WO2015155951A1 - Communication device and communication system - Google Patents

Communication device and communication system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015155951A1
WO2015155951A1 PCT/JP2015/001765 JP2015001765W WO2015155951A1 WO 2015155951 A1 WO2015155951 A1 WO 2015155951A1 JP 2015001765 W JP2015001765 W JP 2015001765W WO 2015155951 A1 WO2015155951 A1 WO 2015155951A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
units
master
sub
unit
slave
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PCT/JP2015/001765
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French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
西尾　昭彦
原田　健司
Original Assignee
パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 filed Critical パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority to JP2016512587A priority Critical patent/JP6252813B2/en
Priority to TR2016/13773T priority patent/TR201613773T1/en
Publication of WO2015155951A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015155951A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C19/00—Electric signal transmission systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B3/00—Line transmission systems
    • H04B3/54—Systems for transmission via power distribution lines
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a communication device used in a communication system including a meter reading device having a communication function.
  • the invention also relates to a communication system comprising such a communication device.
  • Patent Document 1 discloses that even if a building does not have an electrical room, the meter reading data of a customer measured by a plurality of slave units is acquired by the master unit and transmitted from the master unit to a server through a communication path.
  • a remote meter reading system that realizes meter reading is disclosed. This system further includes a repeater that acquires meter reading data from a part of the slave units by power line communication and transfers the meter reading data to the master unit through a wireless communication path.
  • Patent Document 1 in an apartment house that does not have an electrical room and distributes power from a plurality of transformers, and in an apartment house group (a housing complex) that includes a plurality of apartment houses that are respectively distributed from separate transformers The remote meter reading of a plurality of dwelling units can be realized.
  • Patent Document 2 when each of a plurality of parent terminals and each of a plurality of child terminals perform multi-hop communication with each other, communication is performed with the parent terminal without the child terminals being concentrated under a specific parent terminal.
  • the multihop communication system which suppresses generation
  • a child terminal that is building a communication route with a certain parent terminal can be constructed when the remaining number of communication routes that can be constructed by the parent terminal is equal to or less than a first threshold value.
  • a communication route is established with another parent terminal whose remaining number of communication routes exceeds the second threshold.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can efficiently communicate with a handset provided in various environments such as an apartment house and a detached house. Moreover, the objective of this invention is providing the communication apparatus used in such a communication system.
  • the communication system provides a communication system including a plurality of master units and a plurality of slave units.
  • the plurality of master units include a main master unit and at least one sub master unit.
  • the plurality of master units each include a wireless communication circuit and a power line communication circuit.
  • the plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units each provided with a power line communication circuit and a plurality of second slave units each provided with a wireless communication circuit.
  • Each first slave unit is connected to one of the plurality of master units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more of the plurality of first slave units.
  • Each second slave unit is connected to one of the plurality of master units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the plurality of second slave units.
  • Each sub-base unit is connected to the main base unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub-base unit and the second slave unit.
  • Each first slave unit connected to each sub master unit by power line communication communicates with the main master unit in a multi-hop manner via the sub master unit connected to the first slave unit by power line communication.
  • Each second slave unit connected to each sub master unit by wireless communication communicates with the main master unit in a multi-hop manner via the sub master unit connected to the second slave unit by radio communication.
  • each sub-base unit is configured by multi-hop wireless communication involving only one or more of the sub-base units. Connected to the main master unit.
  • the communication system according to the first aspect includes the following configuration.
  • Each sub-base unit is a route including a part of the sub-base unit and the second slave unit, and is included in a route including the sub-base unit that is selected with priority over the second slave unit.
  • the route includes the second slave unit by adding an offset to the link cost of the second slave unit.
  • the sub master unit is selected and included with priority over the second slave unit.
  • each sub-base station wirelessly or periodically transmits a route for routing.
  • Information indicating that the transmission source node of the signal is a sub-master is inserted into the transmitted signal.
  • the information indicating that the signal transmission source node is the sub-master device is information indicating that the signal is the master device. And information of a higher-order node of the signal transmission source node.
  • the communication system has the following configuration.
  • the main master unit sends a signal including network configuration information including the main master unit, each sub master unit, each first slave unit, and each second slave unit to at least one of the sub master units.
  • Wireless transmission Each sub-base unit further includes a nonvolatile memory.
  • each sub-master unit wirelessly receives a signal including network configuration information, it stores the network configuration information in a nonvolatile memory.
  • the communication system according to the seventh aspect includes the following configuration.
  • the main base unit divides network configuration information into a plurality of configuration information parts, and assigns an identification number to each configuration information part.
  • the main base unit wirelessly transmits a plurality of signals each including one of the configuration information portions and one of the identification numbers to at least one of the sub base units.
  • each sub-base station when each sub-base station receives a plurality of signals each including the configuration information part and the identification number, each identification is performed. Based on the number, a plurality of configuration information portions are connected to generate network configuration information, which is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
  • the network configuration information includes identification information of the main master unit.
  • Each sub-base unit separates network configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory when a signal requesting network configuration information and a signal including identification information are received wirelessly from a main base unit different from the main base unit. Wirelessly transmitted to the main master unit.
  • another main master unit sends a signal requesting network configuration information and identification information at a predetermined time. Is wirelessly transmitted to each sub-master unit.
  • the communication system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect includes the following configuration.
  • the main base unit generates network identification information.
  • the main master unit, each sub-base unit, each first slave unit, and each second slave unit communicate with each other using network identification information.
  • Each sub-base station when a signal requesting network configuration information from another main base station and a signal including identification information are wirelessly received, without using the network identification information,
  • the configuration information is wirelessly transmitted to another main master unit.
  • communication that operates as a sub-master unit in a communication system that includes a plurality of master units including a main master unit and at least one sub-master unit and a plurality of slave units.
  • An apparatus is provided.
  • the plurality of master units each include a wireless communication circuit and a power line communication circuit.
  • the plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units each provided with a power line communication circuit and a plurality of second slave units each provided with a wireless communication circuit.
  • the communication device is connected to a part of the plurality of first slave units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more of the plurality of first slave units.
  • the communication device is connected to a part of the plurality of second slave units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the plurality of second slave units.
  • the communication device is connected to the main master unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub master unit and the second slave unit.
  • each first child device connected to the communication device by power line communication communicates with the main parent device in a multi-hop manner via the communication device.
  • each second child device connected to the communication device by wireless communication communicates with the main parent device in a multi-hop manner via the communication device.
  • the communication system it is possible to provide a communication system capable of efficiently communicating with a slave unit provided in various environments such as an apartment house and a detached house.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main master unit 11 of FIG.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-base unit 12 of FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of handset 21-1 in FIG.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 24-1 in FIG.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of a Hello packet wirelessly transmitted in the communication system of FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the communication system in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of master units and a plurality of slave units.
  • the plurality of master units include a main master unit 11 and at least one sub master unit 12 and 13. Only main main unit 11 communicates directly with a server device (not shown) of power company facility 1 via a communication line.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 do not communicate directly with the server device of the power company facility 1 but communicate via the main master unit 11.
  • the plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N (PLC slave units) each having a power line communication circuit.
  • the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, and 23-1 to 23-N may be provided in each dwelling unit of the plurality of apartment houses 31 to 33, for example.
  • the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 may be provided in, for example, a plurality of detached houses.
  • the main master unit 11 and the sub master units 12 and 13 are provided apart from each slave unit and in a place with a good radio propagation environment such as an upper part of a power pole or an upper part of a side wall of a building.
  • Each housing complex 31 to 33 receives power supply from the power company facility 1 through a power line and a distribution transformer (not shown).
  • One apartment house may receive power supply via a plurality of transformers.
  • the power lines of the apartment houses 31 to 33 are connected to the secondary side (low voltage side) of the transformer.
  • Each housing complex 31 to 33 includes a plurality of dwelling units.
  • the power lines of the housing complexes 31 to 33 include one master unit 11 to 13 and a plurality of slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 that communicate with each other by power line communication. To 23-N are respectively connected.
  • the slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, and 23-1 to 23-N include watt-hour meters that acquire meter reading data of the power consumption amount of each dwelling unit.
  • Base units 11 to 13 transmit meter reading data to an external device.
  • the external device is, for example, a server device of the power company facility 1 that performs remote meter reading of the power consumption amount of each dwelling unit and calculation of an electricity bill.
  • each detached house also receives power supply from the power company facility 1 through a power line and a distribution transformer (not shown).
  • Each single-family house includes a watt-hour meter that acquires meter-reading data of the power consumption of the single-family house, and a slave unit 24 that wirelessly transmits meter-reading data to the master unit (main master unit 11 or sub master unit 12, 13). -1 to 24-9 are provided.
  • a communication system acquires meter reading data of electric energy from the watt hour meter of each dwelling unit 31-33 and each detached house and transmits it to the server device of the electric power company facility 1.
  • the telephone line, optical line, cable TV line, etc. can be physically used as the communication line from the main base unit 11 to the power company facility 1.
  • a virtual private network VPN may be constructed on the communication line.
  • Each housing complex 31 to 33 may include, for example, an electric room having a transformer inside, or may be configured without including an electric room.
  • the transformer may be provided outside the buildings of the apartment houses 31 to 33, for example.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main master unit 11 of FIG.
  • the main master unit 11 includes a control circuit 41, a memory 42, a nonvolatile memory 43, a power line communication (PLC) circuit 44, a wireless communication circuit 45, an antenna 45a, and a communication circuit 46.
  • the main master unit 11 uses the PLC circuit 44 to perform a plurality of child units in the apartment house 31 by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L on the power line of the apartment house 31. Connected to the machines 21-1 to 21-L.
  • multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L is a multi-hop power line that allows relaying by one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L.
  • Communication refers to multi-hop power line communication in which one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L can be selected as a repeater.
  • the parent device 11 when the communication target of the parent device 11 is the child device 21-L, the parent device 11 is connected to the communication target child device 21-L by relaying one or more other child devices, or the parent device 11 Is connected to the slave unit 21-L to be communicated without relaying other slave units.
  • the main base unit 11 uses the wireless communication circuit 45 to transfer the plurality of handset units 24-1 to 24-2 by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more handset units 24-1 to 24-2.
  • Wireless connection is established.
  • multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 24-1 to 24-2 allows relaying by one or more slave units 24-1 to 24-2, similar to the above.
  • Multi-hop wireless communication is established.
  • the main base unit 11 uses the wireless communication circuit 45 to perform each of the sub-base units 12 and 13 and multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. Wirelessly connected to the sub master units 12 and 13.
  • the main master unit 11 is connected to the server device of the power company facility 1 using the communication circuit 46.
  • the main master unit 11 collects meter reading data from each of the slave units 21-1 to 21-L in the apartment house 31 and from each of the slave units 24-1 to 24-2 that are wirelessly connected to each other.
  • the main master unit 11 wirelessly received the meter reading data of the other slave units 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N, and 24-3 to 24-9 from each of the sub master units 12 and 13.
  • the meter reading data received wirelessly is transmitted to the server device of the power company facility 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the sub-master unit 12 of FIG.
  • the sub master unit 12 includes a control circuit 51, a memory 52, a nonvolatile memory 53, a PLC circuit 54, a wireless communication circuit 55, and an antenna 55a.
  • the sub-master unit 12 uses the PLC circuit 54 to perform a plurality of children in the apartment house 32 by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 22-1 to 22-M on the power line of the apartment house 32. Connected to the machines 22-1 to 22-M.
  • the sub-master unit 12 is wirelessly connected to a plurality of slave units 24-3 to 24-5 by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more slave units 24-3 to 24-5 using the radio communication circuit 55. Is done.
  • the sub master unit 12 is wirelessly connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop radio communication involving one or more sub master units using the radio communication circuit 55.
  • the sub master unit 12 receives meter reading data from each of the slave units 22-1 to 22-M in the apartment house 32 and from each of the slave units 24-3 to 24-5 that are wirelessly connected. Wirelessly transmit to.
  • the sub-base unit 13 is also configured in the same manner as the sub-base unit 12 in FIG.
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 21-1 shown in FIG.
  • the PLC slave unit 21-1 includes a control circuit 61, a memory 62, a nonvolatile memory 63, a PLC circuit 64, and a watt hour meter 65.
  • the slave unit 21-1 uses one of a plurality of master units (the main master unit 11) by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L using the PLC circuit 64. ).
  • the watt-hour meter 65 measures the power consumption of a home device (not shown).
  • the control circuit 61 notifies the parent device of the measured power consumption using the PLC circuit 64.
  • the other slave units 21-2 to 21-L of the apartment house 31 and the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of the other apartment houses 32 and 33 are also shown in FIG. It is configured in the same way as -1.
  • the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of the other apartment houses 32 and 33 are replaced with one of the other master units (sub master unit 12 or 13).
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 24-1 in FIG.
  • the RF slave unit 24-1 includes a control circuit 71, a memory 72, a nonvolatile memory 73, a wireless communication circuit 74, an antenna 74a, and a watt hour meter 75.
  • the slave unit 24-1 uses a wireless communication circuit 74 to perform a plurality of master units (the main master unit 11 or the sub master unit) by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more slave units 24-1 to 24-9. 12, 13).
  • the watt-hour meter 75 measures the amount of power consumed by a home device (not shown).
  • the control circuit 71 notifies the parent device of the measured power consumption using the wireless communication circuit 74.
  • the slave units 24-2 to 24-9 are also configured in the same manner as the slave unit 24-1 in FIG.
  • meter reading data of the power consumption of the dwelling unit where the master unit (main master unit or sub master unit) is located may be acquired.
  • one of the slave units may have the function of a master unit (main master unit or sub master unit).
  • a master unit connected to the server device of the electric power company facility 1 via a communication line is provided to all the apartment houses. It is conceivable to provide it. However, in this case, labor and cost for providing a communication line increase. For this reason, in the communication system of FIG. 1, in order to transmit the meter-reading data of each dwelling unit to an electric power company, the main main unit 11 and the sub main units 12 and 13 are used.
  • Each slave unit 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC is connected to a plurality of parent units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more PLC slave units. Connected to one of the machines.
  • Each RF slave unit 24-1 to 24-9 is connected to one of a plurality of master units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more RF slave units.
  • Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub master units 12 and 13 and the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. .
  • the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC connected to the sub master units 12 and 13 by power line communication are sub master units connected to the PLC slave units by power line communication.
  • Multi-hop communication is performed with the main base unit 11 via the units 12 and 13.
  • the RF slave units 24-3 to 24-9 connected to the sub master units 12 and 13 by wireless communication are connected to the sub slave units 12 and 13 through the sub master units 12 and 13 connected to the RF slave unit by radio communication. Communicate with the main base unit 11 in multi-hop.
  • each sub-base unit 12, 13 When each sub-base unit 12, 13 is connected to the main base unit 11 by multi-hop radio communication, each sub-base unit 12, 13 is a multi-hop radio involving only one or more sub-base units 12, 13
  • the main master unit 11 may be connected by communication.
  • each of the sub-master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication that allows relaying by other sub-master units and does not allow relaying by any of the slave units. Also good. Since the slave units 24-1 to 24-9 in detached houses are often installed in low positions, they tend to be affected by obstructions such as surrounding buildings, passenger cars, and trucks, and wireless communication tends to become unstable. There is.
  • each of the sub master units 12 and 13 may select only another sub master unit or the main master unit 11 without selecting the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 as the upper nodes. Good.
  • the main master unit 11 and the sub master units 12 and 13 are provided in the upper part of the utility pole or the upper part of the side wall of the building. Have a good radio propagation environment. Accordingly, each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication involving only the sub master units 12 and 13, thereby constructing a stable communication route and reducing meter reading errors. be able to.
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of a Hello packet wirelessly transmitted in the communication system of FIG.
  • Each sub-base unit 12, 13 inserts information indicating that the signal source node is a sub-base unit into a signal that is wirelessly transmitted periodically or non-periodically for routing, for example, a Hello packet. .
  • the Hello packet in FIG. 6 is used for routing (path construction) in a communication system of the prior art that performs multi-hop wireless communication.
  • the Hello packet in FIG. 6 has a plurality of fields each including information on a message type, a high-speed mode flag, a node type, a sequence number, upper node information, a link information request, a link information response, and link disconnection information, for example.
  • the message type field includes information indicating the type of packet (Hello packet).
  • the high-speed mode flag field includes 1-bit information indicating whether the transmission mode of the packet is high speed or low speed.
  • the node type field includes 1-bit information indicating whether the transmission source node of the packet is a child device or a parent device.
  • the sequence number field includes a number that uniquely identifies the packet.
  • the upper node information field includes information on an upper node of a transmission source node of the packet (a node on a multi-hop communication path from the transmission source node of the packet to the main master unit 11).
  • the link information request field includes information requesting the node that received the packet to transmit the propagation quality information of the adjacent node.
  • the link information response field includes propagation quality information of the adjacent node in response to a link information request of a Hello packet received from another node.
  • the link disconnection information field includes information on a node that has become unable to communicate due to degradation of propagation quality or the like.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 When transmitting the Hello packet of FIG. 6, the sub master units 12 and 13 write information indicating the master unit in the node type field, and write information on the upper node of the sub master unit in the upper node information field.
  • the Hello packet transmitted by the sub master units 12 and 13 includes the upper node information
  • the upper node information field of the Hello packet transmitted by the main master unit 11 is empty because there is no upper node of the main master unit 11. Accordingly, it is possible to distinguish the main master unit 11, the sub master units 12 and 13, and the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 from each other using the existing Hello packet format.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 determine whether the adjacent node is the main master unit 11, the sub master unit 12 or 13, or the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9.
  • the sub-master units 12 and 13 are compatible with the existing communication system that performs multi-hop wireless communication, while the multi-hop of only the sub-master units 12 and 13 are involved. Connected to the main master unit 11 by wireless communication.
  • a Hello packet was used as a signal transmitted by radio
  • a DIO Disestination Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph Information Object
  • DAO Disestination Advertisement Object
  • RPL IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low power and Lossy Networks
  • the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 may be connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication involving only one or more RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9.
  • each RF slave unit 24-1 to 24-9 allows relaying by one or more RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 and relays by any of the sub-master units 12 and 13. May be connected to the main base unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication that does not allow the same.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 are not involved in communication between the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 and the main master unit 11.
  • Each of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 wirelessly transmits the meter reading data of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 to the main master unit 11 without passing through the sub master units 12 and 13.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly transmit only the meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N to the main master unit 11. Accordingly, the processing load and communication traffic of the sub master units 12 and 13 are reduced, so that the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of the PLC and the main master unit 11 are stable. A communication route can be established to reduce meter reading errors.
  • each sub-base unit 12 and 13 uses multi-hop radio that preferentially uses the sub-base units 12 and 13.
  • the main master unit 11 may be connected by communication.
  • Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is a route to the main master unit 11 including a part of the sub master units 12 and 13 and the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. A route is selected and included with priority over the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9.
  • Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main base by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more sub master units 12 and 13 and / or one or more RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 of this route. Connected to base unit 11.
  • the route cost when generating a route from the child device to the parent device, the total value of link costs (reception quality) of each link on the route from the child device to the parent device is calculated as the route cost, and the route cost has the minimum.
  • Select a route For example, the sub master units 12 and 13 increase the link cost (reception quality) of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 so as to increase the route cost of the route including the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9.
  • the route includes the sub master units 12 and 13 preferentially selected over the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9.
  • Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication that preferentially uses the sub master units 12 and 13, thereby constructing a stable communication route and reducing meter reading errors. be able to. Also, when there is at least one RF slave unit that can generate a route of a good radio propagation environment in a section between any two of the main master unit 11 and the sub master units 12 and 13, A route including the RF handset can be generated. As a result, a stable communication route can be constructed and meter reading errors can be reduced.
  • the main master unit 11 can detect the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N, and the RF slaves by one of the following two collection methods.
  • Meter reading data may be collected from the machines 24-1 to 24-9.
  • the main master unit 11 schedules transmission of meter-reading data by all RF slave units and PLC slave units.
  • the main master unit 11 transmits a polling message to each RF slave unit and each PLC slave unit in order according to a predetermined schedule.
  • the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21 -L transmit meter reading data of the slave unit to the main master unit 11.
  • the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N receive the polling message from the main master unit 11, the meter reading data of the slave units are sent to the sub master units 12 and 13, respectively.
  • the meter reading data of the slave unit is passed through the sub master units 12, 13 or not. Transmit to the main master unit 11.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 do not need to schedule transmission of meter-reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 are connected to the sub slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC connected to the sub master units 12 and 13 by power line communication.
  • Schedule transmission of meter reading data The sub-master units 12 and 13 are sequentially connected to the sub-units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC connected to the sub-master units 12 and 13 by power line communication in order according to a predetermined schedule.
  • Send polling messages When the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N receive a polling message from the sub master unit 12 or 13, the meter reading data of the slave units is connected by power line communication. Transmit to sub-master 12 or 13.
  • the sub master unit 12 collects and temporarily stores the meter reading data of the slave units 22-1 to 22-M of the PLC.
  • the sub master unit 13 collects and temporarily stores the meter reading data of the slave units 23-1 to 23-N of the PLC.
  • the main master unit 11 schedules transmission of meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N by the sub master units 12 and 13.
  • the main base unit 11 transmits polling messages to the sub base units 12 and 13 in order according to a predetermined schedule. When receiving the polling message from the main master unit 11, the sub master units 12 and 13 collectively collect the meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N stored in the main master unit 11. To the machine 11.
  • the main master unit 11 schedules transmission of meter reading data by the slave units 21-1 to 21-L of each PLC and the slave units 24-1 to 24-9 of each RF.
  • the main master unit 11 transmits polling messages to the slave units 21-1 to 21-L of each PLC and the slave units 24-1 to 24-9 of each RF in order according to a predetermined schedule.
  • the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21 -L transmit meter reading data of the slave unit to the main master unit 11.
  • the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 receive the polling message from the main master unit 11, the meter reading data of the slave unit is passed through the sub master units 12, 13 or not. Transmit to the main master unit 11.
  • the main master unit 11 does not need to schedule transmission of meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N. Therefore, the configuration of the main base unit 11 can be simplified. Further, according to the second collection method, the number of PLC slave units managed by the main master unit 11 is smaller than that in the first collection method, and accordingly, a larger number of RF slave units in the communication system. Can be accommodated.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 operate as coordinators (concentrators) for multi-hop power line communication in the housing complexes 32 and 33, and further, slave units that relay multi-hop wireless communication It operates as a (pseudo slave). Therefore, the communication system of FIG. 1 can be controlled as one radio system, and radio resources can be efficiently used, such as avoiding radio signal interference. Thereby, the communication system which can communicate efficiently with the subunit
  • the main master unit 11 includes a main master unit 11, sub master units 12 and 13, PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22M, 23-1 to 23-N, and RF slave units 24- Network configuration information including 1 to 24-9 is generated and managed.
  • the network configuration information includes, for example, the upper limit of the number of slave units accommodated by the main master unit 11, identification information of each slave unit, network identification information, and multihop communication between the main master unit 11 and each slave unit. Includes route information. If the network configuration information is lost due to the operation stop or failure of the main master unit, it takes time and effort to regenerate the network configuration information in order to reconfigure the original network. For this reason, the suspension or replacement of the main master unit is forced to stop the operation of the communication system for a long time.
  • a communication system is provided that can easily reconfigure the network of the main master unit even if the main master unit stops operating or fails.
  • FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the main base unit 11 generates a backup ID as identification information of the main base unit 11.
  • the backup ID becomes part of the network configuration information.
  • the main base unit 11 periodically wirelessly transmits a backup signal including network configuration information (including a backup ID) to at least one of the sub base units 12 and 13.
  • the network configuration information may include a time stamp of the time at which the backup signal is transmitted.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 store the network configuration information in the nonvolatile memory 53 when the backup signal is wirelessly received.
  • the administrator replaces it with a new main master unit (another main master unit) and replaces the main main unit replaced by a maintenance terminal device (not shown) that can communicate with the main master unit.
  • a backup ID is input to the base unit 11.
  • the replaced main master unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the backup ID to the sub-master units 12 and 13.
  • the sub master unit 12 or 13 receives the notification signal by radio, it transmits a response signal to the exchanged main master unit 11 by radio.
  • the exchanged main master unit 11 wirelessly transmits a request signal for requesting network configuration information to at least one sub-master unit 12 that is the transmission source of the response signal.
  • the sub master unit 12 collates the backup ID included in the backup signal with the backup ID included in the notification signal. If these backup IDs match, the sub-master unit 12 wirelessly transmits a recovery signal including network configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory 53 to the replaced main master unit 11. As long as the backup IDs match, the sub-master unit 12 may send the notification signal and the request signal to the original main master unit recovered from the failure or the replaced main master unit 11 The recovery signal is transmitted wirelessly.
  • the backed up network configuration information is acquired from the sub-master unit.
  • the time for reconfiguring the network can be shortened.
  • the network configuration information can be held even if the sub master unit has a power failure.
  • the main base unit 11 may divide the network configuration information into a plurality of configuration information parts.
  • the size of the configuration information portion is set to a data length that can be transmitted at once in the network.
  • the main master unit 11 assigns a management identification number (page number) to each configuration information part.
  • the main base unit 11 periodically wirelessly transmits a plurality of signals each including one of the configuration information parts and one of the identification numbers to at least one of the sub base units 12 and 13. This wireless transmission is performed during a period in which the main base unit 11 does not transmit a Hello packet, a metering data request signal, or the like.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 When receiving a plurality of signals each including a configuration information part and an identification number, the sub master units 12 and 13 connect the plurality of configuration information parts based on each identification number to generate network configuration information, and 53. According to this, the main master unit 11 can back up the network configuration information while maintaining the performance of remote meter reading without disturbing the transmission of the Hello packet and the request signal of meter reading data.
  • the replaced main master unit 11 may wirelessly transmit a notification signal and a request signal to the sub-master units 12 and 13 at a predetermined time. Even if the administrator cannot be present when installing a new main master unit, such as when construction is being done at midnight, the administrator will set the time to send the notification signal and request signal to the new main master unit in advance. Can be set. As a result, the replaced main master unit 11 can automatically acquire the backed up network configuration information from the sub-master units 12 and 13.
  • the main base unit 11 generates network identification information.
  • Main master unit 11, sub master units 12 and 13, PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22M, 23-1 to 23-N, and RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 Communicate with each other using network identification information.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 store the network identification information in the nonvolatile memory 53.
  • the sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly receive the notification signal and the request signal from the replaced main master unit 11. At this time, if the backup IDs match, the sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly transmit the network configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory 53 to the exchanged main master unit 11 without using the network identification information. Send.
  • the main master unit 11 may back up the same network configuration information (or configuration information part) in multiple sub-master units 12 and 13 in a multiplexed manner. Further, when the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory 53 of the sub master units 12 and 13 is small, the main master unit 11 distributes different configuration information portions of the network configuration information to the plurality of sub master units 12 and 13. You may back up.
  • FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the main base unit 11 divides network configuration information before wirelessly transmitting a backup signal. Further, the replaced main master unit 11 wirelessly transmits a request signal to all the sub master units 12 and 13 storing the configuration information of the divided networks, and the recovery signal is sent from these sub master units 12 and 13. Is received wirelessly.
  • the replaced main master unit 11 restores the network configuration information.
  • the network of the main master unit can be easily reconfigured and operation can be resumed in a short time.
  • a communication system can be provided.
  • the communication system according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Without departing from the gist of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in the present embodiment, and other forms constructed by arbitrarily combining some components in the embodiments and modifications are also possible. Are included within the scope of the present invention.
  • Each step described in the first and second embodiments may be implemented as hardware of the sub-master units 12 and 13, or may be implemented as a program executed by their control circuit.
  • the slave unit 21-1 in FIG. 4 and the slave unit 24-1 in FIG. 5 show a configuration in which the watt hour meter and other circuits are integrated, but the watt hour meter and the other circuits are separated from each other. It may be provided as a module.
  • mobile_unit acquires meter-reading data from the watt-hour meter of each dwelling unit.
  • the slave unit is not limited to the metering device for the electric energy, but can be operated by at least one communication method including power line communication and wireless communication. Other meter reading devices may be used.
  • the communication system may include a plurality of communication devices other than the meter-reading device and its management device.
  • Non-volatile memory 54 Power line communication (PLC) circuit 55 Wireless communication circuit 55a Antenna 61 Control circuit 62 Memory 63 Non-volatile memory 64 Power line communication (PLC) circuit 65 Power meter 71 Control circuit 72 Memory 73 Non-volatile memory 74 ... Wireless communication circuit 74a ... Antenna 75 ... Electricity meter

Abstract

This communication system includes multiple master units and multiple slave units. The master units include a main master unit (11) and master subunits (12, 13). The slave units include programmable-logic-controller-based (PLC) slave units and radio-frequency-based (RF) slave units. Each PLC-based slave unit is connected to one master unit by means of multihop power line communication involving PLC-based slave units. Each RF-based slave unit is connected to one master unit by means of multihop wireless communication involving RF-based slave units. Each master subunit (12, 13) is connected to the main master unit (11) by means of multihop wireless communication involving one or more of the master subunits and the RF-based slave units. The respective PLC-based slave units connected to the respective master subunits (12, 13) by means of power line communication communicate with the main master unit (11) via the master subunits (12, 13). The respective RF-based slave units connected to the respective master subunits (12, 13) by means of wireless communication communicate with the main master unit (11) via the master subunits (12, 13).

Description

通信装置及び通信システムCommunication apparatus and communication system
　本発明は、通信機能を備えた検針装置などを含む通信システムにおいて用いられる通信装置に関する。本発明はまた、そのような通信装置を含む通信システムに関する。 The present invention relates to a communication device used in a communication system including a meter reading device having a communication function. The invention also relates to a communication system comprising such a communication device.
　近年、通信機能を備えた電力量などの検針装置（いわゆる「スマートメーター」）が導入されつつある（特許文献１～２を参照）。 In recent years, a meter reading device (so-called “smart meter”) such as an electric energy provided with a communication function is being introduced (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
　特許文献１は、電気室を備えていない建物であっても、複数台の子機で計測した需要家の検針データを親機で取得し、親機から通信路を通してサーバに伝送することで遠隔検針を実現する遠隔検針システムを開示している。このシステムは、一部の子機から電力線通信により検針データを取得し、検針データを、無線通信路を通して親機に転送する中継器をさらに備える。特許文献１によれば、電気室を備えずかつ複数の変圧器から配電している集合住宅において、また、別個の変圧器からそれぞれ配電される複数の集合住宅を含む集合住宅群（団地）において、複数の住戸の遠隔検針を実現することができる。 Patent Document 1 discloses that even if a building does not have an electrical room, the meter reading data of a customer measured by a plurality of slave units is acquired by the master unit and transmitted from the master unit to a server through a communication path. A remote meter reading system that realizes meter reading is disclosed. This system further includes a repeater that acquires meter reading data from a part of the slave units by power line communication and transfers the meter reading data to the master unit through a wireless communication path. According to Patent Document 1, in an apartment house that does not have an electrical room and distributes power from a plurality of transformers, and in an apartment house group (a housing complex) that includes a plurality of apartment houses that are respectively distributed from separate transformers The remote meter reading of a plurality of dwelling units can be realized.
　特許文献２は、複数の親端末の各々と複数の子端末の各々とが互いにマルチホップ通信を行うとき、特定の親端末の配下に子端末が集中することなく、親端末との間で通信不可となる子端末の発生を抑制するマルチホップ通信システムを開示している。特許文献２によれば、ある親端末との通信ルートを構築している子端末は、親端末が構築可能な通信ルートの残数が第１のしきい値以下になった場合、構築可能な通信ルートの残数が第２のしきい値を上回っている他の親端末との間で通信ルートを構築する。 In Patent Document 2, when each of a plurality of parent terminals and each of a plurality of child terminals perform multi-hop communication with each other, communication is performed with the parent terminal without the child terminals being concentrated under a specific parent terminal. The multihop communication system which suppresses generation | occurrence | production of the child terminal which becomes impossible is disclosed. According to Patent Document 2, a child terminal that is building a communication route with a certain parent terminal can be constructed when the remaining number of communication routes that can be constructed by the parent terminal is equal to or less than a first threshold value. A communication route is established with another parent terminal whose remaining number of communication routes exceeds the second threshold.
特開２０１０－１８７３２８号公報JP 2010-187328 A 特開２０１２－０７０３６８号公報JP 2012-070368 A
　従来の遠隔検針システムでは、複数の集合住宅を含む集合住宅群と、戸建て住宅との両方に適用可能なものは知られていない。各集合住宅の中継器と親機との間で無線通信し、さらに、複数の戸建て住宅の間でマルチホップの無線通信を行うことを考えると、無線信号の干渉及び無線資源の無駄などの問題が生じる可能性がある。従って、複数の集合住宅及び複数の戸建て住宅を含むような大規模な遠隔検針システムに適用可能な通信システムに対する必要性が存在する。 In the conventional remote meter reading system, there is no known one that can be applied to both an apartment house group including a plurality of apartment houses and a detached house. Considering wireless communication between repeaters and master units in each housing complex and multi-hop wireless communication between multiple detached houses, problems such as radio signal interference and waste of radio resources May occur. Therefore, there is a need for a communication system applicable to a large-scale remote meter reading system that includes a plurality of apartment houses and a plurality of detached houses.
　本発明の目的は、集合住宅及び戸建て住宅などのさまざまな環境に設けられた子機と効率よく通信することができる通信システムを提供することにある。また、本発明の目的は、そのような通信システムにおいて用いられる通信装置を提供することにある。 An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that can efficiently communicate with a handset provided in various environments such as an apartment house and a detached house. Moreover, the objective of this invention is providing the communication apparatus used in such a communication system.
　本発明の第１の態様に係る通信システムによれば、複数の親機及び複数の子機を含む通信システムが提供される。複数の親機は、メイン親機と、少なくとも１つのサブ親機とを含む。複数の親機は無線通信回路及び電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備える。複数の子機は、電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第１の子機と、無線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第２の子機とを含む。各第１の子機は、複数の第１の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、複数の親機のうちの１つに接続される。各第２の子機は、複数の第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、複数の親機のうちの１つに接続される。各サブ親機は、サブ親機及び第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機に接続される。各サブ親機に電力線通信により接続された各第１の子機は、当該第１の子機に電力線通信により接続されたサブ親機を介して、メイン親機とマルチホップで通信する。各サブ親機に無線通信により接続された各第２の子機は、当該第２の子機に無線通信により接続されたサブ親機を介して、メイン親機とマルチホップで通信する。 The communication system according to the first aspect of the present invention provides a communication system including a plurality of master units and a plurality of slave units. The plurality of master units include a main master unit and at least one sub master unit. The plurality of master units each include a wireless communication circuit and a power line communication circuit. The plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units each provided with a power line communication circuit and a plurality of second slave units each provided with a wireless communication circuit. Each first slave unit is connected to one of the plurality of master units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more of the plurality of first slave units. Each second slave unit is connected to one of the plurality of master units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the plurality of second slave units. Each sub-base unit is connected to the main base unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub-base unit and the second slave unit. Each first slave unit connected to each sub master unit by power line communication communicates with the main master unit in a multi-hop manner via the sub master unit connected to the first slave unit by power line communication. Each second slave unit connected to each sub master unit by wireless communication communicates with the main master unit in a multi-hop manner via the sub master unit connected to the second slave unit by radio communication.
　本発明の第２の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第１の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、各サブ親機は、サブ親機のうちの１つ以上のみが関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機に接続される。 According to the communication system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the first aspect, each sub-base unit is configured by multi-hop wireless communication involving only one or more of the sub-base units. Connected to the main master unit.
　本発明の第３の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第１の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、以下の構成を備える。各サブ親機は、サブ親機及び第２の子機の一部を含むルートであって、サブ親機を第２の子機よりも優先的に選択して含むルートに含まれるサブ親機及び／又は第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機に接続される。 According to the communication system according to the third aspect of the present invention, the communication system according to the first aspect includes the following configuration. Each sub-base unit is a route including a part of the sub-base unit and the second slave unit, and is included in a route including the sub-base unit that is selected with priority over the second slave unit. And / or connected to the main parent device by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the second child devices.
　本発明の第４の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第３の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、ルートは、第２の子機のリンクコストにオフセットを付加して、第２の子機を含むルートのルートコストを増大させることにより、サブ親機を第２の子機よりも優先的に選択して含む。 According to the communication system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the third aspect, the route includes the second slave unit by adding an offset to the link cost of the second slave unit. By increasing the route cost of the route, the sub master unit is selected and included with priority over the second slave unit.
　本発明の第５の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第２～第４のうちの１つの態様に係る通信システムにおいて、各サブ親機は、ルーティングのために定期的又は非定期的に無線送信される信号に、当該信号の送信元ノードがサブ親機であることを示す情報を挿入する。 According to the communication system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to one of the second to fourth aspects, each sub-base station wirelessly or periodically transmits a route for routing. Information indicating that the transmission source node of the signal is a sub-master is inserted into the transmitted signal.
　本発明の第６の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第５の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、信号の送信元ノードがサブ親機であることを示す情報は、親機であることを示す情報と、信号の送信元ノードの上位ノードの情報とを含む。 According to the communication system according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the fifth aspect, the information indicating that the signal transmission source node is the sub-master device is information indicating that the signal is the master device. And information of a higher-order node of the signal transmission source node.
　本発明の第７の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第１～第６のうちの１つの態様に係る通信システムにおいて、以下の構成を備える。メイン親機は、メイン親機、各サブ親機、各第１の子機、及び各第２の子機を含むネットワークの構成情報を含む信号を、各サブ親機のうちの少なくとも１つに無線送信する。各サブ親機は不揮発メモリをさらに備える。各サブ親機は、ネットワークの構成情報を含む信号を無線受信したとき、ネットワークの構成情報を不揮発メモリに格納する。 According to the communication system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the communication system according to one of the first to sixth aspects has the following configuration. The main master unit sends a signal including network configuration information including the main master unit, each sub master unit, each first slave unit, and each second slave unit to at least one of the sub master units. Wireless transmission. Each sub-base unit further includes a nonvolatile memory. When each sub-master unit wirelessly receives a signal including network configuration information, it stores the network configuration information in a nonvolatile memory.
　本発明の第８の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第７の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、以下の構成を備える。メイン親機は、ネットワークの構成情報を複数の構成情報部分に分割し、各構成情報部分に識別番号をそれぞれ付与する。メイン親機は、構成情報部分のうちの１つ及び識別番号のうちの１つをそれぞれ含む複数の信号を、サブ親機のうちの少なくとも１つに無線送信する。 According to the communication system according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the communication system according to the seventh aspect includes the following configuration. The main base unit divides network configuration information into a plurality of configuration information parts, and assigns an identification number to each configuration information part. The main base unit wirelessly transmits a plurality of signals each including one of the configuration information portions and one of the identification numbers to at least one of the sub base units.
　本発明の第９の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第８の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、各サブ親機は、構成情報部分及び識別番号をそれぞれ含む複数の信号を受信したとき、各識別番号に基づいて複数の構成情報部分を連結してネットワークの構成情報を生成し、不揮発メモリに格納する。 According to the communication system according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the eighth aspect, when each sub-base station receives a plurality of signals each including the configuration information part and the identification number, each identification is performed. Based on the number, a plurality of configuration information portions are connected to generate network configuration information, which is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
　本発明の第１０の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第７～第９のうちの１つの態様に係る通信システムにおいて、以下の構成を備える。ネットワークの構成情報は、メイン親機の識別情報を含む。各サブ親機は、メイン親機とは別のメイン親機からネットワークの構成情報を要求する信号及び識別情報を含む信号が無線受信されたとき、不揮発メモリに格納されたネットワークの構成情報を別のメイン親機に無線送信する。 According to the communication system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the communication system according to one of the seventh to ninth aspects has the following configuration. The network configuration information includes identification information of the main master unit. Each sub-base unit separates network configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory when a signal requesting network configuration information and a signal including identification information are received wirelessly from a main base unit different from the main base unit. Wirelessly transmitted to the main master unit.
　本発明の第１１の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第１０の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、別のメイン親機は、予め決められた時刻に、ネットワークの構成情報を要求する信号及び識別情報を含む信号を、各サブ親機に無線送信する。 According to the communication system according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the communication system according to the tenth aspect, another main master unit sends a signal requesting network configuration information and identification information at a predetermined time. Is wirelessly transmitted to each sub-master unit.
　本発明の第１２の態様に係る通信システムによれば、第１０又は第１１の態様に係る通信システムにおいて、以下の構成を備える。メイン親機は、ネットワークの識別情報を生成する。メイン親機、各サブ親機、各第１の子機、及び各第２の子機とは、ネットワークの識別情報を用いて互いに通信する。各サブ親機は、別のメイン親機からネットワークの構成情報を要求する信号及び識別情報を含む信号が無線受信されたとき、ネットワークの識別情報を用いることなく、不揮発メモリに格納されたネットワークの構成情報を別のメイン親機に無線送信する。 According to the communication system according to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the communication system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect includes the following configuration. The main base unit generates network identification information. The main master unit, each sub-base unit, each first slave unit, and each second slave unit communicate with each other using network identification information. Each sub-base station, when a signal requesting network configuration information from another main base station and a signal including identification information are wirelessly received, without using the network identification information, The configuration information is wirelessly transmitted to another main master unit.
　本発明の第１３の態様に係る通信装置によれば、メイン親機及び少なくとも１つのサブ親機を含む複数の親機と、複数の子機とを含む通信システムにおいてサブ親機として動作する通信装置が提供される。複数の親機は無線通信回路及び電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備える。複数の子機は、電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第１の子機と、無線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第２の子機とを含む。通信装置は、複数の第１の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、複数の第１の子機の一部に接続される。通信装置は、複数の第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、複数の第２の子機の一部に接続される。通信装置は、サブ親機及び第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機に接続される。通信装置は、通信装置に電力線通信により接続された各第１の子機は、通信装置を介して、メイン親機とマルチホップで通信する。通信装置は、通信装置に無線通信により接続された各第２の子機は、通信装置を介して、メイン親機とマルチホップで通信する。 According to the communication device of the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, communication that operates as a sub-master unit in a communication system that includes a plurality of master units including a main master unit and at least one sub-master unit and a plurality of slave units. An apparatus is provided. The plurality of master units each include a wireless communication circuit and a power line communication circuit. The plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units each provided with a power line communication circuit and a plurality of second slave units each provided with a wireless communication circuit. The communication device is connected to a part of the plurality of first slave units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more of the plurality of first slave units. The communication device is connected to a part of the plurality of second slave units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the plurality of second slave units. The communication device is connected to the main master unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub master unit and the second slave unit. In the communication device, each first child device connected to the communication device by power line communication communicates with the main parent device in a multi-hop manner via the communication device. In the communication device, each second child device connected to the communication device by wireless communication communicates with the main parent device in a multi-hop manner via the communication device.
　本発明の態様に係る通信システムによれば、集合住宅及び戸建て住宅などのさまざまな環境に設けられた子機と効率よく通信することができる通信システムを提供することができる。 According to the communication system according to the aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system capable of efficiently communicating with a slave unit provided in various environments such as an apartment house and a detached house.
図１は、本発明の第１の実施形態に係る通信システム構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、図１のメイン親機１１の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main master unit 11 of FIG. 図３は、図１のサブ親機１２の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the sub-base unit 12 of FIG. 図４は、図１の子機２１－１の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of handset 21-1 in FIG. 図５は、図１の子機２４－１の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 24-1 in FIG. 図６は、図１の通信システムにおいて無線送信されるＨｅｌｌｏパケットのフォーマットを示す図である。FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of a Hello packet wirelessly transmitted in the communication system of FIG. 図７は、本発明の第２の実施形態に係るネットワークの構成情報のバックアップを示すシーケンス図である。FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 図８は、本発明の第２の実施形態の変形例に係るネットワークの構成情報のバックアップを示すシーケンス図である。FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention.
　以下、本発明の実施の形態について、説明する。なお、以下で説明する実施の形態は、いずれも本発明の好ましい一具体例を示す。以下の実施の形態で示される数値、構成要素、構成要素の配置位置及び接続形態等は、一例であり、本発明を限定する主旨ではない。また、以下の実施の形態における構成要素のうち、本発明の最上位概念を示す独立請求項に記載されていない構成要素については、より好ましい形態を構成する任意の構成要素として説明する。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. Note that each of the embodiments described below shows a preferred specific example of the present invention. The numerical values, the constituent elements, the arrangement positions of the constituent elements, the connection forms, and the like shown in the following embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, among the constituent elements in the following embodiments, constituent elements that are not described in the independent claims showing the highest concept of the present invention will be described as optional constituent elements that constitute a more preferable embodiment.
　以下、図面を参照して、本発明の実施形態について説明する。各図面において、同様の構成要素は、同じ参照番号により示す。 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.
　第１の実施形態．
　図１は、本発明の第１の実施形態に係る通信システム構成を示すブロック図である。図１の通信システムは、複数の親機及び複数の子機を含む。複数の親機は、メイン親機１１と、少なくとも１つのサブ親機１２、１３とを含む。メイン親機１１のみが、通信線を介して電力会社設備１のサーバ装置（図示せず）と直接に通信する。サブ親機１２、１３は、電力会社設備１のサーバ装置と直接には通信せず、メイン親機１１を介して通信する。複数の子機は、電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第１の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ（ＰＬＣの子機）と、無線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第２の子機２４－１～２４－９（ＲＦの子機）とを含む。ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、例えば、複数の集合住宅３１～３３の各住戸に設けられてもよい。ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、例えば、複数の戸建て住宅に設けられてもよい。 First embodiment.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of master units and a plurality of slave units. The plurality of master units include a main master unit 11 and at least one sub master unit 12 and 13. Only main main unit 11 communicates directly with a server device (not shown) of power company facility 1 via a communication line. The sub master units 12 and 13 do not communicate directly with the server device of the power company facility 1 but communicate via the main master unit 11. The plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N (PLC slave units) each having a power line communication circuit. And a plurality of second slave units 24-1 to 24-9 (RF slave units) each having a wireless communication circuit. The PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, and 23-1 to 23-N may be provided in each dwelling unit of the plurality of apartment houses 31 to 33, for example. The RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 may be provided in, for example, a plurality of detached houses.
　メイン親機１１及びサブ親機１２、１３は、各子機から離れて、電柱の上部又は建物の側壁上部など、良好な無線伝搬環境の場所に設けられる。 The main master unit 11 and the sub master units 12 and 13 are provided apart from each slave unit and in a place with a good radio propagation environment such as an upper part of a power pole or an upper part of a side wall of a building.
　各集合住宅３１～３３は、電力会社設備１から電力線及び配電用の変圧器（図示せず）を介して、電力供給を受ける。１つの集合住宅が複数の変圧器を介して電力供給を受けてもよい。変圧器の２次側（低圧側）には、各集合住宅３１～３３の電力線が接続される。各集合住宅３１～３３は複数の住戸をそれぞれ含む。各集合住宅３１～３３の電力線には、電力線通信により互いに通信する、１つの親機１１～１３と、複数の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎとがそれぞれ接続される。子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、各住戸の消費電力量の検針データを取得する電力量計を含む。親機１１～１３は、検針データを外部装置に送信する。外部装置は、例えば、各住戸の消費電力量の遠隔検針及び電気料金の計算などを行う、電力会社設備１のサーバ装置である。 Each housing complex 31 to 33 receives power supply from the power company facility 1 through a power line and a distribution transformer (not shown). One apartment house may receive power supply via a plurality of transformers. The power lines of the apartment houses 31 to 33 are connected to the secondary side (low voltage side) of the transformer. Each housing complex 31 to 33 includes a plurality of dwelling units. The power lines of the housing complexes 31 to 33 include one master unit 11 to 13 and a plurality of slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 that communicate with each other by power line communication. To 23-N are respectively connected. The slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, and 23-1 to 23-N include watt-hour meters that acquire meter reading data of the power consumption amount of each dwelling unit. Base units 11 to 13 transmit meter reading data to an external device. The external device is, for example, a server device of the power company facility 1 that performs remote meter reading of the power consumption amount of each dwelling unit and calculation of an electricity bill.
　さらに、各戸建て住宅もまた、電力会社設備１から電力線及び配電用の変圧器（図示せず）を介して、電力供給を受ける。各戸建て住宅には、当該戸建て住宅の消費電力量の検針データを取得する電力量計を含み、検針データを親機（メイン親機１１又はサブ親機１２、１３）に無線送信する子機２４－１～２４－９がそれぞれ設けられる。 In addition, each detached house also receives power supply from the power company facility 1 through a power line and a distribution transformer (not shown). Each single-family house includes a watt-hour meter that acquires meter-reading data of the power consumption of the single-family house, and a slave unit 24 that wirelessly transmits meter-reading data to the master unit (main master unit 11 or sub master unit 12, 13). -1 to 24-9 are provided.
　これにより、集合住宅３１～３３の各住戸及び各戸建て住宅の電力量計から電力量の検針データを取得して電力会社設備１のサーバ装置に送信する通信システムが提供される。 Thus, a communication system is provided that acquires meter reading data of electric energy from the watt hour meter of each dwelling unit 31-33 and each detached house and transmits it to the server device of the electric power company facility 1.
　メイン親機１１から電力会社設備１への通信線は、物理的には、電話回線、光回線、ケーブルテレビ線などを使用可能である。情報の漏洩を防止するために、通信線上で仮想専用網（ＶＰＮ）を構築してもよい。 The telephone line, optical line, cable TV line, etc. can be physically used as the communication line from the main base unit 11 to the power company facility 1. In order to prevent information leakage, a virtual private network (VPN) may be constructed on the communication line.
　各集合住宅３１～３３は、例えば、変圧器を内部に有する電気室を含んでもよいし、電気室を含まずに構成されてもよい。変圧器は、例えば、集合住宅３１～３３の建物外に設けられてもよい。 Each housing complex 31 to 33 may include, for example, an electric room having a transformer inside, or may be configured without including an electric room. The transformer may be provided outside the buildings of the apartment houses 31 to 33, for example.
　図２は、図１のメイン親機１１の構成を示すブロック図である。メイン親機１１は、制御回路４１、メモリ４２、不揮発メモリ４３、電力線通信（ＰＬＣ）回路４４、無線通信回路４５、アンテナ４５ａ、及び通信回路４６を備える。メイン親機１１は、ＰＬＣ回路４４を用いて、集合住宅３１の電力線上の１つ以上の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌが関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、集合住宅３１内の複数の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌに接続される。ここで、１つ以上の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌが関わるマルチホップの電力線通信というのは、１つ以上の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌによる中継を許容するマルチホップ方式の電力線通信をいう。さらに言い換えれば、１つ以上の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌが中継器として選択可能なマルチホップ方式の電力線通信をいう。例えば、親機１１の通信対象が子機２１－Ｌである場合、親機１１は他の１台以上の子機の中継により通信対象の子機２１－Ｌと接続され、あるいは、親機１１は他の子機の中継を経ることなく通信対象の子機２１－Ｌと接続される。 FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the main master unit 11 of FIG. The main master unit 11 includes a control circuit 41, a memory 42, a nonvolatile memory 43, a power line communication (PLC) circuit 44, a wireless communication circuit 45, an antenna 45a, and a communication circuit 46. The main master unit 11 uses the PLC circuit 44 to perform a plurality of child units in the apartment house 31 by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L on the power line of the apartment house 31. Connected to the machines 21-1 to 21-L. Here, multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L is a multi-hop power line that allows relaying by one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L. Communication. In other words, it refers to multi-hop power line communication in which one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L can be selected as a repeater. For example, when the communication target of the parent device 11 is the child device 21-L, the parent device 11 is connected to the communication target child device 21-L by relaying one or more other child devices, or the parent device 11 Is connected to the slave unit 21-L to be communicated without relaying other slave units.
　また、メイン親機１１は、無線通信回路４５を用いて、１つ以上の子機２４－１～２４－２が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、複数の子機２４－１～２４－２に無線接続される。ここで、１つ以上の子機２４－１～２４－２が関わるマルチホップの電力線通信というのは、上記と同様に、１つ以上の子機２４－１～２４－２による中継を許容するマルチホップ方式の無線通信をいう。 In addition, the main base unit 11 uses the wireless communication circuit 45 to transfer the plurality of handset units 24-1 to 24-2 by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more handset units 24-1 to 24-2. Wireless connection is established. Here, multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 24-1 to 24-2 allows relaying by one or more slave units 24-1 to 24-2, similar to the above. Multi-hop wireless communication.
　さらに、メイン親機１１は、無線通信回路４５を用いて、サブ親機１２、１３及びＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、各サブ親機１２、１３に無線接続される。メイン親機１１は、通信回路４６を用いて、電力会社設備１のサーバ装置に接続される。メイン親機１１は、集合住宅３１内の各子機２１－１～２１－Ｌから、及び無線接続された各子機２４－１～２４－２から検針データを収集して、電力会社設備１のサーバ装置に送信する。また、メイン親機１１は、各サブ親機１２、１３から他の子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ、２４－３～２４－９の検針データを無線受信したときも、無線受信した検針データを電力会社設備１のサーバ装置に送信する。 Further, the main base unit 11 uses the wireless communication circuit 45 to perform each of the sub-base units 12 and 13 and multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. Wirelessly connected to the sub master units 12 and 13. The main master unit 11 is connected to the server device of the power company facility 1 using the communication circuit 46. The main master unit 11 collects meter reading data from each of the slave units 21-1 to 21-L in the apartment house 31 and from each of the slave units 24-1 to 24-2 that are wirelessly connected to each other. To the server device. Further, the main master unit 11 wirelessly received the meter reading data of the other slave units 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N, and 24-3 to 24-9 from each of the sub master units 12 and 13. Sometimes, the meter reading data received wirelessly is transmitted to the server device of the power company facility 1.
　図３は、図１のサブ親機１２の構成を示すブロック図である。サブ親機１２は、制御回路５１、メモリ５２、不揮発メモリ５３、ＰＬＣ回路５４、無線通信回路５５、及びアンテナ５５ａを備える。サブ親機１２は、ＰＬＣ回路５４を用いて、集合住宅３２の電力線上の１つ以上の子機２２－１～２２－Ｍが関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、集合住宅３２内の複数の子機２２－１～２２－Ｍに接続される。サブ親機１２は、無線通信回路５５を用いて、１つ以上の子機２４－３～２４－５が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、複数の子機２４－３～２４－５に無線接続される。サブ親機１２は、無線通信回路５５を用いて、１つ以上のサブ親機が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機１１に無線接続される。サブ親機１２は、集合住宅３２内の各子機２２－１～２２－Ｍから、及び無線接続された各子機２４－３～２４－５から検針データを受信して、メイン親機１１に無線送信する。 FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the sub-master unit 12 of FIG. The sub master unit 12 includes a control circuit 51, a memory 52, a nonvolatile memory 53, a PLC circuit 54, a wireless communication circuit 55, and an antenna 55a. The sub-master unit 12 uses the PLC circuit 54 to perform a plurality of children in the apartment house 32 by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 22-1 to 22-M on the power line of the apartment house 32. Connected to the machines 22-1 to 22-M. The sub-master unit 12 is wirelessly connected to a plurality of slave units 24-3 to 24-5 by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more slave units 24-3 to 24-5 using the radio communication circuit 55. Is done. The sub master unit 12 is wirelessly connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop radio communication involving one or more sub master units using the radio communication circuit 55. The sub master unit 12 receives meter reading data from each of the slave units 22-1 to 22-M in the apartment house 32 and from each of the slave units 24-3 to 24-5 that are wirelessly connected. Wirelessly transmit to.
　サブ親機１３もまた、図３のサブ親機１２と同様に構成される。 The sub-base unit 13 is also configured in the same manner as the sub-base unit 12 in FIG.
　図４は、図１の子機２１－１の構成を示すブロック図である。ＰＬＣの子機２１－１は、制御回路６１、メモリ６２、不揮発メモリ６３、ＰＬＣ回路６４、及び電力量計６５を備える。子機２１－１は、ＰＬＣ回路６４を用いて、１つ以上の子機２１－１～２１－Ｌが関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、複数の親機のうちの１つ（メイン親機１１）に接続される。電力量計６５は、宅内機器（図示せず）の消費電力量を測定する。制御回路６１は、測定した消費電力量を、ＰＬＣ回路６４を用いて親機に通知する。 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 21-1 shown in FIG. The PLC slave unit 21-1 includes a control circuit 61, a memory 62, a nonvolatile memory 63, a PLC circuit 64, and a watt hour meter 65. The slave unit 21-1 uses one of a plurality of master units (the main master unit 11) by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more slave units 21-1 to 21-L using the PLC circuit 64. ). The watt-hour meter 65 measures the power consumption of a home device (not shown). The control circuit 61 notifies the parent device of the measured power consumption using the PLC circuit 64.
　集合住宅３１の他の子機２１－２～２１－Ｌ、他の集合住宅３２、３３の子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎもまた、図４の子機２１－１と同様に構成される。他の集合住宅３２、３３の子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、メイン親機１１に代えて、他の親機のうちの１つ（サブ親機１２又は１３）に接続される。 The other slave units 21-2 to 21-L of the apartment house 31 and the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of the other apartment houses 32 and 33 are also shown in FIG. It is configured in the same way as -1. The slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of the other apartment houses 32 and 33 are replaced with one of the other master units (sub master unit 12 or 13).
　図５は、図１の子機２４－１の構成を示すブロック図である。ＲＦの子機２４－１は、制御回路７１、メモリ７２、不揮発メモリ７３、無線通信回路７４、アンテナ７４ａ、及び電力量計７５を備える。子機２４－１は、無線通信回路７４を用いて、１つ以上の子機２４－１～２４－９が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、複数の親機（メイン親機１１又はサブ親機１２、１３）のうちの１つに接続される。電力量計７５は、宅内機器（図示せず）の消費電力量を測定する。制御回路７１は、測定した消費電力量を、無線通信回路７４を用いて親機に通知する。 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the slave unit 24-1 in FIG. The RF slave unit 24-1 includes a control circuit 71, a memory 72, a nonvolatile memory 73, a wireless communication circuit 74, an antenna 74a, and a watt hour meter 75. The slave unit 24-1 uses a wireless communication circuit 74 to perform a plurality of master units (the main master unit 11 or the sub master unit) by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more slave units 24-1 to 24-9. 12, 13). The watt-hour meter 75 measures the amount of power consumed by a home device (not shown). The control circuit 71 notifies the parent device of the measured power consumption using the wireless communication circuit 74.
　子機２４－２～２４－９もまた、図５の子機２４－１と同様に構成される。 The slave units 24-2 to 24-9 are also configured in the same manner as the slave unit 24-1 in FIG.
　各集合住宅３１～３３において、親機（メイン親機又はサブ親機）がある住戸の消費電力量の検針データを取得してもよい。言い換えると、子機のうちの１つが親機（メイン親機又はサブ親機）の機能を有していてもよい。 In each housing complex 31 to 33, meter reading data of the power consumption of the dwelling unit where the master unit (main master unit or sub master unit) is located may be acquired. In other words, one of the slave units may have the function of a master unit (main master unit or sub master unit).
　複数の集合住宅を含む集合住宅群において、各住戸の検針データを電力会社に送信するために、電力会社設備１のサーバ装置に通信線を介して接続された親機を、集合住宅のすべてに設けることが考えられる。しかしながら、この場合、通信線を設けるための手間及びコストが増大する。このため、図１の通信システムでは、各住戸の検針データを電力会社に送信するために、メイン親機１１及びサブ親機１２、１３を用いる。 In an apartment house group including a plurality of apartment houses, in order to transmit meter reading data of each dwelling unit to an electric power company, a master unit connected to the server device of the electric power company facility 1 via a communication line is provided to all the apartment houses. It is conceivable to provide it. However, in this case, labor and cost for providing a communication line increase. For this reason, in the communication system of FIG. 1, in order to transmit the meter-reading data of each dwelling unit to an electric power company, the main main unit 11 and the sub main units 12 and 13 are used.
　各ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、１つ以上のＰＬＣの子機が関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、複数の親機のうちの１つに接続される。各ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、１つ以上のＲＦの子機が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、複数の親機のうちの１つに接続される。各サブ親機１２、１３は、サブ親機１２、１３及びＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続される。各サブ親機１２、１３に電力線通信により接続された各ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、当該ＰＬＣの子機に電力線通信により接続されたサブ親機１２、１３を介して、メイン親機１１とマルチホップで通信する。各サブ親機１２、１３に無線通信により接続された各ＲＦの子機２４－３～２４－９は、当該ＲＦの子機に無線通信により接続されたサブ親機１２、１３を介して、メイン親機１１とマルチホップで通信する。 Each slave unit 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC is connected to a plurality of parent units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more PLC slave units. Connected to one of the machines. Each RF slave unit 24-1 to 24-9 is connected to one of a plurality of master units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more RF slave units. Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub master units 12 and 13 and the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. . The slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC connected to the sub master units 12 and 13 by power line communication are sub master units connected to the PLC slave units by power line communication. Multi-hop communication is performed with the main base unit 11 via the units 12 and 13. The RF slave units 24-3 to 24-9 connected to the sub master units 12 and 13 by wireless communication are connected to the sub slave units 12 and 13 through the sub master units 12 and 13 connected to the RF slave unit by radio communication. Communicate with the main base unit 11 in multi-hop.
　各サブ親機１２、１３がマルチホップの無線通信によりメイン親機１１に接続されるとき、各サブ親機１２、１３は、１つ以上のサブ親機１２、１３のみが関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続されてもよい。言い換えると、各サブ親機１２、１３は、他のサブ親機による中継を許容し、かつ、何れの子機による中継も許容しないマルチホップ方式の無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続されてもよい。戸建て住宅の子機２４－１～２４－９は低い位置に設けられる場合が多いので、周囲の建物等、乗用車、及びトラックなどの遮蔽物の影響を受けやすく、無線通信が不安定になる傾向がある。一方、サブ親機１２、１３は、子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ、２４－３～２４－９の検針データをメイン親機１１に無線送信するので、サブ親機１２、１３とメイン親機１１との間の通信品質は、遠隔検針の性能に大きく影響する。このため、各サブ親機１２、１３は、その上位ノードとして、ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９を選択することなく、他のサブ親機又はメイン親機１１のみを選択してもよい。前述のように、メイン親機１１及びサブ親機１２、１３は、電柱の上部又は建物の側壁上部などに設けられるので、メイン親機１１及びサブ親機１２、１３の間の遮蔽物は少なく、良好な無線伝搬環境を有する。従って、各サブ親機１２、１３は、サブ親機１２、１３のみが関わるマルチホップの無線通信によりメイン親機１１に接続されることにより、安定した通信ルートを構築し、検針エラーを低減することができる。 When each sub-base unit 12, 13 is connected to the main base unit 11 by multi-hop radio communication, each sub-base unit 12, 13 is a multi-hop radio involving only one or more sub-base units 12, 13 The main master unit 11 may be connected by communication. In other words, each of the sub-master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication that allows relaying by other sub-master units and does not allow relaying by any of the slave units. Also good. Since the slave units 24-1 to 24-9 in detached houses are often installed in low positions, they tend to be affected by obstructions such as surrounding buildings, passenger cars, and trucks, and wireless communication tends to become unstable. There is. On the other hand, since the sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly transmit the meter reading data of the slave units 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N, and 24-3 to 24-9 to the main master unit 11, The communication quality between the master units 12 and 13 and the main master unit 11 greatly affects the performance of remote meter reading. Therefore, each of the sub master units 12 and 13 may select only another sub master unit or the main master unit 11 without selecting the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 as the upper nodes. Good. As described above, the main master unit 11 and the sub master units 12 and 13 are provided in the upper part of the utility pole or the upper part of the side wall of the building. Have a good radio propagation environment. Accordingly, each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication involving only the sub master units 12 and 13, thereby constructing a stable communication route and reducing meter reading errors. be able to.
　図６は、図１の通信システムにおいて無線送信されるＨｅｌｌｏパケットのフォーマットを示す図である。各サブ親機１２、１３は、ルーティングのために定期的又は非定期的に無線送信される信号、例えばＨｅｌｌｏパケットに、当該信号の送信元ノードがサブ親機であることを示す情報を挿入する。 FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a format of a Hello packet wirelessly transmitted in the communication system of FIG. Each sub-base unit 12, 13 inserts information indicating that the signal source node is a sub-base unit into a signal that is wirelessly transmitted periodically or non-periodically for routing, for example, a Hello packet. .
　図６のＨｅｌｌｏパケットは、マルチホップの無線通信を行う従来技術の通信システムにおいて、ルーティング（経路構築）のために使用される。図６のＨｅｌｌｏパケットは、例えば、メッセージタイプ、高速モードフラグ、ノードタイプ、シーケンス番号、上位ノード情報、リンク情報要求、リンク情報応答、及びリンク切断情報の情報をそれぞれ含む複数のフィールドを有する。メッセージタイプフィールドは、当該パケットの種類（Ｈｅｌｌｏパケット）を示す情報を含む。高速モードフラグフィールドは、当該パケットの伝送モードが高速であるか低速であるかを示す１ビットの情報を含む。ノードタイプフィールドは、当該パケットの送信元ノードが子機であるか親機であるかを示す１ビットの情報を含む。シーケンス番号フィールドは、当該パケットを一意的に識別する番号を含む。上位ノード情報フィールドは、当該パケットの送信元ノードの上位ノード（当該パケットの送信元ノードからメイン親機１１までのマルチホップ通信の経路上にあるノード）の情報を含む。リンク情報要求フィールドは、当該パケットを受信したノードに、その隣接ノードの伝搬品質情報の送信を要求する情報を含む。リンク情報応答フィールドは、他のノードから受信されたＨｅｌｌｏパケットのリンク情報要求に応答して、隣接ノードの伝搬品質情報を含む。リンク切断情報フィールドは、伝搬品質の劣化などに起因して通信できなくなったノードの情報を含む。 The Hello packet in FIG. 6 is used for routing (path construction) in a communication system of the prior art that performs multi-hop wireless communication. The Hello packet in FIG. 6 has a plurality of fields each including information on a message type, a high-speed mode flag, a node type, a sequence number, upper node information, a link information request, a link information response, and link disconnection information, for example. The message type field includes information indicating the type of packet (Hello packet). The high-speed mode flag field includes 1-bit information indicating whether the transmission mode of the packet is high speed or low speed. The node type field includes 1-bit information indicating whether the transmission source node of the packet is a child device or a parent device. The sequence number field includes a number that uniquely identifies the packet. The upper node information field includes information on an upper node of a transmission source node of the packet (a node on a multi-hop communication path from the transmission source node of the packet to the main master unit 11). The link information request field includes information requesting the node that received the packet to transmit the propagation quality information of the adjacent node. The link information response field includes propagation quality information of the adjacent node in response to a link information request of a Hello packet received from another node. The link disconnection information field includes information on a node that has become unable to communicate due to degradation of propagation quality or the like.
　サブ親機１２、１３は、図６のＨｅｌｌｏパケットを送信するとき、親機であることを示す情報をノードタイプフィールドに書き込み、当該サブ親機の上位ノードの情報を上位ノード情報フィールドに書き込む。サブ親機１２、１３が送信するＨｅｌｌｏパケットは上位ノード情報を含むが、メイン親機１１の上位ノードは存在しないので、メイン親機１１が送信するＨｅｌｌｏパケットの上位ノード情報フィールドは空である。従って、既存のＨｅｌｌｏパケットのフォーマットを用いて、メイン親機１１、サブ親機１２、１３、及びＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９を互いに区別することができる。図６のＨｅｌｌｏパケットを用いて、サブ親機１２、１３は、隣接ノードがメイン親機１１、サブ親機１２、１３、及びＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９のいずれであるかを識別し、上位ノードとしてサブ親機又はメイン親機のみを選択することができる。図６のＨｅｌｌｏパケットを送受信することにより、サブ親機１２、１３は、マルチホップの無線通信を行う既存の通信システムとの互換性を保ちながら、サブ親機１２、１３のみが関わるマルチホップの無線通信によりメイン親機１１に接続される。 When transmitting the Hello packet of FIG. 6, the sub master units 12 and 13 write information indicating the master unit in the node type field, and write information on the upper node of the sub master unit in the upper node information field. Although the Hello packet transmitted by the sub master units 12 and 13 includes the upper node information, the upper node information field of the Hello packet transmitted by the main master unit 11 is empty because there is no upper node of the main master unit 11. Accordingly, it is possible to distinguish the main master unit 11, the sub master units 12 and 13, and the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 from each other using the existing Hello packet format. Using the Hello packet in FIG. 6, the sub master units 12 and 13 determine whether the adjacent node is the main master unit 11, the sub master unit 12 or 13, or the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. It is possible to identify and select only the sub master unit or the main master unit as an upper node. By transmitting and receiving the Hello packet in FIG. 6, the sub-master units 12 and 13 are compatible with the existing communication system that performs multi-hop wireless communication, while the multi-hop of only the sub-master units 12 and 13 are involved. Connected to the main master unit 11 by wireless communication.
　なお、ルーティングのために定期的又は非定期的に無線送信される信号として、Ｈｅｌｌｏパケットを用いる場合について説明したが、Ｈｅｌｌｏパケットに限らず、ルーティングのための他のパケットを用いてもよい。例えば、ＲＰＬ（IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low power and Lossy Networks）における、ＤＩＯ（Destination Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph Information Object）又はＤＡＯ（Destination Advertisement Object）のパケットを用いてもよい。 In addition, although the case where a Hello packet was used as a signal transmitted by radio | wireless regularly or non-periodically for routing was demonstrated, it is not restricted to a Hello packet, You may use the other packet for routing. For example, a DIO (Destination Oriented Directed Acyclic Graph Information Object) or DAO (Destination Advertisement Object) packet in RPL (IPv6 Routing Protocol for Low power and Lossy Networks) may be used.
　各ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、１つ以上のＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９のみが関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続されてもよい。言い換えると、各ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、１つ以上のＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９による中継を許容し、かつ、何れのサブ親機１２、１３による中継も許容しないマルチホップ方式の無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続されてもよい。この場合、サブ親機１２、１３は、ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９とメイン親機１１との間の通信に関与しない。各ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、サブ親機１２、１３を介さずに、当該ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９の検針データをメイン親機１１に無線送信する。サブ親機１２、１３は、ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データのみをメイン親機１１に無線送信する。従って、サブ親機１２、１３の処理負荷及び通信トラフィックが軽減されるので、ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎとメイン親機１１との間で安定した通信ルートを構築し、検針エラーを低減することができる。 The RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 may be connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication involving only one or more RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. In other words, each RF slave unit 24-1 to 24-9 allows relaying by one or more RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 and relays by any of the sub-master units 12 and 13. May be connected to the main base unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication that does not allow the same. In this case, the sub master units 12 and 13 are not involved in communication between the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 and the main master unit 11. Each of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 wirelessly transmits the meter reading data of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 to the main master unit 11 without passing through the sub master units 12 and 13. The sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly transmit only the meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N to the main master unit 11. Accordingly, the processing load and communication traffic of the sub master units 12 and 13 are reduced, so that the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of the PLC and the main master unit 11 are stable. A communication route can be established to reduce meter reading errors.
　また、各サブ親機１２、１３がマルチホップの無線通信によりメイン親機１１に接続されるとき、各サブ親機１２、１３は、サブ親機１２、１３を優先的に用いるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続されてもよい。各サブ親機１２、１３は、サブ親機１２、１３及びＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９の一部を含むメイン親機１１までのルートであって、サブ親機１２、１３をＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９よりも優先的に選択して含むルートを生成する。各サブ親機１２、１３は、このルートの１つ以上のサブ親機１２、１３及び／又は１つ以上のＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、メイン親機１１に接続される。一般に、子機から親機までのルートを生成するとき、子機から親機までのルート上の各リンクのリンクコスト（受信品質）の合計値をルートコストとして計算し、最小のルートコストを有するルートを選択する。サブ親機１２、１３は、例えば、ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９を含むルートのルートコストを増大させるように、ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９のリンクコスト（受信品質）にオフセットを付加することによりルートを生成してもよい。これにより、ルートは、サブ親機１２、１３をＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９よりも優先的に選択して含む。各サブ親機１２、１３は、サブ親機１２、１３を優先的に用いるマルチホップの無線通信によりメイン親機１１に接続されることにより、安定した通信ルートを構築し、検針エラーを低減することができる。また、メイン親機１１及びサブ親機１２、１３のうちのいずれか２つの間の区間において良好な無線伝搬環境のルートを生成可能な、少なくとも１つのＲＦの子機が存在する場合には、当該ＲＦの子機を含むルートを生成することができる。これにより、安定した通信ルートを構築し、検針エラーを低減することができる。 Further, when each sub-base unit 12 and 13 is connected to the main base unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication, each sub-base unit 12 and 13 uses multi-hop radio that preferentially uses the sub-base units 12 and 13. The main master unit 11 may be connected by communication. Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is a route to the main master unit 11 including a part of the sub master units 12 and 13 and the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. A route is selected and included with priority over the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main base by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more sub master units 12 and 13 and / or one or more RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 of this route. Connected to base unit 11. In general, when generating a route from the child device to the parent device, the total value of link costs (reception quality) of each link on the route from the child device to the parent device is calculated as the route cost, and the route cost has the minimum. Select a route. For example, the sub master units 12 and 13 increase the link cost (reception quality) of the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 so as to increase the route cost of the route including the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. ) May generate a route by adding an offset to it. As a result, the route includes the sub master units 12 and 13 preferentially selected over the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9. Each of the sub master units 12 and 13 is connected to the main master unit 11 by multi-hop wireless communication that preferentially uses the sub master units 12 and 13, thereby constructing a stable communication route and reducing meter reading errors. be able to. Also, when there is at least one RF slave unit that can generate a route of a good radio propagation environment in a section between any two of the main master unit 11 and the sub master units 12 and 13, A route including the RF handset can be generated. As a result, a stable communication route can be constructed and meter reading errors can be reduced.
　メイン親機１１は、例えば、以下の２つの収集方法のいずれかによって、ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ及びＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９から、検針データを収集してもよい。 For example, the main master unit 11 can detect the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N, and the RF slaves by one of the following two collection methods. Meter reading data may be collected from the machines 24-1 to 24-9.
　第１の収集方法では、メイン親機１１が、すべてのＲＦの子機及びＰＬＣの子機による検針データの送信のスケジューリングを行う。メイン親機１１は、所定のスケジュールで順番に、各ＲＦの子機及び各ＰＬＣの子機にポーリングメッセージを送信する。ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌは、メイン親機１１からのポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、当該子機の検針データをメイン親機１１に送信する。ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、メイン親機１１からのポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、当該子機の検針データを、サブ親機１２、１３を介してメイン親機１１に送信する。ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、メイン親機１１からのポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、当該子機の検針データを、サブ親機１２、１３を介して、又は介さずに、メイン親機１１に送信する。第１の収集方法によれば、サブ親機１２、１３は、ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データの送信のスケジューリングを行う必要がない。また、第１の収集方法によれば、各ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データを保持するバッファメモリをサブ親機１２、１３に設ける必要がない。従って、サブ親機１２、１３の構成を簡単化することができる。 In the first collection method, the main master unit 11 schedules transmission of meter-reading data by all RF slave units and PLC slave units. The main master unit 11 transmits a polling message to each RF slave unit and each PLC slave unit in order according to a predetermined schedule. When receiving the polling message from the main master unit 11, the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21 -L transmit meter reading data of the slave unit to the main master unit 11. When the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N receive the polling message from the main master unit 11, the meter reading data of the slave units are sent to the sub master units 12 and 13, respectively. To the main master unit 11. When the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 receive the polling message from the main master unit 11, the meter reading data of the slave unit is passed through the sub master units 12, 13 or not. Transmit to the main master unit 11. According to the first collection method, the sub master units 12 and 13 do not need to schedule transmission of meter-reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N. Further, according to the first collection method, it is necessary to provide the sub master units 12 and 13 with a buffer memory for holding the meter reading data of the slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC. Absent. Therefore, the configuration of the sub master units 12 and 13 can be simplified.
　第２の収集方法では、サブ親機１２、１３が、各サブ親機１２、１３に電力線通信により接続された各ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎによる検針データの送信のスケジューリングを行う。サブ親機１２、１３は、所定のスケジュールで順番に、各サブ親機１２、１３に電力線通信により接続された各ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎにポーリングメッセージを送信する。ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎは、サブ親機１２又は１３からポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、当該子機の検針データを、電力線通信により接続されたサブ親機１２又は１３へ送信する。サブ親機１２は、ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍの検針データを収集していったん蓄積する。サブ親機１３は、ＰＬＣの子機２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データを収集していったん蓄積する。メイン親機１１は、サブ親機１２、１３によるＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データの送信のスケジューリングを行う。メイン親機１１は、所定のスケジュールで順番に、サブ親機１２、１３にポーリングメッセージを送信する。サブ親機１２、１３は、メイン親機１１からポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、蓄積したＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データをまとめてメイン親機１１へ送信する。また、メイン親機１１は、各ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ及び各ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９による検針データの送信のスケジューリングを行う。メイン親機１１は、所定のスケジュールで順番に、各ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ及び各ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９にポーリングメッセージを送信する。ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌは、メイン親機１１からのポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、当該子機の検針データをメイン親機１１に送信する。ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、メイン親機１１からのポーリングメッセージを受信したときに、当該子機の検針データを、サブ親機１２、１３を介して、又は介さずに、メイン親機１１に送信する。第２の収集方法によれば、メイン親機１１が、ＰＬＣの子機２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎの検針データの送信のスケジューリングを行う必要がない。従って、メイン親機１１の構成を簡単化することができる。また、第２の収集方法によれば、メイン親機１１が管理するＰＬＣの子機の個数が第１の収集方法と比較して少なくなり、その分、通信システム内により多くのＲＦの子機を収容することができる。 In the second collection method, the sub master units 12 and 13 are connected to the sub slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC connected to the sub master units 12 and 13 by power line communication. Schedule transmission of meter reading data. The sub-master units 12 and 13 are sequentially connected to the sub-units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N of each PLC connected to the sub-master units 12 and 13 by power line communication in order according to a predetermined schedule. Send polling messages. When the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N receive a polling message from the sub master unit 12 or 13, the meter reading data of the slave units is connected by power line communication. Transmit to sub-master 12 or 13. The sub master unit 12 collects and temporarily stores the meter reading data of the slave units 22-1 to 22-M of the PLC. The sub master unit 13 collects and temporarily stores the meter reading data of the slave units 23-1 to 23-N of the PLC. The main master unit 11 schedules transmission of meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N by the sub master units 12 and 13. The main base unit 11 transmits polling messages to the sub base units 12 and 13 in order according to a predetermined schedule. When receiving the polling message from the main master unit 11, the sub master units 12 and 13 collectively collect the meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N stored in the main master unit 11. To the machine 11. Further, the main master unit 11 schedules transmission of meter reading data by the slave units 21-1 to 21-L of each PLC and the slave units 24-1 to 24-9 of each RF. The main master unit 11 transmits polling messages to the slave units 21-1 to 21-L of each PLC and the slave units 24-1 to 24-9 of each RF in order according to a predetermined schedule. When receiving the polling message from the main master unit 11, the PLC slave units 21-1 to 21 -L transmit meter reading data of the slave unit to the main master unit 11. When the RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 receive the polling message from the main master unit 11, the meter reading data of the slave unit is passed through the sub master units 12, 13 or not. Transmit to the main master unit 11. According to the second collection method, the main master unit 11 does not need to schedule transmission of meter reading data of the PLC slave units 22-1 to 22-M and 23-1 to 23-N. Therefore, the configuration of the main base unit 11 can be simplified. Further, according to the second collection method, the number of PLC slave units managed by the main master unit 11 is smaller than that in the first collection method, and accordingly, a larger number of RF slave units in the communication system. Can be accommodated.
　図１の通信システムによれば、サブ親機１２、１３は、集合住宅３２、３３においてマルチホップの電力線通信のコーディネータ（コンセントレータ）として動作し、さらに、マルチホップの無線通信の中継を行う子機（擬似子機）として動作する。従って、図１の通信システムは１つの無線システムとして制御可能であり、無線信号の干渉を回避するなど、無線資源を効率よく使用できる。これにより、集合住宅及び戸建て住宅などのさまざまな環境に設けられた子機と効率よく通信することができる通信システムを提供することができる。 According to the communication system of FIG. 1, the sub master units 12 and 13 operate as coordinators (concentrators) for multi-hop power line communication in the housing complexes 32 and 33, and further, slave units that relay multi-hop wireless communication It operates as a (pseudo slave). Therefore, the communication system of FIG. 1 can be controlled as one radio system, and radio resources can be efficiently used, such as avoiding radio signal interference. Thereby, the communication system which can communicate efficiently with the subunit | mobile_unit provided in various environments, such as an apartment house and a detached house, can be provided.
　第２の実施形態．
　メイン親機１１は、メイン親機１１、サブ親機１２、１３、ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ、ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９を含むネットワークの構成情報をそれぞれ生成して管理する。ネットワークの構成情報は、例えば、当該メイン親機１１による子機の収容台数の上限、各子機の識別情報、ネットワークの識別情報、メイン親機１１と各子機との間におけるマルチホップ通信のルート情報などを含む。メイン親機の動作停止又は故障により、ネットワークの構成情報が失われた場合、元のネットワークを再構成するためにネットワークの構成情報を再生成するのには、手間及び時間がかかる。このため、メイン親機の一時停止又は交換には、通信システムの運用を長時間にわたって停止することが強いられる。 Second embodiment.
The main master unit 11 includes a main master unit 11, sub master units 12 and 13, PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22M, 23-1 to 23-N, and RF slave units 24- Network configuration information including 1 to 24-9 is generated and managed. The network configuration information includes, for example, the upper limit of the number of slave units accommodated by the main master unit 11, identification information of each slave unit, network identification information, and multihop communication between the main master unit 11 and each slave unit. Includes route information. If the network configuration information is lost due to the operation stop or failure of the main master unit, it takes time and effort to regenerate the network configuration information in order to reconfigure the original network. For this reason, the suspension or replacement of the main master unit is forced to stop the operation of the communication system for a long time.
　第２の実施形態では、メイン親機が動作停止又は故障しても、当該メイン親機のネットワークを容易に再構成可能な通信システムを提供する。 In the second embodiment, a communication system is provided that can easily reconfigure the network of the main master unit even if the main master unit stops operating or fails.
　図７は、本発明の第２の実施形態に係るネットワークの構成情報のバックアップを示すシーケンス図である。メイン親機１１は、メイン親機１１の識別情報として、バックアップＩＤを生成する。バックアップＩＤは、ネットワークの構成情報の一部となる。メイン親機１１は、ネットワークの構成情報（バックアップＩＤを含む）を含むバックアップ信号を、サブ親機１２、１３のうちの少なくとも１つに定期的に無線送信する。ネットワークの構成情報は、バックアップ信号を送信する時刻のタイムスタンプを含んでもよい。サブ親機１２、１３は、バックアップ信号を無線受信したとき、ネットワークの構成情報を不揮発メモリ５３に格納する。 FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The main base unit 11 generates a backup ID as identification information of the main base unit 11. The backup ID becomes part of the network configuration information. The main base unit 11 periodically wirelessly transmits a backup signal including network configuration information (including a backup ID) to at least one of the sub base units 12 and 13. The network configuration information may include a time stamp of the time at which the backup signal is transmitted. The sub master units 12 and 13 store the network configuration information in the nonvolatile memory 53 when the backup signal is wirelessly received.
　メイン親機１１が故障したとき、管理者は、新たなメイン親機（別のメイン親機）と交換し、メイン親機と通信可能な保守端末装置（図示せず）により、交換されたメイン親機１１にバックアップＩＤを入力する。 When the main master unit 11 breaks down, the administrator replaces it with a new main master unit (another main master unit) and replaces the main main unit replaced by a maintenance terminal device (not shown) that can communicate with the main master unit. A backup ID is input to the base unit 11.
　交換されたメイン親機１１は、バックアップＩＤを含む通知信号を、サブ親機１２、１３に送信する。サブ親機１２、１３は、通知信号を無線受信したとき、交換されたメイン親機１１に応答信号を無線送信する。交換されたメイン親機１１は、応答信号の送信元の少なくとも１つのサブ親機１２に、ネットワークの構成情報を要求する要求信号を無線送信する。サブ親機１２は、バックアップ信号に含まれたバックアップＩＤと、通知信号に含まれたバックアップＩＤとを照合する。これらのバックアップＩＤが一致している場合には、サブ親機１２は、不揮発メモリ５３に格納されたネットワークの構成情報を含むリカバリー信号を、交換されたメイン親機１１に無線送信する。サブ親機１２は、バックアップＩＤが一致していれば、通知信号及び要求信号の送信元が、故障から復旧した元のメイン親機であっても、交換されたメイン親機１１であっても、リカバリー信号を無線送信する。 The replaced main master unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the backup ID to the sub-master units 12 and 13. When the sub master unit 12 or 13 receives the notification signal by radio, it transmits a response signal to the exchanged main master unit 11 by radio. The exchanged main master unit 11 wirelessly transmits a request signal for requesting network configuration information to at least one sub-master unit 12 that is the transmission source of the response signal. The sub master unit 12 collates the backup ID included in the backup signal with the backup ID included in the notification signal. If these backup IDs match, the sub-master unit 12 wirelessly transmits a recovery signal including network configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory 53 to the replaced main master unit 11. As long as the backup IDs match, the sub-master unit 12 may send the notification signal and the request signal to the original main master unit recovered from the failure or the replaced main master unit 11 The recovery signal is transmitted wirelessly.
　図７の動作によれば、メイン親機が故障から復旧した場合、又は故障したメイン親機を新たなメイン親機と交換した場合、バックアップされたネットワークの構成情報をサブ親機から取得することにより、ネットワークを再構成する時間を短縮することができる。サブ親機がネットワークの構成情報を不揮発メモリに格納することにより、サブ親機が停電した場合でも、ネットワークの構成情報を保持しておくことができる。 According to the operation of FIG. 7, when the main master unit is recovered from a failure, or when the failed main master unit is replaced with a new main master unit, the backed up network configuration information is acquired from the sub-master unit. Thus, the time for reconfiguring the network can be shortened. By storing the network configuration information in the non-volatile memory by the sub master unit, the network configuration information can be held even if the sub master unit has a power failure.
　メイン親機１１は、ネットワークの構成情報を複数の構成情報部分に分割してもよい。構成情報部分のサイズは、ネットワークにおいて一度に送信可能なデータ長以下にされる。メイン親機１１は、各構成情報部分に管理用の識別番号（ページ番号）をそれぞれ付与する。メイン親機１１は、構成情報部分のうちの１つ及び識別番号のうちの１つをそれぞれ含む複数の信号を、サブ親機１２、１３のうちの少なくとも１つに定期的に無線送信する。この無線送信は、メイン親機１１がＨｅｌｌｏパケットの送信及び検針データの要求信号の送信などを行わない期間に行われる。サブ親機１２、１３は、構成情報部分及び識別番号をそれぞれ含む複数の信号を受信したとき、各識別番号に基づいて複数の構成情報部分を連結してネットワークの構成情報を生成し、不揮発メモリ５３に格納する。これによれば、メイン親機１１は、Ｈｅｌｌｏパケットの送信及び検針データの要求信号の送信を妨げず、遠隔検針の性能を維持したまま、ネットワークの構成情報をバックアップすることができる。 The main base unit 11 may divide the network configuration information into a plurality of configuration information parts. The size of the configuration information portion is set to a data length that can be transmitted at once in the network. The main master unit 11 assigns a management identification number (page number) to each configuration information part. The main base unit 11 periodically wirelessly transmits a plurality of signals each including one of the configuration information parts and one of the identification numbers to at least one of the sub base units 12 and 13. This wireless transmission is performed during a period in which the main base unit 11 does not transmit a Hello packet, a metering data request signal, or the like. When receiving a plurality of signals each including a configuration information part and an identification number, the sub master units 12 and 13 connect the plurality of configuration information parts based on each identification number to generate network configuration information, and 53. According to this, the main master unit 11 can back up the network configuration information while maintaining the performance of remote meter reading without disturbing the transmission of the Hello packet and the request signal of meter reading data.
　交換されたメイン親機１１は、予め決められた時刻に、通知信号及び要求信号を、サブ親機１２、１３に無線送信してもよい。深夜に工事を行う場合など、新たなメイン親機を設置する際に管理者が立ち会えない場合であっても、管理者が、通知信号及び要求信号を送信する時刻を新たなメイン親機に予め設定することができる。これにより、交換されたメイン親機１１は、バックアップされたネットワークの構成情報をサブ親機１２、１３から自動的に取得することができる。 The replaced main master unit 11 may wirelessly transmit a notification signal and a request signal to the sub-master units 12 and 13 at a predetermined time. Even if the administrator cannot be present when installing a new main master unit, such as when construction is being done at midnight, the administrator will set the time to send the notification signal and request signal to the new main master unit in advance. Can be set. As a result, the replaced main master unit 11 can automatically acquire the backed up network configuration information from the sub-master units 12 and 13.
　メイン親機１１は、ネットワークの識別情報を生成する。メイン親機１１、サブ親機１２、１３、ＰＬＣの子機２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ、ＲＦの子機２４－１～２４－９は、ネットワークの識別情報を用いて互いに通信する。サブ親機１２、１３は、ネットワークの識別情報を不揮発メモリ５３に格納する。サブ親機１２、１３は、交換されたメイン親機１１から通知信号及び要求信号を無線受信する。このとき、サブ親機１２、１３は、バックアップＩＤが一致していれば、ネットワークの識別情報を用いることなく、不揮発メモリ５３に格納されたネットワークの構成情報を交換されたメイン親機１１に無線送信する。 The main base unit 11 generates network identification information. Main master unit 11, sub master units 12 and 13, PLC slave units 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22M, 23-1 to 23-N, and RF slave units 24-1 to 24-9 Communicate with each other using network identification information. The sub master units 12 and 13 store the network identification information in the nonvolatile memory 53. The sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly receive the notification signal and the request signal from the replaced main master unit 11. At this time, if the backup IDs match, the sub master units 12 and 13 wirelessly transmit the network configuration information stored in the nonvolatile memory 53 to the exchanged main master unit 11 without using the network identification information. Send.
　メイン親機１１は、同じネットワークの構成情報（又は構成情報部分）を、複数のサブ親機１２、１３に多重にバックアップしてもよい。また、サブ親機１２、１３の不揮発メモリ５３の記憶容量が少ない場合には、メイン親機１１は、ネットワークの構成情報の異なる構成情報部分を、複数のサブ親機１２、１３に分散してバックアップしてもよい。 The main master unit 11 may back up the same network configuration information (or configuration information part) in multiple sub-master units 12 and 13 in a multiplexed manner. Further, when the storage capacity of the non-volatile memory 53 of the sub master units 12 and 13 is small, the main master unit 11 distributes different configuration information portions of the network configuration information to the plurality of sub master units 12 and 13. You may back up.
　図８は、本発明の第２の実施形態の変形例に係るネットワークの構成情報のバックアップを示すシーケンス図である。メイン親機１１は、バックアップ信号を無線送信する前に、ネットワークの構成情報を分割する。また、交換されたメイン親機１１は、分割されたネットワークの構成情報を格納しているすべてのサブ親機１２、１３に要求信号を無線送信し、それらのサブ親機１２、１３からリカバリー信号を無線受信する。交換されたメイン親機１１は、ネットワークの構成情報を復元する。 FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing backup of network configuration information according to a modification of the second embodiment of the present invention. The main base unit 11 divides network configuration information before wirelessly transmitting a backup signal. Further, the replaced main master unit 11 wirelessly transmits a request signal to all the sub master units 12 and 13 storing the configuration information of the divided networks, and the recovery signal is sent from these sub master units 12 and 13. Is received wirelessly. The replaced main master unit 11 restores the network configuration information.
　第２の実施形態に係る通信システムによれば、故障したメイン親機が動作停止又は故障しても、当該メイン親機のネットワークを容易に再構成可能であり、短時間で運用を再開可能な通信システムを提供することができる。 According to the communication system according to the second embodiment, even if a failed main master unit stops operating or fails, the network of the main master unit can be easily reconfigured and operation can be resumed in a short time. A communication system can be provided.
　以上、本発明に係る通信システムについて、実施の形態に基づいて説明したが、本発明は、実施の形態に限定されるものではない。本発明の主旨を逸脱しない限り、当業者が思いつく各種変形を本実施の形態に施したものや、実施の形態及び変形例における一部の構成要素を任意に組み合わせて構築される別の形態も、本発明の範囲内に含まれる。 As described above, the communication system according to the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Without departing from the gist of the present invention, various modifications conceived by those skilled in the art have been made in the present embodiment, and other forms constructed by arbitrarily combining some components in the embodiments and modifications are also possible. Are included within the scope of the present invention.
　変形例．
　第１及び第２の実施形態で説明した各ステップは、サブ親機１２、１３のハードウェアとして実施されてもよく、それらの制御回路によって実行されるプログラムとして実施されてもよい。 Modified example.
Each step described in the first and second embodiments may be implemented as hardware of the sub-master units 12 and 13, or may be implemented as a program executed by their control circuit.
　また、図４の子機２１－１及び図５の子機２４－１は、電力量計と他の回路とが一体型の構成を示すが、電力量計と他の回路とは、別個のモジュールとして提供されてもよい。このとき、子機は、各住戸の電力量計から検針データを取得する。 Further, the slave unit 21-1 in FIG. 4 and the slave unit 24-1 in FIG. 5 show a configuration in which the watt hour meter and other circuits are integrated, but the watt hour meter and the other circuits are separated from each other. It may be provided as a module. At this time, the subunit | mobile_unit acquires meter-reading data from the watt-hour meter of each dwelling unit.
　また、第１及び第２の実施形態に係る通信システムにおいて、子機は、電力量の検針装置に限らず、電力線通信及び無線通信などを含む少なくとも１つの通信方式で動作可能な、ガス、水道、その他の検針装置であってもよい。 Further, in the communication system according to the first and second embodiments, the slave unit is not limited to the metering device for the electric energy, but can be operated by at least one communication method including power line communication and wireless communication. Other meter reading devices may be used.
　また、第１及び第２の実施形態に係る通信システムは、検針装置以外の他の複数の通信装置及びその管理装置から構成されてもよい。 Moreover, the communication system according to the first and second embodiments may include a plurality of communication devices other than the meter-reading device and its management device.
１…電力会社設備
１１…メイン親機
１２、１３…サブ親機
２１－１～２１－Ｌ、２２－１～２２－Ｍ、２３－１～２３－Ｎ、２４－１～２４－９…子機
３１～３３…集合住宅
４１…制御回路
４２…メモリ
４３…不揮発メモリ
４４…電力線通信（ＰＬＣ）回路
４５…無線通信回路
４５ａ…アンテナ
４６…通信回路
５１…制御回路
５２…メモリ
５３…不揮発メモリ
５４…電力線通信（ＰＬＣ）回路
５５…無線通信回路
５５ａ…アンテナ
６１…制御回路
６２…メモリ
６３…不揮発メモリ
６４…電力線通信（ＰＬＣ）回路
６５…電力量計
７１…制御回路
７２…メモリ
７３…不揮発メモリ
７４…無線通信回路
７４ａ…アンテナ
７５…電力量計 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Electric power company equipment 11 ... Main master unit 12, 13 ... Sub master unit 21-1 to 21-L, 22-1 to 22-M, 23-1 to 23-N, 24-1 to 24-9 ... Machine 31-33 ... Apartment 41 ... Control circuit 42 ... Memory 43 ... Non-volatile memory 44 ... Power line communication (PLC) circuit 45 ... Wireless communication circuit 45a ... Antenna 46 ... Communication circuit 51 ... Control circuit 52 ... Memory 53 ... Non-volatile memory 54 Power line communication (PLC) circuit 55 Wireless communication circuit 55a Antenna 61 Control circuit 62 Memory 63 Non-volatile memory 64 Power line communication (PLC) circuit 65 Power meter 71 Control circuit 72 Memory 73 Non-volatile memory 74 ... Wireless communication circuit 74a ... Antenna 75 ... Electricity meter

Claims (13)

  1. 　複数の親機及び複数の子機を含む通信システムであって、
    　前記複数の親機は、メイン親機と、少なくとも１つのサブ親機とを含み、
    　前記複数の親機は無線通信回路及び電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備え、
    　前記複数の子機は、電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第１の子機と、無線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第２の子機とを含み、
    　前記各第１の子機は、前記複数の第１の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、前記複数の親機のうちの１つに接続され、
    　前記各第２の子機は、前記複数の第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、前記複数の親機のうちの１つに接続され、
    　前記各サブ親機は、前記サブ親機及び前記第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、前記メイン親機に接続され、
    　前記各サブ親機に電力線通信により接続された各第１の子機は、当該第１の子機に電力線通信により接続されたサブ親機を介して、前記メイン親機とマルチホップで通信し、
    　前記各サブ親機に無線通信により接続された各第２の子機は、当該第２の子機に無線通信により接続されたサブ親機を介して、前記メイン親機とマルチホップで通信する通信システム。     A communication system including a plurality of master units and a plurality of slave units,
    The plurality of master units include a main master unit and at least one sub master unit,
    The plurality of master units each include a wireless communication circuit and a power line communication circuit,
    The plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units each having a power line communication circuit and a plurality of second slave units each having a wireless communication circuit,
    Each of the first slave units is connected to one of the plurality of master units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more of the plurality of first slave units,
    Each of the second slave units is connected to one of the plurality of master units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the plurality of second slave units,
    Each sub-base unit is connected to the main base unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub-base unit and the second handset,
    Each first slave unit connected to each sub-base unit via power line communication communicates with the main base unit in a multi-hop manner via the sub-base unit connected to the first slave unit via power line communication. ,
    Each second slave unit connected to each of the sub master units by wireless communication communicates with the main master unit in a multi-hop manner via the sub master unit connected to the second slave unit by radio communication. Communications system.
  2. 　前記各サブ親機は、前記サブ親機のうちの１つ以上のみが関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、前記メイン親機に接続される請求項１記載の通信システム。 The communication system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sub master units is connected to the main master unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving only one or more of the sub master units.
  3. 　前記各サブ親機は、前記サブ親機及び前記第２の子機のうちの一部を含むルートであって、前記サブ親機を前記第２の子機よりも優先的に選択して含むルートに含まれる前記サブ親機及び／又は前記第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、前記メイン親機に接続される請求項１記載の通信システム。 Each of the sub master units is a route including a part of the sub master unit and the second slave unit, and includes the sub master unit with priority over the second slave unit. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is connected to the main master unit by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub-master unit and / or the second slave unit included in a route.
  4. 　前記ルートは、前記第２の子機のリンクコストにオフセットを付加して、前記第２の子機を含むルートのルートコストを増大させることにより、前記サブ親機を前記第２の子機よりも優先的に選択して含む請求項３記載の通信システム。 The route adds an offset to the link cost of the second slave unit to increase the route cost of the route including the second slave unit, thereby making the sub master unit more than the second slave unit. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the communication system is preferentially selected and included.
  5. 　前記各サブ親機は、ルーティングのために定期的又は非定期的に無線送信される信号に、当該信号の送信元ノードがサブ親機であることを示す情報を挿入する請求項２記載の通信システム。 The communication according to claim 2, wherein each of the sub-master units inserts information indicating that the transmission source node of the signal is a sub-master unit into a signal that is wirelessly transmitted periodically or irregularly for routing. system.
  6. 　前記信号の送信元ノードがサブ親機であることを示す情報は、親機であることを示す情報と、前記信号の送信元ノードの上位ノードの情報とを含む請求項５記載の通信システム。 6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the information indicating that the signal transmission source node is a sub-base unit includes information indicating that the signal is a base unit and information on an upper node of the signal transmission source node.
  7. 　前記メイン親機は、
    　前記メイン親機、前記各サブ親機、前記各第１の子機、及び前記各第２の子機を含むネットワークの構成情報を含む信号を、前記各サブ親機のうちの少なくとも１つに無線送信し、
    　前記各サブ親機は不揮発メモリをさらに備え、
    　前記各サブ親機は、前記ネットワークの構成情報を含む信号を無線受信したとき、前記ネットワークの構成情報を前記不揮発メモリに格納する請求項１記載の通信システム。     The main base unit is
    A signal including network configuration information including the main master unit, the sub master units, the first slave units, and the second slave units is transmitted to at least one of the sub master units. Wirelessly transmit
    Each of the sub master units further includes a nonvolatile memory,
    2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein each of the sub-master units stores the configuration information of the network in the nonvolatile memory when a signal including the configuration information of the network is wirelessly received.
  8. 　前記メイン親機は、
    　前記ネットワークの構成情報を複数の構成情報部分に分割し、
    　前記各構成情報部分に識別番号をそれぞれ付与し、
    　前記構成情報部分のうちの１つ及び前記識別番号のうちの１つをそれぞれ含む複数の信号を、前記サブ親機のうちの少なくとも１つに無線送信する請求項７記載の通信システム。     The main base unit is
    Dividing the network configuration information into a plurality of configuration information parts;
    An identification number is assigned to each configuration information part,
    The communication system according to claim 7, wherein a plurality of signals each including one of the configuration information portions and one of the identification numbers are wirelessly transmitted to at least one of the sub-master units.
  9. 　前記各サブ親機は、前記構成情報部分及び前記識別番号をそれぞれ含む複数の信号を受信したとき、前記各識別番号に基づいて前記複数の構成情報部分を連結して前記ネットワークの構成情報を生成し、前記不揮発メモリに格納する請求項８記載の通信システム。 When each of the sub-master units receives a plurality of signals each including the configuration information part and the identification number, the sub base unit generates the network configuration information by connecting the plurality of configuration information parts based on the identification numbers. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein the communication system is stored in the nonvolatile memory.
  10. 　前記ネットワークの構成情報は、前記メイン親機の識別情報を含み、
    　前記各サブ親機は、前記メイン親機とは別のメイン親機から前記ネットワークの構成情報を要求する信号及び前記識別情報を含む信号が無線受信されたとき、前記不揮発メモリに格納された前記ネットワークの構成情報を前記別のメイン親機に無線送信する請求項７記載の通信システム。     The network configuration information includes identification information of the main master unit,
    Each of the sub master units receives the signal requesting the configuration information of the network and the signal including the identification information from a main master unit different from the main master unit, and stores the information stored in the nonvolatile memory. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein network configuration information is wirelessly transmitted to the other main master unit.
  11. 　前記別のメイン親機は、予め決められた時刻に、前記ネットワークの構成情報を要求する信号及び前記識別情報を含む信号を、前記各サブ親機に無線送信する請求項１０記載の通信システム。 11. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the another main master unit wirelessly transmits a signal requesting configuration information of the network and a signal including the identification information to each of the sub master units at a predetermined time.
  12. 　前記メイン親機は、前記ネットワークの識別情報を生成し、
    　前記メイン親機、前記各サブ親機、前記各第１の子機、及び前記各第２の子機とは、前記ネットワークの識別情報を用いて互いに通信し、
    　前記各サブ親機は、前記別のメイン親機から前記ネットワークの構成情報を要求する信号及び前記識別情報を含む信号が無線受信されたとき、前記ネットワークの識別情報を用いることなく、前記不揮発メモリに格納された前記ネットワークの構成情報を前記別のメイン親機に無線送信する請求項１０記載の通信システム。     The main base unit generates identification information of the network,
    The main master unit, the sub master units, the first slave units, and the second slave units communicate with each other using the network identification information,
    Each of the sub-master units is configured to use the non-volatile memory without using the network identification information when a signal requesting the network configuration information from the other main master unit and a signal including the identification information are wirelessly received. The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the network configuration information stored in the network is wirelessly transmitted to the other main master unit.
  13. 　メイン親機及び少なくとも１つのサブ親機を含む複数の親機と、複数の子機とを含む通信システムにおいてサブ親機として動作する通信装置であって、
    　前記複数の親機は無線通信回路及び電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備え、
    　前記複数の子機は、電力線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第１の子機と、無線通信回路をそれぞれ備えた複数の第２の子機とを含み、
    　前記通信装置は、
    　前記複数の第１の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの電力線通信により、前記複数の第１の子機の一部に接続され、
    　前記複数の第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、前記複数の第２の子機の一部に接続され、
    　前記サブ親機及び前記第２の子機のうちの１つ以上が関わるマルチホップの無線通信により、前記メイン親機に接続され、
    　前記通信装置に電力線通信により接続された各第１の子機は、前記通信装置を介して、前記メイン親機とマルチホップで通信し、
    　前記通信装置に無線通信により接続された各第２の子機は、前記通信装置を介して、前記メイン親機とマルチホップで通信する通信装置。     A communication device that operates as a sub-master in a communication system that includes a plurality of masters including a main master and at least one sub-master and a plurality of slaves,
    The plurality of master units each include a wireless communication circuit and a power line communication circuit,
    The plurality of slave units include a plurality of first slave units each having a power line communication circuit and a plurality of second slave units each having a wireless communication circuit,
    The communication device
    Connected to a part of the plurality of first slave units by multi-hop power line communication involving one or more of the plurality of first slave units,
    Connected to a part of the plurality of second slave units by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the plurality of second slave units,
    Connected to the main master by multi-hop wireless communication involving one or more of the sub-master and the second slave,
    Each first handset connected to the communication device by power line communication communicates with the main master device in multihop via the communication device,
    Each second slave unit connected to the communication device by wireless communication communicates with the main master unit via the communication device in a multi-hop manner.
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