JP2019106683A - Route determination apparatus, communication device, route determination system, route determination method, and route determination program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an apparatus for changing routes making a communication route of a multi-hop communication correspond to a state change of a communication device.SOLUTION: A route determination apparatus 102 determines a communication route of a hop forwarding path network from communication devices 101 of a plurality of slave units to a communication device 101G of a host unit by multi-hop transfer. The route determination apparatus 102 includes a control unit, on the basis of the state change of the communication devices 101, 101G configuring the hop transfer path network, for changing affiliation of the communication devices 101 between the hop transfer path network and other hop transfer path network in the surrounding, and reconfiguring the communication route of each hop forwarding path network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2A

Description

  The present invention relates to a route determination device, a communication device, a route determination system, a route determination method, and a route determination program for determining a communication route between communication devices.

  In a wireless sensor network, a large number of communicators having sensors are arranged in a predetermined area to collect sensor data. Since using a carrier circuit for data transfer of communication devices results in high cost, there is a technique of transferring data detected by a sensor between communication devices by multi-hop communication between communication devices of specified low power wireless communication. Multi-hop communication is a topology of mesh topology in which communication paths between communication devices are not fixed.

  As route selection method of communication route of multi-hop communication, there is RPL (IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low Power and Lossy Network) standardized by IETF. In RPL, the communication status between communication devices is constantly monitored, and the data of the communication device (child device, end device) of the data transmission source can reach the communication device (master device, coordinator) of the target data transmission destination Among the communication paths (routes), the communication path with the smallest number of hops is selected.

  As a prior art, there is a technique of controlling a communication path between a terminal and a base station in response to a change in state of a base station communicating with a plurality of terminals. For example, when the mobile station moves, there is a technique of performing control to switch the base station based on the information of the base station candidate of the handover destination (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). In addition, there is a technique in which a base station with few resources instructs handover to another base station when the terminal which has newly requested call connection performs handover (for example, see Patent Document 2 below).

WO 2006/131977 JP, 2011-061436, A

  However, the conventional techniques can not cope with changes in the network configuration, changes in the state of the communication device, and the like at the time of operation after route determination of multihop communication. For example, when the coordinator (master unit) breaks down among the communication units performing multi-hop communication, the slave unit can not communicate with another master unit. In addition, even if a slave unit newly attempts to join the network determined by each communication unit, the slave unit can not communicate with the master unit and thus can not participate. In the prior art, for example, by having an upper limit on the number of handsets that can be connected by the parent device (number of accommodated terminals), the parent device exceeding the upper limit can not be connected to other handsets, and Can not be rerouted to another network.

  In one aspect, the present invention aims to be able to reroute a communication path of multi-hop communication in response to a change in the state of a communication device.

  In one aspect, the route determination device is a route determination device that determines a communication route of a hop forwarding network from a plurality of child communication devices to a parent communications device by multi-hop transfer, wherein the hop transmission route network Change the affiliation of the child communication device between the hop transfer path network and another hop transfer path network in the vicinity based on the state change of the communication device constituting the communication path, and the communication path of each hop transfer path network Control unit to reconfigure the

  As one aspect, there is an effect that the communication path of multi-hop communication can be rerouted according to the change in the state of the communication device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a route determination system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram for explaining the problem of the route of the hop relay route NW generated by the existing technology. (1) FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram for explaining the problem of the route of the hop relay route NW generated by the existing technology. (Part 2) FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of reconfiguration of the hop relay route NW by the route determination system according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the routing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the path determination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the communication device according to the embodiment. (1) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the communication device according to the embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control of the communication device according to the embodiment. (3) FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of control of each device at the time of new participation of the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of control at the time of detecting an abnormality of the communication device (master device) according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of control of each device at the time of abnormality of the communication device (master device) according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of path determination performed by the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of control of route determination performed by the route determining apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of control of path change performed by the path determination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 17A is a diagram for explaining a control example according to route determination and change of the hop relay route NW by the route determination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 17B is a chart showing an example of various data created and transmitted by the route determination device shown in FIG. 17A. FIG. 18A is a diagram for explaining an example of determination control of a communication route by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (1) FIG. 18B is a diagram for explaining an example of determination control of a communication route by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 18C is a diagram for explaining an example of determination control of a communication route by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (3) FIG. 18D is a diagram for explaining an example of determination control of a communication route by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (4) FIG. 19A is a diagram for explaining an example of change control of a communication route at the time of abnormality of a parent device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (1) FIG. 19B is a view for explaining an example of change control of a communication route at the time of abnormality of a parent device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 19C is a view for explaining an example of change control of a communication route at the time of abnormality of a parent device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (3) FIG. 20A is a diagram for explaining an example of change control of a communication route at the time of new participation of a communication device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (1) FIG. 20B is a diagram for explaining an example of change control of a communication path at the time of new participation of a communication device by the path determination device according to the embodiment. (Part 2) FIG. 20C is a diagram for explaining an example of change control of a communication route at the time of new participation of a communication device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (3) FIG. 20D is a diagram for explaining an example of change control of a communication route at the time of new participation of a communication device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. (4)

Embodiment
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a route determination system according to an embodiment. The routing system 100 shown in FIG. 1A includes a plurality of communication devices 101 arranged in a predetermined area, and a routing device 102.

  Each communication device 101 transmits data collected by a sensor or the like by a built-in battery drive by specific low power radio. The communication device 101 transmits transmission data at its own transmission timing based on the RPL. When the network control information RD such as the route information distributed from the route determination device 102 is included, data is transmitted through the communication route indicated by the network control information RD.

  In addition, each communication device 101 is a specific low power wireless network, and is a router that further transfers data transmitted from another communication device 101 by multi-hop communication in one hop relay network NW to the other communication device 101. It has a function. That is, each communication device 101 performs data transmission or data transfer of its own device at a certain timing.

  In the communication device 101, a time that can be transmitted at one time is determined in accordance with the law of the specified low power radio. For example, one communicator 101 is only capable of a total of six minutes within a predetermined time (60 minutes). The timing of data transmission for each communication device 101 is arbitrary, and data transmission is repeated at the same timing in a cycle of a predetermined time (60 minutes). For example, in the case of the 920 MHz frequency band, the specific low power radio used in the hop relay path NW has a 13 MHz wide allocation band and about 30 channels.

  In the hop relay path NW, the data transmitted from the child communication device (child device) 101 of the data transmission source has a predetermined communication path up to the parent communication device (parent device) 101G which is the coordinator that is the data transfer destination device. Transferred by Hereinafter, the communication device 101 will be described as the slave device 101 and the master device 101G as appropriate.

  The coordinator's communication device (master device) 101 G transmits data to the external network NWC via the route determination device 102. The external network NWC is a cloud, a server of a service application, or the like. For example, the server collects and analyzes sensing information of the arrangement position of each communication device (child device) 101 in the area A. In addition, the route determination device 102 may collect data on the hop relay route NW without relaying the data.

  The route determination device 102 collects and learns communication records when each communication device (portable device and parent device) 101 performs communication based on RPL, and an optimal communication of the communication device 101 in the hop relay path NW. A route is determined, and a timetable TB corresponding to the communication route is created. The timetable TB created first is created based on the in-use communication record that each communication device 101 actually communicated based on the RPL.

  Also, in determining the optimum communication route, within the hop relay route NW based on the data transmission timing of the communication device 101, the amount of transmission transfer data, the communication time, and the external environment affecting the communication of the communication device 101. Dynamically change the communication path of each communication device 101. With the change of the communication path, a predetermined communication device 101 enters or leaves the communication path for data relay (switching of transmitter operation or router operation).

  The route determination device 102 predicts an optimal communication route to be communicated in response to the fluctuation of factors affecting the communication of the hop relay route NW, such as the passage of time, the location, the weather information, etc. in the installation environment of the communication device 101; Correspondingly update the communication path. Further, by learning the data transmission result of each communication device 101, the communication route is searched for the optimum communication route at the time of adding the communication device 101 to the hop relay route NW, and the communication route is updated correspondingly.

  Thus, the route determination device 102 always stores the communication route (timetable TB) corresponding to the factor affecting the communication of the hop relay route NW in the storage unit in the latest state, and causes each communication device 101 to execute the timetable. Deliver network control information RD according to TB.

  Then, if the communication device 101 has the network control information RD distributed from the route determination device 102 at the time of data transmission, the transmission destination indicated by the distributed network control information RD (or not using RPL) (or Send data to the transfer destination). Even when data transmission based on the network control information RD is performed, it can be confirmed based on the RPL of the own machine whether transmission can be performed in the shortest communication path. Then, when transmission using the distributed network control information RD is not the shortest communication path, data can be transmitted using RPL.

  (B) of FIG. 1 shows a communication record when the communication device 101 performs data transmission, and shows the contents of the route determination device 102 acquiring transmission data of the communication device 101 on the hop relay path NW. For example, it is assumed that the communication devices A and B (101) have not received the distribution of the network control information RD, and are in a state of transmitting data based on the RPL of the own device.

  The communication record of the data transmission source communication device A (101) is such that the transmission start time is “0” every hour, the transmission time is “5” seconds, and the communication route R1 of transmission data is “B → D”. The communication record of the data transmission source communication apparatus B (101) has a transmission start time of "20" every hour, a transmission time of "10" seconds, and a communication route R2 of transmission data is "C → D".

  FIG. 1C shows an example of the timetable TB generated by the route determination device 102 based on the communication record. The horizontal axis is every hour (60 minutes), and the vertical axis is each communication device 101. In the figure, ⇒ indicates the communication device 101 of the data transmission source, and → indicates the communication device 101 that relays data (router operation).

  (C) of FIG. 1 is an example of the timetable TB generated based on the communication record of the communication device 101 in response to the data transmission of (b). The communication device A (101) transmits data in “0” every hour, and indicates a state in which data is transmitted through the communication route R1 relaying the communication devices B → D (101). In addition, the communication device B (101) transmits data for "20" every hour, and the data is transmitted on the communication route R2 that relays the communication device C → D (101).

  The duplication of the communication path can be identified by using the timetable TB. For example, as shown by the dotted line, it is assumed that another communication device C (101) transmits data at “0” every hour and relays the communication device D (101). In this case, it can be specified that the data of the communication devices A and D (101) of the transmission source are concentrated on the relay communication device D (101) every minute "0".

Further, when the following state changes (1) and (2) occur during operation with the set route, the above-described route determination device 102 changes the communication route of the communication device 101 in each hop relay route NW. , Control to reconfigure.
(1) At the time of abnormality of the parent device 101G When an abnormality such as a failure occurs in the parent device 101G within one hop relay route NW in operation based on the route information of the network control information RD, the path determination device 102 Control to change the communication path to communicate with. When the parent device 101G is abnormal, the parent device 101G can not be used as a data transmission destination, and the number of the parent device 101G decreases so that the child device 101 in the hop relay path NW can not communicate with the parent device 101G.

  At this time, control such as changing of the slave unit 101 connected to the master unit 101G of each hop relay route NW is performed. For example, based on the NW states of a plurality of other hop relay paths NW 2 to n adjacent to one hop relay path NW 1, the route determination device 102 makes each slave 101 belonging to the hop relay path NW 1 another hop Control to change the affiliation to the relay paths NW2 to n is performed.

(2) At the time of new participation of the child device 101 When a new child device 101 participates (applies) in the hop relay route NW, the path determination device 102 determines the parent device 101G with which the child device 101 communicates. Control to The newly-joined handset 101 increases the number of handsets 101 accommodated in the hop relay route NW. At this time, there is a case where the master unit 101G of the hop relay route NW can not accommodate the slave unit 101 newly joined. In this case, based on the NW states of a plurality of other hop relay paths NW 2 to n adjacent to one hop relay path NW 1, the route determination device 102 NWs 2 to 2 hop relay paths NW to which the newly joined slave 101 belongs. Control is performed to determine one of n.

  The route determination device 102 presupposes, in advance, the combination of the hop relay route NW and the master unit 101G of each hop relay route NW at the time of reconfiguration, assuming the occurrence of the states of (1) and (2) above. The change destination route information can be notified to the child device 101 in advance. As a result, when the above states (1) and (2) occur, the child device 101 can autonomously change to a new communication path without receiving control by the path determination device 102.

  At the time of control corresponding to the above-described (1) and (2), the route determination device 102 determines the presence or absence of a change of the parent device 101G of each hop relay route NW, and when necessary, the parent device 101G of each hop relay route NW. Control to change the At this time, the route determination device 102 distributes the change destination route information to each communication device 101.

  In addition, the route determination device 102 replaces the arrangement of the child device 101 belonging to each hop relay route NW in accordance with the change of the parent device 101G. At this time, the route determination device 102 changes the communication device 101 between different hop relay paths NW, that is, reconfigures a slave device belonging to the hop relay path NW. Then, the route determination device 102 distributes, to each communication device (child device) 101, changeable communication device information capable of communicating with another child device 101 different from the child device 101 currently in communication.

  Here, the master unit 101G has an upper limit on the number of slaves 101 that can be accommodated in one hop relay route NW. When the states (1) and (2) occur, the upper limit of the number of slaves 101 that can be accommodated by the master 101G of one hop relay route NW may be exceeded. When the number of the child devices 101 that can be accommodated by the parent device 101G is exceeded, the path determining device 102 performs reconfiguration (parent device) of the hop relay route NW.

(Description of the route problem of the hop relay route NW caused by the existing technology)
FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B are explanatory diagrams for explaining the problem of the route of the hop relay route NW which occurs due to the existing technology. First, the problems that occur when the (1) parent device 101G fails will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, it is assumed that three hop relay paths NW1 to NW3 are constructed. The master units 101 </ b> G of the hop relay paths NW <b> 1 to NW are communicably connected to the route determination device 102 via a plurality of communication units 101. The cordless handsets 101 of the hop relay paths NW1 to NW3 are denoted by reference numerals 101a to 101h, respectively.

  Here, it is assumed that the master unit 101G of the hop relay route NW3 breaks down. In this case, each slave unit 101e to 101h of the hop relay path NW3 searches for the adjacent communication unit 101 according to the RPL method, and the multi-hop communication route is reconfigured. Here, it is assumed that the upper limit of the number (the number of accommodated terminals) of the child devices 101 that can be accommodated by each parent device 101G is five.

  Then, when the adjacent communication device 101 is searched according to the RPL method, the communication of the child device 101 is concentrated on a certain parent device 101G. At this time, when the master unit 101G reaches the upper limit (5) of the number of accommodated terminals, the slave unit 101 can not participate (belonging to) any master unit 101G.

  In FIG. 2B, as a result of the handsets 101c to 101h belonging to the hop relay route NW2 and the hop relay route NW3 accessing the parent device 101G of the hop relay route NW2, the accommodation terminal of the parent device 101G of the hop relay route NW2 The number reaches the upper limit 5. As a result, the slave unit 101h can not participate in the hop relay path NW2. In the state shown in FIG. 2B, the slave unit 101h is far from the master unit 101G of the hop relay path NW1, and can not participate in the hop relay path NW1.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of reconfiguration of the hop relay route NW by the route determination system according to the embodiment. In the embodiment, instead of performing the route search according to the RPL method described above, the route determination device 102 assumes a failure of the parent device 101G and the like, and combines the communication devices 101 that can be communicatively connected to each child device 101. The handset 101 is notified in advance of change destination route information designed in advance. The route information at this time suppresses the number of terminals accommodated by each parent device 101G to the upper limit or less, and prevents communication from being concentrated on the parent device 101G of the specific hop relay route NW.

  In the example of FIG. 3, in addition to the slaves 101a and 101b belonging to the hop relay path NW1, the master 101G of the hop relay path NW1 and the slave 101c belonging to the previous hop relay path NW2 , And the child device 101e belonging to the previous hop relay path NW3 makes communication connection. Further, the child device 101d belonging to the hop relay route NW2 and the child devices 101f to 101h belonging to the previous hop relay route NW3 communicate with the parent device 101G of the hop relay route NW2. In this example of reconstruction, any of the masters 101G is not more than the upper limit (5) of the number of accommodated terminals.

  Further, even when the new handset 101 participates in the above (2), if the number of accommodated terminals of the parent handset 101G to which the new handset 101 can communicate has reached the upper limit, the existing technology allows the parent handset 101G to join. Can not participate in the hop relay route NW.

  (2) At the time of participation of a new child device 101, the route determination device 102 checks the state of the hop relay route NW of the parent device 101G with which the child device 101 can communicate. If the master unit 101G of the slave unit 101 that has joined is performed, control is performed to change the master unit 101G.

  For this reason, for example, the route determination device 102 periodically notifies information of the mobile unit 101 which can move to the other hop relay route NW adjacent to the master unit 101G of each hop relay route NW. Then, when the number of accommodated terminals is at the upper limit, when the participation request is received from the newly joined child device 101 when the number of accommodated terminals is the upper limit, the parent device 101G notifies the child device 101 of a request for changing the parent device. . At this time, the routing device 102 is not involved. Thereby, the new child device 101 communicates with the designated parent device 101G, and belongs to the hop relay path NW of the parent device 101G.

  FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the routing apparatus according to the embodiment. The route determination device 102 includes an external information collection unit 401, a collected information analysis unit 402, a control unit 403, and an external control unit 404. Each of these functional units has an individual or shared storage unit (not shown) that stores data when the respective functions are executed.

  The external information collection unit 401 collects information of the communication device 101 via a plurality of (1 to n) hop relay paths NW (NW1 to NWn), and affects the communication of the hop relay path NW via the external network NWC. Information on the given external environment is collected from the server 450 or the like. The hop relay path NW is a wireless communication network of the specific low power described above, and the external network NWC is a network such as a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet.

  The external information collection unit 401 includes a communication time collection unit 411, a communication path change investigation unit 412, a battery consumption information collection unit 413, a terminal information collection unit 414, and an external environment information collection unit 415.

  The communication time collection unit 411 collects the communication time of each communication device 101, for example, the start time (time) of data transmission, the communication time indicating the period of transmitting data, and the like. The communication path change investigation unit 412 collects and investigates the presence or absence of the communication path change due to the RPL execution of each communication device 101. For example, information such as the time (path change time) when the communication path change of communication was performed due to a communication collision is collected from the corresponding communication device 101.

  The battery consumption information collection unit 413 collects battery information (remaining battery capacity and the like for each elapsed time) of each communication device 101. The terminal information collection unit 414 sets each information of the number of the handsets 101 currently accommodated by the master unit 101G (the number of accommodation) and the upper limit accommodation number among the communication units 101, the adjacent communication units 101, Machine and parent machine) 101 The external environment information collection unit 415 collects various pieces of information of the external environment that affect the communication of the hop relay path NW1, such as open data provided by the external server 450, such as weather information.

  The collected information analysis unit 402 includes a relay device concentration state analysis unit 421, a terminal accommodation number analysis unit 422, an upper limit optimization unit 423, and a matrix analysis unit 424.

  The relay device concentration state analysis unit 421 adds up the communication time (data transmission start time, communication time) of the communication device 101 collected by the communication time collection unit 411 and the route change time checked by the communication route change investigation unit 412. . Then, the relay device concentration state analysis unit 421 searches for a communication route excluding a communication route which is affected by interference, congestion, and the like at the present time, and creates a matrix for determining the communication route of the communication device 101.

  The terminal accommodation number analysis unit 422 analyzes the current accommodation number and the upper limit accommodation number of the parent device 101G collected by the terminal information collection unit 414, and information of the communication device 101 adjacent to the communication device (child device) 101, Generate an analyzed list.

  The upper limit optimization unit 423 determines the number of slaves 101 that can be accommodated by the parent device 101G based on the list analyzed by the terminal accommodation number analysis unit 422.

  The matrix analysis unit 424 analyzes the weather forecast information collected by the battery consumption information collection unit 413 and the external environment information collection unit 415, the battery remaining amount trend information, and the communication path quality, and the relay device concentration state analysis unit 421 creates Generate a matrix table for which the matrix is optimal. The matrix analysis unit 424 has a function of correcting the communication path indicated by the matrix created by the relay device concentration state analysis unit 421 based on the acquired battery information, external environment information (weather information), and the like. For example, the communication path for avoiding the communication device 101 in the relay portion where the propagation condition is deteriorated due to the communication device 101 which has exhausted the battery (the battery remaining amount is small) or the weather is affected, and the matrix is corrected.

  The control unit 403 includes a change destination parent device selection unit 431, a communication path design unit 432, and a time scheduling unit 433.

  Based on the list generated by the terminal accommodation number analysis unit 422, the change destination parent device selection unit 431 outputs, to the external control unit 404, the change destination route information determined when the parent device 101G is changed.

  The time scheduling unit 433 creates a time scheduling table that defines the transmission condition (time) of the communication device 101 based on the matrix output from the matrix analysis unit 424 (corresponding to the time table TB in FIG. 1).

  The communication route design unit 432 creates route information (routing information) RD for each communication device 101 based on the time schedule created by the time scheduling unit 433, and outputs it to the external control unit 404. The communication route design unit 432 creates, for example, the network control information RD on a daily basis. The communication path design unit 432 creates, based on the output of the upper limit value optimization unit 423, route information (routing information) RD in which the number of slaves 101 accommodated by the parent device 101G does not exceed the upper limit accommodation number.

  The external control unit 404 includes a communication device control unit 441. The communication device control unit 441 distributes the network control information RD created by the communication route design unit 432 to each communication device 101 of the corresponding hop relay route NW. For example, when the communication path design unit 432 creates the network control information RD in units of days, the network control information RD is distributed to the communication device 101 in units of days.

  The external information collection unit 401 and the collected information analysis unit 402 in FIG. 4 are connected by an interface IF1. The collected information analysis unit 402 and the control unit 403 are connected by an interface IF2. The control unit 403 and the external control unit 404 are connected by an interface IF3.

  According to the path determination device 102 configured as described above, the timetable TB can be created and the network control information RD can be distributed to the communication device 101 while performing data transmission by each communication device 101 of the hop relay path NW.

  As described above, the route determination device 102 assumes (1) failure of the master unit 101G or (2) new participation of the slave unit 101, and changes the post-change route information for reconfiguration of the hop transfer path NW. Before the state change of the communication device 101 occurs, it is distributed to each communication device (child device) 101 in advance.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the path determination device according to the embodiment. The path determination device 102 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a network interface (IF) 504, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 505, and an antenna 506.

  The functions of the external information collection unit 401, the collected information analysis unit 402, the control unit 403, and the external control unit 404 of the route determination device 102 described in FIG. 4 execute the control program stored in the ROM 502 by the CPU 501 in FIG. . At this time, a part of the RAM 503 can be used as a work area. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the external information collection unit 401, the collected information analysis unit 402, the control unit 403, and the external control unit 404 each have a storage unit for storing and holding processing data and the like. The unit can be configured using the RAM 503 in FIG. 5, a flash ROM (not shown), or the like.

  The RF circuit 505 and the antenna 506 in FIG. 5 realize a function of performing wireless communication with the communication device 101 via the hop relay path NW. The network IF 504 implements a function to establish communication connection with the server 450 via the external network NWC. The route determination device 102 can be configured using a general-purpose server. In this case, the RF circuit 505 and the antenna 506 may be connected to the server.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the communication device according to the embodiment. Each of the slave unit 101 and the master unit 101G as the communication unit 101 can be configured by the hardware shown in FIG. The communication device 101 includes a detection sensor 601, a data IF 602, a CPU 603, a memory 604, and a communication IF 605.

  The detection sensor 601 detects various displacement amounts such as temperature, humidity, pressure and strain at the installation location of the communication device 101. The data IF 602 processes the analog output detected by the detection sensor 601 into digital data.

  The CPU 603 determines a communication path of data transmission based on, for example, RPL. The memory 604 stores the control execution program of the CPU 603 and the network control information RD, and also stores the processing data of the detection sensor 601 input via the data IF. When the CPU 603 has the network control information RD distributed from the route determination device 102, it performs data transmission control based on the network control information RD.

  The communication IF 605 includes an RF circuit and an antenna, performs wireless communication with another communication device 101 on the hop relay path NW, transmits data detected by the own device, and receives data from the other communication device 101. Transfer data The communication IF 605 also receives various information such as network control information RD distributed from the route determination device 102.

  When the communication IF 605 receives the network control information RD from the route determination device 102, the communication IF 605 stores and holds the network control information RD in the memory 404 under the control of the CPU 603. In addition to this, the communication IF 605 stores the change destination path information received from the path determination device 102, the changeable communication device information, the upper limit number of accommodation, and the number of accommodated communication devices in the memory 604 under the control of the CPU 603.

  Here, the information on the upper limit number of storages and the number of stored communication devices is information used for control of the parent device 101G of the communication devices 101, and the CPU 603 of the parent device 101G determines the information on the upper limit number of storages and the number of stored communication devices It is stored in the memory 604.

  Here, the communication device 101 operates each unit using, for example, a built-in battery as a power supply.

  FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a configuration related to control when (1) the base unit 101G fails and (2) when the child unit 101 joins the hop relay path NW. The communication device 101 (master device 101G and child device 101) has functions of an adjacent communication device investigation unit 701 and a participation application transmission unit 702. Further, among the communication devices 101, the parent device 101G has a parent device function 703, and the child device 101 has a child device function 704.

  The adjacent communication device investigation unit 701 searches for the communication device 101 adjacent to the own device. The participation application transmission unit 702 broadcasts a participation application to the hop relay path NW when the own machine 101 joins the new hop relay path NW.

  The change request instructing unit 711 of the parent device function 703 receives an application for participation from the communication device A (child device 101) when the number of communication devices in the hop relay route NW to which the own device (parent device 101G) belongs is the upper limit. To function. At this time, the change request instruction unit 711 transmits a change request of the hop relay route NW to the communication device B (child device 101) notified in advance from the route determination device 102.

  The slave unit function 704 includes the functions of the communication impossible state detection unit 721, the transmission source destination route generation unit 722, and the participation permission cancellation unit 723. The communication impossible state detection unit 721 detects a failure of the destination communication device (master device 101G) when a response (Ack) is not received from the communication device (master device 101G) of the destination that transmitted the data for a certain period of time.

  The transmission source destination route creation unit 722 creates a routing table directed to the communication device 101 that is the transmission source of participation permission when receiving the participation permission from another communication device 101. When receiving the participation permission from another communication device 101, the participation permission discarding unit 723 discards the received participation permission if it already possesses the routing table.

  8 to 10 are flowcharts showing control examples of the communication device according to the embodiment. The control operation contents of each device when the child device 101 newly participates in the hop relay route NW will be described using FIGS. 8 to 10. 8 shows an example of control processing executed by the newly joined child device 101, FIG. 9 shows an example of control processing executed by the parent device 101G after the processing of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 shows an example after the processing of FIG. An example of control processing which slave unit 101 performs is shown.

  In these figures, “destination 1” indicates the nexthop (communication device (master device 101G) on the hop relay route NW) notified from the route determination device 102. “Destination 2” is a communication device (master device 101G) indicated by the routing table learned at the time of packet transfer of the communication device 101.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the newly joined child device 101 broadcasts a participation application to the hop relay path NW (step S801), and waits for reception of participation permission (step S802: loop processing of No). When the participation permission is received (step S802: Yes), the child device 101 adds the transmission source of the participation permission as the destination 1 (step S803). Then, the child device 101 searches for the adjacent communication device 101 in the vicinity of the own device (step S804), notifies the destination 1 of adjacent communication device information (step S805), and ends the above processing.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the parent machine 101G receives a participation application from the newly joined child machine 101 (step S901), it judges whether the number of accommodated terminals has reached the upper limit (step S902). If the number of accommodated terminals has reached the upper limit (step S902: Yes), the master device 101G proceeds to the processing of step S903, and if the number of accommodated terminals has not reached the upper limit (No at step S902) Transfer to processing.

  In step S903, the parent device 101G transmits a change request to the communication device 101 that can change the hop relay route NW notified in advance from the route determination device 102 (step S903). Next, the parent device 101G notifies the path determination device 102 that the change request has been transmitted to the applicable communication device that can be changed in step S903 (step S904). Thereafter, the parent device 101G transmits participation permission to the communication device 101 of the transmission source (new participation) that has made a participation application (step S905), and the above processing is ended.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the newly joined child device 101 waits for the reception of participation permission from another communication device 101 (the parent device 101G or the child device 101) after the process of FIG. If participation permission is received (step S1001: Yes), the child device 101 transfers the participation permission to the destination 2 (step S1002), and returns to the processing of step S1001. On the other hand, if participation permission is not received (step S1001: No), the child device 101 determines whether it is reception of a change request (step S1003).

  If the reception is a change request (step S1003: YES), the slave device 101 proceeds to the process of step S1004, and if the reception is not a change request (step S1003: NO), the slave device 101 proceeds to the process of step S1006. In step S1004, it is determined whether the request destination of the change request is the own machine (step S1004).

  If the request destination of the change request is the own machine (step S1004: Yes), the child device 101 changes to the route notified in advance from the route determination device 102 (step S1005), and transfers the change request to the destination 1 (Step S1006) and returns to the process of step S1001. If the request destination of the change request is not the own device (step S1004: No), the child device 101 transfers the change request to the destination 2 (step S1007), and returns to the process of step S1001.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of control of each device at the time of new participation of the communication device according to the embodiment. A control example when the child device 101 newly applies for participation to the hop relay route NW1 will be described.

  First, the newly participating communication device (child device) 101 broadcasts a participation application (step S1101). As shown in FIG. 11, the participation application is broadcasted to a plurality of hop relay paths NW1 and NW2 around the newly joined communication device 101.

  After the application for participation by the communication device 101 of the new participation shown in step S1101, as shown in pattern 1, the hop relay path NW which has first received the permission for participation permits the participation. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, it is assumed that the hop relay route NW1 (master device 101G) receives a participation application from a newly participating communication device (child device) earlier than the hop relay route NW2 (master device 101G). . The parent device 101G of each of the hop relay paths NW1 and 2 transmits the participation permission to the communication device 101 (step S1102).

  In this case, the newly joining communication device (child device) 101 adds the transmission source to the routing table when receiving the participation permission (step S1102) from the parent device 101G of the hop relay path NW1 (step S1103). Then, the participation permission from the master unit 101G of the hop relay path NW2 to be received after that is discarded because the routing table has already been created (step S1104).

  In addition, at the time of application for participation in step S1101 by the communication device 101 of new participation shown in step S1101, when the number of accommodated terminals of hop relay path NW1 reaches the upper limit, parent device 101G of corresponding hop relay path NW1 is pattern 2 Perform the control shown in. At this time, since the number of accommodated terminals has reached the upper limit, the master unit 101G of the hop relay path NW2 can change the hop relay path NW1 currently belonging to another hop relay path NW (for example, NW2). A change request is sent to 101 (step S1105). The path determination device 102 is notified that the change request has been transmitted to the communication device 101 (step S1106).

  Then, the master unit 1 of the hop relay route NW1 transmits the permission to participate in the hop relay route NW1 to the newly joined communication device (child unit 101) (step S1107). As a result, the newly joining communication device (child device 101) adds the transmission source to the routing table when the participation permission is received (step S1108).

  Next, the newly joined communication device (child device) 101 searches for the adjacent communication device 101 (step S1109), and receives responses (Ack) from the other adjacent communication devices 101 of the hop relay paths NW1 and NW2, respectively. (Step S1110). As a result, the newly joined communication device (child device) 101 transmits adjacent communication device information to the parent device 101G of the hop relay route NW2 other than the hop relay route NW1 to which it belongs (step S1111).

  FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing an example of control at the time of detecting an abnormality of the communication device (master device) according to the embodiment. The communication device (child device) 101 searches for an adjacent communication device (child device 101 and parent device 101G) when detecting a failure of the destination (parent device 101G) to which the packet is transferred, and transmits from the path determination device 102 Change to the destination indicated by the change destination route information.

  First, the communication device (child device) 101 detects a failure of the destination caused by the failure of the parent device 101G of the destination or a battery exhaustion (step S1201). For example, when there is no response (Ack) to the packet transmission to the destination, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the destination (master device 101G).

  Next, the communication device (child device) 101 searches for an adjacent communication device (step S1202), and changes the destination to the change destination route indicated by the change destination route information set in advance by the route determination device 102 (step S1203). ). Then, the adjacent communication device information is transmitted toward the change destination route, that is, the base unit 2 (101G) of the hop relay route NW after the change (step S1204), and the process returns to step S1201. The adjacent communication device information is transmitted to the route determination device 102 via the base unit 2 (101G) of the hop relay route NW after the change.

  FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of control of each device at the time of abnormality of the communication device (master device) according to the embodiment. In the example of FIG. 13, handset 1 (101) and base unit 1 (101 G) belong to hop relay path NW 1, and handset 2 (101) and base unit 2 (101 G) belong to hop relay path NW 2. It is assumed that The handset 2 is a communicator around the handset 1 (101), including one belonging to the hop relay path NW1.

  It is assumed that the slave unit 1 (101) of the hop relay route NW1 transmits data to the master unit 1 (101G) (step S1301). When there is no response (Ack) to this data transmission (step S1302), handset 1 (101) detects that base unit 1 (101G) has an abnormality due to battery exhaustion or failure (step S1303). . Then, the handset 1 (101) of the hop relay route NW1 searches for an adjacent communication device (step S1304).

  As a result, the other communication device 101 adjacent to the handset 1 (101) of the hop relay path NW1 returns a response (Ack) to the adjacent communication device search (step S1305). In the example of FIG. 13, the handset 2 (101) and the base 2 (101G) of the hop relay route NW2 return Ack. As a result, the handset 1 (101) of the hop relay route NW1 transmits the adjacent communication device information to the route determination device 102 via the master 2 (101G) based on the table information of the change destination route (step S1306) ).

(Example of control processing according to route determination of one hop transmission line)
Next, an example of control processing according to route determination of one hop transmission line will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of control of route determination performed by the communication device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of control of route determination performed by the route determination apparatus according to the embodiment.

  FIG. 14 mainly describes communication path control at the time of data transmission performed by the CPU 603 of the communication device 101. First, the communication device 101 performs data processing on data detected by the detection unit 601 of the own device, and starts data transmission processing at a predetermined timing unique to the own device (step S1401).

  Next, the communication device 101 confirms whether or not the path information of the network control information RD is stored in the memory 604 (step S1402). If there is path information (step S1402: YES), the process proceeds to step S1404. If there is no path information (step S1402: NO), an optimal communication path of data to be transmitted by RPL is searched (step S1403).

  Then, the communication device 101 transmits data (step S1404). At the time of data transmission, if there is path information, data is transmitted through a communication path according to the path information. On the other hand, if there is no route information, data is transmitted on the communication route searched by RPL.

  Thereafter, the communication device 101 determines whether data transmission can be performed along the shortest communication path (step S1405). This determination can be made based on the RPL of the own machine. If data can be transmitted through the shortest communication path (step S1405: YES), the process returns to step S1401. When data transmission can not be performed through the shortest communication path (step S1405: No), the process returns to step S1403, and data transmission based on RPL can be performed.

  Next, the CPU 501 of the route determination device 102 sequentially executes the control shown in FIG. First, when the route determination device 102 receives data transmitted by the communication device 101 (step S1501), the received data value, that is, the communication route in the hop relay route NW of the received data is reflected in the matrix (step S1502) .

  At this time, the path determination device 102 determines whether there is a change in the communication path from the communication device 101 of the collected data source (step S1503). If the communication path has been changed (step S1503: YES), it is determined whether there is a change to the previous value (step S1504). If there is a change to the previous value, that is, the value indicating the previous communication path of the same communication device 101 (step S1504: Yes), the route determination device 102 deletes the stored previous value data and displays it in the matrix. It is reflected (step S1505). If there is no change in the communication path (step S1503: NO), and if there is no change to the previous value (step S1504: NO), the process proceeds to step S1506.

  The control of the communication path change of step S1503 and the control of the change of the previous value of step S1504 is, for example, a communication in which data transmitted by the plurality of communication devices 101 of the transmission source described later in the same communication time (data transmission time) It is performed when it is determined that the machine 101 is concentrated. Whether or not the data to be relayed to a specific communication device 101 is concentrated can be determined based on the degree of duplication of data from the communication devices 101 of a plurality of transmission sources at the same time on the timetable TB (FIG. 1 (c)) reference).

  While the processing load of data relay increases, the communication device 101 in which data is concentrated continues to be unable to transmit data of its own device. For this reason, the route determination device 102 controls communication route change to avoid the communication device 101 in which data is concentrated. By control of this communication path change, the communication path of data of the communication device 101 of any transmission source is changed.

  Next, the path determination device 102 determines whether the remaining battery capacity is sufficient among the battery information of each communication device 101 on the collected communication path (step S1506). If the battery remaining amount is sufficient (for example, more than 30% of the total capacity) (step S1506: YES), the process proceeds to step S1510.

  On the other hand, if the battery remaining capacity is not sufficient (if it is 30% or less of the total capacity) (step S1506: No), the route determining apparatus 102 performs other communication not using the communication device 101 having no corresponding battery remaining capacity The route is searched (step S1507). Then, it is determined whether the new communication route thus searched is not in competition with the transmission data of another communication device 101 (step S1508). If there is no competition (step S1508: YES), the new communication path is reflected on the matrix (step S1509). If there is a conflict (step S1508: NO), the process returns to step S1507 to search for a communication path that does not conflict.

  After that, the route determination device 102 determines whether the collected weather information (weather) affects the communication device 101 of the hop relay route NW (step S1510). If there is no influence of the weather information (step S1510: No), the process returns to step S1501.

  On the other hand, when there is an influence of weather information (step S1510: YES), the route determination device 102 searches for another communication route not using the corresponding communication device 101 (step S1511). Then, it is determined whether the retrieved new communication path has no competition with the transmission data of another communication device 101 (step S1512). If there is no competition (step S1512: YES), the new communication path is reflected on the matrix (step S1513). If there is a conflict (step S1512: NO), the process returns to step S1511 to search for a communication path that does not conflict.

  The matrix (time table TB) including the new communication route described in the above process is created, for example, on a daily basis by the route determination apparatus 102, and correspondingly created (updated) as route information of the network control information RD.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of control of path change performed by the path determination device according to the embodiment. The route determination device 102 executes the following processing at the time of (1) abnormality of the parent device 101G or (2) new participation of the child device 101, and information on the post-change path is transmitted to each communication device (child device) 101. Deliver to.

  First, the route determination device 102 determines whether the received adjacent communication device information is different from the previous value (step S1601). If the received adjacent communication device information is different from the previous value (step S1601: YES), the path determination device 102 deletes the previous value data and reflects it on the list of adjacent communication devices (step S1602). Transition. On the other hand, if the received adjacent communication device information is the same as the previous value (step S1601: NO), the process proceeds to step S1603.

  In step S1603, the path determination device 102 determines whether the adjacent communication device 101 exists in the list (step S1603). If the adjacent communication device 101 exists (step S1603: YES), the processing proceeds to step S1604. If the adjacent communication device 101 does not exist (step S1603: NO), the processing proceeds to step S1609.

  In step S1604, the path determination device 102 determines whether the number of accommodated terminals of the adjacent communication device is the upper limit (step S1604). If the number of accommodated terminals of the adjacent communication device has not reached the upper limit (step S1604: NO), the processing proceeds to step S1605, and if the number of accommodated terminals of the adjacent communication device has reached the upper limit (step S1604: YES), It transfers to the process of step S1608.

  In step S1605, the route determination device 102 determines whether the change destination route is already registered in the list (step S1605). If the change destination route is already registered in the list (step S1605: YES), the process proceeds to step S1606. If the change destination route is not registered in the list (step S1605: NO), the process proceeds to step S1607. Transition.

  In step S1606, the route determination device 102 determines whether the number of receivable terminals is larger than the number of communication terminals registered in the list (step S1606). If the number of receivable terminals is larger than the number of communication devices registered in the list (step S1606: YES), the path determining device 102 proceeds to the process of step S1607. On the other hand, if the number of receivable terminals is smaller than the number of communication devices registered in the list (step S1606: No), the process proceeds to step S1608.

  In step S1607, the route determination device 102 updates the change destination route (step S1607). Thereafter, in step S1608, the path determination device 102 determines whether or not the above process for all adjacent communication devices has been confirmed (step S1608). If there are unconfirmed adjacent communication devices among the adjacent communication devices (step S1608: NO), the processing returns to step S1604, and if the processing for all adjacent communication devices is confirmed (step S1608: YES), Transfer to processing.

  In step S1609, the route determination device 102 notifies the communicator 101 of the information on the change destination communicator and the changeable communicator (step S1609), and ends the above processing.

  For the process shown in FIG. 16, the route determination device 102 acquires adjacent communication device information and the number of accommodated terminals of the parent device 101G from the child device 101 before there is a change in the state changes of (1) and (2) above. Can be distributed to each communication device 101. As a result, when the above state changes (1) and (2) occur, each slave unit 101 of the hop relay path NW autonomously belongs to a new hop relay even without receiving control of the route determination apparatus 102. Control of the path NW can be performed.

  FIG. 17A is a diagram for explaining a control example according to route determination and change of the hop relay route NW by the route determination device according to the embodiment. FIG. 17B is a chart showing an example of various data created and transmitted by the route determination device shown in FIG. 17A. Path determination and change of the hop relay route NW will be described with reference to FIGS. 17A and 17B.

  Each communication device 101 in the hop relay route NW follows the route information of the network control information RD distributed from the route determination device 102 to the data (DATA1) of the adjacent communication device shown in FIG. 17B (a) to the route determination device 102. Send. For example, the communication device a (child device) 101 transmits information of the adjacent communication devices b, c, d, e (101) to the route determination device 102 as DATA1.

  The route determination device 102 analyzes the information transmitted from each communication device 101 to determine a change destination route or a changeable communication device, creates a list shown in FIG. 17B (b), and determines each communication device 101. to manage.

  The list in FIG. 17B (b) is the information for each communication device 101. For example, in the list of the child device a (101), the parent device A (101 G) to which it belongs, adjacent communication devices b, c, d, e ( 101), the change destination route e is included. The change destination route e is the communication device (child device) 101 that can communicate at the time of the route change of the child device a (101), and in the example shown in the drawing, the child device e (101) of the hop relay route NW2 is shown.

  Also, for example, the list of the parent device A (101G) includes the upper limit value “7” of the number of accommodated terminals, the number of accommodated terminals “4”, and the changeable communication devices “a, d”. The number of accommodated terminals is the number of communication devices (child devices) 101 currently accommodated by the parent device A (101G), and the changeable communication device can change the affiliation to another hop relay path NW (NW2) Two communication devices (child devices) 101 “a, d” are shown. These slaves a and d (101) are close to another hop relay path NW2 adjacent to them, and indicate that they can communicate with the communicator (master or slave) 101 of the hop relay path NW2.

  In addition, the route determination device 102 stores the communication device (master device 101G) in advance as data (DATA 2) shown in FIG. 17B (c) based on the list (master device) in FIG. 17B (b). The upper limit number “7”, the current terminal accommodation number “4”, and changeable communication devices “a, d” are notified.

  In addition, the route determination device 102 transmits the child device a to the communication device a (child device) 101 as data (DATA 3) shown in FIG. 17B (d) based on the list (child device) in FIG. 17B (b). Notifies that the route change destination route "e" can be changed.

(Example of determination control of communication route of one hop relay route)
18A to 18D are diagrams for explaining an example of determination control of a communication route by the route determination device according to the embodiment. An example of determination of a communication route of one hop relay path NW1 by the route determination device 102 will be described.

  First, FIG. 18A shows each information collected from each communication device 101 by the route determination device 102. As shown in FIG. 18A (a), the communication time (data transmission start time) for each communication device 101, the channel used (CH), the slave device (communication device 101 serving as a router with which the communication device 101 of the transmission source can communicate) ), The communication path, and the conditions for switching the communication path are assumed to be acquired. The slaves capable of communication are arranged in the order in which the radio wave conditions are good as viewed from the communication device 101 of the transmission source. (B) of FIG. 18A shows the arrangement of communication devices 101 in the hop relay path NW1.

  For example, data is transmitted every 5 minutes (every hour 0 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, ...) for the communication device A (101) of the transmission source, and at this time, CH1 is used and communication devices B and E are used as slave devices. Indicates that communication is possible in the order of. Also, the communication path is “A → B → C → D → coordinator (master unit)”, and information between “D” and “coordinator (master unit) 101G” can not be acquired on rainy day at 5 PM. Show that.

  Next, as illustrated in FIG. 18B, the route determination device 102 identifies each factor that affects communication for each communication device.

  First, as shown in FIG. 18B (a), the route determination device 102 refers to the communication time of each communication device 101, and is in a state of competing for “0”, “15 minutes” and “30 minutes” every hour. Identify Specifically, the communication times of the communication devices A and E compete for "0" every hour, and the communication times of the communication devices A and C compete for "15" every hour, and the communication device A The communication time of F is in competition.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B (b), the route determination device 102 specifies that a data collision (communication failure) occurs when the communication competes in the range of the slaves with which the communication device 101 can communicate. For example, all communication devices 101 are communicating on the radio channel “CH1” of the initial setting.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B (c), the route determination device 102 specifies a communication route passing through a specific communication device 101. For example, as shown in FIG. 18A (a), all of the communication devices A to E pass through a specific communication device "D".

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18B (d), a communication path affected by an external factor is specified. For example, the communication path between “communication path D → coordinator (master device)” can not be communicated on a rainy day of about 5 pm. The communicable communication path often has a correlation with the date and time. For example, at around 5 pm, the communication path is interrupted by noise from a factory where the communication device 101 of the communication path D is nearby. Also, the communicable communication path is often correlated with the change of the external environment. For example, the communication device 101 of the communication route D on the communication route D on which communication can be performed in a bad radio wave condition is further interrupted due to the deterioration of the radio propagation characteristics on a rainy day.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18C, the route determination device 102 extracts control contents of coping to avoid the influence of the factor specified in the description of FIG. 18B.

  First, as shown in FIG. 18C (a), for "0 minutes" every hour for conflicting communication times, the conflicting communication paths "C → D" are specified for communication devices A and E whose communication times conflict. And change the communication path "C.fwdarw.D" of one communication device E to "F". For “15” minutes every hour, for the communication devices A and C whose communication time is in competition, the conflicting communication route “C → D” is specified, and the communication route “C → D” of one communication device A is “E → F Change to ". At "30" every hour, no communication path change is performed because there is no competing communication path for the communication devices A and F whose communication times compete.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 18C (b), the wireless channel of the initial setting is changed in order to prevent the communication conflict in the range of the slaves with which the communication device 101 can communicate. For example, since the communication device A can wirelessly communicate with the communication devices B and E, the communication device A changes to “CH1”, and the communication device B changes to “CH2”. Further, since the communication devices D and E can communicate with the communication device C, the communication device C changes “CH1”, the communication device E to “CH3”, and the communication device D to “CH4”.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 18C (d), when the communication path via “communication path D” can not be communicated on a rainy day of around 5 pm, the corresponding “day of rainy day on around 5 pm” For example, the period of 4:59 to 6:01 on a rainy day is changed to a communication route to avoid "communication route D". For example, the communication device A of the transmission source changes the communication path “A → B → C → D → coordinator (master)” to “A → B → C → F → coordinator (master)”.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18D, the route determination device 102 selects a change point that avoids the influence of each factor described in FIG. 18C. At this time, an optimal communication path is selected for each of the communication devices A to F (101) of the transmission source.

  FIG. 18D (a) is a basic communication path (FIG. 18A (a)) for each of the communication devices A to F (101). 18D (b) corresponds to FIG. 18C (c), and FIGS. 18D (c) and (d) correspond to "0" and "15 minutes" every hour in FIG. 18C (a), respectively. Corresponds to FIG. 18C (d). The portion enclosed by a frame line (□) in FIGS. 18C and 18D is a changed portion from the basic communication path for avoiding the influence.

  In FIG. 18D, although each factor of FIG. 18C is not listed, the route determination device 102 eliminates concentration of (b) to the communication device D, (c) and (d) contention avoidance every hour, ( Each change control of e) of avoidance of the communication path which can not communicate in specific time is suitably performed. Here, control may be performed by giving priority to each change control of (b) to (e). For example, since it becomes impossible to communicate if the change control of (e) is not performed, the priority of 5 pm in the rainy day is increased. In addition, for change control in (b) to (d), the relay count of all data in each data communication source A to F of the data transmission source per predetermined period (for example, 24 hours) is averaged. Various controls can be performed, such as switching the change control every hour.

(Example of change control of communication route at the time of abnormality of parent machine)
19A to 19C are diagrams for explaining an example of change control of a communication path at the time of abnormality of a parent device by the path determination device according to the embodiment. In these figures, a plurality of hop relay paths NW1 to NW3 are described.

  As shown in FIG. 19A, in the hop relay paths NW1 to NW3, a plurality of communication devices (child units) 101 are respectively shown in the illustrated paths (wireless links in the drawing) based on the communication path determined by the path determination device 102. It is communicatively connected to the masters A, B and C (101G) via the slave 101. Further, in each communication device (child device) 101, it is assumed that the change destination route at the time of abnormality of the parent device 101G of the hop relay route NW belonging to the route determination device 102 is distributed in advance. Then, it is assumed that the upper limit of the number of accommodated terminals is 6 in each of the masters A, B and C (101G) of the hop relay routes NW1 to NW3.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 19B, it is assumed that an abnormality has occurred due to a failure of the base unit B (101G) of the hop relay route NW2. In this case, handset d (101) belonging to hop relay path NW2 sets handset g (101) as the destination based on the information of the change destination route notified in advance, and hop relay path NW3 Change to affiliation of (master C). Also, the handset a (101) belonging to the hop relay path NW2 sets the handset e (101) as the destination based on the information of the change destination route notified in advance, and the hop relay path NW3 ( Change to affiliation of base unit C).

  Also, the slave c (101) belonging to the hop relay path NW2 sets the slave j (101) as a destination based on the information of the change destination route notified in advance, and the hop relay path NW1 ( Change to affiliation of the parent device A). Also, the slave device b (101) belonging to the hop relay route NW2 sets the slave device i or j (101) as the destination based on the information of the change destination route notified in advance, and the hop relay route Change to the affiliation of NW1 (master A).

  After that, as shown in FIG. 19C, each communication device (child device) 101 notifies the route determination device 102 that there is a route change by transmitting adjacent communication device information toward the change destination route. Do. The route determination device 102 calculates route information based on the adjacent communication device information collected from each communication device (child device) 101 again, and distributes the route information to the communication device (child device) 101 that needs updating. . At this time, the route information is distributed to the communication device (child device) 101 by tracing the reverse route of the route when the corresponding communication device (child device) 101 notifies the change of the route.

  For example, as the adjacent communication device, the communication device (child device d) 101 determines the adjacent communication device information of the communication devices c, a and g along the route from the communication device (child device g) 101 to the master device C (101G) The device 102 is notified. Then, the route determination device 102 distributes the changed route information to the communication device (child device g) along the route of the master device C (101G) to the communication device (child device g) 101.

  As described above, when an abnormality such as a failure occurs in the master unit B (101G) of the hop relay path NW2, the plurality of slave units a to d (101) belonging to the hop relay path NW2 are adjacent to each other It becomes possible to change the route and belong to the hop relay routes NW1 and NW3.

(Example of change control of communication route at new participation of communication device)
FIG. 20A to FIG. 20D are diagrams for explaining an example of change control of the communication route at the time of new participation of the communication device by the route determination device according to the embodiment. In these figures, a plurality of hop relay paths NW1 to NW3 are described. It is assumed that the upper limit of the number of accommodated terminals is 6 in each of the masters A, B and C (101 G) of the hop relay routes NW1 to NW3.

  As shown in FIG. 20A, based on the communication route determined by the route determination device 102, the hop relay paths NW1 to NW3 are respectively connected to the plurality of communication devices (child units) 101 by the illustrated route (wireless link in the diagram). It is communicatively connected to the masters A, B and C (101G) via the slave 101.

  FIG. 20A is a diagram on the assumption that the communication device (child device m) 101 is installed between the hop relay paths NW1 and NW2 in operation at the arrangement position shown and newly joined. In the case of FIG. 20A, in the route determination device 102, it is assumed that the information of the communication device (child device c) whose route can be changed in advance is distributed to the parent device B (101G) of the hop relay path NW2. Then, it is assumed that the number of accommodated terminals has reached the upper limit (6) in the parent device B (101G) of the hop relay route NW2.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 20B, the newly joined communication device (child device m) 101 broadcasts (1) a participation application. For example, the participation application broadcasted by handset m is sent to handset d to handset e to base device B in hop relay route NW2, and sent to handset 1 to handset j to base device A in hop relay route NW1. Be done.

  After this, as shown in FIG. 20C, the parent terminal B (101G) of the hop relay path NW2 that has received the application for participation has an upper limit on the number of terminals that can be accommodated. , (2) Send a change request. In the example of FIG. 20C, the change request is transmitted to the communication device (child device c) 101 via the child device f. The slave c (101) changes the destination path as the hop relay path NW3 (master C) 101G as the destination that is the data transmission destination.

  Then, the parent device B (101G) of the hop relay route NW2 transmits (3a) participation permission via the child devices e to d to the child device m (101) newly joining. Further, since the number of accommodated terminals is 4 and the upper limit has not been reached, the parent device A (101G) which has received the participation application transmits (3b) permission of participation to the newly participating child device m (101). In addition, the notification route of participation permission becomes a reverse route of the notification route at the time of participation application, respectively.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 20D, it is assumed that the newly joining slave unit m (101) first receives (3b) participation permission from the master unit A (101 G) of the hop relay route NW1. Then, the newly-joined handset m (101) that has received (3b) the permission of participation from the parent device A (101G) of the hop relay route NW1 is (3b) the handset l (101) that is the transmission source of the permission of participation. Is added to its own routing table, and belongs to the hop relay route NW1 permitted to participate.

  Thereafter, the newly joining slave m (101) receives the (3a) participation permission from the parent device B (101G) of the hop relay route NW2, but discards the (3a) participation permission. The newly joined slave m (101) searches for an adjacent communication device, and transmits information on the adjacent communication device based on the routing table, whereby the information on the hop relay route NW1 to which the route determination device 102 belongs Tell.

  As described above, when the child device m (101) newly participates in the hop relay paths NW1 to NW3 in operation, it belongs to any of the hop relay paths NW1 and NW2 capable of accommodating the newly participating child device m (101). can do.

  According to the embodiment described above, when the parent unit of a certain hop relay path NW is abnormal such as a failure, the path determination apparatus has a plurality of slave units belonging to the hop relay path NW of the parent unit other hop relay paths Make affiliation change. As a result, problems such as the inability to communicate with a child device at the time of abnormality of the parent device do not occur, and deterioration in the network quality of the hop relay route NW can be prevented.

  The slave transmits information of the other communicable adjacent slaves to the route determination device, and the path determination device transmits the information of the other slaves capable of communication connection to the slave, thereby making the hop Change control of belonging to a plurality of mobile units belonging to the relay route NW to other hop relay routes.

  For example, the route determination device collects adjacent communication device information of other slaves adjacent to the slave, and information on the upper limit of the number of accommodated terminals accommodated in the parent and the number of accommodated terminals. Then, it is possible to distribute change destination route information at the time of abnormality of the parent device to the child device at a time before the failure of the parent device assuming an abnormality such as a failure of the parent device. Then, the slave unit can switch to communication with the hop relay route NW of a different master unit according to the change destination route information distributed in advance from the route determination device at the time of detecting an abnormality of the master unit. Route switching can be performed autonomously without receiving control of the route determination device.

  In addition, the newly joined child unit broadcasts an application for participation to the hop relay route NW, and the parent unit judges the permission of participation of the child unit based on the number of accommodated terminals, and can be changed if the number of accommodated terminals is exceeded. Send a request for changing the route switching to the machine, and allow the newly joining child machine to participate. If the number of accommodated terminals of the parent machine of the hop relay path NW newly joining does not reach the upper limit, it can immediately belong to the hop relay path NW of this parent machine. This makes it possible to prevent a state in which a newly joined slave unit can not communicate with the hop relay path NW and to belong to any hop relay path NW when the slave unit newly joins the existing hop relay path NW.

  In addition, the route determination device collects data in the hop relay route NW, and is data transmitted from communication devices of a plurality of transmission sources whose data transmission times are simultaneous concentrated in a specific relay communication device? To judge. When data is concentrated on a specific relay communication device, another communication path in which data is not concentrated on this relay communication device is newly determined. As a result, it is possible to suppress load concentration in the relay communication device, and to prevent communication delay. Also, the relay communication device can transmit data of its own device.

  Also, even when multi-hop transfer is performed using a specific low power radio in a narrow frequency band, data collision can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to determine the route by acquiring data in operation which is actually transmitted data from the communication apparatus of the transmission source. For this reason, for example, it is possible to eliminate the need for further communication to check the communication state between the communication devices, and to determine the route without sending unnecessary communication in the communication path of multi-hop transfer.

  The communication devices of the transmission source each transmit data at a transmission start time unique to the own device. Even if the transmission start times of multiple source communication devices are different, creating a timetable for each source communication device simplifies new communication paths that avoid concentration of data on the relay communication devices. It can be decided. This makes it possible to prevent interference and congestion in the communication path even when communication devices of a plurality of transmission sources transmit data at different transmission start times.

  Note that the route determination method described in the present embodiment may be realized, for example, by executing a control program prepared in advance by a computer (processor such as a CPU) such as a target device (route determination device or communication device). Can. The control program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, or a universal serial bus (USB) flash memory, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Also, the control program may be distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  The following appendices will be further disclosed regarding the embodiment described above.

(Supplementary Note 1) A routing apparatus that determines a communication route of a hop forwarding network from a plurality of child communication devices to a parent communication device by multi-hop transfer,
The affiliation of the child communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and another hop transfer route network in the vicinity based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and each hop transfer A route determination apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to reconfigure a communication route of a route network.

(Supplementary Note 2) The control unit
Assuming a change in the state of the communication devices constituting the hop transfer route network, route information of each hop transfer route network reconfigured in response to the increase or decrease of the communication devices is set in advance to the plurality of the hop transfer route networks. The routing apparatus according to claim 1, which is distributed to a child communication device.

(Supplementary Note 3) The control unit
When the parent communication device of the hop transfer path network is abnormal, the child communication devices belonging to the hop transfer path network are changed to other hop transfer path networks in the vicinity, and the respective hops are changed. The routing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 or 2, characterized in that a communication path of a forward path network is reconfigured.

(Supplementary Note 4) The control unit
At the time of the reconfiguration, the information of the other communicable communication devices located in the periphery acquired from the plurality of the child communication devices belonging to the hop forwarding path network, and the child that can be accommodated by the parent communication device The communication path of each hop forwarding path network is reconfigured within the range of the accommodatable number based on the accommodatable number of communicators and the communication path according to any one of appendices 1 to 3 Routing device.

(Supplementary Note 5) The control unit
When the parent communication device is abnormal, a plurality of the child communication devices belonging to the hop transfer path network of the parent communication device are changed to another nearby hop transfer path network. The routing apparatus as described in any one of -4.

(Supplementary Note 6) The control unit
When the child communicator newly joins the hop forwarding network, if the number of the hop forwarding network exceeds the accommodable number of the hop forwarding network, the child communicator belonging to the hop forwarding network is the other hop in the vicinity. The routing apparatus according to any one of appendices 4 or 5, characterized in that the network changes to a forwarding path network.

(Supplementary Note 7) The control unit
Collecting communication information of communication paths of data to be transmitted by the communication devices of a plurality of transmission sources and transmission start times;
From the plurality of pieces of data having the same transmission start time and the corresponding communication path, the concentration on a specific relay communication device is determined, and a new communication path for avoiding the concentration is determined.
The routing apparatus according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, wherein the new communication path is distributed to the communication device of the transmission source.

(Supplementary Note 8) The control unit
The route determination apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the new communication route is determined within a range not increasing the number of hops of the communication route.

(Supplementary Note 9) The control unit
Based on the communication path of the collected data and the transmission start time, create a time table indicating the relationship between the transmission start time for each communication device of the transmission source and the communication path on a time axis, and use the time table The routing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 and 8, wherein the concentration of the data to the relay communication device is determined.

(Supplementary Note 10) The control unit
The battery information of the communication device on the communication path is collected, and a new communication path is determined including a communication path for avoiding the battery-depleted communication device. The routing apparatus as described in.

(Supplementary Note 11) The control unit
The external environment information of the communication route is collected, and a new communication route is determined including the communication route for avoiding the communication device in which the external environment information affects the communication The routing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.

(Supplementary Note 12) The control unit
Communication of the transmission source is performed by acquiring radio channel information used by the communication device of the transmission source, and based on the radio channel information, avoiding another data communication with another communication device adjacent on the communication path. The routing apparatus according to any one of appendices 7 to 11, wherein the routing apparatus is set to a device.

(Supplementary Note 13) The control unit
The path determination apparatus according to any one of appendices 7 to 12, wherein a priority is set to each collected information, and a new communication path is determined by prioritizing information having a high priority.

(Supplementary Note 14) A communication device provided in a hop forwarding network for determining a forwarding route through a plurality of communication devices by the route determining device.
Informing the route determination device of information of other communication devices that are located around the own device and can communicate.
A communication device comprising: a control unit that transfers data to another communication device in the hop transfer path network based on the routing information distributed from the path determination device.

(Supplementary Note 15) The control unit
Assuming that there is a change in the state of the communication devices constituting the hop transfer route network distributed from the route determination device in advance, the route information in each hop transfer route network reconfigured in response to the increase or decrease of the communication devices is held. And
The communication device according to appendix 14, wherein switching of the transfer destination of the data is judged based on the path information when the state of the communication device changes.

(Supplementary Note 16) The control unit
15. The communication device according to claim 15, wherein switching of the data transfer destination is determined based on the path information when detecting an abnormality of a data transfer destination parent communication device in the hop transfer path network.

(Supplementary Note 17) The control unit
15. The communication device according to appendix 15, wherein switching of the transfer destination of the data is determined based on the path information when a newly joining slave unit is detected on the hop transfer path network.

(Supplementary Note 18) The control unit
In any one of appendices 14 to 17, characterized in that a change request for belonging to another hop transfer path network is transmitted to the subordinate communication devices when the communication devices that can be accommodated exceed the upper limit. Communication device described.

(Supplementary note 19) A path determination system including a plurality of communication devices performing multi-hop transfer, and a path determination device that determines a communication path of data,
The communicator
A control unit configured to control transmission of the data through a communication route based on the routing information distributed from the routing device;
The routing device
The affiliation of the communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and other neighboring hop transfer route networks based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and Equipped with a control unit that reconstructs the communication path,
A routing system characterized in that.

(Supplementary note 20) A route determination method of a route determination device that determines a plurality of communication devices performing multi-hop transfer and a communication route of data,
The routing device
The affiliation of the communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and other neighboring hop transfer route networks based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and Reconfigure the communication path,
A route determination method characterized in that processing is performed.

(Supplementary note 21) A route determination program of a route determination device that determines a plurality of communication devices performing multi-hop transfer and a communication route of data,
In the computer of the routing device,
The affiliation of the communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and other neighboring hop transfer route networks based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and Reconfigure the communication path,
A route determination program characterized by executing a process.

100 routing system 101 communication unit (child unit)
101G Coordinator (master)
102 Route determination device 401 external information collection unit 402 collected information analysis unit 403 control unit 404 external control unit 501, 603 CPU
502 ROM
503 RAM
504 Network Interface (IF)
505 RF circuit 601 detection sensor 602 data IF
604 Memory 605 Communication IF
701 Adjacent communicator investigation unit 702 Participation application transmission unit 703 Master unit function 704 Slave unit function 711 Change request instruction unit 721 Communication disabled state detection unit 722 Transmission source destination route creation unit 723 Participation permission discarding unit NW, NW1 to NW3 Specified small power Wireless network (hop relay network)
NWC External Network RD Network Control Information

Claims (15)

A routing apparatus for determining a communication route of a hop forwarding network from a plurality of child communication devices to a parent communication device by multi-hop transfer,
The affiliation of the child communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and another hop transfer route network in the vicinity based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and each hop transfer A route determination apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to reconfigure a communication route of a route network. The control unit
Assuming a change in the state of the communication devices constituting the hop transfer route network, route information of each hop transfer route network reconfigured in response to the increase or decrease of the communication devices is set in advance to the plurality of the hop transfer route networks. The routing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the routing apparatus is distributed to a child communication device. The control unit
When the parent communication device of the hop transfer path network is abnormal, the child communication devices belonging to the hop transfer path network are changed to other hop transfer path networks in the vicinity, and the respective hops are changed. The routing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a communication path of a forward path network is reconfigured. The control unit
At the time of the reconfiguration, the information of the other communicable communication devices located in the periphery acquired from the plurality of the child communication devices belonging to the hop forwarding path network, and the child that can be accommodated by the parent communication device The communication path of each said hop forwarding path network is reconfigure | reconstructed in the range of the said accommodatable number based on the accommodable number of the communication apparatus of any one of the Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. Routing device. The control unit
When an abnormality occurs in the parent communication device, a plurality of the child communication devices belonging to the hop transfer path network of the parent communication device are changed to another nearby hop transfer path network. The routing apparatus as described in any one of 1-4. The control unit
When the child communicator newly joins the hop forwarding network, if the number of the hop forwarding network exceeds the capacity, the child communicator belonging to the hop forwarding network is the other hop forwarding network. The routing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the network changes to a network. The control unit
Collecting communication information of communication paths of data to be transmitted by the communication devices of a plurality of transmission sources and transmission start times;
From the plurality of pieces of data having the same transmission start time and the corresponding communication path, the concentration on a specific relay communication device is determined, and a new communication path for avoiding the concentration is determined.
The routing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the new communication path is distributed to the communication device of the transmission source. In a communication device provided in a hop forwarding network, in which a route determining device determines a forwarding route via a plurality of communication devices,
Informing the route determination device of information of other communication devices that are located around the own device and can communicate.
A communication device comprising: a control unit that transfers data to another communication device in the hop transfer path network based on the routing information distributed from the path determination device. The control unit
Assuming that there is a change in the state of the communication devices constituting the hop transfer route network distributed from the route determination device in advance, the route information in each hop transfer route network reconfigured in response to the increase or decrease of the communication devices is held. And
9. The communication device according to claim 8, wherein switching of the transfer destination of the data is determined based on the path information when the state of the communication device changes. The control unit
10. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein switching of the transfer destination of the data is determined based on the path information at the time of detecting an abnormality of a data transfer destination parent communication device in the hop transfer path network. The control unit
10. The communication device according to claim 9, wherein switching of the transfer destination of the data is determined based on the path information when detecting a newly joining slave unit to the hop transfer path network. The control unit
12. The method according to claim 8, wherein, when the communicable devices that can be accommodated exceed the upper limit, a change request for belonging to another hop forwarding network is transmitted to the subordinate communicators. The communicator described in. What is claimed is: 1. A routing system comprising: a plurality of communicators for performing multi-hop transfer; and a routing device for determining a communication route of data, comprising:
The communicator
A control unit configured to control transmission of the data through a communication route based on the routing information distributed from the routing device;
The routing device
The affiliation of the communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and other neighboring hop transfer route networks based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and Equipped with a control unit that reconstructs the communication path,
A routing system characterized in that. A plurality of communication devices for performing multi-hop transfer, and a route determination method of a route determination apparatus for determining a data communication route, comprising:
The routing device
The affiliation of the communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and other neighboring hop transfer route networks based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and Reconfigure the communication path,
A route determination method characterized in that processing is performed. A route determination program of a route determination device for determining a communication route of data and a plurality of communication devices performing multi-hop transfer, comprising:
In the computer of the routing device,
The affiliation of the communication device is changed between the hop transfer route network and other neighboring hop transfer route networks based on a change in the state of the communication device constituting the hop transfer route network, and Reconfigure the communication path,
A route determination program characterized by executing a process.

Images