JP2006222650A - Multi-hop radio network, base station, radio terminal, monitor terminal and network monitor/control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multi-hop radio network capable of easily conducting a monitor/a control by a low power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: Radio terminals 2 to 5 can be connected to a monitor terminal 21 by a radio. The radio terminals 2 to 5 transmit a request from the monitor terminal 21 to a base station 1 when the monitor terminal 21 is connected to themselves, and transmit an answer from the base station 1 carrying out a processing corresponding to the request to the monitor terminal 21. The base station 1 conducts the processing in response to the request from the monitor terminal 21 transmitting and receiving a monitor information, and answers to the monitor terminal 21 in response to the result of the processing. In the radio terminals 2 to 5, the monitor terminal 21 is connected to another device, and transfers the request and the answer transmitted and received between another device and the base station 1 when there are themselves in a multi-hop path between the another device and the base station 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-hop wireless network system, and more particularly to a monitoring / control technique for a multi-hop wireless communication network system.

  In a multi-hop wireless network, not only terminals that are to communicate with each other communicate directly, but also data between terminals that are arranged over a wide range can be communicated by relaying data between other terminals. An example of the use of a multi-hop wireless network is a sensor network. A sensor network is a network that connects sensors and can be applied in various fields.

  Sensor network requirements include that a specific terminal (hereinafter referred to as a “base station”) collects data from other terminals (hereinafter referred to as “wireless terminals”) and that each wireless terminal has low power consumption. It is done. As a method for the base station to collect data of all wireless terminals and reduce the number of communications of each wireless terminal as much as possible to reduce power consumption, a multi-hop route is generated for all wireless terminals by centralized control from the base station. And a method of collecting data by polling. On the other hand, although the number of communication times of each wireless terminal increases, it is also considered that the wireless terminal autonomously transmits data to the base station by terminal call in order to notify the base station of the state of the wireless terminal immediately. It is done.

  Various methods are conceivable for constructing a route in a multi-hop wireless network. For example, there is a method described in Non-Patent Document 1. Non-Patent Document 1 describes that a tree-shaped multi-hop route having a base station as a root is constructed.

  In a multi-hop wireless network, it is preferable to connect a monitor terminal or a control terminal to a base station or a wireless terminal to enable system monitoring and control. For example, when adding, removing, or replacing wireless terminals, it is required to perform a communication test between a base station and a wireless terminal or between a wireless terminal and a wireless terminal. Communication tests are also effective for analyzing problems that occur on the network. The communication test is preferably performed by temporarily connecting a monitor terminal or a control terminal to the base station or the wireless terminal.

  In a multi-hop wireless network that constructs a tree-shaped multi-hop route with the base station as the root, it is possible to connect a monitor terminal to the base station and monitor and control the network from there. It is preferable in terms of efficiency.

  On the other hand, in a conventional single-hop wireless network, monitoring and control in which a monitor terminal or a control terminal is connected is realized (for example, see Patent Document 1). FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example when monitoring and control are performed by a monitor terminal in a conventional single-hop wireless network. Referring to FIG. 13, in a conventional single-hop wireless network, monitor terminals 94 and 95 are connected to a base station 90 or a wireless terminal 91 by wire or wireless, and the base station 90 or the wireless terminal 91 connected to the monitor terminals 94 and 95 are connected. The communication path test according to ˜93 can be performed.

In FIG. 13, a dotted line indicates a wireless connection, and a solid line indicates a wired connection. The monitor terminal 94 and the base station 90 and the monitor terminal 95 and the wireless terminal 91 are connected by both a dotted line and a solid line, which indicates that they may be connected by either a wired or wireless connection. ing.
Takahiro Okuma, Daisuke Kawasaki, Takehiro Hokimoto, Masanobu Arai, “Realization of Power Saving Multi-hop Routing Function by Call ID”, IEICE Tech. 103 No. 624, January 22, 2004, pages 39-42 JP 2003-272075 A

  As described above, monitoring and control are also important in multihop wireless networks.

  In a multi-hop wireless network, communication between a base station and a wireless terminal is based on the assumption that other wireless terminals that relay data operate normally. A terminal may be involved.

  Therefore, if the conventional monitoring / control method used in a single-hop wireless network is applied to a multi-hop wireless network, multiple wireless terminals can be added, removed, replaced, or analyzed. A communication test is required for the terminal, which causes inconveniences such as the operator carrying the monitor terminal and moving many times. Even a monitor terminal of a wireless connection type needs to bring the monitor terminal to a range where the operator can reach radio waves. As a result, the number of work steps increases and the work time becomes long.

  In addition, since it is difficult to connect the monitor terminal directly to the base station or the wireless terminal depending on the location where the multi-hop wireless network is constructed, the monitor terminal is connected to the base station or the base station using another communication infrastructure such as a cellular phone network. In some cases, a wireless terminal is connected. However, other communication infrastructures do not always exist where a base station or a wireless terminal is installed.

  In order to increase the monitoring and control work efficiency, if a configuration is adopted in which a monitor terminal is connected to a base station and the network is monitored and controlled from there, the base station must be installed in a location suitable for the connection of the monitor terminal. On the other hand, the workability of monitoring / control is significantly reduced.

  In addition, in a method in which an operator moves, connects a monitor terminal to a base station and each wireless terminal, and repeats a communication test or the like, it is necessary to input a command between each link, so the number of communication increases, and power consumption also increases. It will increase.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a multi-hop wireless network that can be easily monitored and controlled with low power consumption.

In order to achieve the above object, the multi-hop wireless network of the present invention comprises:
A multi-hop wireless network that forms a multi-hop route and transfers data,
Processing in response to a request from a monitor terminal that transmits and receives monitor information for monitoring and control, and a base station that responds to the monitor terminal in accordance with a processing result;
When the monitor terminal is wirelessly connectable and the monitor terminal is connected to itself, a request from the monitor terminal is transmitted to the base station, and the base station that has performed processing according to the request If the monitor terminal is connected to another device and the monitor terminal is connected to the other base station, and the base station is in a multi-hop path between the other device and the base station, And a wireless terminal that transfers a request and a response transmitted and received.

According to the present invention, a radio terminal connected to a monitor terminal and a base station can transmit / receive monitor information via another radio terminal as necessary. And polling each wireless terminal on the multi-hop route, to give monitoring information to a polling request signal to be sent to the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal by the polling,
The wireless terminal may transmit monitor information in a polling response to the polling request.

  According to this, the transmission timing of the signal between the wireless terminal and the base station can be adjusted by polling from the base station.

  The wireless terminal may be able to transmit monitor information by a terminal call regardless of the polling response.

  According to this, it is also possible to immediately transmit from the wireless terminal to the base station by the terminal call.

  Further, the wireless terminal predicts the reception time of the next polling request signal from the reception time of the previous polling request signal, and when the monitor information to be transmitted to the base station occurs, the predicted reception The monitor information may be immediately transmitted by the terminal call if the time is a predetermined time or more until the time, and the monitor information may be transmitted after a next polling request signal if the time is less than the predetermined time.

  According to this, in the wireless terminal, polling and terminal call can be used properly according to the time until the next polling.

  Further, the period may be changeable for each wireless terminal according to a request from the monitor terminal.

  According to this, it is possible to request the base station to change the polling cycle from the monitor terminal via the wireless terminal.

  In addition, when the wireless terminal receives the monitor information, the wireless terminal may determine whether or not the monitor information can be processed by itself, and if it can be processed by itself, the wireless terminal may process the information without sending it to the base station. .

  According to this, if the monitor information can be processed by itself, the wireless terminal can process the monitor information without sending it to the base station.

  According to the present invention, a wireless terminal connected to a monitor terminal and a base station can transmit / receive monitor information via another wireless terminal as necessary, so that any wireless terminal can communicate. If it is within the range, monitoring and control of the entire network should be performed efficiently so that the monitor terminal is connected to the base station without depending on the installation environment of the base station and other communication infrastructures. In addition, the number of communications can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced.

  A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a multi-hop wireless network according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the sensor network is configured using a multi-hop wireless network. Referring to FIG. 1, the multihop wireless network includes a base station 1 and wireless terminals 2 to 5. The wireless terminal 2 includes a sensor 6 and a control device 10, the wireless terminal 3 includes a sensor 7 and a control device 11, the wireless terminal 4 includes a sensor 8 and a control device 12, and the wireless terminal 5 includes a sensor 9 and a control device 13. Are connected to each other.

  Each of the sensors 6 to 9 and the control devices 10 to 13 can perform data communication with the base station 1 via the wireless terminals 2 to 5.

  The sensors 6 to 9 are sensors that detect various types of information in the sensor network. The control devices 10 to 13 are control devices that perform each control in the sensor network. The sensor network has various uses, and the information detected by the sensors 6 to 9 and the objects to be controlled by the control devices 10 to 13 vary for each use.

  In the present embodiment, the number and connection of wireless terminals are not limited to this configuration. Further, the base station 1 and the radio terminals 2 to 5 may be movable or fixedly installed. In FIG. 1, a dotted line indicates a wireless connection, and a solid line indicates a wired connection.

  Data is transferred multi-hop between the base station 1 and the wireless terminals 2 to 5. For example, when the wireless terminal 3 transmits data to the base station 1, the wireless terminal 2 relays the data. The wireless terminal 4 transmits / receives transmission / reception data of the sensor 8 or the control device 12 to / from the wireless terminal 2. The wireless terminal 5 transmits / receives transmission / reception data of the sensor 9 or the control device 13 to / from the wireless terminal 5. Therefore, the wireless terminal 2 located in the middle also relays data between the base station 1 and the wireless terminals 3, 4, 5 in addition to transmitting / receiving data of the sensor 6 or the control device 10. Similarly, the wireless terminal 3 located in the middle relays data between the base station 1 or the wireless terminal 2 and the wireless terminal 5 in addition to transmitting and receiving data of the sensor 7 or the control device 11.

  As a communication method between the base station 1 and the wireless terminals 2 to 5, there is a method in which the base station 1 periodically polls the wireless terminals 2 to 5 and collects data based on the polling period information. is there. There is also a method in which the wireless terminals 2 to 5 autonomously transmit data to the base station 1 by terminal call.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, it is assumed that a multi-hop route is configured in which base stations 1 are the roots and wireless terminals 2 to 5 are connected in a tree shape. Further, it is assumed that the base station 1 and the wireless terminals 2 to 5 are each assigned a unique terminal identification ID, and each device can be identified by this terminal identification ID. A terminal identification ID is also given to a monitor terminal (not shown) connectable to the base station 1 and the wireless terminals 2 to 5. It is assumed that it is possible to identify whether the terminal is a wireless terminal or a monitor terminal based on the value of the terminal identification ID.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multi-hop wireless network including a monitor terminal in the first embodiment. Here, the sensor and the control device are omitted. The monitor terminal 21 is assumed to be located directly below the wireless terminal 3.

  The base station 1 and the monitor terminal 21 perform communication for monitoring and control by transmitting and receiving frames. A frame transmitted and received between the base station 1 and the monitor terminal 21 includes a polling request, a polling response, and a terminal call, and monitor information is added to these frames as necessary.

  The polling request is a request signal for polling the wireless terminals 2 to 5 from the base station 1. If there is monitor information to be sent to the monitor terminal 21 connected to the radio terminal to be transmitted, the base station 1 adds the monitor information to the polling request. If there is no monitor information to be sent at the timing of sending the polling request, the base station 1 sends a polling request with no monitor information added.

  The polling response is a response signal from the wireless terminals 2 to 5 that have received the polling request to the base station 1. If the wireless terminal has monitor information from the monitor terminal 21, the wireless terminal adds the monitor information to the polling response. When there is no monitor information to be sent to the base station 1 when the polling request is received, the wireless terminal sends a polling response with no monitor information added.

  The terminal call is an autonomous notification signal from the wireless terminals 2 to 5 to the base station 1. When the timing at which the monitor information to be sent to the base station 1 arrives at the wireless terminals 2 to 5 from the monitor terminal 21 satisfies a predetermined condition in relation to the polling cycle, the wireless terminals 2 to 5 do not wait for polling. Monitor information is sent by terminal call.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the frame 20 with monitor information added is transferred between the base station 1 and the monitor terminal 21 as necessary. The frame 20 is composed of polling request / response or terminal call information and monitor information. The dotted line portion of the frame 20 indicates optional monitor information added as necessary. A frame 20 from the base station 1 to the wireless terminal 3 is a polling request, and monitor information is optional. A frame 20 from the wireless terminal 3 to the base station 1 is a polling response or a terminal call, and the monitor information is optional. A frame 20 between the wireless terminal 3 and the monitor terminal 21 is a terminal call and includes monitor information.

  It is assumed that the frame from the wireless terminal 3 to the monitor terminal 21 is transmitted and received in real time when it reaches the wireless terminal 3. Further, the frame from the monitor terminal 21 to the wireless terminal 3 is transmitted and received in real time when a request for transmission occurs in the monitor terminal 21.

  Monitor information transmitted from the monitor terminal 21 to the base station 1 includes a connection request, a polling cycle change request, and a command execution request. The connection request is information for requesting connection to the multi-hop wireless network. The polling cycle change request is information for requesting to change the polling cycle of the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal. For example, it is used to increase the communication frequency of itself (monitor terminal 21) and to give priority to monitoring and control. The command execution request is information for requesting the base station 1 to execute a command related to remote monitoring / control.

  Monitor information transmitted from the base station 1 to the monitor terminal 21 includes a connection response, a polling cycle change response, and a command execution response. The connection response is a response to the connection request. The polling cycle change response is a response to the polling cycle change request. The command execution response is a response to the command execution request.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless terminal according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless terminal of this embodiment includes an antenna 30, a transmission / reception selector switch 31, a wireless transmission unit 32, a modulation unit 33, a monitor information addition unit 34, a data processing unit 35, a wireless reception unit 36, and a demodulation unit 37. , A monitor information separating unit 38, a transmission timing determining unit 39, and a polling cycle monitoring unit 40.

  The transmission / reception change-over switch 31 is a switch that switches connection according to each transmission / reception. At the time of reception, the antenna 30 and the wireless reception unit 36 are connected, and the wireless signal received by the antenna 30 is received by the wireless reception unit 36 via the transmission / reception selector switch 31. At the time of transmission, the antenna 30 and the wireless transmission unit 32 are connected. A signal from the wireless transmission unit 32 is transmitted from the antenna 30 via the transmission / reception selector switch 31.

  The radio reception unit 36 performs radio signal reception processing and sends the obtained reception signal to the demodulation unit 37.

  The demodulator 37 demodulates the received signal from the wireless receiver 36 and sends the obtained frame to the monitor information separator 38.

  If the monitor information is included in the frame from the demodulation unit 37, the monitor information separation unit 38 separates the monitor information from the frame and sends it to the transmission timing determination unit 39 and sends the frame to the data processing unit 35.

  When the transmission timing determination unit 39 receives monitor information from the monitor terminal 21 (not shown) directly below, the transmission timing determination unit 39 needs to send it to the base station 1. Depending on conditions, the frame transmission timing may be transmitted in a polling response to a polling request, or may be transmitted in real time by a terminal call.

  If the time until the next polling prediction time given from the polling period monitoring unit 40 is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T, the transmission timing determination unit 39 determines to transmit the monitor information immediately. In that case, the transmission timing determination unit 39 requests the data processing unit 35 to make a call to the base station and sends the monitor information to the monitor information adding unit 34.

  If the time until the next polling prediction time given from the polling period monitoring unit 40 is less than the predetermined time T, the transmission timing determination unit 39 determines that the monitor information is transmitted as a response after waiting for the next polling. In that case, the transmission timing determination unit 39 sends the monitor information to the monitor information adding unit 34 without requesting a terminal call.

  As an example, the time T is a value set in advance based on the requirements and load on the system. For example, when the time T is set to infinity, the wireless terminal always transmits monitor information to the base station 1 by polling from the base station 1. When the time T is set to “0”, the wireless terminal always transmits monitor information to the base station 1 by a terminal call. As another example, the time T may be made variable according to the type of monitor information data, the load on the network, the remaining battery level of the wireless terminal, and the like.

  Further, when the transmission timing determination unit 39 receives the monitor information addressed to the monitor terminal 21 directly below from the monitor information separation unit 38, the transmission timing determination unit 39 needs to send it to the monitor terminal 21. At that time, the transmission timing determination unit 39 requests the data processing unit 35 to make a terminal call addressed to the monitor terminal 21 and sends the monitor information to the monitor information adding unit 34.

  When the data processing unit 35 receives a frame from the monitor information separation unit 38, the data processing unit 35 determines whether it is addressed to itself. If not addressed to itself, the data processing unit 35 sends the frame to the monitor information adding unit 34 for transfer to the base station 1 or another wireless terminal.

  If the frame is addressed to itself, the data processing unit 35 analyzes the data included in the frame and performs processing based on the data. For example, the data processing unit 35 sends a value obtained by reading the value detected by the sensor to the monitor information adding unit 34 as a frame. As another example, the data processing unit 35 inputs a command to the control device, and sends a response from the control device to the monitor information adding unit 34 as a frame. If the frame addressed to itself is a polling request, the data processing unit 35 transmits a polling response frame to the monitor information adding unit 34.

  When the data processing unit 35 receives a terminal call request addressed to the base station or the monitor terminal from the transmission timing determination unit 39, the data processing unit 35 transmits a terminal call frame to each destination.

  If the monitor information adding unit 34 has received the monitor information from the transmission timing determining unit 39, the monitor information adding unit 34 adds the monitor information to the frame from the data processing unit 35 and sends it to the modulating unit 33.

  The modulation unit 33 modulates the frame from the monitor information unit 34 and sends it to the wireless transmission unit 32.

  The wireless transmission unit 32 performs transmission processing on the frame, and transmits it as a wireless signal from the antenna 30 via the transmission / reception selector switch 31.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless terminal according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, when the wireless terminal according to the present embodiment receives a frame using a wireless signal, the wireless terminal determines whether the frame is from the monitor terminal 21 immediately below (step 101). If not from the monitor terminal 21 directly below, the wireless terminal determines whether the frame includes monitor information addressed to the monitor terminal 21 directly below (step 102). If the monitor information addressed to the monitor terminal 21 directly below is not included, the wireless terminal ends the process as it is.

  If the monitor information addressed to the monitor terminal 21 directly below is included, the wireless terminal requests the terminal processing addressed to the monitor terminal 21 from the transmission timing determination unit 39 to the data processing unit 35 (step 103). The wireless terminal adds monitor information to the terminal call frame addressed to the monitor terminal 21 from the data processing unit 35 by the monitor information adding unit 34 and transmits the frame (step 104).

  If it is determined in step 101 that the frame is from the monitor terminal 21 immediately below, the wireless terminal determines whether or not there is a time T or more before the next polling prediction time (step 105). If the time T is equal to or longer than the predicted next polling time, the wireless terminal immediately requests the terminal processing addressed to the base station 1 from the transmission timing determination unit 39 to the data processing unit 35 (step 106). The wireless terminal adds the monitor information to the frame of the terminal call addressed to the base station 1 from the data processing unit 35 by the monitor information adding unit 34 and transmits the frame (step 107).

  If it is determined in step 105 that the time until the predicted polling time is less than the time T, the wireless terminal waits for the next polling request from the base station 1 and transmits the polling response with monitor information added (step 108). ).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the polling cycle monitoring unit according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 5, when a radio signal frame is received, the polling cycle monitoring unit 40 determines whether or not the polling request is from the base station 1 (step 201). If it is not a polling request, the polling cycle monitoring unit 40 ends the process as it is and waits for the next frame.

  When receiving the polling request, the polling cycle monitoring unit 40 records the reception time of the polling request and predicts the reception time of the next polling request from the past polling reception time (step 202).

  The operation of a wireless terminal that has a monitor terminal immediately below has been described so far, but the wireless terminal is not directly below, but a terminal call including monitor information is received from a monitor terminal that is subordinate to two or more stages in a multi-hop route The terminal call can be immediately transmitted to a higher-level wireless terminal or base station, or can be transmitted after waiting for polling from the base station. That is, a wireless terminal having a monitor terminal under two or more stages in a multi-hop route, in the same way as a wireless terminal having a monitor terminal immediately below, is directed to the base station 1 direction according to the relationship between the next polling prediction time and the time T. The frame transmission method can also be determined.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 6, the wireless terminal of the present embodiment includes an antenna 50, a transmission / reception changeover switch 51, a wireless transmission unit 52, a modulation unit 53, a monitor information adding unit 54, a data processing unit 55, a wireless reception unit 56, and a demodulation unit 57. A monitor information separation unit 58, a monitor information processing unit 59, and a polling cycle management unit 60.

  The transmission / reception change-over switch 51 is a switch that switches connection according to transmission / reception. At the time of reception, the antenna 50 and the wireless reception unit 56 are connected, and the wireless signal received by the antenna 50 is received by the wireless reception unit 56 via the transmission / reception changeover switch 51. At the time of transmission, the antenna 50 and the wireless transmission unit 52 are connected. A signal from the wireless transmission unit 52 is transmitted from the antenna 50 via the transmission / reception selector switch 51.

  The radio reception unit 56 performs radio signal reception processing and sends the obtained reception signal to the demodulation unit 57.

  The demodulator 57 demodulates the received signal from the wireless receiver 56 and sends the obtained frame to the monitor information separator 58.

  If the monitor information is included in the frame from the demodulator 57, the monitor information separator 58 separates the monitor information from the frame and sends it to the monitor information processor 59 and sends the frame to the data processor 55.

  The monitor information processing unit 59 analyzes the monitor information from the monitor information separation unit 58 and performs processing according to the contents.

  For example, if the monitor information is a connection request from the monitor terminal 21, the monitor information processing unit 59 requests the data processing unit 55 to connect to the monitor terminal 21.

  If the monitor information is a polling cycle change request from the monitor terminal 21, the monitor information processing unit 59 requests the polling cycle management unit 60 to change the polling cycle.

  If the monitor information is a command execution request to the base station 1, the monitor information processing unit 59 requests the data processing unit 55 to execute a command. The command includes a command for the base station 1 itself and a command for each wireless terminal.

  When the monitor information processing unit 59 receives a processing response to the processing requested from the data processing unit 55 from the data processing unit 55, the monitor information processing unit 59 generates a response to the monitor terminal 21 based on the processing response and sends the response to the monitor information adding unit 54. .

  The data processing unit 55 determines whether the frame received from the monitor information separation unit 58 is addressed to itself, and performs processing according to the determination result. If the frame is not addressed to itself, the data processing unit 55 discards the frame. On the other hand, if the frame is addressed to itself, the data processing unit 55 analyzes the data included in the frame, registers the contents in the database, or performs processing according to the contents.

  Further, when receiving a polling execution request from the polling cycle management unit 60, the data processing unit 55 generates a polling request frame and sends it to the monitor information adding unit 54.

  When the monitor information processing unit 59 requests connection to the monitor terminal 21, the data processing unit 55 confirms the terminal identification ID of the monitor terminal 21 and grants a connection permission, and the result is displayed as the monitor information processing unit 59. Respond to. The connection permission notification is performed by transmitting a frame that responds to a connection request from the monitor terminal 21.

  In addition, when the data processing unit 55 receives a command execution processing request from the monitor information processing unit 59, the data processing unit 55 executes a command for the base station 1 itself or the wireless terminal, and returns the result to the monitor information processing unit 59.

  If the monitor information providing unit 54 receives the monitor information from the monitor information processing unit 59, the monitor information providing unit 54 receives a frame transmitted from the data processing unit 55 to the wireless terminal immediately above the monitor terminal that is the destination of the monitor information. Monitor information is added to the frame and sent to the modulator 53.

  The modulation unit 53 modulates the frame from the monitor information adding unit 54 and sends the modulated frame to the wireless transmission unit 52.

  The wireless transmission unit 52 performs transmission processing on the frame and transmits the frame as a wireless signal from the antenna 50 via the transmission / reception changeover switch 51.

  The polling cycle management unit 60 requests the data processing unit 55 to poll each wireless terminal at the cycle indicated by the polling cycle information 61.

  In addition, when the monitoring information processing unit 59 requests the polling cycle change, the polling cycle management unit 60 updates the polling cycle information 61 accordingly. The polling cycle information 61 is information relating to a cycle in which the polling cycle management unit 60 requests polling execution from each wireless terminal. Different values can be set for each wireless terminal.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the base station according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 7, when the base station 1 of the present embodiment receives a frame with a radio signal, the base station 1 determines whether or not the frame includes monitor information (step 301). If the monitor information is not included, the base station 1 ends the processing as it is.

  If the monitor information is included, the base station 1 analyzes the monitor information in the monitor information processing unit 59 (step 302) and determines whether or not the connection request is received from the monitor terminal 21 (step 303). ). If the monitor information is a connection request, the monitor information processing unit 59 requests the data processing unit 55 to connect to the monitor terminal (step 304).

  If it is determined in step 303 that the request is not a connection request, the monitor information processing unit 59 determines whether the monitor information is a polling cycle change request (step 305). If the monitor information is a polling cycle change request, the monitor information processing unit 59 requests the polling cycle management unit 60 to change the polling cycle (step 306).

  If it is determined in step 305 that the request is not a polling period change request, the monitor information processing unit 59 determines whether the monitor information is a command execution request for the base station 1 itself or the wireless terminal (step 307). If the monitor information is a command execution request, the monitor information processing unit 59 requests the data processing unit 55 to execute the command (step 308). On the other hand, if the monitor information is not a command execution request, the monitor information processing unit 59 ends the process as it is.

  After the processing in step 304, 306, or 308, the monitor information processing unit 59 waits for a response from the data processing unit 55 or the polling cycle management unit 60 (step 309). When there is a response, the monitor information processing unit 59 generates monitor information that responds to the monitor terminal 21 and sends it to the monitor information adding unit 54 (step 310). Upon receiving the polling request frame from the data processing unit 55, the monitor information adding unit 54 adds monitor information to the frame and transmits it to the wireless terminal (step 311).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the polling cycle management unit according to the first embodiment. Referring to FIG. 8, the polling cycle management unit 60 sequentially requests the data processing unit 55 to perform polling for each wireless terminal based on the polling cycle information 61 (step 401). The polling cycle management unit 60 determines whether a polling cycle change request has been received (step 402). If the polling cycle change request has been received, the polling cycle management unit 60 updates the polling cycle information 61 (step 403). Continue polling.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of monitoring and control of the multi-hop wireless network according to the first embodiment. Here, the operation of acquiring data of the wireless terminal 4 after the monitor terminal 21 is connected to the wireless terminal 3 and changing the polling cycle of the wireless terminal 3 is exemplified.

  Referring to FIG. 9, first, the monitor terminal 21 searches for nearby wireless terminals with which communication is possible, obtains a terminal identification ID of the wireless terminal, and determines a wireless terminal to be connected.

  As an example of a method for determining a connection destination wireless terminal, the monitor terminal 21 snoops to receive polling from the base station 1 to check the presence of a nearby wireless terminal, and determine any one based on the reception strength or the like. One wireless terminal can be selected. As another example, the monitor terminal 21 investigates the presence of nearby wireless terminals by broadcasting or explicitly designates all wireless terminals, and selects one of the wireless terminals based on the reception strength or the like. A method is conceivable. Here, it is assumed that the monitor terminal 21 has decided to connect to the wireless terminal 3.

  Next, the monitor terminal 21 attaches monitor information of the connection request to the frame of the terminal call and transmits it to the wireless terminal 3. The wireless terminal 3 that has received the frame can recognize that the transmission source is the monitor terminal 21 from the value of the terminal identification ID.

  In order to transmit the connection request for the monitor terminal 21 to the base station 1, the wireless terminal 3 determines whether or not there is a time T or more by the next predicted polling time. In this example, it is assumed that there is time T or more. Therefore, the wireless terminal 3 transmits a frame of a terminal call to which monitor information for a connection request is added without waiting for polling from the base station 1.

  The base station 1 that has received this frame analyzes the monitor information and determines whether or not connection is possible based on the terminal identification ID of the monitor terminal 21. It is assumed that the connection of the monitor terminal 21 can be permitted.

  Therefore, the base station 1 permits the connection of the monitor terminal 21, and transmits connection response monitor information to the polling request frame at the timing of the polling cycle of the wireless terminal 3.

  The wireless terminal 3 that has received this polling request transmits a polling response frame to the base station 1 and then transmits a terminal call frame to which the connection response monitor information is added to the monitor terminal 21.

  The monitor terminal 21 confirms that the connection with the base station 1 has been normally established by receiving the connection response, and then changes the polling cycle of the wireless terminal 3 to the base station 1 in order to increase its own communication frequency. To request. Note that the polling cycle change request is not necessarily required, and the monitor terminal 21 and the base station 1 are already in a communicable state, but in this example, the polling cycle change is performed.

  The monitor terminal 21 adds the monitoring information of the polling cycle change request to the frame of the terminal call and transmits it to the wireless terminal 3. The wireless terminal 3 that has received the frame recognizes that the transmission source is the monitor terminal 21 from the value of the terminal identification ID.

  Then, in order to transmit the polling cycle change request from the monitor terminal 21 to the base station 1, the wireless terminal 3 determines whether or not there is a time T or more by the next predicted polling time. In this example, it is assumed that the time is less than T.

  Accordingly, the wireless terminal 3 waits for the next polling request, and transmits the polling response change monitor information attached to the polling response frame. The base station 1 analyzes the monitor information and determines whether the polling cycle for the wireless terminal 3 can be changed. Here, it can be changed.

  The base station 1 permits the wireless terminal 3 to change the polling cycle, and transmits the polling cycle change response monitor information to the polling request frame at the timing of the wireless terminal 3 polling cycle.

  The wireless terminal 3 that has received the polling request transmits a polling response frame to the base station 1, and then adds monitoring information of a polling period change response to the terminal call frame and transmits it to the monitor terminal 21. By receiving this polling cycle change response, the monitor terminal 21 recognizes that the polling cycle change has been normally performed from the base station 1.

  Next, in order to remotely monitor and monitor the base station 1 and the wireless terminals 2 to 5, the monitor terminal 21 requests the base station 1 to execute a command. In this example, it is assumed that a command for acquiring data read from a sensor connected to the wireless terminal 4 is input to the monitor terminal 21.

  The monitor terminal 21 adds the monitor information of the command execution request to the frame of the terminal call and transmits it to the wireless terminal 3. The wireless terminal 3 that has received the frame recognizes that the transmission source is the monitor terminal 21 from the value of the terminal identification ID.

  In order to transmit a connection request for the monitor terminal 30 to the base station 1, the wireless terminal 3 determines whether or not there is a time T or more before the next predicted polling time. In this example, it is assumed that there is time T or more. For this reason, the wireless terminal 3 does not wait for polling, and transmits the command execution request monitor information attached to the frame of the terminal call.

  The base station 1 analyzes the monitor information and stores it so as to send an execution request for a command for reading out the sensor at the next polling request to the wireless terminal 4. Then, in polling to the next wireless terminal 4, the base station 1 attaches command execution request monitor information to the polling request frame and transmits it to the wireless terminal 4. The wireless terminal 4 adds the data read from the sensor to the polling response frame in response to the polling request and sends the frame to the base station 1.

  The base station 1 generates monitor information including the received data, and transmits the command execution response monitor information to the polling request frame at the next polling timing to the wireless terminal 3.

  The wireless terminal 3 that has received the polling request transmits a polling response frame to the base station 1, then adds monitor information of a command execution response to the terminal call frame and transmits the frame to the monitor terminal 21. Thereby, the reading of data from the sensor connected to the wireless terminal 4 is completed.

  Thus, in this embodiment, even if the monitor terminal 21 is connected to the base station 1 via a wireless terminal, the same operability as when the monitor terminal 21 is directly connected to the base station 1 by wire or wirelessly is provided. Can be provided.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal 21 and the base station 1 can transmit and receive monitor information in a frame via another wireless terminal as necessary. As long as one of the wireless terminals 2 to 5 can communicate, the monitor terminal 21 is connected to the base station 1 regardless of the installation environment of the base station 1 and without depending on other communication infrastructure. As described above, monitoring and control of the entire network can be performed with high work efficiency, and the number of communications can be reduced to reduce power consumption.

  Moreover, according to this embodiment, since the transmission timing of the frame between the radio terminals 2 to 5 and the base station 1 can be adjusted by polling from the base station 1, it is possible to communicate with the radio terminals 2 to 5. It is possible to prevent the line and processing of the base station 1 from being congested and the response of other processing from being delayed.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since a frame can be immediately transmitted from the wireless terminals 2 to 5 to the base station 1 by a terminal call, a delay in frame transmission timing due to polling can be reduced.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, since the wireless terminal can properly use polling and terminal calling according to the time until the next polling, the load on the base station 1 and the line is reduced, and the frame transmission timing is determined. It is possible to achieve a good balance with the delay.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, since the monitoring terminal 21 can request the base station 1 to change the polling cycle via the wireless terminals 2 to 5, the monitoring frequency of the monitoring terminal 21 can be increased, and monitoring and control can be performed separately. Can be prioritized over communications.

  A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, the wireless terminal can be partially processed in the wireless terminal by allowing the wireless terminal to have a part of the functions for analyzing, determining contents, and processing the monitor information. Different from form.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless terminal according to the second embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the wireless terminal of the present embodiment includes an antenna 30, a transmission / reception changeover switch 31, a wireless transmission unit 32, a modulation unit 33, a monitor information adding unit 34, a data processing unit 35, a wireless reception unit 36, and a demodulation unit 37. , A monitor information separating unit 38, a transmission timing determining unit 39, and a polling cycle monitoring unit 40.

  The wireless terminal according to the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3 in that it has a monitor information processing unit 70 instead of the transmission timing determination unit 39.

  When the monitor information processing unit 70 receives the monitor information from the monitor terminal 21 directly below from the monitor information separation unit 38, the monitor information processing unit 70 analyzes the monitor information and determines whether the determination is made by the wireless terminal or whether the determination is left to the base station. Determine.

  If the content is determined by the wireless terminal, the monitor information processing unit 70 requests the data processing unit 35 to perform processing based on the monitor information. When the processing result is received from the data processing unit 35, the monitor information processing unit 70 generates monitor information for responding to the monitor terminal 21 and sends it to the monitor information adding unit 34.

  If the content is to be determined by the base station 1, the monitor information processing unit 70 sends the monitor information to the monitor information adding unit 34 in order to add the monitor information to the frame to the base station 1 as in the first embodiment. . At that time, the monitor information processing unit 70 of the second embodiment operates in the same manner as the transmission timing determination unit 39 of the first embodiment when sending monitor information from the monitor terminal 21 to the base station 1.

  Further, when the monitor information processing unit 70 receives the monitor information addressed to the monitor terminal 21 directly below from the monitor information separation unit 38, the monitor information processing unit 70 performs the same as the transmission timing determination unit 39 of the first embodiment. Send to.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the wireless terminal according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 11, steps 101 to 108 are the same as the processes of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 4. In the second embodiment, in the determination in step 101, if the reception is from the monitor terminal 21 directly below, the wireless terminal analyzes the monitor information in the monitor information processing unit 70 (step 501).

  Then, the wireless terminal determines whether or not the content of the monitor information should be determined by the base station 1 (step 502). If the content of the monitor information is to be determined by the base station 1, the wireless terminal proceeds to the process of step 105. On the other hand, if the monitor information is a content that can be determined by the wireless terminal itself, the wireless terminal next requests processing from the monitor information processing unit 70 to the data processing unit 35 (step 503), and a response from the data processing unit 35. (Step 504).

  Next, the wireless terminal creates monitor information for the monitor terminal 21 based on the content of the response (step 505), and proceeds to the process of step 103.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of monitoring and control of the multi-hop wireless network according to the second embodiment. Here, the operation until the monitor terminal 21 connects to the wireless terminal 3 is illustrated. In this example, it is assumed that the connection request from the monitor terminal 21 should be determined by the wireless terminal.

  Referring to FIG. 12, first, the monitor terminal 21 searches for nearby wireless terminals with which communication is possible, obtains a terminal identification ID of the wireless terminal, and determines a wireless terminal to be connected.

  Next, the monitor terminal 21 attaches monitor information of the connection request to the frame of the terminal call and transmits it to the wireless terminal 3. The wireless terminal 3 that has received the frame can recognize that the transmission source is the monitor terminal 21 from the value of the terminal identification ID.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the wireless terminal 3 analyzes the monitor information and checks whether it can be determined by itself or whether it is left to the base station 1 to determine. Here, since the content can be determined by itself, the wireless terminal 3 determines whether or not connection is possible based on the terminal identification ID of the monitor terminal 21. Here, it is assumed that the connection of the monitor terminal 21 can be permitted.

  Therefore, the wireless terminal 3 permits the connection of the monitor terminal 21 and transmits a frame of the terminal call to which the monitor information of the connection response is given to the monitor terminal 21. The monitor terminal 21 confirms that the connection with the base station 1 has been normally established by receiving the connection response.

  12 illustrates the case where the monitor terminal 21 is connected, but the same applies to the case where the monitor terminal 21 is disconnected.

  In the present embodiment, it is determined whether the wireless terminal can determine from the contents of the monitor information or whether the base station 1 is left to judge. However, the data requested by the monitor information is already in the wireless terminal, and the base station 1 This includes the case where there is no need to obtain it via the station 1.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a wireless terminal receives a frame including monitor information, the wireless terminal determines whether the monitor information can be processed by itself or should be left to the base station. If it can be processed by the mobile station, the monitor information is processed by itself without being sent to the base station 1, so that the number of communications in the multi-hop wireless network can be reduced and power consumption can be reduced. Such a load can also be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the multihop wireless network by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the multihop radio | wireless network containing a monitor terminal in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless terminal by 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless terminal according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the polling period monitoring part by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the base station by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the base station by 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the polling period management part by 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the monitoring and control of the multihop wireless network by 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless terminal by 2nd Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the wireless terminal according to the second embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of monitoring and control of the multihop wireless network by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structural example when performing monitoring and control by a monitor terminal in the conventional single hop wireless network.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base station 2-5 Wireless terminal 6-9 Sensor 10-13 Control apparatus 20 Frame 21 Monitor terminal 30, 50 Antenna 31, 51 Transmission / reception changeover switch 32, 52 Wireless transmission part 33, 53 Modulation part 34, 54 Monitor information provision part 35, 55 Data processing unit 36, 56 Radio reception unit 37, 57 Demodulation unit 38, 58 Monitor information separation unit 39, 59 Transmission timing determination unit 40 Polling cycle monitoring unit 60 Polling cycle management unit 61 Polling cycle information 70 Monitor information processing unit 101-108, 201-202, 301-311, 401-403, 501-505 steps

Claims (21)

A multi-hop wireless network that forms a multi-hop route and transfers data,
Processing in response to a request from a monitor terminal that transmits and receives monitor information for monitoring and control, and a base station that responds to the monitor terminal in accordance with a processing result;
When the monitor terminal is wirelessly connectable and the monitor terminal is connected to itself, a request from the monitor terminal is transmitted to the base station, and the base station that has performed processing according to the request If the monitor terminal is connected to another device and the monitor terminal is connected to the other base station, and the base station is in a multi-hop path between the other device and the base station, A multi-hop wireless network having a wireless terminal that transfers requests and responses transmitted and received over the network. The base station polls each wireless terminal on the multi-hop path at a predetermined cycle, and gives monitor information to a polling request signal sent to the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal by the polling,
The multihop wireless network according to claim 1, wherein the wireless terminal transmits monitor information in a polling response to the polling request.   The multihop wireless network according to claim 2, wherein the wireless terminal can transmit monitor information by a terminal call regardless of the polling response.   The wireless terminal predicts the reception time of the next polling request signal from the previous reception time of the polling request signal, and when the monitor information to be transmitted to the base station occurs, until the predicted reception time 4. The multi-hop according to claim 3, wherein if the predetermined time is exceeded, the monitor information is immediately transmitted by the terminal call, and if it is less than the predetermined time, the monitor information is transmitted after waiting for the next polling request signal. Wireless network.   The multi-hop wireless network according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the period can be changed for each wireless terminal according to a request from the monitor terminal.   The wireless terminal, when receiving the monitor information, determines whether or not the monitor information can be processed by itself, and if it can be processed by itself, the wireless terminal processes the information without sending it to the base station. The multi-hop wireless network according to any one of the above. A base station of a multi-hop wireless network that transfers data by forming a multi-hop route using a plurality of wireless terminals,
When a process related to monitoring / control is requested, a data processing unit that responds by executing the process;
Monitor information is received from the monitor terminal for monitoring / control via the wireless terminal, the process requested by the monitor terminal is determined from the monitor information, the process is requested to the data processing unit, and the process is performed. A base station having a monitor information processing unit for transmitting a response from the executed data processing unit as monitor information to the monitor terminal via the wireless terminal. A polling cycle management unit for requesting the data processing unit to perform polling for adjusting the transmission timing of monitor information of each wireless terminal on the multi-hop path at a predetermined cycle;
The data processing unit performs polling according to a request from the polling cycle management unit, and monitor information from the monitor information processing unit is transmitted to a polling request signal transmitted to the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal by the polling. The base station according to claim 7, which is given.   The base station according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the period can be changed for each wireless terminal according to a request from the monitor terminal. A wireless terminal of a multi-hop wireless network that forms a multi-hop route and transfers data,
Connects wirelessly to the base station, the monitor terminal, and other wireless terminals that perform processing in response to a request from a monitor terminal that transmits / receives monitor information for monitoring / control and responds to the monitor terminal according to a processing result A wireless transceiver,
When the monitor terminal is connected to itself, a request from the monitor terminal is transmitted to the base station, a response from the base station that has executed processing according to the request is transmitted to the monitor terminal, When the monitor terminal is connected to a device and the device itself is on a multi-hop path between the other device and the base station, a request and a response transmitted / received between the other device and the base station are transferred. A wireless terminal having a processing unit. The base station has a function of polling each wireless terminal on the multi-hop path at a predetermined cycle and sending a polling request signal to the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal by the polling,
The wireless terminal according to claim 10, wherein, upon receiving the polling request signal, the processing unit adds monitoring information to the base station to a polling response to the polling request signal and transmits the polling request signal.   The wireless terminal according to claim 11, wherein the processing unit can also transmit monitor information by a terminal call regardless of the polling response. The processing unit has a polling period monitoring unit that predicts the next polling request signal reception time from the past polling request signal reception time,
When the monitor information to be transmitted to the base station occurs, if the predetermined time or more until the reception time predicted by the polling cycle monitoring unit, the monitor information is immediately transmitted by the terminal call, and the predetermined time The wireless terminal according to claim 12, wherein the monitor information is transmitted after waiting for a next polling request signal.   The wireless terminal according to claim 11, wherein the period can be changed for each wireless terminal according to a request from the monitor terminal.   15. The processing unit according to claim 10, wherein when receiving the monitor information, the processing unit determines whether or not the monitor information can be processed by itself, and if it can be processed by itself, performs processing without sending the information to the base station. The wireless terminal according to any one of claims. A network monitoring and control method for a multi-hop wireless network in which a multi-hop route is formed between a plurality of wireless terminals and a base station to transfer data,
Wirelessly connecting a monitor terminal for monitoring / control and any one of the wireless terminals;
Sending a request for processing relating to monitoring / control as monitor information from the monitor terminal to a wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal;
Transmitting the monitor information to the base station via the multi-hop route from a wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal;
The base station performs processing according to the request, and transmits a response as monitor information to the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal through the multi-hop route;
A network monitoring / control method comprising: sending the response monitor information from the wireless terminal to which the monitor terminal is connected to the monitor terminal. The base station polls each wireless terminal on the multi-hop path at a predetermined period, and gives monitor information to a polling request signal sent to the wireless terminal connected to the monitor terminal by the polling,
The network monitoring / control method according to claim 16, wherein the wireless terminal transmits monitor information in a polling response to the polling request.   The network monitoring / control method according to claim 17, wherein the wireless terminal can transmit monitor information by a terminal call regardless of the polling response.   The wireless terminal predicts the reception time of the next polling request signal from the previous reception time of the polling request signal, and when the monitor information to be transmitted to the base station occurs, until the predicted reception time 19. The network monitoring according to claim 18, wherein if the predetermined time or longer, the monitor information is immediately transmitted by the terminal call, and if it is less than the predetermined time, the monitor information is transmitted after waiting for the next polling request signal. -Control method.   The network monitoring / control method according to claim 17, wherein the period can be changed for each wireless terminal according to a request from the monitor terminal.   21. The wireless terminal, when receiving the monitor information, determines whether or not the monitor information can be processed by itself, and if it can be processed by itself, performs processing without sending it to the base station. The network monitoring / control method according to any one of the above.

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