JP2008092053A - Communication control unit, radio communication device, radio network system, and communication path/communication method selection method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select the optimum communication method and a communication path when direct communication cannot be made between two radio communication devices and communication quality is extremely low. <P>SOLUTION: A radio network system has first and second radio communication devices, and a communication control device. The communication control device has a database for storing information on the communication quality between the first and second radio communication devices. The first radio communication device has a means for transmitting a signal for measuring the quality of communication with the second radio communication device, and a means for selecting the optimum communication method and the communication path to the second radio communication device, based on the information of the database of a communication control unit. The second radio communication device receives a signal for measuring the quality of communication from the first radio communication device to measure the communication quality, and for transmitting information on a result to the communication control unit. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless network system, and a communication route / communication method selection method, for example, an optimal communication route when a certain wireless communication device attempts to communicate with another wireless communication device. And can be applied to the selection of communication methods.

  Conventionally, between wireless communication devices, if communication was attempted but communication could not be performed due to radio wave conditions, etc., it was necessary to switch to another communication path or method after detecting a timeout with an upper protocol such as an application. Therefore, there was a problem that communication could not be started immediately.

  In addition, since it is not possible to switch to another communication path or communication method unless a timeout is detected by a higher-level protocol such as an application, the throughput is lowered by continuing to use even a communication path or communication method with extremely low communication quality. There was also a problem.

For this reason, in Patent Document 1, in communication between a radio base station having a plurality of communication antennas and a radio communication terminal, communication quality is measured in advance to select an optimum antenna for communication. A method is described in which communication can be started immediately using an optimal antenna.
JP 2004-112619 A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, it is only possible to select an optimal antenna in a single communication path of two devices, a radio base station and a radio communication terminal, and between the radio base station and the radio communication terminal. It was a precondition for communication quality measurement that communication between the two was possible.

  Therefore, even when direct communication between wireless communication devices is not possible or when the communication quality is extremely low, the communication quality between them is measured in advance and the optimal communication method and communication path are selected to immediately communicate. A communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless network system, and a communication path / communication method selection method that can be started are desired.

  The communication control device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes (0) a first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device, and communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. The communication control device in a wireless network system comprising a communication control device having means for controlling the communication device, wherein: (1) the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device with respect to the first wireless communication device; Communication quality measurement start instructing means for transmitting a signal instructing start of communication quality measurement with the wireless communication device; and (2) communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. A communication quality information database that stores information relating to (3) information relating to communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device transmitted from the second wireless communication device; Based on the communication quality information A communication quality information database updating means for updating information stored in the database; and (4) a communication quality information transmitting means for transmitting the information of the communication quality information database to the first wireless communication apparatus. And

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided (0) a first wireless communication apparatus, a second wireless communication apparatus, and a communication between the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus. The first communication control device in a wireless network system comprising a communication control device having means for controlling the communication is a wireless communication device to which (1) the communication quality with the second wireless communication device is Communication quality measurement signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal for measurement to the second wireless communication device; and (2) the wireless communication device and the second wireless communication provided by the communication control device. It has a communication method and a communication method / communication route selection means for selecting a communication route optimal for communication with the second wireless communication device based on information on communication quality between the devices.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided (0) a first wireless communication apparatus, a second wireless communication apparatus, and a communication between the first wireless communication apparatus and the second wireless communication apparatus. The second communication control apparatus in a wireless network system comprising a communication control apparatus having means for controlling the communication is a wireless communication apparatus to which (1) the communication quality transmitted from the first wireless communication apparatus is It has a communication quality measuring means for receiving a signal for measurement, measuring the communication quality, and transmitting the result to the communication control device.

  The communication path / communication method selection method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention includes (0) the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device when transmitting data from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device. Selection of optimum communication path and communication method from the first wireless communication apparatus to the second wireless communication apparatus by the communication control apparatus having a communication quality information database storing information on communication quality between the wireless communication apparatuses. A communication path / communication method selection method, wherein: (1) the communication control device transmits a signal instructing start of communication quality measurement to the first wireless communication device; and (2) the first A second step in which the first wireless communication device transmits a signal for measuring communication quality toward the second wireless communication device upon receiving the signal transmitted in step 1; (3) above A third step in which the second wireless communication apparatus receives the signal transmitted in step (b) and measures the communication quality; and (4) information on the communication quality measured in the third step. A fourth step in which the second wireless communication apparatus transmits to the communication control apparatus; and (5) the communication control apparatus that has received the information transmitted in the fourth step stores information in the communication quality information database. A fifth step of updating, (6) a sixth step in which the communication control device transmits information in the communication quality information database to the first wireless communication device, and (7) a sixth step. The first wireless communication device that has received the transmitted information includes a seventh step of selecting a communication path and a communication method that are optimal for communication with the second wireless communication device. .

  According to the present invention, even when direct communication between wireless communication devices is not possible or when the communication quality is extremely low, the communication quality between them is measured in advance and the optimum communication method or communication path is selected and immediately It becomes possible to start communication.

(A) First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a communication path / communication method selection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless network system according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the first wireless network system is broadly divided into a communication control device 1.1 and a plurality of wireless communication devices 1.2 (in FIG. 1, two wireless communication devices 1.2a and 1.2b are taken out. Are shown).

  The communication control device 1.1 controls the operation of measuring the communication quality between the two wireless communication devices 1.2, and has a function of notifying the wireless communication device 1.2 of the measurement result. It has a processing unit 1.1a, a communication system control unit 1.1c, and a communication quality management database 1.1d.

  The communication control processing unit 1.1a has a function of controlling communication with the wireless communication device 1.2 and includes a communication antenna 1.1b.

  The communication system control unit 1.1c transmits a signal for controlling the operation of the communication quality measurement process to the wireless communication device 1.2, and transmits a control signal necessary between the two wireless communication devices 1.2. A function of relaying and communicating, a function of receiving a communication quality measurement result from the receiving-side wireless communication device 1.2b and updating information of the communication quality management database 1.1d based on the information, a communication quality management database 1. It has a function of notifying 1d information to the wireless communication device 1.2.

  The communication quality management database 1.1d has a function of storing information related to communication quality between the two wireless communication devices 1.2, has a structure as shown in FIG. , Information on the receiving side communication device identification 202, communication availability 203, and communication quality 204 is stored.

  The transmission side communication device identification 201 is information indicating information such as an IP address and a computer name for specifying the transmission side wireless communication device 1.2a. The reception side communication device identification 202 is information indicating information such as an IP address and a computer name for specifying the reception side wireless communication device 1.2b. The communication availability 203 is information indicating whether communication from the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus 1.2a to the reception-side wireless communication apparatus 1.2b is possible. For example, the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus 1.2a and the reception-side wireless communication apparatus 1 .2b is displayed as “possible” when direct communication is possible, and “not possible” is displayed when direct communication is not possible. The communication quality 204 is information indicating the communication quality when communication is performed from the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b. For example, the communication quality 204 is displayed as a numerical value. Shall.

  A plurality of wireless communication devices 1.2 are present in the wireless network system 1 and are devices that perform two-way communication wirelessly, such as a wireless LAN access point and a personal computer with a wireless LAN adapter. Hereinafter, the operation and the like will be described focusing on the two wireless communication devices 1.2 of the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b. It is assumed that the computer name of the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 1.2a is “DEV1” and the computer name of the reception side wireless communication apparatus 1.2b is “DEV2”.

  Each wireless communication device 1.2 (1.2a, 1.2b) has both configurations for receiving and transmitting. However, in the following description, the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a is only necessary for the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2, and the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b is necessary for the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2. The configuration will be described by taking as an example the case of having only the configuration and performing data transmission from the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b.

  The transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a is a device that wirelessly transmits data to the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b, and includes a transmission-side communication control processing unit 1.2c. The transmission-side communication control processing unit 1.2c has a function of controlling communication with the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b and the communication control device 1.1, and includes a communication antenna 1.2d.

  The transmission-side communication control processing unit 1.2c transmits communication quality measurement data for measuring communication quality measurement to the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b. The communication quality measurement data is arbitrary test data, and is data of contents and number of times determined by the communication method and protocol used between the two wireless communication devices 1.2.

  The transmission side communication control processing unit 1.2c determines whether direct communication with the reception side wireless communication device 1.2b is possible based on information in the communication quality management database 1.1d. The determination of whether or not direct communication is possible is, for example, that direct communication is possible when the communication possibility 203 is “permitted”, and direct communication is impossible when “not possible”.

  The reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b is a device that receives data transmitted wirelessly from the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a, and includes a reception-side communication control processing unit 1.2e.

  The reception-side communication control processing unit 1.2e has a function of controlling communication with the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a and the communication control device 1.1, and includes a communication antenna 1.2d.

  The reception-side communication control processing unit 1.2e receives the communication quality measurement data from the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a, measures the communication quality and determines whether communication is possible, and also determines the communication quality measurement result. Is transmitted to the communication control device 1.1. The measurement of communication quality is carried out according to the standard determined by the communication method and protocol used, for example, it is quantified based on the strength of the received signal, error occurrence rate, etc. The higher the value, the higher the communication quality. When no signal can be received, it is set to “0”. Whether communication is possible is determined according to a communication method or protocol used between the two wireless communication devices 1.2. For example, if the communication quality measurement result is a numerical value equal to or higher than the threshold value, the communication is determined to be “permitted”, and if it is smaller than the threshold value, it is determined to be “impossible”.

(A-2) Operation of First Embodiment Next, various operations of the wireless network system of the first embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described.

  FIG. 3 shows the operation of measuring the communication quality and determining the possibility of direct communication between the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b in the wireless network system of the first embodiment. Is.

  First, communication with the transmission-side radio communication device 1.2a is performed from the communication control device 1.1 to the reception-side radio communication device 1.2b by the processing of the communication system control unit 1.1c of the communication control device 1.1. A communication quality measurement start request signal requesting that quality measurement should be started is transmitted (S301), and communication quality measurement is also started from the communication control device 1.1 to the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a. A request signal is transmitted (S302).

  Thereby, the communication quality measurement data is transmitted from the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 1.2a to the reception side wireless communication apparatus 1.2b (S303).

  In the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b, based on the communication status of the received communication quality measurement data, communication quality measurement and determination of communication availability, which will be described later, are performed (S304). The communication quality measurement result and the communication availability information are transmitted from 2b to the communication control device 1.1 (S305).

  Information between the two wireless communication devices to be processed in the communication quality management database 1.1d is received from the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b by the communication system control unit 1.1c of the communication control device 1.1. It is updated based on the result of the communication quality measurement process (S306).

  The update contents of the communication quality management database 1.1d at this time are “DEV1” for the computer name of the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a and “DEV2” for the computer name of the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b. For communication availability 203 in which the transmission side communication device identification 201 is “DEV1” and the reception side communication device identification 202 is “DEV2”, information on the measurement result of communication quality in step S304, communication quality 204 is step Information on the availability of communication determined in S304 is stored.

  When the update operation for the communication quality management database 1.1d is completed, information on the measurement result of the communication quality is transmitted from the communication control device 1.1 to the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a (S307).

  Based on the communication quality measurement result transmitted from the communication control device 1.1, the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a determines whether to communicate directly when communicating with the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b. To do. That is, it is determined that direct communication is performed if the communication enable / disable information is “permitted”, and no direct communication is performed if “not possible”.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations for measuring communication quality and determining whether direct communication is possible in the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b in step S304.

  The reception-side wireless communication apparatus 1.2b receives the communication quality measurement start request signal from the communication control apparatus 1.1, and then receives the communication quality measurement start signal from the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus 1.2a within a predetermined time. If no data has been received, the communication quality measurement process is terminated as “not possible” for the communication availability and “0” for the communication quality because no signal has been received (S401, S406).

  When the communication quality measurement data is received from the transmission side wireless communication device 1.2a within a predetermined time, the reception side wireless communication device 1.2b measures the communication quality (S401, S402). It is assumed that the communication quality measurement result is a value X.

  The reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b determines whether or not communication with the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a is possible based on the communication quality measurement result value X (S403).

  If it is determined that the communication is possible, the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b ends the communication quality measurement process with “possible” for the communication availability and the value X for the communication quality as a result (S404). On the other hand, when it is determined that communication is not possible, the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b ends the communication quality measurement process with the result of “impossible” for communication availability and the value X for communication quality. (S405).

(A-3) Effect of First Embodiment According to the first embodiment, the communication control device 1.1 is interposed between two wireless communication devices 1.2 (1.2a and 1.2b). By determining the possibility of direct communication, even if direct communication is not possible or the communication quality is extremely low, it is possible to communicate by relaying another wireless communication device or reducing the communication speed. It is possible to take measures such as communication in advance, and it is possible to immediately start communication and improve throughput.

(B) Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a communication route / communication method selection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(B-1) Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless network system of the second embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference of the configuration of the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be described.

  The transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a of the first embodiment has a single communication antenna 1.2d, but the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a in the second embodiment includes a plurality of communication antennas 1.2a. It differs in having a communication antenna 2.2d. That is, the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a of the second embodiment has N communication antennas 2.2d (2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N).

  Information for identifying the communication antenna 2.2d used for data transmission is included in the data for communication quality measurement transmitted to the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b by the transmission-side communication control processing unit 2.2c. The point is different from the first embodiment. Each communication antenna 2.2d (2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N) is assigned an antenna identification ID. For example, “1” is set as the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 2.2d-1. "," N "is added as the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 2.2d-N.

  The data for measuring the communication quality transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a is, for example, data having a structure as shown in FIG. That is, it has header information 901, transmission side communication device antenna identification 902, and communication quality measurement test data 903.

  The header information 901 is control information required depending on the communication method and protocol used between the two wireless communication devices 2.2. The header information 901 includes information on the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b. IP address, computer name, etc. are included. The transmission-side communication device antenna identification 902 indicates the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 2.2d (2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N) used by the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a for data transmission. . The communication quality measurement test data 903 includes data determined by a communication method and protocol used between the two wireless communication apparatuses 2.2.

  In the case of the second embodiment, the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a has a communication antenna management database 2.2e.

  The communication antenna management database 2.2e is a database for managing the antenna 2.2d used when the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a communicates with the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b, and is shown in FIG. As described above, information on the reception side communication device identification 701, the transmission side antenna identification 702, and the communication availability 703 is stored.

  The receiving side communication device identification 701 is information such as an IP address and a computer name for specifying the receiving side wireless communication device 2.2b. The transmission side antenna identification 702 is antenna identification ID information of the communication antenna 2.2d used when communicating from the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 2.2a to the reception side wireless communication apparatus 2.2b. Similar to the first embodiment, the communication availability 703 is information indicating whether direct communication is possible between the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b.

  In the case of the second embodiment, when the transmission-side communication control processing unit 2.2c communicates directly with the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b, the stored content is based on the information in the communication antenna management database 2.2e. The communication antenna 2.2d indicated by is selected and used for communication.

  The reception-side wireless communication apparatus 2.2b in the second embodiment is the reception-side wireless communication apparatus .b in the first embodiment. It differs from 2b in the following points.

  The reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b has a communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h. The communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h is used for communication by the communication antennas 2.2d (2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N) of the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b and the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a. Is temporarily stored for communication quality measurement. As shown in FIG. 8, information on the transmission side communication device identification 801, transmission side antenna identification 802, communication availability 803, and communication quality 804 is stored. Storing.

  The transmission side communication device identification 801 indicates information such as an IP address and a computer name for specifying the transmission side wireless communication device 2.2a. The transmission side antenna identification 802 is an antenna identification ID of the antenna 2.2d used for transmission of communication quality measurement data in the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 2.2a. Communication availability 803 and communication quality 804 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The reception-side communication control processing unit 2.2f receives the communication quality measurement data transmitted from the plurality of communication antennas 2.2d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a, and measures the communication quality. The function of storing the information of the communication quality measurement result in the communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h, and the information stored in the communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h as the communication quality measurement result are transmitted to the communication control device 2.1. It has a function.

  The communication control device 2.1 in the second embodiment differs from the communication control device 1.1 in the first embodiment in the following points.

  The communication quality management database 2.1d is different from that of the first embodiment in that it includes information related to the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 2.2d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a. As shown in FIG. 6, the communication quality management database 2.1d stores information on a transmission side communication device identification 601, a reception side communication device identification 602, a transmission side antenna identification 603, communication availability 604, and communication quality 605. .

  The transmission side antenna identification 603 is information on the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 2.2d used when communicating from the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 2.2a to the reception side wireless communication apparatus 2.2b. The transmission side communication device identification 601, the reception side communication device identification 602, the communication availability 604, and the communication quality 605 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  Based on the information in the communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h, the communication system control unit 2.1c selects which communication antenna 2... For communication between the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b. It is determined whether it is optimal to use 2d (2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N), and information on the transmitting-side antenna identification 603, communication availability 604, and communication quality 605 is updated. As the communication antenna 2.2d optimum for communication, for example, the communication antenna 2.2d having the communication quality 605 of “Yes” and the highest communication quality 605 is selected.

(B-2) Operation of Second Embodiment Next, various operations of the wireless network system of the second embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 10 shows a communication antenna 2.2d optimum for communication by measuring the communication quality between the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b in the wireless network system according to the second embodiment. The operation | movement which selects is shown.

  The communication control unit 2.1c of the communication control device 2.1 sends a communication quality measurement start request from the communication control device 2.1 to the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b and the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a. Signals are transmitted sequentially (S1001, S1002).

  As a result, the number of antennas 2.2d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a is transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b via the communication control device 2.1. (S1003, S1004). Since the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a has N communication antennas 2.2d, the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a sets “N” as the number of antennas to the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b. Send.

  Thereafter, communication quality measurement data is sequentially transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b using the antennas 2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N ( S1005).

  In the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b, based on the received communication quality measurement data, communication quality is measured and communication availability is determined as described later (S1006). The content of the communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h is transmitted as communication quality measurement result information from 2b to the communication control device 2.1 (S1007).

  In the communication control device 2.1, based on the content of the received communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h, it is determined which communication antenna 2.2d is optimally used in the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a. (S1008). For example, when the communication quality value X of the communication antenna 2.2d-N is the largest among the communication quality values of the communication antennas 2.2d-1 to 2.2d-N, the communication antenna 2.2d-N Is determined as the optimum communication antenna. Hereinafter, an example of the determination result will be described.

  Information stored in the communication quality management database 2.1d is updated based on the determination result of the optimum communication antenna (S1009). In this update, the transmission side communication device identification 601 is “DEV1”, the reception side communication device identification 602 is “DEV2”, the antenna identification 603 is “N”, the communication availability 604 is “possible”, and the communication quality 605 is the value X. Updated to

  Thereafter, the content of the communication quality management database 2.1d is transmitted as a result of the communication quality measurement from the communication control device 2.1 to the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a (S1010). As a result, the content of the communication antenna management database 2.2e is updated based on the received content of the communication quality management database 2.1d in the transmitting-side wireless communication device 2.2a (S1011). In this update, the receiving communication device identification 701 is updated to “DEV1”, the corresponding transmitting antenna identification 702 is updated to “N”, and the communication availability 703 is updated to “enabled”.

  Thereafter, when communication is performed from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b, the communication antenna management database 2.2e is referred to and the communication antenna 2.2d-N is used.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a communication quality measurement processing procedure in the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b in step S1006.

  First, the communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h is initialized in the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b (S1101). For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the initialization secures a table area of “N” rows, which is the number of communication antennas 2.2d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a, and the transmission-side communication device identification 801 includes All, “DEV1”, which is the computer name of the transmitting side wireless communication device 2.1a, is inserted, a number from 1 to N is inserted in the antenna identification 802, and “impossible” is inserted in all communication availability. The value “0” is inserted for all communication quality.

  The reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b ends the communication quality measurement process when a predetermined time has elapsed after receiving the communication quality measurement start request signal, and the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a receives the signal from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a within a predetermined time. When communication quality measurement data is received, the communication quality is measured (S1102, S1103). Here, as described above, it is assumed that the communication quality value X of communication using the communication antenna 2.2d-N is the highest value.

    The reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b determines whether or not communication with the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a is possible (S1104), and updates the contents of the communication quality measurement processing table 2.2h based on the determination result. (S1105, S1106).

  When it is determined that communication with the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a is “permitted”, for example, in the case of update based on data transmitted using the communication antenna 2.2d-N, the antenna identification 802 is “ N ”is updated with the information of the communication availability 803 corresponding to“ available ”and the information of the communication quality 804 updated to the value X (S1105). On the other hand, when it is determined that communication with the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a is “impossible”, for example, in the case of update based on data transmitted using the communication antenna 2.2d-N, The antenna identification 802 is updated to “N”, the corresponding communication enable / disable 803 information is updated to “enabled”, and the communication quality information is updated to the value X (S1106).

  Thereafter, the reception-side wireless communication apparatus 2.2b returns to the process of step S1102, repeats the loop operation of steps S1102 to S1106 until a predetermined time elapses, and ends the communication quality measurement process when the predetermined time elapses. .

(B-3) Effects of Second Embodiment According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  That is, even when the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a has a plurality of communication antennas 2.2d, it is possible to immediately start communication and improve throughput as in the first embodiment. Further, when direct communication is possible between the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b, communication can be performed using the optimal communication antenna 2.2d. Further, the throughput can be improved.

(C) Third Embodiment Hereinafter, a third embodiment of a communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a communication path / communication method selection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(C-1) Configuration of Third Embodiment FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless network system of the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference of the configuration of the third embodiment from that of the second embodiment will be described.

  The receiving-side radio communication device 3.2b in the third embodiment is different from the receiving-side radio communication device 2.2b in the second embodiment in the following points.

  In the second embodiment described above, only the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a has a plurality of communication antennas 2.2d, and the reception-side wireless communication device 2.2b has a single communication antenna 2.2g. However, in the third embodiment, the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b also has a plurality (here, M) of communication antennas 3.2g (3.2g-1 to 3.2g-M). It is different in point.

  The reception-side communication control processing unit 3.2f receives the communication quality measurement data from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a via each communication antenna 3.2g-1 to 3.2g-M, and the communication quality Is to measure.

  The communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h includes information related to the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 3.2g of the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b, and thus the communication quality measurement processing table 2.h of the second embodiment. Different from 2h. Here, each communication antenna 3.2g-1 to 3.2g-M is assigned an ID for antenna identification. For example, the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 3.2g-1 is “1”, and the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 3.2g-M is “M”.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h stores information on a transmission side communication device identification 1501, transmission side antenna identification 1502, reception side antenna identification 1503, communication availability 1504, and communication quality 1505. Yes.

  The reception-side antenna identification 1503 is information on the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 3.2d used for receiving the communication quality measurement data. Note that the transmission-side communication device identification 1501, the transmission-side antenna identification 1502, the communication availability 1504, and the communication quality 1505 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a has a communication antenna management database 3.2i. The communication antenna management database 3.2i is a database for managing which antenna 3.2g is used when the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b receives data from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a. As shown in FIG. 17, information of a transmission side communication device identification 1701, a transmission side antenna identification 1702, and a reception side antenna identification 1703 is stored.

  The transmission side communication device identification 1701 is information such as an IP address and a computer name for specifying the transmission side wireless communication device 3.2a. The transmission side antenna identification 1702 is antenna identification ID information of the communication antenna 3.2d used when transmitting data from the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 3.2a to the reception side wireless communication apparatus 3.2b. The reception-side antenna identification 1703 is antenna identification ID information of the antenna 3.2g used when the reception-side wireless communication apparatus 3.2b receives data from the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus 3.2a.

  The reception-side communication control processing unit 3.2f receives data from the communication antenna 3.2g determined based on information in the communication antenna management database 3.2i when data is received from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a.

  The transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a in the third embodiment is different from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a in the second embodiment in the following points.

  The communication antenna 3.2g of the receiving side communication device 3.2b of the data transmission destination is identified in the data for communication quality measurement transmitted by the transmitting side communication control processing unit 3.2c to the receiving side wireless communication device 3.2b. This is different from that of the second embodiment in that information for doing so is included.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 16, data for measuring communication quality transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device 2.2a includes header information 1601, transmission-side communication device antenna identification 1602, reception-side communication device antenna identification 1603, Communication quality measurement test data 1604 is included.

  The reception side communication device antenna identification 1603 is a communication antenna 3.2g (2.2d-1 to 2.2d-M) of the reception side wireless communication device 3.2b to which the transmission side wireless communication device 3.2a intends to transmit data. The antenna identification ID attached to is shown. Since the header information 1601, the transmitting-side antenna identification 1602, and the communication quality measurement test data 1604 are the same as those in the second embodiment, description thereof is omitted.

  The communication antenna management database 3.2e is different from that of the second embodiment in that it includes information related to the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 3.2g of the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b. As illustrated in FIG. 14, the communication antenna management database 3.2e stores information on a reception side communication device identification 1401, a transmission side antenna identification 1402, a reception side antenna identification 1403, and a communication availability 1404.

  The reception-side antenna identification 1403 is antenna identification ID information of the communication antenna 3.2g that is used when the reception-side wireless communication apparatus 3.2b receives data from the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus 3.2a. The reception side communication device identification 1401, the transmission side antenna identification 1402, and the communication enable / disable 1404 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The transmission-side communication control processing unit 3.2c is configured to combine the communication antenna 3.2d and the communication antenna 3.2g based on information in the communication antenna management database 3.2e when communicating with the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b. Is selected, and data transmission is performed using the antenna.

  The communication control device 3.1 in the third embodiment is different from the communication control device 2.1 in the second embodiment in the following points.

  The communication quality management database 3.1d is different from that of the second embodiment in that it includes information related to the antenna identification ID of the communication antenna 3.2g of the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication quality management database 3.1d includes a transmission-side communication device identification 1301, a reception-side communication device identification 1302, a transmission-side antenna identification 1303, a reception-side antenna identification 1304, a communication availability 1305, and a communication quality 1306. Stores information.

  The reception-side antenna identification 1304 is antenna identification ID information of the communication antenna 2.2g used when the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b receives data from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a. The transmission-side communication device identification 1301, the reception-side communication device identification 1302, the transmission-side antenna identification 1303, the communication availability 1305, and the communication quality 1306 are the same as those in the second embodiment, and thus description thereof is omitted.

  The communication system control unit 3.1c is a communication antenna that is optimal for communication between the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b based on the information in the communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h. The combination of 3.2d and the communication antenna 3.2g is determined, and the information of the transmission side antenna identification 1303 and the reception side antenna identification 1304 is updated.

(C-2) Operation of the Third Embodiment Next, various operations of the wireless network system of the third embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 18 illustrates a communication antenna (3. 3) that measures the communication quality between the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b in the wireless network system according to the third embodiment. The operation | movement which selects about the combination of 2d, 3.2g) is shown.

  A communication quality measurement start request signal is transmitted from the communication control device 3.1 to the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b by the communication system control unit 3.1c of the communication control device 3.1. Are sequentially transmitted (S1801, S1802).

  As a result, information on the number (N) of antennas 3.2d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a is transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b. It is transmitted via (S1803, S1804).

  On the other hand, information on the number (M) of antennas 3.2g included in the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b is transmitted from the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b to the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a. It is transmitted via (S1805, S1806).

  Thereafter, data for communication quality measurement is transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b using the communication (transmission) antennas 3.2d-1 to 3.2d-N. Then, the data is sequentially transmitted to each communication (reception) antenna 3.2g-1 to 3.2g-M (S1807).

  At this time, the communication quality measurement data for the M communication antennas 3.2g of the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b is transmitted from the N communication antennas 3.2d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a. Therefore, it is transmitted a total of N × M times.

  In the reception side wireless communication device 3.2b, based on the received communication quality measurement data, communication quality measurement and communication availability determination are executed as described later (S1808). The processing result is transmitted from .2b to the communication control device 3.1 (S1809). This processing result is transmitted by transmitting the contents of the communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h.

  In the communication control device 3.1, based on the content of the received communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h, which communication antenna is used when communicating from the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a to the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b. Whether the combination of (3.2d, 3.2g) is optimal is selected (S1810). For example, if the measurement result when using the communication antenna 3.2d-N and the communication antenna 3.2g-M is optimal, the communication antenna 3.2d-N and the communication antenna 3. The 2g-M combination is selected. In the following description, it is assumed that this combination is optimal.

  Then, in the communication control device 3.1, the content of the communication quality management database 3.1d is updated based on the optimal combination of communication antennas (S1811). The update here is the optimum communication antenna 3.2d-N and communication antenna 3.d-N. Depending on the combination of dg-M, the transmitting communication device identification 1301 is “DEV1”, the receiving communication device identification 1302 is “DEV2”, the corresponding transmitting antenna identification 1303 is “N”, and the receiving antenna identification 1304 is. Is updated to “M”, communication availability 1305 is updated to “enabled”, and communication quality 1306 is updated to the value X.

  Thereafter, the content of the communication quality management database 3.1d is transmitted as a communication quality measurement result from the communication control device 3.1 to the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a (S1812), and the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a Based on the received contents of the communication quality management database 3.1d, the contents of the communication antenna management database 3.2e are updated (S1813). In the update at this time, the communication quality management database 3.1d has the contents described above, so that the receiving-side communication device identification 1401 is “DEV2”, the transmitting-side antenna identification 1402 is “N”, and the receiving-side antenna identification is 1403 is updated to “M”, and communication availability 1404 is updated to “enabled”.

  In addition, the content of the communication quality management database 3.1d is transmitted as a communication quality measurement result from the communication control device 3.1 to the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b (S1814). .2b, the content of the communication antenna management database 3.2i is updated based on the content of the received communication quality management database 3.1d (S1815).

  With this update, the transmission side communication device identification 1701 is updated to “DEV1”, the transmission side antenna identification 1702 is updated to “N”, and the reception side antenna identification 1703 is updated to “M”.

  Thereafter, when data is transmitted from the transmitting side wireless communication device 3.2a (DEV1) to the receiving side wireless communication device 3.2b (DEV2), the communication antenna management database (3.2e, 3.2i) is referred to. A combination of a communication antenna 3.2d-N and a communication antenna 3.2g-M is used.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a communication quality measurement processing procedure in the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b in step S1808.

  First, the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b initializes the communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h (S1901). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, “N” × “, which is obtained by multiplying the number of communication antennas 3.2 d of the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2 a by the number of communication antennas 3.2 g of the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2 b. The table area of the “M” line is secured, “DEV1”, which is the computer name of the transmitting-side wireless communication device 3.1a, is inserted in the transmitting-side communication device identification 1501, and “impossible” is inserted in all the communication enable / disable 1504 Then, all “0” s are inserted into the communication quality 1505, and (1, 1), (2, 1),..., (N, 1), (N) are added to the transmission side antenna identification 1502 and the reception side antenna identification 1503. 1, 2),... (N, M), values listed in a permutation are inserted.

  Next, the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b ends the communication quality measurement process when a predetermined time has elapsed since the reception of the communication quality measurement start request signal, and the transmission-side wireless communication device within the predetermined time. When communication quality measurement data is received from the communication device 3.2a, the communication quality is measured (S1902, S1903).

  Thereafter, the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b determines whether or not communication with the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a is possible (S1904), and based on the determination result, the communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h. Is updated (S1905, S1906).

  When it is determined that the communication is “possible” and the update is based on the data transmitted from the communication antenna 3.2d-N to the communication antenna 3.2g-M, the communication quality measurement processing table 3.2h As for the contents, the transmission side antenna identification 1502 is updated to “N”, the reception side antenna identification 1503 is “M”, the communication availability 1504 is “possible”, and the communication quality 1505 is updated to the value X (S1905). On the other hand, when it is determined that the communication is “impossible” and the update is based on the data transmitted from the communication antenna 3.2d-N to the communication antenna 3.2g-M, the communication quality measurement process The contents of the table 3.2h are updated to “N” for the transmitting antenna identification 1502, “M” for the receiving antenna identification 1503, “impossible” for communication 1504, and “X” for communication quality 1505 ( S1906).

  Thereafter, the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b returns to the process of step S1902, repeats the operations of steps S1902 to S1906 until a predetermined time elapses, and ends the communication quality measurement process when the predetermined time elapses.

(C-3) Effects of Third Embodiment According to the third embodiment, in addition to the effects of the second embodiment, the following effects can be achieved.

  That is, even when both the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b have a plurality of communication antennas 3.2d (3.2g), the same as in the second embodiment. Immediate communication start and throughput can be improved. In addition, when direct communication is possible between the transmission-side wireless communication device 3.2a and the reception-side wireless communication device 3.2b, the combination of the communication antennas 3.2d and 3.2g that are optimal for communication between them Thus, the throughput can be further improved.

(D) Fourth Embodiment Hereinafter, a fourth embodiment of a communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a communication route / communication method selection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(D-1) Configuration of Fourth Embodiment FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless network system of the fourth embodiment. Hereinafter, the difference of the configuration of the fourth embodiment from the first embodiment will be described.

  In the wireless network system of the first embodiment, the communication quality is measured in advance before the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a starts communication with the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b. Was only done through.

  In the wireless network system of the fourth embodiment, a function of measuring communication quality at time intervals according to the characteristics of the wireless communication device 4.2 (4.2a, 4.2b) is added to the first embodiment. Is.

  The communication control device 4.1 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the communication control device 1.1 according to the first embodiment in the following points.

  The communication control device 4.1 has a measurement timing management database 4.1e. The measurement timing management database 4.1e is a database for managing the date and time when the communication quality is measured next for each wireless communication device 4.2, and includes mobility class information 4.1f and measurement timing information 4.1g. Stores information.

  The mobility class information 4.1f is for managing the mobility class according to the characteristics of each wireless communication device 4.2a and the communication quality measurement time interval for each class, as shown in FIG. It has information of class name 2101 and measurement interval 2102. A class name 2101 indicates a class name of mobility. The measurement interval 2102 indicates the time of the communication quality measurement interval according to the mobility class.

  As mobility class information 4.1f, for example, as shown in FIG. 21, when the class name is “fixed”, the measurement interval is “7 days”, when the class name is “semi-fixed”, the measurement interval is “1 day”, the class A measurement interval of “10 minutes” for the name “portable” and a measurement interval of “1 second” for the class name “mobile” can be applied.

  The measurement timing information 4.1g is for managing the time for measuring the communication quality for each wireless communication device 4.2. As shown in FIG. 22, the communication device identification 2201, the mobility class name 2202, the previous time Information of measurement date 2203 and next measurement date 2204 is stored.

  The communication device identification 2201 is information indicating an IP address, a computer name, and the like for specifying the wireless communication device 4.2. The mobility class name 2202 is information indicating the class name of the mobility class to which the wireless communication device 4.2 corresponds, and is indicated by any one of the class names stored in the mobility class information 4.1f. It is. The previous measurement date 2203 is information indicating the date and time when the previous communication quality was measured. The next measurement date and time 2204 is information indicating the date and time when the next communication quality should be measured.

  In the example of the measurement timing information 4.1g shown in FIG. 22, the communication device identification is “DEV1”, the mobility class name is “portable”, the previous measurement date is “9/4 8:23”, and the next measurement date is “9/4 8:33”, communication device identification “DEV2”, mobility class “semi-fixed”, previous measurement date “9/4 1:00”, next measurement date “9/5” 1:00 ”. Hereinafter, the case of this content will be described.

  Note that the wireless communication device 4.2 corresponding to the communication device identification 2201 of “DEV1” corresponds to the reception-side wireless communication device 4.2a, and “DEV2” corresponds to the reception-side wireless communication device 4.2b.

  The communication system control unit 4.1 is different from the communication system control unit 1.1 of the first embodiment in the following points.

  The communication system control unit 4.1 refers to the information in the measurement timing management database 4.1e at predetermined time intervals, and searches for the wireless communication device 4.2 whose current date and time has reached the time indicated by the next measurement date and time 2204. Responsible for performing functions.

  Further, the communication system control unit 4.1 determines a combination of the wireless communication device 4.2 corresponding to the search and the wireless communication device 4.2 that performs communication quality measurement based on the information in the communication quality management database 4.1d. It has a function of searching and a function of transmitting a signal instructing the start of communication quality measurement to the wireless communication device 4.2 of the searched combination.

  The communication quality management database 4.1d is the same as the content of the communication quality management database 1.1d of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the search for the combination of the wireless communication devices 4.2, the computer name or the like of the wireless communication device 4.2 whose current date and time has reached the time indicated in the next measurement date and time 2204 is the transmission side communication device identification 201 or the reception side communication device identification. All combinations matching 202 are searched.

  The communication system control unit 4.1 updates the content of the measurement timing management database 4.1e after the completion of the above communication quality measurement. This update is performed by inserting the current date and time into the previous measurement date and time 2203 and inserting the time obtained by adding the time corresponding to the mobility class name 2202 into the current time and time in the next measurement date and time 2204. The time corresponding to the mobility class name 2202 is information stored in the measurement interval 2102 corresponding to the mobility class name 2202 from the mobility class information 4.1f.

(D-2) Operation of the Fourth Embodiment Next, various operations of the wireless network system 4 of the fourth embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 23 shows the measurement of communication quality between the wireless communication devices 4.2 (4.2a, 4.2b) based on the information of the measurement timing management database 4.1e in the wireless network system 4 of the fourth embodiment. This shows the operation to be performed.

  First, the communication control device 4.1 refers to the information in the measurement timing management database 4.1e, and the wireless communication device 4.2 whose next measurement date and time 2204 has reached the current date and time is searched (S2301). For example, if the current date and time is after 8:33 on September 4, the next measurement date and time 2204 of the communication device identification 2201 “DEV1” is “9/4 8:33” as shown in FIG. Therefore, the wireless communication device 4.2 whose communication device identification 2201 is “DEV1”, that is, the reception-side wireless communication device 4.2a is searched.

  Next, in the communication control device 4.1, based on the information in the communication quality management database 4.1d, a search for a combination of the wireless communication devices 4.2 that measure the communication quality is performed (S2302). The search results here correspond to all combinations in which either the transmission side communication device identification 201 or the reception side communication device identification 202 is “DEV1”. For example, as shown in FIG. Is “DEV1” and the receiving-side communication device identification 202 is “DEV2”, this combination is retrieved by search.

  Thereafter, in steps S2303 to S2309, communication quality is measured between the transmission-side wireless communication device 4.2a (DEV1) and the reception-side wireless communication device 4.2b (DEV2). Since the operations are the same as those in steps S301 to S307 of FIG.

  If a combination of wireless communication devices 4.2 other than “DEV1” and “DEV2” is searched in step S2302, communication quality is also measured for the combination.

  After the measurement of the communication quality between the transmission-side wireless communication device 4.2a (DEV1) and the reception-side wireless communication device 4.2b (DEV2) is completed, the communication control device 4.1 uses the measurement timing management database 4.1e. The measurement timing information 4.1g is updated.

  For example, if the current date and time at the end of communication quality measurement is 8:33 on September 4, the communication device identification 2201 indicates “8/4” indicating the current date and time in the previous measurement date and time corresponding to “DEV1”. 8:33 ”is inserted, and since the mobility class 2202 in which the communication device identification 2201 corresponds to“ DEV ”is“ portable ”as shown in FIG. As shown, the measurement interval 2102 when the class name 2101 is “portable” in the mobility class information 4.1f is “10 minutes”, and “8/4 8:43” obtained by adding 10 minutes to the current date and time is inserted. .

(D-3) Effects of the Fourth Embodiment According to the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the communication control device 4.1 measures the communication quality at time intervals according to the characteristics of the wireless communication device 4.2 based on the information in the measurement timing management database 4.1e. Therefore, even after the communication quality is once measured, the optimal communication method and communication path can be changed even if the position of the wireless communication device 4.2 and the radio wave condition vary.

  In addition, according to the mobility class information 4.1f, for example, “7 days” when the mobility class is “fixed”, and “1 second” when the mobility class is “mobile”. The time interval for measuring the communication quality can be adjusted in accordance with the changing characteristics such as the position of 4.2.

  In the fourth embodiment, the communication quality may be measured uniformly at the same time interval for all the wireless communication devices 4.2. However, in order to ensure high quality communication for all the wireless communication devices 4.2. Needs to be set at a short interval in accordance with the wireless communication device 4.2 having the largest position movement or the like.

  However, since the measurement of communication quality places a load on the entire system such as the communication control device 4.1, the wireless communication device 4.2, and the network, the throughput of the entire system is improved when the number of times is as small as possible. .

  Therefore, by using the mobility class information 4.1f to measure the communication quality at time intervals according to the characteristics of each wireless communication device 4.2, the wireless communication device 4.2 can perform high-quality communication with a smaller number of times. There is an effect that can be made between.

(E) Fifth Embodiment Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of a communication control device, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication system, and a communication path / communication method selection method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(E-1) Configuration of Fifth Embodiment In the wireless network system of the first embodiment, the communication control device 1.1 is responsible for starting communication quality measurement, but in the fifth embodiment wireless communication is performed. A difference is that a function for starting communication quality measurement is added when the communication device 1.2 transmits a signal requesting the start of communication quality measurement to the communication control device 1.1. Hereinafter, the content of the configuration of the fifth embodiment that is different from the first embodiment will be described.

  The hardware configuration is the same between the first embodiment and the fifth embodiment, and a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the fifth embodiment can also be represented by FIG.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the wireless communication device 1.2 according to the fifth embodiment transmits a signal requesting the start of communication quality measurement to the communication control device 1.1.

  The configuration of the communication control device 1.1 in the first embodiment and the fifth embodiment is different in the following points.

  In the fifth embodiment, the communication control device 1.1 receives a signal requesting the start of communication quality measurement from the wireless communication device 1.2, and performs communication quality measurement with the corresponding wireless communication device 1.2. A function for searching for a combination of wireless communication devices 1.2 to be based on information in the communication quality management database 1.1d, and a signal for requesting the wireless communication device 1.2 of the searched combination to start communication quality measurement. Has the function to send. In the search for the combination of the wireless communication devices 1.2, all combinations in which the computer name of the corresponding wireless communication device 1.2 matches the transmission side communication device identification 201 or the reception side communication device identification 202 are searched.

(E-2) Operation of Fifth Embodiment Next, various operations of the wireless network system of the fifth embodiment having the above configuration will be described.

  FIG. 24 illustrates an operation in which communication quality measurement is performed in response to a signal from the wireless communication device 1.2 in the wireless network system of the fifth embodiment.

  Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a is an opportunity to start communication quality, but the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b may be an opportunity. Further, the computer name of the transmission side wireless communication apparatus 1.2a is described as “DEV1”, and the computer name of the reception side wireless communication apparatus 1.2b is described as “DEV2”.

  First, a signal requesting the start of communication quality measurement is transmitted from the wireless communication device 1.2a to the communication control device 1.1 (S2401).

  Thereby, in the communication control apparatus 1.1, the search which determines the combination of the radio | wireless communication apparatus 1.2 which measures communication quality based on the information of the communication quality management database 1.1d is performed (S2402). As a result of this search, all combinations in which either the transmission side communication device identification 201 or the reception side communication device identification 202 is “DEV1” are applicable. For example, as shown in FIG. If there is a combination of “DEV1” and the receiving-side communication device identification 202 is “DEV2”, this combination is extracted by searching.

  Thereafter, in steps S2403 to S2409, communication quality is measured between the transmission-side wireless communication device 1.2a (DEV1) and the reception-side wireless communication device 1.2b (DEV2). Since this is the same operation as steps S301 to S307 in FIG.

  If a combination of wireless communication devices 4.2 other than “DEV1” and “DEV2” is applicable in S2402, the communication quality is similarly measured for these combinations.

(E-3) Effect of Fifth Embodiment According to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, the wireless communication device 1.2 can also be a trigger for starting communication quality measurement. Even if there is a change that cannot be detected on the communication control device side, such as a change in position on the wireless communication device side, the measurement of communication quality can be started, and the number of measurements with fewer selections of optimal communication methods and communication paths The effect that it becomes possible can be produced.

(F) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may further include modified embodiments as exemplified below.

(F-1) In the first to fifth embodiments, the communication control device and the wireless communication device are connected by wireless communication, but may be wired communication.

(F-2) In the first to fifth embodiments, the communication control device is described as being configured by a single device. However, the communication control device may be configured by a plurality of devices. The functions may be distributed.

(F-3) In the second and third embodiments described above, the wireless communication apparatus has been described as having a plurality of physical communication antennas. A communication antenna that can be used or a communication antenna that can communicate using radio waves in a plurality of frequency bands with one antenna may be considered as having a plurality of antennas virtually.

(F-4) In the second embodiment, only the transmission-side radio communication device 2.2a has a plurality of communication antennas 2.2d, but there are a plurality of reception-side radio communication devices 2.2b. The structure which has 2.2g of communication antennas may be sufficient.

(F-5) In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the wireless communication device has only a single communication antenna, but a plurality of communication antennas as in the second and third embodiments. It is good also as a structure which has.

(F-6) In the fourth embodiment, the time interval for measuring the communication quality for each wireless communication device is adjusted by the mobility class information 4.2f, but the information of the mobility class information 4.2f Regardless, the communication quality may be measured at regular intervals for all wireless communication devices.

(F-7) In the fourth embodiment, the wireless communication device 4.2 has a means for transmitting a signal notifying the communication control device 4.1 about the change in mobility class, and the communication control device 4.1. May have means for updating the mobility class name 2202 information of the measurement timing information 4.1g based on the signal received from the wireless communication device 4.2.

  For example, when a signal indicating that the mobility class is changed to “mobile” is transmitted from the wireless communication device 4.2, the communication control device 4.1c includes the measurement timing information 4.1g by the communication control unit 4.1c. The content of the corresponding mobility class name 2202 is updated to “mobile”.

(F-8) In the fifth embodiment, the wireless communication device 1.2 has means for detecting its own movement, and requests the communication control device 1.1 to start communication quality measurement when the movement is detected. There may be provided means for transmitting a signal to be transmitted. The means for detecting the movement of the wireless communication device 1.2 can be configured with existing technology.

It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the communication quality management information database of 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of judgment of the direct communication possibility of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the communication quality measurement of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the communication quality management database of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the communication antenna management database of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the table for communication quality measurement processes of 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data for communication quality measurement of 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of communication antenna selection optimal for communication of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the communication quality measurement of 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the communication quality management database of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the communication antenna management database of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the table for communication quality measurement processes of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the data for communication quality measurement of 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the communication antenna management database of 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of communication antenna selection optimal for communication of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the communication quality measurement of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the mobility class information of 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the measurement timing information of 4th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of judgment of the possibility of direct communication of 4th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation | movement of judgment of the possibility of direct communication of 5th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Wireless network system, 1.1 ... Communication control apparatus, 1.1d ... Communication quality management database, 1.2 ... Wireless communication apparatus, 1.2a ... Transmission side wireless communication apparatus, 1.2b ... Reception side wireless communication apparatus 1.2d: Communication antenna, 1.2f: Communication antenna.

Claims (8)

A wireless network including a first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device, and a communication control device having means for controlling communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device The communication control device in the system,
Communication quality measurement start instruction means for transmitting a signal instructing the start of communication quality measurement between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device to the first wireless communication device;
A communication quality information database storing information on communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device;
Information stored in the communication quality information database is updated based on information relating to communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device transmitted from the second wireless communication device. Communication quality information database updating means for
Communication quality information transmitting means for transmitting information of the communication quality information database to the first wireless communication device. There is further provided a communication device type information database that stores information on the types of the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device, and information on the time interval at which the communication quality measurement start instruction unit according to the type operates. And
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication quality measurement start instruction unit repeatedly operates at time intervals based on information in the communication apparatus type information database. A wireless network including a first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device, and a communication control device having means for controlling communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device The first communication control device in the system is a corresponding wireless communication device,
Communication quality measurement signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal for measuring communication quality with the second wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device;
Based on information relating to communication quality between the wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device given from the communication control device, a communication method and communication path that are optimal for communication with the second wireless communication device are determined. A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a communication method to be selected / communication path selection means. A plurality of antennas used for wireless communication;
The signal transmission means for measuring communication quality transmits a signal for measuring communication quality from each antenna toward the second wireless communication device,
The communication method / communication path selection means is optimal to use any of the antennas for communication between the wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device based on information given from the communication control device. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein it is determined whether or not A wireless network including a first wireless communication device, a second wireless communication device, and a communication control device having means for controlling communication between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device The second communication control device in the system is a corresponding wireless communication device,
It has communication quality measuring means for receiving a signal for measuring communication quality transmitted from the first wireless communication device, measuring the communication quality, and transmitting the result to the communication control device. Wireless communication device. A plurality of antennas used for wireless communication;
The communication quality measuring means receives a signal for measuring the communication quality transmitted from the first wireless communication apparatus using each antenna and measures the communication quality. 5. The wireless communication device according to 5.   A wireless network system comprising the communication control device according to claim 1, the wireless communication device according to claim 3, and the wireless communication device according to claim 5. Communication quality information storing information on communication quality between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device when data is transmitted from the first wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device A communication path / communication method selection method for selecting an optimal communication path and communication method from a first wireless communication apparatus to a second wireless communication apparatus by a communication control apparatus having a database,
A first step in which the communication control device transmits a signal instructing to start communication quality measurement to the first wireless communication device;
Triggered by receiving the signal transmitted in the first step, the first wireless communication device transmits a signal for measuring communication quality toward the second wireless communication device. Steps,
Receiving the signal transmitted in the second step, and a third step in which the second wireless communication apparatus measures communication quality;
A fourth step in which the second wireless communication device transmits information on the communication quality measured in the third step to the communication control device;
The communication control device that has received the information transmitted in the fourth step updates the information in the communication quality information database;
A sixth step in which the communication control device transmits information of the communication quality information database to the first wireless communication device;
A first step in which the first wireless communication device that has received the information transmitted in the sixth step selects a communication path and communication method that are optimal for communication with the second wireless communication device; A communication path / communication method selection method.

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