Wireless equipment and wireless communication systems

Abstract

The present invention provides wireless equipment and wireless communication systems that can prevent communication with a communication partner from being interrupted without making any changes to the communication partner. [Solution] The wireless device 20 comprises a wireless module 32 that performs wireless communication, a rotating stage 22 that rotates the wireless module 32, and a processor 33 that controls the rotating stage 22 so that the beam direction of the wireless module 32 is within a predetermined range that allows for continuous wireless communication with the communication partner.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, remote monitoring technology for remotely monitoring a monitoring target and remote operation technology for remotely operating an operation target have attracted attention in order to resolve labor shortages and the like. In such remote monitoring technology and remote operation technology, since high-definition video needs to be transmitted with low delay, millimeter-wave communication technology capable of transmitting a large amount of information with low delay has attracted attention.

[0003] Millimeter waves have the property of high straightness, and since it is difficult to perform alignment with a communication counterpart, beamforming technology that imparts directivity to a beam using an antenna is often used. However, since the range in which a beam can be directed by beamforming is often limited, communication is interrupted when the communication counterpart moves outside the range. Patent Documents 1 and 2 below disclose a technology that feeds back parameters such as the rotation angle and position of a mobile object (construction machine, mobile station) to a base station, and the base station determines an appropriate beam direction based on the parameters.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, the technologies disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 and 2 require that parameters transmitted from a mobile device be reflected in the parameters used for beamforming control at the base station. For this reason, for example, in a base station where beamforming control is performed by a general-purpose integrated circuit, if the parameters used for beamforming control cannot be accessed, it is difficult to implement the technologies disclosed in the aforementioned Patent Documents 1 and 2. In other words, such a base station needs to be modified so that parameters transmitted from a mobile device are reflected in the parameters used for beamforming control.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide wireless equipment and wireless communication systems that can suppress the interruption of communication with a communication partner without making any changes to the communication partner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a wireless device (20) according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a wireless module (32) for performing wireless communication, a rotating mechanism (22) for rotating the wireless module, and a control unit (33) for controlling the rotating mechanism so that the wireless communication direction of the wireless module falls within a predetermined range (R21) in which wireless communication with a communication partner (10) can be continued.

[0008] A wireless device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a rotation mechanism for rotating a wireless module that performs wireless communication. The control unit controls the rotation mechanism so that the wireless communication direction of the wireless module falls within a predetermined range that allows for continuous wireless communication with the communication partner. This makes it possible to prevent the interruption of communication with the communication partner without making any changes to the communication partner.

[0009] Furthermore, in a wireless device according to a second aspect of the present invention, the rotating mechanism rotates the wireless module in a horizontal plane, as in the wireless device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0010] Furthermore, a wireless device according to a third aspect of the present invention is a wireless device according to a first or second aspect of the present invention in which the wireless module is capable of beamforming, which dynamically changes the beam direction as the wireless communication direction, and the direction in which the received power is greatest is set as the beam direction.

[0011] Furthermore, in the wireless device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the wireless module performs the beamforming in a horizontal plane, in the wireless device according to the third aspect of the present invention.

[0012] Furthermore, a wireless device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is a wireless device according to a third or fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the predetermined range is a range included in the variable range in which beamforming is possible, and the range includes the center of the variable range.

[0013] Furthermore, in the wireless device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the wireless device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the control unit controls the rotation mechanism so that the beam direction becomes within the predetermined range when the beam direction is within the variable range but outside the predetermined range.

[0014] Furthermore, in the wireless device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the variable range, the predetermined range, and the beam direction are managed using a beam sector, which is information that identifies the beam formed by the wireless module, and the control unit uses the beam sector to control the rotation mechanism so that the beam direction is within the predetermined range.

[0015] Furthermore, in the wireless device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the wireless module performs beamforming even in the vertical plane, in the wireless device according to any third to seventh aspect of the present invention.

[0016] Further, the wireless device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention is the wireless device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the present invention, comprising a moving mechanism (21) that moves the wireless module, the rotation mechanism, and the control unit within a horizontal plane.

[0017] Further, a wireless communication system (1) according to one aspect of the present invention includes a wireless communication apparatus (10) capable of beamforming, and the wireless device (20) according to any one of the first to ninth aspects that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication apparatus. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, there is an effect that disconnection of communication with a communication partner can be suppressed without making modifications to the communication partner. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a wireless device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing an example of a beam table used in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a state where wireless communication is enabled between a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of a state where wireless communication is disabled between a wireless communication apparatus and a wireless device in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a diagram for explaining control performed by a wireless device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0020] Hereinafter, the wireless device and the wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] <Wireless communication system> Figure 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system 1 of this embodiment comprises a wireless communication device 10 and a wireless device 20, and is a system capable of wireless communication between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20. The wireless communication system 1 performs wireless communication using, for example, high-frequency signals such as millimeter waves. Furthermore, the wireless communication system 1 performs wireless communication in accordance with, for example, the wireless communication standard IEEE802.11ad.

[0022] The wireless communication device 10 corresponds to a base station device that manages connections, and is equivalent to, for example, an AP (Access Point) as defined in the wireless communication standard IEEE 802.11. The wireless device 20 corresponds to a wireless terminal that connects to the base station device, and is equivalent to, for example, an STA (Station) as defined in the wireless communication standard IEEE 802.11. Although Figure 1 shows one wireless communication device 10 and one wireless device 20, there may be multiple wireless communication devices 10 and wireless devices 20.

[0023] The wireless communication device 10 is equipped with a phased array antenna (not shown) and is fixedly positioned in a predetermined location. The phased array antenna is equipped with multiple antenna elements and is an antenna that can freely change its beam pattern (antenna directivity). In other words, the phased array antenna is an antenna capable of beamforming, which dynamically changes the beam direction. In a phased array antenna, beamforming is achieved by adjusting at least one of the intensity and phase of the signal supplied to the multiple antenna elements (transmitted signal) or the signal supplied from the multiple antenna elements (received signal).

[0024] The wireless device 20 is configured to be movable in a horizontal plane and is capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10 while moving in a horizontal plane. The horizontal plane in which the wireless device 20 moves refers to the ground, road surface, floor surface, etc., on which the wireless device 20 can move, and some unevenness and slopes are permissible. The wireless device 20 may be any device as long as it is movable and capable of wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10. For example, it may be an automated transport machine in a delivery center, a remote monitoring machine used for remote monitoring, construction machinery at a construction site, or other equipment.

[0025] The wireless device 20, like the wireless communication device 10, is equipped with a phased array antenna (not shown). In other words, the wireless device 20 is also capable of beamforming, which dynamically changes the beam direction (wireless communication direction). As will be described in detail later, the wireless device 20 is equipped with a rotating stage 22 (see Figure 2) that rotates in the horizontal plane, and the beam direction can be changed by rotating the rotating stage 22, separate from beamforming.

[0026] The wireless communication device 10 and wireless device 20 perform beamforming in the horizontal plane. However, the wireless communication device 10 and wireless device 20 may perform beamforming not only in the horizontal plane but also in the vertical plane. In this embodiment, the case in which the wireless communication device 10 and wireless device 20 perform beamforming only in the horizontal plane will be described as an example. It should be assumed that the beam directions of the wireless communication device 10 and wireless device 20 are adjusted to enable wireless communication in the vertical direction.

[0027] In Figure 1, the fan-shaped region indicated by the dashed line extending from the wireless communication device 10 toward the wireless device 20 is the range in which the wireless communication device 10 can perform beamforming in the horizontal plane (hereinafter referred to as the "beamforming range R10"). Similarly, the fan-shaped region indicated by the dashed line extending from the wireless device 20 toward the wireless communication device 10 is the range in which the wireless device 20 can perform beamforming in the horizontal plane (variable range) (hereinafter referred to as the "beamforming range R20"). In the example shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20 can each perform beamforming in a range of approximately 45° to the right and 45° to the left from the front when facing each other.

[0028] Furthermore, within the beamforming range R20, a target beam range R21 (a predetermined range within which wireless communication with the communication partner can be continued) is set, which serves as the target for the wireless device 20 when determining the beam direction. This target beam range R21 is intended to enable the wireless device 20 to continue wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10, which is the communication partner, without interruption. The target beam range R21 is, for example, the range that includes the center of the beamforming range R20 (the 0° direction, which is the direction in front of the wireless device 20).

[0029] The target beam range R21 may be, for example, an area of ​​approximately 20° to the right and 20° to the left from the front of the wireless device 20. Alternatively, the target beam range R21 may be an area of ​​approximately 30° to the right and 30° to the left from the front of the wireless device 20. Or, the target beam range R21 may be an area of ​​approximately 40° to the right and 40° to the left from the front of the wireless device 20.

[0030] The target beam range R21 can be arbitrarily set considering the movement speed of the wireless device 20, the rotation speed of the rotating stage 22 (described later), etc. For example, if the movement speed of the wireless device 20 is relatively fast, the target beam range R21 can be set to a relatively narrow range, and if the movement speed of the wireless device 20 is relatively slow, the target beam range R21 can be set to a relatively wide range. Also, if the rotation speed of the rotating stage 22 is relatively fast, the target beam range R21 can be set to a relatively wide range, and if the rotation speed of the rotating stage 22 is relatively slow, the target beam range R21 can be set to a relatively narrow range.

[0031] <Wireless equipment> Figure 2 is a side view showing a schematic configuration of a wireless device according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 2, the wireless device 20 of this embodiment comprises a mobile body 21 (mobile mechanism), a rotating stage 22 (rotating mechanism), and a control unit 23.

[0032] The mobile unit 21 moves the wireless device 20 in a horizontal plane under the control of the control unit 23. The mobile unit 21 is equipped with, for example, a plurality of wheels W and a drive source (not shown, e.g., an engine or motor) that drives the wheels W, and is configured to be movable in the forward / backward direction D1 and the left / right direction D2 (see Figure 1). It is desirable that the mobile unit 11 be able to turn like a typical automobile.

[0033] The rotating stage 22 rotates the control unit 23 in a horizontal plane under the control of the control unit 23. The rotating stage 22 is mounted on the movable body 21 so as to be able to rotate in a horizontal plane. The control unit 23 is mounted on the rotating stage 22. Therefore, when the rotating stage 22 rotates, the control unit 23 on the rotating stage 22 also rotates.

[0034] The control unit 23 is mounted on the rotating stage 22 and comprehensively controls the operation of the wireless device 20. The control unit 23 comprises a motor controller 31, a wireless module 32, and a processor 33 (control unit). In this embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless module 32 is mounted within the control unit 23 is described as an example, but the wireless module 32 may be mounted separately from the control unit 23.

[0035] The motor controller 31 controls the rotation of the rotary stage 22 under the control of the processor 33. The wireless module 32 communicates wirelessly with the wireless communication device 10 under the control of the processor 33. The wireless module 32 is equipped with a phased array antenna (not shown) and is capable of beamforming. As mentioned above, in this embodiment, the wireless device 20 performs beamforming only in the horizontal plane, and therefore the wireless module 32 performs beamforming only in the horizontal plane.

[0036] The wireless module 32 is capable of beamforming within the beamforming range R20 shown in Figure 1. The wireless module 32 sets the beam direction to the direction in which the received power is greatest through beamforming.

[0037] The processor 33 comprehensively controls the operation of the wireless device 20. Specifically, the processor 33 controls the movement of the wireless device 20 in the horizontal plane by outputting control signals to the mobile body 21. The processor 33 controls the rotation of the rotating stage 22 by outputting control signals to the motor controller 31. The processor 33 controls wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10 by controlling the wireless module 32.

[0038] The processor 33 controls the rotating stage 22 so that the beam direction falls within the target beam range R21 if the beam direction is within the beamforming range R20 shown in Figure 1 but outside the target beam range R21. This control is performed to ensure that wireless communication between the wireless communication device 10, which is conducted by the wireless module 32, continues without interruption.

[0039] The processor 33 uses the beam table BT shown in Figure 3 to control the rotation stage 22 so that the beam direction falls within the target beam range R21. The beamforming range R20, target beam range R21, and beam direction shown in Figure 1 are managed using the beam table BT.

[0040] Figure 3 shows an example of a beam table used in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the beam table BT is a table to which beam sectors and beam directions are associated. The beam sector is information that identifies the beam formed by the wireless module 32, and for example, an integer (number) in the range of 0 to 63 is stored. The beam direction is information that indicates the direction of the beam formed by the wireless module 32, and for example, any angle in the range of -45° to +45° is stored. Since the beam sector and beam direction are associated one-to-one, when the beam sector is identified, the beam direction is identified.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 3, when the beam sector is 0, -45° is stored as the beam direction; when the beam sector is 10, -30° is stored as the beam direction; when the beam sector is 31, 0° is stored as the beam direction; when the beam sector is 53, +30° is stored as the beam direction; and when the beam sector is 63, +45° is stored as the beam direction. Note that in the example shown in Figure 3, the correspondence between the beam sector and the beam direction is omitted when the beam sector is not 0, 10, 31, 53, or 63.

[0042] When the beamtable BT shown in Figure 3 is used, for example, if the beamforming range R20 is in the range of -45° to +45°, values ​​(numbers) from 0 to 63 are used as beam sectors. Also, for example, if the target beam range R21 is in the range of -30° to +30°, the target beam range R21 is controlled by beam sector values ​​from 10 to 53. The beam direction is controlled by any one of the beam sector values ​​from 0 to 64.

[0043] <Operation of the wireless communication system> Figure 4 shows an example of a state in which wireless communication becomes possible between a wireless communication device and a wireless device in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, wireless communication becomes possible between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20 when the wireless device 20 is located within the beamforming range R10 of the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless communication device 10 is located within the beamforming range R20 of the wireless device 20. When wireless communication is possible between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20, the beam BM1 of the wireless communication device 10 is directed toward the wireless device 20, and the beam BM2 of the wireless device 20 is directed toward the wireless communication device 10 (the beams BM1 and BM2 are directed toward opposite directions).

[0044] Figure 5 shows an example of a state in which wireless communication becomes impossible between a wireless communication device and a wireless device in one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5(a), when the wireless device 20 is located outside the beamforming range R10 of the wireless communication device 10, and the wireless communication device 10 is located outside the beamforming range R20 of the wireless device 20, wireless communication becomes impossible between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20. The wireless communication device 10 cannot direct beam BM1 towards the wireless device 20 because the wireless device 20 is located outside the beamforming range R10. Similarly, the wireless device 20 cannot direct beam BM2 towards the wireless communication device 10 because the wireless communication device 10 is located outside the beamforming range R20. Therefore, wireless communication becomes impossible between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5(b), even if the wireless device 20 is located within the beamforming range R10 of the wireless communication device 10, but the wireless communication device 10 is located outside the beamforming range R20 of the wireless device 20, wireless communication between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20 becomes impossible. The wireless communication device 10 can direct beam BM1 towards the wireless device 20 because the wireless device 20 is located within the beamforming range R10. However, the wireless device 20 cannot direct beam BM2 towards the wireless communication device 10 because the wireless communication device 10 is located outside the beamforming range R20. Therefore, wireless communication between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20 becomes impossible.

[0046] The wireless device 20 is movable in the horizontal plane. Therefore, movement of the wireless device 20 can change the situation from one where wireless communication is possible between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20, as shown in Figure 4, to one where wireless communication is impossible, as shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment, for example, when the situation is as shown in Figure 4, the wireless device 20 is controlled so that the beam direction falls within the target beam range R21, thereby ensuring that wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10 continues without interruption.

[0047] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating control performed by a wireless device according to one embodiment of the present invention. First, as shown in Figure 6(a), assume that wireless communication is possible between the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless device 20. In this state, the wireless device 20 is located within the beamforming range R10 of the wireless communication device 10, and the wireless communication device 10 is located within the beamforming range R20 of the wireless device 20. Also, the beam BM1 of the wireless communication device 10 is pointed towards the wireless device 20, and the beam BM2 of the wireless device 20 is pointed towards the wireless communication device 10.

[0048] As shown in Figure 6(a), the processor 33 of the wireless device 20 controls the motor controller 31 to rotate the rotary stage 22 when the beam direction of beam BM2 is within the beamforming range R20 but outside the target beam range R21. Specifically, the processor 33 of the wireless device 20 rotates the rotary stage 22 so that the beam direction of beam BM2 falls within the target beam range R21.

[0049] More specifically, the processor 33 of the wireless device 20 acquires the beam sector value indicating the beam direction of beam BM2 and the beam sector value (10 to 53) indicating the target beam range R21. Note that the beam sector value indicating the target beam range R21 may be a representative value (any value between 10 and 53). The processor 33 of the wireless device 20 uses the acquired beam sector value and the beam table BT shown in Figure 3 to calculate the angle required to position the beam direction of beam BM2 within the target beam range R21. As shown in Figure 6(b), the processor 33 of the wireless device 20 rotates the rotation stage 22 clockwise in the direction D3 in a plan view by the calculated angle. It is desirable that the control of the rotation stage 22 by the processor 33 of the wireless device 20 be performed by feedback control.

[0050] Furthermore, the wireless module 32 constantly performs control to set the beam direction to the direction in which the received power is greatest through beamforming. Therefore, as the rotating stage 22 rotates, the wireless module 32 automatically controls the direction of the beam BM2 to point it towards the wireless communication device 10.

[0051] As a result of the above control, the beam direction of the beam BM2 of the wireless device 20 falls within the target beam range R21, as shown in Figure 6(b). In this state, the wireless communication device 10 is positioned within the target beam range R21 of the wireless device 20, with the beam BM1 of the wireless communication device 10 pointing towards the wireless device 20 and the beam BM2 of the wireless device 20 pointing towards the wireless communication device 10. Therefore, even if the wireless device 20 moves slightly, wireless communication between it and the wireless communication device 10 will continue without interruption.

[0052] As described above, this embodiment includes a wireless module 32 for wireless communication, a rotating stage 22 for rotating the wireless module 32, and a processor 33 that controls the rotating stage 22 so that the beam direction of the beam BM2 of the wireless module 32 falls within the target beam range R21 that allows for continued wireless communication with the wireless communication device 10. This makes it possible to prevent the interruption of communication with the wireless communication device 10 without making any changes to the wireless communication device 10 as the communication partner.

[0053] Although the wireless devices and wireless communication systems according to embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be freely modified within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the embodiments described above, the wireless communication device 10 and wireless device 20 were described as performing beamforming in a horizontal plane. However, the wireless communication device 10 and wireless device 20 may also perform beamforming in a vertical plane.

[0054] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 10 and the wireless equipment 20 may perform relative position adjustment in the vertical direction by changing the position of the antenna rather than changing the beam direction. For example, the wireless communication device 10 may be configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the relative position adjustment with respect to the wireless equipment 20 may be performed by moving the wireless communication device 10 vertically upward or vertically downward to adjust the position of the antenna of the wireless communication device 10.

[0055] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the processor 33 of the wireless device 20 controls the rotation stage 22 using the beam table BT shown in Figure 3 so that the beam direction falls within the target beam range R21. However, the rotation stage 22 may also be controlled using only the beam sector. For example, consider the case where the target beam range R21 is managed by the beam sector values ​​from 10 to 53. If the beam sector value indicating the beam direction of beam BM2 is 60, the rotation stage 22 is rotated in the direction in which the beam sector value indicating the beam direction of beam BM2 falls within the range of 10 to 53 (clockwise direction D3 shown in Figure 6(b)). Conversely, if the beam sector value indicating the beam direction of beam BM2 is 5, the rotation stage 22 is rotated in the direction in which the beam sector value indicating the beam direction of beam BM2 falls within the range of 10 to 53 (opposite direction to the clockwise direction D3 shown in Figure 6(b)). [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1... Wireless communication system, 10... Wireless communication device, 20... Wireless equipment, 21... Mobile unit, 22... Rotating stage, 32... Wireless module, 33... Processor, BT... Beam table

Claims

1. A wireless module that performs wireless communication, A rotating mechanism for rotating the wireless module, A control unit controls the rotation mechanism so that the wireless communication direction of the wireless module falls within a predetermined range that allows for continuous wireless communication with the communication partner, Wireless equipment equipped with these features.

2. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation mechanism rotates the wireless module in a horizontal plane.

3. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the wireless module is capable of beamforming, which dynamically changes the beam direction as the wireless communication direction, and the direction in which the received power is greatest is set as the beam direction.

4. The wireless module performs the beamforming in a horizontal plane, as described in claim 3.

5. The wireless device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined range is a range included in the variable range in which beamforming is possible, and includes the center of the variable range.

6. The wireless device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit controls the rotation mechanism so that the beam direction is within the predetermined range when the beam direction is within the variable range but outside the predetermined range.

7. The variable range, the predetermined range, and the beam direction are managed using a beam sector, which is information that identifies the beam formed by the wireless module. The control unit controls the rotation mechanism using the beam sector so that the beam direction is within the predetermined range. The wireless device according to claim 5.

8. The wireless device according to claim 3, wherein the wireless module also performs beamforming in a vertical plane.

9. The wireless device according to claim 1, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the wireless module, the rotating mechanism, and the control unit in a horizontal plane.

10. A wireless communication device capable of beamforming, A wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 that performs wireless communication with the aforementioned wireless communication device, A wireless communication system equipped with [the following features].

Images