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

Abstract

To disclose a wireless communication system and a wireless communication method for wireless communication in a communication shadow environment.SOLUTION: A wireless communication system includes a first communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a first wireless device via a first communication channel, and a second communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a second wireless device via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device communicate with each other using a metal object as a communication medium, and broadcast a pilot signal including communication channel information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a wireless communication method for wireless communication in a communication shadow environment.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, when a general communication antenna is placed on or in contact with a metal surface such as iron, its resonance characteristics and radiation characteristics tend to deteriorate. Therefore, in a communication shadow environment such as an environment shadowed by metal (e.g., a container box or a ship), it is technically difficult to establish communication between an antenna disposed inside and an antenna disposed outside. Therefore, there is a need for new research on devices and methods for overcoming a metal-shadowed environment and propagating electromagnetic waves for data communication.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] A wireless communication method according to an embodiment includes an operation in which a first communication relay device receives voice data from a first wireless device via a first communication channel, an operation in which the first communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second communication relay device using a metal body as a communication medium, an operation in which the first communication relay device broadcasts a first pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the first communication channel, an operation in which the second communication relay device receives the voice data from the first communication relay device using a metal body as a communication medium, an operation in which the second communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second wireless device via a second communication channel, and an operation in which the second communication relay device broadcasts a second pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the second communication channel.

[0004] The operation of broadcasting the first pilot signal can include the operation of periodically broadcasting the first pilot signal during the standby state time of the first communication relay device.

[0005] The operation of broadcasting the second pilot signal can include the operation of periodically broadcasting the second pilot signal during the standby state time of the second communication relay device.

[0006] Each of the first communication relay device and the second communication relay device can broadcast a pilot signal with a preset signal strength.

[0007] The first communication relay device can broadcast a first pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signal transmitted or received in the communication process with the first wireless device.

[0008] The second communication relay device can broadcast a second pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signal transmitted or received in the communication process with the second wireless device.

[0009] The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device may be arranged on a ship.

[0010] When the first wireless device receives the second pilot signal, it can change the current communication channel to be communicated to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal.

[0011] When the second wireless device receives the first pilot signal, it can change the current communication channel to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal.

[0012] A computer-readable recording medium according to an embodiment can store a computer program for causing a hardware to execute the wireless communication method.

[0013] A wireless communication system according to an embodiment includes a first communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a first wireless device via a first communication channel, and a second communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a second wireless device via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device can communicate with each other using a metal body as a communication medium and broadcast a pilot signal including communication channel information.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, a wireless communication system and a wireless communication method for wireless communication in a communication shadow environment can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments of the Invention

[0016] The specific structural or functional description of the embodiment is disclosed for illustrative purposes only and can be changed into various forms. Accordingly, embodiments are not limited to a specific disclosed form, and the scope of this specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives included in the technical idea described in the embodiments.

[0017] Terms such as first or second may be used to describe a plurality of components, but such terms must be construed only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named the first component.

[0018] When it is mentioned that any component is "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it is directly connected or connected to the other component, but there may be other components in between.

[0019] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "including" or "having" indicate the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should not be construed as precluding the possibility of the existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the relevant technical field. Generally used predefined terms should be construed to have a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be construed as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless clearly defined herein.

[0021] As used herein, the term "module" includes units embodied in hardware, software, or firmware, and can be used interchangeably with terms such as, for example, logic, logic blocks, components, or circuits. A module may be an integrated component, or the smallest unit or a part thereof that executes one or more functions. For example, according to one embodiment, a module is embodied in the form of an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0022] As used herein, the term "~ part" means a software or a hardware component such as an FPGA or an ASIC, and the "~ part" plays some role. However, the "~ part" is not meant to be limited to software or hardware. The "~ part" may be configured to be in an addressable storage medium, or may be configured to cause one or more processors to execute. For example, the "~ part" can include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuits, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided within a component and the "~ part" can be combined with fewer components and the "~ part", or further divided into additional components and the "~ part". In addition, the component and the "~ part" may be embodied to cause one or more CPUs within a device or a secure multimedia card to execute. Also, the "~ part" may include one or more processors.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When explaining with reference to the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing symbols, and duplicate explanations thereof are omitted.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of data transmission through a metal body medium according to an embodiment.

[0025] A communication relay device according to an embodiment (for example, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 shown in FIG. 3) can communicate using a metal body as a medium. The communication relay device receives voice data from a wireless device and transmits the received voice data to another communication relay device using a metal body as a medium. The communication relay device can efficiently perform wireless communication using a metal body as a medium in a communication shadow environment where it is difficult to use radio waves due to a metal body such as a ship, a container, or a trailer. The communication relay device can be attached to the metal hull of a ship, form an electromagnetic field on the metal hull, and include an antenna unit that places the voice data received from a data processing unit (for example, a processor) on the electromagnetic field and propagates it through the metal body. The antenna unit of the communication relay device receives voice data transmitted to the electromagnetic field through the metal body, and the communication relay device can transmit the received voice data to a wireless device through its own communication channel.

[0026] Therefore, the principle of voice data transmission through a metal body will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of voice data transmission through a metal body (for example, a metal hull) according to an embodiment. Here, the metal body medium 101 may be a steel plate or a frame structure of a hull. The case where the metal body medium 101 is a ferromagnetic material and the case where it is a diamagnetic material will be classified and described.

[0027] When the metallic medium 101 is a magnetic material

[0028] The conductive layer of the first antenna 110 forms an electromagnetic field in the dielectric layer. Therefore, a dominant electromagnetic field with a magnetic field is formed in the medium 101 of the metal body, which is a radio wave medium, by this electromagnetic field. Among the generated electromagnetic fields, the electromagnetic field E1 propagates in a direction perpendicular to the medium 101 of the metal body through the aperture surface of the first antenna 110. The propagated electromagnetic field E1 forms an electromagnetic field B with a dominant magnetic field in the medium 101 of the metal body.

[0029] Therefore, according to the reciprocity theorem, the second antenna 120 on the receiving side receives energy from the electromagnetic field formed in the medium 101 of the metal body with a similar structure and principle. In such a process, the change in the electromagnetic field B with a dominant magnetic field is transmitted from the dielectric layer to the electromagnetic field E2 with a dominant magnetic field through the aperture surface of the second antenna 120.

[0030] In such communication using a metal body as a medium (also referred to as metal body communication), since the magnetic field is dominant, even if the form and size of the medium 101 of the metal body change, the change in impedance is small. In addition, since the permeability of the medium 101 of the metal body is larger than that of air, the transmission efficiency of radio waves is superior to that of a communication system propagating in air. Therefore, the communication distance of communication through the medium 101 of the metal body, which is a magnetic material, is farther than that of magnetic field communication through air. In order for the magnetic field to form a dominant electromagnetic field, the resonance part and the circuit part of the communication relay device must be designed so that an electric field of a certain magnitude is formed inside the metal body.

[0031] Energy can also be transmitted from the medium 101 of the metal body to a resonator at a certain distance from the medium 101 of the metal body by the electromagnetic field formed in the medium 101 of the metal body. Since the electromagnetic field formed in the medium 101 of the metal body has a dominant magnetic field, an electric field is radiated from the medium 101 of the metal body. Therefore, when an antenna resonating at the operating frequency is within a certain distance from the medium 101 of the metal body, energy reception is possible.

[0032] The dielectric of the dielectric layer of the first antenna 110 or the second antenna 120 can form an electromagnetic field B in which the magnetic field is dominant in the medium 101 of the metal body, with the thickness and size of the resonance part miniaturized, and can transmit sufficient energy.

[0033] When the metallic medium 101 is a paramagnetic or diamagnetic material

[0034] The current fed to the conductive layer side forms an electromagnetic field E1 in which the electric field is dominant in the medium 101 of the metal body. Here, the electric field radiated from the aperture surface cannot form an electromagnetic field B in which the magnetic field is dominant within the medium 101 of the metal body. Regarding this, since the permeability of paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials is similar to that of air, the metal body medium 101 of paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials does not have a stronger magnetic field radio wave in air like the case of ferromagnetic materials, and propagates with a similar size. In other words, the propagation distances in air or inside the metal body are similar.

[0035] The permeability of pure iron, which is a ferromagnetic material, is 4000 - 5000, while aluminum, which is a paramagnetic material, and silver (Ag), which is a diamagnetic material, have a permeability of about 1.0, and the intensity of the magnetic field radio wave inside the metal body is different. Therefore, in this case, among the conductive layers of the antenna, a signal is propagated to the receiver by the current induced in the medium 101 of the metal body from the layer in contact with the medium 101 of the metal body. Here, the electric field radiated from the aperture surface is induced in the metal body, and thereby a signal or power is transmitted.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an antenna unit and a data processing unit included in a communication relay device according to an embodiment.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows the antenna unit 210 and the data processing unit 220 according to an embodiment. Here, the antenna 210 includes an opening surface, a first layer of a conductive material that is free from a metallic body medium, a second layer of a conductive material disposed on the opposite surface of the first layer, and a third layer of a dielectric material included between the first layer and the second layer. The number of opening surfaces may be determined to vary depending on the application and also depending on the communication environment. The first layer and the second layer may have one or more opening surfaces, but may not have an opening surface depending on the case. The form of the opening surface may be circular or polygonal, and its size is determined so as to form an electromagnetic field in which a magnetic field dominates in the metallic body medium and sufficient energy is transmitted.

[0038] The thickness of each layer is determined in consideration of the wavelength and the skin depth so as to form an electromagnetic field in which a magnetic field dominates in the metallic body medium and sufficient energy is transmitted. In the first layer or the second layer, a further layer having different electrical characteristics may be added in the direction opposite to the third layer. For example, by adding another dielectric layer above the first layer, the formation of a strong electromagnetic field can be induced. Also, as a further example, by adding a non-conductor above the first layer, an electrical connection with the metallic body medium can be prevented.

[0039] The third layer, which is an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer, may be configured as a dielectric or a non-conductor. Here, without being limited, the third layer may include at least one material of carbon fiber, acrylic, and polycarbonate. However, it may include other materials such as paint, paper, and polymer resin film. Also, the third layer may include various layers having different characteristics, a plurality of dielectrics or non-conductors.

[0040] On the other hand, a ferromagnetic material can be pre-attached to the metal body medium 101 to induce a strong magnetic field in the metal body. For example, a dielectric or an insulator may be attached on the first layer, and a ferromagnetic material may be attached thereon. Then, this is placed on the metal body medium 101. Therefore, a strong magnetic field of the attached ferromagnetic material is formed, and by inducing a magnetic field in the metal body medium with this, a stronger magnetic field than directly inducing a magnetic field in the metal body can be formed.

[0041] The data processing unit 220 is a circuit device that converts data and / or signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit 210, which is a resonance unit, into meaningful data and / or signals. The data processing unit 220 includes a circuit for transmission and a circuit for reception, and includes a circuit configuration for processing (or converting) data and / or signals.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a wireless communication system according to an embodiment.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 3, a wireless communication system according to an embodiment is a wireless communication system for performing communication between wireless devices 340 and 360 on a ship 300. However, the scope of the embodiment is not limited thereto, and the proposed wireless communication system may be used in other communication shadow environments. For example, if there is another metal body medium other than the metal hull of the ship 300 and metal body communication between the communication relay devices 310 and 340 is possible through the corresponding metal body medium, the content described here may be applicable. In this specification, the term "wireless device" may be replaced with "radio".

[0044] The wireless communication system includes a first communication relay device 310 that wirelessly communicates with a first wireless device 330 via a first communication channel, and a second communication relay device 340 that wirelessly communicates with a second wireless device 360 via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel. The first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 may be arranged on the ship 300. The first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 communicate with each other using a metal body as a communication medium. For example, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 may communicate with each other using the metal hull of the ship 300 as a metal body medium according to the communication principle described with reference to FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 may be located at the stern of the ship 300, and the second communication relay device 340 may be located at the bow of the ship 300.

[0045] In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 forms an electromagnetic field on the metal hull through the first antenna 110 attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and propagates the voice data received from the first wireless device 330 in the form of a signal on the electromagnetic field. The second communication relay device 340 receives the signal transmitted through the electromagnetic field via the second antenna 120 attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and extracts voice data from the received signal. The second communication relay device 340 transmits the extracted voice data via the second communication channel, and the second wireless device 360 receives the voice data generated by the first wireless device 330 via the second communication channel.

[0046] In one embodiment, the second communication relay device 340 forms an electromagnetic field on the metal hull through the second antenna 120 attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and propagates the voice data received from the second wireless device 360 in the form of a signal on the electromagnetic field. The first communication relay device 310 receives the signal transmitted through the electromagnetic field via the first antenna 110 attached to the metal hull of the ship 300, and extracts voice data from the received signal. The first communication relay device 310 transmits the extracted voice data via the first communication channel, and the first wireless device 330 receives the voice data generated by the second wireless device 360 via the first communication channel.

[0047] In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 may broadcast (or transmit) a pilot signal including their own communication channel information. For example, the first communication relay device 310 may broadcast a first pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the first communication channel. The second communication relay device 340 may broadcast a second pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the second communication channel. For example, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 may each periodically broadcast a pilot signal during the standby state time. Here, the standby state time indicates the time when the communication relay device is not communicating with the wireless device and other communication relay devices (or the time when it does not process wireless transmission and reception).

[0048] In one embodiment, each of the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 broadcasts a pilot signal with a preset signal strength. For example, the first communication relay device 310 may broadcast a pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signal transmitted or received during the communication process with the first wireless device 330, and the second communication relay device 340 may broadcast a pilot signal with a signal strength lower than the signal strength of the signal transmitted or received during the communication process with the second wireless device 360. In one embodiment, the pilot signal is a signal that is spot - transmitted at a specific time point or time interval as a signal with a weak signal strength. The pilot signal is used as a signal for notifying the wireless device that receives the corresponding pilot signal of the communication channels available at the location where the wireless device is located.

[0049] The first wireless device 330 communicates with the first communication relay device 310, leaves the communication range 320 of the first communication relay device 310, and moves into the communication range 350 of the second communication relay device 340. In this case, the first wireless device 330 receives a second pilot signal transmitted from the second communication relay device 340. When the first wireless device 330 receives the second pilot signal transmitted from the second communication relay device 340, the first wireless device 330 changes the current communication channel to be communicated to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal. Such a change of the communication channel may be performed automatically. Alternatively, the first wireless device 330 may notify the user of the first wireless device 330 that the second communication channel has been detected, or provide a notification requesting conversion on the second communication channel.

[0050] The second wireless device 360 communicates with the second communication relay device 340, leaves the communication range 350 of the second communication relay device 340, and moves into the communication range 320 of the first communication relay device 310. In this case, the second wireless device 360 receives a first pilot signal transmitted from the first communication relay device 310. When the second wireless device 360 receives the first pilot signal transmitted from the first communication relay device 310, the second wireless device 360 changes the current communication channel to be communicated to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal. Such a change of the communication channel may be performed automatically. Alternatively, the second wireless device 360 may notify the user of the second wireless device 360 that the first communication channel has been detected, or provide a notification requesting conversion on the first communication channel.

[0051] The communication range 320, which is a range in which communication with the first communication relay device 310 is possible, and the communication range 350, which is a range in which communication with the second communication relay device 340 is possible, may or may not overlap with each other. Also, according to an embodiment, there may be three or more communication relay devices.

[0052] When a specific wireless device receives both the first pilot signal and the second pilot signal, the corresponding wireless device can set the communication channel to a communication channel with a better communication environment (or communication quality). For example, if the received signal strength (Received Signal Strength Indicator, RSSI) when receiving the first pilot signal is greater than the received signal strength when receiving the second pilot signal, the wireless device can estimate that the first communication channel through which the first pilot signal is transmitted has a better communication environment than the second communication channel through which the second pilot signal is transmitted, and can set the communication channel as the first communication channel.

[0053] The first wireless device 330 and the second wireless device 360 can perform channel scanning for the communication channel for communication. For example, the first wireless device 330 and the second wireless device 360 can search for a communicable communication channel while changing the communication channel in the order of the first communication channel, the second communication channel, the third communication channel, and so on. In addition, the first wireless device 330 and the second wireless device 360 can attempt to communicate on the communication channel through which voice data (or signal) is transmitted or the last activated communication channel. In the case of a conventional communication system, when a wireless device moves to a communication area where communication is performed on the second communication channel while not communicating in a state where the first communication channel is set, the wireless device first attempts to communicate on the first communication channel, so there is a possibility that communication will fail. In addition, in a conventional communication system, in order for a wireless device to be linked with a communication relay device, there is an inconvenience that the user has to manually change the communication channel of the wireless device to a communicable communication channel. If the user has not yet been able to appropriately change the communication channel, the wireless device cannot be linked with the communication relay device, and a communication impossible situation may occur.

[0054] However, as proposed in the present invention, by the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 each continuously transmitting a pilot signal for notifying their communication channels, the wireless device can efficiently identify the communication channels that can communicate at the location where it is located. The wireless device can reduce the possibility of communication failure due to incorrect setting of the communication channel by automatically changing the currently set communication channel to the communication channel identified via the pilot signal. Regardless of its location, the wireless device can automatically search for the optimal communication channel through which it can communicate via the pilot signal, and automatically set and operate the communication channel. Also, although a communication channel through which a better signal can be received should be set for the wireless device, according to one or more embodiments, by setting the output power of the pilot signal transmitted from the communication relay devices 310 and 340 low, the discrimination ability of the signals that the wireless devices 330 and 360 can receive is maximized, and the wireless devices 330 and 360 can set the optimal communication channel.

[0055] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of a wireless communication method according to an embodiment.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 4, in operation 410, the first communication relay device 310 receives voice data from a first wireless device (for example, the first wireless device 330 shown in FIG. 3) via a first communication channel.

[0057] In operation 415, the first communication relay device 310 transmits the voice data to the second communication relay device 340 using a metal body as a communication medium. The voice data can be transmitted by being placed on the electromagnetic field formed in the metal body.

[0058] In operation 420, the first communication relay device 310 broadcasts a first pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the first communication channel. In one embodiment, the first communication relay device 310 may periodically broadcast a first pilot signal during the standby time of the first communication relay device 310. The first communication relay device 310 broadcasts a first pilot signal having a signal strength lower than the signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during the communication with the first wireless device.

[0059] In operation 425, the second communication relay device 340 receives voice data from the first communication relay device 310 using a metal body as a communication medium.

[0060] In operation 430, the second communication relay device 340 transmits voice data to a second wireless device (for example, the second wireless device 360 shown in FIG. 3) via a second communication channel.

[0061] In operation 435, the second communication relay device 340 broadcasts a second pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the second communication channel. In one embodiment, the second communication relay device 340 may periodically broadcast the second pilot signal during the standby time of the second communication relay device 340. The second communication relay device 340 broadcasts a second pilot signal having a signal strength lower than the signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during the communication with the second wireless device.

[0062] In operation 440, the second communication relay device 340 receives voice data from the second wireless device via the second communication channel.

[0063] In operation 445, the second communication relay device 340 transmits voice data to the first communication relay device 310 using a metal body as a communication medium. The voice data may be transmitted by being placed on an electromagnetic field formed in the metal body.

[0064] In operation 450, the second communication relay device 340 broadcasts a second pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the second communication channel.

[0065] In operation 455, the first communication relay device 310 receives voice data from the second communication relay device 340 using a metal body as a communication medium.

[0066] In operation 460, the first communication relay device 360 transmits voice data to the first wireless device via the first communication channel.

[0067] In operation 465, the first communication relay device 310 broadcasts a first pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the first communication channel.

[0068] In one embodiment, when the first wireless device communicates with the first communication relay device 310 and moves within the communication range of the second communication relay device 340, the first wireless device can receive a second pilot signal via the second communication channel. When the first wireless device receives the second pilot signal, it may change the current communication channel to be communicated to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal.

[0069] In one embodiment, when the second wireless device communicates with the second communication relay device 340 and moves within the communication range of the first communication relay device 310, the second wireless device receives a first pilot signal via the first communication channel. When the second wireless device receives the first pilot signal, it may change the current communication channel to be communicated to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication relay device according to an embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, the communication relay device 500 corresponds to the communication relay device described in the present disclosure (for example, the first communication relay device 310 and the second communication relay device 340 shown in FIG. 3). The communication relay device 500 includes a processor 510, a memory 520, and a communication module 530. The communication relay device 500 includes a processor 510, a memory 520, and a communication module 530, and each component of the communication relay device 500 can communicate with each other via a communication bus 540. In one embodiment, the communication relay device 500 may omit some of these components or add other components.

[0072] The processor 510 can control other components (e.g., hardware or software components) of the communication relay device 500 and perform various data processing or operations. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or operation, the processor 510 stores instructions or data received from other components in the memory 520, processes the instructions or data stored in the memory 520, and stores the result data in the memory 520.

[0073] The processor 510 may include a main processor (e.g., a central processing unit or an application processor) or an auxiliary processor (e.g., a graphics processing unit, a neural network processing unit (NPU), an image signal processing unit, a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor) that can operate independently or together with it.

[0074] The memory 520 stores various data used by components (e.g., the processor 510 or the communication module 530) of the communication relay device 500. The data may include, for example, a program (e.g., an application), input data and / or output data for instructions related thereto, and audio data received from a wireless device. The memory 520 may store instruction words executable by the processor 510. The memory 520 may include a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. In one embodiment, the processor 510 and the memory 520 may be included in and operate in the data processing unit 220 shown in FIG. 2.

[0075] The communication module 530 supports the establishment of a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the communication relay device 500 and other devices (e.g., other communication relay devices, wireless devices), and the execution of communication through the established communication channel. The communication module 530 includes a communication circuit for performing a communication function. The communication module 530 may be operated independently of the processor 510 and include a communication processor that supports direct (e.g., wired) communication or wireless communication. The communication module 530 may include a wireless communication module and / or a wired communication module that performs wireless communication. The communication module 530 may include, for example, the antenna unit 210 shown in FIG. 2.

[0076] The processor 510 can control the communication relay device 500 to perform one or more operations of the communication relay device described in the present invention by executing the instruction words stored in the memory 520.

[0077] The embodiments described above can be implemented by hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments can be implemented using a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer such as a processor, a controller, an ALU (arithmetic logic unit), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), a PLU (Programmable Logic Unit), a microprocessor, or other adaptive supersampling devices that can execute commands and respond. The processing device can execute an operating system (OS) and a software application executed on the operating system. Further, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of software. For the sake of convenience of understanding, the processing device may sometimes be described as being used singly, but those having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field will understand that the processing device may include a plurality of processing elements and / or a plurality of types of processing elements. For example, the processing device may include a plurality of processors or one processor and one controller. Also, other processing configurations, such as a parallel processor, are possible.

[0078] The software may include a computer program, code, instruction, or any combination thereof, and may configure the processing device as desired or instruct the processing device independently or collectively. The software and / or data may be interpreted by the processing device or permanently embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual device, computer storage medium, or device, or signal wave to be transmitted, in order to provide instructions or data to the processing device. The software may be distributed on a network-connected computer system and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

[0079] The method according to this embodiment is embodied in the form of program instructions implemented via various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The recording medium includes program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. singly or in combination. The recording medium and program instructions may be specially designed and configured for the purposes of the present invention, or may be those known to and available to persons having ordinary skill in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, and magnetic tapes, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as ROMs, RAMs, flash memories, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language code generated by a compiler, but also high-level language code executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

[0080] The hardware adaptive supersampling device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software models to perform the operations shown in the present invention, and vice versa.

[0081] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the limited drawings, those of ordinary skill in the art can apply various technical modifications and variations based on the above description. For example, the described technology may be executed in an order different from the described method, and / or the components of the described system, structure, device, circuit, etc. may be combined or assembled in a form different from the described method, and appropriate results can be achieved even if they are replaced or substituted by other components or equivalents.

[0082] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: an operation in which a first communication relay device receives voice data from a first wireless device via a first communication channel; an operation in which the first communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second communication relay device using a metal body as a communication medium; an operation in which the first communication relay device broadcasts a first pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the first communication channel; an operation in which the second communication relay device receives the voice data from the first communication relay device using a metal body as a communication medium; an operation in which the second communication relay device transmits the voice data to a second wireless device via a second communication channel; an operation in which the second communication relay device broadcasts a second pilot signal including communication channel information regarding the second communication channel; A wireless communication method including the above.

2. The operation of broadcasting the first pilot signal includes an operation of periodically broadcasting the first pilot signal during a standby state time of the first communication relay device. The operation of broadcasting the second pilot signal includes an operation of periodically broadcasting the second pilot signal during a standby state time of the second communication relay device. The wireless communication method according to Claim 1.

3. Each of the first communication relay device and the second communication relay device broadcasts a pilot signal having a preset signal strength. The wireless communication method according to Claim 1.

4. The first communication relay device broadcasts a first pilot signal having a signal strength lower than a signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during a communication process with the first wireless device. The second communication relay device broadcasts a second pilot signal having a signal strength lower than a signal strength of a signal transmitted or received during a communication process with the second wireless device. The wireless communication method according to Claim 1.

5. The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are arranged on a ship. The wireless communication method according to Claim 1.

6. When the first wireless device receives the second pilot signal, the first wireless device changes a current communication channel to be communicated to the second communication channel based on communication channel information regarding the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal. The wireless communication method according to Claim 1.

7. When the second wireless device receives the first pilot signal, it changes the current communication channel to the first communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal. The wireless communication method according to claim 1.

8. A computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 1 in combination with hardware.

9. A wireless communication system, A first communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a first wireless device via a first communication channel, Including a second communication relay device that wirelessly communicates with a second wireless device via a second communication channel different from the first communication channel, The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device communicate with each other using a metal body as a communication medium and broadcast a pilot signal including communication channel information. The wireless communication system.

10. Each of the first communication relay device and the second communication relay device periodically broadcasts the pilot signal during the standby state time. The wireless communication system according to claim 9.

11. Each of the first communication relay device and the second communication relay device broadcasts a pilot signal with a preset signal intensity. The wireless communication system according to claim 9.

12. The first communication relay device broadcasts a pilot signal with a signal intensity lower than the signal intensity of the signal transmitted or received during the communication process with the first wireless device, The second communication relay device broadcasts a pilot signal with a signal intensity lower than the signal intensity of the signal transmitted or received during the communication process with the second wireless device. The wireless communication system according to claim 9.

13. The first communication relay device and the second communication relay device are arranged inside a ship. The wireless communication system according to claim 9.

14. When the first wireless device receives the second pilot signal, it changes the current communication channel to be communicated to the second communication channel based on the communication channel information regarding the second communication channel included in the received second pilot signal. The wireless communication system according to claim 9.

15. The wireless communication system according to claim 9, wherein when the second wireless device receives the first pilot signal, the second wireless device changes a current communication channel to the first communication channel based on communication channel information regarding the first communication channel included in the received first pilot signal.

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