JP2013157877A - Wireless communication device, wireless communication method and wireless communication control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device capable of performing arrival-ensured data transmission at a high speed with another communication device connected via wireless communication.SOLUTION: A wireless communication device 100 includes: a MAC layer section 130 that receives a wireless confirmation response representing data reception after wirelessly transmitting data to a wireless communication device 200; and a protocol adaptation layer section 120 that reserves a piece of retransmission data in a transmission buffer 122 for retransmission of the data as an upper layer of the MAC layer section 130. The MAC layer section 130 notifies the protocol adaptation layer section 120 of the received wireless confirmation response. Receiving the notification of the wireless confirmation response, the protocol adaptation layer section 120 deletes the retransmission data from the transmission buffer 122, and notifies an upper layer section 110 that outputs the data to the transmission buffer 122 that a space is generated in the transmission buffer 122.

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication control program that wirelessly transmit data to another wireless communication device.

  For example, wireless communication devices that can transmit content data such as moving images and still images to other wireless communication devices by wireless communication have become widespread. Accordingly, a technique for preventing an error in data transmitted and received by wireless communication has been devised in the wireless communication apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses arrival guarantee type data transmission as an example of the above technique. The arrival guarantee type data transmission is realized by, for example, the following procedures (1) to (3).

(1) The transmission-side radio communication apparatus divides the data to be transmitted into a plurality of pieces after being stored in the transmission buffer, assigns a continuous identification number to each divided data, and assigns each data to the reception-side radio Sequentially sent to the communication device. In addition, the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus causes the transmitted data to wait in a transmission buffer in preparation for retransmission.
(2) The reception-side wireless communication device generates an acknowledgment including the identification number of normally received data and transmits the confirmation response to the transmission-side wireless communication device. The confirmation response has a role of notifying the transmitting-side wireless communication device that the receiving-side wireless communication device has received the data normally.
(3) Based on the identification number included in the received acknowledgment, the transmitting-side wireless communication device deletes data waiting for retransmission in the transmission buffer, and stores data to be transmitted next in the transmission buffer . Note that the transmission-side wireless communication apparatus retransmits the data waiting in the transmission buffer when the confirmation response is not received within a predetermined time.

  The procedures (1) to (3) are repeated until there is no data to be transmitted. In this way, when the transmitting side wireless communication device continuously transmits a plurality of data stored in the transmission buffer, the data transmitted in advance is based on the confirmation response from the receiving side wireless communication device. Check that it was received normally. Then, the transmitting-side wireless communication apparatus prepares subsequent data after confirming that the previously transmitted data has been normally received. As a result, data transmitted from the wireless communication device on the transmission side is guaranteed to arrive at the wireless communication device on the reception side, so that data transmission without error can be realized.

  One of the arrival guarantee type data transmission methods described above is an example of a wireless communication apparatus to which an OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model in which communication functions are divided into hierarchical structures is applied, and will be described below.

  Here, a wireless communication apparatus that performs wireless communication using a MAC (Media Access Control) layer and a higher PAL (Protocol Adaptation Layer) will be described as an example. Separate communication protocols are used for the MAC layer and the PAL. For this reason, in a wireless communication apparatus to which an OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model is applied, the confirmation response necessary for performing arrival guarantee type data transmission is also used separately for the MAC layer and the PAL. That is, the wireless communication device performs processing independently in the MAC layer for the wireless confirmation response received in the MAC layer and in the PAL for the data confirmation response received in the PAL.

  Specifically, in the PAL, the wireless communication apparatus deletes the data for retransmission that is waiting in the transmission buffer, triggered by reception of the data confirmation response. On the other hand, the wireless communication device receives the wireless confirmation response before the data confirmation response in the MAC layer.

JP 2007-243413 A

  However, the conventional wireless communication apparatus can delete the retransmission data only after receiving the data confirmation response, even though it is no longer necessary to wait for the retransmission data by receiving the wireless confirmation response. That is, the conventional wireless communication apparatus cannot prepare data to be transmitted next unless the data for retransmission can be deleted.

  As described above, the conventional wireless communication apparatus is in a situation where the data for retransmission can be deleted based on the wireless confirmation response received first, but after waiting for the data confirmation response received later, Perform deletion. Therefore, the conventional wireless communication apparatus has a problem that the start of preparation of data to be transmitted next is delayed and the data transmission speed is reduced.

  An object of the present invention is to speed up arrival-guaranteed data transmission with another wireless communication apparatus connected via wireless communication.

  The wireless communication device of the present invention receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received from the other wireless communication device when the data is wirelessly transmitted to the other wireless communication device. A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a layer unit; and a protocol adaptation layer unit that is a higher layer of the MAC layer unit and causes a transmission buffer to wait for retransmission data in preparation for retransmission of the data, The unit notifies the protocol adaptation layer unit of the radio acknowledgment response, and the protocol adaptation layer unit uses the radio acknowledgment response notification as a trigger to delete the retransmission data from the transmission buffer, and the transmission buffer Is notified to the upper layer that outputs data to the transmission buffer.

  In the wireless communication method of the present invention, when data is wirelessly transmitted to another wireless communication device, a MAC (Media Access Control) that receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received from the other wireless communication device. A wireless communication method performed by a wireless communication apparatus comprising: a layer unit; and a protocol adaptation layer unit that is a higher layer of the MAC layer unit and causes a transmission buffer to wait for retransmission data in preparation for retransmission of the data. The MAC layer section notifies the protocol adaptation layer section of the wireless confirmation response, and the protocol adaptation layer section uses the notification of the wireless confirmation response as a trigger to send the retransmission data from the transmission buffer. And deleting and notifying the upper layer that outputs data to the transmission buffer that the transmission buffer is empty.

  The wireless communication control program of the present invention receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received from the other wireless communication device when the data is wirelessly transmitted to the other wireless communication device. And a protocol adaptation layer unit that is a layer higher than the MAC layer unit and has a transmission buffer waiting for retransmission data in preparation for retransmission of the data. In the communication control program, the MAC layer unit notifies the protocol adaptation layer unit of the radio acknowledgment response, and the protocol adaptation layer unit uses the radio acknowledgment response notification as a trigger from the transmission buffer. In addition to deleting the retransmission data and outputting data to the transmission buffer indicating that the transmission buffer is empty. And processing for notifying to the layer, thereby running.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to speed up the transmission of guaranteed arrival type data with other wireless communication devices connected via wireless communication.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to the present embodiment. The figure which shows the format example of the transmission data which concerns on this Embodiment The figure which shows the example of a format of the radio | wireless confirmation response which concerns on this Embodiment The figure which shows the format example of the data response confirmation which concerns on this Embodiment The flowchart which shows the operation example of the radio | wireless communication apparatus of the transmission side which concerns on this Embodiment Sequence diagram showing an operation example of the communication system according to the present embodiment The figure which shows an example of the transition of the transmission buffer which concerns on a prior art, and a reception buffer The figure which shows an example of the transition of the transmission buffer and reception buffer which concern on this Embodiment The figure which shows an example of the transition of the transmission buffer which concerns on a prior art, and a reception buffer The figure which shows an example of the transition of the transmission buffer and reception buffer which concern on this Embodiment

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication system according to the present embodiment. In the communication system according to the present embodiment, a case where radio communication apparatus 100 performs arrival guarantee type data transmission with radio communication apparatus 200 via short-range radio communication will be described as an example.

<Configuration of Wireless Communication Device 100>
In FIG. 1, radio communication apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that transmits data to a reception buffer included in radio communication apparatus 200 via short-range radio communication.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless communication device 100 includes an upper layer unit 110, a protocol adaptation layer unit 120, and a MAC layer unit 130. The protocol adaptation layer unit 120 includes a protocol control unit 121, a transmission buffer 122, a data transmission / reception unit 123, and a data confirmation response management unit 124. The MAC layer unit 130 includes a wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 and a wireless communication unit 132.

  The upper layer unit 110 is a layer positioned higher than the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 in the protocol layer structure of the OSI reference model. An example of the upper layer unit 110 is an application that generates data or transmits data based on a user operation.

  For example, the upper layer unit 110 starts transmission of data to the wireless communication apparatus 200 using short-range wireless communication in response to a user operation. At that time, the upper layer unit 110 generates data to be transmitted or reads it from a predetermined storage medium or the like, and transmits the data divided below the size of the transmission buffer 122 (hereinafter also referred to as “capacity”). Output to buffer 122. In addition, the upper layer unit 110 outputs a data transmission instruction to the protocol control unit 121. The data transmission instruction is an instruction for causing the wireless communication apparatus 200 to transmit the data output to the transmission buffer 122. Examples of data to be transmitted include content data such as moving images and still images.

  Further, when there is data (hereinafter referred to as “unoutput data”) that cannot be completely received by the transmission buffer 122, the upper layer unit 110 notifies the transmission buffer 122 that there is a free space from the protocol adaptation layer unit 120. Receive. When the upper layer unit 110 receives a notification from the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 that the transmission buffer 122 is empty, it outputs unoutput data to the transmission buffer 122.

  The protocol adaptation layer unit 120 is a layer located between the upper layer unit 110 which is an upper layer and the MAC layer unit 130 which is a lower layer in the protocol layer structure of the OSI reference model. That is, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 is a PAL (protocol adaptation layer) whose basic function is to match the upper layer and the lower layer. Specifically, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 absorbs the properties specific to each service provided by the upper application, and allows the lower radio layer to be commonly defined without depending on the service.

  Here, the protocol control unit 121, the transmission buffer 122, the data transmission / reception unit 123, and the data confirmation response management unit 124 included in the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 will be described.

  The protocol control unit 121 controls the data stored in the transmission buffer 122 or manages the availability of a reception buffer (not shown) of the wireless communication apparatus 200. Each function of the protocol control unit 121 will be specifically described below.

  First, when receiving a data transmission instruction from the upper layer unit 110, the protocol control unit 121 performs data transmission preparation processing on the data accumulated in the transmission buffer 122 by the output of the upper layer unit 110. The data transmission preparation process divides the data stored in the transmission buffer 122, adds a PAL header and a continuous identification number to each divided data (hereinafter referred to as “divided data”), and generates transmission data. It is processing. That is, in the data transmission preparation process, a plurality of transmission data including the PAL header, the identification number, and the divided data are generated in the transmission buffer 122. The format of the transmission data will be described later with reference to FIG. In the following, the transmission data is appropriately expressed as “data”.

  In addition, the protocol control unit 121 confirms the availability of the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200. The protocol control unit 121 causes the transmission buffer 122 to output the data generated by the data transmission preparation process when there is an empty reception buffer. On the other hand, if there is no space in the reception buffer, the protocol control unit 121 waits until the reception buffer can be confirmed by receiving the data confirmation response. Details of the operation for checking the availability of the reception buffer will be described later.

  The data confirmation response is information indicating that the wireless communication device 200 has completed the processing of data stored in the reception buffer after receiving data from the wireless communication device 100. The data confirmation response is generated by the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 of the wireless communication device 200 and received by the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100. The format of the data confirmation response will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, when data is output from the transmission buffer 122, the protocol control unit 121 causes the transmission buffer 122 to wait for the same data as the output data in preparation for retransmission. The data waiting for retransmission in this way is hereinafter referred to as “retransmission data” as appropriate. When the protocol control unit 121 does not receive a notification of the identification number included in the wireless confirmation response within a specified time after outputting the data, the protocol control unit 121 outputs the waiting retransmission data from the transmission buffer 122.

  The wireless confirmation response is data indicating that the wireless communication device 200 has normally received the data transmitted from the wireless communication device 100. The wireless confirmation response is generated by the MAC layer unit 230 of the wireless communication device 200 and received by the MAC layer unit 130 of the wireless communication device 100. Therefore, in the wireless communication apparatus 100, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120, which is higher than the MAC layer unit 130, cannot recognize the reception of the wireless confirmation response. The format of the wireless confirmation response will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Further, the protocol control unit 121 receives a notification of an identification number included in the wireless confirmation response from the wireless confirmation response notification unit 131. When the protocol control unit 121 receives the notification of the identification number, the protocol control unit 121 deletes, from the transmission buffer 122, data corresponding to the notified identification number or less from the retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer 122. That is, the protocol control unit 121 receives the wireless confirmation response including the identification number, and recognizes that the retransmission data is no longer necessary because the wireless control response is correctly received. For example, the protocol control unit 121 sequentially outputs three pieces of data having identification numbers 1, 2, and 3 from the transmission buffer 122 and is normally received by the wireless communication apparatus 200, and then the identification number is received from the protocol control unit 121. Suppose 3 is notified. In this case, the protocol control unit 121 deletes the data with the identification number 2 and the data with the identification number 1 from the transmission buffer 122 in addition to the data with the identification number 3. That is, the identification number notified by the wireless confirmation response indicates the latest identification number of the data received normally.

  As described above, the protocol control unit 121 receives the identification number included in the wireless confirmation response as a trigger, and the wireless communication device 200 normally receives the retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer 122 for retransmission. Delete the data. After the data is deleted, the protocol control unit 121 notifies the upper layer unit 110 that the transmission buffer 122 is empty.

  Further, the protocol control unit 121 manages the empty state of the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200. For example, when the session is established between the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 before data transmission, the protocol control unit 121 acquires information indicating the entire capacity of the reception buffer from the wireless communication device 200. . Thereafter, the protocol control unit 121 sets the capacity of the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 indicated by the acquired information as a maximum value and manages the situation including the status of the transmission buffer 122. By holding the value obtained in this manner, the protocol control unit 121 manages how much free space is available in the reception buffer. Hereinafter, the value indicating the free capacity of the reception buffer is referred to as “free capacity value”.

  For example, when the protocol control unit 121 outputs data from the transmission buffer 122 based on the data transmission instruction from the upper layer unit 110, the capacity of the data instructed to output is the free capacity value of the received reception buffer. Subtract from The protocol control unit 121 holds the value obtained as a result of the subtraction as a new free capacity value of the reception buffer.

  Further, for example, when the protocol control unit 121 receives a notification of the identification number included in the data confirmation response from the data confirmation response management unit 124, the protocol control unit 121 stores the capacity of the data corresponding to the identification number. Add to the free space value. The protocol control unit 121 holds the value obtained as a result of the addition as a new free capacity value of the reception buffer.

  Thus, the protocol control unit 121 sequentially updates the free capacity value of the reception buffer by performing subtraction and addition.

  In addition, when the transmission buffer 122 is ready for data transmission, the protocol control unit 121 confirms whether or not the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 has a space based on the stored free capacity value.

  As a result of the confirmation, if the free capacity value is equal to or less than the specified value and the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 has no free space, the protocol control unit 121 receives the identification number included in the data confirmation response from the data confirmation response management unit 124. Wait for the notification. Thereafter, upon receiving the notification of the identification number, the protocol control unit 121 adds the capacity of the data of the identification number to the retained free capacity value, and again based on the free capacity value obtained as a result of the addition, Check if the receive buffer is empty.

  As a result of the confirmation, when the free capacity value is larger than the specified value and the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 has a free space, the protocol control unit 121 outputs data to the transmission buffer 122 within the free capacity value range. To instruct. After this instruction, as described above, the protocol control unit 121 subtracts the capacity of the data instructed to be output from the stored free capacity value.

  As described above, the protocol control unit 121 checks the availability of the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 based on the available capacity value, and controls to start data transmission when the reception buffer is available. . By this control, the wireless communication device 100 can prevent the transmitted data from being lost without being completely contained in the reception buffer of the wireless communication device 200.

  The transmission buffer 122 is a buffer (memory) that temporarily stores data received from the upper layer unit 110. Data stored in the transmission buffer 122 is controlled based on an instruction from the protocol control unit 121. Control by the protocol control unit 121 is execution of data transmission preparation processing, output to the data transmission / reception unit 123, and deletion from the transmission buffer 122.

  The data transmission / reception unit 123 transfers the data output from the transmission buffer 122 to the wireless communication unit 132. Further, the data transmission / reception unit 123 transfers the data response confirmation received by the wireless communication unit 132 from the wireless communication device 200 to the data confirmation response management unit 124.

  The data confirmation response management unit 124 extracts the identification number from the data confirmation response transferred from the data transmission / reception unit 123. Then, the data confirmation response management unit 124 notifies the protocol control unit 121 of the extracted identification number. Note that, as described above, the protocol control unit 121 that has received the notification of the identification number adds the capacity of data corresponding to the notified identification number to the retained free capacity value. The identification number extracted from the data confirmation response is, for example, a plurality of consecutive numbers. When the wireless communication device 200 completes processing of n pieces of data corresponding to the identification numbers 1 to n, the wireless communication device 200 generates a data confirmation response including the identification numbers 1 to n and transmits the data confirmation response to the wireless communication device 100. Then, the data confirmation response management unit 124 extracts the identification numbers 1 to n from the data confirmation response and notifies the protocol control unit 121 of them. Then, the protocol control unit 121 adds the capacity of the data corresponding to the notified identification numbers 1 to n to the retained free capacity value.

  The MAC layer unit 130 is a layer positioned lower than the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 in the protocol layer structure of the OSI reference model. The MAC layer unit 130 includes a wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 and a wireless communication unit 132.

  The wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 extracts an identification number from the wireless confirmation response transferred from the wireless communication unit 132. Then, the wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 notifies the protocol control unit 121 of the extracted identification number. As described above, the protocol control unit 121 that has received the notification of the identification number deletes data corresponding to the identification number or less from the transmission buffer 122.

  The wireless communication unit 132 transmits the data transferred from the data transmission / reception unit 123 to the wireless communication device 200 via the wireless section. Further, the wireless communication unit 132 transfers the wireless confirmation response received from the wireless communication device 200 via the wireless section to the wireless confirmation response notification unit 131. Further, the wireless communication unit 132 transfers the data confirmation response received from the wireless communication apparatus 200 via the wireless section to the data transmission / reception unit 123.

  The wireless communication unit 132 is a wireless communication interface such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) device or a WiGig (Wireless Gigabit) device. WiGig is a wireless communication standard that uses millimeter waves in the 60 GHz band, assuming replacement for wire PAN applications exceeding 1 Gbps. Note that the wireless communication standard applied by the wireless communication unit 132 is not limited to the wireless LAN and WiGig. The applicable wireless communication standard may be, for example, any one of a standard in which the wireless communication apparatus 100 and the wireless communication apparatus 200 can directly perform wireless communication or a standard in which wireless communication can be performed via another apparatus.

  Such a wireless communication device 100 can delete the data notified by the wireless confirmation response from the retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer by using the wireless confirmation response as a trigger without waiting for the data confirmation response. it can. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 100 can start preparation for transmission of the next data before receiving the data confirmation response. As a result, the wireless communication device 100 can speed up arrival guarantee type data transmission with other wireless communication devices connected via wireless communication.

  Further, the wireless communication device 100 can prepare for data transmission in the transmission buffer even when the reception buffer of the wireless communication device 200 is not empty. The wireless communication device 100 can transmit data as soon as a data confirmation response arrives, that is, as soon as the reception buffer is available.

<Configuration of Wireless Communication Device 200>
Next, the configuration of the wireless communication apparatus 200 will be described.

  In FIG. 1, a wireless communication apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus that receives data transmitted from wireless communication apparatus 100 via short-range wireless communication.

  The wireless communication apparatus 200 includes an upper layer unit 210, a protocol adaptation layer unit 220, and a MAC layer unit 230.

  The upper layer unit 210 is a layer positioned higher than the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 in the protocol layer structure of the OSI reference model. An example of the upper layer unit 210 includes an application that reproduces data received from the wireless communication apparatus 100.

  Data output from the reception buffer of the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 is input to the upper layer unit 210. The upper layer unit 210 performs predetermined processing (for example, reproduction processing) on the input data.

  The protocol adaptation layer unit 220 is a layer located between the upper layer unit 210 and the MAC layer unit 230 in the protocol layer structure of the OSI reference model. That is, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 is a PAL whose basic function is to match the upper layer unit 210 and the MAC layer unit 230. Although illustration is omitted, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 has a reception buffer.

  When the data is transferred from the MAC layer unit 230, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 extracts the identification number from the data by removing the PAL header. Thereby, the divided data remains. The protocol adaptation layer unit 220 accumulates the divided data in the reception buffer. Then, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 appropriately outputs the accumulated divided data from the reception buffer to the upper layer unit 210. As a result, the reception buffer is freed up for the output divided data. Further, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 adds a PAL header based on the identification number assigned to the divided data output to the upper layer unit 210, and generates a data confirmation response. Then, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 outputs the generated data confirmation response to the MAC layer unit 230. The protocol adaptation layer unit 220 generates a data confirmation response and outputs it to the MAC layer unit 230 as soon as a part or all of the divided data stored in the reception buffer is output to the upper layer unit 210. The MAC layer unit 230 transmits the data confirmation response from the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 to the wireless communication apparatus 100 immediately after receiving the data confirmation response. In this way, the wireless communication device 100 can receive the data confirmation response as soon as a part or all of the reception buffer of the wireless communication device 200 is available.

  The MAC layer unit 230 is a layer positioned lower than the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 in the protocol layer structure of the OSI reference model. Note that the MAC layer unit 230 uses the same wireless communication standard as the wireless communication unit 132 of the wireless communication device 100 when performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device 100.

  When receiving data from the wireless communication apparatus 100 via the wireless section, the MAC layer unit 230 generates a wireless confirmation response based on the data. For example, the MAC layer unit 230 extracts the identification number and the address of the wireless communication device 100 included in the PAL header from the received data. Then, the MAC layer unit 230 adds the address of the wireless communication device 200 to the extracted identification number and the address of the wireless communication device 100, and generates a wireless confirmation response. Then, the MAC layer unit 230 transmits the generated wireless confirmation response to the wireless communication device 100. In addition, the MAC layer unit 230 transfers the received data to the reception buffer of the protocol adaptation layer unit 220. Further, the MAC layer unit 230 transmits the data confirmation response output from the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 to the wireless communication apparatus 100 via the wireless section.

  Such a wireless communication device 200 can realize arrival guarantee type data reception with the wireless communication device 100 by generating a wireless confirmation response and a data confirmation response and transmitting them to the wireless communication device 100. it can.

  In the wireless communication device 200 shown in FIG. 1, the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 and the MAC layer unit 230 may appropriately include the configurations of the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 and the MAC layer unit 130 of the wireless communication device 100, respectively. .

  Each of the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a recording medium such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing a control program, and a working memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Have. In this case, the function of each component described above is realized by the CPU executing the control program.

  Note that each functional unit of the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 may be configured by an integrated circuit, for example. Each functional unit of the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 may be individually made into one chip, or a plurality of them may be made into one chip. The integrated circuit can be an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an IC (Integrated Circuit), a system LSI, a super LSI, an ultra LSI, or the like depending on the degree of integration. The integrated circuit may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. The integrated circuit may be an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after its manufacture, or a configurable processor that can reconfigure internal circuit cell connections and settings. Furthermore, each functional unit of the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 is integrated by another integrated circuit technology (for example, biotechnology) that replaces the LSI in accordance with progress of semiconductor technology or another technology derived therefrom. It may be realized by a thing.

  Although not shown, radio communication apparatus 100 and radio communication apparatus 200 according to the present embodiment may each have a user interface for the user to select and execute an operation. For example, the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200 according to the present embodiment each have functions such as an input key, a display, a microphone, a speaker, a camera, a vibrator, and a memory for storing and executing programs as user interfaces. You may have.

  Next, each format of transmission data, wireless confirmation response, and data confirmation response will be described.

<Format of transmission data>
First, the format of transmission data will be described with reference to FIG.

  The transmission data 300 includes a PAL header 310, an identification number 320, and divided data 330. The PAL header 310 defines individual information in each PAL, and is, for example, session information for realizing an application service. The identification number 320 is a unique number that can identify the divided data 330 and is, for example, a sequence number. The divided data 330 is one piece of data divided by the protocol control unit 121.

  The protocol control unit 121 generates the transmission data 300 by adding the PAL header 310 and the identification number 320 to the divided data 330. Then, the protocol control unit 121 causes the generated transmission data 300 to be output from the transmission buffer 122 to the wireless communication unit 132 via the data transmission / reception unit 123. Thereafter, the transmission data 300 is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 132 to the wireless communication device 200. In the following description, the transmission data 300 is appropriately expressed as “data 300”.

<Wireless confirmation response format>
Next, the format of the wireless confirmation response will be described with reference to FIG.

  The wireless confirmation response 400 includes a transmission destination address 410, a transmission source address 420, and an identification number 430. The transmission destination address 410 is the address of the side that transmitted the data 300 (the side that receives the wireless confirmation response 400), that is, the address of the wireless communication apparatus 100. The transmission source address 420 is an address on the side that received the data 300 (the side that transmits the wireless confirmation response 400), that is, the address of the wireless communication apparatus 200. Examples of the address here include a MAC address. The identification number 430 is an identification number indicating the data 300 normally received by the wireless communication apparatus 200.

  The wireless confirmation response 400 is generated by the MAC layer unit 230 of the wireless communication device 200. When the MAC layer unit 230 normally receives the data 300 from the wireless communication device 100, the MAC layer unit 230 extracts the address of the wireless communication device 100 included in the PAL header 310 and the identification number 320 from the data 300. The MAC layer unit 230 assigns the address (transmission source address 420) of the wireless communication device 200 and the address (transmission destination address 410) of the wireless communication device 100 to the extracted identification number 320 (identification number 430), and performs wireless confirmation. A response 400 is generated. The identification number 320 and the identification number 430 are, for example, a common number.

<Data confirmation response format>
Next, the format of the data confirmation response will be described with reference to FIG.

  The data confirmation response 500 includes a PAL header 510 and an identification number 520. The PAL header 510 defines individual information in each PAL, and is, for example, session information for realizing an application service. The identification number 520 is a unique number that can identify the data 300 output from the reception buffer to the upper layer in the wireless communication apparatus 200, and is, for example, a sequence number. The identification number 520 is an identification number indicating the data 300 that has been successfully processed by the wireless communication apparatus 200. In other words, the identification number 520 is an identification number indicating the divided data 330 output from the reception buffer to the upper layer unit 210 in the wireless communication apparatus 200. The identification number 520 is a common number with the identification numbers 320 and 430, for example. A plurality of identification numbers 520 may be included.

<Operation of Wireless Communication Device 100>
Next, an operation example of the wireless communication apparatus 100 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the wireless communication device 100.

  In step S001, the protocol control unit 121 stands by until a data transmission instruction is received from the upper layer unit 110 (S001: NO). When the protocol control unit 121 receives a data transmission instruction from the upper layer unit 110 (S001: YES), the protocol control unit 121 proceeds to step S002.

  In step S002, the protocol control unit 121 performs data transmission preparation processing on the data accumulated in the transmission buffer 122 by the output from the upper layer unit 110. The protocol control unit 121 generates a plurality of data 300 by data transmission preparation processing.

  In step S <b> 003, the protocol control unit 121 confirms the empty state of the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 based on the held free capacity value.

  As a result of the confirmation, if there is an empty reception buffer (S003: YES), the protocol control unit 121 proceeds to step S005.

  On the other hand, if the reception buffer is not empty as a result of the confirmation (S003: NO), the protocol control unit 121 waits until a notification of the identification number 520 included in the data confirmation response 500 is received from the data confirmation response management unit 124. (S004: NO).

  When the protocol control unit 121 receives the notification of the identification number 520 (S004: YES), as described above, the protocol control unit 121 adds the capacity of the data of the identification number 520 to the stored free capacity value, and returns to step S003. .

  In step S005, the protocol control unit 121 instructs the transmission buffer 122 to output the data 300 from the transmission buffer 122 within the range of the available free space value. As a result, the transmission buffer 122 outputs the data 300 to the data transmission / reception unit 123. As described above, the control for causing the protocol control unit 121 to output the data 300 from the buffer 122 is referred to as “data output control”. As described above, the protocol control unit 121 subtracts the capacity of the data 300 that is instructed to be output from the free capacity value that is held.

  The data 300 output from the transmission buffer 122 by the data output control is output to the wireless communication unit 132 via the data transmission / reception unit 123. Thereafter, the data 300 is transmitted from the wireless communication unit 132 to the wireless communication device 200.

  In step S006, the protocol control unit 121 waits until receiving a notification of the identification number 430 included in the wireless response confirmation 400 from the wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 (S006: NO). When the protocol control unit 121 receives the notification of the identification number 430 (S006: YES), the protocol control unit 121 proceeds to step S007. Although not shown in the figure, when the specified time has passed when waiting for the notification of the identification number 430 (S006: NO), the protocol control unit 121 transmits the data for retransmission from the transmission buffer 122. Output.

  In step S007, the protocol control unit 121 deletes, from the transmission buffer 122, the data 300 normally received by the wireless communication device 200 among the data 300 waiting in the transmission buffer 122 for retransmission. That is, the protocol control unit 121 deletes the data 300 corresponding to the identification number 430 or less, which is the data 300 normally received, from the transmission buffer 122.

  In step S008, the protocol control unit 121 notifies the upper layer unit 110 that the transmission buffer 122 has become free due to the deletion.

  In step S <b> 009, when the upper layer unit 110 receives a notification that there is an empty space in the transmission buffer 122, the upper layer unit 110 determines whether there is unoutput data that has not been able to enter the transmission buffer 122. The non-output data here is data scheduled to be transmitted following the data previously output to the transmission buffer 122.

  As a result of the determination, when there is no unoutput data (S009: NO), that is, when data transmission to the wireless communication device 200 is completed, the upper layer unit 110 ends the processing. Thereby, the wireless communication device 100 ends the series of processes illustrated in FIG.

  On the other hand, as a result of the determination, if there is unoutput data (S009: YES), that is, if data transmission to the wireless communication apparatus 200 is not completed, the upper layer unit 210 outputs the unoutput data to the transmission buffer 122. . Then, the upper layer unit 110 sends a data transmission instruction to the protocol control unit 121. Thereafter, a series of processing is started again from step S001. The series of processing shown in FIG. 5 is repeated until there is no unoutput data.

  By such an operation, the wireless communication apparatus 100 deletes data notified by the wireless confirmation response from the retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer using the wireless confirmation response as a trigger without waiting for the data confirmation response. it can. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 100 can start preparation for transmission of the next data before receiving the data confirmation response. As a result, the wireless communication device 100 can speed up arrival guarantee type data transmission with other wireless communication devices connected via wireless communication.

<Operation of communication system>
Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the entire wireless communication apparatus 100 and the wireless communication apparatus 200 (hereinafter referred to as “communication system”) will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation when the wireless communication device 100 performs arrival guarantee type data transmission to the wireless communication device 200 via short-range wireless communication.

  In step S <b> 101, for example, the upper layer unit 110 starts a data transmission procedure to the wireless communication apparatus 200 when a user operation is accepted.

  In step S <b> 102, the upper layer unit 110 outputs a data transmission instruction to the protocol control unit 121.

  In step S <b> 103, the upper layer unit 110 generates or reads data to be transmitted from a storage medium or the like and outputs the data to the transmission buffer 122.

  In step S <b> 104, upon receiving a data transmission instruction from the upper layer unit 110, the protocol control unit 121 performs a data transmission preparation process on the data output to the transmission buffer 122. As a result, the protocol control unit 121 generates a plurality of data 300 in the transmission buffer 122.

  In step S105, when the data transmission preparation process is completed, the protocol control unit 121 confirms that the reception buffer of the wireless communication apparatus 200 is free based on the stored free capacity value. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the reception buffer does not accumulate data and has a free space. The case where there is no vacancy will be described after step S116.

  In step S106, after confirming that the reception buffer is free, the protocol control unit 121 instructs the transmission buffer 122 to output the data 300 within the free capacity value range. At this time, the protocol control unit 121 subtracts the capacity of the data 300 instructed to be output from the stored free capacity value.

  In step S <b> 107, the transmission buffer 122 outputs the data 300 instructed to be output to the data transmission / reception unit 123.

  In step S <b> 108, the data transmission / reception unit 123 transfers the data 300 output from the transmission buffer 122 to the wireless communication unit 132.

  In step S109, the wireless communication unit 132 transmits the data 300 transferred from the data transmission / reception unit 123 to the wireless communication device 200 via the wireless section.

  In step S110, when the wireless communication device 200 normally receives the data 300, the wireless communication device 200 generates a wireless confirmation response 400 and transmits the wireless confirmation response 400 to the wireless communication device 100 via the wireless section. The generation and transmission of the wireless confirmation response 400 is performed by the MAC layer unit 230 of the wireless communication device 200 as described above.

  In step S <b> 111, upon receiving the wireless confirmation response 400 from the wireless communication apparatus 200, the wireless communication unit 132 outputs the wireless confirmation response 400 to the wireless confirmation response notification unit 131.

  In step S112, upon receiving the wireless confirmation response 400, the wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 extracts the identification number 430 from the wireless confirmation response 400.

  In step S113, the wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 notifies the protocol control unit 121 of the extracted identification number 430.

  In step S114, the protocol control unit 121 instructs the transmission buffer 122 to delete the data 300 based on the notified identification number 430. As a result, the data 300 is deleted from the transmission buffer 122. What is deleted here is data 300 normally received by wireless communication apparatus 200 corresponding to identification number 430 or lower.

  In step S115, the protocol control unit 121 notifies the upper layer unit 110 that the transmission buffer 122 has been vacated.

  In step S <b> 116, the upper layer unit 110 receives a notification from the protocol control unit 121 that there is a vacancy in the transmission buffer 122. Receiving the notification, the upper layer unit 110 determines whether or not there is unoutput data that could not enter the transmission buffer 122 in step S103. If the upper layer unit 110 determines that there is unoutput data, the upper layer unit 110 will be referred to as data subsequent to the data (hereinafter referred to as “preceding data”) transmitted in steps S107 to S109 among the unoutput data. )

  Thereafter, the upper layer unit 110 and the protocol control unit 121 perform the processes of steps S102 to S105 described above again. At this stage, it is assumed that the data confirmation response has not reached the wireless communication apparatus 100 yet. In other words, it is assumed that the reception buffer stores the preceding data 300 and there is no space. In this case, the protocol control unit 121 receives the notification of the identification number included in the data confirmation response, and waits until the reception buffer can be confirmed.

  Here, an operation in which a data confirmation response corresponding to the preceding data 300 is generated and transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus 100 will be described.

  In step S <b> 110, the preceding data 300 received by the wireless communication device 200 is transferred from the MAC layer unit 230 to the reception buffer of the protocol adaptation layer unit 220. As described above, the divided data 330 extracted from the preceding data 300 is transferred to the reception buffer. Thereafter, the divided data 330 is output from the reception buffer to the upper layer unit 210. As described above, when the output of the divided data 330 from the reception buffer to the upper layer unit 210 is completed, the wireless communication device 200 generates a data confirmation response 500. The data confirmation response 500 includes an identification number 520 indicating the divided data 330 that has been output to the upper layer unit 210.

  In step S117, the wireless communication device 200 transmits the generated data confirmation response 500 to the wireless communication device 100 via the wireless section. As described above, the data confirmation response 500 is generated by the protocol adaptation layer unit 220, and the data confirmation response 500 is transmitted by the MAC layer unit 230.

  In step S 118, when receiving the data confirmation response 500 from the wireless communication apparatus 200, the wireless communication unit 132 transfers the data confirmation response 500 to the data transmission / reception unit 123.

  In step S <b> 119, the data transmitting / receiving unit 123 transfers the data confirmation response transferred from the wireless communication unit 132 to the data confirmation response management unit 124.

  In step S <b> 120, the data confirmation response management unit 124 extracts the identification number 520 from the data confirmation response 500 transferred from the data transmission / reception unit 123.

  In step S <b> 121, the data confirmation response management unit 124 notifies the protocol control unit 121 of the extracted identification number 520.

  In step S122, the protocol control unit 121 updates the retained free space value based on the notified identification number 520. That is, the protocol control unit 121 adds the capacity of the divided data 330 corresponding to the identification number 520 to the retained free capacity value. As a result of the addition, if it is confirmed that the reception buffer has a free space, the protocol control unit 121 performs data output control on the subsequent data 300. As a result, the subsequent data 300 is processed by the above-described steps S106 to S109 and transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus 200. Thereafter, the processing from step S110 to step S115 is performed again.

  The series of processes described above is repeated until the upper layer unit 110 determines that there is no unoutput data.

  By such an operation, the wireless communication device 100 deletes data notified by the wireless confirmation response from the retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer using the wireless confirmation response as a trigger without waiting for the data confirmation response. it can. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 100 can start preparation for transmission of the next data before receiving the data confirmation response. As a result, the wireless communication device 100 can speed up arrival guarantee type data transmission with other wireless communication devices connected via wireless communication.

<Effect of Wireless Communication Device 100>
Next, the effects obtained by the wireless communication apparatus 100 will be described using FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 respectively. 7 and 8 show an example of transition of the transmission buffer and the reception buffer when the wireless communication apparatus 100 transmits data to the wireless communication apparatus 200. FIG.

  First, the example of FIG. 7 will be described. The example of FIG. 7 illustrates a case where the wireless communication device 100 deletes the waiting retransmission data in the transmission buffer 122 with the reception of the data confirmation response from the wireless communication device 200 as a trigger. That is, FIG. 7 shows an example of arrival guarantee type data transmission in the prior art. In FIG. 7, in the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication device 200, the upper layer units 110 and 210 are not shown.

  The transmission buffer (a) shows a state in which the data accumulated by the output from the upper layer unit 110 is subjected to the data transmission preparation process by the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 in the transmission buffer 122. As a result of the data transmission preparation process, as shown in the transmission buffer (a), each of the data equally divided into six is given an identification number of 1 to 6, respectively. Hereinafter, for example, data to which the identification number 1 is assigned is referred to as “data 1”. Each of the data 1 to 6 employs the format shown in FIG.

  For example, when the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 instructs the transmission buffer 122 shown in the transmission buffer (a) to output the data 1 to 6, the data 1 to 6 are sequentially transmitted from the transmission buffer 122 to the MAC layer unit 130. Is output. Then, the data 1 to 6 are transmitted from the MAC layer unit 130 to the wireless communication device 200 via the wireless section.

  The MAC layer unit 230 of the wireless communication device 200 receives data 1 to 6 from the wireless communication device 100 via the wireless section. Here, when the data 1 to 6 are normally received, the MAC layer unit 230 generates a wireless confirmation response indicating that and transmits the wireless confirmation response to the wireless communication device 100. In the example of FIG. 7, the MAC layer unit 230 generates and transmits a wireless confirmation response every time three pieces of data are received based on a preset setting. Therefore, for example, the wireless confirmation response 1 includes the identification number 3 of the data 3 as information indicating that the data 1 to 3 are normally received. Further, for example, the wireless confirmation response 2 includes the identification number 6 of the data 6 as information indicating that the data 4 to 6 have been normally received.

  After transmitting the wireless confirmation response 1, the MAC layer unit 230 outputs the received data 1 to 3 to the reception buffer of the protocol adaptation layer unit 220. As a result, the reception buffer changes from the state shown in the reception buffer (b) to the state shown in the reception buffer (c). The reception buffer (b) shows a state where the reception buffer does not accumulate any data. The reception buffer (c) shows a state where the reception buffer accumulates data 1 to 3. Note that the reception buffer has the same capacity as the transmission buffer 122.

  Further, after transmitting the wireless confirmation response 2, the MAC layer unit 230 outputs the received data 4 to 6 to the reception buffer of the protocol adaptation layer unit 220. As a result, the reception buffer changes from the state shown in the reception buffer (c) to the state shown in the reception buffer (d). The reception buffer (d) shows a state in which the reception buffer accumulates data 1 to 6 to the maximum extent by accumulating data 1 to 6.

  The protocol adaptation layer unit 220 sequentially outputs the data 1 to 6 stored in the reception buffer to the upper layer unit 210. As a result, the data 1 to 6 are deleted from the reception buffer, and the data returns to the state where no data is accumulated as shown in the reception buffer (e). The protocol adaptation layer unit 220 generates a data confirmation response indicating that the data 1 to 6 are normally output from the reception buffer to the upper layer unit 210 and outputs the data confirmation response to the MAC layer unit 230. This data confirmation response includes, for example, identification numbers 1 to 6 of data 1 to 6. The MAC layer unit 230 transmits the data confirmation response output from the protocol adaptation layer unit 220 to the wireless communication device 100 via the wireless section.

  The MAC layer unit 130 of the wireless communication device 100 receives the data confirmation response from the wireless communication device 200 via the wireless section, and transfers the data confirmation response to the protocol adaptation layer unit 120. The protocol adaptation layer unit 120 deletes the data 1 to 6 waiting for retransmission in the transmission buffer 122 based on the identification numbers 1 to 6 included in the received data confirmation response. As a result, the transmission buffer 122 returns to a state where no data is accumulated as shown in the transmission buffer (f). Then, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 notifies the higher layer unit 110 that the transmission buffer 122 has become free due to the deletion of the data 1 to 6.

  Upon receiving notification that the transmission buffer 122 is empty, the upper layer unit 110 outputs subsequent data subsequent to the data 6 to the transmission buffer 122 among the unoutput data. Thus, as shown in the transmission buffer (g), subsequent data is sequentially accumulated in the transmission buffer 122.

  When the subsequent data is accumulated in the transmission buffer 122 as much as possible, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 performs data transmission preparation processing on the subsequent data. As a result, as shown in the transmission buffer (h), the subsequent data is equally divided into six, and identification numbers of 7 to 12 are given respectively. Thereafter, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 outputs the data of the identification number 7 to the MAC layer unit 130 in order from the data by the data output control. The subsequent processing is the same as in the case of outputting data 1 to 6 described above.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 7, deletion of retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer 122 is executed using a data confirmation response as a trigger. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 7, during the time t1 from the reception of the data confirmation response to the transmission of the subsequent data, the retransmission data is deleted, the subsequent data is accumulated, and the data transmission preparation process for the subsequent data is performed. It will be.

  Next, the example of FIG. 8 will be described. The example of FIG. 8 shows a case where the wireless communication device 100 deletes the waiting retransmission data in the transmission buffer 122 triggered by the reception of the wireless confirmation response from the wireless communication device 200. That is, FIG. 8 is an example of arrival guarantee type data transmission of this embodiment. In the following, in FIG. 8, the description of the illustration common to FIG. 7 is omitted, and only the illustration different from FIG. 7 is described.

  The example of FIG. 8 is different from the example of FIG. 7 in that deletion of retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer 122 is executed using a wireless confirmation response as a trigger.

  First, when receiving the wireless confirmation response 1, the MAC layer unit 130 extracts an identification number from the wireless confirmation response 1. Since the wireless confirmation response 1 includes the identification number 3, the MAC layer unit 130 extracts the identification number 3. Then, the MAC layer unit 130 notifies the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 of the extracted identification number 3 as a trigger 1.

  Next, since the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 has the identification number 3 notified by the trigger 1, among the data waiting for retransmission in the transmission buffer 122, the data 1 to 3 corresponding to the identification number 3 or lower. Is deleted. As a result, the transmission buffer 122 is in a state where an empty area X is generated as shown in the transmission buffer (i). Then, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 notifies the higher layer unit 110 that the transmission buffer 122 has become free due to the deletion of the data 1 to 3.

  Next, when the upper layer unit 110 receives notification that the transmission buffer 122 is empty, the upper layer unit 110 outputs subsequent data subsequent to the data 6 to the transmission buffer 122 among the unoutput data. As a result, subsequent data is accumulated in the empty area X in the transmission buffer 122.

  Next, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 performs data transmission preparation processing for subsequent data accumulated in the empty area X. As a result, as shown in the transmission buffer (j), the transmission buffer 122 is in a state in which data 7 to 9 as subsequent data are accumulated following the previously accumulated data 4 to 6. The data 7 to 9 are equally divided similarly to the data 4 to 6.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 8, triggered by the reception of the wireless confirmation response 1, the data for retransmission is deleted, the subsequent data is accumulated, and the data transmission preparation process for the subsequent data is performed before the reception of the wireless confirmation response 2. Is called.

  Next, when receiving the wireless confirmation response 2, the MAC layer unit 130 extracts an identification number from the wireless confirmation response 2. Since the wireless confirmation response 2 includes the identification number 6, the MAC layer unit 130 extracts the identification number 6. Then, the MAC layer unit 130 notifies the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 of the identification number 6 extracted as the trigger 2.

  Next, since the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 has the identification number 6 notified by the trigger 2, the data 4 to 6 corresponding to the identification number 6 or less among the data waiting for retransmission in the transmission buffer 122. Is deleted. As a result, the transmission buffer 122 is in a state where an empty area X is generated as shown in the transmission buffer (k). Then, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 notifies the higher layer unit 110 that the transmission buffer 122 has become free due to the deletion of the data 4 to 6.

  Next, when the upper layer unit 110 receives a notification that the transmission buffer 122 is empty, the upper layer unit 110 outputs subsequent data subsequent to the data 9 among the unoutput data to the transmission buffer 122. As a result, the transmission buffer 122 accumulates subsequent data in the empty area X.

  Next, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 performs data transmission preparation processing for subsequent data accumulated in the empty area X. As a result, as shown in the transmission buffer (h), the transmission buffer 122 is in a state where the data 10 to 12 as the subsequent data are accumulated following the previously accumulated data 7 to 9. The data 10 to 12 are equally divided similarly to the data 7 to 9.

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 8, triggered by the reception of the wireless confirmation response 2, the data for retransmission is deleted, the subsequent data is accumulated, and the data transmission preparation process for the subsequent data is performed before the reception of the data confirmation response. .

  As described above, in the example of FIG. 8, deletion of retransmission data waiting in the transmission buffer 122 is executed using a wireless confirmation response as a trigger. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 8, during the time t2 from the reception of the wireless confirmation response 1 to the reception of the data confirmation response, deletion of retransmission data, accumulation of subsequent data, and data transmission preparation processing for the subsequent data Is done. Therefore, the wireless communication device 100 can transmit the subsequent data 7 to 9 in the transmission buffer 122 as soon as the data confirmation response is received. That is, in the example of FIG. 8, since the time t1 shown in FIG. 7 can be substantially omitted, arrival guarantee type data transmission can be realized at high speed.

<Another effect of the wireless communication device 100>
Next, another effect obtained by the wireless communication apparatus 100 will be described using FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 respectively.

  First, the example of FIG. 9 will be described. The example of FIG. 9 is an example in which arrival guarantee type data transmission according to the prior art shown in FIG. 7 is performed when the reception buffer is larger than the transmission buffer. In the following, in FIG. 9, the description of the illustration common to FIG. 7 is omitted, and only the illustration different from FIG. 7 is described.

  The reception buffer (b) shows a state where the reception buffer does not accumulate any data. Thereafter, when the wireless communication device 200 receives data 1 to 3 from the wireless communication device 100, the data 1 to 3 are stored in the reception buffer. As a result, the reception buffer is in the state shown in the reception buffer (c). Furthermore, after that, when the wireless communication apparatus 200 receives data 4 to 6 from the wireless communication apparatus 100, the data 4 to 6 are stored in the reception buffer. As a result, the reception buffer is in the state shown in the reception buffer (d).

  Here, since the wireless communication apparatus 100 has finished transmitting the data 1 to 6 stored in the transmission buffer 122, the wireless communication apparatus 100 holds the retransmission data 1 to 6 until a data confirmation response is received. Therefore, the wireless communication device 100 cannot transmit subsequent data following the data 6. As a result, the data stored in the reception buffer is up to data 6 as shown in the reception buffer (d).

  When the data 1 to 6 shown in the reception buffer (d) are output to the upper layer unit 210, the reception buffer returns to a state where no data is accumulated as shown in the reception buffer (e). Here, the wireless communication device 200 transmits a data confirmation response to the wireless communication device 100.

  Thereafter, the wireless communication device 100 that has received the data confirmation response transmits data 7 to 12 as subsequent data. These data 7 to 12 are stored in the reception buffer in the same manner as the state shown in the reception buffer (d).

  That is, in the example of FIG. 9, the area Y other than the area where six data are stored is not used in the reception buffer. In other words, in the example of FIG. 9, only an area having the same size as the transmission buffer is used in the reception buffer.

  Next, the example of FIG. 10 will be described. The example of FIG. 10 is an example in which arrival guarantee type data transmission according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8 is performed when the reception buffer is larger than the transmission buffer. In the following, in FIG. 10, description of illustrations common to FIGS. 8 and 9 is omitted, and only illustrations different from FIGS. 8 and 9 are described.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, as described above, every time the wireless communication device 100 receives a wireless confirmation response, the wireless communication device 100 deletes data for retransmission from the transmission buffer 122 and proceeds with subsequent data accumulation and data transmission preparation processing. Therefore, unlike the example of FIG. 9, the wireless communication device 100 can immediately transmit the subsequent data 7 to 9 following the data 6 even after receiving the wireless confirmation response 2. When wireless communication apparatus 200 receives data 7-9 from wireless communication apparatus 100, data 7-9 are accumulated after data 6 in the reception buffer. As a result, the reception buffer is in the state shown in the reception buffer (m). The transmission buffer 122 of the wireless communication apparatus 100 deletes the retransmission data 7 to 9 triggered by the reception of the wireless confirmation response 3 indicating that the data 7 to 9 has been normally received, and the transmission buffer (l ).

  That is, in the example of FIG. 10, the area Y other than the area where six data are stored is also used in the reception buffer. In other words, in the example of FIG. 10, an area larger than the transmission buffer is used in the reception buffer.

  As described above, when the reception buffer is larger than the transmission buffer, there is the following difference between the prior art shown in the example of FIG. 9 and the present embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the prior art shown in FIG. 9, even if the reception buffer has a capacity larger than that of the transmission buffer, the reception buffer is used only for the capacity of the transmission buffer. Therefore, in the prior art shown in FIG. 9, the data transmission speed decreases depending on the capacity of the transmission buffer. On the other hand, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the reception buffer is used exceeding the capacity of the transmission buffer. Therefore, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10, data exceeding the capacity of the transmission buffer can be stored in the reception buffer, so that data transmission can be performed at high speed. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 10, data can be transmitted one after another without waiting for the arrival of the data confirmation response, so that the capacity of the transmission buffer can be reduced.

  As described above, radio communication apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment includes MAC layer section 130 and protocol adaptation section 120. When the data is wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communication apparatus 200, the MAC layer unit 130 receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received. The protocol adaptation unit 120 is an upper layer of the MAC layer unit 130 and causes the transmission buffer 122 to wait for retransmission data in preparation for data retransmission. The MAC layer unit 130 includes a wireless confirmation response notifying unit 131 that notifies the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 of the received wireless confirmation response. Further, the protocol adaptation layer unit 120 includes a protocol control unit 121 that deletes data for retransmission from the transmission buffer 122 using a notification of a wireless confirmation response as a trigger. When the data for retransmission is deleted, the protocol control unit 121 notifies the higher layer unit 110 that outputs the data to the transmission buffer 122 that the transmission buffer 122 has become empty.

  Therefore, radio communication apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment is notified that radio acknowledgment response 400 has successfully received the retransmission data waiting in transmission buffer 122 using radio acknowledgment 400 as a trigger. Deleted data can be deleted. Therefore, the wireless communication apparatus 100 can start preparation for transmission of the next data without waiting for the data confirmation response 500. As a result, the wireless communication device 100 can speed up arrival guarantee type data transmission with other wireless communication devices connected via wireless communication.

  Although the present embodiment has been described above, the above description is merely an example, and various modifications can be made. Hereinafter, modified examples will be described.

<Description of modification>
In the above embodiment, the protocol control unit is an example of receiving notification of the identification number included in the data confirmation response and the identification number included in the wireless confirmation response, but is not limited thereto. For example, the protocol control unit 121 itself may receive a data confirmation response and a wireless confirmation response, and extract an identification number from each response.

  In the above embodiment, the notification received by the protocol control unit through the data confirmation response is an example of the identification number. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the protocol control unit may receive notification of information indicating the total size of data normally received by the wireless communication device 200 by a data confirmation response. Alternatively, the protocol control unit notifies the information indicating the size of the data not yet received by the wireless communication device 200 based on the total size of the data finally transmitted by the wireless communication device 100 based on the data confirmation response. You may receive it.

  Further, although cases have been described with the above embodiment as examples where the present invention is configured by hardware, the present invention can also be realized by software in cooperation with hardware.

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication control program capable of speeding up arrival-guaranteed data transmission / reception with another wireless communication device connected via short-range wireless communication. Useful as. The present invention can be applied to, for example, portable devices such as mobile phones and tablets, and personal computers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Wireless communication apparatus 110 Upper layer part 120 Protocol adaptive layer part 121 Protocol control part 122 Transmission buffer 123 Data transmission / reception part 124 Data confirmation response management part 130 MAC layer part 131 Wireless confirmation response notification part 132 Wireless communication part 200 Wireless communication apparatus 210 Upper part Layer part 220 Protocol adaptation layer part 230 MAC layer part

Claims (5)

When wirelessly transmitting data to another wireless communication device, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer unit that receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received from the other wireless communication device, and the MAC layer unit A protocol adaptation layer unit that waits for data for retransmission in a transmission buffer in preparation for retransmission of the data, and a wireless communication device comprising:
The MAC layer part
Notifying the wireless adaptation response to the protocol adaptation layer,
The protocol adaptation layer is
Using the notification of the wireless confirmation response as a trigger, deleting the data for retransmission from the transmission buffer, and notifying the upper layer that outputs data to the transmission buffer that the transmission buffer has been vacant,
Wireless communication device. The protocol adaptation layer is
Holding a free capacity value of a reception buffer provided in the other wireless communication device;
2. When it is confirmed that the reception buffer has a space based on the free space value, the data stored in the transmission buffer is transmitted to the other wireless communication device within the range of the free space value. The wireless communication device described. The protocol adaptation layer is
When the data stored in the transmission buffer is transmitted, the data confirmation response indicating that the data has been processed is received from the other wireless communication device by subtracting the capacity value of the data from the free capacity value. In this case, the free capacity value is updated by adding the capacity value of the data notified by the data confirmation response to the free capacity value.
The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 2. When wirelessly transmitting data to another wireless communication device, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer unit that receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received from the other wireless communication device, and the MAC layer unit A wireless communication method performed by a wireless communication apparatus including a protocol adaptation layer unit that waits for data for retransmission in a transmission buffer in preparation for retransmission of the data,
In the MAC layer unit, notifying the wireless adaptation response to the protocol adaptation layer unit;
In the protocol adaptation layer section, triggered by the notification of the wireless confirmation response, the retransmission data is deleted from the transmission buffer, and a high-order data is output to the transmission buffer indicating that the transmission buffer is empty. The step of notifying the layer;
A wireless communication method. When wirelessly transmitting data to another wireless communication device, a MAC (Media Access Control) layer unit that receives a wireless confirmation response indicating that the data has been received from the other wireless communication device, and the MAC layer unit A wireless communication control program to be executed by a computer of a wireless communication device having a protocol adaptation layer unit that waits for retransmission data in a transmission buffer in preparation for retransmission of the data,
In the MAC layer part, a process of notifying the wireless adaptation response to the protocol adaptation layer part;
In the protocol adaptation layer section, triggered by the notification of the wireless confirmation response, the retransmission data is deleted from the transmission buffer, and a high-order data is output to the transmission buffer indicating that the transmission buffer is empty. Processing to notify the layer,
A wireless communication control program for executing

Images