JP2017108278A - Radio relay device, system, method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio relay device, system, method and program that reduce a mix of a radio wave from a radio master unit and a radio wave toward a radio slave unit from a radio relay device and use a radio frequency efficiently.SOLUTION: A radio relay device 10 comprises: an antenna 11 for transmitting a radio wave carrying communication data; a master unit direction estimation unit 13 for estimating a master unit direction of a radio master unit; and an antenna control unit 12 for controlling a transmission direction of a radio wave to a direction excluding the master unit direction when transmitting communication data to a radio slave unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio relay apparatus, system, method, and program for relaying radio waves from a radio base unit.

  The wireless relay device is a device that enables wireless communication to be used in a wider range by relaying wireless radio waves from a wireless master device (access point). For example, by installing a wireless relay device in a range where the radio wave of the wireless master unit can reach and relaying the radio signal of the wireless master device, the wireless slave device receives the radio relay device radio wave, Wireless communication can be used even in places where radio waves are weak.

  In general, a wireless relay device transmits radio waves for a wireless master device and radio waves for a wireless slave device in all directions. As a result, as shown in FIG. 19, a place where radio waves from the wireless relay device and radio waves from the wireless parent device are mixed is generated between the wireless parent device and the wireless relay device. In a place where a plurality of radio waves are mixed, it is necessary to use different radio frequencies in order to avoid interference between the radio waves. Therefore, the radio frequency cannot be efficiently used in a place where the radio wave of the wireless relay device and the radio wave of the wireless master unit are mixed.

  On the other hand, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the direction of the wireless slave unit is specified, and the antenna pattern is changed so that radio waves are transmitted in the direction of the wireless slave unit. As a result, when the wireless slave unit is located outside the radio signal transmission range of the wireless master unit, it is possible to eliminate the mixture of the radio signal of the wireless master unit and the radio relay device. Is possible.

JP 2010-093385 A

  However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, the wireless relay device specifies the direction of the wireless slave device connected to the wireless relay device. Therefore, this method cannot be used when the wireless relay device transmits a beacon signal to a wireless slave device that is not connected to the wireless relay device.

  In addition, when the wireless slave device connected to the wireless relay device is located within the radio wave transmission range of the wireless master device, a place where the radio relay device radio wave and the wireless master device radio wave are mixed is generated. For this reason, when the wireless slave device connected to the wireless relay device is located within the radio wave transmission range of the wireless master device, the wireless frequency cannot be used efficiently.

  An object of the present invention is to reduce a mixture of radio waves of a wireless master device and radio waves of a wireless relay device for a wireless slave device, and to make efficient use of a radio frequency, a wireless relay device, system, and method And to provide a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a wireless relay device of the present invention includes an antenna that transmits radio waves for transmitting communication data, a parent device direction estimation unit that estimates a parent device direction of the wireless parent device, and a wireless slave device And an antenna control unit that controls the transmission direction of the radio wave to a direction other than the direction of the base unit when transmitting the communication data.

  Further, the wireless relay method of the present invention estimates the base unit direction of the wireless master unit, and when transmitting communication data from the antenna to the wireless slave unit, the radio wave transmission direction of the antenna is excluded from the base unit direction. Control in the direction.

  In addition, the wireless relay program of the present invention provides a computer with a base unit direction estimation function for estimating the base unit direction of the wireless base unit, and when transmitting the communication data from the antenna to the wireless slave unit, An antenna control function for controlling a transmission direction in a direction other than the base unit direction is realized.

  The wireless relay device, system, method, and program of the present invention can reduce the mixing of radio waves of the wireless master device and radio waves for the wireless slave device of the wireless relay device and efficiently use the radio frequency. .

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio relay apparatus of 1st and 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio relay apparatus of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio relay apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the transmission range of the radio relay apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the main | base station direction estimation operation | movement of the radio relay apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the main | base station direction estimation operation | movement of the radio relay apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the main | base station direction estimation operation | movement of the radio relay apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio relay apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of recommendation direction presentation of the radio relay apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of recommendation direction presentation of the radio relay apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio relay apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio relay apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio relay apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the electric power adjustment of the radio relay apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the power adjustment request | requirement of the radio relay apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio relay apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio relay apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of each embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the transmission range of a wireless main | base station and a wireless relay apparatus.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the wireless relay device 10 of the present embodiment. The wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment includes an antenna 11, an antenna control unit 12, and a parent device direction estimation unit 13.

  The antenna 11 is a part that transmits radio waves for transmitting communication data. The base unit direction estimation unit 13 is a part that estimates the base unit direction of the wireless base unit. The antenna control unit 12 is a part that controls the transmission direction of the radio wave in a direction other than the base unit direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave unit.

  By configuring the wireless relay device 10 in this way, the wireless relay device 10 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation of the wireless relay device 10 of the present embodiment.

  First, the parent device direction estimation unit 13 of the wireless relay device 10 estimates the parent device direction of the wireless parent device (step S101). When communication data is transmitted to the wireless slave device (YES in step S102), the transmission direction of the radio wave transmitted by the antenna 11 is controlled to a direction other than the master device direction (step S103).

  By operating the wireless relay device 10 in this way, the wireless relay device 10 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, when transmitting communication data for a wireless slave device, the wireless relay device controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the master device direction. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the wireless relay device 10 of the first embodiment will be described more specifically.

  First, a configuration example of the wireless relay device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. A configuration example of the wireless relay device 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment.

  The wireless relay device 10 is a device that relays radio waves from the wireless master device. For example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) repeater corresponds to the wireless relay device 10. The wireless relay device 10 receives radio waves from the wireless master device and retransmits them to the wireless slave device. In addition, a beacon signal is periodically transmitted so that the wireless slave device can detect the wireless relay device 10.

  The antenna 11 is a part that transmits radio waves for transmitting communication data. The antenna 11 receives a radio wave from the wireless master device or the wireless slave device, and transmits the radio wave to the wireless master device or the wireless slave device. The antenna 11 may be configured with either one antenna or a plurality of antennas.

  The base unit direction estimation unit 13 is a part that estimates the base unit direction of the wireless base unit. A method of estimating the base unit direction will be described later.

  The antenna control unit 12 is a part that controls the transmission direction of the radio wave in a direction other than the base unit direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave unit. For example, when transmitting a beacon signal for a wireless slave unit or transmitting a relay radio wave, the antenna 11 transmits a radio wave in the transmission direction controlled by the antenna control unit 12.

  By configuring the wireless relay device 10 in this way, the wireless relay device 10 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  Next, an example of the operation of the wireless relay device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Steps S203 to S205 in FIG. 3 correspond to Steps S101 to S103 in FIG.

  First, the wireless relay device 10 receives a beacon signal from a wireless master device and transmits a connection request to the wireless master device (step S201). At this time, since the base unit direction of the wireless base unit is unknown, radio waves are transmitted in all directions. Then, connection processing is performed between the wireless master device and the wireless relay device 10 to establish a connection (step S202).

  Next, the base unit direction estimation unit 13 estimates the base unit direction of the wireless base unit (step S203). When communication data such as a beacon signal or relay data is transmitted to the wireless slave device (YES in step S204), the transmission direction of the radio wave transmitted by the antenna 11 is controlled to a direction other than the master device direction (step S205). ). For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the direction opposite to the base unit direction is set as the transmission direction.

  When transmitting communication data to the wireless master device (YES in step S206), the transmission direction of the radio wave transmitted by the antenna 11 is controlled in the direction of the master device (step S207). As a result, when radio waves are transmitted to the wireless base unit, radio waves are not transmitted in the direction opposite to the base unit direction. Therefore, radio frequencies can be used efficiently in the direction opposite to the base unit direction. become.

  When the antenna 11 is composed of one antenna, the transmission direction of the antenna is controlled in steps S205 and S207. That is, the transmission direction of the antenna is switched depending on whether the transmission is performed to the wireless master device or the wireless slave device.

  When the antenna 11 is composed of an antenna for a wireless master device and an antenna for a wireless slave device, the transmission direction of the antenna for the wireless slave device is controlled in step S205, and the antenna transmission for the wireless master device is transmitted in step S207. Control the direction. Depending on the estimated parent device direction, an antenna relatively positioned in a direction closer to the parent device direction may be used for the wireless parent device, and the other antenna may be used for the wireless child device.

  The antenna 11 may be composed of a plurality of antennas, and the transmission direction of the antenna 11 may be controlled by a beam forming function.

  Next, a method of estimating the base unit direction of the wireless base unit will be described. Any method can be used as the base unit direction estimation method. Examples of estimation methods are given below, but methods other than these can also be used.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a method for estimating the base unit direction. In this method, the test signal is transmitted by changing the transmission direction of the antenna 11, and the transmission direction with the best reception status of the wireless master device is estimated as the master device direction.

  First, a plurality of directions (confirmation directions) for confirming the reception status are determined in advance. If there is an unconfirmed direction (YES in step S301), base unit direction estimation unit 13 changes the transmission direction of antenna 11 to a predetermined confirmation direction via antenna control unit 12 (step S302). Next, base unit direction estimation unit 13 transmits a test signal to the wireless base unit via antenna 11 (step S303). The wireless master device confirms the reception status of the test signal and transmits the reception status data to the wireless relay device 10. The wireless relay device 10 receives the reception status data and stores the reception status (step S304).

  If there is no unconfirmed direction (NO in step S301), the confirmation direction with the best reception status among the reception statuses stored in step S304 is set as the parent device direction (step S305).

  The reception status includes received signal strength, C / N ratio (Carrier to Noise Ratio), S / N ratio (Signal to Noise Ratio), BER (Bit Error Rate), MER (Modulation Error Ratio), and combinations of these. Indicators can be used.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to change the reception direction of the antenna 11 and acquire the reception state of the parent radio wave to estimate the parent device direction.

  In the method of FIG. 6, first, a plurality of directions (confirmation directions) for confirming the reception status are determined in advance. If there is an unconfirmed direction (YES in step S401), base unit direction estimation unit 13 changes the reception direction of antenna 11 to a predetermined confirmation direction via antenna control unit 12 (step S402). Then, the base unit direction estimation unit 13 receives the radio wave from the wireless base unit, acquires the reception status, and stores it (step S403).

  If there are no unconfirmed directions (NO in step S401), the direction with the best reception status among the reception statuses stored in step S403 is set as the parent device direction (step S404).

  In addition, when the wireless relay device 10 can receive radio waves from a plurality of wireless master units and can acquire the position information of those wireless master units, the received signal strength and position information of each wireless master unit, for example, as shown in FIG. It is also possible to estimate the position of the wireless relay device 10 from the above and to estimate the direction of the master unit.

  In the method of FIG. 7, first, the received signal strength of radio waves from a plurality of wireless master units is acquired (step S501). Next, the position information of those wireless master units is acquired (step S502). For example, the position information is acquired by a method such as acquiring position information from the position information server via the connected wireless master device.

  Next, the position of the wireless relay device 10 is estimated from the acquired position information and received signal strength (step S503). Then, the base unit direction is estimated from the position information of the connected wireless base unit and the position of the wireless relay device 10 (step S504).

  By operating the wireless relay device 10 in this way, the wireless relay device 10 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, when the wireless relay device transmits communication data to the wireless slave device, the wireless relay device is in a direction other than the master device direction. Control the direction of radio wave transmission. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In this embodiment, when transmitting communication data to a wireless master device, the wireless relay device controls the transmission direction of radio waves in the direction of the master device. As a result, radio waves for the radio base unit are not transmitted in directions other than the base unit direction. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the radio frequency in the direction excluding the radio base unit.

  In addition, when transmitting radio waves of the wireless relay device in all directions, the wireless slave device may be connected to the wireless relay device depending on the strength of the beacon signal even if the wireless slave device is located within the radio wave transmission range of the wireless master device. May connect to. On the other hand, when transmitting the communication data for the wireless slave device, the wireless relay device of this embodiment controls the transmission direction of the radio wave in the direction other than the master device direction. For this reason, when the wireless slave unit is located within the radio wave transmission range of the wireless master unit, the wireless slave unit can be connected to the wireless master unit. By connecting the wireless slave device to the wireless master device, wireless communication can be used at a higher speed than when connecting to the wireless relay device.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a mode in which a function of presenting a recommended moving direction for moving the wireless relay device to a more appropriate position to the user is added to the second embodiment.

  First, FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of the wireless relay device 20 of the present embodiment. The wireless relay device 20 includes an antenna 11, an antenna control unit 12, a parent device direction estimation unit 13, and a recommended direction presentation unit 24. Since the antenna 11, the antenna control unit 12, and the parent device direction estimation unit 13 are the same as those in the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  The recommended direction presentation unit 24 determines the recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device 20 based on the received signal strength of the base unit radio wave from the wireless base unit and the base unit direction estimated by the base unit direction estimation unit 13, and the user This is the part to be presented.

  For example, when the received signal strength of the base unit radio wave from the radio base unit is larger than a predetermined value, the direction opposite to the base unit direction is presented to the user, and the radio relay device 20 is directed in the direction opposite to the base unit direction. Encourage movement. In this way, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 9, the wireless relay device 20 is moved away from the wireless master device, and the transmission radio wave of the wireless master device and the transmission radio wave of the wireless relay device 20 are mixed (the hatched portion). ) Can be reduced. Therefore, it becomes possible to use a radio frequency more efficiently.

  In addition, when the received signal strength of the base unit radio wave from the wireless base unit is smaller than a predetermined value, the base unit direction is presented to the user, and the wireless relay device 20 is prompted to move in the base unit direction, thereby It is also possible to improve the reception status of radio waves from the aircraft.

  As a method of presenting the recommended direction to the user, any method such as LED (Light Emitting Diode) or LCD (liquid crystal display) may be used. For example, the recommended movement direction may be presented by lighting any one of the plurality of LEDs, or the recommended movement direction may be displayed on the LCD with an arrow or the like.

  By configuring the wireless relay device 20 in this way, the wireless relay device 20 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In this embodiment, the recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device 20 is presented to the user. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the radio frequency more efficiently by reducing the portion where the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device are mixed. It is also possible to improve the reception status of radio waves from the wireless master unit.

  Next, FIG. 10 shows an example of recommended direction presentation operation of the wireless relay device 20.

  The recommended direction presentation unit 24 of the wireless relay device 20 checks whether or not the received signal strength of the radio wave from the wireless master device exceeds a predetermined value (first value) (step S601). As the received signal strength, the received signal strength of the wireless master device acquired by the parent device direction estimation unit 13 may be used, or the recommended direction presentation unit 24 may acquire it. If the received signal strength exceeds a predetermined value, the direction opposite to the parent device direction is presented to the user (step S602).

  If the received signal strength is less than or equal to a predetermined value, it is checked whether the received signal strength is less than a predetermined value (second value) (step S603). If the received signal strength is less than the predetermined value, the base unit direction is presented to the user (step S604).

  If the received signal strength is greater than or equal to a predetermined value in step S603, the recommended moving direction is not presented because the wireless relay device 20 exists at an appropriate position. You may show a user that it is an appropriate position.

  The recommended direction presentation operation in FIG. 10 uses the parent device direction estimated by the parent device direction estimation unit 13, and therefore can be performed after the completion of the parent device direction estimation. For example, when the wireless relay device 20 operates as shown in FIG. 3, it can be implemented after the completion of step S203.

  It is also possible to repeatedly perform the parent device direction estimation operation and the recommended direction presentation operation so that the user can estimate the parent device direction at a new position after the user moves the wireless relay device 20 according to the recommended movement direction. An operation example of the wireless relay device 20 in this case is shown in FIG. Steps S701 to S703 and steps S706 to S709 in FIG. 11 are the same as steps S201 to S203 and steps S204 to S207 in FIG.

  In the operation example of FIG. 11, after the base unit direction is estimated, a recommended direction presentation operation (step S704) is performed, and until the installation is completed (step S705), the base unit direction is estimated (step S703) and the recommended direction is presented (step S703). The operation is to repeat step S704).

  Whether or not the installation is complete is determined based on, for example, whether or not the received signal strength is within an appropriate range. Alternatively, it is possible to cause the user to input installation completion, or to automatically complete installation after a predetermined time has elapsed. Alternatively, it is possible to determine that the installation is complete when there is no change in the base unit direction for a predetermined time, or when the change in the received signal intensity continues for a predetermined time in a state within a predetermined range.

  By operating the wireless relay device 20 in this way, the wireless relay device 20 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In this embodiment, the recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device 20 is presented to the user. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the radio frequency more efficiently by reducing the portion where the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device are mixed. It is also possible to improve the reception status of radio waves from the wireless master unit.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first and second embodiments, when the wireless relay device transmits communication data to the wireless slave device, the master device direction is changed. Controls the transmission direction of radio waves in the direction excluding. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In this embodiment, the recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device is presented to the user. Therefore, it becomes possible to use the radio frequency more efficiently by reducing the portion where the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device are mixed. It is also possible to improve the reception status of radio waves from the wireless master unit.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a mode in which a function of transmitting a transmission power adjustment request to the wireless master unit is added to the second or third embodiment.

  FIG. 12 shows a configuration example of the wireless relay device 30 of the present embodiment. The wireless relay device 30 includes an antenna 11, an antenna control unit 12, a base unit direction estimation unit 13, and a power adjustment request unit 35. Since the antenna 11, the antenna control unit 12, and the parent device direction estimation unit 13 are the same as those in the second embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  In the configuration example of FIG. 12, a power adjustment request unit 35 is added to the configuration example (FIG. 1) of the wireless relay device 10 of the second embodiment. It is also possible to add the power adjustment request unit 35 to the configuration example (FIG. 8) of the wireless relay device 20 of the third embodiment to configure the wireless relay device 30 as shown in FIG.

  The power adjustment request unit 35 is a part that transmits an adjustment request for transmission power of the wireless master device to the wireless master device via the antenna 11. The power adjustment request unit 35 transmits a transmission power adjustment request to the wireless master device based on the received electric field strength of the radio wave of the wireless master device.

  For example, when the received signal strength of the radio wave of the wireless master device is larger than a predetermined value, a request to lower the transmission power is made to the wireless master device. In this way, as shown by the arrows in FIG. 14, the transmission range of the wireless master unit can be narrowed, and the portion where the transmission radio waves of the wireless master device and the transmission radio waves of the wireless relay device 20 are mixed (shaded area) can be reduced. Therefore, the radio frequency can be used more efficiently.

  Further, when the received signal strength of the radio wave of the radio base unit is smaller than a predetermined value, it is possible to request the radio base unit to increase the transmission power. In this way, it is possible to improve the reception status of radio waves from the wireless master device.

  By configuring the wireless relay device 30 in this way, the wireless relay device 30 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In the present embodiment, a transmission power adjustment request is transmitted to the wireless master device according to the received signal strength of the radio signal of the wireless master device. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the radio frequency by reducing the portion where the radio wave of the wireless master device and the radio relay device are mixed. In addition, the reception situation can be improved.

  Next, FIG. 15 shows an operation example of the power adjustment request operation of the wireless relay device 30 of the present embodiment.

  The power adjustment request unit 35 of the wireless relay device 30 acquires the received signal strength of the radio wave from the wireless master device, and determines whether or not it exceeds a predetermined value (first value) (step S801). When the predetermined value is exceeded, the wireless master device is requested to reduce the transmission power (step S802). At this time, the amount of reduction in how much the transmission power should be reduced may be transmitted together with the request.

  When the received signal strength is equal to or less than a predetermined value (first value), it is determined whether the received signal strength is less than a predetermined value (second value) (step S803). When the value is less than the predetermined value, the wireless master device is requested to increase the transmission power (step S804).

  If it is greater than or equal to the predetermined value in step S803, the power adjustment request is not transmitted because the received signal strength is within the appropriate range. Or you may notify to a radio | wireless parent | base station that it was an appropriate range.

  Since the power adjustment request operation in FIG. 15 is performed on the connected wireless master device, it may be performed after the connection with the wireless master device is completed. For example, when the wireless relay device 30 operates as shown in FIG. 3, it can be implemented after the completion of step S202.

  FIG. 16 shows an example of the operation of the wireless relay device 30. Steps S901 to S903 and steps S906 to S909 in FIG. 16 are the same as steps S201 to S203 and steps S204 to S207 in FIG.

  In the operation example of FIG. 16, the power adjustment request transmission operation (step S <b> 904) is performed until the power adjustment is completed (step S <b> 905) after the base unit direction is estimated.

  Whether or not the adjustment is completed is determined, for example, based on whether or not the received signal strength is within an appropriate range. Alternatively, the user can input completion of adjustment, or the adjustment can be automatically completed after a predetermined time has elapsed. Alternatively, it is possible to determine that the adjustment is completed, for example, when the change in the received signal strength continues for a predetermined time in a state within a predetermined range.

  Note that the wireless master device may receive a power adjustment request from another wireless relay device. Therefore, when two or more wireless relay devices are connected, the wireless master device does not adjust the transmission power as requested by the wireless relay device, but other connected wireless relay devices It is desirable to adjust the transmission power so as to reduce the influence on the transmission. In particular, when a transmission power reduction request is received, the reception status of other wireless relay devices may be deteriorated due to a decrease in transmission power. The transmission power should be adjusted after taking this into consideration.

  For example, when the transmission power is gradually decreased and a transmission power increase request is received from another radio relay apparatus, a method of completing the decrease in the transmission power before receiving the increase request can be considered. In addition, a method of inquiring whether the transmission power can be lowered from the wireless master device to the connected wireless relay device and reducing the transmission power when all the wireless relay devices permit is also conceivable.

  When the wireless master has a beam forming function, the transmission power may be adjusted only in the direction of the wireless relay device that has requested power adjustment. At this time, it is also possible to receive the direction of the parent device together with the power adjustment request and adjust the transmission power in the direction opposite to the direction of the parent device.

  Further, when the recommended direction presentation function and the power adjustment request function are used in combination as in the wireless relay device 30 of FIG. 13, for example, the recommended direction presentation operation is first performed, and after the installation is completed, the power adjustment request function is performed. Can be considered. It is also possible to perform a recommended direction presentation operation after completion of adjustment in the power adjustment request operation, or to repeat the recommended direction presentation operation and the power adjustment request operation, for example, according to a user instruction.

  FIG. 17 shows an operation example of the wireless relay device 30 when the power adjustment request operation is performed after the installation is completed. Since steps up to step S902 and after step S906 are the same as in FIG. 16, illustration is omitted in FIG. Steps S911 to S913 are the same as steps S703 to S705 in FIG. 11, and steps S914 to S915 are the same as steps S904 to S905 in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 17, as in the second embodiment, until the installation is completed (step S <b> 913), the base unit direction estimation (step S <b> 911) and the recommended direction presentation (step S <b> 912) are repeated. Then, after the installation is completed, until the adjustment power adjustment is completed (step S915), a power adjustment request transmission operation (step S914) is performed.

  By operating the wireless relay device 30 in this manner, the wireless relay device 30 controls the transmission direction of radio waves in directions other than the parent device direction when transmitting communication data for the wireless slave device. Thereby, the radio wave transmitted by the wireless relay device to the wireless slave unit is not transmitted in the direction of the master unit. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In the present embodiment, a transmission power adjustment request is transmitted to the wireless master device according to the received signal strength of the radio signal of the wireless master device. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the radio frequency by reducing the portion where the radio wave of the wireless master device and the radio relay device are mixed. In addition, the reception situation can be improved.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as in the first to third embodiments, when the wireless relay device transmits communication data for the wireless slave device, the master device direction is changed. Controls the transmission direction of radio waves in the direction excluding. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the mixture of the radio wave of the radio base unit and the radio wave of the radio relay device for the radio slave unit and efficiently use the radio frequency.

  In the present embodiment, a transmission power adjustment request is transmitted to the wireless master device according to the received signal strength of the radio signal of the wireless master device. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently use the radio frequency by reducing the portion where the radio wave of the wireless master device and the radio relay device are mixed. In addition, the reception situation can be improved.

[Hardware configuration example]
A configuration example of hardware resources for realizing the wireless relay devices (10, 20, 30) in the above-described embodiments of the present invention using one information processing device (computer) will be described. Note that the wireless relay device may be realized using at least two information processing devices physically or functionally. The wireless relay device may be realized as a dedicated device. Further, only some functions of the wireless relay device may be realized by using the information processing device.

  FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus capable of realizing the wireless relay device of each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 50 includes a communication interface 51, an input / output interface 52, an arithmetic device 53, a storage device 54, a nonvolatile storage device 55, and a drive device 56.

  The communication interface 51 is a communication unit for the wireless relay device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device by wire or / and wireless. When the wireless relay device is realized by using at least two information processing devices, the devices may be connected to each other via the communication interface 51 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The input / output interface 52 is a man-machine interface such as a keyboard which is an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

  The arithmetic device 53 is an arithmetic processing device such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. For example, the arithmetic device 53 can read out various programs stored in the nonvolatile storage device 55 to the storage device 54 and execute processing according to the read programs.

  The storage device 54 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be referred to from the arithmetic device 53, and stores programs, various data, and the like. The storage device 54 may be a volatile memory device.

  The nonvolatile storage device 55 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and can record various programs and data.

  The drive device 56 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data with respect to a recording medium 57 described later.

  The recording medium 57 is an arbitrary recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor flash memory.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, for example, a wireless relay device is configured by the information processing apparatus 50 illustrated in FIG. 18, and a program capable of realizing the functions described in the above embodiments is supplied to the wireless relay device. It may be realized by doing.

  In this case, the embodiment can be realized by the arithmetic device 53 executing the program supplied to the wireless relay device. It is also possible to configure some of the functions of the information processing apparatus 50 instead of all of the wireless relay apparatuses.

  Furthermore, the program may be recorded in the recording medium 57 so that the program is stored in the nonvolatile storage device 55 as appropriate at the time of shipment or operation of the wireless relay device. In this case, as the program supply method, a method of installing in the wireless relay device using an appropriate jig may be employed in a manufacturing stage before shipment or an operation stage. The program supply method may employ a general procedure such as a method of downloading from the outside via a communication line such as the Internet.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
An antenna for transmitting radio waves for transmitting communication data;
A base unit direction estimation unit for estimating the base unit direction of the wireless base unit;
An antenna control unit, which controls the transmission direction of the radio wave to a direction other than the direction of the master unit when transmitting the communication data to a radio slave unit.

(Appendix 2)
The wireless relay device according to appendix 1, wherein the antenna control unit controls the transmission direction to the parent device direction when transmitting the communication data to the wireless parent device.

(Appendix 3)
The wireless relay device according to appendix 1 or appendix 2, further comprising: a recommended direction presentation unit that presents a recommended moving direction of the radio relay device based on the received signal strength of the radio signal from the radio base unit .

(Appendix 4)
The wireless relay device according to appendix 3, wherein the recommended direction presentation unit sets the recommended moving direction to a direction opposite to the base unit direction when the received signal strength is greater than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 5)
The wireless relay device according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, wherein the recommended direction presentation unit sets the recommended moving direction as the base unit direction when the received signal strength is smaller than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 6)
APPENDIX 1 to APPENDIX 5 further comprising: a power adjustment request unit that requests the wireless master device to adjust transmission power of the wireless master device based on a received signal strength of a parent device radio wave from the wireless master device. The wireless relay device according to any one of the above.

(Appendix 7)
The wireless relay device according to appendix 6, wherein the power adjustment request unit requests the wireless master device to reduce the transmission power when the received signal strength is greater than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 8)
The radio relay apparatus according to appendix 6 or appendix 7, wherein the power adjustment request unit requests the radio base unit to increase the transmission power when the received signal strength is smaller than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 9)
The base unit direction estimation unit sequentially changes the reception direction of the antenna to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions, acquires the reception state of the base unit radio wave from the wireless base unit, and the confirmation that the reception state is the best The wireless relay device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 8, wherein the direction is the base unit direction.

(Appendix 10)
The base unit direction estimation unit sequentially changes the transmission direction to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions, transmits the communication data to the wireless base unit, and receives the radio waves of the wireless relay device at the wireless base unit The wireless relay device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 8, wherein reception status data including a status is received, and the confirmation direction in which the reception status is the best is the base unit direction.

(Appendix 11)
The reception status is at least one of received signal strength, C / N ratio (Carrier to Noise Ratio), S / N ratio (Signal to Noise Ratio), BER (Bit Error Rate), and MER (Modulation Error Ratio). The wireless relay device according to supplementary note 9 or supplementary note 10, characterized by:

(Appendix 12)
The base unit direction estimation unit acquires the received signal strength of a base unit radio wave from a plurality of the wireless base units, and connects the wireless base unit connected based on the received signal strength and position information of the wireless base unit The wireless relay device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 8, wherein the base unit direction is estimated.

(Appendix 13)
The antenna includes a first antenna and a second antenna,
The antenna control unit controls the transmission direction of one of the first antenna and the second antenna to the base unit direction, and controls the other transmission direction to a direction excluding the base unit direction. The wireless relay device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 12, characterized in that.

(Appendix 14)
The antenna control unit controls the transmission direction of the first antenna and the second antenna that is relatively closer to the base unit direction to the base unit direction. The wireless relay device described in 1.

(Appendix 15)
The antenna has a beamforming function,
The radio relay apparatus according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 14, wherein the antenna control unit controls the transmission direction by the beamforming function.

(Appendix 16)
A wireless relay system comprising the wireless relay device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 15 and the wireless master device.

(Appendix 17)
Estimate the base direction of the wireless base unit,
When transmitting communication data from an antenna to a wireless slave unit, the radio wave transmission direction of the antenna is controlled to a direction other than the base unit direction.

(Appendix 18)
The wireless relay method according to appendix 17, wherein when transmitting the communication data to the wireless master device, the transmission direction is controlled to the master device direction.

(Appendix 19)
The wireless relay method according to supplementary note 17 or supplementary note 18, wherein a recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device is presented based on a received signal strength of a parent radio wave from the wireless master device.

(Appendix 20)
20. The wireless relay method according to appendix 19, wherein when the received signal strength is greater than a predetermined value, the recommended moving direction is a direction opposite to the base unit direction.

(Appendix 21)
The wireless relay method according to appendix 19 or appendix 20, wherein when the received signal strength is smaller than a predetermined value, the recommended moving direction is the base unit direction.

(Appendix 22)
The supplementary note 17 to the supplementary note 21, wherein the wireless master unit is requested to adjust the transmission power of the wireless master unit based on the received signal strength of the master unit radio wave from the wireless master unit. Wireless relay method.

(Appendix 23)
23. The radio relay method according to appendix 22, wherein the radio base unit is requested to reduce the transmission power when the received signal strength is greater than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 24)
24. The radio relay method according to appendix 22 or appendix 23, wherein when the received signal strength is smaller than a predetermined value, the radio base unit is requested to increase the transmission power.

(Appendix 25)
The reception direction of the antenna is sequentially changed to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions to acquire the reception status of the master unit radio wave from the wireless master unit, and the confirmation direction with the best reception status is set as the master unit direction. 25. The wireless relay method according to any one of appendix 17 to appendix 24, wherein

(Appendix 26)
The transmission direction is sequentially changed to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions, the radio wave is transmitted to the radio base unit, and reception status data including the radio wave reception status of the radio relay device at the radio base unit is received. The wireless relay method according to any one of appendix 17 to appendix 24, wherein the confirmation direction in which the reception status is the best is the base unit direction.

(Appendix 27)
The reception status is at least one of received signal strength, C / N ratio (Carrier to Noise Ratio), S / N ratio (Signal to Noise Ratio), BER (Bit Error Rate), and MER (Modulation Error Ratio). 27. The wireless relay method according to supplementary note 25 or supplementary note 26, wherein

(Appendix 28)
Obtaining the received signal strength of the parent radio wave from a plurality of the wireless parent devices, and estimating the parent device direction of the wireless parent device to be connected based on the received signal strength and the position information of the wireless parent device. 25. The wireless relay method according to any one of supplementary note 17 to supplementary note 24.

(Appendix 29)
When the antenna comprises a first antenna and a second antenna;
The transmission direction of one of the first antenna and the second antenna is controlled to the base unit direction, and the other transmission direction is controlled to a direction excluding the base unit direction. The radio relay method according to any one of items 17 to 28.

(Appendix 30)
30. The wireless relay method according to appendix 29, wherein the transmission direction of the first antenna and the second antenna that is relatively closer to the base unit direction is controlled to the base unit direction. .

(Appendix 31)
When the antenna has a beam forming function,
The wireless relay method according to any one of appendix 17 to appendix 30, wherein the transmission direction is controlled by the beam forming function.

(Appendix 32)
On the computer,
Base unit direction estimation function for estimating the base unit direction of the wireless base unit,
A wireless relay program that realizes an antenna control function for controlling a transmission direction of radio waves of the antenna to a direction other than the direction of the parent device when communication data is transmitted from the antenna to the wireless slave device.

(Appendix 33)
The wireless relay program according to appendix 32, wherein the antenna control function controls the transmission direction to the parent device direction when transmitting the communication data to the wireless parent device.

(Appendix 34)
On the computer,
34. The wireless relay program according to appendix 32 or appendix 33, wherein a recommended direction presenting function for presenting a recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device is realized based on the received signal strength of the parent radio wave from the wireless master device .

(Appendix 35)
The wireless relay program according to appendix 34, wherein the recommended direction presentation function sets the recommended moving direction to a direction opposite to the base unit direction when the received signal strength is greater than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 36)
The wireless relay program according to appendix 34 or appendix 35, wherein the recommended direction presentation function sets the recommended moving direction as the base unit direction when the received signal strength is smaller than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 37)
On the computer,
Supplementary note 32 to supplementary note that realizes a power adjustment request function that requests the wireless master device to adjust the transmission power of the wireless master device based on the received signal strength of the master radio wave from the wireless master device 36. The wireless relay program according to any one of 36.

(Appendix 38)
The radio relay program according to appendix 37, wherein the power adjustment request function requests the radio base unit to lower the transmission power when the received signal strength is greater than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 39)
The wireless relay program according to appendix 37 or appendix 38, wherein the power adjustment request function requests the radio base unit to increase the transmission power when the received signal strength is smaller than a predetermined value.

(Appendix 40)
The base unit direction estimation function sequentially changes the reception direction of the antenna to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions, acquires the reception state of the base unit radio wave from the wireless base unit, and the confirmation that the reception state is the best The wireless relay program according to any one of appendix 32 to appendix 39, wherein the direction is the base unit direction.

(Appendix 41)
The base unit direction estimation function sequentially changes the transmission direction to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions, transmits the radio wave to the radio base unit, and determines the radio wave reception status of the radio relay device in the radio base unit The wireless relay program according to any one of appendix 32 to appendix 39, wherein the reception direction data is received, and the confirmation direction in which the reception status is the best is the base unit direction.

(Appendix 42)
The reception status is at least one of received signal strength, C / N ratio (Carrier to Noise Ratio), S / N ratio (Signal to Noise Ratio), BER (Bit Error Rate), and MER (Modulation Error Ratio). 42. The wireless relay program according to supplementary note 40 or supplementary note 41, wherein

(Appendix 43)
The base unit direction estimation function acquires the received signal strength of a base unit radio wave from a plurality of the wireless base units, and connects the wireless base unit based on the received signal strength and position information of the wireless base unit 40. The radio relay program according to any one of appendix 32 to appendix 39, wherein the base unit direction is estimated.

(Appendix 44)
When the antenna comprises a first antenna and a second antenna;
The antenna control function controls the transmission direction of one of the first antenna and the second antenna to the base unit direction, and controls the other transmission direction to a direction excluding the base unit direction. 44. The wireless relay program according to any one of appendix 32 to appendix 43, wherein

(Appendix 45)
The antenna control function controls, in the base unit direction, the transmission direction that is relatively closer to the base unit direction among the first antenna and the second antenna. The wireless relay program described in 1.

(Appendix 46)
When the antenna has a beam forming function,
The wireless relay program according to any one of appendix 32 to appendix 45, wherein the antenna control function controls the transmission direction by the beam forming function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 20, 30 Wireless relay apparatus 11 Antenna 12 Antenna control part 13 Parent | base station direction estimation part 24 Recommended direction presentation part 35 Power adjustment request | requirement part 50 Information processing apparatus 51 Communication interface 52 Input / output interface 53 Arithmetic apparatus 54 Storage apparatus 55 Nonvolatile Storage device 56 Drive device 57 Recording medium

Claims (10)

An antenna for transmitting radio waves for transmitting communication data;
A base unit direction estimation unit for estimating the base unit direction of the wireless base unit;
An antenna control unit, which controls the transmission direction of the radio wave to a direction other than the direction of the master unit when transmitting the communication data to a radio slave unit. The radio relay apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna control unit controls the transmission direction to the base unit direction when transmitting the communication data to the radio base unit. The wireless communication device according to claim 1, further comprising: a recommended direction presenting unit that presents a recommended moving direction of the wireless relay device based on a received signal strength of a parent radio wave from the wireless parent device. Relay device. The power adjustment request part which requests | requires adjustment of the transmission power of the said radio | wireless parent | base station from the said radio | wireless parent | base station based on the received signal strength of the main | base station radio wave from the said radio | wireless parent machine is provided Item 4. The wireless relay device according to any one of items 3 to 4. The base unit direction estimation unit sequentially changes the reception direction of the antenna to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions, acquires the reception state of the base unit radio wave from the wireless base unit, and the confirmation that the reception state is the best The wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a direction is the base unit direction. The base unit direction estimation unit sequentially changes the transmission direction to a plurality of predetermined confirmation directions and transmits the radio wave to the radio base unit, and the radio relay device reception status of the radio relay unit at the radio base unit 5. The wireless relay device according to claim 1, wherein the confirmation direction in which the reception state is the best is the base unit direction. The base unit direction estimation unit acquires the received signal strength of a base unit radio wave from a plurality of the wireless base units, and connects the wireless base unit connected based on the received signal strength and position information of the wireless base unit The base station direction is estimated. The wireless relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the base station direction is estimated. A wireless relay system comprising the wireless relay device according to claim 1 and the wireless parent device. Estimate the base direction of the wireless base unit,
When transmitting communication data from an antenna to a wireless slave unit, the radio wave transmission direction of the antenna is controlled to a direction other than the base unit direction. On the computer,
Base unit direction estimation function for estimating the base unit direction of the wireless base unit,
A wireless relay program that realizes an antenna control function for controlling a transmission direction of radio waves of the antenna to a direction other than the direction of the parent device when communication data is transmitted from the antenna to the wireless slave device.

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