JP2006303735A - Radio communication equipment, radio communication system, and radio communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of surely transceiving data by setting radio communication equipment for preferentially carrying out communication at a prescribed time. <P>SOLUTION: The radio communication equipment configuring an adhoc network includes: its own time frame setting section that sets at least one time frame of superframes with a prescribed period comprising a plurality of time frames for transmission of signals to its own transmission time frame within which its own radio communication equipment transmits data; a transmission destination radio communication setting section for setting transmission destination radio communication equipment acting like a data transmission destination in its own transmission time frame; a beacon signal transmission section for transmitting a beacon signal including information of its own transmission time frame and information of the transmission destination radio communication equipment to surrounding radio communication equipment; and an access control section for preferentially controlling an access to the transmission destination radio communication equipment set by the transmission destination radio communication equipment setting section when its own transmission time frame comes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication system, and a wireless communication method capable of data communication.

  Conventionally, in the access control method of a communication apparatus, a method of performing own transmission access when a transmission line is not used for a predetermined time has been generally used. For example, in an IEEE802.11 wireless LAN device, a protocol capable of performing transmission based on CSMA / CA control is defined. Here, CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avidance) is a connection method for performing multiple access based on carrier detection.

  Since it is difficult to receive a signal that has been transmitted by wireless communication, it is confirmed that there is no information transmission of other communication devices by CSMA / CA (Collision Avidance) instead of CSMA / CD (Collision Detection). Then avoid collisions by starting sending your own information. The CSMA method is an access method suitable for asynchronous data communication such as file transfer and electronic mail.

  When performing wireless communication by the CSMA / CA method, it is necessary to always start reception processing to check whether the wireless transmission path is free. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to operate with low power consumption because the reception process is always activated even when data transmission / reception is not performed.

  Therefore, a plurality of wireless communication devices collectively transmit and receive beacon signals within a common beacon transmission and reception period for transmitting and receiving beacons, and notify each other of the communication time and communication partner in advance between the wireless communication devices. , A method has been devised that performs the receiving operation only at the time when the transmission is notified. This eliminates the need for the wireless communication device to always activate the reception process, thereby realizing low power consumption.

JP 2004-194237 A

  However, each wireless communication device receives a beacon signal in a lump and does not perform communication according to the set communication information even though communication information such as communication time and communication partner in a predetermined cycle is set in advance. In some cases, there was a problem that data could not be transmitted and received reliably.

  In addition, at the time when the use of data transmission with a specific wireless communication device is set, only the transmission to the wireless communication device is performed, and the use of data reception with the specific wireless communication device is set. At that time, only data reception from the wireless communication device had to be performed. In addition, there is a problem that when the surrounding wireless communication devices declare use, priority is given to the use of the wireless communication device, and if communication is not avoided, collision with those communication occurs.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to reliably transmit and receive data by setting a wireless communication device that performs communication preferentially at a predetermined time. A wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a wireless communication method are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to one aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication device constituting an ad hoc network: at least one superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for transmitting a signal A self-transmission time frame setting unit that sets a time frame to a self-transmission time frame in which the self transmits data; a transmission destination that sets a transmission destination wireless communication apparatus that is a data transmission destination in the self-transmission time frame A wireless communication device setting unit; a beacon signal transmission unit for transmitting a beacon signal including information on its own transmission time frame and information on a destination wireless communication device to surrounding wireless communication devices; and when its own transmission time frame has arrived An access control unit that preferentially controls access to the transmission destination wireless communication device set by the transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit, Line communication device is provided.

  The access control unit addresses the transmission destination wireless communication device when the time set for its transmission time frame arrives and there is a transmission addressed to a device other than the transmission destination wireless communication device set by the transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit. After transmission, transmission to a wireless communication device other than the transmission destination wireless communication device may be performed.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to set the time for transmission by itself and the wireless communication device as the transmission destination. In addition, the beacon signal can notify the surrounding wireless communication apparatus of the transmission time and the transmission destination. A wireless communication apparatus in which a transmission time and a transmission destination are set can preferentially perform communication when the set time comes. As a result, even when there is transmission data destined for a wireless communication device different from the transmission destination set at the set time, the data transmission of the set transmission destination can be preferentially performed, and reliable data transmission is performed. Is possible. In other words, in a wireless communication device constituting an ad hoc network, data can be reliably transmitted to the corresponding wireless communication device at a time when use of data transmission is decided with a specific wireless communication device by a beacon signal. It becomes possible.

  An access parameter list creating unit that creates an access parameter list in which information of its own transmission time frame and information of a destination wireless communication device are set for each time frame, the access parameter list having a predetermined period It may be updated every superframe.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication device configuring an ad hoc network: a beacon signal receiving unit that receives a time used by a surrounding wireless communication device for communication by a beacon signal; When the transmission information addressed to itself is included in the beacon signal, at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for receiving the signal is received by the self. Its own reception time frame setting unit for setting the reception time frame; and a transmission source wireless communication device setting unit for setting a transmission source wireless communication device that is a data transmission source in its own reception time frame; and its own reception time frame And an access control unit that preferentially controls access to the transmission source wireless communication device set by the transmission source wireless communication device setting unit. Wherein, the wireless communication device is provided.

  The access control unit receives a request from a source wireless communication device other than the source wireless communication device set by the transmission source wireless communication device setting unit when a time frame in which its own reception time frame is set arrives. After receiving from, a request from a wireless communication device other than the transmission source wireless communication device may be received.

  According to the above configuration, it is possible to acquire information on data transmission addressed to itself by a beacon signal, and to set a time for reception by itself and a wireless communication device as a transmission source based on the information. The wireless communication apparatus in which the reception time and the transmission source are set can preferentially perform the communication when the set time comes. As a result, even when there is data transmission from a wireless communication device different from the transmission source set at the set time, data reception from the set transmission source can be prioritized and data is received reliably. It becomes possible. In other words, in a wireless communication device that constitutes an ad hoc network, at the time when use of data reception is decided with a specific wireless communication device by a beacon signal, the signal from the transmission source wireless communication device has priority. It becomes possible to receive.

  An access parameter list creating unit that creates an access parameter list in which information on its own reception time frame and information on the transmission source wireless communication device are set for each time frame; It may be updated every frame.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication device configuring an ad hoc network: a beacon signal receiving unit that receives a time used by a surrounding wireless communication device for communication by a beacon signal; When a beacon signal includes transmission / reception information of the surrounding wireless communication device, at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for transmitting / receiving the signal is transmitted to the surrounding wireless communication A transmission / reception time frame setting unit of a peripheral device that is set in a transmission / reception time frame of a surrounding wireless communication device in which the device transmits / receives data; A specific device setting unit to be set; when a surrounding transmission / reception time frame arrives, transmission / reception of the specific device set by the specific device setting unit is performed. An access control unit for accessing in preference to his own transceiver; characterized in that it comprises a wireless communication device is provided.

  The access control unit refrains from transmitting / receiving its own data until the time frame for setting the transmission / reception time frame of the surrounding device arrives and the end of transmission or reception from the specific device set by the specific device setting unit is detected. You may do it.

  According to the above configuration, information on data transmission / reception by the surrounding wireless communication device is acquired by the beacon signal, and based on the information, the time for the surrounding wireless communication device to transmit / receive, and the wireless communication device as the specific device Can be set. A wireless communication device that sets a specific device and a time during which surrounding wireless communication devices perform transmission / reception can be preferentially accessed when the set time arrives. As a result, even if there is data transmission to or from itself at the set time, it is possible to give priority to data transmission / reception of a specific device in advance of data transmission / reception and to perform reliable data transmission / reception. It becomes possible. In other words, in a wireless communication device that constitutes an ad hoc network, a peripheral wireless communication device that is not a data transmission / reception destination of a specific wireless communication device performs transmission / reception at the time when the specific wireless communication device has decided to transmit / receive data. It is possible to prioritize communication of a specific wireless communication device and refrain from transmitting and receiving itself.

  An access parameter list creating unit that creates an access parameter list in which information on transmission / reception time frames of the specific device and information on the specific device is set for each time frame, and the access parameter list includes a superframe having a predetermined cycle. It may be updated every time.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication system in which a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device are capable of wireless communication: A self transmission time frame setting unit that sets at least one time frame of a superframe of a predetermined period configured by a plurality of time frames for transmitting data as a self transmission time frame in which the self transmits data; A destination wireless communication device setting unit for setting the second wireless communication device as a data transmission destination in the own transmission time frame; a beacon signal including information on the own transmission time frame and information on the transmission destination wireless communication device; A beacon signal transmission unit that transmits to the second wireless communication device; and when the own transmission time frame arrives, preferentially controls access to the second wireless communication device set by the transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit Do And a second wireless communication device, wherein the second wireless communication device includes a plurality of time frames for receiving a signal when transmission information addressed to itself is included in the beacon signal transmitted from the first wireless communication device. A self reception time frame setting unit that sets at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period configured as the self reception time frame in which the self receives data; data transmission in the self reception time frame; A transmission source wireless communication device setting unit that originally sets the first wireless communication device; and a first wireless communication device set by the transmission source wireless communication device setting unit when its own reception time frame arrives An access control unit that preferentially controls access is provided. A wireless communication system is provided.

In order to solve the above-described problem, according to another aspect of the present invention, at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for wirelessly transmitting a signal is selected by the self. Setting to a transmission time frame of its own that performs transmission; setting a transmission destination wireless communication device that is a transmission destination of data in the transmission time frame of its own;
Transmitting a beacon signal including information on the own transmission time frame and information on the transmission destination wireless communication device to surrounding wireless communication devices; and setting a transmission destination wireless communication device when the transmission time frame of the device arrives Preferentially accessing the transmission destination wireless communication device set by the unit. A wireless communication method is provided.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a wireless communication method that can reliably transmit and receive data by setting a wireless communication device that performs preferential communication. be able to.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  In order to easily understand the configuration of this embodiment, first, an outline of wireless communication will be described.

  In recent years, standardization specifications for high-speed wireless PAN (Personal Area Network) in IEEE802.15.3 have been determined. According to this specification, a coordinator called PNC is selected for an arbitrary wireless communication device to perform wireless communication with another wireless communication device, and data is transmitted and received under the control of this PNC. In IEEE 802.15.3, the time used for communication by the PNC is strictly managed, and the wireless communication devices forming such a wireless communication network can perform transmission / reception only at the timing specified by the PNC.

  That is, when data is transmitted from a specific wireless communication device (transmission terminal) to a specific wireless communication device (reception terminal), first, a request to acquire a channel time necessary for data communication is sent from the transmission terminal to the communication device serving as the PNC. And the timing of the available channel time is designated by the PNC beacon signal.

  According to the IEEE 802.15.3 specification, in communication between wireless communication devices, first, the PNC must secure a communication time, and the PNC must allocate a communication time each time according to the request. A complicated procedure was required. In such a wireless communication system that performs control using a PNC or an access point, there is a problem that it takes a long time to actually start communication.

  As an application of such wireless communication, ad-hoc communication that allows direct communication between wireless communication devices without using an access point has been devised. Such ad hoc communication does not require a control device such as an access point or a coordinator, and wireless communication can be performed asynchronously with each wireless communication device being autonomously distributed.

  In general ad hoc communication, it is not known when data is sent to itself from surrounding wireless communication devices. Therefore, each wireless communication device is not always in a receiving state so that it can immediately respond to the data transmission. Don't be. For this reason, it has been difficult to reduce power consumption.

  Therefore, a plurality of wireless communication devices collectively transmit and receive beacon signals within a common beacon transmission and reception period for transmitting and receiving beacons, and notify each other of the communication time and communication partner in advance between the wireless communication devices. , A method has been devised that performs the receiving operation only at the time when the transmission is notified. This eliminates the need for the wireless communication device to always activate the reception process, thereby realizing low power consumption.

  However, each wireless communication device receives a beacon signal all at once and sets other communication information such as communication time and communication partner in a predetermined cycle in advance, or other wireless communication is performed, or When communication of a third party is started, communication is not performed according to the set communication information, and thus there is a problem that data cannot be reliably transmitted / received.

  In addition, at the time when the use of data transmission with a specific wireless communication device is set, only the transmission to the wireless communication device is performed, and the use of data reception with the specific wireless communication device is set. At that time, only data reception from the wireless communication device had to be performed. In addition, there is a problem that when the surrounding wireless communication devices declare use, priority is given to the use of the wireless communication device, and if communication is not avoided, collision with those communication occurs.

<1. Configuration of ad hoc network>
In view of such a problem, hereinafter, a wireless communication system capable of reliably transmitting and receiving data by setting a wireless communication apparatus that performs communication preferentially at a predetermined time is proposed.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an ad hoc network in which the wireless communication system is implemented. In the ad hoc network, there is no specific control station as a communication station, and each wireless communication device operates in an autonomous distributed manner.

  Here, as an example, a state is shown in which five wireless communication devices 111 to 115 form an ad hoc network 100 with surrounding wireless communication devices. Note that in this specification, the wireless communication device refers to a device capable of at least wireless communication, and is not limited to a device capable of only wireless communication.

  A region indicated by a broken line in FIG. 1 indicates a radio wave reachable range from the wireless communication device located at the center. In other words, the wireless communication device 111 can communicate with the wireless communication device 112 within the radio wave reachable range 121, and the wireless communication device 112 communicates with the radio communication device 111 and the radio communication device 113 within the radio wave reachable range 122. The wireless communication device 113 can communicate with the wireless communication device 112 and the wireless communication device 114 in the radio wave reachable range 123, and the wireless communication device 114 is in the radio wave reachable range 124. 113 and the wireless communication device 115 can communicate with each other, and the wireless communication device 115 can communicate with the wireless communication device 114 within the radio wave reachable range 125.

<2. Super frame in ad hoc network>
Next, a super frame in an ad hoc network will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a superframe.

  The super frame period 132 is set based on the period at which each of the wireless communication apparatuses 111 to 115 transmits a beacon signal. Although the period of the super frame of the communication devices 111 to 115 is the same, the period is set in advance. The superframe is subdivided into a total of 256 time frames from 0 to 255. By dividing the period of the super frame by the time frame, it is possible to manage what kind of communication is performed by the surrounding wireless communication devices at a predetermined position in the super frame. This subdivided time frame is referred to as a media access slot (hereinafter referred to as MAS) 133 in the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a beacon period 130 and a data transmission area 131 are arranged within a preset superframe period 132. The beacon period 130 is an area for managing data transmission / reception in the superframe, and is a period in which the wireless communication devices constituting the ad hoc network transmit beacon signals to each. Here, beacon signal transmission areas different from those of other wireless communication devices are arranged within the beacon period 130. Each of the wireless communication devices 111 to 115 transmits and receives beacon signals during this beacon period 130 so that the wireless communication devices existing in the vicinity can be grasped and the data transmission area 131 used with the periodic wireless communication device can be adjusted. It becomes possible to do.

  In this embodiment, MAS0 and MAS1 are used as the beacon period 130, but the beacon period 130 may be set according to the number of wireless communication apparatuses. When the beacon period 130 is set according to the number of wireless communication apparatuses, the beacon period 130 is set so that collision of beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses does not occur.

  In the data transmission area, a time band used for communication is set according to the demand of each wireless communication device. In this embodiment, MAS2 to MAS255 other than the beacon period 130 are used as the data transmission area 131, and each wireless communication apparatus can set what communication is performed in units of MAS.

<3. Data transmission / reception in superframe>
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of data transmission / reception in the superframe. As described above, the wireless communication devices 111 to 115 form the ad hoc network 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. As described above, the wireless communication device 111 can communicate with the wireless communication device 112, and the wireless communication device 112. Can communicate with the wireless communication device 111 and the wireless communication device 113. The wireless communication device 113 can communicate with the wireless communication device 112 and the wireless communication device 114. The wireless communication device 114 can communicate with the wireless communication device 113 and the wireless communication device 114. The communication device 115 can communicate with the wireless communication device 115, and the wireless communication device 115 can communicate with the wireless communication device 114.

  In the beacon period 130, the wireless communication device transmits a predetermined beacon signal (Beacon; B), and the surrounding wireless communication devices are notified of how to use the subsequent data transmission area. As described above, the beacon signal can be used to grasp other wireless communication devices existing in the vicinity, and to adjust the data transmission period used with the surrounding wireless communication devices.

  In the data transmission area 131, data communication is performed according to the communication time of each wireless communication device allocated via the beacon signal. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, data is transmitted from the wireless communication apparatus 111 to the wireless communication apparatus 112 by MAS3, and data is transmitted from the wireless communication apparatuses 113 to 114 by MAS5-8. Further, data is multicast transmitted from the wireless communication device 114 to the wireless communication device 113 and the wireless communication device 115 in the MASs 10 to 11, and data is transmitted from the wireless communication device 113 to the wireless communication device 112 in the MASs 13 to 14. Here, Tx indicates transmission and Rx indicates reception.

  As described above, based on the information included in the beacon signal transmitted in the beacon period 130, synchronization can be ensured between surrounding wireless communication devices, and communication can be performed while performing bandwidth reservation for each MAS. Become.

  The data transmission / reception in the super frame has been described above. Next, a frame configuration example of a beacon signal will be described with reference to FIG.

<4. Frame structure of beacon signal>
FIG. 4 shows a frame configuration example of a beacon signal. The beacon signal 600 of the present embodiment is configured to be shared with a data frame and the like, and as shown in FIG. 4, the MAC header information 61 and a header check sequence (HCS) for detecting an error in the header portion. 62, beacon payload information 63 which is payload information of the beacon signal, and a frame check sequence (FCS) 64 for detecting an error of this frame.

  The MAC header information 61 includes frame control information 601 that is control information of the frame, a destination device identifier 602 that is an identifier of a wireless communication device that is a destination, and a source device identifier that is an identifier of a wireless communication device that is a source. 603, sequence control information 604 that is a sequence control parameter, access control information 605 that is an access control parameter, and the like.

  The beacon payload information 63 includes device-specific information 606 that is a parameter specific to the wireless communication device, beacon position information 607 that indicates a transmission position of a beacon signal, peripheral device information 608 that indicates a wireless communication device existing in the vicinity, Device capability information 609 indicating the operation capability of the wireless communication device, reservation region information 610 describing the time when reservation transmission is performed in the data transmission region, and a use region describing the timing available for communication It includes information 611, communication identification information 612 indicating the presence / absence of data to be transmitted to surrounding wireless communication devices, and the like.

  When there is transmission data, each wireless communication device describes MAS information for transmitting data in the reserved area information 610. In addition, the wireless communication apparatus that has received the beacon signal and knows that there is received data addressed to itself by the reserved area information 610 sets the MAS from which the data is received as the receiving area. This makes it possible to control data transmission / reception of the wireless communication apparatus for each super frame. As described above, in this embodiment, the superframe can be further divided into MAS 133 that is 256 time frames, and data transmission / reception control of the wireless communication apparatus can be performed for each MAS 133.

  As described above, when the own transmission information is described in the beacon signal, all the wireless communication devices existing in the vicinity need to operate according to this information. For example, when data is transmitted by a wireless communication device having a different beacon period, there is a problem that communication is not performed according to the communication information described in the beacon signal. Then, although communication information such as a communication time and a communication partner is set in advance by a beacon signal, data cannot be transmitted / received according to the set communication information.

  In an ad hoc network, when the time used by a self or surrounding wireless communication device for communication is notified using a beacon signal, it is necessary to set access control based on the description state of the beacon signal. That is, in the MAS in which the use of data transmission is negotiated with the wireless communication device that is the data transmission destination, it is necessary to reliably perform transmission to the transmission destination wireless communication device. In addition, in the MAS in which use of data reception is negotiated with a wireless communication device that is a data transmission source, it is necessary to reliably receive data from the transmission source wireless communication device. Further, in the MAS in which surrounding wireless communication devices perform transmission / reception, it is necessary to refrain from transmitting itself in order to ensure transmission / reception of surrounding wireless communication devices.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless communication devices constituting the ad hoc network hold the access format and access destination information for each MAS, and perform access control such as data transmission / reception according to the information, thereby controlling own access for each MAS. It becomes possible to manage the method. Here, the access format is its own data transmission or data reception, or data transmission / reception of a peripheral wireless communication device, and the access destination is a wireless communication device that is a data transmission destination or a wireless communication device that is a data transmission source. Or a peripheral wireless communication device that performs data transmission / reception. The access destination is a data transmission / reception access destination reserved in advance for each MAS, or a wireless communication apparatus that needs to perform data transmission / reception preferentially, and is a wireless communication apparatus that performs communication preferentially in the MAS. is there. In the present embodiment, since control is performed so that communication of a wireless communication device that is an access destination is performed first, a wireless communication device that performs communication preferentially is referred to as a first access destination.

  The frame structure of the beacon signal has been described above. Next, based on FIGS. 5 to 9, the setting status of access parameters such as access method and access destination set for each wireless communication device will be described.

<5. Wireless communication device access parameter settings>
As described above, the wireless communication devices constituting the ad hoc network set the access format and the first access destination for each MAS by transmitting and receiving beacon signals. Specifically, each wireless communication apparatus creates an access parameter list in which the access format of each MAS and information on the first access destination are described for each superframe. For example, a wireless communication device having data to be transmitted describes information on the MAS for transmitting data and the data transmission destination in an access parameter list, and transmits a beacon signal including information on the MAS for transmitting data and the data transmission destination to the surrounding wireless communication device. Send to communication device. In addition, the wireless communication device that has received the beacon signal including the data transmission information addressed to itself describes the MAS to which data is transmitted and the information of the data transmission source in the access parameter. Further, the wireless communication device that has received the beacon signal including the data transmission / reception information of the surrounding wireless communication device accesses the MAS in which the surrounding wireless communication device transmits / receives data and the information of the wireless communication device that performs data transmission / reception. Enter in the parameter list.

  Also, each wireless communication device can mutually coordinate data transmission / reception performed in the data transmission area by transmitting / receiving a beacon signal. Therefore, the wireless communication device describes its transmission information in the parameter list when the transmission time is changed by the beacon signal after the transmission information is described in the parameter when there is own transmission data. You may do it. That is, in this embodiment, after transmitting and receiving a beacon signal during the beacon period, an access parameter list that is reserved for data transmission and reception in the data transmission area is created. The wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment reliably performs data transmission / reception set by the beacon signal in preference to data transmission / reception other than reserved transmission / reception by performing access control based on the access parameter list. Is possible.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the setting status of the access parameters of the wireless communication apparatus 111. As shown in FIG. 5, the access parameter list 111 a of the wireless communication apparatus 111 describes the access format 151 and the first access destination 152 for each MAS number 150. MAS0 and MAS1 are areas in which the wireless communication apparatus 111 transmits and receives beacon signals, the “beacon period” is described in the access format, and information on the use status of MAS is described in the first access destination. The MAS 3 is set as its own transmission area where the wireless communication device 111 transmits data, and “self transmission” is set as the access format, and “wireless communication device 112” as the data transmission destination is set as the first access destination.

  Further, in MAS 13 and 14, since the setting for reception by the adjacent wireless communication device 112 is detected by the beacon signal, “access to neighboring device” is set as the access format, and “wireless communication device 112” is set as the first access destination. The In other MASs, since communication is not performed for the time being, “sleep” is described as the access type, and “none” is described as the first access destination.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an access parameter setting status of the wireless communication apparatus 112. As shown in FIG. 6, the access parameter list 112 a of the wireless communication apparatus 112 describes the access format 151 and the first access destination 152 for each MAS number 150. MAS0 and MAS1 are areas in which the wireless communication apparatus 112 transmits and receives beacon signals, the “beacon period” is described in the access format, and information on the use status of MAS is described in the first access destination. The MAS 3 is set as its own reception area where the wireless communication device 112 receives data, “self reception” as the access format, and “wireless communication device 111” as the data transmission source as the first access destination.

  Further, in MAS 5 to 8, since the setting for transmission by the adjacent wireless communication device 113 is detected by the beacon signal, “transmission of neighboring device” is set as the access type, and “wireless communication device 113” is set as the first access destination. The Also in the MASs 10 and 11, since the setting for reception by the adjacent wireless communication device 113 is detected by the beacon signal, “reception of neighboring device” is set as the access format, and “wireless communication device 113” is set as the first access destination.

  The MASs 13 and 14 are set as their own reception areas where the wireless communication device 112 receives data. The access format is “self reception”, and the first access destination is the “wireless communication device 113” that is the data transmission source. Is set. In other MASs, since communication is not performed for the time being, “sleep” is described as the access type, and “none” is described as the first access destination.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an access parameter setting status of the wireless communication apparatus 113. As shown in FIG. 7, the access parameter list 113 a of the wireless communication apparatus 113 describes the access format 151 and the first access destination 152 for each MAS number 150. MAS0 and MAS1 are areas in which the wireless communication device 113 transmits and receives beacon signals, the “beacon period” is described in the access format, and information on the use status of MAS is described in the first access destination. Since the MAS 3 detects a setting for reception by the adjacent wireless communication device 112 by using a beacon signal, “reception of neighboring device” is set as the access format, and “wireless communication device 112” is set as the first access destination. MAS 5 to 8 are set as a transmission area of the wireless communication device 113 for transmitting data, “Self-transmission” is set as the access format, and “Wireless communication device 114” as the data transmission destination is set as the first access destination. The

  Further, the MASs 10 and 11 are set as their own reception areas where the wireless communication device 113 receives data, the access format is “self reception”, and the first access destination is the “wireless communication device 114” that is the data transmission source. Is set. Further, the MASs 13 and 14 are set as their own transmission areas in which the wireless communication device 113 transmits data, the access format is “self transmission”, and the first access destination is the “wireless communication device 112” that is the data transmission destination. Is set. In other MASs, since communication is not performed for the time being, “sleep” is described as the access type, and “none” is described as the first access destination.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an access parameter setting status of the wireless communication device 114. As shown in FIG. 8, the access parameter list 114 a of the wireless communication device 114 describes the access format 151 and the first access destination 152 for each MAS number 150. MAS0 and MAS1 are areas in which the wireless communication device 114 transmits and receives beacon signals. A “beacon period” is described in the access format, and information on the use status of MAS is described in the first access destination. The MASs 5 to 8 are set as their own reception areas where the wireless communication device 114 receives data, the access format is “self reception”, and the first access destination is “wireless communication device 113” that is the data transmission source. Is done.

  The MASs 10 and 11 are set as their own transmission areas in which the wireless communication device 114 performs multicast communication, and “self transmission” is set as the access format and “multicast” is set as the first access destination. Since the MASs 13 and 14 have detected a setting for transmission by the adjacent wireless communication device 113 using a beacon signal, “transmission of neighboring devices” is set as the access format, and “wireless communication device 113” is set as the first access destination. In other MASs, since communication is not performed for the time being, “sleep” is described as the access type, and “none” is described as the first access destination.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting state of access parameters of the wireless communication apparatus 115. As shown in FIG. 9, the access parameter list 115 a of the wireless communication apparatus 115 describes the access format 151 and the first access destination 152 for each MAS number 150. MAS0 and MAS1 are areas in which the wireless communication apparatus 115 transmits and receives beacon signals, the “beacon period” is described in the access format, and information on the use status of MAS is described in the first access destination. Since the MASs 5 to 8 detect the setting for reception by the adjacent wireless communication devices 114 by the beacon signal, “reception of neighboring devices” is set as the access format, and “wireless communication device 114” is set as the first access destination. The MASs 10 and 11 are set as their own reception areas where the wireless communication device 115 receives data, the “self reception” is set as the access format, and the “wireless communication device 114” that is the data transmission source is set as the first access destination. Is done. In other MASs, since communication is not performed for the time being, “sleep” is described as the access type, and “none” is described as the first access destination.

  Next, an example of an access format set for each MAS will be described. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an access format described in the access parameter list. The access format described in the access parameter list is a parameter specified for each wireless communication apparatus to perform access control in units of MAS. The setting value 0 is an access type “sleep” and is a sleep state setting in which transmission / reception is not performed in the corresponding MAS. The set value 1 is set in the beacon period part, which is its own management area, in the access format “beacon period”. The set value 2 is set in the management area used in other groups in the access format “other beacon period”.

  The setting value 5 is set when the access format is “self transmission” and the self is in the time domain for data transmission. The set value 6 is set when the access format is “self reception” and the self is in the time domain for data reception. The set value 9 is set in the time domain in which data is transmitted by the adjacent communication device in the access format “transmission of neighboring device”. The set value 10 is set in the time domain in which data is received by the adjacent communication device in the access format “reception of neighboring device”. Other setting values 3, 4, 7, 8, and 11 to 15 may be prepared for future expansion, although the settings are not currently assigned. The priority of the access format for each MAS may be set according to the order of setting values set in the access format.

  In this way, the wireless communication devices 111 to 115 set their own data transmission time and transmission destination, and receive data and data from peripheral devices based on the information of beacon signals transmitted and received during the beacon periods of MAS0 and MAS1. When the transmission source is set and the data transmission / reception of the peripheral device is detected, the access type and the peripheral device are set. Then, access control for each MAS can be performed in accordance with the access parameter list shown in FIGS.

  The access parameter setting status of the wireless communication device has been described above. Next, a wireless communication apparatus that performs access control according to the access parameter list will be described with reference to FIGS.

<6. Wireless communication device access control>
11 to 14 are explanatory diagrams showing an example in which access control is executed in accordance with the access format and the first access destination described in the access parameter list.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing access control in the MAS to which the wireless communication apparatus 113 has set transmission. Here, the access format “self transmission” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 114” are set in the MAS of the access parameter list held by the wireless communication device 113. The access control when the wireless communication device 113 stores data to be transmitted to a plurality of wireless communication devices when the MAS arrives will be described. For example, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 113 stores transmission data addressed to the wireless communication device 112 and the wireless communication device 114.

  When the MAS in which the access type “self transmission” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 114” are set arrives, the wireless communication device 113 first addresses the wireless communication device 114 described in the first access destination. A transmission request (RTS) 300 is transmitted. After receiving the confirmation response (CTS) 302 from the wireless communication device 114, it transmits data (Data) 304 to be transmitted and receives an acknowledgment (ACK) 308. When the transmission to the wireless communication device 114 as the first access destination is completed, a transmission request (RTS) 310 is transmitted to the wireless communication device 112. Upon receipt of a confirmation response (CTS) 312 from the wireless communication apparatus 112, the actual data (Data) is transmitted, and an acknowledgment (ACK) 316 is received.

  As a result, communication between wireless communication devices reserved for use of the transmission path can be transmitted with priority over communication addressed to other wireless communication devices, and data can be transmitted reliably.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing access control in the MAS to which the wireless communication apparatus 113 has set reception. Here, the access format “self reception” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 112” are set in the MAS of the access parameter list held by the wireless communication device 113. The access control when data is transmitted from the plurality of wireless communication devices to the wireless communication device 113 when the MAS arrives will be described. For example, it is assumed that data is transmitted from the wireless communication device 112 and the wireless communication device 114 to the wireless communication device 113.

  The wireless communication device 113 receives an MAS in which the access format “self-reception” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 112” are set, and a transmission request (RTS) from a surrounding wireless communication device is the first access destination. It is determined whether it is from the “wireless communication apparatus 112” described in the above. For example, since the communication of the wireless communication device 111 is extended and the transmission path is not secured, transmission from the wireless communication device 112 is not started, and a transmission request (RTS) 322 is transmitted from the wireless communication device 114 to the wireless device 113. The The wireless communication device 113 that has received the transmission request (RTS) 322 from the wireless communication device 114 is the confirmation response (CTS) 323 because the transmission source of the transmission request (RTS) 322 is not the wireless communication device 112 that is the first access destination. Will not be returned. The wireless communication device 113 receives the transmission request (RTS) 324 from the wireless communication device 113 that is the first access destination, and returns an acknowledgment (CTS) 326. Then, it receives data (Data) 328 from the wireless communication device 112 and transmits an acknowledgment (ACK) 329.

  When the wireless communication device 113 receives the transmission request (RTS) 330 from the wireless communication device 113 after the reception from the wireless communication device 112 that is the first access destination is completed, the wireless communication device 113 sends a confirmation response (CTS) 332. Return it. Then, the data (Data) is received and an acknowledgment (ACK) is transmitted. As a result, communication between wireless communication devices reserved for use of the transmission path can be transmitted with priority over communication addressed to other wireless communication devices, and data can be transmitted reliably. Furthermore, when the communication preferentially performed in the MAS is completed, the transmission path can be effectively used in the MAS that has become idle by performing communication other than the communication.

  FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram illustrating access control in the MAS in which the wireless communication device 113 is set to perform transmission processing by surrounding wireless communication devices. Here, the access type “transmission of neighboring devices” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 112” are set in the MAS of the access parameter list held by the wireless communication device 113. A description will be given of access control when data is transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus 113 from the surrounding wireless communication apparatuses when the MAS arrives. For example, it is assumed that data is transmitted from the wireless communication device 114 when the MAS arrives.

  In the MAS in which the access format “transmission of neighboring devices” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 112” are set, it is necessary to control so that the transmission processing of the wireless communication device 112 is prioritized. As shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the data transmission processing of the wireless communication device 112 is not started when the communication of the wireless communication device 111 is extended and the corresponding MAS arrives. In this case, the wireless communication device 114 that has determined that the transmission path is free transmits a transmission request (RTS) 342 to the wireless communication device 113. However, since the wireless communication device 113 prioritizes the reception processing of the wireless communication device 112, the wireless communication device 113 does not return a confirmation response (CTS) to the wireless communication device 114. For example, when the wireless communication device 113 returns a confirmation response (CTS) to the wireless communication device 114, the communication of the wireless communication device 112 is not performed. When the wireless communication device 112 transmits a transmission request (RTS) to the wireless communication device 111, it is checked whether the transmission path is free. At this time, the wireless communication device 113 is communicating with the wireless communication device 114. Then, the wireless communication device 112 determines that the transmission path is not available and cannot send a transmission request (RTS) to the wireless communication device 111. As described above, the beacon signal causes the wireless communication device 112 to be unable to perform the reserved communication even though it has reserved to communicate with the wireless communication device 111 using the MAS.

  However, in the present embodiment, since communication described in the access parameter list is preferentially performed, if “access to neighboring device” is described in the access format and “wireless communication device 112” is described in the access destination, wireless communication is performed. It is possible to perform control so that communication of the communication device 112 is performed with priority. Therefore, by not returning the confirmation response (CTS) 344 of the wireless communication device 113, a transmission request (RTS) 346 of the wireless communication device 112 is transmitted, the wireless communication device 112 transmits data (Data) 350, and wireless communication After the communication of the device 112 is completed, if there is a transmission request (RTS) 362 from the wireless communication device 114, it responds to it and returns a confirmation response (CTS) 364. Then, the data (Data) 366 is received from the wireless communication device 114, and the receipt confirmation (368) is transmitted. Note that even when the wireless communication device 114 cannot communicate with the wireless communication device 113, the wireless communication device 114 can communicate with the wireless communication device 115 when the transmission path is free (354, 356, 358). 360).

  In this way, when a peripheral device is communicating with a wireless communication device other than itself, the communication between the wireless communication devices that have reserved the use of the transmission path should be prioritized by giving priority to the communication. Is possible.

  FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating access control in the MAS in which the wireless communication device 113 is set to perform reception processing by surrounding wireless communication devices. Here, the access type “reception of neighboring devices” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 112” are set in the MAS of the access parameter list held by the wireless communication device 113. A description will be given of access control when data is transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus 113 from the surrounding wireless communication apparatuses when the MAS arrives. For example, it is assumed that data is transmitted from the wireless communication device 114 when the MAS arrives.

  In the MAS in which the access format “reception of neighboring devices” and the first access destination “wireless communication device 112” are set, it is necessary to control the reception processing of the wireless communication device 112 to be given priority. As shown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the data reception processing of the wireless communication device 112 has not been started when the communication of the wireless communication device 111 is extended and the corresponding MAS arrives. In this case, the wireless communication device 114 that has determined that the transmission path is free transmits a transmission request (RTS) 342 to the wireless communication device 113. However, since the wireless communication device 113 prioritizes the reception processing of the wireless communication device 112, the wireless communication device 113 does not return a confirmation response (CTS) to the wireless communication device 114.

  For example, when the wireless communication device 113 returns a confirmation response (CTS) to the wireless communication device 114, the communication of the wireless communication device 112 is not performed. When the wireless communication device 112 receives a transmission request (RTS) 372 from the wireless communication device 111, the wireless communication device 112 checks whether the transmission path is free. At this time, the wireless communication device 113 is connected to the wireless communication device 114. When communicating, the wireless communication device 112 determines that the transmission path is not available and cannot send a confirmation response (CTS) to the wireless communication device 111. As described above, the beacon signal causes the wireless communication device 112 to be unable to perform the reserved communication even though it has reserved to communicate with the wireless communication device 111 using the MAS.

  However, in the present embodiment, since communication described in the access parameter list is preferentially performed, if “access to neighboring devices” is described in the access format and “wireless communication device 112” is described in the access destination, wireless communication is performed. It is possible to perform control so that communication of the communication device 112 is performed with priority. Therefore, by not returning the confirmation response (CTS) 373 of the wireless communication device 113, the confirmation response (CTS) 374 of the wireless communication device 112 is sent, the wireless communication device 112 receives the data (Data) 376, and wireless communication After the communication of the device 112 is completed, if there is a transmission request (RTS) 388 from the wireless communication device 114, it responds to it and returns a confirmation response (CTS) 390. Then, it receives data (Data) 392 from the wireless communication device 114 and transmits an acknowledgment (ACK) 394. Note that the wireless communication device 114 can communicate with the wireless communication device 115 when the transmission path is free even when the wireless communication device 114 cannot communicate with the wireless communication device 113 (380, 382, 384). 386).

  In this way, when a peripheral device is communicating with a wireless communication device other than itself, the communication between the wireless communication devices that have reserved the use of the transmission path should be prioritized by giving priority to the communication. Is possible.

  The access control of the wireless communication device has been described above. Next, a functional configuration of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described based on FIG.

<7. Functional configuration of wireless communication device>
FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the wireless communication apparatus includes an antenna 801, a high frequency analog processing block 802, a physical layer baseband processing block 803, an access control block 804, a timing control block 805, an access parameter list 806, , A beacon parameter list 807, a data buffer 808, a buffer management block 809, a user interface 810, a CPU 811, a data interface 812, and the like.

  The antenna 801 has a function of transmitting and receiving a predetermined high-frequency wireless signal on a wireless medium. The high frequency analog processing block 802 has a function of amplifying a signal to be transmitted and converting the high frequency signal. The physical layer baseband processing block 803 has a function of performing predetermined demodulation processing on the received signal to construct information bits and modulating the information bits to be transmitted to form a transmission signal.

  The access control block 804 is an example of an access control unit according to the present embodiment, and is a block that performs access control with surrounding communication devices in order to perform wireless communication. The access control block 804 is an example of a beacon signal transmission unit and a beacon signal reception unit according to the present embodiment. When the adjusted beacon signal transmission timing arrives, the beacon signal is transmitted via the antenna 801. It also has a function of wireless transmission or reception. The timing control block 805 has a function of controlling the access control timing according to the contents described in the access parameter list 806. As described above, the access parameter list 806 has a function of storing an access format in MAS units and an initial access destination, and is configured by a register or the like. The access control block 804 and the timing control block 805 can perform access control by referring to this access parameter list 806 when communicating with surrounding wireless communication apparatuses.

  The beacon parameter list 807 stores parameters described in the received beacon signal and includes a memory or the like. The data buffer 808 has a function of storing received data and data to be transmitted, and includes a memory or the like. The buffer management block 809 has a function of managing access to the data buffer 808 and a memory area.

  The user interface 810 is connected to the beacon parameter list 807 and the access parameter list 806 via the bus 1 and has a function of performing predetermined input and output. The CPU 811 has a function of controlling the wireless communication apparatus 800 and includes a time slot management unit 811a, an interface control unit 811b, and the like. The time slot management unit 811a is an example of a transmission time frame setting unit and a transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit according to the present embodiment, and is a superframe with a predetermined cycle configured by a plurality of time frames for transmitting signals. At least one time frame is set as a self transmission time frame in which the self transmits data, and a transmission destination wireless communication device that is a data transmission destination in the self transmission time frame is set. The time slot management unit 811a is also an example of a reception time frame setting unit and a transmission source wireless communication device setting unit according to the present embodiment, and is a superset of a predetermined cycle configured by a plurality of time frames for receiving signals. It has a function of setting at least one time frame of a frame as its own reception time frame for receiving data, and setting a transmission source wireless communication apparatus as a data transmission source in its own reception time frame. Furthermore, the time slot management unit 811a is an example of a transmission / reception time frame setting unit and a specific device setting unit according to the present embodiment, and is at least a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for transmitting and receiving signals. One time frame is set as a transmission / reception time frame of a surrounding wireless communication device in which the surrounding wireless communication device transmits / receives data, and a surrounding wireless communication device that transmits / receives data in the transmission / reception time frame of the surrounding device is specified. It has the function to set as.

  The data interface 812 is connected to the buffer management block 809 and the data buffer 808 via the bus 2 and has a function of transferring data at high speed with an application device to which a communication device is connected. For example, it may conform to a high-speed serial bus standard such as USB 2.0 or IEEE1394. The bus 2 is connected to the CPU 811 and has a function of executing a series of operations under the control of the CPU.

  The functional configuration of the wireless communication device 800 has been described above. Next, a wireless communication method of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

<8. Wireless communication method of wireless communication device>
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment. When the MAS start time arrives, the wireless communication device refers to the access format set in the access parameter list and the first access destination, and performs access control such as data transmission / reception.

  First, the wireless communication device determines whether the MAS is a MAS in a beacon period (S101). If it is determined in step S101 that the MAS is in the beacon period, it is determined whether it is the beacon slot timing for transmitting its own beacon signal (S102). If it is determined in step S102 that the transmission beacon slot timing is reached, a beacon signal is transmitted (S103).

  If it is determined in step S103 that the transmission beacon slot timing is not reached, a beacon signal is received. If a beacon signal is received (S104), a beacon parameter is acquired (S105). Based on the beacon parameter, it is determined whether there is a setting for reserved transmission addressed to itself (S106). If it is determined in step S106 that the reservation transmission addressed to itself is set, the MAS access format is set to "self reception" (S107), and the data transmission source is set as the first access destination. A source wireless communication device is set (S108).

  If it is determined in step S106 that there is no setting for reserved transmission addressed to itself, it is determined whether there is a setting for transmission or reception addressed to another wireless communication device (S109). If it is determined in step S109 that transmission / reception settings for other wireless communication devices are set, the MAS access format is set to “transmission / reception of neighboring devices” (S110), and further corresponds to the first access destination. Information on neighboring devices to be set is set (S111). If it is determined in step S109 that there is no transmission / reception setting addressed to another wireless communication apparatus, the process returns to S101, and the above process is repeated while the beacon period continues.

  If it is determined in step S101 that the MAS is not in the beacon period, it is determined whether or not the transmission is the MAS for which self transmission is set (S112). If it is determined in step S112 that the corresponding MAS is the MAS for which its own transmission is set, the first access destination information set in the parameter list is acquired (S113). Then, a transmission request (RTS) is transmitted to the wireless communication device set as the first access destination (S114), and when a confirmation response (CTS) is returned from the wireless communication device (S114), the data is stored. Transmit (S116). If no confirmation response (CTS) is returned in step S115, the transmission request (RTS) is retransmitted up to a predetermined number of times.

  At this time, if necessary, a receipt confirmation (ACK) may be returned, and if there is undelivered data, retransmission may be performed.

  After a series of transmissions to the first access destination is completed, it is determined whether there is a transmission to another wireless communication device (S117), there is transmission data, and data transmission is performed to the wireless communication device that is the transmission destination. If possible, the process proceeds to S114 to perform processing for transmitting the data.

  In step S117, if there is no transmission data or if transmission is not possible, it is determined whether there is a request from another wireless communication device (S118). In step S118, when a transmission request (RTS) from another wireless communication apparatus is received (S118), a confirmation response (CTS) is returned (S119), and data is received (S120). Further, at this time, it may be configured such that an acknowledgment (ACK) is returned as necessary to request retransmission of unreachable data.

  Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the corresponding MAS has been completed (S121). If completed, the process returns to S101, transitions to the next MAS process, and if not completed, the process returns to S118 to repeat a series of reception processes.

  If it is determined in step S112 that the transmission is not the MAS for which the own transmission is set, it is determined whether or not the reception is the MAS for which the reception is set (S122). If it is determined in step S122 that the MAS is set to receive itself, information on the wireless communication device described in the first access destination is acquired (S123). Then, a transmission request (RTS) from the corresponding wireless communication device is received (S124), an acknowledgment (CTS) is returned (S125), and data is received (S126).

  In step S124, if the RTS is not received from the corresponding device and the transmission request (RTS) from the corresponding wireless communication device is not received until a predetermined time (S127), the process proceeds to S118, and from other wireless communication devices. Respond to the request.

  If it is determined in step S122 that the MAS is not set to receive itself, it is determined whether or not the transmission / reception of the neighboring device is set to MAS (S128). If it is determined in step S128 that the transmission / reception of the neighboring device is the set MAS, the wireless communication device information described in the first access destination is acquired (S129), and transmission from the corresponding wireless communication device is performed. When a request (RTS) or confirmation response (CTS) is received, the communication end time is determined (S130). When the communication completion time elapses, the process proceeds to S121, and other wireless communication is performed as necessary. Responds to requests from the device.

  Similarly, when a transmission request (RTS) or confirmation response (CTS) from the corresponding wireless communication apparatus is not received until a predetermined time, the process proceeds to step S121 in the same manner, and a request from another wireless communication apparatus is made if necessary. respond.

  Further, when data transmitted from the connected application device is received at the interface of the communication device (S131), a search is made for a MAS in which sleep is set in its own MAS access format (S132), and further reception wireless communication is performed. A MAS that can be used is searched from the beacon parameter of the device, and the MAS to be used is set, and its own beacon parameter is constructed (S133). Then, the access format of the corresponding MAS in the access parameter is set to “Self-transmission” (S134), and further, information on the wireless communication device corresponding to the first access destination is described (S135), and the transmission use reservation is made. Set up.

  After performing these transmission MAS setting processes and when there is no acceptance of the data to be transmitted, the process returns to S101 and a series of processes are repeated.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the ad hoc network 100, the time used by the own or surrounding wireless communication device for communication is notified using the beacon signal, and the transmission use reservation setting is performed. Can reliably perform access control based on information described in the beacon signal. That is, it is possible to reliably transmit data to the corresponding wireless communication device at the time when the use of data transmission with the specific wireless communication device is decided by the beacon signal. In addition, at the time when use of data reception is decided with a specific wireless communication device by a beacon signal, a signal from the wireless communication device of the transmission source is received with priority over signals from other wireless communication devices. It becomes possible. Furthermore, at the time when data transmission / reception is decided with a specific wireless communication device, peripheral wireless communication devices that are not the data transmission / reception destination give priority to the communication of the wireless communication device performing the transmission / reception, and transmit / receive themselves. It becomes possible to refrain.

  Further, in the wireless communication method in which the access format and the first access destination are set in units of MAS and the data is reliably transmitted, the wireless communication device transmits a beacon signal at a predetermined time interval, This is also effective when the wireless communication apparatus performs reception and sets the transmittable time according to the signal reception. For example, even if it is not possible to grasp whether or not transmission from a wireless communication device existing in the surroundings is performed unless a beacon signal is received, by describing transmission reservation information in the beacon signal, a predetermined interval can be obtained. The time when data is transmitted can be set. Furthermore, by designating a wireless communication device that performs communication preferentially, it is possible to reliably perform communication of the wireless communication device designated at the corresponding time.

  For example, in a wireless communication method that receives a signal from a surrounding wireless communication device, counts down the time during which the wireless communication device is in operation, and transmits while performing the countdown, A counter corresponding to the number of communication devices is required. Therefore, there is a problem that the counter management and the access control processing become complicated and the circuit scale becomes enormous. However, even in this case, by using the wireless communication method according to the present embodiment, the transmission reservation information is described in the beacon signal, the time at which data is transmitted within a predetermined interval is set, and the communication is preferentially performed. If the wireless communication device that performs the above is designated, the wireless communication device designated at the corresponding time can be reliably communicated.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are of course within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  The present invention can be applied to a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication system, and a wireless communication method capable of performing transmission / reception reservation setting by a beacon signal.

It is explanatory drawing explaining the ad hoc network concerning embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of a schematic structure of the super frame in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the data transmission / reception in the super frame in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the frame structural example of the beacon signal in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting condition of the access parameter in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting condition of the access parameter in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting condition of the access parameter in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting condition of the access parameter in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting condition of the access parameter in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which showed the example of the access format described in the access parameter list | wrist in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the radio | wireless communication by which access control is carried out according to the access parameter list | wrist in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the radio | wireless communication by which access control is carried out according to the access parameter list | wrist in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the radio | wireless communication by which access control is carried out according to the access parameter list | wrist in the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the radio | wireless communication by which access control is carried out according to the access parameter list | wrist in the embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus in the embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a wireless communication method of the wireless communication apparatus in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

60 Beacon signal 61 MAC header information 62 Header check sequence (HCS)
63 Beacon payload information 64 Frame check sequence (FCS)
601 Frame control information 602 Notification device identifier 603 Source device identifier 604 Sequence control information 605 Access control information 606 Device specific information 607 Beacon position information 608 Peripheral device information 609 Device capability information 610 Reserved area information 611 Usage area information 612 Communication identification information 111a Access parameter list 151 Access type 152 First access destination 800 Wireless communication device 801 Antenna 802 High frequency analog processing block 803 Physical layer baseband processing block 804 Access control block 804
805 Timing control block 806 Access parameter list 807 Beacon parameter list 808 Data buffer 809 Buffer management block 810 User interface 811 CPU 811
812 Data interface

Claims (11)

In a wireless communication device constituting an ad hoc network:
A self transmission time frame setting unit that sets at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period configured of a plurality of time frames for transmitting a signal as a self transmission time frame in which the self transmits data; ;
A transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit that sets a transmission destination wireless communication device that is a data transmission destination in the transmission time frame of the device itself;
A beacon signal transmission unit that transmits a beacon signal including information on the transmission time frame of the self and information on the transmission destination wireless communication device to surrounding wireless communication devices;
An access control unit that preferentially controls access to the transmission destination wireless communication device set by the transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit when the self transmission time frame arrives;
A wireless communication device comprising: The access control unit
When the time set by the transmission time frame of the self arrives and there is a transmission addressed to other than the transmission destination wireless communication device set by the transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit,
The wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein transmission to a wireless communication device other than the transmission destination wireless communication device is performed after transmission to the transmission destination wireless communication device. An access parameter list creation unit for creating an access parameter list in which information of the transmission time frame of the self and information of the transmission destination wireless communication device are set for each time frame;
Further including
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the access parameter list is updated every superframe having a predetermined period. In a wireless communication device constituting an ad hoc network:
A beacon signal receiving unit that receives a beacon signal of a time used by surrounding wireless communication devices for communication;
When the transmission information addressed to itself is included in the beacon signal, at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for receiving the signal is received by the self. Own reception time frame setting part to be set in the reception time frame of;
A transmission source wireless communication device setting unit that sets a transmission source wireless communication device that is a transmission source of data in the reception time frame of itself;
An access control unit that preferentially controls access to the transmission source wireless communication device set by the transmission source wireless communication device setting unit when the self reception time frame has arrived;
A wireless communication device comprising: The access control unit
When there is a request from a source other than the source wireless communication device set by the source wireless communication device setting unit when the time frame in which the reception time frame of the self is set has arrived,
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein after receiving from the transmission source wireless communication apparatus, a request is received from a wireless communication apparatus other than the transmission source wireless communication apparatus. An access parameter list creation unit that creates an access parameter list in which the information of the reception time frame of the self and the information of the transmission source wireless communication device are set for each time frame;
Further including
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the access parameter list is updated every superframe having a predetermined period. In a wireless communication device constituting an ad hoc network:
A beacon signal receiving unit that receives a beacon signal of a time used by surrounding wireless communication devices for communication;
When the beacon signal includes transmission / reception information of the surrounding wireless communication device, at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for transmitting / receiving the signal is set as the surrounding wireless communication device. A transmission / reception time frame setting unit of a peripheral device that sets a transmission / reception time frame of a surrounding wireless communication device in which the communication device transmits / receives data;
A specific device setting unit that sets, as a specific device, a surrounding wireless communication device that transmits and receives data in a transmission / reception time frame of the peripheral device;
An access control unit that, when the surrounding transmission / reception time frame arrives, accesses the transmission / reception of the specific device set by the specific device setting unit with priority over the own transmission / reception;
A wireless communication device comprising: The access control unit
Until the time frame in which the transmission / reception time frame of the peripheral device is set arrives and the end of transmission or reception from the specific device set by the specific device setting unit is detected, own data transmission / reception is refrained. The wireless communication device according to claim 7. An access parameter list creation unit that creates an access parameter list in which information on a transmission / reception time frame of the specific device and information on the specific device are set for each time frame;
Further including
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the access parameter list is updated for each superframe having a predetermined period. In a wireless communication system in which a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device can perform wireless communication:
The first wireless communication device includes:
A self transmission time frame setting unit that sets at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period configured of a plurality of time frames for transmitting a signal as a self transmission time frame in which the self transmits data; ;
A transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit that sets a second wireless communication device as a data transmission destination in the transmission time frame of the device;
A beacon signal transmission unit for transmitting a beacon signal including information on the own transmission time frame and information on the transmission destination wireless communication device to a second wireless communication device;
An access control unit that preferentially controls access to the second wireless communication device set by the transmission destination wireless communication device setting unit when the self transmission time frame arrives;
With
The second wireless communication device is:
When the beacon signal transmitted from the first wireless communication apparatus includes transmission information addressed to the first wireless communication device, at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for receiving the signal And a reception time frame setting unit that sets a reception time frame of its own for receiving data;
A transmission source wireless communication device setting unit that sets the first wireless communication device as a data transmission source in the reception time frame of the device;
An access control unit that preferentially controls access to the first wireless communication device set by the transmission source wireless communication device setting unit when the own reception time frame arrives;
A wireless communication system comprising: Setting at least one time frame of a superframe having a predetermined period composed of a plurality of time frames for wirelessly transmitting signals as a self transmission time frame in which the self transmits data;
Setting a transmission destination wireless communication device to be a data transmission destination in the self transmission time frame;
Transmitting a beacon signal including information on the own transmission time frame and information on the transmission destination wireless communication device to surrounding wireless communication devices;
Preferentially accessing the destination wireless communication device set by the destination wireless communication device setting unit when the self transmission time frame has arrived;
A wireless communication method comprising:

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