Wireless communication device and wireless communication system

Abstract

To provide a radio communication device and a radio communication system which can form a highly reliable communication route in an ad hoc network, with a reduced load for the routing processing of each radio communication device.SOLUTION: A radio communication device 100 includes: a destination discrimination unit 120 which determines whether or not a destination radio communication device of communication data to be transmitted from the self-radio communication device is included in an area which the self-radio communication device belongs to; and a transfer destination determination unit 130 which, when the destination radio communication device of the communication data to be transmitted is included in the area which the self-radio communication device belongs to, directly communicates the communication data to the destination radio communication device, whereas when the destination radio communication device of the communication data to be transmitted is not included in the area which the self-radio communication device belongs to, transfers the communication data to a radio communication device which operates in a base station mode configuring the area which the self-radio communication device belongs to.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] It has been known that many networks, such as wireless LANs and cellular networks, perform communication in infrastructure mode by connecting to a specific base station. The base stations form a so-called infrastructure network that can perform stable communication. Terminals perform communication by connecting to the infrastructure network.

[0003] For example, in Non-Patent Document 1, even if a communication partner exists within the same network accommodated by one base station, a transmitting terminal transmits communication data to a destination terminal via the base station. Also, when the destination terminal of the communication exists in an area configured by another base station, the communication data is transferred between the base stations, and the communication data is transmitted to the destination terminal from the base station configuring the area to which the destination terminal belongs. In reality, there are multiple base stations, so networks can be formed in various forms. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Yamamoto et al., "Study on LTE base station load balancing method in various traffic environments," RCS Study Group, vol. 112, no. 351, pp. 41-46, December 2012. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above method, each base station needs to calculate the communication load with the terminal, which makes the configuration of each base station complicated. Also, since it is necessary to configure the route between the base station and the terminal, the load of the route selection process is large, and the wireless communication system may become complicated.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the problems inherent in the conventional technology. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device system or the like that has a simple configuration and is highly reliable, in which each base station does not need to calculate the communication load with a terminal, and each terminal uses a base station route without using an ad-hoc network, thereby reducing the load of route selection processing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to an aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device capable of forming an ad hoc network preferably includes, when the wireless communication device belongs to an area in which it can directly communicate with other wireless communication devices operating in base station mode that form an infrastructure network, and when it is not included in the infrastructure network and operates in terminal mode, a destination determination unit that determines whether a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted from the wireless communication device itself is included in the area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs, and a transfer destination determination unit that directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device if the destination wireless communication device of the communication data to be transmitted is included in the area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs, and transfers the communication data to a wireless communication device operating in base station mode that constitutes the area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs, when the destination wireless communication device of the communication data to be transmitted is not included in the area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, each base station does not need to calculate the communication load with a terminal, and each terminal uses a base station route without using an ad hoc network, thereby reducing the load of the route selection process and making it possible to provide a wireless communication device system with a simple configuration and high reliability. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a wireless communication system constituting a network according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a configuration of an in-area terminal information storage unit according to the embodiment; FIG. [Figure 4] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a case where the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment operates as a terminal. [Diagram 5] 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a case where the wireless communication device according to the present embodiment operates in a base station mode. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication network according to a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] (Overview of wireless communication system configuration) After forming an ad-hoc network with the wireless communication device of the wireless communication system of this embodiment, a communication path that allows stable communication and has a high communication frequency is extracted, and the wireless communication device located on the communication path is operated as a base station to configure an infrastructure network. If the wireless communication device is in the same area and the wireless communication distance is short and the communication quality is good, the other wireless communication device performs direct communication. If the other wireless communication device is not in the same area and the wireless communication distance is long, or the communication quality is degraded, the other wireless communication device uses the wireless communication device operating as a base station.

[0011] 1, a wireless communication system 1000 as a network is configured by multiple wireless communication devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, and 100g. In this specification, the wireless communication devices 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, and 100g may be collectively referred to as wireless communication device 100.

[0012] The wireless communication devices 100 constituting the infrastructure network in the vehicle 10 can be set in advance based on the installation positions of the wireless communication devices 100 and a combination that can form a communication path that is less affected by obstacles such as passengers between the wireless communication devices 100. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, the wireless communication devices 100e, 100f, and 100g arranged along the body of the vehicle operate as base stations to form an infrastructure network. The wireless communication devices 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d can communicate with one or more of the wireless communication devices 100e, 100f, and 100g that form the infrastructure network. In addition, the vehicle 10 is equipped with, for example, a front right tire T1, a front left tire T2, a rear left tire T3, and a rear right tire T4.

[0013] (Overview of overall operation of wireless communication system) An overview of the overall operation of the wireless communication system will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] First, wireless communication devices 100e, 100f, and 100g operating as base stations store wireless communication devices present in the areas covered by the base stations. Wireless communication device 100e stores wireless communication device 100a, wireless communication device 100f stores wireless communication devices 100b and 100c, and wireless communication device 100g stores wireless communication device 100d.

[0015] Next, the wireless communication devices 100e, 100f, and 100g operating as base stations notify all wireless communication devices 100 of the identification information of the wireless communication devices located within their respective areas.

[0016] Next, when a transmission request occurs in the wireless communication device, it is determined whether or not there is a wireless communication device to be a communication partner related to the transmission request within the area to which the wireless communication device belongs.

[0017] Next, when the wireless communication device to be the communication partner exists within the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, the wireless communication device executes direct communication with the wireless communication device to be the communication partner, whereas when the wireless communication device to be the communication partner does not exist within the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, the wireless communication device transmits communication data to a wireless communication device operating as a base station within the area.

[0018] Next, the wireless communication device operating as a base station that has received the communication data transfers the communication data to a wireless communication device operating as an adjacent base station.

[0019] Next, the wireless communication device operating as an adjacent base station that receives the transferred communication data determines whether the wireless communication device that is the communication destination of the transferred communication data is a wireless communication device in its own area. If the wireless communication device that is the communication destination of the transferred communication data is a wireless communication device in its own area, it transmits the transferred communication data to the communication destination wireless communication device. If the wireless communication device that is the communication destination of the transferred communication data is not a wireless communication device in its own area, it transfers the communication data to a wireless communication device operating as an adjacent base station. The transferred communication data is transferred to a wireless communication device operating as a base station whose area includes the communication destination wireless communication device.

[0020] Therefore, since the wireless communication device does not need to create route information, it is possible to build a wireless communication system that communicates with a simple procedure. Also, since the wireless communication devices in the same area communicate directly with each other, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of communication delays.

[0021] (Example of the configuration of a wireless communication device) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wireless communication device 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication device 100 includes a communication processing unit 110, a destination determination unit 120, a transfer destination determination unit 130, a storage unit 140, and an external I / F unit 150. The antenna unit ANT is an option that may or may not be included in the wireless communication device 100. The wireless communication device 100 may be a general computer including the above blocks. The general computer executes a control program to realize the functions shown in FIG. 2. Only the parts related to the features of this embodiment will be described below. Therefore, the wireless communication device 100 may of course include other functional blocks that are not directly related to the features of this embodiment.

[0022] The storage unit 140 may be a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 140 may also store various data such as input data, output data, and intermediate data for the wireless communication device 100 to execute processing. Some functions of the wireless communication device 100 may be executed by a central processing unit (CPU).

[0023] The communication processing unit 110 can execute processes such as amplification, modulation, and demodulation of communication data transmitted and received via the antenna unit ANT. Any method can be adopted for modulation and demodulation in the wireless communication system 1000. It is also possible to use MCS (Modulation Coding Scheme) defined in IEEE802.11. Note that, although an example of radio waves transmitted and received from the antenna unit ANT is radio waves in the millimeter wave band, the radio waves are not limited to the millimeter wave band, and radio waves in any frequency band can also be used.

[0024] The destination determination unit 120 checks the destination information of the communication data demodulated by the communication processing unit 110, and determines whether the destination indicated by the destination information is the wireless communication device itself or another wireless communication device. The destination information can be included in the header of the communication data, but the destination information can also be written in any area of ​​the communication data.

[0025] The transfer destination determination unit 130 can determine the wireless communication device to which the communication data should be transferred from the destination information of the received communication data, etc. Each wireless communication device stores the identification information of the wireless communication device to which the communication data should be transferred next, but does not store the communication path to the wireless communication device that is the final destination of the communication data.

[0026] When the transfer destination determination unit 130 receives the transmission request information via the external I / F unit 150, it judges whether or not a wireless communication device that is a communication partner related to the communication data exists within the area to which the wireless communication device belongs. If the wireless communication device that is the communication partner exists within the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, the wireless communication device executes direct communication with the wireless communication device that is the communication partner. If the wireless communication device that is the communication partner does not exist within the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, the wireless communication device transmits the communication data to a wireless communication device that operates as a base station within the area.

[0027] In addition, when the wireless communication device operates as a base station, the transfer destination determination unit 130 executes the following process when it receives communication data from another wireless communication device operating as a base station in an adjacent area. That is, the transfer destination determination unit 130 judges whether or not a wireless communication device that is a communication partner related to the communication data exists in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs. If the wireless communication device that is a communication partner exists in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, the wireless communication device executes direct communication with the wireless communication device that is the communication partner. If the wireless communication device that is a communication partner does not exist in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, the wireless communication device transmits communication data to a wireless communication device that operates as a base station in another adjacent area.

[0028] Furthermore, when the wireless communication device operates as a base station, the transfer destination determination unit 130 executes a receiving process when communication data is received from another wireless communication device within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself and the wireless communication device that is the communication partner is the wireless communication device itself. Also, when the transfer destination determination unit 130 of the wireless communication device operating as a base station receives communication data from another wireless communication device within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself and the communication partner is not the wireless communication device itself, it transmits the communication data to a wireless communication device operating at a base station in another adjacent area.

[0029] The storage unit 140 includes an in-area terminal information storage unit 141 and a connected base station information storage unit 142 .

[0030] In-area terminal information storage unit 141 stores information on each wireless communication device accommodated in its own area by each wireless communication device operating as a base station in a management table as shown in Fig. 3. Each wireless communication device operating as a base station distributes management table information as shown in Fig. 3 to each wireless communication device operating as another terminal in its area, so that each wireless communication device operating as another terminal in its area can also share the management table information as shown in Fig. 3. Therefore, transfer destination determination unit 130 can refer to in-area terminal information storage unit 141 and determine whether or not a wireless communication device to be a communication partner belongs to the same area.

[0031] The connection base station information storage unit 142 stores identification information of wireless communication devices operating as adjacent base stations to which each wireless communication device operating as a base station transfers communication data. When there is no wireless communication device to be a communication destination within the own area of ​​the wireless communication device operating as a base station, the transfer destination determination unit 130 determines a wireless communication device operating as an adjacent base station to which communication data is transferred from the identification information stored in the connection base station information storage unit 142. Note that the identification information of a wireless communication device operating as an adjacent base station is not limited to one, and identification information of a plurality of wireless communication devices operating as adjacent base stations may be stored. For example, the identification information of a wireless communication device operating as a base station in an adjacent area to which communication data is transmitted and the identification information of another wireless communication device operating as a base station in another adjacent area may be stored in the connection base station information storage unit 142. The number of identification information of wireless communication devices operating as base stations stored in the connection base station information storage unit 142 may change depending on the connection form of the wireless communication device operating as a base station.

[0032] The external I / F unit 150 is an input / output interface for communication data to be transmitted and received, and may be an interface with a device such as a sensor connected to the wireless communication device 100, or with an electronic device. An ECU (Electronic Control Unit) may be configured by the device or electronic device connected to the external I / F unit 150. The electronic device may include electronic devices such as a vehicle control device, a vehicle sensing device, a vehicle surrounding information acquisition device, and an entertainment device as an in-vehicle device. The vehicle control device may include a navigation device or an automatic driving control device.

[0033] The wireless communication system 1000 according to the present embodiment described above can be mounted on a moving object such as a vehicle. When the wireless communication system 1000 is constructed in an automobile, the wireless communication device 100 operating as a base station is installed in a position that allows easy visibility of the entire interior of the vehicle. As an example, the wireless communication device 100 operating as a base station can be installed in a position that allows easy visibility of the entire interior of the vehicle, such as on the ceiling, the rear-view mirror, or the floor.

[0034] According to the above configuration, each base station does not need to calculate the communication load with the terminal, and each terminal can create a base station route without using an ad hoc network, thereby reducing calculation processing and realizing a wireless communication device system with a simple configuration.

[0035] (Operation example when wireless communication device 100 operates as a terminal within the area of ​​a base station) An operation example in which the wireless communication device 100 according to this embodiment operates as a terminal within the area of ​​a base station will be described with reference to FIG.

[0036] In step S401, the wireless communication device 100 determines whether or not there is a request to transmit communication data from the external I / F unit 150. If there is a request to transmit communication data (step S401: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S402. If there is no request to transmit communication data (step S401: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S405.

[0037] In step S402, the transfer destination determination unit 130 of the wireless communication device 100 determines whether the wireless communication device of the communication partner indicated in the transmission request information related to the transmission request is a wireless communication device in its own area. If the wireless communication device of the communication partner is a wireless communication device in its own area (step S402: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S403. If the wireless communication device of the communication partner is not a wireless communication device in its own area (step S402: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S404.

[0038] In step S403, the wireless communication device 100 directly communicates communication data with the wireless communication device of the communication partner indicated in the transmission request information related to the transmission request, and then the wireless communication device 100 ends the process.

[0039] In step S404, the wireless communication device 100 transfers the communication data related to the transmission request to the wireless communication device 100 operating as a base station within its own area. Then, the wireless communication device 100 ends the process.

[0040] In step S405, the communication processing unit 110 of the wireless communication device 100 determines whether or not communication data has been received. If communication data has been received (step S405: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S406. If communication data has not been received (step S405: NO), the wireless communication device 100 ends the process.

[0041] In step S406, the wireless communication device 100 determines whether the received communication data is identification information of a wireless communication device in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs. If the communication data is identification information of a wireless communication device in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs (step S406: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S407. If the communication data is not identification information of a wireless communication device in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs (step S406: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S408.

[0042] In step S407, the wireless communication device 100 stores the identification information of the wireless communication devices within the area received in step S406 in the within-area terminal information storage unit 141. Then, the wireless communication device 100 ends the process.

[0043] In step S408, the destination determination unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100 determines whether the destination of the received communication data is the wireless communication device itself. If the destination of the received communication data is the wireless communication device itself (step S408: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S409. If the destination of the received communication data is not the wireless communication device itself (step S408: NO), the wireless communication device 100 ends the process.

[0044] In step S409, the wireless communication device 100 executes a receiving process of the communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself, and ends the process. The receiving process may include a process of outputting the demodulated communication data to the external I / F unit 150.

[0045] (Operation Example When Wireless Communication Device 100 Operates as a Base Station) An operation example in which the wireless communication device 100 according to this embodiment operates as a base station will be described with reference to FIG.

[0046] In step S501, the wireless communication device 100 determines whether it is immediately after startup or after a predetermined time has passed. If it is immediately after startup or after a predetermined time has passed (step S501: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S502. If it is not immediately after startup or after a predetermined time has passed (step S501: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S505. The predetermined time can be set to any time by the wireless communication system 1000.

[0047] In step S502, the wireless communication device 100 checks the connection status with the other wireless communication device 100. The connection status may include information such as RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) or the like, such as radio wave strength indicating communication quality information with the wireless communication device 100. The connection status may also include information such as BER (bit error rate) and PER (Packet Error Rate), which are communication quality information. The connection status may also include information such as SNR (Signal to Noise Ration) and RCPI (Received Channel Power Indicator), which are communication quality information. Next, the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S503.

[0048] In step S503, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode determines a wireless communication device 100 that is determined to be present within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself and operates as a terminal within the area. The criterion for determining that the wireless communication device is present within the area may be a predetermined value indicated by communication quality information indicating the connection status. In other words, if the communication quality information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the wireless communication device 100 in communication can be determined to be a terminal within the area. The predetermined value can be set to an arbitrary value for each type of communication quality information in the wireless communication system 1000. Next, the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S504.

[0049] In step S504, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode transmits identification information of all wireless communication devices 100 operating as terminals that have been determined to be present within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself to all other wireless communication devices 100 within the area. Note that the identification information of the wireless communication device 100 operating as a terminal may be transmitted in association with the identification information of the wireless communication device itself operating in base station mode or the identification information of the area. Also, the identification information of the wireless communication device 100 operating as a terminal may be broadcast by microwaves or the like, or may be unicast by direct communication. Next, the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S505.

[0050] In step S505, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode determines whether a transmission request has occurred in the wireless communication device itself. If a transmission request has occurred in the wireless communication device itself (step S505: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S506. If a transmission request has not occurred in the wireless communication device itself (step S505: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S509.

[0051] In step S506, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode determines whether the communication partner of the communication data related to the transmission request is a wireless communication device 100 operating as a terminal within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself. If the communication partner of the communication data related to the transmission request is a wireless communication device operating as a terminal within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself (step S506: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S507. If the communication partner of the communication data related to the transmission request is not a wireless communication device operating as a terminal within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself (step S506: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S508.

[0052] In step S507, the wireless communication device 100 operating in the base station mode transmits communication data related to the transmission request directly to a wireless communication device operating as a terminal within the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself, and ends the process.

[0053] In step S508, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode transmits communication data related to the transmission request to a wireless communication device 100 operating in an appropriate base station mode stored in the connected base station information storage unit 142, and terminates the processing.

[0054] In step S509, when the destination determination unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100 operating in the base station mode receives communication data, it determines whether the received communication data is communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself. If the received communication data is communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself (step S509: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S510. If the received communication data is not communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself (step S509: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S511.

[0055] In step S510, the wireless communication device 100 executes a receiving process of the communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself, and ends the process. The receiving process may include a process of outputting the demodulated communication data to the external I / F unit 150.

[0056] In step S511, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode determines whether or not communication data of the wireless communication device 100 operating as a terminal in another area was intercepted in step S509. If communication data of the wireless communication device 100 operating as a terminal in another area was intercepted (step S511: YES), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S512. If the communication data is communication data of the wireless communication device 100 operating as a terminal in its own area or communication data of the wireless communication device 100 operating as a base station in another area (step S511: NO), the wireless communication device 100 proceeds to step S506.

[0057] In step S512, when a wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode intercepts communication data once, if the wireless communication device 100 receives the same data again from another wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode, the wireless communication device 100 discards the communication data and does not perform any processing operation.

[0058] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, a network constructed by the wireless communication system 1000 installed in an automobile is described as an example. However, the embodiment is not limited to the inside of an automobile, and can be applied to mesh networks in general constructed inside moving bodies such as trains, airplanes, ships, etc., and inside structures such as houses and factories.

[0059] (Variation 2) In addition, the network topology between the base stations is not limited to the topology shown in Fig. 1, and the network topology between the base stations can be configured in any topology. For example, the network topology between the base stations can be configured as a ring network, a bus network, or a P2P network.

[0060] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode is installed in the periphery of the vehicle, such as the body of the vehicle, as shown in Fig. 1, but the installation position of the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode is not limited to these positions. For example, the network constituting the infrastructure may be constituted by the wireless communication device 100 installed under the floor, ceiling, etc. of the vehicle, which has a radio wave environment that is less susceptible to the influence of the vehicle occupants. In addition, the underfloor and the ceiling may be the interior of the vehicle, which are components constituting the body.

[0061] (Variation 4) In the above description of the embodiment, the wireless communication device 100 operating in the base station mode has been mainly described as being predetermined in the wireless communication system 1000. However, when the wireless communication system 1000 is started up, all the wireless communication devices 100 included in the network may transmit and receive packets for measuring communication quality with each other, and the wireless communication device 100 having good communication quality may be determined as the base station. Good communication quality may also refer to a case where communication quality information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is a value that the wireless communication system 1000 may set to any value. The communication quality information may also include information such as RSSI, such as radio wave strength, information such as BER, PER, and information such as SNR, RCPI, etc.

[0062] (Variation 5) In the above description of the embodiment, no specific data is described as the communication data, but the application is not limited thereto. For example, the communication data may be information of a sensor that detects the state of a moving object, information for controlling the moving object, information of electronic devices mounted on the moving object, and the like. Examples of the sensor include various sensors such as a door opening / closing detection sensor, a seat belt sensor, an engine rotation sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, and a brake or accelerator sensor. Examples of the electronic device include a navigation device, and entertainment devices such as a radio or a television.

[0063] (Variation 6) In direct communication between terminals at short distances within an area, the base station that accommodates the terminal within its area may be able to overhear (intercept) communication data from the transmitting terminal. In this case, if the base station recognizes that direct communication has failed, it may also be able to directly communicate the communication data that it has overheard to the destination terminal. With such a configuration, the number of available communication paths increases, making it possible to improve the reliability of the wireless communication system 1000.

[0064] (Comparative Example) A method for distributing the load on base stations by selecting a fixed station to which a terminal connects will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 6, in the above method, even if the communication partner exists within the same network accommodated by one base station, the transmitting terminal transmits communication data to the destination terminal via the base station. Specifically, when communicating from terminal 1 to terminal 3 in Fig. 6, terminal 1 transmits communication data to base station A, and base station A transmits communication data to terminal 3.

[0066] Furthermore, if the destination terminal is in an area formed by other base stations, data transfer is performed between the base stations, and communication data is transmitted to the destination terminal from the other base station forming the area to which the destination terminal belongs. For example, when communicating from terminal 1 to terminal 5, terminal 1 transmits communication data to base station A, base station A transfers the communication data to base station B, and base station B transmits the communication data to terminal 5. In the example of FIG. 6, the network is simplified, but in reality, the base station may further include other base stations, and networks may be formed in various forms.

[0067] In the system of FIG. 6, there are four terminals in the area configured by base station A, and one terminal in the area configured by base station B. When multiple terminals perform a large amount of communication, the load on base station A becomes very heavy, and there is a high possibility that the network utilization efficiency will deteriorate. Therefore, a technology is adopted in which terminals on the border of the area change their connection to other adjacent base stations, thereby distributing the load on the base station. Specifically, by changing the connection of terminal 4 in FIG. 6 to a terminal in the area of ​​base station B, part of the load on base station A becomes the load on base station B, distributing the load on the base station.

[0068] However, with this technology, the base station needs to constantly calculate the load caused by communications with terminals, which places a burden on the base station's communications processing and is likely to complicate the base station's configuration and communications procedures.

[0069] However, according to the present disclosure, each base station does not need to calculate the communication load with the terminal, and each terminal does not use an ad hoc network but uses a base station route, thereby reducing the load of the route selection process and making it possible to provide a wireless communication device system with a simple configuration and high reliability.

[0070] The features of the wireless communication device 100 and the wireless communication system 1000 of this embodiment will be described below.

[0071] The wireless communication device 100 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is preferably capable of forming an ad-hoc network. When the wireless communication device 100 belongs to an area where it can directly communicate with other wireless communication devices operating in base station mode forming an infrastructure network, and operates in terminal mode without being included in the infrastructure network, it is preferable to include the following processing units. The wireless communication device 100 preferably includes a destination determination unit 120 that determines whether or not a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted from the wireless communication device itself is included in an area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs. In addition, the wireless communication device 100 preferably includes a transfer destination determination unit that executes the following processing. When a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is included in an area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs, the transfer destination determination unit 130 preferably directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device. In addition, when a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is not included in an area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs, the transfer destination determination unit 130 preferably transfers the communication data to a wireless communication device operating in base station mode that constitutes an area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs.

[0072] According to the above configuration, each base station does not need to calculate the communication load with the terminal, and each terminal can use the base station route without using an ad hoc network, thereby reducing the load of the route selection process and making it possible to provide a wireless communication device system with a simple configuration and high reliability.

[0073] The destination determination unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure preferably discards the received communication data when the destination of the communication data received from a wireless communication device operating in base station mode in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs is not the wireless communication device itself. Also, the destination determination unit 120 preferably performs reception processing of the received communication data when the destination of the communication data is the wireless communication device itself.

[0074] According to the above configuration, by discarding communication data not addressed to the wireless communication device itself from a wireless communication device operating in base station mode within the same area as the wireless communication device 100 operating in base station mode, it is possible to reduce the amount of unnecessary communication. Also, it is possible to form a simple communication path.

[0075] The destination determination unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100 according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure preferably discards the communication data received from another wireless communication device operating in a base station mode in another area when the destination of the communication data is not the wireless communication device itself. Also, the destination determination unit 120 preferably performs reception processing of the received communication data when the destination of the communication data is the wireless communication device itself.

[0076] According to the above configuration, when communication data received from another wireless communication device operating in base station mode in another area is addressed to the wireless communication device itself, it is possible to reduce delays in communication time by performing reception processing.

[0077] The wireless communication device 100 according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is preferably capable of forming an ad-hoc network. When the wireless communication device 100 operates in a base station mode forming an infrastructure network in the ad-hoc network, it is preferable to include the following processing units. The wireless communication device 100 preferably includes a destination determination unit 120 that determines whether or not a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted from the wireless communication device itself is included in an area formed by the wireless communication device itself. When a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is included in an area formed by the wireless communication device itself, it is preferable that the transfer destination determination unit 130 directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device. In addition, when a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is not included in an area formed by the wireless communication device itself, it is preferable that the transfer destination determination unit 130 executes the following processing. That is, it is preferable that the transfer destination determination unit 130 transfers the communication data to another wireless communication device operating in a base station mode that forms another area adjacent to the area formed by the wireless communication device itself.

[0078] According to the above configuration, a wireless communication device operating in base station mode is able to transmit communication data with high reliability to a wireless communication device operating in terminal mode belonging to the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself, and to a wireless communication device operating in base station mode in an adjacent area.

[0079] It is preferable that the wireless communication device 100 according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure executes the following process when communication data received from another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode and included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself is not communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself. That is, it is preferable that the wireless communication device 100 transfers the communication data to another wireless communication device operating in base station mode that forms another area adjacent to the area formed by the wireless communication device itself. Also, when communication data received from another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode in the area itself is communication data addressed to the wireless communication device itself, it is preferable to perform reception processing of the received communication data.

[0080] According to the above configuration, a wireless communication device operating in base station mode can execute highly reliable communication by using another wireless communication device operating in base station mode for communication data addressed to a wireless communication device in another area. Also, a wireless communication device operating in base station mode can receive communication data from a wireless communication device operating in terminal mode in its own area with high reliability.

[0081] It is preferable that the wireless communication device 100 according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure executes the following process when it receives communication data from another wireless communication device operating in base station mode that forms another area adjacent to the area formed by the wireless communication device itself. That is, when the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, the wireless communication device 100 directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device. Also, when the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is not included in the area of ​​the wireless communication device itself, the wireless communication device 100 preferably transfers the communication data to another wireless communication device operating in base station mode that forms another adjacent area different from the other area.

[0082] According to the above configuration, a wireless communication device operating in base station mode can properly identify each area of ​​each wireless communication device operating in base station mode, and each wireless communication device operating in base station mode that forms an infrastructure network can form a highly reliable communication path.

[0083] It is preferable that the destination determination unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100 according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure executes the following process when it intercepts communication data of another wireless communication device operating in a terminal mode belonging to another area not included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself. That is, it is preferable that the wireless communication device 100 directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device when the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself. Also, it is preferable that the wireless communication device 100 transfers the communication data to another wireless communication device operating in a base station mode forming an adjacent other area different from the other area when the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is not included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself.

[0084] According to the above configuration, when a wireless communication device operating in base station mode intercepts communication data of another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode in another area, it may be possible to create a new communication path that can reduce delay time.

[0085] When the wireless communication device 100 according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure receives from another wireless communication device operating in base station mode received data identical to the received data intercepted from the wireless communication device that transmitted the intercepted received data, it is preferable to discard the received data.

[0086] According to the above configuration, when a wireless communication device operating in base station mode intercepts communication data of another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode in another area, it is possible to reduce unnecessary communication volume by discarding the same communication data from an assumed regular route.

[0087] The destination determination unit 120 of the wireless communication device 100 according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure preferably intercepts communication data by direct communication of another wireless communication device operating in a terminal mode included in an area formed by the wireless communication device itself to another wireless communication device in the area. When the destination determination unit 120 determines that the direct communication has failed, it preferably directly communicates the intercepted communication data to the other wireless communication device.

[0088] According to the above configuration, a wireless communication device operating in base station mode may be able to create a new communication path by intercepting failures of direct communication between other wireless communication devices operating in terminal mode in its own area, thereby improving the reliability of the wireless communication system.

[0089] A wireless communication system 1000 according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure preferably includes a wireless communication device according to any one of the fourth to ninth aspects that operates in a base station mode forming an infrastructure network. Also, the wireless communication system 1000 preferably includes a wireless communication device according to any one of the first to third aspects that belongs to each area of ​​each wireless communication device that operates in a base station mode and operates in a terminal mode that does not form an infrastructure network.

[0090] According to the above configuration, each base station does not need to calculate the communication load with the terminal, and each terminal uses the base station route without using an ad hoc network, thereby reducing the load of the route selection process and making it possible to provide a wireless communication device system with a simple configuration and high reliability.

[0091] The block diagram of FIG. 2 used in the description of the above-mentioned embodiment shows functional blocks. These functional blocks are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. The method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. For example, each functional block may be realized by using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized by using two or more devices that are physically or logically separated and directly or indirectly connected to each other. The functional blocks may be realized by combining one device or multiple devices with software.

[0092] When the wireless communication device 100 is configured with multiple hardware elements, each functional block is realized by any one of the hardware elements or a combination of the hardware elements, such as a processor, a memory, a storage, a communication device, an input device, an output device, a bus, etc.

[0093] In this case, each function of the wireless communication device 100 is realized by loading a specific software or program onto hardware such as a processor, memory, etc. Specifically, each function is realized by loading specific software onto the hardware, causing the processor to perform calculations and control the reading and writing of data in the memory and storage.

[0094] Although the embodiments have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above embodiments. Furthermore, the components described above include those that a person skilled in the art can easily imagine and those that are substantially the same. Furthermore, the configurations described above can be appropriately combined. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of the configurations can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 100 Wireless communication device 110 Communication processing unit 120 Destination Identification Unit 130 Transfer destination determination unit 140 Storage section 141 Area terminal information storage unit 142 Connection base station information storage unit 150 External I / F section 1000 Wireless communication system

Claims

1. A wireless communication device capable of configuring an ad-hoc network, When the wireless communication device belongs to an area where it can directly communicate with other wireless communication devices operating in base station mode forming an infrastructure network, and is not included in the infrastructure network and operates in terminal mode, a destination determination unit that determines whether a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted from the wireless communication device itself is included in an area to which the wireless communication device itself belongs; A wireless communication device operating in terminal mode that includes a transfer destination determination unit that directly communicates communication data to a destination wireless communication device when the destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is included in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, and transfers the communication data to a wireless communication device operating in base station mode that constitutes the area to which the wireless communication device belongs when the destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is not included in the area to which the wireless communication device belongs.

2. The destination determination unit is configured to determine whether communication data received from a wireless communication device operating in a base station mode that constitutes an area to which the wireless communication device belongs is If the communication data is not addressed to the wireless communication device, discard the received communication data; 2. The wireless communication device operating in the terminal mode according to claim 1, wherein the received communication data is received and processed if the communication data is addressed to the wireless communication device itself.

3. The destination determination unit is configured to determine whether communication data received from another wireless communication device operating in base station mode in another area, which is different from the wireless communication device operating in base station mode constituting the area to which the wireless communication device belongs, is: If the communication data is not addressed to the wireless communication device, discard the received communication data; 3. The wireless communication device operating in the terminal mode according to claim 1, wherein the received communication data is received and processed when the communication data is addressed to the wireless communication device itself.

4. A wireless communication device capable of configuring an ad-hoc network, When the wireless communication device operates in a base station mode forming an infrastructure network within the ad-hoc network, a destination determination unit that determines whether a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted from the wireless communication device itself is included in an area formed by the wireless communication device itself; a transfer destination determination unit that, when a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is included in an area formed by the wireless communication device itself, directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device, and, when a destination wireless communication device of communication data to be transmitted is not included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, transfers the communication data to another wireless communication device operating in a base station mode that forms another area adjacent to the area formed by the wireless communication device itself; The destination determination unit is a wireless communication device operating in base station mode that, when it intercepts communication data via direct communication to another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, and if the direct communication fails, directly communicates the communication data to the other wireless communication device.

5. Communication data received from another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode within the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, If the communication data is not addressed to the wireless communication device itself, the communication data is transferred to another wireless communication device operating in a base station mode that forms another area adjacent to the area formed by the wireless communication device itself; 5. The wireless communication device operating in the base station mode according to claim 4, wherein the received communication data is received and processed if the communication data is addressed to the wireless communication device itself.

6. A wireless communication device operating in base station mode as described in claim 4 or 5, when communication data is received from another wireless communication device operating in base station mode and forming another area adjacent to the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, if the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, the communication data is directly communicated to the destination wireless communication device, and if the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is not included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, the communication data is transferred to another wireless communication device operating in base station mode and forming an adjacent other area different from the other area.

7. A wireless communication device operating in base station mode as described in any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when the destination determination unit intercepts communication data of another wireless communication device operating in terminal mode belonging to another area not included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, if the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, the destination determination unit directly communicates the communication data to the destination wireless communication device, and if the destination wireless communication device of the communication data is not included in the area formed by the wireless communication device itself, the destination wireless communication device transfers the communication data to another wireless communication device operating in base station mode that forms an adjacent other area different from the other area.

8. A wireless communication device operating in base station mode as described in claim 7, wherein when the wireless communication device receives the same intercepted received data from another wireless communication device operating in base station mode from the wireless communication device that sent the intercepted received data, the wireless communication device discards the received data.

9. A wireless communication device operating in a base station mode according to any one of claims 4 to 8 forming an infrastructure network; A wireless communication system comprising: a wireless communication device operating in a terminal mode according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which belongs to each area of ​​each wireless communication device operating in a base station mode and does not form an infrastructure network.

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