JP6653792B2 - Wireless base station device, wireless communication system, wireless communication control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless base station device, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication control method, and a program.

  A wireless communication device that performs communication by switching between a plurality of encoding systems and modulation systems has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). This wireless communication apparatus aims to improve the communication rate by suppressing the retransmission chain by changing the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) level according to the number of retransmissions of the same data and the success or failure of the communication. That is.

JP 2010-87730 A

  However, in the wireless communication device described in Patent Literature 1, when it is necessary to temporarily stop wireless communication in order to change the modulation and coding level, the communication link is disconnected when the modulation and coding level is changed. In this case, it is necessary for the wireless communication device to execute a process for establishing a communication link again after the modulation and coding level is changed, which may cause a delay in data transmission (communication delay) and a frame loss. There is. On the other hand, if the modulation and coding level is fixed, the frequency of data transmission delay (transmission delay) may increase depending on the amount of data transmitted and received by the wireless communication device.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless base station device, a wireless communication system, a wireless communication control method, and a program that can reduce a frame loss while suppressing a communication delay.

In order to achieve the above object, a radio base station apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Two wireless modules,
A wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a communication terminal using one of the two wireless modules;
The first communication method in which the wireless communication unit prioritizes the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, and the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, And a second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of loss of frames transmitted to and received from the terminal , using the one wireless module set to one of the two , wirelessly communicating with the communication terminal The communication method of the other wireless module of the two wireless modules according to the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal and the first communication method and the second communication method. A communication method setting unit that sets the other communication method different from the one communication method set to the one wireless module,
After completing the setting of the communication method by the communication method setting unit, a module control unit that changes the wireless module used by the wireless communication unit to the other wireless module ,
The wireless communication unit,
If the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, using a wireless module set to the first communication method,
When the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a wireless module set for the second communication scheme is used .

The wireless communication system according to the present invention viewed from another viewpoint,
A communication terminal for wireless communication,
A wireless base station apparatus comprising: two wireless modules; and a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal using one of the two wireless modules. hand,
The wireless base station device,
The first communication method in which the wireless communication unit prioritizes the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, and the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, And a second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of loss of frames transmitted to and received from the terminal , using the one wireless module set to one of the two , wirelessly communicating with the communication terminal The communication method of the other wireless module of the two wireless modules according to the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal and the first communication method and the second communication method. A communication method setting unit that sets the other communication method different from the one communication method set to the one wireless module,
After setting of the communication mode by the communication mode setting unit is completed, have a, a module control unit for changing the wireless module to the other radio module the wireless communication unit is used,
The wireless communication unit,
If the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, using a wireless module set to the first communication method,
When the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a wireless module set for the second communication scheme is used .

The wireless communication control method according to the present invention viewed from another viewpoint,
A wireless communication control method for a wireless base station device including two wireless modules,
A first communication method that prioritizes an amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with a communication terminal; and a first communication system that transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal based on the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time to the communication terminal. Performing wireless communication with a communication terminal using one of the two wireless modules set to one of the second communication method and the second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of frame loss to be performed. When,
While performing wireless communication with the communication terminal using the one wireless module, the other wireless module of the two wireless modules is used in accordance with the amount of data transmitted / received to / from the communication terminal. Setting a communication method of a module to another communication method different from one communication method set to the one wireless module among the first communication method and the second communication method ;
After completing the setting of the communication method, changing the wireless module used for wireless communication with the communication terminal to the other wireless module,
When the data amount of data transmitted and received with the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, a wireless module set in the first communication method is used, and the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold. , Using a wireless module set to the second communication scheme .

From another point of view, the program according to the present invention is:
Computer
A first communication method that prioritizes an amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with a communication terminal; and a first communication system that transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal based on the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time to the communication terminal. Wireless communication that performs wireless communication with a communication terminal by using one of the two wireless modules set to one of the second communication method and the second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of frame loss. Department,
While the wireless communication unit is using the one wireless module and performing wireless communication with the communication terminal, according to the data amount of data transmitted to and received from the communication terminal, the two wireless modules A communication method for setting the communication method of the other wireless module to the other communication method different from the one communication method set for the one wireless module between the first communication method and the second communication method Setting part,
After setting of the communication mode by the communication mode setting unit is completed, to function the radio module said wireless communication unit is used as a module control unit, for changing to the other radio module,
The wireless communication unit,
If the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, using a wireless module set to the first communication method,
When the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a wireless module set for the second communication scheme is used .

  According to the wireless base station apparatus according to the present invention, while the wireless communication unit uses one of the wireless modules and wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal, the communication scheme setting unit transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal. The communication method of the other wireless module is set to a communication method different from the communication method of the one wireless module according to the data amount of data. After the setting of the communication method by the communication method setting unit is completed, the module control unit changes the wireless module used by the wireless communication unit to the other wireless module. Accordingly, for example, in a configuration in which the wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal using one wireless module, the wireless communication with the communication terminal is performed only for the time required to change the communication method of the wireless module to a different communication method. There is no need to shut off. That is, without interrupting the wireless communication between the wireless communication unit and the communication terminal, the wireless communication can be continued while appropriately changing to a communication method optimal for the amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal. This has the advantage that the frame loss can be reduced while suppressing the communication delay.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a base station according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a base station according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a processing sequence of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of communication processing executed by the base station according to the embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an automatic switching mode process executed by the base station according to the embodiment. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a manual switching mode process executed by the base station according to the embodiment. (A) is a time chart showing the operation of the wireless module according to the comparative example, and (B) is a time chart showing the operation of the wireless module according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, the delay in data transmission can be reduced by dynamically changing the channel for wireless communication based on the amount of data to be transmitted and the quality of the frequency band of radio waves used for wireless communication (hereinafter referred to as “channel”). A wireless base station device and a wireless communication system that can be suppressed will be described. In the wireless communication system according to the present embodiment, after determining a channel for wireless communication, wireless communication is performed between the wireless base station apparatus and the communication terminal on the determined channel.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a base station 10 and a communication terminal 20. The wireless communication system 1 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 30. Note that, in the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 1 illustrates one communication terminal 20, but a plurality of communication terminals may be provided.

  The base station 10 is a wireless base station device that performs wireless communication with the communication terminal 20. The base station 10 includes two wireless modules W1 and W2, and establishes a communication link with a communication terminal 20 existing in a wireless communicable area. The base station 10 is connected to the LAN 30 and transfers the frame to the destination included in the received frame (packet) via the LAN 30.

  The communication terminal 20 is a wireless communication terminal including one wireless module (not shown). The communication terminal 20 establishes a communication link with one of the wireless modules W1 and W2 provided in the base station 10. The communication terminal 20 communicates with another communication device (not shown) connected to the LAN 30 via the base station 10.

  The LAN 30 is connected to the base station 10. The LAN 30 is composed of, for example, a wired LAN conforming to the IEEE802.3 standard. LAN 30 may be connected to a wide area network.

  Next, a hardware configuration of base station 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the base station 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a main memory 103, a storage 104, a user interface 105, and wireless modules W1 and W2. , Is provided. The ROM 102 stores a control program and the like. The main memory 103 is composed of a volatile memory and is used as a work area of the CPU 101. The storage 104 is composed of a nonvolatile memory, and stores a control program, contents, and the like. The CPU 101 reads a control program stored in the ROM 102 or the storage 104 into the main memory 103 and executes it. The user interface 105 includes, for example, a display unit that provides an operation screen to the user, and an input unit that receives an input from the user.

  The wireless module W1 establishes a communication link with the communication terminal 20 and performs wireless communication. The wireless module W1 has a signal generation circuit for generating a wireless signal and an antenna. The wireless module W1 communicates by a communication method conforming to a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11a, b, g, n. The wireless module W1 functions as a communication module for wireless communication or a monitoring module for acquiring a radio wave condition around the base station 10 as described later. A predetermined SSID (Service Set Identifier) is assigned to the wireless module W1. The wireless module W2 has the same hardware configuration as the wireless module W1. The wireless module W2 operates independently of the wireless module W1. The wireless module W2 has the same SSID as the wireless module W1.

  Next, a functional configuration of base station 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the base station 10, the CPU 101 reads a control program stored in the ROM 102 or the storage 104 into the main memory and executes the control program, thereby functioning as each unit illustrated in FIG. Specifically, the CPU 101 includes a wireless communication unit 111, a status acquisition unit 113, a quality determination unit 116, a module control unit 117, a data amount determination unit 132, a parameter setting unit (communication method setting unit) 133, Function as the operation mode setting unit 134. In addition, the storage 104 includes a status history storage unit 115 that stores, in chronological order, a history of radio wave condition information indicating a radio wave condition around the base station 10. The communication wireless module 112 includes one of the two wireless modules W1 and W2, and the monitoring wireless module 114 includes the other of the two wireless modules W1 and W2.

  The communication wireless module 112 is used by the wireless communication unit 111 to establish and maintain a communication link with the communication terminal 20. The monitoring wireless module 114 is used by the status obtaining unit 113 to obtain the radio wave status information described above.

  The wireless communication unit 111 uses the communication wireless module 112 to establish a communication link with the communication terminal 20, and transmits and receives frames (wireless communication) with the communication terminal 20 through the established communication link.

  The status acquisition unit 113 acquires information indicating the radio wave condition around the base station 10 (hereinafter referred to as “radio wave condition information”) via the monitoring wireless module 114 and stores the information in the condition history storage unit 115. The radio wave condition information is, for example, information indicating a band occupancy for each channel.

  The status obtaining unit 113 sequentially obtains radio wave status information on each channel available for wireless communication while changing channels via the monitoring wireless module 114. The status acquisition unit 113 acquires, for example, radio wave condition information for one channel available for wireless communication for a preset period (for example, 500 msec), and then obtains radio wave condition information for another channel. Then, the status acquisition unit 113 sequentially acquires the radio wave status information for all channels available for wireless communication. The status acquisition unit 113 dynamically uses one of the wireless modules W1 and W2 as the monitoring wireless module 114 based on a command input from the module control unit 117.

  The quality determination unit 116 determines a channel (hereinafter referred to as a “communication channel”) used by the communication wireless module 112 based on the history of the radio wave condition information stored in the status history storage unit 115 (hereinafter, referred to as “status history”). ) Is determined. As described above, assuming that the status history indicates the history of the bandwidth occupancy for each channel, the quality determination unit 116 sets, for example, a channel (communication channel) currently used for communication, for example, in advance. If the bandwidth occupancy at a plurality of times within the determination period continuously exceeds the preset degradation determination threshold, it is determined that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated. In addition, the quality determination unit 116 determines that, for channels other than the communication channel, for example, if there is a channel whose bandwidth occupancy at a plurality of times within the above-described determination period is continuously equal to or less than a preset good determination threshold. , The quality of the channel is determined to be good.

  The data amount determining unit 132 transmits / receives data between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20 per unit time based on the frame length and the number of frames of each frame transmitted / received by the wireless communication unit 111 via the communication wireless module 112. The amount of data to be detected is detected. The data amount determination unit 132 executes a process of detecting the data amount in a layer higher than the data ring layer in the OSI basic reference model, for example. Further, the data amount determination unit 132 determines whether the set operation mode is the automatic switching mode based on the operation mode information notified from the operation mode setting unit 134.

  Further, the data amount determination unit 132 determines whether the detected data amount is equal to or less than a preset data amount threshold. This data amount threshold value is set, for example, between several thousand bytes / sec to several tens of bytes / sec.

  While the wireless communication unit 111 is performing wireless communication with the communication terminal 20 using the communication wireless module 112, the parameter setting unit 133 changes the communication method of the switching destination wireless module according to the data amount. A communication method different from the communication method of the module 112 is set. Here, for example, when the wireless module W1 (W2) is operating as the communication wireless module 112, the switching destination wireless module is the wireless module W2 (W1) operating as the monitoring wireless module 114. The parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module by setting the wireless parameters of the switching destination wireless module. As communication methods, there are a speed priority communication method (first communication method) and an arrival priority communication method (second communication method). The speed priority communication method is a communication method in which the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time between the communication wireless module 112 and the communication terminal 20 is prioritized. In the arrival priority communication method, priority is given to the fact that the frequency of loss of frames transmitted to and received from the communication terminal 20 is lower than the amount of data transmitted and received between the communication wireless module 112 and the communication terminal 20 per unit time. This is a communication method to be performed. When the data amount has changed from the state below the data amount threshold to the state above the data amount threshold, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the speed priority communication method. On the other hand, when the data amount changes from a state where the data amount is larger than the data amount threshold to a state where the data amount is equal to or smaller than the data amount threshold, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the arrival priority communication method.

  The wireless parameters include, for example, an MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme) level. When the wireless parameter is the MCS level, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the MCS level of the wireless module to be switched to a value larger than the MCS level of the wireless module 112 for communication, for example. Set the mode to speed priority communication mode. On the other hand, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication scheme of the wireless module of the switching destination to the arrival priority communication scheme by setting the MCS level of the wireless module of the switching destination to a value smaller than the level of the MCS of the wireless module 112 for communication. Set to. When the setting of the wireless parameters of the switching destination wireless module is completed, the parameter setting unit 133 notifies the module control unit 117 of a setting completion notification.

  After the parameter setting unit 133 completes the setting of the wireless parameters of the switching destination wireless module, the module control unit 117 uses the wireless module W1 (W2) used by the wireless communication unit 111 to operate as the monitoring wireless module 114. Change to module W2 (W1). Also, when the quality determination unit 116 determines that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated, the module control unit 117 newly sets the wireless module W2 (W1) operating as the monitoring wireless module 114 to a new wireless communication module. The module operates as the module 112. At this time, the module control unit 117 causes the wireless module W1 (W2) that has been operating as the communication wireless module 112 to newly operate as the monitoring wireless module 114.

  For example, it is assumed that the wireless communication unit 111 uses the wireless module W1 as the communication wireless module 112, and the status acquisition unit 113 uses the wireless module W2 as the monitoring wireless module 114. At this time, when the setting of the wireless parameters of the switching destination wireless module W2 by the parameter setting unit 133 is completed, the module control unit 117 causes the wireless communication unit 111 to use the wireless module W2 as the communication wireless module 112. Then, the status obtaining unit 113 is notified to use the wireless module W1 as the monitoring wireless module 114. Accordingly, when the data amount of data transmitted / received to / from the communication terminal 20 is larger than the data amount threshold, the wireless communication unit 111 uses the communication wireless module 112 set to the speed priority communication method, and Is smaller than or equal to the data amount threshold, the communication wireless module 112 set to the arrival priority communication method is used. The module control unit 117 also executes the same processing when the quality determination unit 116 determines that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated. In addition, with the above-mentioned switching of the communication module and the monitoring module of the wireless module, the communication channel is changed not only when the quality of the channel being used for communication is deteriorated but also when the communication method is changed due to a change in the data amount. Is preferred. This is to prevent the moment when the modules of the same channel coexist and the communication terminal from connecting to the old module.

  When changing the wireless module W1 (W2) functioning as the communication wireless module 112, the module control unit 117 informs the communication terminal 20 of the change to the communication terminal 20 via the communication wireless module 112. Send the change notification information to be notified. The change notification information includes information indicating a communication channel newly used by the wireless module W2 (W1) that newly functions as the communication wireless module 112.

  The operation mode setting unit 134 sets the operation mode of the base station 10 to an automatic switching mode (first operation mode) in which the two wireless modules W1 and W2 are automatically switched, and to manually switch the two wireless modules W1 and W2. And the manual switching mode (second operation mode) performed in the step (1). The operation mode setting unit 134 presents a Web browser screen for setting the operation mode to the user via the user interface 105, for example. Then, the operation mode setting unit 134 performs an operation on the user interface 105 while viewing the Web browser screen presented by the user, and based on the operation mode information corresponding to the operation, the operation mode of the base station 10. (For example, an automatic switching mode and a manual switching mode) are set. Further, the operation mode setting unit 134 notifies the data amount determination unit 132 and the parameter setting unit 133 of operation mode information indicating the set operation mode.

  In the automatic switching mode, the communication method of the communication wireless module 112 used by the wireless communication unit 111 dynamically changes to one of the speed priority communication method and the arrival priority communication method according to the data amount.

  On the other hand, in the manual switching mode, for the communication method of the communication wireless module 112 used by the wireless communication unit 111, either the speed priority communication method or the arrival priority communication method is manually selected. That is, when the user sets the manual switching mode, the operation mode setting unit 134 presents the user with a Web browser screen for selecting a communication method. When the user selects a communication method (speed-priority communication method or arrival-priority communication method) via the user interface 105 while looking at the presented Web browser screen, the wireless communication set in advance as a default value in each method is selected. The parameters are stored in the storage 104. Here, the user may be allowed to individually input each parameter other than the default value.

  Next, the operation of the wireless communication system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, first, a case will be described in which the wireless module W1 operates as the communication wireless module 112 and the wireless module W2 operates as the monitoring wireless module 114. Note that the hatched portions in FIG. 4 indicate that the wireless module W1 (W2) operates as the communication wireless module 112. When the wireless communication is being performed between the wireless module W1 and the communication terminal 20 (step S101), the data amount determination unit 132 of the CPU 101 determines that the detected data amount has changed (step S102). ). Here, the data amount is the amount of data that is to be transmitted and received between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20. In this case, the parameter setting unit 133 of the CPU 101 sets wireless parameters according to the changed data amount for the wireless module W2 operating as the monitoring wireless module 114 (step S103).

  Next, the module control unit 117 of the CPU 101 generates a change notification for notifying that the communication wireless module 112 is changed from the wireless module W1 to the wireless module W2 (step S104). Subsequently, a change notification is transmitted from the wireless module W1 to the communication terminal 20 (Step S105). Then, when the communication terminal 20 receives the change notification, a response notification to the change notification is transmitted from the communication terminal 20 to the wireless module W1 (step S106). When the wireless module W1 receives the response notification, the response notification is notified to the module control unit 117. The module control unit 117 moves the communication wireless module 112 from the wireless module W1 to the wireless module W2 while changing the communication channel. Is changed to (step S107). Thereafter, wireless communication is performed between the wireless module W2 and the communication terminal 20 (Step S108).

  It is also assumed that the quality determining unit 116 of the CPU 101 determines that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated (step S109). In this case, the module control unit 117 generates a change notification for notifying that the communication wireless module 112 is changed from the wireless module W2 to the wireless module W1 (step S110). Subsequently, a change notification is transmitted from the wireless module W2 to the communication terminal 20 (Step S111). When the communication terminal 20 receives the change notification, a response notification to the change notification is transmitted from the communication terminal 20 to the wireless module W2 (step S112). When the wireless module W2 receives the response notification, the response notification is notified to the module control unit 117. The module control unit 117 causes the communication wireless module 112 to change from the wireless module W2 to the wireless module W1 while changing the communication channel. Is changed to (step S113). Thereafter, the wireless communication is executed again between the wireless module W1 and the communication terminal 20 (Step S114).

  As described above, when the amount of data to be transmitted / received between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20 changes, or when the quality of the communication channel deteriorates, the module control unit 117 A process for changing the operating wireless module W1 (W2) is executed.

  Next, communication processing executed by base station 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. This communication processing is started, for example, when power is turned on to the base station 10. First, the two wireless modules W1 and W2 are activated (step S1).

  Next, the operation mode setting unit 134 acquires an operation mode that determines whether to switch between the two wireless modules W1 and W2 automatically or manually (step S2). Here, the operation mode setting unit 134 sets the operation mode of the base station 10 to the automatic switching mode or the manual switching mode based on the operation mode information corresponding to the operation performed on the user interface 105 by the user. That is, the operation mode setting unit 134 acquires information on the switching mode from the user.

  Next, the data amount determination unit 132 determines whether the set operation mode is the automatic switching mode based on the operation mode information notified from the operation mode setting unit 134 (Step S3).

  On the other hand, when the data amount determination unit 132 determines that the set operation mode is the automatic switching mode (step S3: Yes), the base station 10 transmits data transmitted and received between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20. An automatic switching mode process for automatically switching the wireless module W1 (W2) operating as the communication wireless module 112 is executed according to the data amount of the communication module (step S4). Details of the automatic switching mode processing will be described later. Then, in the automatic switching mode processing, when an operation mode switching command for switching the operation mode of the base station 10 to the manual switching mode is input to the base station 10 via the user interface 105, the processing of step S2 is performed again. Be executed.

  When the data amount determination unit 132 determines that the set operation mode is the manual switching mode (step S3: No), the operation mode setting unit 134 transmits a Web browser for the user to input wireless parameters. The screen is presented to the user, and the wireless parameters input by the user via the user interface 105 are acquired (step S5).

  Next, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the wireless parameters acquired by the operation mode setting unit 134 in the switching destination wireless module (Step S6).

  Subsequently, the module control unit 117 transmits a change notification to the communication terminal 20 via the communication wireless module 112 (Step S7).

  Thereafter, the module control unit 117 determines whether the communication wireless module 112 has received a response notification from the communication terminal 20 (Step S8). After transmitting the change notification, if the module control unit 117 does not receive the response notification within a preset period (step S8: No), the module control unit 117 transmits the change notification again (step S7).

  On the other hand, when determining that the communication wireless module 112 has received the response notification from the communication terminal 20 (Step S8: Yes), the module control unit 117 switches the wireless module W1 (W2) that operates as the communication wireless module 112 (Step S8). Step S9).

  Next, the base station 10 executes a manual switching mode process for operating the communication wireless module 112 with the wireless parameters set by the operation mode setting unit 134 (Step S10). The details of the manual switching mode process will be described later. In this manual switching mode process, when an operation mode switching command to switch the operation mode of the base station 10 to the manual switching mode is input to the base station 10 via the user interface 105, the process of step S2 is performed again. Be executed.

  Next, the above-described automatic switching mode processing will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the quality determination unit 116 acquires a status history from the status history storage unit 115 (step S401). Next, the quality determination unit 116 determines whether or not the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated based on the acquired status history (step S402). When the quality determination unit 116 determines that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated (step S402: Yes), the module control unit 117 switches the wireless module W1 (W2) operating as the communication wireless module 112 (step S403). . At this time, it usually involves a channel change. Subsequently, the process of step S401 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the quality determination unit 116 determines that the quality of the communication channel has not deteriorated (step S1402: No), the data amount determination unit 132 attempts to transmit and receive between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20. The data amount of the existing data is detected (step S404). Thereafter, the data amount determination unit 132 determines whether or not the data amount has changed (step S405). Here, the data amount determination unit 132 changes the state in which the data amount of data to be transmitted and received between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20 is larger than the preset data amount threshold to a state in which the data amount is equal to or smaller than the data amount threshold. If the data amount has changed, or if the data amount has changed from a state below the data amount threshold to a state larger than the data amount threshold, it is determined that the data amount has changed. When the data amount determination unit 132 determines that there is no change in the data amount (step S405: No), the process of step S401 is executed again.

  On the other hand, when the data amount determining unit 132 determines that the data amount has changed (Step S405: Yes), the parameter setting unit 133 determines whether the data amount is larger than the data amount threshold (Step S406). . When the data amount determination unit 132 determines that the data amount is greater than the data amount threshold (step S406: Yes), the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the speed priority communication method ( Step S407).

  On the other hand, when the data amount determination unit 132 determines that the data amount is equal to or smaller than the data amount threshold (step S406: No), the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the arrival priority communication method. (Step S408).

  After that, the module control unit 117 transmits a change notification to the communication terminal 20 via the communication wireless module 112 (Step S409).

  Subsequently, the module control unit 117 determines whether or not the communication wireless module 112 has received a response notification from the communication terminal 20 (Step S410). After transmitting the change notification, if the module control unit 117 does not receive the response notification within a preset period (step S410: No), the module control unit 117 transmits the change notification again (step S409).

  On the other hand, when determining that the communication wireless module 112 has received the response notification from the communication terminal 20 (step S410: Yes), the module control unit 117 switches the wireless module W1 (W2) that operates as the communication wireless module 112 (step S410). Step S411). It is desirable that the switching between the wireless modules involves a change in the communication channel.

  Thereafter, the operation mode setting unit 134 determines whether or not an operation mode change command to change the operation mode of the base station 10 from the automatic switching mode to the manual switching mode has been input by the user via the user interface 105 ( Step S412). When the operation mode setting unit 134 determines that the operation mode change command has not been input (step S412: No), the process of step S401 is executed again. On the other hand, when the operation mode setting unit 134 determines that the operation mode change command has been input (step S412: Yes), the automatic switching mode process ends, and the above-described process of step S2 in FIG. 5 is executed.

  Next, the manual switching mode process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. First, the quality determination unit 116 acquires a status history from the status history storage unit 115 (step S1001). Next, the quality determination unit 116 determines whether or not the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated based on the acquired status history (step S1002). When the quality determination unit 116 determines that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated (step S1002: Yes), the module control unit 117 switches the wireless module W1 (W2) that operates as the communication wireless module 112 (step S1003). .

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the quality determination unit 116 determines that the quality of the communication channel has not deteriorated (step S1002: No). In this case, operation mode setting section 134 determines whether or not an operation mode change command for changing the operation mode of base station 10 from the manual switching mode to the automatic switching mode has been input by the user via user interface 105. (Step S1004). When the operation mode setting unit 134 determines that the operation mode change command has not been input (step S1004: No), the processing of step S1001 is executed again. On the other hand, if the operation mode setting unit 134 determines that the operation mode change command has been input (step S1004: Yes), the manual switching mode process ends, and the above-described process of step S2 in FIG. 5 is executed.

  Next, the characteristics of the operation of base station 10 according to the present embodiment will be described while comparing with the operation of the base station according to the comparative example. The base station according to the comparative example includes only one wireless module W10. In the case of the base station according to the comparative example, when a new wireless parameter is set in the wireless module W10, for example, as shown in FIG. Wireless communication is cut off for the setting process. On the other hand, in the base station 10 according to the present embodiment, for example, as shown in FIG. 8B, the switching is performed while the wireless module W1 operating as the communication wireless module 112 is performing the wireless communication. The wireless parameter setting process is executed for the wireless module W2. Then, at time T1 after the setting of the wireless parameters for the wireless module W2 is completed, the wireless module W2 is operated as the communication wireless module 112. (At this time, it is desirable that the change be accompanied by a change in the wireless communication channel, in order to avoid a moment when a module of the same channel coexists and the communication terminal to be connected to the old module.) As described above, the two wireless modules W1 and W2 operate in cooperation with each other, thereby avoiding interruption of wireless communication between the base station 10 and the communication terminal 20.

  In the above description, two triggers, ie, a case of channel quality deterioration and a case of data amount fluctuation (or communication mode change in the manual mode), are described as triggers for switching the wireless module. The relative order of these two triggers in has no significance.

  As described above, in the base station 10 according to the present embodiment, while the wireless communication unit 111 performs wireless communication with the communication terminal 20 using, for example, the wireless module W1, the parameter setting unit 133 The communication method of the wireless module W2 is set to a communication method different from the communication method of the wireless module W1 according to the data amount of data transmitted to and received from the wireless module W1. Then, after the setting of the communication method by the parameter setting unit 133 is completed, the module control unit 117 changes the wireless module used by the wireless communication unit 111 to the wireless module W2. Accordingly, for example, in a configuration in which the wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal using one wireless module, the wireless communication with the communication terminal is performed only for the time required to change the communication method of the wireless module to a different communication method. There is no need to shut off. That is, the wireless communication between the wireless communication unit 111 and the communication terminal 20 is not interrupted, and the wireless communication is continued while appropriately changing to a communication method optimal for the amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal 20 and the communication terminal 20. Can be. Therefore, there is an advantage that the frame loss can be reduced while suppressing the communication delay.

  Further, when the data amount of data to be transmitted / received to / from communication terminal 20 is larger than a preset data amount threshold, radio communication unit 111 according to the present embodiment W1 (W2) is used. On the other hand, when the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, the wireless communication unit 111 uses the wireless module W1 (W2) set to the arrival priority communication method. This allows the wireless communication unit 111 to wirelessly communicate with the communication terminal 20 in a communication scheme that is optimal for the amount of data transmitted to and received from the communication terminal 20, thereby suppressing communication delay.

  Further, the parameter setting unit 133 according to the present embodiment, when the data amount changes from the state below the data amount threshold to the state where the data amount is larger than the data amount threshold, sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the speed. Set the priority communication method. On the other hand, when the data amount changes from a state in which the data amount is greater than the data amount threshold to a state in which the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the arrival priority communication method. . Thereby, the wireless communication unit 111 can perform wireless communication by an appropriate communication method according to the data amount of data transmitted and received with the communication terminal 20.

  Further, operation mode setting section 134 according to the present embodiment sets the operation mode of base station 10 to one of an automatic switching mode and a manual switching mode. Thus, when the operation mode setting unit 134 sets the operation mode of the base station 10 to the manual switching mode, the user sets the communication method of the communication wireless module 112 used by the wireless communication unit 111 to speed priority communication regardless of the data amount. Method or the arrival priority communication method. Accordingly, in a case where the wireless communication system 1 is used in a situation where frame loss is hardly allowed, such as transmission and reception of data for machine control in a factory, the base station 10 is used in the arrival priority communication method regardless of the data amount by the user's intention. And the communication terminal 20 can perform wireless communication. Therefore, it is possible to realize wireless communication in an optimal communication method according to a situation in which the wireless communication system 1 is used.

(Modification)
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment. For example, the wireless parameter may be a parameter that determines whether to perform frame transmission priority control based on the WMM (Wi-Fi Multimedia) standard or a parameter that determines whether to perform frame aggregation. When the wireless parameter is a parameter that determines whether or not to perform the priority control of the frame transmission, the parameter setting unit 133 sets, for example, to perform the priority control of the frame transmission with respect to the switching destination wireless module. The communication method of the switching destination wireless module is set to the speed priority communication method. On the other hand, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the arrival priority communication method by, for example, setting not to execute the frame transmission priority control for the switching destination wireless module.

  If the wireless parameter is a parameter that determines whether or not to perform frame aggregation, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the wireless module to be switched to, for example, by executing frame aggregation for the wireless module to be switched to. Is set to the speed priority communication method. On the other hand, the parameter setting unit 133 sets the communication method of the switching destination wireless module to the arrival priority communication method by, for example, setting not to execute the frame aggregation for the switching destination wireless module. In addition, the parameter setting unit 133 changes all or any two of the above-described MCS level, a parameter that determines whether to perform the priority control of frame transmission, and a parameter that determines whether to perform the frame aggregation. Thus, a configuration for setting a communication method may be adopted.

  In the embodiment, the case where the status history indicates the history of the bandwidth occupancy for each channel is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the status history may be, for example, a frame capture log. Here, the frame capture log is, for example, information including a reception time, a source MAC address, a destination MAC address, a used channel, and a frame length for each of a plurality of communication frames received by the monitoring wireless module 114. It is the one accumulated in the series.

  In this case, the quality determination unit 116 aggregates the frame capture logs for each channel, and calculates the number of terminals and base stations communicating on each channel, and the number of frames and data amount communicated on each channel. . Then, at a plurality of times within a predetermined determination period, the quality determination unit 116 sets the number of terminals, the number of base stations, the number of frames in the communication channel, and the data amount used in the communication channel to a predetermined degradation determination threshold value. Is continuously exceeded, it is determined that the quality of the communication channel has deteriorated. In addition, the quality determination unit 116 determines that the number of terminals, the number of bases, the number of frames, and the data amount at a plurality of times within the above-described determination period are continuously equal to or less than a preset good determination threshold for channels other than the communication channel. If a certain channel exists, it is determined that the quality of the channel is good.

  Various functions of the base station 10 according to the present invention can be realized by using a computer system having two or more wireless communication modules, without using a dedicated system. For example, a program for executing the above operation is stored in a non-transitory recording medium (such as a CD-ROM) readable by a computer system and distributed to a computer connected to a network. The base station 10 that executes the above-described processing may be configured by installing the base station 10 in the system.

  The method of providing the program to the computer is arbitrary. For example, the program may be uploaded to a server on a communication line and distributed to a computer via the communication line. Then, the computer activates this program and executes it under the control of the OS in the same manner as other applications. Thereby, the computer functions as the base station 10 that executes the above-described processing.

  The present invention is also applicable to a system in which a wireless base station device communicates with a plurality of communication terminals, and is particularly effective when communication of the same amount of data is performed with a plurality of communication terminals. .

  As described above, the embodiments and the modified examples of the present invention (including those described in the description; the same applies hereinafter) have been described, but the present invention is not limited to these. The present invention includes those in which the embodiments and the modified examples are appropriately combined, and those in which modifications are appropriately made.

  The wireless base station device of the present invention is suitable as a wireless base station device in an office, factory, house, or the like.

1: wireless communication system, 10: base station, 20: communication terminal, 30: LAN, 101: CPU, 102: ROM, 103: main memory, 104: storage, 105: user interface, 111: wireless communication unit, 112: Communication wireless module, 113: status acquisition unit, 114: monitoring wireless module, 115: status history storage unit, 116: quality determination unit, 117: module control unit, 132: data amount determination unit, 133: parameter setting unit, 134: operation mode setting unit, W1, W2: wireless module

Claims (8)

Two wireless modules,
A wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with a communication terminal using one of the two wireless modules;
The first communication method in which the wireless communication unit prioritizes the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, and the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, And a second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of loss of frames transmitted to and received from the terminal , using the one wireless module set to one of the two , wirelessly communicating with the communication terminal The communication method of the other wireless module of the two wireless modules according to the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal and the first communication method and the second communication method. A communication method setting unit that sets the other communication method different from the one communication method set to the one wireless module,
After completing the setting of the communication method by the communication method setting unit, a module control unit that changes the wireless module used by the wireless communication unit to the other wireless module ,
The wireless communication unit,
If the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, using a wireless module set to the first communication method,
When the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a wireless module set in the second communication method is used.
Wireless base station device. Further comprising a data amount determining unit that detects the data amount and determines whether the detected data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold,
The communication method setting unit,
When the data amount has changed from a state equal to or smaller than the data amount threshold to a state where the data amount is larger than the data amount threshold, a communication method of the other wireless module is set to the first communication method,
When the data amount changes from a state larger than the data amount threshold to a state where the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a communication method of the other wireless module is set to the second communication method.
The wireless base station device according to claim 1 . While the wireless communication unit uses the one wireless module to perform wireless communication on one communication channel, the other wireless module uses the other wireless module to transmit radio wave condition information indicating a surrounding radio wave condition. A status obtaining unit to obtain;
Based on the radio wave condition information acquired by the situation acquisition unit, a quality determination unit that determines the quality of the communication channel used by the wireless communication unit,
The module control unit, when it is determined that the quality of the communication channel is deteriorated by the quality determination unit, change the wireless module used by the wireless communication unit to the other wireless module, the wireless communication unit, Controlling to wirelessly communicate with the communication terminal in another communication channel different from the one communication channel,
The radio base station apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. When changing the wireless module used by the wireless communication unit from the one wireless module to the other wireless module, also change the wireless communication channel at the same time,
The radio base station apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A first operation mode in which a communication method of a wireless module used by the wireless communication unit dynamically changes to one of the first communication method and the second communication method in accordance with the data amount; Further comprising an operation mode setting unit for setting the communication mode of the wireless module used by the second mode to the first communication mode or the second operation mode fixed to the second communication mode regardless of the data amount. ,
The wireless base station device according to claim 1 . A communication terminal for wireless communication,
A wireless communication system comprising: a wireless base station apparatus including two wireless modules and a wireless communication unit that wirelessly communicates with the communication terminal using one of the two wireless modules. hand,
The wireless base station device,
The first communication method in which the wireless communication unit prioritizes the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, and the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal, And a second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of loss of frames transmitted to and received from the terminal , using the one wireless module set to one of the two , wirelessly communicating with the communication terminal The communication method of the other wireless module of the two wireless modules according to the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal and the first communication method and the second communication method. A communication method setting unit that sets the other communication method different from the one communication method set to the one wireless module,
After setting of the communication mode by the communication mode setting unit is completed, have a, a module control unit for changing the wireless module to the other radio module the wireless communication unit is used,
The wireless communication unit,
If the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, using a wireless module set to the first communication method,
When the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a wireless module set in the second communication method is used.
Wireless communication system. A wireless communication control method for a wireless base station device including two wireless modules,
A first communication method that prioritizes an amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with a communication terminal; and a first communication system that transmits and receives data to and from the communication terminal based on the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time to the communication terminal. Performing wireless communication with a communication terminal using one of the two wireless modules set to one of the second communication method and the second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of frame loss to be performed. When,
While performing wireless communication with the communication terminal using the one wireless module, the other wireless module of the two wireless modules is used in accordance with the amount of data transmitted / received to / from the communication terminal. Setting a communication method of a module to another communication method different from one communication method set to the one wireless module among the first communication method and the second communication method ;
After completing the setting of the communication method, changing the wireless module used for wireless communication with the communication terminal to the other wireless module,
When the data amount of data transmitted and received with the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, a wireless module set in the first communication method is used, and the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold. Using a wireless module set to the second communication scheme .
Wireless communication control method. Computer
A first communication method that prioritizes the amount of data transmitted and received per unit time with the communication terminal; Wireless communication that performs wireless communication with a communication terminal by using one of the two wireless modules set to one of the second communication method and the second communication method that prioritizes the low frequency of frame loss. Department,
While the wireless communication unit is using the one wireless module and performing wireless communication with the communication terminal, according to the data amount of data transmitted to and received from the communication terminal, the two wireless modules A communication method for setting the communication method of the other wireless module to the other communication method different from the one communication method set for the one wireless module between the first communication method and the second communication method Setting part,
After setting of the communication mode by the communication mode setting unit is completed, to function the radio module said wireless communication unit is used as a module control unit, for changing to the other radio module,
The wireless communication unit,
If the data amount of data transmitted and received between the communication terminal is larger than a preset data amount threshold, using a wireless module set to the first communication method,
When the data amount is equal to or less than the data amount threshold, a wireless module set in the second communication method is used.
program.

Images