JP2018170580A - Wireless communication device, wireless communication program, and repeater - Google Patents

Abstract

In a communication system in which one wireless communication device searches for and registers the other wireless communication device, a wireless communication device that can increase the possibility of shortening the time required for mutual registration is provided. When it is detected that a certain communication channel is used by another wireless communication device, a connection processing unit 13 uses the certain one communication channel by another wireless communication device. After it is no longer detected, a response signal is transmitted to the transmission processing unit 17 after waiting for a back-off time randomly selected from a time equal to or less than the upper limit of the back-off time. The upper limit value of the back-off time when registering the communication partner is smaller than the upper limit value of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner after the process for registering the communication partner is completed. [Selection] Figure 8

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus, a wireless communication program, and a repeater having a function of searching for a communication partner.

  Conventionally, there exists a wireless communication system in which a wireless communication device having a function of searching for a communication partner is used. In such a communication system, for example, a parent device and a child device as wireless communication devices register communication partners with each other before starting normal communication. At this time, a so-called active scan in which the child device searches for the parent device is executed. As a standard having a reference for searching for a parent device by a child device, for example, there is a standard used by the Wi-SUN Alliance.

  In the Wi-SUN B route that is currently open to the public, the slave unit performs an active scan on the master unit at the time of registration of a communication partner before starting communication. Specifically, the slave unit broadcasts a response request signal (Enhanced Beacon Request). At this time, the slave unit searches for the master unit by sequentially using each of a plurality of channels, for example, 14 channels, until a response signal (Enhanced Beacon) is received from the master unit (see Patent Document 1). When the slave unit receives a response signal from the master unit using any one of the plurality of channels, the slave unit transmits a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) signal to the master unit that has transmitted the response signal. . As a result, the slave unit and the master unit each perform PANA (Protocol for carrying Authentication for Network Access) authentication of the communication counterparty, and then complete registration of the communication counterparty for which authentication has been completed.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-14662

  In addition to the Wi-SUN B route described above, a new standard called Wi-SUN HAN is currently being formulated. In the case of active scanning in this Wi-SUN HAN, it is assumed that the response waiting time waiting for receiving a response signal per channel out of 14 channels is 5 seconds. Therefore, in the worst case where it is necessary to search all 14 channels, the total value of the response waiting time is expected to be about 5 seconds × 14 channels = 70 seconds.

  Therefore, when the master unit needs to register several slave units, the registration time of the slave unit becomes very long. As a result, for example, in the case of a home area network, there is a concern that the efficiency of the initial setting work before the start of use by the contractor or user of the master unit and the slave unit in each home or the like is reduced.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device and a relay that can increase the possibility of reducing the time required for registration in a communication system in which one wireless communication device searches and registers the other wireless communication device. And providing a program for wireless communication.

  In order to solve the above problem, a wireless communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a reception processing unit that receives a response request signal from a communication partner, and the reception processing unit that receives the response request signal. In addition, a connection processing unit that executes processing for registering the communication partner, and a response signal corresponding to the response request signal using a certain communication channel based on an instruction from the connection processing unit A transmission processing unit that transmits to the other party of the communication, and the connection processing unit is configured to detect the one when the certain one communication channel is used by another wireless communication device. After detecting that one communication channel is no longer used by the other wireless communication device, it waits for a backoff time that is randomly selected from a time equal to or less than the upper limit of the backoff time. The upper limit value of the back-off time when the response signal is transmitted to the transmission processing unit and the communication partner is registered is the communication partner after the processing for registration of the communication partner is completed. Is smaller than the upper limit of the back-off time for normal communication.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wireless communication program comprising: a reception processing unit that receives a response request signal from a communication partner; and the communication processing unit that receives the response request signal when the reception processing unit receives the response request signal. A connection processing unit that executes processing for registering the other party, and based on an instruction from the connection processing unit, transmits a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to the other party using the communication channel. A wireless communication program for operating as a transmission processing unit, wherein the connection processing unit has an upper limit of a back-off time when the certain one communication channel is used by another wireless communication device. When waiting for a back-off time randomly selected from a time less than or equal to the value, causing the transmission processing unit to transmit the response signal, and registering the communication partner The upper limit of the back-off time is smaller than the upper limit value of the backoff time in the case of the other party and normal communication of the communication after the processing for registration of the communication counterpart is complete.

  A repeater according to a third aspect of the present invention is a communication system including a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device, wherein the repeater between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device. A determination unit that determines whether the first wireless communication device is registered or the second wireless communication device is registered. When it is determined that the second wireless communication device should be registered, the wireless communication device registration function of the first aspect is exhibited.

  According to the present invention, in a communication system in which one wireless communication device searches for and registers the other wireless communication device, it is possible to increase the possibility of reducing the time required for mutual registration.

It is a figure for demonstrating schematic structure of the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the upper layer and lower layer of communication of the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the active scan in the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus (slave unit) in the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the relationship between the scan time coefficient of active scan and scan time in the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing for the registration which the radio | wireless communication apparatus (slave unit) in the communication system of this invention performs. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing at the time of normal communication which the radio | wireless communication apparatus (slave machine) in the communication system of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus (master | base_unit) in the communication system of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing for the registration which the radio | wireless communication apparatus (master | base_unit) performs in the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing at the time of normal communication which the radio | wireless communication apparatus (master | base_unit) in the communication system of embodiment of this invention performs. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the radio | wireless communication apparatus (relay device) in the communication system of embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control processing for the registration which the radio | wireless communication apparatus (relay device) in the communication system of embodiment of this invention performs.

  The schematic configuration of the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system according to the embodiment includes a parent device 10, a repeater 20, and a plurality of child devices 30 each functioning as a wireless communication device. Base device 10 is, for example, a HEMS (Home Energy Management System) management device. The subunit | mobile_unit 30 is a household apparatus in HEMS. Specifically, the subunit | mobile_unit 30 is an illumination device, an air conditioner, a television, a washing machine, a refrigerator, a solar cell panel, or an electric power meter etc., for example. The repeater 20 is a device that relays communication information by relaying radio waves between the parent device 10 and the child device 30 in the wireless communication system.

  In the communication system according to the present embodiment, there are a route through which the parent device 10 and the child device 30 communicate directly, and a route through which the parent device 10 and the child device 30 communicate indirectly via the repeater 20. . The repeater 20 is used when the distance between the parent device 10 and the child device 30 is large and radio waves emitted from at least one of the parent device 10 and the child device 30 do not reach the other. The repeater 20 is installed at a position where it can execute radio communication with the parent device 10 using radio waves and can execute radio communication with the slave device 30 using radio waves.

  Although not shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of repeaters 20 are selected according to the distance between the parent device 10 and the child device 30 and the radio wave arrival distance from each of the parent device 10 and the child device 30. However, there is a case where signals are sequentially transmitted in series between the master unit 10 and the slave unit 30.

  An upper layer and a lower layer of communication in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, the active scan in the lower layer, that is, the search for the parent device 10 or the repeater 20 by the child device 30 will be described.

  When a registration button provided on the slave unit 30 is pressed, the slave unit 30 sends a response signal from the master unit 10 in order to search for the master unit 10 installed at a position within a range where radio waves reach from the slave unit 30. Until a response request signal is transmitted to the surrounding environment while sequentially changing the frequency. The subunit | mobile_unit 30 receives the response signal corresponding to the response request signal from the main | base station 10 which received the above-mentioned response request signal, and if the authentication of the main | base station 10 is completed, it will register the main | base station 10 as a communication other party.

  However, although not shown in FIG. 2, there are cases where the repeater 20 is the only device installed within the distance range in which radio waves reach from the slave unit 30. In this case, the slave unit 30 receives a response signal corresponding to the response request signal from the repeater 20 that has received the response request signal, and when the authentication of the repeater 20 is completed, the repeater 20 is set as a communication partner. sign up.

  On the other hand, when a registration button provided in the parent device 10 is pressed, the parent device 10 registers the child device 30 installed at a position within a range where radio waves reach from the parent device 10. Waits for a predetermined period (registration timeout) until receiving a response request signal. During this standby period, base unit 10 receives a response request signal from slave unit 30, and when authentication of slave unit 30 is completed, it registers slave unit 30 as a communication partner. Further, when receiving the response request signal from slave unit 30, master unit 10 returns a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to slave unit 30.

  However, although not shown in FIG. 2, there is a case where the repeater 20 is installed instead of the slave unit 30 at a position within a range where radio waves reach from the master unit 10. In this case, the base unit 10 receives the response request signal from the repeater 20 within the waiting period (registration timeout) and completes the authentication of the repeater 20, and causes the repeater 20 to communicate. Register as an opponent. Further, when receiving the response request signal from repeater 20, base unit 10 returns a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to repeater 20.

  As can be seen from the above, the repeater 20 has both the function of the parent device 10 and the function of the child device 30 as functions for registration of the communication partner. The repeater 20 performs the same function as that of the slave unit 30 in relation to the master unit 10 while searching for the partner of communication and registration of the partner of communication, while the master unit in the relationship with the slave unit 30. The same function as 10 functions is exhibited.

  Next, authentication and key distribution between the parent device 10 and the child device 30, authentication and key distribution between the parent device 10 and the relay device 20, and the relay device 20 and the child device 30 in the upper layer. Authentication and key distribution with each other, or authentication and key distribution between the repeaters 20 are performed.

  For example, in the process for mutual registration between the slave unit 30 and the master unit 10, the slave unit 30 responds from the master unit 10 using any one of a plurality of channels. Receive a signal. In this case, handset 30 transmits a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) signal to base unit 10. Thereby, the master unit 10 and the slave unit 30 complete PANA (Protocol for carrying Authentication for Network Access) authentication and then complete registration of the communication partner.

  An active scan in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when registering each other before the start of communication between the parent device 10 and the child device 30, a contractor or user of the communication system presses the registration button of the child device 30. Thereby, the slave unit 30 performs an active scan on the master unit 10. Specifically, the slave unit 30 broadcasts a response request signal to the surrounding environment so that the response request signal reaches the master unit 10 set at a position where the response request signal can be received. Accordingly, the slave unit 30 sequentially searches each of the 14 channels until a response signal is received from the master unit 10. For example, in the Wi-SUN B route, the search for the parent device 10 by the child device 30 is executed in each of all 14 channels at intervals of 400 kHz from 922.5 MHz to 922.7 MHz. The scan time (Scan Duration) waiting for reception of the response signal (Enhanced Beacon) at this time is a predetermined value.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the contractor or user of the communication system pushes down the registration button of the parent device 10. Accordingly, when the base unit 10 receives a response request signal from the handset 30 using any one of the 14 channels, the base unit 10 returns a response signal to the handset 30. In the example of FIG. 3, the parent device 10 returns a response signal to the child device 30 on the fourteenth channel.

  The slave unit 30 can receive the response signal transmitted by the master unit 10 within a predetermined response waiting time for waiting for the response signal from the master unit 10 to be received. If exceeded, even if the base unit 10 transmits a response signal, the response signal cannot be received.

  The time until the base unit 10 finishes transmitting the response signal after receiving the response request signal is the waiting time after the end of the communication when another wireless communication device is communicating with the handset 30. It depends heavily on some backoff time. The back-off time is a time selected at random from a time equal to or less than a predetermined upper limit value. When the back-off time of the parent device 10 is long, the parent device 10 may not be able to transmit a response signal even if the response waiting time of the child device 30 is exceeded. In this case, the subunit | mobile_unit 30 cannot receive a response signal. Therefore, mutual authentication and registration between the parent device 10 and the child device 30 cannot be executed. From this, it can be said that the upper limit value of the back-off time is preferably smaller as long as collision between signals can be prevented.

  The structure of the subunit | mobile_unit 30 as a radio | wireless communication apparatus in the communication system of embodiment is demonstrated using FIG.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 30 as a radio | wireless communication apparatus has the antenna 31, the reception process part 32, the connection process part 33, the communication parameter management part 34, the application control part 35, the registration information storage part 36, the transmission process part 37, and the alerting | reporting part 38. I have.

  The antenna 31 receives radio waves and transmits them to the reception processing unit 32. The reception processing unit 32 notifies the connection processing unit 33 of the received information. In the present embodiment, the reception processing unit 32 notifies the connection processing unit 33 of the response signal (Enhanced Beacon) received by the antenna 31.

  The connection processing unit 33 performs processing for searching for a communication partner using any one of a plurality of communication channels having different radio wave frequencies. When the reception processing unit 32 receives the response signal from the parent device 10 within the response waiting time, the connection processing unit 33 notifies the application control unit 35 that the response signal has been received. Thereby, the application control unit 35 starts PANA authentication for registration of the parent device 10 that has transmitted the response signal. When the PANA authentication of the parent device 10 is successful, the application control unit 35 stores information related to the parent device 10 in the registration information storage unit 36.

  The application control unit 35 executes control for exhibiting the function of the child device 30 as a product. The connection processing unit 33 receives the command signal from the application control unit 35 and executes control for communicating with the parent device 10. The application control unit 35 causes the notification unit 38 to notify information related to registration of the parent device 10.

  The subunit | mobile_unit 30 as a radio | wireless communication apparatus is provided with the computer. When the computer executes the wireless communication program, the functions of the connection processing unit 33, the transmission processing unit 37, the reception processing unit 32, and the like are realized. The computer includes a processor that operates according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The processor may be of any type as long as the function can be realized by executing the program. The processor includes one or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (large scale integration). The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on a plurality of chips. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by a computer. The program may be stored in advance in a storage medium included in the child device 30, or may be installed in the child device 30 from a server such as the cloud on the Internet, or may be external to the child device 30 such as a stick memory. The slave unit 30 may be installed from the recording medium.

  The transmission processing unit 37 receives a command signal from the connection processing unit 33 and transmits a response request signal (Enhanced Beacon Request) from the antenna 31. That is, the transmission processing unit 37 transmits a response request signal to the other party of communication based on an instruction from the connection processing unit 33.

  In this embodiment, notification unit 38 is a display unit that displays an image, for example, a liquid crystal display. However, the notification unit 38 may generate sound. The information notified by the notification unit 38 is, for example, registration failure or success.

  In the control process for registering the communication partner, the slave unit 30 as a wireless communication apparatus is connected to the above-described connection processing unit 33, transmission processing unit 37, and reception processing unit 32 based on the wireless communication program. And so on. The wireless communication program may be installed in the child device 30 from a server such as a cloud on the Internet, or may be installed in the child device 30 from a recording medium outside the child device 30 such as a stick memory.

  The relationship between the scan time factor Y of active scan and the scan time per channel (Scan Duration) in the communication system of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5, the scan time increases as the scan time coefficient Y increases. For example, when the scan time coefficient Y is 5, the scan time is 633.6 ms per channel. In the example of FIG. 5, the communication parameter management unit 34 of the slave unit 30 stores 15 types of scan times corresponding to the 15 types of scan time coefficients, respectively.

  FIG. 5 exemplifies the relationship between the scan time coefficient Y of the Wi-SUN B route and the scan time, which is currently apparent, only to explain the relationship between the scan time coefficient Y and the scan time. On the other hand, in the case of Wi-SUN HAN, when the scan time coefficient Y is 5, it is assumed that the scan time is 5 seconds. In addition, the scan time of the Wi-SUN HAN is assumed to be considerably longer than the scan time of the Wi-SUN B route in any scan time coefficient Y.

  Control processing executed by the slave unit 30 as a wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the registration button of handset 30 is pressed, connection processing unit 33 selects an X channel from a plurality of communication channels stored in communication parameter management unit 34 in step S301. Thereafter, in step S302, the connection processing unit 33 sets the scan time coefficient Y of the communication parameter management unit 34 to an initial value, for example, “1”. As a result, in the control process for registration, the slave unit 30 searches for the master unit 10 only for the scan time corresponding to the initial value of the scan time coefficient Y in FIG. The scan time corresponding to the initial value of the scan time coefficient Y is shorter than the scan time corresponding to the scan time coefficient Y used during normal communication.

  In the present embodiment, when the handset 30 cannot receive the response signal from the base unit 10 in any of the 14 channels within the scan time, the scan time coefficient Y is a recommended value from “1” one by one, for example, , “5”. However, the scan time coefficient Y may be increased from the initial value other than “1” to the recommended value one by one. Further, the scan time coefficient Y may be increased from the initial value to the recommended value at once.

  In addition, when the registration button of the slave unit 30 is pressed, the connection processing unit 33 is set to a state in which the reception processing unit 32 is on standby for receiving a response signal corresponding to the response request signal. During a time other than the time when the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 is waiting for reception of the response signal, the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 cannot receive the response signal. The time during which the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 is waiting for reception of the response signal is the scan time of the master unit 10 by the slave unit 30 as described above.

  In step S303, the connection processing unit 33 causes the transmission processing unit 37 to execute processing for transmitting a response request signal using the X channel. Thereby, a response request signal is transmitted from the antenna 31. When the response request signal is transmitted from the antenna 31, in step S304, the connection processing unit 33 determines whether or not the reception processing unit 32 has received the response signal transmitted by the base unit 10.

  In step S304, if the reception processing unit 32 has received a response signal, the connection processing unit 33 starts PANA authentication of the parent device 10 in step S305. Thereafter, in step S306, the connection processing unit 33 determines whether the PANA authentication is successful.

  In step S306, if the PANA authentication is successful, the application control unit 35 is notified of it. Accordingly, in step S307, the application control unit 35 stores information related to the parent device 10 in the registration information storage unit 36, and displays that the registration of the parent device 10 is successful on the notification unit 38, for example, a display. Thereafter, in step S313, the scan time coefficient Y stored in the communication parameter management unit 34 is set to a recommended value “5” used in normal communication. Therefore, during normal communication, the slave unit 30 searches for the master unit 10 by active scan using each channel for a scan time longer than the scan time during registration communication.

  On the other hand, if the PANA authentication is not successful in step S306, the process of step S312 is executed. The process of step S312 is a process when registration fails, and the process will be described later.

  If the reception processing unit 32 has not received a response signal in step S304, the connection processing unit 33 switches the communication channel in step S308. Specifically, the communication channel number increases from channel X to channel X + 1 by one channel. Each time step S308 is repeated, the communication channel number increases by one.

  Next, in step S309, the connection processing unit 33 determines whether the search (scan) of the parent device 10 has been completed for all channels. If it is determined in step S309 that scanning has not been completed for all channels, the processing in step S303 is executed again.

  On the other hand, in step S309, it may be determined that the search for base unit 10 has been completed in all channels. In this case, the connection processing unit 33 considers that the communication partner cannot be detected in the current channel, and the connection processing unit 33 scans the scan time coefficient stored in the communication parameter management unit 34 in step S312. Increase Y by one. As a result, the search for base unit 10 is executed for a scan time longer than the scan time of the previous search.

  That is, the scan time coefficient Y is sequentially incremented from “0” to “5”, and the slave unit 30 searches for the master unit 10 only for the scan time corresponding to each scan time coefficient Y.

  In step S311, the connection processing unit 33 determines that the scan time coefficient (Scan Duration = 0 to 8) Y is “6”, which is one larger than “5” as the recommended value used for normal communication. Determine whether or not. If the scan time coefficient Y is “6” in step S311, the connection processing unit 33 determines in step S312 that registration has failed. Thereby, the application control unit 35 causes the notification unit 38, for example, the display unit to display that the registration has failed. That is, in any of the plurality of communication channels, if the reception processing unit 32 does not receive a response signal from the other party of communication before the registration response waiting time elapses, the notification unit 38 is notified of the fact. Execute the process to make it happen. According to this, it is possible to notify the contractor or the user that registration has failed. If the slave device 30 fails to register the master device 10, the application control unit 35 may cause the connection processing unit 33 to automatically repeat the process for registering the master device 10. Further, when the slave unit 30 fails to register the master unit 10, the application control unit 35 registers the master unit 10 in the connection processing unit 33 based on the pressing of the registration button of the contractor or the user's slave unit 30 again. You may repeat the process for.

  Thereafter, in step S313, the scan time coefficient Y is set to “5” as a recommended value used for normal communication.

  In summary, the connection processing unit 33 performs the following processing in searching for a communication partner when registering a communication partner based on an instruction to start registration input from the outside.

  In step S304, even if a predetermined registration response waiting time elapses, the reception processing unit 32 may not receive a response signal from the communication partner. In this case, in step S308, the connection processing unit 33 selects any one of the plurality of communication channels that have not been used yet after the search for the communication partner for registration has started. Use. Thereby, the connection processing unit 33 executes a process for searching for a communication partner until the registration response waiting time elapses again.

  On the other hand, when the reception processing unit 32 receives a response signal from the other party of communication using any one of the plurality of communication channels before the registration response waiting time elapses in step S304. There is. In this case, in step S306, the connection processing unit 33 executes a process for registering the other party.

  In step S309, in any of the plurality of communication channels, the reception processing unit 32 may not receive a response signal from the communication partner until the registration response waiting time elapses. In this case, that is, in the case of YES in step S309, the connection processing unit 33 searches for a communication partner in step S310 using another registration response waiting time longer than the registration response waiting time. According to this, the registration response waiting time can be gradually increased. Accordingly, it is possible to gradually increase the possibility of success of the active scan while gradually increasing the registration response waiting time.

  However, in this case, if YES in step S309, the connection processing unit 33 may change the registration response waiting time to the normal communication response waiting time, and re-execute the communication partner search. According to this, by increasing the registration response waiting time to the normal communication response waiting time, the possibility of success of the active scan can be increased at a stroke.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a control process during normal communication executed by the slave unit 30 as the wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment. In the present embodiment, normal communication means all communication executed after communication for registration in the present embodiment.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, when the process for registering the parent device 10 of the child device 30 is completed, the connection processing unit 33 selects the X channel from the plurality of communication channels stored in the communication parameter management unit 34 in step S <b> 351. Keep the state selected. Thereafter, in step S352, the connection processing unit 33 maintains a state in which the scan time coefficient Y of the communication parameter management unit 34 is set to the recommended value “5”. The scan time corresponding to the recommended value “5” is longer than the scan time corresponding to the scan time coefficient Y used in the registration process. Accordingly, the slave unit 30 searches the master unit 10 only for the scan time corresponding to the recommended value “5” of the scan time coefficient Y in FIG.

  In the case of normal communication, if the slave unit 30 cannot receive the response signal from the master unit 10 in any of the 14 channels within the scan time, the scan time coefficient “5” is not changed. However, in this case as well, the scan time coefficient “5” may be changed and increased from 5 to the maximum value one by one. Further, the scan time coefficient may be increased from the recommended value “5” to the maximum value at once.

  Further, even during normal communication, the connection processing unit 33 of the slave unit 30 sets the reception processing unit 32 in a standby state for receiving a response signal corresponding to the response request signal. During a time other than the time when the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 is waiting for reception of the response signal, the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 cannot receive the response signal. The time during which the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 is waiting for reception of the response signal is the scan time of the master unit 10 by the slave unit 30 as described above.

  In step S353, the connection processing unit 33 causes the transmission processing unit 37 to execute processing for transmitting a response request signal using the X channel. Thereby, a response request signal is transmitted from the antenna 31. When the response request signal is transmitted from the antenna 31, in step S354, the connection processing unit 33 determines whether or not the reception processing unit 32 has received the response signal.

  If the reception processing unit 32 has received the response signal in step S354, the connection processing unit 33 performs normal communication with the parent device 10 in step S355. If the handset 30 can communicate with the base unit 10, the processing from step S351 to step S355 is repeated.

  If the reception processing unit 32 has not received a response signal in step S354, the connection processing unit 33 switches the communication channel in step S356. Specifically, the communication channel number increases from channel X to channel X + 1 by one channel. Each time step S356 is repeated, the communication channel number increases by one.

  Next, in step S357, the connection processing unit 33 determines whether or not the search (scan) of the parent device 10 has been completed in all channels. If it is determined in step S357 that scanning has not been completed for all channels, the process of step S353 is executed again.

  On the other hand, in step S357, it may be determined that the search for base unit 10 has been completed in all channels. In this case, in step S358, the connection processing unit 33 determines that the communication has failed, and notifies the application control unit 35 to that effect. Thereby, the application control unit 35 causes the notification unit 38, for example, the display unit to display that the communication has failed. In this case, the scan time coefficient Y is maintained at “5” as a recommended value.

  As described above, the connection processing unit 33 executes the following process in searching for a communication partner when performing normal communication with the communication partner after completion of the registration process.

  Even if a predetermined response waiting time during normal communication elapses, the reception processing unit 32 may not receive a response signal from the other party of communication. In this case, the connection processing unit 33 uses any one of a plurality of communication channels that have not been used yet after the search for a communication partner for normal communication is started. To do. Thereby, the connection processing unit 33 executes processing for searching for a communication partner until the normal communication response waiting time elapses again.

  On the other hand, the reception processing unit 32 may receive a response signal from the other party of communication using any one communication channel before the normal communication response waiting time elapses. In this case, the connection processing unit 33 executes processing for performing normal communication with the communication partner.

  As can be seen by comparing the control process for registration shown in FIG. 6 with the control process for normal communication shown in FIG. 7, the response waiting time for registration is larger than the response waiting time during normal communication. short. Therefore, according to the slave unit 30 of the present embodiment, when searching and registering a communication partner by active scan, the possibility that the time required for registration can be shortened can be increased.

  The configuration of base unit 10 as a wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  A base unit 10 as a wireless communication device includes an antenna 11, a reception processing unit 12, a connection processing unit 13, a communication parameter management unit 14, an application control unit 15, a registration information storage unit 16, a transmission processing unit 17, and a notification unit 18. I have.

  The antenna 11 receives radio waves and transmits them to the reception processing unit 12. The reception processing unit 12 notifies the connection processing unit 13 of the received information. In the present embodiment, the reception processing unit 12 includes a reception processing unit 12 that notifies the connection processing unit 13 when the antenna 11 receives a response request signal (Enhanced Beacon Request) from a communication partner. Yes.

  The connection processing unit 13 receives the command signal from the application control unit 15 and executes control for communicating with the slave unit 30. When the reception processing unit 12 receives a response request signal, the connection processing unit 13 executes processing for registering a communication partner.

  The application control unit 15 executes control for exhibiting the function of the parent device 10 as a product. The application control unit 15 causes the notification unit 18 to notify the information. The application control unit 15 causes the registration information storage unit 16 to store information related to registration of the slave unit 30.

  When the reception processing unit 12 receives a response request signal using a certain communication channel, the connection processing unit 13 executes a process for registering a communication partner. That is, when the reception processing unit 12 receives the response request signal from the slave unit 30, the connection processing unit 13 notifies the application control unit 15 that the response request signal has been received. Thereby, the application control unit 15 causes the transmission processing unit 17 to execute a process of transmitting a response signal through the connection processing unit 13. As a result, a response signal is transmitted from the antenna 11. Further, the application control unit 15 starts PANA authentication for registration of the slave unit 30 that has transmitted the response request signal. If the PANA authentication of the child device 30 is successful, the application control unit 15 stores the child device 30 in the registration information storage unit 16.

  The communication parameter management unit 14 stores an upper limit value of a plurality of backoff times. In Wi-SUN HAN, the maximum value of the upper limit value of back-off time (MacMaxBE (Back-off Exponent)) and the minimum value of the upper limit value of back-off time (MacMinBE) are the same.

  Based on the instruction from the connection processing unit 13, the transmission processing unit 17 transmits a response signal (Enhanced Beacon) corresponding to the response request signal from the antenna 11 to the other party of communication. In the present embodiment, the transmission processing unit 17 transmits a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to a communication partner using a certain communication channel based on an instruction from the connection processing unit 13.

  In the present embodiment, the notification unit 18 is a display unit that displays an image, for example, a liquid crystal display. However, the notification unit 18 may generate sound. The information notified by the notification unit 18 is, for example, registration failure or success.

  Master device 10 as a wireless communication device includes a computer. The computer executes the wireless communication program, thereby realizing the functions of the connection processing unit 13, the transmission processing unit 17, the reception processing unit 12, and the like. The computer includes a processor that operates according to a program as a main hardware configuration. The processor may be of any type as long as the function can be realized by executing the program. The processor includes one or a plurality of electronic circuits including a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) or an LSI (large scale integration). The plurality of electronic circuits may be integrated on one chip or provided on a plurality of chips. The program is recorded on a non-transitory recording medium such as a ROM, an optical disk, or a hard disk drive that can be read by a computer. The program may be stored in advance in a storage medium included in the parent device 10, installed from a server such as a cloud on the Internet to the parent device 10, or external to the parent device 10 such as a stick memory. It may be installed in the parent device 10 from a recording medium.

  With reference to FIG. 9, a control process executed by the parent device 10 as a wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the registration button of base unit 10 is pressed, connection processing unit 13 selects an X channel from a plurality of communication channels of communication parameter management unit 14 in step S101. Thereafter, in step S102, the connection processing unit 13 sets the back-off time of the communication parameter management unit 14 to the initial value “3”. The initial value “3” of the back-off time is a value corresponding to a back-off time shorter than the back-off time used during normal communication. Therefore, base unit 10 waits for a back-off time shorter than the back-off time during normal communication when transmitting a certain signal.

  In addition, when the registration button of the parent device 10 is pressed, the connection processing unit 13 sets the reception processing unit 12 to be in a standby state for receiving a response request signal. The reception processing unit 12 of the parent device 10 receives the response request signal during a time other than the time when the reception processing unit 12 of the parent device 10 waits for reception of the response request signal (registration timeout). I can't. The time (registration timeout) that the reception processing unit 12 of the base unit 10 is waiting for receiving the response request signal is determined in advance.

  In step S103, the connection processing unit 13 causes the reception processing unit 12 to start receiving a response request signal on the X channel. That is, the connection processing unit 13 causes the reception processing unit 12 to wait for reception of a response request signal. Thereafter, in step S104, the connection processing unit 13 determines whether or not the reception processing unit 12 has received the response request signal transmitted by the slave unit 30.

  If it is determined in step S104 that the reception processing unit 12 has received the response request signal, the connection processing unit 13 transmits a response signal corresponding to the response request signal in step S105. Thereby, the subunit | mobile_unit 30 has started PANA authentication, when a response signal can be received. Further, based on the reception of this response request signal, base unit 10 has started PANA authentication.

  In step S106, the connection processing unit 13 of the parent device 10 determines whether the PANA authentication is successful. If it is determined in step S106 that the PANA authentication has been successful, the connection processing unit 13 notifies the application control unit 15 to that effect. Thereby, in step S107, the application control unit 15 stores information related to the child device 30 that has transmitted the response request signal in the registration information storage unit 16, and notifies the notification unit 18, for example, the display unit, that the registration is successful. Display.

  On the other hand, in step S104, if the connection processing unit 13 does not determine that the response request signal has been received by the reception processing unit 12 within the registration timeout, in step S108, it is considered that the registration of the slave unit 30 has failed. Thereby, the connection processing unit 13 notifies the application control unit 15 that the registration has failed. As a result, the application control unit 15 causes the notification unit 18 to display that registration has failed. Thereafter, in step S109, the connection processing unit 13 sets the upper limit value of the back-off time to “8”.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart for describing control processing during normal communication executed by base unit 10 as a wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment.

  When the control process for registration is completed, in step S151, the connection processing unit 13 of the parent device 10 maintains a state in which the communication channel of the communication parameter management unit 14 is set to the X channel. Thereafter, in step S152, the connection processing unit 13 maintains a state in which the backoff time of the communication parameter management unit 14 is set to the recommended value “8”. This recommended value “8” of the back-off time is a value corresponding to a back-off time longer than the back-off time used in the control process for normal registration. Thereby, when the other wireless communication device is using the X channel, the base unit 10 can backoff at the time of the control processing for registration after the other wireless communication device stops using the X channel. Wait for a backoff time longer than the time.

  Also during the normal communication of the base unit 10, the connection processing unit 13 sets the reception processing unit 12 to be in a standby state for receiving the response request signal for the registration timeout period. Even in this case, during the time other than the time (registration timeout) when the reception processing unit 12 of the base unit 10 is waiting for the reception of the response request signal, the reception processing unit 12 of the base unit 10 Can not receive.

  In step S153, the connection processing unit 13 causes the reception processing unit 12 to start receiving a response request signal using the X channel. Thereafter, in step S154, the connection processing unit 13 determines whether or not the reception processing unit 12 has received the response request signal transmitted by the slave unit 30.

  If it is determined in step S154 that the reception processing unit 12 has received the response request signal, the connection processing unit 13 transmits a response signal corresponding to the response request signal in step S155. Thereafter, in step S156, communication with the slave unit 30 is executed. On the other hand, in step S154, if the connection processing unit 13 does not determine that the response request signal has been received by the reception processing unit 12, the connection processing unit 13 considers that communication has failed in step S157. Thereby, the connection processing unit 13 notifies the application control unit 15 that the communication has failed. As a result, the application control unit 15 causes the notification unit 18 to display that the communication has failed.

  As can be seen from the above, it may be detected that a certain communication channel is being used by another wireless communication device. In this case, the connection processing unit 13 of the base unit 10 randomly detects that a certain communication channel is not being used by another wireless communication device, and then starts from a time equal to or shorter than the upper limit value of the back-off time. Wait for the selected backoff time. Thereafter, the connection processing unit 13 of the parent device 10 causes the transmission processing unit 17 to transmit a response signal. The upper limit value of the back-off time when registering the communication partner is smaller than the upper limit value of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner after the process for registering the communication partner is completed. According to this, in the communication system in which the child device 30 searches for and registers the parent device 10, it is possible to increase the possibility of reducing the time required for mutual registration. Note that a certain communication channel being used by another wireless communication device is detected by the base unit 10 itself receiving a radio wave transmitted by the other wireless communication device.

  Further, as can be seen from the above, the registration process may not be completed within the registration timeout. In this case, the connection processing unit 13 determines the upper limit value of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner from the upper limit value of the back-off time when registering the communication partner. Change to value. According to this, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of problems due to the continuous use of the upper limit value of the back-off time for the processing for registration.

  The configuration of the repeater 20 as a wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  The repeater 20 has the configurations and functions of both the parent device 10 and the child device 30 regarding the control process for registration. The application control unit 25 of the repeater 20 includes both the application control unit 15 of the parent device 10 and the application control unit 35 of the child device 30, and the application control unit 15 of the parent device 10 and the application of the child device 30. Both functions of the control unit 35 are exhibited. The connection processing unit 23 of the repeater 20 has both the configuration of the connection processing unit 13 of the parent device 10 and the connection processing unit 33 of the child device 30, and the connection between the connection processing unit 13 of the parent device 10 and the child device 30. Both functions of the processing unit 33 are exhibited.

  The registration information storage unit 26 of the repeater 20 includes information on the communication partner stored in the registration information storage unit 16 of the parent device 10 and information on the communication partner stored in the registration information storage unit 36 of the child device 30. Both can be memorized. The communication parameter management unit 24 of the repeater 20 stores both the parameters stored in the communication parameter management unit 14 of the parent device 10 and the parameters managed by the communication parameter management unit 34 of the child device 30. . The transmission processing unit 27 of the repeater 20 exhibits the same function as the transmission processing unit 17 of the parent device 10 and the same function as the function of the transmission processing unit 37 of the child device 30. The reception processing unit 22 of the repeater 20 exhibits a function similar to the function of the reception processing unit 12 of the parent device 10 and also exhibits a function similar to the function of the reception processing unit 32 of the child device 30. The antenna 21 of the repeater 20 can transmit and receive a response request signal and a response signal in the same manner as the antenna 11 of the parent device 10 and the antenna 31 of the child device 30. The notification unit 28 of the repeater 20 displays either the success or failure of registration, similarly to the notification unit 38 of the child device 30 and the notification unit 18 of the parent device 10.

  A control process for starting registration executed by the repeater 20 as the wireless communication device in the communication system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in step S201, when the repeater 20 registers a communication partner, first, the connection processing unit 23 is in a stage in which one of the parent device 10 and the child device 30 should be registered. It is determined whether. If it is determined in step S201 that the child device 30 is to be registered, the connection processing unit 23 executes a process for registering the child device 30 in step S202. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S201 that the parent device 10 is to be registered, the connection processing unit 23 executes a process for registering the parent device 10 in step S203.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that parent device 10 is registered first, and then child device 30 is registered. Therefore, in the first determination process of step S201, it is determined that the parent device 10 should be registered, and in the subsequent determination process of step S201, it is determined that the child device 30 should be registered. However, the determination method of which of the parent device 10 and the child device 30 should be registered and the order of their registration may be any.

  Since the repeater 20 functions as a slave when registering the master 10 in step S203, the repeater 20 executes a process similar to the control process executed by the slave 30 described in FIGS. On the other hand, since the repeater 20 functions as a parent device when registering the child device 30 in step S202, the repeater 20 executes a process similar to the control process executed by the parent device 10 shown in FIGS.

  As can be seen from FIG. 12, the repeater 20 of the embodiment includes a slave unit 30 in a communication system including a slave unit 30 as a first wireless communication device and a master unit 10 as a second wireless communication device. Relays communication information with base unit 10. The repeater 20 includes a determination unit (step S201) that determines whether to register the child device 30 or to register the parent device 10. Thereby, when the determination unit determines that the base unit 10 should be registered, the repeater 20 performs the function for registering the slave unit 30 described above, or the determination unit registers the slave unit 30. When it is determined that it should be performed, the above-described function for registering the parent device 10 is exhibited. According to this, confusion of control of the repeater 20 can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, characteristic configurations of the wireless communication device, the wireless communication program, and the repeater according to the embodiment and effects obtained thereby will be described.

  (1) The base unit 10 as a wireless communication device includes a reception processing unit 12, a connection processing unit 13, a transmission processing unit 17, and a communication parameter management unit 14. The reception processing unit 12 receives a response request signal from the other party of communication. When the reception processing unit 12 receives a response request signal, the connection processing unit 13 executes processing for registering a communication partner. Based on the instruction from the connection processing unit 13, the transmission processing unit 17 transmits a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to a communication partner using a certain communication channel. It may be detected that a certain communication channel is being used by another wireless communication device. In this case, it is not detected that a certain communication channel is used by another wireless communication device. Thereafter, the connection processing unit 13 waits for a back-off time randomly selected from a time equal to or less than the upper limit value of the back-off time, and then causes the transmission processing unit 17 to transmit a response signal. The upper limit value of the back-off time when registering the communication partner is smaller than the upper limit value of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner after the process for registering the communication partner is completed.

  According to the above configuration, in a communication system in which one wireless communication device searches for and registers the other wireless communication device, it is possible to increase the possibility of reducing the time required for mutual registration.

  (2) In some cases, the registration process cannot be completed within the registration timeout as a time limit for executing the process for registering the communication partner. In this case, the connection processing unit 13 determines the upper limit value of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner from the upper limit value of the back-off time when registering the communication partner. You may change it to a value.

  According to this, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem due to the continued use of the back-off time of the process for registration.

  (3) The wireless communication program according to the embodiment is for causing a computer to operate as the connection processing unit 33, the transmission processing unit 37, and the reception processing unit 32 of the slave unit 30 as the above-described wireless communication device. is there.

  (4) The repeater 20 is a communication between the child device 30 and the parent device 10 in a communication system including the child device 30 as the first wireless communication device and the parent device 10 as the second wireless communication device. Relay information. The repeater 20 includes a determination unit (step S201) that determines whether to register the child device 30 or to register the parent device 10. When the determination unit determines that the child device 30 should be registered, the function for registering the parent device 10 is exhibited. According to this, confusion of control of the repeater 20 can be prevented.

10 Master unit (wireless communication device)
20 Repeater (wireless communication device)
30 Slave unit (wireless communication device)
12 reception processing unit 13 connection processing unit 17 transmission processing unit S201 determination unit

Claims (4)

A reception processing unit that receives a response request signal from a communication partner;
When the reception processing unit receives the response request signal, a connection processing unit that executes processing for registering the communication partner;
A transmission processing unit that transmits a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to the other party of the communication using a certain communication channel based on an instruction from the connection processing unit;
When the connection processing unit detects that the one communication channel is used by another wireless communication device, the one communication channel is not used by the other wireless communication device. Is detected, after waiting for a backoff time randomly selected from the time below the upper limit of the backoff time, the response signal is transmitted to the transmission processing unit,
The upper limit of the back-off time when registering the communication partner is the upper limit of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner after the processing for registration of the communication partner is completed. A wireless communication device that is smaller than the value.   When the connection processing unit cannot complete the registration process within a registration timeout as a time limit for executing the process for registration of the communication partner, the back-off time The upper limit value of the backoff time when the other party of communication is registered is changed from the upper limit value of the backoff time when registering the other party of communication to the upper limit value of the backoff time when performing normal communication with the other party of communication. Wireless communication device. Computer
A reception processing unit that receives a response request signal from a communication partner;
A connection processing unit that executes a process for registering the other party of communication when the reception processing unit receives the response request signal;
A wireless communication program for operating as a transmission processing unit for transmitting a response signal corresponding to the response request signal to the other party of communication using a certain communication channel based on an instruction from the connection processing unit Because
When the one communication channel is used by another wireless communication device, the connection processing unit waits for a backoff time randomly selected from a time equal to or less than the upper limit value of the backoff time, Transmitting the response signal to the transmission processing unit;
The upper limit of the back-off time when registering the communication partner is the upper limit of the back-off time when performing normal communication with the communication partner after the processing for registration of the communication partner is completed. A program for wireless communication that is smaller than the value. In a communication system including a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device, a relay that relays communication information between the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device,
A determination unit for determining whether to register the first wireless communication device or to register the second wireless communication device;
The repeater which exhibits the function for registration of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of Claim 1 or 2, when the said determination part determines that the said 2nd radio | wireless communication apparatus should be registered.

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