JP2005278052A - Control method of radio communication apparatus, and radio communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve deterioration in throughput for a wireless LAN apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: When the radio communication apparatus detects existence of interference from an interference device, which operates at frequency bands same as the ones for the radio communication apparatus to be received and operates based on a standard different from the one used for transmission of the radio communication apparatus, the radio communication apparatus sets a throughput used as a reference at the time of changing a speed mode as a throughput at the time of interference, and changes the speed mode by it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for controlling a wireless communication device and a wireless communication device. In particular, the present invention relates to a control method for a wireless communication device and a wireless communication device that improve the deterioration of throughput (effective speed) due to radio wave interference between a wireless LAN device and a Bluetooth (registered trademark) device used in the same frequency band.

  In homes and offices, a growing number of users connect and connect multiple computers to each other to build a LAN (Local Area Network). LAN is used. In addition to this, a wireless LAN (specifically, a device conforming to the IEEE802.11b or IEEE802.11g standard) or a device conforming to the Bluetooth standard (hereinafter referred to as “a device conforming to the Bluetooth standard”) is referred to as a “Bluetooth device”. There is.) With these, it is possible to establish a connection between a LAN and a device wirelessly, and it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of wiring and connection by a cable.

  The wireless LAN method uses a direct spread spectrum spread method; a DS-SS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) procedure or an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) procedure, and a spectrum centered on a predetermined use channel. It is a 2.4 GHz band radio wave by band spreading technology and can be operated without a license. The communication speed according to IEEE802.11b is 11 Mbps (maximum) lower than 100 Mbps (maximum) of a wired LAN (specifically, Ethernet (registered trademark)), and the communication speed according to IEEE802.11g is 54 Mbps. The transmission distance is about 30 m (indoor) to 60 m (outdoor), and the communication protocol is the same as that of a wired LAN (Ethernet (registered trademark)). In particular, it is expected that the use of Windows (registered trademark) XP, which is an OS of Microsoft Corporation, will be popular because it is supported as standard.

  On the other hand, the Bluetooth standard operates by dynamically switching the channel frequency in the 2.4 GHz band by using a frequency hopping spreading method (FH-SS) (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum). This Bluetooth system enables “one-to-many” communication (one master unit and up to seven slave units) with a view to mounting on any device. In the Bluetooth standard, unlike the conventional communication technology, in order to achieve convenience, everything up to the upper layer is the concept of a core (protocol part by the physical layer and data link layer) and a profile (part used by the user). It is standardized by.

  This Bluetooth standard is a power-saving type standardized since 1998 by five companies in Sweden, Ericsson, IBM in the US, Intel in the US, Nokia in Finland, and Toshiba in Japan. It is an international standard for short-distance and bidirectional wireless connection technology, and uses a frequency band called 2.4GHz band ISM, which does not require a radio license, and audio in a short distance range of about 10m (in the case of Class 2 equipment) Data and asynchronous data can be transmitted. The Bluetooth standard differentiates itself from other wireless connection technologies due to low price and low power consumption, and enables connection between different models such as personal computers, PDAs, mobile phones, digital cameras, and home appliances. I can do it.

  Although it is such a convenient Bluetooth standard, IEEE802.11b (or g) wireless LAN and Bluetooth devices are used in the same frequency band of 2.4 GHz band, so other wireless systems operating in that frequency band. It is known that interference easily occurs with communication.

  More specifically, since these communication systems use the same frequency band, the performance of the wireless LAN device, particularly the throughput (effective speed) of each wireless LAN device, is reduced when the models are close to each other. Reference is now made to FIGS.

  FIG. 8 shows a state in which a wireless LAN device station 830 and an access point 840 communicate with each other, and a Bluetooth device master 810 and a slave 820 communicate with each other through respective networks. It is. In such a case, interference will occur.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a communication state. More specifically, this is a case where a single-device wireless LAN standard and Bluetooth standard multifunction device 910 is communicating with a Bluetooth device 920 while communicating with a wireless LAN access point 930. Even in such a case, interference occurs.

  In particular, the first factor that decreases the throughput (effective speed) is “interference”. This means that when interference noise of the same frequency other than the desired radio wave is mixed from the antenna during reception, it is converted into erroneous digital data by the digital demodulator of the receiving unit.

  Interference may overlap (interference) on the frequency axis because the Bluetooth standard employs the FH method and the wireless LAN frequently passes on the channel currently used. FIG. 10 shows this state.

  As a method of avoiding this, it is only necessary that the Bluetooth device grasps a wireless LAN usage channel in advance (carrier sense) and does not hop to this usage band. This is called AFH method (adaptive frequency hopping). However, in view of the fact that the AFH method is difficult to apply when the wireless LAN device uses most of the band of 2400 to 2483.5 MHz, the wireless LAN device also adaptively hops the frequency band. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  The second factor that reduces the throughput (effective speed) is “sensitivity suppression”. This is because the transmission wave of the other communication device in the vicinity is mixed in the wireless reception unit of the own device, causes a saturation phenomenon in the subsequent LNA (low noise amplifier), and outputs a distortion waveform ideally not amplified. In other words, the digital demodulator converts the digital data into incorrect digital data.

  FIG. 11 shows a circuit configuration in which sensitivity suppression occurs. Assuming that the antenna 1110 captures a strong unnecessary wave, the BPF (Band Pass Filter) 1120 cannot completely remove the strong unnecessary wave, and the received wave becomes an unnecessary wave due to the non-linear characteristic region of the LNA 1130 connected to the BPF 1120. The signal is modulated by the modulated signal of (2) and causes interference interference (cross modulation). In addition, the input of the high frequency amplifier or the frequency converter becomes saturated, and the amplification level before the intermediate frequency amplifier is reduced (sensitivity suppression).

  The sensitivity suppression caused by the circuit shown in FIG. 11 is not a problem in terms of frequency, but passes in any frequency band (BPF or LNA in the reception stage) supported by the radio regardless of where the channel is set. Therefore, it occurs when an undesired in-range signal larger than the desired signal comes in, and generally cannot be avoided.

  On the other hand, for the Bluetooth standard, a connection form called a piconet is known. “Piconet” is the biggest feature of the Bluetooth standard, and the Bluetooth standard does not require any special settings for each device, but allows ad hoc connections (ad hoc is “on the spot”) just by bringing the devices close to each other. It has the feature that it can be.) The network formed at this time is called a piconet, and up to eight Bluetooth compatible devices can be connected.

  A piconet can have one master (master unit) and up to seven slaves (slave units). The master determines the frequency and timing for hopping, and also manages the traffic and status of the network. Slave devices cannot communicate directly with each other. The master has ID information used for connection, and security can be secured by using this ID information.

  Since the master and slave can change roles at any time, even if the master leaves the network for the first time, another device will become the master and the piconet will continue to form. Master and slave can be changed without leaving the network.

  The master device can be used as a slave for other piconets. In other words, it can be used as a more flexible network by configuring a plurality of piconets in a daisy chain (daisy chain connection). This is called a scatternet and is composed of a maximum of 256 piconets.

  In the Bluetooth standard, it is recommended to implement an application that covers a wide transmission range by making good use of this piconet and scatternet. In this way, many Bluetooth devices often exist in the vicinity of the wireless LAN device, and it is necessary to avoid the influence of interference between the wireless LAN and the Bluetooth device as much as possible.

  As described so far, countermeasures have been studied by various techniques for the influence of the interference between the wireless LAN and the Bluetooth device. The inventor of the present invention paid attention to the characteristics of the data rate mode of the wireless LAN device as a technique for avoiding the influence of both interferences.

  That is, the wireless LAN has a speed mode (transmission rate is variable), and the communication speed is increased by changing the primary modulation method (BPSK, QPSK, QAM, CCK). In each case, the user can fix the speed mode and set the speed mode. However, in general, a method that can automatically change the speed mode is adopted for the convenience.

  In this specification, the difference between these primary modulation schemes is called “speed mode”, and the speed at which a signal is actually transmitted is called a transmission rate. Therefore, when a certain “speed mode” is assumed, the speed means a transmission rate. Here, the conventional automatic change of the speed mode will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a conventional speed mode automatic change method. The speed mode becomes faster, for example, as the primary modulation goes to BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, and QAM. In the speed mode, in IEEE 802.11b, the primary modulation schemes are BPSK (1 Mbps), QPSK (2 Mbps), CCK (5.5 Mbps), and CCK (11 Mbps). In IEEE 802.11g, BPSK (6 Mbps), BPSK (9 Mbps), QPSK (12 Mbps), QPSK (18 Mbps), 16-QAM (24 Mbps), 16-QAM (36 Mbps), 64-QAM (48 Mbps), 64 -QAM (54 Mbps). That is, in the case of IEEE 802.11g at the maximum, the transmission rate can be changed up to 54 Mbps. In the speed mode, for example, the speed increases as the primary modulation goes through BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, and QAM.

  First, when started, the current throughput of the wireless LAN device is measured (S160). Then, a predetermined reference throughput value (for example, 50 percent) is compared with the magnitude (S170), and if the measured throughput value is larger than the predetermined throughput, communication is smooth. It is determined whether or not the speed is the maximum speed (S180). If the speed is the maximum speed, the speed mode is maintained. If the speed is not the maximum speed, the speed mode is increased (S190), and the process returns to the point where the throughput is measured. .

  On the other hand, when the measured throughput value is smaller than the predetermined throughput, for example, a decrease in reception sensitivity, interference, or sensitivity suppression has occurred, and communication is not smooth, so the speed mode is the minimum speed. It is determined whether or not there is (S200). If the speed is the minimum speed, the speed mode is maintained. If it is not the minimum speed, the speed mode is lowered (S210), and the throughput is measured (S160).

  As described above, in the wireless LAN device, the automatic speed mode change function generally measures each PER (Packet Error Rate) by a certain amount (or a certain period) and is determined in advance. The speed mode is shifted by comparing with the throughput value. By comparison with this, when the measured throughput is higher, the mode shifts to the higher speed mode, and when it is lower, the mode shifts to the lower speed mode. This is because if the speed mode is slow, the judgment at the time of data demodulation is easy, and although the speed drops, errors can be reduced.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing how the speed mode varies due to the variation of the throughput measurement value. According to this, it can be seen that the speed mode increases when the throughput value exceeds the reference, and the speed mode decreases when the throughput value is lower.

  There is a technology for detecting the presence or absence of radio wave interference and switching between the wireless LAN device and the Bluetooth device to the optimum device and transmitting and receiving radio waves (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

In addition, in order to avoid interference between the wireless LAN device and the Bluetooth device, even when the wireless LAN device and the Bluetooth device are mixedly used in the same frequency band, the presence or absence of radio wave interference during transmission is monitored. There is a technology that enables efficient transmission by automatically selecting the optimum one according to the result (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
JP 2003-234745 A JP 2003-199160 A Japanese Patent No. 3421639

  However, when interfering radio waves such as those from Bluetooth devices arrive, due to the “frequency interference” and “sensitivity suppression”, errors caused by interference occur in a fixed manner in the throughput set during normal operation. Therefore, in the worst case by comparison with the set throughput, there is a problem that the effective throughput performance deteriorates as a result of a sudden drop in the slowest speed mode. In particular, the interference caused by the Bluetooth device is bursty and has a property that the interference disappears instantaneously by frequency hopping.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a change in the speed mode when the throughput temporarily drops due to the influence of the Bluetooth device. According to this, once it is affected by the interference by the Bluetooth device, it can be seen that it is difficult to return to the original state.

  From the above, an object of the present invention is to improve the degradation of throughput for a wireless LAN device.

  In order to achieve the above object, the first invention of the present application is a method of controlling a wireless communication apparatus that performs data communication wirelessly, and operates in the same frequency band as the frequency band that the wireless communication apparatus should receive, and An interference detection step in which the wireless communication device detects the presence or absence of interference from an interference device that operates based on a standard different from the standard used for communication of the wireless communication device; and When interference with the communication device is not detected, a normal throughput setting step in which the wireless communication device sets a reference throughput when changing the speed mode as a normal throughput, and the interference detection step causes the interference device to When interference with a wireless communication device is detected, the reference throughput when changing the speed mode A throughput setting step at the time of interference set by the wireless communication device as a loop, a throughput measuring step by which the wireless communication device measures a throughput of received data, a throughput measured by the throughput measuring step, and the normal throughput or the Control of the wireless communication device, comprising: a throughput comparison step in which the wireless communication device compares the throughput at the time of interference; and a speed mode change step in which the wireless communication device changes the speed mode based on a comparison result in the throughput comparison step. Is the method.

  According to the first invention of the present application, when interference from a radio wave of another standard occurs with respect to the wireless communication device, this is detected, a parameter adapted to the interference state is set, and this is applied. It is possible to provide a method of controlling a wireless communication apparatus that can obtain a speed mode faster than the speed mode.

  In the first invention of the present application, in the interference detection step, the wireless communication apparatus further detects an interference wave intensity, and the interference throughput setting step is based on the interference intensity detected in the interference detection step. The wireless communication apparatus may include a control method for the wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless communication apparatus sets the interference throughput.

  In the first invention of the present application, the interference throughput setting step compares the intensity of the interference wave detected by the interference detection step with an intensity calculation table storing parameters based on the intensity of the interference wave, and calculates the throughput during interference. A method for controlling the wireless communication device may be included.

  In the first invention of the present application, the interference detection step further detects the number of interference waves by the wireless communication device, and the interference throughput setting step includes the interference wave intensity and interference waves detected by the interference detection step. The wireless communication apparatus may include a control method for the wireless communication apparatus, wherein the wireless communication apparatus sets the interference throughput by a predetermined calculation based on the number of

  In the first invention of the present application, the interference throughput setting step includes an intensity and number calculation table storing parameters based on the interference wave intensity and the number of interference waves, and the interference wave intensity and interference wave detected by the interference detection step. And a method of controlling the wireless communication device, characterized in that the throughput at the time of interference is set by comparing with the number of the wireless communication devices.

  In the first invention of the present application, the interference detecting step further detects the frequency of interference by the wireless communication device, and the interference throughput setting step includes the interference wave intensity and interference detected by the interference detecting step. The wireless communication device may include a method for controlling the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device sets the interference throughput by a predetermined calculation based on a frequency.

  In the first invention of the present application, the throughput setting step during interference includes an intensity and frequency calculation table storing parameters based on interference wave intensity and interference frequency, and interference wave intensity and interference frequency detected by the interference detection step. And a method for controlling the wireless communication apparatus, wherein the throughput during interference is set.

  In order to achieve the above object, the second invention of the present application is a wireless communication device that wirelessly communicates data, a wireless communication unit that receives radio waves, and a frequency that is the same as a frequency band that the wireless communication unit should receive Interference detection means for detecting interference from an interference device operating in a band and operating based on a standard different from the standard used for communication of the wireless communication means, and interference from the interference equipment is detected by the interference detection means If not, the standard throughput when changing the speed mode is set as the normal throughput, and when interference from the interference device is detected by the interference detection means, the reference when changing the speed mode A throughput setting means for setting the throughput as a throughput at the time of interference, and the throughput of data received by the wireless communication means. The speed mode is changed based on the throughput measurement means, the throughput comparison means for comparing the throughput measured by the throughput measurement means with the normal throughput or the throughput at the time of interference, and the comparison result obtained by the throughput comparison means. And a speed mode changing means.

  According to the second invention of the present application, when interference from radio waves of other standards occurs to the wireless communication device, this is detected, a parameter adapted to the interference state is set, and this is applied, thereby applying the conventional It is possible to provide a wireless communication apparatus that can obtain a speed mode faster than the speed mode.

  In the second invention of the present application, the throughput setting means compares the interference calculation table storing parameters based on the presence / absence of interference from the interference device with the presence / absence of interference detected by the interference detection means. A wireless communication device characterized by setting throughput may be included.

  In the second invention of the present application, the throughput setting means includes an intensity calculation table storing parameters based on the presence / absence of interference from the interference device and the intensity of the interference wave, and the intensity of the interference wave detected by the interference detection means. In comparison, the wireless communication device may be configured to set the interference throughput.

  In the second invention of this application, the throughput setting means detects the presence / absence of interference from the interference device, the intensity and number calculation table storing parameters based on the intensity of the interference wave and the number of interference waves, and the interference detection means A wireless communication apparatus may be included, which compares the intensity of interference waves and the number of interference waves to set the throughput during interference.

  In the second invention of the present application, the throughput setting means includes an intensity and frequency calculation table storing parameters based on presence / absence of interference from the interference device, interference wave intensity and interference frequency, and interference detected by the interference detection means. A wireless communication apparatus may be included, which compares the wave intensity and the frequency of interference to set the interference throughput.

  By applying the present invention, when interference from radio waves of other standards occurs for the wireless communication device, this is detected, a parameter adapted to the interference state is set, and by applying this, A speed mode faster than the conventional speed mode can be obtained. In particular, communication can be maintained without interfering with the speed mode with respect to an interference partner that regularly enters the band by frequency hopping or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 discloses a wireless communication apparatus 10 that wirelessly communicates data, and includes an antenna 12, a wireless communication unit 14, a baseband unit 16, a signal processing unit 18, a throughput measuring unit 20, a throughput setting unit 22, A comparison unit 24, a speed mode change unit 26, an interference detection unit 28, and a throughput change table 30 are illustrated.

  In FIG. 1, the wireless communication unit 14 performs transmission / reception in the frequency band used by the wireless device 10. The baseband unit 16 is configured by a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or the like, and performs OFDM modulation / demodulation of a signal. Further, the signal processing unit 18 processes the modulated / demodulated signal and sends a signal capable of measuring the throughput to the throughput measuring means 20.

  In the wireless communication device 10 according to the present invention, the wireless communication unit 14 receives radio waves via the antenna 12. Reference is now made to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed concrete example of the wireless communication means 14 which is a part of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the wireless communication unit 14 specifically includes a transceiver 42 for a wireless LAN based on, for example, the IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g standard. The detection unit 28 includes a Bluetooth receiving unit 44 that wirelessly receives data according to the Bluetooth standard.

  In FIG. 2, a transmitter / receiver 42 and a Bluetooth receiver 44 for a wireless LAN include a receiving circuit, an intermediate frequency circuit, a demodulator, and the like, and a transmitter for the wireless LAN includes a power amplifier circuit and a mixing circuit. And a waveform processing circuit. By the Bluetooth receiving unit 44, the interference detection means 28 knows that there is a radio wave from the Bluetooth device.

  In FIG. 1, the interference detection unit 28 operates from an interference device that operates in the same frequency band as the frequency band that the wireless communication unit should receive and operates based on a standard different from the standard used for communication of the wireless communication unit 14. Detect interference. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the interference detection unit 28 specifically includes the Bluetooth wireless unit 44, receives data wirelessly according to the Bluetooth standard, and detects reception from the Bluetooth device. That is, in the present embodiment, a Bluetooth device is an interference device, and the wireless LAN device is interfered by a Bluetooth standard radio wave. It can be recognized by the reception of radio waves and the frame analysis by the Bluetooth receiving unit 44 that the other party receiving the interference is a Bluetooth device.

  Further, the Bluetooth receiving unit 44 can detect the intensity of interference from the Bluetooth device, the number of connected devices when a piconet is formed, the frequency of interference, and the like by analyzing the received data.

  The throughput setting unit 22 sets a reference throughput when changing the speed mode as “normal throughput” when the interference detection unit 28 does not detect interference from the interference device. Thereby, when there is no interference with the data received by the wireless communication means 14, the “normal throughput” is set.

  Here, “throughput” refers to a ratio obtained by dividing the effective transmission rate (effective speed) by the maximum transmission rate (maximum data communication speed). That is, it is the data transmission efficiency. For example, when the maximum transmission rate is 10 Mbps and the actual effective transmission rate is 6 Mbps, it means that the throughput is 60%.

  The value of “normal throughput” in the embodiment of the present invention is arbitrary. Generally, about 60 percent is preferable, but it may be set to about 50 percent to 70 percent. Of course, the values are not limited to these values.

  The throughput setting means 22 sets the reference throughput when changing the speed mode through the throughput change table 30 as “throughput during interference” when the interference detection means 28 detects interference from the interference device. . As a result, when there is interference with the data received by the wireless communication means 14, “interference throughput” is set. Considering the case where 60% is set as the “normal throughput”, a lower value can be set. For example, it may be set to 30%, but is not limited to this.

  The throughput measuring unit 20 measures the throughput of data received by the wireless communication unit 14. At this time, when interference by the Bluetooth device is detected by the interference detection unit 28, the “throughput during interference” that is lower than the “normal throughput” is set by the throughput setting unit 22 described above. .

  The throughput comparison unit 24 compares the throughput measured by the throughput measurement unit 20 that measures the throughput of data received by the wireless communication unit 14 with the normal throughput set by the throughput setting unit 22. Alternatively, the throughput comparison unit 24 compares the throughput measured by the throughput measurement unit 20 that measures the throughput of data received by the wireless communication unit 14 with the throughput at the time of interference set by the throughput setting unit 22.

  The speed mode changing unit 26 changes the speed mode based on the comparison result obtained by the throughput comparing unit 24. That is, when no interference is detected, the throughput measured by the throughput measuring means 20 is compared with “normal throughput”. When interference is detected, the throughput measuring means 20 The measured throughput will be compared to the “interference throughput” which is lower than the “normal throughput”. If the measured throughput is lower than the standard “normal throughput” or “interference throughput”, the speed mode is lowered and the standard “normal throughput” or “interference throughput” is reduced. If the measured throughput is high, change the speed mode.

  As a result, even if there is a temporary interference due to the Bluetooth device, the reference interference throughput is set low, so the speed mode does not drop. As a result, even when the influence of the Bluetooth device ends only temporarily, it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is difficult to recover from a low transmission rate.

(Embodiment 2)
3, 4, and 5 are conceptual diagrams of tables used for setting the throughput at the time of interference according to the wireless communication device 10 according to the present invention. 3, 4, and 5 show the contents of the throughput change table 30.

  FIG. 3 is an interference calculation table stored in the throughput changing table 30, and is a table used for setting throughput during interference. FIG. 3 shows parameters based on the presence or absence of interference from the interference device. Specifically, this parameter is composed of data in which the throughput when there is no interference from the Bluetooth device is 60% and the throughput when there is interference is 30%.

  As described in the above (Embodiment 1), when there is interference from the Bluetooth device, the throughput setting unit 22 reads the value of the throughput changing table 30 and the throughput setting unit 22 reads the value. And set as the throughput at the time of interference.

  FIG. 4 is an intensity calculation table stored in the throughput changing table 30 and is used for setting the throughput at the time of interference. FIG. 4 discloses a table in which the throughput increases as the interference intensity decreases. The radio field intensity as an interference wave from the Bluetooth receiver is measured, and a threshold parameter is set according to the intensity level. The threshold parameter is decreased as the intensity of the interference wave increases.

  As described in the above (Embodiment 1), when the interference intensity from the Bluetooth device detected by the interference detection means 28 is large, the throughput value of the throughput changing table 30 corresponding to the corresponding value is set. The throughput setting unit 22 reads and the throughput setting unit 22 stores the value, thereby setting the throughput at the time of interference.

  FIG. 5 is an intensity and number calculation table or intensity and frequency calculation table stored in the throughput change table 30, and is a table used for throughput setting at the time of interference. FIG. 5 discloses a table that correlates the intensity of interference waves, the number of interference waves, the frequency of interference, and the throughput. A table for setting throughput according to the intensity of interference waves and the number of interference waves is an intensity and number calculation table, and a table for setting throughput according to the intensity of interference waves and the frequency of interference is an intensity and frequency calculation table. For example, regarding the intensity of the interference wave detected from the Bluetooth device detected by the interference detection unit 28 and the number of interference waves or the frequency of interference, the larger the interference wave intensity, the smaller the throughput, and the number of interference waves and the interference frequency. Coefficients corresponding to decreasing the throughput as the frequency increases are stored. Here, when interference from the Bluetooth device is detected by the interference detection means 28, the value of “with interference” in FIG. 3 is 30%. Further, the interference intensity and the frequency of interference or the interference wave It can also be set as a throughput value by multiplying by a coefficient determined by the number.

  Specifically, the number of interference waves is the number of Bluetooth devices constituting a Bluetooth piconet from a Bluetooth device or a plurality of piconets. If the number of interference waves is large, the frequency of interference with the wireless LAN increases, so the interference throughput is set low.

  The frequency of interference is the channel band interference ratio with which probability the radio wave from the Bluetooth device jumps into the actual use band of the wireless LAN. If the frequency of interference is high, the surrounding Bluetooth device is in a frequency setting state in which interference with the set wireless LAN channel is likely to occur, and thus the throughput during interference is set low.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a method for controlling a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. In the description of FIG. 6, the reference numerals used in the description of FIGS. 1 and 2 are used as appropriate. FIG. 6 shows a control method for a wireless communication apparatus that performs data communication wirelessly, and operates in the same frequency band as the wireless communication means 14 to receive and is a standard used for communication by the wireless communication means 14. An interference detection step (S100) for detecting the presence or absence of interference from an interference device operating based on a different standard, and when interference from the interference device to the wireless communication device 10 is not detected by the interference detection step (S100) When the interference from the interference device to the wireless communication device 10 is detected by the normal throughput setting step (S110) for setting the reference throughput when changing the speed mode as the normal throughput and the interference detection step (S100). Is a through-thru setting that sets the reference throughput when changing the speed mode as the throughput during interference. Setting step (S150), a throughput measuring step (S160) in which the wireless communication apparatus 10 measures the throughput of the received data, and a throughput measured in the throughput measuring step (S160) and a normal throughput setting step (S110) The wireless communication device 10 based on the comparison result in the throughput comparison step (S170) for comparing the normal throughput set in step 1 or the throughput in interference setting in the throughput setting step in interference (S150) and the throughput comparison step (S170). Includes a speed mode changing step (S180, S190, S200, S210) for changing the speed mode.

  It is assumed that the Bluetooth device is operating while forming a piconet. Assume that the wireless communication device 10 as a wireless LAN device is turned on in a state where the automatic rate changing method shown in FIG. 12 is applied as a wireless LAN client.

  Start from this state. The interference detection step (S100) is an interference from an interference device that operates in the same frequency band as the frequency band that the wireless communication device 10 should receive and operates based on a standard different from the standard used for communication of the wireless communication device. The presence or absence of is detected. Specifically, the interference detection unit 28 of the wireless communication apparatus 10 includes the Bluetooth receiving unit 44, and thus detects interference caused by the Bluetooth device. Note that, since the adaptive frequency hopping is adopted in version 1.2 of the Bluetooth standard, the wireless communication device 10 operates avoiding the channel used, but sensitivity suppression may occur.

  In the normal throughput setting step (S110), when interference from the interference device to the wireless communication apparatus 10 is not detected in the interference detection step (S100), the speed mode is changed when there is no interference with the received data. The standard throughput is set as the normal throughput. That is, the speed mode is changed using “normal throughput” as a threshold. The setting of “normal throughput” in the embodiment of the present invention is arbitrary. Generally, about 60 percent is preferable, but it may be set to about 50 percent to 70 percent. Of course, the values are not limited to these values.

  The interference throughput setting step (S150) changes the speed mode when there is interference with received data when interference from the interference device to the wireless communication device 10 is detected in the interference detection step (S100). The reference throughput is set as interference throughput. This “throughput during interference” can be set to a lower value in consideration of the case where 60% is set as the “normal throughput”. For example, it can be set to 30%, but is not limited to this.

  In the throughput measurement step (S160), the throughput of data received by the wireless communication device 10 is measured.

  The throughput comparison step (S170) includes the throughput measured in the throughput measurement step (S160) and the normal throughput set in the normal throughput setting step (S110) or the interference throughput set in the interference throughput setting step (S150). Compare

  In the speed mode change step (S180, S190, S200, S210), the speed mode is changed based on the comparison result in the throughput comparison step (S170).

  This speed mode change step can use the same technique as the automatic change rate method shown as the prior art in FIG. 12, but the present invention is different in the predetermined throughput to be compared between the interference time and the normal time. Thus, even if there is interference from the Bluetooth device, it is possible to prevent the speed mode from being deteriorated.

(Embodiment 4)
6, the interference detection step (S100) includes a step (S115) in which the wireless communication device 10 detects the presence of an interference wave, and a step (S115) in which the wireless communication device 10 detects the intensity of the interference wave based on the presence of the interference wave ( S120), and the interference throughput setting step (S150) further includes a step (S151) of determining the interference throughput based on the intensity of the interference wave detected by the wireless communication device 10 in the interference detection step (S100), A step (S152) of setting the throughput at the time of interference as a throughput serving as a reference for comparison.

  When the radio communication apparatus 10 determines the throughput at the time of interference based on the interference wave intensity (S120) (S151), the interference wave detected by the intensity calculation table storing parameters based on the interference intensity and the interference detection step (S100) You may carry out by comparing with the intensity | strength.

  The interference detection step (S100) further includes a step (S128) in which the radio communication apparatus 10 detects the number of interference waves, and the interference throughput setting step (S150) includes the intensity of the interference waves detected in the interference detection step. Based on (S120) and the number of interference waves (S128), the wireless communication device 10 may determine the interference throughput by a predetermined calculation (S151).

  When the wireless communication apparatus 10 determines the interference throughput based on the interference wave intensity (S120) and the number of interference waves (S128) (S151), The number calculation table may be compared with the intensity of the interference wave detected by the interference detection step (S100) and the number of interference waves.

  Here, the number of interference waves indicates how many Bluetooth devices are connected when the Bluetooth devices are piconet-connected. This is because interference increases as the number increases, and this information is transmitted from the Bluetooth device, and therefore can be determined based on the transmission information.

  The interference detection step (S100) further includes a step (S125) in which the radio communication apparatus 10 detects the frequency of interference, and the interference throughput setting step (S150) includes the interference wave intensity and interference detected by the interference detection step. The wireless communication device 10 may determine the interference throughput by a predetermined calculation based on the frequency (S151).

  The interference throughput setting step (S150) is set by comparing the intensity and frequency calculation table storing parameters based on the interference intensity and interference frequency with the interference wave intensity and interference frequency detected by the interference detection step. May be.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a speed mode when the embodiment according to the present invention is implemented. Unlike the figure shown in the prior art, it can be seen that when the interference occurs, the setting of the throughput at the time of interference is made lower than the normal throughput, so that the speed mode remains low.

  As described above, when the speed mode is fast in an ideal environment without error, if interference occurs, interference occurs under the same conditions in any speed mode, for example, a severe error due to 50% interference. If it occurs, the error rate is 50% in all speed modes. Therefore, in order to obtain as much throughput as possible, the speed mode should be set to the highest speed mode. (The normal throughput in this case may be set to a value smaller than 50%). This is because a fixed error occurs in any speed mode at the time of burst interference, and a fixed error occurs in any of the speed modes.

  If burst mode interference occurs when the speed mode is fast in an error-free ideal environment, interference occurs under the same conditions in any speed mode. For example, a severe error may occur due to 50% interference. Since the error rate is 50% in all speed modes, the speed mode should be set to the highest speed mode in order to obtain as much throughput as possible. That is, it is better not to cope with bursty interference by reducing the speed mode rapidly. The interference due to the frequency hopping from the Bluetooth device can avoid the deterioration of the speed mode as much as possible according to the embodiment of the invention described above.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the interference uniformly affects all speed modes is described. However, this is uniform for all speed modes depending on the intensity of interference waves, the number of interference waves, and the frequency of interference. Therefore, values assuming various cases can be determined in advance and stored as parameters. For example, table data in which the normal throughput value is changed according to the speed mode may be stored in the throughput change table 30. Of course, the contents of the throughput change table can be set freely.

It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed specific example of the radio | wireless communication means which is a part of radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the table which concerns on the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the table which concerns on the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a conceptual diagram of the table which concerns on the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the control method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is the figure which showed the speed mode at the time of implementing embodiment which concerns on this invention. It is the figure showing a mode that it approached, when a wireless LAN and Bluetooth apparatus are communicating in each network. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing that a wireless LAN standard and Bluetooth standard multifunction peripheral is communicating with a Bluetooth device while communicating with a wireless LAN access point. It is a figure which shows the condition of frequency interference. A circuit configuration in which sensitivity suppression occurs is shown. It is a figure which shows the flowchart which shows the automatic change method of the conventional speed mode. It is the figure showing the mode of the fluctuation | variation of the speed mode by the fluctuation | variation of a throughput measurement value. It is the figure which showed the fluctuation | variation of the speed mode when a throughput falls temporarily by the influence by a Bluetooth apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless communication apparatus 12 Antenna 14 Transmission / reception part 16 Baseband part 18 Signal processing part 20 Throughput measurement means 22 Normal throughput setting means 24 Throughput comparison means 26 Speed mode change means 28 Interference detection means 30 Throughput change table 42 Transmission / reception part 44 Bluetooth receiving part 1100 Antenna 1120 BPF
1130 LNA

Claims (12)

A method for controlling a wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating data,
Whether the wireless communication device operates in the same frequency band as the frequency band to be received and whether there is interference from an interference device that operates based on a standard different from the standard used for communication of the wireless communication device is the wireless communication device An interference detection step detected by
A normal throughput setting step in which the wireless communication device sets a reference throughput when changing the speed mode as a normal throughput when interference from the interference device to the wireless communication device is not detected by the interference detection step; ,
When interference from the interference device to the wireless communication device is detected by the interference detection step, the interference communication throughput is set by the wireless communication device as a reference throughput when changing the speed mode. Configuration steps;
A throughput measuring step in which the wireless communication device measures the throughput of the received data;
A throughput comparison step in which the wireless communication device compares the throughput measured in the throughput measurement step with the normal throughput or the interference throughput;
A wireless communication device control method, comprising: a speed mode changing step in which the wireless communication device changes a speed mode based on a comparison result in the throughput comparison step.   In the interference detection step, the wireless communication device further detects the intensity of an interference wave, and in the interference throughput setting step, the wireless communication device detects the interference based on the interference intensity detected in the interference detection step. The wireless communication apparatus control method according to claim 1, wherein a throughput at the time of interference is set.   The interference throughput setting step compares the intensity calculation table storing parameters based on the interference wave intensity with the interference wave intensity detected by the interference detection step to set the interference throughput. The control method of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of Claim 2.   In the interference detection step, the wireless communication device further detects the number of interference waves, and the interference throughput setting step is based on the interference wave intensity and the number of interference waves detected in the interference detection step. The method of controlling a wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wireless communication apparatus sets the throughput during interference by a predetermined calculation.   The interference throughput setting step compares the intensity and number calculation table storing parameters based on the interference wave intensity and the number of interference waves with the interference wave intensity and the number of interference waves detected by the interference detection step. The wireless communication apparatus control method according to claim 4, wherein the interference throughput is set.   The interference detection step further detects the frequency of interference by the wireless communication apparatus, and the interference throughput setting step determines the radio frequency based on the intensity of interference waves and the frequency of interference detected by the interference detection step. The method according to claim 2, wherein the communication apparatus sets the interference throughput by a predetermined calculation.   In the interference throughput setting step, the interference and intensity calculation table storing parameters based on interference wave intensity and interference frequency are compared with the interference wave intensity and interference frequency detected by the interference detection step to compare the interference. The wireless communication apparatus control method according to claim 6, wherein a time throughput is set. A wireless communication device for wirelessly communicating data,
A wireless communication means for receiving radio waves;
Interference detecting means for detecting interference from an interference device that operates in the same frequency band as the wireless communication means to receive and operates based on a standard different from the standard used for communication of the wireless communication means; ,
When interference from the interference device is not detected by the interference detection means, the reference throughput when changing the speed mode is set as a normal throughput, and interference from the interference device is detected by the interference detection means Includes a throughput setting means for setting a reference throughput when changing the speed mode as a throughput at the time of interference,
Throughput measuring means for measuring the throughput of data received by the wireless communication means;
Throughput comparing means for comparing the throughput measured by the throughput measuring means with the normal throughput or the throughput during interference;
And a speed mode changing means for changing the speed mode based on the comparison result obtained by the throughput comparing means.   The throughput setting means sets the throughput at the time of interference by comparing an interference calculation table storing parameters based on presence / absence of interference from the interference device and presence / absence of interference detected by the interference detection means. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8.   The throughput setting means compares the intensity calculation table storing parameters based on the presence / absence of interference from the interference device and the intensity of the interference wave with the intensity of the interference wave detected by the interference detection means. 9. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the wireless communication apparatus sets throughput.   An intensity and number calculation table in which the throughput setting means stores parameters based on the presence or absence of interference from the interference device, the intensity of the interference wave, and the number of interference waves, and the intensity and interference wave of the interference wave detected by the interference detection means The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the throughput at the time of interference is set by comparing with the number of the wireless communication apparatus. An intensity and frequency calculation table in which the throughput setting means stores parameters based on the presence / absence of interference from the interference device, interference wave intensity and interference frequency, and interference wave intensity and interference frequency detected by the interference detection means. 9. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the throughput at the time of interference is set by comparing with.

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