Wireless Relay System and Wireless Relay Method

Abstract

A radio relay device (1) includes: a first software radio device (10) that performs radio communication with a radio control device (2); and a second software radio device (20) that performs radio communication with a radio terminal (3). The first software radio device (10) captures a radio signal received from the radio control device (2) as iq data, transfers the captured iq data to the second software radio device (20) in real time, converts iq data transferred from the second software radio device (20) into a radio signal, and transmits the radio signal obtained by the conversion to the radio control device (2). The second software radio device (20) captures a radio signal received from the radio terminal (3) as iq data, transfers the captured iq data to the first software radio device (10) in real time, converts iq data transferred from the first software radio device (10) into a radio signal, and transmits the radio signal obtained by the conversion to the radio terminal (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless relay system and a wireless relay method utilizing software radio technology.

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a technique has been proposed in a relay device that connects wireless terminals subordinate thereto, which detects the presence or absence of connection of a lower terminal and suspends a connection part when there is no connection to achieve power saving.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to efficiently suppress power consumption depending on the situation, such as when there are multiple relay devices or when there are a large number of lower terminals.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless relay system and a wireless relay method capable of efficiently suppressing power consumption.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A wireless relay system according to an aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay system including a plurality of wireless relay devices that relay wireless communication. The wireless relay device includes a first software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless control device, and a second software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless terminal under the control of the wireless control device. The first software radio function unit captures a wireless signal received from the wireless control device as IQ data, transfers the captured IQ data to the second software radio function unit in real time, and converts the IQ data transferred from the second software radio function unit into a wireless signal and transmits it to the wireless control device. The second software radio function unit captures a wireless signal received from the wireless control device as IQ data, transfers the captured IQ data to the first software radio function unit in real time, and converts the IQ data transferred from the first software radio function unit into a wireless signal and transmits it to the wireless terminal. The plurality of wireless relay devices include an aggregation wireless relay device and those that are not the aggregation wireless relay device. The aggregation wireless relay device controls the transfer of data signals between the first software radio function unit included in the aggregation wireless relay device and the second software radio function unit included in another wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device, and a first transfer destination control unit that activates the first transfer destination control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A wireless relay device that is not an aggregation wireless relay device includes a second transfer destination control unit that controls the transfer of data signals between the second software radio function unit included in the wireless relay device and the first software radio function unit included in the aggregation wireless relay device instead of the first software radio function unit included in the wireless relay device, and a second monitor unit that activates the second transfer destination control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

[0007] The wireless relay method according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay method performed by a plurality of wireless relay devices including a first software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless control device and a second software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless terminal under the control of the wireless control device. This wireless relay method includes a first transfer step in which the first software radio function unit captures a wireless signal received from the wireless control device as IQ data and transfers the captured IQ data to the second software radio function unit in real time, a second transfer step in which the second software radio function unit captures a wireless signal received from the wireless terminal as IQ data and transfers the captured IQ data to the first software radio function unit in real time, a first transmission step in which the IQ data transferred in the second transfer step is converted into a wireless signal and transmitted to the wireless control device, a second transmission step in which the IQ data transferred in the first transfer step is converted into a wireless signal and transmitted to the wireless terminal, a first transfer destination control step of controlling, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the first software radio function unit included in the aggregation wireless relay device among the plurality of wireless relay devices to transfer a data signal to the second software radio function unit included in another wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device, and a second transfer destination control step of controlling, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the second software radio function unit included in a wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device to transfer a data signal to the first software radio function unit included in the aggregation wireless relay device instead of the first software radio function unit included in the wireless relay device itself.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the wireless relay system and the wireless relay method of the present invention, power consumption can be efficiently suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, duplicate descriptions will be appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. The present invention may include various modifications and combinations of the configurations disclosed by the following embodiments without departing from the gist thereof.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of a wireless relay system 100 according to Embodiment 1. The wireless relay system 100 is a system that relays wireless communication between a higher-level wireless control device 2 and wireless terminals 3 under the wireless control device 2. The wireless relay system 100 can be utilized in various wireless communications in the mobile communication field or the IoT field, etc. The wireless relay system 100 can also be utilized, for example, in a local area network or the like in a large-scale commercial facility or the like.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, there may be a plurality of wireless control devices 2. Similarly, there may be a plurality of wireless terminals 3. Also, each of the plurality of wireless terminals 3 may be arranged in different rooms as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] The wireless relay system 100 according to this embodiment includes a plurality of wireless relay devices 1 that relay wireless communication. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the wireless relay device 1 according to Embodiment 1. The wireless relay device 1 according to this embodiment is composed of a first software radio device 10 and a second software radio device 20. Note that the wireless relay device 1 only needs to include at least two software radio devices. The wireless relay device 1 may include three or more software radio devices. The number of software radio devices constituting the wireless relay device 1 can be appropriately set according to the frequency band of the wireless communication to be relayed, the required transfer speed, and the like. Each software radio device is connected by a line capable of high-speed data communication. Each software radio device is connected, for example, by a UTP cable or an optical cable. Alternatively, each software radio device may be connected by a coaxial cable or the like.

[0014] The first software radio device 10 corresponds to the first software radio function unit according to the present disclosure. The second software radio device 20 corresponds to the second software radio function unit according to the present disclosure. The first software radio function unit and the second software radio function unit may be configured as one software radio device composed of the same housing. That is, the wireless relay device 1 composed of the first software radio device 10 and the second software radio device 20 in this embodiment may be configured as one software radio device composed of the same housing. In this case, it is sufficient that the same housing is provided with two input ports and two output ports each.

[0015] The first software radio device 10 performs wireless communication with the wireless control device 2. The second software radio device 20 performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal 3.

[0016] The first software radio device 10 captures the wireless signal received from the wireless control device 2 as iq data. The first software radio device 10 transfers the captured iq data to the second software radio device 20 in real time via a high-speed line.

[0017] On the other hand, the second software radio device 20 captures the radio signal received from the wireless terminal 3 as IQ data. The second software radio device 20 transfers the captured IQ data to the first software radio device 10 in real time via a high-speed line.

[0018] The first software radio device 10 converts the IQ data transferred from the second software radio device 20 into a radio signal and transmits it as a radio wave to the radio control device 2. The second software radio device 20 converts the IQ data transferred from the first software radio device 10 into a radio signal and transmits it as a radio wave to the wireless terminal 3.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the software radio device constituting the wireless relay device 1 according to Embodiment 1. As an example, the first software radio device 10 includes a transmission / reception unit 11 that performs wireless communication with the radio control device 2, and a control unit 12 that realizes various functions of the first software radio device 10. The second software radio device 20 includes a transmission / reception unit 21 that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal 3, and a control unit 22 that realizes various functions of the second software radio device 20.

[0020] The transmission / reception unit 11 is composed of a reception unit 11a that receives a signal from the radio control device 2 and a transmission unit 11b that transmits a signal to the radio control device 2. The transmission / reception unit 21 is composed of a reception unit 21a that receives a signal from the wireless terminal 3 and a transmission unit 21b that transmits a signal to the wireless terminal 3.

[0021] The control unit 12 has a monitor unit 13 that realizes a monitor function for wireless signals. The monitor unit 13 is composed of, for example, a synchronization word identification unit 14 that identifies a synchronization word, a storage area 15, and the like. Further, the control unit 12 has a capture unit 17 that realizes a capture function for wireless signals. The capture unit 17 captures the wireless signal received by the transceiver unit 11 as iq data, and transfers the captured iq data to the outside in real time. The capture unit 17 transfers the iq data to the second software radio device 20 via, for example, the communication unit 18.

[0022] The control unit 22 has a monitor unit 23 that realizes a monitor function for wireless signals. The monitor unit 23 is composed of, for example, a synchronization word identification unit 24 that identifies a synchronization word, a storage area 25, and the like. Further, the control unit 22 has a capture unit 27 that realizes a capture function for wireless signals. The capture unit 27 captures the wireless signal received by the transceiver unit 21 as iq data, and transfers the captured iq data to the outside in real time. The capture unit 27 transfers the iq data to the first software radio device 10 via, for example, the communication unit 28.

[0023] The wireless relay device 1 receives and captures wireless signals within a specified frequency band. In this embodiment, by taking advantage of the characteristics of software radio, it is possible to realize real-time capture and flexible change of the frequency band of the capture target.

[0024] The software radio devices constituting the wireless relay device 1 can identify the synchronization word in the frame constituting the wireless signal transmitted from wireless devices such as the wireless control device 2 and the wireless terminal 3. The frame includes a preamble, a synchronization word, a PHY header, a physical layer data payload, and an FCS. By identifying this synchronization word, the software radio device can efficiently perform capture by narrowing down to the frequency band used by the wireless device to be relayed.

[0025] According to the wireless relay device 1 configured as described above and the software radio device that constitutes the wireless relay device 1, by capturing and transferring wireless signals, it is possible to realize relay between various wireless devices. According to this embodiment, the types of relay-capable wireless devices are no longer limited by frequency, wireless standards, and installation locations. Also, according to this embodiment, for example, it is also possible to accommodate the wireless terminal 3 in a remote location in the wireless control device 2.

[0026] Further, the wireless relay system 100 according to this embodiment is characterized by having a low power consumption function. The low power consumption function is a function that reduces the power consumption of those among the plurality of wireless relay devices 1 other than the one set as the aggregation wireless relay device. The wireless relay device 1 serving as the aggregation wireless relay device and the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device are preset.

[0027] In this embodiment, the wireless relay device 1 serving as the aggregation wireless relay device includes a transfer destination control unit 19 that controls so as to transfer a data signal between the first software radio device 10 provided in the aggregation wireless relay device and a second software radio device 20 provided in another wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device. Also, another wireless relay device 1 that is not this aggregation wireless relay device includes a transfer destination control unit 29 that controls so as to transfer a data signal between the second software radio device 20 provided in the wireless relay device 1 and the first software radio device 10 provided in the aggregation wireless relay device instead of the first software radio device 10 provided in the wireless relay device 1. The transfer destination control unit 19 is mounted, for example, on the first software radio device 10. The transfer destination control unit 29 is mounted, for example, on the second software radio device 20.

[0028] In this embodiment, the monitor unit 13 activates the transfer destination control unit 19 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The monitor unit 23 activates the transfer destination control unit 29 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the monitor unit 13 activates the transfer destination control unit 19 when the current time reaches a time zone registered in the storage area 15 in advance. Similarly, for example, the monitor unit 23 activates the transfer destination control unit 29 when the current time reaches a time zone registered in the storage area 25 in advance. As this time zone, for example, a nighttime time zone with low traffic can be mentioned. Alternatively, for example, when only the wireless terminal 3 that emits a signal including a synchronization word registered in the storage area 15 and the storage area 25 among the plurality of wireless terminals 3 communicates with the wireless relay device 1, the transfer destination control unit 19 and the transfer destination control unit 29 may be activated. The predetermined condition for activating the transfer destination control unit 19 and the transfer destination control unit 29 can be arbitrarily set. As an example, the monitor unit 13 has a switching determination unit 16 that determines the condition for activating the transfer destination control unit 19. As an example, the monitor unit 23 has a switching determination unit 26 that determines the condition for activating the transfer destination control unit 29.

[0029] When the transfer destination control unit 19 of the aggregation wireless relay device and the transfer destination control unit 29 of the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device are activated, the operation of the wireless relay system 100 in the above-described low power consumption function is executed. Note that the monitoring by the monitor unit 13 and the monitor unit 23 is continued even during the operation in the low power consumption function. When the time zone registered in the storage area 15 and the storage area 25 in advance is reached during the operation in the low power consumption function, or when the wireless relay device 1 detects a wireless signal including a specific synchronization word registered in the storage area 15 and the storage area 25 in advance, the return from the low power consumption function to the normal relay function is implemented.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the operation of the wireless relay system 100 in the low power consumption function in Embodiment 1. During the operation in the low power consumption function, the connection between the first software radio device 10 and the second software radio device 20 provided in the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device is disconnected. When the transfer destination control unit 19 and the transfer destination control unit 29 are activated, the first software radio device 10 provided in the aggregation wireless relay device and the second software radio device 20 provided in the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device are connected by a high-speed line, for example, a wired connection. Thereby, data signal transfer is performed between the second software radio device 20 provided in the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device and the first software radio device 10 provided in the aggregation wireless relay device.

[0031] According to the present embodiment, under predetermined conditions such as at night when the traffic is small, the operation of the first software radio device 10 of the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device can be stopped. Thereby, power consumption can be efficiently suppressed. Note that each function of the wireless relay system 100 and the wireless relay device constituting the wireless relay system 100 can also be realized as a wireless relay method.

[0032] Further, the aggregation wireless relay device may further include a communication control unit 19a that controls to change the modulation method of the wireless communication between the first software radio device 10 provided in the aggregation wireless relay device and the wireless control device 2 to a modulation method with fewer symbols and narrow the dedicated bandwidth. The monitor unit 13 activates the communication control unit 19a when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The communication control unit 19a is mounted on, for example, the first software radio device 10.

[0033] By narrowing the dedicated bandwidth, the coverage area in the same area can be widened. Thereby, the number of operating wireless relay devices 1 can be reduced. For example, the wireless relay device 1 that is not the aggregation wireless relay device can be put into a standby state. According to this example, improvement in communication frequency utilization efficiency and further power saving can be realized.

[0034] Similarly, the aggregation wireless relay device may further include a communication control unit 29a that controls to change the modulation method of the wireless communication between the second software wireless device 20 included in the aggregation wireless relay device and the wireless terminal 3 to a modulation method with a smaller number of symbols, thereby narrowing the dedicated bandwidth. The communication control unit 29a is activated when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The activation of the communication control unit 29a is performed by, for example, a monitor unit having a monitoring function such as the monitor unit 13 or the monitor unit 23. The communication control unit 29a is installed in, for example, the second software wireless device 20. Also according to this example, it is possible to improve the communication frequency utilization efficiency and further reduce power consumption.

Industrial Applicability

[0035] The wireless relay system, wireless relay method, and software wireless device according to the present invention can be used for various wireless communications.

Explanation of Signs

[0036] 1 Wireless relay device 2 Wireless control device 3 Wireless terminal 10 Software wireless device 11 Transceiver 11a Receiver 11b Transmitter 12 Control unit 13 Monitor unit 14 Synchronization word identification unit 15 Storage area 16 Switching determination unit 17 Capture unit 18 Communication unit 19 Transfer destination control unit 19a Communication control unit 20 Software wireless device 21 Transceiver 21a Receiver 21b Transmitter 22 Control unit 23 Monitor unit 24 Synchronization word identification unit 25 Memory area 26 Switching determination unit 27 Capture unit 28 Communication unit 29 Transfer destination control unit 29a Communication control unit 100 Wireless relay system

Claims

1. A wireless relay system including a plurality of wireless relay devices for relaying wireless communication, The wireless relay device includes a first software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless control device, and a second software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless terminal under the control of the wireless control device. The first software radio function unit captures a wireless signal received from the wireless control device as iq data, transfers the captured iq data to the second software radio function unit in real time, and converts the iq data transferred from the second software radio function unit into a wireless signal and transmits it to the wireless control device. The second software radio function unit captures a wireless signal received from the wireless control device as iq data, transfers the captured iq data to the first software radio function unit in real time, and converts the iq data transferred from the first software radio function unit into a wireless signal and transmits it to the wireless terminal. The plurality of wireless relay devices include an aggregation wireless relay device and those that are not the aggregation wireless relay device. The aggregation wireless relay device includes a first transfer destination control unit that controls data signal transfer between the first software radio function unit provided in the aggregation wireless relay device and the second software radio function unit provided in another wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device, and a first monitor unit that activates the first transfer destination control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device includes a second transfer destination control unit that controls data signal transfer between the second software radio function unit provided in the wireless relay device and the first software radio function unit provided in the aggregation wireless relay device instead of the first software radio function unit provided in the wireless relay device, and a second monitor unit that activates the second transfer destination control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. A wireless relay system having the above components.

2. The wireless relay device for aggregation further includes a first communication control unit that controls to change the modulation method of the wireless communication between the first software radio function unit and the wireless control device included in the wireless relay device for aggregation to a modulation method with a smaller number of symbols and narrow the dedicated bandwidth. The wireless relay system according to claim 1, wherein the first monitor unit activates the first communication control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied.

3. The wireless relay device for aggregation further includes a second communication control unit that controls to change the modulation method of the wireless communication between the second software radio function unit and the wireless terminal included in the wireless relay device for aggregation to a modulation method with a smaller number of symbols and narrow the dedicated bandwidth, and a monitor unit that activates the second communication control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The wireless relay system according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. A wireless relay method performed by a plurality of wireless relay devices including a first software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless control device and a second software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless terminal under the control of the wireless control device, a first transfer step of capturing, as iq data, a wireless signal received by the first software radio function unit from the wireless control device and transferring the captured iq data to the second software radio function unit in real time, a second transfer step of capturing, as iq data, a wireless signal received by the second software radio function unit from the wireless terminal and transferring the captured iq data to the first software radio function unit in real time, a first transmission step of converting the iq data transferred in the first transfer step into a wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal to the wireless control device, a second transmission step of converting the iq data transferred in the second transfer step into a wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal to the wireless terminal. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a first transfer destination control step of controlling the first software radio function unit included in the aggregation wireless relay device among the plurality of wireless relay devices to transfer a data signal to the second software radio function unit included in another wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device; When a predetermined condition is satisfied, a second transfer destination control step of controlling the second software radio function unit included in the wireless relay device that is not the aggregation wireless relay device to transfer a data signal to the first software radio function unit included in the aggregation wireless relay device instead of the first software radio function unit included in the wireless relay device; A wireless relay method comprising:

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