A wireless ad hoc network communication system

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application discloses a wireless ad hoc network communication system, which is applied to a vehicle-mounted communication network and comprises access device groups located in the same train and working at the same wireless frequency point. Each access device group comprises at least two access devices, wherein two access device groups located in different trains work at different wireless frequency points. When a control instruction for networking with other access device groups is received, each access device of the access device group uses the same wireless frequency point as the current wireless ad hoc network wireless frequency point of other access device groups, performs data sending operation in the corresponding time slot in a transmission cycle, and performs data receiving operation except the corresponding time slot. In each transmission cycle, there is a time slot corresponding to at least part of the access devices of each access device group participating in networking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of vehicle communication, and more particularly to a wireless ad hoc network communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an in-vehicle communication system. (Example) Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle-mounted communication system includes a radio, a communication controller, and a crew communication system, wherein:

[0003] Radios are used for shortwave / VHF / UHF communication between multiple vehicles;

[0004] The communication controller is used for interface switching and signaling exchange between the team's communication system and the radio.

[0005] The team communication system is used for voice communication and data exchange between passengers inside the vehicle; and for voice communication and data exchange between passengers in different vehicles through a communication controller and radio.

[0006] The team communication system includes multiple crew terminals and one vehicle-mounted control box. Specifically:

[0007] The passenger terminal is used to enable voice communication and data exchange between passengers in the vehicle, and each passenger is equipped with one passenger terminal.

[0008] The vehicle control box is used to exchange voice and data from the occupant's terminal in this vehicle with the occupant's terminal in other vehicles via the communication controller and radio, thus enabling inter-vehicle communication.

[0009] exist Figure 1 The onboard communication system shown has the following problems: when two vehicles are working together, only the foreman on one vehicle can communicate with the foreman on the other vehicle via inter-vehicle communication. Other passengers on the other vehicle cannot communicate directly, promptly and effectively with passengers on the other vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0010] To address any of the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a wireless ad hoc network communication system applied to a vehicle-mounted communication network. The system includes a group of access devices located on the same train and operating on the same wireless frequency. Each access device group includes at least two access devices, wherein two groups of access devices located on different trains operate on different wireless frequencies.

[0011] Upon receiving a control command to form a network with other access device groups, each access device in the access device group uses the same wireless frequency as the other access device groups as the current wireless self-organizing network frequency, and performs data transmission operations in its respective time slot during the transmission cycle, and performs data reception operations in addition to its corresponding time slot.

[0012] Each transmission cycle contains time slots corresponding to at least some of the access devices in each access device group participating in the network.

[0013] One of the above technical solutions has the following advantages or beneficial effects:

[0014] At least two access device groups located on different trains can form a wireless communication network, enabling seamless intra-network communication and data transmission without relying on communication controllers and radios.

[0015] Other features and advantages of the embodiments of this application will be set forth in the following description, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the embodiments of this application. The objects and other advantages of the embodiments of this application may be realized and obtained by means of the structures particularly pointed out in the description, claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The accompanying drawings are used to provide a further understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and constitute a part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an in-vehicle communication system;

[0018] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a team wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of time slot allocation in a work group's wireless communication network;

[0020] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a wireless ad hoc network communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of time slot allocation for a wireless ad hoc network communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be arbitrarily combined with each other.

[0023] This application provides a wireless ad hoc network communication system applied to a vehicle-mounted communication network. The system includes a group of access devices located on the same train and operating on the same wireless frequency. Each access device group includes at least two access devices, and a group of access devices on the same train can form a team wireless communication system. Access devices located on different trains operate on different wireless frequencies. Each access device group includes an onboard control box, a team leader passenger terminal, and team member passenger terminals. Hereinafter, the team leader passenger terminal and team member passenger terminals can be collectively referred to as passenger terminals.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a team-based wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2 As shown, the passenger terminal and the vehicle control box form a decentralized wireless network in a decentralized manner to form a team wireless communication system. Its communication network channel parameters are different from those of the team wireless communication systems used on other vehicles.

[0025] The passenger terminal is in the form of a handheld device or a head-mounted device, which can be carried by the passenger inside the vehicle or within the line of sight after getting off the vehicle to conduct full-duplex voice or data communication.

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of time slot allocation in a work group's wireless communication network. (Example:) Figure 3 As shown, the occupant terminal and the vehicle control box are assigned corresponding time slot sequences according to their priorities.

[0027] To ensure priority access to the radio communication channel and for the squad leader, as well as ease of programming, a fixed time slot allocation is adopted. Specifically, the vehicle control box is assigned time slot 0, and the crew terminal used by the squad leader is assigned time slot 1.

[0028] The time slot allocation for crew member / passenger terminals is determined based on the number of crew member / passenger terminals and the number of remaining time slots, including:

[0029] If the number of crew member terminals is not greater than the number of remaining time slots, a fixed time slot allocation method will be adopted, and the time slots used by each crew member terminal will be arranged sequentially according to the device number.

[0030] If the number of crew member terminals exceeds the number of remaining time slots, then at least two crew member terminals are allocated the same time slot, wherein the at least two crew member terminals use the time slot for different time periods; or, an idle time slot is allocated to the crew member terminal that initiated the occupancy request.

[0031] For example, using a contention-based time slot allocation method, a crew member's terminal can only occupy a certain idle time slot after it detects that there is an idle time slot other than time slot 0 and time slot 1; or, for the same crew member's terminal, it can occupy a time slot only after waiting for a certain time slot for a period of time.

[0032] In one exemplary embodiment, the vehicle control box and the occupant terminal transmit data via a wireless network during the occupied time slot and receive wireless data via a wireless network during other time slots.

[0033] Specifically, if the received data does not contain audio data, it is parsed, processed, or forwarded to other digital interfaces (such as serial ports or network ports) to achieve wireless data pass-through; if the data contains audio data, it is played on external speakers such as the local speaker to achieve centerless full-duplex voice communication with other terminals.

[0034] When data from multiple terminals is received within the same transmission cycle, if the data does not contain audio data, it is processed according to the terminal sequence number; if the data contains audio data, all audio data is mixed and played on external speakers such as the local speaker to achieve wireless full-duplex voice communication with multiple terminals.

[0035] The squad leader's and crew's terminals distinguish between two communication methods: in-vehicle communication and inter-vehicle communication.

[0036] Specifically, if a function button or PTT button on the supervisor's terminal is pressed, it indicates that the supervisor's terminal is performing inter-vehicle communication. The supervisor's terminal will wirelessly transmit the collected voice or data and control status to the team's wireless communication network. The onboard control box will convert the received wireless signal and forward it to the inter-vehicle communication network through the communication controller and radio, thus realizing inter-vehicle communication transmission. The other crew members' terminals will not process the data. If a function button or PTT button on the supervisor's terminal is released, it indicates that the supervisor's terminal is performing in-vehicle communication. It will wirelessly transmit the supervisor's voice or data and uncontrolled status to the team's wireless communication network. Other crew members' terminals will convert the received wireless signal into data or analog audio for playback, thus realizing in-vehicle communication transmission. The onboard control box will not process the data.

[0037] The vehicle control box receives voice or data from the inter-vehicle communication network and converts it into a wireless signal for forwarding to the team's wireless communication network, according to settings. These settings determine whether other crew members are allowed to listen in. The crew leader's terminal receives the wireless signal and converts it into data or analog audio for playback, enabling inter-vehicle communication reception. Other crew terminals, based on their settings within the wireless signal, can also convert received wireless signals into data or analog audio for playback when listening is permitted, enabling inter-vehicle communication monitoring. For ease of operation, the crew leader can use function buttons on their crew terminals to modify the monitoring settings on the vehicle control box by sending wireless signals.

[0038] This application provides a wireless ad hoc network system for use in vehicle communication networks. The system includes a group of access devices located on the same train and operating on the same wireless frequency. Each access device group includes at least two access devices, wherein two groups of access devices located on different trains operate on different wireless frequencies.

[0039] Upon receiving a control command to form a network with other access device groups, each access device in the access device group uses the same wireless frequency as the other access device groups as the current wireless self-organizing network frequency, and performs data transmission operations in its respective time slot during the transmission cycle, and performs data reception operations in addition to its corresponding time slot.

[0040] Each transmission cycle contains time slots corresponding to at least some of the access devices in each access device group participating in the network.

[0041] The system provided in this application embodiment is used for wireless ad hoc network communication between vehicle occupants. In particular, when two vehicles are working together, the occupant terminals can temporarily form a wireless communication network to realize on-the-fly network voice communication and data transmission between the occupants of the two vehicles.

[0042] To optimize network complexity, the wireless frequency of the self-organizing wireless network can be set to the frequency used by any group of access devices.

[0043] Specifically, if the wireless frequency of the ad hoc wireless network is not the wireless frequency used by the access device group, then one access device in the access device group, within the coverage area of ​​the current wireless frequency, will wirelessly notify the other access devices in the access device group to use the wireless frequency of the ad hoc wireless network.

[0044] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a wireless ad hoc network communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 4 As shown, the system includes access device group A located in vehicle A and access device group B located in vehicle B. Access device group A uses wireless frequency point a, and access device group B uses wireless frequency point b. By configuring both access devices to use the same wireless frequency point, the two access devices in vehicles A and B are on the same wireless network, facilitating data exchange between the access devices in the two vehicles.

[0045] Furthermore, to simplify network configuration, the wireless frequency used by the access device group of vehicle A or vehicle B can be controlled as the wireless frequency of the wireless ad hoc network. For example, the wireless frequency of the wireless ad hoc network can be set to frequency 'a' used by access device group A. Since the wireless frequency used by access device group A is frequency 'a' before it is networked with the access device of vehicle B, access device group A does not need to configure its wireless frequency; only the wireless frequency used by access device group B needs to be changed.

[0046] Specifically, one access device in access device group B can notify other access devices in access device group B to change the wireless frequency they are using. For example, after receiving a control command to network with access device group A, this access device, within the coverage area of ​​wireless frequency b, notifies other access devices in access device group B to change to wireless frequency a.

[0047] When the two vehicles need to work together, either passenger terminal can be operated to enter the on-demand networking mode. The passenger terminals on the two vehicles and the vehicle control box form a temporary wireless communication network. Each passenger terminal in the network can conduct full-duplex voice communication and data transmission. After entering the on-demand networking mode, the shift leader can still communicate with other vehicles through the vehicle control box, communication controller, and radio by operating the passenger terminal switch or button.

[0048] After the two vehicles have completed their collaborative operation, any passenger terminal can be operated. The passenger terminal can notify the access equipment group to restore the wireless frequency used to the wireless frequency used by the team wireless communication system, thereby exiting the random networking mode. Each passenger terminal on the vehicle and the vehicle control box can then independently network, restoring the team wireless communication system.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, when networking with other access device groups, the transmission period includes a time slot group corresponding to each access device group participating in the networking, wherein each time slot group includes at least two consecutive time slots;

[0050] The remaining time slots in each time slot group, excluding those corresponding to the onboard control box and the shift leader's passenger terminal, are allocated to the member passenger terminals of that access device group in the following manner:

[0051] Allocating the same time slot to at least two passenger terminals, wherein the at least two passenger terminals use different time periods for that time slot; or...

[0052] Allocate the idle time slots to the passenger terminals of the group members who initiated the occupancy request.

[0053] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of time slot allocation for a wireless ad hoc network communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 5 As shown, in the ad-hoc networking communication method, the temporary wireless communication network divides all time slots of the transmission cycle into two parts, which are respectively allocated to the on-board control boxes and passenger terminals of the two vehicles, wherein:

[0054] The total number of time slots that can be allocated in one transmission cycle is n (an even number). Car A uses the first half of the time slots: 0 to (n / 2-1), and Car B uses the second half of the time slots: n / 2 to (n-1).

[0055] To ensure priority for communication channels with the radio and for the squad leader, a fixed time slot allocation is adopted: the vehicle-mounted control box of vehicle A is assigned to use time slot 0, the crew terminal used by the squad leader of vehicle A is assigned to use time slot 1, the vehicle-mounted control box of vehicle B is assigned to use time slot n / 2, and the crew terminal used by the squad leader of vehicle B is assigned to use time slot (n / 2+1), that is, the equipment of vehicle B adds n / 2 to the original time slot.

[0056] To facilitate the entry and exit of the on-demand networking mode for the passenger terminal and the vehicle control box, unified operation of the entire vehicle is performed wirelessly:

[0057] Before entering the on-demand networking mode, the passenger terminal selects the vehicle number for on-demand networking. The passenger terminal then sends an "Enter On-demand Networking" command, consisting of the network channel parameters to be changed and the time slot position in the new transmission cycle, to the crew communication system of the vehicle. Other passenger terminals and the vehicle control box automatically modify the channel parameters and adjust the time slots upon receiving the wireless signal. Time slot adjustment only requires determining whether it is a second half of the time slot. If it is, simply add n / 2 time slots to the original time slot calculation.

[0058] When exiting the on-demand network mode, the passenger terminal selects "Exit On-demand Network." The passenger terminal sends the "Exit On-demand Network" command to the temporary wireless communication network. The passenger terminals of both vehicles and the on-board control box automatically modify and adjust according to the original channel parameters and time slots of their respective vehicles. If the current time slot is the latter half of the time slot, subtract n / 2 time slots from the existing time slot calculation.

[0059] Operators on either of the two vehicles can set the vehicle number to be used for collaborative operations. Each vehicle's terminal needs to be configured separately. For example, on terminal A (e.g., A1), vehicle B is selected as the vehicle number for the collaborative network, while on terminal B (e.g., B2), vehicle A is selected as the vehicle number for the collaborative network. Based on the order of the vehicle numbers, the system automatically selects the wireless frequency and other parameters currently used by the vehicle with the smaller number (e.g., vehicle A). The vehicle with the smaller number occupies the first half of the transmission cycle, and the vehicle with the larger number occupies the second half of the transmission cycle.

[0060] The allocation of time slots for the occupant terminals is similar to that in the team wireless communication system, using the remaining time slots of the vehicle itself.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, when an access device in a wireless ad hoc network system transmits data in its respective time slot, the transmitted data carries a first identifier, which is used to indicate whether only other access devices in the same group as the access device are allowed to receive it.

[0062] In a wireless ad hoc network system, another access device performs data reception operations in the following ways:

[0063] If the received data carries the first identifier, the access device that sent the data is determined according to the target time slot corresponding to the received data.

[0064] If the local access device and the access device that sent the data both belong to the same group of access devices, then the data in the target time slot will be received and processed.

[0065] Specifically, the access device is an on-board control box. After receiving data through the vehicle-to-vehicle communication network, the on-board control box sends the data from the vehicle-to-vehicle communication network and also sends the first identifier, wherein:

[0066] The first identifier is used to indicate that the shift leader's terminal, which is in the same group as the vehicle control box, receives the signal; or,

[0067] The first identifier is used to indicate that the shift leader's terminal and at least some of the passenger terminals in the same group as the vehicle control box receive the signal.

[0068] Inter-vehicle communication reception is only permitted for the vehicle's foreman and other passengers. The foreman's terminal converts the wireless signal from the vehicle's onboard control box into data or analog audio for playback. Other passengers' terminals can also convert the wireless signal from the vehicle's onboard control box into data or analog audio for playback, provided that permission is granted, thus ensuring the original in-vehicle network's private communication capabilities.

[0069] The crew terminals of both vehicles convert the wireless signals received from the other crew terminals and the wireless signals from the in-vehicle communication between the two crew leaders' terminals into data or analog audio for playback, thereby enabling full-duplex voice communication and data transmission between crew members within the temporary wireless communication network.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, when an access device in a wireless ad hoc network system transmits data in its respective time slot, the transmitted data carries a second identifier, which is used to indicate whether only the selected access device is allowed to receive the data.

[0071] In a wireless ad hoc network system, another access device performs data reception operations in the following ways:

[0072] If the received data carries the second identifier, and the local access device is among the selected access devices indicated by the second identifier, then the data is received and processed.

[0073] Specifically, the access device is a squad leader / crew member terminal;

[0074] The squad leader / passenger terminal sends a second identifier while sending data for inter-vehicle communication. The access device selected in the second identifier is the vehicle control box in the same group as the squad leader / passenger terminal.

[0075] The vehicle-to-vehicle communication transmission method of the squad leader and crew terminal is the same as that of the single-vehicle network communication. The vehicle control box only converts the received wireless signal from the squad leader and crew terminal of this vehicle before transmitting it for inter-vehicle communication.

[0076] The system provided in this application has the following advantages:

[0077] a) When the two vehicles are working together, all the occupant terminals of the two vehicles can temporarily form a wireless communication network, which can conduct unimpeded calls and data transmission within the network without relying on the communication controller and radio.

[0078] b) When the two vehicles are working together, the shift leader among the crew members can still communicate with other vehicles through the on-board control box, communication controller, and radio.

[0079] c) The occupant terminal and the vehicle control box communicate wirelessly via a decentralized network to form a team-wide wireless communication system. The occupant terminal is in the form of a handheld device or a head-mounted device, which can be carried by the occupant inside the vehicle or within visual range after getting off the vehicle for voice or data communication.

[0080] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or some of the steps, systems, or apparatuses disclosed above, and their functional modules / units, can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or suitable combinations thereof. In hardware implementations, the division between functional modules / units mentioned above does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be performed collaboratively by several physical components. Some or all components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a digital signal processor or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Such software may be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transient media). As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage, magnetic cartridges, magnetic tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, it is well known to those skilled in the art that communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and may include any information delivery medium.

Claims

1. A wireless ad hoc network communication system, characterized in that, For use in vehicle-mounted communication networks, the system includes access device groups located on the same train and operating on the same radio frequency. Each access device group includes at least two access devices, wherein access device groups located on different trains operate on different radio frequencies. Upon receiving a control command to form a network with other access device groups, each access device in the access device group uses the same wireless frequency as the other access device groups as the current wireless self-organizing network frequency, and performs data transmission operations in its respective time slot during the transmission cycle, and performs data reception operations in addition to its corresponding time slot. Each transmission cycle contains time slots corresponding to at least some of the access devices in each access device group participating in the network.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: If the wireless frequency of the ad hoc wireless network is not the same as the frequency used by the access device group, then one access device in the access device group, within the coverage area of ​​the current wireless frequency, will wirelessly notify the other access devices in the access device group to use the wireless frequency of the ad hoc wireless network.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The wireless frequency points of the wireless self-organizing network are the wireless frequency points used by any group of access devices.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When a control command is received to leave the network with other access device groups, each access device in the access device group uses the wireless frequency corresponding to the access device group as the current wireless frequency, performs data transmission operation in its own time slot, and performs data reception operation in other time slots. Each transmission cycle contains time slots corresponding to at least some of the access devices in the access device group.

5. The system according to claim 4, characterized in that: Each access device group includes an on-board control box, a shift leader passenger terminal, and a shift member passenger terminal; If the total number of time slots in the transmission cycle is greater than or equal to the total number of access devices in the at least two groups of access devices, then the transmission cycle has a time slot corresponding to each access device. If the total number of time slots in the transmission cycle is less than the total number of access devices in the at least two groups of access devices, then the transmission cycle includes time slots corresponding to the vehicle control box, the team leader passenger terminal, and some team member passenger terminals.

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that: When networking with other access device groups, the transmission period includes a time slot group corresponding to each access device group participating in the networking, wherein each time slot group includes at least two consecutive time slots; The remaining time slots in each time slot group, excluding those corresponding to the onboard control box and the shift leader's passenger terminal, are allocated to the member passenger terminals of that access device group in the following manner: The same time slot is allocated to at least two passenger terminals, wherein the at least two passenger terminals use different time periods for the time slot; or, Allocate the idle time slots to the passenger terminals of the group members who initiated the occupancy request.

7. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that: After exiting the network with other access device groups, the remaining time slots in the transmission cycle, excluding the time slots corresponding to the vehicle control box and the shift leader's passenger terminal of that access device group, are allocated to the member passenger terminals of that access device group in the following manner: Allocating the same time slot to at least two passenger terminals, wherein the at least two passenger terminals use different time periods for that time slot; or... Allocate the idle time slots to the passenger terminals of the group members who initiated the occupancy request.

8. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that: In a wireless ad hoc network system, when an access device transmits data in its corresponding time slot, the transmitted data carries a first identifier, which is used to indicate whether only other access devices in the same group as the access device are allowed to receive it. In a wireless ad hoc network system, another access device performs data reception operations in the following ways: If the received data carries the first identifier, the access device that sent the data is determined according to the target time slot corresponding to the received data. If the local access device and the access device that sent the data both belong to the same group of access devices, then the data in the target time slot will be received and processed.

9. The system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The access device is a vehicle-mounted control box. After receiving data through the vehicle-to-vehicle communication network, the vehicle-mounted control box sends the data from the vehicle-to-vehicle communication network and also sends the first identifier, wherein: The first identifier is used to indicate that the shift leader's terminal, which is in the same group as the vehicle control box, receives the signal; or, The first identifier is used to indicate that the shift leader's terminal and at least some of the passenger terminals in the same group as the vehicle control box receive the signal.

10. The system according to claim 5 or 8, characterized in that: In a wireless ad hoc network system, when an access device transmits data in its corresponding time slot, the transmitted data carries a second identifier, which is used to indicate whether only the selected access device is allowed to receive it. In a wireless ad hoc network system, another access device performs data reception operations in the following ways: If the received data carries the second identifier, and the local access device is among the selected access devices indicated by the second identifier, then the data is received and processed.

11. The system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The access device is a squad leader / crew member terminal. The squad leader / passenger terminal sends a second identifier while sending data for inter-vehicle communication. The access device selected in the second identifier is the vehicle control box in the same group as the squad leader / passenger terminal.

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