Communication apparatus, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

To reduce a risk of communication interruption.SOLUTION: A wireless terminal communication unit, a reception unit, and a control unit that controls the wireless terminal communication unit and the reception unit, wherein the control unit sets a plurality of channels in a continuous band, which are different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit, as channels through which the reception unit receives radio waves, when the predetermined radio wave is detected on the monitoring channel, the monitoring is continued on the monitoring channel except at least the monitoring channel on which the predetermined radio wave is detected, and when the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, the monitoring is continued on the monitoring channel as a communication available channel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] The 5 GHz band, which is a frequency that can be used by communication devices such as access points, is also a frequency that can be used by radar waves such as weather radar. Therefore, communication devices must operate in accordance with regulations under the Radio Law and Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS).

[0003] Specifically, if a communications device detects radar waves on a channel it is using, it must stop transmitting radio waves within 10 seconds and must not use the channel on which the radar waves were detected for 30 minutes. Furthermore, if a communications device uses a channel that may interfere with radar waves, it must perform a Channel Availability Check (CAC) to check that radar waves are not being transmitted for at least one minute. Therefore, if a communications device detects radar wave transmission on an active channel, it must stop transmitting for at least one minute.

[0004] In light of this background, a wireless communication device has been disclosed that functions as a parent station of a wireless LAN, and that includes a communication system that detects radar waves while performing wireless communication on a communication channel in use, and a monitor system that sets a channel different from the communication channel in use as a monitor channel and monitors its status (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] When radar waves are detected in a communication channel in use, if a monitor channel is available, the wireless communication device sets that channel as the communication channel. Also, when radar waves are detected in a set monitor channel in the monitor system, the wireless communication device sets a channel different from the communication channel in use and the set monitor channel as a new monitor channel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4886814 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In this way, when the wireless communication device disclosed in Patent Document 1 detects radar waves on a monitoring channel, it selects a new channel, but it is necessary to perform CAC on that new channel. Because only one monitoring channel is set, if CAC is performed on the new channel, there is no monitoring channel that can be used as a communication channel, which increases the risk of communication interruption.

[0008] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure contribute to providing a communication device, a control method, and a program that reduce the risk of communication interruptions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device includes a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal, a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal, and a control unit that controls the wireless terminal communication unit and the receiving unit, wherein the control unit sets a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit as channels for receiving radio waves, and designates the plurality of channels as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave, and monitors whether the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of the plurality of monitoring channels, and when the predetermined radio wave is detected on the monitoring channel, continues monitoring on at least the monitoring channels except for the monitoring channel on which the predetermined radio wave was detected, and when the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, continues monitoring on the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication, and when the predetermined radio wave is detected on the communication channel, designates the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel on which the predetermined radio wave was detected. This reduces the risk of communication interruption.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a control method for a communication device including a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal and a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal, the control method including: setting a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit as channels for receiving radio waves to be used by the receiving unit; designating the plurality of channels as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave; monitoring whether the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of the plurality of monitoring channels; if the predetermined radio wave is detected on the monitoring channel, continuing monitoring on at least the monitoring channel(s) excluding the monitoring channel(s) in which the predetermined radio wave was detected; if the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, continuing monitoring on the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication; if the predetermined radio wave is detected on the communication channel, designating the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel in which the predetermined radio wave was detected. This reduces the risk of communication interruption.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program causes a computer of a communication device including a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal and a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal to execute the following process: set a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit as channels for receiving radio waves by the receiving unit, designate the plurality of channels as monitoring channels for predetermined radio waves, monitor whether the predetermined radio waves are detected on any of the plurality of monitoring channels, and, if the predetermined radio waves are detected on the monitoring channel, continue monitoring on at least the monitoring channels excluding the monitoring channel on which the predetermined radio waves were detected, if the predetermined radio waves are not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, set the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication and continue monitoring, and, if the predetermined radio waves are detected on the communication channel, set the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel on which the predetermined radio waves were detected. This reduces the risk of communication interruption.

[0012] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure reduce the risk of communication interruptions.

[0014] Further advantages and benefits of an embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or benefits may be provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them may be provided to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a communication device. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing channels used by a receiving unit and a first communication unit; [Figure 3] Diagram showing symbol legend [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of processing according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] A state transition diagram showing the basic state transitions of a communication device. [Figure 6] Flowchart showing the flow of communication control processing [Figure 7] Flowchart showing the flow of monitoring and control processing [Figure 8] FIG. 10 shows an example of monitoring channel bandwidth expansion processing. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 shows an example of communication channel bandwidth expansion processing. [Figure 10] An example of processing when collision is detected (part 1) [Figure 11] Example of processing when collision is detected (part 2) [Figure 12]A diagram showing an example of processing when using channels not covered by DFS together [Figure 13] A diagram showing an example of processing when using channels not covered by DFS together [Figure 14] Figure showing the channel control setting screen [Figure 15] Figure showing an example of automatic refresh mode function execution [Figure 16] A diagram showing an example of shortening processing DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functions are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0017] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 10 includes a control unit 100, a receiving unit 110, a first communication unit 120, a second communication unit 130, antennas 111, 121, and 131, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) 140. The control unit 100 is configured with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and controls the entire communication device 10. For example, the control unit 100 sets channels for receiving radio waves for each of the receiving unit 110, the first communication unit 120, and the second communication unit 130, and performs control according to the radio waves received by the receiving unit 110, the first communication unit 120, and the second communication unit 130.

[0018] The receiving unit 110 is provided with an antenna 111, and receives radio waves in the 5 GHz band received by the antenna 111. The receiving unit 110 also receives radio waves on a channel set by the control unit 100. In this embodiment, the receiving unit 110 in particular receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with wireless terminals. The first communication unit 120 is provided with an antenna 121, and receives radio waves in the 5 GHz band received by the antenna 121. The first communication unit 120 also communicates with a wireless terminal as a communication partner on a channel set by the control unit 100. The first communication unit 120 is an example of a wireless terminal communication unit.

[0019] The second communication unit 130 is provided with an antenna 131, and receives radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band received by the antenna 131. The second communication unit 130 also communicates with a wireless terminal as a communication partner on a channel set by the control unit 100. The LED 140 indicates the operating status of the communication device 10 (power on / off, whether communication is in progress, whether an error has occurred, etc.) by blinking, lighting up, emitting light in a different color, etc.

[0020] Here, the channels used by the receiving unit 110 and the first communication unit 120 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the channels used by the receiving unit 110 and the first communication unit 120. In Fig. 2, each channel is represented by a trapezoid, and channels 36 to 144 are shown. Channels 36 to 144 are classified into the W52 band, the W53 band, and the W56 band, respectively. In the following description, a "trapezoid" refers to a trapezoid that is a schematic representation of the channels shown in Fig. 2.

[0021] Under the Radio Law, the W52 and W53 bands can only be used indoors, while the W56 band can be used both indoors and outdoors. Furthermore, the W52 band is not subject to DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection), while the W53 and W56 bands are. Therefore, when using channels in the W53 and W56 bands, it is necessary to perform a CAC (Channel Availability Check).

[0022] Specifically, if communication device 10 detects radar waves on an operating channel, it must stop transmitting radio waves within 10 seconds and must not use the channel on which the radar waves were detected for 30 minutes. Furthermore, if communication device 10 uses a channel that may interfere with radar waves, it must continuously monitor for at least one minute to ensure that radar waves are not being transmitted.

[0023] On the other hand, when using a channel in the W52 band, CAC does not need to be performed. In addition, in any of the W52 band, W53 band, and W56 band, there is a possibility of interference with radio waves transmitted and received by other devices such as access points in the vicinity of communication device 10.

[0024] The radar wave is an example of a predetermined radio wave. Radar waves include "weather radar" and "various radars." The frequencies of "weather radar" range from 5250 MHz to 5372.5 MHz, and the frequencies of "various radars" range from 5330 MHz to 5850 MHz.

[0025] Based on the configuration described above, an overview of the processing performed in this embodiment will be described. Prior to the description of the processing overview, symbols used below to indicate channel states (hereinafter referred to as "channel states") will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a legend for symbols indicating channel states in this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, in this embodiment, channel states are indicated by alphabets in trapezoids in a schematic diagram of channels.

[0026] "A" indicates a device state in which the first communication unit 120 is used for communication with a wireless terminal. In the following description, a channel used by the first communication unit 120 or the second communication unit 130 for communication with a wireless terminal may be referred to as a "communication channel." "B" indicates a state in which radar waves are detected in the communication channel. "C" indicates a state in which interference with radio waves transmitted or received by another device is detected in the communication channel.

[0027] "D" indicates that the monitoring channel set in the receiving unit 110 is undergoing CAC. "During CAC" here refers to a state in which a channel newly set as a monitoring channel is being monitored to see if radar waves are being transmitted. This device state continues for at least one minute. This one minute is an example of a predetermined period. "E" indicates a state in "D" above in which radar waves have not been detected for one minute, making the monitoring channel usable as a communication channel. In the following explanation, the state in which a channel can be used as a communication channel may be expressed as "CAC completed." Monitoring continues even after CAC is completed. "F" indicates a state in which radar waves have been detected on a monitoring channel undergoing CAC, or on a monitoring channel that has been CAC completed.

[0028] "G" indicates a state in which radar waves or interference have been detected and transmission is temporarily suspended. As mentioned above, if radar waves are detected, the communication device 10 must suspend transmission for 30 minutes. "H" indicates a state in which a channel is available for use as a communication channel but is best avoided. For example, this indicates a channel state in which communication quality may not be guaranteed, such as a channel in which interference was detected 30 minutes ago. "J" indicates a state in which a channel in the W52 band is being monitored. Since the W52 band is not subject to DFS, this monitoring is performed to monitor whether it is being used by another device. An unused channel that does not fall into any of the states shown in Figure 3 is referred to as an unused channel, and nothing is written around the trapezoid representing this unused channel.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of the processing of this embodiment. FIG. 4 shows channel states in chronological order from top to bottom. In FIG. 4, (1) indicates that the first communication unit 120 is using channels 116 and 120 as communication channels. Also, (1) indicates that the receiving unit 110 is using not one but multiple channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as CAC-completed monitoring channels. In this way, the control unit 100 sets multiple channels (channels 132, 136, 140, and 144) in a continuous band different from the communication channels (channels 116 and 120) used by the first communication unit 120 as channels for receiving radio waves by the receiving unit 110, and sets the multiple channels as radar wave monitoring channels.

[0030] The next (2) indicates that radar waves have been detected on channel 132. This causes the control unit 100 to stop transmitting channel 132. (3) indicates that channel 132 has stopped transmitting. In (2), there are four CAC-completed channels, and in (3), there are two CAC-completed channels. This reduction in channels is sometimes expressed as "bandwidth reduction" or "reducing bandwidth." Furthermore, because CAC-completed channels can be used as communication channels without waiting one minute, CAC-completed channels are sometimes expressed as "channels available for communication."

[0031] Furthermore, when radar waves are detected on any of the multiple monitoring channels (channels 132, 136, 140, 144), the control unit 100 continues monitoring on the multiple monitoring channels (channels 140, 144) excluding at least the monitoring channel (channel 132) on which radar waves were detected. When radar waves are not detected on a monitoring channel for a predetermined period (one minute), the control unit 100 continues monitoring the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication. When radar waves are detected on a communication channel, the control unit 100 sets the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel.

[0032] As shown in the processing outline described above, even if radar waves are detected on one monitoring channel (e.g., channel 132), there are other monitoring channels (e.g., channels 140 and 144). As a result, even if radar waves are detected on a channel used by first communication unit 120, channels 140 and 144 can be immediately used as communication channels. In this way, by setting multiple channels as monitoring channels, the risk of communication interruptions can be reduced.

[0033] In (3), the channel status of channel 136, where radar waves are not detected, also changes to an unused channel, but this is because in this embodiment, the number of monitoring channels is managed as 1, 2, or 4. If such management is not performed, channel 136 may remain a CAC-completed channel.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a state transition diagram showing basic state transitions of the communication device 10. Fig. 5 shows boxes 201A, 201B, and 201C indicating communication channel states, and boxes 202A, 202B, and 202C indicating monitoring channel states. As shown in Fig. 5, the states of the communication device 10 (hereinafter referred to as "device states") include device states α, β, and γ. Flag F is set to "1" when there is at least one CAC-completed channel, and is set to "0" when there are no CAC-completed channels. Furthermore, "CH" in Fig. 5 indicates a channel.

[0035] The device state α is a state in which the communication channel is in use (201A) and the monitoring channel has completed CAC (202A). The device state β is a state in which the communication channel is in use (201B) and the monitoring channel is undergoing CAC (202B). The device state γ is a state in which the communication channel is out of service (201C) and the monitoring channel is undergoing CAC (202C), which is the state when the power is turned on, for example.

[0036] In device state α, if radar waves are detected on the communication channel, the control unit 100 switches the communication channel from the communication channel on which the radar waves were detected to the monitoring channel for which CAC has been performed, and the communication device 10 transitions to device state β. If radar waves are detected on the monitoring channel in device state α, the control unit 100 reduces the bandwidth, but because there is a monitoring channel for which CAC has been performed, as shown in (3) of Figure 4, for example, F remains at 1 and the device state does not transition.

[0037] In equipment state β, if radar waves are detected on a communication channel, F=0, and therefore there is no monitoring channel for which CAC has been completed. The control unit 100 stops transmitting the detected communication channel. Then, the control unit 100 switches the channel to be used as the communication channel from the channel on which radar waves were detected to a new channel, and the communication device 10 transitions to equipment state γ. If radar waves are detected on a monitoring channel during CAC in equipment state β, the control unit 100 reduces the bandwidth and continues CAC on other channels, and the equipment state does not transition. In equipment state β, when CAC is completed on a monitoring channel during CAC, there is at least one CAC-completed channel, and therefore the communication device 10 transitions to equipment state α.

[0038] In device state γ, if radar waves are detected on a channel during CAC that was intended to be the communication channel, the control unit 100 switches the channel to be used as the communication channel from the channel on which the radar waves were detected to the new channel, starts CAC on this channel, and the device state does not transition.In device state γ, if radar waves are detected on a monitoring channel during CAC, the control unit 100 reduces the bandwidth, or if it cannot reduce the bandwidth, continues CAC on another channel, and the device state does not transition.

[0039] When CAC is completed for a communication channel undergoing CAC in the device state γ, the control unit 100 uses this channel as a communication channel, and the communication device 10 transitions to device state β.

[0040] Next, the basic control contents of the communication device 10 will be described with reference to a flowchart. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of communication control processing showing the control contents related to the communication channel. In Fig. 6, the control unit 100 executes communication processing on the communication channel (step S101), and determines whether or not radar waves have been detected during the communication processing (step S102). If radar waves have not been detected (step S102: NO), the control unit 100 returns to step S101 and continues the communication processing.

[0041] If radar waves are detected (step S102: YES), the control unit 100 determines whether F is 1 (step S103). If F is 1 (step S103: YES), the control unit 100 switches the communication channel from the communication channel in which radar waves are detected to the monitoring channel for which CAC has been performed (step S104), and returns to step S101 to continue communication processing.

[0042] If F is not 1 (step S103: NO), the control unit 100 switches the channel to be used as the communication channel from the channel on which radar waves were detected to the new channel (step S105). At this time, CAC is started on the switched channel. The control unit 100 determines whether radar waves have been detected on the channel during CAC (step S106). If radar waves have been detected (step S106: YES), the control unit 100 switches again in step S105 from the channel on which radar waves were detected to the new channel and starts CAC.

[0043] If radar waves are not detected (step S106: NO), the control unit 100 determines whether one minute has passed since the start of CAC (step S107). If one minute has not passed since the start of CAC (step S107: NO), the control unit 100 returns to step S106. If one minute has passed since the start of CAC (step S107: YES), the channel has become available for use as a communication channel, so the control unit 100 resumes communication processing (step S101).

[0044] 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of monitoring control processing showing the control content related to the monitoring channel. In FIG. 7, when starting CAC, the control unit 100 assigns 0 to F (step S201) and starts CAC (step S202). The control unit 100 determines whether radar waves have been detected on the channel during CAC (step S202). If radar waves have been detected (step S203: YES), the control unit 100 reduces the bandwidth (step S205) and returns to step S203.

[0045] If radar waves are not detected (step S203: NO), the control unit 100 determines whether one minute has passed since the start of CAC (step S204). If one minute has not passed since the start of CAC (step S204: NO), the control unit 100 returns to step S203. If one minute has passed since the start of CAC (step S204: YES), the control unit 100 assigns 1 to F (step S206).

[0046] As explained in Figure 7 and other figures, if radar waves are detected on a monitoring channel, the band is narrowed, but if the band remains narrowed, there will continue to be a high risk of communication being interrupted. Therefore, the monitoring channel band extension process for extending the band will be explained. In this monitoring channel band extension process, if a predetermined radio wave is not detected on a channel adjacent to an available communication channel for a predetermined period (one minute), the monitoring channel will be treated as an available communication channel and monitoring will continue.

[0047] 8 is a diagram showing an example of monitoring channel band extension processing. In this example of monitoring channel band extension processing, CAC is started on the monitoring channel 30 minutes or more after radar waves are detected on the monitoring channel. As a result, if one minute passes without radar waves being detected, a CAC-completed channel is obtained and the bandwidth of the monitoring channel is extended.

[0048] 8, (1) indicates that the first communication unit 120 uses channels 116, 120, 124, and 128 as communication channels, and that the receiving unit 110 uses channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed.

[0049] The next (2) indicates that radar waves have been detected on channel 132. This causes the control unit 100 to stop transmitting channel 132. (3) indicates that channel 132 has stopped transmitting, leaving channel 136 unused. Thirty minutes after radar waves are detected, CAC can be initiated on the channel on which the radar waves were detected. Therefore, the control unit 100 initiates CAC on channel 136, which is adjacent to channel 140, and on channel 132, which is adjacent to channel 136. (4) indicates that channels 132 and 136 are undergoing CAC. If one minute passes after CAC is initiated without detecting radar waves, channels 132 and 136 become CAC-completed channels, and monitoring continues. (5) indicates that channels 132 and 136 have completed CAC. In this way, if radar waves are not detected on a monitoring channel for a predetermined period (one minute), the control unit 100 continues monitoring that monitoring channel as an available channel for communication.

[0050] The monitoring channel bandwidth expansion process described above can expand the bandwidth of the monitoring channel, thereby reducing the risk of communication interruptions.

[0051] Next, a communication channel band expansion process will be described, in which when a channel adjacent to a communication channel becomes an available communication channel, the available communication channel is used as the communication channel.

[0052] 9 is a diagram showing an example of communication channel band extension processing. (1) indicates that the first communication unit 120 is using channels 116, 120, 124, and 128 as communication channels. Also, (1) indicates that the receiving unit 110 was using channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed, and that radar waves were detected on channel 132.

[0053] In the above (1), suppose that radar waves are further detected on channel 120. (2) indicates that radar waves are detected on channel 120, channel 132 is stopped, and channel 136 is now unused. In this case, control unit 100 designates channels 140 and 144 as communication channels and starts CAC on channels 100, 104, 108, and 112. In this way, when radar waves are detected on a communication channel, control unit 100 designates a communication-available channel as the communication channel instead of the communication channel. (3) indicates that channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are undergoing CAC, channels 120 and 132 are stopped, and channels 116, 124, and 128 are now unused.

[0054] When 30 minutes have passed since radar waves were detected on channel 132, control unit 100 can start CAC on the channel on which radar waves were detected, so control unit 100 starts CAC on channel 136, which is adjacent to channel 140, and on channel 132, which is adjacent to channel 136. (4) indicates that channels 132 and 136 are undergoing CAC.

[0055] In addition, since CAC has been initiated for channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 in (3), it is highly likely that channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are CAC-completed channels. However, if the communication channel used for communication with a wireless terminal is switched to another channel, there is a possibility that communication with some wireless terminals will be interrupted. Therefore, it may be better to use a channel adjacent to the communication channel in use rather than changing the communication channel as much as possible. Therefore, even if channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are CAC-completed channels, the control unit 100 leaves them unused and initiates CAC on channel 136 adjacent to the communication channel and channel 132 adjacent to channel 136.

[0056] (5) indicates that CAC has been completed for channels 132 and 136. This causes the control unit 100 to use channels 132 and 136 as communication channels, and to prepare monitoring channels, starts CAC for channels 100, 104, 108, and 112. (6) indicates that channels 132 and 136 have become communication channels, and that channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are undergoing CAC.

[0057] The above-described communication channel bandwidth expansion process can expand the bandwidth of the communication channel, thereby improving throughput and reducing the risk of communication interruptions.

[0058] Next, an interference detection process will be described, in which, when interference is detected in a communication channel, an available communication channel is used as the communication channel instead of the communication channel in which interference has been detected. Two examples of the interference detection process will be described.

[0059] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of processing when interference is detected. In Fig. 10, (1) indicates that interference is detected in channel 116 when first communication unit 120 is using channels 116 and 120 as communication channels. Also, (1) indicates that receiving unit 110 is using channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed.

[0060] In this case, the control unit 100 sets channels 132 and 136 as communication channels and starts CAC on channels 100, 104, 108, and 112. (2) indicates that channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are undergoing CAC, channels 132 and 136 are being used as communication channels, channel 116 is out of service, and channels 120, 140, and 144 are no longer in use.

[0061] The reason why channels 140 and 144 are left unused is that in this embodiment, the number of monitoring channels is 1, 2, or 4, and multiple channels with consecutive bands are set as monitoring channels. In the case of (2), if channels 140 and 144 were left unused, it would be impossible to set a monitoring channel using four channels with consecutive bands, so the control unit 100 leaves channels 140 and 144 unused.

[0062] In (2), if one minute has passed since the start of CAC without detecting radar waves, channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 become CAC-completed channels. (3) indicates that channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 have completed CAC.

[0063] According to the above-described example of processing when interference is detected (part 1), when interference is detected in a communication channel, a CAC-completed channel can be used instead of the communication channel in which interference is detected, thereby improving throughput and reducing the risk of communication interruption.

[0064] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of processing when interference is detected. In Fig. 11, (1) indicates that radar waves are detected on channel 116 when first communication unit 120 is using channels 116 and 120 as communication channels. Also, (1) indicates that receiving unit 110 is using channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed.

[0065] In this case, the control unit 100 uses channels 132 and 136 as communication channels and starts CAC on channels 52, 56, 60, and 64. (2) indicates that channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 are undergoing CAC, channels 132 and 136 are being used as communication channels, channel 116 is out of service, and channels 120, 140, and 144 are no longer in use.

[0066] In (2), if interference is detected on channel 132, the control unit 100 continues to use channel 132 as a communication channel because channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 are undergoing CAC. (3) indicates that interference is detected on channel 132 in (2).

[0067] If one minute has passed since the start of CAC without detecting radar waves, channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 will become CAC-completed channels. (4) indicates that channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 have become CAC-completed channels. Note that channel 132 in (4) indicates that no interference has been detected, but this is just an example of a channel indicating that no interference has been detected at this point.

[0068] Because channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 have become CAC-completed channels, control unit 100 designates channels 52 and 56 as communication channels, starts CAC on channels 100, 104, 108, and 112, and designates channels 132 and 136 as low-priority channels. (5) indicates that channels 52 and 56 are used as communication channels, channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are undergoing CAC, and channels 132 and 136 are low-priority channels. If one minute has passed since the start of CAC without radar waves being detected, channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 become CAC-completed channels, as shown in (6).

[0069] In (5), the reason why CAC is started on channels 100, 104, 108, and 112, without leaving channels 60 and 64 for which CAC has been completed, is that in this embodiment, channel 64 and channel 100 are not used as monitoring channels at the same time. Similarly, channel 112 and channel 116 are not used as monitoring channels at the same time, and channel 128 and channel 132 are not used as monitoring channels at the same time.

[0070] According to the above-described example of processing when interference is detected (part 2), if radar waves are detected on a communication channel and interference is detected after switching the communication channel, the communication channel where interference was detected continues to be used. At this time, CAC can be started on another channel and a CAC-completed channel can be prepared, thereby improving throughput and reducing the risk of communication interruption.

[0071] In this way, this embodiment can be applied not only to the case where radar waves are detected, but also to the case where interference is detected.

[0072] Next, a processing example will be described for the case where channels 36, 40, 44, and 48 that are not subject to DFS and do not need to be monitored for the detection of radar waves are also used. Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams showing a processing example for the case where channels 36, 40, 44, and 48 that are not subject to DFS are also used. (1) in Figure 12 indicates that radar waves are detected on channel 116 when first communication unit 120 is using channels 116 and 120 as communication channels. Also, it indicates that receiving unit 110 is using channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed.

[0073] In this case, the control unit 100 uses the channels 132 and 136 as communication channels. (2) indicates that the channels 132 and 136 are used as communication channels, the channel 116 is out of service, and the channels 120, 140, and 144 are unused.

[0074] In (2), it is assumed that radar waves are detected on channel 132. (3) indicates that channel 116 is out of service and radar waves are detected on channel 132. In this case, control unit 100 uses a channel not subject to DFS as a communication channel and prepares a monitoring channel. (4) in FIG. 13 indicates that channels 36 and 40 are used as communication channels, channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 are in CAC, channel 132 is out of service, and channels 116 and 136 are unused. Note that channel 116 is unused because 30 minutes have passed since radar waves were detected.

[0075] In (4), it is assumed that interference is detected on channel 36. (5) indicates that interference is detected on channel 36, that channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 have completed CAC, and that channel 132 is out of service. Since channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 have completed CAC, control unit 100 uses channels 100 and 104 as communication channels and prepares monitoring channels. (6) indicates that channels 100 and 104 are used as communication channels, channel 36 is a low-priority channel, channels 116, 120, 124, and 128 are undergoing CAC, and channel 132 is out of service.

[0076] In this way, by also using channels not covered by DFS, the risk of communication interruptions can be reduced. Note that channels not covered by DFS are used by many wireless devices, making interference detection more likely. Therefore, by providing a monitoring channel for DFS-covered channels as shown in (6) of Figure 13 above, the risk of communication interruptions can be reduced.

[0077] Next, the automatic refresh mode function will be described. When a communication device is operated over a long period of time, there may be cases where the channels operated by adjacent communication devices are biased toward a specific channel. The automatic refresh mode function is a function for suppressing this bias. When a predetermined condition is met, this function replaces the communication channel with a communication-enabled channel as the communication channel, and replaces the monitoring channel with another channel as the new monitoring channel.

[0078] Next, the setting of the automatic refresh mode function will be explained. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a channel control setting screen 300 for making channel-related settings. The channel control setting screen 300 has a channel control mode setting area 310 and a ZW-DFS control setting area 320. Of these, the channel control mode setting area 310 is an area for setting the channel number to be used, the selectable band, and the channel signal to be selected.

[0079] The ZW-DFS control setting area 320 is an area for setting the execution conditions of the automatic refresh mode function. The ZW-DFS control setting area 320 includes an automatic refresh mode setting field 321, an automatic refresh time setting field 322, and an automatic refresh cycle field 323. The automatic refresh mode setting field 321 is a setting field for setting the bands (W52, W53, W56) to be automatically refreshed using a pull-down menu. The automatic refresh time setting field 322 is a setting field for setting the time to refresh. The automatic refresh cycle setting field 323 is a setting field for setting the day of the week to refresh. The settings in the automatic refresh mode setting field 321, the automatic refresh time setting field 322, and the automatic refresh cycle field 323 are examples of the above-mentioned predetermined conditions.

[0080] 15 is a diagram showing an example of the execution of the automatic refresh mode function, in which (1) shows the channel state before the automatic refresh mode function is executed, and (2) shows the channel state after a predetermined condition is satisfied and the automatic refresh mode function is executed.

[0081] Before the automatic refresh mode function is executed, as shown in (1), the first communication unit 120 uses channels 36 and 40 as communication channels, and the receiving unit 110 uses channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 100 sets the communication-available channels (channels 100 and 104) as communication channels instead of the communication channels before execution (channels 36 and 40) as communication channels, as shown in (2). In addition, the control unit 100 sets other channels (channels 132 and 136) as new monitoring channels instead of the monitoring channels before execution (channels 100, 104, 108, and 112).

[0082] In this way, the signals are distributed to channels different from those used by adjacent communication devices, thereby improving throughput.

[0083] Next, we will explain how to shorten the outage time. Specifically, when radar waves are detected on a communication channel in equipment state α (see Figure 5), the equipment state α transitions to equipment state β, and then radar waves are detected on a new communication channel, causing the equipment state β to transition to equipment state γ, resulting in an outage. We will explain the process of shortening the time it takes to transition from equipment state γ to equipment state β.

[0084] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the shortened processing. In Fig. 16, (1) indicates that radar waves were detected on channel 116 when first communication unit 120 was using channels 116 and 120 as communication channels. Also, (1) indicates that receiving unit 110 is using channels 132, 136, 140, and 144 as monitoring channels for which CAC has been performed.

[0085] In this case, the control unit 100 uses channels 132 and 136 as communication channels and starts CAC on channels 52, 56, 60, and 64. (2) indicates that channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 are undergoing CAC, channels 132 and 136 are being used as communication channels, channel 116 is out of service, and channels 120, 140, and 144 are no longer in use.

[0086] As shown in (3), if radar waves are further detected on channel 132, channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 will stop transmitting because they are undergoing CAC. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, if radar waves are detected in device state γ, the channel will be switched and CAC will begin. In other words, it is not possible to transition to device state β until at least one minute has passed since the second radar wave was detected.

[0087] However, for channels 52, 56, 60, and 64 undergoing CAC as shown in (2), CAC was initiated from the time when radar waves were first detected. Therefore, as shown in (4), CAC-completed channels are prepared before one minute has elapsed since radar waves were detected for the second time. In this case, as shown in (5), CAC-completed channels 52 and 56 can be used as communication channels, making it possible to transition to device state β. In (5), if one minute has elapsed since CAC was initiated for channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 without radar waves being detected, channels 100, 104, 108, and 112 become CAC-completed channels as shown in (6).

[0088] In this way, the downtime can be shortened by transitioning from device state γ to device state β when CAC is completed, regardless of whether one minute has passed since the radar wave was detected.

[0089] <Summary of the embodiment> According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device includes a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal, a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal, and a control unit that controls the wireless terminal communication unit and the receiving unit, wherein the control unit sets a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit as channels for receiving radio waves, and designates the plurality of channels as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave, and monitors whether the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of the plurality of monitoring channels, and when the predetermined radio wave is detected on the monitoring channel, continues monitoring on at least the monitoring channels except for the monitoring channel on which the predetermined radio wave was detected, and when the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, continues monitoring on the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication, and when the predetermined radio wave is detected on the communication channel, designates the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel on which the predetermined radio wave was detected. This reduces the risk of communication interruption.

[0090] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a control method for a communication device including a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal and a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal, the control method including: setting a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit as channels for receiving radio waves to be used by the receiving unit; designating the plurality of channels as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave; monitoring whether the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of the plurality of monitoring channels; if the predetermined radio wave is detected on the monitoring channel, continuing monitoring on at least the monitoring channel(s) excluding the monitoring channel(s) in which the predetermined radio wave was detected; if the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, continuing monitoring on the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication; if the predetermined radio wave is detected on the communication channel, designating the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel in which the predetermined radio wave was detected. This reduces the risk of communication interruption.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a program causes a computer of a communication device including a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal and a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal to execute the following process: set a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from a communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit as channels for receiving radio waves by the receiving unit, designate the plurality of channels as monitoring channels for predetermined radio waves, monitor whether the predetermined radio waves are detected on any of the plurality of monitoring channels, and, if the predetermined radio waves are detected on the monitoring channel, continue monitoring on at least the monitoring channels excluding the monitoring channel on which the predetermined radio waves were detected, if the predetermined radio waves are not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period, set the monitoring channel as an available channel for communication and continue monitoring, and, if the predetermined radio waves are detected on the communication channel, set the available channel for communication as the communication channel instead of the communication channel on which the predetermined radio waves were detected. This reduces the risk of communication interruption.

[0092] The present disclosure can be realized in software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware.

[0093] Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0094] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, but may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0095] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology may be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

[0096] Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the disclosure.

[0097] Although specific examples of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and alterations of the specific examples exemplified above. [Industrial Applicability]

[0098] An embodiment of the present disclosure is suitable for a communication device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10. Communications equipment 100 control section 110 Receiving unit 120 First Communications Department

Claims

1. a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal; a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used for communication with the wireless terminal; a control unit that controls the wireless terminal communication unit and the receiving unit; Equipped with The control unit a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from the communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit are set as channels for receiving radio waves by the receiving unit, and the plurality of channels are set as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave; monitoring whether or not the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of a plurality of monitoring channels; When the predetermined radio wave is detected in the monitoring channel, monitoring is continued in the monitoring channels among the plurality of monitoring channels except for at least the monitoring channel in which the predetermined radio wave is detected; If the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period of time, the monitoring channel is continued as an available channel for communication; when the predetermined radio wave is detected in the communication channel, the communication available channel is set as the communication channel instead of the communication channel in which the predetermined radio wave is detected. Communication equipment.

2. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein, when the predetermined radio wave is not detected in a channel adjacent to the available communication channel for the predetermined period, the control unit continues to monitor the channel as the available communication channel.

3. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when a channel adjacent to the communication channel becomes the available communication channel, the control unit sets the available communication channel as the communication channel.

4. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit, when interference is detected in the communication channel, sets the available communication channel as the communication channel instead of the communication channel.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when interference is detected in the communication channel, the control unit replaces the communication channel with a channel that does not need to be monitored for the detection of the specified radio waves.

6. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit replaces the communication channel with the available communication channel as the communication channel, and replaces the monitoring channel with another channel as the new monitoring channel.

7. A control method for a communication device including a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal and a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used in communication with the wireless terminal, a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from the communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit are set as channels for receiving radio waves by the receiving unit, and the plurality of channels are set as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave; monitoring whether or not the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of a plurality of monitoring channels; When the predetermined radio wave is detected in the monitoring channel, monitoring is continued in the monitoring channels among the plurality of monitoring channels except for at least the monitoring channel in which the predetermined radio wave is detected; If the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period of time, the monitoring channel is continued as an available channel for communication; when the predetermined radio wave is detected in the communication channel, the communication available channel is set as the communication channel instead of the communication channel in which the predetermined radio wave is detected. Control method.

8. A computer of a communication device including a wireless terminal communication unit that communicates with a wireless terminal and a receiving unit that receives radio waves in a frequency band used in communication with the wireless terminal, a plurality of channels in a continuous band different from the communication channel used by the wireless terminal communication unit are set as channels for receiving radio waves by the receiving unit, and the plurality of channels are set as monitoring channels for a predetermined radio wave; monitoring whether or not the predetermined radio wave is detected on any of a plurality of monitoring channels; When the predetermined radio wave is detected in the monitoring channel, monitoring is continued in the monitoring channels among the plurality of monitoring channels except for at least the monitoring channel in which the predetermined radio wave is detected; If the predetermined radio wave is not detected on the monitoring channel for a predetermined period of time, the monitoring channel is continued as an available channel for communication; when the predetermined radio wave is detected in the communication channel, the communication available channel is set as the communication channel instead of the communication channel in which the predetermined radio wave is detected. A program that executes a process.

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