Antenna control method and communication system

Abstract

To disclose a technique for effectively receiving signals transmitted between communication devices even when antenna selection cannot be performed based on a received wireless communication signal.SOLUTION: An antenna control method relating to the technique disclosed in the specification of the present application is an antenna control method in a communication device that transmits wireless communication signals regularly or irregularly using a plurality of antennas. The antenna control method includes switching an antenna used to transmit the wireless communication signals in accordance with a transmission cycle, which is a cycle according to which the wireless communication signals are transmitted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to wireless communication technology. [Background technology]

[0002] Known methods for improving transmission and reception performance in wireless communications include selection diversity, in which two antennas receive a signal and the antenna that provides the higher received field strength is used as the receiving antenna, and transmit diversity, in which the antenna that provides the higher received field strength is also used for transmission.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method in which data is transmitted and received using two antennas, and the average reception levels at each antenna are compared to determine whether to fix the antenna used for transmission and reception or to perform diversity control.

[0004] Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method in which, in a wireless device equipped with two or more antennas, an antenna determined as a receiving antenna is also used as a transmitting antenna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2000-196512 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-298384 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In a method of transmitting and receiving wireless communication at an access point of a wireless local area network (LAN), there are cases where a wireless communication signal needs to be transmitted from the own device before receiving a wireless communication signal from another device, such as when a beacon is first transmitted from the own device and then a probe is received from a client (another device). In such a case, the own device may not be able to select an antenna appropriate for wireless communication, and communication with the receiver may not be established.

[0007] In the method shown in Patent Document 2, for example, the antenna selection during diversity transmission is based on the antenna selection during reception of a wireless communication signal. Therefore, in a case where it is necessary to transmit a wireless communication signal from one's own device prior to receiving a wireless communication signal from another device, it may not be possible to select an antenna appropriate for wireless communication in one's own device, and communication with the receiver may not be established.

[0008] The technology disclosed in this specification has been made in consideration of the problems described above, and is a technology for effectively receiving signals transmitted between communication devices even when antenna selection cannot be performed based on a received wireless communication signal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A first aspect of the technology disclosed in the present specification is an antenna control method in a communication device that transmits wireless communication signals periodically or irregularly using multiple antennas, and switches the antennas used to transmit the wireless communication signals in accordance with a transmission period, which is a period during which the wireless communication signals are transmitted. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to at least a first aspect of the technology disclosed in the present specification, by configuring the antenna for wireless communication signals to be switched in accordance with the signal transmission or reception period, wireless communication can be performed using each antenna, thereby making it possible to effectively receive signals transmitted between communication devices.

[0011] Furthermore, objects, features, aspects and advantages associated with the technology disclosed herein will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below and the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of signal transmission timing from a wireless device and transmission antenna switching timing in a communication system according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of signal transmission timing and transmitting antenna switching timing in a communication system according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiments, detailed features are shown for the purpose of explaining the technology, but they are merely examples and are not necessarily essential features for enabling the embodiments to be implemented.

[0014] The drawings are schematic, and for the sake of convenience, configurations may be omitted or simplified as appropriate. The size and positional relationship of the configurations shown in different drawings are not necessarily described accurately, and may be changed as appropriate. Hatching may be used in drawings such as plan views that are not cross-sectional views to facilitate understanding of the contents of the embodiments.

[0015] In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted to avoid duplication.

[0016] Furthermore, in the description in this specification, when a certain component is described as "comprising," "including," or "having," unless otherwise specified, this is not an exclusive expression that excludes the presence of other components.

[0017] Furthermore, even if ordinal numbers such as "first" or "second" are used in the description of this specification, these terms are used for convenience to facilitate understanding of the contents of the embodiments, and the contents of the embodiments are not limited to the orders that may result from these ordinal numbers.

[0018] <First embodiment> The antenna control method and the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described below.

[0019] <Communication system configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication system includes a local device 11 and another device 12. Both the local device 11 and the other device 12 are devices capable of wireless communication.

[0020] Apparatus 11 is an apparatus that starts wireless communication with another apparatus upon transmission of its own wireless communication signal, such as an access point of a wireless LAN. Other apparatus 12 is an apparatus that performs wireless communication with apparatus 11, such as a client of a wireless LAN.

[0021] For simplicity, only one other device 12 is shown in FIG. 1, but the present invention is also applicable to a case where a plurality of other devices 12 exist.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of device 11 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, device 11 includes antenna 21, antenna 22, antenna control unit 23 that changes the connection between antenna 21 and antenna 22, radio 24 that transmits and receives radio communication signals to and from antenna control unit 23, and device control unit 25 that transmits and receives radio communication data to and from radio 24. Device control unit 25 transmits control signal 26 to antenna control unit 23 to determine an antenna to be connected. Radio 24 may not support diversity control.

[0023] In FIG. 2, the control signal 26 is input from the device control unit 25 to the antenna control unit 23, but it may be input from the radio device 24 to the antenna control unit 23.

[0024] The antenna control unit 23 and the device control unit 25 control the controlled object by executing a program stored in an internal or external recording medium (such as a volatile or non-volatile memory such as a HDD, RAM, ROM or flash memory), and are composed of processing circuits such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor or a microcomputer.

[0025] <About the operation of the communication system> Next, the operation of the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a timing chart showing an example of the timing of signal transmission from the wireless device 24 and the timing of switching the transmission antenna in the communication system according to the present embodiment.

[0026] Here, since device 11 is a device that initiates wireless communication with other device 12 upon its own transmission, device 11 transmits a signal to notify other device 12 of information about device 11 on a regular or irregular basis.

[0027] In addition, in device 11, device control unit 25 or wireless device 24, which controls antenna control unit 23 with control signal 26, may or may not know the timing of transmitting the above signal (signal for notifying information about device 11), but at least holds the transmission cycle as information. For example, in a wireless LAN access point, a beacon is transmitted at a transmission cycle of 100 milliseconds to transmit information about the device. In this case, device control unit 25 or wireless device 24 knows the transmission cycle of 100 milliseconds.

[0028] The wireless device 24 transmits a signal 201 at timing 301 (nth transmission from antenna 21), a signal 202 at timing 302 (nth transmission from antenna 22), a signal 203 at timing 303 (n+1th transmission from antenna 21), and a signal 204 at timing 304 (n+1th transmission from antenna 22). This may be at a fixed cycle such as 100 milliseconds, or may be irregular (the transmission cycle may vary, for example, from 100 milliseconds to 200 milliseconds, or transmission may be performed in synchronization with a specific event).

[0029] In device 11, device control unit 25 or wireless device 24, which inputs control signal 26 to antenna control unit 23, changes control signal 26 so that the antenna used for transmission can be switched between antenna 21 and antenna 22 in accordance with the held transmission cycle (i.e., a regular or irregular cycle in which a signal for notifying information of device 11 is transmitted to other device 12). As a result, for example, antenna 21 is switched to at timing 301, antenna 22 is switched to at timing 302, antenna 21 is switched to at timing 303, and antenna 22 is switched to at timing 304. Note that when the held transmission cycle is irregular, for example, by detecting the occurrence of an event that occurs in synchronization with transmission, control signal 26 is changed so that the antenna used for transmission can be switched between antenna 21 and antenna 22 in accordance with the detection.

[0030] By such an operation, the antenna switching is asynchronous with the signal transmission timing, but it is possible to switch the antenna for each signal transmission period.

[0031] In this embodiment, since signal transmission and antenna switching are asynchronous, there is a possibility that signal transmission and antenna switching may occur simultaneously, causing the operation of antenna control unit 23 to become unstable and making it impossible to properly transmit signals from the antenna. Therefore, it is also possible to suppress this simultaneous occurrence by randomly varying the antenna switching timing between signal transmission periods (between signal transmission timings).

[0032] In addition, in a case where the device control unit 25 does not know the timing of signal transmission, but the wireless device 24 knows the timing of signal transmission, and only the device control unit 25 can change the control signal 26, if the device control unit 25 has a function of notifying the device control unit 25 of information on whether the wireless device 24 is transmitting a signal, the device control unit 25 can control the timing of antenna switching so that it does not occur simultaneously with signal transmission, based on the "information on whether a signal is being transmitted" notified from the wireless device 24. In addition, in a case where the device control unit 25 does not know the timing of signal transmission, but the device control unit 25 knows the timing of signal transmission, and only the wireless device 24 can change the control signal 26, if the device control unit 25 has a function of notifying the wireless device 24 of information on whether a signal is being transmitted, the wireless device 24 can control the timing of antenna switching so that it does not occur simultaneously with signal transmission, based on the "information on whether a signal is being transmitted" notified from the device control unit 25. Furthermore, when the wireless device 24 outputs the antenna control signal 26 to the antenna control unit 23, the wireless device 24 can output the antenna switching control signal 26 to the antenna control unit 23 after a predetermined time has elapsed within a period prior to the next signal output after outputting a transmission signal. This makes it possible to prevent signal transmission and antenna switching from occurring simultaneously.

[0033] In this embodiment, a method of switching the antenna for transmitting the wireless communication signal in accordance with the held transmission cycle is presented, but if it is difficult to switch the antenna in accordance with the transmission cycle due to, for example, restrictions on the number of times the antenna can be switched, it is also possible to switch the antenna at a cycle that is an integer multiple of the transmission cycle. By doing so, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0034] As described above, by configuring the transmitting antenna of the wireless communication signal to be switched in accordance with the transmission period of the signal from device 11, it becomes possible for other device 12 to effectively receive the signal transmitted from device 11 (the probability of reception can be improved) even when the received electric field strength at other device differs between the multiple antennas of device 11, or even when device 11 is placed in an environment where only the signal transmitted by one of the antennas of device 11 can be received by the other device.

[0035] In addition, since the only information that needs to be held is the transmission cycle, even device control unit 25 that cannot know the signal transmission timing can appropriately change control signal 26.

[0036] Also, even when a diversity-compatible radio is used, for example, the control shown in this embodiment can be performed until a signal from another device is received, and after the signal from the other device is received, diversity control compatible with the radio can be performed. By doing so, the probability of reception by the other device can be increased even for transmissions before the signal from the other device is received.

[0037] <Second embodiment> The antenna control method and the communication system according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same components as those described in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0038] <Communication system configuration> In the first embodiment, the subject is a device 11 such as a wireless LAN access point that starts communication with another device 12 by its own transmission, but even a device that normally transmits a signal periodically or irregularly such as a beacon may need to receive signals from a plurality of devices, for example, while connecting to another device (first other device) as an access point as a client in a wireless LAN, waiting to receive a probe from another device (second other device) as an access point as a client. In the present embodiment, a configuration that can handle such a case is shown.

[0039] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the communication system includes a local device 41, another device 42, and another device 43. The local device 41, the other device 42, and the other device 43 are all devices capable of wireless communication.

[0040] Apparatus 41 is a device that has established communication with another device 42 serving as a parent device such as a wireless LAN client, and waits to receive a signal from another device 43 serving as a child device such as a wireless LAN access point. The specific configuration of apparatus 41 is, for example, similar to the configuration shown in FIG.

[0041] Another device 42 is a parent device, such as a wireless LAN access point, that has established communication with the own device 41. Another device 43 is a child device, such as a wireless LAN client, that communicates with the own device 41.

[0042] For simplicity, only two other devices are shown in FIG. 4, but the present invention is also applicable to a case where a plurality of devices equivalent to the other device 43 exist.

[0043] <About the operation of the communication system> Next, the operation of the communication system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a timing chart showing an example of signal transmission timing and transmission antenna switching timing in the communication system according to this embodiment.

[0044] Here, it is assumed that another device 42 acting as a parent device periodically transmits a signal to notify information about the other device 42 to the own device 41 .

[0045] In addition, in the own device 41, the device control unit 25 or the radio 24, which controls the antenna control unit 23 with the control signal 26, may or may not know the timing of receiving the above signal (a signal for notifying information of the other device 42), but is assumed to at least retain the transmission period of the above signal as information.

[0046] Another device 42 acting as a parent device transmits a signal 401 at a timing 501, a signal 402 at a timing 502, a signal 403 at a timing 503, and a signal 404 at a timing 504, respectively.

[0047] In device 41, device control unit 25 or wireless device 24, which inputs control signal 26 to antenna control unit 23, changes control signal 26 so that the antenna used for reception can be switched between antenna 21 and antenna 22 in accordance with the held transmission cycle (i.e., the cycle for transmitting a signal to device 41 to notify information of other device 42 that is the parent device). As a result, for example, antenna 21 is switched to at timing 501, antenna 22 is switched to at timing 502, antenna 21 is switched to at timing 503, and antenna 22 is switched to at timing 504.

[0048] By such an operation, although the antenna switching is asynchronous with the signal reception, it becomes possible for the antenna to be switched at each signal reception timing in the own device 41.

[0049] On the other hand, even in an environment where, for example, the antenna 21 of the device 41 itself can receive signals from the other device 43 that is a child device, but the antenna 22 of the device 41 cannot receive signals from the other device 43 that is a child device, by periodically switching the antenna of the device 41 to match the transmission period of the other device 42 that is a parent device, the possibility of receiving signals from the other device 43 that is a child device (such as probe reception) while receiving signals from the other device 42 that is a parent device is increased.

[0050] In this embodiment, since signal reception and antenna switching are asynchronous, there is a possibility that signal reception and antenna switching may occur simultaneously, causing the operation of antenna control unit 23 to become unstable and making it impossible for the antenna to properly receive the signal. Therefore, it is possible to suppress this simultaneous occurrence by varying the antenna switching timing by a random time between signal reception periods.

[0051] In addition, in a system that prioritizes communication with other device 43 as a child device and cannot tolerate interruption of communication with other device 42 as a parent device (for example, a system that places importance on communication with other device 42 as a parent device by fixing an antenna with high receiving electric field strength of signals transmitted from the parent device), if it is determined that it is better not to constantly switch antennas in response to a communication interruption with other device 42 as a parent device, it is also possible to receive signals transmitted from other device 42 as a parent device at each of antennas 21 and 22 and fix the antenna with higher receiving electric field strength (i.e., to prioritize communication with other device 42 as a parent device).

[0052] In this embodiment, a method of switching the antenna for receiving wireless communication signals according to the held reception cycle is presented, but if it is difficult to switch the antenna in accordance with the reception cycle due to restrictions on the number of times the antenna can be switched, it is also possible to switch the antenna at a cycle that is an integer multiple of the reception cycle. By doing so, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[0053] As described above, by configuring the receiving antenna for wireless communication signals to be switched in accordance with the receiving period of signals from other device 42, which is a parent device, even when the receiving field strength of the signal transmitted from other device 43, which is a child device, differs among multiple antennas of device 41 itself, or even when device 41 is placed in an environment where the signal can be received only by any of the antennas of device 41 itself, device 41 can effectively receive the signal transmitted from other device 43, which is a child device (the probability of receiving the signal can be improved).

[0054] In addition, since the only information that needs to be stored is the reception cycle, even device control unit 25 that cannot know the signal reception timing can appropriately change control signal 26.

[0055] <Effects of the above-described embodiments> Next, examples of effects produced by the above-described embodiments are shown. In the following description, the effects are described based on the specific configurations shown as examples in the above-described embodiments, but may be replaced with other specific configurations shown as examples in this specification as long as the same effects are produced. In other words, for convenience, only one of the corresponding specific configurations may be described as a representative below, but the representatively described specific configuration may be replaced with another corresponding specific configuration.

[0056] Furthermore, the replacement may be made across a number of embodiments, that is, configurations shown as examples in different embodiments may be combined to produce the same effect.

[0057] According to the embodiment described above, in the antenna control method, the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) used to transmit the wireless communication signal is switched in accordance with the transmission cycle, which is the period for transmitting the wireless communication signal.

[0058] According to such a configuration, the transmitting antenna of the wireless communication signal is switched in accordance with the transmission period of the signal from the device 11 itself, so that the wireless communication signal can be transmitted by each antenna, thereby making it possible to effectively receive signals transmitted between communication devices.

[0059] Furthermore, even if the timing of transmission or reception of the wireless communication signal is unknown (for example, the wireless device 24 does not support diversity), an effect similar to that of selection diversity can be obtained.

[0060] Furthermore, the same effect can be achieved even if other configurations, examples of which are shown in this specification, are appropriately added to the above configuration, i.e., even if other configurations in this specification that were not mentioned as the above configuration are appropriately added.

[0061] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the switching timing for switching the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) is set to a period between timings for transmitting wireless communication signals in a transmission cycle. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent signal transmission and antenna switching from occurring simultaneously.

[0062] According to the embodiment described above, the switching timing is set to vary in the period between the timings of transmitting the wireless communication signal in the transmission cycle, and this configuration makes it possible to prevent the signal transmission and the antenna switching from occurring simultaneously.

[0063] According to the embodiment described above, the communication device includes a control unit that controls switching of the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) and an information unit that holds transmission timing information, which is information related to the timing of transmitting a wireless communication signal. Here, the communication device corresponds to, for example, the own device 11, the own device 41, etc. In addition, as for the control unit and the information unit, for example, when the wireless device 24 corresponds to the control unit, the device control unit 25 corresponds to the information unit, and when the wireless device 24 corresponds to the information unit, the device control unit 25 corresponds to the control unit. The wireless device 24 inputs transmission timing information for transmitting a wireless communication signal to the device control unit 25. Then, the device control unit 25 sets the timing for switching the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) to a period between timings for transmitting a wireless communication signal in a transmission cycle. According to such a configuration, when the control unit does not know the timing of signal transmission, the information unit knows the timing of signal transmission, and only the control unit can change the control signal 26, the information unit notifies the control unit of information related to the timing of signal transmission, so that the control unit can control the timing of antenna switching so as not to occur simultaneously with the signal transmission.

[0064] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) used for transmitting wireless communication signals is switched at a period that is an integral multiple of the transmission period. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of times the antenna is switched and thus suppress power consumption.

[0065] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) used to receive wireless communication signals is switched in accordance with the reception cycle, which is the cycle for receiving wireless communication signals.

[0066] According to this configuration, the receiving antenna for wireless communication signals is configured to be switched in accordance with the reception period of signals from the other device 42 that is the parent device, so that wireless communication signals can be received by each antenna, thereby making it possible to effectively receive signals transmitted between communication devices.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the switching timing for switching the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) is set to a period between timings for receiving wireless communication signals in a reception cycle. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent signal transmission and antenna switching from occurring simultaneously.

[0068] According to the embodiment described above, the switching timing is set to vary depending on the period between the timings of receiving wireless communication signals in the reception cycle, and this configuration makes it possible to prevent signal transmission and antenna switching from occurring simultaneously.

[0069] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the multiple antennas include a first antenna (one of antenna 21 and antenna 22) capable of receiving wireless communication signals and a second antenna (the other of antenna 21 and antenna 22) incapable of receiving wireless communication signals, and when switching to the second antenna would result in communication being cut off, the first antenna is fixed and not switched to. With this configuration, effective communication can be achieved in a communication system that prioritizes communication with a specific communication device.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the antenna 21 (or the antenna 22) used to receive wireless communication signals is switched at a period that is an integral multiple of the reception period. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the number of antenna switching times and suppress power consumption.

[0071] According to the embodiment described above, the communication system includes a plurality of communication devices which transmit and receive wireless communication signals to and from each other. The plurality of communication devices includes at least one first communication device which transmits or receives wireless communication signals using a plurality of antennas 21 (or antennas 22). Here, the first communication device corresponds to, for example, the own device 11, the own device 41, etc. The first communication device switches the antenna 21 (or antenna 22) in response to a transmission cycle which is a cycle for transmitting wireless communication signals or a reception cycle which is a cycle for receiving wireless communication signals.

[0072] According to this configuration, by configuring the multiple antennas used for wireless communication signals to be switched in accordance with the transmission or reception period of the wireless communication signals, wireless communication signals can be transmitted and received using each antenna, making it possible to effectively receive signals transmitted between communication devices.

[0073] Unless otherwise specified, the order in which the processes are performed may be changed.

[0074] Furthermore, even if other configurations, examples of which are shown in this specification, are appropriately added to the above configuration, i.e., other configurations in this specification that were not mentioned as the above configuration are appropriately added, the same effect can be produced.

[0075] As an example of the use of the present disclosure, even when a device that cannot know the timing of signal transmission and reception is used to realize a device such as a wireless LAN applied to a smart meter that operates as an access point immediately after startup and normally operates as a client while waiting for access from other devices as an access point, it is possible to improve the probability of a signal reaching the destination client, establish a stable connection with the access point, and improve the probability of signal reception from the client.

[0076] <Modifications of the above-described embodiments> In the embodiments described above, the dimensions, shapes, relative positional relationships, and implementation conditions of each component may be described, but these are merely examples in all aspects and are not limiting.

[0077] Therefore, countless modifications and equivalents not shown as examples are assumed within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present specification, including, for example, modifying, adding, or omitting at least one component, and further, extracting at least one component in at least one embodiment and combining it with a component in another embodiment.

[0078] Furthermore, unless a contradiction arises, when it is stated in the above-described embodiments that "one" component is provided, "one or more" of that component may be provided.

[0079] Furthermore, each component in the embodiments described above is a conceptual unit, and the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification includes cases where one component is made up of multiple structures, where one component corresponds to a part of a structure, and even where multiple components are provided in one structure.

[0080] Furthermore, each of the components in the embodiments described above includes structures having other structures or shapes as long as they perform the same function.

[0081] Furthermore, the descriptions in this specification are incorporated by reference for all purposes related to the present technology, and none of them are admitted to be prior art.

[0082] Furthermore, each of the components described in the above embodiments is envisioned as either software or firmware, or as corresponding hardware, and as software, is referred to as, for example, a "unit," and as hardware, is referred to as, for example, a "processing circuit" (circuitry).

[0083] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0084] (Appendix 1) 1. A method for controlling a plurality of antennas in a communication device that transmits wireless communication signals periodically or irregularly using the antennas, switching the antenna used for transmitting the wireless communication signal in response to a transmission cycle which is a cycle for transmitting the wireless communication signal; How to control the antenna.

[0085] (Appendix 2) A method for controlling an antenna as described in appendix 1, comprising: a switching timing that is a timing for switching the antenna is set to a period between timings for transmitting the wireless communication signal in the transmission cycle; How to control the antenna.

[0086] (Appendix 3) A method for controlling an antenna as described in Supplementary Note 2, the switching timing is set to vary in a period between timings at which the wireless communication signal is transmitted in the transmission cycle; How to control the antenna.

[0087] (Appendix 4) A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The communication device, A control unit that controls the switching of the antennas; an information unit for storing transmission timing information which is information regarding a timing for transmitting the wireless communication signal; the information unit inputs the transmission timing information for transmitting the wireless communication signal to the control unit; the control unit sets the timing for switching the antenna to a period between timings for transmitting the wireless communication signal in the transmission cycle. How to control the antenna.

[0088] (Appendix 5) A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4, switching the antenna used for transmitting the wireless communication signal at a period that is an integer multiple of the transmission period; How to control the antenna.

[0089] (Appendix 6) 1. A method for controlling a plurality of antennas in a communication device that periodically receives wireless communication signals using the antennas, the method comprising: switching the antenna used to receive the wireless communication signal in response to a reception cycle, which is a cycle for receiving the wireless communication signal; How to control the antenna.

[0090] (Appendix 7) A method for controlling an antenna according to claim 6, a switching timing for switching the antenna is set to a period between timings for receiving the wireless communication signal in the reception cycle; How to control the antenna.

[0091] (Appendix 8) 8. A method for controlling an antenna as recited in claim 7, comprising: the switching timing is set to vary in a period between timings at which the wireless communication signal is received in the reception cycle; How to control the antenna.

[0092] (Appendix 9) A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the plurality of antennas include a first antenna capable of receiving the wireless communication signal and a second antenna not capable of receiving the wireless communication signal; When switching to the second antenna would result in communication being cut off, the first antenna is fixed and not switched to. How to control the antenna.

[0093] (Appendix 10) A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 9, switching the antenna used to receive the wireless communication signal at a period that is an integer multiple of the reception period; How to control the antenna.

[0094] (Appendix 11) A communication system including a plurality of communication devices that transmit and receive wireless communication signals to and from each other, The plurality of communication devices includes at least one first communication device that transmits or receives the wireless communication signals using a plurality of antennas; the first communication device switches the antenna in response to a transmission cycle, which is a cycle for transmitting the wireless communication signal, or a reception cycle, which is a cycle for receiving the wireless communication signal; Communication systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 11 own device, 12 other device, 21 antenna, 22 antenna, 23 antenna control unit, 24 radio, 25 device control unit, 26 control signal, 41 own device, 42 other device, 43 other device, 201 signal, 202 signal, 203 signal, 204 signal, 301 timing, 302 timing, 303 timing, 304 timing, 401 signal, 402 signal, 403 signal, 404 signal, 501 timing, 502 timing, 503 timing, 504 timing.

Claims

1. 1. A method for controlling a plurality of antennas in a communication device that transmits wireless communication signals periodically or irregularly using the antennas, switching the antenna used for transmitting the wireless communication signal in response to a transmission cycle which is a cycle for transmitting the wireless communication signal; How to control the antenna.

2. A method for controlling an antenna according to claim 1, comprising: a switching timing that is a timing for switching the antenna is set to a period between timings for transmitting the wireless communication signal in the transmission cycle; How to control the antenna.

3. A method for controlling an antenna according to claim 2, the switching timing is set to vary in a period between timings at which the wireless communication signal is transmitted in the transmission cycle; How to control the antenna.

4. A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The communication device, A control unit that controls the switching of the antennas; an information unit for storing transmission timing information which is information regarding a timing for transmitting the wireless communication signal; the information unit inputs the transmission timing information for transmitting the wireless communication signal to the control unit; the control unit sets the timing for switching the antenna to a period between timings for transmitting the wireless communication signal in the transmission cycle. How to control the antenna.

5. A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, switching the antenna used for transmitting the wireless communication signal at a period that is an integer multiple of the transmission period; How to control the antenna.

6. 1. A method for controlling a plurality of antennas in a communication device that periodically receives wireless communication signals using the antennas, the method comprising: switching the antenna used to receive the wireless communication signal in response to a reception cycle, which is a cycle for receiving the wireless communication signal; How to control the antenna.

7. A method for controlling an antenna according to claim 6, comprising the steps of: a switching timing for switching the antenna is set to a period between timings for receiving the wireless communication signal in the reception cycle; How to control the antenna.

8. A method for controlling an antenna according to claim 7, comprising the steps of: the switching timing is set to vary in a period between timings at which the wireless communication signal is received in the reception cycle; How to control the antenna.

9. A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the plurality of antennas include a first antenna capable of receiving the wireless communication signal and a second antenna incapable of receiving the wireless communication signal; When switching to the second antenna would result in communication being cut off, the first antenna is fixed and not switched to. How to control the antenna.

10. A method for controlling an antenna according to any one of claims 6 to 8, switching the antenna used to receive the wireless communication signal at a period that is an integer multiple of the reception period; How to control the antenna.

11. A communication system including a plurality of communication devices that transmit and receive wireless communication signals to and from each other, The plurality of communication devices includes at least one first communication device that transmits or receives the wireless communication signals using a plurality of antennas; the first communication device switches the antenna in response to a transmission cycle, which is a cycle for transmitting the wireless communication signal, or a reception cycle, which is a cycle for receiving the wireless communication signal; Communication systems.

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