JP2018137550A - Radio communication device and radio communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication device and a radio communication program that can perform radio communication in accordance with different standards at low cost.SOLUTION: A radio communication device includes: a transmission/reception unit 20 for transmitting and receiving signals including information formed on the basis of standards corresponding to a plurality of layers by radio; a common processing unit 30 for processing information of the layer having specifications common to different standards in the signals transmitted and received; a first individual processing unit 40 and a second individual processing unit 50 for processing information of the layers that are higher-level layers next to the layer of the common specifications and correspond to standards different from each other; and a selection unit 62 for selecting which of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 performs processing according to internal information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication program.

  The communication device of the smart meter periodically transmits meter reading data such as the power consumption of each consumer to the outside. For example, there is a mode in which meter reading data is transmitted every 30 minutes to a computer of a meter data management system (hereinafter referred to as MDMS). A network that transmits meter reading data to the outside in this way is called an A route. A network that transmits / receives meter reading data to / from a management device provided in the house is called a B route.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to perform energy management based on more diverse data by connecting a network that collects data other than power to such a network related to transmission and reception of power meter reading data. An example of such a network is a sensor network in which terminals with sensors that detect various parameters are connected to each other.

  As an example of data other than electric power, there is data related to gas. Currently, gas usage is managed by gas meters, but by managing the data collected by the network of gas meters together with data related to electricity, comprehensively manage the supply and demand of energy. Can do.

JP 2014-82756 A

  In some smart meter and gas meter networks, wireless communication is used for data transmission and reception so that it is easy to cope with the addition and removal of smart meters and gas meters. A gateway device is installed as a window for collecting data in different networks wirelessly, such as a smart meter network and a gas meter network.

  However, when a new gas meter network is connected to the smart meter connected to the A route, the wireless communication standard of the gas meter network may be different from the A route standard. In this case, it is necessary to prepare a gateway device for each type of standard and convert the communication standard, or to add a wireless communication circuit according to the communication standard, resulting in high costs.

  An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless communication program capable of performing wireless communication of different standards at low cost.

A wireless communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has the following invention specific matters.
(a) A transceiver that wirelessly transmits and receives a signal including information configured based on a standard corresponding to a plurality of layers
(b) Among the signals, a common processing unit that processes information of a hierarchy of specifications common to different standards
(c) A plurality of individual processing units that process information of different hierarchical levels of specifications that are higher than the common hierarchical level of specifications.
(d) a selection unit that selects which of the plurality of individual processing units performs processing according to internal information

  In addition, as another aspect, it can also be grasped as a program for causing a computer to execute the functions of the above-described units.

It is a block diagram which shows the communication system to which embodiment is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the gateway apparatus of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which performs communication with handshake presence in the 1st mode of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which communicates without handshaking in the 1st mode of embodiment. FIG. 6 is a communication sequence diagram of FIGS. 4 and 5. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure which communicates in the 2nd mode of embodiment.

[Configuration of the embodiment]
[Communications system]
A configuration example of a communication system S to which this embodiment is applied will be described with reference to FIG. The communication system S includes a smart meter 100 and a gateway device 200 that are connected via a relay network N3. Information communicated by the communication system S includes various data and commands. The relay network N3 is a part of the network N1 of the smart meter 100.

  The smart meter 100 is a meter that acquires various types of detection data. Each smart meter 100 is installed in each customer C. The smart meter 100 collects the detection data of each customer C and transmits it to the outside. The detection data is data related to power, and includes, for example, the power usage of each customer C. The detection data is detected by the detection device. The detection device includes a current sensor and a voltage sensor connected to the power equipment of each customer C. The detection data includes the detection value itself and data calculated based on the detection value. The detection device is a power metering unit built in the smart meter 100. It is also possible to collect using another communication path called B route. For example, a communication standard based on IEEE 802.15.4 in the 920 MHz band can be applied.

  The B route includes a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) 700. The HEMS 700 is a system that collects and controls the power consumption of individual energy consuming devices in each customer C. The smart meter 100 can acquire detection data via the HEMS 700, or can directly acquire detection data from various detection devices.

  The smart meter 100 is connected to a system that manages energy such as electric power and gas via a first network N1, a wide area network (WAN) 400, and the like. As the first network N1, for example, a public network such as 3G / LTE, wireless multi-hop using a 920 MHz band, PLC using a power line, or the like can be applied. Note that the first network N1 constitutes a communication path called A route in a general smart meter communication system.

  As the WAN 400, for example, a public network such as an optical line or 3G / LTE can be used. As a system for managing energy, there are a head end system (HES) 500 and a meter data management system (MDMS) 600. The HES 500 is a server group that collects detection data from a large number of smart meters 100 and centrally manages them. The HES 500 transmits / receives information to / from an MDMS (Meter Data Management System) 600. The MDMS 600 is a system that analyzes detection data collected from the smart meter 100 and provides information regarding efficient energy use to the customer C, such as setting of a power charge.

  The gateway device 200 is a device that collects various types of data via the second network N2. The second network N2 is a network different from the first network N1 constituting the A route. Data collected via the second network N2 may be data related to power or data other than power. An example of the second network N2 is a sensor network including the above-described sensor as a node.

  In the present embodiment, it can be selected that the gateway device 200 is built in the smart meter 100. Further, when the wireless system to be used is the same as described later, it is possible to select to integrate the wireless communication circuit.

  In the present embodiment, a sensor network that collects data related to gas is included as the second network N2. That is, the detection apparatus of this embodiment includes a gas meter, a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, and the like of each customer C, and the detection data includes data related to gas such as the amount of gas used. The detection data includes the detection value itself and data calculated based on the detection value. The sensor network in the present embodiment includes a wireless communication system based on a standard different from the B route. For example, a communication standard different from IEEE 802.15.4 can be applied using the same 920 MHz band radio.

  Smart meter 100, WAN 400, and gateway device 200 transmit and receive data via relay network N3. That is, the gateway device 200 is a device that connects different networks. The data transmitted / received via the relay network N3 may be data related to power or data other than power.

  The smart meter 100 and the gateway device 200 can be realized by controlling a computer such as a microprocessor including a CPU, a memory, an interface and the like and peripheral circuits such as a wireless communication circuit with a predetermined program. That is, the following processing units are configured by the CPU executing a program read from the memory at the time of startup. The program in this case implements various processes shown below by physically utilizing computer hardware. When peripheral circuits such as a wireless communication circuit have the same specifications, the functions of both can be provided by a composite program in which the programs of the smart meter 100 and the gateway device 200 are integrated. For this reason, the following description uses a functional block diagram in which functions for realizing various processes are virtually blocked.

  Even functions that operate a common CPU, memory, etc., functions that can be considered as separate processing units are shown in separate blocks. However, how to set the range to be processed by hardware and the range to be processed by software including a program is not limited to a specific mode. For example, any of the processing units described below can be configured as a circuit that realizes each processing.

  Furthermore, a method, a program, and a recording medium storing the program for executing the processing of each processing unit described below are also one aspect of the embodiment.

[Gateway device]
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gateway device 200 includes a connection unit 210, the wireless communication device 10, and a data acquisition / processing unit 220.

(Connection part)
The connection unit 210 is a processing unit that performs connection with a constant capacity power source. The connection unit 210 supplies power from the power source to the gateway device 200. The power source connected to the connection unit 210 is a constant power source or a battery obtained by converting the voltage format from the power line. The battery includes a primary battery and a secondary battery.

(Wireless communication device)
The wireless communication device 10 is a device that transmits and receives information to and from the outside wirelessly. The wireless communication device 10 communicates via the relay network N3 and the second network N2. Details of the wireless communication device 10 will be described later.

(Data acquisition / processing section)
The data acquisition / processing unit 220 acquires detection data and commands transmitted / received to / from the outside via the wireless communication device 10. That is, the data acquisition / processing unit 220 acquires information from the smart meter 100, the gas meter, and various detection devices, and transfers commands from the HES 500 to the smart meter 100, the gas meter, and various detection devices. The data acquisition / processing unit 220 includes a calculation unit that calculates a usage amount or the like by calculation based on the acquired detection data. The data acquisition / processing unit 220 controls the arrangement and storage of the acquired detection data. The data acquisition / processing unit 220 has a function of transferring detection data and commands to the network.

  The gateway device 200 includes a storage unit. The storage unit is a processing unit that stores various types of information necessary for processing of the gateway device 200. A semiconductor memory or the like can be used as the storage unit. A storage medium that is detachable from the gateway device 200 may be configured as a storage unit.

  The storage unit also includes a main memory for storing programs and the like, a cache memory used as a temporary storage area, a buffer memory, a register, and the like. A storage area for information such as data and commands input via the detection device, the second network N2, and the relay network N3 can also be regarded as a storage unit.

  The information stored in the storage unit includes information generated by each unit of the gateway device 200 in addition to the above data and commands. Various settings such as a mode setting and internal information, which will be described later, are also included in the information stored in the storage unit.

  Furthermore, the gateway device 200 has an input device and an output device. The input device is a device such as a switch, a touch panel, a keyboard, and a mouse for the administrator to input information necessary for processing of the present embodiment and information stored in the storage unit. The output device is a device such as a display, a lamp, and a meter for the administrator to check the state of the present embodiment.

[Wireless communication device]
The configuration of the wireless communication apparatus 10 as described above will be described below with reference to FIG. The wireless communication device 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 20, a common processing unit 30, a first individual processing unit 40, a second individual processing unit 50, and an overall processing unit 60.

  The transmission / reception unit 20 wirelessly transmits / receives a signal including information configured based on a standard corresponding to a plurality of layers. In the present embodiment, for example, the transmission / reception unit 20 is an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves. This antenna may be exposed to the outside or may be incorporated in a circuit board.

  The standards according to multiple layers are: which region of information in a frame generated from a signal to be transmitted and received is processed at which stage, the region responsible for physical connection as a lower layer, such as detection data It is a standard that sequentially defines the upper layers that are close to the substantial information to be transmitted. For example, the OSI reference model distinguishes from the lower layer to the physical (PHY) layer, data link layer, network layer, transport layer, session layer, presentation layer, and application layer. It does not have to match the distinction. In a general wireless communication standard applied to the smart meter 100, a MAC layer and an adaptation layer are located between a physical layer and a network layer.

  For example, in the present embodiment, a signal having a common physical layer but a different standard than the MAC layer is processed. The MAC layer is a layer that mainly processes device-dependent information such as beacons, MAC address interpretation, and lower-level authentication, and the adaptation layer handles device-independent information such as packet fragmentation and header compression. The layer to be processed. As an example of such a standard, there is a standard that uses a common frequency band but has different specifications beyond the MAC layer. For example, there is an IEEE 802.15.4 standard that uses a common 920 MHz band and an industry-specific communication standard that uses the same radio modulation scheme.

  The common processing unit 30 processes information of a hierarchy of specifications common to different standards among signals transmitted and received by the transmission / reception unit 20. For example, in the case of a signal having a common physical layer but a different standard than the data link layer, information on the common physical layer is processed. That is, the common processing unit 30 processes the information on the lowest layer. The physical layer processing includes establishment of communication with an external device, mutual conversion between an electric signal and a digital signal of a bit string, and the like.

  The first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 process information of layers having different specifications, which are higher layers after the common specification layer. That is, the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 process information of a higher hierarchy next to the physical layer. In the present embodiment, the standard of information processed by the first individual processing unit 40 is A standard, and the standard of information processed by the second individual processing unit 50 is B standard. For example, the A standard is an IEEE 902.15.4 standard, and the B standard is a gas meter original standard.

  The first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 generate a frame from the digital signal generated by the common processing unit 30, generate a digital signal from the frame, interpret information in a specific field of the frame, etc. I do. The first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50, when a digital signal other than the standard to be processed by each is input, cannot be interpreted and an error occurs.

  The overall processing unit 60 controls the entire wireless communication apparatus 10 including the common processing unit 30, the first individual processing unit 40, and the second individual processing unit 50. The overall processing unit 60 processes higher layers than the layers processed by the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50. For example, the processing above the network layer is performed to extract the detection data. The overall processing unit 60 determines an error when the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 cannot perform processing.

  The overall processing unit 60 of this embodiment includes an individual processing control unit 61 that controls the operation of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50. The individual processing control unit 61 includes a selection unit 62, a switching unit 63, and a suppression unit 64. The selection unit 62 selects which of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 executes the process according to the internal information. The selection unit 62 selects by outputting a first selector signal for causing the first individual processing unit 40 to execute processing and a second selector signal for causing the second individual processing unit 40 to execute processing. To do.

  The internal information is information acquired by processing inside the wireless communication device 10. The internal information includes information indicating the communication standard included in the information processed by the common processing unit 30, information indicating which of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 has an error, Information indicating which one of the individual processing units 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 has started processing, whether the next signal should be processed by the first individual processing unit 40 according to the signal sequence, Information on whether or not to be processed by the processing unit 50 is included. The selection unit 62 can select the other when the processing by one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 results in an error.

  The switching unit 63 includes a first mode in which the selection unit 62 allows the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 to execute both, and the first individual processing. The second mode in which the unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 sequentially execute processing is switched. For example, even if the standards are different from each other, when the information for identifying each standard is included in the transmitted and received signals, the switching unit 63 is set to the first mode. This is a case where, for example, information identifying a standard is included in a common field in a frame generated by the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50. Such a case is assumed to be compatible with the standard.

  On the other hand, when the standards are not compatible, that is, when the information for identifying the standards is not included in the common field, the switching unit 63 sets the second mode. For example, the switching unit 63 may switch the mode in accordance with an input from the input device.

  When one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 executes a process, the suppressing unit 64 suppresses the execution of the other process. That is, when one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 starts the process of acquiring data, the other individual is stopped or the stopped state is maintained, thereby reducing the power consumption. To save money.

[Operation]
The operation of the present embodiment as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7 in addition to FIGS. In the following description, the gateway device 200 including the wireless communication device 10 is a parent device, the first slave device that communicates the smart meter 100 that collects power information in accordance with the A standard, and the gas meter that collects gas information is the B standard. It is assumed that the second handset communicates with Also, description of procedures such as beacon transmission / reception timing control, device detection and authentication control, and channel switching control will be omitted.

[First mode]
Even when the standard of the received signal is different, there is a case in which the wireless signals of the standards of both the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 are awaited in the first mode when there is compatibility. This will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5 and the sequence diagram of FIG. This is the case, for example, when the physical layer is common and the information indicating the A standard or the B standard is included in the common field in the frame of the MAC layer.

  First, connection-type communication by handshaking will be described with reference to FIGS. The switching unit 63 switches to the first mode (step 101). As a result, the master unit waits for both the A standard of the first slave unit and the B standard of the second slave unit. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the transmission / reception unit 20 waits for a connection request signal (REQ) from the child device 1 or the child device 2 (NO in step 102).

  When the transmission / reception unit 20 receives the connection request signal (YES in step 102), the common processing unit 30 converts the signal into a digital signal of a bit string. The first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 convert the digital signal into a frame, and the selection unit 62 selects the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 40 based on information indicating the standard in the frame. It is determined which of the individual processing units 50 performs processing (step 103). In this example, as shown in FIG. 6, since the signal from the slave unit 1 is received, communication is performed in accordance with the A standard. Therefore, the selection unit 62 outputs the first select signal, thereby the first individual processing unit 40. Is selected (A in step 103).

  The common processing unit 30 generates a connection response signal (ACK), and the transmission / reception unit 20 transmits the connection response signal (ACK) to the slave unit 1 (step 106) and waits for detection data (NO in step 107). The subunit | mobile_unit 1 which received the connection response signal (ACK) transmits the signal containing data. When the transmission / reception unit 20 receives a signal including detection data (YES in step 107), the signal received by the transmission / reception unit 20 is converted into a digital signal by the common processing unit 30, and a frame is generated by the first individual processing unit 40. And output to the overall processing unit 60. That is, processing of the MAC layer and delivery to a higher layer are performed.

  In the overall processing unit 60, processing of a higher layer is performed, detection data is extracted, and acquired by the data acquisition / processing unit 220 (step 108). When the detection data is acquired, the reception response signal (ACK) generated by the common processing unit 30 is transmitted to the child device 1 (step 109).

  Thereafter, again in the first mode, the signals of the first slave unit and the second slave unit are waited, and as described above, based on the information indicating the standard included in the received signal, the selection unit 62 By selecting whether to perform processing by one of the first individual processing unit 40 or the second individual processing unit 50, signals of both standards can be processed (steps 101 to 109). For example, when communicating with the subunit | mobile_unit 2 by B standard, the selection part 62 selects the 1st separate process part 40 by outputting a 1st select signal (B of step 103), and the process after step 105 Is done.

  Note that connection-type communication by handshake is not necessarily performed. That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 and the sequence diagram of FIG. 6, first, in the first mode (step 201), both from the A standard of the first slave unit and the B standard of the second slave unit. Wait for a signal containing the detected data (NO in step 202). When the transmission / reception unit 20 receives a signal including detection data (YES in step 202), the common processing unit 30 converts the signal into a digital signal of a bit string.

  The first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 convert the digital signal into a frame, and the selection unit 62 selects the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 40 based on information indicating the standard in the frame. It is determined which of the second individual processing units 50 performs processing (step 203). In the example of FIG. 6, in order to communicate with the slave unit 2 according to the B standard, the selection unit 62 selects the second individual processing unit 50 by outputting the second select signal (B in Step 203).

  Then, processing by the second individual processing unit 50 is performed and output to the overall processing unit 60. That is, processing of the MAC layer and delivery to a higher layer are performed. In the overall processing unit 60, processing of a higher layer is performed, and detection data is extracted and acquired by the data acquisition / processing unit 220 (step 206).

  Further, when waiting for a signal including detection data in the first mode (NO in steps 201 and 202), when the transmission / reception unit 20 receives a signal including detection data from the slave unit 1 (YES in step 202), The common processing unit 30 converts the signal into a digital signal of a bit string. The first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 convert the digital signal into a frame, and the selection unit 62 selects the first individual processing unit 40 and the first individual processing unit 40 based on information indicating the standard in the frame. It is determined which of the two individual processing units 50 performs processing (step 203). In the example of FIG. 6, in order to communicate with the slave unit 1 in accordance with the A standard following the communication with the slave unit 2, the selection unit 62 outputs the first select signal, thereby causing the first individual processing unit 40 to Select (B of step 203).

  Then, processing by the first individual processing unit 40 is performed and output to the overall processing unit 60. That is, processing of the MAC layer and delivery to a higher layer are performed. In the overall processing unit 60, processing of a higher layer is performed, detection data is extracted, and is acquired by the data acquisition / processing unit 220 (step 206).

[Second mode]
Next, in the case where the standard of the received signal is different and there is no compatibility, the case where the wireless signal of one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 is awaited is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The switching unit 63 switches to the second mode (step 301). As a result, first, the A standard signal of the first slave unit is awaited (NO in step 302). When the transmission / reception unit 20 receives a signal including data from the slave unit 1 (YES in step 302), the common processing unit 30 converts the signal into a digital signal of a bit string. The first individual processing unit 40 converts the digital signal into a frame and interprets information in the frame (step 303). Since the first individual processing unit 40 can interpret the A standard signal, it does not cause an error (NO in step 304), and the selection unit 62 outputs the first select signal to output the first individual signal. The processing unit 40 is selected.

  Then, processing by the first individual processing unit 40 is performed and output to the overall processing unit 60. That is, processing of the MAC layer and delivery to a higher layer are performed. In the overall processing unit 60, processing of a higher layer is performed, detection data is extracted, and acquired by the data acquisition / processing unit 220 (step 306).

  When the transmission / reception unit 20 receives a signal including detection data from the slave unit 2 (YES in step 302), the common processing unit 30 converts the signal into a digital signal of a bit string. Also in this case, first, the first individual processing unit 40 converts the digital signal into a frame and interprets information in the frame (step 303). Since the first individual processing unit 40 cannot interpret the B standard signal and results in an error (YES in step 304), the selection unit 62 outputs the second select signal, whereby the second individual processing is performed. The unit 50 is selected (step 305).

  The second individual processing unit 50 converts the digital signal into a frame and interprets information in the frame (step 303). Since the second individual processing unit 50 can interpret the B standard signal, the processing by the second individual processing unit 50 is performed and output to the overall processing unit 60. That is, processing of the MAC layer and delivery to a higher layer are performed. In the overall processing unit 60, processing of a higher layer is performed, detection data is extracted, and acquired by the data acquisition / processing unit 220 (step 306).

  Further, the operation will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 6 and the flowchart of FIG. At the beginning of the sequence in FIG. 6, it is assumed that the master unit is waiting in both the A standard and the B standard in the second mode. When the A standard signal is received from the slave unit 1, the master unit identifies that it is an interpretation of the signal, recognizes that it is a connection request signal (REQ), and sends a connection response signal (ACK) to the slave unit. Return to 1. If the master unit knows that the slave unit 1 will transmit data next according to the protocol rules, it operates the first individual processing unit 40 corresponding to the A standard in the second mode and receives the data. I do. In this case, even if a communication error occurs, it is possible to suppress power consumption when the protocol is not normally completed by suppressing switching to the second individual processing unit 50.

[Suppression of operation]
The selection unit 62 can select which of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 performs processing based on the internal information. For example, when both the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 are waiting, but the selection unit 62 selects the processing by the first individual processing unit 40, the suppression unit 64 is Then, the second individual processing unit 50 is stopped or kept in the stopped state. Moreover, when the selection part 62 selects the process by the 2nd separate process part 50, the suppression part 64 stops the 1st separate process part 40, or continues a stop state.

[Transmission operation]
At the time of transmission, the overall processing unit 60 determines in advance according to which standard a packet or frame is generated, converted into a digital signal, and transmitted. For this reason, the selection unit 62 selects one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 according to the standard, and performs processing.

  The digital signals generated by the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 according to the respective standards are converted into radio signals by the common processing unit 30 and transmitted by the transmission / reception unit 20.

[Function and effect]
In the present embodiment as described above, a signal including information configured based on a standard corresponding to a plurality of layers is wirelessly transmitted / received, and a specification common to different standards among transmitted / received signals is used. A common processing unit 30 that processes information of a layer, and a first individual processing unit 40 and a second individual processing unit that are higher layers following a common specification layer and process information of layers having different standards. 50 and a selection unit 62 that selects which one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 executes processing according to internal information.

  For this reason, it is possible to process different standards at a low cost without preparing the gateway device 200 for each of a plurality of types of standards or providing a plurality of processing circuits. For example, the common processing unit 30 can be realized by hardware, and the first individual processing unit 40, the second individual processing unit 50, the selection unit 62, and the like can be realized by software. By responding to the above, it is possible to suppress the cost increase of the device and the communication system S. Further, for example, when the gateway device 200 is battery-driven, it is possible to save power consumption compared to the case where a plurality of wireless circuits are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the selection unit 62 causes the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 to be executable, and sequentially executes the first mode in which one of them is selected. A switching unit 63 that switches between the second mode is provided.

  For this reason, when the layers processed by the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 are compatible with each other, both are awaited. By testing, you can process signals of different standards. In addition, for example, when a connection request frame is transmitted to all communication partners of different standards and a communication method is determined by determining which standard by a connection response frame as a response to this, power consumption and processing time growing. In the present embodiment, it is possible to determine which of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 performs processing based on internal information obtained by processing a signal according to one of the standards. Time can be reduced.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, when any one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 executes a process, the suppression unit 64 that suppresses the execution of the other process is included. For this reason, the processing of one standard is not performed, so that the processing time can be increased and the power consumption can be reduced.

  The selection unit 62 selects the other when one of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 results in an error. For this reason, power consumption can be reduced by waiting only on one side.

[Other Embodiments]
The present embodiment is not limited to the above aspect.
(1) The number of individual processing units is not limited to two. Three or more may be provided corresponding to the number of different standards. Further, the order of processing in the second mode may be any of the first individual processing unit 40 and the second individual processing unit 50 first. For example, the second individual processing unit 50 may be preceded by the first individual processing unit 40. Among the plurality of standards, if the setting is made so that the processing is performed in the order of the individual processing units that process the information of the standard that is received frequently, the number of errors can be reduced and the processing time can be shortened. For example, when there are more A-standard slave units than B-standard slave units or when the signal transmission frequency is high, an individual processing unit that processes the A standard may process first.

(2) In the above embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 is configured as a part of the gateway device 200, but may be configured as another device. For example, the present embodiment can be applied as the wireless communication device 10 of the smart meter 100. In this case, like the gateway device 200 described above, the smart meter 100 may include a connection unit, a data acquisition / processing unit, an input device, and an output device. For example, the smart meter 100 can acquire detection data even when signals transmitted and received by detection devices that are various sensors are different from each other. That is, the wireless communication device 10 of the present embodiment can be applied to a device that constitutes a node of a wireless network that acquires energy-related information.

  Furthermore, the present embodiment can be applied to an apparatus that constitutes a node of a network that constitutes a so-called Internet of Things (IoT). That is, it can be applied as the wireless communication device 10 of a device that acquires various types of information not only in general homes but also in factories, offices, hospitals, vehicles, robots, and the like. Not only devices installed for information acquisition, but also electric devices, electronic devices, machine tools, and the like may include the wireless communication device 10. You may apply as the wireless communication apparatus 10 of removable apparatuses, such as a smart phone, a tablet, and a wearable device.

  The information to be acquired includes not only information related to electric power and gas but also information related to the environment such as temperature, humidity, illuminance, pressure, vibration, volume, concentration, etc., and a detection device corresponding to these information is also used. Furthermore, information detected from a living body, such as heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure, and the like can be acquired, and a detection device corresponding to the information is also used. Still image, moving image, and audio data can be acquired, and the detection device includes a camera and a microphone. That is, the present embodiment can be widely applied to devices that collect data from a plurality of wireless networks of different standards.

(3) The power source of the wireless communication device 10 may be a battery or a commercial power source. In particular, in the case of a battery, the replacement frequency of the battery can be suppressed by reducing the power consumption, which is effective. Even if the smart meter 100 or the gateway device 200 is driven by a commercial power source, the power consumption reduction effect by reducing the number of signal transmission / reception is effective when the sensor as the detection device is driven by a battery.

(4) As a wireless network for transmitting and receiving information, any network that can be used at present or in the future can be used as long as it can transmit and receive information. The above communication method and standards used for this are examples.

(5) The above processing procedure is an example, and the processing can be omitted, added, or changed in order as long as it is not contrary to the technical idea of the present embodiment. In addition, the specific contents and values of the information used in the embodiment are free and are not limited to specific contents and numerical values.

(6) Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless communication apparatus 20 Transmission / reception part 30 Common process part 40 1st separate process part 50 2nd separate process part 60 Whole process part 61 Individual process control part 62 Selection part 63 Switching part 64 Control part 100 Smart meter 200 Gateway apparatus 210 Connection unit 220 Data acquisition / processing unit 400 WAN
500 HES
600 MDMS
700 HEMS
N1 First network N2 Second network N3 Relay network S Communication system

Claims (5)

A transmission / reception unit for wirelessly transmitting / receiving a signal including information configured based on a standard corresponding to a plurality of layers;
Among the signals, a common processing unit for processing information of a hierarchy of specifications common to different standards,
A plurality of individual processing units for processing information of different specification layers, which are higher layers next to the common specification layer;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a selection unit that selects which of the plurality of individual processing units performs processing according to internal information.   The selection unit includes a switching unit that switches between a mode in which a plurality of the individual processing units can be executed and one of them is selected and a mode in which the plurality of individual processing units sequentially execute processing. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The wireless communication according to claim 1, further comprising: a suppression unit that suppresses execution of processing of the other individual processing unit when any one of the plurality of individual processing units executes processing. apparatus.   The wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein the selection unit selects another individual processing unit when processing by any one of the individual processing units results in an error. apparatus. On the computer,
A signal including information configured based on a standard corresponding to a plurality of hierarchies, and among signals transmitted and received wirelessly, a common process for processing information of a hierarchy of specifications common to different standards;
A selection process for selecting which individual process is to be executed according to internal information for a plurality of individual processes which are higher layers following the common specification layer and process information of different specification layers When,
A wireless communication program characterized in that

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