Wireless communication system and wireless communication method for wireless communication in communication shadow area environment

Abstract

The invention discloses a wireless communication system and a wireless communication method for wireless communication in a communication shadow area environment. The wireless communication system may include: a first communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a first radio device through a first communication channel; and a second communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a second radio device through a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device may communicate with each other using a metal body as a communication medium, and broadcast a pilot signal including communication channel information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system and a wireless communication method for performing wireless communication in a communication shadow zone environment. Background Art

[0002] When a traditional communication antenna is placed or comes into contact with a metal surface such as iron, its resonance and radiation characteristics tend to deteriorate. Therefore, in the presence of a communication shadow zone (for example, an environment shielded by metal such as a container or a ship, etc.), there are technical difficulties in establishing communication between an antenna placed inside and an antenna placed outside. Therefore, it is necessary to study a completely new device and method to overcome the metal shielding environment, propagate electromagnetic waves, and perform data communication. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Technical Method for Solving the Problem

[0004] A wireless communication method according to an embodiment may include the following operations: a first communication relay device receives voice data from a first radio device through a first communication channel; the first communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second communication relay device using a metal body as a communication medium; the first communication relay device broadcasts a first pilot signal including communication channel information about the first communication channel; the second communication relay device receives the voice data from the first communication relay device using a metal body as a communication medium; the second communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second radio device through a second communication channel; and the second communication relay device broadcasts a second pilot signal including communication channel information about the second communication channel.

[0005] The operation of broadcasting the first pilot signal may include the following operations: periodically broadcasting the first pilot signal during the standby state time of the first communication relay device.

[0006] The operation of broadcasting the second pilot signal may include the following operations: periodically broadcasting the second pilot signal during the standby state time of the second communication relay device.

[0007] The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device may each be configured to: broadcast a pilot signal with a preset signal strength.

[0008] The first communication relay device may be configured to: broadcast a first pilot signal having a signal strength lower than the signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during communication with the first radio device.

[0009] The second communication relay device may be configured to: broadcast a second pilot signal having a signal strength lower than that of a signal transmitted or received during communication with the second radio device.

[0010] The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device may be provided on a ship.

[0011] The first radio device may be configured to: when receiving the second pilot signal, based on communication channel information about the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal, convert a current communication channel to be used for communication to the second communication channel.

[0012] The second radio device may be configured to: when receiving the first pilot signal, based on communication channel information about the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal, convert the current communication channel to the first communication channel.

[0013] A computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium according to an embodiment, which, in combination with hardware, executes the wireless communication method.

[0014] A wireless communication system according to an embodiment includes: a first communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a first radio device through a first communication channel; and a second communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a second radio device through a second communication channel different from the first communication channel, wherein the first communication relay device and the second relay device may be configured to: use a metal body as a communication medium to communicate with each other and broadcast a pilot signal including communication channel information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 A schematic diagram for explaining the principle of data transmission through a metal body medium according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 A drawing for explaining an antenna unit and a data processing unit included in a communication relay device according to an embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 A drawing for explaining a wireless communication system according to an embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 A flowchart for explaining operations of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 A block diagram showing components of a communication relay device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The specific structural or functional descriptions of the disclosed embodiments are for illustrative purposes only, and various changes can be made to the embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited or defined by a specific disclosure form, and all contingencies, equivalents, or alternatives of the embodiments are included within the scope of the claims.

[0021] In the description of various components, terms such as first or second can be used, and these terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another. For example, the first component can be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component can also be referred to as the first component.

[0022] When a constituent element is described as "connected" to another constituent element, it should be understood that the constituent element can be directly connected or attached to the other constituent element, or it can also be understood that the other constituent element is "connected" between the constituent elements.

[0023] In the case where there is no special description in the content, singular expressions include plural meanings. In this article, "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", and "at least one of A, B or C" can include any one listed together, or all possible combinations thereof. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" are used to express the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and do not exclude the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof, or additional functions.

[0024] In the absence of other definitions, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the ordinary meaning understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Terms that are commonly used and have the same dictionary definition should be understood to have a meaning consistent with the ordinary content of the relevant technology. Without being explicitly stated in this application, they should not be overly idealized or construed as having a formal meaning.

[0025] The term "module" used herein can include units implemented by hardware, software, or firmware, and can be used interchangeably with other terms, such as "logic", "logic block", "component", or "circuit". A module can be an overall component, or the smallest unit or a part of a component that performs one or more functions. According to one embodiment, a module can be implemented in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0026] As used herein, the term "~ unit" refers to a software or a hardware component such as an FPGA or an ASIC, and the "~ unit" performs certain roles. However, the "~ unit" is not limited to software or hardware. The "~ unit" may be configured on an addressable storage medium or may be configured to execute more than one processor. For example, the "~ unit" may include components (such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components), processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, program code segments, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within the components and the "~ unit" may be combined into a smaller number of components and "~ unit", or further divided into additional components and "~ unit". In addition, the components and the "~ unit" may be implemented to reproduce more than one CPU within a device or a secure multimedia card. In addition, the "~ unit" may include more than one processor.

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. And, in the process of describing with reference to the accompanying drawings, regardless of the reference numerals, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0028] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of transmitting data through a metal body medium according to an embodiment.

[0029] According to an embodiment, a communication relay device (for example, Figure 3 the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340) can communicate using a metal body as a medium. The communication relay device can use a metal body as a medium to receive voice data from a radio device and transmit the received voice data to another communication relay device. The communication relay device can effectively use a metal object as a medium for wireless communication in a communication shadow area environment where it is difficult to communicate using radio waves due to metal objects such as ships, containers, trailers, etc. The communication relay device may include an antenna unit, which is attached to the metal hull of a ship, forms an electromagnetic field in the metal hull, and propagates by loading the voice data received from a data processing unit (such as a processor) into the electromagnetic field through the metal body. The antenna unit of the communication relay device can receive the voice data transmitted to the electromagnetic field through the metal body, and the communication relay device can transmit the received voice data to a radio device through its communication channel.

[0030] Next, with reference to Figure 1 explain the principle by which voice data can be transmitted through a metal body. Figure 1Schematic diagram for explaining the principle of transmitting voice data through a metal body (e.g., a metal hull). In the illustrated example, the metal body medium 101 can be, for example, the steel plate or frame structure of a hull, etc. The cases where the metal body medium 101 is a magnetic material and the case where the metal body medium 101 is a diamagnetic material will be described separately below.

[0031] When the metal body medium 101 is a magnetic material

[0032] The conductive layer of the first antenna 110 can form an electromagnetic field in the dielectric layer. Thereafter, through this electromagnetic field, an electromagnetic field dominated by a magnetic field can be formed in the metal body medium 101 serving as a radio wave medium. From the generated electromagnetic field, the electric field E1 can be propagated in a direction perpendicular to the metal body medium 101 through the opening surface of the first antenna 110. The propagated electric field E1 can form an electromagnetic field B dominated by a magnetic field within the metal body medium 101.

[0033] Thereafter, according to the reciprocity theory, the second antenna 120 on the receiving part side with a similar structure and principle can receive energy from the electromagnetic field formed within the metal body medium 101. During this process, the change in the electromagnetic field B dominated by a magnetic field can be transmitted to the electromagnetic field E2 dominated by an electric field in the dielectric layer through the opening surface of the second antenna 120.

[0034] In communication using such a metal body as a medium (also known as metal body communication), since the magnetic field is dominant, even if the shape and size of the metal body medium 101 change, the change in impedance may be very small. In addition, the metal body medium 101 has a higher magnetic permeability than air, so it can have a better radio wave transmission efficiency than a communication system that transmits radio waves through air. Therefore, the communication distance through the magnetic metal body medium 101 can be longer than the communication distance of magnetic field communication through air. In order to form an electromagnetic field dominated by a magnetic field, the resonance part and the circuit part of the communication relay device need to be designed so that an electric field of a certain magnitude is formed inside the metal body of the resonance part and the circuit part.

[0035] Through the electromagnetic field formed in the metal body medium 101, even a resonator at a certain distance from the metal body medium 101 can perform energy transmission. Since the magnetic field is dominant in the electromagnetic field formed in the metal body medium 101, an electric field can be radiated from the metal body medium 101. Thus, when an antenna resonating at the operating frequency is within a certain distance from the metal body medium 101, it can receive energy.

[0036] The dielectric of the dielectric layer of the first antenna 110 or the second antenna 120 can reduce the thickness and size of the resonance part and form an electromagnetic field B dominated by a magnetic field within the metal body medium 101, so that sufficient energy can be transmitted.

[0037] When the metal body medium 101 is a paramagnetic material or a diamagnetic material

[0038] The current supplied to the conductive layer side can form an electric field-dominated electromagnetic field E1 within the metal body medium 101. At this time, the electric field radiated from the opening surface cannot form a magnetic field-dominated electromagnetic field B within the metal body medium 101. This is because paramagnetic materials and diamagnetic materials have a magnetic permeability similar to that of air. Therefore, the propagation of the magnetic field in the metal body medium 101 of paramagnetic or diamagnetic materials is not stronger than that of ferromagnetic materials, but the magnitudes of propagation are similar. In other words, the propagation distances are similar in air or inside the metal body.

[0039] Pure iron is a ferromagnetic material with a magnetic permeability of 4,000 to 5,000, while the magnetic permeability of aluminum as a paramagnetic material or silver (Ag) as a diamagnetic material is approximately 1.0. Therefore, the intensity of the magnetic field propagation inside the metal body will vary. Thus, in this case, the signal can be propagated to the receiver through the current induced in the metal body medium 101 by the layer in contact with the metal body medium 101 in the conductive layer of the antenna. Here, the electric field radiated from the opening surface can be induced within the metal body and transmit signals or power through it.

[0040] Figure 2 An attached drawing for illustrating the antenna unit and data processing unit included in a communication relay device according to an embodiment.

[0041] Figure 2 Illustrates the antenna unit 210 and data processing unit 220 according to an embodiment. In the illustrated example, the antenna unit 210 may include a first layer of conductive material that includes an opening surface and faces the metal body medium; a second layer of conductive material that is disposed on the opposite surface of the first layer; and a third layer of dielectric material that is included between the first layer and the second layer. The number of opening surfaces may vary according to the application or communication environment. The first layer and the second layer may have one or more opening surfaces, but may not have any opening surfaces depending on the situation. The shape of the opening surface may be circular or polygonal, and its size may be determined such that sufficient energy can be transmitted by forming a magnetic field-dominated electromagnetic field within the metal body medium.

[0042] The thickness of each layer can be determined by considering the wavelength and skin depth so that sufficient energy can be transmitted by forming a magnetic field-dominated electromagnetic field within the metal body medium. Other layers with different electrical properties can be added to the first layer or the second layer in a direction opposite to that of the third layer. For example, another dielectric layer can be added on top of the first layer to induce the formation of a strong electromagnetic field. In another example, an insulator can be added on top of the first layer to prevent electrical connection with the metal body medium.

[0043] The third layer, serving as an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer, can be composed of a dielectric or an insulator. The third layer can include, for example, at least one material such as carbon fiber, acrylic, or polycarbonate, but is not limited thereto. However, the third layer can also include other materials such as paint, paper, polymer resin film, etc. In addition, the third layer can include multiple layers, multiple dielectrics, or insulators with different properties.

[0044] In addition, a ferromagnetic material can be pre-attached to the metal body medium 101 to induce a strong magnetic field in the metal body. For example, a dielectric or an insulator can be attached to the first layer, and a ferromagnetic material can be attached thereto. Then it can be placed on the metal body medium 101. Thereafter, the attached ferromagnetic material forms a strong magnetic field and can induce a magnetic field in the metal body medium, thereby forming a stronger magnetic field than the case where a magnetic field is directly induced in the metal body.

[0045] The data processing unit 220 can be a circuit device that converts the data and / or signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit 210, which is a resonance unit, into meaningful data and / or signals. The data processing unit 220 can include a circuit for transmission and a circuit for reception, and can include a circuit configuration for processing (or converting) data and / or signals.

[0046] Figure 3 The drawings for illustrating a wireless communication system according to an embodiment.

[0047] See Figure 3 , a wireless communication system according to an embodiment can be a wireless communication system for communicating between radio devices 340 and 360 on a ship 300. However, the scope of this embodiment is not limited thereto, and the proposed wireless communication system can also be used in other communication shadow area environments. For example, when there is a metal body medium other than the metal hull of the ship 300 and communication between metal communication relay devices 310 and 340 can be performed through this metal body medium, the description herein can be applied. In this specification, the term "radio device" can be replaced by "radio".

[0048] The wireless communication system can include a first communication relay device 310 that wirelessly communicates with a first radio device 330 through a first communication channel; and a second communication relay device 340 that wirelessly communicates with a second radio device 360 through a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. The first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 can be arranged on the ship 300. The first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 can use the metal body as a communication medium to communicate with each other. For example, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 can be based on Figure 1The communication principle described in [reference] uses the metal hull of the ship 300 as a metal body medium to communicate with each other. In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 may be located at the stern of the ship 300, and the second communication relay device 340 may be located at the front of the ship 300.

[0049] In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 may form an electromagnetic field on the metal hull through the first antenna attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and load the voice data received from the first radio device 330 into the electromagnetic field in the form of a signal for propagation. The second communication relay device 340 may receive the signal transmitted through the electromagnetic field through the second antenna attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and extract the voice data from the received signal. The second communication relay device 340 may transmit the extracted voice data through the second communication channel, and the second radio device 360 may receive the voice data generated by the first radio device 330 through the second communication channel.

[0050] In one embodiment, the second communication relay device 340 may form an electromagnetic field on the metal hull through the second antenna attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and load the voice data received from the second radio device 360 into the electromagnetic field in the form of a signal for propagation. The first communication relay device 310 may receive the signal transmitted through the electromagnetic field through the first antenna attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and extract the voice data from the received signal. The first communication relay device 310 may transmit the extracted voice data through the first communication channel, and the first radio device 330 may receive the voice data generated by the second radio device 360 through the first communication channel.

[0051] In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 may broadcast (or transmit) a pilot signal including their respective communication channel information. For example, the first communication relay device 310 may broadcast a first pilot signal including the communication channel information about the first communication channel. The second communication relay device 340 may broadcast a second pilot signal including the communication channel information about the second communication channel. For example, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 may each periodically broadcast a pilot signal during the standby state time. Here, the standby state time may refer to the time when the communication relay device does not communicate with the radio device and other communication relay devices (or the time when it does not process wireless transmission and reception).

[0052] In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 can each broadcast a pilot signal with a preset signal strength. For example, the first communication relay device 310 can broadcast a pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signals transmitted or received during communication with the first radio device 330, and the second communication relay device 340 can broadcast a pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signals transmitted or received during communication with the second radio device 360. In one embodiment, the pilot signal can be a signal with a weak signal strength transmitted point by point at a specific time point or time interval. The pilot signal can be used as a signal to notify the radio device receiving the pilot signal that there is an available communication channel at its location.

[0053] While communicating with the first communication relay device 310, the first radio device 330 can be moved out of the communication range 320 of the first communication relay device 310 and into the communication range 350 of the second communication relay device 340. In this case, the first radio device 330 can receive a second pilot signal transmitted from the second communication relay device 340. When the first radio device 330 receives the second pilot signal transmitted from the second communication relay device 340, the first radio device 330 can convert the current communication channel to be used for communication to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information of the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal. This conversion of the communication channel can be performed automatically. Alternatively, the first radio device 330 can provide a notification to the user of the first radio device 330 notifying that the second communication channel has been detected or requesting a conversion to the second communication channel.

[0054] While communicating with the second communication relay device 340, the second radio device 360 can be moved out of the communication range 350 of the second communication relay device 340 and into the communication range 320 of the first communication relay device 310. In this case, the second radio device 360 can receive a first pilot signal transmitted from the first communication relay device 310. When the second radio device 360 receives the first pilot signal transmitted from the first communication relay device 310, the second radio device 360 can convert the current communication channel to be used for communication to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information of the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal. This conversion of the communication channel can be performed automatically. Alternatively, the second radio device 360 can provide a notification to the user of the second radio device 360 notifying that the first communication channel has been detected or requesting a conversion to the first communication channel.

[0055] The communication range 320 (the range in which communication can be performed with the first communication relay device 310) and the communication range 350 (the range in which communication can be performed with the second communication relay device 340) may or may not overlap. Additionally, according to the embodiment, the number of communication relay devices may also be three or more.

[0056] When a specific radio device receives the first pilot signal and the second pilot signal simultaneously, the radio device may set the communication channel to a communication channel with a better communication environment (or communication quality). For example, when the intensity of the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) when receiving the first pilot signal is greater than the RSSI when receiving the second pilot signal, the radio device may estimate that the communication environment of the first communication channel transmitting the first pilot signal is better than the communication environment of the second communication channel transmitting the second pilot signal, and may set the communication channel to the first communication channel.

[0057] The first radio device 330 and the second radio device 360 may perform a channel scan on the communication channel used for communication. For example, the first radio device 330 and the second radio device 360 may search for a communicable communication channel by switching the communication channels in the order of the first communication channel, the second communication channel, the third communication channel, and so on. In addition, the first radio device 330 and the second radio device 360 may attempt to communicate through the communication channel transmitting voice data (or signal) or the last activated communication channel. In the case of an existing communication system, when a radio device does not communicate when set to the first communication channel and then is moved to a communication area where communication is performed on the second communication channel, the radio device may initially attempt to communicate through the first communication channel, which may result in communication failure. In addition, in an existing communication system, in order to link a radio device to a communication relay device, the user must manually convert the communication channel of the radio device to a communicable communication channel, which may be inconvenient. In addition, when the user fails to appropriately convert the communication channel, the radio device cannot be linked to the communication relay device, which may result in a situation where communication is impossible.

[0058] However, as proposed in the present disclosure, when the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 each continuously send pilot signals to indicate their communication channels, a radio device can effectively identify the communication channels available for communication at its location. The radio device can reduce the possibility of communication failure due to incorrect communication channel settings by automatically converting the currently set communication channel to the communication channel identified by the pilot signal. Regardless of the location of the radio device, the radio device can automatically set and operate the communication channel by automatically finding the best communication channel available for communication through the pilot signal. In addition, the wireless device needs to set the communication channel to a communication channel capable of receiving a better signal. By reducing the output power of the pilot signals transmitted by the communication relay devices 310 and 340 according to one or more embodiments, the discrimination ability of the signals receivable by the radio devices 330 and 360 can be maximized, so that the radio devices 330 and 360 can set the optimal communication channel.

[0059] Figure 4 Flowchart for illustrating the operation of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment.

[0060] Referring to Figure 4 , in operation 410, the first communication relay device 310 may receive voice data from a first radio device (e.g., Figure 3 the first radio device 330) through a first communication channel.

[0061] In operation 415, the first communication relay device 310 may transmit the voice data to the second communication relay device 340 using a metal body as a communication medium. The voice data may be transmitted by being carried by an electromagnetic field formed in the metal body.

[0062] In operation 420, the first communication relay device 310 may broadcast a first pilot signal including communication channel information about the first communication channel. In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 may periodically broadcast the first pilot signal during the standby state time of the first communication relay device 310. The first communication relay device 310 may broadcast the first pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signals transmitted or received during the communication with the first radio device.

[0063] In operation 425, the second communication relay device 340 may receive the voice data from the first communication relay device 310 using a metal body as a communication medium.

[0064] In operation 430, the second communication relay device 340 may transmit the voice data to a second radio device (e.g., Figure 3 the second radio device 360) through a second communication channel.

[0065] In operation 435, the second communication relay device 340 may broadcast a second pilot signal including communication channel information about the second communication channel. The second communication relay device 340 may broadcast the second pilot signal periodically during the standby state time of the second communication relay device 340. The second communication relay device 340 may broadcast the second pilot signal having a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signal transmitted or received during communication with the second radio device.

[0066] In operation 440, the second communication relay device 340 may receive voice data from the second radio device through the second communication channel.

[0067] In operation 445, the second communication relay device 340 may transmit the voice data to the first communication relay device 310 using a metal body as a communication medium. The voice data may be transmitted by being carried by an electromagnetic field formed in the metal body.

[0068] In operation 450, the second communication relay device 340 may broadcast a second pilot signal including communication channel information about the second communication channel.

[0069] In operation 455, the first communication relay device 310 may receive the voice data from the second communication relay device 340 using a metal body as a communication medium.

[0070] In operation 460, the first communication relay device 310 may transmit the voice data to the first radio device through the first communication channel.

[0071] In operation 465, the first communication relay device 310 may broadcast a first pilot signal including communication channel information about the first communication channel.

[0072] In one embodiment, when the first radio device is moved into the communication range of the second communication relay device 340 while communicating with the first communication relay device 310, the first radio device may receive the second pilot signal through the second communication channel. When the second pilot signal is received, the first radio device may convert the current communication channel to be used for communication to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information of the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal.

[0073] When the second radio device is moved into the communication range of the first communication relay device 310 while communicating with the second communication relay device 340, the second radio device may receive the first pilot signal through the first communication channel. When the first pilot signal is received, the second radio device may convert the current communication channel to be used for communication to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information of the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal.

[0074] Figure 5 A block diagram showing components of a communication relay device according to an embodiment.

[0075] Referring to Figure 5 , the communication relay device 500 may correspond to the communication relay device described in the present disclosure (e.g., Figure 3 the first wireless relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340). The communication relay device 500 may include a processor 510, a memory 520, and a communication module 530, and each component of the communication relay device 500 may communicate with each other through a communication bus 540. In one embodiment, the communication relay device 500 may omit certain components, or other components may be added to the communication relay device 500.

[0076] The processor 510 may control other components (e.g., hardware or software components) of the communication relay device 500 and may perform various types of data processing or operations. In one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or operation, the processor 510 may store instructions or data received from another component in the memory 520, process the instructions or data stored in the memory 520, and store the resulting data in the memory 520.

[0077] The processor 510 may include a main processor (e.g., a CPU or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural processing unit (NPU), an image signal processor, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently of or together with the main processor.

[0078] The memory 520 may store various data used by components of the communication relay device 500 (e.g., the processor 510 or the communication module 530). The data may include, for example, programs (e.g., application programs), input data and / or output data for instructions related thereto, and voice data received from a radio device. The memory 520 may store instructions executable by the processor 510. The memory 520 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, the processor 510 and the memory 520 may be included in Figure 2 the data processing unit 220 and operate therein.

[0079] The communication module 530 may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the communication relay device 500 and another device (e.g., another communication relay device, a radio device), and communication through the established communication channel. The communication module 530 may include communication circuitry for performing communication functions. The communication module 530 may include a CP that operates independently of the processor 510 and supports direct (e.g., wired) or wireless communication. The communication module 530 may include a wireless communication module and / or a wired communication module for performing wireless communication. The communication module 530 may include, for example Figure 2 the antenna unit 210.

[0080] The processor 510 may control the communication relay device 500 by executing instructions stored in the memory 520 to enable it to perform more than one operation of the communication relay device described in the present disclosure.

[0081] The embodiments described above can be implemented by hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices and components described in the embodiments can be implemented using, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable array (FPA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions. They can be embodied using one or more general-purpose computers or special-purpose computers. The processing device can execute an operating system (OS) and one or more application software executed in the operating system. Also, the processing device responds to the execution of the software to access, store, operate, process, and generate data. For ease of understanding, it is described in a manner of having only one processing device, but those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the processing device can include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, the processing device can include multiple processors or one processor and one controller. And it can also include other processing configurations similar to a parallel processor.

[0082] Software can include a computer program, code, instruction, or a combination of more than one of them, which can enable a processing device to operate in the expected manner, or command the processing device individually or collectively. For the purpose of being interpreted by the processing device or providing commands or data to the processing device, the software and / or data can be permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of device, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium or device, or the transmitted signal wave. The software is distributed on computer systems connected through a network and can be stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data can be stored in more than one computer-readable and writable storage medium.

[0083] The method according to an embodiment is embodied in the form of program commands that can be executed by various computer means and is recorded in a computer-readable and writable medium. The computer-readable and writable medium can include program commands, data files, data structures, etc. in a single or combined form. The program instructions recorded in the medium can be instructions specially designed and configured to implement the embodiment, or instructions that can be used by those of ordinary skill in the computer software field based on known uses. The computer-readable and writable recording medium can include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc.; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands such as read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), flash memories, etc. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes generated by compilers but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer by using interpreters, etc.

[0084] The above hardware device can be configured to act as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the above embodiments, and vice versa.

[0085] In summary, the embodiments are described through limited drawings, and those of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes and adaptations based on the description. For example, the described technology is executed in a different order from the described method, and / or the components such as the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. are combined or assembled in a different form from the described method, or are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents, and appropriate results can also be obtained.

[0086] Accordingly, other embodiments, other examples, and equivalents within the scope of the claims are all within the scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that: The following operations are included: The first communication relay device receives voice data from the first radio device through the first communication channel; The first communication relay device uses a metal body as a communication medium to transmit the voice data to the second communication relay device; The first communication relay device broadcasts a first pilot signal including communication channel information about the first communication channel; The second communication relay device uses a metal body as a communication medium to receive the voice data from the first communication relay device; The second communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second radio device via a second communication channel; as well as The second communication relay device broadcasts a second pilot signal including communication channel information about the second communication channel.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The operation of broadcasting the first pilot signal includes the following operations: periodically broadcasting the first pilot signal during the standby state time of the first communication relay device, The operation of broadcasting the second pilot signal includes the following operations: The second pilot signal is periodically broadcasted during the standby time of the second communication relay device.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are each configured as: Broadcasts a pilot signal with a preset signal strength.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first communication relay device is configured as: broadcasting a first pilot signal having a signal strength lower than a signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during communication with the first radio device, The second communication relay device is configured as: A second pilot signal is broadcasted, the second pilot signal having a lower signal strength than a signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during communications with the second radio device.

5. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are installed on a ship.

6. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first radio device is configured to: When the second pilot signal is received, the current communication channel for communication to be performed is converted to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information about the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second radio device is configured to: When the first pilot signal is received, a current communication channel is converted to the first communication channel based on communication channel information about the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal.

8. A computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, which is combined with hardware to execute the method of claim 1.

9. A wireless communication system, characterized in that: include: A first communication relay device that performs wireless communication with the first radio device via a first communication channel; and a second communication relay device for wirelessly communicating with a second radio device via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel; The first communication relay device and the second relay device are configured as follows: Use metal bodies as communication media to communicate with each other. A pilot signal including communication channel information is broadcast.

10. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are each configured as: Broadcasts a pilot signal with a preset signal strength. The pilot signal is broadcast periodically during the standby state time.

11. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are each configured as: Broadcasts a pilot signal with a preset signal strength.

12. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first communication relay device is configured as: broadcasting a pilot signal having a signal strength lower than a signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during communication with the first radio device, The second communication relay device is configured as: A pilot signal having a lower signal strength than a signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during communication with the second radio device is broadcasted.

13. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are installed on a ship.

14. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first radio device is configured to: When a second pilot signal including communication channel information about the second communication channel is received, a current communication channel for communication to be performed is converted to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information about the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal.

15. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second radio device is configured to: When a first pilot signal including communication channel information about the first communication channel is received, a current communication channel is converted to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information about the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal.

Images