Radio equipment and wireless communication systems

Abstract

To provide a wireless device and wireless communication system that can properly set the receiving direction in a wireless communication environment where multiple networks exist. [Solution] A radio that forms a network with other radios and sets the receiving beam direction to other radios using a beamforming function, wherein the network's center frequency is set to be offset from the center frequencies of the network and adjacent networks, and the receiving beam direction is set to be good by limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a predetermined range.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless device and a wireless communication system.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Documents 1 and 2 below, in a wireless communication environment where a plurality of networks exist, by using communication signals whose frequency spectra overlap and whose center frequencies are different in each network, a wireless system for improving the SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio) is described. Such a wireless system is effective when it is desired to use only specific frequencies in order to efficiently use the frequency band and reduce propagation loss due to atmospheric absorption because a plurality of networks share the same frequency band.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when performance was confirmed in a wireless communication system having a beamforming function with respect to the above background art, when the offset amount of the center frequency (frequency offset) was set to about 120 MHz, it was confirmed that the throughput of the network closer to the communication device improved among the plurality of networks, but it was confirmed that normal communication could not be performed in the network with a long communication distance.

[0005] In other words, the underlying wireless system employs a receiving direction setting method based on the intensity of the received wave (radio wave strength), following the procedure of SLS (Sector Level Sweep), which is the beam direction selection function of the beamforming function in 802.11ad. Therefore, even if an offset is set to the center frequency, if the intensity of the received interference wave is relatively strong, the received beam will be set in the direction of the interference wave, and the receiving direction will not be set properly. In wireless communication environments with multiple networks, setting the receiving direction properly is an important technical challenge.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and aims to provide a wireless device and a wireless communication system that can properly set the receiving direction in a wireless communication environment in which multiple networks exist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a first solution relating to a wireless device, which configures a network with other wireless devices and sets the receiving beam direction to the other wireless devices by a beamforming function, wherein the network uses the same frequency band as adjacent networks, and the center frequency of the network is set to be offset from the center frequencies of the network and adjacent networks, and the receiving beam direction is set to be good by limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a predetermined range.

[0008] In the present invention, as a second solution relating to a wireless device, the beam scanning range is limited based on the receiving beam direction when wireless communication is performed using only the network, in the first solution described above.

[0009] In the present invention, a third solution relating to a wireless device is provided, which configures a network with other wireless devices and sets the receiving beam direction to the other wireless devices using a beamforming function, wherein the receiving beam direction is set based on noise-dependent parameters to ensure good transmission and reception performance.

[0010] In the present invention, as a fourth solution relating to a wireless device, the method of setting the receiving beam direction by automatically controlling the beamforming function using the noise-dependent parameter, as in the third solution described above.

[0011] In the present invention, as a fifth solution relating to a wireless device, the third solution described above employs a method of setting the receiving beam direction in the same way as the transmitting beam direction by automatically controlling the beamforming function using the noise-dependent parameter.

[0012] In the present invention, as a sixth solution relating to a wireless device, the third solution described above employs the method of obtaining measured values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters after establishing a wireless connection with the other wireless device, and setting the receiving beam direction based on said measured values.

[0013] In the present invention, as a seventh solution relating to a wireless device, the third solution described above employs the means of obtaining the sector value of the transmission sector after establishing a wireless connection with the other wireless device, and setting the direction that matches the sector value to the receiving beam direction.

[0014] In the present invention, as an eighth solution relating to a wireless device, the first solution described above employs a method in which the beam scanning range is limited to a range that does not include the half-width of the transmitting beam in the adjacent network.

[0015] In the present invention, as a ninth solution means related to a wireless device, in the above first solution means, the beam scanning range is limited to a range that does not include the 6 dB width of the transmission beam in the adjacent network.

[0016] Also, in the present invention, as a solution means related to a wireless communication system, a means is adopted that includes a wireless device according to any one of the above first to ninth solution means and the other wireless device that communicates with the wireless device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless device and a wireless communication system capable of appropriately setting a reception direction in a wireless communication environment where a plurality of networks exist.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] <于 <于 [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <于 <于 [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing the basic operation of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <于 <于 [Figure 3] It is a communication sequence diagram showing the beam setting operation of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <于 <于 [Figure 4] It is a measurement result showing the interference reduction effect of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. <于 <于 [Figure 5] In the wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, it is a communication sequence diagram showing the beam setting operation when wireless devices do not move. <于 <于 [Figure 6] In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is a communication sequence diagram showing the connection establishment procedure when beam selection is performed. <于 <于 [Figure 7] <于 <于 [Figure 8] Note: There seems to be some encoding or formatting issue with the tags like "<于 " etc. in the original text. They are translated as is but might need to be checked for proper representation in the original context.In the first embodiment of the present invention, it is a flowchart showing a procedure of selecting and loading a beam table suitable for the direction of a communication partner at the time of wireless startup. [Figure 9] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the directivity of a transmission beam in each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram showing a limited example of a beam scanning range in a wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 〔First Embodiment〕 First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment includes four wireless devices 1 to 4. Among these four wireless devices 1 to 4, the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 constitute the first network 5, and the third wireless device 3 and the fourth wireless device 4 constitute the second network 6.

[0020] Here, in the first embodiment, as an example, a wireless communication system A including four wireless devices 1 to 4 and two networks 5 and 6 will be described, but the number of wireless devices is not limited to four, and the number of networks is not limited to two. That is, the present invention is applicable to a wireless communication system including two or more networks.

[0021] The first network 5 and the second network 6 each have their own unique identifier (SSID: Service Set Identifier) ​​and conduct individual wireless communications. Furthermore, the first network 5 and the second network 6 use the same frequency band. Additionally, either the first network 5 or the second network 6 is configured to have an offset center frequency. In the first network 5, one of the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 is an access point (AP) or PCP, and the other is a station (STA). Note that the first radio 1 is another radio that communicates wirelessly with the second radio 2.

[0022] The first radio 1 and the second radio 2 are installed facing each other, as shown in the figure. That is, the first radio 1 is installed facing the second radio 2, and the second radio 2 is installed facing the first radio 1. The first radio 1 and the second radio 2 perform wireless communication using a first identifier (first SSID).

[0023] Furthermore, in the second network 6, one of the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 is an access point (AP) or PCP, and the other is a station (STA). These third radio 3 and fourth radio 4 are installed facing each other as shown in the figure.

[0024] In other words, the third radio 3 is positioned to face the fourth radio 4, and the fourth radio 4 is positioned to face the third radio 3. These third radio 3 and fourth radio 4 perform wireless communication using a second identifier (second SSID) that is different from the first identifier in the first network 5.

[0025] Of the four radios 1-4, the second radio 2 and the fourth radio 4 are located relatively close to each other. The first radio 1, which forms the first network 5 with the second radio 2, is located facing the second radio 2 and relatively far from it. The third radio 3, which forms the second network 6 with the fourth radio 4, is located facing the fourth radio 4 and relatively far from it.

[0026] Furthermore, each of the four radios 1 to 4 is equipped with an RF module 1a to 4a. Specifically, the first radio 1 is equipped with the first RF module 1a, the second radio 2 is equipped with the second RF module 2a, the third radio 3 is equipped with the third RF module 3a, and the fourth radio 4 is equipped with the fourth RF module 4a.

[0027] These four RF modules 1a to 4a are high-frequency modules that can set the transmission beam direction of the transmitted wave and the reception beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave using a beamforming function. The four RF modules 1a to 4a set the transmission direction (radiation direction) of the transmitted wave and the reception direction of the received wave within a predetermined range by selecting (specifying) one beam sector from among multiple beam sectors defined in the beam table.

[0028] In other words, the four RF modules 1a to 4a do not require manual setting of the receiving beam direction, but rather set the receiving beam direction by automatically controlling the beamforming function using noise-dependent parameters. However, the four RF modules 1a to 4a may be configured to allow manual setting of the receiving beam direction if necessary.

[0029] The first RF module 1a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmitted wave to the second RF module 2a and the reception direction of the received wave incident on the second RF module 2a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beam table (first beam table).

[0030] The second RF module 2a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmitted wave to the first RF module 1a and the reception direction of the received wave incident on the first RF module 1a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beamtable (second beamtable).

[0031] The third RF module 3a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmitted wave to the fourth RF module 4a and the reception direction of the received wave incident on the fourth RF module 4a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beamtable (third beamtable).

[0032] The fourth RF module 4a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmitted wave to the third RF module 3a and the reception direction of the received wave incident on the third RF module 3a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beamtable (fourth beamtable).

[0033] Here, the four RF modules 1a to 4a do not set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave based on the intensity (received power) of the received wave, as in the background technology, but rather set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave based on communication parameters (noise-dependent parameters) that depend on the noise of the received signal obtained from the received wave.

[0034] The noise-dependent parameters mentioned above include, for example, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), bit error rate (BER), packet error rate (PER), throughput, or MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme). Each RF module 1a to 4a acquires measured values ​​of these noise-dependent parameters and selects a beam sector to set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) based on these measured values.

[0035] Note that the noise-dependent parameter is not limited to one. That is, a beam sector for setting the received beam direction (receiving direction) may be selected based on any multiple measured values ​​from the above-mentioned signal-to-noise ratio, bit error rate, packet error rate, throughput, or MCS.

[0036] Furthermore, the four RF modules 1a to 4a set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) using noise-dependent parameters, and also limit the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a predetermined range. In other words, the four radios 1 to 4 limit the selection range of the beam sector to a restricted scanning range narrower than the beam scanning range defined in the beam table, and then search for a receiving beam direction in which the transmission and reception conditions are good.

[0037] The above-mentioned limited scanning range is set based on the received beam direction when wireless communication in the second network 6 is stopped. In other words, the beam scanning range is limited based on the received beam direction when wireless communication is performed only in the first network 5.

[0038] The four radios 1 to 4 reduce interference between the wireless communication of the first network 5 and the wireless communication of the second network 6 by setting the receiving beam direction and limiting the beam scanning range using noise-dependent parameters in each of the RF modules 1a to 4a.

[0039] Furthermore, the second wireless device 2 in the first network 5 and the fourth wireless device 4 in the second network 6 are connected by a wired communication line 7. This wired communication line 7 is composed of a combination of, for example, LAN (Local Area Network) cables and switches. Thus, the first network 5 and the second network 6 form a multi-hop network.

[0040] In other words, the first network 5 and the second network 6 use the same communication channel, but their communication signals have overlapping frequency spectra, and their center frequencies are frequency-offset by a predetermined amount. In such a relationship between the first network 5 and the second network 6, mutual interference in wireless communication is reduced by frequency-offsetting the center frequencies of the overlapping frequency spectra.

[0041] Next, the operation and performance of the wireless transceivers 1 to 4 and the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figures 2 to 8.

[0042] Firstly, in the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment, the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 constitute the first network 5, with the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 facing each other. Furthermore, of the third radio 3 and fourth radio 4 that constitute the second network 6, the third radio is positioned at an oblique angle of 90° or less with respect to the second radio 2 that constitutes the first network 5.

[0043] In this positional relationship of four radios 1 to 4, if the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second RF module 2a of the second radio 2 is set based on the strength of the received wave (radio wave intensity) as in the conventional method, there is a risk that the receiving sector (receiving direction) will be set to the direction of the third radio 3 instead of the direction of the first radio 1.

[0044] For example, if the intensity of the transmitted wave (radio wave strength) of the third radio 3 is greater than the intensity of the transmitted wave (radio wave strength) of the first radio 1, then if the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio 2 is set based on the intensity of the received wave (radio wave strength), the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio 2 may be set to the direction of the third radio 3 instead of the direction of the first radio 1.

[0045] Furthermore, if the distance between the second radio 2 and the third radio 3 is smaller than the distance between the second radio 2 and the first radio 1, setting the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio 2 based on the strength of the received wave (radio wave intensity) may result in the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio 2 being set to the direction of the third radio 3 instead of the direction of the first radio 1.

[0046] To address these concerns, in wireless communication system A, the first network 5 and the second network 6 establish a wireless connection according to the procedure shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the wireless interface is first activated on the four radios 1 to 4 (step S1). Once the wireless interface is activated, the second radio 2 reads the beamtable that it has stored in advance (step S2).

[0047] Then, the second radio 2 in the first network 5 limits the range of use of the beam sector in the beam table to a pre-stored range (limited range) (step S3). Then, the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 in the second network 6 set the frequency offset of the communication signal to a predetermined amount (offset amount) that is pre-stored (step S4).

[0048] The series of processing steps S1 to S4 described above complete the preliminary preparations for wireless connection between the first network 5 and the second network 6. Once processing step S4 is completed, in the first network 5, the first radio 1 is set as a station (STA), and the second radio 2 is set as an access point (AP) or PCP. Then, the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 of the first network 5 establish a wireless connection using the first identifier (first SSID) (step S5).

[0049] Meanwhile, in the second network 6, the third radio 3 is configured as a station (STA), and the fourth radio 4 is configured as an access point (AP) or PCP. Then, the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 of the second network 6 establish a wireless connection using the second identifier (second SSID) (step S6).

[0050] Furthermore, the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) and the first radio 1 (STA) of the first network 5 perform beam configuration based on the beamtable using the communication sequence shown in Figure 3. First, the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio 1 (STA).

[0051] The first radio 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) search for a beam sector with good transmission and reception conditions as the transmission and reception sector using SLS (Selector Level Sweep) based on the measured values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters described above.

[0052] Furthermore, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) perform a Beam Refinement Process (BRP) based on measured noise-dependent parameters to search for beam sectors that provide good transmission and reception conditions. Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) mutually transmit the search result data, i.e., the transmission and reception sectors (beam sectors).

[0053] Figure 4 shows the measurement results illustrating the interference reduction effect of the four radio transceivers 1-4 and wireless communication system A. This measurement uses a wireless signal with an occupied bandwidth of approximately 1.8 GHz. The measurement results show throughput for cases where the frequency offset of the wireless signal in the second network 6 is "none" and set to 0.12 GHz, and for cases where the beam scanning range of the received beam is set to the normal "90°" and limited to "15°".

[0054] These measurement results demonstrate that by limiting the beam scanning range of the received beam to 15° and setting the received beam direction (receiving direction) using noise-dependent parameters, it is possible to ensure the throughput necessary for normal wireless communication.

[0055] In this case, if both the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) are base stations, then the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 are fixed in place and their installation positions do not move. In such cases, beam configuration is performed based on noise-dependent parameters and beamtables using wireless communication as shown in Figure 5.

[0056] First, the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio 1 (STA). Then, the first radio 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. The first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) then establish a connection using pre-configured transmit and receive sectors.

[0057] Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) transmit and receive test data while changing the transmit / receive sectors, and acquire measured values ​​of noise-dependent parameters for the test data in each transmit / receive sector. Finally, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) set the beam sector that provides good transmit / receive conditions as the transmit / receive sector based on the measured values ​​of noise-dependent parameters in each transmit / receive sector.

[0058] Alternatively, instead of this method for setting the transmit and receive sectors, only the transmit sector may be optimally set based on the measured value of the noise-dependent parameter. Figure 6 shows the communication sequence when the transmit sector is optimally set based on the measured value of the noise-dependent parameter, and then the receive sector is determined. In this case, the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio 1 (STA).

[0059] The first radio 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) search for the transmission sector (beam sector) by performing SLS (Selector Level Sweep) and BRP (Beam Refinement Process) based on the measured values ​​of noise-dependent parameters.

[0060] Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) determine (set) the sector value of the receiving sector (beam sector) to the same value (same direction) as the sector value of the transmitting sector (beam sector). Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) transmit the sector value of the receiving sector (beam sector) to each other.

[0061] Figure 7 shows the communication sequence when both the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) are base stations, and the receiving sector is optimally set based on the measured value of the noise-dependent parameter. In this case, the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon to the first radio 1 (STA) as a broadcast signal.

[0062] Then, the first radio 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. The first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) then search for the transmission sector (beam sector) by performing SLS (Selector Level Sweep) and BRP (Beam Refinement Process) based on the measured values ​​of noise-dependent parameters.

[0063] Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) mutually acquire the sector value of the transmitting sector (beam sector) after the connection is established, and set the sector value of the receiving sector (beam sector) to the same value (same direction) as the sector value of the transmitting sector (beam sector). Then, the first radio 1 (STA) and the second radio 2 (AP / PCP) mutually transmit the sector value of the receiving sector (beam sector).

[0064] Furthermore, while the wireless connection procedure shown in Figure 2 involves loading the beamtable and then limiting the usable range of the beam sector, it is also possible to prepare a separate beamtable that scans only in specific directions, and then select and load the beamtable appropriate for the direction of the communication partner when the wireless connection is activated.

[0065] In this case, as shown in Figure 8, first, multiple beam tables are stored in the second radio 2 (step S1a). Then, the radio interfaces of the four radios 1 to 4 are activated (step S2a). Then, the second radio 2 selects and loads the beam table from among the multiple beam tables that is suitable for the direction of the first radio 1, which is the communication partner (step S3a).

[0066] Then, in the first network 5, the first radio 1 is configured as a station (STA), and the second radio 2 is configured as an access point (AP) or PCP. The first radio 1 and the second radio 2 then establish a wireless connection using the first identifier (first SSID) (step S4a).

[0067] In addition, in the second network 6, the third radio 3 is configured as a station (STA), and the fourth radio 4 is configured as an access point (AP) or PCP. Then, the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 establish a wireless connection using the second identifier (second SSID) (step S5a).

[0068] The second radio 2 according to this first embodiment is a radio that configures a first network 5 with the first radio 1 (another radio) and sets the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to the first radio 1 (another radio) by beamforming, and sets the receiving beam direction in which the transmission and reception state is good by limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a limited scanning range (a predetermined range).

[0069] Furthermore, "limiting the beam scanning range to a predetermined range" means limiting the beam scanning range from the radio's inherent beam scanning range (e.g., ±45° horizontally) to a range of ±30° horizontally. Also, "good transmission and reception conditions" means that the transmission and reception beam sectors are in the optimal position or that communication is possible.

[0070] According to this first embodiment, since the beam scanning range in the second radio 2 is limited to a restricted scanning range (a predetermined range), it is possible to suppress or prevent the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) from being set to the direction of the third radio 3 of the second network 6 instead of the direction of the first radio 1 (another radio).

[0071] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, in a wireless communication environment where multiple networks such as the first network 5 and the second network 6 exist, it is possible to provide a second radio 2 that can set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to an appropriate direction, that is, the direction of the first radio 1 (another radio).

[0072] Furthermore, in the second wireless device 2 according to the first embodiment, the beam scanning range is limited based on the received beam direction when wireless communication is performed only on the first network 5. According to this first embodiment, it is possible to set the received beam direction (receiving direction) to a more appropriate direction.

[0073] Furthermore, the second radio 2 according to the first embodiment is a radio that configures a first network 5 with the first radio 1 (another radio) and sets the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to the first radio 1 (another radio) by beamforming function, and sets the receiving beam direction that provides good transmission and reception conditions based on noise-dependent parameters.

[0074] According to this first embodiment, the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave is set based on noise-dependent parameters related to the received signal, rather than the conventional received wave intensity (received power). Therefore, it is possible to suppress or prevent the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) from being set in the direction of the third radio 3 of the second network 6 instead of the direction of the first radio 1 (other radios).

[0075] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, similar to the case where the beam scanning range is limited to a limited scanning range (predetermined range), it is possible to provide a second radio 2 that can set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to an appropriate direction in a wireless communication environment in which multiple networks such as the first network 5 and the second network 6 exist.

[0076] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, the receiving beam direction is set by automatically controlling the beamforming function using noise-dependent parameters. According to this first embodiment, it is possible to set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) more appropriately and in a shorter time.

[0077] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, the beamforming function is automatically controlled by noise-dependent parameters, thereby setting the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) in the same way as the transmitting beam direction (transmission direction). According to this first embodiment, it is possible to set the transmitting beam direction (transmission direction) and the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) appropriately and in a short amount of time.

[0078] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, after establishing a wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device), measured values ​​of noise-dependent parameters are acquired, and the receiving beam direction is set based on these measured values. According to this first embodiment, since measured values ​​of noise-dependent parameters are acquired after establishing a wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device), it is possible to set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) more appropriately.

[0079] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, after establishing a wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device), the sector value of the transmission sector is obtained, and the direction matching the sector value is set as the receiving beam direction. According to this first embodiment, since the receiving beam direction is set to match the transmitting beam direction after establishing a wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device), it is possible to properly set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) and the transmitting beam direction.

[0080] Furthermore, the wireless system A according to the first embodiment comprises a second wireless device 2 and a first wireless device 1 (another wireless device) that communicates wirelessly with the second wireless device 2. According to this first embodiment, in a wireless communication environment in which multiple networks such as the first network 5 and the second network 6 exist, it is possible to provide a system A that can set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to an appropriate direction.

[0081] [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 9. As shown in Figure 9, the wireless communication system B according to the second embodiment is an integrated version of the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment, in which the second radio 2 and the fourth radio 4 are combined. That is, the wireless communication system B according to the second embodiment includes a composite radio 24 facing the first radio 1, instead of the second radio 2 and the fourth radio 4.

[0082] The combined radio 24 forms the first network 5B together with the first radio 1, and the second network 6B together with the fourth radio 4. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the combined radio 24 includes a second RF module 2a and a fourth RF module 4a.

[0083] The combined radio 24 establishes a wireless connection with the first RF module 1a using the first identifier (first SSID) by using the second RF module 2a. Furthermore, the combined radio 24 establishes a wireless connection with the third RF module 3a using the second identifier (second SSID) by using the fourth RF module 4a.

[0084] According to the combined radio 24 and wireless communication system B of this second embodiment, in addition to limiting the beam scanning range of the received beam, the received beam direction (receiving direction) is set using a noise-dependent parameter, similar to the second radio 2 and wireless communication system A of the first embodiment. Therefore, it is possible to properly set the receiving direction in a wireless communication environment where two networks 5 and 6 exist.

[0085] [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 10. As shown in Figure 10, the wireless communication system C according to the third embodiment includes a second network 6C in which the direction of direct opposition between the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 is the same as that of the first network 5.

[0086] In other words, the direction in which the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 in the second network 6C face each other is the same as the direction in which the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 face each other in the first network 5. Furthermore, as shown in the figure, the second network 6C is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first network 5.

[0087] In such a wireless communication system C, the direction of direct opposition between the first radio 1 and the second radio 2 in the first network 5 is the same as the direction of direct opposition between the third radio 3 and the fourth radio 4 in the second network 6C. Therefore, there is a higher risk that the receiving sector (receiving direction) will not be properly set compared to the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment and the wireless communication system B according to the second embodiment.

[0088] However, according to the wireless communication system C of the third embodiment, in addition to limiting the beam scanning range of the received beam, the received beam direction (receiving direction) is set using a noise-dependent parameter, making it possible to properly set the receiving directions of the second radio 2 and the fourth radio 4 in a wireless communication environment where two networks 5 and 6C exist.

[0089] [Additional matters] Figure 11 is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the directivity of a transmitting beam. As shown in Figure 11, the transmitting beam has a predetermined full width at half maximum (FWHM) and a 6dB width that is wider than the FWHM. The FWHM is the beam angle range from the maximum value to a decrease of 3dB, and the 6dB width is the beam angle range from the maximum value to a decrease of 6dB.

[0090] Depending on the distance between radio 3 and radio 4, and the angle difference between the opposing directions of radio 3 and radio 4 with respect to the opposing direction of radio 1 and radio 2, it is preferable that the beam scanning range in each of the above embodiments be limited to a range that does not include the half-width of the transmitting beam that becomes an interfering wave. Furthermore, it is even more preferable that this beam scanning range be limited to a range that does not include the 6 dB width of the transmitting beam that becomes an interfering wave.

[0091] Figure 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of limiting the beam scanning range in the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment. In Figure 12, the beam scanning range 9 of the radio 2 is limited so as not to include the half-width range 8 of the transmission beam (interference wave) radiated from the radio 3 to the radio 4, so that the radio 2 is not affected by the transmission beam transmitted from the radio 3, which is the interference source, to the radio 4.

[0092] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and for example, the following modifications are possible. (1) In each of the above embodiments, a wireless communication environment in which two networks exist has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the number of networks in the present invention can be any number as long as it is two or more.

[0093] (2) In each of the above embodiments, in addition to limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a limited scanning range (predetermined range), the received beam direction (receiving direction) was set using a noise-dependent parameter rather than the intensity of the received wave (received intensity). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0094] In addition to limiting the beam scanning range of the received beam, it is more preferable to set the received beam direction (receiving direction) using noise-dependent parameters. However, either limiting the beam scanning range of the received beam or setting the received beam direction (receiving direction) using noise-dependent parameters may be adopted depending on the relative positions and number of multiple networks. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0095] A-C Wireless communication system, 1-4 Radio equipment, 24 Combined radio equipment, 5 First network, 6, 6C Second network, 7 Wired communication line, 8 Half-power bandwidth range

Claims

1. A radio that forms a network with other radios and sets the receiving beam direction to the other radios using a beamforming function, The aforementioned network uses the same frequency band as the adjacent network. The aforementioned network is wirelessly connected with a setting that offsets the center frequency of the aforementioned network from the center frequencies of adjacent networks. A radio characterized by setting the receiving beam direction such that the transmission and reception state is good by limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a predetermined range.

2. The wireless device according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam scanning range is limited with reference to the received beam direction when wireless communication is performed using only the network.

3. A radio that forms a network with other radios and sets the receiving beam direction to the other radios using a beamforming function, A radio characterized by setting the receiving beam direction that results in good transmission and reception conditions based on noise-dependent parameters.

4. The radio according to claim 3, characterized in that the receiving beam direction is set by automatically controlling the beamforming function using the noise-dependent parameter.

5. The radio according to claim 3, characterized in that the beamforming function is automatically controlled by the noise-dependent parameter, thereby setting the receiving beam direction in the same way as the transmitting beam direction.

6. The radio according to claim 3, characterized in that, after establishing a wireless connection with the other radio, the measured value of the noise-dependent parameter is obtained, and the receiving beam direction is set based on the measured value.

7. The radio according to claim 3, characterized in that, after establishing a wireless connection with the other radio, the sector value of the transmission sector is obtained, and the direction matching the sector value is set to the receiving beam direction.

8. A wireless communication system comprising a wireless device according to claim 1 or 3, and another wireless device that performs wireless communication with the wireless device.

9. The radio according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam scanning range is limited to a range that does not include the half-width of the transmitting beam in the adjacent network.

10. The wireless device according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam scanning range is limited to a range that does not include the 6 dB width of the transmission beam in the adjacent network.

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