JP6475200B2 - Wireless communication apparatus, method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, method, and program capable of performing wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  In recent years, communication standards exceeding 100 Mbps have become mainstream in wireless communication. Even in LTE (Long Term Evolution) -Advanced, which is a communication standard for mobile phones, the speed is significantly higher than that of LTE by multi-layering such as MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output) technology and carrier aggregation.

  The MIMO technology is a technology for transmitting and receiving data simultaneously using a plurality of antennas. Carrier aggregation is a technique for bundling a plurality of radio waves having different frequencies to speed up communication.

  In the MIMO technique, transmission data is divided into a plurality of layers (streams), and these layers are transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of transmission antennas. If the number of layers is increased to 2 or 3, the communication speed can be increased to 2 or 3 times. In addition, since radio waves reach from a plurality of antennas through a plurality of paths, there is an effect of stabilizing communication in an environment where there are many obstacles.

  As a method for determining the number of layers, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2 discloses a method for determining the number of layers based on a singular value or rank number obtained by singular value decomposition of a channel matrix representing propagation characteristics between transmission and reception. Have been described.

  Also, the method described in Patent Document 3 determines whether the signal quality deteriorates due to a decrease in the received signal level or due to interference, and when it is determined as interference, reduces the number of layers to reduce interference. By doing so, communication quality is improved.

JP 2011-087141 A JP 2010-050862 A JP 2008-086003 A

  On the other hand, since the MIMO technology uses a plurality of antennas and amplifiers for transmitting and receiving data, the power consumption increases as the number of use increases. That is, the greater the number of layers that transmit data, the greater the amount of power consumption. In particular, portable wireless terminals such as mobile phones and mobile routers have a finite battery capacity, so the problem of power consumption is important.

  However, none of the methods described in Patent Literature 1 to Patent Literature 3 is a method aimed at reducing power consumption.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device, a method, and a program that make it possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication by a plurality of layers.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the wireless communication device of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication in one or more layers, and a predetermined first that indicates that the number of layers can be reduced. And a communication method control unit that reduces the number of layers when the condition is satisfied.

  Further, the wireless communication method of the present invention performs wireless communication in one or more layers, and when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied, the number of layers It is characterized by decreasing.

  In the wireless communication program of the present invention, the computer satisfies a predetermined first condition indicating that the wireless communication function for performing wireless communication in one or more layers and the number of layers can be reduced. And a communication method control function for reducing the number of layers.

  With the wireless communication device, method, and program of the present invention, it becomes possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication by a plurality of layers.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 1st and 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the communication method used with the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communications system of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the accumulated communication amount of 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of each embodiment of this invention.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a wireless communication apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication device 10 according to the present embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 11 and a communication method control unit 12.

  The wireless communication unit 11 is a part that performs wireless communication in one or more layers. The communication method control unit 12 is a part that reduces the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied.

  By configuring the wireless communication device 10 in this way, the wireless communication device 10 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  Next, FIG. 2 shows an example of the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

  When the predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied (YES in step S101), the communication method control unit 12 decreases the number of layers (step S102).

  By operating in this way, the wireless communication device 10 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication device sets the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied. Decrease. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the present embodiment, the resource block information assigned to the radio communication apparatus by the base station apparatus is used as the first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced.

  In wireless communication, there is an upper limit on the number of resource blocks, so if multiple wireless communication devices are connected to one wireless base station at the same time and communicate at the same time, transmission assigned by the wireless base station to one wireless communication device Speed is reduced. As a result, even if wireless communication is performed in many layers, the effective speed can be increased only up to the assigned transmission speed. The transmission rate assigned to the radio communication device by the radio base station can be obtained from the resource block information notified from the radio base station to the radio communication device. By utilizing this, the wireless communication apparatus of the present embodiment reduces the number of wireless communication layers when the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information is equal to or lower than a predetermined first threshold, Reduce power consumption.

  First, FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a wireless communication system using the wireless communication apparatus 10 of the present embodiment. The wireless communication system of this embodiment includes a base station device 60 and one or more wireless communication devices 10. Between the base station device 60 and the wireless communication device 10, wireless communication by MIMO is possible.

  Next, a configuration example of the wireless communication apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The wireless communication device 10 includes a wireless communication unit 11 and a communication method control unit 12.

  The wireless communication unit 11 is a part that performs wireless communication in one or more layers. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication unit 11 can perform MIMO wireless communication.

  The communication method control unit 12 is a part that reduces the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the resource block information assigned to the radio communication apparatus 10 by the base station apparatus 60 is used to determine whether or not the number of layers can be reduced. The communication method control unit 12 receives information on resource blocks allocated to the radio communication device 10 from the base station device 60, and calculates a transmission rate based on the information on resource blocks. When the transmission rate is equal to or lower than the predetermined first threshold, it is determined that the base station device 60 is congested and the transmission rate is reduced. The first threshold is a communication speed of a communication method whose communication speed is one step slower than the communication method used for wireless communication at that time.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a communication method that can be used in the wireless communication device 10. This example is an example in which three communication methods from communication method 1 to communication method 3 can be used. The communication method 1 is a communication method that consumes less power because the number of wireless communication layers is one. The communication method 2 is a communication method with medium power consumption because the number of wireless communication layers is two. The communication method 3 is a communication method that consumes a large amount of power because the number of wireless communication layers is three. Since the communication speed increases as the number of layers increases, the communication speed increases in the order of communication method 1 <communication method 2 <communication method 3.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 4, when the communication method 2 is used, the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method 1 is used as the first threshold value. When the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information is equal to or lower than the communication rate of the communication method 1, it is determined that the base station device 60 is congested and the transmission rate is reduced.

  In addition, the communication method control unit 12 according to the present embodiment reduces the number of layers when the base station device 60 is congested and connection stability can be sufficiently secured even when the number of layers is decreased. Communication quality, for example, SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) is used to determine whether or not sufficient connection stability can be secured even if the number of layers is reduced. The communication method control unit 12 determines that the connection stability can be sufficiently secured even if the number of layers is decreased when the SINR is equal to or greater than a predetermined second threshold value. Since the lower the number of layers, the stronger the noise, the lower the SINR that can ensure sufficient connection stability, the lower the number of layers. For this reason, the second threshold value varies depending on the communication method used at that time.

  As described above, the communication method control unit 12 according to the present embodiment uses the number of layers when the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information is equal to or lower than the first threshold and the SINR is equal to or higher than the second threshold. Decrease.

  Furthermore, the communication method control unit 12 according to the present embodiment increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the number of layers is increased when the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information is greater than a predetermined third threshold. The third threshold value is the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method used at that time.

  For example, when the communication method 2 is used in the example of FIG. 4, the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method 2 is used as the third threshold value. When the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information exceeds the communication rate of the communication method 2, the number of layers is increased.

  The number of layers can be increased or decreased by notifying the base station device 60 of the number of layers from the radio communication unit 11 using RI (Rank Indicator) included in CSI (Channel State Information).

  By configuring the wireless communication device 10 in this way, the wireless communication device 10 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the number of layers is increased or decreased according to the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information and the communication rate that can be obtained by each communication method. This makes it possible to perform wireless communication with the number of layers having a necessary and sufficient communication speed with respect to the transmission speed at that time. In addition, since the number of layers is automatically changed, there is an effect that the user is not required to increase or decrease the number of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the number of layers is decreased when the transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold and the SINR is equal to or higher than the second threshold. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the communication stability is lowered by reducing the number of layers.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows an operation example of the wireless communication apparatus 10 of the present embodiment.

  First, the communication method control unit 12 receives resource block allocation information from the base station device 60 via the wireless communication unit 11 (step S201). Then, the transmission rate is obtained based on the resource block information. Further, the first threshold value is set to the communication speed of the communication method with the number of layers one step lower than the communication method at that time. The second threshold value is set according to the communication method at that time.

  Next, when the transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold value (YES in step S202), the communication method control unit 12 acquires the SINR from the wireless communication unit 11 and compares it with the second threshold value (step S202). S204). If the SINR is greater than or equal to the second threshold (YES in step S204), the number of layers is decreased (step S205).

  When the transmission rate exceeds the first threshold value (NO in step S202), the communication method control unit 12 confirms whether the transmission rate exceeds the third threshold value (step S206). The third threshold value is the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method used at that time.

  When the transmission rate exceeds the third threshold value (YES in step S206), the communication method control unit 12 increases the number of layers (step S207). When the transmission rate is equal to or lower than the third threshold value (NO in step S206), the communication method used at that time is maintained.

  Note that if the communication method in use is the communication method with the smallest number of layers (communication method 1 in FIG. 4), the number of layers cannot be reduced below that, and therefore operations from step S203 to step S205 are unnecessary. When the communication method in use is the communication method with the minimum number of layers, the first threshold value cannot be set. Therefore, for example, the communication method in use may be confirmed between step S201 and step S202, and when the communication method in use is the communication method with the minimum number of layers, the process may proceed to step S206. Further, when the communication method in use is the communication method with the maximum number of layers (communication method 3 in FIG. 4), the number of layers cannot be increased any further, so that step S206 and step S207 are unnecessary. For example, the communication method may be confirmed between step S202 and step S206, and if the communication method has the maximum number of layers, the process may return to step S201.

  By operating in this way, the wireless communication device 10 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, as in the first embodiment, the wireless communication device has a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced. When satisfied, reduce the number of layers. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the number of layers is increased or decreased according to the transmission rate obtained from the resource block information and the communication rate that can be obtained by each communication method. This makes it possible to perform wireless communication with the number of layers having a necessary and sufficient communication speed with respect to the transmission speed at that time. Also, there is an effect that does not make the user aware of the increase or decrease in the number of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the number of layers is decreased when the transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold and the SINR is equal to or higher than the second threshold. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the communication stability is lowered by reducing the number of layers.

[Third embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the maximum actual value of the past transmission rate is used as the first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced.

  First, FIG. 6 shows an example of the wireless communication system of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 20 is a device that relays communication between the slave device 70 and the base station device 60. The subunit | mobile_unit 70 is an apparatus using the service which a server (not shown) provides via the radio | wireless communication apparatus 20 and the base station apparatus 60. FIG.

  Next, FIG. 7 shows a configuration example of the wireless communication apparatus 20 of the present embodiment. The wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment includes a wireless communication unit 11, a communication method control unit 12, a slave unit communication unit 24, a communication monitoring unit 25, and a transmission rate storage unit 26.

  The wireless communication unit 11 is a part that performs wireless communication with the base station device 60. The slave unit communication unit 24 is a part that performs wireless communication with the slave unit 70.

  The communication monitoring unit 25 is a part that monitors the communication between the base station device 60 and the slave unit 70 and stores the maximum transmission rate actual value in the transmission rate storage unit 26. The transmission rate storage unit 26 may be configured inside the wireless communication device 20 or may be configured on another device outside the wireless communication device 20.

  In the present embodiment, the communication monitoring unit 25 causes the transmission rate storage unit 26 to store the maximum actual value of the past transmission rate for each IP (Internet Protocol) address of the access destination server of the slave unit 70. For example, an average value of transmission rates within a predetermined period is calculated every predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds), compared with the maximum actual value stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26, and the new average value is a past maximum actual value. When larger, the new average value is stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 as the maximum actual value.

  By doing in this way, the maximum actual value of the transmission rate for the service provided by the server can be stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26. For example, in a service such as a moving image, a high transmission rate is stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26. Also, in a service such as browsing, even if the transmission rate is instantaneously high, a low transmission rate is stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 by taking an average within a predetermined period.

  The communication method control unit 12 performs a wireless communication layer with the base station device 60 performed by the wireless communication unit 11 when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied. This is the part that reduces the number of. In the present embodiment, the maximum actual transmission rate value stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 is used to determine whether or not the number of layers can be reduced.

  More specifically, in this embodiment, the communication method control unit 12 adds a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual value of the transmission rate corresponding to the access destination server, and the required transmission rate is equal to or less than the first threshold value. When decreasing the number of layers. The first threshold value is the maximum value of the communication speed of the communication method whose communication speed is one step slower than the communication method used for the wireless communication at that time. For example, when the communication method 2 in FIG. 4 is selected, the communication method control unit 12 reduces the number of layers to the communication method 1 when the required transmission rate is equal to or less than the maximum value of the communication rate of the communication method 1.

  The margin value is a value intended to absorb instantaneous fluctuations in transmission speed. As the margin value is larger, it is possible to select a communication method that can cope with larger fluctuations in the transmission speed, but the power saving effect is reduced. For this reason, the margin value is set to a value that is as small as possible so that fluctuations in transmission speed can be absorbed to some extent. For example, a value that varies depending on the maximum actual value, such as a value of 20% of the maximum actual value, can be used as the margin value.

  By doing in this way, the communication method control part 12 of this embodiment can reduce the number of layers to the minimum number of layers which satisfy | fills the required transmission rate with respect to an access destination server.

  Furthermore, the communication method control unit 12 according to the present embodiment increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the number of layers is increased when the maximum actual transmission speed value corresponding to the access destination server exceeds the third threshold value. The third threshold value is the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method used at that time.

  For example, in the example of FIG. 4, when the communication method 2 is used, the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method 2 is used as the third threshold value. Then, when the required transmission rate obtained by adding a margin value to the maximum actual value stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 exceeds the third threshold value, the number of layers is increased.

  By doing so, when the communication speed of the currently selected communication method does not satisfy the transmission speed required for the service provided by the server, the transmission speed can be improved by increasing the number of layers. become.

  In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 20 is configured to relay communication between the base station device 60 and the slave unit 70, but as shown in FIG. 8 (system configuration example is FIG. 3), the wireless communication device 30 and the number of layers can be increased or decreased according to the actual maximum transmission rate. Further, in the case of the configuration example of FIG. 7, the communication method with the slave device 70 can be controlled in the same manner as the control of the communication method of the base station device 60.

  By configuring the wireless communication device 20 in this way, the wireless communication device 20 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  In this embodiment, the maximum actual transmission rate value is stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 for each server providing the service, and the number of layers is increased or decreased according to the required transmission rate calculated based on the actual maximum value. . Therefore, wireless communication can be performed with the number of layers having the minimum communication speed for the service provided by the server. In addition, since the number of layers is automatically changed, there is an effect that the user is not required to increase or decrease the number of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the high-speed communication method is used when the service provided by the server requires a high-speed communication, and the low-speed communication method is used when the low-speed communication is sufficient. Therefore, when the service is sufficient with low-speed communication, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption compared to the second embodiment.

  Next, FIG. 9 shows an operation example of the wireless communication apparatus 20 of the present embodiment.

  First, when starting access to a server, if the access destination server is the first server to access (YES in step S301), the wireless communication unit 11 connects to the base station apparatus 60 by the fastest communication method (step S301). S302).

  Next, the communication monitoring unit 25 monitors the wireless communication of the wireless communication unit 11 and measures the transmission speed of the wireless communication. For example, an average value of transmission rates within a predetermined period is measured every predetermined period (for example, 10 seconds). Then, the new transmission rate is stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 when the new transmission rate is larger than the past maximum actual value compared with the maximum actual value corresponding to the access destination server stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26. Store (step S303). The communication monitoring unit 25 repeats the measurement of the transmission rate until the number of transmission rate measurements after the first access to the target access destination server reaches a predetermined number (NO in step S304).

  When the number of transmission rate measurements since the first access reaches the predetermined number (YES in step S304), the communication method control unit 12 first sets the required transmission rate by adding a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual value. The threshold values are compared (step S305). If the required transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold (YES in step S305), the number of layers is decreased (step S306). The first threshold value is the maximum value of the communication speed of the communication method in which the number of layers is one step lower than the communication method used for wireless communication at that time. If the communication method in use is the communication method with the smallest number of layers, the number of layers cannot be reduced, so it is good to determine NO in step S305.

  If the required transmission rate exceeds the third threshold (YES in step S307), the number of layers is increased (step S308). The third threshold value is the maximum value of the communication speed that can be output by the communication method in use. If the communication method in use is the communication method with the maximum number of layers, the number of layers cannot be increased, so it is good to determine NO in step S307.

  When the server is not accessed for the first time when access to the server is started (NO in step S301), the communication method control unit 12 sets the maximum performance value of the transmission rate corresponding to the target access destination server to the transmission rate storage unit. 26 (step S309). Then, the number of layers is increased or decreased from step S305 to step S308.

  By operating in this way, the wireless communication device 20 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  As described above, in the third embodiment of the present invention, as in the first and second embodiments, the wireless communication device has a predetermined first indicating that the number of layers can be reduced. When the condition is satisfied, the number of layers is decreased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  In this embodiment, the maximum actual transmission rate value is stored in the transmission rate storage unit 26 for each server providing the service, and the number of layers is increased or decreased according to the required transmission rate calculated based on the actual maximum value. . Therefore, wireless communication can be performed with the number of layers having the minimum communication speed for the service provided by the server. In addition, since the number of layers is automatically changed, there is an effect that the user is not required to increase or decrease the number of layers.

  In the present embodiment, the high-speed communication method is used when the service provided by the server requires a high-speed communication, and the low-speed communication method is used when the low-speed communication is sufficient. Therefore, when the service is sufficient with low-speed communication, it is possible to reduce the amount of power consumption compared to the second embodiment.

[Fourth embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the accumulated communication amount within a predetermined period is used as the first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced. Then, when the accumulated communication amount reaches a predetermined threshold value, the number of layers is decreased.

  First, FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the wireless communication device 40 of the present embodiment. The wireless communication unit 11, the communication method control unit 12, and the communication amount measurement unit 47 are configured.

  The configuration example of the wireless communication system of this embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 3, but the slave unit communication unit 24 is added to the configuration example of the wireless communication device 40 of FIG. May be configured.

  The wireless communication unit 11 is a part that performs wireless communication with the base station device 60. In order to simplify the description, in the present embodiment, two types of communication, that is, a high-speed and high-power-consumption communication method 2 with a large number of layers and a low-speed and low-power-consumption communication method 1 are used as the wireless communication method Let the method be usable. Further, it is assumed that the communication method 2 is a method in which an upper limit value of monthly communication amount is provided, and the communication method 1 is a method in which no upper limit is provided.

  Note that the communication method of wireless communication is not limited to the above-described two types, and any number may be used as long as it is two or more types. For example, three types of communication methods may be usable as shown in FIG. In that case, the number of layers is increased / decreased between the communication method in which the upper limit value of the communication amount is provided and the communication method in which the communication amount is not provided by the method described in this embodiment.

  The communication amount measuring unit 47 is a part that measures the accumulated communication amount of wireless communication with the base station apparatus 60 within a predetermined period (for example, one month).

  The communication method control unit 12 is a part that reduces the number of wireless communication layers with the base station device 60 when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied. is there. In the present embodiment, the accumulated traffic measured by the traffic measuring unit 47 is used as the first condition. In the present embodiment, the communication method control unit 12 decreases the number of wireless communication layers when the accumulated communication amount reaches the fourth threshold value and the communication method is the communication method 2. That is, the base station device 60 is caused to change the communication method to the communication method 1.

  In the present embodiment, the communication method control unit 12 increases the number of layers when the number of layers is decreased (the communication method is the state of the communication method 1) and the accumulated communication amount is less than the fourth threshold value. Let That is, the base station device 60 is caused to change the communication method to the communication method 2. For example, this state corresponds to when the accumulated traffic is reset to 0 or when the fourth threshold value is changed to a larger value than before.

  By configuring the wireless communication device 40 in this way, the wireless communication device 40 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  Next, FIG. 11 shows an example of the operation of the wireless communication device 40 of this embodiment.

  In FIG. 12, the example of the graph of the traffic of the communication method 2 for one month is shown. In the communication method 2, a communication amount upper limit is set for the communication amount for one month. In this figure, one month is divided into periods from the first period to the third period, and an upper limit of usable communication is set for each.

  First, the communication amount measuring unit 47 sets the accumulated communication amount of the communication method 2 to 0 (step S401). Next, when the accumulated communication amount is smaller than the fourth threshold (YES in Step S402), the communication method control unit 12 controls the communication method of the wireless communication unit 11 to the communication method 2 (Step S403). Then, the communication amount measuring unit 47 measures the accumulated communication amount of the communication method 2 (Step S404). The fourth threshold value is the first period usable communication upper limit in the first period, the second period usable communication upper limit in the second period, and the upper limit of communication amount in the third period.

  When the accumulated communication amount has reached the fourth threshold value in step S402 (NO in step S402), the communication method control unit 12 controls the communication method of the wireless communication unit 11 to the communication method 1 (step S405). . When controlling to change the communication method from the communication method 2 to the communication method 1, the number of layers is reduced.

  Until the predetermined period (one month in FIG. 4) ends (NO in step S406), the process returns to step S402 to perform the operation. Since the fourth threshold value varies from the first period to the third period, for example, even if the number of layers is decreased in step S402 in the first period and the number of layers is decreased, the step S402 is performed in the second period. YES, and the number of layers is increased (returned to the original).

  If the predetermined period (one month) ends (YES in step S406), the process returns to step S401, and the accumulated communication amount is reset to zero.

  By operating in this way, the wireless communication device 40 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  As described above, in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as in the first to third embodiments, the wireless communication device has a predetermined first indicating that the number of layers can be reduced. When the condition is satisfied, the number of layers is decreased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  In the present embodiment, a predetermined period (such as one month) is divided into a plurality of periods, and the upper limit value of the communication amount is set for each period. As a result, the period during which high-speed communication cannot be used is not concentrated around the end of the predetermined period, but is distributed among the predetermined periods, thereby shortening the period during which high-speed communication cannot be used at one time.

[Fifth embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the transmission rate calculated from the resource block information is used as the first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced. In the third embodiment, the maximum actual value of the past transmission rate is used. In the fourth embodiment, the accumulated communication amount is used. This embodiment demonstrates the example in the case of combining these.

  First, FIG. 13 shows a configuration example of the wireless communication device 50 of the present embodiment. This is a combination of FIG. 1 of the second embodiment, FIG. 8 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 10 of the fourth embodiment. Note that the wireless communication device 50 may include a slave communication unit 24 as shown in FIG.

  About the wireless communication part 11, the communication monitoring part 25, the transmission rate memory | storage part 26, and the communication amount measurement part 47, since it is the same as that of other embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As in the other embodiments, the communication method control unit 12 performs wireless communication with the base station device 60 when the predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied. This is the part that reduces the number of layers. In the present embodiment, the first condition includes a condition regarding the transmission rate calculated from the resource block information, the maximum actual value of the past transmission rate, and the accumulated communication amount. In the present embodiment, a case where all of these conditions are included will be described, but any two conditions may be included.

  Of the conditions included in the first condition, the condition regarding the transmission rate calculated from the resource block information (the condition for reducing the number of layers in the second embodiment) is defined as Condition 1-1. Further, the condition relating to the maximum actual transmission value (condition for reducing the number of layers in the third embodiment) is defined as condition 1-2, and the condition relating to the accumulated traffic (the condition for reducing the number of layers in the fourth embodiment). ) Is defined as Condition 1-3.

  For example, the communication method control unit 12 reduces the number of layers when the condition 1-3 is satisfied, or when both the condition 1-1 and the condition 1-2 are satisfied. If the number of layers is not reduced when the condition 1-3 is satisfied, the accumulated communication amount further increases. Therefore, when the condition 1-3 is satisfied, the number of layers regardless of other conditions. Decrease. Regarding condition 1-1 and condition 1-2, if the number of layers is decreased when the condition is not satisfied, there is a possibility that normal service provision may be hindered due to a decrease in communication speed. The number of layers is decreased when both of the conditions 1-2 are satisfied.

  Further, the communication method control unit 12 increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied. In the present embodiment, the second condition includes a condition relating to the transmission rate calculated from the resource block information, the maximum actual value of the past transmission rate, and the accumulated communication amount. In the present embodiment, a case where all of these conditions are included will be described, but any two conditions may be included.

  Of the conditions included in the second condition, the condition regarding the transmission rate calculated from the resource block information (condition for increasing the number of layers in the second embodiment) is defined as condition 2-1. Further, the condition regarding the maximum actual transmission rate value (the condition for increasing the number of layers in the third embodiment) is the condition 2-2, and the condition regarding the accumulated traffic (the condition for increasing the number of layers in the fourth embodiment). ) Is defined as Condition 2-3.

  For example, the communication method control unit 12 increases the number of layers when the condition 2-3 is satisfied and either the condition 2-1 or the condition 2-2 is satisfied. When the number of layers is increased when the condition 2-3 is not satisfied, the accumulated communication amount increases beyond the fourth threshold value. When the condition 2-3 is not satisfied, Keep the number of layers reduced regardless of other conditions. Regarding condition 2-1 and condition 2-2, if the number of layers is kept reduced when the condition is satisfied, there is a possibility that normal service provision may be hindered because the communication speed remains lowered. . Therefore, the number of layers is increased when either condition 2-1 or condition 2-2 is satisfied.

  By configuring the wireless communication device 50 in this manner, the wireless communication device 50 decreases the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be decreased is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  Next, FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show examples of the operation of the wireless communication device 50. FIG. 14 shows an operation example when the number of layers is decreased, and FIG. 15 shows an operation example when the number of layers is increased.

  In addition, about the determination method of whether each condition is satisfy | filled, since it is 2nd to 4th embodiment, description is abbreviate | omitted here.

  First, an operation example when the number of layers is reduced in FIG. 14 will be described.

  When the condition 1-3 is satisfied (YES in step S501), the communication method control unit 12 decreases the number of layers (step S504).

  When condition 1-3 is not satisfied (NO in step S501), when condition 1-1 and condition 1-2 are satisfied (YES in step S502, YES in step S503), the number of layers is decreased. (Step S504). In other cases (NO in step S502, NO in step S503), the number of layers is maintained.

  Next, an operation example when the number of layers in FIG. 15 is increased will be described.

  When the condition 2-3 is satisfied (YES in step S505), the communication method control unit 12 further checks whether the condition 2-1 is satisfied (step S506). When condition 2-1 is satisfied (YES in step S506), the number of layers is increased (step S508). When the condition 2-1 is not satisfied (NO in step S506), it is confirmed whether the condition 2-2 is satisfied (step S507). When condition 2-2 is satisfied (YES in step S507), the number of layers is increased (step S508). In other cases (NO in step S505, NO in step S507), the number of layers is maintained.

  By operating in this way, the wireless communication device 50 reduces the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied. When the number of layers decreases, the number of antennas and amplifiers used for transmission and reception decreases, and the power consumption decreases. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

  As described above, in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as in the first to fourth embodiments, the wireless communication device has a predetermined first indicating that the number of layers can be reduced. When the condition is satisfied, the number of layers is decreased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of wireless communication using a plurality of layers.

[Hardware configuration example]
A configuration example of hardware resources for realizing the wireless communication devices (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) according to the above-described embodiments of the present invention by using one information processing device (computer) will be described. The wireless communication device may be realized using at least two information processing devices physically or functionally. The wireless communication device may be realized as a dedicated device. Further, only some functions of the wireless communication device may be realized using the information processing device.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration example of an information processing apparatus capable of realizing the wireless communication apparatus according to each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, an arithmetic device 93, a storage device 94, a nonvolatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

  The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the wireless communication device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device by wire or / and wirelessly. When the wireless communication device is realized by using at least two information processing devices, the devices may be connected to each other via the communication interface 91 so that they can communicate with each other.

  The input / output interface 92 is a man-machine interface such as a keyboard which is an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

  The arithmetic device 93 is an arithmetic processing device such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a microprocessor. For example, the arithmetic device 93 can read various programs stored in the nonvolatile storage device 95 into the storage device 94 and execute processing according to the read programs.

  The storage device 94 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be referred to from the arithmetic device 93, and stores programs, various data, and the like. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

  The nonvolatile storage device 95 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and can store various programs, data, and the like.

  The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data with respect to a recording medium 97 described later.

  The recording medium 97 is an arbitrary recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a semiconductor flash memory.

  In each embodiment of the present invention, for example, a wireless communication device is configured by the information processing device 90 illustrated in FIG. 16, and a program capable of realizing the functions described in the above embodiments is supplied to the wireless communication device. It may be realized by doing.

  In this case, the embodiment can be realized by the arithmetic device 93 executing the program supplied to the wireless communication device. It is also possible to configure some of the functions of the information processing apparatus 90 instead of all of the wireless communication apparatus.

  Furthermore, the program may be recorded in the recording medium 97, and the program may be stored in the nonvolatile storage device 95 as appropriate at the time of shipment or operation of the wireless communication device. In this case, as the program supply method, a method of installing in the wireless communication apparatus using an appropriate jig may be employed in a manufacturing stage before shipment or an operation stage. The program supply method may employ a general procedure such as a method of downloading from the outside via a communication line such as the Internet.

  Each of the above-described embodiments is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication in one or more layers;
A radio communication apparatus comprising: a communication method control unit configured to reduce the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied.

(Appendix 2)
The wireless communication according to claim 1, wherein the communication method control unit increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied. Communication device.

(Appendix 3)
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value.

(Appendix 4)
The wireless communication apparatus according to supplementary note 3, wherein the first threshold is a maximum communication speed possible after the number of layers is reduced.

(Appendix 5)
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, wherein the communication method control unit calculates the required transmission rate from information of a resource block assigned to the radio communication.

(Appendix 6)
The first condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, and communication quality of the wireless communication is better than a predetermined second threshold value. The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 5.

(Appendix 7)
A communication monitoring unit for storing the maximum actual transmission rate of the wireless communication in the access destination unit in a transmission rate storage unit;
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, wherein the required transmission rate is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual value.

(Appendix 8)
The communication monitoring unit measures an average transmission rate within a predetermined period of the wireless communication, and stores the maximum actual value of the average transmission rate in the transmission rate storage unit in an IP (Internet Protocol) address unit of the access destination. The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 7, wherein:

(Appendix 9)
The communication method control unit increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied,
The wireless communication device according to any one of appendix 3 to appendix 8, wherein the second condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate exceeds a predetermined third threshold value.

(Appendix 10)
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 9, wherein the third threshold value is a maximum communication speed that is possible depending on the number of layers used at that time.

(Appendix 11)
A traffic volume measuring unit for measuring a cumulative traffic volume within a predetermined period of the wireless communication,
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the first condition includes a condition that the accumulated communication amount is smaller than a predetermined fourth threshold value.

(Appendix 12)
The communication method control unit increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied,
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 11, wherein the second condition includes a condition that the accumulated communication amount has reached the fourth threshold value.

(Appendix 13)
Wireless communication at one or more layers,
A wireless communication method, comprising: reducing the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied.

(Appendix 14)
The wireless communication method according to appendix 13, wherein the number of layers is increased when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied.

(Appendix 15)
The wireless communication method according to supplementary note 13, wherein the first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value.

(Appendix 16)
The wireless communication method according to supplementary note 15, wherein the first threshold is a maximum communication speed possible after the number of layers is reduced.

(Appendix 17)
The wireless communication method according to supplementary note 15 or supplementary note 16, wherein the required transmission rate is calculated from information of a resource block assigned to the wireless communication.

(Appendix 18)
The first condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, and communication quality of the wireless communication is better than a predetermined second threshold value. The wireless communication method according to appendix 17.

(Appendix 19)
The maximum actual value of the transmission speed of the wireless communication of the access destination unit is stored in the transmission speed storage unit,
The wireless communication method according to Supplementary Note 15 or Supplementary Note 16, wherein the required transmission rate is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual performance value.

(Appendix 20)
An average transmission rate within a predetermined period of the wireless communication is measured, and the maximum actual value of the average transmission rate is stored in the transmission rate storage unit in an IP (Internet Protocol) address unit of the access destination. The wireless communication method according to appendix 19.

(Appendix 21)
When a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied, the number of layers is increased,
The wireless communication method according to any one of appendix 15 to appendix 20, wherein the second condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate exceeds a predetermined third threshold value.

(Appendix 22)
The wireless communication method according to supplementary note 21, wherein the third threshold value is a maximum communication speed possible by the number of layers used at that time.

(Appendix 23)
Measure the accumulated communication amount within a predetermined period of the wireless communication,
The wireless communication method according to appendix 13, wherein the first condition includes a condition that the accumulated communication amount is smaller than a predetermined fourth threshold value.

(Appendix 24)
When a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied, the number of layers is increased,
The wireless communication method according to appendix 23, wherein the second condition includes a condition that the accumulated communication amount has reached the fourth threshold value.

(Appendix 25)
On the computer,
A wireless communication function for performing wireless communication in one or more layers;
A wireless communication program that realizes a communication method control function for reducing the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied.

(Appendix 26)
26. The wireless communication according to appendix 25, wherein the communication method control function increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied. Communication program.

(Appendix 27)
The wireless communication program according to appendix 25, wherein the first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value.

(Appendix 28)
The wireless communication program according to appendix 27, wherein the first threshold value is a maximum communication speed possible after the number of layers is reduced.

(Appendix 29)
29. The wireless communication program according to appendix 27 or appendix 28, wherein the communication method control function calculates the required transmission rate from information of a resource block assigned to the radio communication.

(Appendix 30)
The first condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, and communication quality of the wireless communication is better than a predetermined second threshold value. The wireless communication program according to appendix 29.

(Appendix 31)
The computer further realizes a communication monitoring function for storing the maximum actual transmission speed value of the wireless communication in the access destination unit in the transmission speed storage unit,
29. The wireless communication program according to appendix 27 or appendix 28, wherein the required transmission rate is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual value.

(Appendix 32)
The communication monitoring function measures an average transmission rate within a predetermined period of the wireless communication and stores the maximum actual value of the average transmission rate in the transmission rate storage unit in units of IP (Internet Protocol) addresses of the access destination. The wireless communication program according to supplementary note 31, characterized in that:

(Appendix 33)
The communication method control function increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied,
The wireless communication program according to any one of appendix 27 to appendix 32, wherein the second condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate exceeds a predetermined third threshold value.

(Appendix 34)
The wireless communication program according to supplementary note 33, wherein the third threshold value is a maximum communication speed that is possible based on the number of layers used at that time.

(Appendix 35)
Further causing the computer to realize a traffic volume measurement function for measuring the cumulative traffic volume within a predetermined period of the wireless communication,
The wireless communication program according to appendix 25, wherein the first condition includes a condition that the accumulated communication amount is smaller than a predetermined fourth threshold value.

(Appendix 36)
The communication method control function increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied,
The wireless communication program according to appendix 35, wherein the second condition includes a condition that the accumulated communication amount has reached the fourth threshold value.

10, 20, 30, 40, 50 Wireless communication device 11 Wireless communication unit 12 Communication method control unit 24 Slave device communication unit 25 Communication monitoring unit 26 Transmission rate storage unit 47 Communication amount measurement unit 60 Base station device 70 Slave device 90 Information processing Device 91 Communication interface 92 Input / output interface 93 Arithmetic device 94 Storage device 95 Non-volatile storage device 96 Drive device 97 Recording medium

Claims (8)

A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication in one or more layers;
A communication method control unit for reducing the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied , and
The first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is a predetermined first threshold value or less,
The communication method control unit calculates the required transmission rate from information on resource blocks allocated to the wireless communication.
A wireless communication apparatus. The first condition includes a condition that the required transmission rate is equal to or lower than the first threshold value, and communication quality of the wireless communication is better than a predetermined second threshold value. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 . A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication in one or more layers;
A communication monitoring unit that stores a maximum actual value of the transmission rate of the wireless communication in the access destination unit in a transmission rate storage unit ;
A communication method control unit for reducing the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied;
Bei to give a,
The first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is a predetermined first threshold value or less,
The required transmission rate, radio communications device you characterized in that the maximum actual value is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value. The communication method control unit increases the number of layers when a predetermined second condition indicating that the number of layers can be increased is satisfied,
The second condition, the wireless communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the required transmission rate is characterized in that it comprises a condition that is greater than a predetermined third threshold value . Wireless communication at one or more layers,
When the predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied, the number of layers is reduced ;
The first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is a predetermined first threshold value or less,
The wireless communication method characterized in that the required transmission rate is calculated from information on resource blocks allocated to the wireless communication.   Wireless communication at one or more layers,
  The maximum actual value of the transmission speed of the wireless communication of the access destination unit is stored in the transmission speed storage unit,
  When the predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied, the number of layers is reduced;
  The first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is a predetermined first threshold value or less,
  The required transmission rate is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual value.
  A wireless communication method. On the computer,
A wireless communication function for performing wireless communication in one or more layers;
When a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied, a communication method control function for reducing the number of layers is realized , and
The first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is a predetermined first threshold value or less,
The communication method control function calculates the required transmission rate from information of a resource block allocated to the wireless communication.
A wireless communication program characterized by the above.   On the computer,
  A wireless communication function for performing wireless communication in one or more layers;
  A communication monitoring function for storing in a transmission rate storage unit the maximum actual value of the transmission rate of the wireless communication in units of access destination;
  A communication method control function for reducing the number of layers when a predetermined first condition indicating that the number of layers can be reduced is satisfied;
  Realized,
  The first condition includes a condition that a required transmission rate is a predetermined first threshold value or less,
  The required transmission rate is a value obtained by adding a predetermined margin value to the maximum actual value.
  A wireless communication program characterized by the above.

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