Wireless communication system, wireless communication device, wireless communication method, and program

Abstract

A wireless communication system comprising a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted to a moving vehicle, and at least one base station device, wherein the terminal devices are provided with a terminal device transmission unit for transmitting a signal that includes transmission data to the relay device, and the relay device is provided with a relay device reception unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal devices, a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal, an allocation unit for allocating, to one of the plurality of queues, and recording the transmission data included in the signal on the basis of a preamble pattern included in the signal or the reception timing of the signal, and a relay device transmission unit for transmitting, to the base station device, the signal that indicates the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues, with the transmission data recorded in a prescribed queue among the plurality of queues given priority, at a timing communicable with the base station device.

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] IoT (Internet of Things) systems that connect small terminal devices to the Internet to realize various applications are becoming widespread. One application example of an IoT system is a system in which multiple IoT terminals sense environmental information such as air temperature, room temperature, acceleration, and luminosity, transmit the information via wireless signals, and collect the environmental information on the cloud side. IoT terminals equipped with various sensors are installed in various locations. For example, it is expected that IoT will be used to collect data from places where it is difficult to install base stations, such as marine buoys, ships, and mountainous areas.

[0003] On the other hand, there is a wireless system that uses a communication satellite or a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) as a relay station to perform wireless communication between multiple communication devices on the ground. As a wireless system that uses a communication satellite as a relay station, there is a case where a low earth orbit satellite (LEO: Low Earth Orbit) that orbits at an altitude of about 1,000 [km] is used, and a case where a geostationary satellite (GEO: Geostationary Orbit) that orbits at an altitude of 36,000 [km] is used. A low earth orbit satellite has a shorter propagation distance than a geostationary satellite. Therefore, when a low earth orbit satellite is used as a relay station, it is possible to realize communication with low delay and low propagation loss. In this case, it is also easy to configure a high frequency circuit that the low earth orbit satellite and the communication device on the ground have. However, unlike a geostationary satellite, a low earth orbit satellite orbits above the earth, so the satellite direction as seen from the communication device on the ground is constantly changing. The visibility time of a low earth orbit satellite per orbit for each communication device on the ground is about 10 minutes or less. This limits the time periods during which communication is possible between low-earth orbit satellites and each communication device on the ground.

[0004] On the other hand, LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) is known as a wireless system that can communicate over a wide area with low power and low transmission rate suitable for communication of IoT terminals. Recently, satellite IoT systems in which communication satellites use LPWA to collect data from IoT terminals have been studied. In general, wireless communication between a communication satellite and a communication device on the ground has a longer propagation distance than wireless communication that directly communicates between multiple communication devices on the ground. However, the use of low-earth orbit satellites makes it possible to apply LPWA. Such satellite IoT systems make it possible to accommodate IoT terminals in the aviation field, marine field, and rural areas, which was difficult with normal LPWA alone. In addition, in this case, service deployment is easier because a hub station is not required.

[0005] However, in a wireless system using a low-earth orbit satellite, as described above, the time period during which the low-earth orbit satellite and each communication device on the ground can communicate is limited. Therefore, if data transfer is not completed during the communication time period, the data transfer is put on hold until the next communication time period. Therefore, for example, in a satellite IoT system using a low-earth orbit satellite, a long delay may occur between when an IoT terminal transmits data to a low-earth orbit satellite and when the low-earth orbit satellite transfers the data to a communication device on the ground. To address this issue, for example, the satellite communication system described in Patent Document 1 allocates multiple satellite channels to the same transmitting / receiving station to transmit data, thereby achieving highly efficient transmission. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-12902 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The satellite communication system described in Patent Document 1 uses multiple satellite channels, and therefore requires a mechanism capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple carriers (carrier waves) in both the transmitting and receiving communication devices. However, in a satellite IoT system, an IoT terminal may need to operate for a long time in a remote area such as on the sea or in a mountainous region. Therefore, IoT terminals may be required to be simplified, small and lightweight, and have low power consumption. For these reasons, a satellite IoT system has an issue in that it is difficult to complicate the device in order to suppress data transfer delays.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, a wireless communication method, and a program that can suppress data transfer delays while minimizing the complexity of the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile body, and at least one base station device, wherein the terminal devices are equipped with a terminal device transmitting unit that transmits a signal including transmission data to the relay device, and the relay device is equipped with a relay device receiving unit that receives the signal transmitted from the terminal devices, a plurality of queues that store the transmission data included in the signal, a distribution unit that distributes and records the transmission data included in the signal to one of the plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal, and a relay device transmitting unit that, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible, transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues to the base station device, giving priority to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication device mounted on a mobile body, comprising: a receiving unit that receives a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device; a plurality of queues that store the transmission data contained in the signal; a distribution unit that distributes and records the transmission data contained in the signal to one of the plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern contained in the signal or a reception timing of the signal; and a transmitting unit that, at a timing when communication with a base station device is possible, transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues to the base station device, giving priority to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication method using a wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile body, and at least one base station device, the wireless communication method comprising: a terminal device transmitting step in which the terminal device transmits a signal including transmission data to the relay device; a relay device receiving step in which the relay device receives the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a distribution step in which the relay device distributes and records the transmission data included in the signal to one of a plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal; and a relay device transmitting step in which, at a timing when the relay device is able to communicate with the base station device, the relay device transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues to the base station device, giving priority to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a wireless communication method by a wireless communication device mounted on a mobile body, the wireless communication method having a receiving step of receiving a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device, a distribution step of distributing and recording the transmission data included in the signal to one of a plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal, and a transmitting step of transmitting a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues to the base station device at a timing when communication with a base station device is possible, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication device described above. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress delays in data transfer while suppressing the complexity of the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the installation position of a base station according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a specific service list recorded in a mobile relay station according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] (First embodiment) 1 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system 1 according to the first embodiment. The wireless communication system 1 includes a mobile relay station 2, a terminal station 3, a base station 4-1, and a base station 4-2. Information transmitted from each of the multiple terminal stations 3 is transmitted via the mobile relay station 2 and collected by the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2. The wireless communication system 1 is a communication system that transmits information that does not require immediacy.

[0018] The wireless communication system 1 may have any number of mobile relay stations 2, terminal stations 3, base stations 4-1, and base stations 4-2, but it is assumed that there are many terminal stations 3 and a plurality of base stations 4-1. The difference between the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2 will be described later.

[0019] The mobile relay station 2 is an example of a relay device that is mounted on a moving object and whose communication area moves over time. The mobile relay station 2 is provided, for example, on a LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellite. The altitude of a LEO satellite is approximately 2000 km or less, and it orbits the Earth once in about 1.5 hours.

[0020] The mobile relay station 2 receives data transmitted from each of the multiple terminal stations 3 by radio signals while moving above the earth. The mobile relay station 2 stores the received data and transmits the stored data collectively by radio to the base station 4-1 when communication with the base station 4-1 is possible. Alternatively, the mobile relay station 2 transmits the stored data collectively by radio to the base station 4-2 when communication with the base station 4-2 is possible. The base stations 4-1 and 4-2 receive the data collected by the terminal stations 3 from the mobile relay station 2.

[0021] As the mobile relay station 2, it is possible to use a relay station mounted on a geostationary satellite, a drone, or an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS). However, in the case of a relay station mounted on a geostationary satellite, although the coverage area (footprint) on the ground is wide, the link budget for IoT terminals installed on the ground is very small due to the high altitude. On the other hand, in the case of a relay station mounted on a drone or HAPS, although the link budget is high, the coverage area is narrow. Furthermore, a drone requires a battery, and a HAPS requires a battery and a solar panel to charge it.

[0022] In this embodiment, the mobile relay station 2 is mounted on a LEO satellite. Therefore, the link budget is within the limit, and since the LEO satellite orbits outside the atmosphere, there is no air resistance and fuel consumption is low. In addition, the footprint is larger than when a relay station is mounted on a drone or HAPS.

[0023] Since the mobile relay station 2 mounted on the LEO satellite communicates while moving at high speed, the time during which each terminal station 3, base station 4-1, and base station 4-2 can communicate with the mobile relay station 2 is limited. Specifically, from the viewpoint of the terrestrial terminal station, the mobile relay station 2 passes overhead in about 10 minutes or less. In addition, the terminal station 3 uses wireless communication methods with various specifications.

[0024] Therefore, the mobile relay station 2 receives a terminal uplink signal from the terminal station 3 within the coverage of the current position during movement, and stores the waveform data of the received terminal uplink signal. The mobile relay station 2 wirelessly transmits a base station downlink signal, in which the waveform data of the terminal uplink signal is set, to the base station 4-1 at the timing when the base station 4-1 is in its coverage. Alternatively, the mobile relay station 2 wirelessly transmits a base station downlink signal, in which the waveform data of the terminal uplink signal is set, to the base station 4-2 at the timing when the base station 4-2 is in its coverage. The base stations 4-1 and 4-2 demodulate the base station downlink signal received from the mobile relay station 2 to obtain the waveform data of the terminal uplink signal. The base stations 4-1 and 4-2 demodulate and decode the terminal uplink signal represented by the waveform data, to obtain terminal transmission data, which is data transmitted by the terminal station 3.

[0025] The terminal station 3 is installed on the earth, such as on land or sea. The multiple terminal stations 3 are located in different locations. The terminal station 3 is, for example, an IoT terminal. The terminal station 3 collects data such as environmental data detected by a sensor, and transmits the data to the mobile relay station 2 wirelessly. In the figure, only two terminal stations 3 are shown.

[0026] The base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2 are installed on the earth, such as on land or sea. The plurality of base stations 4-1 and the base station 4-2 are located at different places. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the installation positions of the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 2, a filled star indicates the installation position of the base station 4-1, and a hollow star indicates the installation position of the base station 4-2. As shown in Fig. 2, for example, the base station 4-1 is installed at a plurality of different locations on the earth. Also, for example, the base station 4-2 is installed at one location on the earth.

[0027] In this embodiment, the base station 4-1 is a base station device for a specific service, and the base station 4-2 is a base station device for a general service. The base station device for a specific service is a base station device that receives data of a specific service from the mobile relay station 2. On the other hand, the base station device for a general service is a base station device that receives data of a specific service and data of a general service from the mobile relay station 2. Note that the base station device for a general service may be a base station device that receives only data of a general service from the mobile relay station 2.

[0028] A specific service is a service in which terminal transmission data transmitted from a terminal station 3 is transferred to a terrestrial base station device (base station 4-1 or base station 4-2) with priority over general services. For example, a specific service is a service in which it is desired that terminal transmission data be transferred to a base station device more quickly (with less transfer delay). For example, a specific service is a service that transmits terminal transmission data including information that is likely to change even in a short period of time. For example, a specific service is a service that specifies the position of a moving terminal station 3, or a service that specifies the position of some kind of moving body. For example, a specific service is a service that uses a sensor to accurately obtain the position of a ship in the ocean.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2, in this embodiment, base stations 4-1, which are base station devices for specific services, are installed at multiple locations on the earth. In addition to the base station 4-1, the base station 4-2, which is a base station device for general services, can also receive terminal transmission data for the specific service. Therefore, if the mobile relay station 2 is located within a communication range with any of the base stations 4-1 or within a communication range with the base station 4-2, the terminal transmission data for the specific service can be transferred to the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2.

[0030] On the other hand, a general service is a service other than a specific service. For example, a general service is a service that does not require rapid transfer of terminal transmission data. For example, a general service is a service that transmits terminal transmission data including information that is unlikely to change in a short period of time. For example, a general service is a service that does not encounter any problems even when receiving terminal transmission data at the orbital frequency of a low-earth orbit satellite (for example, twice a day). For example, a general service is a service that provides terminal transmission data indicating data for analyzing how tidal currents change over a month, or a service that provides terminal transmission data indicating data for analyzing how ocean water temperature changes over a month.

[0031] 2, in this embodiment, the base station 4-2, which is a base station device for general services, is installed at only one place on the earth. Therefore, only when the mobile relay station 2 is located within the communication range with the base station 4-2, the terminal transmission data for general services can be transferred to the base station 4-2.

[0032] The configuration of each device will be described. The mobile relay station 2 includes an antenna 21 , a terminal communication unit 22 , a data storage unit 23 , a base station communication unit 24 , and an antenna 25 .

[0033] The terminal communication unit 22 includes a receiving unit 221 , a received waveform recording unit 222 , a determining unit 223 , a specific service list storage unit 224 , and a notification signal transmitting unit 225 . The broadcast signal transmission unit 225 transmits, to the terminal station 3, a control signal (hereinafter referred to as a "broadcast signal") for notifying that transmission of terminal transmission data to its own mobile relay station 2 is permitted. The broadcast signal transmission unit 225 transmits, by radio, from the antenna 21, a terminal downlink signal in which the broadcast signal is set.

[0034] The broadcast signal transmission unit 225 transmits a signal by LPWA. Any wireless communication method such as LoRaWAN (registered trademark), Sigfox (registered trademark), LTE-M, or NB-IoT can be used for LPWA. The broadcast signal transmission unit 225 determines a channel to be used by the own station for transmitting a terminal downlink signal by a method predetermined for the wireless communication method to be used. In response to receiving the broadcast signal, the terminal station 3 starts transmitting a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2.

[0035] The terminal communication unit 22 may store in advance a transmission start timing for each terminal station 3 that is calculated in advance based on the orbit information of the LEO satellite on which its own mobile relay station 2 is mounted and the position of each terminal station 3. The LEO orbit information is information that can obtain, for example, the position, speed, and moving direction of the LEO satellite at any time. The transmission time may be expressed, for example, as the elapsed time from the transmission start timing. The annunciation signal transmission unit 225 may transmit a terminal downlink signal in which an annunciation signal is set to each terminal station 3 at the pre-stored transmission start timing for each terminal station 3.

[0036] The terminal communication unit 22 may previously store terminal identification information for identifying the terminal station 3 and location information indicating the location of the terminal station 3. The annunciation signal transmission unit 225 may determine the terminal station 3 to be notified based on the current location of the own station and the current location of the terminal station 3, and may specify the terminal identification information of the specified terminal station 3. The annunciation signal transmission unit 225 may transmit the specified terminal identification information by including it in the annunciation signal.

[0037] The specific service list storage unit 224 stores a specific service list. The specific service list is a list of preamble patterns added to terminal transmission data of a specific service. For example, when there are multiple specific services, the specific service list may include a unique preamble pattern associated with each specific service.

[0038] The specific service list is transmitted in advance from any one of the base stations 4-1 or 4-2 to the mobile relay station 2, and is recorded in the specific service list storage unit 224. The specific service list may be transmitted to the mobile relay station 2 from a device other than the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2. The specific service list may be recorded in advance in the specific service list storage unit 224 before the mobile relay station 2 starts operating.

[0039] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a specific service list L recorded in the specific service list storage unit 224 of the mobile relay station 2 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the specific service list L includes three preamble patterns (preamble pattern A, preamble pattern C, and preamble pattern F). That is, terminal transmission data to which preamble pattern A, preamble pattern C, or preamble pattern F is added indicates that it is terminal transmission data of a specific service.

[0040] The receiver 221 receives a terminal uplink signal via the antenna 21. The terminal uplink signal is a signal transmitted from the terminal station 3 in response to the terminal station 3 receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast signal transmitter 225. The terminal uplink signal includes terminal transmission data and a preamble pattern. The receiver 221 outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223.

[0041] The determination unit 223 acquires the terminal uplink signal output from the receiving unit 221. The determination unit 223 extracts a preamble pattern from the acquired terminal uplink signal. The determination unit 223 refers to the specific service list stored in the specific service list storage unit 224, and compares the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal with the preamble patterns included in the specific service list. The determination unit 223 outputs to the received waveform recording unit 222 the comparison result indicating whether or not the same preamble pattern as the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal is included in the specific service list, and the terminal uplink signal.

[0042] The received waveform recording unit 222 samples the received waveform of the terminal uplink signal acquired from the determination unit 223, and generates waveform data indicating the value obtained by sampling. The received waveform recording unit 222 writes, into the data storage unit 23, the reception time of the terminal uplink signal at the antenna 21 and received waveform information in which the generated waveform data is set.

[0043] At this time, when the received waveform recording unit 222 obtains a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is included in the specific service list, it writes the above-mentioned reception time and received waveform information in the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23. On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222 obtains a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is not included in the specific service list, it writes the above-mentioned reception time and received waveform information in the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23.

[0044] The data storage unit 23 has a priority queue 231 and a general queue 232. The priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 store the reception time and reception waveform information written by the reception waveform recording unit 222.

[0045] The base station communication unit 24 transmits the received waveform information to the base station 4-1 or 4-2 by a base station downlink signal of any wireless communication method. The base station communication unit 24 includes a storage unit 241, a control unit 242, a transmission data modulation unit 243, and a transmission unit 244.

[0046] The storage unit 241 stores the transmission start timing calculated in advance for each of the base stations 4-1 and 4-2 based on the orbit information of the LEO satellite on which the mobile relay station 2 is mounted and the positions of the base stations 4-1 and 4-2. The LEO orbit information is information that makes it possible to obtain the position, speed, moving direction, etc. of the LEO satellite at any time. The transmission time may be expressed, for example, as the elapsed time from the transmission start timing.

[0047] The control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 so as to transmit the received waveform information to the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2 at the transmission start timing stored in the storage unit 241. The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads out the received waveform information from the data storage unit 23 as transmission data, and modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal. The transmission unit 244 converts the base station downlink signal from an electrical signal to a radio signal, and transmits it from the antenna 25.

[0048] At this time, if the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing for base station 4-1, which is a base station device for a specific service, the control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to transmit to the base station 4-1 the reception waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231. The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads out the reception waveform information from the priority queue 231 as transmission data, and modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal.

[0049] On the other hand, when the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing to the base station 4-2 which is a base station device for general services, the control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to transmit the reception waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to the base station 4-2. The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads the reception waveform information from the priority queue 231 as transmission data, and modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal. When the transmission of the reception waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 is completed, or when the reception waveform information is not recorded in the priority queue 231, the control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to transmit the reception waveform information recorded in the general queue 232 to the base station 4-2. The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads the reception waveform information from the general queue 232 as transmission data, and modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal.

[0050] In this way, when the mobile relay station 2 is ready to transmit to the base station 4-1, which is a base station device for a specific service, it retrieves received waveform information indicating the terminal transmission data of the specific service from the priority queue 231 and transmits it to the base station 4-1. When the mobile relay station 2 is ready to transmit to the base station 4-2, which is a base station device for a general service, it first retrieves received waveform information indicating the terminal transmission data of the specific service from the priority queue 231 and transmits it to the base station 4-2, and then retrieves received waveform information indicating the terminal transmission data of the general service from the general queue 232 and transmits it to the base station 4-2.

[0051] As described above, in this embodiment, the base station 4-1, which is a base station device for a specific service, is set at multiple locations on the Earth, and the base station 4-2, which is a base station device for a general service, is set at only one location on the Earth. With the above-mentioned configuration, the terminal transmission data for the specific service is transmitted to the base station device on the Earth with higher priority than the terminal transmission data for the general service.

[0052] The terminal station 3 includes a data storage unit 31, a transmitter 32, one or more antennas 33, a receiver , and a transmission controller . The data storage unit 31 stores sensor data, preamble patterns, etc. The sensor data is data generated by an IoT terminal having the terminal station 3 and transmitted from the terminal station 3 to the mobile relay station 2. The sensor data is, for example, environmental data indicating the temperature, humidity, current, etc., around the IoT terminal having the terminal station 3.

[0053] The receiver 34 receives the notification signal transmitted from the mobile relay station 2. The receiver 34 notifies the transmission controller 35 that the notification signal has been received. When the transmission control unit 35 is notified by the receiving unit 34 that the report signal has been received, the transmission control unit 35 controls the transmitting unit 32 to start transmitting a terminal uplink signal.

[0054] The transmitter 32 transmits a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2 under the control of the transmission control unit 35. The transmitter 32 reads out the sensor data from the data storage unit 31 as terminal transmission data. The transmitter 32 also reads out a preamble pattern from the data storage unit 31. The transmitter 32 wirelessly transmits, from the antenna 33, the terminal uplink signal in which the read terminal transmission data and the preamble pattern are set.

[0055] The transmitter 32 transmits a signal by, for example, LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). LPWA includes LoRaWAN (registered trademark), Sigfox (registered trademark), LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines), NB (Narrow Band)-IoT, etc., but any wireless communication method can be used.

[0056] The transmitting unit 32 may also transmit with other terminal stations 3 using time division multiplexing, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing), or the like. The transmitting unit 32 determines the channel and transmission start timing that the local station uses to transmit a terminal uplink signal using a method that is predetermined for the wireless communication system used. The transmitting unit may also perform beamforming of signals to be transmitted from the multiple antennas 33 using a method that is predetermined for the wireless communication system used.

[0057] In this embodiment, the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2 have the same configuration. Each of the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2 includes an antenna 41, a receiver 42, a base station signal receiving and processing unit 43, and a terminal signal receiving and processing unit 44.

[0058] The receiver 42 converts the terminal downlink signal received by the antenna 41 into an electrical signal. The base station signal reception processing unit 43 obtains reception waveform information by demodulating and decoding the reception signal converted into an electrical signal by the reception unit 42. The base station signal reception processing unit 43 outputs the reception waveform information to the terminal signal reception processing unit 44.

[0059] The terminal signal reception processing unit 44 performs reception processing of the terminal uplink signal indicated by the received waveform information. At this time, the terminal signal reception processing unit 44 performs reception processing by the wireless communication method used for transmission by the terminal station 3 to obtain terminal transmission data. The terminal signal reception processing unit 44 includes a terminal signal demodulation unit 441 and a terminal signal decoding unit 442.

[0060] The terminal signal demodulation unit 441 demodulates the waveform data and outputs the symbols obtained by the demodulation to the terminal signal decoding unit 442. The terminal signal demodulation unit 441 may perform a process for compensating for the Doppler shift of the terminal uplink signal received by the antenna 21 of the mobile relay station 2 for the signal indicated by the waveform data, and then perform demodulation. The Doppler shift that the terminal uplink signal received by the antenna 21 undergoes is calculated in advance based on the position of the terminal station 3 and orbit information of the LEO on which the mobile relay station 2 is mounted. The terminal signal decoder 442 decodes the symbols demodulated by the terminal signal demodulator 441 , and obtains the terminal transmission data transmitted from the terminal station 3 .

[0061] The operation of the wireless communication system 1 will now be described. 4 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system 1 when a terminal uplink signal is transmitted from the terminal station 3. The processing shown in this flow diagram is started when the notification signal transmission unit 225 of the mobile relay station 2 transmits a notification signal to the terminal station 3. At this time, the terminal station 3 is in a state of acquiring data detected by a sensor (not shown) provided externally or internally, and writing the acquired data as sensor data in the data storage unit 31 as needed.

[0062] The receiver 34 of the terminal station 3 waits for reception of a notification signal transmitted from the mobile relay station 2 (step S111). When the receiver 34 receives a notification signal (step S111: YES), the receiver 34 notifies the transmission controller 35 that the notification signal has been received. When the transmission controller 35 is notified by the receiver 34 that the notification signal has been received, the transmission controller 35 controls the transmitter 32 to start transmitting a terminal uplink signal.

[0063] The transmitter 32 reads out the sensor data from the data storage unit 31 as terminal transmission data (step S112). The transmitter 32 also reads out the preamble pattern from the data storage unit 31 (step S113). The transmitter 32 wirelessly transmits the terminal uplink signal, in which the read terminal transmission data and the preamble pattern are set, from the antenna 33 (step S114). The terminal station 3 repeats the process from step S111.

[0064] The receiver 221 of the mobile relay station 2 receives the terminal uplink signal transmitted from the terminal station 3 by the antenna 21 (step S121). Depending on the wireless communication method of the transmitting terminal station 3, the receiver 221 may receive the terminal uplink signal from only one terminal station 3 in a time-division manner for the same frequency, or may receive the terminal uplink signal from multiple terminal stations 3 simultaneously at the same frequency. The receiver 221 outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223.

[0065] The determination unit 223 acquires the terminal uplink signal output from the receiving unit 221. The determination unit 223 extracts a preamble pattern from the acquired terminal uplink signal (step S122). The determination unit 223 refers to the specific service list stored in the specific service list storage unit 224, and compares the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal with the preamble pattern included in the specific service list (step S123).

[0066] The determination unit 223 outputs a comparison result indicating whether or not the specific service list includes the same preamble pattern as the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal, and the terminal uplink signal to the received waveform recording unit 222. The received waveform recording unit 222 acquires the comparison result and the terminal uplink signal output from the determination unit 223.

[0067] When the received waveform recording unit 222 obtains a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is included in the specific service list (step S124-YES), it writes the above-mentioned reception time and reception waveform information in the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23 (step S125). On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222 obtains a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is not included in the specific service list (step S124-NO), it writes the above-mentioned reception time and reception waveform information in the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23 (step S126). The mobile relay station 2 repeats the process from step S121.

[0068] 5 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system 1 when transmitting a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2. The processing shown in this flow diagram is started in a state in which the control unit 242 of the base station communication unit 24 of the mobile relay station 2 is waiting for the transmission start timing of any of the multiple base stations 4-1 and 4-2.

[0069] When the control unit 242 included in the base station communication unit 24 of the mobile relay station 2 detects that it is the transmission start timing stored in the storage unit 241 (step S211), it instructs the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to transmit the received waveform information. If the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing for base station 4-1, which is a base station device for a specific service (step S212: YES), the control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to transmit the received waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to base station 4-1.

[0070] The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads out the reception waveform information from the priority queue 231 as transmission data (step S213). The transmission data modulation unit 243 modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal. The transmission unit 244 converts the base station downlink signal in which the reception waveform information is set from an electrical signal to a radio signal, and transmits it from the antenna 25 (step S214). The mobile relay station 2 repeats the process from step S211.

[0071] On the other hand, if the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing for the base station 4-2, which is a base station device for general services (step S212: NO), the control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to first transmit the reception waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to the base station 4-2. The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads out the reception waveform information from the priority queue 231 as transmission data (step S215). The transmission data modulation unit 243 modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal. The transmission unit 244 converts the base station downlink signal, in which the reception waveform information has been set, from an electrical signal to a radio signal, and transmits it from the antenna 25 (step S216).

[0072] When the transmission of the received waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 is completed, or when no received waveform information is recorded in the priority queue 231, the control unit 242 controls the transmission data modulation unit 243 and the transmission unit 244 to transmit the received waveform information recorded in the general queue 232 to the base station 4-2. The transmission data modulation unit 243 reads out the received waveform information from the general queue 232 as transmission data (step S217). The transmission data modulation unit 243 modulates the read transmission data to generate a base station downlink signal. The transmission unit 244 converts the base station downlink signal in which the received waveform information is set from an electrical signal to a radio signal, and transmits it from the antenna 25 (step S218). The mobile relay station 2 repeats the process from step S211.

[0073] The antenna 41 of the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2 receives a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2 (step S221). The receiver 42 converts the base station downlink signal received by the antenna 41 into an electrical received signal and outputs it to the base station signal reception processor 43. The base station signal reception processor 43 demodulates the received signal and decodes the demodulated received signal (step S222). The base station signal reception processor 43 outputs received waveform information obtained by decoding to the terminal signal reception processor 44.

[0074] The terminal signal reception processing unit 44 performs reception processing of the terminal uplink signal represented by the waveform data included in the received waveform information (step S223). Specifically, the terminal signal demodulation unit 441 identifies the wireless communication method used by the terminal station 3 to transmit the terminal uplink signal based on the information specific to the wireless communication method included in the received signal represented by the waveform data. The terminal signal demodulation unit 441 demodulates the received signal represented by the waveform data according to the identified wireless communication method, and outputs the symbols obtained by the demodulation to the terminal signal decoding unit 442. The terminal signal decoding unit 442 decodes the symbols input from the terminal signal demodulation unit 441 using the identified wireless communication method, and obtains the terminal transmission data transmitted from the terminal station 3.

[0075] It is also possible for the terminal signal decoding unit 442 to use a decoding method with a large calculation load, such as SIC (Successive Interference Cancellation). The base station 4a-1 or 4a-2 repeats the process from step S221.

[0076] As described above, in the wireless communication system 1 in this embodiment, the terminal station 3 transmits a terminal uplink signal indicating data in which a predetermined preamble pattern is added to the transmission data to the mobile relay station 2. The mobile relay station 2 stores a specific service list L and compares the preamble pattern included in the terminal uplink signal with the preamble pattern included in the specific service list L. The mobile relay station 2 distributes and records the transmission data included in the terminal uplink signal to either the priority queue 231 or the general queue 232 according to the comparison result. The mobile relay station 2 transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 to the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2 at a timing when it is possible to communicate with the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2, giving priority to the transmission data recorded in the priority queue 231.

[0077] With such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1 does not need to use multiple satellite channels, and does not need a mechanism capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple carriers (carrier waves) in the communication devices on both the transmitting and receiving sides (the terminal station 3 side and the base stations 4-1, 4-2 side). Also, with such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1 can transmit transmission data by prioritizing a specific service for which it is desired that the terminal transmission data be transferred to the base station device more quickly (without transfer delay). Therefore, the wireless communication system 1 in this embodiment can suppress data transfer delays while suppressing the complexity of the device.

[0078] As described above, the mobile relay station 2 in this embodiment is configured to hold a specific service list L, which is a list of preamble patterns to be allocated to the priority queue 231. However, this is not limited to the configuration, and for example, the mobile relay station 2 may be configured to hold a list of terminal IDs (Identifiers) to be allocated to the priority queue 231 (hereinafter, referred to as a "priority terminal ID list"). The terminal ID here is identification information for identifying each terminal station 3.

[0079] In this case, when the terminal station 3 receives the annunciation signal, it transmits a terminal uplink signal in which terminal transmission data and a terminal ID for identifying the terminal station 3 are set to the mobile relay station 2. The mobile relay station 2 then extracts the terminal ID from the received terminal uplink signal and compares the extracted terminal ID with terminal IDs included in the priority terminal ID list. The mobile relay station 2 writes received waveform information to the priority queue 231 when the extracted terminal ID is included in the priority terminal ID list.

[0080] Second embodiment In this embodiment, a mobile relay station transmits a base station downlink signal by using multiple antennas. In the following, a case where MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) is used for transmitting the base station downlink signal will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0081] Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system 1a according to the second embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those in the wireless communication system 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The wireless communication system 1a has a mobile relay station 2a, a terminal station 3, a base station 4a-1, and a base station 4a-2. Information transmitted from each of the multiple terminal stations 3 is transmitted via the mobile relay station 2a and collected by the base station 4a-1 or the base station 4a-2.

[0082] The wireless communication system 1a may have any number of mobile relay stations 2a, terminal stations 3, base stations 4a-1, and base stations 4a-2, but it is assumed that there are many terminal stations 3 and a plurality of base stations 4a-1. In this embodiment, the base station 4a-1 is a base station device for a specific service, and the base station 4a-2 is a base station device for a general service.

[0083] The mobile relay station 2 a includes an antenna 21 , a terminal communication unit 22 , a data storage unit 23 , a base station communication unit 26 , and a plurality of antennas 25 . The base station communication unit 26 transmits the received waveform information to the base station 4a-1 or 4a-2 by MIMO. The base station communication unit 26 includes a storage unit 261, a control unit 262, a transmission data modulation unit 263, and a MIMO transmission unit 264.

[0084] The storage unit 261 stores a transmission start timing calculated in advance based on the orbit information of the LEO satellite on which the mobile relay station 2a is mounted and the position of the base station 4a-1 or the base station 4a-2. Furthermore, the storage unit 261 stores in advance a weight for each transmission time of the base station downlink signal transmitted from each antenna 25. The weight for each transmission time is calculated based on the orbit information of the LEO satellite and the position of each antenna station 410 equipped in the base station 4a-1 or the base station 4a-2. Note that a constant weight may be used regardless of the transmission time.

[0085] The control unit 262 controls the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to transmit the received waveform information to the base station 4a-1 or 4a-2 at the transmission start timing stored in the storage unit 261. Furthermore, the control unit 262 instructs the MIMO transmission unit 264 of the weight for each transmission time read from the storage unit 261. The transmission data modulation section 263 reads out the received waveform information from the data storage section 23 as transmission data, converts the read transmission data into a parallel signal, and then modulates it.

[0086] The MIMO transmission unit 264 weights the modulated parallel signals with weights instructed by the control unit 262, and generates base station downlink signals to be transmitted from each antenna 25. The MIMO transmission unit 264 transmits the generated base station downlink signals from the antennas 25 by MIMO.

[0087] At this time, if the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing for base station 4a-1, which is a base station device for a specific service, the control unit 262 controls the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to transmit the reception waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to the base station 4a-1. The control unit 262 instructs the MIMO transmission unit 264 on the weight for each transmission time read from the priority queue 231. The transmission data modulation unit 263 reads the reception waveform information from the priority queue 231 as transmission data, converts the read transmission data into a parallel signal, and then modulates it.

[0088] On the other hand, when the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing to the base station 4a-2, which is a base station device for general services, the control unit 262 controls the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to first transmit the reception waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to the base station 4a-2. The control unit 262 instructs the MIMO transmission unit 264 on the weight for each transmission time read from the priority queue 231. The transmission data modulation unit 263 reads the reception waveform information from the priority queue 231 as transmission data, converts the read transmission data into a parallel signal, and then modulates it.

[0089] When the transmission of the received waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 is completed, or when no received waveform information is recorded in the priority queue 231, the control unit 242 instructs the MIMO transmission unit 264 of the weight for each transmission time read from the general queue 232. The transmission data modulation unit 263 reads the received waveform information from the general queue 232 as transmission data, converts the read transmission data into a parallel signal, and modulates it.

[0090] In this embodiment, the base station 4a-1 and the base station 4a-2 have the same configuration. The base station 4a-1 and the base station 4a-2 each include a plurality of antenna stations 410, a MIMO receiving unit 420, a base station signal receiving processing unit 430, and a terminal signal receiving processing unit 44. The antenna stations 410 are arranged at positions away from the other antenna stations 410 so that the difference in the arrival angles of the signals from the plurality of antennas 25 of the mobile relay station 2a becomes large. Each antenna station 410 converts the base station downlink signal received from the mobile relay station 2a into an electrical signal and outputs it to the MIMO receiving unit 420.

[0091] The MIMO receiver 420 aggregates base station downlink signals received from a plurality of antenna stations 410. The MIMO receiver 420 stores weights for each reception time for the base station downlink signals received by each antenna station 410 based on the orbit information of the LEO satellites and the position of each antenna station 410. The MIMO receiver 420 multiplies the base station downlink signals input from each antenna station 410 by weights corresponding to the reception times of the base station downlink signals, and combines the weight-multiplied reception signals. The same weights may be used regardless of the reception times. The base station signal reception processor 430 demodulates and decodes the combined reception signals to obtain reception waveform information. The base station signal reception processor 430 outputs the reception waveform information to the terminal signal reception processor 44.

[0092] The operation of the wireless communication system 1a will now be described. The process of the wireless communication system 1a when transmitting a terminal uplink signal from the terminal station 3 is similar to the process of the wireless communication system 1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

[0093] 7 is a flow diagram showing the process of the wireless communication system 1a when transmitting a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2a. The process shown in this flow diagram is started in a state in which the control unit 262 of the base station communication unit 26 of the mobile relay station 2a waits for the transmission start timing of any of the multiple base stations 4a-1 and 4a-2.

[0094] When the control unit 262 included in the base station communication unit 26 of the mobile relay station 2a detects that it is the transmission start timing stored in the storage unit 261 (step S311), it instructs the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to transmit received waveform information. If the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing to the base station 4a-1, which is a base station device for a specific service (step S312: YES), the control unit 262 controls the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to transmit the received waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to the base station 4a-1.

[0095] The transmission data modulation unit 263 reads out the reception waveform information stored in the priority queue 231 as transmission data (step S313), converts the read transmission data into parallel data, and then modulates it. The MIMO transmission unit 264 weights the transmission data modulated by the transmission data modulation unit 263 with the weight instructed by the control unit 262, and generates a base station downlink signal that is a transmission signal to be transmitted from each antenna 25. The MIMO transmission unit 264 transmits each generated base station downlink signal from the antenna 25 by MIMO (step S314). The mobile relay station 2a repeats the process from step S311.

[0096] On the other hand, if the transmission start timing is the transmission start timing for the base station 4a-2, which is a base station device for general services (step S312: NO), the control unit 262 first controls the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to transmit the received waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 to the base station 4a-2.

[0097] The transmission data modulation unit 263 reads out the reception waveform information stored in the priority queue 231 as transmission data (step S315), converts the read transmission data into parallel data, and then modulates it. The MIMO transmission unit 264 weights the transmission data modulated by the transmission data modulation unit 263 with the weight instructed by the control unit 262, and generates a base station downlink signal that is a transmission signal to be transmitted from each antenna 25. The MIMO transmission unit 264 transmits each generated base station downlink signal from the antenna 25 by MIMO (step S316).

[0098] When the transmission of the received waveform information recorded in the priority queue 231 is completed, or when no received waveform information is recorded in the priority queue 231, the control unit 262 controls the transmission data modulation unit 263 and the MIMO transmission unit 264 to transmit the received waveform information recorded in the general queue 232 to the base station 4a-2.

[0099] The transmission data modulation unit 263 reads out the reception waveform information stored in the general queue 232 as transmission data (step S317), converts the read transmission data into parallel data, and then modulates it. The MIMO transmission unit 264 weights the transmission data modulated by the transmission data modulation unit 263 with the weight instructed by the control unit 262, and generates a base station downlink signal that is a transmission signal to be transmitted from each antenna 25. The MIMO transmission unit 264 transmits each generated base station downlink signal from the antenna 25 by MIMO (step S318). The mobile relay station 2a repeats the process from step S311.

[0100] Each antenna station 410 of the base station 4a-1 or each antenna station 410 of the base station 4a-2 receives a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2a (step S321). Each antenna station 410 converts the received base station downlink signal into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to the MIMO receiving unit 420. The MIMO receiving unit 420 synchronizes the timing of the received signals received from each antenna station 410. The MIMO receiving unit 420 multiplies the received signals received by each antenna station 410 by a weight and adds them together. The base station signal receiving processing unit 430 demodulates the added received signal and decodes the demodulated received signal (step S322). The base station signal receiving processing unit 430 outputs received waveform information obtained by decoding to the terminal signal receiving processing unit 44.

[0101] The terminal signal reception processing unit 44 performs reception processing of the terminal uplink signal represented by the waveform data included in the received waveform information (step S323) by the same process as step S223 in the process flow of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5. That is, the terminal signal demodulation unit 441 identifies the wireless communication method used by the terminal station 3 to transmit the terminal uplink signal based on the information specific to the wireless communication method included in the received signal represented by the waveform data.

[0102] The terminal signal demodulator 441 demodulates the received signal represented by the waveform data in accordance with the identified wireless communication method, and outputs the symbols obtained by demodulation to the terminal signal decoder 442. The terminal signal decoder 442 decodes the symbols input from the terminal signal demodulator 441 in accordance with the identified wireless communication method, and obtains the terminal transmission data transmitted from the terminal station 3. Note that the terminal signal decoder 442 can also use a decoding method with a high calculation load, such as SIC. The base station 4a-1 or 4a-2 repeats the process from step S321.

[0103] As described above, in the wireless communication system 1a in this embodiment, the terminal station 3 transmits a terminal uplink signal indicating data in which a predetermined preamble pattern is added to the transmission data to the mobile relay station 2a. The mobile relay station 2a stores a specific service list L and compares the preamble pattern included in the terminal uplink signal with the preamble pattern included in the specific service list L. The mobile relay station 2a distributes and records the transmission data included in the terminal uplink signal to either the priority queue 231 or the general queue 232 according to the comparison result. The mobile relay station 2a transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 to the base station 4a-1 or the base station 4a-2 at a timing when the mobile relay station 2a can communicate with the base station 4a-1 or the base station 4a-2, giving priority to the transmission data recorded in the priority queue 231.

[0104] With such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1a does not need to use multiple satellite channels, and does not need a mechanism capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple carriers (carrier waves) in the communication devices on both the transmitting and receiving sides (the terminal station 3 side and the base stations 4a-1, 4a-2 side). Also, with such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1a can transmit transmission data by prioritizing a specific service for which it is desired that the terminal transmission data be transferred to the base station device more quickly (without transfer delay). Therefore, the wireless communication system 1a in this embodiment can suppress data transfer delays while suppressing the complexity of the device.

[0105] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the mobile relay station 2a can transmit the data that it has received from the multiple terminal stations 3 and stored in a batch with good quality in a short time at a timing when it is able to communicate with the base stations 4a-1 and 4a-2.

[0106] (Third embodiment) In this embodiment, the mobile relay station receives terminal uplink signals by a plurality of antennas. The following mainly describes the differences from the second embodiment.

[0107] Fig. 8 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system 1b according to the third embodiment. In the figure, the same components as those in the wireless communication system 1a according to the second embodiment shown in Fig. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. The wireless communication system 1b has a mobile relay station 2b, a terminal station 3, a base station 4b-1, and a base station 4b-2. Information transmitted from each of the multiple terminal stations 3 is transmitted via the mobile relay station 2b and collected by the base station 4b-1 or the base station 4b-2.

[0108] The wireless communication system 1b may have any number of mobile relay stations 2b, terminal stations 3, base stations 4b-1, and base stations 4b-2, but it is assumed that there are many terminal stations 3 and a plurality of base stations 4b-1. In this embodiment, the base station 4b-1 is a base station device for a specific service, and the base station 4b-2 is a base station device for a general service.

[0109] The mobile relay station 2b includes N antennas 21 (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2), a terminal communication unit 22b, a data storage unit 23, a base station communication unit 26, and a plurality of antennas 25. The N antennas 21 are respectively referred to as antennas 21-1 to 21-N.

[0110] The terminal communication unit 22b has N receiving units 221b, N received waveform recording units 222b, and N determining units 223b. The N receiving units 221b are referred to as receiving units 221b-1 to 221b-N, the N received waveform recording units 222b are referred to as received waveform recording units 222b-1 to 222b-N, and the N determining units 223b are referred to as determining units 223b-1 to 223bN.

[0111] The receiver 221b-n (n is an integer between 1 and N) receives a terminal uplink signal via the antenna 21-n. The terminal uplink signal is a signal transmitted from the terminal station 3 in response to the terminal station 3 receiving a broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast signal transmitter 225b. The terminal uplink signal includes terminal transmission data and a preamble pattern. The receiver 221b-n outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223b-n (n is an integer between 1 and N).

[0112] The determination unit 223b-n acquires the terminal uplink signal output from the receiving unit 221b-n. The determination unit 223b-n extracts a preamble pattern from the acquired terminal uplink signal. The determination unit 223b-n refers to the specific service list stored in the specific service list storage unit 224b, and compares the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal with the preamble patterns included in the specific service list. The determination unit 223b-n outputs the comparison result indicating whether or not the same preamble pattern as the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal is included in the specific service list, and the terminal uplink signal to the received waveform recording unit 222b-n (n is an integer between 1 and N).

[0113] The received waveform recording unit 222b-n samples the received waveform of the terminal uplink signal received by the receiving unit 221b-n, and generates waveform data indicating the value obtained by sampling. The received waveform recording unit 222b-n writes received waveform information, in which the antenna identifier of the antenna 21-n, the reception time of the terminal uplink signal at the antenna 21-n, and the generated waveform data are set, into the data storage unit 23. The antenna identifier is information that identifies the antenna 21-n. The data storage unit 23 stores the received waveform information including the waveform data of the terminal uplink signals received by each of the antennas 21-1 to 21-N.

[0114] At this time, when the received waveform recording unit 222b-n obtains a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is included in the specific service list, it writes the above antenna identifier, reception time, and received waveform information in the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23. On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222 obtains a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is not included in the specific service list, it writes the above antenna identifier, reception time, and received waveform information in the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23.

[0115] In this embodiment, the base station 4b-1 and the base station 4b-2 have the same configuration. Each of the base stations 4b-1 and 4b-2 includes a plurality of antenna stations 410, a MIMO receiving unit 420, a base station signal receiving and processing unit 430, and a terminal signal receiving and processing unit 450.

[0116] The terminal signal reception processing unit 450 performs reception processing of the terminal uplink signal indicated by the received waveform information. At this time, the terminal signal reception processing unit 450 performs reception processing by the wireless communication method used by the terminal station 3 for transmission to acquire terminal transmission data. The terminal signal reception processing unit 450 includes a distribution unit 451, N terminal signal demodulation units 452, a synthesis unit 453, and a terminal signal decoding unit 454. The N terminal signal demodulation units 452 are respectively described as terminal signal demodulation units 452-1 to 452-N.

[0117] Distribution unit 451 reads out waveform data of the same reception time from the received waveform information, and outputs the read waveform data to terminal signal demodulation units 452-1 to 452-N according to the antenna identifier associated with the waveform data. In other words, distribution unit 451 outputs waveform data associated with the antenna identifier of antenna 21-n to terminal signal demodulation unit 452-n.

[0118] Each of the terminal signal demodulators 452-1 to 452-N demodulates a signal represented by the waveform data and outputs a symbol obtained by the demodulation to the combiner 453. The terminal signal demodulator 452-n may perform a process for compensating for a Doppler shift of a terminal uplink signal received by the antenna 21-n of the mobile relay station 2 on the signal represented by the waveform data, and then demodulates the signal. The Doppler shift that the terminal uplink signal received by each antenna 21-n undergoes is calculated in advance based on the position of the terminal station 3 and orbit information of the LEO on which the mobile relay station 2b is mounted.

[0119] Combining section 453 adds and combines the symbols input from each of terminal signal demodulating sections 452-1 to 452-N, and outputs the result to terminal signal decoding section 454. Terminal signal decoding section 454 decodes the added and combined symbols, and obtains terminal transmission data transmitted from terminal station 3.

[0120] The operation of the wireless communication system 1b will now be described. 9 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system 1b when transmitting a terminal uplink signal from the terminal station 3. The processing shown in this flow diagram is started when the notification signal transmitter 225b of the mobile relay station 2b transmits a notification signal to the terminal station 3. At this time, the terminal station 3 is in a state where it acquires data detected by a sensor (not shown) provided externally or internally, and writes the acquired data as sensor data in the data storage unit 31 as needed.

[0121] In Fig. 9, the same processes as those in the processing flow of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The terminal station 3 performs the same processes as those in steps S111 to S114 in the processing flow of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 4. The terminal station 3 may transmit to other terminal stations 3 by time division multiplexing, OFDM, MIMO, or the like.

[0122] The receivers 221b-1 to 221b-N of the mobile relay station 2b receive the terminal uplink signal transmitted from the terminal station 3 by the antenna 21-n (step S421). Depending on the wireless communication method of the source terminal station 3, the receiver may receive the terminal uplink signal from only one terminal station 3 in a time-division manner for the same frequency, or may receive the terminal uplink signals from multiple terminal stations 3 simultaneously at the same frequency. The receiver 221b-n outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223b-n.

[0123] The determining unit 223b-n acquires the terminal uplink signal output from the receiving unit 221. The determining unit 223b-n extracts a preamble pattern from the acquired terminal uplink signal (step S422). The determining unit 223b-n refers to the specific service list stored in the specific service list storage unit 224b, and compares the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal with the preamble pattern included in the specific service list (step S423).

[0124] The determination unit 223b-n outputs the terminal uplink signal and a comparison result indicating whether or not the same preamble pattern as the preamble pattern extracted from the terminal uplink signal is included in the specific service list to the received waveform recording unit 222b-n. The received waveform recording unit 222b-n acquires the comparison result and the terminal uplink signal output from the determination unit 223b-n. The received waveform recording unit 222b-n samples the received waveform of the terminal uplink signal received by the receiving unit 221b-n, and generates waveform data indicating the value obtained by sampling.

[0125] When the received waveform recording unit 222b-n acquires a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is included in the specific service list (step S424: YES), it writes received waveform information in which the antenna identifier of the antenna 21-n, the reception time of the terminal uplink signal at the antenna 21-n, and the generated waveform data are set, into the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23 (step S425). On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222b-n acquires a comparison result indicating that the preamble pattern is not included in the specific service list (step S424: NO), it writes received waveform information in which the antenna identifier of the antenna 21-n, the reception time of the terminal uplink signal at the antenna 21-n, and the generated waveform data are set, into the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23 (step S426). The mobile relay station 2 repeats the process from step S421.

[0126] The process of the wireless communication system 1b when transmitting a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2b is the same as the process flow of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 7, except for the following process. That is, in step S323, the terminal signal reception processing unit 450 performs reception processing of the terminal uplink signal indicated by the received waveform information.

[0127] Specifically, distributor 451 reads out waveform data having the same reception time from the received waveform information, and outputs the read out waveform data to terminal signal demodulators 452-1 to 452-N according to the antenna identifier associated with the waveform data. Terminal signal demodulators 452-1 to 452-N each identify the wireless communication method used by terminal station 3 to transmit a terminal uplink signal, based on information specific to the wireless communication method included in the received signal represented by the waveform data. Terminal signal demodulators 452-1 to 452-N demodulate the received signal represented by the waveform data according to the identified wireless communication method, and output the symbols obtained by the demodulation to combiner 453.

[0128] The combiner 453 adds and combines the symbols input from each of the terminal signal demodulators 452-1 to 452-N. By the additive combination, the signals transmitted by the terminal stations 3 are emphasized because of correlation, but the effect of randomly added noise is reduced. Therefore, a diversity effect is obtained for terminal uplink signals received by the mobile relay station 2b simultaneously from only one terminal station 3. Furthermore, for terminal uplink signals received by the mobile relay station 2b simultaneously from multiple terminal stations 3, this is equivalent to performing MIMO communication. The combiner 453 outputs the additively combined symbols to the terminal signal decoder 454.

[0129] The terminal signal decoding unit 454 decodes the symbols added and combined by the combining unit 453 using a specified wireless communication method, and obtains the terminal transmission data transmitted from the terminal station 3. Note that the terminal signal decoding unit 454 can also use a decoding method with a high calculation load, such as SIC.

[0130] As described above, in the wireless communication system 1b in this embodiment, the terminal station 3 transmits a terminal uplink signal indicating data in which a predetermined preamble pattern is added to the transmission data to the mobile relay station 2b. The mobile relay station 2b stores a specific service list L and compares the preamble pattern included in the terminal uplink signal with the preamble pattern included in the specific service list L. The mobile relay station 2b distributes and records the transmission data included in the terminal uplink signal to either the priority queue 231 or the general queue 232 according to the comparison result. The mobile relay station 2b transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 to the base station 4b-1 or the base station 4b-2 at a timing when it is possible to communicate with the base station 4b-1 or the base station 4b-2, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the priority queue 231.

[0131] With such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1b does not need to use multiple satellite channels, and does not need a mechanism capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple carriers (carrier waves) in the communication devices on both the transmitting and receiving sides (the terminal station 3 side and the base stations 4b-1, 4b-2 side). Also, with such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1b can transmit transmission data by prioritizing a specific service for which it is desired that the terminal transmission data be transferred to the base station device more quickly (without transfer delay). Therefore, the wireless communication system 1b in this embodiment can suppress data transfer delays while suppressing the complexity of the device.

[0132] Furthermore, according to the above-described embodiment, the mobile relay station 2b receives the terminal uplink signal from the terminal station 3 by diversity reception, MIMO reception, or the like. Therefore, the link budget between the mobile relay station 2b and the terminal station 3 can be improved.

[0133] Furthermore, according to the embodiment described above, the mobile relay station 2b can transmit the data that it has received from the multiple terminal stations 3 and stored in a batch with good quality in a short time at a timing when it is able to communicate with the base stations 4b-1 and 4b-2.

[0134] (Fourth embodiment) In the wireless communication systems 1, 1a, 1b in the first to third embodiments described above, the mobile relay stations 2, 2a, 2b are configured to extract a preamble pattern from a terminal uplink signal received from a terminal station 3, and distribute the received waveform information to either the priority queue 231 or the general queue 232 depending on the result of matching the extracted preamble pattern with a preamble pattern included in the specific service list L.

[0135] In contrast, in a wireless communication system 1c according to a fourth embodiment described below, a mobile relay station 2c has a configuration in which it holds a priority terminal ID list. The priority terminal ID list is a list of terminal IDs of terminal stations 3c that transmit terminal uplink signals whose received waveform information is to be allocated to the priority queue 231. The terminal ID here is identification information for identifying each terminal station 3. The mobile relay station 2c includes at least one terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list in a broadcast signal and transmits the broadcast signal to the terminal station 3c. The terminal station 3c that receives the broadcast signal compares the terminal ID included in the broadcast signal with a terminal ID previously assigned to the terminal station 3c, and transmits a terminal uplink signal in which terminal transmission data is set to the mobile relay station 2c according to the comparison result.

[0136] The following describes the details of the configuration of a wireless communication system 1c in the fourth embodiment, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0137] 10 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system 1c according to the fourth embodiment. The wireless communication system 1c includes a mobile relay station 2c, a terminal station 3c, a base station 4-1, and a base station 4-2. Information transmitted from each of the multiple terminal stations 3c is transmitted via the mobile relay station 2c and collected by the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2.

[0138] The configuration of each device will be described. The mobile relay station 2 c includes an antenna 21 , a terminal communication unit 22 c , a data storage unit 23 , a base station communication unit 24 , and an antenna 25 .

[0139] The terminal communication unit 22c includes a receiving unit 221, a received waveform recording unit 222c, a determining unit 223c, a notification signal transmitting unit 225c, and a terminal ID list storage unit 226c.

[0140] The terminal ID list storage unit 226c (terminal identification information list storage unit) stores in advance a priority terminal ID list. As described above, the priority terminal ID list is a list of terminal IDs of terminal stations 3c that transmit terminal uplink signals whose received waveform information is to be allocated to the priority queue 231. The terminal ID here is identification information that identifies each terminal station 3c.

[0141] The notification signal transmission unit 225c transmits a notification signal to the terminal station 3c. The notification signal is a control signal that notifies that transmission of terminal transmission data to the mobile relay station 2c of the terminal station 3c is permitted. The notification signal transmission unit 225c wirelessly transmits a terminal downlink signal in which the notification signal is set from the antenna 21.

[0142] At this time, the notification signal transmitting unit 225c includes at least one of the terminal IDs included in the priority terminal ID list stored in the terminal ID list storage unit 226c in the notification signal, and transmits the notification signal to the terminal station 3c.

[0143] The receiver 221 receives a terminal uplink signal transmitted from the terminal station 3c via the antenna 21. The terminal uplink signal includes terminal transmission data. The receiver 221 outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223c.

[0144] The determination unit 223c identifies the reception timing when the receiver 221 receives the terminal uplink signal. The reception timing here is, for example, the time that has elapsed since the annunciation signal transmitter 225c transmitted the annunciation signal to the terminal station 3c, or the reception time. The determination unit 223c, for example, determines whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined time or whether the reception time is before a predetermined time. The determination unit 223c outputs information indicating the determination result and the terminal uplink signal to the received waveform recorder 222c.

[0145] The received waveform recording unit 222c samples the received waveform of the terminal uplink signal acquired from the determination unit 223c, and generates waveform data indicating the value obtained by sampling. The received waveform recording unit 222c writes the reception time of the terminal uplink signal at the antenna 21 and received waveform information in which the generated waveform data is set, into the data storage unit 23.

[0146] At this time, when the received waveform recording unit 222c obtains a determination result indicating that the elapsed time is within a predetermined time, or when the received time is before the predetermined time, it writes the received time and received waveform information into the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23. On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222c obtains a determination result indicating that the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, or when the received time is after the predetermined time, it writes the received time and received waveform information into the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23.

[0147] The configuration relating to the transmission of base station downlink signals from the mobile relay station 2c to the base station 4-1 and the base station 4-2 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0148] The terminal station 3c includes a data storage unit 31, a transmitter 32, one or more antennas 33, a receiver , a transmission control unit 35c, and a terminal ID storage unit .

[0149] The data storage unit 31 stores sensor data and the like. The sensor data is data generated by an IoT terminal having a terminal station 3c and transmitted from the terminal station 3c to the mobile relay station 2c. The sensor data is, for example, environmental data indicating the temperature, humidity, or currents around the IoT terminal having the terminal station 3c.

[0150] The terminal ID storage unit 36 ​​pre-stores the terminal ID of the own device, which is identification information given to the own device in advance.

[0151] The receiver 34 receives the notification signal transmitted from the mobile relay station 2c and outputs the notification signal to the transmission controller 35c.

[0152] The transmission control unit 35c acquires a notification signal from the receiving unit 34. The transmission control unit 35c extracts at least one terminal ID included in the acquired notification signal. The transmission control unit 35c also reads out the terminal ID of the own device that is pre-recorded in the terminal ID storage unit 36. The transmission control unit 35c compares the extracted terminal ID with the terminal ID of the own device.

[0153] The transmission control unit 35c varies the timing of transmitting the terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2c depending on the result of the comparison. For example, when the terminal ID of the own device is included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs, the transmission control unit 35c controls the transmission unit 32 to immediately start transmitting the terminal uplink signal. On the other hand, when the terminal ID of the own device is not included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs, the transmission control unit 35c controls the transmission unit 32 to start transmitting the terminal uplink signal after a predetermined time has passed.

[0154] The transmitter 32 transmits a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2c under the control of the transmission control unit 35c. The transmitter 32 reads out the sensor data as terminal transmission data from the data storage unit 31. The transmitter 32 wirelessly transmits the terminal uplink signal, in which the read terminal transmission data is set, from the antenna 33.

[0155] By having such a configuration, the mobile relay station 2c in this embodiment can receive a terminal uplink signal at an earlier reception timing from a terminal station 3c to which a terminal ID included in the beacon signal is assigned, compared to a terminal station 3c to which a terminal ID not included in the beacon signal is assigned, and can record the received waveform information in the priority queue 231.

[0156] The operation of the wireless communication system 1c will now be described. 11 is a flow diagram showing the process of the wireless communication system 1c when the terminal station 3c transmits a terminal uplink signal. The process shown in this flow diagram is started when it is time for the mobile relay station 2c to transmit a report signal to the terminal station 3c.

[0157] The notification signal transmitting unit 225c includes at least one of the terminal IDs included in the priority terminal ID list stored in the terminal ID list storage unit 226c in a notification signal, and transmits the notification signal to the terminal station 3c (step S501).

[0158] The receiver 34 of the terminal station 3c waits for reception of a notification signal transmitted from the mobile relay station 2c (step S511). When the receiver 34 receives a notification signal (step S511: YES), the receiver 34 outputs the notification signal to the transmission controller 35c. When the transmission controller 35c acquires the notification signal from the receiver 34, the transmission controller 35c extracts at least one terminal ID included in the acquired notification signal (step S512).

[0159] The transmission control unit 35c reads out the terminal ID of its own device that is pre-recorded in the terminal ID storage unit 36. The transmission control unit 35c compares the extracted terminal ID with the terminal ID of its own device (step S513).

[0160] If the terminal ID of the own device is included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs (step S513: YES), the transmission control unit 35c controls the transmission unit 32 to read out the sensor data from the data storage unit 31 as terminal transmission data (step S515), and immediately starts transmission of a terminal uplink signal in which the terminal transmission data is set (step S516).

[0161] On the other hand, if the terminal ID of the own device is not included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs (step S513: NO), the transmission control unit 35c waits for a predetermined time (step S514), then controls the transmission unit 32 to read the sensor data from the data storage unit 31 as terminal transmission data (step S515), and immediately starts transmission of a terminal uplink signal in which the terminal transmission data is set (step S516). The terminal station 3c repeats the process from step S511.

[0162] The receiver 221 of the mobile relay station 2c receives the terminal uplink signal transmitted from the terminal station 3c by the antenna 21 (step S521). The receiver 221 outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223c. The determiner 223c identifies the reception timing when the receiver 221 receives the terminal uplink signal (step S522). As an example, the reception timing is the elapsed time from when the annunciation signal transmitter 225c transmits an annunciation signal to the terminal station 3c. The determiner 223c outputs information indicating the determination result and the terminal uplink signal to the received waveform recorder 222c.

[0163] When the received waveform recording unit 222c obtains a determination result indicating that the elapsed time is within a predetermined time (step S523 YES), it writes the above-mentioned reception time and reception waveform information in the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23 (step S524). On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222c obtains a determination result indicating that the above-mentioned elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time (step S523 NO), it writes the above-mentioned reception time and reception waveform information in the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23 (step S525). The mobile relay station 2c repeats the process from step S521.

[0164] Incidentally, the processing of the wireless communication system 1c when transmitting a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2c is similar to that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0165] As described above, in the wireless communication system 1c in this embodiment, the mobile relay station 2c stores a priority terminal ID list. The priority terminal ID list is a list of terminal IDs assigned to the terminal station 3c that transmits terminal transmission data (of a specific service) that causes the priority queue 231 to record the received waveform information. The mobile relay station 2c transmits a notification signal including a terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list to at least one terminal station 3c. The terminal station 3c extracts a terminal ID from the received notification signal and compares the extracted terminal ID with the terminal ID of its own device. The terminal station 3c varies the transmission timing of a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2c according to the comparison result. The mobile relay station 2c distributes and records the received waveform information to the priority queue 231 or the general queue 232 according to the reception timing of the terminal uplink signal received from the terminal station 3c.

[0166] With such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1c does not need to use multiple satellite channels, and does not need a mechanism capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple carriers (carrier waves) in the communication devices on both the transmitting and receiving sides (the terminal station 3c side and the base stations 4-1, 4-2 side). Also, with such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1c can transmit transmission data by prioritizing a specific service for which it is desired that the terminal transmission data be transferred to the base station device more quickly (without transfer delay). Therefore, the wireless communication system 1c in this embodiment can suppress data transfer delays while suppressing the complexity of the device.

[0167] In this embodiment, the mobile relay station 2c transmits a notification signal including a terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list to the terminal station 3c, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile relay station 2c may transmit a notification signal including information indicating a specific service to the terminal station 3c. In this case, each terminal station 3c may store information indicating a service provided by the own device in advance. The terminal station 3c may compare the information indicating the service provided by the own device with the information indicating the specific service included in the notification signal, and may change the transmission timing of the terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2c depending on the comparison result.

[0168] Fifth embodiment In the wireless communication system 1c in the fourth embodiment described above, the mobile relay station 2c includes at least one terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list in a broadcast signal and transmits the broadcast signal to the terminal station 3c. The terminal station 3c that receives the broadcast signal compares the terminal ID included in the broadcast signal with a terminal ID previously assigned to the terminal station 3c, and transmits a terminal uplink signal in which terminal transmission data is set to the mobile relay station 2c at a transmission timing according to the comparison result.

[0169] In contrast, in the wireless communication system 1d in the fifth embodiment, the mobile relay station 2d may include at least one terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list in a broadcast signal and transmit the broadcast signal to the terminal station 3c, or may transmit a broadcast signal to the terminal station 3c without including a terminal ID. As described above, the priority terminal ID list is a list of terminal IDs of terminal stations 3d that transmit terminal uplink signals whose received waveform information is to be allocated to the priority queue 231. The terminal ID here is identification information that identifies each terminal station 3.

[0170] The mobile relay station 2d includes at least one terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list in a broadcast signal and transmits the broadcast signal to the terminal station 3d. Next, the mobile relay station 2d waits for a predetermined time and then transmits a broadcast signal not including a terminal ID to the terminal station 3d. When the broadcast signal includes a terminal ID, the terminal station 3d that has received the broadcast signal compares the terminal ID included in the broadcast signal with the terminal ID previously assigned to the terminal station 3d. When the terminal ID included in the broadcast signal includes the terminal ID of the terminal station 3d, the terminal station 3d transmits a terminal uplink signal in which terminal transmission data is set to the mobile relay station 2d.

[0171] On the other hand, if the terminal station 3d that has received the notification signal does not include a terminal ID in the notification signal, it transmits a terminal uplink signal in which terminal transmission data is set to the mobile relay station 2d. With this configuration, in the wireless communication system 1d in the fifth embodiment, the mobile relay station 2d can first receive only the terminal uplink signal from the terminal station 3d to which the terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list is assigned, and subsequently receive terminal uplink signals from all the terminal stations 3d.

[0172] The following describes in detail the configuration of a wireless communication system 1d in the fifth embodiment, focusing on the differences from the fourth embodiment.

[0173] 12 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system 1d according to the fifth embodiment. The wireless communication system 1d includes a mobile relay station 2d, a terminal station 3d, a base station 4-1, and a base station 4-2. Information transmitted from each of the multiple terminal stations 3d is transmitted via the mobile relay station 2d and collected by the base station 4-1 or the base station 4-2.

[0174] The configuration of each device will be described. The mobile relay station 2 d includes an antenna 21 , a terminal communication unit 22 d , a data storage unit 23 , a base station communication unit 24 , and an antenna 25 .

[0175] The terminal communication unit 22d includes a receiving unit 221, a received waveform recording unit 222d, a determining unit 223d, a notification signal transmitting unit 225d, and a terminal ID list storage unit 226d.

[0176] The terminal ID list storage unit 226d (terminal identification information list storage unit) stores in advance a priority terminal ID list. As described above, the priority terminal ID list is a list of terminal IDs of terminal stations 3d that transmit terminal uplink signals whose received waveform information is to be allocated to the priority queue 231. The terminal ID here is identification information that identifies each terminal station 3d.

[0177] The notification signal transmission unit 225d transmits a notification signal to the terminal station 3d. The notification signal is a control signal that notifies that transmission of terminal transmission data to the mobile relay station 2d of the terminal station 3d is permitted. The notification signal transmission unit 225d wirelessly transmits a terminal downlink signal in which the notification signal is set from the antenna 21.

[0178] At this time, the notification signal transmitter 225d includes at least one of the terminal IDs included in the priority terminal ID list stored in the terminal ID list storage unit 226d in the notification signal and transmits the notification signal to the terminal station 3d. Next, after waiting for a predetermined time, the mobile relay station 2d transmits the notification signal to the terminal station 3d without including the terminal ID in the notification signal.

[0179] The receiver 221 receives a terminal uplink signal transmitted from the terminal station 3c via the antenna 21. The terminal uplink signal includes terminal transmission data. The receiver 221 outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223d.

[0180] The determination unit 223d identifies the reception timing when the receiver 221 receives the terminal uplink signal. The reception timing here is, for example, the time that has elapsed since the annunciation signal transmitter 225c transmitted the annunciation signal including the terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list to the terminal station 3d, or the reception time. The determination unit 223d, for example, determines whether the elapsed time is within a predetermined time or whether the reception time is before a predetermined time. The determination unit 223d outputs information indicating the determination result and the terminal uplink signal to the received waveform recorder 222d.

[0181] The received waveform recording unit 222d samples the received waveform of the terminal uplink signal acquired from the determination unit 223d, and generates waveform data indicating the value obtained by sampling. The received waveform recording unit 222d writes the reception time of the terminal uplink signal at the antenna 21 and received waveform information in which the generated waveform data is set, into the data storage unit 23.

[0182] At this time, when the received waveform recording unit 222d obtains a determination result indicating that the elapsed time is within a predetermined time, or when the received time is before the predetermined time, it writes the received time and received waveform information into the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23. On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222c obtains a determination result indicating that the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time, or when the received time is after the predetermined time, it writes the received time and received waveform information into the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23.

[0183] The configuration relating to the transmission of base station downlink signals from the mobile relay station 2d to the base stations 4-1 and 4-2 is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0184] The terminal station 3d includes a data storage unit 31, a transmitter 32, one or more antennas 33, a receiver , a transmission control unit 35d, and a terminal ID storage unit .

[0185] The data storage unit 31 stores sensor data and the like. The sensor data is data generated by an IoT terminal having the terminal station 3d and transmitted from the terminal station 3d to the mobile relay station 2d. The sensor data is, for example, environmental data indicating the temperature, humidity, or currents around the IoT terminal having the terminal station 3d.

[0186] The terminal ID storage unit 36 ​​pre-stores the terminal ID of the own device, which is identification information given to the own device in advance.

[0187] The receiver 34 receives the notification signal transmitted from the mobile relay station 2d, and outputs the notification signal to the transmission controller 35d.

[0188] The transmission control unit 35d acquires a notification signal from the receiving unit 34. When the acquired notification signal includes at least one terminal ID, the transmission control unit 35d extracts the terminal ID. In addition, the transmission control unit 35d reads out the terminal ID of the own device that is pre-recorded in the terminal ID storage unit 36. The transmission control unit 35d compares the extracted terminal ID with the terminal ID of the own device.

[0189] The transmission control unit 35d determines whether to transmit a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2d according to the collation result. For example, when the terminal ID of the own device is included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs, the transmission control unit 35d controls the transmission unit 32 to start transmitting the terminal uplink signal. On the other hand, when the terminal ID of the own device is not included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs, the transmission control unit 35d does not transmit the terminal uplink signal.

[0190] On the other hand, if the acquired notification signal does not include a terminal ID, the transmission control unit 35d controls the transmission unit 32 to start transmitting a terminal uplink signal.

[0191] The transmitter 32 transmits a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2d under the control of the transmission control unit 35d. The transmitter 32 reads out the sensor data as terminal transmission data from the data storage unit 31. The transmitter 32 wirelessly transmits the terminal uplink signal, in which the read terminal transmission data is set, from the antenna 33.

[0192] By having such a configuration, the mobile relay station 2d in this embodiment can receive a terminal uplink signal at an earlier reception timing from a terminal station 3d that is assigned a terminal ID included in the beacon signal, compared to a terminal station 3d that is assigned a terminal ID that is not included in the beacon signal, and can record the received waveform information in the priority queue 231.

[0193] The operation of the wireless communication system 1d will now be described. 13 is a flow diagram showing the processing of the wireless communication system 1d when the terminal station 3d transmits a terminal uplink signal. The processing shown in this flow diagram is started when it is time for the mobile relay station 2d to transmit a report signal to the terminal station 3d.

[0194] The annunciation signal transmitting unit 225d includes at least one of the terminal IDs included in the priority terminal ID list stored in the terminal ID list storage unit 226d in the annunciation signal and transmits the annunciation signal to the terminal station 3d (step S601). After waiting for a predetermined time (step S602), the annunciation signal transmitting unit 225d transmits the annunciation signal to the terminal station 3d without including the terminal ID in the annunciation signal (step S603).

[0195] The receiver 34 of the terminal station 3d waits for reception of a notification signal transmitted from the mobile relay station 2d (step S611). When the receiver 34 receives a notification signal (step S611: YES), the receiver 34 outputs the notification signal to the transmission controller 35d. When the transmission controller 35d receives the notification signal from the receiver 34, the transmission controller 35d detects whether or not the acquired notification signal includes a terminal ID (step S612).

[0196] When the acquired notification signal includes at least one terminal ID, the transmission control unit 35d reads out the terminal ID of the own device pre-recorded in the terminal ID storage unit 36. The transmission control unit 35d compares the extracted terminal ID with the terminal ID of the own device.

[0197] If the terminal ID of the own device is included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs, or if the terminal ID is not included in the acquired notification signal (step S613: YES), the transmission control unit 35d controls the transmission unit 32 to read the sensor data from the data storage unit 31 as terminal transmission data (step S614), and starts transmission of a terminal uplink signal in which the terminal transmission data is set (step S615). On the other hand, if the terminal ID is included in the acquired notification signal and the terminal ID of the own device is not included in at least one of the extracted terminal IDs (step S613: NO), the transmission control unit 35d does not transmit a terminal uplink signal. The terminal station 3d repeats the process from step S611.

[0198] The receiver 221 of the mobile relay station 2d receives the terminal uplink signal transmitted from the terminal station 3d by the antenna 21 (step S621). The receiver 221 outputs the received terminal uplink signal to the determiner 223d. The determiner 223d identifies the reception timing when the receiver 221 receives the terminal uplink signal (step S622). As an example, the reception timing is the elapsed time from when the annunciation signal transmitter 225d transmits an annunciation signal including a terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list to the terminal station 3d. The determiner 223d outputs information indicating the determination result and the terminal uplink signal to the received waveform recorder 222d.

[0199] When the received waveform recording unit 222d obtains a determination result indicating that the aforementioned elapsed time is within a predetermined time (step S623 YES), it writes the above-mentioned reception time and reception waveform information in the priority queue 231 of the data storage unit 23 (step S624). On the other hand, when the received waveform recording unit 222d obtains a determination result indicating that the aforementioned elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time (step S623 NO), it writes the above-mentioned reception time and reception waveform information in the general queue 232 of the data storage unit 23 (step S625). The mobile relay station 2d repeats the process from step S621.

[0200] Incidentally, the processing of the wireless communication system 1d when transmitting a base station downlink signal from the mobile relay station 2d is similar to that of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0201] As described above, in the wireless communication system 1d in this embodiment, the mobile relay station 2d stores the priority terminal ID list. The priority terminal ID list is a list of terminal IDs assigned to the terminal station 3c that transmits terminal transmission data (of a specific service) whose received waveform information is to be recorded in the priority queue 231.

[0202] The mobile relay station 2d transmits a notification signal including a terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list to at least one terminal station 3d. Next, the mobile relay station 2d waits for a predetermined time, and then transmits a notification signal without a terminal ID to at least one terminal station 3d. The terminal station 3d detects whether or not a terminal ID is included in the received notification signal. If a terminal ID is included in the received notification signal, the terminal station 3d compares the extracted terminal ID with the terminal ID of the terminal station 3d. The terminal station 3d determines whether or not to transmit a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2d according to the above detection result and comparison result. For example, if the extracted terminal ID includes the terminal ID of the terminal station 3d, or if the received notification signal does not include a terminal ID, the terminal station 3d transmits a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2d. The mobile relay station 2d distributes and records the received waveform information to the priority queue 231 or the general queue 232 according to the reception timing of the terminal uplink signal received from the terminal station 3d.

[0203] With such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1d does not need to use multiple satellite channels, and does not need a mechanism capable of simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple carriers (carrier waves) in the communication devices on both the transmitting and receiving sides (the terminal station 3d side and the base stations 4-1, 4-2 side). Also, with such a configuration, the wireless communication system 1d can transmit transmission data by prioritizing a specific service for which it is desired that the terminal transmission data be transferred to the base station device more quickly (without transfer delay). Therefore, the wireless communication system 1d in this embodiment can suppress data transfer delays while suppressing the complexity of the device.

[0204] In this embodiment, the mobile relay station 2d transmits a notification signal including a terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list to the terminal station 3d, and then transmits the notification signal to the terminal station 3d without including the terminal ID, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile relay station 2d may transmit a notification signal including information indicating a specific service to the terminal station 3d, and then transmits the notification signal to the terminal station 3d without including information indicating the service. In this case, each terminal station 3d stores, for example, information indicating a service provided by the own device in advance. The terminal station 3d detects whether or not the received notification signal includes information indicating a specific service. If the received notification signal includes information indicating a specific service, the terminal station 3d compares the information indicating the service provided by the own device with the information indicating the specific service included in the notification signal. The terminal station 3d may transmit a terminal uplink signal to the mobile relay station 2c according to the above detection result and comparison result.

[0205] According to each embodiment described above, the mobile relay station stores and accumulates information on the waveform of the wireless terminal uplink signal received from the terminal station without demodulating the signal, and transmits the information to the base station by wireless at a timing when communication is possible. The base station performs reception processing such as demodulation and decoding on the terminal uplink signal represented by the received signal waveform at the mobile relay station. Therefore, a non-regenerative relay method that does not depend on the communication method can be applied to a wireless communication system using a low-orbit satellite. In addition, since non-regenerative relay is performed, the mobile relay station does not need to implement the wireless communication method used in the terminal station. For example, even if a terminal station that communicates using a new wireless communication method is added, it is only necessary to make a change to add the wireless communication method to the base station installed on the ground without making a change to the mobile relay station. Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously accommodate various IoT systems, and it is easy to respond to updates of the IoT system. In addition, since the large Doppler shift received by each terminal station can be processed by the base station instead of by the mobile relay station, it is not necessary to implement a complex non-linear calculation to compensate for the Doppler shift in the mobile relay station.

[0206] In the above-described embodiments, the mobile relay station does not demodulate the wireless terminal uplink signal received from the terminal station, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the mobile relay station may demodulate and decode the terminal uplink signal and transmit the decoded data to the base station.

[0207] In the above embodiment, the mobile body on which the mobile relay station is mounted is described as a LEO satellite, but the mobile body may be a geostationary satellite or another flying body that flies in the sky, such as a drone or HAPS.

[0208] In the above embodiment, a configuration for transmitting specific terminal transmission data earlier in time has been described as an example of a configuration for preferentially transmitting specific terminal transmission data. For example, when a notification signal is transmitted from a mobile relay station to multiple terminal stations scattered at different positions, there may be a terminal station whose mobile relay station has a small elevation angle and whose communication available time period will soon end. In such a case, it is required to transmit the specific terminal transmission data earlier, and therefore the above configuration is effective.

[0209] However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, as a configuration for preferentially transmitting specific terminal transmission data, a configuration may be used in which the specific terminal transmission data is transmitted at a timing when the distance between the mobile relay station and the terminal station is relatively closer. Or, as a configuration for preferentially transmitting specific terminal transmission data, a configuration may be used in which the specific terminal transmission data is transmitted at a timing when the elevation angle of the mobile relay station at the position of the terminal station is larger. In general, communication quality is often good at a timing when the distance between the mobile relay station and the terminal station is relatively closer and at a timing when the elevation angle of the mobile relay station at the position of the terminal station is larger. By providing such a configuration, it becomes possible for the mobile relay station to transmit the specific terminal transmission data at a timing when the communication quality is better.

[0210] The preamble pattern may be assigned in any unit. For example, the preamble pattern may be assigned uniquely to each service for a plurality of services provided by the wireless communication system. Alternatively, the preamble pattern may be assigned uniquely to each terminal station or each model of the terminal station. Alternatively, the preamble pattern may be assigned uniquely to each user, provider, or user of the terminal station of the service provided by the wireless communication system.

[0211] The specific service list stored in the mobile relay station may be configured to be updateable, for example, by transmitting data of a specific service list for updating from a base station. In this case, even when a new service provided by the wireless communication system is added or a new terminal station is installed, the service level can be easily set or changed by simply updating the specific service list. A change in the service level is, for example, a change from a priority service to a general service, or a change from a general service to a priority service.

[0212] In the above embodiment, as an example, the data storage unit 23 has two queues, the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232. That is, in the above embodiment, as an example, the priority level is two stages (priority or general). However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the priority level may be set to three or more stages. Also, in the above embodiment, as an example, the wireless communication system has two types of base station devices, a base station device for a specific service and a base station device for a general service. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the wireless communication system may have three or more types of base station devices depending on the number of the priority levels.

[0213] Basically, it is desirable that the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 have sufficient storage capacity. For example, even if a large amount of data is recorded in the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 and all the data cannot be transmitted to the base station during the communication available time period, the transmission of data to the base station can be resumed by waiting for the next rotation of the mobile relay station.

[0214] Note that, when data still accumulates up to the upper limit of the storage capacity of the priority queue 231, for example, the mobile relay station may record the excess data that should have been recorded in the priority queue 231 in the general queue 232 instead. Also, the mobile relay station may transcribe the data recorded in the general queue 232 to the priority queue 231 when free capacity occurs in the priority queue 231, for example.

[0215] According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device. For example, the terminal devices are the terminal stations 3, 3c, and 3d in the embodiment, the mobile object is a low-earth orbit satellite in the embodiment, the relay devices are the mobile relay stations 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d in the embodiment, and the base station devices are the base stations 4-1, 4a-1, 4b-1, 4-2, 4a-2, and 4b-2 in the embodiment.

[0216] The terminal device includes a terminal device transmitter. For example, the terminal device transmitter is the transmitter 32, the antenna 33, and the transmission control units 35, 35c, and 35d in the embodiment. The terminal device transmitter transmits a signal including transmission data to the relay device. For example, the transmission data is the terminal transmission data in the embodiment, and the signal is the terminal uplink signal in the embodiment.

[0217] The relay device (wireless communication device) includes a relay device receiving unit, multiple queues, a distribution unit, and a relay device transmitting unit. For example, the relay device receiving unit is the antennas 21, 21-1 to 21-N, and the receivers 221, 221b-1 to 221b-N in the embodiment, the multiple queues are the priority queue 231 and the general queue 232 in the embodiment, the distribution unit is the determination units 223, 223c, and 223d in the embodiment, and the relay device transmitting unit is the base station communication units 24 and 26, and the antenna 25 in the embodiment.

[0218] The relay device receiving unit receives a signal transmitted from a terminal device. The multiple queues store transmission data included in the signal. The distribution unit distributes and records the transmission data included in the signal to one of the multiple queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal. The relay device transmitting unit transmits a signal indicating the transmission data recorded in the multiple queues to the base station device at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible, giving priority to the transmission data recorded in a specific queue among the multiple queues. For example, the signal is a base station downlink signal in the embodiment.

[0219] The terminal device transmitting unit may transmit a signal indicating data to which a predetermined preamble pattern has been added to the transmission data to the relay device. In this case, the relay device may further include a relay device storage unit. The relay device storage unit stores a list of preamble patterns. In this case, the allocating unit may compare the preamble pattern included in the signal with the preamble pattern included in the list, and allocate and record the transmission data to one of a plurality of queues according to the comparison result. For example, the relay device storage unit is the specific service list storage unit 224 in the embodiment, and the list of preamble patterns is the specific service list L in the embodiment.

[0220] The terminal device may further include a terminal device receiving unit and a transmission control unit. The terminal device receiving unit receives a terminal identification information list including at least one identification information for identifying a plurality of terminal devices, transmitted from the relay device. The transmission control unit controls the terminal device transmitting unit so as to vary the timing of transmitting a signal to the relay device depending on whether the terminal identification information list includes the identification information of the terminal device itself. In this case, the distribution unit distributes and records the transmission data to one of a plurality of queues based on the reception timing. For example, the terminal device receiving unit is the receiving unit 34 in the embodiment, the identification information is the terminal ID in the embodiment, the terminal identification information list is a list of at least one terminal ID included in the priority terminal ID list in the embodiment, and the transmission control unit is the transmission control units 35c and 35d in the embodiment.

[0221] The terminal device may further include a terminal device receiving unit and a transmission control unit. The terminal device receiving unit receives a notification signal transmitted from a relay device. The transmission control unit transmits a signal to the relay device when the notification signal includes a terminal identification information list including at least one identification information for identifying the multiple terminal devices, and when the terminal identification information list includes the identification information of the terminal device itself, or when the notification signal does not include the terminal identification information list. In this case, the relay device may further include a relay device transmitting unit. The relay device transmitting unit transmits a notification signal including a terminal identification information list and a notification signal not including a terminal identification information list to the terminal device at different timings. In this case, the distribution unit may distribute and record the transmission data to one of the multiple queues based on the reception timing. For example, the terminal identification information list is a list of at least one terminal ID included in a priority terminal ID list in the embodiment.

[0222] The wireless communication system may have a first base station device and a second base station device. For example, the first base station device is the base station 4-1, 4a-1, or 4b-1 in the embodiment, and the second base station device is the base station 4-2, 4a-2, or 4b-2 in the embodiment. The relay device transmitter may transmit the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue to the first base station device at a timing when communication with the first base station device is possible. For example, the predetermined queue is the priority queue 231 in the embodiment. The relay device transmitter may transmit the transmission data recorded in the multiple queues to the second base station device at a timing when communication with the second base station device is possible, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue. The wireless communication system may include a plurality of first base station devices.

[0223] The relay device transmitter may transmit the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue first, and transmit the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue later. For example, the queue different from the predetermined queue is the general queue 232 in the embodiment.

[0224] In addition, the relay device transmitter may transmit the transmission data recorded in a specified queue at a timing when the distance between the relay device and the second base station device is relatively close, and transmit the transmission data recorded in a queue other than the specified queue at a timing when the distance is relatively far.

[0225] The relay device may be mounted on a moving object that is an air vehicle. The relay device transmitter may transmit the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue at a timing when the elevation angle of the relay device at the position of the second base station device is relatively large, and transmit the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue at a timing when the elevation angle is relatively small.

[0226] In addition, the relay device may be provided on a low-earth orbit satellite, and the terminal device and base station device may be installed on the Earth.

[0227] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and designs that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention are also included.

[0228] The mobile relay stations 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, the terminal stations 33c, 3d, and the base stations 4-1, 4-2, 4a-1, 4a-2, 4b-1, 4b-2 in the above-mentioned embodiment may be realized by a computer. In that case, a program for realizing this function may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to realize the function. Note that the "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" may also include a medium that dynamically holds a program for a short period of time, such as a communication line when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and a medium that holds a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory inside a computer system that is a server or client in that case. Furthermore, the above program may be for realizing part of the functions described above, or may be capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system, or may be realized using a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). [Explanation of symbols]

[0229] 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d...wireless communication system, 2, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d...mobile relay station, 3, 3c, 3d...terminal station, 4-1, 4a-1, 4b-1, 4-2, 4a-2, 4b-2...Base station, 21, 21-1 to 21-N…antennas, 22, 22b, 22c, 22d...terminal communication unit, 23...Data storage unit, 24, 26...Base station communication unit, 25…Antenna, 31...Data storage unit, 32...Transmitter, 33…Antenna, 34...Receiver, 35, 35c, 35d...transmission control section, 36...Terminal ID storage unit, 41…Antenna, 42...Receiver, 43, 430...base station signal receiving processing unit, 44...Terminal signal receiving processing unit, 221, 221b-1 to 221b-N ... receiving unit, 222, 222b-1 to 222b-N, 222c, 222d...received waveform recording unit, 223,223b-1~223b-N, 223c, 223d...judgment section, 224, 224b...specific service list storage unit, 225, 225b, 225c, 225d...notification signal transmission unit, 226c, 226d...terminal ID list storage unit, 231…Priority Queue, 232…General queue, 241, 261...Storage section, 242, 262...control section, 243, 263...transmission data modulation unit, 244…Transmitter, 264…MIMO transmitter, 311…Sensor data, 312…orbit information, 313…Self-location information, 314…Output control information, 351...Timing control section, 352...distance calculation unit, 353...output control unit, 410…Antenna Station, 420…MIMO receiver, 430...base station signal receiving processing unit, 441...Terminal signal demodulation unit, 442...Terminal signal decoding unit, 450...Terminal signal receiving processing unit, 451...Distribution section, 452-1 to 452-N: Terminal signal demodulation unit, 453…synthetic section, 454...Terminal signal decoding unit

Claims

1. A wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, The terminal device a terminal device transmitting section for transmitting to the relay device a signal indicating data to be transmitted that has a predetermined preamble pattern added thereto; Equipped with The relay device is a relay device storage unit that stores the list of preamble patterns; a relay device receiving unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; a distribution unit that compares the preamble pattern included in the signal with the preamble pattern included in the list, and distributes and records the transmission data to one of the plurality of queues according to a comparison result; a relay device transmitter that transmits, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible; Equipped Wireless communication system.

2. A wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, The terminal device a terminal device receiving unit that receives a terminal identification information list including at least one piece of identification information for identifying the plurality of terminal devices, the terminal identification information list being transmitted from the relay device; a terminal device transmitting unit for transmitting a signal including transmission data to the relay device; a transmission control unit that controls the terminal device transmitting unit so as to change a timing of transmitting the signal to the relay device depending on whether the terminal identification information list includes identification information of the terminal device itself; Equipped with The relay device is a relay device receiving unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocation unit that allocates and records the transmission data to any one of the plurality of queues based on a reception timing of the signal; a relay device transmitter that transmits, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible; Equipped Wireless communication system.

3. A wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, The terminal device a terminal device receiving unit for receiving a notification signal transmitted from the relay device; a terminal device transmitting unit for transmitting a signal including transmission data to the relay device; a transmission control unit that controls the terminal device transmitting unit to transmit the signal to the relay device when the notification signal includes a terminal identification information list including at least one piece of identification information for identifying the plurality of terminal devices, and when the terminal identification information list includes identification information of the terminal device itself, or when the notification signal does not include the terminal identification information list; Equipped with The relay device is a relay device receiving unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocation unit that allocates and records the transmission data to any one of the plurality of queues based on a reception timing of the signal; a relay device transmitter that transmits the annunciation signal including the terminal identification information list and the annunciation signal not including the terminal identification information list to the terminal device at different timings, and transmits the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues to the base station device at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues; Equipped Wireless communication system.

4. A first base station device; A second base station device; having The relay device transmission unit Transmitting the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue to the first base station device at a timing when communication with the first base station device is possible; At a timing when communication with the second base station device is possible, the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues is transmitted to the second base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue. A wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A plurality of the first base station devices 5. The wireless communication system according to claim 4.

6. A wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, The terminal device a terminal device transmitting section for transmitting a signal including transmission data to the relay device; Equipped with The relay device is a relay device receiving unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocating unit that allocates and records the transmission data included in the signal to any one of the plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal; a relay device transmitter that transmits to the base station device, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, so that the transmission data recorded in a queue other than the predetermined queue is transmitted later; Equipped Wireless communication system.

7. A wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, a first base station device, and a second base station device, The terminal device a terminal device transmitting section for transmitting a signal including transmission data to the relay device; Equipped with The relay device is a relay device receiving unit for receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocating unit that allocates and records the transmission data included in the signal to any one of the plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal; Transmitting the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue to the first base station device at a timing when communication with the first base station device is possible; a relay device transmitter that transmits the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues to the second base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue, at a timing when communication with the second base station device is possible; Equipped with The relay device transmitter transmits the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue at a timing when the distance between the relay device and the second base station device is relatively close, and transmits the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue at a timing when the distance is relatively far. Wireless communication system.

8. The relay device is mounted on the moving body which is an aircraft, The relay device transmitter transmits the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue at a timing when the elevation angle of the relay device at the position of the second base station device is relatively large, and transmits the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue at a timing when the elevation angle is relatively small.

6. A wireless communication system according to claim 4 or 5.

9. The relay device is provided on a low earth orbit satellite, The terminal device and the base station device are installed on Earth. A wireless communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A wireless communication device mounted on a moving object, comprising: a relay device storage unit for storing a list of preamble patterns; A receiving unit that receives a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; a distribution unit that compares the preamble pattern included in the signal with the preamble pattern included in the list, and distributes and records the transmission data to one of the plurality of queues according to a comparison result; a transmission unit that transmits, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible; A wireless communication device comprising:

11. A wireless communication device mounted on a moving object, a terminal identification information list storage unit configured to store a terminal identification information list including at least one piece of identification information for identifying a plurality of terminal devices; A receiving unit that receives a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocation unit that allocates and records the transmission data to any one of the plurality of queues based on a reception timing of the signal; a transmission unit that transmits, to the terminal device, a report signal including the terminal identification information list and a report signal not including the terminal identification information list at different timings, and transmits, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues; A wireless communication device comprising:

12. The transmission unit is Transmitting the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue to the first base station device at a timing when communication with the first base station device is possible; At a timing when communication with a second base station device different from the first base station device is possible, the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues is transmitted to the second base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue.

12. A wireless communication device according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The transmission unit transmits the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue first, and transmits the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue later.

13. A wireless communication device according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. A wireless communication device mounted on a moving object, comprising: A receiving unit that receives a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocating unit that allocates and records the transmission data included in the signal to any one of the plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal; Transmitting the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue to a first base station device at a timing when communication with the first base station device is possible; a transmission unit that transmits the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues to the second base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue, at a timing when communication with a second base station device different from the first base station device is possible; Equipped with The transmitting unit transmits the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue at a timing when the distance between the device itself and the second base station device is relatively close, and transmits the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue at a timing when the distance is relatively far. Wireless communication device.

15. A wireless communication device mounted on a moving object that is an aircraft, A receiving unit that receives a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device; a plurality of queues for storing the transmission data included in the signal; an allocating unit that allocates and records the transmission data included in the signal to any one of the plurality of queues based on a preamble pattern included in the signal or a reception timing of the signal; Transmitting the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue to a first base station device at a timing when communication with the first base station device is possible; a transmission unit that transmits the transmission data recorded in the plurality of queues to the second base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue, at a timing when communication with a second base station device different from the first base station device is possible; Equipped with The transmitting unit transmits the transmission data recorded in the predetermined queue at a timing when the elevation angle of the own device at the position of the second base station device is relatively large, and transmits the transmission data recorded in a queue different from the predetermined queue at a timing when the elevation angle is relatively small. Wireless communication device.

16. Equipped on low-orbit satellites, The terminal device and the base station device are installed on Earth. A wireless communication device according to any one of claims 10 to 15.

17. A wireless communication method for a wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, comprising: a terminal device transmission step of transmitting, to the relay device, a signal indicating data in which a predetermined preamble pattern has been added to transmission data; a relay device storage step of storing the list of preamble patterns by the relay device; a relay device receiving step of receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a distribution step in which the relay device compares the preamble pattern included in the signal with the preamble pattern included in the list, and distributes and records the transmission data to one of a plurality of queues depending on a comparison result; a relay device transmission step of transmitting, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when the relay device is able to communicate with the base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues; A wireless communication method comprising:

18. A wireless communication method using a wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, a terminal device receiving step of receiving, by the terminal device, a terminal identification information list including at least one piece of identification information for identifying the plurality of terminal devices, the terminal device being transmitted from the relay device; a terminal device transmission step of transmitting a signal including transmission data to the relay device by the terminal device; a transmission control step of controlling the terminal device to change a timing of transmitting the signal to the relay device depending on whether or not the identification information of the terminal device itself is included in the terminal identification information list in the terminal device transmission step; a relay device receiving step of receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a distribution unit configured to distribute and record the transmission data to one of a plurality of queues based on a reception timing of the signal; a relay device transmission step of transmitting, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when the relay device is able to communicate with the base station device, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues; A wireless communication method comprising:

19. A wireless communication method using a wireless communication system having a plurality of terminal devices, a relay device mounted on a mobile object, and at least one base station device, comprising: a terminal device receiving step of receiving a notification signal transmitted from the relay device; a terminal device transmission step of transmitting a signal including transmission data to the relay device by the terminal device; a transmission control step of controlling the terminal device to transmit the signal to the relay device when the notification signal includes a terminal identification information list including at least one identification information for identifying the plurality of terminal devices in the terminal device transmission step, and when the identification information of the terminal device itself is included in the terminal identification information list, or when the notification signal does not include the terminal identification information list; a relay device receiving step of receiving the signal transmitted from the terminal device; a distribution unit configured to distribute and record the transmission data to one of a plurality of queues based on a reception timing of the signal; a relay device transmission step of transmitting the annunciation signal including the terminal identification information list and the annunciation signal not including the terminal identification information list to the terminal device at different timings, and transmitting the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues to the base station device at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible, with priority given to the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues; A wireless communication method comprising:

20. A wireless communication method for a wireless communication device mounted on a moving object, comprising: a relay device storing step of storing a list of preamble patterns; A receiving step of receiving a signal including transmission data transmitted from a terminal device; a distribution step of comparing the preamble pattern included in the signal with the preamble pattern included in the list, and distributing and recording the transmission data to any one of a plurality of queues according to a comparison result; a transmission step of transmitting, to the base station device, the signal indicating the transmission data recorded in a predetermined queue among the plurality of queues, at a timing when communication with the base station device is possible; A wireless communication method comprising:

21. A program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication device according to any one of claims 10 to 16.

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