KR102090248B1 - Access point apparatus for comprising next generration wireless communication network and method for operating access point apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An access point device and an operating method of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network are disclosed. The access point device constituting the next-generation wireless communication network includes a confirmation unit for identifying a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band, and a set distance through the identified first available band It includes an access point device located in the device and a component configuring the backbone network.

Description

An access point device and an operation method of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network {ACCESS POINT APPARATUS FOR COMPRISING NEXT GENERRATION WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND METHOD FOR OPERATING ACCESS POINT APPARATUS}

Embodiments of the present invention relates to a technique for configuring a next generation wireless communication network using various bands.

To date, wireless LANs have been used to construct short-range wireless networks by utilizing unlicensed bands of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. However, recently, a wireless LAN using a TV white space (TVWS) band, which is not used according to region, and an unlicensed band existing in each country in a band of 1 GHz or less, such as 800 to 900 MHz, has been defined. Standards using each band are IEEE 802.11af and IEEE 802.11ah.

Here, IEEE 802.11af has a wide bandwidth and a high transmission power, and thus can be used as an outdoor wireless LAN network covering a wide area. However, there is a hassle of periodically checking TVWS information by accessing a band information server.

In addition, IEEE 802.11ah can be used at any time because it is an unlicensed band, but there is a limitation that a wide bandwidth is not secured and transmission power is low.

Therefore, there is a need for an integrated network configuration technology that can complement the advantages of the two standards.

The present invention uses a first available band associated with at least one band of a TVWS (TV White Space) band and a band of 1 GHz or less in a backbone network configuration between access point devices, and one of the TVWS band and a band of 1 GHz or less By using the second available band associated with the band for the connection between the access point device and the station, features in the TVWS band (e.g., the bandwidth is relatively wide and the transmission power is high, covering a large area) and below 1 GHz The purpose is to construct an integrated network by effectively utilizing the features in the band (for example, the band can always be used).

An access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network for achieving the above object includes a confirmation unit for identifying a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band, and the identified first available Through the band, it includes other access point (Access Point) devices located within a set distance and a component that configures the backbone network.

An operation method of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network for achieving the above object includes: identifying a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band, and the identified first And configuring a backbone network with another access point device located within a set distance through an available band.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first available band associated with at least one band of a TVWS (TV White Space) band and a band of 1 GHz or less is used for a backbone network configuration between access point devices, and a TVWS band and 1 GHz or less By using the second available band associated with any one of the bands for connection between the access point device and the station, features in the TVWS band (eg, covering a wide area as the bandwidth is relatively wide and the transmission power is high) ) And features in a band below 1 GHz (for example, a band can always be used) can be effectively utilized to form an integrated network.

Therefore, when configuring a wireless communication network using IEEE 802.11af based on the TVWS band and IEEE 802.11ah based on the unlicensed band below 1 GHz, a wireless LAN service can be provided in a wide area outdoor environment, and sensors such as a smart grid An integrated network that can provide even a network can be configured.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a next-generation wireless communication network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a next-generation wireless communication network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a view showing the configuration of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an access point device and an operation method of the access point device constituting the next-generation wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a next-generation wireless communication network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the next generation wireless communication network system 100 may include a plurality of access point devices and a plurality of stations.

The plurality of access point devices may include, for example, first to fourth access point devices 110, 120, 130, 140.

The first access point device 110 may perform, for example, a control center function, and may configure the second, 3, and 4 access point devices 120, 130, and 140 backbone networks.

The second access point device 120 can perform, for example, a data collector & control function, and configures the first, third, and fourth access point devices 110, 130, 140 and the backbone network. , It can be connected to the first and second stations (121, 122).

The third access point device 130, like the second access point device 120, can perform data collector and control functions, and the first, second, and fourth access point devices 110, 120, 140 and the backbone network And can be connected to the third and fourth stations 131 and 132.

In addition, the fourth access point device 140 may perform, for example, an outdoor hotspot function, configure first, second, and third access point devices 110, 120, 130 and a backbone network, It can be connected to the fifth and sixth stations 141 and 142.

Here, when configuring a backbone network between the first to fourth access point devices 110, 120, 130, and 140, the first available band used is at least one of a TVWS (TV White Space) band and a band of 1 GHz or less. It can be associated with.

In addition, when connecting between the second to third access point devices 120, 130, 140 and the first to sixth stations 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142, the second available band used is TVWS ( TV White Space) band and a band below 1 GHz.

The plurality of stations may include, for example, first to sixth stations 121, 122, 131, 132, 141, and 142.

The first and second stations 121 and 122 may be, for example, sensor terminals that sense ambient information (eg, temperature), and may be connected to the second access point device 120.

The third and fourth stations 131 and 132 may be terminals that support the smart grid metering function, for example, and may be connected to the third access point device 130.

The fifth and sixth stations 141 and 142 may be terminals that support a data communication function, for example, and may be connected to the fourth access point device 140.

2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a next-generation wireless communication network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the next generation wireless communication network system 200 may include first to third access point devices 210, 230 and 250 and first to third stations 220, 240 and 260.

The first to third access point devices 210, 230, and 250 respectively have first communication modules 211, 231, and 235 supporting communication in the first band and second communication supporting communication in the second band. Modules 215, 235, and 255 may be included. Here, the first communication modules 211, 231, and 235 may support communication in the TVWS band (ie, 11af band), for example. The second communication modules 215, 235, and 255 may support communication in a band of 1 GHz or less (ie, 11ah band), for example.

The first access point device 210 configures the second access point device 230 and the backbone network by simultaneously using the first band and the second band through, for example, the first and second communication modules 211 and 215. can do.

The second access point device 230 configures the first access point device 210 and the backbone network by using the first band and the second band simultaneously through the first and second communication modules 231 and 235. Through the first communication module 231 or the second communication module 235, the third access point device 250 and the backbone network may be configured using any one of the first band and the second band. have.

In addition, the third access point device 250 accesses the second using either the first band or the second band, for example through the first communication module 251 or the second communication module 255. The point device 230 and the backbone network may be configured.

The first to third stations 220, 240, 260 may include single communication modules 221, 241, 261 supporting communication in the first band or the second band.

The first station 220 may connect to the first access point device 210 by using any one of the first band and the second band through, for example, the single communication module 221. At this time, the first station 220 may alternately use the first band and the second band.

The second station 240 may connect to the second access point device 230 using, for example, a first band through a single communication module 241.

Also, the third station 260 may connect to the third access point device 250 through the single communication module 261 using the second band.

3 is a view showing the configuration of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the access point device 300 constituting the next-generation wireless communication network may include a confirmation unit 301, a configuration unit 303, and a database 305.

The identification unit 301 may identify a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band. Here, the first band may be, for example, the TVWS (TV White Space) band, and the second band may be, for example, an unlicensed band of 1 GHz or less.

At this time, the identification unit 301 preferentially identifies the available candidate band among the first bands as the first available band, and when no available candidate band exists among the first bands, the second band Among them, a candidate band that can be used can be identified as the first available band. That is, when configuring a backbone network with another access point device, the confirmation unit 301 first checks the TVWS band as the first band when checking the first available band utilized for the backbone network as a high transmission rate is required. In addition, it is possible to additionally identify an unlicensed band of 1 GHz or less as the second band.

Also, the identification unit 301 may further confirm a second available band associated with one of the first band and the second band. At this time, the identification unit 301 preferentially identifies a candidate band usable among the second bands as the second usable band, and when the distance between the access point device 300 and the station is greater than or equal to a set interval, the A candidate band usable among the first bands may be identified as the second usable band. That is, the confirmation unit 301 is connected to the station, as it is required to always enable communication rather than a high transmission rate, when checking the second available band utilized when connecting with the station, 1 GHz as the second band The following unlicensed band can be checked first, and if there is a communication distance limitation due to transmission output limitation, the TVWS band as the first band can be identified.

On the other hand, the identification unit 301 confirms the current location, acquires a candidate band usable among the first bands from a band information server (not shown) corresponding to the identified current location, and the acquired candidate band. Based on this, the first available band or the second available band may be identified. Also, the confirmation unit 301 re-acquires the available candidate bands from the band information server and re-acquires the set candidate time intervals when the current position is changed or when the acquired candidate band is determined to be unavailable. Based on one candidate band, the first usable band or the second usable band may be updated.

In addition, the identification unit 301 checks identification information of a country associated with the current location, acquires a candidate band usable among the second bands from the database 305 in response to the identified country identification information, and acquires the Based on one candidate band, the first available band or the second available band may be identified. At this time, the identification unit 301 may obtain identification information of the country associated with the current location from the database 305 or receive identification information of the country.

The configuration unit 303 may configure another access point device and a backbone network located within a set distance through the identified first available band. In this case, the configuration unit 303 may configure a backbone network using multi-user MIMO technology using multiple antennas.

In addition, the configuration unit 303 may connect to a station located within a set distance through the identified second available band.

The database 305 may store the identification information of the country by location and the available candidate band in the second band by the country identification information.

4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of an access point device constituting a next-generation wireless communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 401, the access point device may identify a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band. Here, the first band may be, for example, the TVWS (TV White Space) band, and the second band may be, for example, an unlicensed band of 1 GHz or less.

At this time, the access point device preferentially identifies a candidate band usable among the first bands as the first usable band, and when no candidate band is available among the first bands, uses the second band. A possible candidate band can be identified as the first available band.

In step 403, the access point device may configure a backbone network with another access point device located within a set distance through the first available band.

In step 405, the access point device may identify a second available band associated with one of the first band and the second band. Here, the access point device preferentially identifies a candidate band usable among the second bands as the second usable band, and when the distance to the station is greater than or equal to a set interval, the candidate band usable among the first bands is the It can be confirmed as the second available band.

In step 407, the access point device may connect to a station located within a set distance through the second available band.

Here, the access point device is connected to the station after configuring the backbone network with the other access point device, but is not limited to this. After connecting with the station, the access point device may also configure the backbone network with the other access point device.

In step 401 or 405, the access point device confirms the current location, acquires a candidate band usable among the first bands from the band information server corresponding to the identified current location, and based on the acquired candidate band , The first usable band or the second usable band can be identified.

In addition, the access point device re-acquires the available candidate bands from the band information server and re-acquires the obtained candidate bands at the set time, when the current position is changed, or when it is determined that the acquired candidate bands are unavailable. Based on the candidate band, the first available band can be updated.

In step 401 or 405, the access point device confirms identification information of a country associated with the current location, acquires a candidate band usable among the second bands from a database corresponding to the identified country identification information, and obtains the Based on one candidate band, the first available band or the second available band may be identified.

The device described above may be implemented with hardware components, software components, and / or combinations of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments include, for example, processors, controllers, arithmetic logic units (ALUs), digital signal processors (micro signal processors), microcomputers, field programmable arrays (FPAs), It may be implemented using one or more general purpose computers or special purpose computers, such as a programmable logic unit (PLU), microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. The processing device may run an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications running on the operating system. In addition, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to execution of the software. For convenience of understanding, a processing device may be described as one being used, but a person having ordinary skill in the art, the processing device may include a plurality of processing elements and / or a plurality of types of processing elements. It can be seen that may include. For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or a processor and a controller. In addition, other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are possible.

The software may include a computer program, code, instruction, or a combination of one or more of these, and configure the processing device to operate as desired, or process independently or collectively You can command the device. Software and / or data may be interpreted by a processing device, or to provide instructions or data to a processing device, of any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device. , Or may be permanently or temporarily embodied in the transmitted signal wave. The software may be distributed on networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. Software and data may be stored in one or more computer-readable recording media.

The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, or the like alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the medium may be specially designed and configured for the embodiments or may be known and usable by those skilled in computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -Hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as magneto-optical media, and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc., as well as machine language codes produced by a compiler. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

As described above, although the embodiments have been described by a limited embodiment and drawings, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations from the above description. For example, the described techniques are performed in a different order than the described method, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or combined in a different form from the described method, or other components Alternatively, even if replaced or substituted by equivalents, appropriate results can be achieved.

Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims are also within the scope of the following claims.

100: Next-generation wireless communication network system
110, 120, 130, 140: first to fourth access point devices
121, 122, 131, 132, 141, 142: first to sixth stations

Claims (16)

In the access point device,
A confirmation unit for identifying a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band; And
Through the identified first available band, a configuration unit that configures another access point device and a backbone network located within a set distance
Including,
The first band includes a plurality of first candidate bands,
The second band includes a plurality of second candidate bands,
Each of the first candidate bands uses a first communication standard,
Each of the second candidate bands uses a second communication standard,
The first communication standard and the second communication standard are different communication standards,
The first available band is selected from the plurality of first candidate bands and the plurality of second candidate bands,
The identification unit checks the first available band in consideration of a transmission speed among the first candidate band and the second candidate band,
The identification unit further identifies a second available band associated with any one of the first band and the second band, and the component unit is located within a set distance through the identified second available band (station), access point device. delete According to claim 1,
The confirmation unit,
A candidate band usable among the second bands is preferentially identified as the second usable band,
If the distance from the station is more than the set interval,
A candidate band usable among the first band is identified as the second usable band
Access point device. According to claim 1,
The confirmation unit,
A candidate band usable among the first bands is preferentially identified as the first usable band,
If no candidate band is available among the first bands,
A candidate band usable among the second bands is identified as the first usable band.
Access point device. According to claim 1,
The confirmation unit,
Checking the current location, acquiring a candidate band usable among the first bands from the band information server corresponding to the identified current location, and checking the first available band based on the acquired candidate band
Access point device. The method of claim 5,
For every set time, when the current position is changed, or when it is determined that the acquired candidate band is unavailable,
The confirmation unit,
Reacquiring a candidate band usable from the band information server, and updating the first usable band based on the reacquired candidate band
Access point device. According to claim 1,
The confirmation unit,
The identification information of the country associated with the current location is checked, and a candidate band usable among the second bands is obtained from a database corresponding to the identification information of the identified country, and based on the acquired candidate band, the first use To identify possible bands
Access point device. According to claim 1,
The first band,
TVWS (TV White Space) band,
The second band,
1 GHz or less
Access point device. In the operation method of the access point device,
Identifying a first available band associated with at least one of the first band and the second band; And
Configuring another access point device and a backbone network located within a set distance through the identified first available band
Including,
The first band includes a plurality of first candidate bands,
The second band includes a plurality of second candidate bands,
Each of the first candidate bands uses a first communication standard,
Each of the second candidate bands uses a second communication standard,
The first communication standard and the second communication standard are different communication standards,
The first available band is selected from the plurality of first candidate bands and the plurality of second candidate bands,
In the checking of the first available band, checking the first available band in consideration of a transmission speed among the first candidate band and the second candidate band,
Identifying a second available band associated with any one of the first band and the second band; And
Further comprising the step of connecting to the station (station) located within a set distance, through the identified second available band,
How the access point device works. delete The method of claim 9,
Checking the second available band,
First identifying a candidate band usable among the second bands as the second usable band; And
If the distance to the station is greater than or equal to a set interval, identifying a candidate band usable among the first bands as the second usable band
Method of operation of the access point device comprising a. The method of claim 9,
Checking the first available band,
First identifying a candidate band available among the first bands as the first available band; And
If no candidate band is available among the first bands,
Identifying a candidate band usable among the second bands as the first usable band
Method of operation of the access point device comprising a. The method of claim 9,
Checking the first available band,
Checking a current location, acquiring a candidate band usable among the first bands from a band information server corresponding to the identified current location, and checking the first available band based on the acquired candidate band
Method of operation of the access point device comprising a. The method of claim 13,
For every set time, when the current position is changed, or when it is determined that the acquired candidate band is unavailable,
Re-acquiring a candidate band usable from the band information server and updating the first usable band based on the re-acquired candidate band
Method of operation of the access point device further comprising a. The method of claim 9,
Checking the first available band,
The identification information of the country associated with the current location is checked, and a candidate band usable among the second bands is obtained from a database corresponding to the identification information of the identified country, and based on the acquired candidate band, the first use Steps to check available bands
Method of operation of the access point device comprising a. The method of claim 9,
The first band,
TVWS (TV White Space) band,
The second band,
1 GHz or less
How the access point device works.

Images