Base station and communication method of base station

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of basic wireless device and the communication method of basic wireless device.Basic wireless device (16) has: selection unit (36), the selection unit selects any one in signal transmission and standby;And sending processing unit (34), the sending processing unit carries out the sending processing of signal transmission to at least one remote wireless device (18) in the case where selection unit (36) selects signal transmission, in the case where selection unit (36) selects standby, in transceiver cycle, not the sending processing of described is carried out and waits.Such as selection unit (36) selects signal transmission in last transceiver cycle, in this transceiver cycle, according to the rule of specification, any one in signal transmission and standby is selected, in the case where selection unit (36) selects standby in last transceiver cycle, in this transceiver cycle, signal transmission is selected.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a basic wireless device that transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device in a transmit-receive cycle, and a communication method of the basic wireless device. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-188868 discloses an industrial wireless communication system equipped with a computer and multiple communication networks. The computer manages and controls multiple robots, etc. Each communication network has a basic wireless device and multiple remote wireless devices. The basic wireless device is connected to the computer. On the other hand, the remote wireless devices are connected to sensors and actuators. The sensors and actuators are installed on robots, etc. For example, the basic wireless device sends signals to each remote wireless device to instruct the actuators to operate. On the other hand, each remote wireless device sends signals to the basic wireless device indicating the detection results of the sensors, etc. In the wireless communication system of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-188868, the basic wireless device and the multiple remote wireless devices hop frequencies at a predetermined period. This prevents radio wave interference between the basic wireless device and surrounding wireless devices. Similarly, it prevents radio wave interference between the remote wireless devices and surrounding wireless devices. The period of frequency hopping is called the transmit / receive period.

[0003] The base wireless device cannot receive signals from the remote wireless device while transmitting signals to it. Therefore, the remote wireless device's signal transmission fails while the base wireless device is transmitting. The remote wireless device successfully transmits its signal after the base wireless device finishes transmitting. Consequently, there is a situation where a considerable amount of time is spent until the signal transmission from the remote wireless device to the base wireless device is complete. As a result, the communication speed of the wireless communication system decreases, and the processing power of robots, etc., is reduced. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0005] The first aspect of the present invention is a basic wireless device that transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device in a transmit-receive cycle. The basic wireless device includes: a selection unit that selects either signal transmission or standby during the transmit-receive cycle; and a transmission processing unit that, when the selection unit selects signal transmission, performs transmission processing to transmit signals to at least one of the remote wireless devices during the transmit-receive cycle; and when the selection unit selects standby, the transmission processing unit does not perform the transmission processing and remains in standby during the transmit-receive cycle. If the selection unit selected signal transmission in the previous transmit-receive cycle, it selects either signal transmission or standby according to a predetermined rule in the current transmit-receive cycle; and if it selected standby in the previous transmit-receive cycle, it selects signal transmission in the current transmit-receive cycle.

[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a basic wireless device, wherein the basic wireless device transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device in a transmit-receive cycle. The communication method of the basic wireless device includes: a selection step, in which either signal transmission or standby is selected in the transmit-receive cycle; and a transmission processing step, in which, if signal transmission is selected in the selection step, transmission processing is performed in the transmit-receive cycle to transmit a signal to at least one of the remote wireless devices; if standby is selected in the selection step, standby is performed in the transmit-receive cycle without performing the transmission processing; in the selection step, if signal transmission was selected in the previous transmit-receive cycle, either signal transmission or standby is selected in the current transmit-receive cycle according to a predetermined rule; if standby was selected in the previous transmit-receive cycle, signal transmission is selected in the current transmit-receive cycle.

[0007] According to the present invention, the time spent until the signal of the remote wireless device is successfully transmitted can be shortened.

[0008] The aforementioned objectives, features, and advantages will be readily understood from the following description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the structure of a wireless communication system.

[0010] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the wireless communication system of this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of this embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0012] [1 Wireless Communication System 10]

[0013] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the structure of the wireless communication system 10. Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the functional blocks of the wireless communication system 10 according to this embodiment. The industrial wireless communication system 10 includes a computer 12 and at least one communication network 14. The communication network 14 includes a basic wireless device 16 and multiple remote wireless devices 18. One or more robots (not shown) are installed in the industrial equipment.

[0014] Computer 12 monitors and controls one or more robots, etc. Computer 12 may have, for example, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller). Computer 12 has an interface (not shown) for wired or wireless transmission and reception. Computer 12 transmits signals to basic wireless device 16 via the interface. Additionally, computer 12 receives signals transmitted from basic wireless device 16 via the interface.

[0015] One or more robots, etc., are equipped with actuators and sensors. The actuators perform actions according to instructions from computer 12. The sensors detect the robot's actions. In this specification, the sensors and actuators are also collectively referred to as S / A20. The actuators receive control signals sent from computer 12 via basic wireless device 16 and remote wireless device 18. The sensors send sensor signals indicating detection results to computer 12 via basic wireless device 16 and remote wireless device 18.

[0016] [2 Basic Wireless Devices 16]

[0017] like Figure 2 As shown, the basic wireless device 16 includes a basic computing unit 22, a basic storage unit 24, a basic communication unit 26, and a basic interface 28.

[0018] The basic arithmetic unit 22 has processing circuitry. This processing circuitry can be a processor such as a CPU, or an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The processor performs various functions by executing programs stored in the basic storage unit 24. The basic arithmetic unit 22 functions as a frequency switching unit 32, a transceiver processing unit 34, a selection unit 36, and an input / output control unit 38.

[0019] The frequency switching unit 32 switches the frequency of the channel used by the basic communication unit 26 based on the frequency hopping information. The frequency hopping information is pre-stored in the basic storage unit 24.

[0020] The transceiver processing unit (transmission processing unit) 34 uses the transmission circuit of the basic communication unit 26 to process the transmission of signals to the remote wireless device 18. This process is referred to as transmission processing. Additionally, the transceiver processing unit 34 uses the receiving circuit of the basic communication unit 26 to process the reception of signals transmitted by the remote wireless device 18. The transceiver processing unit 34 transmits a signal for one data packet in one transmission cycle. The transceiver processing unit 34 performs a series of transmission processes when transmitting a signal for one data packet. The transmission processing includes processing the transmitted signal and processing the reception of acknowledgment responses (ACKs) sent from the remote wireless device 18.

[0021] The selection unit 36 ​​selects either signal transmission or standby in each transmit / receive cycle. For example, if the selection unit 36 ​​selected signal transmission in the previous transmit / receive cycle, it selects either signal transmission or standby in the current transmit / receive cycle. In this case, the selection unit 36 ​​makes the selection according to a predetermined rule. The predetermined rule is stored in the basic storage unit 24. For example, the predetermined rule may be information that determines the selection order of signal transmission and standby. Alternatively, the predetermined rule may be an algorithm for random selection, such as an algorithm for generating a pseudo-random number sequence. On the other hand, if the selection unit 36 ​​selected standby in the previous transmit / receive cycle, it selects signal transmission in the current transmit / receive cycle.

[0022] The input / output control unit 38 uses the basic interface 28 to process sensor signals received from the remote wireless device 18 and transmit them to the computer 12. Additionally, the input / output control unit 38 uses the basic interface 28 to process control signals received from the computer 12.

[0023] The basic storage unit 24 includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Examples of volatile memory include RAM. Examples of non-volatile memory include ROM and flash memory. The volatile memory stores data acquired from external sources and data processed by the basic arithmetic unit 22. The non-volatile memory stores a specified program and specified values. Furthermore, the basic storage unit 24 stores frequency hopping information shared with the remote wireless device 18. The frequency hopping information includes information about the frequency hopping mode and the transmission / reception cycle. At least a portion of the basic storage unit 24 can be housed in a processor, integrated circuit, or similar device as described above.

[0024] The basic communication unit 26 has a communication circuit. The communication circuit includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. The basic communication unit 26 transmits signals to the remote wireless device 18. In addition, the basic communication unit 26 receives signals transmitted by the remote wireless device 18.

[0025] The basic interface 28 has input / output interfaces for wired communication with the computer 12.

[0026] [3 Remote Wireless Devices 18]

[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the remote wireless device 18 includes a remote computing unit 42, a remote storage unit 44, a remote communication unit 46, and a remote interface 48.

[0028] The remote computing unit 42 has processing circuitry. This processing circuitry can be a processor such as a CPU. Alternatively, it can be an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. For example, the processor performs various functions by executing programs stored in the remote storage unit 44. For instance, the remote computing unit 42 uses the remote interface 48 to process sending control signals to the S / A 20. Additionally, the remote computing unit 42 uses the remote interface 48 to process receiving sensor signals from the S / A 20. The remote computing unit 42 uses the remote communication unit 46 to process receiving signals from the basic wireless device 16. Furthermore, the remote computing unit 42 uses the remote communication unit 46 to process sending signals to the basic wireless device 16. Additionally, the remote computing unit 42 switches the frequency of the channel used in communication with the remote wireless device 18 based on frequency hopping information.

[0029] The remote storage unit 44 includes volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Examples of volatile memory include RAM. Examples of non-volatile memory include ROM and flash memory. The volatile memory stores data acquired from external sources and data processed by the remote processing unit 42. The non-volatile memory stores a specified program and specified values. Furthermore, the remote storage unit 44 stores frequency hopping information shared with the basic wireless device 16. The frequency hopping information includes information about the frequency hopping mode and the transmission / reception cycle. At least a portion of the remote storage unit 44 can be housed in a processor, integrated circuit, or similar device as described above.

[0030] The remote communication unit 46 has a communication circuit. The communication circuit includes a transmitting circuit and a receiving circuit. The remote communication unit 46 transmits signals to the basic wireless device 16. In addition, the remote communication unit 46 receives signals transmitted by the basic wireless device 16.

[0031] The remote interface 48 has input / output interfaces for wired communication with the S / A20. The remote interface 48 may also have a wireless interface for short-range wireless communication with the S / A20.

[0032] [4 Processing performed by the basic wireless device 16]

[0033] use Figure 3 The processing of the basic wireless device 16 related to transmission is explained. Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of this embodiment. The basic arithmetic unit 22 executes in each transmit / receive cycle. Figure 3 The processing is shown.

[0034] In step S1, the frequency switching unit 32 switches the channel frequency according to the frequency hopping pattern stored in the basic storage unit 24. When step S1 ends, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0035] In step S2, the transceiver processing unit 34 determines whether there is information that should be transmitted to the S / A20 (transmission information). Transmission information may be, for example, a control signal obtained from the computer 12. If transmission information exists (step S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4. Conversely, if no transmission information exists (step S2: No), the process proceeds to step S3.

[0036] In step S3, the selection unit 36 ​​selects to remain in standby mode during the current transmit / receive cycle. Here, the selection unit 36 ​​stores this standby selection result in the basic storage unit 24. When step S3 ends, the processing for the current transmit / receive cycle concludes.

[0037] In step S4, the selection unit 36 ​​determines the selection result of the selection unit 36 ​​in the previous transmit / receive cycle. The selection result is stored in the basic storage unit 24. If the selection result is standby (step S4: standby), the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the selection result is signal transmission (step S4: signal transmission), the process proceeds to step S6. Furthermore, if there is no record of the selection result in the basic storage unit 24, the selection unit 36 ​​determines the selection result to be standby.

[0038] When the process transitions from step S4 to step S5, the selection unit 36 ​​selects whether to transmit a signal in the current transmit / receive cycle. The selection unit 36 ​​stores this selection result in the basic storage unit 24. When step S5 ends, the process transitions to step S8.

[0039] When the process transitions from step S4 to step S6, the selection unit 36 ​​selects whether to transmit a signal or remain in standby mode during the current transmit / receive cycle according to a predetermined rule. The selection unit 36 ​​stores either the signal transmission or standby selection result in the basic storage unit 24. When step S6 ends, the process transitions to step S7.

[0040] If the selection unit 36 ​​selects signal transmission in step S6 (step S7: signal transmission), the process proceeds to step S8. Conversely, if the selection unit 36 ​​selects standby in step S6 (step S7: standby), the transceiver processing unit 34 remains in standby mode for the current transceiver cycle. That is, the basic wireless device 16 has the opportunity to receive signals transmitted by the remote wireless device 18. At this time, if any remote wireless device 18 transmits a signal to the basic wireless device 16, the transceiver processing unit 34 performs signal reception processing. When step S7 ends, the processing for the current transceiver cycle concludes.

[0041] When the process transitions from step S5 or S7 to step S8, the transceiver processing unit 34 performs transmission processing. At this time, the transceiver processing unit 34 uses the basic communication unit 26 to transmit a signal indicating the transmission of information to the remote wireless device 18. When step S8 ends, the processing in this transceiver cycle concludes.

[0042] According to this embodiment, if the selection unit 36 ​​selected signal transmission in the previous transmission cycle, it selects either signal transmission or standby mode in the current transmission cycle. In this case, the selection unit 36 ​​selects standby mode with approximately a 1 / 2 probability. Therefore, the situation where the basic wireless device 16 continuously transmits signals for an extended period is reduced. That is, the opportunity to receive signals in the basic wireless device 16 increases. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the time spent until the remote wireless device 18 successfully transmits a signal can be shortened.

[0043] According to this embodiment, if the selection unit 36 ​​selected standby mode in the previous transmit / receive cycle, it selects signal transmission in the current transmit / receive cycle. Therefore, in the basic wireless device 16, the opportunity to transmit a signal is no less than the opportunity to receive a signal.

[0044] [5 Technical Ideas Obtained from Implementation Methods]

[0045] The technical ideas that can be grasped from the above embodiments are described below.

[0046] A first aspect of the present invention is a basic wireless device 16 that transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device 18 in a transmit-receive cycle. The basic wireless device includes: a selection unit 36 ​​that selects either signal transmission or standby during the transmit-receive cycle; and a transmission processing unit (transmit-receive processing unit 34). When the selection unit 36 ​​selects signal transmission, the transmission processing unit performs transmission processing to transmit signals to at least one of the remote wireless devices 18 during the transmit-receive cycle. When the selection unit 36 ​​selects standby, the transmission processing unit does not perform the transmission processing and remains in standby during the transmit-receive cycle. If the selection unit 36 ​​selected signal transmission in the previous transmit-receive cycle, it selects either signal transmission or standby according to a predetermined rule in the current transmit-receive cycle. If it selected standby in the previous transmit-receive cycle, it selects signal transmission in the current transmit-receive cycle.

[0047] In the first approach, the selection unit 36 ​​may use an algorithm for random selection to select either signal transmission or standby.

[0048] The second aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a basic wireless device 16, which transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device 18 in a transmit-receive cycle. The communication method of the basic wireless device includes: a selection step, in which either signal transmission or standby is selected in the transmit-receive cycle; and a transmission processing step, in which, if signal transmission is selected in the selection step, transmission processing is performed in the transmit-receive cycle to transmit a signal to at least one of the remote wireless devices, and if standby is selected in the selection step, standby is performed in the transmit-receive cycle without performing the transmission processing. In the selection step, if signal transmission was selected in the previous transmit-receive cycle, either signal transmission or standby is selected in the current transmit-receive cycle according to a predetermined rule; if standby was selected in the previous transmit-receive cycle, signal transmission is selected in the current transmit-receive cycle.

[0049] In the second approach, the selection step may involve using an algorithm for random selection to choose either signal transmission or standby mode.

Claims

1. A basic wireless device, which is a basic wireless device (16) that transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device (18) in a transmit-receive cycle, characterized in that, have: Selection unit (36) selects either signal transmission or standby in the current transceiver cycle based on the selection result indicating that either signal transmission or standby was selected in the previous transceiver cycle. as well as The transmission processing unit (34), when the selection unit selects signal transmission, performs transmission processing to send signals to at least one of the remote wireless devices during the transmit / receive cycle. When the selection unit selects standby, even if there is information that should be transmitted to the remote wireless device, the transmission processing unit does not perform the transmission processing during the transmit / receive cycle and remains in standby mode, thereby creating an opportunity to receive signals transmitted by the remote wireless device. If the selection unit selected signal transmission in the previous transmission cycle, it selects either signal transmission or standby mode in the current transmission cycle based on an algorithm that generates a pseudo-random number sequence. If standby mode was selected in the previous transmission cycle, it selects signal transmission in the current transmission cycle.

2. A communication method for a basic wireless device, wherein the basic wireless device transmits and receives signals with at least one remote wireless device at a transmit-receive cycle, the communication method of the basic wireless device being characterized by comprising: The selection step involves selecting either signal transmission or standby in the current transmission / reception cycle, based on information indicating that either signal transmission or standby was selected in the previous transmission / reception cycle; and In the transmission processing step, if signal transmission is selected in the selection step, transmission processing to send a signal to at least one of the remote wireless devices is performed during the transmit / receive cycle. If standby is selected in the selection step, even if there is information that should be transmitted to the remote wireless device, the transmission processing is not performed during the transmit / receive cycle, and the device remains in standby mode, thereby becoming a state capable of receiving signals transmitted by the remote wireless device. In the selection step, if signal transmission was selected in the previous transmission cycle, either signal transmission or standby is selected in the current transmission cycle based on an algorithm that selects by generating a pseudo-random number sequence; if standby was selected in the previous transmission cycle, signal transmission is selected in the current transmission cycle.

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