited at the timing.
The wireless communication system according to claim 4. The communication station can perform the sleep operation, and describes the timing of performing the sleep operation as a use situation in the use channel in a beacon transmitted on a certain use channel.
The wireless communication system according to claim 1. When the communication station describes the timing of performing a sleep operation in a beacon received from a neighboring station on a certain usage channel, the communication station prohibits data transmission to the neighboring station at the timing.
The wireless communication system according to claim 8. A wireless communication device that performs network operation in an autonomous and distributed manner without having a relationship between a control station and a controlled station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared,
Channel setting means for setting a use channel;
Communication means for transmitting and receiving wireless data on the channel by the channel setting means;
Communication control means for controlling data transmission and reception in the communication means;
Beacon generation means for generating a beacon signal describing the other usage channel and the usage status along with the usage status in the usage channel;
Beacon analysis means for analyzing beacon signals received from peripheral stations,
A reference channel is defined among the plurality of channels, and beacon notification and data communication are performed on the reference channel, and beacon notification and data communication are performed using channels other than the reference channel as necessary. Do,
A wireless communication apparatus. The channel setting unit and the communication control unit determine a channel and timing to be used for communication based on a beacon analysis result received from a neighboring station.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 10. The channel setting means and the communication control means determine a channel and timing used for data transmission to the data transmission destination based on a beacon received from a communication station serving as a data transmission destination.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 10. The beacon generating means describes a timing for operating in another channel as a usage status in the usage channel in a beacon transmitted on a usage channel.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 10. The beacon analyzing means analyzes that a timing for operating in another channel is described in a beacon received from a neighboring station on a certain usage channel,
The communication control means prohibits data transmission to the neighboring station at the timing,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 13. The beacon generating means describes a timing for performing a communication operation in an adjacent channel as a usage status in the usage channel in a beacon transmitted on a usage channel.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 10. The beacon analyzing means analyzes that a timing for performing communication operation in an adjacent channel in a beacon received from a neighboring station on a certain usage channel is described,
The communication control means prohibits data transmission to the neighboring station at the timing,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 15. It further comprises a sleep operation setting means for performing a sleep operation,
The beacon generating means describes a timing for performing a sleep operation as a usage status in the usage channel in a beacon transmitted on a usage channel.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 10. The beacon analyzing means analyzes that a timing of performing a sleep operation is described in a beacon received from a neighboring station on a certain use channel,
The communication control means prohibits data transmission to the neighboring station at the timing,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 17. A wireless communication method in which a network operation is performed in an autonomous and distributed manner without having a relationship between a control station and a controlled station in a wireless communication environment in which a plurality of channels are prepared. Defined,
A channel setting step for setting a use channel;
A beacon generation step for generating a beacon signal describing the other usage channel and the usage status together with the usage status in the usage channel;
A beacon analysis step for analyzing a beacon signal received from a peripheral station;
Determining a channel and timing to be used for communication based on a beacon analysis result received from a neighboring station; and
Performing beacon notification and data communication on the reference channel;
Performing beacon notification and data communication using a channel other than the reference channel;
A wireless communication method comprising: Computer readable format so that processing for performing autonomous and decentralized network operation on a computer system without a relationship between the control station and the controlled station in a wireless communication environment with a plurality of channels is performed. A computer program described in which a reference channel is defined among the plurality of channels;
A channel setting step for setting a use channel;
A beacon generation step for generating a beacon signal describing the other usage channel and the usage status together with the usage status in the usage channel;
A beacon analysis step for analyzing a beacon signal received from a peripheral station;
Determining a channel and timing to be used for communication based on a beacon analysis result received from a neighboring station; and
Performing beacon notification and data communication on the reference channel;
Performing beacon notification and data communication using a channel other than the reference channel;
A computer program comprising:

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