JP2009089043A - Radio communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm that data are received at a second radio communication apparatus in a case where an acknowledge signal transmitted from the second radio communication apparatus cannot be received at a first communication apparatus when transmitting the data from the first communication apparatus to a third communication apparatus via the second radio communication apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A master unit transmits a repeater call data (step ST1) and starts an ACK reception timer (step ST2). In a case where ACK is received from a repeater before time-out (step ST5: YES) or in a case where slave unit call data from the repeater are received (step ST7: YES), the ACK reception timer is stopped (step ST6) and repeater call processing is finished. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication system suitable for an automatic measurement system that automatically collects measurement data such as temperature data and humidity data of a greenhouse, or a security system that notifies information such as a gas leak sensor and a fire sensor.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of such a wireless communication system. This wireless communication system includes a center device 11, a parent device 12, a relay device 13, and a child device 14. The center device 11 and the base unit 12 communicate using a public communication line such as a cellular phone network. The base unit 12 and the relay unit 13 and the relay unit 13 and the slave unit 14 communicate with each other by specific low power radio. The slave unit 14 is connected to a measuring instrument for measuring temperature, humidity, or the like, or a sensor for detecting an emergency such as a fire sensor or a gas leak sensor (see Patent Document 1).

  In the wireless communication system configured as described above, for example, when automatic collection of temperature data and humidity data of a greenhouse is performed, measurement data such as temperature and humidity measured by a measuring instrument connected to the slave unit 14 is stored. In order for the center device 11 to collect data periodically, the center device 11 periodically calls the master unit 12 and requests a signal for transmitting measurement data of a measuring instrument connected to the slave unit 14 (hereinafter referred to as a measurement data request). Signal).

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the master unit 12, the relay unit 13, and the slave unit 14 when the master unit 12 receives the measurement data request signal in the wireless communication system shown in FIG.

  When the master unit 12 receives the measurement data request signal from the center device 11, the master unit 12 transmits relay unit call data to the relay unit 13 in order to request transmission of the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to the slave unit 14. (Procedure S41). When the relay device 13 receives the relay device call data, it first transmits an ACK (acknowledgment response signal) to the parent device 12 (step S42), and then requests transmission of measurement data from the measuring instrument connected to the child device 14. Therefore, handset call data is transmitted to handset 14 (step S43).

  When the slave unit 14 receives the slave unit call data, the slave unit 14 first transmits ACK to the relay unit 13 (step S44), then reads the measurement value of the measuring instrument connected to itself, and uses the read measurement data as the slave unit answer. Data is transmitted to the repeater 13 (step S45). When the relay unit 13 receives the slave unit answer data, it first transmits an ACK to the slave unit 14 (step S46), and then transfers the slave unit answer data to the base unit 12 (step S47).

  When receiving the slave unit answer data, base unit 12 transmits ACK to relay unit 13 (step S48). The parent device 12 transmits the measurement data acquired in this way to the center device 11.

  Further, in the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 11, when the sensor connected to the slave unit 14 detects an abnormality, the slave unit 14 notifies the center device 11 as shown in FIG. Is transmitted to the repeater (step S51).

  When the relay device 13 receives the relay device call data, the relay device 13 first transmits an ACK (acknowledgment response signal) to the slave device 14 (step S52), and then transmits a report from the slave device 14 to the center device 11, so The parent device call data is transmitted to 12 (step S53).

  When receiving base unit call data, base unit 12 transmits an ACK to relay unit 13 (step S54), and then transmits a report from slave unit 14 to center device 11.

  However, in the sequence shown in FIG. 12, if the ACK transmitted from the relay device 13 to the parent device 12 in step S42 cannot be received by the parent device 12 due to the influence of noise or the like, the ACK is received by the parent device 12 within a certain time. Treated as a communication error based on failure to receive (timeout). For this reason, even if there is no communication error in steps S43 to S47, the base unit 12 does not receive the slave unit answer data in step S47, and re-executes step S41 to retransmit the relay unit call data. Therefore, there is a problem that not only the power consumption of the base unit 12, the relay unit 13 and the slave unit 14 is increased, but also prompt notification cannot be made.

  In the sequence shown in FIG. 13, when the slave unit 14 cannot receive the ACK transmitted from the relay unit 13 to the slave unit 14 in step S52 due to noise or the like, the slave unit 14 receives the ACK within a certain time. Treated as a communication error based on failure to receive. For this reason, even if there is no communication error after step S53, the slave unit 14 re-executes step S51 to retransmit the repeater call data. Therefore, there is a problem that not only the power consumption of the slave unit 14, the repeater unit 13 and the master unit 12 is increased, but also the notifications are duplicated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-171692

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to transfer data transmitted from the first wireless communication device to the third wireless communication device via the second wireless communication device. In the wireless communication system in which the first wireless communication device confirms that the data is received by the second wireless communication device by receiving the acknowledgment signal from the second wireless communication device, When the acknowledgment signal transmitted from the wireless communication device is not received by the first wireless communication device for some reason, the data is received by the second wireless communication device by the first wireless communication device. It is to be able to confirm.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the data transmitted from the first wireless communication device is transmitted to the third wireless communication device via the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device is connected to the second wireless communication device. In the wireless communication system for confirming that the data has been received by the second wireless communication device by receiving the confirmation response signal from the wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device includes the third wireless communication device. Means for transmitting the first data addressed to the communication device to the second wireless communication device; and the first data from the second wireless communication device within a predetermined time after transmitting the first data. And means for receiving the confirmation response signal when data other than the confirmation response signal is received without receiving the confirmation response signal.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the wireless communication system according to the first aspect, data other than the confirmation response signal is the first data.
A third aspect of the present invention is the wireless communication system according to the first aspect, wherein the third wireless communication apparatus receives second data addressed to the first wireless communication apparatus in response to reception of the first data. Is transmitted to the second wireless communication apparatus, and data other than the confirmation response signal is the second data.

[Action]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first wireless communication device transmits the first data addressed to the third wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device within a predetermined time. When the confirmation response signal for the first data is not received from the communication device and other data is received, the confirmation response signal is received.
According to the invention of claim 2, the first wireless communication device transmits the first wireless data addressed to the third wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device within a predetermined time. When the first data is received without receiving the confirmation response signal for the first data from the communication device, it is assumed that the confirmation response signal is received.
According to the invention of claim 3, the first wireless communication device transmits the first wireless data addressed to the third wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device within a predetermined time. When an acknowledgment signal for the first data is not received from the communication device and the second data addressed to the first wireless communication device transmitted in response to the reception of the first data is received by the third wireless communication device Assume that an acknowledgment signal is received.

  According to the present invention, the data transmitted from the first wireless communication device is transmitted to the third wireless communication device via the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device transmits the second wireless communication. In a wireless communication system for confirming that data has been received by the second wireless communication device by receiving an acknowledgment signal from the device, the confirmation response signal transmitted from the second wireless communication device causes the first If the first wireless communication device does not receive the data, the first wireless communication device can confirm that the data has been received by the second wireless communication device.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of this invention. This wireless communication system includes a center device 1, a parent device 2 that is a first wireless communication device, a relay device 3 that is a second wireless communication device, and a child device 4 that is a third wireless communication device. Become. The center device 1 and the base unit 2 communicate with each other through a public communication line such as a mobile phone network. The base unit 2 and the relay unit 3 and the relay unit 3 and the slave unit 4 communicate with each other by specific low power radio. The slave unit 4 is connected to a measuring instrument for measuring temperature and humidity, or a sensor such as a fire sensor or a gas leak sensor.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of base unit 2 of FIG. The base unit 2 includes a control device 21, a public radio circuit 22, a specific low-power radio circuit 23, and a storage device 24, each connected to the control device 21. Antennas 25 and 26 are connected to the public radio circuit 22 and the specific low-power radio circuit 23, respectively.

  The control device 21 performs overall control of the base unit 2 and various processes. The public wireless circuit 22 is a circuit for performing wireless communication with the center device 1, and the specific low power wireless circuit 23 is a circuit for performing wireless communication with the repeater 3. The storage device 24 stores various data and programs used when the control device 21 operates. The antennas 25 and 26 transmit and receive radio waves of public radio lines and specific low-power radio waves, respectively.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the repeater 3 of FIG. The repeater 3 includes a control device 31 and a specific low-power radio circuit 32 and a storage device 33 each connected to the control device 31. An antenna 34 is connected to the specific low power radio circuit 32.

  The control device 31 performs overall control of the repeater 3 and various processes. The specific low power wireless circuit 32 is a circuit for performing wireless communication between the parent device 2 and the child device 4. The storage device 23 stores various data and programs used when the control device 31 operates. The antenna 34 transmits and receives specific low-power radio waves.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the handset 4 of FIG. The subunit | mobile_unit 4 has the control apparatus 41, the specific low-power radio circuit 42 each connected to the control apparatus 41, the memory | storage device 43, and I / F (interface) circuit 44. An antenna 45 is connected to the specific low power radio circuit 42. Although not shown, the above-described measuring instrument and sensor are connected to the I / F circuit 44.

  The control device 41 performs overall control of the slave unit 4 and various processes. The specific low power wireless circuit 42 is a circuit for performing wireless communication with the repeater 3. The storage device 43 stores various data and programs used when the control device 41 operates. The I / F circuit 44 reads out measurement data of the measuring instrument in response to a command from the control device 41 and sends it to the control device 41. Further, when the sensor detects an abnormality, it notifies the control device 41. The antenna 45 transmits and receives specific low-power radio waves.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the master unit 2, the relay unit 3 and the slave unit 4 when the master unit 2 receives the measurement data request signal from the center device 1 in the wireless communication system having the above configuration. .

  In base unit 2, the measurement data request signal transmitted from center device 1 is sent to control device 21 through antenna 25 and public radio circuit 22. After analyzing the received measurement data request signal, the control device 21 generates repeater call data to request the repeater 3 to transmit the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to the slave unit 4, and specifies the repeater call data. It transmits to the repeater 3 through the low-power radio circuit 23 and the antenna 26 (procedure S1).

  In the repeater 3, the repeater call data is sent to the control device 31 through the antenna 34 and the specific low power radio circuit 32. When the control device 31 knows that it has been called and the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to the child device 4 is requested by analyzing the relay device calling data, it generates an ACK, The data is transmitted to the main unit 2 through the specific low power radio circuit 32 and the antenna 34 (step S2), and then the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to the sub unit 4 is requested. The handset call data is transmitted through the power radio circuit 32 and the antenna 34 (step S3).

  These procedures S2 and S3 are the same as procedures S42 and S43 in the conventional wireless communication system. In this embodiment, paying attention to the fact that the specific low-power radio wave transmitted from the antenna 34 of the repeater 3 in step S3 can be received by the antenna 26 of the master unit 2, the master unit 2 receives the slave unit call data. (Step S4).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the relay machine call process of the control device 21 of the parent device 2, that is, the process from the transmission of the relay machine call data to the reception of a response from the relay machine 3. This process starts when the base unit 2 receives a measurement data request signal from the center device 1.

  The control device 21 generates repeater call data, transmits it to the repeater 3 through the specific low-power radio circuit 23 and the antenna 26 (step ST1), and immediately starts an ACK reception timer (not shown) (step ST2). Until the time-out, reception of data transmitted from the repeater 3 is awaited (steps ST3 → ST4 → ST8). Here, step ST1 corresponds to step S1 in FIG.

  When base unit 2 receives data from relay unit 3 before the ACK reception timer times out (step ST4: YES), if it is an ACK (step ST5: YES), it is not an ACK but a relay. If it is the slave unit call data by the machine 3 (step ST5: NO → step ST7: YES), the ACK reception timer is stopped (step ST6), and the repeater call process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the ACK reception timer times out (step ST8: YES), ACK reception error processing is performed (step ST9), and the repeater call processing is terminated. Then, repeater call processing is executed again.

  Returning to the description of FIG. In the handset 4, handset call data is sent to the control device 41 through the antenna 45 and the specific low power radio circuit 42. When the control device 41 analyzes the slave unit call data and knows that it has been called and the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to itself is required, it first generates an ACK and specifies The data is transmitted to the repeater 3 through the low-power radio circuit 42 and the antenna 45 (step S5), then the data of a measuring instrument (not shown) connected to the I / F circuit 44 is read, and the measured data is returned to the slave unit Data is transmitted to the repeater 3 (step S6). The subsequent steps S7 to S9 are the same as the steps S46 to S48 in the conventional system.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, when the base unit 2 does not receive the ACK from the relay unit 3 and receives the slave unit call data, the base unit 2 receives the ACK by stopping the ACK reception timer. Therefore, even if the ACK transmitted from the repeater 3 cannot be received due to noise or the like, the slave unit call data transmitted from the repeater 3 to the slave unit 4 can be received. Thus, it is confirmed that the repeater 3 has received the repeater call data.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of the repeater call processing of the control device 21 of the parent device 2. Here, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 are assigned to the same processes as those in FIG.

  The process of this figure receives the slave answer data (step S8 in FIG. 5) even if neither the ACK nor the slave call data can be received before the ACK reception timer times out in the process of FIG. If it is possible (step ST5: NO → step ST7: NO → step ST10: YES), a process for stopping the ACK reception timer (step ST6) is added.

  As a result, even if the base unit 2 cannot receive both the ACK transmitted from the relay unit 3 and the slave unit call data transmitted from the relay unit 3 to the slave unit 4, it has received the slave unit response data. Therefore, it can be confirmed that the repeater 3 has received the repeater call data from the master unit 2, and therefore, it can be confirmed that the repeater call data has been received more reliably than the processing shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows the slave unit 4, the relay unit 3, and the master unit when the slave unit 4 reports to the center device 1 when the sensor connected to the slave unit 4 detects an abnormality in the wireless communication system of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing an operation of the machine 2.

  When a sensor (not shown) connected to the I / F circuit 44 of the slave unit 4 generates detection data, the control device 41 generates repeater call data and relays it through the specific low power radio circuit 42 and the antenna 45. It transmits to the machine 3 (procedure S11).

  In the repeater 3, the repeater call data is sent to the control device 31 through the antenna 34 and the specific low power radio circuit 32. When the control device 31 knows that it has been called and that the sensor connected to the slave unit 4 is generating detection data by analyzing the relay unit call data, it generates an ACK and specifies Transmission is made to the child device 4 through the low-power radio circuit 32 and the antenna 34 (step S12), and then the parent device call data is transmitted to the parent device 2 in order to send a report from the child device 4 to the center device 1 ( Procedure S13).

  These procedures S11 to S13 are the same as the procedures S51 to S53 in the conventional wireless communication system. That is, the operations of the relay device 3 and the parent device 2 are the same as those of the conventional wireless communication system. In this embodiment, paying attention to the fact that the specific low-power radio wave transmitted from the antenna 34 of the repeater 3 in step S13 can also be received by the antenna 45 of the slave unit 4, the slave unit 4 receives the master unit call data. (Step S14).

  After transmitting the repeater call data in step S11, the slave unit 4 starts the ACK reception timer in the same manner as in FIG. 6 and receives the ACK before the timeout or does not receive the ACK. When the machine call data is received, the ACK reception timer is stopped.

  That is, the slave unit 4 is based on the fact that the master unit call data transmitted from the repeater unit 3 to the master unit 2 can be received even if the slave unit 4 cannot receive the ACK transmitted from the repeater unit 3 due to noise or the like. Thus, it is processed that the ACK has been received, and it is confirmed that the repeater 3 has received the repeater call data from the slave unit 4.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to the second embodiment of this invention. In this figure, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG.

  In this radio communication system, the repeater 3 in the radio communication system of FIG. 1 is replaced with two-stage repeaters 3a and 3b. The repeater 3a communicates with the master unit 2 and the repeater 3b by specific low power radio, and the repeater 3b communicates with the slave unit 4 and the repeater 3a by specific low power radio. The block diagram of the configuration of the repeaters 3a and 3b is the same as the block diagram of the repeater 3 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the master unit 2, the relay units 3a and 3b, and the slave unit 4 when the master unit 2 receives a measurement data request signal from the center apparatus 1 in the wireless communication system of the present embodiment. is there.

  When the base unit 2 receives the measurement data request signal transmitted from the center device 1, the base unit 2 requests the relay unit 3 a to transmit the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to the slave unit 4. Call data is transmitted (step S21). The relay device 3a receives and analyzes call data for itself, first transmits ACK to the parent device 2 (step S22), and then requests transmission of measurement data of a measuring instrument connected to the child device 4. Then, the call data is transmitted to the repeater 3b (step S23).

  Call data for the relay device 3b is also received by the parent device 2 (step S24). When the base unit 2 transmits the call data to the relay unit 3a in step S21, starts the ACK reception timer and receives the ACK transmitted from the relay unit 3a before time-out as in FIG. Alternatively, when the call data for the repeater 3b is received without receiving the ACK, the ACK reception timer is stopped. As a result, the base unit 2 is able to receive the call data transmitted from the relay unit 3a to the relay unit 3b even if it cannot receive the ACK transmitted from the relay unit 3a due to noise or the like. The ACK is processed as having been received, and it is confirmed that the relay device 3a has received the call data from the parent device 2.

  The repeater 3b receives and analyzes the call data addressed to itself, first transmits ACK (acknowledgment response signal) to the repeater 3a (step S25), and then the measurement data of the measuring instrument connected to the slave unit 4 Is transmitted to the slave unit 4 (step S26).

  The slave unit call data is also received by the relay unit 3a (step S27). When the repeater 3a transmits the call data for the repeater 3b in step S23, the ACK reception timer is started in the same manner as in FIG. 6, and the ACK transmitted from the repeater 3b is received before the time-out occurs. Alternatively, when the call data for the handset 4 is received without receiving the ACK, the ACK reception timer is stopped. As a result, even if the relay device 3a cannot receive the ACK transmitted from the relay device 3b due to noise or the like, the relay device 3a has received the child device call data transmitted from the relay device 3b to the child device 4. Based on this, it is processed that the ACK has been received, and it is confirmed that the repeater 3b has received the call data from the repeater 3a.

  When the slave unit 4 receives the slave unit call data, the slave unit 4 first transmits ACK to the relay unit 3b (step S28), then reads the measurement value of the measuring instrument connected to itself, and uses the measurement data as the slave unit response data. Is transmitted to the repeater 3b (step S29). When the relay unit 3b receives the slave unit answer data, the relay unit 3b first transmits an ACK to the slave unit 4 (step S30), and then transmits the slave unit answer data to the relay unit 3a (step S31).

  When the relay unit 3a receives the slave unit response data, the relay unit 3a first transmits ACK to the relay unit 3b (step S32), and then transmits the slave unit reply data to the base unit 2 (step S33). When the master unit 2 receives the slave unit answer data, the master unit 2 transmits ACK to the relay unit 3a (step S34).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the base unit 2 cannot receive the ACK transmitted from the relay unit 3a due to noise or the like, the call data transmitted from the relay unit 3a to the relay unit 3b. Can be confirmed that the relay device 3a has received the call data from the parent device 2. Similarly, even if the relay device 3a cannot receive the ACK transmitted from the relay device 3b due to noise or the like, the relay device 3a can receive the call data transmitted from the relay device 3b to the child device 4. It can be confirmed that the repeater 3b has received the call data.

  In the first embodiment, the master unit 2 and the slave unit 4 communicate with each other via the relay unit 3, but the master unit 2 and the slave unit 4 communicate with each other via another slave unit. Can also be configured. In this configuration, another slave unit also has a relay function.

  In the second embodiment, the master unit 2 can receive the slave unit call data in step S26 even if neither the ACK in step S22 nor the relay device 3b call data in step S23 can be received. It is good also as what has received ACK of procedure S22.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the main | base station of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the relay machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the subunit | mobile_unit of FIG. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of a parent device, a relay device, and a child device when the parent device receives a measurement data request signal in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the repeater call process of the control apparatus of a main | base station. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the repeater call process of the control apparatus of a main | base station. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of the slave unit, the relay unit, and the master unit when the slave unit reports to the center device in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communications system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of a main | base station, a relay machine, and a subunit | mobile_unit when a main | base station receives the measurement data request signal in the radio | wireless communications system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the conventional radio | wireless communications system. In the conventional radio | wireless communications system, it is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of a main | base station, a relay machine, and a subunit | mobile_unit when a main | base station receives a measurement data request signal. In the conventional radio | wireless communications system, it is a sequence diagram which shows operation | movement of the subunit | mobile_unit, a relay machine, and a main | base station when a subunit | mobile_unit notifies to a center apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  2 ... Master unit, 3, 3a, 3b ... Relay unit, 4 ... Slave unit, 21, 31, 41 ... Control device, 23, 32, 42 ... Specific low power radio circuit.

Claims (3)

The data transmitted from the first wireless communication device is transmitted to the third wireless communication device via the second wireless communication device, and the first wireless communication device confirms from the second wireless communication device. In a wireless communication system for confirming that the data is received by the second wireless communication device by receiving a response signal,
The first wireless communication device includes means for transmitting the first data addressed to the third wireless communication device to the second wireless communication device, and within a predetermined time after transmitting the first data. And means for not receiving the confirmation response signal for the first data from the second wireless communication apparatus, and receiving the confirmation response signal when data other than the confirmation response signal is received. A wireless communication system. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The wireless communication system, wherein data other than the acknowledgment signal is the first data. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein
The third wireless communication apparatus comprises means for transmitting second data addressed to the first wireless communication apparatus to the second wireless communication apparatus in response to reception of the first data, the confirmation A wireless communication system, wherein data other than a response signal is the second data.

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