JP7345103B1 - Radios and wireless communication systems - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a radio device that can quickly perform a FOTA operation.
A wireless device 20 is a wireless device capable of transmitting and receiving firmware data to and from other wireless devices in a multi-hop communication network including a plurality of wireless devices, and includes a control device 21 and , a communication device, and when the communication device receives data other than the firmware from another wireless device, the control device transmits a beacon in a first cycle and transmits a beacon in a first cycle after transmitting the beacon. When the data is received in a reception waiting state and the communication device receives the firmware data from another wireless device, the data request is sent while transmitting the beacon in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle. and receives the firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.
[Selection diagram] Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a radio and a wireless communication system capable of transmitting and receiving firmware data.

As a conventional radio device, for example, a radio communication device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. The base device, which is the wireless communication device, transmits a notification regarding the update firmware to the slave device, which is the wireless communication device connected to the lower level of the base device, via the second communication method. In response to this notification, the child device attempts to establish communication with the server using the first communication method. Here, if this communication is not established, the child device downloads and updates the firmware through communication with the parent device using the second communication method.

JP2019-200620A

The slave unit of Patent Document 1 receives firmware from the base unit when firmware cannot be received from the server. The amount of data in this firmware is larger than the amount of data that can be sent from the parent device to the child device in one transmission operation, so the parent device divides the firmware and sends the divided data to the child device many times. However, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to send the firmware.

The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a wireless device and a wireless communication system that can quickly perform FOTA operations.

A radio device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a radio device that can transmit and receive firmware data with other radio devices in a multi-hop communication network including a plurality of radio devices, and includes a control device, and a communication device, wherein when the communication device receives data other than the firmware from another wireless device, the control device transmits a beacon in a first cycle and transmits a beacon in a first cycle after transmitting the beacon. 1. When the communication device receives the data in a reception wait state and receives the firmware data from another wireless device, the data request is made while transmitting the beacon in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle. and receives the firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.

A wireless communication system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of wireless devices included in a multi-hop communication network, and the wireless devices receiving data other than firmware of the plurality of wireless devices transmit beacons first. The wireless device transmits the beacon in one cycle, receives the data in a first reception wait state after transmitting the beacon, and receives the firmware data. A data request is transmitted while transmitting in two cycles, and data of the firmware is received in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.

According to the present disclosure, for example, when the amount of data of the firmware is larger than the amount of data that the wireless device can transmit at one time, the wireless device divides the firmware data and transmits the divided data. In this case, the wireless device receives the firmware data in the first reception waiting state following the beacon transmission by transmitting the beacon in the second period shorter than the first period in the FOTA operation for transmitting and receiving the firmware data. Since the time interval is shortened, the FOTA operation can be performed quickly.

The above objects, other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

1 is a diagram schematically showing a wireless communication system according to an embodiment and a modification of the present disclosure. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a center device and a wireless device. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining periodic operation. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a second FOTA operation. It is a flowchart which shows an example of operation of a wireless device. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the wireless device according to Modification 1. FIG.

<Wireless communication system>
A wireless communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of wireless devices 20 and a center device 30, as shown in FIG. The wireless communication system 10 transmits data such as data regarding a meter 11 that reads the amount of gas used by a consumer, such as city gas, LP gas, and hydrogen gas, from the wireless device 20 to the center device 30. The information is collected in the center device 30. In the following description, the object to be read by the meter 11 will be described as gas, but the object to be read by the meter 11 is not limited to gas, and may be electricity, water, or the like.

The radio device 20 is communicably connected to a consumer's meter 11 and performs data communication with the meter 11. Furthermore, the radio device 20 has a communication function using the first communication network 12 and a communication function using the second communication network 13. Thereby, the radio device 20 is communicably connected to the center device 30 using the first communication network 12 or the second communication network 13, and performs data communication with the center device 30.

This data includes data regarding the meter 11 and the radio 20. The data related to the meter 11 includes a meter reading value indicating the amount of gas used by the meter 11, an alarm indicating an abnormality in the amount of gas used, etc. read by the meter 11, and is transmitted from the radio device 20. It is transmitted to the center device 30. The data regarding the radio device 20 includes time data of the radio device 20, firmware version number and data, and is transmitted from the center device 30 to the radio device 20.

The first communication network 12 is a communication network such as a WAN (Wide Area Network), has communication equipment such as a base station 12a, a switching center, and a cable, and may be connected to the Internet. Further, the second communication network 13 is a communication network different from the first communication network 12, such as a FAN (Field Area Network), and is a wireless multi-hop system in which a plurality of wireless devices 20 transmit data in a relay system. . For example, when the object to be read by the meter 11 is gas, the second communication network 13 may be WISUN-JUTA, which is a communication method standardized by the WI-SUN alliance.

The center device 30 has a server function that collects data from the wireless devices 20, and provides services and information based on the collected data to customers, businesses that manage the meters 11, and the like. For example, the center device 30 collects the readings of the meters 11, calculates the amount of gas used based on the readings, and transmits the calculated gas usage amount to the customer or business operator. The center device 30 also collects alarms from the meter 11, and in response to the alarms, transmits an instruction to the meter 11 to shut off the gas flow path of the meter 11, and causes the meter 11 to shut off the gas flow path.

Furthermore, the center device 30 has a management function for managing the radio device 20 and transmits data related to the management of the radio device 20 to the radio device 20. For example, the center device 30 transmits time data to the radio device 20 and causes the radio device 20 to perform a time correction operation based on the time data. Furthermore, the center device 30 transmits firmware data to the radio device 20 and causes the radio device 20 to perform the FOTA operation based on the firmware data.

<Center device>
As shown in FIG. 2, the center device 30 includes a center control device 31 and a center communication interface 32 electrically connected to the center control device 31. The center communication interface 32 is a communication interface for wired communication, and is connected to the first communication network 12 by a cable or the like. As a result, the center communication interface 32 receives data transmitted from the radio device 20 via the first communication network 12 and inputs it to the center control device 31, or sends the data to the first communication network under the control of the center control device 31. It is also transmitted to the wireless device 20 via the communication network 12. Note that the center communication interface 32 may be a communication interface for wireless communication, and may be connected to the first communication network 12 by wireless communication. Further, the center communication interface 32 may be connected to the Internet by wireless communication or wired communication, and may be able to communicate with the radio device 20 via the Internet and the first communication network 12.

The center control device 31 is a computer, and includes a center calculation section 33 and a center storage section 34. The center storage section 34 is a memory that can be accessed from the center calculation section 33, and is composed of a RAM, a ROM, and the like. The center storage unit 34 stores a program for executing various processes such as data collection of the center device 30 and management of the radio device 20, and data used in this program. Furthermore, the center storage unit 34 stores data received from the radio device 20 and data to be transmitted to the radio device 20.

The center calculation unit 33 is configured by, for example, a processor such as a CPU, and executes a program stored in the center storage unit 34. Thereby, the center control device 31 controls the operations of the components of the center device 30 based on input data from the center communication interface 32, and executes various processes related to data collection and management of the radio device 20. Note that the center control device 31 may be configured as a single device, or a plurality of devices may be distributed and configured to work together to operate the center control device 31. Good too.

<Radio device>
The radio device 20 includes a control device 21, a battery 22, and a communication device and a third communication interface 25 that are electrically connected to the control device 21. The battery 22 is a power source for the radio device 20, and is connected to the control device 21, the communication device, and the third communication interface 25, and supplies power to these.

The control device 21 is a computer and includes a calculation section 26 and a storage section 27. The storage unit 27 is a memory that can be accessed from the calculation unit 26, and is composed of RAM, ROM, and the like. The storage unit 27 stores programs for executing various operations such as the FOTA operation of the radio device 20 and data used in the programs. Furthermore, the storage unit 27 stores data received from the meter 11, the center device 30, and other wireless devices 20, and data sent to these.

The calculation unit 26 is configured by a processor such as a CPU and an MPU, and executes a program stored in the storage unit 27. Thereby, the control device 21 controls the operation of the components of the radio device 20 based on input data from the communication device and the third communication interface 25, and executes various processes such as FOTA operation. Note that the control device 21 may be configured by a single device, or a plurality of devices may be distributed and configured to work together to operate the control device 21. .

The communication device has a first communication interface 23 and a second communication interface 24. The first communication interface 23 is a communication interface for wireless communication for the first communication network 12 and is electrically connected to the first antenna 28 . Thereby, the first communication interface 23 is connected to the base station 12a of the first communication network 12 by wireless communication via the first antenna 28. The first communication interface 23 receives data transmitted from the center device 30 via the first communication network 12 using the first antenna 28 and inputs the data to the control device 21 , or transmits the data to the first communication device under the control of the control device 21 . 1 antenna 28 to transmit to the center device 30 via the first communication network 12.

Further, the second communication interface 24 is a communication interface for wireless communication for the second communication network 13, and is electrically connected to the second antenna 29. Thereby, the second communication interface 24 is connected by wireless communication to the second antenna 29 of another radio device 20 that can communicate via the second antenna 29. The second communication interface 24 receives data transmitted from another radio device 20 using a second antenna 29 and inputs the received data to the control device 21 , or transmits data to another radio device using the second antenna 29 under the control of the control device 21 . and transmit it to the machine 20.

Further, the third communication interface 25 is a communication interface for wired communication, and is connected to the meter 11 by a cable. Thereby, the third communication interface 25 receives data from the meter 11 and inputs it to the control device 21, or transmits the data to the meter 11 under the control of the control device 21. Note that the radio device 20 may be connected to the meter 11 by wireless communication via a wireless communication interface.

<Communication function>
As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of wireless devices 20 in the wireless communication system 10 belong to the second communication network 13, and transmit data between the wireless slave device 20a and the wireless slave device 20a and the center device 30. It has a wireless base unit 20b for relaying. The communication functions of these wireless slave devices 20a and wireless base device 20b include a first communication function for communicating using the first communication network 12 through the first communication interface 23, and a second communication function for communicating using the first communication network 12 through the second communication interface 24. It has a second communication function of communicating using the communication network 13.

The wireless base device 20b enables the first communication function by the first communication interface 23 and the second communication function by the second communication interface 24 in order to relay communication between the wireless slave device 20a and the center device 30. Thereby, the wireless master device 20b transmits and receives data to and from the center device 30 through the first communication network 12, and also transmits and receives data to and from another wireless slave device 20a that can communicate through the second communication network 13.

When communicating with the center device 30 using the first communication network 12, the wireless slave device 20a enables the first communication function. Thereby, the wireless slave unit 20a directly transmits and receives data to and from the center device 30 via the first communication network 12 without going through the wireless base unit 20b. Note that in this case, the wireless slave device 20a may disable the second communication function. Further, the wireless handset 20a may enable the second communication function, and in this case, the first communication function may be prioritized over the second communication function.

When the wireless slave device 20a communicates with other wireless slave devices 20a and the wireless master device 20b that can communicate using the second communication network 13, the wireless slave device 20a disables the first communication function and enables the second communication function. As a result, the wireless handset 20a transmits and receives data with other wireless handsets 20a or wireless base unit 20b with which it can communicate in the second communication network 13, and also communicates with other wireless handsets 20a and wireless base unit 20b. Relay data transmission. In this way, the wireless handset 20a transmits and receives data to and from the wireless base unit 20b directly without going through other wireless handsets 20a, or via one or more other wireless handsets 20a. It transmits and receives data to and from the center device 30 via the base device 20b.

<Second communication network>
In the second communication network 13, data transmitted from the wireless slave device 20a is transmitted from the wireless slave device 20a to the wireless base device 20b based on the rank. This rank is the minimum number of hops from the wireless slave device 20a to the wireless base device 20b, and is stored in the storage unit 27. The rank of the wireless base unit 20b is the minimum value of 0, and the rank of the wireless slave unit 20a that can communicate directly with the wireless base unit 20b without going through another wireless slave unit 20a is 1. The rank of the wireless slave device 20a increases as the number of wireless slave devices 20a that relay between the wireless base device 20b and the wireless slave device 20b increases. The wireless devices 20 (the wireless base device 20b and the wireless slave device 20a) of the second communication network 13 are updated by the hop number table exchange process.

In the example of FIG. 1, there is one wireless base unit 20b in the second communication network 13, but the number of wireless base units 20b is not limited to this. A plurality of wireless base stations 20b may belong to the same second communication network 13. In this case, the wireless slave device 20a belonging to the second communication network 13 has a hop number for each of the plurality of wireless base devices 20b, and the smallest number of hops among the plurality of hops is the wireless slave device 20a. is the rank of

<FOTA operation>
In this way, the radio device 20 can communicate with the center device 30 via the first communication network 12 and can communicate with other radio devices 20 via the second communication network 13. Therefore, the FOTA operation in which the wireless device 20 receives firmware data includes a first FOTA operation using the first communication network 12 and a second FOTA operation using the second communication network 13.

The communication speed of the first communication network 12 is faster than the communication speed of the second communication network 13, and the amount of data that can be transmitted at one time by the first communication network 12 is equal to the amount of data that can be transmitted at one time by the second communication network 13. greater than quantity. Therefore, when transmitting the same amount of data, using the first communication network 12 is faster than using the second communication network 13. Therefore, the radio device 20 attempts a first FOTA operation using the first communication network 12, and if the first FOTA operation cannot be performed, executes a second FOTA operation using the second communication network 13.

In this second FOTA operation, when the radio device 20 receives firmware data from another radio device 20 via the second communication network 13, the radio device 20 has a rank smaller than its own rank in the second communication network 13. Data is received from a certain upper-level wireless device 20. In this case, since the version of the firmware of the higher rank radio device 20 is newer than the version number of its own device, the wireless base device 20b, which is the radio device 20 with the lowest rank in the second communication network 13, is Firmware data is not received. Therefore, in the FOTA operation, the wireless base unit 20b executes the first FOTA operation without executing the second FOTA operation. On the other hand, the wireless slave device 20a is capable of executing the first FOTA operation and the second FOTA operation, and in the second FOTA operation, the wireless slave device 20a that is higher in rank than its own in the second communication network 13 or Data is received from the wireless base unit 20b.

Therefore, in the FOTA operation, when the center device 30 acquires a new version of firmware, it transmits a FOTA instruction to the wireless base unit 20b via the first communication network 12. The wireless base unit 20b executes the first FOTA operation according to the FOTA instruction, receives firmware data from the center device 30 via the first communication network 12, stores it, and updates the firmware to a new version.

Furthermore, the wireless base device 20b transmits a FOTA instruction to the wireless slave device 20a via the second communication network 13. On the other hand, the wireless handset 20a executes the first FOTA operation according to the FOTA instruction, receives firmware data from the center device 30 via the first communication network 12, stores it, and updates the firmware to new firmware. However, for example, when the wireless slave device 20a cannot connect to the first communication network 12, and when the wireless slave device 20a cannot start receiving firmware data within a predetermined time even if it connects to the first communication network 12. etc., the first FOTA operation may not be executed. In this case, the wireless slave device 20a executes the second FOTA operation, receives firmware data from the upper wireless slave device 20a or the wireless base device 20b via the second communication network 13, stores it, and creates a new version. Update to several firmwares.

<Periodic operation>
As shown in FIG. 3, the radio device 20 intermittently communicates with other radio devices 20 using the second communication network 13 using, for example, an RIT (Receiver Initiated Transmission) method from the viewpoint of low power consumption. This intermittent operation includes beacon transmission, a first reception waiting state after beacon transmission, and a dormant state after the first reception waiting state. In periodic operation, intermittent operation is performed periodically.

In this intermittent operation, power is consumed by transmitting the beacon and waiting for the first reception. Therefore, when the communication frequency of the radio device 20 is low, such as when not transmitting or receiving data other than beacons, or when the number of times of data transmission and reception is small because the amount of data is small, the radio device 20 transmits the beacon transmission cycle. If the shortest possible cycle is set to every second, for example, power consumption will increase. For this reason, if a beacon is always transmitted every second, the life of the battery 22 cannot last for 10 years.

Therefore, when the communication frequency is low as in the example of FIG. The power consumption can be kept low. For example, in the case of gas meter reading, depending on the frequency of transmitting meter readings and alarms to the center device 30, and the frequency of receiving maintenance communications from the center device 30, the beacon transmission cycle that minimizes power consumption over 10 years is selected. 5 seconds is adopted as a certain first period.

On the other hand, when the wireless device 20 has a high communication frequency due to a large amount of data such as firmware data, the wireless device 20 transmits a beacon in a second period shorter than the first period. Thereby, the radio device 20 can keep the overall power consumption low on average.

In the periodic operation shown in FIG. 3, the transmission of beacons is shown by dotted lines, and the transmission of data other than beacons is shown by solid lines. Further, in the following, an explanation will be given of the operation when a factor (data transmission factor) occurs in the lower wireless device 20 in the second communication network 13. The operation in this case may also be performed in the same manner.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, all the wireless devices 20 configuring the second communication network 13 have the identifier of the RIT Data Request, the identification information of the second communication network 13 to which the wireless device belongs, A beacon containing identification information and a rank of the device is transmitted via the second communication network 13 in a first cycle. Since the radio device 20 is asynchronous with other radio devices 20, it transmits a beacon at its own timing.

In this case, the radio device 20 enters a first reception waiting state in which communication such as data transmission and reception is possible for a first period shorter than the first cycle after the beacon is transmitted. Further, after the first reception waiting state, the radio device 20 enters a dormant state in which communication operations are suspended for a second time period that is longer than the first time period. In this way, the radio device 20 performs a periodic operation in which intermittent operations including beacon transmission, a first reception waiting state, and a dormant state are repeated in the first cycle. This hibernation state reduces power consumption.

For example, when the lower-level radio device 20 transmits data such as a meter reading value at a regular time, a factor (data transmission factor) occurs that causes the data such as a meter reading value to be transmitted at the regular time. Then, from the occurrence of this data transmission factor, the lower-order radio device 20 enters a second reception waiting state in which communication such as data transmission is possible for a third time longer than the first reception waiting state time. When the lower-order radio device 20 receives a beacon from another radio device 20 in the second reception waiting state, it transmits a link request to the upper-order radio device 20 that is the radio device 20 that transmitted the beacon.

When receiving a link request in the first reception waiting state after transmitting a beacon, the upper wireless device 20 transfers the identification information and destination information of the second communication network 13 included in the link request to the second communication network 13 stored in the wireless device itself. It is compared with the identification information of the communication network 13 and the identification information of the own device. If the higher-level wireless device 20 can verify this, it transmits link approval for the link request to the lower-level wireless device 20. As a result, when the lower-order radio device 20 receives link approval, a link between the lower-order radio device 20 and the higher-order radio device 20 is established.

Moreover, when the higher-order radio device 20 transmits the link approval, it extends the first reception waiting state time longer than the first time so that it can receive data from the lower-order radio device 20. On the other hand, when the lower-level wireless device 20 receives link approval from the higher-level wireless device 20 in the second reception waiting state, it transmits data to the higher-level wireless device 20. On the other hand, when the higher-order radio device 20 receives data in the first reception waiting state, it transmits a reception response for the data to the lower-order radio device 20, and then releases the link with the lower-order radio device 20. The first reception waiting state is ended and the dormant state is entered. When the lower-level radio device 20 receives the reception response in the second reception waiting state, it releases the link with the higher-order radio device 20, ends the second reception wait state, and enters a dormant state until the next beacon transmission. become.

Note that the upper wireless device 20 and the lower wireless device 20 transmit beacons in the first period even during such link establishment and data transmission/reception. However, these radio devices 20 skip the transmission of this beacon when the transmission timing of this beacon is during a communication state such as a second reception waiting state.

<Second FOTA operation>
If the data to be transmitted is larger than the amount of data that can be transmitted at one time, the radio device 20 divides the data into multiple pieces and repeats sending the divided data until all the divided data have been transmitted. . Therefore, when transmitting data such as firmware that is much larger than the amount of data that can be transmitted at one time, it takes a very long time for the radio device 20 to transmit all the data. For example, the amount of data that can be transmitted is 100 bytes, while the amount of firmware data is 1 megabyte.

While transmitting this data, the radio 20 cannot communicate with other radios 20. For this reason, the wireless device 20 may have problems such as not being able to transmit data such as meter readings on a regular basis. In addition, in the second communication network 13 configured by the radio device 20, data transmission is performed by the radio device 20 relaying the data transmission, so that data such as meter reading values of other radio devices 20 cannot be transmitted. Problems may occur.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, when transmitting and receiving firmware data through the second communication network 13 in the second FOTA operation, the radio device 20 transmits beacons in a second period shorter than the first period. For example, the first period is 5 seconds, whereas the second period is the shortest period, 1 second. Note that the radio device 20 transmits a beacon in the second cycle while transmitting and receiving data such as firmware data, but if the beacon transmission timing is during a communication state such as a second reception wait state, Skip sending this beacon. Further, in FIG. 4, similarly to FIG. 3, transmission of beacons is shown by dotted lines, and transmission of data other than beacons is shown by solid lines.

Specifically, when the lower-level radio device 20 executes the second FOTA operation in response to the FOTA instruction, the data transmission factor of the first data request requesting the first data, which is the first data of the firmware data, is the cause of the data transmission. Occur. As a result, the lower-level radio device 20 enters the second reception waiting state for a third period of time, which is longer than the first period, from the occurrence of the data transmission factor of the first data request. When the lower-level radio device 20 receives a beacon from the higher-level radio device 20, which is another radio device 20, in this second reception waiting state, it transmits a link request to the higher-level radio device 20. On the other hand, when the higher-level radio device 20 receives the link request in the first reception waiting state immediately after transmitting the beacon, it transmits the identification information and destination information of the second communication network 13 included in this link request. The identification information of the second communication network 13 and the identification information of the own device stored in the storage device are compared, and if the identification information can be verified, a link approval for the link request is sent. As a result, when the lower-level radio device 20 receives link approval in the second reception waiting state, a link between the lower-level radio device 20 and the higher-level radio device 20 is established. Moreover, when the higher-order radio device 20 transmits the link approval, it extends the first reception waiting state from the first time so that it can receive data from the lower-order radio device 20.

Then, when the lower-order radio device 20 receives the link approval in the second reception waiting state, it cancels the first period of subsequent beacon transmission cycles, sets it to the second period, and transmits the beacon in the second period. Send by. The lower-level wireless device 20 then transmits a first data request, which is a firmware data request, to the higher-level wireless device 20. Note that the lower-level radio device 20 may change the beacon transmission period from the first period to the second period when the data transmission factor of the first data request occurs.

When the upper wireless device 20 receives the first data request of the firmware in the first reception waiting state, a data transmission factor occurs to transmit the first data of the firmware in response to the first data request. Therefore, the higher-level wireless device 20 cancels the first period and sets the subsequent beacon transmission period to the second period, and transmits the beacon in the second period. Further, upon receiving the first data request, the higher-level radio device 20 transmits a reception response for the first data request to the lower-level radio device 20, then ends the first reception wait state, and sends the first data request to the lower-level radio device 20. A second reception wait state is triggered by the occurrence of a transmission factor.

On the other hand, when the lower-level radio device 20 receives the response to the first data request in the second reception waiting state, it ends the second reception waiting state and enters the dormant state. Then, the lower wireless device 20 ends the dormant state at the timing of the second cycle, transmits a beacon, and enters the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.

The upper wireless device 20 receives this beacon in the second reception waiting state, and if the beacon source data matches the source data of the first data request, transmits a link request to the lower wireless device 20. . When the lower-order radio device 20 receives a link request in the first reception waiting state, it compares the identification information and destination information of the second communication network 13 included in the link request with the data stored in itself. , if this can be verified, link approval is sent to the higher-level radio device 20. As a result, when the higher-ranking wireless device 20 receives link approval in the second reception waiting state, a link between these wireless devices 20 is established. Further, when the lower-level radio device 20 transmits the link approval, it extends the first reception waiting state time longer than the first time so that it can receive data from the higher-level radio device 20.

Then, the higher-level radio device 20 acquires the firmware data from the storage unit 27, divides the data, and acquires first data, which is divided data including the first data of the firmware, in response to the first data request from the firmware. do. In addition, if there remains divided data to be transmitted after the first data among the firmware data, the higher-order radio device 20 attaches a flag indicating that next data exists to the first data and sends it to the lower-order radio device 20. Send to.

On the other hand, when the lower-level radio device 20 receives the first data from the higher-level radio device 20 in the first reception waiting state, it stores the first data in the storage unit 27 . In addition, when the first data has a flag indicating that next data is present, the lower radio device 20 sends a request for second data that is the next divided data of the first data among the divided data of the firmware. 2. A data transmission factor for a data request occurs. Therefore, when the lower-level radio device 20 transmits a reception response for the first data to the higher-level radio device 20, it ends the first reception wait state and then triggers the occurrence of the data transmission factor for the second data request. The second reception wait state is entered.

Further, the higher-order radio device 20 receives the first data reception response from the lower-order radio device 20 in a second reception waiting state. Thereby, the lower-order radio device 20 and the higher-order radio device 20 can confirm that the divided data has been transmitted and received. Then, upon receiving the first data reception response, the higher-level wireless device 20 ends the second reception waiting state and enters a dormant state until the next beacon transmission.

In this way, a series of operations from transmitting a data request for firmware divided data, transmitting divided data in response to the data request, and receiving a reception response for the divided data are performed by the upper wireless device 20 and the lower wireless device 20. Radio 20 repeats. As a result, the lower-level radio device 20 sequentially receives the divided data of the firmware and stores it in the storage unit 27. Then, if there is no remaining divided data to be transmitted next among the divided data of the firmware, the higher-level radio device 20 attaches a final data flag to the final divided data and transmits it. On the other hand, when the lower-level radio device 20 receives the final divided data and stores it in the storage unit 27, it transmits a reception response. Furthermore, because the lower-order radio device 20 does not issue a data transmission request for the next data request due to the flag of the final data, the lower-order radio device 20 and the higher-order radio device 20 end the second FOTA operation and transmit the beacon. The transmission cycle of is changed from the second cycle to the first cycle.

Then, the lower-level radio device 20 performs a verification check on the acquired firmware, and if the firmware has been acquired correctly, updates the currently used firmware to the firmware acquired in the current second FOTA operation. Then, the lower-level radio device 20 changes (updates) the version number of the firmware stored in the storage unit 27 to the updated version number of the firmware.

<Operation of radio>
The lower-level radio device 20 is controlled by the control device 21, for example, in accordance with a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for controlling the radio device 20 in FIG. First, the lower-level radio device 20 monitors whether a FOTA instruction is acquired from the higher-level radio device 20 (step S1). Upon acquiring the FOTA instruction (step S1: YES), the lower-level radio device 20 determines whether firmware data can be acquired via the first communication network 12 (step S2). Here, if the lower-level radio device 20 can acquire the firmware data via the first communication network 12 (step S2: YES), it executes the first FOTA operation and transfers the firmware data to the first communication network 12. (Step S3).

On the other hand, if the lower-level radio device 20 cannot acquire the firmware data via the first communication network 12 (step S2: No), it transmits a request for the firmware version number to the higher-level radio device 20 (step S2: No). S4). Upon receiving the version number request, the upper-level radio device 20 acquires the version number of its own firmware and transmits it to the lower-level radio device 20. When the lower-level radio device 20 receives the version number from the higher-level radio device 20, it determines whether the received version number of the higher-order radio device 20 is newer than the version of its own firmware (step S5). ). If the version number of this upper radio device 20 is the same as or older than the version number of the own device, that is, if the version number of the higher order radio device 20 is not newer than the version number of the own device (step S5: NO ), there is no need to update the firmware, so the process ends.

On the other hand, if the version number of the higher order radio device 20 is newer than the version number of the radio device 20 itself (step S5: YES), the lower order radio device 20 generates a firmware data request as transmission data. Therefore, the lower-level radio device 20 executes the second FOTA operation and establishes a link with the higher-level radio device 20. Then, the lower-level radio device 20 changes the beacon transmission cycle from the first cycle to the second cycle, which is shorter than the first cycle (step S6), and transmits the beacon at the second cycle.

Then, the lower wireless device 20 transmits a firmware data request (step S7), and the upper wireless device 20 transmits firmware divided data in response to the data request. On the other hand, the lower-level radio device 20 receives the divided data of the firmware from the higher-level radio device 20 in the first reception waiting state and stores it in the storage unit 27 (step S8). Then, the lower-level wireless device 20 determines whether the divided data received from the higher-level wireless device 20 is the final data among the divided data of the firmware (step S9).

Here, if the flag indicating that there is next data is added to the divided data received in step S8, the lower wireless device 20 determines that the divided data is not the final data (step S9: NO). Then, the lower-level radio device 20 repeats the processing of steps S7 to S9 until it receives the final divided data. Thereby, the lower-level radio device 20 sequentially receives the divided data of the firmware and stores it in the storage unit 27.

Then, if the final data flag is added to the divided data received in step S8, the lower-level radio device 20 determines that the divided data is the final data (step S9: YES). As a result, the lower-level radio device 20 was able to receive all the divided data of the firmware, so it ends the second FOTA operation, returns the beacon cycle from the second cycle to the first cycle (step S10), and returns the beacon to the first cycle. Transmit in one cycle.

In this way, the lower-level radio device 20 receives firmware data through the first FOTA operation in step S3 or the second FOTA operation in steps S8 to S9. As a result, the lower-level radio device 20 updates the firmware to this firmware, and changes the version number stored in the storage unit 27 to the version number of the updated firmware.

According to the above configuration, when the lower-level radio device 20 cannot obtain firmware data via the first communication network 12 , it obtains firmware data via the second communication network 13 . Thereby, the lower-level radio device 20 can receive firmware data more reliably and update the firmware.

Further, while the lower-level radio device 20 and the higher-level radio device 20 are transmitting and receiving divided data of firmware via the second communication network 13, they transmit beacons in a second period shorter than the first period. Then, the lower-level radio device 20 receives the divided data of the firmware in the first reception waiting state immediately after transmitting the beacon. As a result, the time interval at which the lower-order radio device 20 receives divided data is shortened, and the second FOTA operation for transmitting and receiving firmware data can be performed quickly.

Further, when a data transmission factor occurs, the radio device 20 enters a second reception waiting state triggered by the occurrence of the data transmission factor. In this second reception waiting state, the radio device 20 waits to receive a beacon from another radio device 20, transmits a link request after receiving the beacon, receives link approval in response to the link request, and receives data. Sends and receives data, such as sending and receiving responses to the data.

On average, the beacon reception waiting time is half the beacon transmission period, and the data transmission and reception time is 0.1 seconds. Therefore, when the beacon transmission period is the first period, for example, 5 seconds, the beacon reception waiting time is 2.5 seconds. In this case, the time in the second reception wait state is 0.1 seconds for data transmission/reception + 2.5 seconds in beacon reception wait time = 2.6 seconds, and the beacon reception wait time is 2.6 seconds in the second reception wait state. It takes up more than 90% of the time.

On the other hand, when the beacon transmission cycle is a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, for example, 1 second, the beacon reception waiting time is 0.5 seconds. In this case, the time in the second reception wait state is 0.1 seconds for data transmission and reception + 0.5 seconds for beacon reception wait time = 0.6 seconds. In this way, by changing the beacon transmission period from the first period to the second period, the time in the second reception waiting state becomes 0.6 seconds/2.6 seconds×100=23%. In this way, since the time in the second reception waiting state is reduced to about one-fourth, the power consumption in the second reception waiting state is also reduced to about one-fourth. Therefore, the power consumption in the second reception waiting state can be kept low, and the frequency of replacing the battery 22, which is the power source of the radio device 20, can be reduced.

Furthermore, among all the wireless devices 20 included in the second communication network 13, the wireless devices 20 that are transmitting and receiving firmware data in the second FOTA operation transmit beacons in the second cycle. In this way, since the beacon transmission cycle is the second cycle shorter than the first cycle, firmware data can be quickly transmitted and received along with the beacon transmission. On the other hand, the wireless device 20 that transmits and receives data other than firmware can suppress an increase in power consumption due to beacon transmission by transmitting beacons in a first cycle that is longer than the second cycle.

<Modification 1>
In the wireless communication system 10 according to the first modification, in the embodiment described above, the control device 21 receives the firmware version number and time data in the first reception waiting state, and corrects the time based on the time data.

Specifically, the lower-level radio device 20 periodically requests time data from the higher-order radio device 20 than itself. Therefore, in the process of step S1 in FIG. 5, the lower-level wireless device 20 may periodically request the higher-level wireless device 20 for the firmware version number together with a request for time data. This time data is data for time correction of the radio device 20, and is periodically transmitted from the center device 30. In the second communication network 13, the upper-level radio device 20 transmits the time data and version number stored in the storage unit 27 to the lower-level radio device 20 in response to a request from the lower-level radio device 20.

Upon receiving the time data, the lower-level radio device 20 stores it in the storage unit 27 and performs a time correction operation based on this time data. In the time correction operation, the lower-level radio device 20 corrects the time held in itself based on the time data. In this way, the time data is sequentially transmitted from the upper wireless device 20 to the lower wireless device 20 in the second communication network 13, and all the wireless devices 20 in the second communication network 13 receive the same time data. Since the time correction operation is performed based on the time, the time is synchronized.

Further, upon receiving the firmware version number, the lower-level radio device 20 executes the processing from step S5 onwards. In this way, by receiving the firmware version number together with the time data, the radio device 20 can reduce the number of communications and reduce power consumption, compared to receiving the version number and time data separately. .

Furthermore, even if the FOTA instruction in S1 in FIG. 5 is not obtained, the radio device 20 obtains the firmware version number at the time of a regular time request. Thereby, the radio device 20 can self-determine whether FOTA is necessary.

<Modification 2>
In the wireless communication system 10 according to the second modification, in the above embodiment and the first modification, the control device 21 transmits the beacon in a third cycle longer than the first cycle for a predetermined period of time after the end of the second FOTA operation. After that, a beacon is transmitted in the first period.

For example, the radio device 20 is controlled by the control device 21 according to a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method shown in FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 6, the processes of steps S11 and S12 are executed between the process of step S9 and the process of step S10 in the flowchart of FIG.

Specifically, the lower-level radio device 20 transmits a beacon in the second cycle from when it starts the second FOTA operation in step S5: YES until it ends the second FOTA operation in step S9: YES. Furthermore, the higher-level wireless device 20 also transmits a beacon in the second period while executing the second FOTA operation. When these radio devices 20 complete the second FOTA operation, they change the beacon transmission cycle from the second cycle, which is shorter than the first cycle, to the third cycle, which is longer than the first cycle (step S11).

Then, these wireless devices 20 measure the elapsed time after changing the beacon transmission cycle, and monitor whether this elapsed time reaches a predetermined time (step S12). Here, these radio devices 20 transmit beacons in the third cycle until the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time (step S12: NO). Since the first time of the first reception waiting state in the periodic operation of the third period is the same as the first period, the second period of the dormant state in the periodic operation of the third period is longer than the periodic operation of the first period. . In this way, in the periodic operation of the third period, the rest state is longer than that of the periodic operation of the first period, so that the power consumption can be kept lower in the periodic operation of the third period than in the periodic operation of the first period. .

When the elapsed time reaches a predetermined time (step S12: YES), these radio devices 20 change the beacon transmission period from the third period to the first period (step S10). These radios 20 transmit beacons in the first period in periodic operation.

In this way, in the second FOTA operation, the radio device 20 transmits the beacon in the second cycle, thereby shortening the time interval for receiving firmware data in the first reception waiting state immediately after transmitting the beacon, and Actions can be performed quickly. Furthermore, by transmitting the beacon in the third cycle in the periodic operation for a predetermined period of time after the second FOTA operation, the time interval between beacon transmissions becomes longer, and power consumption due to beacon transmission can be reduced. Therefore, even if power consumption increases in the second FOTA operation, the subsequent reduction in power consumption can alleviate the overall increase in power consumption.

<Other variations>
In the wireless communication system 10 according to the embodiment and all the modified examples, the wireless device 20 changes the beacon transmission period to the second period in the second FOTA operation for transmitting and receiving firmware data. However, the case where the beacon transmission cycle is changed to the second cycle is not limited to this. For example, the radio device 20 may change the beacon transmission period to the second period when constructing and updating the second communication network 13, when polling, when relaying data transmission, and the like. In such a case, since the number of data transmissions is large, the radio device 20 transmits the beacon in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, thereby quickly transmitting and receiving data while synchronizing with the beacon. be able to.

Furthermore, when transmitting/receiving a predetermined amount of data or more, the radio device 20 may change the beacon transmission cycle to the second cycle. In this way, when the wireless device 20 transmits a predetermined amount of data or more, which is larger than the data amount that can be transmitted at one time, the wireless device 20 divides the data and transmits it, so it takes time to transmit all the data. Even in such a case, the radio device 20 can quickly transmit and receive data while synchronizing with the beacon by transmitting the beacon in the second period shorter than the first period.

In the wireless communication system 10 according to the embodiment and all the modifications described above, firmware data is transmitted from the upper wireless device 20 to the lower wireless device 20 in the second communication network 13. Data may be transmitted from the lower-level radio device 20 to the higher-level radio device 20. Also in this case, when transmitting firmware data, by setting the beacon transmission cycle to the second cycle, which is shorter than the first cycle, the firmware data can be quickly transmitted and received.

In the wireless communication system 10 according to the embodiment and all the modifications described above, the radio device 20 sets the beacon transmission period to the second period shorter than the first period in the second FOTA operation, but also transmits the beacon in the first FOTA operation. The transmission period may be a fifth period shorter than the fourth period.

That is, the radio device 20 performs periodic operation during communication with the center device 30 via the first communication network 12. This periodic operation, similar to the periodic operation by the second communication network 13 with other wireless devices 20 shown in the example of FIG. Intermittent operation is repeated periodically. This periodic operation by the first communication network 12 is similar to the periodic operation by the second communication network 13 except for the beacon period. In periodic operation by the first communication network 12, the radio 20 transmits a beacon at a fourth period (for example, every 15 seconds).

When transmitting and receiving data other than firmware to and from the center device 30, the wireless device 20 transmits a beacon in the fourth cycle, and receives the data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon. On the other hand, when receiving firmware data from the center device 30, the radio device 20 transmits a beacon and a data request to the center device 30 in the fifth period, which is shorter than the fourth period. The center device 30 divides the firmware data and transmits the divided data to the radio device 20 in accordance with the data request. The radio device 20 receives divided data according to the data request from the center device 30 in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.

This first FOTA operation is similar to the second FOTA operation in the example of FIG. 4 except for the beacon period. In this way, by transmitting the beacon in the fifth cycle, the radio device 20 receives the firmware data because the time interval for receiving the firmware data in the first reception wait state after transmitting the beacon becomes shorter. The first FOTA operation can be performed quickly.

In addition, from the above description, many improvements and other embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description is to be construed as illustrative only, and is provided for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure. Substantial changes may be made in the structural and/or functional details thereof without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

<Additional notes>
The following techniques are disclosed by the descriptions of the above embodiments and modifications.
Technology 1 is a wireless device that can transmit and receive firmware data to and from other wireless devices in a multi-hop communication network including a plurality of wireless devices, and includes a control device and a communication device. , when the communication device receives data other than the firmware from another wireless device, the control device transmits the beacon in a first cycle and transmits the data in a first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon. and when the communication device receives data of the firmware from another wireless device, transmits a data request while transmitting the beacon in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, The wireless device receives the firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmission.

According to this configuration, since the firmware data is larger than the amount of data that the wireless device can transmit at one time, the wireless device divides the data and transmits the data. In this case, by transmitting the beacon in the second period shorter than the first period, the time interval at which the wireless device receives firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon becomes shorter. Therefore, the wireless device can quickly perform a FOTA operation for transmitting and receiving firmware data.

Technique 2 is that when transmitting the firmware data to another wireless device using the communication device, the control device transmits the beacon in the second period and receives the first reception after transmitting the beacon. The wireless device according to technique 1 receives the data request in a waiting state and transmits the firmware data in response to the data request.

According to this configuration, by transmitting the beacon in the second period shorter than the first period, the time interval at which the wireless device receives the firmware data request in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon is shortened. . Therefore, the time interval for transmitting firmware data in response to a data request is shortened, and the wireless device can quickly perform a FOTA operation for transmitting and receiving firmware data.

Technique 3 is that when transmitting the firmware data to another wireless device using the communication device, the control device divides the firmware data, and divides the firmware data from among the firmware data in a second reception waiting state. The wireless device according to technique 2 transmits divided data in response to a request and receives a reception response for the divided data. According to this configuration, the wireless device can confirm that the divided data has been transmitted to the other wireless device by receiving a reception response for the transmitted divided data from the other wireless device.

Technique 4 is that when the control device receives the divided data of the firmware from another wireless device through the communication device, the control device receives the divided data in the first reception waiting state, and the divided data is final data. If not, the wireless device according to technique 3 transmits the data request requesting the next divided data and receives a reception response for the data request in the second reception waiting state. According to this configuration, the wireless device can confirm that the data request for the divided data has been transmitted to the other wireless device by receiving a reception response for the data request for the transmitted divided data from the other wireless device. Can be done.

Technique 5 is that the plurality of wireless devices included in the communication network have a wireless slave device and a wireless master device that relays communication between the wireless slave device and a center device, and the control device is configured to control the communication The wireless according to any one of techniques 1 to 4, wherein the wireless device receives data of the firmware from the wireless device whose rank, which is the minimum number of hops among the number of hops to the wireless base device in a network, is smaller than the rank of the wireless device itself. It is a machine.

According to this configuration, in the communication network, firmware data is transmitted from a higher rank radio device with a lower rank to a lower rank radio device with a higher rank. Thereby, data collisions can be suppressed, firmware data can be smoothly transmitted to the wireless device in the second communication network, and FOTA operation can be performed quickly.

According to technique 6, if the version number of the firmware received from another wireless device is newer than the version number of the stored firmware, the control device changes the transmission period of the beacon from the first period to the second period. The wireless device according to any one of techniques 1 to 5, wherein the wireless device receives the firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.

According to this configuration, if the version of firmware received from another radio is older than the version of the stored firmware, the radio does not perform the FOTA operation of receiving firmware data. Therefore, firmware that is the same version or older than the version stored in the device itself is not transmitted or received, making it possible to avoid unnecessary execution of FOTA operations.

Technique 7 is the wireless device according to Technique 6, wherein the control device receives time data together with the version number of the firmware, and corrects the time based on the time data.

According to this configuration, by receiving the firmware version number and time data together, the radio device requires fewer communications than when receiving the firmware version number and time data separately, and consumes less data due to communication. It is possible to reduce power consumption.

Technology 8 includes a plurality of wireless devices included in a multi-hop communication network, and among the plurality of wireless devices, the wireless device receiving data other than firmware transmits a beacon in a first cycle. However, the wireless device that receives the data in a first reception wait state after transmitting the beacon and receives the firmware data transmits the beacon in a second period shorter than the first period. The wireless communication system transmits a data request and receives the firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon.

According to this configuration, the wireless device performing the FOTA operation can quickly perform the FOTA operation of receiving firmware data by transmitting a beacon in the second cycle. Furthermore, by transmitting a beacon in the first cycle, a wireless device that is not performing a FOTA operation can reduce power consumption due to beacon transmission.

10: Wireless communication system 20: Wireless device 20a: Wireless slave device 20b: Wireless base device 21: Control device 23: First communication interface (communication device)
24: Second communication interface (communication device)
30: Center device

Claims (8)

A radio device capable of transmitting and receiving firmware data to and from other radio devices in a multi-hop communication network including a plurality of radio devices,
Comprising a control device and a communication device,
The control device includes:
When the communication device receives data other than the firmware from another wireless device, the data is received in a first reception wait state after transmitting the beacon while transmitting a beacon in a first cycle;
When the communication device receives data of the firmware from another wireless device, a data request is transmitted while transmitting the beacon in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and the data request is transmitted after transmitting the beacon. receiving the firmware data in a first reception waiting state;
transceiver. When transmitting the firmware data to another wireless device using the communication device, the control device transmits the beacon in the second period and in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon. receiving a data request and transmitting the firmware data in response to the data request;
The wireless device according to claim 1. When transmitting the firmware data to another radio device using the communication device, the control device divides the firmware data, and divides the firmware data into parts that respond to the data request from among the firmware data in a second reception waiting state. transmitting divided data and receiving a reception response for the divided data;
The wireless device according to claim 2. When the communication device receives the divided data of the firmware from another wireless device, the control device receives the divided data in the first reception waiting state, and when the divided data is not final data, transmitting the data request requesting the next divided data in a second reception waiting state, and receiving a reception response to the data request;
The wireless device according to claim 3. The plurality of wireless devices included in the communication network include a wireless slave device and a wireless base device that relays communication between the wireless slave device and a center device,
The control device receives the firmware data from the wireless device whose rank, which is the smallest number of hops among the number of hops to the wireless base device in the communication network, is smaller than the rank of the wireless device itself.
The wireless device according to claim 1. The control device changes the transmission cycle of the beacon from the first cycle to the second cycle when the version number of the firmware received from another wireless device is newer than the version number of the stored firmware. , receiving the firmware data in the first reception waiting state after transmitting the beacon;
The wireless device according to claim 1. The control device includes:
receiving time data together with the version number of the firmware;
correcting the time based on the time data;
The wireless device according to claim 6. Equipped with multiple radios included in a multi-hop communication network,
Among the plurality of radio devices,
The wireless device receiving data other than firmware receives the data in a first reception wait state after transmitting the beacon while transmitting a beacon in a first cycle,
The wireless device receiving the firmware data transmits a data request while transmitting the beacon in a second cycle shorter than the first cycle, and enters the first reception wait state after transmitting the beacon. receiving the firmware data at;
Wireless communication system.

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