Wireless relay system, wireless relay method

Abstract

A wireless relay system (1) is provided with a first software wireless device (10) for performing wireless communication with a wireless control device (2), and a second software wireless device (20) for performing wireless communication with a wireless terminal (3). The first software wireless device (10): captures a wireless signal received from the wireless control device (2) as iq data, and transfers the captured iq data in real time to the second software wireless device (20); and, converts iq data transferred from the second software wireless device (20) into a wireless signal for transmission to the wireless control device (2). The second software wireless device (20): captures a wireless signal received from the wireless terminal (3) as iq data, and transfers the captured iq data in real time to the first software wireless device (10); and, converts iq data transferred from the first software wireless device (10) into a wireless signal for transmission to the wireless terminal (3).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In Patent Document 1, a method has been proposed in which a relay device that connects wireless terminals subordinates only has an antenna and a transceiver function in the relay device, and signal processing is collectively performed by an upper server.

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, the connection configuration of devices is fixed, and it is difficult to flexibly respond to changes in the connection configuration according to the situation.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to achieve flexible response according to the situation in wireless relay technology.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A wireless relay system according to an aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay system that relays wireless communication between a wireless control device and a wireless terminal under the control of the wireless control device. This wireless relay system includes a first software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless control device, and a second software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal. 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 terminal 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 first software radio function unit includes a first transceiver that performs wireless communication with the wireless control device, a first autonomous control unit that controls wireless communication between the first transceiver and the wireless control device in a state where signal transfer between the first software radio function unit and the second software radio function unit is stopped, and a first monitor unit that activates the first autonomous control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The second software radio function unit includes a second transceiver that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal, a second autonomous control unit that controls wireless communication between the second transceiver and the wireless terminal in a state where signal transfer between the second software radio function unit and the first software radio function unit is stopped, and a second monitor unit that activates the second autonomous control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The first autonomous control unit causes the first transceiver to exchange a life-and-death monitoring signal with the wireless control device. The second autonomous control unit causes the second transceiver to transmit a signal for causing the wireless terminal to execute a predetermined operation.

[0007] The wireless relay method according to one aspect of the present invention is a wireless relay method performed by a wireless relay device 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 first 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 second transfer step is converted into a wireless signal and transmitted to the wireless terminal; a first autonomous control step of controlling wireless communication between the first software radio function unit and the wireless control device in a state where the first transfer step and the second transfer step are stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied; and a second autonomous control step of controlling wireless communication between the second software radio function unit and the wireless terminal in a state where the first transfer step and the second transfer step are stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied. In the first autonomous control step, the first software radio function unit is made to exchange a life-and-death monitoring signal with the wireless control device, and in the second autonomous control step, the second software radio function unit is made to transmit a signal for causing the wireless terminal to execute a predetermined operation.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, in wireless relay technology, it is possible to achieve flexible response according to the situation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, redundant 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. FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams schematically showing the configuration and basic operation of a wireless relay system 1 according to Embodiment 1. The wireless relay system 1 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 1 can be utilized in various wireless communications in the mobile communication field or the IoT field, etc. The wireless relay system 1 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. Each of the plurality of wireless terminals 3 may belong to a different frequency band. For example, the plurality of wireless terminals 3 includes a wireless terminal 3a belonging to frequency band A, a wireless terminal 3b belonging to frequency band B, and a wireless terminal 3c belonging to frequency band C.

[0013] The wireless relay system 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 system 1 according to this embodiment only needs to include at least two software radio devices. The wireless relay system 1 may include three or more software radio devices. The number of software radio devices constituting the wireless relay system 1 can be appropriately set according to the frequency band of the wireless communication to be relayed, the required transfer speed, etc. 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 consisting of the same housing. That is, the first software radio device 10 and the second software radio device 20 in this embodiment may be configured as one software radio device consisting of the same housing. In this case, it is only necessary 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 one hand, the second software radio device 20 captures the radio signal received from the radio 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 radio waves 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 radio waves to the radio terminal 3.

[0019] Normally, as described above, the wireless relay system 1 relays the wireless communication between the radio control device 2 and the subordinate radio terminals 3. Here, "normally" means a time period with a large amount of communication such as during the day. Normally, the signal transmitted by the radio control device 2 is sent to the radio terminal 3 via the wireless relay system 1. Normally, the radio terminal 3 is controlled by the radio control device 2.

[0020] Furthermore, in addition to the above-described wireless communication relay function, the wireless relay system 1 has an autonomous operation function. The autonomous operation function is a function in which the wireless relay system 1 performs signal demodulation and modulation and autonomously controls the lower radio terminals 3 on behalf of the radio control device 2. The operation by this autonomous operation function is executed under a predetermined situation. The operation by the autonomous operation function is executed, for example, in a time period with little communication such as at night. In a time period with little communication such as at night, for example, some of the plurality of radio terminals 3 are in a standby state. By having the autonomous operation function in the wireless relay system 1, the connection configuration of the devices can be flexibly changed, and effects such as processing dispersion and efficiency improvement can be obtained. Also, for example, the radio control device 2 can be set to a standby state, enabling reduction of power consumption and ensuring maintenance time for the radio control device 2.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a software radio device that constitutes a wireless relay system 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 wireless 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.

[0022] The transmission / reception unit 11 is composed of a reception unit 11a that receives a signal from the wireless control device 2 and a transmission unit 11b that transmits a signal to the wireless 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.

[0023] The control unit 12 has a monitor unit 13 that realizes a wireless signal monitoring function. 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 wireless signal capture function. The capture unit 17 captures the wireless signal received by the transmission / reception 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.

[0024] The control unit 22 has a monitor unit 23 that realizes a wireless signal monitoring function. 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 wireless signal capture function. The capture unit 27 captures the wireless signal received by the transmission / reception 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.

[0025] The wireless relay system 1 receives and captures wireless signals within a specified frequency band. In this embodiment, by taking advantage of the characteristics of software-defined radio, real-time capture and flexible change of the frequency band to be captured can be realized.

[0026] The software-defined radio device that constitutes the wireless relay system 1 can identify the synchronization word within the frame that constitutes 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-defined radio device can efficiently perform capture by narrowing down to the frequency band used by the wireless device to be relayed.

[0027] According to the wireless relay system 1 configured as described above, by capturing and transferring wireless signals, relay between various wireless devices can be realized. 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.

[0028] Also, in this embodiment, the control unit 12 has an autonomous control unit 19 for realizing the above-described autonomous operation function. The autonomous control unit 19 controls the wireless communication between the transmission / reception unit 11 and the wireless control device 2 in a state where the signal transfer between the first software-defined radio device 10 and the second software-defined radio device 20 is stopped. The control unit 22 has an autonomous control unit 29 for realizing the above-described autonomous operation function. The autonomous control unit 29 controls the wireless communication between the transmission / reception unit 21 and the wireless terminal 3 in a state where the signal transfer between the second software-defined radio device 20 and the first software-defined radio device 10 is stopped.

[0029] The monitor unit 13 activates the autonomous control unit 19 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The monitor unit 23 activates the autonomous control unit 29 when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the monitor unit 13 activates the autonomous 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 autonomous control unit 29 when the current time reaches a time zone registered in the storage area 25 in advance. Alternatively, for example, when only the wireless terminal 3 that emits a signal including the synchronization word registered in the storage area 15 and the storage area 25 among the plurality of wireless terminals 3 is in a situation of communicating with the wireless relay system 1, the autonomous control unit 19 and the autonomous control unit 29 may be activated. The predetermined conditions for activating the autonomous control unit 19 and the autonomous control unit 29 can be arbitrarily set. As an example, the monitor unit 13 has a switching determination unit 16 that determines the conditions for activating the autonomous control unit 19. As an example, the monitor unit 23 has a switching determination unit 26 that determines the conditions for activating the autonomous control unit 29.

[0030] When the autonomous control unit 19 and the autonomous control unit 29 are activated, the operation of the autonomous operation function of the wireless relay system 1 described above is executed. Note that the monitoring by the monitor unit 13 and the monitor unit 23 continues even during the operation of the autonomous operation function. When the time zone registered in the storage area 15 and the storage area 25 in advance is reached during the operation of the autonomous operation function, or when the wireless relay system 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 autonomous operation function to the relay function is implemented.

[0031] When the autonomous control unit 19 and the autonomous control unit 29 are activated, the transfer of signals between the first software radio device 10 and the second software radio device 20 is stopped. As a result, the communication between the radio control device 2 and the wireless terminal 3 is disconnected.

[0032] As described above, the autonomous control unit 19 controls the wireless communication between the transmission / reception unit 11 and the wireless control device 2. The autonomous control unit 19 causes the transmission / reception unit 11 to exchange a life / death monitoring signal with the wireless control device 2. When the autonomous control unit 19 is activated, the first software wireless device 10 demodulates the signal from the wireless control device 2, and only exchanges the life / death monitoring signal as necessary to induce the wireless control device 2 into a standby state. As an example, the autonomous control unit 19 has a demodulation response unit 19a for controlling the demodulation of the signal from the wireless control device 2 and the exchange of the life / death monitoring signal.

[0033] On the other hand, the autonomous control unit 29 controls the wireless communication between the transmission / reception unit 21 and the wireless terminal 3. When the autonomous control unit 29 is activated, the second software wireless device 20 demodulates the signal from the wireless terminal 3 and responds to the signal from the wireless terminal 3 in place of the wireless control device 2. By activating the autonomous control unit 29, communication by the wireless terminal 3 can be established even when the wireless control device 2 is in a dormant state. As an example, the autonomous control unit 29 has a demodulation response unit 29a for controlling the exchange of signals between the second software wireless device 20 and the wireless terminal 3.

[0034] The autonomous control unit 29 causes the transmission / reception unit 21 to transmit a signal for causing the wireless terminal 3 to execute a predetermined operation. This predetermined operation corresponds to, for example, a regular operation scheduled at night. Specifically, first, the connection is established by exchanging a life / death monitoring signal between the second software wireless device 20 and the wireless terminal 3. Triggered by this connection establishment, an instruction to perform a regular operation is transmitted to the wireless terminal 3 as a wireless signal according to a previously registered schedule and sequence.

[0035] The content of the regular operation is assumed to include a test operation for confirming the normality of the wireless terminal 3 and an automatic operation during the night time zone. When the wireless terminal 3 completes the regular operation, it transmits the result to the second software wireless device 20. After the completion of the regular operation, the exchange of the life / death monitoring signal between the second software wireless device 20 and the wireless terminal 3 is performed again.

[0036] The results of the steady operation are stored, for example, in the result storage unit 29b. If any abnormality occurs in the wireless terminal 3 during the steady operation, information indicating the occurrence of this abnormality is stored in the result storage unit 29b. When the function of the wireless relay system 1 returns from the autonomous operation function to the relay function, the information on the occurrence of the abnormality stored in the result storage unit 29b is transmitted from the wireless relay system 1 to the wireless control device 2 as a specific electrical signal. The transmission operation of the information on the abnormality that occurred in the wireless terminal 3 during the steady operation to the wireless control device 2 is controlled, for example, by the abnormality notification unit 29c.

[0037] According to the wireless relay system 1 configured as described above, in the wireless relay technology, it is possible to achieve flexible responses according to the situation. Each function of the wireless relay system 1 can also be realized as a wireless relay method.

Industrial Applicability

[0038] The wireless relay system, wireless relay method, and software radio device according to the present invention can be used for various wireless communications.

Explanation of Signs

[0039] 1 Wireless Relay System 2 Wireless Control Device 3 Wireless Terminal 3a Wireless Terminal 3b Wireless Terminal 3c Wireless Terminal 10 Software Radio Device 11 Transceiver 11a Receiver 11b Transmitter 12 Control Unit 13 Monitor Unit 14 Synchronization Word Identification Unit 15 Memory Area 16 Switching Judgment Unit 17 Capture Unit 18 Communication Unit 19 Autonomous Control Unit 19a Demodulation Response Unit 20 Software Radio Device 21 Transmission / Reception Unit 21a Receiver 21b Transmitter 22 Control Unit 23 Monitor Unit 24 Synchronization Word Identification Unit 25 Memory Area 26 Switching Judgment Unit 27 Capture Unit 28 Communication Unit 29 Autonomous Control Unit 29a Demodulation Response Unit 29b Result Memory Unit 29c Abnormality Notification Unit

Claims

1. A wireless relay system that relays wireless communication between a wireless control device and a wireless terminal subordinate to the wireless control device, comprising: a first software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless control device; a second software radio function unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal; wherein 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 terminal 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 first software radio function unit includes a first transceiver that performs wireless communication with the wireless control device, a first autonomous control unit that controls wireless communication between the first transceiver and the wireless control device in a state where signal transfer between the first software radio function unit and the second software radio function unit is stopped, and a first monitor unit that activates the first autonomous control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied; the second software radio function unit includes a second transceiver that performs wireless communication with the wireless terminal, a second autonomous control unit that controls wireless communication between the second transceiver and the wireless terminal in a state where signal transfer between the second software radio function unit and the first software radio function unit is stopped, and a second monitor unit that activates the second autonomous control unit when a predetermined condition is satisfied; the first autonomous control unit causes the first transceiver to exchange a life-and-death monitoring signal with the wireless control device; the second autonomous control unit causes the second transceiver to transmit a signal for causing the wireless terminal to execute a predetermined operation, the wireless relay system.

2. A wireless relay method performed by a wireless relay device 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 subordinate to the wireless control device, comprising: A first transfer step in which the first software radio function unit captures a radio signal received from the radio 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 radio signal received from the radio terminal as IQ data and transfers the captured IQ data to the first software radio function unit in real time; A first transmission step of converting the IQ data transferred by the second transfer step into a radio signal and transmitting the radio signal to the radio control device; A second transmission step of converting the IQ data transferred by the first transfer step into a radio signal and transmitting the radio signal to the radio terminal; A first autonomous control step of controlling radio communication between the first software radio function unit and the radio control device in a state where the first transfer step and the second transfer step are stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied; A second autonomous control step of controlling radio communication between the second software radio function unit and the radio terminal in a state where the first transfer step and the second transfer step are stopped when a predetermined condition is satisfied; Comprising; In the first autonomous control step, the first software radio function unit is made to exchange a life-and-death monitoring signal with the radio control device; A radio relay method in which, in the second autonomous control step, the second software radio function unit is made to transmit a signal for causing the radio terminal to execute a predetermined operation.

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