Mesh network, mesh controller, mesh agent, interference radio wave handling method and program

Abstract

To provide a technique contributing to effective utilization of an available frequency band at a maximum regardless of situations in a mesh network.SOLUTION: In a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, the mesh agent comprises a detection section for detecting an external radio wave in a frequency band to be used for wireless communication and notifying the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio wave. The mesh controller comprises a controller control section by which, when the notification of the detection channel is received from the mesh agent, only the detection channel is excluded and the wireless communication is continued with a bandwidth before the detection of the external radio wave.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mesh network, a mesh controller, a mesh agent, a method for dealing with interference radio waves, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Wireless slave terminals equipped with wireless functions such as smartphones and IT devices have become widespread, and wireless communication is used in all aspects of daily life. As wireless frequency bands, the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band can be used. The 2.4 GHz band is also used for household appliances and has a lot of interference. The 6 GHz band has less penetration of compatible products. Comparing the 2.4 GHz band and the 5 GHz band, the 5 GHz band enables faster and more stable communication and is suitable for using video distribution services. Therefore, the 5 GHz band is often used for communication.

[0003] The 5 GHz band can use 20 channels (frequency bands). Also, since radio waves do not interfere between adjacent channels, a stable line speed is maintained. These 20 channels are divided into three groups: the W52 band, the W53 band, and the W56 band. Among these, the frequencies of the W53 band and the W56 band are used by weather radars and aviation radars. It is necessary to prevent interference with these.

[0004] For example, in a house or the like, a plurality of wireless access points constituting a mesh network are installed, and the wireless slave device is connected to the Internet or the like through them. The wireless access point has a DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) function. For example, when a radar signal is detected in the 5 GHz band, there is a technique of switching the operation channel set in the band to another band by this DFS function to avoid interference (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-522196 [Summary of the Invention] [Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

[0006] The following analysis is provided by the inventor of the present invention.

[0007] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, when external radio waves such as radar are detected, in order to avoid interference, the frequency band (frequency channel) used by the external radio waves such as radar cannot be used. By the way, among a plurality of wireless access points constituting a mesh network, one operates as a mesh controller and the others operate as mesh agents. The mesh agent operates under the control of the controller and, for example, notifies the mesh controller when external radio waves are detected.

[0008] Devices compliant with the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 standard are used for the wireless access points. In the wireless communication by this wireless access point, the bandwidth can be extended only with continuous frequency channels within the available frequency band. Therefore, the mesh controller notified of the detection of external radio waves cannot use all of the notified frequency band and the frequency bands that become discontinuous thereby, and has to significantly reduce the bandwidth. That is, after the detection of external radio waves, the available frequency band cannot be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a technology that contributes to maximizing the utilization of available frequency bands in a mesh network. [Means for Solving the Problems]

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, the mesh agent includes a detection unit that detects external radio waves within a frequency band used for wireless communication and notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio waves. When the mesh controller receives the notification of the detection channel from the mesh agent, the mesh network is provided with a controller control unit that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a mesh controller in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, When receiving a notification of a detection channel that is a channel of external radio waves detected within a frequency band used for wireless communication from the mesh agent, the mesh controller is provided with a controller control unit that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mesh agent in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, a detection unit that detects external radio waves within a frequency band used for wireless communication, notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio waves, and disconnects the connection with the mesh controller; After the notification, the mesh agent reconnects to the mesh controller and includes an agent-side communication unit that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves between the mesh agent and the mesh controller.

[0013] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for dealing with interference radio waves in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, In the mesh agent, external radio waves within the frequency band used for wireless communication are detected, and a detection channel, which is the channel of the external radio waves, is notified to the mesh controller. In the mesh controller, when receiving the notification of the detection channel from the mesh agent, a method for dealing with interfering radio waves is provided, which excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a program is provided for realizing a controller control function in a computer within a mesh controller in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, when receiving a notification of a detection channel, which is the channel of external radio waves detected within the frequency band used for wireless communication, from the mesh agent, excluding only the detection channel and continuing wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, a program is provided for realizing a detection function and an agent-side communication function in a computer within a mesh agent in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, detecting external radio waves within the frequency band used for wireless communication, notifying a detection channel, which is the channel of the external radio waves, to the mesh controller, and disconnecting the connection with the mesh controller, and after the notification, reconnecting to the mesh controller and, between the mesh controller and itself, excluding only the detection channel and continuing wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves.

[0016] These programs can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be non-transitory, such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, in a mesh network, it is possible to contribute to maximizing the utilization of available frequency bands.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an overview of an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as this embodiment) will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference numerals in the drawings are for convenience attached to each element as an example for assisting understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated aspects. Also, the connection lines between the blocks in the drawings and the like referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional ones. The one-way arrow schematically shows the flow of the main signal (data) and does not exclude bidirectionality.

[0020] Also, ports and interfaces are present at the input / output connection points of each block in the figure, but their illustration is omitted. Also, in the following description, "A and / or B" is used to mean A or B, or A and B.

[0021] <<First Embodiment>> The overview of this embodiment will be described.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, in a 5 GHz mesh network 100a configured in a house or the like, when a mesh controller 200a receives a notification including detection channel information, which is a channel of an external radio wave such as a radar (hereinafter referred to as a radar in this specification) detected from a mesh agent 300a, it uses the Preamble Puncturing function to exclude only the frequency of the detection channel and resume operation. Preamble Puncturing will be described later.

[0023] As a result, even during radar detection, wireless communication can be continued while maintaining the bandwidth. That is, even if radar is detected, the available bandwidth can be utilized to the maximum extent possible.

[0024] First, the mesh network will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the mesh network 100a of the present embodiment. The mesh network 100a of the present embodiment includes a mesh controller 200a and one or more mesh agents 300a. Here, as an example, the case of including one mesh agent 300a will be described. However, the number of mesh agents 300a is not limited to this.

[0025] The mesh controller 200a controls the mesh agent 300a, which is another access point of the mesh network 100a, to control the entire mesh network 100a. On the other hand, the mesh agent 300a notifies various network information to the mesh controller 200a under the management of the mesh controller 200a. The mesh controller 200a controls the entire mesh network 100a based on the network information notified from the mesh agent 300a.

[0026] The mesh controller 200a and the mesh agent 300a constitute a mesh network by a wireless backhaul connection.

[0027] In addition, zero or more wireless LAN client wireless slave terminals (slave units; not shown) are respectively connected to the mesh controller 200a and / or the mesh agent 300a. That is, the slave units can be wirelessly connected to the mesh controller 200a and the mesh agent 300a.

[0028] In this embodiment, the mesh controller 200a and the mesh agent 300a are wireless access points compliant with the IEEE802.11be (hereinafter referred to as 11be) standard, which is a communication standard for wireless local area networks (LANs), for example. Also, the slave devices wirelessly connected to these are the same.

[0029] Note that 11be can be used in the 2.4 GHz band, 5 GHz band, and 6 GHz band. In this embodiment, as an example, the 5 GHz band is used. As described above, the 5 GHz band maintains a stable line speed. On the other hand, for example, it is also a band used by radars such as ship radars, aviation radars, meteorological radars, and exploration satellite radars, so there may be radio wave interference from these. Even in such a case, in order to ensure wideband transmission, in 11be, the preamble puncturing function is defined as essential in the 5 GHz band and 6 GHz band.

[0030] The preamble puncturing function is a function that excludes only the frequency region where narrowband interference that divides the wideband channel exists from data transmission.

[0031] Specifically, the unit frequency width (for example, 20 MHz) when performing puncturing is determined in advance. Then, the frequency region (frequency block) to be punctured is specified by the unit frequency width. And when transmitting a wireless frame, that part is thinned out (puncturing) and transmitted. Information on the frequency block to be punctured is notified from the access point (in this embodiment, the mesh controller 200a or the mesh agent 300a) to the slave devices under its control (wirelessly connected to the device) by a beacon frame or the like.

[0032] Hereinafter, the functional configuration of this embodiment will be described.

[0033] The mesh agent 300a of this embodiment includes a detection unit 330a. The detection unit 330a constantly detects (senses) radar radio waves within the operating band during startup. When detection occurs, information on the detected channel (detection channel) is notified to the mesh controller 200a as a radar detection notification.

[0034] The mesh controller 200a includes a controller control unit 220a. When the controller control unit 220a receives a radar detection notification from the mesh agent 300a, it excludes only the detected channel using the above preamble - puncturing function.

[0035] As described above, according to this embodiment, the mesh controller 200a and the mesh agent 300a establish a mesh connection via a 5GHz wireless backhaul, and in the configured mesh network 100a, the mesh controller 200a receives, as a detection channel, a channel in which external radio waves such as radar are being used from the mesh agent 300a. Then, in the mesh controller 200a, only the corresponding detected channel is excluded by the preamble - puncturing function.

[0036] Thereby, the mesh controller 200a can continue communication while maintaining the channels and bandwidths that were being used before receiving the detection channel from the mesh agent 300a. Therefore, in this embodiment, the available frequency band in the mesh network 100a can be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0037] <<Second Embodiment>> Next, a second embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described.

[0038] Fig. 2(a) is an overall configuration diagram of the mesh network 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the mesh network 100 of the present embodiment includes a mesh controller 200 and one or more mesh agents 300, similar to the first embodiment. Here, as an example, the case of including three mesh agents 300 will be described. However, the number of mesh agents 300 is not limited to this. For example, it can be arbitrarily determined within the range of restrictions on specifications such as communication standards and devices to be complied with.

[0039] The mesh controller 200 and the mesh agent 300 function as wireless LAN access points (APs) within the mesh network 100. Zero or more wireless slave terminals (slave units) 400, which are wireless LAN clients, are respectively connected to the mesh controller 200 and / or the mesh agent 300. That is, the slave unit 400 can be wirelessly connected to the mesh controller 200 and / or the mesh agent 300. Also, in the present embodiment as well, the mesh controller 200, the mesh agent 300, and the slave unit 400 are devices compliant with, for example, the 11be standard. The mesh controller 200 and the mesh agent 300 establish a mesh connection through a 5GHz wireless backhaul connection.

[0040] Next, the functional configurations of the mesh controller 200 and the mesh agent 300 will be described.

[0041] The mesh controller 200 of the present embodiment includes a controller-side communication unit 210, a controller control unit 220, and a connected device information management unit 230, as shown in Fig. 2(b).

[0042] The controller-side communication unit 210 transmits and receives wireless frames transmitted and received in the mesh controller 200. For example, it includes a backhaul I / F that transmits and receives wireless frames to and from the mesh agent 300 via a backhaul communication network. It also includes a fronthaul I / F that transmits and receives wireless frames to and from the slave unit 400 connected to its own device via a fronthaul communication network. Furthermore, it is also possible to transmit and receive wireless frames with an external network such as the Internet.

[0043] Also, as described above, the mesh controller 200 of the present embodiment is a device compliant with the 11be standard and has a preamble puncturing function. Therefore, the controller-side communication unit 210 can transmit and receive wireless frames by thinning out (puncturing) only a predetermined frequency block.

[0044] The connected device information management unit 230 manages the device information of the devices connected to the mesh controller 200. The device information is notified to the controller control unit 220 as necessary. In the present embodiment, the connected devices to be managed are the slave unit and the mesh agent 300.

[0045] The connected device information management unit 230 generates a management table 250 and manages the connected devices. An example of the management table 250 is shown in FIG. 3. When a device is connected to the mesh controller 200, the connected device information management unit 230 registers the ID of the device as the connected device ID 251. It also registers the type 252 of the device in association with the connected device ID 251. The connected device ID 251 is information that can uniquely identify the device, and for example, the MAC address of the device is used. The information registered in the management table 250 is transmitted from the connected device at the time of connection.

[0046] Note that when the mesh agent 300 exists as a connected device, the connected device information management unit 230 notifies the controller control unit 220 of this. The transmitted notification is called an agent presence notification.

[0047] The controller control unit 220 controls the operation of the entire mesh controller 200. For example, it manages information such as the operating frequency band and control channels. Also, for example, when receiving an agent presence notification, the controller-side communication unit 210 monitors the frames received. As will be described later, the presence or absence of a notification (radar detection notification) including information on the channel (detection channel) where the radar is detected from the mesh agent 300 is the monitoring target.

[0048] The controller control unit 220 further realizes a preamble puncturing function. Specifically, when receiving a radar detection notification, it excludes only the channel (frequency block) corresponding to the detection channel included in the notification. Thereby, the controller-side communication unit 210 continues (resumes) communication in a punctured (thinned-out) state.

[0049] Also, the controller control unit 220 periodically transmits a Beacon frame as a management frame via the controller-side communication unit 210. The slave unit 400, which is a wireless LAN client, can collect Beacons transmitted by nearby access points (APs) and select an optimal AP.

[0050] Next, the configuration of the mesh agent 300 will be described. The mesh agent 300 of this embodiment functions as a wireless LAN access point, detects external radio waves that are interfering, and notifies the mesh controller 200 of the channel information (detection channel) of the radio waves as a radar detection notification.

[0051] The mesh agent 300 of this embodiment that realizes these includes, as shown in FIG. 2(b), an agent-side communication unit 310, an agent control unit 320, and a detection unit 330.

[0052] The agent-side communication unit 310 transmits and receives wireless frames transmitted and received in the mesh agent 300. For example, it includes a backhaul I / F that transmits and receives wireless frames to and from the mesh controller 200 via a backhaul communication network. It also includes a front-haul I / F that transmits and receives wireless frames to and from the slave unit 400 connected to its own device via a front-haul communication network.

[0053] Similar to the mesh controller 200, the mesh agent 300 is also a device compliant with the 11be standard and has a preamble puncturing function. Therefore, the agent-side communication unit 310 can transmit and receive wireless frames with only a predetermined frequency block thinned out (punctured).

[0054] The agent control unit 320 controls the operation of the entire mesh agent 300 device.

[0055] The detection unit 330 has the same function as the detection unit 330a in the first embodiment. That is, during startup, it constantly detects (senses) radar radio waves and the like. The radio waves to be detected are external radio waves such as radar in the frequency band used or planned to be used in the mesh network 100 (that interfere with it). When such a radar is detected, information on the detected channel (detection channel) is notified to the mesh controller 200.

[0056] The detection unit 330 transmits a radar detection notification to the mesh controller 200 via the backhaul I / F of the agent-side communication unit 310.

[0057] The detection unit 330 transmits the information on the detection channel in a message based on the specifications of various standards (mesh protocols) of the mesh network 100. For example, it uses the Channel Preference Report message format of the IEEE1905 frame transmitted at the time of radar detection. Note that this format is a message form defined for transmitting the channel information at the time of radar detection and includes the detected channel information.

[0058] Note that the transmission format of the radar detection notification is not limited to the IEEE1905 frame.

[0059] [Processing at the time of detecting interfering radio waves] Next, using a specific example, the flow of the interfering radio wave countermeasure method when an interfering radar (external radio wave) is detected in the mesh network 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0060] In the 11be standard, for example, the transmission mode of a continuous 160 MHz channel is available. The 5 GHz band is divided into three groups, W52, W53, and W56, depending on the corresponding channels. Among these, W52 corresponds to 36ch / 40ch / 44ch / 48ch and can only be used indoors. Also, W53 corresponds to 52ch / 56ch / 60ch / 64ch and is also only possible indoors. W56 corresponds to 11 channels from 100ch to 140ch and outdoor specifications are also possible. Note that the possibility of radar reception exists for W53 and W56.

[0061] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4(a), in the 5 GHz band, channels 36 to 64 are used as operating channels (operation channels; used frequency bands). Also, it is assumed that the mesh controller 200 operates in an operation mode (36ch_160MHz_mode) with a control channel of 36 channels (ch) and a bandwidth of 160 MHz. Note that the control channel is the channel for transmitting a beacon.

[0062] Note that any channel may be used as the operating channel as long as it includes the W53 band or the W56 band where radar detection is required. Also, regarding the bandwidth, any bandwidth where preamble and puncturing can be used, such as 80 MHz, may be used.

[0063] Here, as a comparative example, Fig. 5(a) shows the flow of processing during radar detection when devices without a preamble puncturing function are used as the mesh controller 200x and the mesh agent 300x.

[0064] As shown in this figure, in this case, when the mesh agent 300x detects a radar (step S1101), it generates a radar detection notification and sends it to the mesh controller 200x (step S1102). Then, it disconnects the connection with the mesh controller 200x (step S1103). Here, for example, a disconnection frame is sent from the mesh agent 300x that has detected the radar to the mesh controller 200x. Upon receiving it, the mesh controller 200x disconnects all subordinate mesh agents 300x.

[0065] On the side of the mesh controller 200x that has received the radar detection notification, for example, functions such as DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) are used to prohibit the use of the detected channel (step S1104). For example, if the detected channel is a control channel, the control channel is changed or the bandwidth is changed (step S1105). For example, according to DFS, the detected channel is stopped from being used for 30 minutes, and for the switched channel, a 1-minute scan is also performed to check if interference occurs.

[0066] After that, the mesh agent 300x reconnects to the mesh controller 200x (step S1106) and resumes communication.

[0067] For example, when the detected channel is 60ch, as shown in Fig. 4(b), the channel state operates in an 80MHz operating mode from 36ch to 48ch. In this case, the non - continuous frequency bands of 52ch, 56ch, 60ch, and 64ch cannot be used.

[0068] In the IEEE802.11n standard, in order to increase the communication speed of the wireless LAN, there is a technology (channel bonding) that bundles a plurality of consecutive channels and increases the amount of data transmitted and received at once. The number of channels that can be bundled is 2, 4, 8, or 16. Since the bandwidth of each channel is 20 MHz, when two channels are bundled, a 40 MHz channel can be obtained. Furthermore, in successor standards to 11n such as 11be, bandwidths up to 80 MHz and 160 MHz can be used. That is, up to 4 (80 MHz) or 8 (160 MHz) channels can be bundled.

[0069] At this time, the channels that can be bundled are limited to consecutive ones. In the example of Fig. 4(a), channels 36ch and 40ch are bundled to obtain a 40 MHz wide channel. Similarly, channels 44ch and 48ch are bundled to obtain a 40 MHz wide channel. The same applies to 52ch and 56ch, and 60ch and 64ch. And since these can be further bundled, two 80 MHz wide channels can be obtained. Then, by bundling these, a 160 MHz wide channel can be obtained, enabling an operating mode with a bandwidth of 160 MHz.

[0070] On the other hand, in the example of Fig. 4(b), channel 60ch cannot be used. Therefore, channels 36ch and 40ch, and 44ch and 48ch can each be bundled to 80 MHz, but channels 52ch to 64ch cannot be bundled. Thus, as described above, with the control channel being 36ch, an operating mode with a bandwidth of 80 MHz is obtained. That is, the available bandwidth is significantly reduced.

[0071] Next, the processing flow during radar detection by the mesh controller 200 and mesh agent 300 of the present embodiment is shown in Fig. 5(b). The same processes as in Fig. 5(a) are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0072] Note that the detection unit 330 of the mesh agent 300 checks whether a radar in the frequency band of W53 is being used. When the detection unit 330 detects the use of the radar (step S1101), it identifies the detected channel as the detection channel and generates a radar detection notification including the information of the detection channel.

[0073] The detection unit 330 transmits the radar detection notification to the mesh controller 200 by means of an IEEE1905 frame of the mesh protocol via the agent-side communication unit 310 (step S1102). Also, the mesh agent 300 disconnects from the mesh controller 200 (step S1103). As described above, for example, the mesh agent 300 transmits a disconnection frame to the mesh controller 200. Thereby, the mesh controller 200 can recognize the disconnection of the mesh agent 300. Then, the mesh controller 200 disconnects all the subordinate mesh agents 300.

[0074] When the controller control unit 220 receives the radar detection notification via the controller-side communication unit 210, it performs a detection channel puncturing process of excluding the notified detection channel by preamble puncturing (step S1204). That is, only the frequency block including the detection channel is thinned out from the used frequency band.

[0075] The controller control unit 220 reflects it in the operation (step S1205). Here, the information (only 60 MHz is punctured) is placed in the Beacon element, and a Beacon frame is transmitted via the controller-side communication unit 210.

[0076] After that, when the mesh agent 300 reconnects (step S1106), the controller-side communication unit 210 and the agent-side communication unit 310 resume communication in the state after puncturing.

[0077] The channel state after puncturing is shown in Fig. 4(c). As shown in this figure, communication is resumed with a bandwidth of 160 MHz, excluding only 60 channels. The control channel remains at 36 channels. In this way, it becomes possible to perform communication with the same control channel and bandwidth as before receiving the radar detection notification from the mesh agent.

[0078] Here, the details of the operation flow in the mesh controller 200, which focuses on the above-described detection channel puncturing process at the time of detecting interference radio waves when the mesh agent 300 is connected, will be described. Fig. 6 shows the operation flow in the mesh controller 200. This process starts when a new mesh agent 300 is connected.

[0079] When the mesh agent 300 is connected to the mesh controller 200, the connection device information management unit 230 transmits an agent presence notification to the controller control unit 220 to notify that the mesh agent 300 has been connected. Triggered by this, the controller control unit 220 starts monitoring the radio frames transmitted from the mesh agent 300 via the controller side communication unit 210 (step S1301). Here, the presence or absence of a radar detection notification is monitored based on the IEEE 1905 frame of the mesh protocol.

[0080] At a predetermined time interval, the presence or absence of a radar detection notification is confirmed (step S1302). When a radar detection notification is received (S1302; Yes), the controller control unit 220 determines whether the notified detection channel matches the control channel, that is, whether it is other than the detection channel (step S1303). This is because preamble puncturing cannot be applied to the control channel.

[0081] When the detection channel does not match the control channel (S1303; Yes), the controller control unit 220 punctures the detection channel (step S1304).

[0082] On the one hand, when the detection channel matches the control channel, the controller control unit 220, as in the prior art, uses the DFS function to transition the control channel being used to another channel (step S1305).

[0083] After patching or after processing by the DFS function, the controller control unit 220 reflects the operation by placing information on the Beacon element and transmitting a Beacon frame via the controller side communication unit 210 (step S1306), and ends the processing.

[0084] After this, after the mesh agent 300 is reconnected, the controller side communication unit 210 communicates in the frequency band after patching. Also, when the mesh agent 300 is reconnected, this processing is repeated on that occasion.

[0085] As described above, according to this embodiment, in the mesh network 100, the mesh controller 200 and the mesh agent 300 establish a mesh connection by a 5 GHz wireless backhaul. And when the mesh controller 200 receives the radar detection channel information detected from the mesh agent 300, communication is resumed by excluding only the detection channel by preamble patching.

[0086] That is, communication using the maximum-width frequency band can be performed while maintaining the control channel and bandwidth that were being used before detecting the radar.

[0087] Thereby, according to this embodiment, in the mesh network 100, the available frequency band can be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0088] <<Third Embodiment>> Next, a third embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described. This embodiment is an embodiment in which a slave device (non-compatible slave device) 410 that does not conform to the 11be standard is connected to the mesh controller 200.

[0089] Since the non - compliant slave device 410 cannot support puncturing, it cannot use a discontinuous band. In this embodiment, communication is enabled with the maximum bandwidth even in such a case. For example, in this embodiment, the control channel is changed when a radar detection notification is received from the mesh agent 300.

[0090] First, the operation channel after radar detection when a non - compliant slave device 410 that cannot support puncturing is connected will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b).

[0091] Here, as shown in FIG. 7(a), in the 5GHz band, channels 36 to 64 are used as the operation channels (operation channels; used frequency bands). Also, it is assumed that the mesh controller 200 operates in an operation mode (64ch_160MHz_mode) with a control channel of 64 channels (ch) and a bandwidth of 160MHz.

[0092] For example, when the mesh agent 300 detects a radar on channel 60, it transmits a radar detection notification including channel 60 as the detection channel information to the mesh controller 200.

[0093] The mesh controller 200 of the second embodiment operates in an operation mode excluding only channel 60. That is, the control channel is 64 channels, and it operates in an operation mode with a bandwidth of 160MHz. The mesh agent 300 and the slave device (compliant slave device) 400 compliant with 11be can operate with a bandwidth of 160MHz.

[0094] However, since the non - compliant slave device 410 cannot use a discontinuous band, as shown in FIG. 7(b), it operates with a bandwidth of 20MHz using only channel 64 as a continuous band including channel 64 of the control channel.

[0095] Hereinafter, this embodiment will be described focusing on the configuration different from the second embodiment.

[0096] FIG. 8(a) is an overall configuration diagram of the mesh network 100b of the present embodiment. As shown in this figure, the mesh network 100b includes a mesh controller 200b and a mesh agent 300.

[0097] Each component is basically the same as the component with the same name in the mesh network 100 of the second embodiment. However, a corresponding slave device 400 and a non-corresponding slave device 410 are connected to the mesh controller 200b. The corresponding slave device 400 is a wireless slave device terminal compliant with the 11be standard as described above. On the other hand, the non-corresponding slave device 410 is a wireless slave device terminal non-compliant with the 11be standard.

[0098] Similar to the second embodiment, the connection device information management unit 230b of the present embodiment manages the device information connected to the mesh controller 200b by means of a management table 250b. In the present embodiment, in addition to the items managed in the second embodiment, the corresponding standard of the connected device is also managed.

[0099] An example of the management table 250b of the present embodiment is shown in FIG. 8(b). As shown in this figure, when a device is connected to the mesh controller 200b, the connection device information management unit 230b registers the ID of the device as the connection device ID 251. Also, the type 252 of the device is registered in association with the connection device ID 251. Furthermore, the standard corresponding to the device is also registered in association with the connection device ID 251 as the corresponding standard 253.

[0100] Then, similar to the second embodiment, the connection device information management unit 230b of the present embodiment notifies the controller control unit 220b of the agent presence notification. Further, when the non-corresponding slave device 410 is connected to the mesh controller 200b, the controller control unit 220b is also notified.

[0101] When the controller control unit 220b of this embodiment receives an agent presence notification, it monitors the presence or absence of a radar detection notification as in the second embodiment. When it receives a radar detection notification, it performs preamble puncturing. Also, when there is a non-compatible slave device 410 among the connected devices, it changes the control channel according to the detection channel.

[0102] [Processing at the time of detecting interfering radio waves] Next, the processing flow at the time of detecting interfering radio waves (radar) by the mesh controller 200b and the mesh agent 300 of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 9 shows the processing flow at the time of detecting interfering radio waves of this embodiment. The same processing as in the second embodiment is denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0103] Also in this embodiment, when the detection unit 330 detects a radar in the W53 band (step S1101), it transmits a radar detection notification to the mesh controller 200b (step S1102). Then, it disconnects the connection with the mesh controller 200b (step S1103).

[0104] In this embodiment, after receiving the radar detection notification, the controller control unit 220b disconnects the connected compatible slave device 400 and non-compatible slave device 410 in order to change the channel state (step S2101).

[0105] Thereafter, the controller control unit 220b performs a detection channel puncturing process of excluding the notified detection channel by preamble puncturing as in the second embodiment (step S2102).

[0106] In the detection channel puncturing process, since the non-compatible slave device 410 is also connected to the mesh controller 200b, the controller control unit 220b also performs processing on the band taking into account the non-compatible slave device 410. The details of the processing will be described later.

[0107] Thereafter, the controller control unit 220b reflects it in the operation as in the second embodiment (step S1205).

[0108] When the mesh agent 300 reconnects (step S1106), the controller-side communication unit 210 and the agent-side communication unit 310 resume communication in the state after the detection channel is punctured.

[0109] Also, when the corresponding slave unit 400 and the non-corresponding slave unit 410 are connected to the mesh controller 200b (step S2103), the corresponding slave unit 400 and the non-corresponding slave unit 410 resume communication in the state after the detection channel is punctured. However, the non-corresponding slave unit 410 communicates with the maximum bandwidth that can be ensured.

[0110] Here, focusing on the above-described detection channel puncturing process at the time of detecting interference radio waves when the mesh agent 300 is connected, the detailed operation flow of the mesh controller 200b will be described. FIG. 10 is the operation flow of the mesh controller 200b of the present embodiment. This process is started when a new mesh agent 300 is connected.

[0111] In addition, the controller control unit 220b of the present embodiment can grasp the situation because it has received a notification in advance from the connection device information management unit 230b when the non-corresponding slave unit 410 is connected.

[0112] Note that the same processing as in the second embodiment will be briefly described.

[0113] Similar to the second embodiment, monitoring of the radar detection notification is started (step S1301), and the presence or absence of the radar detection notification is confirmed at a predetermined time interval (step S1302). When a radar detection notification is received (step S1302; Yes), the controller control unit 220b determines whether or not the non-corresponding slave unit 410 is connected to the own device (step S2201). Here, when the non-corresponding slave unit 410 is not connected (S2201; No), the same processing as in the second embodiment (S1303 to S1306) is performed, and the process ends.

[0114] On the one hand, when the non-corresponding slave unit 410 is connected (S2201; Yes), first, the connection with the slave units 400 and 410 is disconnected (step S2202).

[0115] Next, the controller control unit 220b determines whether the detected channel is other than the control channel (step S2203). When the detected channel is other than the control channel (S2203; Yes), the controller control unit 220b performs punching on the detected channel (step S2204).

[0116] After that, the controller control unit 220b of the present embodiment determines whether the maximum bandwidth can be ensured with the detected channel excluded from the used frequency band (step S2206). And when the maximum bandwidth is not ensured, the controller control unit determines the control channel that can ensure the maximum continuous frequency band that can be ensured. The controller control unit 220b calculates the maximum channel width that can be ensured from the information of the used frequency band, the information of the control channel, and the information of the detected channel, and determines the control channel to be changed.

[0117] For example, as shown in FIG. 7(a), when the used frequency band is from 36ch to 64ch and the control channel is 64ch, if the detected channel is 60ch, in this state, as shown in FIG. 7(b), it will operate in the operation mode with a bandwidth of 20MHz only for 64ch.

[0118] In this state, the maximum continuous frequency band that can be ensured is 80MHz. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7(c), it is four consecutive channels between 36ch and 56ch. If the control channel is any one of these channels, the maximum continuous frequency band can be ensured. On the other hand, if the control channel is between 36ch and 56ch, the maximum continuous frequency can be ensured without changing the control channel.

[0119] If it cannot be secured (S2206; No), the controller control unit 220b changes to a control channel within the securable range (step S2207). In the examples of FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c), the control channel is changed from 64ch to 48ch. Note that the control channel to be changed is not limited to 48ch, and may be between 36ch and 56ch as described above.

[0120] After that, the controller control unit 220b reflects it in the operation (step S2208) and ends the process.

[0121] By this process, when the non - compliant slave 410 is connected to the mesh controller 200b operating in the channel state shown in FIG. 7(a), it operates in the channel state shown in FIG. 7(c). That is, the mesh agent 300 and the 11be - compliant slave 400 communicate with the mesh controller 200b with a control channel of 48ch and a bandwidth of 160MHz (48ch_160MHz_mode) in which only 60ch is excluded. On the other hand, the non - compliant slave 410 communicates with the mesh controller 200b with a control channel of 48ch and a bandwidth of 80MHz (48ch_80MHz_mode) in four channels out of 32ch to 56ch, for example, 36ch to 48ch.

[0122] As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a radar is detected within the used frequency band, the same effects as those of the second embodiment can be obtained. Further, according to the present embodiment, even when a non - 11be - compliant slave 410 is connected to the mesh controller 200b, communication with the maximum bandwidth can be performed between the non - compliant slave 410 and the mesh controller 200b.

[0123] That is, according to the present embodiment, in the mesh network 100b, the available frequency band can be utilized to the maximum extent.

[0124] <Modification Example 1> In each of the above embodiments, when the radar is detected, the operation mode is changed in consideration of the slave units 400 connected to the mesh controllers 200, 200a, 200b (hereinafter represented by 200; the same applies to other configurations). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, only communication with the mesh agent 300 may perform preamble puncturing.

[0125] That is, when the radar is detected by the mesh agent 300, the detection channel cannot be used by the mesh agent 300. Therefore, the mesh controller 200 also cannot use the detection channel in communication with the mesh agent 300. However, since the mesh controller 200 itself has not detected the radar, communication with the subordinate slave units 400 can be performed without excluding the channel.

[0126] In this modification, when the mesh controller 200 receives a radar detection notification from the mesh agent 300, only communication with the mesh agent 300 that is the source of the notification performs preamble puncturing. And it does not notify the puncturing information to the slave units 400, 410 connected to itself.

[0127] That is, in each of the above embodiments, the controller control unit 220 reflects it in the Beacon element after preamble puncturing. However, in this modification, it is not reflected in the Beacon element. Specifically, the elements of the Beacon after puncturing are not changed, and puncturing information is added only to the data frame during communication with the mesh agent 300.

[0128] In this modification, communication is performed only with the mesh agent 300 that has detected the radar without using the detection channel, and by not notifying the puncturing information to the slave units 400, 410 connected to itself, communication is optimized for each of the slave units 400, 410.

[0129] As a result, the mesh controller 200 of this modification example can continue communication with the mesh agent 300 in a state where the detection channel in which the radar is detected is excluded. On the other hand, with respect to the other slave devices 400 and 410 connected to the mesh controller 200, communication can be continued without being affected by puncturing.

[0130] The flow of the interference charge detection time processing of this modification example is shown in FIG. 11. The same processes as those in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0131] Also in this modification example, when the detection unit 330 detects a radar (step S1101), a radar detection notification is transmitted to the mesh controller 200 (step S1102). Then, the connection with the mesh controller 200 is disconnected (step S1103).

[0132] Then, similar to the second embodiment, the controller control unit 220 excludes the notified detection channel by preamble puncturing (step S1204).

[0133] Thereafter, in this modification example, after the mesh agent 300 reconnects (step S1106), the mesh controller 200 resumes communication with the mesh agent 300 in the state after puncturing (Puncturing communication).

[0134] On the other hand, in this modification example, it is not reflected in the operation, that is, it is not reflected in the Beacon element. For this reason, communication is resumed with the slave devices 400 and 410 in a state where puncturing is not performed (communication without puncturing).

[0135] This will be described in a specific channel state. The channel state after receiving the radar detection notification of this modification example is shown in FIG. 12.

[0136] Here, as an example, assume that the mesh controller 200 operates in an operating mode with a control channel of 64 channels and a bandwidth of 160 MHz, and the mesh agent 300 detects radar at 60 channels.

[0137] As shown in this figure, between the mesh agent 300, communication is performed with a control channel of 64 channels and a bandwidth of 160 MHz (64ch_160MHz_mode) with only 60 channels excluded. On the other hand, between the slave devices 400 and 410, communication is performed with a control channel of 64 channels and a bandwidth of 160 MHz (64ch_160MHz_mode).

[0138] Thus, according to this modification example, since there is no change in the Beacon element, the slave devices connected to the mesh controller 200 can continue communication without being affected, whether they are slave devices 400 compliant with the 11be standard or non-compliant slave devices 410.

[0139] <Modification Example 2> Note that in the above embodiment, the mesh controller 200 is a device capable of connecting the slave device 400 to itself. That is, it simultaneously has the functions of the mesh agent 300. However, it is not limited to this. The mesh controller 200 may be provided with only the function of the controller, and the slave device 400 may not be connected.

[0140] <Modification Example 3> Note that in each of the above embodiments and modification examples, the mesh controller 200 and the mesh agent 300 are devices compliant with (corresponding to) the IEEE802.11be standard, but it is not limited to this. When transmitting a wireless frame, it is sufficient to have a preamble puncturing function that can perform puncturing (interleaving) in frequency block units, which are predetermined frequency regions. For example, it may be a device compliant with a standard in which the preamble puncturing function is an essential requirement. Also, it may be a device compliant with a standard in which the preamble puncturing function is an optional requirement and has the preamble puncturing function.

[0141] <Modification Example 4> Also, in each of the above embodiments and modification examples, when the mesh controller 200 receives a radar detection notification from the mesh agent 300 and the detection channel matches the control channel, the control channel in use is transitioned to another channel by the conventional DFS function, and punching is not executed. However, it is not limited to this.

[0142] For example, after transitioning to another channel within the bandwidth using the control channel by the DFS function, the detection channel may be punched.

[0143] At this time, for example, similar to the third embodiment, when the detection channel is excluded, the control channel may be configured to be a channel capable of securing the largest continuous frequency band.

[0144] [Hardware Configuration] Note that the above-described mesh controllers 200, 200a, 200b and mesh agent 300 may be realized by, for example, a general-purpose information processing apparatus.

[0145] A general-purpose information processing apparatus includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 13, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 191, a main storage device (memory) 192, an auxiliary storage device 193, a communication I / F 194, and an expansion I / F 195, which are interconnected by an internal bus.

[0146] The CPU 191 realizes the above-described functions and controls the entire apparatus in an integrated manner by, for example, loading a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 193 into the main storage device 192 and executing it. Note that one or more processors such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) may be used instead of the CPU 191.

[0147] The main memory device 192 is a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The main memory device 192 is a work area when the CPU 191 processes programs and the like executed by the device.

[0148] The auxiliary storage device 193 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc. The auxiliary storage device 193 stores various programs executed by the device. Note that the auxiliary storage device 193 may include storage media such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a DVD, etc.

[0149] Note that the program stored in the auxiliary storage device 193 can be provided as a program product recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The auxiliary storage device 193 can be used to store various programs recorded on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in the medium to long term.

[0150] The communication I / F 194 is an interface for input / output of signals and data by wire or wireless. In this embodiment, it functions as a backhaul connection I / F and a fronthaul connection I / F.

[0151] The expansion I / F 195 is an interface for connecting a display device, an input device, etc. The display device is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor, etc. The input device is a device that accepts user operations such as a keyboard and a mouse, etc. For example, it is used at the time of connection setting, etc.

[0152] Each of the above functions of each device is realized by the CPU 191 loading and executing the program stored in the auxiliary storage device 193 into the main memory device 192.

[0153] Note that the management tables 250 and 250b generated by the connection device information management units 230 and 230b are constructed, for example, in the auxiliary storage device 193. Also, control channel information, used bandwidth information, etc. are also stored in the auxiliary storage device 193.

[0154] Note that the hardware configuration of each device is not limited to this. Also, each function (server) of each device may be implemented, for example, by an integrated circuit (IC) dedicated to each process, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SOC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

[0155] Also, the program for realizing each of the above functions of each device can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be a non-transient one such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, etc. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product.

[0156] Note that in the process flow used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order, but the execution order of each step is not limited to the described order. For example, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed within a range that does not substantially affect the content, such as executing each process in parallel.

[0157] As described above, each embodiment and modification example of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made. And each embodiment and modification example can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. Also, for example, the network configuration and the configuration of each element shown in each drawing are examples for helping the understanding of the present invention, and are not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings.

[0158] Finally, the preferred forms of the present invention are summarized. Some or all of the above embodiments can also be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto. (Appended Claim 1) In a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, the mesh agent includes a detection unit that detects external radio waves within a frequency band used for wireless communication and notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio waves. The mesh network includes a controller control unit that, when receiving the notification of the detection channel from the mesh agent, excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio waves. (Appendix 2) In the mesh network according to Appendix 1, it is desirable that the controller control unit determines whether the detection channel is a control channel used by the mesh controller, and excludes the detection channel only when it is not the control channel. (Appendix 3) In the mesh network according to Appendix 1 or 2, the mesh controller and the mesh agent perform wireless communication conforming to the IEEE802.11be standard. It is desirable that the controller control unit excludes the detection channel by a preamble puncturing function. (Appendix 4) In the mesh network according to Appendix 3, the mesh controller further includes a connection device information management unit that manages connection devices that are devices connected to the mesh controller. In the connection device information management unit, the communication standards to which each of the connection devices conforms are managed. When there is a device that does not support IEEE802.11be among the connection devices, it is desirable that the controller control unit changes the control channel to a channel capable of securing the maximum continuous bandwidth. (Appendix 5) In the mesh network according to Appendix 3, Among the connection devices connected to the mesh controller, it is desirable to perform wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection by excluding the detection channel by the preamble puncturing function between the mesh controller and the mesh agent. (Appendix 6) A mesh controller in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, When receiving a notification of a detection channel, which is a channel of an external radio wave detected within a frequency band used for wireless communication, from the mesh agent, the mesh controller includes a controller control unit that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection. (Appendix 7) A mesh agent in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, A detection unit that detects an external radio wave within a frequency band used for wireless communication, notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel, which is a channel of the external radio wave, and disconnects the connection with the mesh controller; After the notification, the mesh agent reconnects to the mesh controller and includes an agent-side communication unit that excludes only the detection channel between the mesh agent and the mesh controller and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection. (Appendix 8) An interference radio wave countermeasure method in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, In the mesh agent, an external radio wave within a frequency band used for wireless communication is detected, and a detection channel, which is a channel of the external radio wave, is notified to the mesh controller. In the mesh controller, when receiving the notification of the detection channel from the mesh agent, only the detection channel is excluded, and wireless communication is continued with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection. (Appendix 9) In a computer within a mesh controller in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, When receiving a notification of a detection channel, which is a channel of an external radio wave detected within a frequency band used for wireless communication, from the mesh agent, a program for realizing a controller control function that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection. (Appendix 10) In a computer within a mesh agent in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, A detection function of detecting an external radio wave within a frequency band used for wireless communication and notifying the mesh controller of a detection channel, which is a channel of the external radio wave, and disconnecting the connection with the mesh controller; After the notification, a program for realizing an agent-side communication function of reconnecting to the mesh controller and continuing wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection, excluding only the detection channel, between the agent and the mesh controller. (Appendix 11) In the mesh network according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, It is desirable that the external radio wave is a radar. (Appendix 12) In the mesh network according to Appendix 5, It is desirable that the mesh controller does not notify the connection devices other than the mesh agent among the connection devices connected to itself that the detection channel has been excluded by the preamble puncturing function. Note that the forms of Appendices 6 - 10 can be developed into the forms of Appendices 2 - 5, 11, and 12 in the same manner as Appendix 1.

[0159] In addition, each disclosure of the above-mentioned patent documents and the like shall be incorporated herein by reference. Within the scope of the entire disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), changes and adjustments of the embodiments or variations can be made based on the basic technical idea. Also, within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or variation, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. That is, the present invention naturally includes all disclosures including the claims and various modifications and corrections that a person skilled in the art could make according to the technical idea. In particular, for the numerical ranges described in this document, any numerical value or small range included within the range should be construed as being specifically described even without separate description.

Explanation of Signs

[0160] 100: Mesh network, 100a: Mesh network, 100b: Mesh network, 191: CPU, 192: Main memory device, 193: Auxiliary storage device, 194: Communication I / F, 195: Expansion I / F, 200: Mesh controller, 200a: Mesh controller, 200b: Mesh controller, 200x: Mesh controller, 210: Controller-side communication unit, 220: Controller control unit, 220a: Controller control unit, 220b: Controller control unit, 230: Connected device information management unit, 230b: Connected device information management unit, 250: Management table, 250b: Management table, 251: Connected device ID, 252: Type, 253: Corresponding standard, 300: Mesh agent, 300a: Mesh agent, 300x: Mesh agent, 310: Agent-side communication unit, 320: Agent control unit, 330: Detection unit, 330a: Detection unit, 400: Sub-device (corresponding sub-device), 410: Sub-device (non-corresponding sub-device)

Claims

1. In a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, the mesh agent includes a detection unit that detects external radio waves within a frequency band used for wireless communication and notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio waves, the mesh controller includes a controller control unit that, upon receiving notification of the detection channel from the mesh agent, excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection, a mesh network.

2. The mesh network according to claim 1, wherein the controller control unit determines whether the detection channel is a control channel used by the mesh controller, and excludes the detection channel only when it is not the control channel, a mesh network.

3. The mesh network according to claim 1, wherein the mesh controller and the mesh agent have a preamble puncturing function, and the controller control unit excludes the detection channel by the preamble puncturing function, a mesh network.

4. The mesh network according to claim 3, wherein the mesh controller further includes a connection device information management unit that manages connection devices that are devices connected to the mesh controller, the connection device information management unit manages communication standards complied with by each of the connection devices, and when there is a device that does not have the preamble puncturing function among the connection devices, the controller control unit changes the control channel to a channel capable of securing a continuous maximum bandwidth, a mesh network.

5. In the mesh network according to claim 3, the mesh controller excludes the detection channel by the preamble puncturing function between the mesh controller and the mesh agent among the connection devices that are devices connected to the mesh controller, and performs wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection, a mesh network.

6. A mesh controller in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, When receiving a notification of a detection channel, which is a channel of an external radio wave detected within the frequency band used for wireless communication, from the mesh agent, the mesh controller includes a controller control unit that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio wave.

7. A mesh agent in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, detects an external radio wave within the frequency band used for wireless communication, notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio wave, and includes a detection unit that disconnects the connection with the mesh controller; after the notification, reconnects to the mesh controller, and includes an agent-side communication unit that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio wave between the agent-side communication unit and the mesh controller.

8. A method for dealing with interfering radio waves in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, in the mesh agent, detecting an external radio wave within the frequency band used for wireless communication, and notifying the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio wave; in the mesh controller, when receiving the notification of the detection channel from the mesh agent, excluding only the detection channel and continuing wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio wave.

9. A program for causing a computer in a mesh controller in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent to realize a controller control function that, when receiving a notification of a detection channel, which is a channel of an external radio wave detected within the frequency band used for wireless communication, from the mesh agent, excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the detection of the external radio wave.

10. A computer in a mesh agent in a mesh network including a mesh controller and a mesh agent, detects an external radio wave within the frequency band used for wireless communication, notifies the mesh controller of a detection channel that is a channel of the external radio wave, and includes a detection function that disconnects the connection with the mesh controller; After the notification, reconnect to the mesh controller, and between the mesh controller and the agent-side communication function that excludes only the detection channel and continues wireless communication with the bandwidth before the external radio wave detection are realized.

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