JP2007036421A - Wireless communication apparatus, computer program, and wireless communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless communication apparatus capable of autonomously and distributingly forming an adhoc network even in the absence of a piconet coordinator and an adaptor connected to a host communication apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The wireless communication apparatus includes: a beacon signal analysis section 804 that grasps a time when each of surrounding wireless communication apparatuses acts as the host communication apparatus on the basis of information included in a beacon signal from each of the surrounding wireless communication apparatuses; a host setting section 816 that sets a time when its own wireless communication apparatus acts as the host communication apparatus at a time when each of the surrounding wireless communication apparatuses does not act as the host communication apparatus; and a transaction setting section 809 that sets a transaction group for the time when its own wireless communication apparatus acts as the host communication apparatus. The adhoc network can autonomously and distributingly be built up without the need for designating a particular wireless communication apparatus as the host communication apparatus by distributingly arranging the times when the respective wireless communication apparatuses act as the host communication apparatus. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a computer program, and a wireless communication method, and in particular, a wireless communication device, a computer program, and the like for constructing an autonomous distributed ad hoc network using a wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus) system. And a wireless communication method.

  Currently, standardization work for wireless USB is being performed, and a technique for wirelessly transmitting application data flowing through an existing USB interface is disclosed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-362544 (Patent Document 1) discloses a device serving as a wireless USB device adapter, and discloses a method of assigning an appropriate channel time when a wired USB transaction is transferred wirelessly. ing.

  Further, in the specification being studied as a wireless USB standard, an adapter connected to a wireless communication device functioning as a host (hereinafter referred to as a host communication device) and a wireless communication device functioning as a device (hereinafter referred to as a device communication device). A configuration is considered in which two communication devices called adapters are prepared and the USB channel of the adapter connected to the device communication device is set based on the control of the adapter connected to the host communication device. ing.

  As one of the functions of the wireless USB, a state called a dual role device is defined in which a function of an adapter connected to a host communication device and a function of an adapter connected to a device communication device are mounted in combination.

JP 2004-362544 A

  However, in the method of assigning an appropriate channel time described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-362544, the channel time to be used is assigned from a piconet coordinator called PNC, and communication based on the assignment is performed. There is a problem that the USB communication channel cannot be set unless the communication device to be set is set.

  In addition, when two communication devices are prepared: an adapter connected to the host communication device and an adapter connected to the device communication device, the USB channel setting mechanism mounted on the host communication device or the host communication device is connected. If the USB channel is not set from the adapter to be used, there is a problem that the device communication apparatus cannot perform transmission on the USB channel.

  When connecting in a state called a wireless USB dual-role device, it is necessary to implement the function of an adapter connected to the host communication device on all communication devices. There was a problem that time would be shortened.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is autonomously distributed even if there is no piconet coordinator called PNC or an adapter connected to a host communication device. A new and improved ad hoc network that can communicate with each other and that can operate with low power consumption when connected in a so-called wireless USB dual-role device. A wireless communication device, a computer program, and a wireless communication method are provided.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to a first aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication device, the surrounding wireless communication device operates as a host communication device based on information included in a beacon signal from the surrounding wireless communication device. The beacon signal analysis unit that grasps the time (reservation area (DRP)) to be performed, and the time when the surrounding wireless communication apparatus does not operate as the host communication apparatus (the reservation area) is set as the time when the self operates as the host communication apparatus A wireless communication device is provided, comprising: a host setting unit; and a transaction setting unit that sets a transaction group for a time when the self operates as a host communication device.

  According to such a wireless communication device, the time during which each wireless communication device operates as a host communication device is distributed to be arranged in an ad hoc manner without specifying a specific wireless communication device as a host communication device. A network can be constructed.

  Furthermore, a device setting unit that sets a time during which the device operates as a device communication device, a micro schedule management command analysis unit that analyzes a micro schedule management command from a host communication device during the time when the device operates as a device communication device, An access control unit that performs access control based on a micro-schedule management command from the host communication device. According to such a wireless communication device, it is possible to disperse and arrange the time during which each wireless communication device operates as a device communication device, and an ad hoc network can be constructed in an autonomous and distributed manner.

  Further, a micro-schedule management command generating unit that generates a micro-schedule management command (MMC) for securing a communication path with the surrounding wireless communication device is provided, and the transaction setting unit includes one micro-schedule management command. The designated transaction group may be limited to one device communication apparatus. According to such a wireless communication device, by limiting the number of device communication devices specified by the MMC to one as a transaction group, a wireless USB system can be realized with the implementation of a common platform defined by WiMedia_Alliance.

  Setting of a transaction group by the transaction setting unit can be performed as in the following setting examples 1 to 4, for example.

  (Setting Example 1) When there is no communication demand with another wireless communication device, the transaction setting unit may set an input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to the transaction group. Each wireless communication device sets its own reserved area and sets the token (Token_I) in the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) for accepting requests of other wireless communication devices existing in the reserved area. Thus, it is possible to identify a wireless communication apparatus with self-addressed transmission in a short time.

  (Setting Example 2) When the transaction setting unit receives information (data, some request, etc.) at the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself, the transaction setting unit sends the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself to the transaction group. May be additionally set. If there is a response from the device communication device, the communication area can be secured at the timing when the device becomes the host communication device by increasing the number of token (Token_I) settings in the input data stage (In_Data_Phase). it can.

  (Setting Example 3) When the device setting unit receives a request at the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself, the device setting unit performs setting to operate as a device communication device at a time when the counterpart wireless communication device becomes a host communication device. The transaction setting unit may set the output data stage (OUT_Data_Phase) addressed to the transaction setting unit during the time when the device operates as the device communication apparatus. If there is a response from the wireless communication device, if the corresponding wireless communication device operates as a host communication device and the token (Token_O) of the output data stage addressed to itself (OUT_Data_Phase) is set, the reception By performing the above, it is possible to secure a communication area at the timing when the other party becomes the host communication device.

  (Setting Example 4) The device setting unit performs setting to operate as a device communication device at a time when the partner wireless communication device becomes a host communication device when communication demand with another wireless communication device occurs. The transaction setting unit may set the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) designated by the micro schedule management command from the host communication device. When an area around other communication apparatuses as a host communication apparatus is acquired in advance and a request addressed to the wireless communication apparatus is received, the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) specified in the reserved area is received. ) Token (Token_I) is used to transmit a request addressed to the wireless communication device, so that each wireless communication device receives only the time it becomes a host communication device, thereby reducing power consumption. Operation can be realized. Thereafter, at the timing when the partner wireless communication device operates as the host communication device, the setting of the token (Token_I) of the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself is acquired, and communication is performed at that timing, so that the necessary communication path Can be set in a short time.

  (Setting Example 5) When a communication demand occurs with another wireless communication device, the transaction setting unit itself becomes a host communication device and sets an output data stage (OUT_Data_Phase) for the counterpart wireless communication device. You may do it. By setting the token (Token_O) of its own output data stage (OUT_Data_Phase) to the partner wireless communication device at the timing when it operates as the host communication device, and communicating with the corresponding wireless communication device, A communication path can be set.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication apparatus according to the first aspect, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the computer program is recorded. Is done. Here, the computer program may be described in any programming language. In addition, as a recording medium, for example, a recording medium that is currently used as a recording medium capable of recording a program, such as a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, or a flexible disk, or any recording medium that is used in the future should be adopted. Can do.

  In order to solve the above problem, according to a second aspect of the present invention, in a wireless communication method, the surrounding wireless communication device operates as a host communication device based on information included in a beacon signal from the surrounding wireless communication device. A beacon signal analyzing step for grasping the time to perform, a host setting step for setting a time during which the surrounding wireless communication device does not operate as a host communication device (reserved area) during which the device operates as a host communication device, and the self Including a transaction setting step of setting a transaction group for a time during which the device operates as a host communication device.

  According to such a wireless communication method, the time during which each wireless communication device operates as a host communication device is distributed, so that an ad hoc is performed in an autonomous and distributed manner without designating a specific wireless communication device as a host communication device. A network can be constructed.

  Furthermore, a device setting step for setting a time during which the device operates as a device communication device, a micro schedule management command analysis step for analyzing a micro schedule management command from a host communication device during the time when the device operates as a device communication device, An access control step of performing access control based on a micro-schedule management command from the host communication device. According to such a wireless communication method, it is possible to disperse and arrange the time during which each wireless communication apparatus operates as a device communication apparatus, and an ad hoc network can be constructed in an autonomous and distributed manner.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to construct an ad hoc network in an autonomous and distributed manner without assigning a specific communication device to the host by distributing the time during which each communication device operates as a host. can do. In this way, even if there is no piconet coordinator called PNC or an adapter connected to the host communication device, it is possible to form an ad hoc network in an autonomous and distributed manner and communicate with each other. When connecting in a state called a dual roll device, it is possible to operate with low power consumption.

  Exemplary embodiments of a wireless communication device, a computer program, and a wireless communication method according to the present invention will be described below 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.

(First embodiment)
(1) Configuration example of wireless ad hoc network (Fig. 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a wireless ad hoc network based on autonomous distributed control.

  Communication device # 1 (111) can communicate with communication device # 2 (112) within radio wave reachable range 121. Communication device # 2 (112) can communicate with communication devices # 1 (111), # 3 (113), and # 4 (114) within the radio wave reachable range 122. Communication device # 3 (113) can communicate with communication devices # 2 (112), # 7 (117), and # 8 (118) within the radio wave reachable range 123. Communication device # 4 (114) can communicate with communication devices # 2 (112) and # 5 (115) within the radio wave reachable range 124. Communication device # 5 (115) can communicate with communication devices # 4 (114), # 6 (116), and # 7 (117) within the radio wave reachable range 125. Communication device # 6 (116) can communicate with communication devices # 5 (115) and # 7 (117) within the radio wave reach 126. Communication device # 7 (117) can communicate with communication devices # 3 (113), # 5 (115), # 6 (116), and # 8 (118) within the radio wave reachable range 127. Communication device # 8 (118) can communicate with communication devices # 3 (113) and # 7 (117) within the radio wave reachable range 128.

(2) Host operation of each communication device and device connection example (Fig. 2)
FIG. 2A to FIG. 2H show an operation of each of the communication devices # 1 to # 8 as a host communication device and an example of connection to the device communication device.

  FIG. 2A shows that during the time when the communication device # 1 operates as a host communication device, the communication device # 2 within the radio wave reachable range operates as a device communication device. FIG. 2B shows that the communication device # 1, the communication device # 3, and the communication device # 4 within the radio wave reachable range are the device communication devices during the time when the communication device # 2 is operating as the host communication device. Indicates that it works. FIG. 2 (c) shows that during the time when the communication device # 3 is operating as a host communication device, the communication device # 2, the communication device # 7, and the communication device # 8 within the radio wave reachable range are used as device communication devices. Indicates that it works. FIG. 2D shows that during the time when the communication device # 4 is operating as the host communication device, the communication device # 2 and the communication device # 5 within the radio wave reach range operate as the device communication device. ing. FIG. 2 (e) shows that the communication device # 4, the communication device # 6, and the communication device # 7 within the radio wave reachable range are the device communication devices during the time when the communication device # 5 is operating as the host communication device. Indicates that it works. FIG. 2 (f) shows that during the time when the communication device # 6 operates as the host communication device, the communication device # 5 and the communication device # 7 within the radio wave reach range operate as the device communication device. ing. FIG. 2G shows communication device # 3, communication device # 5, communication device # 6, and communication device # 8 within the radio wave reach during the time that communication device # 7 is operating as a host communication device. Indicates that the device operates as a device communication apparatus. FIG. 2 (h) shows that during the time when the communication device # 8 is operating as a host communication device, the communication device # 3 and the communication device # 7 within the radio wave reach range operate as a device communication device. ing.

(3) Superframe configuration example (Fig. 3)
FIG. 3 shows an example of a super frame configuration. FIG. 3 shows a state in which a superframe period is defined at a predetermined time and is further subdivided into 256 media access slots (MAS) from MAS-0 to MAS-255. In the superframe, a beacon period as a management area and a data transmission area are arranged.

  In the beacon period, beacon slots are set at predetermined intervals, and parameters are exchanged with surrounding communication devices using a beacon slot unique to each communication device. The length of this beacon period is determined depending on the number of communication devices existing around that time. In this embodiment, a total of twelve from beacon slot # 0 (BS0) to beacon slot # 11 (BS11) are prepared using media access slots MAS-0 to MAS-3.

(4) Beacon slot usage setting example (Fig. 4)
FIG. 4 shows an example of usage settings for beacon slots. Here, the result of selecting the beacon slot that is used by each communication device that constitutes one network group by notifying the beacon slot that is not being used with surrounding communication devices is shown. .

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, communication device # 1 transmits its beacon in beacon slot 3 (BS3), communication device # 2 transmits its beacon in beacon slot 8 (BS8), and communication device # 3. Transmits its own beacon in beacon slot 6 (BS6), communication device # 4 transmits its beacon in beacon slot 2 (BS2), and communication device # 5 transmits its beacon in beacon slot 4 (BS4). Communication device # 6 transmits its own beacon in beacon slot 9 (BS9), communication device # 7 transmits its beacon in beacon slot 5 (BS5), and communication device # 8 transmits beacon slot 7 (BS9). BS7) transmits its own beacon.

  Furthermore, beacon slot 0 (BS0), beacon slot 1 (BS1), beacon slot 10 (BS10), and beacon slot 11 (BS11) are reserved for the use of communication devices newly entering this network. It has a configuration.

(5) Configuration example of beacon frame (FIG. 5)
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of the beacon frame. A beacon frame is transmitted from each communication device during a beacon period (FIG. 3), which is a superframe management area. By transmitting and receiving beacon frames, parameters are exchanged with surrounding communication devices.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the beacon frame 50 includes MAC header information 51, a header check sequence (HCS) 52, beacon payload information 53, and a frame check sequence (FCS) 54.

  Further, the MAC header information 51 includes frame control information 501, destination information 502 as a destination address, source information 503 as a source address, sequence control information 504 such as a sequence number, and necessary for access control. And access control information 505 in which parameters are described.

  The beacon payload information 53 includes beacon specific information 506, which is a parameter specific to the communication device, a beacon period usage status 507 indicating use of a beacon slot, capability information 508 indicating capability of the communication device, and a partner communication device. A reception request 509 indicating that data to be transmitted exists and available MAS information 510 indicating available MAS positions.

  Further, as DRP reservation information 511, a type 512 indicating a reservation type such as a private reservation or a device designation reservation, a device 513 for designating a partner device communication apparatus to be reserved, a MAS 513 indicating a reserved MAS, etc. Consists of.

  Note that these information elements included in the beacon payload information may be added or deleted as necessary to form a beacon frame.

(6) Configuration example of MMC frame (FIG. 6)
In the present embodiment, an access setting method using a micro schedule management comment (MMC) is assumed. FIG. 6 shows a configuration example of the MMC frame. The MMC frame is transmitted from the host communication device. The device communication apparatus is configured to specify wireless USB access control parameters by receiving the MMC frame.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the MMC frame 60 includes MAC header information 61, a header check sequence (HCS) 62, MMC payload information 63, and a frame check sequence (FCS) 64.

  Further, the MAC header information 61 includes frame control information 601, destination information 602 that is a destination address, source information 603 that is a source address, sequence control information 604 such as a sequence number, and necessary for access control. And access control information 605 in which parameters are described.

  Also, the MMC payload information 63 includes a WUSB code 606 indicating that the frame is dedicated to wireless USB, an MMC code 607 indicating that the frame is an MMC frame, a next MMC start time 608 describing the transmission timing of the next MMC, , WUSB_Ch. Time 609.

  Further, as the transaction information 610, an attribute 611 indicating the type and attribute information of the transaction such as IN data and OUT data, a start time 612 indicating the start time of the transaction, and a device 613 that clearly indicates a device communication apparatus that requests the transaction. And an ACK 614 indicating a sequence number to be transmitted, if necessary.

  Each of these information elements included in the MMC payload information may be added or deleted as necessary to form an MMC frame.

(7) Transaction group setting example (1) (FIG. 7)
FIG. 7 shows a setting example (1) of a transaction group (wireless USB channel type) according to the present embodiment. Here, a configuration for transmitting data from the device communication apparatus to the host communication apparatus when the transaction group that can be specified by the host communication apparatus with one MMC is limited to one device communication apparatus is shown.

  In other words, the MMC includes a token (Token_I) indicating the input data stage (In_Data_Phase), describes a device communication apparatus for which access control is permitted, and is a sequence in which the device communication apparatus transmits.

  Note that the ACK return from the host communication device to the device communication device can be substituted by designating the sequence in which the host communication device requests transmission next time using the MMC.

  By setting the token (Token_I) in the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) for each communication device to set its own reserved area and accept the requests of other communication devices existing in the reserved area, It is possible to identify a wireless communication apparatus with self-addressed transmission in a short time.

  In addition, when information (data, some request, etc.) is received at the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself, an input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself may be additionally set in the transaction group. If there is a response from the device communication device, the communication area can be secured at the timing when the device becomes the host communication device by increasing the number of token (Token_I) settings in the input data stage (In_Data_Phase). it can.

(8) Transaction group setting example (2) (Fig. 8)
FIG. 8 shows a setting example (2) of the transaction group according to this embodiment. In this case, when the transaction group that can be specified by the host communication device with one MMC is limited to one device communication device, data is transmitted from the host communication device to the device communication device, and the device communication device receives the data from the device communication device. The example of a structure for performing communication which returns is shown.

  In other words, the MMC includes a token (Token_O) indicating an output data stage (Out_Data_Phase), a handshake (Hdsk_O) indicating an output handshake stage (Out_Handshake_Phase), a device communication apparatus for which access control is permitted, and a transmission sequence. It has become.

  When there is a response from the communication device, if the token (Token_O) of the output data stage (Out_Data_Phase) addressed to itself is set in the area where the corresponding communication device operates as the host communication device, the communication device receives the response. Thus, the communication area can be secured at the timing when the other party becomes the host communication device.

  In addition, by setting the token (Token_O) of its own output data stage (OUT_Data_Phase) to the partner wireless communication device at the timing when the device operates as the host communication device, and communicating with the corresponding wireless communication device, It is possible to set a communication path.

(9) Transaction group setting example (3) (Fig. 9)
FIG. 9 shows a setting example (3) of the transaction group according to the present embodiment. Here, a configuration example is shown for bidirectional communication between the host communication device and the device communication device when the transaction group that can be specified by one MMC is limited to one device communication device.

  That is, the MMC includes a token (Token_O) indicating an output data stage (Out_Data_Phase), a token (Token_I) indicating an input data stage (In_Data_Phase), and a handshake (Hdsk_O control) including an output handshake stage (Out_Handshake_Phase). The device communication apparatus described is described and is a sequence for transmission.

  Further, the input handshake stage (In_Handshake_Phase) is configured to be substituted by designating the sequence to be transmitted from the host communication device when the token (Token_I) is designated.

  When a surrounding communication device acquires an area in which the communication apparatus operates as a host communication apparatus in advance and receives a request addressed to the communication apparatus, its own input data stage (In_Data_Phase) specified in the reserved area By using the token (Token_I) setting and sending a request addressed to the communication device, each communication device receives only the time it takes to become a host communication device, thereby realizing low power consumption operation. can do. Thereafter, when the partner communication device operates as a host communication device, the setting of the token (Token_I) of the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) addressed to itself is acquired, and communication is performed at that timing. Settings can be set in a short time.

(10) Autonomous distributed arrangement example of operation time as a host communication device (FIG. 10)
FIG. 10 shows an example of an autonomous distributed arrangement of operation times as the host communication device according to the present embodiment. Here, a configuration is shown in which each communication device shares a common beacon period, and the host periods in which the communication devices operate as host communication devices in other areas are distributed.

  In addition, by defining a device period other than the host period, the device itself is configured to operate as the device communication apparatus during the period when the other communication apparatus is the host communication apparatus.

  In this example, if there are eight communication devices # 1 to # 8, each communication device sets a reserved area (DRP) and sets a host period.

  Communication device # 1 that uses the second beacon slot has a host period of approximately 1 / 8th position of the superframe, and communication device # 2 that uses the seventh beacon slot has approximately 3/4 position of the superframe. The communication period # 3 that uses the fifth beacon slot is the host period, and the communication period # 4 that uses the first beacon slot is the first half of the superframe. The communication device # 5 that uses the third beacon slot as the host period and the communication device # 6 that uses the quarter of the superframe as the host period and the communication device # 6 that uses the eighth beacon slot The communication device # 6 that uses the fourth beacon slot with the 7/8 position as the host period is the superframe. The communication apparatus # 8 that uses the sixth beacon slot as the host period, and the position of 3/8 as the host period, and the area other than that as the device period is set as the host period. It has become.

  In the example shown in FIG. 10, for each of the communication apparatuses # 1 to # 8, the relative position of the beacon transmission position within the beacon period and the relative position of the host period (reserved area) within the data transmission area Although it corresponds, this invention is not limited to this. Any timing can be set as the host period (reserved area) as long as it can be controlled so that it can function as the host communication device when other communication devices do not function as the host communication device. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the length of the host period (reserved area) is constant, but the length of the host period (reserved area) can be set arbitrarily, and for each communication device May be different.

(11) Configuration example of wireless communication device (FIG. 11)
FIG. 11 is a configuration example of a wireless communication device.
The wireless communication apparatus 800 includes an antenna 801 for transmitting and receiving a predetermined high-frequency wireless signal on a wireless medium, and a high-frequency wireless that amplifies and converts a received high-frequency signal into a received signal, amplifies a signal to be transmitted, and converts it into a high-frequency signal. It includes a treatment unit 802 and a physical layer baseband unit 803 that performs predetermined demodulation processing on a desired received signal to construct information bits, modulates information bits to be transmitted, and transmits transmission signals. .

  Further, as a feature of the present embodiment, a beacon signal analysis unit 804 that analyzes beacons of communication devices existing in the vicinity, a beacon generation unit 805 that generates its own transmission beacon, information described in the collected beacons, and its And a parameter storage unit 806 that stores information on the time when the communication device operates as a host communication device.

  In addition, a MAS access control unit 807 that sets access control as a host communication device or device communication device in a predetermined media access slot (MAS) unit, and a micro schedule management command (MMC) for access control as a host communication device ) And a transaction setting unit 809 for designating a device communication apparatus accessible by the MMC and a transaction type.

  Furthermore, an MMC command analysis unit 810 that analyzes a micro-schedule management command (MMC) transmitted from the host communication device as a device communication device, a timing setting unit 811 that sets transmission / reception according to the schedule described in the MMC command, It is comprised including.

  In addition, a data buffer 812 that temporarily stores data to be transmitted and received, a buffer management unit 813 that manages the storage position, and transmission data from application devices connected to the communication device are received, In addition, an application interface 814 for transferring received data to the application device is included.

  Further, a user interface 815 for displaying the operation status of the communication device to the user and receiving a necessary instruction from the user, and a time slot management unit as internal information for managing a series of operations of the communication device. And a CPU 816 that includes a host setting unit and a device setting unit to perform control.

(12) Example of operation flow of wireless communication device (FIG. 12)
FIG. 12 shows an example of an operation flow of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  First, it is its own beacon period (S101), and if it is the position of the transmission beacon slot (S102), beacon information to be transmitted is acquired (S103) and a beacon is transmitted (S104).

  If the beacon is not a transmission beacon slot in the self beacon period, a beacon reception process is performed, and if a beacon is received (S105), the communication device is registered in transaction information, and a transaction for the communication device Is set (S106).

  Then, the received beacon information is acquired (S107), and if there is a DRP setting that operates as a host communication device (S108), it is registered as a time during which the communication device operates as a host communication device (S109).

  Further, when the time setting conflicts with the setting of the host time of its own (S110), it is determined whether it is necessary to change the setting of its own DRP, and if the change is necessary (S111), it is set by itself. The host time setting is changed (S112), and the setting is updated as its own beacon information (S113).

  Here, in addition to the above flow, when there is no beacon reception, there is no time setting for operation as a host communication device, there is no conflict with its own host time, even when there is no need to change its own DRP, S101 The series of beacon reception processing is repeated until the beacon period ends.

  If it is time for itself to operate as a host communication device (S114), transaction information is acquired (S115), a communication device that permits access control is specified, and an MMC command is transmitted (S116).

  Here, if a response addressed to itself is received (S117), the reception of the host is set for the host time of the other party (S118), and the input data stage (In_Data_Phase) is additionally set within the host time of the host. (S119).

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to S126, where reception is performed during the operation time of the host communication device as the counterpart.

  If the data to be transmitted is received from the application device via the interface (S120), the data is stored in the buffer (S121), the amount of transmission data is acquired, and when the predetermined amount is exceeded ( In step S122, transmission is set for the host time of the destination, and command reception is set for the host time (S123).

  Further, if the destination is set to receive the host time (S124), the output data stage (Out_Data_Phase) is set within the host time (S125).

  Here, in cases other than the above, even if transmission data is not specified to be accepted, transmission data amount is not excessively specified, or reception is not set in the self-host time, the process proceeds to S126.

  When the time set for reception comes (S126), the receiving operation is performed, and when the MMC command is received from the host communication device (S127), if the transmission access addressed to itself is set (S128), The presence / absence of data to be transmitted is confirmed. If there is data (S129), the data is transmitted (S130).

  Here, if there is no remaining data in the buffer (S131), the setting of reception at the time of the host communication device as the counterpart is canceled (S132). Thereafter, even when there is data in the buffer, the process proceeds to S101 and a series of operations are repeated.

  If there is a setting for receiving access addressed to itself (S133), data reception is performed (S134), data is stored in the buffer (S135), and if the other party has set reception at the own host time (S136), The output data stage (Out_Data_Phase) is set within its own host time (S137). Thereafter, the process proceeds to S101 and a series of operations are repeated.

  If it is not the reception operation time and there is no reception of data addressed to itself for a predetermined time (S138), the reception setting of the partner host operation time is canceled (S139).

  Here, in cases other than the above, even when there is data reception addressed to itself for a predetermined time, when there is no setting for self-addressed reception access, even when there is no setting for reception at the other party in its own host time, S101 Move on to repeat the series of operations.

  The configuration and operation (wireless communication method) of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present embodiment have been described above. Such a wireless communication apparatus can cause a computer to function as a wireless communication apparatus by incorporating a computer program for realizing the above functions into the computer. Such a computer program can be distributed in the market in a form recorded on a predetermined recording medium (for example, a CD-ROM) or downloaded via an electronic network.

  The preferred embodiments of the wireless communication device, the computer program, and the wireless communication method according to the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood that it belongs.

  The present invention can be used for a wireless communication device, a computer program, and a wireless communication method, and in particular, a wireless communication device for constructing an autonomous distributed ad hoc network using a wireless USB (Universal Serial Bus) system, It can be used for a computer program and a wireless communication method.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a wireless ad hoc network. It is explanatory drawing which shows the host operation | movement of each communication apparatus, and a device connection example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a super-frame structure. It is explanatory drawing which shows the usage setting example of a beacon slot. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a beacon frame. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a MMC frame. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (1) of a transaction group setting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (2) of a transaction group setting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example (3) of a transaction group setting. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of autonomous distribution arrangement | positioning of the operation time as a host communication apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of a radio | wireless communication apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of operation | movement flow of a radio | wireless communication apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

100 Ad hoc networks 111, 112,..., 118 Wireless communication devices 121, 121,..., 128 Radio wave reachable range 800 Wireless communication device 801 Antenna 802 High-frequency wireless treatment unit 803 Physical layer baseband unit 804 Beacon signal analysis unit 805 Beacon generation unit 806 Parameter storage unit 807 MAS access control unit 808 MMC command generation unit 809 Transaction setting unit 810 MMC command analysis unit 811 Timing setting unit 812 Data buffer 813 Buffer management unit 814 Application interface 815 User interface 816 CPU

Claims (11)

In a wireless communication device,
A beacon signal analyzing unit for grasping a time during which the surrounding wireless communication device operates as a host communication device based on information included in a beacon signal from the surrounding wireless communication device;
A host setting unit for setting a time during which the surrounding wireless communication device does not operate as a host communication device;
A transaction setting unit for setting a transaction group of the time when the self operates as a host communication device;
A wireless communication device comprising: further,
A device setting unit for setting a time during which the device operates as a device communication device;
A micro-schedule management command analysis unit that analyzes a micro-schedule management command from the host communication device at a time when the self operates as a device communication device;
An access control unit that performs access control based on a micro-schedule management command from the host communication device;
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: And a micro-schedule management command generator for generating a micro-schedule management command for securing a communication path with the surrounding wireless communication device,
2. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transaction setting unit limits a transaction group designated by one micro-schedule management command to one device communication apparatus.   The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transaction setting unit sets an input data stage addressed to the transaction group when there is no communication demand with another wireless communication apparatus. .   The wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein the transaction setting unit additionally sets the input data stage addressed to the transaction group when the information is received at the input data stage addressed to the transaction setting section. apparatus. The device setting unit, when receiving a request at the input data stage addressed to itself, performs setting to operate as a device communication device at a time when the partner wireless communication device becomes a host communication device,
3. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the access control unit performs reception setting when an output data stage addressed to the access control unit is set at a time when the access control unit operates as the device communication apparatus. The device setting unit performs setting to operate as a device communication device at a time when the partner wireless communication device becomes a host communication device when communication demand with another wireless communication device occurs.
3. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the access control unit sets transmission at its own input data stage designated by a micro schedule management command from the host communication apparatus.   The transaction setting unit, when communication demand with another wireless communication device is generated, becomes a host communication device and sets an output data stage for a partner wireless communication device. The wireless communication device according to 1.   A computer-readable computer program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication device according to claim 1. In the wireless communication method,
A beacon signal analyzing step for grasping a time during which the surrounding wireless communication device operates as a host communication device based on information included in a beacon signal from the surrounding wireless communication device;
A host setting step for setting a time during which the surrounding wireless communication device does not operate as a host communication device;
A transaction setting step for setting a transaction group for a time in which the self operates as a host communication device;
A wireless communication method comprising: further,
A device setting process for setting a time during which the device operates as a device communication device;
A micro-schedule management command analyzing step of analyzing a micro-schedule management command from the host communication device at a time when the self operates as a device communication device;
An access control step for performing access control based on a micro-schedule management command from the host communication device;
The wireless communication method according to claim 10, comprising:

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