Program, wireless communication system, and communication method

Abstract

To provide a program capable of efficiently generating an appropriate frequency hopping pattern while suppressing power consumption, a wireless communication system, and a communication method.SOLUTION: A program causes a computer 15 to execute processing to perform data communication by a frequency hopping method between a first communication device 1 and a second communication device 2 between which connection has been established after performing pairing processing to establish wireless communication connection between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2. The pairing processing includes: a detection step of detecting interference with each advertised signal transmitted by using a plurality of advertised channel used for connection establishment among a plurality of channels used for wireless communication; and a generation step for generating a frequency hopping pattern in a frequency hopping method based on detection results in the detection step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a program, a wireless communication system, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), a Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard, has been increasingly used for communication between communication devices within a vehicle. In short-range wireless communication using BLE or the like, one-to-one data communication is performed between the communication devices after a pairing process that establishes a wireless communication connection between the communication devices.

[0003] In short-range wireless communications such as BLE, a frequency hopping method is known in which communication is performed by switching the frequency channel used for communication from a certain frequency band every short period of time. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 describes a technology that employs adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) after pairing processing for wireless communications between two communication devices, restricting the use of channels that interfere with radio waves from other devices and performing frequency hopping using channels that do not interfere, thereby reducing mutual interference with radio waves from other devices. Patent Document 1 also describes a technology that employs adaptive frequency hopping and performs carrier sensing on a channel whose use is restricted during idle time when communication is not being performed, and lifts the restriction on the use of that channel if no interference waves are present on the channel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-303379 [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] Specification of Bluetooth System Covered Core Package Version3.0+HS,21 April 2009 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the adaptive hopping method described in Non-Patent Document 1 restricts the use of channels where interference exists, but once a channel's use is restricted, that restriction continues, reducing the number of channels available for communication and causing a decrease in the spreading rate of the transmission signal.The technology in Patent Document 1 lifts the restriction on channel use when there is no interference, so it can prevent a decrease in the number of available channels, but there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the processing time and power consumption required to generate an appropriate frequency hopping pattern.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a program, a wireless communication system, and a communication method that can efficiently generate an appropriate frequency hopping pattern while suppressing power consumption. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] (1) A program that causes a computer to perform a pairing process to establish a wireless communication connection between two communication devices, and then executes a process to perform data communication using a frequency hopping method between the two communication devices whose connection has been established, wherein the pairing process includes a detection process to detect interference with an advertising signal transmitted using an advertising channel used to establish the connection among multiple channels used for the wireless communication, and a generation process to generate a frequency hopping pattern for the frequency hopping method based on the detection result of the interference in the detection process.

[0009] (2) In the program described in (1), a plurality of dedicated advertising channels are set in advance as channels to be used for establishing the connection among the plurality of channels used for the wireless communication, and the detection process sets one or more channels from among the plurality of channels as auxiliary advertising channels for establishing the connection, and sets the auxiliary advertising channels in a frequency band near the middle of the frequency band in which the dedicated advertising channels are set.

[0010] (3) In the program described in (2), the data communication process for performing the data communication after the pairing process includes, separate from the detection process, a data communication detection process for detecting interference with an advertising signal transmitted using the dedicated advertising channel and the auxiliary advertising channel on a regular or irregular basis, and an update process for updating the frequency hopping pattern generated in the generation process based on the interference detection result in the data communication detection process.

[0011] (4) In the program described in any one of (1) to (3), the two communication devices are mounted on a vehicle, and the pairing process further includes an estimation process of estimating the communication quality of the multiple channels based on the interference detection result, and a storage process of storing in a storage unit a correspondence between the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel in the estimation process and vehicle position information, and in the generation process, the frequency hopping pattern is generated based on the correspondence stored in the storage process.

[0012] (5) A wireless communication system includes a first communication device and a second communication device that perform data communication with each other using a frequency hopping method after performing a pairing process to establish a wireless communication connection, wherein the second communication device has an advertising processing unit that transmits an advertising signal using an advertising channel used to establish the connection among multiple channels used for wireless communication during the pairing process, and the first communication device has a detection unit that detects interference with the advertising signal transmitted from the second communication device, and a generation unit that generates a frequency hopping pattern in the frequency hopping method based on the detection result of the interference by the detection unit.

[0013] (6) A communication method is a communication method in which, after a pairing process for establishing a wireless communication connection between two communication devices is performed, data communication is performed between the two communication devices whose connection has been established using a frequency hopping method, wherein the pairing process includes a detection process for detecting interference with an advertising signal transmitted using an advertising channel used for establishing the connection among multiple channels used for the wireless communication, and a generation process for generating a frequency hopping pattern for the frequency hopping method based on the detection result of the interference in the detection process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently generate an appropriate frequency hopping pattern while suppressing power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an example showing the configuration of a predetermined communication signal used in a wireless communication system. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a process flow in communication between a first communication device and a second communication device and a channel used in each process. FIG. [Figure 4]2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a first communication device in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a second communication device in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a higher-level device in a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 7] 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functional blocks of a second communication device in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functional blocks of a first communication device in the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a hopping pattern generation process and a hopping pattern update process between a first communication device and a second communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a hopping pattern generation process executed by a second communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a hopping pattern generation process executed by a first communication device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of functional blocks of a first communication device in a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of functional blocks of a host device in a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a hopping pattern generation process and a hopping pattern update process between a first communication device, a second communication device, and a higher-level device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a hopping pattern generation process executed by a first communication device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16]10 is a flowchart showing an example of a hopping pattern generation process executed by a higher-level device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] A wireless communication system S according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. Furthermore, the drawings referred to in the following description merely show a rough outline of the shape, size, and positional relationship to the extent that the contents of the present disclosure can be understood. In other words, the present invention is not limited to only the shape, size, and positional relationship exemplified in each drawing.

[0017] First Embodiment As shown in FIG. 1 , the wireless communication system S according to the first embodiment is a system that mainly includes multiple wireless communication devices 5, a host device 3, a GNSS device 6, and a car navigation device 7 mounted on a vehicle 4, and performs wireless communication between the multiple wireless communication devices 5 and the host device 3 within the vehicle 4. The multiple wireless communication devices 5 mainly include a first communication device 1 and a second communication device 2. In this embodiment, the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 mounted on the vehicle 4 perform wireless communication based on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. Note that the wireless communication devices 5 are not limited to the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2.

[0018] The host device 3 is a host device such as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that controls each element of the vehicle 4. The host device 3, for example, controls the overall operation of the vehicle 4 and also executes a process of displaying various pieces of information acquired from various wireless communication devices 5 in the vehicle 4 via a display or the like mounted on the vehicle 4.

[0019] The GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) device 6 is mounted on the vehicle 4, includes an antenna, and receives GNSS signals and the like. The GNSS signals are transmitted from navigation satellites that constitute GNSS, such as the GPS (Global Positioning System) or the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System. The GNSS device 6 transmits the received GNSS signals to the first communication device 1, the higher-level device 3, the car navigation device 7, and the like.

[0020] The car navigation device 7 is a device that is mounted on the vehicle 4 and provides route guidance (car navigation) to a user in the vehicle 4. The car navigation device 7 acquires destination information indicating a destination set by the user through an input operation by the user, and GNSS signals from the GNSS device 6. The car navigation device 7 then estimates current position information of the vehicle 4 based on the GNSS signals, and generates route information indicating a travel route from the current position of the vehicle 4 indicated by the estimated position information to the destination. Note that the car navigation device 7 may acquire the current position information of the vehicle 4 from the host device 3.

[0021] The first communication device 1 operates as a central in the BLE standard. There are no particular limitations on the first communication device 1, and it may be, for example, an ECU for a meter of the vehicle 4 or an ECU for the engine.

[0022] The second communication device 2 operates as a peripheral in accordance with the BLE standard. After establishing a wireless communication connection with the first communication device 1, the second communication device 2 performs GATT (Generic attribute profile) communication, which is one-to-one data communication, with the connected first communication device 1.

[0023] The first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 are capable of transmitting and receiving predetermined communication signals, and perform a pairing process that establishes a wireless communication connection using the predetermined communication signals, and a GATT communication process that performs data communication using a frequency hopping method. The predetermined communication signals are composed of multiple channels obtained by dividing a predetermined frequency band by a predetermined bandwidth. The frequency hopping method is a communication method that performs data communication by switching the channel used for transmitting and receiving communication signals at short time intervals.

[0024] Fig. 2 is an example showing the configuration of a predetermined communication signal used in the wireless communication system S. In this embodiment, the predetermined communication signal is defined in the BLE standard and is composed of 40 channels obtained by dividing the 2.4 GHz frequency band into 2 MHz widths, as shown in Fig. 2. The 40 channels include data channels 0ch to 36ch and advertisement channels 37ch, 38ch, and 39ch.

[0025] In data communication using the frequency hopping method of this embodiment, data is transmitted and received between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 using data channels 0ch to 36ch, which are excluding the advertisement channels out of the 40 channels. In the frequency hopping method, information indicating the channels used for transmitting and receiving data, the order in which they are used, and the interval at which the channels are switched is called a frequency hopping pattern.

[0026] Here, an overview of the flow from establishing a connection to disconnecting a communication between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the processing flow in communication between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 and the channels used for each process. In Fig. 3, the vertical axis indicates the channels used for communication by the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2, and the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time since the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 were started up.

[0027] When power is supplied to the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2, advertising is executed to establish a connection as part of the pairing process, as shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the second communication device 2, which is a peripheral, broadcasts an advertising signal containing the second communication device 2's own address information and the like at predetermined time intervals (hereinafter referred to as the advertising transmission interval) using advertising channels such as 37ch, 38ch, and 39ch. The first communication device 1 receives the advertising signal from the second communication device 2 by scanning and performs predetermined processing, thereby establishing a connection between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2. In the following description, an advertising signal transmitted using 37ch will be referred to as a 37ch advertising signal, an advertising signal transmitted using 38ch will be referred to as a 38ch advertising signal, and an advertising signal transmitted using 39ch will be referred to as a 39ch advertising signal.

[0028] 3, once connection establishment between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 is completed, connection authentication is executed as part of the pairing process to perform encrypted communication. In the connection authentication, for example, encryption information such as mutual keys is exchanged between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 for each channel. Data transmitted and received using each channel is encrypted based on this encryption information.

[0029] After the pairing process is completed, a GATT communication process is executed to perform data communication using the frequency hopping method between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2, whose connection has been established. As shown in FIG. 3, in the GATT communication process, data communication is performed while switching the channel to be used at predetermined time intervals based on the frequency hopping pattern. Then, the connection between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 is disconnected, and communication between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 is completed. In the wireless communication system S of this embodiment, a frequency hopping pattern used in data communication is generated and updated based on the detection result of interference with the communication signal of each channel. The process of generating a frequency hopping pattern (hereinafter referred to as a hopping pattern generation process) and the process of updating a frequency hopping pattern (hereinafter referred to as a hopping pattern update process) will be described later.

[0030] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the devices included in the wireless communication system S. First, an example of the hardware configuration of the first communication device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the first communication device 1.

[0031] The first communication device 1 includes a computer 15, a storage unit 11, a wireless communication unit 12, a power supply unit 13, and a communication I / F unit 14. A bus 154 and the like connect these units together.

[0032] The computer 15 includes a processor 151 and a read-only memory (ROM) 152 and a random-access memory (RAM) 153 as main storage devices. The processor 151 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 151 may be a combination of these. The processor 151 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 151 controls each unit to realize various functions of the first communication device 1 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 152, the RAM 153, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 11. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the processor's circuitry.

[0033] The storage unit 11 is a storage area for storing various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the first communication device 1, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 11 stores programs for causing the computer 15 to execute each function of this embodiment, various thresholds used to determine the presence or absence of interference in the pairing process, which will be described later, and the like.

[0034] The wireless communication unit 12 executes processing for the first communication device 1 to perform wireless communication with the other wireless communication device 5 and the higher-level device 3.

[0035] The power supply unit 13 is a power source for the first communication device 1 that supplies power to the vehicle 4 when the vehicle 4 is started. The power supply unit 13 is configured using a battery, a boost circuit, etc. For example, when the engine of the vehicle 4 starts and power is supplied to the vehicle 4, the power supply unit 13 may acquire the power and automatically start a scanning process, which will be described later.

[0036] The communication I / F unit 14 is a wired communication interface for the first communication device 1 to communicate with the higher-level device 3. The first communication device 1 uses the communication I / F unit 14 to cause the higher-level device 3 to display various types of information acquired from the wireless communication device 5 via CAN (Controller Area Network) communication, LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication, or the like.

[0037] An example of the hardware configuration of the second communication device 2 will be described below. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the second communication device 2.

[0038] The second communication device 2 includes a computer 25, a storage unit 21, a wireless communication unit 22, and a power supply unit 23. A bus 254 and the like connect these units together.

[0039] The computer 25 includes a processor 251 and a read-only memory (ROM) 252 and a random-access memory (RAM) 253 as main storage devices. The processor 251 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 251 may be a combination of these. The processor 251 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 251 controls each unit to realize various functions of the second communication device 2 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 252, the RAM 253, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 21. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the processor's circuitry.

[0040] The storage unit 21 is a storage area for storing various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the second communication device 2, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 21 stores programs for causing the computer 25 to execute the functions of this embodiment, address information of the second communication device 2 itself (described later), etc.

[0041] The wireless communication unit 22 executes processing for the second communication device 2 to perform wireless communication with another wireless communication device 5.

[0042] The power supply unit 23 is a power supply for the second communication device 2 that supplies power to the vehicle 4 when the vehicle 4 is started. The power supply unit 23 is configured using a battery, a boost circuit, etc. For example, when the engine of the vehicle 100 starts and power is supplied to the vehicle 4, the power supply unit 23 acquires the power and automatically starts the advertising process described below.

[0043] An example of the hardware configuration of the higher-level device 3 will now be described.

[0044] The higher-level device 3 includes a computer 35, a storage unit 31, a wireless communication unit 32, a power supply unit 33, and a communication I / F unit 34. A bus 354 and the like connect these units together.

[0045] The computer 35 includes a processor 351 and a read-only memory (ROM) 352 and a random-access memory (RAM) 353 as main storage devices. The processor 351 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 351 may be a combination of these. The processor 351 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 351 controls each unit to realize various functions of the higher-level device 3 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 352, the RAM 353, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 31. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the processor circuitry.

[0046] The storage unit 31 is a storage area for storing various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the higher-level device 3, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 31 stores programs for causing the computer 35 to execute each function of this embodiment, the correspondence between the position information of the vehicle 4 and the communication quality of each channel, etc.

[0047] The wireless communication unit 32 executes a process for the host device 3 to perform wireless communication with other devices in the vehicle 4, including the wireless communication device 5.

[0048] The power supply unit 33 is a power supply for the higher-level device 3 that supplies power to the vehicle 4 when the vehicle 4 is started. The power supply unit 33 is configured using a battery, a booster circuit, and the like.

[0049] The communication I / F unit 34 is a wired communication interface for the higher-level device 3 to communicate with the first communication device 1.

[0050] Next, a functional configuration of the second communication device 2 for performing pairing processing and GATT communication processing by the second communication device 2 of the wireless communication system S according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the second communication device 2.

[0051] The second communication device 2 is mainly configured by a processor 251, and includes a processing unit 20 that executes pairing processing and GATT communication processing. As shown in FIG. 7 , the processing unit 20 includes an advertising processing unit 201, a connection processing unit 202, an authentication processing unit 203, and a data communication unit 204.

[0052] The advertising processing unit 201 uses the advertising channel to broadcast an advertising signal containing address information and the like of the second communication device 2 itself in order to notify the surrounding area of ​​the presence of the second communication device 2 itself. The advertising processing unit 201 broadcasts the advertising signal at a predetermined time interval (hereinafter referred to as the advertising transmission interval). The advertising transmission interval may be a time interval defined by the BLE standard, or may be an arbitrary time interval. In this embodiment, the advertising processing unit 201 starts advertising processing when the vehicle 4 starts up and power flowing through the vehicle 4 is supplied to the power supply unit 23.

[0053] There are multiple advertising channels used for advertising. In this embodiment, among the multiple channels used for wireless communication, multiple dedicated advertising channels (hereinafter referred to as primary advertising channels) are set in advance as channels to be used for establishing connections, which are three channels, 37ch, 38ch, and 39ch, in the 2.4 GHz frequency band defined in the BLE standard. The advertising processing unit 201 in this embodiment uses the primary advertising channel as the advertising channel. The advertising processing unit 201 broadcasts advertising signals at advertising transmission intervals using each primary advertising channel, for example, 37ch, 38ch, and 39ch in that order. In the following description, an advertising signal transmitted using 37ch will be referred to as a 37ch advertising signal, an advertising signal transmitted using 38ch will be referred to as a 38ch advertising signal, and an advertising signal transmitted using 39ch will be referred to as a 39ch advertising signal.

[0054] When a connection request is received from the first communication device 1, the connection processing unit 202 controls the wireless communication unit 22 to execute a process of transmitting a connection response to the first communication device 1. When the first communication device 1 receives the connection response transmitted from the second communication device 2, a wireless communication connection between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 is established.

[0055] The authentication processing unit 203 performs connection authentication to perform encrypted communication with the established first communication device 1. For example, the authentication processing unit 203 performs processing to send and receive encrypted information using a data channel for connection authentication.

[0056] The data communication unit 204 executes GATT communication processing to perform frequency hopping data communication with the established connection first communication device 1. The data communication unit 204 performs frequency hopping data communication with the first communication device 1 based on the frequency hopping pattern of the frequency hopping method generated by the first communication device 1.

[0057] Next, a functional configuration of the first communication device 1 for performing pairing processing and GATT communication processing by the first communication device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a part of the functional configuration of the first communication device 1. In the pairing processing, a hopping pattern generation processing is performed together with establishing a connection with the second communication device 2. In the GATT communication processing, a hopping pattern update processing is performed together with data communication with the second communication device using the frequency hopping method. In this embodiment, the first communication device 1 executes the hopping pattern generation processing and the hopping pattern update processing.

[0058] The first communication device 1 is mainly configured by a processor 151, and includes a processing unit 10 that executes pairing processing and GATT communication processing. As shown in Fig. 8, the processing unit 10 includes a pairing processing unit 110 that executes pairing processing, and a data communication processing unit 120 that executes GATT communication processing.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the pairing processing unit 110 includes a signal acquiring unit 111, a detecting unit 112, an estimating unit 113, a generating unit 114, a connection processing unit 115, and an authentication processing unit .

[0060] In order to find the second communication device 2 that will be the communication partner, the signal acquisition unit 111 executes a process of receiving, by scanning, an advertising signal transmitted by the second communication device 2. In this embodiment, the signal acquisition unit 111 may start scanning for advertising signals when the vehicle 4 starts up and power flowing in the vehicle 4 is supplied to the power supply unit 13, or may start scanning for advertising signals based on a user operation.

[0061] The detection unit 112 executes a process for detecting interference with the advertising signal acquired by the signal acquisition unit 111. Examples of interference include radio wave interference caused by radio waves from other devices inside or outside the vehicle 4 or other interfering waves in communications between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 using each channel, and fading interference, which occurs when multiple reflected radio waves overlap and combine in a metallic environment around the vehicle 4, resulting in a decrease in reception strength due to the combined waves canceling out the entire signal. For example, when radio wave interference occurs due to Wi-Fi (registered trademark) radio waves, high reception power of Wi-Fi is detected, resulting in an increase in RSSI compared to when no radio wave interference occurs. In this way, interference causes fluctuations in the reception strength of signals transmitted using channels, i.e., RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator).

[0062] The detection unit 112 measures, for example, the reception strength (RSSI) of a signal transmitted using a channel and detects interference based on the measurement result. In this embodiment, the detection unit 112 measures the RSSI of an advertising signal and determines whether or not there is interference with the advertising signal based on the measurement result. The detection unit 112 determines that there is interference, for example, when the measured RSSI is outside a predetermined range (hereinafter referred to as the RSSI reference range). The detection unit 112 also measures a packet error rate and detects interference based on the measurement result. In this case, the detection unit 112 acquires the number of transmissions of packets transmitted by the advertising signal from the second communication device 2 and measures the packet error rate of the advertising signal based on the number of transmissions and the number of packets actually acquired. For example, the packet error rate can be calculated as the ratio of the number of packets actually acquired to the number of packet transmissions. The detection unit 112 may then determine that there is interference, for example, when the measured packet error rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold (hereinafter referred to as the error rate determination threshold).

[0063] The estimation unit 113 executes a process of estimating the communication quality of each channel based on the detection result of interference with the advertising signal by the detection unit 112. For example, the estimation unit 113 may determine the communication quality of a channel surrounding an advertising channel determined by the detection unit 112 to have interference as a channel whose use in data communication is restricted (hereinafter referred to as a usage-restricted channel). That is, the estimation unit 113 may determine a channel whose frequency is close to the frequency of an advertising channel determined by the detection unit 112 to have interference as a channel whose use in data communication is prohibited. On the other hand, the estimation unit 113 may estimate that the communication quality of a channel surrounding an advertising channel determined by the detection unit 112 to have no interference is good communication quality and that no usage restriction is imposed.

[0064] The generation unit 114 executes a process of generating a frequency hopping pattern based on the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel by the estimation unit 113. The generation unit 114 may generate, for example, a frequency hopping pattern that uses channels other than the channels determined to be channels whose use is restricted.

[0065] The connection processing unit 115 executes a process of transmitting a connection request to the second communication device 2 and a process of receiving a connection response from the second communication device 2. Specifically, after the frequency hopping pattern is generated by the generation unit 114, the connection processing unit 115 transmits the generated frequency hopping pattern and a connection request to the second communication device 2 that is the sender of the advertising signal. Then, when the connection processing unit 115 receives a connection response from the second communication device 2 that sent the connection request, it establishes a wireless communication connection with the second communication device 2. As a result, since the frequency hopping pattern and the like are generated while processing for establishing a connection is performed during the pairing process, an appropriate frequency hopping pattern can be generated efficiently.

[0066] The authentication processing unit 116 performs connection authentication to perform encrypted communication with the established second communication device 2. For example, the authentication processing unit 116 performs processing to send and receive encrypted information using a data channel for connection authentication.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 8, the data communication processing unit 120 includes a data communication unit 121, a data communication time detection unit 122, and an update unit 123.

[0068] The data communication unit 121 executes a process for controlling data communication with the second communication device 2 by the frequency hopping method in accordance with the frequency hopping pattern generated by the generation unit 114.

[0069] The data communication detection unit 122 executes a process for detecting interference with a signal transmitted using a channel during GATT communication processing. In this embodiment, the data communication detection unit 122 detects, for example, interference with an advertising signal transmitted periodically or irregularly. For example, the data communication detection unit 122 may receive an advertising signal from the second communication device 2 by transmitting a transmission command for the advertising signal to the second communication device 2. The data communication detection unit 122 may measure the RSSI and packet error rate of the advertising signal from the second communication device 2 in a manner similar to that of the above-described detection unit 112, and detect interference with the advertising signal based on the measurement results.

[0070] The update unit 123 executes a process of updating the frequency hopping pattern for data communication using the frequency hopping method, based on the interference detection result detected by the data communication time detection unit 122. For example, the update unit 123 estimates the communication quality of each channel based on the interference detection result, using a method similar to that of the estimation unit 113 described above. At this time, if a channel with a usage restriction estimated by the estimation unit 113 exists but interference is not detected by the data communication time detection unit 122, the update unit 123 removes the usage restriction on the usage restriction channel. The update unit 123 executes a process of updating the frequency hopping pattern, based on the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel. As a result, even in a situation where the communication environment is prone to change, such as when the vehicle 4 is traveling, data communication can be performed using an optimal frequency hopping pattern according to the changing communication environment.

[0071] Next, an example of the flow of a hopping pattern generation process in the wireless communication system S according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a hopping pattern generation process and a hopping pattern update process between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 according to the first embodiment.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, in step S1, the first communication device 1 starts passive scanning to find the second communication device 2 present in the vicinity, and receives the 37ch advertising signal broadcast from the second communication device 2.

[0074] In step S2, the first communication device 1 measures the RSSI of the advertising signal on 37ch.

[0075] In step S3, the first communication device 1 starts an active scan and transmits a scan request to the second communication device 2 that transmitted the advertising signal on channel 37. Upon receiving the scan request, the second communication device 2 transmits an advertising signal on channel 38 to the first communication device 1.

[0076] In step S4, the first communication device 1 measures the RSSI of the 38ch advertising signal.

[0077] In step S5, the first communication device 1 starts an active scan and transmits a scan request to the second communication device 2 that transmitted the advertising signal on channel 38. Upon receiving the scan request, the second communication device 2 transmits an advertising signal on channel 39 to the first communication device 1.

[0078] In step S6, the first communication device 1 measures the RSSI of the 39ch advertising signal.

[0079] In step S7, the first communication device 1 generates a channel map indicating a frequency hopping pattern based on the RSSI measured in steps S2, S4, and S6. The first communication device 1 then transmits the generated channel map and a connection request to the second communication device 2, sharing the channel map with the second communication device 2 and establishing a connection.

[0080] In step S8, the first communication device 1 receives an advertising signal periodically transmitted from the second communication device 2 during data communication, and measures the RSSI of the advertising signal.

[0081] In step S9, the first communication device 1 generates a new channel map based on the RSSI measurement results.

[0082] In step S10, the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 update their channel maps to the new channel maps generated in step S9.

[0083] Next, an example of a hopping pattern generation process executed by the processing unit 20 of the second communication device 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a hopping pattern generation process executed by the second communication device 2.

[0084] As shown in FIG. 10, in step S11, when the vehicle 4 starts up and power is supplied to the power supply unit 23, the advertising processing unit 201 of the processing unit 20 broadcasts an advertising signal on 37ch.

[0085] In step S12, the advertising processing unit 201 determines whether or not a scan request has been received from the first communication device 1. If the advertising processing unit 201 determines that a scan request has not been received (NO in step S12), the processing returns to step S11. On the other hand, if the advertising processing unit 201 determines that a scan request has been received (YES in step S12), the processing proceeds to step S13.

[0086] In step S13, the advertising processing unit 201 transmits the 38ch advertising signal to the first communication device 1.

[0087] In step S14, advertising processing unit 201 determines whether or not a scan request has been received from first communication device 1. If advertising processing unit 201 determines that a scan request has not been received (NO in step S14), it returns the process to step S13. On the other hand, if advertising processing unit 201 determines that a scan request has been received (YES in step S14), it transitions the process to step S15.

[0088] In step S15 , the advertising processing unit 201 transmits the 39ch advertising signal to the first communication device 1 .

[0089] In step S16, advertising processing unit 201 determines whether or not a connection request has been received from first communication device 1. If advertising processing unit 201 determines that a connection request has not been received (NO in step S16), it returns the process to step S15. On the other hand, if advertising processing unit 201 determines that a connection request has been received (YES in step S16), it transitions the process to step S17. At this time, advertising processing unit 201 acquires the channel map generated by first communication device 1 along with the connection request.

[0090] In step S17, the connection processing unit 202 transmits a connection response to the first communication device 1.

[0091] In step S18, the connection processing unit 202 sets a frequency hopping pattern to be used in data communication, and the processing unit 20 then ends the hopping pattern generation process.

[0092] Next, an example of the hopping pattern generation process executed by the processing unit 10 of the first communication device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the hopping pattern generation process executed by the first communication device 1.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 11, in step S21, the signal acquisition unit 111 of the pairing processing unit 110 starts passive scanning to find a second communication device 2 that exists in the vicinity of itself and that will be a communication partner.

[0094] In step S22, the signal acquirer 111 receives the 37ch advertising signal. At this time, the signal acquirer 111 also acquires the address information of the second communication device 2 contained in the 37ch advertising signal.

[0095] In step S23, the detection unit 112 measures the RSSI of the advertising signal on channel 37 received in step S22.

[0096] In step S24, the signal acquirer 111 starts an active scan. Specifically, the signal acquirer 111 transmits a scan request to the second communication device 2, requesting transmission of an advertising signal on 38ch from the second communication device 2, and performs a scan.

[0097] In step S25, the signal acquisition unit 111 receives the 38ch advertising signal.

[0098] In step S26, the detection unit 112 measures the RSSI of the 38ch advertising signal received in step S25.

[0099] In step S27, the signal acquirer 111 starts an active scan. Specifically, the signal acquirer 111 transmits a scan request to the second communication device 2, requesting that the second communication device 2 transmit an advertising signal on ch 39, and performs a scan.

[0100] In step S28, the signal acquisition unit 111 receives the 39ch advertising signal.

[0101] In step S29, the detection unit 112 measures the RSSI of the advertising signal on channel 39 received in step S28.

[0102] In step S30, the detection unit 112 reads out from the storage unit 11 the RSSI reference ranges set for the 37ch advertising signal, the 38ch advertising signal, and the 39ch advertising signal.

[0103] In step S31, the detection unit 112 compares the RSSI measured in steps S23, S26, and S29 with the RSSI reference range read out in step S30. Specifically, the detection unit 112 compares the RSSI measured in step S23 with the RSSI reference range set for the 37ch advertising signal, compares the RSSI measured in step S26 with the RSSI reference range set for the 38ch advertising signal, and compares the RSSI measured in step S29 with the RSSI reference range set for the 39ch advertising signal.

[0104] In step S32, the detection unit 112 determines whether interference has been detected for each advertising signal, based on the comparison result of the RSSI and the RSSI reference range in step S31. The detection unit 112 determines that interference has been detected when the RSSI of the advertising signal is outside the RSSI reference range. If the detection unit 112 determines that interference has been detected for any one of the 37ch advertising signal, 38ch advertising signal, and 39ch advertising signal (YES in step S32), the detection unit 112 proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if the detection unit 112 determines that interference has not been detected (NO in step S32), the detection unit 112 proceeds to step S34 without performing the processing in step S33.

[0105] In step S33, the estimation unit 113 determines a usage-restricted channel. Specifically, the estimation unit 113 determines, as the usage-restricted channel, a channel in the vicinity of the advertising channel of the advertising signal for which the detection unit 112 has determined that interference has been detected, i.e., a channel with a close frequency.

[0106] In step S34, the generation unit 114 generates a frequency hopping pattern. If it is determined in step S32 that interference is detected, the generation unit 114 generates a channel map that does not use the restricted use channel determined in step S33.

[0107] In step S35, connection processing unit 115 transmits a connection request and the channel map generated in step S34 to second communication device 2 based on the address information received in step S22.

[0108] In step S36, the connection processing unit 115 receives the connection response transmitted from the second communication device 2 in step S22, and establishes a connection with the second communication device 2 for wireless communication.

[0109] Second Embodiment Next, a wireless communication system S according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, detailed description of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0110] The wireless communication system S according to the second embodiment is a system that mainly includes multiple wireless communication devices 5, a host device 3, a GNSS device 6, and a car navigation device 7 that are mounted on a vehicle 4, and that performs wireless communication between the multiple wireless communication devices 5 and the host device 3 within the vehicle 4. The multiple wireless communication devices 5 are mainly configured to include a first communication device 1 and a second communication device 2. The wireless communication system S according to the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configurations of the first communication device 1 and the host device 3. Note that the hardware configurations of the first communication device 1 and the host device 3 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0111] The functional configuration of the first communication device 1 for performing pairing processing and GATT communication processing by the first communication device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram showing part of the functional configuration of the first communication device 1. In this embodiment, the first communication device 1 and the higher-level device 3 perform hopping pattern generation processing and hopping pattern update processing.

[0112] The first communication device 1 includes a processing unit 10A having a pairing processing unit 110A that performs pairing processing and a data communication processing unit 120A that performs GATT communication processing.

[0113] 12, the pairing processing unit 110A includes a signal acquisition unit 111, a detection unit 112, an estimation unit 113, a connection processing unit 115, and an authentication processing unit 116. The pairing processing unit 110A differs from the pairing processing unit 110 of the first embodiment in that it does not include a generation unit 114. That is, the first communication device 1 of the present embodiment detects interference with advertising signals and estimates the communication quality of channels, but does not generate frequency hopping patterns.

[0114] The data communication processing unit 120A has a data communication unit 121 and a data communication detection unit 122. The data communication processing unit 120A differs from the data communication processing unit 120 of the first embodiment in that it does not have an update unit 123. That is, the first communication device 1 of the present embodiment estimates the communication quality of the channel during data communication processing, but does not update the frequency hopping pattern.

[0115] The functional configuration of the host device 3 for performing the hopping generation process and the hopping update process by the host device 3 according to the second embodiment will be described below. Fig. 13 is a functional block diagram showing part of the functional configuration of the host device 3.

[0116] The higher-level device 3 is mainly configured by a processor 351, and includes a processing unit 30 that executes hopping pattern generation processing and hopping pattern update processing. As shown in FIG. 13 , the processing unit 30 includes a communication quality acquisition unit 301, a location information estimation unit 302, a storage processing unit 303, a route information acquisition unit 304, a generation unit 305, an update unit 306, and a transmission processing unit 307.

[0117] The communication quality acquisition unit 301 executes a process of acquiring the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel estimated by the estimation unit 113 of the first communication device 1 via the communication I / F unit .

[0118] The position information estimation unit 302 executes a process of estimating the position information of the vehicle 4. For example, the position information estimation unit 302 may estimate the position information of the vehicle 4 based on a GNSS signal received from the GNSS device 6 via the wireless communication unit 32 or the communication I / F unit. The position information estimation unit 302 of this embodiment estimates the position information of the vehicle 4 at least at the timing when the communication quality acquisition unit 301 acquires the estimation result of the communication quality of the channel. The position information estimation unit 302 may transmit the estimated position information of the vehicle 4 to the car navigation device 7.

[0119] The storage processing unit 303 executes a process of storing in the storage unit 31 the correspondence relationship between the communication quality of each channel and the position information of the vehicle 4 estimated by the position information estimation unit 302. For example, the storage processing unit 303 associates the communication quality of each channel acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 with the position information of the vehicle 4 at the time of acquisition of the communication quality, and stores in the storage unit 31 the correspondence relationship between the position information of the vehicle 4 and the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel. The storage processing unit 303 may accumulate data on the position information of the vehicle 4 and the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel, and generate a table (hereinafter referred to as a communication quality table) showing the correspondence relationship between the position information of the vehicle 4 and the communication quality of each channel.

[0120] The route information acquisition unit 304 executes a process of acquiring, from the car navigation device 7, route information that indicates the planned travel route of the vehicle 4 generated by the car navigation device 7.

[0121] The generation unit 305 executes a process of generating a frequency hopping pattern for frequency hopping data communication performed between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2. For example, the generation unit 305 may generate the frequency hopping pattern based on the current communication quality estimation result of each channel acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301, the current position information of the vehicle 4 estimated by the position information estimation unit 302, and the position information of the vehicle 4 and the communication quality of each channel stored in the storage unit 31. Specifically, the generation unit 305 refers to the communication quality table stored in the storage unit 31 and identifies the communication quality of each channel indicated in the communication quality table from the current position information of the vehicle 4 estimated by the position information estimation unit 302. Next, the generation unit 305 may estimate the communication quality of each channel by correcting the current communication quality of each channel acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 based on the communication quality of each channel indicated in the communication quality table. For example, even if the communication quality of the estimated result acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 corresponds to a channel that does not impose a usage restriction, if the communication quality at the current position of the vehicle 4 indicated in the communication quality table corresponds to a usage-restricted channel, the generation unit 305 may correct the channel to a usage-restricted channel. In other words, if either the communication quality of the estimated result acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 or the communication quality at the current position of the vehicle 4 indicated in the communication quality table corresponds to a usage-restricted channel, the generation unit 305 may estimate the channel as a usage-restricted channel. Then, the generation unit 305 generates a frequency hopping pattern based on the estimated communication quality of each channel. For example, the generation unit 305 may generate a frequency hopping pattern that does not use a channel estimated to be a usage-restricted channel by either the estimation result acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 or the communication quality at the current position of the vehicle 4 indicated in the communication quality table.

[0122] For example, the generation unit 305 may generate a frequency hopping pattern based on the estimated communication quality of each channel acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 and the route information acquired by the route information acquisition unit 304. That is, the generation unit 305 may correct the current communication quality of each channel acquired by the communication quality acquisition unit 301 based on the route information of the vehicle 4, and generate a frequency hopping pattern based on the corrected communication quality. For example, the generation unit 305 may first estimate a trend in the past communication quality of each channel in each area of ​​the planned travel route indicated by the route information. Then, the generation unit 305 may determine the communication quality of each channel for each area on the travel route based on the estimated communication quality trend, and generate a frequency hopping pattern. In this case, the generation unit 305 may generate a frequency hopping pattern that does not use a channel with usage restriction indicated in the estimated communication quality trend.

[0123] The update unit 306 performs a process of updating the frequency hopping pattern based on the estimated communication quality of each channel obtained from the first communication device 1 during the GATT communication process, the current location information of the vehicle 4 estimated by the location information estimation unit 302, and the communication quality table.

[0124] The transmission processing unit 307 executes a process of transmitting the frequency hopping pattern generated by the generation unit 305 and the updated frequency hopping pattern to the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 .

[0125] Next, an example of the flow of a hopping pattern generation process in the wireless communication system S according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14 to Fig. 16. Note that the hopping pattern generation process executed by the processing unit 20 of the second communication device 2 in the second embodiment is similar to the process shown in Fig. 10.

[0126] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a hopping pattern generation process and a hopping pattern update process between the first communication device 1, the second communication device 2, and the higher-level device 3 according to the second embodiment.

[0127] As shown in FIG. 14, in step S41, the first communication device 1 starts passive scanning to find the second communication device 2 present in the vicinity, and receives the 37ch advertising signal broadcast from the second communication device 2.

[0128] In step S42, the first communication device 1 measures the RSSI of the 37ch advertising signal.

[0129] In step S43, the first communication device 1 starts an active scan and transmits a scan request to the second communication device 2 that transmitted the advertising signal on channel 37. Upon receiving the scan request, the second communication device 2 transmits an advertising signal on channel 38 to the first communication device 1.

[0130] In step S44, the first communication device 1 measures the RSSI of the 38ch advertising signal.

[0131] In step S45, the first communication device 1 starts an active scan and transmits a scan request to the second communication device 2 that transmitted the advertising signal on channel 38. Upon receiving the scan request, the second communication device 2 transmits an advertising signal on channel 39 to the first communication device 1.

[0132] In step S46, the first communication device 1 measures the RSSI of the 39ch advertising signal.

[0133] In step S47, the first communication device 1 estimates the communication quality of each channel based on the RSSI measured in steps S42, S44, and S46.

[0134] In step S48, the host device 3 generates a channel map based on the communication quality of the channel estimated in step S47, the current position information of the vehicle 4, and the communication quality table read from the storage unit 31.

[0135] In step S49, the upper device 3 generates a new channel map based on the communication quality estimated based on the advertising signal transmitted from the second communication device 2 during data communication processing after the connection between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 is established.

[0136] In step S50, the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 receive the channel map generated in step S49 from the host device 3 and update the channel map.

[0137] Next, an example of the hopping pattern generation process executed by the processing unit 10 of the first communication device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the hopping pattern generation process executed by the first communication device 1. The processes of steps S21 to S33 shown in Fig. 15 are the same as the processes shown in Fig. 11, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 15, in step S51, the estimation unit 113 of the processing unit 10 transmits to the host device 3 the estimation result of the communication quality estimated in step S33.

[0139] In step S52, the processing unit 20 receives the channel map from the host device 3.

[0140] In step S53, connection processing unit 115 transmits a connection request and the channel map received in step S52 to second communication device 2 based on the address information received in step S22.

[0141] In step S54, the connection processing unit 115 receives the connection response transmitted from the second communication device 2 in step S22, and establishes a wireless communication connection with the second communication device 2. Thereafter, the processing unit 10 ends the hopping pattern generation process.

[0142] Next, an example of the hopping pattern generation process executed by the processing unit 30 of the higher-level device 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the hopping pattern generation process executed by the higher-level device 3.

[0143] As shown in FIG. 16, in step S61, the communication quality acquisition unit 301 of the processing unit 30 acquires the estimated result of the communication quality transmitted from the higher-level device 3 in step S51.

[0144] In step S62, the position information estimation unit 302 estimates the current position information of the vehicle 4. The position information estimation unit 302 estimates the position information of the vehicle 4 based on the GNSS signal received from the GNSS device 6, for example.

[0145] In step S63, the storage processing unit 303 reads out the communication quality table stored in the storage unit 31.

[0146] In step S64, the generation unit 305 compares the communication quality table read in step S63 with the location information of vehicle 4 estimated in step S62, and obtains the communication quality of each channel corresponding to the location information of vehicle 4 estimated in step S62 from the communication quality table.

[0147] In step S65, the generation unit 305 corrects the communication quality estimation result acquired in step S61.

[0148] In step S66, the generation unit 305 generates a channel map based on the estimation result of the communication quality corrected in step S65.

[0149] In step S67, the transmission processing unit 307 transmits the channel map generated in step S66 to the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2. Thereafter, the processing unit 30 ends the hopping pattern generation process.

[0150] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0151] The program of this embodiment is a program that causes a computer 15 to perform a pairing process to establish a wireless communication connection between a first communication device 1 and a second communication device 2, and then to perform a process to perform data communication using a frequency hopping method between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 whose connection has been established.The pairing process includes a detection process to detect interference with an advertising signal transmitted using an advertising channel used to establish the connection among multiple channels used for wireless communication, and a generation process to generate a frequency hopping pattern in the frequency hopping method based on the interference detection result in the detection process.

[0152] As a result, during the pairing process, a frequency hopping pattern is generated using an advertisement channel required for discovering and connecting with other communication devices to communicate with, making it possible to generate an appropriate frequency hopping pattern more efficiently while reducing processing time and power consumption. Also, since the frequency hopping pattern to be used in data communication is determined during the pairing process, it is possible to suppress a decrease in communication speed and an increase in propagation delay time during data communication. Furthermore, since the frequency hopping pattern is generated while processing for establishing a connection is performed during the pairing process, it is possible to generate a frequency hopping pattern before establishing a connection while keeping the pairing process time short.

[0153] In addition, in the program according to this embodiment, the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 are mounted on a vehicle 4, and the pairing process further includes an estimation process for estimating the communication quality of multiple channels based on the interference detection results, and a storage process for storing in a memory unit 31 a correspondence between the estimated results of the communication quality of each channel in the estimation process and the location information of the vehicle 4, and in the generation process, a frequency hopping pattern is generated based on the correspondence stored in the storage process.

[0154] This allows the frequency hopping pattern to be generated taking into consideration the current position of the vehicle 4 and the past communication quality of each channel at that position, making it possible to generate a more appropriate frequency hopping pattern.

[0155] Furthermore, the wireless communication system S according to this embodiment is a wireless communication system S including a first communication device 1 and a second communication device 2 that perform data communication with each other using a frequency hopping method after performing a pairing process to establish a wireless communication connection, and the second communication device 2 has an advertising processing unit 201 that transmits an advertising signal using an advertising channel used to establish a connection among multiple channels used for wireless communication during the pairing process, and the first communication device 1 has a detection unit 112 that detects interference with the advertising signal transmitted from the second communication device 2, and a generation unit 114 that generates a frequency hopping pattern in the frequency hopping method based on the interference detection result by the detection unit 112.

[0156] Furthermore, the communication method according to this embodiment is a communication method in which, after a pairing process for establishing a wireless communication connection between a first communication device 1 and a second communication device 2 is performed, data communication is performed between the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 whose connection has been established using a frequency hopping method, and the pairing process includes a detection process for detecting interference with an advertising signal transmitted using an advertising channel used for establishing the connection among multiple channels used for wireless communication, and a generation process for generating a frequency hopping pattern in the frequency hopping method based on the interference detection result in the detection process.

[0157] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

[0158] In the above embodiment, the advertising processing unit 201 uses only the primary advertising channels of 37ch, 38ch, and 39ch as advertising channels in the pairing process. However, one or more data channels from 0ch to 36ch may be set and used as auxiliary advertising channels (hereinafter referred to as secondary advertising channels) for establishing a connection. In this case, since the primary advertising channel has a large bandwidth between 38ch and 39ch as shown in FIG. 2, the advertising processing unit 201 may be configured to function as an advertising channel using, for example, 24ch (the frequency surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 2) between 38ch and 39ch. In other words, the secondary advertising channel may be set in a frequency band near the middle of the frequency band in which the primary advertising channel is set. Then, the detection unit 112 of the first communication device 1 may detect interference with each advertising signal transmitted using each of the primary advertising channel and the secondary advertising channel. Then, the generation unit 114 or the generation unit 305 may generate a frequency hopping pattern based on a detection result of interference with each advertising signal transmitted using the primary advertising channel and the secondary advertising channel. Furthermore, the update unit 123 or the update unit 306 may update the frequency hopping pattern based on a detection result of interference with each advertising signal transmitted using the primary advertising channel and the secondary advertising channel during data communication processing.

[0159] This allows the results of interference detection for signals using the secondary advertising channel to be used, making it possible to more accurately estimate the communication quality of each channel and generate and update more appropriate frequency hopping patterns.

[0160] Furthermore, for example, the data communication detection unit 122 may detect interference with advertising signals transmitted using both the primary advertising channel and the secondary advertising channel during GATT communication processing. That is, the GATT communication processing performed after the pairing processing includes, apart from the detection process, a data communication detection process of detecting interference with advertising signals transmitted using the primary advertising channel and the secondary advertising channel on a regular or irregular basis, and an update process of updating the frequency hopping pattern generated in the generation process based on the interference detection result in the data communication detection process.

[0161] As a result, even in a situation where the communication environment is likely to change, such as when the vehicle 4 is traveling, data communication can be performed using an optimum frequency hopping pattern according to the changing communication environment.

[0162] In the above embodiment, the frequency hopping pattern is generated before the connection is established. However, the detector 112 may detect interference with signals transmitted using each channel, either when the first communication device 1 and the second communication device 2 exchange encryption information for each channel during connection authentication. In this case, the detector 112 may detect only interference with signals transmitted using the advertisement channel, or only interference with signals transmitted using the data channel, or may detect interference transmitted using all channels on which encryption information is exchanged during connection authentication. The generator 114 or the generator 305 may generate a frequency hopping pattern based on the results of the interference detection performed before the connection is established and the results of the interference detection performed during connection authentication. This allows for efficient generation of a more appropriate frequency hopping pattern.

[0163] Furthermore, for example, the processing unit 20 of the second communication device 2 may be configured to include the detection unit, estimation unit, and generation unit, rather than the first communication device 1. That is, the second communication device 2 may be configured to detect interference with advertising signals, etc. during pairing processing, estimate the communication quality of each channel based on the detection results, and generate a frequency hopping pattern.

[0164] Furthermore, for example, the data communication detection unit and the update unit may be provided in the processing unit 20 of the second communication device 2, rather than in the first communication device 1. That is, the second communication device 2 may be configured to detect interference with advertising signals, etc., during data communication processing, estimate the communication quality of each channel based on the detection results, and generate a frequency hopping pattern. [Explanation of symbols]

[0165] 1 1st communication device 2 Second communication device 15. Computer 112 Detector 114 Generation part 201 Advertising processing unit S Wireless Communication System

Claims

1. A program that causes a computer to perform a pairing process for establishing a wireless communication connection between two communication devices, and then executes a process for performing data communication by a frequency hopping method between the two communication devices whose connection has been established, the program comprising: The pairing process includes: a detection step of detecting interference with an advertisement signal transmitted using an advertisement channel used for establishing the connection among the plurality of channels used for the wireless communication; and a generating step of generating a frequency hopping pattern in the frequency hopping method based on the result of the interference detection in the detecting step.

2. a plurality of dedicated advertisement channels are set in advance as channels to be used for establishing the connection among the plurality of channels used for the wireless communication; The program described in claim 1, wherein the detection process sets one or more channels from the plurality of channels as auxiliary advertising channels for establishing the connection, and sets the auxiliary advertising channels in a frequency band near the middle of the frequency band in which the dedicated advertising channel is set.

3. The data communication process for performing the data communication after the pairing process is performed includes: A data communication detection process for detecting interference with advertising signals transmitted using the dedicated advertising channel and the auxiliary advertising channel on a regular or irregular basis, separate from the detection process; 3. The program according to claim 2, further comprising: an updating step of updating the frequency hopping pattern generated in the generating step based on a result of the interference detection in the data communication detecting step.

4. The two communication devices are mounted on a vehicle, The pairing process includes: an estimation step of estimating communication qualities of the plurality of channels based on the interference detection result; a storage step of storing in a storage unit a correspondence relationship between the estimation result of the communication quality of each channel in the estimation step and the vehicle position information, 4. The program according to claim 1, wherein in the generating step, the frequency hopping pattern is generated based on the correspondence relationship stored in the storing step.

5. A wireless communication system including a first communication device and a second communication device that perform data communication with each other by a frequency hopping method after performing a pairing process for establishing a wireless communication connection, the second communication device has an advertising processing unit that transmits an advertising signal using an advertising channel used for establishing the connection among a plurality of channels used for wireless communication during the pairing process, The first communication device is A detection unit that detects interference with the advertising signal transmitted from the second communication device; a generating unit that generates a frequency hopping pattern in the frequency hopping scheme based on a result of the interference detection by the detecting unit.

6. A communication method for performing data communication by a frequency hopping method between two communication devices after performing a pairing process for establishing a wireless communication connection between the two communication devices, the connection being established, comprising: The pairing process includes: a detection step of detecting interference with an advertisement signal transmitted using an advertisement channel used for establishing the connection among the plurality of channels used for the wireless communication; and generating a frequency hopping pattern for the frequency hopping scheme based on the result of the interference detection in the detection step.

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