JP2006165870A - Communication simulation apparatus and method, and network apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To predict a change in the communicating status of a network moving according to the lapse of a time on the basis of the movement plan of a network apparatus when the movement plan is known beforehand. <P>SOLUTION: The communication simulation apparatus is provided with: input means 1-3 and 1-5 for inputting at least the communication enabling distance information of a network apparatus and location information for specifying the movement route of a network apparatus; a simulation management means 1-2 for simulating the change in a communicating status between network apparatuses due to the movement of the network apparatus on the movement route based on the input information; and a presenting means 1-1 for presenting the simulation result obtained by the simulation management means 1-2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication simulation and method, and a network device, and more particularly to a simulation technique suitable for use in building an ad hoc network using a mobile wireless router.

In recent years, studies on practical application of an ad hoc network using a movable network device such as a mobile wireless router have been advanced. An ad hoc network refers to a network that is temporarily built. Ad hoc network features include:
(1) Network devices (such as mobile wireless routers) do not need to be set in advance (you do not need to know the existence of other network devices)
(2) Configure the network autonomously,
(3) There is a dynamic change in the network topology such as connection / disconnection of a new network device,
Etc.

  Such ad hoc networks include mobile communication networks such as mobile phones, remote islands and mountainous areas, areas where IP (Internet Protocol) network infrastructure is not established, civil engineering development projects, emergency disasters, etc. In addition to being expected as a network in a place where it cannot be connected to an IP network, it is expected to be used in a wide range of applications, such as a temporary network at an event venue and a mobile network in which the network itself moves by mounting a network device. This is because it has become an indispensable infrastructure for performing voice communication using VoIP (Voice over IP) in addition to exchanging e-mails and on-site photos.

  Now, one of the features of ad hoc networks is that there is a dynamic change in the network topology, such as connection / disconnection of a new network device, which means that the network devices constituting the ad hoc network are premised on movement. . Therefore, many facilities are required to construct a communication network over a wide area (need to be scattered). For this reason, it is desirable to perform installation simulation in advance so that the minimum amount of equipment is required.

Here, conventionally, as a method for managing communication in a moving network, information such as position and radio wave status is received from a moving mobile wireless router, and an access point (mobile router) of an appropriate backbone IP network based on the received information (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 below).
Further, as a service area test system that can efficiently perform service area measurement, optimization, management, and the like of a newly installed base station, there is a system proposed by Patent Document 2 below, for example. In this system, a service area is predicted from a simulation result that has been carried out in advance, and the received electric field strength, bit error rate (BER), etc. are measured while the area measuring device moves in the predicted service area, and the measurement data is sent to the server The server analyzes the measurement data, returns the analysis result to the area measurement device, and remotely controls the mobile communication system based on the return information to adjust the parameters of the newly installed base station, antenna tilt, etc. Do. This makes it possible to efficiently perform service area measurement, optimization, management and the like of the newly installed base station.

  Furthermore, there is a technique proposed by Patent Document 3 below as a method for simulating a mobile communication network. This technology aims to evaluate system configuration alternatives more comprehensively and more accurately according to regional conditions. More specifically, it is possible to comprehensively evaluate system configuration alternatives by predicting service quality such as a call loss rate for a mobile communication network and simultaneously calculating the network cost necessary to realize a mobile communication network system. Like that. In addition, considering the geographical conditions such as the location of radio base stations and the installation status of buildings and the traffic conditions depending on the location as simulation input conditions, the system configuration of the mobile communication network in the actual area can be comprehensively and accurately determined. Enable evaluation.

For this reason, in the technique of Patent Document 3, in a mobile communication system, by using object-oriented technology, elements constituting the system are described as objects, and state changes of the constituent elements are simulated on a computer, whereby a radio base station The mobile communication system is comprehensively evaluated by predicting the service quality such as the call loss rate and calculating the network cost necessary to realize the system configuration.
JP 2004-120322 A JP 2004-8498 A JP-A-7-283778

  When an ad hoc network is realized, it may be desired to know in advance when and where the autonomously formed mobile network has what network configuration, that is, how the communication state changes. If an enterprise wants to use an ad hoc network effectively, how many network devices such as mobile wireless routers should be prepared, what kind of route is effective as the movement route of the network device, This is because it is conscious of how much costs such as costs and equipment costs are necessary.

  However, in the conventional technique described above, several points are provided between the start point and the end point of movement, and the situation at that point is simulated. Since there are a plurality of moving network devices, it is necessary to increase the number of points to increase the accuracy, and there is a problem that a very large number of man-hours are required. In addition, when there are an unspecified number of network users, it is difficult to inform the users of the simulation results (such as communication connection / disconnection time zone information).

  The present invention was devised in view of such problems, and when the movement plan of a network device constituting the network is known in advance, the change in the communication state of the network that moves over time based on the movement plan It is intended to be able to predict (simulate). It is another object of the present invention to notify a communication apparatus connected to a network of a predicted change in communication status based on the simulation result.

  To achieve the above object, a communication simulation apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 1) is a network comprising a plurality of movable network devices, and changes in the communication environment of the network as the network devices move. An input means for inputting at least communicable distance information of the network apparatus and position information for specifying a movement route of the network apparatus, the communicable distance information input by the input means, and Simulation management means for simulating a change in the communication state between the network devices due to movement of the network device on the movement route based on the position information; and presentation means for presenting a simulation result by the simulation management means; It is characterized by having.

Here, the simulation result presentation unit may be configured as a simulation display unit that displays a change in availability of communication between the network devices along with the movement of the network device on the movement route based on the simulation result. (Claim 2).
Further, the simulation display means may be configured to draw a connection line between the network devices when the communication is possible between the network devices to display the fact (claim 3).

  Furthermore, the network device according to the present invention (Claim 4) is capable of communicating at least a change in the communication environment of the network associated with the movement of the network device in a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices. A network device connected to a communication simulation device that performs simulation based on distance information and position information that specifies a movement route of the network device, the receiving device receiving the simulation result from the communication simulation device; The present invention is characterized by comprising a communication state prediction presenting means for presenting a change prediction of its own communication state to another communication device connected to itself based on the simulation result received by the receiving means.

  The communication simulation method of the present invention (Claim 5) is a method of simulating a change in the communication environment of a network that is configured by movement of the network device in a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices. A change in the communication state between the network devices accompanying the movement of the network device on the movement route based on at least the communicable distance information of the network device and the position information specifying the movement route of the network device. It is characterized by simulating and presenting the simulation results.

According to the present invention described above, the following effects or advantages are mainly obtained.
(1) If information (location information) related to a network device movement plan (movement route, movement start time, etc.) and communicable distance information of the network device are input, how the network device moves over time. However, it is possible to simulate (predict) what kind of communication state changes (changes in the communication environment accompanying the movement of the network) by forming a network. Therefore, it is possible to grasp (predict) the communication state before actually moving the network equipment on site to construct the network, so it is not necessary to investigate a point where communication is possible on site and it takes an evaluation. Since the time can be greatly shortened, labor costs and equipment costs can be reduced.

  (2) Since the simulation result can be transmitted to the network device, even a user who does not know the simulation result in advance can connect the communication device to the network (network device) to change the communication state of the network accompanying movement. Therefore, work using the network can be performed systematically.

[A] Description of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a communication simulation apparatus as a first embodiment of the present invention. The communication simulation apparatus 1-11 shown in FIG. -1, simulation management unit 1-2, router fixed information input unit 1-3, router information management unit 1-4, router movement plan information input unit 1-5, simulation result information storage unit 1-6, router fixed information storage Unit 1-7, router movement plan information storage unit 1-8, and router location information storage unit 1-9.

  Here, the router fixed information input unit 1-3 registers a mobile wireless router (a network device constituting an ad hoc network) and inputs fixed information regarding the mobile wireless router (hereinafter also simply referred to as “router”). It has the function for. The fixed information includes, for example, a router identifier, a radio wave arrival distance (communication distance), and other attributes (such as a router name) related to the router.

  The router movement plan information input unit 1-5 has a function for inputting information (router movement plan information) about where and from which route the mobile wireless router moves. is there. The router movement plan information 18 includes, for example, information related to a router identifier, movement start time, movement speed, and movement route. The “movement route” is specified (defined) by a set of position information input by the router movement plan information input unit 1-5.

That is, the router fixed information input unit 1-3 and the router movement plan information input unit 1-5 described above input at least the communicable distance information of the mobile wireless router and the position information specifying the mobile route of the mobile wireless router. Functions as a means.
The router information management unit 1-4, for example, based on the input information received from the router fixed information input unit 1-3 and the router movement plan information input unit 1-5, the router fixed information 17 as illustrated in FIG. 3 has a function of creating router movement plan information 18 as shown in FIG. The router fixed information 17 is stored (saved) in the router fixed information storage unit 1-7, and the router movement plan information 18 is stored in the router movement plan information storage unit 1-8.

  The simulation display unit (simulation result presentation unit, simulation display unit) 1-1 is based on the simulation result (simulation result information 16) by the simulation management unit 1-2, and the movement statuses of a plurality of mobile wireless routers, between mobile wireless routers It has a function of displaying (animation display) a change in communication state (communication availability) (that is, a change in communication environment accompanying the movement of the ad hoc network) over time. The simulation display unit 1-1 also has a function of receiving a simulation execution trigger from the simulation manager 1-10.

  The simulation management unit 1-2 has a function of creating router location information 19 as shown in FIG. 4, for example, based on the router movement plan information 18 acquired through the router information management unit 1-4. This router location information 19 is a set of location information for every fixed time from the movement start time of the mobile wireless router, and is stored in the router location information storage unit 1-9. The simulation management unit 1-2 also has a function of creating simulation result information 16 based on the router location information 19 and the router fixed information 17 acquired via the router information management unit 1-4. The simulation result information 16 exists as many as the number of router identifiers (that is, the number of registered mobile wireless routers), and includes information on time, position, and communicable router identifier, for example, as shown in FIG. It is stored in the simulation result information storage unit 1-6.

The various storage units 1-6 to 1-9 can be configured by a required recording medium such as a hard disk or a RAM, and may be configured by individual recording media, or a single or a plurality of recording media. The storage area of the recording medium may be divided and used according to information to be stored.
Hereinafter, the operation (processing flow) of the communication simulation apparatus 1-11 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

Outline of Operation First, when the simulation manager 1-10 inputs fixed information related to the mobile wireless router from the router fixed information input unit 1-3, the router information management unit 1-4 fixes the router based on the input fixed information. Information 17 is created.
Next, when the simulation manager 1-10 inputs the movement plan information of the mobile wireless router from the router movement plan information input unit 1-5, the router information management unit 1-4 uses the inputted information to transmit the router movement plan information. 18 is created.

  Next, when the simulation display unit 1-1 receives a simulation execution request from the simulation manager 1-10, it notifies the simulation management unit 1-2 to that effect. The simulation management unit 1-2 acquires the router movement plan information 18 via the router information management unit 1-4, and creates the router location information 19 based on the router movement plan information 18. That is, the simulation management unit 1-2 calculates the position of the router with which router identifier exists at a certain position after the movement start time from the information on the moving speed and the set information of the position, and calculates the router position information 19. create.

  When the creation of the router location information 19 is completed, the simulation management unit 1-2 creates the simulation result information 16 next. For example, the position of the router identifier (position A1, position A2 in FIG. 5) at regular intervals (see time A1, time A2, time A3, etc. in FIG. 5) from the simulation start time designated by the simulation manager 1-10. , Position A3, etc.) is calculated to generate simulation result information 16 (see FIG. 5), which is stored in the simulation result information storage unit 1-6.

  Next, the simulation management unit 1-2 acquires the radio wave reach distance corresponding to the router identifier from the router fixed information storage unit 1-7 via the router information management unit 1-4, and the router position information storage unit 1-9. , Another router (communication enabled router) located in the radio wave reachable range of the router identifier at each time is detected, and the identifier (communication possible router identifier) is written in the simulation result information 16 (identifier X1, (See identifier Y1, etc.). That is, the simulation management unit 1-2 uses the travel route based on information (radio wave reachable distance information and position information that identifies the travel route) input by the input units 1-3 and 1-5 as input means. It has a function to determine whether or not communication between routers is possible.

  When the creation of the simulation result information 16 is completed, the simulation management unit 1-2 passes the simulation result information 16 to the simulation display unit 1-1, and the simulation display unit 1-1 displays the received result as a simulation manager 1- 10 is displayed. At this time, the router fixed information 17 can be acquired from the router fixed information storage unit 1-7 via the router information management unit 1-4, and can be simultaneously displayed as supplementary information.

Specific example There are two vehicles (hereinafter referred to as router X and router Y) equipped with mobile wireless routers, and IP communication between router X and router Y from point A to point B is performed separately. Assume that there is a plan to move along a route (see, for example, routes 200 and 300 in FIG. 14). Below, the simulation at that time is demonstrated to an example.

  First, when receiving a router registration request from the simulation manager 1-10, the router fixed information input unit 1-3 displays a router fixed information input screen. In this example, in addition to an IP address and a radio wave reach distance as a router identifier, a name (router X, router Y, etc.) is an input item as an attribute. The input information is input to the router information management unit 1-4. The router information management unit 1-4 creates the router fixed information 17 and registers it in the router fixed information storage unit 1-7. An example of the registration is shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the radio wave arrival distance of router X with IP address “10.43.206.190” is registered as radius 18.0 [km], and the radio wave arrival distance of router Y with IP address “10.43.206.189” is registered as radius 20.0 [km]. Has been.

  Next, upon receiving a router movement plan information input request from the simulation administrator 1-10, the router movement plan information input unit 1-5 displays the registered routers and prompts the router to input a movement plan. . For example, when inputting the router movement plan information for the router X, the router movement plan information input unit 1-5 displays a map and allows the movement route of the router X to be traced on the map by a drag operation with a mouse or the like. To record the travel route (see FIGS. 7, 8, and 9). As for the movement start time and the movement speed, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, an input screen 101 is separately displayed (pop-up display).

  An example of the router movement plan information 18 thus created is shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the router X (IP address = 10.43.206.190) starts moving to “2004/07/12 13:00” (year / month / day / time) at a speed of 60.0 [km] per hour (42.59 .15,141.21.25), position (42.59.17,141.21.16),..., Position (43.49.15,144.6.39) (latency, longitude) (for example, refer to path 200 in FIGS. 14 to 16) It represents moving. Router Y (IP address = 10.43.206.189) starts moving to “2004/07/12 13:10” (year / month / day / time) at a speed of 65.0 [km] per hour and is located at the position (42.61.17, 141.20 .16), position (42.61.20, 141.20.06),..., Position (43.49.15, 144.6.39), and another path (latitude and longitude) (for example, refer to path 300 in FIGS. 14 to 16) It represents moving.

  Next, when the simulation display unit 1-1 receives a simulation execution request from the simulation manager 1-10, the simulation display unit 1-1 notifies the simulation management unit 1-2 to that effect. The simulation management unit 1-2 notifies the router information management unit 1-4 of the router movement plan information request, and acquires the router movement plan information 18 from the router information management unit 1-4.

  The simulation management unit 1-2 creates router location information 19 from the acquired router movement plan information 18. In this example, the simulation start time and the step of the simulation time can be notified from the simulation manager 1-10 when the simulation execution is requested. An example of the router location information 19 is shown in FIG. The example shown in FIG. 12 is an example when the simulation start time is notified as “2004/07/12 13:00” and the simulation time increment is notified as 10 minutes.

  When the creation of the router location information 19 is completed, the simulation management unit 1-2 next notifies the router information management unit 1-4 of the router fixed information request and acquires the router fixed information 17 from the router information management unit 1-4. To do. The simulation management unit 1-2 creates simulation result information 16 from the radio wave arrival distance of the router fixed information 17 and the router position information 19. An example of the simulation result information 16 created at this time is shown in FIG. In FIG. 13, the router identifier “10.43.206.190” has no other router capable of communication at the time 13:00 and the time 13:20, and the router with the router identifier “10.43.206.190” at the time 13:10. X indicates that communication with the router Y having the router identifier “10.43.206.189” is possible. The position is represented by the latitude and longitude of each router.

  When the creation of the simulation result information 16 is completed, the simulation management unit 1-2 notifies the simulation display unit 1-1 to that effect. The simulation display unit 1-1 displays the simulation result information 16 like an animation. Display examples of simulation results are shown in FIGS. In this example, the routers in a communicable state are displayed so that the connection line is drawn. 14 to 16, reference numeral 400 indicates a radio wave arrival distance (communication area) of the router X, and reference numeral 500 indicates a radio wave arrival distance (communication area) of the router Y. That is, the simulation management unit 1-2 can also display the radio wave arrival distance according to the radio wave arrival distance information on the simulation display unit 1-1.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, since router X and router Y are not within the communicable distance at time 13:00 (not within the communicable areas 400 and 500), router X and router Y No connection line is drawn between the two. At this time, it can be displayed together with the date and time that the communication between the router X and the router Y is impossible (see reference numeral 600 in FIG. 14).
However, as shown in FIG. 15, since the router X and the router Y approach each other at a time 13:10 and are within a communicable distance, the communication between the router X and the router Y is possible. A connection line 100 representing is drawn (displayed). At this time, it can be displayed together with the date and time that the communication between the router X and the router Y is possible (see reference numeral 601 in FIG. 15).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 16, at time 13:20, the router X and the router Y again exceed the communicable distance, so that a connection line is drawn between the router X and the router Y. Absent. Also in this case, it can be displayed together with the date and time that the communication between the router X and the router Y is impossible (see reference numeral 602 in FIG. 16).
In this way, the simulation result information 16 is continuously displayed as an animation over time. That is, it is possible to confirm (predict) when and where the communication cannot be performed by displaying so that the connection line 100 appears and disappears between the routers X and Y as the routers X and Y move. it can. However, the display of the communicable state is not limited to such connection line display, and other display methods can also be used. Since the simulation result information 16 is stored in the simulation result information storage unit 1-6, it can be reproduced any number of times, and a primary stop or the like can be performed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, if information (position information) and radio wave distance information regarding a movement plan (movement route, movement start time, etc.) of a mobile wireless router are input, the mobile wireless router is transmitted with time. It is possible to predict how the router forms a network while moving and what kind of communication state changes (that is, changes in the communication environment accompanying the movement of the ad hoc network). Therefore, it is possible to grasp (predict) the communication state before actually moving the mobile wireless router locally to build an ad hoc network. Since the time required for this can be greatly reduced, personnel and equipment costs can be reduced.

[B] Description of Second Embodiment FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of a communication simulation apparatus as a second embodiment of the present invention. The communication simulation apparatus 1-11 shown in FIG. Compared with the above-mentioned, the simulation information communication unit 2-1, the simulation information for routers (for all routers) storage unit 2-2, and the notification information definition information storage unit 2-8 are added. In FIG. 17, reference numeral 2-3 denotes a mobile wireless router, and reference numeral 2-7 denotes a communication apparatus capable of IP communication such as a PC or PDA connected to the mobile wireless router 2-3 by wire or wirelessly. The mobile wireless router 2-3 includes a router body 2-4, a communication availability notification determination unit 2-5, and a router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-6. It is configured.

  The simulation display unit 1-1, simulation management unit 1-2, router fixed information input unit 1-3, router information management unit 1-4, router movement plan information input unit 1-5, simulation result information storage unit 1- 6. The router fixed information storage unit 1-7, the router movement plan information storage unit 1-8, and the router location information storage unit 1-9 are the same as or similar to those described in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. belongs to.

  Here, in the communication simulation device 1-11, the simulation information communication unit 2-1 obtains the router simulation information (for all routers) 22 based on the simulation result information 16 acquired through the simulation management unit 1-2. It has a function to create. Also, the router simulation information (for all routers) 22 is created for each router identifier from the router simulation information (for all routers) 22 and transmitted to the mobile wireless router 2-3 having each router identifier. ing. In other words, the simulation information communication unit 2-1 functions as a simulation result transmitting unit that transmits the simulation result information 16 to the mobile wireless router 2-3.

The notification information definition information storage unit 2-8 stores information (notification information definition information) 28 that defines what kind of notification the mobile wireless router 2-3 makes to the IP device 2-7. is there.
Note that the above-mentioned simulation information for routers (for all routers) 22 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, for each router identifier of all routers, at the time registered in the simulation result information 16, the mobile wireless router 2- 3 is information describing information to be notified to the IP device 2-7 (type Z1, type Z2, type Z3, etc.), and is stored in the router simulation information (for all routers) storage unit 2-2.

  The router simulation information (for own router) 26 is, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the IP device 2- connected to the own router 2-3 at the time registered in the simulation result information 16. 7 (information of type Z1, type Z2, type Z3, etc.) to be notified, and is stored in the router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-6 of the mobile wireless router 2-3.

  On the other hand, in the mobile wireless router 2-3 shown in FIG. 17, a router main body 2-4 is a main body of a general mobile wireless router, and has known functions such as a wireless communication function and a Web server, The simulation result information 16 can be received from the communication simulation device 1-11 (simulation information communication unit 2-1) by the communication function, and connected to the own router 2-3 by the function as a Web (web) server. Notification of a change in the communication state (disconnection, restoration, etc.) of the router 2-3 based on the received simulation result information 16 to the IP device 2-7 (which may be connected by two or more) (Presentation) can be made.

  That is, the router body 2-4 is based on a function as a receiving unit that receives a simulation result from the communication simulation device 1-11 from the communication simulation device 1-11 and a simulation result received by the receiving unit. It serves as a communication state prediction presenting means for presenting a change prediction of its own communication state to other IP devices 2-7 connected to itself.

  The communication availability notification determination unit 2-5 periodically refers to the router simulation information (for own router) 26 in the router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-6, and the notification information is described at the referenced time. A function of notifying all of the IP devices 2-7 connected to the mobile wireless router 2-3 via the router main body 2-4 if it is described. It is what you have.

The router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-6 stores and saves the router simulation information (for own router) 26 transmitted from the communication simulation device 1-11.
Outline of Operation Hereinafter, operations (processing flow) of the communication simulation device 1-11, the mobile wireless router 2-3, and the IP device 2-7 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

First, when the simulation information communication unit 2-1 receives a simulation data transmission request from the simulation manager 1-10 in the communication simulation apparatus 1-11, the simulation information communication unit 2-1 includes the simulation management unit 1-2. The simulation result information 16 is acquired from the simulation result information storage unit 1-6.
The simulation information communication unit 2-1 creates simulation information for routers (for all routers) 22 (see FIG. 18) based on the notification information definition information 28 in the notification information definition information storage unit 2-8. The simulation information communication unit 2-1 transmits the created information to the mobile wireless router 2-3. At this time, the information transmitted to the mobile wireless router 2-3 is only information to which the router identifier of the mobile wireless router 2-3 is assigned.

When the mobile radio router 2-3 receives the information, the mobile radio router 2-3 passes the received information to the communication availability notification determination unit 2-5 via the router body unit 2-4. The communication availability notification determination unit 2-5 stores the passed information in the router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-6 as the router simulation information (for own router) 26 (see FIG. 19).
The communication availability notification determination unit 2-5 periodically refers to the router simulation information (for the own router) 26 in the storage unit 2-6, and if there is a description in the communication type at the referenced time, the communication is performed according to the description. Notification to the IP device 2-7 via the router body 2-4.

Specific Example Next, based on the simulation results described in the first embodiment, an example in which the router X and the router Y are moving on different routes while actually performing IP communication from the A point to the B point. explain.
First, an example of creating information to be transmitted to the mobile radio router 2-3 from the simulation result information 16 created in the first embodiment and stored in the simulation result information storage unit 1-6 is shown in FIG.

When the simulation information communication unit 2-1 receives a simulation information transfer request from the simulation manager 1-10 to the mobile wireless router 2-3, the simulation information communication unit 2-1 performs a simulation via the simulation management unit 1-2. The simulation result information 16 is acquired from the result information storage unit 1-6.
The simulation information communication unit 2-1 creates simulation information for routers (for all routers) 22 in accordance with the rules described in the notification information definition information 28 in the notification information definition information storage unit 2-8. A method of creating the router simulation information (for all routers) 22 will be described below.

  Referring to the communicable router identifier of the date and time “2004/07/12 13:00” of the router identifier (IP address) “10.43.206.190” of the simulation result information 16, it can be seen that there is no communicable router identifier. In other words, cutting. Referring to the notification information definition information 28, it is described as “notify recovery when there is a communicable router after 10 minutes after disconnection”, so the communicable router with the date “2004/07/12 13:10” Referring to the identifier, since the IP address is described, the notification information is “recovered at 13:10”. Therefore, the notification information of the router identifier “10.43.206.190” date and time “2004/07/12 13:00” of the router simulation information (for all routers) 22 is “recovered, 13:10”.

These processes are performed for all times and for all router identifiers.
When the creation of the router-oriented simulation information (for all routers) 22 is completed, the simulation information communication unit 2-1 transmits, for example, only the router X having the IP address “10.43.206.190” to the router X.
Upon receiving the information, the router X passes the information to the communication availability notification determination unit 2-5 via the router body 2-4, and the communication availability notification determination unit 2-5 passes the information to the router simulation information (self Router information) 26 is stored in the router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-6.

Next, FIG. 21 shows an example of a mechanism for notifying the IP device 2-7 to which the router X is connected based on the router simulation information (for own router) 26.
The router X records the time interval of the router simulation information (for its own router) 26 at the time of receiving the information, and refers to the information at the time interval. For example, if the current time is “2004/07/12 13:10” as shown in FIG. 21, the communication availability notification determining unit 2-5 describes “disconnected, 13:20” in the notification information. Therefore, for example, an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) file 2-13 that says “Communication with other routers will be cut off at about 13:20” is created and made public by the web server 2-10. Since most routers in recent years are equipped with a Web server 2-10 for maintenance, the function can be used.

  In the IP device 2-7, the Web browser 2-11 is always activated, and the URL page of the HTML file 2-13 is opened. Since the URL is periodically updated in the Web browser 2-11 of the IP device 2-7 by incorporating a script for periodically updating the own page in the HTML file 2-13, the IP device 2-7 Can change the message even if the user does not operate the Web browser 2-11. However, it is feasible to notify the IP device 2-7 of a predicted change in the communication state using a known communication function regardless of whether the Web server 2-10 and the Web browser 2-11 are used.

When the router X moves while repeating connection / disconnection with the router Y, how the message is displayed on the IP device 2-7 connected to the router X is shown in FIGS. .
That is, in FIG. 22, when the current time is 13:00, a message “Communication with other routers will be restored at about 13:10” is displayed on the Web browser 2-11, and in FIG. At 10 the message “Communication with other routers will be cut off at about 13:20” is displayed on the Web browser 2-11. In FIG. 24, the simulation information for router (for own router) 26 shown in FIG. Since there is no entry of notification information at the current time 13:20 (that is, there is no change in the communication state after 10 minutes), no message is displayed on the Web browser 2-11. However, in this case, a message indicating that there is no change in the communication state may be displayed as a message. In FIG. 25, when the current time is 13:30, a message “Communication with other routers will be restored around 13:40” is displayed on the Web browser 2-11.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and even a user who does not know the simulation result in advance can connect the IP device 2-7 to the ad hoc network (mobile wireless router 2- By connecting to 3), it becomes possible to predict a change in the communication state of the ad hoc network accompanying movement, so that work using the ad hoc network can be performed systematically.

[C] Description of Modifications In the above-described embodiments, when the simulation result information 16 is displayed, the radio wave arrival distance of the mobile wireless router does not change (is constant) with the movement of the router. When the radio wave arrival distance is changed by the transmission power control function of the router, it can be displayed together. Here, the transmission power control function can be realized, for example, by adopting a function equivalent to that in a mobile communication system employing a CDMA system or a mobile terminal having an ad hoc mode.

  That is, the router forms a communication area by transmitting pilot signals and management messages (beacon messages) to the surroundings, but the reception power of the pilot signals and management messages (beacon messages) at the receiving router is greater than the predetermined power. Is lower, the transmission side router is requested to increase the transmission power, and the transmission side router can increase the transmission power of the pilot signal and the management message (beacon message) in response to the request.

In such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 26 to FIG. 29, the simulation management unit 1-2 also displays a change in the radio wave arrival distance (communication area) with the movement of the router in the simulation display unit 1-1. Can be displayed.
That is, as shown in FIG. 26, when the router position information 19 predicts that the router X and the router Y do not exist within the mutual radio wave reach even with the maximum transmission power, the transmission power is zero or the vehicle The transmission power is limited to cover only the periphery (see reference numerals 400 and 500), and then, as shown in FIG. 27, the routers X and Y move closer to each other and are located within the maximum radio wave reachable distance. Is predicted, the transmission power is increased by the transmission power control of the routers X and Y at that position, and the radio wave arrival distances (communication areas) 400 and 500 of the routers X and Y are enlarged and displayed. At this time, if the routers X and Y can communicate with each other, as described above, for example, the connection line 100 is also displayed between the routers X and Y.

Thereafter, when the routers X and Y move away from each other's radio wave arrival distance as the routers X and Y move, as in the case shown in FIG. 26, the communicable areas 400 and 500 are reduced and displayed. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 29, when the routers X and Y move together, the communicable areas 400 and 500 of the routers X and Y are enlarged and displayed at the positions.
As described above, in this modification, the router X (or Y) has a transmission power control function that changes its own transmission power according to the reception power that changes according to the distance to the other router Y (or X). When it has, it can change and display each communicable distance according to the distance with another router as a simulation result. That is, according to the movement display of each router X, Y, based on the positional information of each router X, Y, the time change of communication availability of each router X, Y and the transmission power control of each router X, Y Changes in the communicable areas 400 and 500 can also be displayed. Therefore, the power consumption of the routers X and Y can be predicted, and the minimum battery amount required for the routers X and Y can be predicted.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the network device configuring the temporary network is a mobile wireless router has been described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to any wireless device capable of forming an equivalent network. The same operational effects as those of the embodiment described above can be obtained.

In the above-described embodiment, the simulation in the case where two routers move on different moving routes 200 and 300 has been described. However, in the present invention, three or more routers each have different routes or part or all of them. The present invention is similarly applied when the same router moves along the same route, and the same operational effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
[D] Appendix (Appendix 1)
A communication simulation device for simulating a change in the communication environment of the network accompanying movement of the network device in a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices,
Input means for inputting at least communicable distance information of the network device and position information for specifying a movement route of the network device;
Simulation management means for simulating a change in the communication state between the network devices as the network devices move on the movement route based on the communicable distance information and the position information input by the input means;
A communication simulation apparatus comprising: presentation means for presenting a simulation result by the simulation management means.

(Appendix 2)
The simulation result presentation means
The communication simulation according to claim 1, wherein the communication simulation is configured as simulation display means for displaying a change in availability of communication between the network devices along with the movement of the network device on the movement route based on the simulation result. apparatus.

(Appendix 3)
The simulation display means
The communication simulation device according to appendix 2, wherein the communication device is configured to display a connection line between the network devices when the communication is possible between the network devices.

(Appendix 4)
The simulation display means
The communication simulation device according to appendix 2 or appendix 3, wherein the communicable distance of the network device according to the communicable distance information is displayed together.
(Appendix 5)
When the network device has a transmission power control function that changes its own transmission power according to the reception power that changes according to the distance from other network devices,
The simulation display means
The communication simulation apparatus according to appendix 4, wherein the communication possible distance is displayed in accordance with the distance from the other network apparatus based on the position information.

(Appendix 6)
The input means
The communication simulation device according to appendix 1, wherein the set of position information for specifying the moving route is input by an operation of tracing the moving route on a map display.

(Appendix 7)
The communication simulation apparatus according to appendix 1, further comprising simulation result transmission means for transmitting the simulation result to the network apparatus.
(Appendix 8)
In a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices, a change in the communication environment of the network due to the movement of the network device is determined. At least the communicable distance information of the network device and the position information specifying the movement route of the network device A network device connected to a communication simulation device that performs simulation based on
Receiving means for receiving the simulation result from the communication simulation device;
A communication state prediction presenting means for presenting a prediction of a change in its own communication state to another communication device connected to itself based on the simulation result received by the receiving means; apparatus.

(Appendix 9)
A communication simulation method for simulating a change in a communication environment of a network of a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices as the network device moves,
Based on at least the communicable distance information of the network device and the position information for specifying the movement route of the network device, a change in the communication state between the network devices accompanying the movement of the network device on the movement route is simulated. And
A communication simulation method characterized by presenting the simulation result.

(Appendix 10)
The communication simulation method according to appendix 9, wherein a change in availability of communication between the network devices is displayed along with the movement of the network device on the movement route based on the result of the simulation.
(Appendix 11)
11. The communication simulation method according to appendix 10, wherein when the network devices are communicable, a connection line is drawn between the network devices to display that effect.

(Appendix 12)
The communication simulation method according to appendix 11 or appendix 12, wherein the communicable distance of the network device according to the communicable distance information is displayed together.
(Appendix 13)
When the network device has a transmission power control function that changes its own transmission power according to the reception power that changes according to the distance from other network devices,
13. The communication simulation method according to appendix 12, wherein the communicable distance is displayed in accordance with the distance from the other network device based on the position information.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the communication simulation apparatus as 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the router fixed information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the router movement plan information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the router location information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the simulation result information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the router fixed information shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement (router movement plan information input operation) of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement (router movement plan information input operation) of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement (router movement plan information input operation) of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement (router movement plan information input operation) of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the router movement plan information shown in FIG. 1 in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the router location information shown in FIG. 1 in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the simulation result information shown in FIG. 1 in order to demonstrate operation | movement of the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the simulation result by the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the simulation result by the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the simulation result by the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. It is a functional block diagram which shows the structure of the communication simulation apparatus as 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the simulation information (for all the routers) for routers shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the simulation information (for own router) for routers shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the specific example of the simulation result information used with the communication simulation apparatus shown in FIG. 17, the simulation information for routers (for all routers), the simulation information for routers (for own router), and the notification information definition information. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the mobile wireless router shown in FIG. 1 receives simulation result information from a communication simulation device and notifies a prediction of a change in communication state to an IP device connected to the own router. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the mobile wireless router shown in FIG. 1 receives simulation result information from a communication simulation device and notifies a prediction of a change in communication state to an IP device connected to the own router. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the mobile wireless router shown in FIG. 1 receives simulation result information from a communication simulation device and notifies a prediction of a change in communication state to an IP device connected to the own router. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the mobile wireless router shown in FIG. 1 receives simulation result information from a communication simulation device and notifies a prediction of a change in communication state to an IP device connected to the own router. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an operation in which the mobile wireless router shown in FIG. 1 receives simulation result information from a communication simulation device and notifies a prediction of a change in communication state to an IP device connected to the own router. It is a figure which shows the example which also displays the change of electromagnetic wave arrival distance with the movement of a mobile wireless router as a modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example which also displays the change of electromagnetic wave arrival distance with the movement of a mobile wireless router as a modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example which also displays the change of electromagnetic wave arrival distance with the movement of a mobile wireless router as a modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example which also displays the change of electromagnetic wave arrival distance with the movement of a mobile wireless router as a modification of 1st and 2nd embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1-1 Simulation display section (simulation result presentation means, simulation display means)
1-2 Simulation management unit 1-3 Router fixed information input unit (input means)
1-4 Router information management part 1-5 Router movement plan information input part (input means)
1-6 Simulation Result Information Storage Unit 1-7 Router Fixed Information Storage Unit 1-8 Router Movement Plan Information Storage Unit 1-9 Router Location Information Storage Unit 1-10 Simulation Manager 1-11 Communication Simulation Device 2-1 Simulation Information Communication unit (simulation result transmission means)
2-2 Simulation information for routers (for all routers)
2-3 Mobile wireless router (network device)
2-4 Router body (reception means, communication status prediction presentation means)
2-5 Communication availability notification determination unit 2-6 Router simulation information (for own router) storage unit 2-7 Communication device (IP device)
2-8 Notification Information Definition Information Storage Unit 2-9 Wireless Communication / Router Unit 2-10 Web (Web) Server 2-11 Web (Web) Browser 2-13 HTML File 16 Simulation Result Information 17 Router Fixed Information 18 Router Movement Plan Information 19 Router location information 22 Simulation information for routers (for all routers)
26 Simulation information for router (for own router)
28 Notification Information Definition Information 100 Connection Line 101 Input Screen 200,300 Route (Movement Route)
400,500 Radio wave reach (communication area)

Claims (5)

A communication simulation device for simulating a change in the communication environment of the network accompanying movement of the network device in a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices,
Input means for inputting at least communicable distance information of the network device and position information for specifying a movement route of the network device;
Simulation management means for simulating a change in the communication state between the network devices as the network devices move on the movement route based on the communicable distance information and the position information input by the input means;
A communication simulation apparatus comprising: presentation means for presenting a simulation result by the simulation management means. The simulation result presentation means
The communication according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured as simulation display means for displaying a change in availability of communication between the network devices along with the movement of the network device on the movement route based on the simulation result. Simulation device. The simulation display means
3. The communication simulation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when communication is possible between the network apparatuses, a connection line is drawn between the network apparatuses to display the fact. In a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices, a change in the communication environment of the network due to the movement of the network device is determined. At least the communicable distance information of the network device and the position information specifying the movement route of the network device A network device connected to a communication simulation device that performs simulation based on
Receiving means for receiving the simulation result from the communication simulation device;
A communication state prediction presenting means for presenting a prediction of a change in its own communication state to another communication device connected to itself based on the simulation result received by the receiving means; apparatus. A communication simulation method for simulating a change in a communication environment of a network of a network composed of a plurality of movable network devices as the network device moves,
Based on at least the communicable distance information of the network device and the position information for specifying the movement route of the network device, a change in the communication state between the network devices accompanying the movement of the network device on the movement route is simulated. And
A communication simulation method characterized by presenting the simulation result.

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