JP2018129671A - Communication control device, communication control system, communication control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for performing a high-speed multi hop communication and a device.SOLUTION: A communication control device includes a determination part for specifying a cell connected to a destination terminal equipment in the case where data is transmitted to the destination terminal equipment belonging to the cell different from the cell to which a transmission source terminal device belongs from the transmission source terminal device, and for determining a communication path. The determination part calculates a first time required for data transmission between a first distribution control apparatus that controls the cell of a relay source in each cell of a relay destination as a candidate for constructing a communication path and a relay device connected to the first distribution control apparatus; a second time required for the data transmission between a second distribution control apparatus that controls the cell of the relay destination and the relay device connected to the second distribution control apparatus; and a third time required for disconnecting the connection with the cell of the relay source and establishing the connection of the cell of the relay destination in the relay device. On the basis of the first, second, and third times, it is determined whether the cell of the relay destination is included in the communication path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication control system, a communication control method, and a program.

  IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11ad is known as a wireless communication standard that performs high-speed data transmission using a millimeter wave (60 GHz) band with a high radio wave straightness and a relatively narrow communication range. .

  In addition, a communication network that broadcasts data content from a transmitter node to a plurality of receiver nodes via a relay receiver node is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  A communication system that provides high-speed data communication in a wider range by performing multi-hop communication using a plurality of communication apparatuses that perform communication in the millimeter wave band, for example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1 is conceivable.

  However, in a communication system that performs communication in the millimeter wave band, communication is performed in a one-to-one network configuration or a star-type network configuration centered on one communication device. It is difficult to perform high-speed multi-hop communication using technology.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and aims to perform high-speed multi-hop communication.

  In order to solve the above problem, a communication control device includes a relay device that relays communication between cells to which a plurality of terminal devices can belong, and a distributed control device that is connected to the relay device and controls the cell. Used in a control system to control a plurality of the division control devices and to transmit data from a transmission source terminal device to a destination terminal device belonging to a cell different from the cell to which the transmission source terminal device belongs A first distributed control that controls a relay source cell for each relay destination cell that is a candidate for configuring the communication path. A first time required for data transfer between a device and a relay device connected to the first distributed control device, a second distributed control device for controlling a relay destination cell, and the second distributed control device Connected to the inside Calculating a second time required for data transfer to and from the device and a third time required for the relay device to disconnect from the relay source cell and establish a connection with the relay destination cell. Based on the first time, the second time, and the third time, it is determined whether to include the relay destination cell in the communication path.

  High-speed multi-hop communication can be performed.

It is a figure (1) for demonstrating the millimeter wave radio | wireless communications system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is FIG. (2) for demonstrating the millimeter wave radio | wireless communications system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the beam forming which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the data communication between the network cells which concern on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the system configuration | structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the hardware constitutions of the communication apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the centralized control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a function structure of the distributed control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a function structure of the relay apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment, and an affiliation apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the information managed with the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the network structure of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of the network topology which the centralized control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment produces. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a process of the centralized control apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the data communication process of the communication system which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of operation | movement of the relay apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a 5th figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a 1st figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a 2nd figure which shows the example of the calculation of the communication path which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a 3rd figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a 4th figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a 5th figure which shows the example of calculation of the communication path which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<Outline of millimeter-wave wireless communication system>
Before describing embodiments of the present invention, an outline of a millimeter wave radio communication system related to each embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The millimeter-wave wireless communication system is a wireless communication system that performs high-speed data transmission using a millimeter-wave (60 GHz) band that has high radio wave straightness and a relatively narrow communication range. Here, the following description will be given on the assumption that the millimeter-wave wireless communication system is a wireless communication system compliant with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11ad. IEEE802.11ad is an example of a millimeter wave radio communication system according to the present embodiment.

(Network configuration)
A millimeter-wave wireless communication system compliant with IEEE802.11ad performs communication using a millimeter-wave (60 GHz) band with high straightness of radio waves and a relatively narrow communication range, and uses a wide band of 2.16 GHz per channel. As a result, high-speed data communication is realized.

  Further, since the propagation loss of radio waves increases in the millimeter wave band, in the millimeter wave radio communication system, in order to increase the antenna gain, a beam forming technique for transmitting / receiving radio waves while narrowing the beam direction of radio waves is used. Therefore, it is difficult for the communication device of the millimeter wave wireless communication system to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of other communication devices around the communication device.

  Therefore, in the millimeter wave wireless communication system, a TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) communication protocol is used as a wireless multiplexing method instead of the CSMA / CA method used in the conventional wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system. It is done.

  In a millimeter wave radio communication system, a coordinator device called AP (Access Point) forms a network cell called BSS (Basic Service Set), and manages time slots in the TDMA protocol.

  1 and 2 are diagrams for explaining a millimeter-wave wireless communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates an example of a one-to-one network configuration in which an AP 110 that forms a BSS 100 that is a network cell of a millimeter-wave wireless communication system and a STA (Station) 120 communicate with each other using millimeter-wave wireless communication 130. Show. In the example of FIG. 1A, the AP 110 manages time slots in the TDMA protocol, and transmits beacon frames at predetermined time intervals, for example.

  FIG. 1B shows an example of a star-type network configuration in which the AP 110 forming the BSS 100 and the plurality of STAs 120-1 to 120-3 communicate with each other by the millimeter wave wireless communication 130. Also in the example of FIG. 1B, the AP 110 manages time slots in the TDMA protocol, and transmits beacon frames at predetermined time intervals, for example.

  In IEEE 802.11ad, in addition to the network configuration shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, as shown in FIG. 2A, a PBSS (Personal Basic Service Set) formed by a coordinator device called PCP is used. A network configuration called is defined.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the millimeter-wave wireless communication system is configured by combining wireless communication devices that perform communication in a one-to-one or star-type network configuration. The following description will be made assuming that The present invention can also be applied to the network configuration (PBSS) shown in FIG.

(Time slot configuration)
FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an example of a time slot according to an embodiment. FIG. 2B shows time slot allocation in the TDMA protocol managed by the AP 110. The time slot of the TDMA protocol managed by the AP 110 includes a BHI (Beacon Header Interval) and a DTI (Data Transfer Interval), as shown in FIG.

  BHI includes BTI (Beacon Transmission Interval), A-BFT (Association Beamforming Training), and ATI (Announcement Transmission Interval).

  BTI is a period during which AP 110 transmits a beacon frame. A-BFT is a training period for beamforming. ATI is a period for transmitting and receiving management information, control information, and the like between the AP 110 and the STAs 120-1 to 120-3.

  The DTI includes CBAP (Contention Based Access Period) and SP (Service Period).

  The CBAP is a contention period assigned for the AP 110 and a plurality of STAs 120 to compete and perform communication. The SP is a dedicated period allocated for communication between the AP 110 and one STA 120.

  In the BTI, the AP 110 transmits beacon frames by the number of antenna sectors that are a plurality of beam patterns formed by the AP 110. On the other hand, the STAs 120-1 to 120-3 receive all beacon frames transmitted from the AP set to omnidirectional antennas or quasi-omnidirectional antennas, and send information indicating the antenna sector with the best reception quality to the AP 110. give feedback. Thereby, AP110 can grasp | ascertain which antenna sector should be communicated with respect to each STA120-1-120-3.

(Beam forming)
Here, only an outline of SLS (Sector Level Sweep) will be described as an example of the beamforming technique.

  There are two types of SLS: TXSS (Tx Sector Sweep) and RXSS (Rx Sector Sweep). TXSS is beam forming training for determining an antenna sector to be used at the time of transmission, and RXSS is beam forming training for determining an antenna sector to be used at the time of reception.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing an example of beamforming according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, for ease of explanation, only four antenna sectors of sectors 1 to 4 are shown among the antenna sectors that are a plurality of beam patterns formed by the AP 110.

  In TXSS, the AP 110 switches each sector (sectors 1 to 4) of the plurality of beam patterns 303 from the antenna 301, and sequentially transmits a predetermined packet. On the other hand, the STA 120 sets the antenna 302 to an omnidirectional antenna or a quasi-omnidirectional antenna, receives a packet transmitted from the AP 110, and feeds back information indicating an antenna sector having the best reception quality to the AP 110.

  In RXSS, a beamforming training sequence in the opposite direction to that of TXSS is executed, and when TXSS and RXSS are completed, radio waves can be transmitted and received between AP 110 and STA 120 by millimeter-wave wireless communication.

<System configuration>
Before describing the system configuration of the communication system according to the present embodiment, data communication by millimeter wave wireless communication between BSSs (network cells) according to the present embodiment will be described.

(Data communication between network cells)
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining data communication between network cells according to an embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the communication system 400 includes a plurality of APs 110-1 and 110-2 and a plurality of STAs 120-1 to 120-3. In the following description, “AP110” is used to indicate an arbitrary AP among the plurality of APs 110-1 and 110-2. Further, when an arbitrary STA is indicated among the plurality of STAs 120-1 to 120-3, “STA120” is used. Further, the number of APs 110 and the number of STAs 120 shown in FIG. 4 are examples.

  APs 110-1 and 110-2 are communication devices having the AP function of the millimeter-wave wireless communication system described with reference to FIGS. The APs 110-1 and 110-2 form BSSs 100-1 and 100-2 which are different network cells in millimeter wave wireless communication.

  The STAs 120-1 to 120-3 are communication devices having the STA function of the millimeter wave wireless communication system described with reference to FIGS.

  In FIG. 4, for example, a solid line connecting the STA 120-1 and the AP 110-1 indicates that the STA 120-1 is in a “connected” state in which the STA 120-1 is connected to the AP 110-1 by millimeter wave wireless communication. To do. Further, for example, a broken line connecting the STA 120-1 and the AP 110-2 indicates that the STA 120-1 is in a “connection candidate” state that can be connected to the AP 110-2 by millimeter wave wireless communication. .

  In the example of FIG. 4, the STA 120-1 is connected to the BSS 100-1 formed by the AP 110-1, and can be connected to the BSS 100-2 formed by the AP 110-2. Similarly, the STA 120-2 is connected to the BSS 100-2 formed by the AP 110-2 and can be connected to the BSS 100-1 formed by the AP 110-1. Furthermore, the STA 120-3 is connected to the BSS 100-2 formed by the AP 110-2.

  In FIG. 4, the AP 110-1 uses the STA 120-1 connected to the AP 110-1 and connectable to the AP 110-2 as a relay device, and transmits data to the AP 110 and the STA 120 connected to the BSS 100-2. Can be sent.

  For example, AP 110-1 sets STA 120-1 connected to AP 110-1 and connectable to AP 110-2 as a relay device that transfers data received from AP 110-1 to AP 110-2.

  When receiving data from AP 110-1, STA 120-1 set as a relay device disconnects from AP 110-1, connects to AP 110-2, and transfers the received data to AP 110-2.

  Preferably, the STA 120-1 transfers the data to the AP 110-2, disconnects the connection with the AP 110-2, and connects to the AP 110-1 again.

  Similarly, the AP 110-2 uses the STA 120-2 connected to the AP 110-2 and connectable to the AP 110-1 as a relay device that transfers data received from the AP 110-2 to the AP 110-1.

  For example, in FIG. 4, when the AP 110-1 broadcasts predetermined data to the STAs 120-1 to 120-3 and the AP 110-2, the AP 110-1 transmits predetermined data to the STA 120-1 by millimeter wave wireless communication. Send.

  When the STA 120-1 receives predetermined data from the AP 110-1, the STA 120-1 disconnects the connection with the AP 110-1 and connects to the AP 110-2, which is a preset transfer destination, via millimeter wave wireless communication. In addition, the STA 120-1 transfers predetermined data received from the AP 110-1 to the AP 110-2 by millimeter wave wireless communication.

  When the AP 110-2 receives predetermined data from the STA 120-1 among the STAs 120-1 to 120-3 connected to the AP 110-2, the other predetermined STA 120-2 and 120-3 receive the predetermined data received. Send.

  For example, in this way, the AP 110-1 can transmit predetermined data to a communication device connected to another AP 110-2.

(System configuration of communication system)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. The communication system 500 includes a plurality of communication devices having a millimeter-wave wireless communication unit that performs millimeter-wave wireless communication and a wireless LAN communication unit that performs wireless LAN communication, and multihop between communication devices using millimeter-wave wireless communication It is the communication system which performs communication.

  Note that millimeter wave wireless communication is an example of first wireless communication in which communication is performed using radio waves having directivity. The wireless LAN communication is an example of second wireless communication that communicates with another communication device using radio waves having a wider communication range than the first wireless communication.

  The plurality of communication devices included in the communication system 500 include, for example, a centralized control device 501, a plurality of distributed control devices 502a to 502d, one or more relay devices 503, and one or more affiliated devices 504. In the following description, “distributed control device 502” is used to indicate an arbitrary distributed control device among the plurality of distributed control devices 502a to 502d. In FIG. 5, “C” indicates the centralized control device 501, “P” indicates the distributed control device 502, “B” indicates the relay device 503, and “S” indicates the affiliated device 504. The same applies to the following figures.

  A centralized control device (information processing device) 501 is a wireless LAN communication (for example, IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac) having a wider communication range than millimeter-wave wireless communication, and BSS (Basic Service Set) for wireless LAN communication. ) Having the function of an access point forming 506. The BSS 506 for wireless LAN communication is an infrastructure mode network based on wireless LAN communication.

  In the present embodiment, the distributed control device 502, the relay device 503, and the affiliated device 504, which are communication devices other than the centralized control device 501, have a wireless LAN communication station function. Thereby, the centralized control device 501 and other communication devices in the BSS 506 can communicate with each other using wireless LAN communication (second wireless communication).

  The centralized control device 501 manages the communication path of multihop communication by millimeter wave wireless communication, and controls the transfer path of millimeter wave wireless communication by the distributed control device 502 in the communication path of multihop communication using wireless LAN communication. To do.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the centralized control device 501 further has a function of a distributed control device 502 described later, and forms a BSS1 that is a network cell for millimeter wave wireless communication.

  The distributed control device 502 forms BSSs 2 to 5 which are network cells of millimeter wave wireless communication which are different from each other in millimeter wave wireless communication, and is connected to the BSS of millimeter wave wireless communication formed by itself. Controls the data transfer path of millimeter-wave wireless communication.

  In the following description, the BSS 506 for wireless LAN communication is referred to as “BSS for wireless LAN communication”, and the BSS for millimeter wave wireless communication is simply referred to as “BSS” for distinction.

  In FIG. 5, the distributed control device 502a forms a network cell BSS2 for millimeter wave wireless communication and transmits a beacon frame within the range of the BSS2.

  In the example of FIG. 5, the distributed control device 502a is in a “connected” state in which five communication devices are connected by solid lines. The distributed control device 502 selects one communication device that is in a “connection candidate” state with the BSS 1 from among the five communication devices that are in “connection”, and controls it as a relay device that transfers millimeter-wave wireless communication data to the BSS 1. To do. Similarly, the distributed control device 502 selects one communication device in the “connection candidate” state with the BSS 5 among the five communication devices in “connection”, and relays the data of the millimeter wave wireless communication to the BSS 1. Control as a device.

  The relay device 503 is connected to one distributed control device 502, for example, the BSS2 formed by the distributed control device 502a, and receives data received from the distributed control device 502a according to control from the distributed control device 502a. This is a communication device to be transferred to 502.

  The affiliated device 504 is a general communication device connected to the BSS formed by one distributed control device 502, and functions as a relay device 503 under the control of the distributed control device 502.

  In the example of FIG. 5, each communication device included in the communication system 500 can perform both wireless communication of millimeter wave wireless communication and wireless LAN communication, and can use both wireless communication simultaneously.

  Since millimeter wave wireless communication uses a radio wave having a narrow communicable range and directivity, a communication system 500 that communicates data between communication devices using millimeter wave wireless communication is, for example, as shown in FIG. It is composed of a combination of a plurality of network cells (BSS). In the communication system 500, when transmitting data of millimeter wave wireless communication from one communication device to another communication device, multi-hop communication is performed in which transmission data is sequentially hopped and transferred between one or more BSSs.

  In the present embodiment, the centralized control device 501 determines a communication path of multihop communication by millimeter wave wireless communication in units of BSS, and each distributed control device 502 determines a communication path in the BSS. In this way, wireless communication networks based on millimeter-wave wireless communication are hierarchized to distribute the load of communication path control in multi-hop communication, so that even when the path changes frequently, the path is determined at high speed. Formation control can be performed in real time.

  For example, the distributed control device 502 always grasps the link state of millimeter wave wireless communication of each communication device in the BSS formed by itself. In addition, the centralized control device 501 collects information indicating the link state of millimeter wave wireless communication of communication devices belonging to each BSS from each distributed control device 502.

  The centralized control device 501 calculates the communication path of multi-hop communication by millimeter-wave wireless communication in BSS units from the acquired information, adjusts the number of affiliated devices in the BSS, adjusts the number of BSSs, etc., and distributes the results to each distributed control Notify the device 502. The communication system 500 performs transmission / reception of control information between the centralized control device 501 and the distributed control device 502 using wireless LAN communication, and transmits content data using multi-hop communication using millimeter wave wireless communication. As a result, the communication system 500 can reduce the number of packets for both wireless LAN communication and millimeter-wave wireless communication, and reduce radio wave interference of both wireless communications.

  Further, in the communication system 500 according to the present embodiment, the information transmitted from the centralized control device 501 to the distributed control device 502 is in a simple command format, and the distributed control device 502 that has received the packet decodes the command and performs detailed path control. To implement. Further, the distributed control device 502 always notifies the centralized control device 501 of event-based notification instead of transmitting information on the BSS formed by the own device. As a result, the communication system 500 reduces the number of wireless LAN communication packets and the amount of communication. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of radio wave interference and congestion and to reduce power consumption.

  In order to enable all communication devices to communicate with other communication devices using millimeter wave wireless communication, for example, as described with reference to FIG. 4, data can be transferred between BSSs. It is necessary to. In the communication system 500, the relay device 503 realizes data transfer between the BSSs.

  The distributed control device 502 selects a relay device 503 and a transfer destination BSS to which data is transferred from among the communication devices connected to the BSS formed by the own device, and relays (bridges) between the BSSs to the selected communication device. Set (notify) to perform. Each distributed control device 502 notifies the centralized control device 501 of information on BSSs to which data can be transferred using the relay device 503.

  Each distributed control device 502 performs control so that data can be transferred to each adjacent BSS, for example, by setting a relay device 503 corresponding to each adjacent BSS. The distributed control apparatus 502 performs control so that data is transferred to another BSS using one relay apparatus 503 as much as possible. If this cannot be realized, a plurality of BSSs are used using one relay apparatus 503. It is also possible to transfer data.

  For example, in FIG. 5, the centralized control device 501 having the function of the distributed control device that forms the BSS 1 transmits data of millimeter wave wireless communication to the other BSSs 2, 3, and 4 via the relay device 503. be able to. Data transfer from the BSS 1 to the BSSs 2 and 3 is performed by one relay device 503.

  As described above with reference to FIG. 4, the solid line connecting the communication devices indicates that the communication device is in a “connected” state where the communication devices are connected by millimeter-wave wireless communication, and the broken line connecting the communication devices is This indicates that the communication apparatus is in a “connection candidate” state that can be connected.

  In the example of FIG. 5, since the distributed control device 502 selects the relay device 503 so that data can be transferred to each adjacent BSS, the communication between the BSSs is different in the uplink direction and the downlink direction. Is used.

  This is a preferred example, and communication between BSSs can use the same relay apparatus 503 in the uplink direction and the downlink direction. In the present embodiment, communication between BSSs will be described below assuming that different relay apparatuses 503 are used in the uplink direction and the downlink direction.

  In the above description, the central control apparatus 501 has been described as having the function of the distributed control apparatus 502, but the central control apparatus 501 may not have the function of the distributed control apparatus 502.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another example of the system configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, the centralized control device 501 forms a BSS 506 by wireless LAN communication similarly to the communication system 500 shown in FIG. 5, and manages a communication path of multihop communication by millimeter wave wireless communication.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the distributed control device 502e forms the BSS1 instead of the centralized control device 501. Thus, the centralized control device 501 does not have to have a function of forming a BSS for millimeter wave wireless communication as the distributed control device 502. Even in this case, the central control apparatus 501 can manage the communication path of the multi-hop communication using the wireless LAN communication in the same manner as the communication system 500 shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the communication system 500 according to the present embodiment, the centralized control device 501 uses multi-hop communication in a plurality of distributed control devices 502 using a predetermined route control message using wireless LAN communication. Control the data communication path.

  In addition, the distributed control device 502, in accordance with the route control message received from the centralized control device 501, multi-hop communication data in the distributed control device 502 and one or more communication devices 700 connected to the network cell formed by the own device. Control the communication path.

  In the communication system 500 according to the present embodiment, the millimeter wave wireless communication network has a hierarchical structure, and the distributed control device 502 controls the communication device 700 in the network cell, thereby distributing the load of the centralized control device 501. It is possible to easily control the dynamic communication path.

<Hardware configuration>
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment.

  The distributed control device 502, the relay device 503, and the belonging device 504 have, for example, the hardware configuration of the communication device 700 shown in FIG. Further, the central control apparatus 501 may have the hardware configuration of the communication apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 7A, or the hardware configuration of the central control apparatus 501 shown in FIG. You may have.

(Hardware configuration of communication device)
The communication device 700 includes a general computer configuration. For example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 701, a RAM (Read Only Memory) 702, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 703, a storage device 704, a wireless LAN communication unit 705, A millimeter-wave wireless communication unit 706, a display input device 707, a bus 708, and the like are included.

  The CPU 701 is an arithmetic device that implements each function of the communication device 700 by reading a program or data stored in the ROM 703, the storage device 704, or the like onto the RAM 702 and executing the processing. The RAM 702 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the CPU 701. The ROM 703 is a non-volatile memory that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off.

  The storage device 704 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a flash ROM, and stores an OS (Operation System), application programs, various data, and the like.

  The wireless LAN communication unit (second communication unit) 705 is a wireless communication device for performing wireless LAN communication such as IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac, for example, and includes, for example, an antenna, a wireless unit, a MAC A (Media Access Control) unit and a communication control unit for wireless LAN communication.

  The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (first communication unit) 706 is a wireless communication apparatus for performing millimeter wave wireless communication such as IEEE802.11ad, for example, an antenna, a wireless unit, a MAC unit, and millimeter wave wireless communication. Including a communication control unit.

  The display input device 707 includes a display device that performs display, an input device that receives input, and the like. A bus 708 is connected to each of the above components, and transmits an address signal, a data signal, various control signals, and the like.

(Hardware configuration of centralized controller)
As an example, the centralized control device 501 includes a wired LAN communication unit 709 in addition to the hardware configuration of the communication device 700 illustrated in FIG. Further, the centralized control device 501 does not have to include the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706.

  The wired LAN communication unit 709 connects (gateway function) a wireless communication network (wireless LAN network or millimeter wave wireless network) by the communication system 500 and a wired communication network (for example, a LAN network in a building). The wired LAN communication unit 709 includes, for example, a network control unit and a communication control unit that implements a gateway function.

  The hardware configuration of the central control device 501 shown in FIG. 7B is an example. For example, the central control apparatus 501 may not include the wired LAN communication unit 709.

<Functional configuration>
(Functional configuration of centralized control device)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the centralized control device according to the embodiment. The central control apparatus 501 includes, for example, a wired LAN connection unit 801, a wireless LAN communication unit (AP) 811, a network cell information acquisition unit 812, a network cell information storage unit 813, a communication path determination unit 814, a transfer destination information notification unit 815, and A network cell management unit 816;

  The central control apparatus 501 may further have the function 820 of the distributed control apparatus 502. Functions 820 of the distributed control device 502 include, for example, a millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821, a communication link state measurement unit 822, a device information acquisition unit 823, a device information storage unit 824, a relay device selection unit 825, and a relay device setting. A unit 826, a network cell information notification unit 827, a data transfer unit 828, an affiliated device number management unit 829 and the like.

  The wired LAN connection unit 801 is realized by, for example, the wired LAN communication unit 709 in FIG. 8B, and functions as a gateway that connects a communication network by the communication system 500 and an external network.

  The wireless LAN communication unit (AP) 811 causes the wireless LAN communication unit 705 of the central control device 501 to function as an AP (access point) for wireless LAN communication. The wireless LAN communication unit (AP) 811 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the wireless LAN communication unit 705 in FIG. 7 and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  In the following description, an AP for wireless LAN communication is referred to as “AP for wireless LAN communication”, and an AP for millimeter wave wireless communication is simply referred to as “AP” for distinction.

  The wireless LAN communication unit (AP) 811 provides a BSS 506 that is a wireless LAN network in an infrastructure mode through wireless LAN communication (for example, IEEE802.11a / b / g / n / ac).

  The network cell information acquisition unit 812 acquires network cell information from a plurality of distributed control devices 502 that form different BSSs (network cells) by millimeter-wave wireless communication using wireless LAN communication, and a network cell information storage unit 813 To remember. The network cell information acquisition unit 812 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  When the centralized control device 501 has the function 820 of the distributed control device 502, the network cell information acquisition unit 812 receives the network cell information from the network cell information notification unit 827 included in the function 820 of the distributed control device 502, for example. get.

  The network cell information storage unit 813 is means for storing the network cell information acquired by the network cell information acquisition unit 812, and is realized by, for example, a program executed by the storage device 704, the RAM 702 in FIG. 7, and the CPU 701 in FIG. Is done. An example of the network cell information acquired by the network cell information acquisition unit 812 and stored in the network cell information storage unit 813 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11A shows an example of network cell information 1110 managed by the centralized control device 501. In the example of FIG. 11A, the network cell information 1110 includes “network cell number”, “BSSID”, “SSID”, “AP IP address”, “number of belonging devices”, “communication channel”, and “relay”. Information such as “Appointable AP” is included.

  The “network cell number” is information such as a BSS number or name formed by the distributed control apparatus 502.

  “BSSID (Basic Service Set Identifier)” and “SSID (Service Set Identifier)” are identification information of the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501).

  The “IP (Internet Protocol) address of the AP” is an IP address in millimeter wave wireless communication and an IP address in wireless LAN communication of the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501).

  The “number of belonging devices” is the number of communication devices 700 connected to the BSS for millimeter wave wireless communication formed by the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501). That is, the number of relay devices 503 and affiliated devices 504 connected to the BSS. “Communication channel” is the number of a communication channel used in the BSS of millimeter wave wireless communication formed by the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501).

  “AP that can be relayed” is identification information of another distributed control device 502 that can transfer millimeter-wave wireless communication data via the relay device 503 from the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501).

  Returning to FIG. 8, the description of the functional configuration of the centralized control device 501 will be continued.

  The communication path determination unit 814 determines a communication path for multi-hop communication using the network cell information 1110 acquired by the network cell information acquisition unit 812 and stored in the network cell information storage unit 813. The communication path determination unit 814 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  For example, the communication path determination unit 814 creates a network topology indicating the connection relationship between the BSSs using the network cell information 1110 as shown in FIG. 11A, and sets the communication path for each BSS in multi-hop communication. decide.

  The transfer destination information notification unit 815 uses wireless LAN communication to distribute control of the transfer destination of data of multihop communication by millimeter wave wireless communication to each distributed control device 502 on the communication path determined by the communication path determination unit 814. The device 502 or BSS information (transfer destination information) is notified. The transfer destination information notification unit 815 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The network cell management unit 816 is means for performing management related to the BSS in the communication system 500, and is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG. For example, the network cell management unit 816 manages the number of BSSs in the communication system 500 so as not to exceed a predetermined upper limit value.

  The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821 causes the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 to function as the AP of the millimeter wave wireless communication system described with reference to FIGS. The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7 and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The communication link state measurement unit 822 measures the communication link state (communication quality) with each communication device (relay device 503 and affiliated device 504) connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. To do. The communication link state measurement unit 822 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7 and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The device information acquisition unit 823 includes information on the distributed control device 502 to which the communication device 700 can be connected by millimeter wave wireless communication from each communication device 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. Get device information. The device information acquisition unit 823 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The device information storage unit 824 is a unit that stores the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 823, and is realized by, for example, a program executed by the storage device 704, the RAM 702 in FIG. 7, and the CPU 701 in FIG. An example of device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 823 and stored in the device information storage unit 824 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11B shows an example of the device information 1120. In the example of FIG. 11B, the device information 1120 includes “affiliated device number”, “IP address of communication device”, “LQ value”, “throughput value”, “MCS value”, “relay device”, “ Information such as “AP that can be connected” is included.

  “Affiliation device number” is a management number temporarily assigned to a communication device connected to the BSS formed by the centralized control device 501.

  The “communication device IP address” is an IP address of the wireless communication between millimeters and an IP address of wireless LAN communication of the communication device 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821.

  The “LQ value”, “throughput value”, and “MCS value” indicate the communication of millimeter wave wireless communication between the communication device connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821 and the centralized control device 501. It is an example of the information which shows a link state. The “LQ (Link Quality) value” is information indicating the link communication quality of millimeter wave radio communication. The “throughput value” is information indicating the throughput indicating the data transfer amount per unit time. “MCS (Modulation Coding Scheme) value” is information indicating a combination of modulation type and coding rate.

  The “relay device” is information indicating whether or not the communication device 700 is the relay device 503 corresponding to “connectable AP”.

  “Connectable AP” is identification information of another distributed control device 502 to which the communication device 700 can be connected by millimeter-wave wireless communication.

  Returning to FIG. 8, the description of the functional configuration of the centralized control device 501 will be continued.

  The relay device selection unit 825 uses the device information 1120 acquired by the device information acquisition unit 823 to select another distributed control device from among the communication devices 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. The communication apparatus 700 that transfers data to 502 is selected. The relay device selection unit 825 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  For example, the relay device selection unit 825 identifies the communication device 700 that can transfer the millimeter-wave wireless communication data to the other distributed control device 502 using the “AP that can be relayed” information included in the device information 1120. . Further, when there are a plurality of communication devices 700 capable of transferring millimeter-wave wireless communication data to other distributed control devices 502, the relay device selection unit 825 includes “LQ value”, “throughput value”, “MCS value”, and the like. One communication device 700 with better communication quality is selected.

  The relay device setting unit 826 sets the communication device 700 selected by the relay device selection unit 825 as the relay device 503 that transfers millimeter-wave wireless communication data to the other distributed control device 502. The relay device setting unit 826 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  For example, the relay device setting unit 826 notifies the communication device 700 of connection information including identification information (BSSID, SSID, etc.) of the distributed control device 502 indicating the transfer destination of data of millimeter wave wireless communication, and the relay device 503. Instruct to operate.

  The network cell information notification unit 827 notifies the network cell information acquisition unit 812 of the network cell information of the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. The network cell information notification unit 827 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The data transfer unit 828 transfers the data of multi-hop communication to the distribution control device 502 of the transfer destination according to the information of the distribution control device 502 of the transfer destination of the data of multi-hop communication notified from the transfer destination information notification unit 815. The data transfer unit 828 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The affiliated device number management unit 829 manages the number of communication devices 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. The affiliation device number management unit 829 is realized, for example, by a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  Note that the central control apparatus 501 does not have to have the function 820 of the distributed control apparatus 502 shown in FIG. 8 as described above.

(Functional configuration of distributed control device)
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the distributed control device according to the embodiment. The distributed control device 502 includes, for example, a wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911, a network cell information notification unit 912, a transfer destination information reception unit 913, a device function control unit 914, a storage unit 915, and the like. Further, the distributed control device 502 includes, for example, a millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821, a communication link state measurement unit 822, a device information acquisition unit 823, a device information storage unit 824, a relay device selection unit 825, and a relay device setting unit 826. , A data transfer unit 828, an affiliated device number management unit 829, and the like.

  The wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911 causes the wireless LAN communication unit 705 of the communication apparatus 700 to function as an STA (station) for wireless LAN communication. The wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the wireless LAN communication unit 705 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  For example, the wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911 receives a wireless LAN communication beacon transmitted from the centralized control device 501, establishes wireless LAN communication with the centralized control device 501, and places the distributed control device 502 in the wireless LAN network. Connecting.

  The network cell information notification unit 912 notifies the central control device 501 of the network cell information of the BSS (network cell) of millimeter wave wireless communication formed by the distributed control device 502 using wireless LAN communication. The network cell information notification unit 912 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The transfer destination information receiving unit 913 receives information from the centralized control device 501 using wireless LAN communication and transfers information of the transfer destination distributed control device 502 or BSS that transfers the data of multi-hop communication by millimeter wave wireless communication ( (Destination information) is received.

  The device function control unit 914 sets the communication device 700 as the distributed control device 502, the relay device 503, or the belonging device 504, and causes the communication device 700 to function. The device function control unit 914 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  For example, the device function control unit 914 causes the communication device 700 to function as the belonging device 504. In addition, the device function control unit 914 causes the communication device 700 to function as the distributed control device 502 when the communication device 700 functioning as the affiliated device 504 cannot detect the BSS of millimeter wave wireless communication. Furthermore, when the communication device 700 functions as the affiliated device 504, the device function control unit 914 transfers the communication device 700 to the relay device according to control from the distributed control device 502 or the centralized control device 501 forming the BSS. Function as 503.

  The storage unit 915 stores, for example, a program for causing the communication device 700 to function as the distributed control device 502, the relay device 503, or the belonging device 504. The storage unit 915 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the storage device 704 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The function 820 of the distributed control device included in the distributed control device 502 is the same as the function 820 of the distributed control device described in FIG. 8, but the distributed control device 502 is replaced with the network cell information notification unit 827 of FIG. And a network cell information notification unit 912.

  The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821 is means for causing the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 of the communication device 700 to function as an AP of the millimeter wave wireless communication system. For example, the millimeter wave wireless communication unit of FIG. 706 and a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The communication link state measurement unit 822 measures the communication link state with each communication device connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. The communication link state measurement unit 822 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The device information acquisition unit 823 includes information on the distributed control device 502 to which the communication device 700 can be connected by millimeter wave wireless communication from each communication device 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. Get device information. The device information acquisition unit 823 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The device information storage unit 824 is a unit that stores the device information acquired by the device information acquisition unit 823. For example, the storage device 704 in FIG. 7A, the RAM 702, and the program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG. Etc.

  The relay device selection unit 825 uses the device information 1120 acquired by the device information acquisition unit 823 to select another distributed control device from among the communication devices 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. The communication apparatus 700 that transfers data to 502 is selected. The relay device selection unit 825 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The relay device setting unit 826 sets the communication device 700 selected by the relay device selection unit 825 as the relay device 503 that transfers millimeter-wave wireless communication data to the other distributed control device 502. The relay device setting unit 826 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The data transfer unit 828 transfers the data of multi-hop communication to the distribution control device 502 of the transfer destination according to the information of the distribution control device 502 that is the transfer destination of the data of multi-hop communication received by the transfer destination information receiving unit 913. The data transfer unit 828 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The affiliated device number management unit 829 manages the number of communication devices 700 connected to the BSS formed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (AP) 821. The affiliation device number management unit 829 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

(Functional configuration of relay device)
FIG. 10A is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the relay apparatus. The relay device 503 includes, for example, a wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911, a device function control unit 914, a storage unit 915, a millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011, a communication link state measurement unit 1012, a connection information storage unit 1013, a connection A control unit 1014 and a data relay unit 1015 are included.

  The functions of the wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911, the device function control unit 914, and the storage unit 915 are the same as those of the wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911 included in the distributed control device 502 described with reference to FIG. Since it is the same as the unit 914 and the storage unit 915, the description is omitted.

  The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011 causes the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 of the communication device 700 to function as the STA of the millimeter wave wireless communication system described with reference to FIGS. The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  For example, the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011 is connected as a STA to the BSS formed by the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501).

  The communication link state measurement unit 1012 measures the communication link state with the distributed control device 502 that forms the BSS connected to the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA). The communication link state measurement unit 822 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The connection information storage unit 1013 uses the wireless LAN communication to identify the identification information (BSSID) of the distributed control device 502 that is notified from the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501) as the data transfer destination of the millimeter wave wireless communication. Connection information including SSID, etc.). The connection information storage unit 1013 is realized by, for example, the RAM 702 in FIG. 7A, the storage device 704, and a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG. 7A (an example of connection information stored in the connection information storage unit 1013). Is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 11C shows an example of connection information 1130. In the example of FIG. 11C, the connection information 1130 includes information such as “network cell number”, “connection state”, “BSSID”, “SSID”, “IP address”, and “channel number”.

  The “network cell number” is information such as a BSS number or name. The “connection state” is information indicating whether the BSS corresponding to the “network cell number” is in a “connection” state or a “connection candidate” state.

  “BSSID” and “SSID” are identification information of the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501) that forms the BSS corresponding to the “network cell number”.

  The “IP address” is an IP address in millimeter wave wireless communication of the distributed control device 502 (or the centralized control device 501) that forms the BSS corresponding to the “network cell number”. The “channel number” is a channel number of BSS millimeter-wave wireless communication corresponding to the “network cell number”.

  Returning to FIG. 10A, the description of the functional configuration of the relay device 503 is continued.

  In accordance with connection information 1130 stored in connection information storage unit 1013, connection control unit 1014 connects to distributed control device 502 whose connection status is “connected” (hereinafter referred to as transfer source distributed control device 502) via millimeter-wave wireless communication. To do. When the connection control unit 1014 receives millimeter-wave wireless communication data from the transfer source distributed control device 502, the connection control unit 1014 disconnects the connection with the transfer source distributed control device 502, and the connection status is “connection candidate” distributed. It is connected to the control device 502 (hereinafter referred to as a transfer destination distributed control device 502). The connection control unit 1014 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The data relay unit 1015 transfers the millimeter-wave wireless communication data received from the transfer source distributed control device 502 to the transfer destination distributed control device 502. The data relay unit 1015 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the CPU 701 in FIG.

(Functional configuration of affiliated device)
FIG. 10B is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the belonging device. The belonging device 504 includes, for example, a wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911, a device function control unit 914, a storage unit 915, a millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011, a communication link state measurement unit 1012, and the like.

  The functions of the wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911, the device function control unit 914, and the storage unit 915 are the same as the wireless LAN communication unit (STA) 911 and the device function control unit 914 included in the distributed control device 502 described with reference to FIG. Since it is the same as the storage unit 915, the description thereof is omitted.

  The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011 causes the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 of the communication device 700 to function as the STA of the millimeter wave wireless communication system described with reference to FIGS. The millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA) 1011 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

  The communication link state measurement unit 1012 measures the communication link state with the distributed control device 502 that forms the BSS connected to the millimeter wave wireless communication unit (STA). The communication link state measurement unit 822 is realized by, for example, a program executed by the millimeter wave wireless communication unit 706 in FIG. 7A and the CPU 701 in FIG.

<Process flow>
[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, communication processing of multi-hop communication by the centralized control device 501 will be described.

(Network configuration)
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network configuration of the communication system according to the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 12, the communication system 500 includes eight BSSs BSS1 to BSS8. In FIG. 12, for example, the character string “ch1” in the arc shown beside “BSS1” indicates that the communication channel used in BSS1 is “ch1”.

  The central control apparatus 501 according to the first embodiment manages, for example, the network configuration of the communication system 500 as shown in FIG. 12 in units of BSSs as shown in FIG.

(Communication path management)
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network topology created by the centralized control device according to the first embodiment. The centralized control device 501 creates a network topology 2100 for each BSS as shown in FIG. 13 based on the network cell information 1110 as shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 13, the numbers in parentheses under each BSS name indicate the communication channel and the number of communication devices 700 connected to the BSS. For example, in the example of FIG. 13, the communication channel used in BSS1 is “1”, and the number of communication devices 700 connected to BSS1 is “7”. An arrow connecting the BSSs indicates that communication is possible between the BSSs via the relay device. There are cases where communication is possible only in one direction, such as BSS2 to BSS5.

  The centralized control device 501 manages a communication path for multi-hop communication in units of BSS using a network topology 2100 in units of BSS as shown in FIG. Since the communication path in the BSS is managed by the distributed control apparatus 502, the central control apparatus 501 does not manage the communication path in the BSS. Thereby, the load of the centralized control device 501 is reduced.

(Centralized control device processing)
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of the centralized control device according to the first embodiment.

  In step S1401, the network cell information acquisition unit 812 of the centralized control device 501 acquires network cell information from the plurality of distributed control devices 502 using wireless LAN communication.

  In step S1402, the communication path determination unit 814 of the centralized control device 501 uses the acquired network cell information to create a network topology 2100 for BSS unit millimeter wave wireless communication as shown in FIG. 13, for example.

  In step S1403, the centralized control device 501 determines whether a transmission start request for millimeter wave wireless communication transmitted from the communication device 700 in the communication system 500 using wireless LAN communication has been received.

  When the transmission start request has not been received (No in S1403), the central control apparatus 501 repeatedly executes the processes in steps S1401 and S1402. On the other hand, when the transmission start request is received (Yes in S1403), the central control apparatus 501 shifts the process to step S1404.

  In step S1404, the communication path determination unit 814 of the central control apparatus 501 determines (calculates) a communication path in BSS units from the BSS including the transmission source communication apparatus 700 to the BSS including the transmission destination communication apparatus 700. (Details will be described later). The communication route determination unit 814 may calculate a route to the transmission destination using a known route search algorithm such as the Dijkstra method.

  In step S1405, the transfer destination information notifying unit 815 of the centralized control device 501 notifies the distributed control device 502 on the communication path determined by the communication path determining unit 814 of the data transfer destination BSS information.

  In step S1406, the transfer destination information notification unit 815 of the centralized control device 501 instructs the communication device 700 that has requested the transmission start request to transmit data.

(Communication processing of communication system)
Next, an example of data transmission processing of the entire communication system 500 will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of data transmission processing of the communication system according to the first embodiment. The processing is an example of processing when data is transmitted by millimeter wave wireless communication from the belonging device 504a included in the BSS 7 to the belonging device 504b included in the BSS 8 in the communication system 500 illustrated in FIG. ing.

  In step S1501, the source belonging device 504a transmits a transmission start request including destination information (for example, IP address) of the destination belonging device 504b to the centralized control device 501 using wireless LAN communication.

  In step S1502, the communication path determination unit 814 of the central control apparatus 501 determines a communication path in BSS units from the BSS7 including the transmission source belonging apparatus 504a to the BSS8 including the transmission destination belonging apparatus 504b. For example, the communication path determination unit 814 determines to transmit data in the order of BSS7, BSS5, and BSS8 using the network topology 2100 as shown in FIG.

  In steps S1503 to S1505, the transfer destination information notifying unit 815 of the centralized control device 501 notifies the data transfer destinations to the distributed control devices 502a, 502b, and 502c on the communication path determined by the communication path determining unit 814.

  For example, the transfer destination information notification unit 815 notifies the distributed control device 502a forming the BSS 7 of information (for example, BSSID, SSID, etc.) specifying the distributed control device 502b forming the BSS 5 as the data transfer destination. Similarly, the transfer destination information notification unit 815 notifies the distributed control device 502b forming the BSS 5 of information specifying the distributed control device 502c forming the BSS 8 as a data transfer destination. Also, the transfer destination information notification unit 815 notifies the distributed control device 502c forming the BSS 8 that, for example, data is not transferred to another BSS.

  In step S1506, the transfer destination information notification unit 815 of the centralized control device 501 instructs the data transfer source belonging device 504a to transmit data.

  In step S1507, the affiliated device 504a transmits data including destination information to the distributed control device 502a to which the affiliated device 504a is connected by millimeter wave wireless communication.

  In step S1508, the distributed control device 502a identifies the relay device 503a that transfers data to the distributed control device 502b that is the designated transfer destination, using device information 1120 as shown in FIG. 11B, for example. And send the data.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation of the relay device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 16, B12 is a relay apparatus from BSS1 to BSS2, and B21 is a relay apparatus from BSS2 to BSS1. When data is transferred from the distributed control device (P2) of the BSS2 to the distributed control device (P1) of the BSS1 by millimeter-wave wireless communication, after P2 completes the data transfer to B21, B21 belongs to BSS1 and P1 Data transfer to After B21 completes the data transfer to P1, B21 again belongs to BSS2, which originally belonged, and therefore disconnects from P1 and reconnects to P2. Similarly, when data is transferred from the distributed control device (P1) of the BSS1 to the distributed control device (P2) of the BSS2, data transfer is performed using B12.

  Returning to FIG. In step S1509, when receiving the data, the connection control unit 1014 of the relay device 503a disconnects the millimeter wave wireless communication connection with the distributed control device 502a.

  Subsequently, the connection control unit 1014 of the relay apparatus 503a uses, for example, the connection information 1130 as illustrated in FIG. 11C to transfer the millimeter wave to the distributed control apparatus 502b that is a preset “connection candidate”. Connection is established by wireless communication (S1510).

  Subsequently, the data relay unit 1015 of the relay device 503a transmits (transfers) the data received from the distributed control device 502a to the distributed control device 502b (S1511).

  Preferably, the connection control unit 1014 of the relay device 503a disconnects the connection with the distributed control device 502b after the data relay unit 1015 completes data transmission, and again connects to the distributed control device 502a through millimeter-wave wireless communication. .

  In step S1512, the distributed control apparatus 502b specifies the relay apparatus 503b that transfers data to the distributed control apparatus 502c that is the designated transfer destination, using apparatus information 1120 as shown in FIG. 11B, for example. And send the data.

  Subsequently, when the reception of data is completed, the connection control unit 1014 of the relay device 503b disconnects the millimeter wave wireless communication connection with the distributed control device 502b (S1513).

  Subsequently, the connection control unit 1014 of the relay apparatus 503b uses, for example, the connection information 1130 as illustrated in FIG. 11C to transfer the millimeter wave to the distributed control apparatus 502c that is a preset “connection candidate”. Connection is established by wireless communication (S1514).

  Subsequently, the data relay unit 1015 of the relay device 503b transmits (transfers) the data received from the distributed control device 502b to the distributed control device 502c (S1515).

  Preferably, similarly to step S1511, the connection control unit 1014 of the relay device 503b disconnects the connection with the distributed control device 502c after the data relay unit 1015 completes the data transmission, and then returns to the distributed control device 502b. Connect by radio wave communication.

  In step S1516, the distributed control device 502c transmits the data to the affiliated device 504b based on the destination information included in the data without transferring the received data.

(Communication path calculation process (1))
FIG. 17 is a first diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the first embodiment. In step S1404 in FIG. 14, the calculation is performed by the communication path determination unit 814 of the centralized control device 501 from the BSS including the transmission source belonging device 504a to the BSS including the destination belonging device 504b. Corresponds to the process of calculating. As shown in FIG. 17, the transmission source device 504a belongs to BSS1, and the destination device 504b belongs to BSS9. The communication control in each BSS is controlled by the distributed control device 502 in each BSS, and the route control of the entire network, that is, the control of the route in units of BSS is executed by the centralized control device 501. That is, the communication system 500 can perform high-speed route control by distributing the load of route control and communication route calculation.

  Hereinafter, a method for determining a millimeter-wave wireless communication path will be described in the case where the destination belonging device 504b is one. In the first embodiment, the Dijkstra method of graph theory is used as a method of calculating a communication path to a destination terminal. The link cost value from the relay source BSS to the relay destination BSS applied to the Dijkstra method is calculated based on the sum of the following three times.

  The first time is a transfer time required for data communication calculated from the LQ value, MCS value, and the like between the distributed control device 502 and the relay device 503 in the relay source BSS. The second time is a transfer time required for data communication calculated from the LQ value, MCS value, and the like between the relay apparatus 503 and the distributed control apparatus 502 in the relay destination BSS. The third time is the time required for establishing a connection for relaying, that is, the connection between the distribution control device 502 and the relay device 503 in the relay source BSS and the distribution in the relay device 503 and the relay destination BSS. This is the time required to establish a connection with the control device. That is, the third time is a time required for disconnection between the relay source BSS and the relay device 503 and connection between the relay destination BSS and the relay device 503.

  The LQ value indicates wireless communication quality, and the MCS value is for selecting a modulation method and a coding method at the time of data transfer, and is set based on the quality of the wireless communication link and a desired transmission rate. That is, these values can be used as an index representing the throughput. A table for converting LQ values and MCS values to throughput values may be stored in advance, or if content data transfer has been performed previously, transfer time is determined using the throughput value measured at the time of data transfer. You may calculate.

  The centralized control device 501 uses network cell information 1110 as shown in FIG. 11A and device information 1120 as shown in FIG. 11B collected from the distributed control device 502 of each BSS, and the like. The link cost value is calculated and the communication path is determined based on the Dijkstra method.

  First, in the BSS1 to which the transmission source device 504a belongs, the BSS having the smallest link cost value is selected from the BSSs 2, 3, 5, and 6 that can be relayed. For example, when transferring 100 Mbytes of data, the link cost value of each BSS in BSS1 is as shown in Table 1.

表１において、ＴＣＰスループット値は、ＬＱ値及びＭＣＳ値、又は以前のデータ通信の際に測定されたスループット値に基づいて算出される。なお、当該ＴＣＰスループット値は、先述の第１の時間、第２の時間及び第３の時間を考慮して算出される。表１により、データ転送所要時間はＢＳＳ２が最小であるため、現時点でのＢＳＳ１の中継先はＢＳＳ２となる。

In Table 1, the TCP throughput value is calculated based on the LQ value and MCS value, or the throughput value measured during previous data communication. The TCP throughput value is calculated in consideration of the first time, the second time, and the third time described above. According to Table 1, since the time required for data transfer is minimum for BSS2, the current relay destination of BSS1 is BSS2.

  Next, in the BSS2, the BSS having the minimum link cost value is similarly selected from the BSSs 3, 4, 5, and 6 that can be relayed.

表２により、データ転送所要時間はＢＳＳ５が最小であるため、現時点でのＢＳＳ２の中継先はＢＳＳ５となる。

According to Table 2, since the time required for data transfer is minimum for BSS5, the relay destination of BSS2 at this time is BSS5.

  FIG. 18 is a second diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 18, the calculation of the data transfer required time in the communication paths in the order of BSS1, BSS2, and BSS5 is completed as a result of the calculation of the communication path.

  Here, since BSS5 can also be relayed from BSS1, the time required for data transfer between when relaying directly from BSS1 to BSS5 and when relaying in the order of BSS1, BSS2, and BSS5 is shown. Compare. As shown in Table 1, the time required for data transfer when relaying directly from BSS1 to BSS5 is 1.3 s. The time required for data transfer when relaying via the communication paths in the order of BSS1, BSS2, and BSS5 is 0.67s + 0.7s = 1.37s. Therefore, the shortest communication path to the BSS 5 at the present time is a communication path from the BSS 1 directly to the BSS 5, and the data transfer time is updated from 1.37 s to 1.3 s.

  FIG. 19 is a third diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 19, calculation of the time required for data transfer in the communication paths in the order of BSS1 and BSS5 is completed as a result of the calculation of the communication path.

  FIG. 20 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 20, as described above, the Dijkstra method is applied to calculate the time required for data transfer to each BSS, and the communication path is obtained. FIG. 20 shows a final calculation result in which a communication path is connected from BSS8 to BSS7 and further a communication path is connected from BSS7 to BSS9.

  As described above, the communication path determination unit 814 of the central control apparatus 501 completes the calculation of the communication path that requires the shortest data transfer time, and the communication paths are in the order of BSS1, BSS5, BSS8, BSS7, and BSS9. Information of the relay source BSS and the relay destination BSS is notified to each distributed control device 502 constituting the communication path using the wireless LAN, and the source device 504a transfers the data by hopping transfer by millimeter wave wireless communication. To start.

  Subsequently, in each BSS, data is transmitted from the relay device 503 to the distributed control device 502, and the distributed control device 502 transmits the received data to the relay device 503 to the next BSS on the communication path. In the BSS 9, data is transmitted from the relay apparatus 503 to the distributed control apparatus 502, and the distributed control apparatus 502 transmits the received data to the destination belonging apparatus 504b.

  FIG. 21 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 21, the destination affiliated device 504b may be able to move from the current BSS9 to the BSS5 that may have a communication path closer to the BSS1 to which the transmission source affiliated device 504a belongs. . The movement means a change of the BSS to which the affiliated device 504 belongs. In such a case, when the number of relays of the communication path to the BSS5 to which the destination belongs is compared with the number of relays of the communication path to the BSS9 that currently belongs, The affiliation device 504 may be moved from BSS9 to BSS5. The central control apparatus 501 notifies the distributed control apparatus 502 of the BSS 9 from the transfer destination information notification unit 815 to notify the BSS 5 having a smaller number of relays to belong to the destination belonging apparatus 504b, and calculates the communication path to the BSS 5. . Also, the centralized control device 501 determines whether or not to move the destination affiliated device 504b from the BSS9 to the BSS5. It may be determined by comparing the sum with the required data transfer time. When the sum of the time required for the destination affiliated apparatus 504b to move to the BSS 5 and the time required for data transfer to the BSS 5 is less than the time required for data transfer to the BSS 9, the central control apparatus 501 transfers the transfer destination information notification unit 815. Notifies the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 9 to make the destination belonging device 504b belong to the BSS 5 and calculate the communication path to the BSS 5.

  Note that when there is no relay device 503 in the BSS, the communication path determination unit 814 uses a wireless communication method (for example, a wireless LAN) different from millimeter wave wireless communication to perform data relay to the BSS. May be determined.

  As described above, in the communication system 500 according to the first embodiment, the centralized control device 501 appropriately determines a communication path, so that a high-speed multi-point communication is performed between the belonging devices 504 that perform communication in a star-type network configuration. Hop communication can be performed.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be described. Therefore, the points not particularly mentioned may be the same as those in the first embodiment.

(Communication path calculation process (2))
In the second embodiment, a method of creating a communication path will be described for a case where the destination communication device is all communication devices belonging to the communication system 500 other than the transmission source communication device. In the second embodiment, unless otherwise indicated, it is assumed that a plurality of communications using the same communication channel are not simultaneously performed in the communication system 500. That is, at a certain time, one communication channel is used only in one BSS.

  FIG. 22 is a first diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 22, an example of link cost value calculation by the communication path determination unit 814 of the centralized control device 501 will be described. When the transmission source device 504a belongs to BSS1, BSSs that can be relayed by BSS1 are BSS2 and BSS3. The channel used by BSS1 is “1”, the channel used by BSS2 is “2”, the channel used by BSS3 is “3”, and the communication channel used by both BSSs is different from BSS1. To do. On the other hand, a BSS with the same communication channel cannot be relayed in parallel with data transfer to the affiliated device 504b in the BSS to which the affiliated device 504a of the transmission source belongs.

  The link cost value between the relay source BSS and the relay destination BSS is the number of devices belonging to the relay destination BSS and the number of devices belonging to the BSS that can relay from the relay destination BSS that uses the same communication channel as the relay destination BSS. Calculate based on. Here, the number of affiliated devices is the sum of the number of affiliated devices 504 belonging to the BSS and the number of relay devices 503. The reason why the link cost value includes the number of devices belonging to the BSS that can be relayed from the relay destination BSS that uses the same communication channel as that of the relay destination BSS is that if the same communication channel is used between the BSSs, This is because even if communication (for example, transfer to an affiliated device in the BSS) is performed in the BSS, relaying between the BSSs can be performed in parallel. In FIG. 22, the number of devices to which BSS2 belongs is 6, and there is BSS5 that uses the same communication channel as BSS2. Therefore, the number of devices to which BSS5 belongs is also included in the link cost value calculation. Therefore, the link cost value from BSS1 to BSS2 is calculated as 6 + 4 = 10. On the other hand, since the number of devices to which BSS3 belongs is 5, and there is no relayable BSS that uses the same communication channel as BSS3, the link cost value from BSS1 to BSS3 is calculated as 5.

  Note that the already relayed BSS is not used for the subsequent calculation of the link cost value. Also, the same communication channel is not used in each BSS to which data is transferred simultaneously.

  In the second embodiment, the centralized control device 501 preferentially transfers data to a relay destination BSS having a large link cost value. This is because a large number of affiliated devices belong to a BSS with a large link cost value, so that it takes time to transfer data to the affiliated devices in the BSS. Since the link cost value from BSS1 to BSS2 is 10 and the link cost value from BSS1 to BSS3 is 5, data transmission from BSS1 to BSS2 is completed, and then data transmission from BSS1 to BSS3 is performed. . That is, in BSS1, data is first transferred to relay device 503 to BSS2, and then data is transferred to relay device 503 to BSS3.

  The calculation of the link cost value uses the number of devices belonging to the BSS. Similar to the first embodiment, the link cost value is calculated from the throughput value obtained from the LQ value and the MCS value, or the throughput value measured at the time of data transfer. The calculated data transfer time may be used for calculating the link cost value. In this case, the centralized control device 501 uses network cell information 1110 as shown in FIG. 11A and device information 1120 as shown in FIG. 11B collected from the distributed control device 502 of each BSS. Then, the required data transfer time is calculated and used as the link cost value. For the link cost value, the centralized control device 501 calculates a communication path with priority given to the relay destination BSS having a small link cost value.

  FIG. 23 is a second diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 23, the transmission source belonging device 504a belongs to the BSS1. Therefore, the link cost values of BSS2, BSS3, BSS5, and BSS6 that can be relayed by BSS1 are calculated in the same manner as the calculation example of FIG. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS2 is 6 (number of devices belonging to BSS2) +5 (number of devices belonging to BSS7) = 11. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS3 is 4 (number of devices belonging to BSS3) +6 (number of devices belonging to BSS5) = 10. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS5 is 6 (number of devices belonging to BSS5) +4 (number of devices belonging to BSS3) = 10. Since the communication channel of the BSS 6 is “1” and is the same as the BSS 1, the link cost value is not calculated. Since the link cost value 11 of BSS2 is the maximum, transfer from BSS1 to BSS2 is performed first. The BSS3 and BSS5 to be transferred next have the same link cost value from the BSS1. In this case, the central control apparatus 501 refers to the data transfer required time calculated from the throughput value obtained from the LQ value and the MCS value, the throughput value measured at the time of previous data transfer, or the like, and the data transfer required time is short. Data is transferred with priority on the BSS.

  FIG. 24 is a third diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the second embodiment. First, data transmission is performed from BSS1 to BSS2, and then data transmission is performed from BSS1 to BSS5. That is, it is determined that BSS5 has less time required for data transfer than BSS3.

  Hereinafter, data transfer in the BSS will be described. In the BSS1 to which the transmission source member device 504a belongs, data is first transmitted to the relay device 503 to the BSS2, and then data is transmitted to the relay device 503 to the BSS5. Thereafter, data is sequentially transmitted to the affiliated device 504 other than the relay device 503. The order of data transmission to the affiliated device 504 other than the relay device 503 is arbitrary. In the BSS2 and BSS5, when the distributed control device 502 receives data from the relay device 503, the data is sequentially transmitted to the affiliated device 504 in the BSS.

  Subsequently, in the BSS1, BSS2, and BSS5, when the data transfer to all the belonging devices 504 belonging to the BSS is completed, the distributed control device 502 of the BSS transmits the data transfer in the BSS to the centralized control device 501. The message that is completed is notified by wireless LAN. When the central control apparatus 501 receives the message, the central BSS selects the BSS to be relayed next. For example, when the data transfer in the BSS1 is first completed, the communication channel that is not the same as the BSS that has completed the data transfer is used for the data transfer in the other BSS. A BSS having the maximum link cost value is selected from the BSSs using the channel. In the example of FIG. 24, the BSSs that can be relayed are BSS3 and BSS6. However, since only the BSS6 that uses the same communication channel “1” is the BSS6, the BSS6 is selected as the relay destination BSS. The centralized control device 501 notifies the distributed control device 502 of the BSS1 that the relay destination BSS is BSS6. The distributed control device 502 of the BSS 1 that has received the notification instructs the relay device 503 with the BSS 6 to transfer data to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 6.

  Subsequently, as described above, when the data transfer in the BSS is completed in the BSS 2 or the BSS 5, the central control apparatus 501 selects the relay destination BSS. That is, BSS7 is selected as the relay destination BSS of BSS2, and BSS3 is selected as the relay destination BSS of BSS5.

  Further, as described above, when the data transfer is completed in the BSS 6, the central control apparatus 501 selects the BSS 4 as the relay destination BSS. When the data transfer is completed in the BSS 7, the central control apparatus 501 selects the BSS 8 as the relay destination BSS. Note that the BSS 4 is a BSS of only the distributed control device 502, and the affiliated device 504 does not belong to it. Therefore, even if data is transferred to the BSS 4, it cannot be relayed to the next BSS. Therefore, in the calculation of the communication path, the communication path determination unit 814 may make the BSS 4 the last cell in the communication path.

  FIG. 25 is a fourth diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 25, the final result of the BSS transfer order by the above-described communication path calculation is as follows: first is BSS1 to BSS2, second is BSS1 to BSS5, third is BSS1 to BSS6, and fourth is BSS2. BSS7, fifth is BSS5 to BSS3, sixth is BSS6 to BSS4, and seventh is BSS7 to BSS8. According to the final result, since the communication channels used by each BSS for data transfer are evenly allocated, the overall throughput of the communication system 500 is improved.

  Table 3 shows the result of calculating the transfer time of the entire communication system 500 when the above-described communication path calculation method is used.

表３における算出した結果の前提条件は、以下のとおりである。

Preconditions for the calculated results in Table 3 are as follows.

  1) Use the network topology shown in FIG. 2) Assuming that the TCP communication speed of one-to-one communication of each millimeter wave communication is 1.2 Gbps and transferring a 100-Mbyte file, it takes 670 ms to complete the one-to-one communication. 3) The wireless LAN communication time between the central control device 501 and each distributed control device 502 and the communication path calculation time at the central control device 501 are not considered. 4) The relay apparatus 503 requires 30 ms to disconnect from the relay source BSS and to connect to the relay destination BSS. 5) As an initial state, the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 1 holds data to be transferred.

  Hereinafter, the numerical values in Table 3 will be described. The “offset time” is the time required for completing the transfer of data to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS. The “completion time” is a time until data transfer is completed to all the distributed control device 502 and the affiliated device 504 of the BSS.

  Regarding the BSS1 whose “transfer order” is “1”, since the distributed control device 502 of the BSS1 holds data, the “offset time” is 0 ms. The “completion time” is 670 ms × 7 = 4690 ms because seven-time one-to-one communication is required for the affiliated device 504.

  With respect to BSS2 whose “transfer order” is “2”, since the “offset time” is the first data transfer to the relay device 503 with the BSS1, the time for completing the data transfer is 670 ms after the transfer start. Furthermore, since the relay apparatus 503 requires 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for the transfer to the distributed control apparatus 502 of the BSS2, it is 1370 ms. The “completion time” is 1370 ms + 670 ms × 6 = 5390 ms because six one-to-one communications are required for the affiliated apparatus 504 in addition to the “offset time”.

  For BSS5 with “3” as the “transfer order”, the “offset time” is 670 ms × 2 = 1340 ms later because data transfer to the relay device 503 with BSS1 is performed for the second time from the start of transfer. Since the device 503 requires 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for transfer to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 5, 2040 ms is required. The “completion time” is 2040 ms + 670 ms × 6 = 6060 ms because six one-to-one communications are required for the affiliated apparatus 504 in addition to the “offset time”.

  Regarding the BSS 6 whose “transfer order” is “4”, the “offset time” is 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for the relay device 503 to transfer to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 6 after the data transfer in the BSS 1 is completed. 4690 ms + 700 ms = 5390 ms. The “completion time” is 5390 ms + 670 ms × 3 = 7400 ms because the one-to-one communication is required for the affiliated apparatus 504 in addition to the “offset time”.

  Regarding the BSS 7 whose “transfer order” is “5”, the “offset time” is 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for the relay device 503 to transfer to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 7 after the data transfer in the BSS 2 is completed. 5390 ms + 700 ms = 6090 ms. The “completion time” is 6090 ms + 670 ms × 5 = 9440 ms since five one-to-one communications are required for the affiliated apparatus 504 in addition to the “offset time”.

  Regarding the BSS3 whose “transfer order” is “6”, since the “offset time” is 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for the relay device 503 to transfer to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS3 after the data transfer in the BSS5 is completed. 6060 ms + 700 ms = 6760 ms. The “completion time” is 6090 ms + 670 ms × 4 = 9440 ms because the one-to-one communication with the belonging device 504 is required in addition to the “offset time”.

  Regarding the BSS4 whose “transfer order” is “7”, the “offset time” is 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for the relay device 503 to transfer to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS4 after the data transfer in the BSS6 is completed. 7400 ms + 700 ms = 8100 ms. The “completion time” is 8100 ms, which is the same as the “offset time”, because the belonging device 504 does not exist.

  Regarding the BSS 8 whose “transfer order” is “8”, since the “offset time” is 30 ms + 670 ms = 700 ms for the relay device 503 to transfer to the distributed control device 502 of the BSS 8 after the data transfer in the BSS 7 is completed. 9440 ms + 700 ms = 10170 ms. The “completion time” is 10170 ms + 670 ms × 2 = 111510 ms because the one-to-one communication with the belonging device 504 is required in addition to the “offset time”.

  As described above, in the example of Table 3, the communication system 500 completes transmission of a 100 Mbyte file to all 40 communication devices in about 11.5 seconds.

  In the above description, in order to avoid radio wave interference between the BSSs, the millimeter-wave wireless communication devices that transfer simultaneously do not use the same communication channel. However, for example, when radio wave interference between BSSs can be avoided, for example, when the distance between the BSSs is long and the influence of interference is small, it is also possible to perform millimeter wave communication simultaneously with BSSs that have more communication channels. The link cost value in this case may be calculated as follows.

  The link cost value between the relay source BSS and the relay destination BSS is the number of devices to which the relay destination BSS belongs. Further, when the relay destination BSS has a relay device, the BSS with the largest number of affiliated devices is selected from the BSSs relayed by the relay device, and the number of affiliated devices is added. The relayed BSS is not used for the subsequent calculation of the link cost value. The centralized control device 501 gives priority to the relay destination BSS having a large link cost value to transfer data.

  As in the first embodiment, the throughput value obtained from the LQ value and the MCS value, or the data transfer required time calculated from the throughput value measured at the time of previous data transfer, is used for calculating the link cost value. Also good. For example, the central control apparatus 501 calculates the time required for data transfer with respect to the BSS from the total throughput value between the affiliated apparatus 504 of the relay destination BSS and the distributed control apparatus 502, and further, the BSS of the relay destination of the BSS Similarly, the time required for data transfer is calculated and the time required for data transfer is added to the BSS. The centralized control device 501 may relay the BSS as a relay destination with priority given to the total time required for data transfer. In addition, the relay destination BSS with less time required for the total data transfer obtained may be preferentially relayed.

  FIG. 26 is a fifth diagram illustrating an example of communication path calculation according to the second embodiment. FIG. 26 shows a millimeter wave communication path when there is little radio wave interference between BSSs. In each BSS, the data transfer to the relay apparatus 503 has priority over the data transfer to the affiliated apparatus 504. After the data transfer to all the relay devices 503 is completed, the data transfer to the affiliated device 504 in each BSS is started. For the relay destination of the BSS, the distributed control device 502 of each BSS is based on the communication path calculated before the data transfer by the central control device 501 so that data is not transferred to the same BSS multiple times. Notification via the wireless LAN.

  In FIG. 26, since the data transfer is started from the BSS1, the central control apparatus 501 first calculates a link cost value from the BSS1 to each BSS that can be relayed. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS2 is 12 from the sum of the number of belonging devices 6 of BSS2 and the number of belonging devices 6 of BSS5. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS3 is 10 based on the sum of the number of belonging devices 4 of BSS3 and the number of belonging devices 6 of BSS2. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS5 is 12 from the sum of the number of belonging devices 6 of BSS5 and the number of belonging devices 6 of BSS2. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS6 is 9 based on the sum of the number 3 of devices belonging to BSS6 and the number of devices 6 belonging to BSS2 or BSS5. Therefore, BSS2 or BSS5 is selected as the relay destination BSS from BSS1, but BSS2 is selected based on a predetermined priority order of BSS or a throughput value (1 in FIG. 26).

  Subsequently, the centralized control device 501 calculates the link cost value to the BSS that is a relay destination candidate, excluding the BSS1 and the BSS2. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS5 is 11 from the sum of the number of belonging devices 6 of BSS5 and the number of belonging devices 5 of BSS7. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS6 is 9 based on the sum of the number 3 of devices belonging to BSS6 and the number 6 of devices belonging to BSS5. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS3 is 9 based on the sum of the number 4 of devices belonging to BSS3 and the number 5 of devices belonging to BSS7. Therefore, BSS5 (2A in FIG. 26) is selected as the relay destination BSS from BSS1.

  Next, the central control apparatus 501 calculates a link cost value from the BSS 2 to the BSS that is a relay destination candidate. BSS1, BSS2, and BSS5 are not used for the calculation. The link cost value from BSS2 to BSS3 is 9 based on the sum of the number 4 of devices belonging to BSS3 and the number of devices 5 belonging to BSS7. The link cost value from BSS2 to BSS4 is 4 from the sum of the number of belonging devices 0 of BSS4 and the number of belonging devices 4 of BSS3. The link cost value from the BSS 2 to the BSS 6 is 8 based on the sum of the number 3 of devices belonging to the BSS 6 and the number 5 of devices belonging to the BSS 7. The link cost value from BSS2 to BSS7 is 9 from the sum of the number of BSS7 belonging devices and the number of BSS3 belonging devices. Accordingly, BSS3 or BSS7 is selected as the relay destination BSS from BSS2, but BSS7 is selected based on a predetermined priority order of BSS or a throughput value (2B in FIG. 26).

  Subsequently, the centralized control device 501 calculates the link cost value from the BSS1 to the BSS that is the relay destination candidate except for the BSS1, BSS2, BSS5, and BSS7. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS3 is 4 from the sum of the number of BSS3 affiliated devices 4 and the number of BSS4 affiliated devices 0. The link cost value from BSS1 to BSS6 is 5 based on the sum of the number 3 of devices belonging to BSS6 and the number 2 of devices belonging to BSS8. Therefore, BSS6 is selected as the relay destination BSS from BSS1 (3A in FIG. 26).

  Next, the central control apparatus 501 calculates a link cost value from the BSS 2 to the BSS that is a relay destination candidate. For this calculation, BSS1, BSS2, BSS5, BSS6, and BSS7 are not used. The link cost value from BSS2 to BSS3 is 4 from the sum of the number of BSS3 affiliated devices 4 and the number of BSS4 affiliated devices 0. The link cost value from BSS2 to BSS4 is 4 from the sum of the number of belonging devices 0 of BSS4 and the number of belonging devices 4 of BSS3. Therefore, BSS3 or BSS4 is selected as the relay destination BSS from BSS2, but BSS4 is selected based on a predetermined priority order of BSS or a throughput value (3B in FIG. 26).

  Next, the central control apparatus 501 calculates a link cost value from the BSS 5 to the BSS that is a relay destination candidate. For this calculation, BSS1, BSS2, BSS4, BSS5, BSS6 and BSS7 are not used. The link cost value from BSS5 to BSS3 is the number of devices belonging to BSS3. The link cost value from the BSS 5 to the BSS 8 is the number of devices to which the BSS 8 belongs. Accordingly, it is assumed that BSS3 is selected as the relay destination BSS from BSS5 (3C in FIG. 26).

  Next, the central control apparatus 501 calculates a link cost value from the BSS 7 to the BSS that is a relay destination candidate. For the calculation, BSS1, BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, BSS5, BSS6, and BSS7 are not used. Therefore, since the relay destination candidate from the BSS 7 is only the BSS 8, the BSS 8 is selected (3D in FIG. 26).

  As described above, a communication path through which data is transferred to each of the distributed control devices 502 of BSS1 to BSS8 is calculated.

  As described above, the communication system 500 according to the second embodiment is configured to perform communication with a large number of communication apparatuses 700 that perform communication in a star-type network configuration when the centralized control apparatus 501 appropriately determines a communication path. High-speed multi-hop communication can be performed.

  In the first and second embodiments, the BSS is an example of a cell.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to such specific embodiment, In the range of the summary of this invention described in the claim, various deformation | transformation・ Change is possible.

500 Communication system (communication control system)
501 Central control device (communication control device)
502 distributed control device (first distributed control device, second distributed control device)
503 Relay device 504 Affiliated device (terminal device, transmission source terminal device, destination terminal device)
700 Communication Device 706 Millimeter-Wave Wireless Communication Unit 705 Wireless LAN Communication Unit 812 Network Cell Information Acquisition Unit 814 Communication Path Determination Unit (Decision Unit)
815 Forwarding destination information notification unit (notification unit)
823 Device information acquisition unit 825 Relay device selection unit 826 Relay device setting unit 828 Data transfer unit 912 Network cell information notification unit 914 Device function control unit

Special table 2010-5315559 gazette

Claims (11)

A plurality of distributed control devices used in a communication control system including a relay device that relays communication between cells to which a plurality of terminal devices can belong, and a distributed control device that is connected to the relay device and controls the cells. A communication control device for controlling
When transmitting data from a transmission source terminal device to a destination terminal device belonging to a cell different from the cell to which the transmission source terminal device belongs, a cell to be routed is specified, and a determination unit that determines a communication path is included.
The determination unit includes, for each relay destination cell that is a candidate for configuring the communication path, a first distributed control device that controls a relay source cell and a relay device connected to the first distributed control device. A first time required for data transfer between the second distribution control device and a second time required for data transfer between the second distributed control device that controls the relay destination cell and the relay device connected to the second distributed control device. And a third time required for the relay device to disconnect from the relay source cell and establish a connection with the relay destination cell, and calculate the first time, the second time, A communication control apparatus that determines whether or not to include the relay destination cell in the communication path based on time and the third time. The determination unit, when transmitting data from a transmission source terminal device to all terminal devices other than the transmission source terminal device included in the communication control system, determines a communication path by specifying a cell to be passed through,
For each relay destination cell that is a candidate for configuring the communication path, the number of terminal devices and the number of relay devices belonging to the relay destination cell, the first belonging device number, relayable from the relay destination cell, and Calculating a second belonging device number that is the number of terminal devices and relay devices of the cell having the largest number of terminal devices and relay devices belonging to the cell using the same communication channel as the relay destination cell; 2. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein whether to include the relay destination cell in the communication path is determined based on the first number of belonging apparatuses and the second number of belonging apparatuses.   The determining unit calculates a data transfer time using a throughput value calculated from an LQ (Link Quality) value and an MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) value or a throughput value measured at the time of previous data transfer. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.   4. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit causes the destination terminal apparatus to belong to a cell having a smaller number of data relays than the number of data relays to the cell to which the destination terminal belongs. Communication control device.   The said determination part makes the said destination terminal device belong to the cell whose data transfer time is shorter than the data transfer time to the cell to which the destination terminal device belongs. Communication control device.   The said determination part has a notification part which transmits the said request | requirement of change to the distributed control apparatus of the cell to which the said destination terminal device belongs, when changing the cell which belongs to the destination terminal apparatus. Or the communication control apparatus of 5.   The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines a cell to which the terminal device and the relay device do not belong to be a final cell in the communication path.   The determination unit determines a communication path for relaying data using a wireless communication method different from a wireless communication method used by the relay device in the cell when no relay device exists in the cell. Item 8. The communication control device according to any one of Items 1 to 7. A communication control system including a plurality of terminal devices, a plurality of relay devices, a plurality of distributed control devices, and a communication control device that controls the plurality of distributed control devices,
The terminal device is connected to the distributed control device;
The relay device relays communication between cells to which a plurality of the terminal devices can belong,
The distributed control device controls the cell, connects to the relay device,
The communication control device includes:
When transmitting data from a transmission source terminal device to a destination terminal device belonging to a cell different from the cell to which the transmission source terminal device belongs, a cell to be routed is specified, and a determination unit that determines a communication path is included.
The determination unit includes, for each relay destination cell that is a candidate for configuring the communication path, a first distributed control device that controls a relay source cell and a relay device connected to the first distributed control device. A first time required for data transfer between the second distribution control device and a second time required for data transfer between the second distributed control device that controls the relay destination cell and the relay device connected to the second distributed control device. And a third time required for the relay device to disconnect from the relay source cell and establish a connection with the relay destination cell, and calculate the first time, the second time, A communication control system that determines whether or not to include the relay destination cell in the communication path based on time and the third time. A plurality of distributed control devices used in a communication control system including a relay device that relays communication between cells to which a plurality of terminal devices can belong, and a distributed control device that is connected to the relay device and controls the cells. A communication control method executed by a communication control device for controlling
When transmitting data from a transmission source terminal device to a destination terminal device belonging to a cell different from the cell to which the transmission source terminal device belongs, a cell to be routed is identified, a communication path is determined,
In the determination, for each relay destination cell that is a candidate for configuring the communication path, between the first distributed control device that controls the relay source cell and the relay device connected to the first distributed control device. The first time required for data transfer of the second and the second time required for data transfer between the second distributed control device that controls the relay destination cell and the relay device connected to the second distributed control device Calculating a time and a third time required for the relay device to disconnect from the relay source cell and to establish a connection with the relay destination cell; and the first time and the second time And determining whether to include the relay destination cell in the communication path based on the third time. A plurality of distributed control devices used in a communication control system including a relay device that relays communication between cells to which a plurality of terminal devices can belong, and a distributed control device that is connected to the relay device and controls the cells. To the communication control device that controls
When transmitting data from a transmission source terminal device to a destination terminal device belonging to a cell different from the cell to which the transmission source terminal device belongs, a cell to be routed is identified, and a determination procedure for determining a communication path is executed.
The determination procedure includes: a first distributed control device that controls a relay source cell and a relay device connected to the first distributed control device for each relay destination cell that is a candidate for configuring the communication path; A first time required for data transfer between the second distribution control device and a second time required for data transfer between the second distributed control device that controls the relay destination cell and the relay device connected to the second distributed control device. And a third time required for the relay device to disconnect from the relay source cell and establish a connection with the relay destination cell, and calculate the first time, the second time, A program for determining whether or not to include the relay destination cell in the communication path based on time and the third time.

Images