JP2008148032A - Radio communication system and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent chain cutoff of a low-order node connected to a slave node and to prevent break off of communication between a master and a slave. <P>SOLUTION: Connection confirmation requests are periodically transmitted from a router 20-3 to a high-order router 20-1 having a master and slave relationship. The router 20-1 returns connection confirmation responses to the router 20-3 whenever the connection confirmation requests from the router 20-3 is received. When radio wave interference, etc. occurs on a transmission path between the routers 20-1 and 20-3, the connection confirmation responses from the router 20-1 to the router 20-3 are interrupted. The router 20-3, when the connection confirmation responses are interrupted, transmits relay requests to a coordinator 10 via other router 20-4 within a communication range without interrupting power supply of itself and continues communication between the master and the slave with the router 20-1 through a bypass route searched by the coordinator 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio communication system having a tree structure and a device used in the radio communication system.

  In recent years, systems that perform environmental measurement, monitoring, control, and the like using wireless communication are increasing. In a wireless communication system that performs environmental measurement, monitoring, control, and the like, there are many cases where the target area is relatively wide or there are many obstacles for wireless communication in the target area. In such a case, in order to cover the target area, even if it is not possible to communicate directly depending on the environment such as the installation position of the receiver and the transmitter and the radio wave condition, it is possible to perform communication by relaying other devices. It is advantageous to use a communication network.

  As this type of wireless communication network, a wireless communication network using a Zigbee (registered trademark) protocol is considered (for example, see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). Hereinafter, a wireless communication network using the ZigBee protocol is referred to as a ZigBee network.

The ZigBee network is a tree-structured wireless communication network, and is composed of the following three types of devices.
[Device A (Node A)]
It is called a coordinator and exists only in the base layer (top layer) of the network, can communicate with lower-level devices, commands all devices in the network, and is sent from each device-specific information and each device. Supervise the collection of information. In addition to acting as an overall master station for the entire network, addresses are assigned to devices that connect the connection relationship between the self and the parent and child (hereinafter simply referred to as parent-child relationship).

[Device B (Node B)]
It is called a router and exists below the coordinator. It can communicate with upper devices and lower devices, receives commands from the coordinator, and can connect lower devices (routers or end devices) to these devices. On the other hand, it plays the role of a local master station. Also, addresses are assigned to devices that have a parent-child relationship with themselves.

[Device C (Node C)]
It is called an end device, exists at the end (lowest level) of the network, can communicate with a higher level device, and does not become a master station of other devices. For example, in an air conditioning control system, a sensor such as a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor is an end device.

  For each device of the ZigBee network, the maximum number Cm of lower devices that can be connected and the lowest depth Lm of the hierarchy of the tree structure are determined as network parameters.

  FIG. 11 shows a simple example of a ZigBee network. In the figure, 1 is a coordinator located at the highest level (0th layer), 2-1 and 2-2 are routers located below the coordinator 1 (first layer), and 2-3 to 2-6 are routers 2. Routers located in the lower layer (second layer) of 2-1 to 2-2, 3-1 to 3-8 are end devices located in the lower layer (third layer (lowest layer)) of the routers 2-3 to 2-6 It is.

  In this example, the identification number of the coordinator 1 is # 0, the identification numbers of the routers 2-1 to 2-6 are # 1 to # 6, and the identification numbers of the end devices 3-1 to 3-8 are # 7 to ##. 14 is set. These identification numbers # 0 to # 14 are uniquely determined for each device and do not change. In this ZigBee network, the coordinator 1 is defined with address blocks AD0 to AD14 as addresses that can be assigned to the entire network, and among these address blocks, “AD0” is assigned as its own address. .

  When connecting the router 2-1 to the coordinator 1, the router 2-1 is brought close to the coordinator 1 and the power is turned on. Then, a connection request called “association (participation application)” (hereinafter referred to as “associate connection request”) is sent from the router 2-1 to the coordinator 1. In response to the associate connection request from the router 2-1, the coordinator 1 assigns the address AD1 to the router 2-1, and also identifies the identification number # 1 of the router 2-1 and the address AD1 assigned to the router 2-1. Are stored in the connection information table T0 as having a parent-child relationship (“◯”). In addition, address blocks “AD1 to AD7” including the address AD1 are sent to the router 2-1 as addresses that can be assigned to lower devices.

  Next, when the router 2-2 is brought close to the coordinator 1 and the power is turned on, an associate connection request is sent from the router 2-2 to the coordinator 1. Upon receiving the associate connection request from the router 2-2, the coordinator 1 assigns the address AD8 to the router 2-2, and also assigns the identification number # 2 of the router 2-2 and the address AD8 assigned to the router 2-2. Are written in the connection information table T0 as having a parent-child relationship. Further, the address block “AD8 to AD14” including the address AD8 is sent to the router 2-2 as an address that can be assigned to the lower device.

  When the router 2-3 is brought close to the router 2-1 and the power is turned on, an associate connection request is sent from the router 2-3 to the router 2-1. In response to the associate connection request from the router 2-3, the router 2-1 assigns the address AD2 to the router 2-3, and also assigns the identification number # 3 of the router 2-3 and the address assigned to the router 2-3. AD2 is associated and written in the connection information table T1 as having a parent-child relationship. In addition, address blocks “AD2 to AD4” including the address AD2 are sent to the router 2-3 as addresses that can be assigned to lower devices.

  When the end device 3-1 is brought close to the router 2-3 and the power is turned on, an associate connection request is sent from the end device 3-1 to the router 2-3. Upon receiving the associate connection request from the end device 3-1, the router 2-3 assigns an address AD3 to the end device 3-1, and identifies the end device 3-1 with an identification number # 7 and the end device 3-1. The address AD3 assigned to is associated and written in the connection information table T1 as having a parent-child relationship. Hereinafter, similarly, an address is assigned to each device.

  In this ZigBee network, for example, when a radio wave interference or the like occurs in the transmission path between the end device 3-1 and the router 2-3, information from the end device 3-1 (for example, temperature measurement value, humidity measurement value, etc.) ) Cannot be received by the router 2-3. In this case, the end device 3-1 performs disconnection (power off) and reconnection (power on). When the power of the end device 3-1 is turned off, the address AD3 assigned to the end device 3-1 disappears. Further, for example, when the router 2-4 is within the communication range of the end device 3-1, and the router 2-4 has not yet established a parent-child relationship with a lower device, the reconnection of the end device 3-1 The parent-child relationship is established between the end device 3-1 and the router 2-4, and a new address is assigned from the router 2-4 to the end device 3-1, and the end device passes through the router 2-4. Information from 3-1 is continuously sent to the coordinator 1.

  FIG. 11 shows a simple example. Actually, however, there are several layers of routers 2 between the highest level coordinator 1 and the lowest level end device 3. The number of devices 3 also increases, and the network is large.

JP 2006-5928 A JP 2006-42370 A

  However, in the ZigBee network described above, when a radio wave failure or the like occurs in the transmission path between the parent node and the child node, information from the child node is continuously sent to the coordinator via other nodes. In other words, information from the child node is continuously sent to the coordinator through the detour path, but when another child node is connected to the child node with the child node itself as the parent node, it is connected to this child node. There arises a problem that the lower nodes are disconnected in a chain. In addition, communication between the child node and the coordinator continues, but the address of the child node changes, so the original parent node can recognize that the child node is a child node in a parent-child relationship. Therefore, the communication between the parent and child between the child node and the original parent node is interrupted.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 12A, a parent-child relationship is established between the router 2-1 and the routers 2-3 and 2-4, and the router 2-3 and the end devices 3-1, 3- It is assumed that a parent-child relationship is established between the two. In addition, it is assumed that the router 2-4 has not yet formed a parent-child relationship with a lower-level device and is within the communication range of the router 2-3. In this state, when a radio wave failure or the like occurs in the transmission path between the router 2-1 and the router 2-3 (FIG. 12B), the router 2-3 is disconnected (power off) and reconnected. (Power on). At this time, when the router 2-3 is disconnected, the address AD2 of the router 2-3 and the contents of the connection information table T1 are lost, and communication between the router 2-3 and the end devices 3-1 and 3-2 becomes impossible. The end devices 3-1 and 3-2 are disconnected in a chained manner (FIG. 15C).

  In addition, since a new address is assigned to the router 2-3 by reconnection after disconnection, the router 2-1 (original parent node) may recognize that the router 2-3 is its own child node. The communication between the parent and child between the router 2-1 and the router 2-3 is interrupted only by transferring the information from the router 2-3 via the router 2-4 to the higher-level device. Due to the interruption of communication between the parent and child, for example, when the router 2-1 controls another device based on the data from the router 2-3, the control operation cannot be performed.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and the object of the present invention is to form a detour path when a radio wave interference or the like occurs in the transmission path between the parent node and the child node. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system in which lower-level nodes connected to a child node are not disconnected in a chained manner, and communication between the parent node and the child node is not interrupted. .

  In order to achieve such an object, the first invention (the invention according to claim 1) includes a first device located at the highest level and an address assigned to the own memory located at the lowest level. A tree-structured radio comprising at least a second device for storing and a third device for storing an address allocated between the first device and the second device and stored in the own memory. In the communication system, when the direct connection between the third device and the upper device having the parent-child connection relationship becomes impossible, the parent-child connection relationship with the upper and lower devices is not canceled. Communication continuation means is provided for continuing communication with a higher-level device through a detour route via another device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, for example, a tree-structured wireless communication system in which a first device is a coordinator, a second device is an end device, and a third device is a router. If the router that is the parent node is the upper router and the router that is the child node is the lower router, there is radio interference in the transmission path between the upper router and the lower router, When the direct connection with the upper router is disabled, the lower router does not cancel the parent-child connection relationship with the upper and lower devices, and does not cancel the connection between the upper router and the upper router through the detour route via other devices. Continue communication.

  In this case, since the lower router does not cancel the parent-child connection relationship with the lower device, the router and the end device connected to the lower router are not disconnected in a chain. In addition, the lower router does not cancel the parent-child connection relationship with the upper device, and the upper router is left with connection information indicating the parent-child connection relationship with the lower router. When the communication between the two routers is continued, the communication between the parent and child between the lower router and the upper router is not interrupted. Note that the upper device in this case may be a coordinator.

In the second invention (the invention according to claim 2), in the first invention, the third device cannot be directly connected to a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship as a communication continuation means. In this case, the communication between the means for sending the relay request to the first device via the other device and the upper device through the detour route via the other device searched by the first device in response to the relay request. Is provided.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when a direct connection with the upper router becomes impossible due to, for example, radio wave interference on the transmission path between the upper router and the lower router, A relay request is sent to the coordinator via the device. In response to the relay request from the lower router, the coordinator searches for a detour route via another device between the lower router and the upper router. For example, the shortest path between the lower router and the upper router is searched as a detour path, and the device located in the detour path is instructed to relay communication from the lower router that has transmitted the relay request.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the “other device” when sending a relay request to the coordinator and the “other device” when continuing communication through the detour path are not necessarily the same.

According to a third invention (invention according to claim 3), in the first invention, the third device cannot be directly connected to a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship as a communication continuation means. The higher-level device through a detour route via the other device searched for in response to the relay request by means for sending the relay request to the upper-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship with the upper-level device And means for continuing the communication with each other.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, if a direct connection with the upper router becomes impossible due to, for example, a radio wave interference in the transmission path between the upper router and the lower router, The relay request is sent from the lower router to the upper-level device that has the above-mentioned connection relationship via the other device. The upper device searches for a detour route via another device between the lower router and the upper router in response to the relay request from the lower router. For example, the shortest path between the lower router and the upper router is searched as a detour path, and the device located in the detour path is instructed to relay communication from the lower router that has transmitted the relay request. In this case, the search for the bypass route is performed by the parent node (upper-level device) having the parent node (higher device) of the node that has transmitted the relay request as its own child node. This is done more quickly than searching.
In the third aspect of the invention, the “other device” when sending a relay request to a superior device and the “other device” when continuing communication through a detour route are not necessarily the same.

According to a fourth invention (invention according to claim 4), in the first to third inventions, means for periodically transmitting a connection confirmation request to a third device having a connection relationship between itself and a parent and child And a means for receiving a connection confirmation response from the higher-level device notifying that the connection confirmation request has been successfully received, and when the connection confirmation response from the higher-level device is lost, direct connection with the higher-level device is established. It was decided that it was impossible.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, for example, a connection confirmation request is periodically transmitted from the lower router to the upper router, and every time this connection confirmation request is received by the upper router, the upper router transmits to the lower router. A connection confirmation response is returned. The lower router determines that the direct connection with the upper router is disabled when the connection confirmation response from the upper router is interrupted.

According to a fifth invention (the invention according to claim 5), in the first to fourth inventions, when the direct connection between the third device and a higher-order device that has connected the parent and child is restored, the detour path Means for canceling the continuation of communication with the higher-level device through the network and resuming communication by direct connection with the higher-level device.
According to the fifth aspect of the invention, for example, when the direct connection between the lower router and the upper router is restored, the continuation of communication with the upper router through the detour path is released, and the direct connection with the upper router is established. Communication by is resumed. In this case, the lower-level router does not cancel the parent-child connection relationship with the upper-level router, and the upper-level router still has connection information indicating the parent-child relationship with the lower-level router. The communication between the parent and the child by the direct connection between the upper router and the lower router can be resumed immediately.

  Note that the present invention can be configured not as a wireless communication system but as a single device. In this case, if the device cannot directly connect to a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship with itself, it passes through another device without canceling the parent-child connection relationship with the higher-level device. Communication continuation means for continuing communication with the host device through the detour path is provided (sixth invention ((invention according to claim 6)). This device may be used as a router or an end device (the ninth invention ((the invention according to claim 9)).

In addition, when a direct connection with a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship cannot be established as a communication continuation unit with the device of the sixth invention, relay to the first device via another device Means for sending a request and means for continuing communication with a higher-order device through a detour route via another device searched by the first device in response to the relay request may be provided (first 7 inventions ((invention according to claim 7))).
In addition, when the direct connection between the device of the sixth invention and a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship as a communication continuation means becomes impossible, the higher-order device has a parent-child connection relationship. Continues communication with the higher-level device through the detour route via the other device searched for in response to the relay request by means for sending the relay request to the higher-level device via the other device (8th invention ((invention according to claim 8))).

  According to the first invention, when a third device located between the first device and the second device cannot be directly connected to a higher-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship with itself. Since the communication continuation means for continuing the communication with the upper device through the detour route via the other device without eliminating the parent-child connection relationship with the upper and lower devices, the third device is provided. When a detour path is formed when a radio wave failure occurs in the transmission path between the (child node) and the higher-level device (parent node), the lower-level nodes connected to the child node are disconnected in a chain. You can prevent it from happening. In addition, the lower router does not cancel the parent-child connection relationship with the upper device, and the upper router is left with connection information indicating the parent-child connection relationship with the lower router. When the communication between the nodes is continued, the communication between the parent and child between the child node and the parent node can be prevented from being interrupted.

  According to the second invention, in the first invention, when the third device becomes unable to directly connect to the higher-order device that has the parent-child connection relationship as a communication continuation means, A means for sending a relay request to the first device via, and a means for continuing communication with the higher-order device through a detour route via another device searched by the first device in response to the relay request. Since the first device (the highest node) is provided, the detour route between the third device (child node) and the upper device (parent node) is searched, and the detour searched by the highest node Communication between the parent and child between the child node and the parent node can be continued through the path.

  According to the third invention, in the first invention, when the third device becomes unable to directly connect to a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship as a communication continuation means, A means for sending a relay request to a higher-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship, and a communication between a higher-level device through a detour route via another device searched by the higher-level device in response to the relay request. Search for a detour route by the parent node (upper-level device) having the parent node (higher device) of the child node (third device) that has transmitted the relay request as its own child node. Thus, the search for a detour route can be performed more quickly than the search for a detour route by the first device (the highest device).

  According to a fourth invention, in the first to third inventions, means for periodically sending a connection confirmation request to a higher-level device that has established a parent-child connection relationship with the third device, and a connection confirmation request And a means for receiving a connection confirmation response from the higher-level device to notify that the reception has been successful. If the connection confirmation response from the higher-level device is interrupted, it is determined that the direct connection with the higher-level device has become impossible. Since it did in this way, the state where the direct connection with a high-order device (parent node) became impossible can be confirmed with a simple method.

  According to the fifth invention, in the first to fourth inventions, when the direct connection between the third device and the higher-order device that has established the parent-child connection relationship is restored, Since the means for canceling the continuation of the communication and resuming the communication by direct connection with the higher-level device is provided, the direct communication between the third device and the higher-level device can be performed immediately without newly establishing a parent-child relationship. Communication between parent and child by connection can be resumed.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a direct connection with a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship between itself and the parent device becomes impossible, the other child-to-parent connection relationship with the higher-order device is not canceled. Since the communication continuation means for continuing communication with the host device through the detour route via the device is provided, the same effect as that of the first invention can be obtained by using this device as a router.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when a direct connection with a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship becomes impossible as a communication continuation means with the device of the sixth aspect, Means for sending a relay request to one device, and means for continuing communication with a host device through a detour route via another device searched by the first device in response to the relay request. Therefore, by using this device as a router, the same effects as in the second invention can be obtained.
According to the eighth invention, when the device of the sixth invention is unable to connect directly to a higher-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship as a communication continuation means, the higher-level device and parent-child connection relationship Between the device that sends the relay request to the upper device that connects the other devices via the other device and the upper device through the detour route that passes through the other device searched by the upper device in response to the relay request Since the device is used as a router, the same effect as that of the third invention can be obtained.

  According to the ninth invention, a tree-structured wireless communication comprising at least a first device located at the highest level and a second device located at the lowest level and storing an address assigned to itself in its own memory In the system, when a direct connection with a higher-order device that has a parent-child connection relationship with the second device becomes impossible in the system, the other device can be used without canceling the parent-child connection relationship with the higher-level device. Since there is a communication continuation means that continues communication with the higher-level device through a detour route that passes through the network, there is radio interference in the transmission path between the second device (child node) and the higher-level device (parent node). When a detour path is formed in the event that a problem occurs, the communication between the parent and child between the child node and the parent node can be prevented from being interrupted.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a wireless communication system according to the present invention. This wireless communication system is a simple example using a ZigBee network. The coordinator 10 is located at the highest level (0th layer), the end device 30 is located at the lowest level (third layer), the coordinator 10 and the end. The router 20 is located between the device 30 (first layer and second layer).

  In this example, the identification number of the coordinator 10 is # 0, the identification numbers of the routers 20-1 to 20-6 are # 1 to # 6, and the identification numbers of the end devices 30-1 to 30-8 are # 7 to ##. 14 is set. In this wireless communication system, the coordinator 10 is defined with address blocks AD0 to AD14 as addresses that can be assigned to the entire network, and among these address blocks, “AD0” is assigned as its own address. To do.

  Also in this wireless communication system, when the router 20-1 is connected to the coordinator 10 as in the ZigBee network shown in FIG. 11, the power is turned on by bringing the router 20-1 close to the coordinator 10. Then, an associate connection request is sent from the router 20-1 to the coordinator 10, and a parent-child relationship is established with the coordinator 10. As a result, the address AD1 is assigned to the router 20-1, and the correspondence between the address AD1 assigned to the router 20-1 and the identification number # 1 is written in the connection information table T0 of the coordinator 10.

  Similarly, between the coordinator 10 and the router 20-2, between the router 20-1 and the routers 20-3 and 20-4, between the router 20-2 and the routers 20-5 and 20-6, 20-3 and the end devices 30-1 and 30-2, between the router 20-4 and the end devices 30-3 and 30-4, and between the router 20-5 and the end devices 30-5 and 30-6. In the meantime, a parent-child relationship is established between the router 20-6 and the end devices 30-7 and 30-8.

  As a result, the address AD8 is assigned to the router 20-2, and the correspondence between the address AD8 assigned to the router 20-2 and the identification number # 2 is written in the connection information table T0 of the coordinator 10. Addresses AD2 and AD5 are assigned to the routers 20-3 and 20-4, and the addresses AD2 and AD5 assigned to the routers 20-3 and 20-4 and the identification numbers # 3 and 3 are assigned to the connection information table T1 of the router 20-1. The correspondence with # 4 is written. Addresses AD9 and AD12 are assigned to the routers 20-5 and 20-6, and the addresses AD9 and AD12 assigned to the routers 20-5 and 20-6 and the identification numbers # 5 and 5 are assigned to the connection information table T1 of the router 20-2. The correspondence with # 6 is written.

  Also, the addresses AD3 and AD4 are assigned to the end devices 30-1 and 30-2, and the addresses AD3 and AD4 assigned to the end devices 30-1 and 30-2 and the identification number # are assigned to the connection information table T1 of the router 20-3. 7 and # 8 are written. Further, the addresses AD6 and AD7 are assigned to the end devices 30-3 and 30-4, and the addresses AD6 and AD7 assigned to the end devices 30-3 and 30-4 in the connection information table T1 of the router 20-4 and the identification number # 9, the correspondence with # 10 is written.

  Further, the addresses AD10 and AD11 are assigned to the end devices 30-5 and 30-6, and the addresses AD10 and AD11 and the identification number # assigned to the end devices 30-5 and 30-6 in the connection information table T1 of the router 20-5. 11 and # 12 are written. Further, the addresses AD13 and AD14 are assigned to the end devices 30-7 and 30-8, and the addresses AD13 and AD14 and the identification number # assigned to the end devices 30-7 and 30-8 in the connection information table T1 of the router 20-6. 13 and # 14 are written.

  In this wireless communication system, the router 20 and the end device 30 have a connection confirmation request transmission function for periodically transmitting a connection confirmation request to an upper device. Each time the coordinator 10 and the router 20 receive a connection confirmation request periodically sent from a lower device, the connection confirmation response returns a connection confirmation response notifying that the connection confirmation request has been successfully received. Has a return function.

  Further, when the connection confirmation response from the higher-level device that informs that the connection confirmation request has been successfully received is interrupted, the router 20 sends a relay request to the other routers 20 within the communication range without shutting down its own power supply. If the connection confirmation response from the upper device that has been interrupted is resumed, the upper device through the detour route will continue to communicate with the upper device via the detour route. A connection resumption function for canceling the continuation of communication and resuming communication by direct connection with a host device.

  Further, the end device 30 has a disconnection / reconnection function for disconnecting (powering off) and reconnecting (powering on) when the connection confirmation response from the host device is interrupted. The coordinator 10 receives the relay request sent from the router 20 and searches for the shortest path between the router 20 that has transmitted the relay request and the parent node (higher device) of the router 20 as a bypass path. In addition, it has a detour route search and relay function for instructing the router 20 located in the detour route to relay the communication from the router 20 that has transmitted the relay request.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the coordinator 10. The coordinator 10 includes a processing unit 10A, a RAM 10B, an EEPROM 10C, and an RF circuit (wireless transmission / reception circuit) 10D. The processing unit 10A includes a network declaration function, a parent node function, a communication function (inter-node communication function, communication relay function) and the like as basic functions in addition to the above-described connection confirmation response return function and detour route search relay function. ing. These functions are obtained as processing operations according to a program executed by the processing unit 10A. The EEPROM 10C stores the identification number of the coordinator 10, and the RAM 10B stores an address block that can be assigned to the entire network, an address assigned to the coordinator 10, a connection information table T0, and the like.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the router 20. The router 20 includes a processing unit 20A, a RAM 20B, an EEPROM 20C, and an RF circuit 20D. The processing unit 20A includes, as basic functions, a parent node function, a communication function (inter-node communication function, communication) in addition to the above-described connection confirmation request transmission function, connection confirmation response return function, detour path communication continuation function, and connection resumption function. Relay function). These functions are obtained as processing operations according to a program executed by the processing unit 20A. The EEPROM 20C stores the identification number of the router 20, and the RAM 20B has an address assigned to the router 20, an address block that can be assigned to a lower device sent from a higher device, and a connection information table. T1 etc. are stored.

  FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of the end device 30. The end device 30 includes a processing unit 30A, a RAM 30B, an EEPROM 30C, and an RF circuit 30D. The processing unit 30A includes a child node function, a communication function (inter-node communication function), and the like as basic functions in addition to the connection confirmation request transmission function and the disconnection / reconnection function described above. These functions are obtained as processing operations according to a program executed by the processing unit 30A. The EEPROM 30C stores an identification number of the end device 30 and the like. The RAM 30B stores an address assigned to the end device 30 and the like.

[Checking the connection between routers]
The router 20 periodically transmits a connection confirmation request to the upper router 20 having a parent-child relationship. For example, in the description between the router 20-1 and the router 20-3 shown in FIG. 1, a connection confirmation request is periodically sent from the lower router 20-3 to the upper router 20-1 (FIG. 5 ( a)). Each time the router 20-1 receives the connection confirmation request from the router 20-3, the router 20-1 returns a connection confirmation response notifying that the connection confirmation request has been successfully received to the router 20-3.

  In FIG. 5A, the router 20-1 has a parent-child relationship with the routers 20-3 and 20-4, and the connection information table T1 has a parent-child relationship with the routers 20-3 and 20-4. It is assumed that connection information indicating is written. The router 20-3 has a parent-child relationship with the end devices 30-1 and 30-2, and the connection information table T1 includes connection information indicating the parent-child relationship with the end devices 30-1 and 30-2. It shall be written. Further, it is assumed that the router 20-4 has not yet established a parent-child relationship with a lower-level device and is within the communication range of the router 20-3.

[When radio wave interference occurs on the transmission path between routers]
In FIG. 5A, when a radio wave interference or the like occurs in the transmission path between the routers 20-1 and 20-3, the connection confirmation request from the router 20-3 to the router 20-1 is interrupted (FIG. 5 ( b)). In this case, the router 20-1 cannot receive the connection confirmation request from the router 20-3, and does not return a connection confirmation response to the connection confirmation request.

  On the other hand, after transmitting the connection confirmation request to the router 20-1, the router 20-3 waits for the connection confirmation response from the router 20-1, and detects that the connection confirmation response from the router 20-1 has been interrupted. Thus, the relay request is sent to the coordinator 10 via the router 20-4 in the communication area without shutting down its own power supply, and the communication with the router 20-1 is performed through the detour route searched by this relay request. Continue (FIG. 5C).

  FIG. 6 shows the processing operation in the router 20-3 in this case. The router 20-3 sets the number of retries to 0 (step 101), and transmits a connection confirmation request to the router 20-1 (step 102). Then, it waits for a connection confirmation response returned from the router 20-1 in response to this connection confirmation request (step 103). When a connection confirmation response is received (YES in step 104), it waits for a certain period of time (step 103). 107) The next connection confirmation request is transmitted to the router 20-1 (step 102). Thereafter, the same processing operation is repeated.

  If a connection confirmation response from the router 20-1 is not received during such processing operation (NO in step 104), 1 is added to the number of retries (step 105), and a certain time has passed (step 107). ), The next connection confirmation request is transmitted to the router 20-1 (step 102). When the number of retries is equal to or greater than the predetermined number Nx (YES in step 106), it is determined that the connection confirmation response from the router 20-1 has been interrupted, and the router 20-4 in the communication area is not cut off without shutting down its own power supply. The relay request is sent to the router 20-1, and the communication with the router 20-1 is continued through the detour route searched by the relay request (step 108).

  The communication in step 108 is continued as follows. When the router 20-3 determines that the connection confirmation response from the router 20-1 has been interrupted, it sends a relay request with its own address to the router 20-4 in the communication area. This relay request is sent from the router 20-4 to the coordinator 10 through the router 20-1. The coordinator 10 receives the relay request from the router 20-3, and transmits the relay request between the router 20-3 and the router 20-3 and the router 20-1 (parent node of the router 20-3). The shortest route is searched as a bypass route, and the router 20 located in the bypass route is instructed to relay the communication from the router 20-3.

  Thereby, for example, a route “router 20-3, router 20-4, router 20-1” is formed as a bypass route, and information from the router 20-3 is continuously transmitted to the router 20-1 through this bypass route. It will be. In this case, since the router 20-3 does not shut down its own power supply, it keeps storing the connection information indicating the address assigned to itself and the parent-child relationship with the lower-level device. That is, in this case, since the router 20-3 continues the communication through the detour route without canceling the parent-child connection relationship with the lower device, the lower device (end device) connected to the router 20-3. 30-1 and 30-2) are not cut in a chain. In addition, the router 20-3 does not cancel the parent-child connection relationship with the lower-level device, and the router 20-1 is left with connection information indicating the parent-child relationship with the router 20-3. Therefore, the router 20- 3 and the communication between the router 20-1 are continued, the communication between the parent and child between the router 20-3 and the router 20-1 is not interrupted.

[If the interference from the transmission path between routers is resolved]
In FIG. 7A, when a radio wave interference or the like that has occurred on the transmission path between the routers 20-1 and 20-3 is resolved, a connection confirmation request from the router 20-3 is received by the router 20-1. It will be received (FIG. 7B). In this case, the router 20-1 returns a connection confirmation response notifying that the connection confirmation request from the router 20-3 has been successfully received.

  When the input of the connection confirmation response that has been interrupted from the router 20-1 is resumed, the router 20-3 cancels the continuation of communication with the router 20-3 through the detour path, and the router 20-1 Restart communication by direct connection. In this case, the router 20-3 stores the connection information indicating the parent-child relationship with the address assigned to itself and the lower-level device, and the router 20-1 has the parent-child relationship with the router 20-3. Since the connection information shown is left, communication between the parent and the child by the direct connection between the router 20-3 and the router 20-1 can be immediately resumed without newly establishing a parent-child relationship.

[When there is a radio interference in the transmission path between the coordinator and the router]
In the above description, a case where a radio wave interference or the like occurs in the transmission path between the routers 20-1 and 20-3 has been described. However, a radio wave interference occurs in the transmission path between the coordinator 10 and the router 20-1. Similarly, communication between the parent and child between the router 20-1 and the coordinator 10 is continuously performed through the detour path without shutting off the power supply of the router 20-1. The operation in this case will be described with reference to FIG.

  In FIG. 8A, when a radio wave failure or the like occurs in the transmission path between the coordinator 10 and the router 20-1, the connection confirmation request from the router 20-1 to the coordinator 10 is interrupted (FIG. 8B). . In this case, the coordinator 10 cannot receive the connection confirmation request from the router 20-1, and does not return a connection confirmation response to the connection confirmation request.

  On the other hand, after transmitting the connection confirmation request to the coordinator 10, the router 20-1 waits for a connection confirmation response from the coordinator 10, detects that the connection confirmation response from the coordinator 10 has stopped, and turns on its own power supply. Without interruption, a relay request is sent to the coordinator 10 via the router 20-2 in the communication area, and the communication between the parent and the child with the coordinator 10 is continued through the detour route searched by this relay request (FIG. 8). (C)).

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, a relay request is sent from the router 20-3 to the coordinator 10, and the coordinator 10 searches for a detour route between the routers 20-1 and 20-3. It is not necessary to search for a detour route at 10.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, when there are more layers of routers 20 between the coordinator 10 and the end device 30, the router 20- positioned as the parent node of the router 20-1. The relay request is sent from the router 20-3 to the router 7 (hereinafter, this router is referred to as the upper router) (FIG. 9B), and the upper router 20-7 searches for the detour route. You may do it.

  In this case, the upper router 20-7 instructs the router 20 located in the searched detour path to relay the communication from the router 20-3 that has transmitted the relay request. Thereby, for example, a route “router 20-3, router 20-4, router 20-1” is formed as a detour route, and communication between the parent and child between the router 20-3 and the router 20-1 through this detour route. Will continue.

[Checking the connection between the end device and the router]
The end device 30 periodically transmits a connection confirmation request to the upper router 20 that has a parent-child relationship. For example, when explaining between the end device 30-1 and the router 20-3 shown in FIG. 1, a connection confirmation request is periodically sent from the end device 30-1 to the router 20-3 (FIG. 10A). reference). Each time the router 20-3 receives a connection confirmation request from the end device 30-1, the router 20-3 returns a connection confirmation response notifying that the connection confirmation request has been successfully received to the end device 30-1.

  In FIG. 5A, the router 20-3 does not have a parent-child relationship with the end devices 30-1 and 30-2, and the connection information table T1 includes the end devices 30-1 and 30-2. It is assumed that connection information indicating the parent-child relationship is written. In addition, it is assumed that the router 20-4 exists in the communication area of the end device 30-1. In addition, it is assumed that the router 20-4 has not yet established a parent-child relationship with a lower-level device.

[When there is a radio interference in the transmission path between the router and the end device]
In FIG. 10A, when a radio wave interference or the like occurs in the transmission path between the router 20-3 and the end device 30-1, the connection confirmation request to the router 20-3 from the end device 30-1 is interrupted ( FIG. 10B). In this case, the router 20-3 cannot receive the connection confirmation request from the end device 30-1, and does not return a connection confirmation response to the connection confirmation request.

  On the other hand, after transmitting the connection confirmation request to the router 20-3, the end device 30-1 waits for a connection confirmation response from the router 20-3, and detects that the connection confirmation response from the router 20-3 has been interrupted. Then, disconnection (power off) and reconnection (power on) are performed, a parent-child relationship is established with the router 20-4 in the communication area, and communication is continued via the router 20-4 (FIG. 10C). ). In this case, the parent-child relationship between the end device 30-1 and the router 20-3 is canceled, and communication between the parent and child is not performed between the end device 30-1 and the router 20-3.

  In the above-described embodiment, a connection confirmation request is transmitted from the router 20 or the end device 30 by adding a special message for connection confirmation to a normal transmission message that is periodically transmitted to a higher-level device (timing in the same packet). May be sent synchronously), or a special message dedicated to connection confirmation may be sent periodically separately from the normal transmission message.

It is the schematic which shows an example of the radio | wireless communications system which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic block diagram of the coordinator used for this radio | wireless communications system. It is a schematic block diagram of the router used for this radio | wireless communications system. It is a schematic block diagram of the end device used for this radio | wireless communications system. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when a radio wave interference etc. generate | occur | produce in the transmission path between routers. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation in the router at the time of connection confirmation request | requirement transmission. It is a figure explaining operation when the electric wave interference etc. which have occurred on the transmission line between routers are solved It is a figure explaining operation | movement when a radio wave disturbance etc. generate | occur | produce in the transmission path between a coordinator and a router. It is a figure which shows the example which was made to search for a detour path | route with a high-order router. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when a radio wave disturbance etc. generate | occur | produce in the transmission path between a router and an end device. It is a figure which shows the simple example of the conventional ZigBee network. It is a figure explaining the problem which may arise when a radio wave disturbance etc. generate | occur | produce in the transmission path between routers in this ZigBee network.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Coordinator, 10A ... Processing part, 10B ... ROM, 10C ... EEPROM, 10D ... RF circuit, 20 (20-1 to 20-8) ... Router, 20A ... Processing part, 20B ... ROM, 20C ... EEPROM, 20D ... RF circuit, 30 (30-1 to 30-8) ... end device, 30A ... processing unit, 30B ... ROM, 30C ... EEPROM, 30D ... RF circuit, T0, T1 ... connection information table.

Claims (9)

A first device located at the top, a second device located at the bottom and storing the address assigned to it in its own memory, and located between the first device and the second device A tree-structured wireless communication system comprising at least a third device for storing an address assigned to the memory in its own memory;
The third device is:
When direct connection with a higher-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship between itself and the parent-child connection becomes impossible, the parent-child connection relationship with the upper-level and lower-level devices is not canceled, and the above-described path is bypassed via another device. A wireless communication system comprising communication continuation means for continuing communication with an upper device. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The communication continuation means includes
Means for sending a relay request to the first device via another device when a direct connection with a higher-level device that has made a parent-child connection relationship becomes impossible;
A wireless communication system comprising: means for continuing communication with the higher-level device through a detour route via another device searched by the first device in response to the relay request. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
An upper device having a parent-child connection relationship with the third device;
The communication continuation means of the third device is
Means for sending a relay request via another device to a higher-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship with the higher-level device when direct connection with the higher-level device becomes impossible;
A wireless communication system comprising: means for continuing communication with the higher-level device through a detour route via another device searched by the upper-level device in response to the relay request. In the radio | wireless communications system described in any one of Claims 1-3,
The third device is:
Means for periodically sending a connection confirmation request to a higher-level device that has a connection relationship between the parent and child;
Means for receiving a connection confirmation response from the higher-level device notifying that the connection confirmation request has been successfully received;
The communication continuation means includes
A wireless communication system, wherein when the connection confirmation response from the higher-level device is interrupted, it is determined that direct connection with the higher-level device is disabled. In the radio | wireless communications system as described in any one of Claims 1-4,
The third device further includes:
When the direct connection with the upper device that has connected the parent and child is restored, the communication continuation means cancels the continuation of communication with the upper device through the detour path, and A wireless communication system comprising: means for resuming communication by direct connection.   When direct connection with a higher-level device that has a connection relationship between itself and parent and child becomes impossible, the upper-level device can be connected via a detour route via another device without canceling the parent-child connection relationship with the higher-level device. A device comprising communication continuation means for continuing communication with a device. The device of claim 6, wherein
The communication continuation means includes
Means for sending a relay request to the first device via another device when a direct connection with a higher-level device that has made a parent-child connection relationship becomes impossible;
A device comprising: means for continuing communication with the host device through a detour route via another device searched by the first device in response to the relay request. The device of claim 6, wherein
The communication continuation means includes
When a direct connection with a higher-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship between itself and the parent-child becomes impossible, a relay request is made to the upper-level device that has a parent-child connection relationship with the higher-level device via another device. Means for sending
And a means for continuing communication with the higher-level device through a detour route via another device searched by the upper-level device in response to the relay request. In a tree-structured wireless communication system comprising at least a first device located at the highest level and a second device located at the lowest level and storing a self-assigned address in its own memory,
The second device is:
When direct connection with a higher-level device that has a connection relationship between itself and parent and child becomes impossible, the upper-level device can be connected via a detour route via another device without canceling the parent-child connection relationship with the higher-level device. A wireless communication system comprising communication continuation means for continuing communication with a device.

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