JP2003198563A - Radio communication device, method therefor, radio communication program and computer readable recording medium recorded with the same program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To calculate an index value presenting the optimal degree of respective routes from communication time for a plurality of routes and to perform radio communication while selecting the optimal route on the basis of the index value. <P>SOLUTION: A test frame is transmitted to a communicating party via a plurality of radio communication routes with the communicating party, a response test frame is received from the communicating party, and the communication time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame is calculated for each of the plurality of routes. On the basis of the communication time for each route, the index value presenting the optimal degree of a radio communication quality in each of routes to the communicating party is calculated and on the basis of this index value, the optimal route with the communicating party is selected. Then, the radio communication is performed with the communicating party while selecting the optimal route, the optimal route with the communicating party is determined even during the radio communication and the radio communications are performed with the communicating party while successively selecting such and optimal route. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless communication device and method for performing communication while selecting an optimum route, a wireless communication program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Wireless communication via a wireless network is
It is easily affected by weather conditions and obstacles, and its wireless communication quality changes from moment to moment unlike wired communication by a wired network. Therefore, even if the wireless communication line is once determined, the wireless communication is often interrupted due to the influence of weather conditions, obstacles, or the like during the wireless communication or the occurrence of an abnormality.

Therefore, in order to perform wireless communication, it is important to select an optimum wireless communication route, and as a conventional route control protocol for performing such route selection, for example, RIP (Routing Information protocol) or OSPF is used.
(Open Shortest Path First) is available. In RIP, route control is performed so as to pass through as few routers as possible. Further, in OSPF, each link can be weighted in consideration of throughput, reliability, etc., and a route is selected so that this weight becomes smaller.

Further, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-136178.
Is a route control method specialized for wireless networks with unstable line quality, the route survey frame is transmitted from the wireless communication system on the transmitting side to multiple routes before data transmission, and is received first on the receiving side or the transmitting side. It discloses a method of determining the route taken as the best route.

[0005]

Among the conventional methods described above, in RIP, attention is paid only to the number of routers passing through,
Since the line speed and the reliability are not taken into consideration, there is a problem that the selected route is not always the optimum route when the data transfer speed and the reliability are taken into consideration.

[0006] Further, although the OSPF considers throughput and reliability, it does not consider the data transfer rate and reliability in the case of actual communication, so that the selected route is not always suitable for actual communication. There is a problem that it is not necessarily a simple route.

Further, in the conventional method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-136178, since the investigation for each route is performed only once before the data transmission, once the route is determined, the abnormality of the line during the data communication is generated. As long as it does not detect, the route is fixed, the selected route is not always the optimal route even during data communication, and communication is interrupted during data communication due to the influence of weather conditions and obstacles. There is also the problem that

The present invention has been made in view of the above,
The purpose is to calculate an index value indicating the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each route from the communication time of a plurality of routes with the communication partner, and select the optimal route based on the index value. A wireless communication device and method for wireless communication, a wireless communication program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the program.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention according to claim 1 is a wireless communication device for performing communication while selecting an optimum route, and the wireless communication device communicates with the other party. The test signal transmitting means for transmitting a test signal via each of a plurality of wireless communication paths between the wireless communication device and the communication partner, and the plurality of wireless communication paths from the communication partner. A response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal to the test signal returned via the communication device, and a communication time from the transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths to the communication partner. And the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination based on the calculated communication time of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination. And summarized in that with the index value calculating means for calculating an index value.

According to the present invention of claim 1, a test signal is transmitted to a communication partner via each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner, and a response signal is transmitted from the communication partner. The communication time from the reception and transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of routes, and based on the communication time of each route, the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination is expressed. To calculate the index value,
By selecting the route based on this index value, the data communication can be performed with high reliability by using the route with the optimum wireless communication quality.

The present invention according to claim 2 is the same as claim 1
In the invention described above, an optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated by the index value calculation means for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner Optimal route determining means to
The determined optimum wireless communication path is selected to perform wireless communication with the communication partner, and the index is calculated by the index value calculating means for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner during the wireless communication. An optimum communication route determining means for sequentially determining the optimum wireless communication route with the communication partner based on the calculated index value during wireless communication, and the sequentially determined optimum value. The gist of the present invention is to have an optimum route sequential selection means for performing wireless communication with the communication partner while sequentially selecting different wireless communication routes during wireless communication.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the optimum route to the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of routes to the communication partner, and the determined optimum route is determined. Wireless communication with the communication partner while selecting the appropriate route, and calculating the index value for each of the multiple wireless communication routes with the communication partner during wireless communication, based on this index value. The optimum route is selected and the optimum route is successively selected during wireless communication to perform wireless communication with the communication partner. Therefore, even during wireless communication, the optimum route is always selected and the selected optimum route is selected. It is possible to perform data communication with high reliability through various routes.

Furthermore, the present invention according to claim 3 provides the invention according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in the invention described in 2, the index value calculating means is
It is a gist to have a time-series data conforming means for calculating the index value based on the time-series data of the communication time of each wireless communication route to the partner communication destination calculated above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the time-series data conforming means has the latest communication time among the time-series data, or the latest plurality of communication times or the latest communication times. The gist of the present invention is to have a data selection unit that selects a plurality of communication times of which the communication times are equal to or less than a predetermined value, and calculates an index value based on the selected communication times.

Further, the present invention according to claim 5 is a wireless communication method for performing communication while selecting an optimum route, wherein the communication source and the communication destination are connected between the communication source and the communication destination. A test signal is transmitted via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths, and a response signal to the test signal returned from the communication partner via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths is received, and the test is performed. The communication time from the transmission of the signal to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths to the communication partner, and to the partner communication destination based on the calculated communication time of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination. The gist is to calculate an index value indicating the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path.

According to the present invention of claim 5, a test signal is transmitted to the communication partner via each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner, and a response signal is transmitted from the communication partner. The communication time from the reception and transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of routes, and based on the communication time of each route, the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination is expressed. To calculate the index value,
By selecting the route based on this index value, the data communication can be performed with high reliability by using the route with the optimum wireless communication quality.

Furthermore, the present invention according to claim 6 provides the invention according to claim 5.
In the described invention, an optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner to be communicated, and the determined optimum A wireless communication path is selected to perform wireless communication with the communication partner, and the index value is sequentially calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner during the wireless communication, and the calculated index Based on the value, the optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication, and the wireless communication with the communication partner is performed while sequentially selecting the sequentially determined optimum wireless communication path during wireless communication. It is a summary.

According to the present invention of claim 6, the optimum route to the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of routes to the communication partner, and the determined optimum route is determined. Wireless communication with the communication partner while selecting the appropriate route, and calculating the index value for each of the multiple wireless communication routes with the communication partner during wireless communication, based on this index value. The optimum route is selected and the optimum route is successively selected during wireless communication to perform wireless communication with the communication partner. Therefore, even during wireless communication, the optimum route is always selected and the selected optimum route is selected. It is possible to perform data communication with high reliability through various routes.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifth or sixth aspect, the process of calculating the index value is
The gist is to calculate the index value based on the calculated time series data of the communication time of each wireless communication route to the partner communication destination.

The present invention according to claim 8 provides the invention according to claim 7.
In the invention described above, the process of calculating the index value based on the time-series data is such that the latest communication time of the time-series data, the latest communication time of the plurality of communication times, or the communication time of the plurality of communication times of the latest is predetermined. The gist is to select a plurality of communication times less than or equal to the value of and to calculate the index value based on the selected communication times.

Furthermore, the present invention according to claim 9 is a wireless communication program for performing communication while selecting an optimal route, wherein the communication source and the communication destination are between the communication source and the communication destination. A test signal is transmitted via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths, and a response signal to the test signal returned from the communication partner via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths is received, and the test is performed. The communication time from the transmission of the signal to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths to the communication partner, and to the partner communication destination based on the calculated communication time of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination. The gist is to calculate an index value indicating the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path.

According to the present invention of claim 9, a test signal is transmitted to the communication partner via each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner, and a response signal is transmitted from the communication partner. The communication time from the reception and transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of routes, and based on the communication time of each route, the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination is expressed. To calculate the index value,
By selecting the route based on this index value, the data communication can be performed with high reliability by using the route with the optimum wireless communication quality.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, the communication partner is based on the index value calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner to be communicated. And an optimum wireless communication route is selected, wireless communication is performed with the communication partner by selecting the determined optimum wireless communication route, and a plurality of wireless communication routes with the communication partner during the wireless communication. For each of the above, the index value is sequentially calculated, based on the calculated index value, the optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication, and the sequentially determined optimum wireless communication path is wirelessly communicated. The gist is to carry out wireless communication with the communication partner while sequentially selecting them.

According to the present invention of claim 10, the optimum route to the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of routes to the communication partner, and the determined optimum route is determined. Wireless communication with the communication partner while selecting the appropriate route, and calculating the index value for each of the multiple wireless communication routes with the communication partner during wireless communication, based on this index value. The optimum route is selected and the optimum route is successively selected during wireless communication to perform wireless communication with the communication partner. Therefore, even during wireless communication, the optimum route is always selected and the selected optimum route is selected. It is possible to perform data communication with high reliability through various routes.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the processing for calculating the index value is a time series of communication time of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination. The gist is to calculate the index value based on the data.

Further, in the invention described in claim 12, in the invention described in claim 11, the process of calculating the index value based on the time-series data includes the latest communication time or the latest communication time of the time-series data. The gist of the present invention is to select a plurality of communication times of which the communication time is equal to or less than a predetermined value from among the plurality of communication times or the latest plurality of communication times, and to calculate the index value based on the selected communication times.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium in which a wireless communication program for performing communication while selecting an optimum route is recorded, the source being a communication source to a communication destination. A test signal via each of a plurality of wireless communication paths between the communication partner and the communication partner, and a response to the test signal returned from the communication partner via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths. The communication time from receiving the signal and transmitting the test signal to receiving the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths to the communication partner, and the communication of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination is calculated. A computer-readable memory for a wireless communication program that calculates an index value that indicates the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path based on time And summarized in that the recording on the medium.

According to the present invention of claim 13, a test signal is transmitted to the communication partner via each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner, and a response signal is transmitted from the communication partner. The communication time from the reception and transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of routes, and based on the communication time of each route, the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination is expressed. Since the wireless communication program for calculating the index value is recorded in the computer-readable recording medium, it is possible to improve the distribution of the recording medium by using the recording medium.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the thirteenth aspect, the communication is performed based on the index value calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with a communication partner with which communication is to be performed. The optimum wireless communication path with the partner is determined, and the determined optimum wireless communication path is selected to perform wireless communication with the communication partner, and a plurality of wireless communication with the communication partner is performed during the wireless communication. The index value is sequentially calculated for each of the communication routes, the optimum wireless communication route with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication based on the calculated index value, and the sequentially determined optimum wireless communication route is determined. The gist of the present invention is to record a wireless communication program for performing wireless communication with the communication partner while sequentially selecting during wireless communication in a computer-readable recording medium.

In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the optimum route to the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of routes to the communication partner, and the determined optimum route is determined. Wireless communication with the communication partner while selecting the appropriate route, and calculating the index value for each of the multiple wireless communication routes with the communication partner during wireless communication, based on this index value. A wireless communication program for performing wireless communication with a communication partner while recording a wireless communication program that determines an optimal path for the wireless communication program and sequentially selects the optimal path during wireless communication. Can be used to enhance its distribution.

Further, the invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the processing for calculating the index value is a time series of communication time of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination. It is a gist to record a wireless communication program for calculating the index value based on data in a computer-readable recording medium.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the fifteenth aspect, the process of calculating the index value based on the time series data includes the latest communication time of the time series data or a plurality of latest communication times. A wireless communication program that selects a plurality of communication times that are equal to or less than a predetermined value from the communication times or the latest plurality of communication times, and calculates an index value based on the selected communication times is stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The point is to record.

[0033]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication device 100 shown in the figure transmits a test frame, which is a test signal, to a communication partner via a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner, and the test frame is returned from the test frame. Optimizing the wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination based on the communication time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame or the time series data of the communication time An index value indicating the degree is calculated, an optimum route with the communication partner is selected based on this index value, wireless communication is performed with the communication partner on this optimum route, and the communication partner is also communicated during the wireless communication. Wireless communication is performed while sequentially selecting an optimal route between the test frame, and the control of the entire operation, and generation of the test frame, communication time, and Calculation of the target value, a control unit 1 for performing such selection of the optimal path. It should be noted that in order to send a test frame to each route to the communication partner in order to select the optimum route, the wireless communication device does not store all information of a plurality of routes to the communication partner. Of course.

Further, the wireless communication device 100 switches between transmitting and receiving data to and from the communication partner wireless communication device by an antenna 7 that receives data from the communication partner as radio waves, and data to and from the antenna 7. Switch 5, transmission unit 3 for transmitting a data frame including a test frame generated by control unit 1 to a communication partner via switch 5, antenna 7, and data frame including a response test frame for a test frame from the communication partner Has a receiving unit 9 for receiving the signal via the antenna 7 and the switch 5.

Further, the wireless communication device 100 has a transmission / reception buffer 11 for temporarily storing data frames such as a test frame created by the control unit 1 and a response test frame for a test frame received from a communication partner, and a communication partner. Between the test frame and the response test frame, and the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each path with the communication partner calculated by the control unit 1 based on the communication time. It has a route evaluation index value database 13 that stores index values and the like, and an external interface 15 such as a USB terminal, a PC card interface, and an Ethernet terminal for transmitting and receiving data to and from a terminal 19 such as a personal computer. If the communication function with the terminal 19 is unnecessary, the external interface 15 is unnecessary.

The control section 1 will be described in detail as shown in FIG.
A data reception control unit 21 which controls to receive a data frame including a response test frame to the test frame from the reception unit 9 shown in FIG. 1, and a cyclic redundancy check is performed on the data frame received by the data reception control unit 21. , CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) check unit 2 for determining whether or not the data frame has been normally received
3. Received data analysis unit 25 that analyzes this inspected received data frame, and calculates the communication time for each wireless communication route and the index value that represents the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each route from this analyzed data frame. Then, the communication time / route index value calculation unit 27 to be stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 and the communication partner who is going to start data transmission based on the index value of each route calculated by this communication time / route index value calculation unit 27 Optimal route evaluation / selection unit that evaluates the route to the destination and evaluates the route based on the index value of each route every predetermined time even during data transmission to the communication partner, and determines and selects the optimal route 29. Select and evaluate the optimum route from the data frames to be transmitted to the communication partner via this selected optimum route and the respective routes to the communication partner. In order to do so, a transmission data creation unit 31 that creates transmission data including a test frame or the like, which is a test signal to be transmitted via each path to a communication partner.
The transmission data creation unit 31 notifies the transmission time to be written to the test frame to be transmitted, and the reception to be written to the response test frame to the test frame received by the data reception control unit 21. A timer 33 for notifying the time,
It has a data transmission control unit 35 that controls the data frame created by the transmission data creation unit 31 to be sent to a communication partner via the transmission unit 3, the switch 5, and the antenna 7.

In addition, the data reception control unit 21 includes the receiving unit 9
It also has a function of checking whether or not the data frame received from the device is addressed to itself, and if it is not addressed to itself, checking the route and transmitting it to the wireless communication device which is the next node. The reception data analysis unit 25 further has a function of identifying whether the reception data frame is a response test frame to the test frame or a normal data frame.

The communication time / route index value calculating unit 27, when further transmitting a test frame from the data transmission control unit 35, writes the transmission time from the timer 33 into the test frame, and the transmission data creating unit 31. Of the test frame based on the transmission time of the test frame and the reception time of the response test frame. The communication time from the transmission of the message to the reception of the response test frame is calculated for each of the plurality of routes to the communication partner, and the communication time for each route is stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 as time series data. The communication time and route evaluation index value data of each route of the communication partner calculated in this way Calculating an index value representing the optimal degree of the wireless communication quality of each path to the counter communication destination based on the time-series data communication time stored in the database 13 has a function of storing the path metric value database 13. In this embodiment, the communication time is the time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame. However, the communication time is not limited to this, until the test frame is transmitted and reaches the communication partner. The one-way communication time or the one-way communication time from the reply from the communication partner to the arrival may be used.

Further, the optimum route evaluation / selection unit 29 determines the optimum route for the communication partner based on the index value calculated by the communication time / route index value calculation unit 27 and the index value stored in the route evaluation index value database 13. The optimum route selection process for selecting is performed at the start of data frame transmission to the communication partner, and even during the transmission of the data frame, the communication time and the index value are sequentially calculated for each route to the communication partner, and this calculation is performed. It has a function of sequentially selecting an optimum route to a communication partner based on the index value.

The timer 33 has a clock function for providing the transmission time to be written in the transmission test frame and the reception time to be written in the response test frame received for the test frame as described above. It has a function of generating a predetermined time elapsed information for transmission.

The transmitter 3 and the data transmission controller 35 constitute a test signal transmitter, and the receiver 9 and the data reception controller 21 constitute a response signal receiver. Further, the communication time / route index value calculating unit 27 constitutes a communication time calculating means and an index value calculating means. Communication time / route index value calculation unit 2
7 is the route evaluation index value database 1 as described above.
The communication time / route index value calculating unit 27 has a function of calculating an index value indicating the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination based on the time series data of the communication time stored in 3. It constitutes a time series data conforming means. The optimum route evaluation / selection unit 29 constitutes an optimum route determination means, a communication optimum route sequential setting means, and an optimum route sequential selection means.

Next, the transmission data creation unit 31 of the control unit 1 creates the data and sends it to the communication partner via each route,
The configuration of a test frame, which is a test signal returned from the communication partner, and a response test frame for the test frame will be described with reference to FIG.

The test frame and the response test frame are, as shown in FIG. 3, a frame type, a frame length,
It is composed of a source address, a destination address, a route, a round-trip identifier, a forward frame transmission time, a backward frame reception time, a data part and a CRC.

The frame type indicates that the test frame is different from the normal data frame. The frame length indicates the length of the data part of the test frame. The source address and the destination address are the sender address and the receiver address, respectively. As the route, one of a plurality of wireless communication routes to the communication partner is written, so that the test frames are created by the number of the plurality of routes.

The round trip identifier is written with information indicating whether the test frame is a forward path or a backward path. That is, in the response test frame to the test frame returned from the communication partner, the return route is written in the round trip identifier. The forward path frame transmission time is written with the forward path test frame transmission time, and the backward path frame reception time is written with the backward path test frame reception time. Fixed-length data is written in the data section, and cyclic redundancy check bits are written in the CRC.

As shown in FIG. 4, a normal data frame is the test frame shown in FIG. 3 without the round trip identifier, the forward frame transmission time, and the backward frame reception time.

Next, with reference to FIG. 8, an operation of performing communication while selecting an optimum route in the wireless communication apparatus of this embodiment will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, the transmitting side wireless communication device 1
In the wireless network between the wireless communication device 10 and the receiving side wireless communication device 130, a plurality of routes, for example, in FIG.
There is a route 200 that passes through and 150. Therefore,
From the transmitting side wireless communication device 110 to the receiving side wireless communication device 13
When transmitting a data frame to 0, in order to select the most suitable route among the plurality of routes, the wireless communication device 110 on the transmitting side passes through each of the plurality of routes 100 and 200 to the wireless communication device 130 on the receiving side. A test frame, which is a test signal, is repeatedly transmitted to the reception-side wireless communication device 130 at predetermined time intervals based on predetermined time elapsed information output from the timer 33 at predetermined time intervals.

Upon receiving the test frame from the transmitting side wireless communication device 110, the receiving side wireless communication device 130 returns a response test frame to the received test frame via the same route. That is, when the receiving side wireless communication device 130 receives the test frame via the route 100, the receiving side wireless communication device 130 sends the response test frame to the same route 1.
00 to the transmitting side wireless communication device 110, and the receiving side wireless communication device 130 sends the test frame to the route 2
When it is received via 00, the response test frame is returned to the transmitting side wireless communication device 110 via the route 200.

Upon receiving the response test frame returned from the receiving side wireless communication device 130, the transmitting side wireless communication device 110 calculates the communication time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame.

Then, the radio communication device 100 performs the above-described operation from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame for each of a plurality of routes from the transmission side radio communication device 110 to the reception side radio communication device 130. The timer 33 repeats this repetitive process as well as repeatedly.
The communication time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame, which is calculated by repeatedly performing every predetermined time based on the predetermined time elapsed information output from the As data, from the transmitting side wireless communication device 110 to the receiving side wireless communication device 1
Route evaluation index value database 13 for each route up to 30
To store.

The communication time / route index value calculating unit 27 of the control unit 1 determines the communication time for each route calculated as described above and the communication time for each route stored in the route evaluation index value database 13. An index value indicating the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each route from the wireless communication device 110 on the transmitting side to the wireless communication device 130 on the receiving side is calculated based on the sequence data, and the calculated index value is used for a route evaluation index value database for each route. Store in 13. Therefore, by referring to the index value stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 for each route in this way, the optimum route from the transmitting side wireless communication device 110 to the receiving side wireless communication device 130 can be determined. it can.

Therefore, when actual data communication is performed, the transmitting side wireless communication device 110 is optimal for the receiving side wireless communication device 130 based on the time series data of the communication time stored in the route evaluation index value database 13. The wireless communication route is determined, and data is transmitted to the receiving-side wireless communication device 130 while selecting this optimal route.

The wireless communication device 110 on the transmitting side transmits a test frame at predetermined time intervals as described above even during such data transmission, and transmits a test frame on the response from the wireless communication device 130 on the receiving side. Reception and communication time and calculation of index value are repeated continuously every predetermined time to constantly search for an optimal route, and when an optimal route is detected than the currently used route, the It is designed to continue data communication via the optimum route.

Next, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus of this embodiment will be briefly described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, with reference to FIG. 5, a description will be given of a process of transmitting a test frame, receiving a response test frame, and calculating a communication time and an index value.

In FIG. 5, the transmitting side wireless communication device transmits a test frame to each of a plurality of routes to the receiving side wireless communication device (step S11). Upon reception of the test frame transmitted from the transmission-side wireless communication device, the reception-side wireless communication device returns a response test frame to the test frame via the same route (step S13).

Upon receiving the response test frame from the receiving side wireless communication device, the transmitting side wireless communication device calculates the communication time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception of the response test frame by the communication time / route index value calculating section 27. At the same time, the calculated communication time is stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 as time series data for each route (step S15).

The wireless communication device on the transmission side has an index value for evaluating the optimum route based on the time-series data of the communication time of each route stored in the route evaluation index value database 13, as described above, that is, the wireless of each route. The communication time / route index value calculation unit 27 calculates an index value indicating the optimum degree of communication quality, and the calculated index value is stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 for each route (step S17). The above-described processing is repeated based on the predetermined time route information output from the timer 33 at predetermined time intervals at each elapse of a predetermined time, which is a predetermined time (step S19), whereby the time series of the communication time and the index value for each route is obtained. The data will be stored in the route evaluation index value database 13.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, while selecting the optimum route based on the time series data of the communication time and the index value for each route stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 as described above. An operation when data is actually transmitted from the transmitting side wireless communication device to the receiving side wireless communication device will be described.

In FIG. 6, the transmitting side wireless communication device actually transmits data to the receiving side wireless communication device by using each route for the receiving side wireless communication device stored in the route evaluation index value database 13. The index value of each route is referred to (step S21), the index values of the routes are compared, and the optimum route is selected (step S23).

When the transmission-side wireless communication device selects an optimum route for the reception-side wireless communication device, it transmits data to the reception-side wireless communication device via this optimum route (step S25). Then, it is checked whether or not the data is being transmitted. If the data is not being transmitted, that is, if the data transmission has been completed, this processing is terminated. It is checked whether or not time has passed (step S29). If not, step S25 is returned to and the transmission of the data is continued, but if a certain time has passed, step S21
Returning to step 2, the same process for selecting the optimum route for the receiving side wireless communication device is repeated, whereby the optimum route is searched even during the data transmission, and the data transmission is always performed on the optimum route. .

If the fixed time, which is the time interval for executing the above-described test frame transmission, is too short, the traffic on the wireless network increases, which imposes a burden on the network. Since it does not reflect the route status of the above, it is desirable to decide in consideration of both, and the optimum value varies depending on the length of the test frame to be transmitted and received, but for example, from 1 second to
About 10 seconds is possible.

As a method of calculating the index value for evaluating the above-mentioned optimum route, the first method of calculating the index value using the latest communication time, the latest plurality of time series data are used. A second method of calculating an index value using communication time, or selecting a plurality of communication times equal to or shorter than a predetermined communication time in the latest plurality of communication times of time series data, and selecting the selected plurality of transmissions. There is a third method of calculating the index value based on time.

The index value calculated by the first method reflects only the immediately preceding data communication speed, and the index value calculated by the second method reflects the latest data transmission speed and the reliability of the communication line. The index value calculated by the third method reflects the reliability of the latest communication line.

Next, referring to FIG. 7, a detailed operation of the control unit 1 of the wireless communication device 100 of this embodiment will be described.

First, the control section 1 creates a frame including a source address, a destination address and transmission data in the transmission data creation section 31 based on the frame format when creating the transmission data. At this time, when a test frame is created, a route information database (DB) set in advance in the wireless communication device which is a node
In addition to creating route data by referring to 51 and writing it as a route of the test frame, the time information from the timer 33 is also acquired, this time information is written at the forward frame transmission time of the test frame, and the round trip identifier is further forwarded. Set and create a test frame.

Then, the test frame thus created is once written into the transmission / reception buffer 11 (step S
71), when a notification of elapse of a certain period of time is received from the timer 33, this test frame is read from the transmission / reception buffer 11, and the route written in the test frame from the data transmission control unit 35 via the transmission unit 3, the switch 5 and the antenna 7. To the receiving side wireless communication device.

When the data reception control unit 21 of the control unit 1 receives a frame, this frame is temporarily sent to the transmission / reception buffer 1
1 (step S81), the CRC check unit 23
Then, the CRC check is performed (step S83), and if the CRC check is good, it is determined whether or not the frame is addressed to itself (step S85). If the frame is not addressed to itself, the process proceeds to step S73, the route for transmission / relay to the wireless communication device which is the next node is analyzed, and the data transmission control unit 35 transmits to the next node via the route. To do.

On the other hand, when the frame is addressed to itself, the frame type is identified and it is determined whether or not the frame is a test frame (step S87). If the frame is not a test frame, the frame is transmitted to the mobile terminal. If the frame is a test frame, the round trip identifier of the test frame is used to identify whether or not it is the return path (step S89).

When the round-trip identifier of the test frame is the forward path, the transmission data creating section 31 creates a response test frame and returns the round-trip identifier of the response test frame as a return path to the transmitting side wireless communication device. When the identifier is the return path, the reception time is written in the response test frame (step S91), and the communication time from transmission to reception is set based on the forward frame transmission time and the return frame reception time written in the response test frame. The communication time / route index value calculation unit 27 calculates (step S9).
3).

Then, the calculated communication time is stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 together with the route information (step S95). In addition, the communication time / route index value calculation unit 27 is configured to use the route evaluation index value database 13 in this way.
The route index value is calculated based on the time-series data of the communication time for each route stored in (step S97), and the calculated route index value is stored in the route evaluation index value database 13 for each route (step S99). ).

On the other hand, the transmitting wireless communication device, when transmitting an ordinary data frame that is not a test frame,
As described above, under the control of the control unit 1, the transmission data creation unit 31 transmits the destination address based on the frame format,
Create a frame containing the destination address and transmission data.
Before transmitting this data frame, the optimum route evaluation / selection unit 29 refers to the index value of each route once accumulated in the route evaluation index value database 13, selects the optimum route, and stores the optimum route data. Write in section 53.

Further, the transmission data creating section 31 continues to create the route data while referring to the data until the fixed time elapses, and again selects the optimum route again after the fixed time elapses. Continue creation.

When the transmission data frame has been created,
This data frame is once written in the transmission / reception buffer 11, path analysis for transmission to the wireless communication device which is the next node is performed, and the data frame is supplied to the data transmission control unit 35. This data frame is transmitted from the data transmission control unit 35 to the communication partner via the transmission unit 3, the switch 5, and the antenna 7 via the optimum route.

In this way, the data frame is transmitted to the communication partner, and even during the data communication with the communication partner, the wireless communication apparatus of this embodiment continues to transmit the test frame via each path as described above. The index value is calculated based on the communication time from the transmission of the test frame to the reception, and the optimum route is constantly detected based on the index value. When an optimal route is detected than the route currently being used for data communication, the current route is changed to this optimal route and data communication is continued. Data communication is possible while selecting.

The processing procedure of the wireless communication method of the above embodiment is recorded as a program in a recording medium such as a CD or FD, and the program recorded in this recording medium is downloaded to a computer system via a communication line. Or by installing from a recording medium and operating the computer system with the program,
Of course, it can be made to function as a wireless communication device that implements the wireless communication method, and the use of such a recording medium can enhance its distribution.

[0078]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Communication from sending a test signal to a communication partner, receiving a response signal from the communication partner, and receiving a response signal from the communication partner via each of multiple wireless communication paths with the communication partner The time is calculated for each of the plurality of routes, and the index value indicating the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each route to the partner communication destination is calculated based on the communication time of each route, so the route is selected based on this index value. By doing so, the data communication can be performed with high reliability by using the route with the optimum wireless communication quality.

Further, according to the present invention, the optimum route to the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of routes to the communication partner, and the determined optimum route is selected. The wireless communication with the communication partner is performed, and the index value is sequentially calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner even during the wireless communication, and the optimum value with the communication partner is calculated based on this index value. The right route,
Since wireless communication with the communication partner is performed while sequentially selecting this optimum path during wireless communication, data communication is performed with high reliability on this optimum path while always selecting the optimum path even during wireless communication. be able to.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit used in the wireless communication device of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a test frame used in the wireless communication device of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a normal data frame used in the wireless communication device of the embodiment shown in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a process of transmitting a test frame to receiving a response test frame and calculating a communication time and an index value in the wireless communication device of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication device of the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when transmitting data to the device.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a detailed operation of a control unit of the wireless communication device of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG.

8 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of performing communication while selecting an optimum route in the wireless communication device of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 control unit 3 transmitter 9 Receiver 11 Send / receive buffer 13 Route evaluation index database 21 Data reception control unit 27 Communication time / route index value calculation unit 29 Optimal route evaluation / selection unit 31 Transmission data creation section 33 timer 35 Data transmission control unit

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 5K030 GA01 GA11 JL01 LB05 MC01                 5K033 AA01 AA05 AA07 CB01 DA17                       EA02                 5K042 CA02 DA15 EA09 JA01                 5K067 AA14 AA33 BB21 CC12 DD17                       EE13 FF16 KK15

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. A wireless communication device for performing communication while selecting an optimum route, wherein a plurality of wireless communication routes between the wireless communication device and the communication partner are provided from the wireless communication device to the communication partner. And a response signal receiving means for receiving a response signal to the test signal returned from a communication partner via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths. And communication time calculating means for calculating the communication time from the transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths to the communication partner, and the calculated wireless communication paths to the partner communication destination. Index value calculating means for calculating an index value representing the optimum degree of the wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination based on the communication time of Communication device. 2. An optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated by the index value calculating means for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner to be communicated. And an optimum route determining unit for performing wireless communication with the communication partner by selecting the determined optimum wireless communication route, and for each of the plurality of wireless communication routes with the communication partner during the wireless communication. An index value calculation means is controlled to sequentially calculate the index value, and based on the calculated index value, the optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication. An optimum route sequential selection means for performing wireless communication with the communication partner while sequentially selecting the optimum wireless communication route that is sequentially determined during wireless communication. Wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1 that. 3. The index value calculating means has a time series data conforming means for calculating the index value based on the time series data of the communication time of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination. The wireless communication device according to claim 1. 4. The time-series data conforming means includes a plurality of latest communication times of the time-series data, a plurality of latest communication times, or a plurality of communication times of a plurality of latest communication times each having a communication time of a predetermined value or less. 4. The wireless communication device according to claim 3, further comprising data selecting means for selecting a communication time and calculating an index value based on the selected communication time. 5. A wireless communication method for performing communication while selecting an optimum route, wherein a plurality of wireless communication paths between a communication source and a communication partner are provided to the communication partner. From the communication partner to the test signal transmitted via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths, and from the transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal. Of the wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination based on the calculated communication time of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination A wireless communication method, characterized in that an index value representing an optimum degree is calculated. 6. An optimum wireless communication route with the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication routes with the communication partner to be communicated, and the determined optimum A wireless communication path is selected to perform wireless communication with the communication partner, and the index value is sequentially calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner during the wireless communication, and the calculated index Based on the value, the optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication, and wireless communication with the communication partner is performed while sequentially selecting the optimum wireless communication path that is sequentially determined during wireless communication. The wireless communication method according to claim 5, wherein: 7. The process of calculating the index value is characterized in that the index value is calculated based on time-series data of communication time of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination. The wireless communication method described. 8. The process of calculating the index value based on the time-series data includes the latest communication time of the time-series data,
Alternatively, a plurality of latest communication times or a plurality of latest communication times and a plurality of communication times whose communication times are equal to or less than a predetermined value are selected, and an index value is calculated based on the selected communication times. Item 7. The wireless communication method according to Item 7. 9. A wireless communication program for performing communication while selecting an optimum route, wherein a plurality of wireless communication routes between a communication source and a communication destination are provided from a communication source to a communication destination. From the communication partner to the test signal transmitted via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths, and from the transmission of the test signal to the reception of the response signal. Of the wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination based on the calculated communication time of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination A wireless communication program, characterized by calculating an index value representing an optimum degree. 10. An optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner to be communicated, and the determined optimum A wireless communication path is selected to perform wireless communication with the communication partner, and the index value is sequentially calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner during the wireless communication, and the calculated index Based on the value, the optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication, and wireless communication with the communication partner is performed while sequentially selecting the optimum wireless communication path that is sequentially determined during wireless communication. The wireless communication program according to claim 9, wherein 11. The process of calculating the index value, wherein the index value is calculated based on time-series data of communication time of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination. The described wireless communication program. 12. The process of calculating an index value based on the time-series data is performed such that the latest communication time of the time-series data, the latest plurality of communication times, or the communication time of the latest communication times is predetermined. 12. The wireless communication program according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of communication times less than or equal to the value are selected, and the index value is calculated based on the selected communication times. 13. A computer-readable recording medium in which a wireless communication program for performing communication while selecting an optimum path is recorded, the medium being from a communication source to a communication destination, between the communication source and the communication destination. A test signal is transmitted via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths, and a response signal to the test signal returned from the communication partner via each of the plurality of wireless communication paths is received, and the test is performed. The communication time from the signal transmission to the reception of the response signal is calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths to the communication partner, and the communication time to the partner communication destination is calculated based on the calculated communication time of each wireless communication path to the partner communication destination. Computer-readable recording of a wireless communication program characterized by calculating an index value indicating the optimum degree of wireless communication quality of each wireless communication path Recording medium. 14. The optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is determined based on the index value calculated for each of the plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner to be communicated, and the determined optimum A wireless communication path is selected to perform wireless communication with the communication partner, and the index value is sequentially calculated for each of a plurality of wireless communication paths with the communication partner during the wireless communication, and the calculated index Based on the value, the optimum wireless communication path with the communication partner is sequentially determined during wireless communication, and wireless communication with the communication partner is performed while sequentially selecting the optimum wireless communication path that is sequentially determined during wireless communication. 14. A computer-readable recording medium recording the wireless communication program according to claim 13. 15. The process of calculating the index value, wherein the index value is calculated based on time-series data of the communication time of each wireless communication path to the calculated partner communication destination. A computer-readable recording medium recording the described wireless communication program. 16. The process of calculating an index value based on the time-series data is performed such that the latest communication time of the time-series data, the latest plurality of communication times, or the communication time of the latest plurality of communication times is predetermined. 16. A computer-readable recording medium having a wireless communication program recorded thereon according to claim 15, wherein a plurality of communication times equal to or less than the value are selected, and the index value is calculated based on the selected communication times.