JP6217060B2 - Communication apparatus and communication program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication program, and for example, a communication device and a communication program in which a plurality of upper layer functions created independently share a medium access control sublayer (MAC (Media Access) layer) function. Applicable to.

  In recent years, standardization technology defined in IEEE802.15.4 has attracted attention as a technology for realizing a so-called smart society.

  IEEE 802.15.4 has various data transmission processing and management functions that are generally classified as MAC layer functions. IEEE802.15.4 performs an operation as a MAC layer by a request from an upper layer (for example, an application).

  As a function of the MAC layer, there is management of an operation processing unit using a handle. For example, when the upper layer requests an operation process from the MAC layer, the upper layer requests the MAC layer to specify the 1-byte “handle” indicating the requested operation process for each request. To do. The MAC layer manages the handle specified by the upper layer, and distinguishes operation processing using the handle.

IEEE802.15.4-2011

  However, IEEE802.15.4 standardization technology is expected to be shared by a plurality of different upper layers, for example, because of the relationship used in SUN (Smart Utility Network), HEMS (Home Energy Management System), and the like.

  In the conventional general configuration, there is no problem when there is one upper layer with respect to the MAC layer. However, when a plurality of upper layers share the MAC layer, the handles may overlap between the upper layers. In that case, there is a possibility that the MAC layer cannot operate correctly and safely.

  For example, when the X network stack and the Y network stack share the MAC layer, after the X network stack makes an indirect transmission request for “handle α”, the Y network stack cancels frame transmission for “handle α”. It can happen that the function is implemented.

  Further, when there is a frame transmission request from the network stack, the MAC layer performs a request operation response to the frame transmission request. Also in this case, the MAC layer uses the handle to make a request operation response. However, since the MAC layer manages only the handle, when the handle conflicts, a plurality of network stacks eventually perform their own request operation. It cannot be determined whether or not it is a response.

  To deal with these problems, a method of predetermining the range of handle numbers used by the upper layers can be considered. However, upper layers are often created independently of each other. Therefore, it is not realistic to provide a mechanism for establishing cooperation between each upper layer and the MAC layer.

  One network stack is shared by upper layers such as a plurality of applications. The IP stack, which is currently the most used network stack, solves these problems by a method called “socket”. However, it is not practical to prepare a socket equivalent to IEEE802.15.4, which is often used with a limited amount of computer resources.

  Therefore, there is a need for a communication device and a communication program that can safely operate a MAC layer shared by a plurality of independently created software.

In order to solve such a problem, in the communication apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the medium access control sublayer notifies the information obtained in the physical layer to one or a plurality of higher-order units of the network protocol stack or higher. In the communication apparatus, (1) a request operation processing unit that receives a request for operation processing related to wireless communication from one or a plurality of higher-order units, and (2) a request source to the request operation processing unit A correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information in which the requested operation information specified by the higher order part is associated with the higher order part identification information for identifying the higher order part of the request source. is there.

A communication program according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication program in which a medium access control sublayer notifies information obtained in a physical layer to one or a plurality of higher-order units of a network protocol stack or higher. 1) Requested operation processing means for receiving requested operation processing related to wireless communication from one or more higher-order units, and (2) designated by the upper-level unit that is a request source to the requested operation processing unit The communication program is made to function as correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information in which the requested operation information and the higher-level part identification information for identifying the higher-order part of the request source are associated with each other.

  According to the present invention, a MAC layer shared by a plurality of independently created software is operated safely.

It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the communication apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process in a communication apparatus when an indirect transmission request is requested | required from the high-order part based on 1st Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing explaining the process of the communication apparatus when an indirect transmission request is requested | required from the high-order part based on 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the process in a communication apparatus when an indirect transmission request is requested | required from the high-order part based on 1st Embodiment. In the first embodiment, it is an explanatory diagram for explaining the operation when the upper part requests a frame transmission cancel request (part 1). FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation when the upper part requests a frame transmission cancel request in the first embodiment (part 2); It is an internal block diagram which shows the internal structure of the communication apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the operation request process and request operation response process in the communication apparatus of 2nd Embodiment.

(A) 1st Embodiment Below, the 1st Embodiment of the communication apparatus and communication program of this invention is described in detail, referring drawings.

  The first embodiment exemplifies a case where the present invention is applied to a communication apparatus that performs frame transmission processing by adopting IEEE 802.15.4 standardization technology.

  The first embodiment exemplifies a case where a frame cancel function for canceling the frame transmission of the indirect transmission is performed when the indirect transmission requested by the upper layer is performed.

  For example, in Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like, it is difficult to cancel frame transmission from an upper layer after a frame transmission request of the MAC layer. This is because when a higher layer makes a frame transmission request to the MAC layer, frame transmission is performed immediately after that. Therefore, normally, the MAC layer does not cancel frame transmission.

  However, the MAC layer defined in IEEE802.15.4 has a frame transmission cancel function (MCPS-PURGE.request). This is because IEEE802.15.4 standardization technology has a special frame transmission function called “indirect transmission” for power saving.

When an IEEE802.15.4 compliant MAC layer issues a frame indirect transmission request (= MCPS-DATA.request with the indirect transmission option enabled), the frame is sent to the indirect transmission frame transmission request (= Datarequest It is held inside the MAC layer until a command frame is received).

  Therefore, when performing indirect transmission, unlike the conventional MAC layer, frame transmission is not always performed immediately after a frame transmission request. In the case of “indirect transmission”, the frame transmission cancellation function is meaningful because the frame transmission is not performed immediately after the request.

(A-1) Configuration of First Embodiment FIG. 1 is an internal configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a communication device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a main internal configuration of the communication apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  In FIG. 1, the communication device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a plurality of upper units 103 and 104, a MAC layer and a PHY (physical) layer 102, an indirect transmission control unit 111, a frame transmission cancellation processing unit 112, and a request source. A confirmation unit 113 and a storage unit 114.

  The upper units 103 and 104 correspond to a network protocol stack that is an upper layer of the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102. The upper units 103 and 104 give the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102 with an indirect frame transmission request or a frame transmission cancel request acquired from an upper layer such as an application. The upper units 103 and 104 may be shared by upper layers such as a plurality of applications. In addition, although the case where the number of high-order parts is two is illustrated in FIG. 1, the number of high-order parts is not specifically limited, Three or more may be sufficient.

  The indirect transmission control unit 111 is connected to the request source confirmation unit 113, and performs indirect frame transmission when receiving an indirect frame transmission request from the upper unit 103 or the upper unit 104.

  For data transmission stipulated in IEEE802.15.4, a plurality of transmission options can be set when a data transmission is requested from an upper layer (when MCPS-DATA.request is issued). For example, transmission options include transmission with ACK request, indirect transmission, transmission with security, and the like. When the upper units 103 and 104 request indirect transmission, the upper units 103 and 104 set a setting parameter (Indirect Transmission parameter) and give a frame transmission request (MCPS-DATA.request) to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102. .

  When receiving an indirect frame transmission request, the indirect transmission control unit 111 temporarily holds a frame related to indirect transmission, and holds when receiving an indirect transmission frame transmission request (Datarequest command frame) from a transmission destination (not shown). Send the frame to the destination node.

  Note that the data holding time for which the indirect transmission control unit 111 holds a frame may be set to a predetermined setting time or may be set to change. The indirect transmission control unit 111 may hold a predetermined number of frames.

  The frame transmission cancel processing unit 112 is connected to the request source confirmation unit 113 and the indirect transmission control unit 111, and upon receiving a frame transmission cancel request from the upper unit 103 or the upper unit 104, cancels the indirect transmission of the corresponding frame. Is. When the upper units 103 and 104 request cancellation of frame transmission, the upper units 103 and 104 designate a handle (1 byte number) of indirect transmission when requesting indirect transmission and make a frame transmission cancel request.

  Therefore, the frame transmission cancel processing unit 112 instructs the indirect transmission control unit 111 to cancel indirect transmission for the designated handle.

  The request source confirmation unit 113 is connected to the upper units 103 and 104, the indirect transmission control unit 111, the frame transmission cancellation processing unit 112, and the storage unit 114.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the request source confirmation unit 113 includes a correspondence information acquisition unit 11, an indirect transmission request instruction unit 12, a confirmation unit 13, a frame transmission cancellation instruction unit 14, and a correspondence information deletion unit 15.

  When receiving the indirect transmission request from the upper unit 103 and the upper unit 104, the correspondence information storage unit 11 acquires the handle and the upper unit identification information included in the indirect transmission request, and associates the acquired handle with the upper unit identification information. The attached correspondence information is stored in the storage unit 114.

  The indirect request instructing unit 12 gives the indirect transmission request from the upper units 103 and 104 to the indirect transmission control unit 111 when the correspondence information of the handle and the upper unit identification information is stored in the storage unit 114 by the correspondence information storage unit 11. Is.

  When the confirmation unit 13 receives a frame transmission cancellation request from the upper unit 103 and the upper unit 104, the confirmation unit 13 includes a handle and upper unit identification information included in the frame transmission cancellation request, and a handle and upper unit identification information stored in the storage unit 114. Are compared to confirm whether there is a match.

  The frame transmission cancellation instruction unit 14 gives a frame transmission cancellation request to the frame transmission cancellation processing unit 112 when the confirmation unit 13 determines that the handle and the higher-level part identification information match. In addition, when the confirmation unit 13 determines that the handle and the high-order part identification information do not match, the request source confirmation unit 113 invalidates the frame transmission cancellation request.

  When the indirect transmission is performed by the indirect transmission control unit 111 at the time of the indirect transmission request, the correspondence information deleting unit 15 deletes the handle and the upper unit identification information stored in the storage unit 114. The correspondence information deleting unit 15 deletes the handle and the higher-level part identification information stored in the storage unit 114 when the frame transmission cancellation processing unit 112 cancels the frame transmission at the time of the frame transmission cancellation request. .

  Here, when the upper units 103 and 104 make an indirect transmission request, the upper units 103 and 104 designate the handle associated with the requested indirect transmission process. When the upper units 103 and 104 cancel frame transmission, the upper units 103 and 104 designate the handle of indirect transmission requested earlier and request frame transmission cancellation.

  The high-order part identification information is information for identifying the high-order parts 103 and 104 that are request sources of the requested operation. Various kinds of information can be widely applied to the upper part identification information as long as it is information specifying the upper parts 103 and 104 that are the request sources.

  For example, the high-order part identification information includes the high-order part identification information set in advance, the high-order part identification information of the high-order parts 103 and 104 that have requested the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102, and the high-order part identification information. The upper part identification information designated by 103 and 104 can be applied.

  The upper part identification information includes a unique ID assigned in advance to the upper parts 103 and 104, a task or thread ID of the upper parts 103 and 104 (hereinafter also referred to as processing execution unit identification information), and the like. Can be used.

  Note that network protocol stacks and applications corresponding to the upper units 103 and 104 are implemented using a multitask OS or a multithread OS. Accordingly, each layer is implemented using one or more tasks or threads. Normally, a multitask OS or the like prepares a task ID or thread ID as information for distinguishing or managing individual tasks. Upon receiving the indirect transmission request or the frame transmission cancellation request from the upper units 103 and 104, the request source confirmation unit 113 associates the task ID or thread ID that requested the indirect transmission request or the frame transmission cancellation request with the handle. You may make it memorize | store in the memory | storage part 114. FIG.

  The storage unit 114 stores the handle acquired by the request source confirmation unit 113 and the higher-level unit identification information in association with each other.

(A-2) Operation of the First Embodiment Next, details of the processing operation in the communication apparatus 100 when an indirect transmission request and a frame transmission cancellation request are requested from the upper units 103 and 104 with reference to the drawings. Explained.

  First, the operation of processing in the communication apparatus 100 when an indirect transmission request is requested from the higher-level units 103 and 104 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, for convenience of explanation, the case where there is an indirect transmission request from the upper unit 103 to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102 is illustrated.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation of processing in the communication apparatus 100 when an indirect transmission request is requested from the upper units 103 and 104. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating processing of the communication device 100 when an indirect transmission request is requested from the upper unit 103.

  In FIG. 2, when the upper unit 103 requests an indirect transmission request from the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102, the upper unit 103 receives a setting parameter (Indirect Transmission) when a data transmission request is issued (when MCPS-DATA.request is issued). Parameter) and a frame transmission request (MCPS-DATA.request) is given to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102.

  In the MAC layer and PHY layer 102, as shown in FIG. 3, the request source confirmation unit 113 acquires an indirect transmission request from the upper unit 103 (S101).

  The request source confirmation unit 113 acquires the handle included in the acquired indirect transmission request and the upper part identification information of the upper part 103 that is the request source (S102).

  The handle is a handle number designated by the upper unit 103 as indirect transmission. Further, as described above, various identification information can be applied to the upper part identification information. For example, when the high-order part identification information is high-order part identification information assigned to the high-order parts 103 and 104 in advance, the request source confirmation unit 113 identifies the high-order part of the high-order part 103 that is the request source of the indirect transmission request. By recognizing the information, the upper part identification information can be acquired. Also, for example, when the higher-level part identification information is a task ID or thread ID (processing execution unit identification information) specified by the higher-level part 103, the request source confirmation unit 113 sets the task ID or thread specified by the higher-level part 103. Get an ID.

  Next, the request source confirmation unit 113 associates the acquired handle with the higher-level unit identification information and stores them in the storage unit 114 (S103). Then, after the request source confirmation unit 113 stores the handle and the upper part identification information, the request source confirmation unit 113 gives an indirect transmission request to the indirect transmission control unit 111 (S104).

  When receiving the indirect transmission request, the indirect transmission control unit 111 performs indirect transmission processing (S105). That is, the indirect transmission control unit 111 temporarily holds a frame related to indirect transmission, and when receiving an indirect transmission frame transmission request (Datarequest command frame) from the transmission destination, transmits the held frame to the transmission destination node. .

  When the indirect transmission control unit 111 completes the indirect transmission process (S106), the indirect transmission control unit 111 notifies the request source confirmation unit 113 that the indirect transmission is complete, and the request source confirmation unit 113 stores the storage unit 114. The indirect transmission process handle and the higher-level part identification information stored in (1) are deleted (S107).

  Next, an operation of processing in the communication apparatus 100 when a frame transmission cancel request is requested from the upper units 103 and 104 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of processing in the communication apparatus 100 when an indirect transmission request is requested from the upper units 103 and 104.

  In FIG. 4, when the upper unit 103 requests a frame transmission cancel request to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102, a frame transmission cancel request (MCPS-PURGE.request) is given from the upper unit 103 to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102. It is done.

  In the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102, the request source confirmation unit 113 acquires an indirect transmission request from the upper unit 103 (S201).

  The request source confirmation unit 113 acquires the handle included in the acquired indirect transmission request and the upper part identification information of the upper part 103 that is the request source (S202).

  Next, the request source confirmation unit 113 refers to the storage unit 114 and confirms whether there is an item that matches the acquired handle and higher-level unit identification information (S203).

  When the acquired handle and higher-level part identification information are in the storage unit 114, the request source confirmation unit 113 gives a frame transmission cancellation request to the frame transmission cancellation processing unit 112 (S204). Then, the frame transmission cancel processing unit 112 instructs the indirect transmission control unit 111 to cancel the indirect transmission processing corresponding to the handle, and performs the frame transmission cancel processing (S205).

  For example, when an indirect transmission request from the upper unit 103 is requested as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the upper unit 103 requests a frame transmission cancel request with the handle at the time of the indirect transmission request as shown in FIG. At this time, since the handle and the upper part identification information are stored in the storage unit 114, the request source confirmation unit 113 gives a frame transmission cancel request to the frame transmission cancel processing unit 112.

  On the other hand, when the acquired handle and higher-level part identification information are in the storage unit 114, the request source confirmation unit 113 invalidates the frame transmission cancel request (S208).

  For example, as described above, when an indirect transmission request from the upper unit 103 is requested as shown in FIG. 3, the upper unit 104 uses the handle requested by the upper unit 103 as shown in FIG. Is requested. In this case, even if the handle is the same, the upper part identification information is different. That is, since the handle and the high-order part identification information do not match, the request source confirmation unit 113 invalidates the frame transmission cancel request.

  At this time, for example, the request source confirmation unit 113 may notify the request source upper unit 103 that the frame transmission cancellation is invalid, and discard the acquired frame transmission cancellation request.

  In S205, when the frame transmission cancellation processing unit 112 completes the frame transmission cancellation processing related to indirect transmission (S206), the indirect transmission control unit 111 notifies the request source confirmation unit 113 of the completion of frame transmission cancellation, The request source confirmation unit 113 deletes the handle of the indirect transmission process and the higher-level unit identification information stored in the storage unit 114 (S207).

(A-3) Effect of First Embodiment As described above, according to the first embodiment, for example, the upper unit 104 uses the same handle as when an indirect transmission request is issued from the upper unit 103 to request a frame transmission cancellation. Is issued, the request source confirmation unit 113 invalidates the request from the upper unit 104, so that the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102 operate correctly and safely.

  Further, according to the first embodiment, the request source confirmation unit 113 stores the handle and the higher-level part identification information, thereby confirming the request source of the process for the MAC layer and determining whether the process is possible. The upper part identification information does not cooperate with an upper layer such as a network protocol stack or an application. Therefore, correct and safe operation of the MAC layer can be realized without the need to change the upper layer created on the assumption of the conventional MAC layer.

  Furthermore, when “upper part identification information designated by the upper part at the time of request” is used as the upper part identification information, the upper part issuing the cancel request can be determined for the convenience of the upper layer, which is convenient.

(B) Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the communication device and the communication program of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  Similarly to the first embodiment, the second embodiment also exemplifies a case where the present invention is applied to a communication apparatus that adopts IEEE802.15.4 standardization technology and performs frame transmission processing.

  The second embodiment exemplifies a case where a frame cancel function for canceling frame transmission of indirect transmission is performed when performing indirect transmission requested by an upper layer.

(B-1) Configuration of Second Embodiment FIG. 7 is an internal configuration diagram illustrating an internal configuration of a communication device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a main internal configuration of the communication apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 7, the communication apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of upper units 203 and 204, a MAC layer and a PHY (physical) layer 202, a request operation processing unit 211, a request operation response unit 212, and a storage unit 213. And have.

  The upper units 203 and 204 correspond to a network protocol stack that is an upper layer of the MAC layer and the PHY layer 202. The upper units 203 and 204 give an operation request requested by an upper layer such as an application to the MAC layer 202, for example. The upper units 203 and 204 may be shared by upper layers such as a plurality of applications. In addition, FIG. 7 illustrates the case where the number of upper parts is two, but the number of upper parts is not particularly limited, and may be three or more.

  Here, the requests from the upper units 203 and 204 to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 202 include, for example, (a) a data frame transmission request (MCPS-DATA.request) and a data frame indirect transmission request (MCPS-DATA.request Indirect transmission). ), Data frame transmission cancellation request (MCPS-PURGE.request), MAC / PHY layer setting change request (MLME-SET.request PLME-SET.request), MAC / PHY layer setting reference request (MLME-GET.request PLME- GET.request), RSSI value acquisition request (MLME-SCAN.request ED scan), surrounding beacon request request (MLME-SCAN.request Active scan), receiver OFF function (MLME-RX-ENABLE.request), command frame There is a transmission request (other MLME-XXX.request).

  The requested operation processing unit 211 performs requested operation processing when an operation request is issued from the upper units 203 and 204 (when an operation request is issued). As illustrated in FIG. 7, the requested operation processing unit 211 includes a correspondence information storage unit 21 and a requested operation execution unit 22.

  The correspondence information storage unit 21 stores correspondence information in which the handle specified by the upper units 203 and 204 and the upper unit identification information are associated with each other when an operation request is issued from the upper units 203 and 204 (when an operation request is issued). To remember.

  The high-order part identification information is information for identifying the high-order parts 203 and 204 that are request sources of the requested operation. As the upper part identification information, various kinds of information can be widely applied as long as it is information specifying the upper parts 203 and 204 that are the request sources.

  For example, the high-order part identification information includes preset high-order part identification information, high-order part identification information of the high-order parts 203 and 204 that have made an operation request to the MAC layer 202, and high-order parts 203 and 204 at the time of an operation request. Can be applied.

  As the upper part identification information, a unique ID assigned in advance to the upper parts 203 and 204, a task or thread ID (processing execution unit identification information) of the upper parts 203 and 204, or the like can be used. .

  Network protocol stacks and applications corresponding to the upper units 203 and 204 are implemented using a multitask OS or a multithread OS. Accordingly, each layer is implemented using one or more tasks or threads. Normally, a multitask OS or the like prepares a task ID or thread ID as information for distinguishing or managing individual tasks. In this case, the correspondence information storage unit 21 stores the task ID or thread ID associated with the request operation request (when issuing the request operation) from the upper units 203 and 204 in association with the handle in the storage unit 213.

  The requested operation execution unit 22 executes the operation process requested by the upper units 203 and 204.

  When the requested operation processing unit 211 performs the requested operation process, the requested operation response unit 212 responds the processing result of the operation process to the upper units 203 and 204. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the requested operation response unit 212 includes a confirmation unit 23, a requested operation response unit 24, and a correspondence information deletion unit 25.

  When the confirmation unit 23 issues a request operation response, the confirmation unit 23 acquires, from the storage unit 213, higher-level unit identification information for the issued request operation response.

  The requested action response unit 24 gives the higher order part identification information acquired by the confirmation part 23 to the requested higher order parts 203 and 204 together with the requested action response.

  The correspondence information deleting unit 25 deletes the handle and the higher-level part identification information stored in the storage unit 213 related to the requested operation response after the requested operation response.

  Here, when the upper units 203 and 204 request the MAC layer and the PHY 202 to perform an operation, the upper units 203 and 204 specify the handle associated with the requested operation process.

  The storage unit 213 stores the handle and the higher-level unit identification information from the correspondence information storage unit 21 in association with each other.

(B-2) Operation of Second Embodiment Next, details of processing operations in the communication device 200 of operation requests and request operation responses from the upper units 203 and 204 to the MAC layer and the PHY layer 202 will be described with reference to the drawings. Explained.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the operation request process and the request operation response process in the communication apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment.

  The upper units 203 and 204 specify the handle of the request operation when request operation is requested (when request operation is issued).

  In the MAC layer and the PHY layer 102, the requested operation processing unit 211 acquires requested operation requests from the upper units 203 and 204 (S301).

  The requested action processing unit 211 obtains the handle related to the obtained requested action request and the upper part identification information of the upper parts 203 and 204 that are request sources (S302).

  As described above, various pieces of identification information can be applied to the upper part identification information. For example, when the high-order part identification information is high-order part identification information assigned in advance to the high-order parts 203 and 204, the request operation processing unit 211 stores the high-order part identification information of the high-order parts 203 and 204 that are the request sources. The upper part identification information can be acquired by recognizing. Also, for example, when the higher-level part identification information is a task ID or thread ID (processing execution unit identification information) specified by the higher-level part 203, the requested operation processing part 211 has a task ID specified by the higher-level parts 203 and 204. Alternatively, the thread ID is acquired.

  Next, the requested operation processing unit 211 stores the acquired handle and higher-level unit identification information in association with each other in the storage unit 213 (S303). Then, after the requested operation processing unit 211 stores the handle and the higher-level part identification information, the requested operation processing unit 211 performs the requested operation process (S304). Note that the operation executed by the request operation processing 211 performs the existing management processing of the MAC layer and the PHY 202 specified by IEEE802.15.4.

  The requested operation is performed by the requested operation processing unit 211 (S305), and when issuing a requested operation response, the requested operation response unit 212 acquires the higher-level unit identification information corresponding to the issued handle from the storage unit 213. Then, the request operation response unit 212 provides the acquired upper unit identification information to the request source upper units 203 and 204 together with the request operation response (S306).

  When the requested motion response is made, the requested motion response unit 212 deletes the handle and the higher-level part identification information related to the motion request stored in the storage unit 114 (S307).

(B-3) Effects of the Second Embodiment As described above, according to the second embodiment, the request operation response is made together with the upper part identification information. Based on the high-order part identification information attached to the response, it is possible to determine which high-order part is addressed.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, “upper part identification information preset for each handle” and “upper part identification information of the requested upper part” are stored as upper part identification information stored in the storage unit 213. By memorizing, it is possible to determine the requested operation response of which upper part without having to change the upper layer created on the assumption of the conventional MAC layer.

  Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, when “upper part identification information designated by the upper part at the time of request” is used as the upper part identification information, the upper part for confirming the request response can be determined for the convenience of the upper layer. Because it is possible, convenience is improved.

(C) Other Embodiments Although various modified embodiments have been described in the first and second embodiments described above, the present invention can also be applied to the following other modified embodiments.

(C-1) In the first embodiment described above, the case where indirect transmission and frame transmission cancellation are performed as transmission options is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to data transmission other than indirect transmission. That is, the present invention can also be applied to the case of performing transmission with ACK request, transmission with security, and the like. Thereby, it is not necessary to create a mechanism according to the setting method of the transmission option, so that the processing and the apparatus can be implemented in a compact manner.

(C-2) The present invention may be configured by combining the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above. As a result, since the handle and the upper part identification information can be stored in association with each other, even when the handle specified by the upper part overlaps, the MAC layer operates correctly and safely in response to the operation request from the upper part. be able to.

100 and 200 ... communication devices,
102 and 202 ... MAC layer and PHY layer,
111 ... Indirect transmission control unit, 112 ... Frame transmission cancellation processing unit,
113 ... Request source confirmation unit, 11 ... Corresponding information storage unit, 12 ... Indirect transmission request instruction unit,
13 ... confirmation unit, 14 ... frame transmission cancel instruction unit, 15 ... corresponding information deletion unit,
114 ... storage part,
211: Request operation processing unit, 21 ... Corresponding information storage unit, 22 ... Request operation execution unit,
212 ... Request operation response unit, 23 ... Confirmation unit, 24 ... Request operation response unit,
25 ... correspondence information deletion unit, 213 ... storage unit,
103, 104, 203 and 204: upper part.

Claims (13)

In the communication apparatus in which the medium access control sublayer notifies the information obtained in the physical layer to one or a plurality of higher-order units over the network protocol stack,
At the request of the operation processing according to the radio communication from the one or more upper portions, and the request operation processing means for performing the requested operation process,
Correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information in which the requested action information specified by the higher order part that is a request source to the requested action processing means is associated with the higher order part identification information that identifies the higher order part of the request source. A communication apparatus comprising:   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence information storage means stores upper part identification information issued by the upper part at the time of an operation request and the requested operation information in association with each other.   2. The correspondence information storage means stores high-order part identification information specified by the high-order part, which is a request source, at the time of an operation request, and the requested action information in association with each other. Communication equipment. Upper part identification information is assigned in advance to the one or more upper parts,
2. The correspondence information storage means stores high-order part identification information assigned to the high-order part, which is a request source, and the requested action information in association with each other. Communication device.   Upon receiving an operation cancellation request for canceling the operation processing requested from the one or more higher-order parts, referring to the correspondence information storage means, requested operation information specified by the upper-order part that requested the operation cancellation request; 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a confirmation unit configured to confirm a request source of the operation cancellation request based on the upper part identification information of the upper part.   The confirmation means refers to the correspondence information storage means, and if the higher order part identification information that issued the action cancellation request does not match the higher order part identification information that requested the action process, The communication apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the communication apparatus is invalidated. Request operation response processing means for responding to the processing result by the request operation processing means,
The requested action response processing means refers to the correspondence information storage means to obtain the upper part identification information corresponding to the requested action information at the time of an action request, and obtains the processing result together with the obtained upper part identification information. The communication device according to claim 1, which responds.   7. The communication according to claim 5, further comprising: a deletion unit that deletes the corresponding correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage unit when the processing by the request action processing unit or the confirmation unit is completed. apparatus.   8. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising: a deletion unit that deletes the corresponding correspondence information stored in the correspondence information storage unit when the processing by the request operation processing unit or the request operation response processing unit is completed. Communication device.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation process requested from the one or more higher-order units is a frame transmission process.   The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation process requested from the one or more higher-order units is an indirect transmission process.   The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the upper part identification information is processing execution unit identification information managed in the one or more upper parts. In a communication program in which the medium access control sublayer notifies the information obtained in the physical layer to one or a plurality of upper layers above the network protocol stack,
At the request of the operation processing according to the radio communication from the one or more upper portions, is designated by the upper unit is a request operation processing unit requesting to said request operation processing means for performing the requested operation processing request A communication program that functions as correspondence information storage means for storing correspondence information in which a piece of operation information is associated with high-order part identification information for identifying the high-order part of a request source in a storage unit.

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