Wireless communication system

Abstract

To solve the problem of communication interruption caused by coping with radio wave inhibition after occurrence of the radio wave inhibition in the case of existence of an obstacle object in a communication area between a transmitter and a receiver.SOLUTION: A radio communications system comprises an information storage device for storing information on assumed radio wave inhibition with respect to an obstacle object that can be a radio wave inhibition factor, an object detector for detecting the object in a communication area, a radio wave inhibition analyzing unit that on the basis of the information stored in the information storage device, predicts radio wave inhibition to be caused by the object detected by the object detector, and a radio wave inhibition avoiding unit for performing a workaround for avoiding the predicted radio wave inhibition to perform the workaround before occurrence of the radio wave inhibition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a wireless communication system.

Background Art

[0002] In the communication systems of consumer devices, wireless has become widespread. Also, the application of wireless is expanding to industrial devices. In particular, in order to improve productivity at the manufacturing site, it is desired to make the most of wireless communication technology.

[0003] In order to make the most of wireless technology, addressing the communication requirements specific to the manufacturing system and overcoming communication failures are major issues. For example, when multiple IoT devices are introduced at the manufacturing site and the radio waves emitted by such devices use the same frequency, they may interfere with each other, causing communication failures and potentially preventing the maximum functionality from being achieved. Also, it is possible that the wireless communication state is inhibited by the presence of an object in the wireless path.

[0004] To solve the problems in the wireless communication state, Patent Document 1 proposes a system that detects an object (object to be obstructed) that may inhibit wireless propagation with a sensor, and based on the detected information, switches the wireless path to another alternative wireless path that is less affected by the inhibition of wireless propagation to continue wireless communication.

[0005] Also, in Patent Document 2, when there is an object to be obstructed or the like, the position of the object to be obstructed is specified with a sensor, and the wireless relay device is autonomously moved to a place with a good radio wave environment to avoid the influence of the object to be obstructed, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the spatial radio wave environment, or by specifying the position of the object to be obstructed that generates interference waves from the correlation between the distance between the object to be obstructed and the wireless relay device and the level of the interference wave to search for an optimal wireless path, or by warning the object to be obstructed that generates interference waves, a method for realizing a wireless communication system that can improve the reliability of the wireless network between wireless devices that need to communicate continuously (with high priority) has been proposed.

[0006] In addition, in Patent Document 3, when operating a wireless communication system, if an object that causes communication obstacles is placed near a wireless device, such as a metal cart, frequent movement of the obstacle object that causes communication obstacles and frequency interference sources of other systems using the same frequency as the system are added, when it is determined that the communication state is abnormal, before the communication reliability decreases, the wireless mobile relay terminal is moved or added to an optimal position that does not affect the communication reliability to ensure a stable communication route and perform wireless communication, and a method for preventing a decrease in communication reliability has been proposed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the method of Patent Document 1, when there is an object that may obstruct radio waves on the optimal path for wireless propagation, the number of wireless relay devices will increase, resulting in an extra relay delay time and the possibility of not being able to meet the requirement of low latency. In addition, the determination of detecting obstacle objects such as the human body that can be a wireless obstacle factor is only performed by sensors, and objects that do not become wireless obstacle factors are misdetected as obstacle factors, causing unnecessary switching of wireless paths and making the communication unstable. Furthermore, when there are multiple obstacle objects such as the human body that can be a wireless obstacle factor, path switching occurs frequently, and in the worst case, since obstacle objects exist on all paths, communication cannot be stably performed no matter which path is selected.

[0009] In the method of Patent Document 2, the position of the obstacle object that generates the interference wave is identified from the correlation between the distance between the obstacle object and the wireless relay device and the level of the interference wave, and although it is possible to autonomously move to the location of the optimal relay device based on the level of the interference wave and the signal-to-noise ratio, since it is necessary to move the relay device and the relay device itself moves, there is a problem that it is not possible to effectively identify the radio wave interference factors because the radio wave interference factors need to be determined again or it takes time to determine the position of the optimal relay device.

[0010] In the method of Patent Document 3, when it is determined that the communication state is abnormal, the position of the obstacle object or interference source that is the cause is estimated, and the relay terminal is moved or added so that the radio wave is not obstructed. However, similar to Patent Document 2, due to the movement of the relay device, there is a problem that it is not possible to effectively identify the radio wave interference factors because the estimation of the position of the radio wave interference factor is repeated or it takes time to determine the position of the optimal relay device.

[0011] In any of the prior arts, it is a measure taken after radio wave interference occurs, and there is a problem of being affected by radio wave interference. The present application has been made to solve the above problems. In a wireless communication network between high-priority points that need to perform continuous communication, information is accumulated in advance about objects that can be radio wave interference factors, and by avoiding problems before the occurrence of radio wave interference, the object is to provide a wireless communication system that improves the radio wave environment of the wireless network and enhances the reliability of the wireless connection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The wireless communication system of the present application includes an information storage device that stores information on a radio wave interference state assumed to be caused by the presence of an object that can be a radio wave interference factor, an object detection device that detects the object within the communication area, a radio wave interference analysis unit that predicts radio wave interference occurring for the object detected by the object detection device based on the information stored in the information storage device, and a radio wave interference avoidance unit that implements avoidance measures to avoid the predicted radio wave interference. The communication area has a first wireless communication area set between a first transceiver and a second transceiver, and a second wireless communication area set on the outer periphery of the first wireless communication area. When the object detected by the object detection device exists in the first wireless communication area, the avoidance measure is executed except when the object moves away from the first transceiver and the second transceiver. When the object detected by the object detection device is located in the second wireless communication area, the behavior of the object is monitored, its future position is predicted, and the avoidance measure is executed when it is assumed that the object will come to a specific position that causes radio wave interference. It is characterized by this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the wireless communication system of the present application, when an object that can cause radio wave interference is detected, based on the accumulated radio wave interference information, it is possible to obtain the effect that a countermeasure for avoiding a failure can be implemented before an actual radio wave interference occurs.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a wireless communication system according to Embodiment 1. This wireless communication system is a wireless communication system that integrally controls wireless communication in terms of time, space, frequency, people, objects, robots, environment, etc.

[0016] In a conventional wireless communication system, between a radio wave transmitter and a receiver, an object to be damaged that can be a cause of radio wave interference is detected, the influence of the radio wave interference generated by the object to be damaged is measured, and the influence is minimized as much as possible. On the other hand, in the wireless communication system of the present application, for an object that can be a cause of radio wave interference, characteristics (position, material, size), motion (moving speed, moving direction, moving trajectory), surrounding environment (temperature, humidity), and radio wave environment (frequency of desired wave / interference wave, signal level, etc.) are learned in time series, and an object information learning device 10 for accumulating information about the influence of complex radio wave interference in advance is provided.

[0017] The object information learning device 10 includes an object setting device 11 for setting various types of objects to be obstructed, an obstruction assumption device 12 for assuming radio wave interference caused by the presence of the object to be obstructed, and an information storage device 13 for storing information about radio wave interference that is assumed to occur according to the moving state of the object to be obstructed. In this object information learning device 10, various objects to be obstructed are assumed, and the state of radio wave interference caused by various states of the object to be obstructed is assumed, learned, and stored.

[0018] A plurality of objects to be obstructed existing within the communication area between the transmitter and the receiver are detected by the object detection device 20. When a plurality of various objects to be obstructed are detected by the object detection device 20, based on the information of the detected objects to be obstructed and the information stored in the information storage device 13, the state of assumed radio wave interference for each of the plurality of objects to be obstructed is predicted by the radio wave interference analysis unit 30. An avoidance measure for avoiding this predicted interference is set and executed by the radio wave interference avoidance unit 40. The results of the prediction in the radio wave interference analysis unit 30 are arranged in descending order of the degree of influence of radio wave interference for each of the plurality of objects to be obstructed. Here, the object detection device 20 is composed of various sensors such as a camera, LIDAR, millimeter wave, and infrared ray.

[0019] According to the order determined to have a large degree of influence of radio wave interference, corresponding avoidance measures are set and executed in the radio wave interference avoidance unit 40. As avoidance measures in the radio wave interference avoidance unit 40, a warning display measure 401, a route switching measure 402, a transmission power control measure 403, and a frequency switching measure 404 are prepared.

[0020] The warning display measure 401 is to issue a warning to an object to be obstructed that is judged to have a large degree of influence as a radio wave obstruction factor, and to arouse attention by means of a display device (smart glasses, monitor, display), etc. Here, not only warning display, but also radio wave obstruction may be avoided by guiding the object to be obstructed so as not to come to the radio wave obstructing position or restricting the movement of the object to be obstructed. The route switching measure 402 is to identify the position of an object to be obstructed that causes radio wave obstruction, analyze the correlation of radio wave obstruction for each position of the object to be obstructed, and switch the radio wave route based on the analysis result, thereby eliminating the obstruction factor, stabilizing the radio wave environment of wireless communication, and improving the reliability of wireless communication.

[0021] The transmission power control measure 403 is to identify the position of an object to be obstructed that causes radio wave obstruction, analyze the correlation of radio wave obstruction for each position of the object to be obstructed, and control the transmission power of the radio wave to be transmitted based on the analysis result, thereby stabilizing the radio wave environment of wireless communication. The frequency switching measure 404 is to identify the position of an object to be obstructed that causes radio wave obstruction, analyze the correlation of radio wave obstruction for each position of the object to be obstructed, and switch the frequency of the radio wave to be transmitted based on the analysis result, thereby stabilizing the radio wave environment of wireless communication. Here, for the analysis of the correlation of radio wave obstruction, in addition to the object to be obstructed itself, the surrounding environment such as humidity and temperature may also be an analysis target. When there is a correlation between humidity and temperature, the radio wave environment can be stabilized by adjusting humidity or temperature.

[0022] The avoidance measures prepared in the radio wave obstruction avoidance unit 40 can each be expected to be effective when implemented alone, but a plurality of avoidance measures can be implemented in combination. In that case, a combined effect can be expected. By implementing the avoidance measure, the countermeasure for the radio wave obstruction factor is completed, but in this Embodiment 1, it is configured such that the information collection device 50 collects information about the avoidance measure selected in the radio wave obstruction avoidance unit 40.

[0023] The information collected by the information collection device 50 is analyzed by the inhibition situation analysis unit 60 for the results of the avoidance measures, and the results are stored in the object information learning device 10 and used for learning about the obstacle object. The analysis for identifying the radio wave inhibitor by the radio wave inhibition analysis unit 30 is performed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 2.

[0024] First, as shown in the figure, information from the object detection device 20 is received (step S1), and it is determined whether there is an obstacle object that may cause an obstacle within the communication area (step S2). If there is no obstacle object, after a predetermined time interval, receiving information from the object detection device 20 is repeated (step S3). If there is an obstacle object, when there is an obstacle object, the target obstacle object is identified (step S4), and the position of the obstacle object is identified (step S5).

[0025] The radio wave environment is measured for each position of the obstacle object (step S6). Based on the result of measuring the radio wave environment, it is determined whether the obstacle object affects the radio wave environment (step S7). If the obstacle object does not affect the radio wave environment, the change in the position of the obstacle object is monitored with that obstacle object as the monitoring target (step S8). If the obstacle object corresponds to a radio wave inhibitor, it is identified as a radio wave inhibitor (step S9). By performing this analysis, a warning can be given in advance and the deterioration of the radio wave environment can be prevented by not coming to the position where radio waves are inhibited. Here, in the measurement of the radio wave environment, for example, the transmission error rate, transmission speed, level of the desired wave (Signal), interference wave (Noise), signal-to-noise ratio (Signal to Noise Ratio), link down, multipath, spectral distortion, multi-reception state, etc. are targeted (step S6). For the determination of whether the obstacle object affects the radio wave environment, for example, the measured data is analyzed in time series for the presence or absence of data deterioration for the determination (step S7).

[0026] Embodiment 2 In Embodiment 1, it has been described that a plurality of obstacle objects are detected by the object detection device 20. Specific details of the detection of this plurality of obstacle objects will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an outline of detection by the object detection device 20. As shown in the figure, it is assumed that wireless communication is performed between the first transceiver 31 and the second transceiver 32, and the first transceiver 31 monitors the radio wave environment and sets and executes avoidance measures so that radio wave interference does not occur. It is the case where the first transceiver 31 is moving toward the second transceiver as indicated by arrow A, and the communication area for monitoring the radio wave environment is divided into a plurality of areas.

[0027] That is, it is divided into a first wireless communication area 33, which is the shortest distance connecting the first transceiver 31 and the second transceiver 32 linearly and includes some movement changes, and a second wireless communication area 34 located on the outer periphery of the first wireless communication area 33. Here, as an obstacle object, there is a first obstacle object 35 existing in the first wireless communication area 33 between the first transceiver 31 and the second transceiver 32, a second obstacle object 36 located at the position of the second wireless communication area 34 but moving toward the first wireless communication area 33, and a third obstacle object 37 existing within the first wireless communication area 33 but assumed to move away from the second transceiver 32 are assumed.

[0028] As shown in this figure, for the first obstacle object 35, the radio wave interference avoidance measures described in Embodiment 1 will be executed. Also, for the second obstacle object 36, attention will be paid to the moving speed and moving direction, and avoidance measures will be executed as necessary. Also, for the third obstacle object 37, similar to the second obstacle object 36, attention will be paid to the moving direction and moving speed. As shown in this figure, by monitoring the behavior of not only the first obstacle object 35 and the third obstacle object 37 located in the first wireless communication area 33 but also the second obstacle object 36 located in the second wireless communication area 34, it is possible to avoid future radio wave interference.

[0029] As described above, by monitoring the positions and movements of objects to be obstructed in various states and continuously monitoring the degree of influence of each object to be obstructed on the radio wave environment, the future positions of the objects to be obstructed are predicted. When it is assumed that the objects will come to specific positions where radio wave interference is likely to occur, a warning is given in advance to prevent them from coming to the positions where radio wave interference will occur, thereby making it possible to prevent the deterioration of the radio wave environment.

[0030] Note that an example of the hardware of the wireless communication system 100 of the present application is shown in FIG. 4. The wireless communication system 100 includes a processor 101 and a storage device 102. Although not shown, the storage device 102 includes a volatile storage device such as a random access memory and a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory. Further, an auxiliary storage device of a hard disk may be provided instead of the flash memory.

[0031] The processor 101 controls the wireless communication system 100, for example, by executing a program input from the storage device 102. In this case, the program is input from the auxiliary storage device to the processor 101 via the volatile storage device. Further, the processor 101 may output data such as calculation results to the volatile storage device of the storage device 102, or may store the data in the auxiliary storage device via the volatile storage device.

[0032] Although exemplary embodiments are described in the present application, the various features, aspects, and functions described in the embodiments are not limited to the application of a specific embodiment, but can be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not illustrated are assumed within the scope of the technology disclosed in the specification of the present application. For example, it is assumed that at least one component is deformed, added, or omitted.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0033] 10 Object information learning device, 11 Object setting device, 12 Failure assumption device, 13 Information storage device, 20 Object detection device, 30 Radio wave interference analysis unit, 31 First transceiver, 32 Second transceiver, 33 First wireless communication area, 34 Second wireless communication area, 35 First obstacle object, 36 Second obstacle object, 37 Third obstacle object, 40 Radio wave interference avoidance unit, 50 Information collection device, 60 Interference situation analysis unit, 100 Wireless communication system, 101 Processor, 102 Storage device, 401 Warning display policy, 402 Route switching policy, 403 Transmission power control policy, 404 Frequency switching policy

Claims

1. An information storage device that stores information on radio wave interference assumed to be caused by an object that can be a cause of radio wave interference, an object detection device that detects the object within a communication area, and based on the information stored in the information storage device, a radio wave interference analysis unit that predicts radio wave interference caused by the object detected by the object detection device, and a radio wave interference avoidance unit that implements a countermeasure for avoiding the predicted radio wave interference, wherein the communication area has a first wireless communication area set between a first transceiver and a second transceiver, and a second wireless communication area set on the outer periphery of the first wireless communication area, when the object detected by the object detection device exists in the first wireless communication area, the countermeasure is executed except when the object moves away from the first transceiver and the second transceiver, when the object detected by the object detection device is located in the second wireless communication area, the behavior of the object is monitored, its future position is predicted, and when it is assumed that the object will come to a specific position that causes radio wave interference, the countermeasure is executed, A wireless communication system characterized by the above.

2. The wireless communication system according to claim 1, wherein the countermeasure is at least one of a warning display measure, a route switching measure, a transmission power control measure, and a frequency switching measure.

3. The information stored in the information storage device is information on the assumed influence of radio wave interference obtained by learning, in time series, the characteristics including the position, material, and size, the behavior including the moving speed, moving direction, and moving trajectory, the surrounding environment including the temperature and humidity, and the radio wave environment including the frequency and signal level of the desired wave / interference wave, of the object that can be a cause of radio wave interference. The wireless system according to claim 1 or 2.

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