JP2006325069A - Radio equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide radio equipment capable of reducing a delay of a radio network that is autonomously established. <P>SOLUTION: Respective radio equipment 31 to 43 transmit and receive packets PKT having a header HD with a route label stored therein. The route label is composed of either label information A showing that a packet PKT is transmitted along a radio communication path between a transmission source and a transmission destination or label information B showing that the packet PKT is transmitted to an unspecified number of radio equipment within a radio network system 100. The respective radio equipment 31 to 43 determine processing contents of a packet PKT with reference to a route label stored in a header HD of the packet PKT transmitted from different radio equipment and process the packet PKT in accordance with the determined processing contents. The respective radio equipment 31 to 43 process the packet PKT by a data link layer and a physical layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a radio apparatus, and more particularly to a radio apparatus constituting an ad hoc network that is autonomously and instantaneously constructed by a plurality of radio apparatuses.

  An ad hoc network is a network that is autonomously and instantaneously constructed by a plurality of wireless devices communicating with each other. In an ad hoc network, when two wireless devices that communicate with each other do not exist in the communication area, a wireless device located between the two wireless devices functions as a router and relays a data packet. Can be formed.

  Such an ad hoc network is about to be applied to various fields such as a wireless communication network in a stricken area and streaming in ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) inter-vehicle communication (Non-Patent Document 1).

  Dynamic routing protocols that support multi-hop communication include table-driven protocols and on-demand protocols. The table-driven protocol periodically exchanges control information related to a route and constructs a route table in advance, and includes FSR (Fish-eye State Routing), OLSR (Optimized Link State Routing), and TBRPF (Topology). (Dissociation Based on Reverse-Path Forwarding) and the like are known.

  In addition, the on-demand protocol is a method for constructing a route to a destination for the first time when a data transmission request occurs, and includes DSR (Dynamic Source Routing) and AODV (Ad Hoc On-Demand Distance Vector Routing). Are known.

In a conventional ad hoc network, when data communication is performed from a transmission source to a transmission destination, a communication path is determined so that the number of hops from the transmission source to the transmission destination is as small as possible (Non-Patent Document 1).
Shozo Komaki (ed.), “Wireless LAN and Ubiquitous Network”, Maruzen Co., Ltd., 2004.

However, in the current ad hoc network, it is not expected that the route is always stably maintained. Therefore, the route search is performed periodically or on demand to update the route selection table. Therefore, the routing process is performed by software in layer 3, and there is a problem that processing delay is likely to be caused.

  Also, in flooding in which packets are sent to an unspecified number of wireless devices in an ad hoc network, identification processing is necessary to avoid transmission of duplicate packets, and this identification processing may cause processing delay. It has become.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless device capable of reducing a delay of a wireless network that is established autonomously.

  According to the present invention, a wireless device is a wireless device that is autonomously established and constitutes a wireless network that performs wireless communication between a transmission source and a transmission destination, and includes processing content determination means and processing means. With. The processing content determination means refers to only the header of the transmitted packet and receives the packet, and the second processing relays the packet along the communication path between the transmission source and the transmission destination. And the third process for relaying the packet to an unspecified number of wireless devices. The processing means performs any one of the first to third processes according to the determination result of the processing content determination means.

  Preferably, the processing content determination means is provided in a lower layer than the network layer.

  Preferably, the wireless device further includes holding means. The holding means has a data length that is longer than the header length of the header by a predetermined length as a capacity, and temporarily holds the packet for each data length from the head and outputs the packet to the processing means. Then, the processing content determination means determines the processing content of the packet with reference to the label stored in the header while the header is held in the holding means.

  Preferably, the predetermined length is changed according to the modulation method of the packet.

  Preferably, the label consists of either the first or second bit pattern. Then, the processing content determination means determines to perform one of the first processing and the second processing according to the relationship between the wireless device and the transmission destination when the label is composed of the first bit pattern. Is determined to perform the third process when it comprises the second bit pattern.

  Preferably, the processing content determination means determines to perform the first process when the wireless device is the transmission destination and the label is formed of the first bit pattern, and the wireless device is on the communication path. When it is a wireless device and the label is composed of the first bit pattern, it is determined to perform the second process.

  Preferably, the first bit pattern includes a first bit string indicating that a packet is wirelessly communicated along a communication path, and a second bit string provided continuously with the first bit string. The second bit pattern has the same bit length as the first bit string, and is continuous to the third bit string and the third bit string indicating that the packet is wirelessly communicated to a plurality of wireless devices in the wireless network. And a fourth bit string having the same bit length as that of the second bit string. Then, the processing content determination means determines to perform the third processing when the label is composed of the second bit pattern and the numerical value represented by the fourth bit string is larger than the numerical value already used. .

  Preferably, the first bit pattern is set when the communication path is determined, and the second bit pattern is set at the transmission source.

  The wireless device according to the present invention refers to only the header of a packet transmitted from another wireless device, determines the processing content of the packet, and processes the packet according to the determined processing content before receiving the entire packet. .

  Further, according to the present invention, the processing contents of the packet can be determined in a layer lower than the network layer, so that communication delay in each wireless device can be suppressed. As a result, a wireless network with a small communication delay can be realized by constructing a wireless network using the wireless device according to the present invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless network system using a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless network system 100 includes wireless devices 31 to 43. The wireless devices 31 to 43 are arranged in a wireless communication space and autonomously configure a network. The antennas 51 to 63 are attached to the wireless devices 31 to 43, respectively.

  For example, when transmitting data from the wireless device 31 to the wireless device 42, the wireless devices 32 and 35 to 41 relay the data from the wireless device 31 and deliver the data to the wireless device 42.

  When transmitting data from the wireless device 33 to the wireless device 43, the wireless devices 31, 32, 35 to 42 relay the data from the wireless device 33 and send it to the wireless device 43.

  As described above, in the wireless network system 100, a plurality of data flows may occur. In this case, the two data flows (the data flow from the wireless device 31 to the wireless device 42 and the wireless device 33 to the wireless device) are described. The wireless devices 32 and 35 to 41 that relay both of the data flows to 43 cannot relay two data flows at the same frequency at the same time, and relay one data flow after the other data flow is relayed. Must be done. For this reason, a delay occurs in the relay of the other data flow, and such a delay at the time of the relay is generated in the wireless devices 32, 35 to 41, thereby increasing the delay in the entire wireless network system 100.

  Therefore, in the following, a method for performing wireless communication with reduced delay in the entire wireless network system 100 will be described.

  The OLSR protocol is used as an example of a protocol for establishing a communication path between a transmission source and a transmission destination. The OLSR protocol is a table-driven routing protocol, and is a protocol for exchanging route information by using a Hello message and a TC (Topology Control) message to create a routing table.

  In the following description, it is assumed that a wireless communication path is established between the transmission source and the transmission destination according to the OLSR protocol, and an environment in which wireless communication can be performed between the transmission source and the transmission destination is prepared. .

  FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the configuration of the wireless device 31 shown in FIG. The wireless device 31 includes an antenna 11, an input unit 12, an output unit 13, a user application 14, and a communication control unit 15.

  The antenna 11 constitutes each of the antennas 51 to 63 shown in FIG. The antenna 11 receives data from other wireless devices via the wireless communication space, outputs the received data to the communication control unit 15, and transmits the data from the communication control unit 15 via the wireless communication space. Send to other wireless device.

  The input unit 12 receives a message and data destination input by an operator of the wireless device 31 and outputs the received message and destination to the user application 14. The output unit 13 displays a message according to control from the user application 14.

  The user application 14 generates data based on the message and destination from the input unit 12 and outputs the data to the communication control unit 15.

  The communication control unit 15 includes a plurality of modules that perform communication control in accordance with an ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency) Internet hierarchical structure. That is, the communication control unit 15 includes a wireless interface module 16, a MAC (Media Access Control) module 17, an identifier 18, a register 19, a hop number setting unit 20, and a module provided in an upper layer such as a network layer. (Not shown).

  The radio interface module 16 belongs to the physical layer, spreads the transmission data with a predetermined spreading code, modulates the spread spectrum transmission data with a predetermined frequency, and transmits the modulated data via the antenna 11.

  Further, the wireless interface module 16 receives a signal transmitted from another wireless device via the antenna 11, demodulates the received signal, and despreads the demodulated signal by performing spectrum despreading. Output to upper layer such as layer.

  The MAC module 17 belongs to the data link layer, executes the MAC protocol, and executes various functions described below.

  That is, the MAC module 17 broadcasts the Hello packet received from the upper layer via the wireless interface module 16.

  The MAC module 17 performs retransmission control of data (packets).

  The identifier 18 belongs to the data link layer, and determines the transmission destination of the packet PKT by referring to only the header of the packet PKT held in the register 19 by a method described later. Then, the identifier 18 generates a control signal CTL for controlling the wireless interface module 16 so as to transmit the packet PKT to the determined transmission destination, and outputs the control signal CTL to the wireless interface module 16.

  The register 19 belongs to the data link layer, temporarily holds the packet PKT received from the wireless interface module 16, and outputs the packet PKT to the hop number setting means 20.

  The hop number setting means 20 decrements the hop counter included in the header of the packet PKT output from the register 19 by “1”, and outputs the packet PKT to the wireless interface module 16.

  Note that each of the wireless devices 32 to 43 illustrated in FIG. 1 has the same configuration as the configuration of the wireless device 31 illustrated in FIG. 2.

  FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a partial configuration of the wireless interface module 16 illustrated in FIG. 2. The wireless interface module 16 includes a transmission unit 161, a reception unit 162, and a switch 163.

  The transmission unit 161 includes a spreading code holding unit 1611, spreading means 1612, and a modulator 1613. The spreading code holding unit 1611 holds a plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck (k is an integer of 2 or more). The plurality of spread codes C1 to Ck are composed of different code sequences.

  More specifically, the plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck are code sequences having sharp autocorrelation when the phase difference is zero and sufficiently small correlation when the phase difference is not zero. The plurality of spread codes C1 to Ck are formed of such code sequences because, even when spread spectrum spread signals are wirelessly communicated asynchronously in the radio network system 100, each radio apparatus desires by spread spectrum spread. This is so that only waves can be extracted.

  When the spreading code holding unit 1611 receives an output request for the spreading code Ci (i is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ i ≦ k) from the spreading means 1612, it outputs the spreading code Ci to the spreading means 1612. In this case, each time the spreading code holding unit 1611 receives an output request for the spreading code Ci, the spreading code different from the spreading code output to the spreading means 1612 is selected from the plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck and sent to the spreading means 1612. Output.

  Spreading means 1612 receives packet PKT from MAC module 17 or switch 163 and receives spreading code Ci from spreading code holding section 1611. Then, the spreading means 1612 spreads the packet PKT using the spreading code Ci. More specifically, the spreading means 1612 spreads the packet PKT with the spreading code Ci by calculating an exclusive OR of the bit string of the packet PKT and the spreading code Ci.

  Spreading means 1611 outputs spread signal SS generated by spectrum spreading of packet PKT to modulator 1613.

  Upon receiving the spread signal SS from the spreading means 1612, the modulator 1613 modulates the spread signal SS with a predetermined frequency, and outputs the modulated spread signal SS to the antenna 11.

  The receiving unit 162 includes a demodulator 1621, a spread code holding unit 1622, and despreading means 1623.

  Demodulator 1621 receives reception signal R from antenna 11, demodulates received reception signal R at a predetermined frequency, and outputs spread signal SS to despreading means 1623.

  The spreading code holding unit 1622 holds the same plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck as the spreading code holding unit 1611 of the transmission unit 161. Upon receiving a spread code output request from despreading means 1623, spreading code holding section 1622 outputs a plurality of spreading codes C 1 to Ck to despreading means 1623.

The despreading means 1623 receives the spread signal SS from the demodulator 1621 and receives a plurality of spread codes C1 to Ck from the spread code holding unit 1622. Then, the despreading means 1623 calculates a correlation value between the spread signal SS and each of the plurality of spread signals C1 to Ck, and a correlation value equal to or greater than a threshold value is obtained from the calculated plurality of correlation values. Time spreading code Cj (j is an integer satisfying 1 ≦ j ≦ k).
Then, the despreading means 1623 despreads the spread signal SS with the specified spread code Cj. More specifically, the despreading means 1623 despreads the spread signal SS by the spread code Cj by calculating an exclusive OR of the bit string of the spread signal SS and the spread code Cj. .

  Then, the despreading means 1623 outputs the packet PKT subjected to spectrum despreading to the register 19.

  Note that the spread code Cj used by the despreading means 1623 for spectrum despreading is different from the spread code Ci used by the spreading means 1612 for spread spectrum because the spread for spreading the packet PKT during transmission of the packet PKT. This is because the code Ci is not necessarily the same as the spreading code Cj for despreading the packet PKT when receiving the packet PKT.

  That is, in the present invention, when the wireless device A (any of the wireless devices 31 to 43) on the transmission side of the packet PKT transmits the packet PKT, the spreading code arbitrarily selected from the plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck. Since the packet PKT is spectrum spread using Ci, when the wireless device A receives the packet PKT from another wireless device B (a wireless device different from the wireless device A), the other wireless device B uses the same spreading code as the spreading code Ci. The code may be selected from a plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck, or the other radio apparatus B may select a spreading code different from the spreading code Ci from the plurality of spreading codes C1 to Ck. Is different from the spread code Ci used by the spreading means 1612 for spread spectrum.

  Accordingly, the spread code Ci and the spread code Cj may be the same as each other or different from each other.

  The switch 163 includes a switch 1631 and terminals 1632 to 1634. The switch 1631 receives the output data from the register 19 via the hop number setting means 20. The switch 1631 is connected to one of the terminals 1632 to 1634 by the control signal CTL from the discriminator 18.

  The terminal 1632 is a terminal for outputting the output data from the register 19 to the upper layer of the wireless device, and the terminal 1633 transmits the output data from the register 19 to the upper layer of the wireless device and other wireless devices. The terminal 1634 is a terminal for transmitting output data from the register 19 to another wireless device.

  As described above, the switching unit 163 transmits the output data from the register 19 by changing the transmission destination according to the control signal CTL from the discriminator 18.

  The register 19 has a capacity capable of holding data having a bit length longer by α bits than the bit length of the header HD of the packet PKT described later. The α bit is determined according to the modulation method, and has a bit length of 1 to 2 bits, for example.

  The capacity of the register 19 is set to “bit length of header HD + α” bits even if the timing at which the header HD of the packet PKT is stored in the register 19 in each wireless device 31 to 43 is shifted. This is because the header HD of the packet PKT can be accurately detected in .about.43.

  The register 19 temporarily holds the packet PKT by a predetermined amount (= “bit length of the header HD + α” bits) from the head thereof, and then sequentially outputs the packet PKT to the hop number setting means 20 by the predetermined amount.

  The discriminator 18 holds a control table indicating how to process a packet PKT received from another wireless device. Then, the identifier 18 refers to the control table and the header HD held in the register 19 to determine the transmission destination of the packet PKT by a method described later, and transmits the packet PKT to the determined transmission destination. A control signal CTL for controlling the switch 163 is generated. Then, the discriminator 18 outputs the generated control signal CTL to the switch 1631 of the switch 163.

  The hop number setting means 20 decrements the hop counter stored in the header HD of the packet PKT output from the register 19 by “1”, and outputs the decremented packet PKT to the switch 1631 of the switch 163.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the packet PKT. The packet PKT includes a preamble (Pre-Amble), a label storage (Label Field), an error code (LCS: Label Check Sequence), and a main body (Container). The preamble (Pre-Amble), the label storage unit (Label Field), and the error code (LCS) constitute a header HD.

  In the preamble (Pre-Amble), a signal for reproducing the received signal is stored. More specifically, a carrier reproduction signal or a clock reproduction signal is stored in a preamble (Pre-Amble).

  The label storage unit (Label Field) includes label information for wirelessly communicating the packet PKT along the wireless communication path or label information for transmitting the packet PKT to an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100. Stored.

  The error code (LCS) is composed of a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) code for error detection in the label storage unit (Label Field). For example, an IP packet is stored in the main body (Container).

  The length of the label storage unit (Label Field) and the length of the error code (LCS) are determined according to the system. In the wireless network system 100 including an ad hoc network, for example, a label storage unit (Label Field) Is 12 bits, and the length of the error code (LCS) is 4 bits.

  The label storage unit (Label Field) includes a type, a connection ID, and a hop counter. The type is, for example, 1-bit data, and “0” or “1” is stored. Here, “0” represents a flooding label which is label information for transmitting the packet PKT to an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100, and “1” represents the packet PKT as a wireless communication path. It represents a routing label that is label information for relaying along.

  Therefore, by referring to the type, it is possible to identify whether the packet PKT is a packet transmitted to an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100 or a packet relayed along the wireless communication path. .

  In the type, “0” or “1” is stored by the wireless device of the transmission source.

  The connection ID is composed of, for example, 7-bit data and stores a fixed-length bit pattern. The connection ID stores, for example, a bit pattern [1100110] when the packet PKT is wirelessly communicated along the wireless communication path. The bit pattern [1100110] is stored in the connection ID when a wireless communication path for transmitting (or relaying) the packet PKT is set.

  In addition, when the packet PKT is transmitted to an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100, the connection ID stores a numerical value larger than the numerical value stored in the past. In this case, the transmission source wireless device stores a numerical value larger than the numerical value used in the past in the connection ID.

  The hop counter is composed of, for example, 4-bit data, and stores a predetermined numerical value. The hop counter is decremented by “1” every time the packet PKT is relayed. When the value stored in the hop counter becomes “0”, the packet PKT is not relayed.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a control table held by the discriminator 18 shown in FIG. The control table CLT includes a label and a command. In the control table CLT, “Type”, “Connection ID”, and “Hop Counter” shown in FIG. 4 are stored in the label, and “Com1”, “Com2”, “Com3”, and “Com4” are stored in the command. Stored.

  The command Com1 represents that the wireless device receives a packet PKT transmitted from another wireless device, and the command Com2 represents an unspecified number of packets PKT transmitted from another wireless device in the wireless network system 100. The command Com3 represents that the packet PKT transmitted from the other wireless device is relayed along the wireless communication path, and the command Com4 represents the packet PKT transmitted from the other wireless device. Indicates that is discarded.

  The command Com1 corresponds to the label [1] / [1100110] / [arbitrary numeric value], [0] / [1111011] / [0000], and the command Com2 is a numeric value different from the label [0] / [past numeric value]. ] / [Numerical value other than 0], command Com3 corresponds to label [1] / [1100110] / [numerical value other than 0], and command Com4 corresponds to label error or label [0] / [past Corresponds to the same numerical value] / [non-zero numerical value].

  Since the label [1] / [1100110] / [arbitrary numerical value] includes a “type” composed of “1”, it indicates that the packet PKT is transmitted along the wireless communication path. Therefore, the destination discriminator 18 performs a process of reception (= command Com1) for the packet PKT including the label [1] / [1100110] / [arbitrary numerical value]. Further, since the label [0] / [1111011] / [0000] includes a “type” composed of “0”, it indicates that the packet PKT is transmitted to an unspecified number of wireless devices. However, since the hop counter is [0000], the packet PKT cannot be further transferred. Therefore, the destination and repeater discriminator 18 performs a process of reception (= command Com1) for the packet PKT including the label [0] / [1111011] / [0000].

  The label [0] / [numeric value different from past numeric value] / [numeric value other than 0] is “type” consisting of “0”, “connection ID” consisting of “numeric value different from past numeric value”, and “0”. Since it consists of a “hop count” consisting of “a numerical value other than”, it represents that the packet PKT is transferred to an unspecified number of wireless devices. Accordingly, the identifier 18 of the transmission destination and the repeater is referred to as flooding (= command Com2) for the packet PKT including the label [0] / [number different from the past number] / [number other than 0]. Perform processing.

  The label [1] / [1100110] / [numerical value other than 0] includes a “type” consisting of “1”, and therefore indicates that the packet PKT is transmitted along the wireless communication path. Therefore, the discriminator 18 of the repeater performs a process of relay (= command Com3) for the packet PKT including the label [1] / [1100110] / [numeric value other than 0].

  When the label is a label error, it is unclear how the packet PKT may be processed. Therefore, the identifier 18 of the transmission destination and the repeater determines the packet PKT including the label that is a label error. A process of discard (= command Com4) is performed. Further, since the label [0] / [same numerical value as in the past] / [numerical value other than 0] includes a “type” consisting of “0”, the packet PKT is transmitted to an unspecified number of wireless devices. To express. However, since the connection ID is “the same numerical value as the past numerical value”, the packet PKT is a duplicate packet that overlaps a packet that has already been transmitted by flooding. Accordingly, the discriminator of the transmission destination and the repeater performs a process of discarding (= command Com4) for the packet PKT including the label [0] / [the same numerical value as the past numerical value] / [a numerical value other than 0]. Do.

  When a packet PKT including any label of the control table CLT shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted, since the wireless communication path is established between the transmission source and the transmission destination, the identifier 18 of each wireless device It knows whether it is installed at the destination or the repeater. Accordingly, the discriminator 18 can determine the transmission destination of the packet PKT by referring to only the control table CLT and the header HD of the packet PKT by a method described later.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the operation of the discriminator 18 shown in FIG. 3 in detail. FIG. 6A shows a type in which the label storage part (Label Field) of the packet PKT stores “1”, a connection ID storing a numerical value [1100110], and a hop counter storing a numerical value [0111]. Shows the case.

  FIG. 6B shows a type in which the label storage unit (Label Field) of the packet PK2 stores “0”, a connection ID in which the bit pattern [1111011] is stored, and a hop in which the numerical value [0111] is stored. The case where it consists of a counter is shown.

  Further, FIG. 6C shows a type in which the label storage unit (Label Field) of the packet PKT stores “1”, a connection ID in which the bit pattern [1100110] is stored, and a hop in which the numerical value [0111] is stored. The case where it consists of a counter is shown.

  When the header HD of the packet PKT is stored in the register 19, the discriminator 18 refers to the error code (LCS) of the header HD to determine whether or not there is an error in the label storage unit (Label Field). When there is an error in the label storage unit (Label Field) (label error), the discriminator 18 refers to the control tables CLT1 and CLT2 and controls the register 19 so as to discard the packet PKT.

  On the other hand, when there is no error in the label storage unit (Label Field), the discriminator 18 determines the transmission destination of the packet PKT with reference to the type of the label storage unit (Label Field) and the connection ID.

  More specifically, in the case of FIG. 6A, the discriminator 18 determines that the packet PKT is a packet relayed along the wireless communication path with reference to “1” stored in the type. Referring further to the bit pattern [1100110] stored in the connection ID, when the wireless device is the transmission destination, it is determined that the wireless device is the terminating wireless device. That is, the discriminator 18 executes the command Com1 based on the control table CLT1. Then, the discriminator 18 generates a control signal CTL1 (a kind of control signal CTL) for controlling the switch 163 so as to transmit the packet PKT to an upper layer of the radio apparatus, and the generated control signal CTL1 is used. Output to the switch 1631 of the switch 163.

  In the case of FIG. 6B, the identifier 18 refers to “0” stored in the type, and transmits the packet PKT to an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100. Is determined. Then, the identifier 18 further refers to the numerical value [1111011] stored in the connection ID, and determines whether or not the numerical value [1111011] is the same as the numerical value stored in the connection ID of the packet PKT transferred in the past. judge. If the numerical value [1111011] is the same as the numerical value used in the past, the discriminator 18 determines that the packet PKT is a duplicate packet and controls the register 19 to discard the packet PKT. That is, the discriminator 18 executes the command Com4 based on the control table CLT1 or CLT2.

  On the other hand, when the numerical value [1111011] is not the same as the numerical value used in the past, the discriminator 18 determines that the wireless device and the other wireless device are transmission destinations, and determines the packet PKT as an upper layer of the wireless device and A control signal CTL2 (a kind of control signal CTL) for controlling the switch 163 to be transmitted to another wireless device is generated and output to the switch 1631 of the switch 163. That is, the discriminator 18 executes the command Com2 based on the control table CLT1 or CLT2.

  The discriminator 18 holds the numerical value stored in the connection ID of the packet PKT transferred in the past for a certain period of time.

  Further, in the case of FIG. 6C, the discriminator 18 refers to “1” stored in the type, determines that the packet PKT is a packet relayed along the wireless communication path, and sets the connection ID. Further referring to the stored bit pattern [1100110], when the wireless device is a wireless device on the wireless communication path between the transmission source and the transmission destination, it is determined that the wireless device is a repeater. Then, the discriminator 18 generates a control signal CTL3 (a kind of control signal CTL) for controlling the switch 163 so as to transmit the packet PKT to another radio apparatus, and the generated control signal CTL3 is used as the switch. It outputs to the switch 1631 of 163. That is, the discriminator 18 executes the command Com3 based on the control table CLT2.

  The identifier 18 performs the above-described transmission destination identification while the header HD of the packet PKT is stored in the register 19. That is, the identifier 18 identifies the transmission destination described above until the header HD of the packet PKT is output from the register 19.

  Thereby, the transmission destination of the packet PKT can be quickly determined using the time for the packet PKT to pass through the register 19.

  The relay and the transmission destination engaged in the wireless communication performed along the wireless communication path established using the OLSR protocol hold the control table CLT1 or CLT2 described above, so that the transmission destination from the transmission source along the wireless communication path. A high-speed wireless communication path capable of transferring packets at a high speed is established. Here, “high speed” means that packets can be transferred at a speed higher than the transfer speed in the conventional ad hoc network.

  Next, an operation for performing wireless communication along the high-speed wireless communication path will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the description of FIG. 7, a communication method in the wireless device 36 shown in FIG. 1 will be described. When a series of operations starts, the antenna 11 of the wireless device 36 receives a signal from the wireless device 32 and outputs the received reception signal R to the demodulator 1621 of the wireless interface module 16.

  The demodulator 1621 demodulates the received signal R with a predetermined frequency (step S11), and outputs the demodulated spread signal SS to the despreading means 1623.

  The despreading means 1623 receives the spread signal SS from the demodulator 1621 and receives a plurality of spread codes C1 to Ck from the spread code holding unit 1622. Then, the despreading means 1623 calculates a correlation value between the spread signal SS and each of the plurality of spread signals C1 to Ck, and among the calculated plurality of correlation values, a correlation value equal to or greater than a threshold value is obtained. Time spreading code Cj is specified. That is, the despreading means 1623 determines a spread code Cj for spectrum despreading the spread signal SS (step S12).

  Then, the despreading means 1623 spectrum despreads the spread signal SS with the determined spread code Cj (step S13), and outputs the spectrum despread packet PKT to the register 19.

  The register 19 temporarily holds a predetermined amount from the head of the packet PKT (consisting of an information bit string), and then sequentially outputs the packet PKT to the hop number setting means 20 in a predetermined amount.

  The discriminator 18 determines the transmission destination of the packet PKT with reference to the header HD while the header HD of the packet PKT is held in the register 19. That is, the discriminator 18 refers to the error code (LCS) of the header HD and determines whether or not there is an error in the label storage section (Label Field) of the header HD (step S14).

  When there is an error in the label storage unit (Label Field) (in the case of “NO” in step S14), the discriminator 18 controls the register 19 so as to discard the packet PKT, and the register 19 stores the packet PKT. Discard (step S15).

  On the other hand, when there is no error in the label storage unit (Label Field) in step S14 (in the case of “YES” in step S14), the destination (transmission) of the packet PKT by the method described above with reference to the type of header HD and the connection ID First) is identified (step S16).

  When the identifier 18 identifies that the transmission destination is the wireless device 36 (in the case of “edge node” in step S16), the identifier 18 generates the control signal CTL1 and outputs it to the switch 1631 of the switch 163. The switch 1631 is connected to the terminal 1632 according to the control signal CTL1, and outputs the packet PKT (consisting of an information bit string) output from the register 19 to the upper layer of the wireless device 36. That is, the switch 163 sets the switch 1631 to the termination mode (step S17).

  In step S16, when the identifier 18 identifies that the transmission destination is the wireless device 39 adjacent to the wireless device 36 (in the case of “transfer node” in step S16), the identifier 18 generates the control signal CTL3 and switches the switch. It outputs to the switch 1631 of 163. The switch 1631 is connected to the terminal 1634 according to the control signal CTL3, and transmits the packet PKT output from the register 19 (consisting of an information bit string) to the spreading means 1612 of the transmission unit 161 in order to transmit the packet PKT to the wireless device 39. Is output. That is, the switch 163 sets the switch 1631 to the transfer mode (step S18).

  Further, in step S16, when the identifier 18 identifies that the transmission destination is an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100 (in the case of “flooding” in step S16), the identifier 18 sets the hop counter of the header HD. With reference to this, it is further determined whether or not the hop counter is “0” (step S19).

  When it is determined that the hop counter is “0”, the series of operations proceeds to step S17 described above. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S19 that the hop counter is not “0”, the discriminator 18 further determines whether or not the packet PKT has been transferred in the past with reference to the numerical value stored in the connection ID. (Step S20). That is, the discriminator 18 is the same as the numeric value stored in the connection ID of a packet transferred in the past (the discriminator 18 holds this numeric value for a certain period). When it is determined that the packet PKT has been transferred in the past, and when the numerical value stored in the connection ID is different from the numerical value stored in the connection ID of the packet transferred in the past, it is determined that the packet PKT has not been transferred in the past To do.

  When the packet PKT is a packet transferred in the past, the series of operations proceeds to step S15 described above. On the other hand, when the packet PKT is not a packet transferred in the past, the discriminator 18 generates the control signal CTL2 and outputs it to the switch 1631 of the switch 163. The switch 1631 is connected to the terminal 1633 according to the control signal CTL2, and transmits the packet PKT (consisting of an information bit string) output from the register 19 to an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network system 100. The packet PKT is output to the upper layer and the spreading means 1612 of the transmission unit 161. That is, the switch 163 sets the switch 1631 to the flooding transfer mode (step S21).

  Then, after any of Steps S17, S18, and S21 described above, in the wireless interface module 16 of the wireless device 36, the spreading means 1612 of the transmission unit 161 sends an output request for the spreading code Ci to the spreading code holding unit 1611. Output.

  The spread code holding unit 1611 arbitrarily selects a spread code Ci from a plurality of spread codes C1 to Ck in response to an output request for the spread code Ci, and outputs the selected spread code Ci to the spreading means 1612.

  Then, the spreading means 1612 spreads the packet PKT (consisting of an information bit string) with the spreading code Ci, and generates a spread signal SS (step S22). Then, the spreading means 1612 outputs the spread signal SS to the modulator 1613.

  The modulator 1613 modulates the spread signal SS received from the spreading means 1612 with a predetermined frequency, and transmits the modulated spread signal SS via the antenna 11 (step S23).

  And after any of step S15, step S17, and step S23, a series of operation | movement is complete | finished. Each of the wireless devices 31 to 35 and 37 to 43 performs wireless communication according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

  As described above, when receiving the packet PKT from the other wireless device 32, the wireless device 36 refers to only the header HD of the received packet PKT, determines the transmission destination of the packet PKT, and moves to the determined transmission destination. Packet PKT is transmitted. Then, the transmission destination is determined using the time for which the packet PKT passes through the register 19.

  Therefore, the destination of the packet PKT can be determined more quickly than when the destination is determined with reference to the packet header PHD stored in the main body of the packet PKT.

  The transmission destination of the packet PKT and the transmission of the packet PKT to the determined transmission destination are performed by the discriminator 18 provided in the data link layer and the radio interface module 16 provided in the physical layer. That is, without transmitting the packet PKT received from another wireless device to a layer higher than the data link layer, the transmission destination of the packet PKT is determined in the lower layer such as the data link layer and the physical layer, and the determined transmission destination The packet PKT is transmitted to.

  Therefore, the communication delay in each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 can be significantly reduced.

  Further, since the packet PKT is transmitted / received after being spread spectrum, wireless communication can be performed simultaneously in a close proximity wireless device within 1 to 2 hops, and wireless communication using the spread spectrum technology and a subordinate that refers only to the header HD. By combining the reception / relay of the packet PKT in the layer (data link layer), the communication delay in each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 can be suppressed extremely low.

  Note that determining the transmission destination of the packet PKT with reference to the “type” and “connection ID” stored in the header HD of the packet PKT means that the “type” and “connection ID” stored in the header HD of the packet PKT. Corresponds to determining the processing content of the packet PKT.

  Determining that the transmission destination of the packet PKT is the wireless device with reference to “type” and “connection ID” corresponds to receiving the packet PKT, and refers to “type” and “connection ID”. Thus, determining that the transmission destination of the packet PKT is an adjacent wireless device on the wireless communication path is equivalent to relaying the packet PKT along the wireless communication path. See “Type” and “Connection ID”. This is because determining that the transmission destination of the packet PKT is an unspecified number of wireless devices in the wireless network 100 is equivalent to receiving and relaying the packet PKT.

  The type / connection ID / hop counter constitutes a “label” indicating the processing content of the packet PKT.

  FIG. 8 is another configuration diagram of the packet. The packet PKT1 includes a physical header (PHYS HEADER), a MAC header (MAC HEADER), a cut-through label header (CUT-THROUGH LABEL HEADER), and a payload (PAYLOAD). The physical header (PHYS HEADER), the MAC header (MAC HEADER), and the cut-through label header (CUT-THROUGH LABEL HEADER) constitute the header HD.

  The physical header (PHYS HEADER) includes a network identifier (ESS-ID (Enhanced Service Set ID)) and a communication speed.

  The MAC header (MAC HEADER) includes a packet sequence ID, a source MAC address, and a destination MAC address.

  The payload (PAYLOAD) is an area for storing data, and includes FCS (Frame Check Sequence). This FCS is used to detect an error in the packet PKT1 or security of the packet PKT1.

  The cut-through label header (CUT-THROUGH LABEL HEADER) includes a service ID (Service ID), a hop control (Hop Control), a packet ID (Packet ID), a route label (Route Label), and a header FCS (Header FCS). ).

  The service ID (Service ID) indicates a service type, and designates a type of service that can be relayed in each of the wireless devices 31 to 43. Hop control includes the maximum number of hops and the current number of hops. When the current number of hops reaches the maximum number of hops, each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 does not relay the packet PKT1.

  The packet ID (Packet ID) is an ID for identifying each packet PKT1, and is given by the wireless device as the transmission source. If the packet IDs (Packet IDs) are the same, each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 regards the packet PKT1 as a duplicate packet and deletes it.

  A route label (Route Label) is fixed-length label information for performing high-speed label switching, and includes the above-described type and connection ID. The header FCS (Header FCS) is composed of a MAC (Message Authentication Code) value for security detection or the CRC code described above, and detects an error in the header HD.

  In the packet PKT1, the physical header (PHYS HEADER) has a length in the range of, for example, 15 to 24 bytes, and the MAC header (MAC HEADER) has a length of, for example, about 30 bytes. The label header (CUT-THROUGH LABEL HEADER) has a length of about 30 bytes, for example, and the payload (PAYLOAD) has a length of about 100 bytes, for example.

  As a result, the packet PKT1 has a length of about 175 bytes to about 184 bytes.

  Wireless communication using the packet PKT1 is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. In this case, in step S14, based on the header FCS (Header FCS), it is determined whether or not there is an error in the header HD of the packet PKT1.

  In step S19, the maximum hop stored in the hop control (Hop Control) and the current number of hops are referred to. If the current number of hops reaches the maximum number of hops, the series of operations proceeds to step S17. If the current hop count has not reached the maximum hop count, the series of operations proceeds to step S20.

  In step S20, if the packet ID (Packet ID) is the same as the packet ID (Packet ID) of the packet transferred in the past (the identifier 18 holds this packet ID for a certain period). The packet PKT1 is determined to be transferred, and if the packet ID (Packet ID) is different from the packet ID (Packet ID) of the packet transferred in the past, it is determined that the packet PKT1 is not transferred.

When wireless communication is performed using the packet PKT1, the delay in each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 is suppressed and the entire wireless network system 100 is delayed, as in the case where wireless communication is performed using the packet PKT. Can be reduced.
The discriminator 18 constitutes “processing content determination means”, and the switcher 163 constitutes “processing means”.

  In the above description, the identifier 18 and the register 19 are provided in the data link layer. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the identifier 18 and the register 19 include the physical layer, the data link layer, and the data link layer. May be provided between the network layers, and in general, it may be provided in a lower layer than the network layer.

  Furthermore, in the above description, it has been described that the packets PKT and PKT1 are spread spectrum and transmitted / received. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the packets PKT and PKT1 may be transmitted and received without being spread spectrum. .

  In this case, the transmission unit 161 of the wireless interface module 16 includes only the modulator 1613 from which the spreading code holding unit 1611 and the spreading unit 1612 are deleted. Is input. The receiving unit 162 includes only a demodulator 1621 from which the spreading code holding unit 1622 and the despreading unit 1623 are deleted. The demodulator 1621 outputs the demodulated signal of the received signal R to the register 19.

  In this case, the modulator 1613 and the demodulator 1621 modulate and demodulate with different frequencies, respectively. Even if the packets PKT and PKT1 are transmitted / received without spreading the spectrum, each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 refers to only the header HD of the packets PKT and PKT1 for reception, relay and reception / relay of the packets PKT and PKT1. Since the packet PKT and PKT1 are processed based on the determination result, communication delay in each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 can be suppressed. Further, since the processing of the packets PKT and PKT1 is performed in the lower layers such as the physical layer and the data link layer, each wireless device 31 is more than in the case where the processing for the packets PKT and PKT1 is determined in the higher layer than the data link layer. Communication delay in ~ 43 can be suppressed.

  Further, in the above description, each of the wireless devices 31 to 43 has been described as performing wireless communication using a table-driven protocol. However, in the present invention, the wireless devices 31 to 43 are not limited to this. Wireless communication may be performed by the above-described method using a demand-type protocol.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

  The present invention is applied to a wireless device capable of reducing a delay of an autonomously established wireless network.

1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless network system using a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the radio | wireless apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a part of the wireless interface module illustrated in FIG. 2. It is a block diagram of a packet. It is a block diagram of the control table which the discriminator shown in FIG. 3 hold | maintains. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating in detail the operation | movement of the discriminator shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the communication method by embodiment of this invention. It is another block diagram of a packet.

Explanation of symbols

  11 antenna, 12 input unit, 13 output unit, 14 user application, 15 communication control unit, 16 wireless interface module, 17 MAC module, 18 identifier, 19 register, 20 hop number setting means, 31-43 wireless device, 51- 63 antenna, 100 wireless network system, 161 transmitting unit, 162 receiving unit, 1611, 1622 spreading code holding unit, 1612 spreading unit, 1613 modulator, 1621 demodulator, 1623 despreading unit.

Claims (8)

A wireless device that is autonomously established and constitutes a wireless network that performs wireless communication between a transmission source and a transmission destination,
A first process for receiving the packet by referring only to the header of the transmitted packet; and a second process for relaying the packet along a communication path between the transmission source and the transmission destination; Processing content determination means for determining which of the third processing for relaying the packet to an unspecified number of wireless devices is performed;
A wireless device comprising: processing means for performing any one of the first to third processes according to a determination result of the processing content determination means.   The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing content determination unit is provided in a lower layer than the network layer. The storage unit further includes a holding unit that temporarily holds the packet from the head of the data length by the length of the data and outputs the packet to the processing unit.
3. The processing content determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the processing content determination unit determines processing content of the packet with reference to a label stored in the header while the header is held in the holding unit. Wireless device.   The radio apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined length is changed according to a modulation scheme of the packet. The label consists of either the first or second bit pattern,
The processing content determination means determines to perform one of the first processing and the second processing according to the relationship between the wireless device and the transmission destination when the label is composed of the first bit pattern. The radio apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the label is composed of the second bit pattern, it is determined to perform the third process.   The processing content determination means determines that the first process is performed when the wireless device is the transmission destination and the label is formed of the first bit pattern, and the wireless device performs the communication. The wireless device according to claim 5, wherein the wireless device is a wireless device on a route, and when the label is formed of the first bit pattern, the wireless device determines to perform the second process. The first bit pattern includes a first bit string indicating that the packet is wirelessly communicated along the communication path, and a second bit string provided continuously to the first bit string,
The second bit pattern has the same bit length as the first bit string, and a third bit string indicating that the packet is wirelessly communicated to a plurality of wireless devices in the wireless network; And a fourth bit string that is provided continuously to the three bit strings and has the same bit length as the second bit string,
The processing content determination means performs the third processing when the label is composed of the second bit pattern and the numerical value represented by the fourth bit string is larger than the numerical value already used. The wireless device according to claim 5, wherein the wireless device is determined as follows. The first bit pattern is set when the communication path is determined,
The radio apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second bit pattern is set at the transmission source.

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