JP2016225820A - Radio relay device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio relay device that uses, in a timely manner, a frequency band which a radio terminal can use and makes optimal radio communication corresponding to the radio terminal.SOLUTION: A radio relay device connects with a radio communication terminal by radio and communicates data through a network. The radio relay device comprises: a first information table for obtaining and holding a measurement result of a radio wave environment around the radio relay device; a second information table for holding a frequency band which a radio communication terminal having made a connection request can use; a selection unit for selecting an optimal frequency band among frequency bands which the radio relay device can use on the basis of information on the first information table; and a determination unit for notifying a radio communication terminal that communication cannot be made in a frequency band for which the radio communication terminal made the connection request if the radio communication terminal made the connection request for the frequency band different from the optimal frequency band.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to communication between a wireless relay device and a wireless terminal in a wireless LAN communication system.

  In recent years, with the spread of wireless LAN, an infrastructure mode for performing wireless communication via a wireless relay device when a wireless terminal uses the wireless LAN is well known. In this mode, it is possible to communicate with all the wireless terminals within the range where the wireless relay device can communicate, and by connecting to the wired network using the wireless relay device, it is possible to communicate with the wireless terminals on the destination network. Communication (Internet communication, etc.) can be performed.

  With the spread of wireless communication devices, devices in which wireless terminals and wireless relay devices are compatible with a plurality of frequency bands (for example, compatible with both 2.4 GHz band and 5 GHz band) have become widespread.

  Here, when wireless LAN communication is performed between the wireless relay device and a plurality of wireless terminals, communication is performed using a plurality of channels. The user sets the plurality of channels in advance so as not to interfere with each other and starts operation.

  In addition to measuring the response speed of each channel between the parent device and the plurality of child devices, the wireless communication system disclosed in Patent Document 1 measures the communication amount of the child device connected to the parent device, and actually It is possible to assign a use channel considering the communication volume of the terminal connected to the radio wave environment.

JP 2014-204392 A

  However, wireless LAN communication is easily affected by the environment, such as dynamically changing depending on the surrounding radio wave environment and the use status of wireless communication of other terminals. Along with this, the optimum channel for wireless LAN communication changes according to changes in the environment. Therefore, the wireless LAN communication channel may not be optimal due to changes in the surrounding environment even if it is optimal at the time of setting.

  In addition, even if the above-described wireless terminal supports a plurality of frequency bands, the wireless terminal has a function of performing wireless communication by selecting a suitable frequency band and channel among the frequency bands provided by the wireless terminal itself. Terminals cannot be said to be still widespread except for high-functional models.

  For such a problem, the wireless relay device described in Patent Document 1 can evaluate the channel of the optimum frequency from the communication quality with each connected wireless terminal, but each wireless terminal supports it. The frequency band to be used is appropriately used, and optimal wireless communication according to the wireless terminal has not been achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. When wireless communication is performed between a wireless relay device and a plurality of wireless terminals, the wireless relay device is used by each of the plurality of wireless terminals. It is an object of the present invention to allow a wireless terminal to perform wireless communication with a wireless relay device in an optimal frequency band and channel according to the surrounding radio wave environment in consideration of possible frequency bands.

  In order to solve the above problems, a wireless relay device according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay device that wirelessly connects to a wireless communication terminal and performs data communication through a network, and measures a radio wave environment in the vicinity of the wireless relay device. Based on the information in the first information table that acquires and holds the result, the second information table that holds the frequency band that can be supported by the wireless communication terminal that has made the connection request, and the information in the first information table If the wireless communication terminal makes a connection request in a frequency band different from the optimal frequency band, and a selection unit that selects the optimal frequency band (optimal frequency band) from among the appropriate frequency bands, the connection request is sent to the wireless communication terminal. A determination unit that notifies that communication in the performed frequency band cannot be performed.

  According to this, when performing wireless communication between the wireless relay device and the wireless communication terminal, the wireless relay device selects an optimal frequency band corresponding to the dynamic change of the radio wave environment in the vicinity of itself, and the wireless communication terminal When a connection request is made in a frequency band different from the optimum frequency band, wireless relaying is performed by notifying the wireless communication terminal that communication in the frequency band requested for connection by the wireless relay device cannot be performed. Wireless communication between the apparatus and the wireless communication terminal can be performed in a suitable radio wave environment.

  Further, the determination unit determines whether the wireless communication terminal that has made the connection request corresponds to a plurality of frequency bands based on the information in the second information table, and the plurality of wireless communication terminals that have made the connection request are If the wireless communication terminal is requesting a connection in a frequency band different from the optimum frequency band, the wireless communication terminal can communicate in the frequency band for which the connection request is made. You may decide to notify that there is no.

  According to this, when the radio relay apparatus makes a connection request in a frequency band different from the optimum frequency band in consideration of the frequency band supported by the radio communication terminal, the radio relay terminal performs radio relay to the radio communication terminal. By notifying that the communication in the frequency band requested for connection by the device cannot be performed, wireless communication between the wireless relay device and the wireless communication terminal can be performed in a suitable radio wave environment.

  The wireless relay device may further include a wireless LAN environment investigation unit that measures a radio wave environment around the wireless relay device.

  According to this, it is possible to acquire more accurately information that dynamically changes the radio wave environment around the position where the wireless relay device is installed.

  Further, the result of measuring the radio wave environment in the vicinity of itself may include at least the band usage rate for each frequency band and channel, or the received signal strength from the wireless terminal device.

  According to this, when a selection part selects the optimal frequency band corresponding to the dynamic change of the radio wave environment in the circumference | surroundings of its own, a more suitable selection is attained.

  When performing wireless communication between a wireless relay device and a plurality of wireless terminals, the wireless relay device is optimal for dynamic changes in the surrounding environment in consideration of the frequency band to which each of the plurality of wireless terminals corresponds. Wireless communication can be performed between the wireless relay device and a plurality of wireless terminals in the frequency band and channel.

1 is an overall system diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram of the wireless relay apparatus 1, the wireless terminal 2, the communication terminal 3, the communication terminal 4, and the wireless LAN environment investigation apparatus 5 which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a functional block diagram of the radio relay apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart in which the radio relay apparatus 1 which concerns on embodiment of this invention selects the optimal frequency band and channel. 5 is a flowchart until the wireless relay device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention performs wireless connection with the wireless terminal 2 in an optimal frequency band and channel. 6 is a flowchart until the wireless terminal 2 according to the present embodiment establishes wireless connection with the wireless relay device 1 in an optimal frequency band and channel. It is an example of the 1st information table with which the memory | storage part of the radio relay apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is provided. It is an example of the 2nd information table with which the memory | storage part of the radio relay apparatus 1 which concerns on this Embodiment is provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  Numerical values, constituent elements, arrangement positions of constituent elements, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the invention.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an overall view of a radio communication system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a wireless communication system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a wireless relay device 1, a wireless terminal 2, a communication terminal 3, a communication terminal 4, a wireless LAN environment investigation device 5, A LAN (Local Area Network) 10 is provided.

  The wireless relay device 1 is a wireless relay device having a wireless communication interface, and performs wireless communication between the wireless terminal 2 and the communication terminal 3 existing in the wireless communication possible area. This wireless communication is based on attribute information necessary for wireless communication such as a frequency band and a channel specified by a channel number of the frequency band (hereinafter referred to as a channel) and a network identifier such as BSSID (Basic Service Set Indentifier). To communicate. Note that the wireless communication is realized by a wireless LAN that conforms to, for example, the IEEE 802.11a, b, g, n, ac standards.

  The wireless relay device 1 is connected to the LAN 10 and forwards the communication frame toward the destination according to the destination of the communication frame (packet) used for wireless communication. Specifically, when receiving a communication frame destined for the communication terminal 4 connected to the LAN 10 from the communication terminal 2, the wireless relay device 1 transfers the communication frame to the LAN 10. In addition, when receiving a communication frame whose destination is the wireless terminal 2 or the communication terminal 3 from the communication terminal 4, the wireless relay device 1 transfers the communication frame to the wireless terminal 2 or the communication terminal 3.

  Further, the wireless relay device 1 is a result of investigating the radio wave condition of the wireless LAN around the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 from the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 connected to the wireless relay device 1 by wire or connected to the LAN 10. (Hereinafter referred to as ambient radio wave status information) can be acquired.

  Here, the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 is preferably adjacent to the wireless relay device 1. In order for the wireless relay device 1 to further improve the accuracy of the surrounding radio wave status information for acquiring the radio wave status of the wireless LAN in the vicinity of the device, the positional relationship between the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless LAN environment investigation device is as close as possible Because it is good.

  The wireless relay device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to an example in which the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 obtains the surrounding wireless state information of the wireless LAN state around the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5. The wireless relay device 1 may include the function of the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 described above as a wireless LAN environment investigation means.

  The wireless terminal 2 is a wireless communication terminal (for example, a tablet, a smartphone, etc.) having a wireless communication interface. Wireless communication is performed with the wireless relay device 1 using wireless communication. The wireless terminal 2 can communicate with the communication terminal 3 and the communication terminal 4 connected to the LAN 10 via the wireless relay device 1.

  The communication terminal 3 is a communication terminal (for example, a notebook personal computer) having a wired or wireless communication interface or both, and communicates with the wireless relay device 1 using wired or wireless communication. The communication terminal 3 can communicate with the wireless terminal 2 and the communication terminal 4 connected to the LAN 10 via the wireless relay device 1. Note that communication terminal 3 according to the present embodiment will be described assuming that only one frequency band that can be used in wireless communication is provided. That is, the communication terminal 3 can support only the 2.4 GHz band, for example, and cannot perform wireless communication using other frequency bands (5 GHz band or the like). On the other hand, the wireless terminal 2 can handle a plurality of frequency bands.

  The communication terminal 4 is a communication terminal (for example, a desktop personal computer) having a wired or wireless communication interface or both. Communication with the wireless relay device 1 is performed via the LAN 10 by wired or wireless communication using wired or wireless communication. The communication terminal 4 can communicate with the communication terminal 2 and the communication terminal 3 via the wireless relay device 1.

  The wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 is a device having a function of acquiring surrounding radio wave status information of the radio wave status of the wireless LAN in the vicinity of itself. The information (peripheral radio wave status information) that can be acquired from the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 is, for example, the frequency band and the band usage rate for each channel for the frequency band that the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 can handle. The intensity of the radio waves received by the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 from a plurality of wireless devices existing around the environment investigation device 5 (reception signal strength). The wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 acquires such information at a predetermined time period, stores it at least temporarily, and provides it to other devices in response to an inquiry from other devices or voluntarily.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the wireless relay device 1, the wireless terminal 2, the communication terminal 3, the communication terminal 4, and the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. These devices have the same hardware configuration except that the configuration of the communication interface provided is different. For example, the wireless relay device 1 includes both a wired communication interface and a wireless communication interface, but the wireless terminal 2 includes only a wireless interface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, these devices include a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, a storage device 23, a WNIC (Wireless Network Interface Card 24 IC). (Network Interface Card) 25 and an internal bus 26 for connecting each component.

  The CPU 20 is a processor that executes a control program stored in the ROM 21.

  The ROM 21 is a read-only storage area that holds a control program and the like.

  The RAM 22 is a storage area used as a work area used when the CPU 20 executes a control program.

  The storage device 23 is a storage area for storing a control program, control information, device information, authentication information, or the like.

  The WNIC 24 includes a wireless communication interface that performs wireless communication. For example, a wireless LAN communication interface conforming to the IEEE802.11a, b, g, n, and ac standards.

  The NIC 25 includes a wired communication interface that performs wired communication. For example, a wired LAN communication interface conforming to the IEEE 802.3 standard or the like.

  The internal bus 26 is a bus that electrically connects the CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, storage device 23, WNIC 24, and NIC 25 to exchange signals.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the wireless relay device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is an example of the first information table 321 of the wireless relay device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  FIG. 8 is an example of the second information table 322 of the wireless relay device 1 according to the present embodiment.

  Hereinafter, functional blocks of the wireless relay device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, FIG. 7, and FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the wireless relay device 1 includes a monitoring unit 31, a storage unit 32, a selection unit 33, a determination unit 34, a transmission unit 35, and a reception unit 36.

  The monitoring unit 31 acquires peripheral radio wave status information from the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 periodically (at regular time intervals). The acquired ambient radio wave status information is notified to the first information table 321 of the storage unit 32 one by one. Further, when the wireless relay device 1 has the function of the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 inside the device, the monitoring unit 31 may include the function as a wireless LAN environment investigation means. In this way, although the wireless relay device is complicated, the monitoring unit 31 can acquire the surrounding radio wave status information of the position where the wireless relay device 1 is installed with higher accuracy, and the first information stored in the storage unit 32. This can contribute to a reduction in the number of steps until notification to the table 321. The monitoring unit 31 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

  The storage unit 32 includes a first information table 321 and a second information table 322. The storage unit 32 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the storage device 23, and the like.

  The first information table 321 holds the surrounding radio wave status information received from the monitoring unit 31 one by one. As shown in FIG. 7, the information (peripheral radio wave status information) held in the first information table 321 includes the used frequency band used in the vicinity of the wireless relay device 1 and the channel used in the used frequency band (FIG. 7 (see (a)), and information (see (b) in FIG. 7) indicating how much of the band is used (occupancy rate). These pieces of information (peripheral radio wave status information) are referred to by the selection unit 33 and used to select an optimal frequency band and channel that the wireless relay device 1 supports.

  The first information table 321 may be sequentially discarded when a certain period of time (for example, 1 hour, 24 hours, etc.) elapses after the retained ambient radio wave status information is retained. In this way, the wireless relay device 1 can efficiently use the limited storage capacity previously assigned to the first information table 321. Further, if the first information table 321 holds the surrounding radio wave status information until a predetermined time elapses, a series of peripheral radio wave status information acquired within the predetermined time can be aggregated, analyzed, and processed. For example, characteristics of radio wave conditions in a specific time zone of the entire radio communication system are analyzed by analyzing the frequency band usage rate by frequency band and channel in a specific time zone of a plurality of radio devices located around the radio relay device 1. You can also know.

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the terminal (wireless terminal 2 or communication terminal 3) trying to perform wireless communication with the wireless relay device 1 performs the connection process, the second information table 322 shows the names of these devices and the correspondences between them. Device information such as frequency band information is acquired via the receiving unit 36 and held. Further, the second information table 322 receives the notification of new device information from the terminal requesting the wireless connection via the receiving unit 36, and updates and holds the contents one by one.

  Here, the information held in the second information table 322 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information held in the second information table 322 includes the device name of the terminal and the frequency band information corresponding to the terminal. These pieces of information are acquired via the receiving unit 36 from a probe request or the like transmitted from the terminal to the wireless relay device 1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the second information table 322 of the wireless relay device 1 receives a probe request in the frequency band 5 GHz to which the wireless terminal 2 corresponds, and a probe request in the frequency band 2.4 GHz to which the communication terminal 3 corresponds. The frequency band information corresponding to each terminal is acquired and held (see (a) of FIG. 8).

  The information held in the second information table 322 is updated every time the wireless relay device 1 receives a probe request transmitted by a plurality of wireless devices. That is, when new information is acquired by a probe request, it is compared with information held in the second information table 322, and the content is updated as necessary. For example, when the probe request transmitted from the wireless terminal 2 to the wireless relay device 1 receives a probe request in the frequency band 2.4 GHz corresponding to the wireless terminal 2 (see (1) in FIG. 8), the second New information (corresponding frequency band 2.4 GHz) is added to the information held in the information table 322, and the content is updated (see FIG. 8B).

  Returning to FIG. 3, the selection unit 33 refers to the surrounding radio wave status information held in the first information table 321 at every predetermined time, and the wireless relay device 1 around the wireless relay device 1 at the time of reference. Selects the optimum frequency band and channel (hereinafter referred to as optimum connection information). For example, in selection, each item of the first information table 321 is referred to, and a frequency band and a channel that seems to be least used are set as optimum connection information. In this way, the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless terminal 2 can perform wireless communication under the condition of the least interference. In particular, among the optimum connection information selected by the selection unit 33, the optimum frequency band is referred to as the optimum frequency band. The optimum frequency band is one of the frequency bands that the wireless relay device 1 can handle.

  Here, the peripheral radio wave status information held in the first information table 321 may be weighted (scored) from the items of the peripheral radio wave status information for each frequency band and channel, and may be given a priority. In this way, the wireless communication performed between the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless terminal 2 with the selected optimal connection information is not possible even if the connection is impossible with the optimal connection information with the highest priority, Next, the optimum connection information with the highest priority can be used.

  In addition, the selection unit 33 receives a command (for example, selection every minute) from a wireless setting tool (not shown) or the like so as to select optimum connection information every predetermined time by the user. You may make it select optimal connection information for every time. In this way, when the wireless communication system 100 is used, the convenience can be improved by being able to respond flexibly without depending on the initial setting of the wireless relay device 1. Furthermore, it is desirable to comprehensively examine a series of a plurality of surrounding radio wave status information acquired within a predetermined period and select the optimum connection information. This makes it possible to avoid inappropriate selection based on abnormal information that occurs suddenly. The selection unit 33 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

  The determination unit 34 determines whether there is a connection request (probe request, etc.) from a terminal to be connected to the wireless relay device 1, and if there is a connection request, temporarily acquires device information of the terminal and information necessary for connection To do. Further, it is determined by referring to the device information in the second information table 322 whether or not a terminal to be connected to the wireless relay device 1 has been connected before.

  The determination unit 34 determines whether the terminal is a terminal corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands with reference to the device information in the second information table 322.

  Further, the determination unit 34 determines whether the terminal is requesting connection using the frequency band included in the optimum connection information selected by the selection unit 33.

  Here, when the terminal is not currently using the frequency band included in the optimum connection information selected by the selection unit 33, the determination unit 34 sends a “connection request” to the terminal via the transmission unit 35. Notification that “cannot perform wireless communication in a certain frequency band”. If it does in this way, a terminal will try the connection request | requirement to the radio relay apparatus 1 again using the frequency band which self can respond other than the frequency band which has requested connection. For example, while the wireless terminal 2 transmits a 2.4 GHz probe request to the wireless relay device 1 and requests communication at 2.4 GHz, the selection unit 33 of the wireless relay device 1 sets the frequency in the optimum connection information to 5 GHz. If there is, the wireless relay device 1 notifies the wireless terminal 2 that communication at 2.4 GHz is not possible.

  As described above, when a notification that wireless communication cannot be performed in the frequency band requested for connection is received, a connection request in a frequency band other than the frequency band is a function provided in a normal wireless terminal. In other words, the wireless terminal 2 can respond to the optimum connection information selected by the selection unit 33 at any time according to the notification from the wireless relay device 1, and does not incorporate a special mechanism in the wireless terminal 2 in a suitable radio wave environment ( Wireless communication with the wireless relay device 1 in the frequency band). The determination unit 34 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, and the like.

  The transmission unit 35 performs wireless or wired communication (transmission) between the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless terminal 2, the communication terminal 3, and the communication terminal 4. The transmission unit 35 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, the WNIC 24, the NIC 25, and the like.

  The receiving unit 36 performs wireless or wireless communication (reception) between the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless terminal 2, the communication terminal 3, and the communication terminal 4. The receiving unit 36 is realized by the CPU 20, the ROM 21, the RAM 22, the storage device 23, the WNIC 24, the NIC 25, and the like.

  Next, an operation flow in which the radio relay apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment selects an optimal frequency band and channel will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 40, the monitoring unit 31 of the wireless relay device 1 acquires peripheral radio wave status information from the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5 via the reception unit 36 from the wireless LAN environment investigation device 5. The surrounding radio wave status information acquired by the monitoring unit 31 is held in the first information table 321 one by one.

  In step S41, the selection unit 33 determines whether or not a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute) necessary for the processing in step 42 has elapsed. A series of peripheral radio wave status information acquired within a predetermined time is analyzed and processed, and data necessary for selecting an optimal frequency band and channel is obtained. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S42 (Yes in step S41). If the predetermined time has not elapsed, step S41 is repeated (No in step S41). The predetermined time may be determined by an instruction from the user, or may be a time set in advance when the wireless relay device 1 is shipped from the factory.

  In step S42, the selection unit 33 selects optimal connection information (optimal frequency band and channel).

  Next, an operation flow until the wireless relay device 1 according to the present embodiment performs wireless connection with the wireless terminal 2 in the optimal frequency band and channel will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S <b> 50, the determination unit 34 determines whether the wireless relay device 1 has received a connection request (probe request) from the wireless terminal 2 via the reception unit 36. When the connection request is received, the process proceeds to step S51 (Yes in step S50). If a connection request has not been received, step S50 is repeated (No in step S50).

  In step S <b> 51, the determination unit 34 temporarily acquires device information from the probe request via the reception unit 36.

  In step S52, the determination unit 34 determines whether or not a terminal having a connection request to the wireless relay device 1 has previously performed wireless communication, and the device information and the second information table temporarily acquired by the determination unit 34 Judgment is made with reference to the information held in 322. If the wireless terminal has performed wireless communication before, the process proceeds to step S53 (Yes in step S52). If the wireless terminal has not performed wireless communication before, the process proceeds to step S54 (No in step S52).

  In step S53, the determination unit 34 temporarily determines from the probe request whether or not the probe request has been received via the receiving unit 36 in a frequency band different from the time when a terminal having a connection request to the wireless relay device 1 was previously connected. The determination is made with reference to the acquired device information and the information held in the second information table 322. When there is a connection request (probe request) from the terminal in a frequency band different from that at the previous connection, the process proceeds to step S54 (Yes in step S53). If there is no connection request (probe request) in a frequency band different from the previous connection, the process proceeds to step S55 (No in step S53).

  In step S54, the device information of the terminal is acquired and held and updated in the second information table 322 as needed.

  In step S55, the determination unit 34 refers to the device information in the second information table 322 to determine whether or not the wireless terminal 2 having a connection request to the wireless relay device 1 is a wireless terminal corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands. judge. If the terminal is a wireless terminal (for example, wireless terminal 2) that supports a plurality of frequency bands, the process proceeds to step S56 (Yes in step S55). On the other hand, in the case of a terminal that does not support a plurality of frequency bands (for example, the communication terminal 3), the process proceeds to step S58 (No in step S55).

  That is, even if the frequency band of the optimum connection information selected by the selection unit 33 is different from the frequency band included in the wireless terminal 3, the wireless relay device 1 performs wireless communication in the frequency band supported by the wireless terminal 3. . By doing so, wireless communication cannot be performed between the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless terminal 3 in an optimal radio wave environment, but wireless communication is also performed with wireless terminals that do not support a plurality of frequency bands. be able to.

In step S <b> 56, the determination unit 34 determines whether or not the optimum connection information selected by the selection unit 33 is the same as the frequency band requested for connection by a terminal having a connection request to the wireless relay device 1.
If the frequency bands are the same, the process proceeds to step S58 (Yes in step S56). If the frequency bands are not the same, the process proceeds to step S57 (No in step S56).

  In step S57, the determination unit 34 notifies the terminal via the transmission unit 35 that wireless communication in the frequency band requested for connection by the terminal cannot be performed. Here, as a reason for notification that wireless communication cannot be performed, for example, the maximum number of connections allowed by the wireless relay device 1 may already be reached in the frequency band requested by the terminal. In any case, it is only necessary that the terminal can recognize that wireless communication cannot be performed between the wireless relay device 1 and the terminal using the frequency band requested for connection by the terminal. And after the determination part 34 notifies that the terminal cannot perform wireless communication in the frequency band requested for connection, step S56 is repeated.

  In step S58, in order to perform wireless communication between the wireless relay device 1 and the terminal, authentication processing, connection processing, and the like according to the 802.11 standard are performed, thereby enabling wireless communication.

  Next, an operation flow until the terminal according to the present embodiment establishes a wireless connection with the wireless relay device 1 in the optimal frequency band and channel will be described with reference to FIG. This flow is performed only by a terminal (in this embodiment, the wireless terminal 2) corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands. Note that a terminal that executes this flow does not incorporate a special mechanism, and is configured only with existing technology.

  In step S60, the terminal makes a connection request (probe request) to the wireless relay device 1 using a compatible frequency band.

In step S61, it is determined whether or not the terminal has received a notification that the terminal cannot perform wireless communication in the frequency band requested for connection via the transmission unit 35 of the wireless relay device 1.
When the notification is received, the process proceeds to step S62 (Yes in step S61). If no notification has been received, the process proceeds to step S63 (No in step S61).

  In step S62, upon receiving notification that the terminal cannot perform wireless communication in the frequency band requested for connection, the terminal cannot perform wireless communication among a plurality of frequency bands that the terminal itself can handle. A connection request is again made to the wireless relay device 1 in a frequency band other than the frequency band for which the notification is received.

  In step S63, in order to perform wireless communication between the wireless relay device 1 and the wireless terminal 2, authentication processing, connection processing, and the like according to the 802.11 standard are performed, thereby enabling wireless communication.

(Summary)
When performing wireless communication between a wireless relay device and a plurality of wireless terminals, the wireless relay device is optimal for dynamic changes in the surrounding environment in consideration of the frequency band to which each of the plurality of wireless terminals corresponds. Wireless communication can be performed between the wireless relay device and a plurality of wireless terminals in the frequency band and channel.

  When performing wireless communication between a wireless terminal and a wireless relay device that supports multiple frequency bands, it is possible to measure the radio wave environment around the wireless relay device and perform wireless communication using the optimal frequency band. it can.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless relay apparatus 2 Wireless terminal 3, 4 Communication terminal 5 Wireless LAN environment investigation apparatus 100 Wireless communication system 20 CPU
21 ROM
22 RAM
23 storage device 24 WNIC
25 NIC
26 internal bus 31 monitoring unit 32 storage unit 33 selection unit 34 determination unit 35 transmission unit 36 reception unit 321 first information table 322 second information table

Claims (4)

A wireless relay device that wirelessly connects to a wireless communication terminal and performs data communication through a network,
A first information table for acquiring and holding a result of measuring the radio wave environment in the vicinity of itself;
A second information table that holds frequency bands that can be supported by the wireless communication terminal that has made the connection request;
A selection unit that selects an optimum frequency band (optimum frequency band) among frequency bands that can be handled based on information in the first information table;
When the wireless communication terminal makes a connection request in a frequency band different from the optimum frequency band, a determination unit that notifies the wireless communication terminal that communication in the frequency band for which the connection request has been made cannot be performed When,
A wireless relay device comprising:   The determination unit determines, based on information in the second information table, whether or not the wireless communication terminal that has made the connection request corresponds to a plurality of frequency bands, and has made the connection request. Corresponds to a plurality of frequency bands, and when the wireless communication terminal makes a connection request in a frequency band different from the optimum frequency band, the frequency band that has made a connection request to the wireless communication terminal The wireless relay device according to claim 1, wherein notification is made that communication cannot be performed on the mobile phone.   The wireless relay device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless relay device further includes wireless LAN environment investigation means for measuring a radio wave environment around the wireless relay device. The result of measuring the radio wave environment in the vicinity of itself includes at least a band usage rate for each frequency band and each channel, or a received signal strength from a wireless terminal device. The wireless relay device described.