JP2023156584A - Communication device, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a communication device that executes a function as a smart meter and also can execute an aggregation device function according to situations.SOLUTION: A communication device includes: a wide-area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide area communication network; a multi-hop communication interface that communicates with a multi-hop smart meter and an aggregation device via a multi-hop communication network; a routing control unit that performs routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide-area communication interface; a multi-hop communication path control unit that performs multi-hop communication path control for communicating with the multi-hop smart meter and the aggregation device using the multi-hop communication interface; and a switching control unit that performs at least either switching between enabling and disabling the routing control unit or switching between enabling and disabling the multi-hop communication path control unit, by a predetermined trigger.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a communication device, a communication method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been an AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) system that connects a smart meter to a communication network and provides services such as remote meter reading (automatic meter reading). As a communication network, for example a (wireless) multihop communication network can be used. In that case, for example, information (measurement information, etc.) from multiple smart meters is collected into an aggregation device using multi-hop communication, and the aggregation device is connected to a wide area communication network (mobile phone network (LTE (Long Term Evolution) network), optical line network, etc. ) to an external server.

Some conventional smart meters include, for example, both a multi-hop communication interface that uses a specified low-power radio in the 920 MHz band and a mobile phone communication interface that uses a mobile phone communication network. According to this smart meter, for example, when it is not possible to communicate with other smart meters or aggregation devices using a multi-hop communication interface, it is possible to communicate with an external server using a mobile phone communication interface.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-105010

“RPL: IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks”, [online], Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), [searched on March 22, 2020], Internet <URL: https://tools.ietf .org/html/rfc6550＞

In a multi-hop communication network in an AMI system, there is a problem that depending on the distribution of smart meters, a dead zone occurs and some smart meters are isolated from the multi-hop communication network. Furthermore, the method of providing all smart meters with both a multi-hop communication interface and a mobile phone communication interface has problems from a cost-effectiveness perspective.

Another option is to install new aggregation devices as a countermeasure for dead zones, but installing new aggregation devices in scattered dead zones requires a heavy installation work. Further, since the conventional aggregation device can only be installed at utility poles and the like that are easily connected to WAN (Wide Area Network) lines, it is not necessarily a method that can cover all dead zones.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device, a communication method, and a program that can perform the function of a smart meter and also perform the function of an aggregation device depending on the situation.

A communication device according to an embodiment includes a wide area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide area communication network, a multihop communication interface that communicates with a multihop smart meter and an aggregation device via a multihop communication network, and a wide area communication interface. a multihop controller that uses a multihop communication interface to perform routing control for communicating with an external server; and a multihop communication interface that uses a multihop communication interface to perform multihop communication path control for communication with a multihop smart meter and aggregation device. The communication path control unit includes a communication path control unit and a switching control unit that performs at least one of enabling/disabling the routing control unit and enabling/disabling the multihop communication path control unit in accordance with a predetermined trigger.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by the communication device of the embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a communication device, a communication method, and a program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. The communication system S includes an external server 1, an aggregation device 2, a multi-hop smart meter 3, and a communication device 4.

The multi-hop smart meters 3 (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) are information processing devices installed for each user of a predetermined service (for example, provision of electricity, gas, water, etc.) provided by a business operator. Hereinafter, when the multi-hop smart meters 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "multi-hop smart meters 3."

The multi-hop smart meter 3 acquires measurement information representing physical quantities (for example, electric power consumption, gas consumption, water consumption, etc.) of the service provided by the business operator to the user. The multi-hop smart meter 3 is installed in a place (home, office, building, store, factory, etc.) where a user receives services from a business operator, and is associated with the user on a one-to-one basis.

The multi-hop smart meter 3 performs (wireless) multi-hop communication. In multi-hop communication, communication paths are autonomously constructed according to, for example, the communication standard RPL (IPv6 Routing protocol for Low Power and Lossy Networks). Specifically, each multi-hop smart meter 3 selects a parent node from among neighboring multi-hop smart meters 3 according to the quality of wireless communication with neighboring multi-hop smart meters 3. Further, multi-hop smart meters 3 near the aggregation device 2 can select the aggregation device 2 as a parent node.

Here, it is assumed that the multi-hop smart meter 3b selects the multi-hop smart meter 3a as its parent node, and that the multi-hop smart meter 3a selects the aggregation device 2 as its parent node.

In that case, the multi-hop smart meter 3b transmits measurement information to the multi-hop smart meter 3a through multi-hop communication. The multi-hop smart meter 3a transmits its own measurement information and the measurement information of the multi-hop smart meter 3b to the aggregation device 2.

Furthermore, the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d are isolated in a communication failure state in which multi-hop communication cannot be performed with the multi-hop smart meters 3a and 3b and the aggregation device 2.

The aggregation device 2 (concentrator) is a device that aggregates measurement information (sensor data) transmitted from a plurality of multi-hop smart meters 3. The aggregation device 2 receives measurement information from the multihop smart meter 3a through multihop communication. Further, the aggregation device 2 communicates with the external server 1 via a wide area communication network N (for example, a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as a mobile phone network or an optical line network).

The external server 1 is a computer device, and transmits and receives data to and from the multi-hop smart meter 3 (via the aggregation device 2) and the communication device 4. The external server 1 receives measurement information from the multi-hop smart meter 3 via the aggregation device 2, for example. Further, the external server 1 distributes a firmware program to the multi-hop smart meter 3 via the aggregation device 2, for example.

Moreover, the communication device 4 periodically transmits its own measurement information to the external server 1 as a mobile phone communication type smart meter (hereinafter also referred to as "LTE smart meter"). The external server 1 communicates with the communication device 4 via the wide area communication network N. The external server 1 receives measurement information from the communication device 4 and distributes a firmware program to the communication device 4, for example.

The communication device 4 will be described below with reference to FIG. 2 as well. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication device 4 of the embodiment. The communication device 4 includes a processing section 41, a storage section 42, a wide area communication interface 43, and a multihop communication interface 44.

The wide area communication interface 43 is a communication interface (for example, a mobile phone communication interface) that communicates with the external server 1 and the like via the wide area communication network N, and is realized by, for example, a wireless chip.

The multi-hop communication interface 44 is a communication interface that communicates with the multi-hop smart meter 3 and the aggregation device 2 via a multi-hop communication network, and is realized by, for example, a wireless chip.

The processing unit 41 executes various calculation processes, and is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 41 includes, for example, a routing control unit 411, a multihop communication path control unit 412, and a switching control unit 413 as functional configurations.

The routing control unit 411 uses the wide area communication interface 43 to perform routing control (eg, IP (Internet Protocol) routing control) for communicating with the external server 1 and the like.

The multihop communication path control unit 412 uses the multihop communication interface 44 to execute multihop communication path control for communicating with the multihop smart meter 3 and the aggregation device 2.

The switching control unit 413 performs at least one of enabling/disabling the routing control unit 411 and enabling/disabling the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 using a predetermined trigger.

For example, when the switching control unit 413 receives a predetermined command from the external server 1 as a predetermined trigger, the switching control unit 413 switches the multihop communication path control unit 412 from disabled to enabled.

The switching control unit 413 also uses, for example, a predetermined trigger based on the result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server 1 using the wide area communication interface 43 (for example, the response result from the external server 1 when a PING command is executed). , to enable/disable the routing control unit 411. For example, if the connection can be confirmed, set it to enabled, and if the connection cannot be confirmed, set it to disabled.

Furthermore, the switching control unit 413 switches the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 between enabled and disabled based on the result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server 1 using the multi-hop communication interface 44 as a predetermined trigger, for example. I do. For example, if the connection can be confirmed, set it to enabled, and if the connection cannot be confirmed, set it to disabled.

Further, the switching control unit 413 switches the multi-hop communication path control unit 412 from disabled to enabled, for example, when a program is changed using predetermined firmware distributed from the external server 1 as a predetermined trigger.

In the following, a case in which the switching control unit 413 receives a predetermined command from the external server 1 will be mainly taken as an example. At that time, as the multihop communication path control unit 412 is switched from disabled to enabled, the communication device 4 is made to also function as an aggregation device (device having an RPL root node function).

The storage unit 42 stores various information (various programs, various data), and is realized by, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or the like. The storage unit 42 stores, for example, communication addresses of nearby multi-hop smart meters 3.

Note that due to recent technological innovations, it is possible to increase the capacity of the storage unit 42 even if the physical size is the same as that of the conventional one, and as a result, data for making the communication device 4 function as an aggregation device can be stored in the storage unit 42. can be memorized.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, processing by the communication device 4 of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by the communication device 4 of the embodiment. Please note that the following matters are assumed.

First, as shown in FIG. 1(a), the multi-hop smart meters 3a and 3b are able to communicate with the external server 1 via the aggregation device 2 through multi-hop communication, but the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d are isolated. and cannot communicate with external server 1. Furthermore, although the communication device 4 periodically transmits its own measurement information to the external server 1 as an LTE smart meter, it does not function as an aggregation device.

In step S1, the processing unit 41 of the communication device 4 executes processing as an independent LTE smart meter (regular transmission of measurement information to the external server 1, etc.).

Next, in step S2, the switching control unit 413 determines whether a predetermined trigger has been generated, and if Yes, the process proceeds to Step S3, and if No, the process returns to Step S1. Here, in order to eliminate the isolated state of the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d, a predetermined command is transmitted from the external server 1 to the communication device 4. Then, the answer is Yes in step S2, and the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S3, the switching control unit 413 enables the aggregation function (function as an aggregation device) by switching the multihop communication path control unit 412 from disabled to enabled.

Next, in step S4, the processing unit 41 executes processing as an aggregation device. That is, as shown in FIG. 1(b), the communication device 4 operates as an aggregation device, thereby enabling multi-hop communication between the communication device 4 and the multi-hop smart meter 3c. Moreover, the multi-hop smart meter 3d selects the multi-hop smart meter 3c as a parent node. Thereby, the communication device 4 becomes able to receive measurement information from the multi-hop smart meters 3c and 3d and transmit it to the external server 1 as an aggregation device. Note that the communication device 4 also performs processing as an LTE smart meter in parallel.

In this way, according to the communication device 4 of the present embodiment, in addition to performing the function as a smart meter, the function of the aggregation device can be activated by a predetermined trigger depending on the situation. can also be executed.

As a result, for example, in addition to the current aggregation device whose installation location is limited to utility poles, LTE smart meters installed for each user can also be used as an aggregation device. Therefore, the communication range of the multi-hop communication network can be expanded flexibly and efficiently. This method also holds promise as a solution for areas where utility poles are underground.

Additionally, LTE smart meters that have already been installed and have connectivity with the external server 1 can be used as an aggregation device, which has the advantage of reducing the burden of preliminary site survey work and area network design work on site. can get.

In addition, if there are multiple LTE smart meter candidates that can be used as an aggregation device, for example, while each of the multiple LTE smart meters is sequentially converted into an aggregation device, the overall connection status of the smart meters in the relevant area can be monitored on an external server. You can check with 1. Through such trial and error, an appropriate candidate with the highest connection rate can be derived.

Further, each multi-hop smart meter 3 may become unusable even temporarily due to expiration of the certification period, failure, or the like. In that case, a dead zone in the multi-hop communication network may occur and expand, but a drop in connection rate can be avoided by converting nearby LTE smart meters into an aggregation device as necessary.

Furthermore, by setting the LTE smart meter to have received a predetermined command from the external server 1 as a predetermined trigger for converting the LTE smart meter into an aggregation device, it is possible to easily realize the aggregation device. Furthermore, the LTE smart meter that has been turned into an aggregation device can be reverted back to its role as an LTE smart meter by, for example, sending another command from the external server 1 to invalidate the aggregation device.

In addition, the predetermined trigger for converting the LTE smart meter into an aggregation device may be the result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server 1, or a program change based on the predetermined firmware distributed from the external server 1. Good too.

In addition, in the embodiment described above, the program for executing the above processing is a file in an installable format or an executable format and can be stored on a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). , or may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. Further, the program may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. Further, the program may be configured to be provided by being incorporated in a ROM or the like in advance.

In addition, the program has a module configuration including each functional unit, and in actual hardware, for example, when a CPU (processor circuit) reads the above program from a ROM and executes it, each of the above-mentioned functional units is loaded onto the RAM (main memory), and each of the above-mentioned functional units is generated on the RAM (main memory). Note that it is also possible to implement some or all of the above-described functional units using dedicated hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

Although the embodiments have been described, the above embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. The above-mentioned embodiments are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

For example, the communication device 4 may recognize the existence of isolated multi-hop smart meters 3 in the surrounding area through a notification from the external server 1, etc., and may spontaneously convert the multi-hop smart meters 3 into an aggregation device.

Furthermore, the communication device 4 may be used as an independent multi-hop smart meter (aggregation function disabled).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... External server, 2... Aggregation device, 3... Multi-hop smart meter, 4... Communication device, 41... Processing part, 42... Storage part, 43... Wide area communication interface, 44... Multi-hop communication interface, 411... Routing control part , 412...Multi-hop communication path control unit, 413...Switching control unit, S...Communication system

Claims (6)

a wide area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide area communication network;
a multi-hop communication interface that communicates with the multi-hop smart meter and aggregation device via a multi-hop communication network;
a routing control unit that executes routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide area communication interface;
a multihop communication path control unit that uses the multihop communication interface to perform multihop communication path control for communicating with the multihop smart meter and the aggregation device;
A communication device comprising: a switching control unit configured to enable/disable the routing control unit and/or enable/disable the multihop communication path control unit based on a predetermined trigger. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the switching control unit switches the multihop communication path control unit from disabled to enabled when a predetermined command is received from the external server as the predetermined trigger. The switching control section includes:
As the predetermined trigger, the routing control unit is enabled/disabled based on a result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server using the wide area communication interface;
2. The predetermined trigger is configured to enable/disable the multi-hop communication path control unit based on a result of a connection confirmation operation with the external server using the multi-hop communication interface. Communication device. The switching control unit switches the multi-hop communication path control unit from disabled to enabled when the predetermined trigger is a program change based on predetermined firmware distributed from the external server. communication equipment. A communication method in a communication device comprising: a wide area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide area communication network; and a multihop communication interface that communicates with a multihop smart meter and an aggregation device via a multihop communication network,
a routing control step in which the routing control unit uses the wide area communication interface to perform routing control for communicating with the external server;
a second control step in which a multihop communication path control unit uses the multihop communication interface to perform multihop communication path control for communicating with the multihop smart meter and the aggregation device;
a switching control step in which the switching control unit performs at least one of enabling/disabling the routing control unit and enabling/disabling the multi-hop communication path control unit according to a predetermined trigger; Method. A computer that is a communication device, comprising: a wide area communication interface that communicates with an external server via a wide area communication network; and a multihop communication interface that communicates with a multihop smart meter and aggregation device via a multihop communication network;
a routing control unit that executes routing control for communicating with the external server using the wide area communication interface;
a multihop communication path control unit that uses the multihop communication interface to perform multihop communication path control for communicating with the multihop smart meter and the aggregation device;
A program for functioning as a switching control unit that performs at least one of enabling/disabling the routing control unit and enabling/disabling the multihop communication path control unit according to a predetermined trigger.

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