JP2015056816A - Communication system - Google Patents

Communication system Download PDF

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Publication number
JP2015056816A
JP2015056816A JP2013189945A JP2013189945A JP2015056816A JP 2015056816 A JP2015056816 A JP 2015056816A JP 2013189945 A JP2013189945 A JP 2013189945A JP 2013189945 A JP2013189945 A JP 2013189945A JP 2015056816 A JP2015056816 A JP 2015056816A
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slave station
station
communication
slave
meter reading
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秀樹 武長
Hideki Takenaga
秀樹 武長
隆之 新居
Takayuki Arai
隆之 新居
藤井　隆
Takashi Fujii
隆 藤井
寿雄 谷口
Toshio Taniguchi
寿雄 谷口
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2013189945A priority Critical patent/JP2015056816A/en
Priority to PCT/JP2014/004635 priority patent/WO2015037227A1/en
Publication of JP2015056816A publication Critical patent/JP2015056816A/en
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/10—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a centralized architecture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/60—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/18—Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system in which a slave station having no multi-hop communication function can transmit data to a master station through a multi-hop communication network and meter reading data can be acquired from the slave station even when the slave station cannot construct a communication route with the master station.SOLUTION: A communication system has a master station 1, plural first slave stations 2 that construct a communication route with the master station 1 to construct a multi-hop communication network, a second slave station 3 which does not belong to the multi-hop communication network, and a meter reading unit 6 carried by a user. The master station 1 and the first slave station 2 perform multi-hop communication with each other, and the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 perform communication with each other, thereby performing an automatic meter reading operation of acquiring data from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 by the master station 1. The meter reading unit 6 performs communication with each of the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3, thereby performing a manual meter reading operation of acquiring data from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3.

Description

本発明は、通信システムに関するものである。   The present invention relates to a communication system.

住戸、店舗、事務所等に設置された測定器の測定結果を無線信号によって送信する通信システムがある。   There is a communication system that transmits a measurement result of a measuring instrument installed in a dwelling unit, a store, an office, or the like by a wireless signal.

例えば、需要家毎に検針メータを設置して、商用電力、水道、ガス等のように供給事業者から供給される供給媒体の使用量を測定する。そして図４に示すように、各需要家には、例えば４００ＭＨｚ帯の小電力無線を用いて測定結果（検針データ）を送信する子局１０２を設置している。そして、検針員が、専用の検針器１０１を携行して個々の住戸を巡回し、検針器１０１−子局１０２間で１：１の通信を行うことによって、それぞれの住戸に設置された子局１０２から検針データを取得している（例えば、特許文献１参照）。   For example, a meter-reading meter is installed for each consumer, and the amount of supply medium supplied from a supplier such as commercial power, water, gas, etc. is measured. As shown in FIG. 4, each customer is provided with a slave station 102 that transmits a measurement result (meter-reading data) using, for example, a 400 MHz band low-power radio. And a meter-reader carries the dedicated meter-reading device 101, circulates each dwelling unit, and performs communication of 1: 1 between the meter-reading device 101-substation 102, and the slave station installed in each dwelling unit Meter reading data is acquired from 102 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開２０１１−２２９０１７号公報JP 2011-229017 A

近年、図５に示すように、各需要家に設けた子局２０２が、遠隔地に設けられた親局２０１に検針データを無線送信する遠隔検針システムが普及している。この遠隔検針システムにおいて、検針データを送信する子局２０２は、検針データを収集する親局２０１との間で通信を直接行うことができない場合、他の子局２０２を通信の中継に用いた通信ルートを、親局２０１との間で構築する。すなわち、親局２０１と複数の子局２０２とで、マルチホップ通信ネットワークを構成している。   In recent years, as shown in FIG. 5, a remote meter reading system in which a slave station 202 provided at each consumer wirelessly transmits meter reading data to a master station 201 provided at a remote place has become widespread. In this remote meter reading system, when a slave station 202 that transmits meter reading data cannot directly communicate with the master station 201 that collects meter reading data, communication using another slave station 202 for relaying communication is possible. A route is established with the master station 201. That is, the master station 201 and the plurality of slave stations 202 constitute a multi-hop communication network.

しかしながら、上述の特許文献１のように、検針器１０１との間で通信を行う子局１０２は、マルチホップ通信の機能を備えておらず、この遠隔検針システムに参加できなかった。   However, as in Patent Document 1 described above, the slave station 102 that communicates with the meter-reader 101 does not have a multi-hop communication function and cannot participate in this remote meter-reading system.

そこで、マルチホップ通信の機能を備えていない子局がマルチホップ通信ネットワークを介して親局にデータを送信することを可能にした通信システムが求められていた。さらに、子局が親局との間で通信ルートを構築できない場合でも、子局から検針データを取得する手段を確保することも求められている。   Therefore, there has been a demand for a communication system that enables a slave station that does not have a multi-hop communication function to transmit data to the master station via a multi-hop communication network. Furthermore, even when the slave station cannot establish a communication route with the master station, it is required to secure a means for acquiring meter reading data from the slave station.

本発明は、上記事由に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、マルチホップ通信機能を備えていない子局がマルチホップ通信ネットワークを介して親局にデータを送信することができ、且つ子局が親局との間で通信ルートを構築できない場合でも、子局から検針データを取得することができる通信システムを提供することにある。   The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to allow a slave station that does not have a multi-hop communication function to transmit data to the master station via a multi-hop communication network, and An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of acquiring meter reading data from a slave station even when the station cannot establish a communication route with the master station.

本発明の通信システムは、親局と、前記親局との間に通信ルートを構築してマルチホップ通信ネットワークを構成する複数の第１子局と、前記マルチホップ通信ネットワークに属していない第２子局と、ユーザが携行する検針器とで構成されて、前記親局と前記第１子局とが互いにマルチホップ通信を行い、前記第１子局と前記第２子局とが互いに通信を行うことによって、前記親局が前記第１子局および前記第２子局からデータを取得する自動検針動作と、前記検針器が、前記第１子局および前記第２子局との間で個々に通信を行うことによって、前記第１子局および前記第２子局から前記データを取得する手動検針動作とを行うことを特徴とする。   The communication system according to the present invention includes a master station, a plurality of first slave stations constituting a multi-hop communication network by establishing a communication route between the master station, and a second that does not belong to the multi-hop communication network. It is composed of a slave station and a meter reader carried by the user, the master station and the first slave station perform multi-hop communication with each other, and the first slave station and the second slave station communicate with each other. By performing the automatic meter-reading operation in which the master station acquires data from the first slave station and the second slave station, the meter reading device is individually connected between the first slave station and the second slave station. And performing manual meter-reading operation for acquiring the data from the first slave station and the second slave station.

この発明において、前記親局との間に通信ルートを構築できない前記第１子局である孤立子局がある場合、前記孤立子局、および前記孤立子局と通信する前記第２子局は、前記検針器によって前記データを取得されることが好ましい。   In this invention, when there is an isolated slave station that is the first slave station that cannot establish a communication route with the master station, the isolated slave station and the second slave station that communicates with the isolated slave station are: It is preferable that the data is acquired by the meter reading device.

以上説明したように、本発明の通信システムでは、第１子局の第２通信部が第２子局との通信によって第２子局の検針データを取得した後、第１子局の第１通信部が親局へマルチホップ通信によって検針データを送信する。したがって、親局は、データ取得先の第２子局から検針情報を取得することができる。さらに、検針器が、第１子局および第２子局との間で個々に通信を行うことができる。而して、本発明の通信システムでは、マルチホップ通信機能を備えていない子局がマルチホップ通信ネットワークを介して親局にデータを送信することができ、且つ子局が親局との間で通信ルートを構築できない場合でも、子局から検針データを取得することができるという効果がある。   As described above, in the communication system of the present invention, after the second communication unit of the first slave station acquires the meter reading data of the second slave station by communicating with the second slave station, the first slave station first The communication unit transmits meter reading data to the master station by multi-hop communication. Therefore, the master station can acquire meter reading information from the second slave station that is the data acquisition destination. Further, the meter reading device can individually communicate with the first slave station and the second slave station. Thus, in the communication system of the present invention, a slave station that does not have a multi-hop communication function can transmit data to the master station via the multi-hop communication network, and the slave station can communicate with the master station. Even when a communication route cannot be established, meter reading data can be obtained from the slave station.

実施形態の通信システムの構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system of embodiment. 同上のシステム構成を示す概略図である。It is the schematic which shows a system configuration same as the above. 同上の孤立グループの発生を示す構成図である。It is a block diagram which shows generation | occurrence | production of an isolated group same as the above. 従来のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the conventional system configuration. 従来の別のシステム構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows another conventional system configuration.

以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて説明する。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

（実施形態）
図２は、本実施形態の通信システムの全体構成図であり、図１は、この通信システムの一部を示すブロック図である。この通信システムは、親となる通信端末１が設置され、各需要家には、子となる通信端末２または子となる通信端末３が設置される。なお以降、親（コンセントレータ）となる通信端末１は親局１と称し、子となる通信端末２は第１子局２と称し、子となる通信端末３は第２子局３と称す。さらに、第１子局２を個別に識別する場合は、第１子局２１、２２、２３、．．．の符号を用い、第２子局３を個別に識別する場合は、第２子局３１、３２、３３、．．．の符号を用いる。 (Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the communication system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a part of the communication system. In this communication system, a communication terminal 1 as a parent is installed, and a communication terminal 2 as a child or a communication terminal 3 as a child is installed in each consumer. Hereinafter, the communication terminal 1 serving as a parent (concentrator) is referred to as a parent station 1, the child communication terminal 2 is referred to as a first child station 2, and the child communication terminal 3 is referred to as a second child station 3. Furthermore, when individually identifying the first slave station 2, the first slave stations 21, 22, 23,. . . When the second slave station 3 is individually identified using the code of the second slave station 31, 32, 33,. . . Is used.

本通信システムにおいて、第１子局２は、９００ＭＨｚ帯を用いたマルチホップ通信機能を用いて、親局１との間で互いにマルチホップ通信を行うマルチホップ通信ネットワークを構成している。一方、第２子局３は、マルチホップ通信機能を備えておらず、マルチホップ通信ネットワークに属さずに、第１子局２との間で４００ＭＨｚ帯を用いた直接通信を行う。すなわち、本通信システムでは、マルチホップ通信機能を備える第１子局２と、マルチホップ通信機能を備えない第２子局３とが混在している。そして、親局１は、各需要家に関する所定データを第１子局２，第２子局３から取得し、この取得した所定データを、上位の通信管理装置４へ光ファイバ回線等を用いて送信する。通信管理装置４には、データベース５が接続されている。   In this communication system, the first slave station 2 forms a multi-hop communication network that performs multi-hop communication with the master station 1 using a multi-hop communication function using the 900 MHz band. On the other hand, the second slave station 3 does not have a multi-hop communication function, and directly communicates with the first slave station 2 using the 400 MHz band without belonging to the multi-hop communication network. That is, in this communication system, the first slave station 2 having the multi-hop communication function and the second slave station 3 not having the multi-hop communication function are mixed. Then, the master station 1 acquires predetermined data related to each customer from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3, and uses the acquired predetermined data to the upper communication management device 4 using an optical fiber line or the like. Send. A database 5 is connected to the communication management device 4.

第１子局２は、図１に示すように、第１通信部２ａ、第２通信部２ｂを具備して構成される。   As shown in FIG. 1, the first slave station 2 includes a first communication unit 2a and a second communication unit 2b.

第１通信部２ａは、マルチホップ通信ネットワークにおいて親局１との間に構築した通信ルートを介して、９００ＭＨｚ帯を用いたマルチホップ通信を行う機能を有する。第２通信部２ｂは、マルチホップ通信ネットワークに属していない第２子局３との間で、４００ＭＨｚ帯を用いた直接通信を行う機能を有する。第１通信部２ａが用いる通信プロトコルと第２通信部２ｂが用いる通信プロトコルとは互いに異なる。したがって、第１子局２において、第２子局３とマルチホップ通信ネットワークとの間の通信を中継する場合、第１通信部２ａ−第２通信部２ｂ間では、プロトコル変換が行われる。なお、一般に、９００ＭＨｚ帯を用いた通信は、４００ＭＨｚ帯を用いた通信に比べて、通信速度は速いが（９００ＭＨｚ帯：１００ｋｂｐｓ、４００ＭＨｚ帯：４．８ｋｂｐｓ）、通信可能範囲は狭くなる。   The first communication unit 2a has a function of performing multi-hop communication using the 900 MHz band via a communication route established with the master station 1 in the multi-hop communication network. The second communication unit 2b has a function of performing direct communication using the 400 MHz band with the second slave station 3 that does not belong to the multi-hop communication network. The communication protocol used by the first communication unit 2a is different from the communication protocol used by the second communication unit 2b. Therefore, when the first slave station 2 relays communication between the second slave station 3 and the multi-hop communication network, protocol conversion is performed between the first communication unit 2a and the second communication unit 2b. In general, communication using the 900 MHz band is faster than communication using the 400 MHz band (900 MHz band: 100 kbps, 400 MHz band: 4.8 kbps), but the communication range is narrow.

以下、親局１が、各需要家における電力使用量、ガス使用量、水道使用量等の検針データを第１子局２，第２子局３から取得する遠隔検針システムを例にして説明する。   Hereinafter, a remote meter reading system in which the master station 1 acquires meter reading data such as power usage, gas usage, and water usage at each consumer from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 will be described as an example. .

まず、親局１は、配下の第１子局２，第２子局３から定期的（例えば、３０分毎）に検針データを取得する自動検針動作を行う。   First, the master station 1 performs an automatic meter reading operation for acquiring meter reading data periodically (for example, every 30 minutes) from the subordinate first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3.

親局１および第１子局２は、９００ＭＨｚ帯を用いたマルチホップ通信によりパケットを互いに送受している。すなわち、親局１と第１子局２との間で直接または間接に通信が行われ、親局１と直接通信できない第１子局２は、通信可能な距離にある他の第１子局２がパケットを順次中継することで、親局１との間で間接通信を行っている。   The master station 1 and the first slave station 2 transmit and receive packets to and from each other by multihop communication using the 900 MHz band. That is, communication is performed directly or indirectly between the master station 1 and the first slave station 2, and the first slave station 2 that cannot communicate directly with the master station 1 is connected to another first slave station within a communicable distance. 2 relays packets sequentially, thereby performing indirect communication with the master station 1.

図１において、親局１−第１子局２１−第１子局２２−第１子局２３の通信ルートが構築されており、親局１が、データ取得先の第１子局２３宛の検針要求を送信する。親局１は、配下の全ての第１子局２との間に構築された通信ルートに関する情報（通信ルート情報）を記憶しており、第１子局２３に至る通信ルート情報を付加した検針要求を次ホップの第１子局２１へ送信する。通信ルート情報は、親局１から第１子局２３までの通信ルート上の親局１、第１子局２１，２２，２３の各端末ＩＤが順に並べられることによって表される。次ホップの第１子局２１の第１通信部２ａは、検針要求を受信すると、受信した検針要求に付加された通信ルート情報を参照し、受信した検針データをさらに次ホップの第１子局２２へ送信することによって、検針要求を中継する。このようにして、検針要求は、通信ルートを構成する第１子局２１，２２の第１通信部２ａによって順次中継され、最終の送信先である第１子局２３の第１通信部２ａに到達する。また、親局１との間で直接通信が可能な第１子局２の第１通信部２ａは、他の第１子局２が中継することなく、親局１から検針要求を直接受信する。   In FIG. 1, a communication route of a master station 1-a first slave station 21-a first slave station 22-a first slave station 23 is established, and the master station 1 is addressed to the first slave station 23 as a data acquisition destination. Send a meter reading request. The master station 1 stores information (communication route information) related to the communication route established with all the first slave stations 2 under its control, and the meter reading with the communication route information reaching the first slave station 23 added The request is transmitted to the first slave station 21 of the next hop. The communication route information is represented by the terminal IDs of the master station 1 and the first slave stations 21, 22, 23 on the communication route from the master station 1 to the first slave station 23 being arranged in order. When receiving the meter reading request, the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 21 of the next hop refers to the communication route information added to the received meter reading request, and further receives the meter reading data as the first slave station of the next hop. By transmitting to 22, the meter reading request is relayed. In this way, the meter reading request is sequentially relayed by the first communication unit 2a of the first slave stations 21 and 22 constituting the communication route, and is sent to the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 23 which is the final transmission destination. To reach. Further, the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 2 capable of direct communication with the master station 1 directly receives a meter reading request from the master station 1 without relaying by other first slave stations 2. .

第１子局２は、親局１との間に構築された通信ルートに関する情報（通信ルート情報）を記憶している。そして、第１子局２３の第１通信部２ａは、自局宛の検針要求を受信すると、親局１へ至る通信ルート情報を付加した自局の検針データを次ホップの第１子局２２へ送信（返信）する。通信ルート情報は、第１子局２３から親局１までの通信ルート上の親局１、第１子局２１，２２，２３の各端末ＩＤが順に並べられることによって表される。次ホップの第１子局２２の第１通信部２ａは、検針データを受信すると、受信した検針データに付加された通信ルート情報を参照し、受信した検針データをさらに次ホップの第１子局２１へ送信することによって、検針データを中継する。このようにして、第１子局２３の検針データは、通信ルートを構成する第１子局２１，２２の第１通信部２ａによって順次中継され、最終の送信先である親局１に到達する。また、親局１との間で直接通信が可能な第１子局２の第１通信部２ａは、他の第１子局２が中継することなく、検針データを親局１へ直接送信する。   The first slave station 2 stores information (communication route information) related to the communication route established with the master station 1. When the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 23 receives the meter reading request addressed to the own station, the first slave station 22 of the next hop receives the meter reading data of the own station to which the communication route information to the master station 1 is added. Send (reply) to. The communication route information is represented by the terminal IDs of the master station 1 and the first slave stations 21, 22, 23 on the communication route from the first slave station 23 to the master station 1 being arranged in order. When receiving the meter reading data, the first communication unit 2a of the first hop first slave station 22 refers to the communication route information added to the received meter reading data, and further receives the meter reading data as the first hop first slave station. By transmitting to 21, the meter reading data is relayed. In this way, the meter reading data of the first slave station 23 is sequentially relayed by the first communication unit 2a of the first slave stations 21 and 22 constituting the communication route, and reaches the master station 1 which is the final transmission destination. . In addition, the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 2 capable of direct communication with the master station 1 directly transmits the meter reading data to the master station 1 without relaying the other first slave station 2. .

上述のように、第１子局２の第１通信部２ａが、マルチホップ通信により親局１との間でパケットを互いに送受することによって、親局１は、データ取得先の第１子局２から検針情報を取得することができる。   As described above, when the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 2 transmits and receives packets to and from the master station 1 by multi-hop communication, the master station 1 becomes the first slave station of the data acquisition destination. Meter reading information can be acquired from 2.

一方、第２子局３はマルチホップ通信機能を備えていないため、親局１−第２子局３間では、マルチホップ通信によりパケットを互いに送受することはできない。そこで、第１子局２の第２通信部２ｂが第２子局３との間で直接通信を行うことによって、第２子局３の検針データを取得し、第１通信部２ａがマルチホップ通信ネットワークを介して親局１へ検針データを送信する。すなわち、第１子局２は、第２子局３とマルチホップ通信ネットワークとの間のプロトコル変換処理、中継処理を行う。   On the other hand, since the second slave station 3 does not have a multi-hop communication function, packets cannot be transmitted and received between the master station 1 and the second slave station 3 by multi-hop communication. Therefore, the second communication unit 2b of the first slave station 2 directly communicates with the second slave station 3, thereby acquiring meter reading data of the second slave station 3, and the first communication unit 2a is multi-hopped. Meter reading data is transmitted to the master station 1 via the communication network. That is, the first slave station 2 performs protocol conversion processing and relay processing between the second slave station 3 and the multi-hop communication network.

次に、通信管理装置４の動作について説明する。通信管理装置４は、親局１−第１子局２−第２子局３間の通信を管理する機能と、各需要家の第１子局２および第２子局３の各検針データを親局１から収集する収集装置としての機能とを有する。   Next, the operation of the communication management device 4 will be described. The communication management device 4 manages the communication between the master station 1 -the first slave station 2 -the second slave station 3 and the meter reading data of the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 of each customer. And a function as a collecting device for collecting from the master station 1.

通信管理装置４は、データベース５に接続している。データベース５は、第１子局２に関する情報および第２子局３に関する情報を格納している。第１子局２に関する情報とは、第１子局２の端末ＩＤ、親局１−第１子局２間に構築された通信ルート情報、各通信ルートの通信品質情報、第１子局２の位置情報等である。第２子局３に関する情報とは、第２子局３の端末ＩＤ、第２子局３の位置情報等である。これらの各情報は、通信管理装置４が親局１、第１子局２、第２子局３から取得してデータベース５に格納する処理、ユーザによる入力処理等によって、データベース５に予め格納されている。   The communication management device 4 is connected to the database 5. The database 5 stores information about the first slave station 2 and information about the second slave station 3. The information related to the first slave station 2 includes the terminal ID of the first slave station 2, the communication route information established between the master station 1 and the first slave station 2, the communication quality information of each communication route, the first slave station 2 Position information. The information related to the second slave station 3 includes the terminal ID of the second slave station 3, the location information of the second slave station 3, and the like. Each of these pieces of information is stored in advance in the database 5 by the processing that the communication management device 4 acquires from the master station 1, the first slave station 2, and the second slave station 3 and stores in the database 5, the input process by the user, etc. ing.

そして、通信管理装置４は、データベース５から取得した第１子局２に関する情報および第２子局３に関する情報を用いて、第２子局３の通信を管理する。   Then, the communication management device 4 manages the communication of the second slave station 3 using the information related to the first slave station 2 and the information related to the second slave station 3 acquired from the database 5.

例えば、通信管理装置４は、データベース５から取得した第１子局２に関する情報および第２子局３に関する情報を用いて、第２子局３のそれぞれを第１子局２に対応付けて、この互いに対応付けた第１子局２と第２子局３との間で通信を行わせる。   For example, the communication management device 4 associates each of the second slave stations 3 with the first slave station 2 using the information related to the first slave station 2 and the information related to the second slave station 3 acquired from the database 5. Communication is performed between the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 associated with each other.

具体的に、図１において、第２子局３をいずれかの第１子局２に対応付ける方法として、データベース５内の位置情報および通信ルート情報を用いる。位置情報は、第１子局２、第２子局３を設置した場所の情報（座標、住所等）である。そして、第２子局３１が新規に設置された場合、通信管理装置４は、全ての第１子局２の位置情報、および第２子局３１の位置情報をデータベース５から読み出す。通信管理装置４は、第２子局３１の位置情報と第１子局２の各位置情報とを比較して、第２子局３１との間の距離が閾値以下である第１子局２（この場合、第１子局２３，２４，２５）を候補端末として抽出する。   Specifically, in FIG. 1, as a method for associating the second slave station 3 with any one of the first slave stations 2, position information and communication route information in the database 5 are used. The position information is information (coordinates, address, etc.) of the place where the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 are installed. When the second slave station 31 is newly installed, the communication management device 4 reads out the position information of all the first slave stations 2 and the position information of the second slave stations 31 from the database 5. The communication management device 4 compares the position information of the second slave station 31 with the position information of the first slave station 2, and the distance from the second slave station 31 is equal to or less than the threshold value. (In this case, first slave stations 23, 24, and 25) are extracted as candidate terminals.

なお、新規に設置された第２子局３が、自局の端末ＩＤを付加した参入要求をブロードキャストし、この参入要求を受信した第１子局２が親局１へ参入要求を中継し、親局１が通信管理装置４へ参入要求を送信することによって、通信管理装置４は、第２子局３の新規設置を認識することができる。   In addition, the newly installed second slave station 3 broadcasts an entry request with its own terminal ID added, and the first slave station 2 that has received this entry request relays the entry request to the master station 1, When the master station 1 transmits an entry request to the communication management device 4, the communication management device 4 can recognize the new installation of the second slave station 3.

そして、通信管理装置４は、候補端末となった第１子局２３，２４，２５の各通信ルート情報を参照して、候補端末のうち、通信ルートのホップ数が最小である第１子局２（この場合、第１子局２３）に、第２子局３１を対応付ける。したがって、親局１−第２子局３間の通信経路におけるホップ数を少なくできるので、親局１−第２子局３間の通信に要する時間を短縮できる。而して、親局１が、第２子局３から検針データを取得するのに要する時間を短縮できる。   Then, the communication management device 4 refers to the communication route information of the first slave stations 23, 24, and 25 that have become candidate terminals, and among the candidate terminals, the first slave station having the smallest number of communication route hops. 2 (in this case, the first slave station 23) is associated with the second slave station 31. Therefore, since the number of hops in the communication path between the master station 1 and the second slave station 3 can be reduced, the time required for communication between the master station 1 and the second slave station 3 can be shortened. Thus, the time required for the master station 1 to acquire meter reading data from the second slave station 3 can be shortened.

また、通信管理装置４は、候補端末の通信ルートのホップ数以外に、候補端末が第２子局３１から受信した参入要求等の受信信号強度も考慮して、第２子局３１に対応付ける第１子局２を決定してもよい。   In addition to the number of hops of the communication route of the candidate terminal, the communication management device 4 takes into account the received signal strength such as an entry request received by the candidate terminal from the second slave station 31 and associates it with the second slave station 31. One slave station 2 may be determined.

上述のように、通信管理装置４は、データベース５から取得した第１子局２に関する情報および第２子局３１に関する情報を用いて、第２子局３１を第１子局２３に対応付ける。そして、通信管理装置４は、第２子局３１を第１子局２３に対応付けたことを親局１へ通知する。   As described above, the communication management device 4 associates the second slave station 31 with the first slave station 23 using the information related to the first slave station 2 and the information related to the second slave station 31 acquired from the database 5. Then, the communication management device 4 notifies the master station 1 that the second slave station 31 is associated with the first slave station 23.

親局１は、配下の第１子局２と第２子局３との対応関係を示す情報（対応情報）を記憶しており、第１子局２３−第２子局３１の対応関係を対応情報に付加する。そして、親局１は、第２子局３１が第１子局２３に対応付けられたことを、第１子局２３へ通知する。以降、第１子局２３では、自局に第２子局３１が対応付けられていることを認識し、第１通信部２ａが第２子局３１宛の信号を受信した場合、第２通信部２ｂが当該信号を第２子局３１へ送信する。また、第１子局２３では、第２通信部２ｂが第２子局３１からの信号を受信した場合、第１通信部２ａが当該信号を中継して送信する。   The master station 1 stores information (corresponding information) indicating a correspondence relationship between the subordinate first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3, and the correspondence relationship between the first slave station 23 and the second slave station 31 is stored. Add to the corresponding information. Then, the master station 1 notifies the first slave station 23 that the second slave station 31 is associated with the first slave station 23. Thereafter, the first slave station 23 recognizes that the second slave station 31 is associated with its own station, and when the first communication unit 2a receives a signal addressed to the second slave station 31, the second slave station 31 The unit 2b transmits the signal to the second slave station 31. In the first slave station 23, when the second communication unit 2b receives a signal from the second slave station 31, the first communication unit 2a relays and transmits the signal.

そして、親局１は、第１子局２３に至る通信ルート情報を第２子局３１宛の検針要求に付加し、この第２子局３１宛の検針要求を次ホップの第１子局２１へ送信する。次ホップの第１子局２１は、検針要求の宛先である第２子局３１が自局に対応付けられていない。したがって、次ホップの第１子局２１の第１通信部２ａは、検針要求を受信すると、受信した検針要求に付加された通信ルート情報を参照し、受信した検針データをさらに次ホップの第１子局２２へ送信することによって、検針要求を中継する。このようにして、検針要求は、通信ルートを構成する第１子局２１，２２の第１通信部２ａによって順次中継され、第１子局２３の第１通信部２ａに到達する。   Then, the master station 1 adds the communication route information to the first slave station 23 to the meter reading request addressed to the second slave station 31, and adds the meter reading request addressed to the second slave station 31 to the first slave station 21 of the next hop. Send to. In the next hop first slave station 21, the second slave station 31, which is the destination of the meter reading request, is not associated with the own station. Accordingly, when the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 21 of the next hop receives the meter reading request, the first communication unit 2a refers to the communication route information added to the received meter reading request, and further receives the meter reading data of the first hop. By transmitting to the slave station 22, the meter reading request is relayed. In this way, the meter reading request is sequentially relayed by the first communication unit 2a of the first slave stations 21 and 22 constituting the communication route, and reaches the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 23.

第２子局３１宛の検針要求を受信した第１子局２３は第２子局３１が対応付けられており、第１子局２３の第２通信部２ｂは、第２子局３１へ検針要求を送信する。このようにして、検針要求は、最終の送信先である第２子局３１へ到達する。   The first slave station 23 that has received the meter reading request addressed to the second slave station 31 is associated with the second slave station 31, and the second communication unit 2 b of the first slave station 23 sends the meter reading to the second slave station 31. Send a request. In this way, the meter reading request reaches the second slave station 31 that is the final transmission destination.

そして、第２子局３１は、自局宛の検針要求を受信すると、自局の検針データを送信（返信）する。第１子局２３では、第２通信部２ｂが第２子局３１の検針データを受信すると、第１通信部２ａが検針データをマルチホップ通信によって親局１へ送信する。すなわち、第１子局２３の第１通信部２ａは、親局１へ至る通信ルート情報を付加した第２子局３１の検針データを次ホップの第１子局２２へ送信する。次ホップの第１子局２２の第１通信部２ａは、検針データを受信すると、受信した検針データに付加された通信ルート情報を参照し、受信した検針データをさらに次ホップの第１子局２１へ送信することによって、検針データを中継する。このようにして、第２子局３１の検針データは、通信ルートを構成する第１子局２１，２２の第１通信部２ａによって順次中継され、最終の送信先である親局１に到達する。   And the 2nd sub_station | mobile_unit 31 will transmit (reply) the meter-reading data of a self-station, if the meter-reading request addressed to a self-station is received. In the first slave station 23, when the second communication unit 2b receives the meter reading data of the second slave station 31, the first communication unit 2a transmits the meter reading data to the master station 1 by multi-hop communication. That is, the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 23 transmits the meter reading data of the second slave station 31 to which the communication route information to the master station 1 is added to the first slave station 22 of the next hop. When receiving the meter reading data, the first communication unit 2a of the first hop first slave station 22 refers to the communication route information added to the received meter reading data, and further receives the meter reading data as the first hop first slave station. By transmitting to 21, the meter reading data is relayed. In this way, the meter reading data of the second slave station 31 is sequentially relayed by the first communication unit 2a of the first slave stations 21 and 22 constituting the communication route, and reaches the master station 1 which is the final transmission destination. .

このように、親局１は、第１子局２および第２子局３の各検針データを定期的に取得する。そして、通信管理装置４は、親局１が第１子局２，第２子局３から取得した検針データを、親局１から収集する。通信管理装置４が収集した検針データは、各需要家における課金データの算出に用いられる。   Thus, the master station 1 periodically acquires each meter reading data of the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3. Then, the communication management device 4 collects the meter reading data acquired by the master station 1 from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 from the master station 1. The meter reading data collected by the communication management device 4 is used for calculating billing data at each consumer.

而して、本通信システムは、９００ＭＨｚ帯を用いたマルチホップ通信機能を備えた第１通信部２ａ、および４００ＭＨｚ帯を用いた直接通信を行う第２通信部２ｂの両方を具備するハイブリッドの第１子局２を用いて構成されている。そして、第１子局２の第２通信部２ｂが第２子局３との通信によって第２子局３の検針データを取得した後、第１子局２の第１通信部２ａが親局１へマルチホップ通信によって検針データを送信する。したがって、親局１は、データ取得先の第２子局３から検針情報を取得することができる。つまり、マルチホップ通信の機能を備えていない第２子局３がマルチホップ通信ネットワークを介して親局１にデータを送信することが可能になる。   Thus, the communication system includes a first communication unit 2a having a multi-hop communication function using a 900 MHz band and a second communication unit 2b performing a direct communication using a 400 MHz band. 1 slave station 2 is used. Then, after the second communication unit 2b of the first slave station 2 acquires the meter reading data of the second slave station 3 through communication with the second slave station 3, the first communication unit 2a of the first slave station 2 becomes the master station. Meter reading data is transmitted to 1 by multi-hop communication. Therefore, the master station 1 can acquire meter reading information from the second slave station 3 that is the data acquisition destination. In other words, the second slave station 3 that does not have the multi-hop communication function can transmit data to the master station 1 via the multi-hop communication network.

次に、検針員が携行する検針器６（ハンディターミナル）を用いて、第１子局２および第２子局３から個々に検針データを取得する手動検針動作について説明する。   Next, a manual meter reading operation for individually acquiring meter reading data from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 using the meter reader 6 (handy terminal) carried by the meter reader will be described.

まず、検針器６は、４００ＭＨｚ帯を用いた直接通信の機能を有しており、第１子局２の第２通信部２ｂ、および第２子局３と個々に通信可能に構成されている。そして、検針員が需要家を巡回し、検針器６を操作することによって、検針器６が、各需要家に設けた第１子局２または第２子局３から検針データを直接取得する。検針器６は、第１子局２の近傍で検針要求を送信する。第１子局２の第２通信部２ｂは、検針器６からの検針要求を受信すると、自局の検針データを検針器６へ送信（返信）する。また、検針器６は、第２子局３の近傍で検針要求を送信する。第２子局３は、検針器６からの検針要求を受信すると、自局の検針データを検針器６へ送信（返信）する。   First, the meter reading device 6 has a direct communication function using the 400 MHz band, and is configured to be able to communicate with the second communication unit 2b of the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 individually. . Then, when the meter reader goes around the customer and operates the meter reading device 6, the meter reading device 6 directly acquires the meter reading data from the first slave station 2 or the second slave station 3 provided in each consumer. The meter reading device 6 transmits a meter reading request in the vicinity of the first slave station 2. When the second communication unit 2b of the first slave station 2 receives the meter-reading request from the meter-reading device 6, it transmits (replies) its own meter-reading data to the meter-reading device 6. In addition, the meter reading device 6 transmits a meter reading request in the vicinity of the second slave station 3. When receiving the meter reading request from the meter reading device 6, the second slave station 3 transmits (replies) its own meter reading data to the meter reading device 6.

従来、検針器６による手動検針動作を行う既設の第２子局３のみで構成されたシステムがある。この従来システムにおける既設の第２子局３の一部を第１子局２に交換することによって、またはこの従来システムに第１子局２を新設することによって、第１子局２と第２子局３とが混在した遠隔検針システムが構成される。この場合、第１子局２を検針器６と通信可能に構成することによって、遠隔検針システムにおいても、従来システムと同様に検針器６を用いた手動検針動作が可能になる。   Conventionally, there is a system composed only of the existing second slave station 3 that performs manual meter reading operation by the meter meter 6. By replacing a part of the existing second slave station 3 in the conventional system with the first slave station 2 or by newly installing the first slave station 2 in the conventional system, the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 2 A remote meter reading system in which the slave station 3 is mixed is configured. In this case, by configuring the first slave station 2 to be communicable with the meter-reading device 6, a manual meter-reading operation using the meter-reading device 6 can be performed in the remote meter-reading system as in the conventional system.

また、図３に示すように、親局１との通信ルートを構築できない第１子局２（孤立子局）が発生し、親局１との通信ルートを構築できない第１子局２および第２子局３からなる孤立グループＧ１が形成されたとする。この場合、親局１は、孤立グループＧ１内の第１子局２および第２子局３から検針データを取得する自動検針動作を実行することができない。そこで、検針員が検針器６を用いて、孤立グループＧ１内の第１子局２および第２子局３から検針データを取得する手動検針動作を行うことによって、孤立グループＧ１の発生時においても検針データを収集することができる。   Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a first slave station 2 (isolated slave station) that cannot establish a communication route with the master station 1 occurs, and the first slave station 2 and the first slave station 2 that cannot establish a communication route with the master station 1 Assume that an isolated group G1 composed of two slave stations 3 is formed. In this case, the master station 1 cannot execute an automatic meter reading operation for acquiring meter reading data from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 in the isolated group G1. Therefore, the meter reader performs a manual meter reading operation for acquiring meter reading data from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 in the isolated group G1 using the meter reader 6, so that even when the isolated group G1 is generated. Meter reading data can be collected.

上述の通信システムは、親局１と、親局１との間に通信ルートを構築してマルチホップ通信ネットワークを構成する複数の第１子局２と、マルチホップ通信ネットワークに属していない第２子局３と、ユーザが携行する検針器６とで構成される。そして、通信システムは、親局１と第１子局２とが互いにマルチホップ通信を行い、第１子局２と第２子局３とが互いに通信を行うことによって、親局１が第１子局２および第２子局３からデータを取得する自動検針動作を行う。さらに、通信システムは、検針器６が、第１子局２および第２子局３との間で個々に通信を行うことによって、第１子局２および第２子局３からデータを取得する手動検針動作を行う。   The communication system described above includes a master station 1, a plurality of first slave stations 2 constituting a multi-hop communication network by establishing a communication route between the master station 1 and a second that does not belong to the multi-hop communication network. It is comprised with the sub_station | mobile_unit 3 and the meter-reading device 6 which a user carries. In the communication system, the master station 1 and the first slave station 2 perform multi-hop communication with each other, and the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 communicate with each other. An automatic meter reading operation for acquiring data from the slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 is performed. Further, in the communication system, the meter reading device 6 acquires data from the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3 by individually communicating with the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3. Perform manual meter reading.

また、親局１が、予め設定された所定の情報を第１子局２および第２子局３との間で送受することによって、各需要家内の機器の状態を監視する遠隔監視システム、各需要家内の機器の状態を制御する遠隔制御システム等を構成することも可能である。   In addition, a remote monitoring system in which the master station 1 monitors the state of the equipment in each customer by transmitting and receiving predetermined information set in advance between the first slave station 2 and the second slave station 3, It is also possible to configure a remote control system or the like that controls the state of equipment in the consumer.

１ 親局
２ 第１子局
２ａ 第１通信部
２ｂ 第２通信部
３ 第２子局
６ 検針器 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Master station 2 1st slave station 2a 1st communication part 2b 2nd communication part 3 2nd slave station 6 Meter reading device

Claims (2)

親局と、前記親局との間に通信ルートを構築してマルチホップ通信ネットワークを構成する複数の第１子局と、前記マルチホップ通信ネットワークに属していない第２子局と、ユーザが携行する検針器とで構成されて、
前記親局と前記第１子局とが互いにマルチホップ通信を行い、前記第１子局と前記第２子局とが互いに通信を行うことによって、前記親局が前記第１子局および前記第２子局からデータを取得する自動検針動作と、
前記検針器が、前記第１子局および前記第２子局との間で個々に通信を行うことによって、前記第１子局および前記第２子局から前記データを取得する手動検針動作と
を行う
ことを特徴とする通信システム。 A user carries a plurality of first slave stations that constitute a multi-hop communication network by establishing a communication route between the master station and the master station, and a second slave station that does not belong to the multi-hop communication network. Consisting of a meter reading instrument,
The master station and the first slave station perform multi-hop communication with each other, and the first slave station and the second slave station communicate with each other, thereby allowing the master station to communicate with the first slave station and the first slave station. Automatic meter reading operation to acquire data from two slave stations,
A manual meter reading operation in which the meter reading unit obtains the data from the first slave station and the second slave station by individually communicating with the first slave station and the second slave station; The communication system characterized by performing. 前記親局との間に通信ルートを構築できない前記第１子局である孤立子局がある場合、前記孤立子局、および前記孤立子局と通信する前記第２子局は、前記検針器によって前記データを取得されることを特徴とする請求項１記載の通信システム。
When there is an isolated slave station that is the first slave station that cannot establish a communication route with the master station, the isolated slave station and the second slave station that communicates with the isolated slave station are The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the data is acquired.
JP2013189945A 2013-09-13 2013-09-13 Communication system Pending JP2015056816A (en)

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