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

Abstract

In order to enable a reduction in a deterioration of communication efficiency or a loss of data occurring as a result of switching between wireless links: a wireless communication frame is transmitted via a first wireless link or a second wireless link; a first communication quality, which is a communication quality of the first wireless link, and a second communication quality, which is a communication quality of the second wireless link, are measured; the first wireless link is a wireless link used to transmit the wireless communication frame; the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used to transmit the wireless communication frame; a size of the wireless communication frame is changed on the basis of the first communication quality and the second communication quality; a wireless communication frame having the changed size is generated; and the wireless link used to transmit the wireless communication frame is switched from the first wireless link to the second wireless link on the basis of the first communication quality and the second communication quality.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A mobile wireless communication device switches the wireless link used for wireless communication as it moves. Methods for switching wireless links include those described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, for example. Switching wireless links is also called handover.

[0003] In the method described in Patent Document 1, when a handover is performed during the transmission of a radio frame, the start of the handover is delayed until the transmission of the radio frame is completed. In addition, in the method described in Patent Document 2, data that is expected to be lost due to the handover is stored in a buffer during the handover, and the data is controlled so that it is transmitted after the handover is completed. These methods can reduce data loss during handover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-092542 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2009 / 119765 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, handover cannot be initiated until the transmission of the wireless frame is completed. Therefore, if a large wireless frame is transmitted immediately before the handover, it takes a long time until the handover is initiated. As a result, communication quality may deteriorate before the handover is initiated, which may result in a decrease in communication efficiency or data loss.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless communication device and the like that can reduce the deterioration of communication efficiency and data loss that occur due to switching of wireless links. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication device includes a generating means for generating a wireless communication frame, a transmitting means for transmitting the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link, and a measuring means for measuring a first communication quality which is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality which is the communication quality of the second wireless link, wherein the first wireless link is a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, the generating means changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality and generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size, and the transmitting means switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link between completing transmission of the wireless communication frame and starting transmission of the next wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality.

[0008] In another aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication method includes transmitting a wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link, measuring a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link, the first wireless link being a wireless link used to transmit the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link being a wireless link that may be used to transmit the wireless communication frame, changing a size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, generating the wireless communication frame of the changed size, and switching the wireless link used to transmit the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, between completing transmission of the wireless communication frame and starting transmission of the next wireless communication frame.

[0009] In another aspect of the present invention, a wireless communication program recorded on a computer-readable recording medium causes a computer to realize a generation function for generating a wireless communication frame, a transmission function for transmitting the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link, and a measurement function for measuring a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link, wherein the first wireless link is a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, the generation function changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality and generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size, and the transmission function switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link between completing transmission of the wireless communication frame and starting transmission of the next wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the deterioration of communication efficiency and data loss that occur due to switching of wireless links. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the wireless communication device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a system including a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication frame related to a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a history of communication quality in a wireless communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration according to each embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. A specific example of the wireless communication device 10 in the first embodiment is a wireless communication device 20 in a second embodiment, which will be described later.

[0013] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication device 10 according to this embodiment. The wireless communication device 10 according to this embodiment includes a generating unit 11, a transmitting unit 12, and a measuring unit 13.

[0014] The generating unit 11 generates a wireless communication frame. The transmitting unit 12 transmits the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link. The measuring unit 13 measures a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link.

[0015] The first wireless link is a wireless link currently being used to transmit wireless communication frames, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may potentially be used to transmit wireless communication frames.

[0016] Furthermore, the generation unit 11 changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates a wireless communication frame of the changed size.

[0017] Furthermore, the transmitter 12 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality. That is, the transmitter 12 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link. After the switching, the transmitter 12 transmits the wireless communication frame using the second wireless link. Note that the transmitter 12 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame between the completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame and the start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame.

[0018] Next, an example of the operation flow of the wireless communication device 10 of this embodiment is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.

[0019] FIG. 2 shows an operational flow of the wireless communication device 10, which is related to the transmission of wireless communication frames.

[0020] The generating unit 11 generates a frame for wireless communication (step S101). The transmitting unit 12 transmits the frame for wireless communication via the first wireless link or the second wireless link (step S102).

[0021] FIG. 3 shows an operational flow of the wireless communication device 10, which is related to changing the size of a wireless communication frame and switching of a wireless link.

[0022] The measurement unit 13 measures a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link (step S103).

[0023] Furthermore, the generation unit 11 changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality (step S104). The generation unit 11 generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size in step S101. Furthermore, the transmission unit 12 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality (step S105).

[0024] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication device 10 includes a generation unit 11, a transmission unit 12, and a measurement unit 13. The generation unit 11 generates a wireless communication frame. The transmission unit 12 transmits the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link. The measurement unit 13 measures a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link. The first wireless link is a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame. The second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame. Furthermore, the generation unit 11 changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates a wireless communication frame of the changed size. Furthermore, the transmission unit 12 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality. The transmitter 12 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame between the time when the transmission of the wireless communication frame is completed and the time when the transmission of the next wireless communication frame is started.

[0025] In this way, it is possible to increase the size of the wireless communication frame when the communication quality is such that there is a low possibility of switching the wireless link, and to decrease the size of the wireless communication frame when the communication quality is such that there is a high possibility of switching the wireless link. Increasing the size of the wireless communication frame allows more data to be transmitted at once, thereby improving communication efficiency. Furthermore, decreasing the size of the wireless communication frame allows the time required to complete transmission of the wireless communication frame to be shortened. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of communication quality deteriorating before the wireless link is switched. Therefore, it is possible to reduce deterioration in communication efficiency and data loss that occur due to switching the wireless link.

[0026] [Second embodiment] Next, a wireless communication device 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0027] First, Fig. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a system using the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment. The information collection device 60 and the wireless master devices 50A to 50C are connected to each other. The wireless communication device 20 connects to any of the wireless master devices 50A to 50C via wireless communication. The number of wireless master devices in the system is arbitrary, provided that it is two or more.

[0028] The wireless communication device 20 is a mobile wireless communication device mounted on, for example, a robot. The wireless communication device 20 transmits data to the information collection device 60 via any of the wireless master devices 50A to 50C. As the wireless communication device 20 moves, it changes the wireless master device to which it is connected, thereby continuing to transmit data to the information collection device 60.

[0029] The wireless master devices 50A to 50C transmit the data received from the wireless communication device 20 to the information collection device 60. The information collection device 60 receives the data transmitted by the wireless communication device 20 via any of the wireless master devices 50A to 50C.

[0030] The wireless communication line provided from the wireless master device 50A to the wireless master device 50C is called a wireless link. Wireless master devices with adjacent coverage areas of the wireless link use different frequency channels (CH) for wireless communication. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the frequency CH used by the wireless master device 50A is 1, the frequency CH used by the wireless master device 50B is 5, and the frequency CH used by the wireless master device 50C is 9.

[0031] 5 shows an example of the configuration of the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment. The wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment includes a generation unit 21, a transmission unit 22, a measurement unit 23, a first communication unit 24, a second communication unit 25, a setting unit 26, and a transmission buffer 27.

[0032] The transmit buffer 27 stores data frames to be transmitted.

[0033] The generation unit 21 generates a frame for wireless communication. More specifically, the generation unit 21 extracts a data frame stored in the transmission buffer 27 from the transmission buffer, and stores the data frame in a frame for wireless communication, thereby generating the frame for wireless communication.

[0034] The generating unit 21 may encode the data frame and then store it in the wireless communication frame. The generating unit 21 encodes the data frame in order to improve wireless communication efficiency.

[0035] Encoding methods include, for example, a non-retransmission redundant coding method. In a non-retransmission redundant coding method, the transmitting side encodes one or more data frames to generate one wireless communication frame. The transmitting side also transmits the wireless communication frames until it receives an acknowledgement (ACK) from the receiving side. The receiving side can decode the original data frames when it receives a predetermined number of wireless communication frames. When the receiving side completes decoding of a wireless communication frame, it transmits an ACK to request transmission of the next wireless communication frame. Therefore, in a non-retransmission redundant coding method, if the wireless link used by wireless communication device 20 is switched before decoding of the wireless communication frame is completed, wireless communication efficiency will deteriorate and data will be lost.

[0036] Figure 6 shows an example of wireless communication frames using a no-retransmission redundant coding scheme. A to F are data frames. Frames #1 to #3 are wireless communication frames. In the example shown in Figure 6, the transmitting side repeats transmitting frames #1 to #3 until an ACK is sent from the receiving side.

[0037] Furthermore, the generation unit 21 changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality. The first communication quality and the second communication quality will be described later. A specific method for changing the size of the wireless communication frame will also be described later.

[0038] The transmitter 22 transmits a wireless communication frame via the first wireless link or the second wireless link. Specifically, the transmitter 22 transmits the wireless communication frame to the first communication unit 24 or the second communication unit 25. Furthermore, upon receiving an ACK from the receiving side, the transmitter 22 deletes the transmitted data frame from the transmission buffer 27.

[0039] The first communication unit 24 performs wireless communication using a first wireless link. In this embodiment, the first wireless link is a wireless link that the transmission unit 22 uses to transmit wireless communication frames.

[0040] The second communication unit 25 performs wireless communication using a second wireless link. In this embodiment, the second wireless link is a candidate alternative wireless link.

[0041] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the wireless communication device 20 has two communication units. However, the wireless communication device 20 may have one communication unit, or three or more communication units. When the wireless communication device 20 has one communication unit, the communication unit performs communication using the first wireless link while enabling the measurement unit 23 to measure the communication quality of the second wireless link.

[0042] The measurement unit 23 measures a first communication quality and a second communication quality. The first communication quality is the communication quality of the first wireless link. The second communication quality is the communication quality of the second wireless link. The measurement unit 23 monitors the wireless communication of the first communication unit 24 to measure the first communication quality. Furthermore, the measurement unit 23 uses the second communication unit 25 to measure the communication quality of the second wireless link.

[0043] The communication quality is, for example, the received field strength (signal strength), communication delay, etc. The communication delay may be, for example, the time from the start of transmission of a wireless communication frame to the reception of an ACK.

[0044] The measurement unit 23 stores the measured communication quality as a management table in a storage unit (not shown). FIG. 7 shows an example of a communication quality management table. The wireless link number is identification information (ID (identification)) of the wireless link. The acquisition number indicates the order in which the communication quality was measured. In the example of FIG. 6, signal strength is recorded as the communication quality. In the example of FIG. 6, the signal strength decreases over time. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6, it can be inferred that the wireless communication device 20 is moving in a direction away from the wireless master device of the wireless link whose identification information is "1".

[0045] Furthermore, based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, the transmitter 22 switches the wireless link used to transmit the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link that has been used to the second wireless link that is an alternative candidate.

[0046] Specifically, the transmitter 22 switches the communication unit used to transmit wireless communication frames from the first communication unit 24 to the second communication unit 25. In this case, after the switching, the second communication unit 25 before the switching becomes the new first communication unit 24. The new first communication unit 24 then transmits wireless communication frames using the second wireless link before the switching as the new first wireless link. The first communication unit 24 before the switching becomes the new second communication unit 25. The new second communication unit 25 then uses the second wireless link that is a new alternative candidate.

[0047] Alternatively, the setting unit 26, which will be described later, may change the setting of the wireless link used by the first communication unit 24 for wireless communication from the first wireless link to the second wireless link. In this case, after switching, the first communication unit 24 transmits wireless communication frames using the second wireless link before switching as a new first wireless link, and the second communication unit 25 uses the second wireless link that is a new alternative candidate.

[0048] Furthermore, the transmitter 22 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame between the completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame and the start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame.

[0049] The setting unit 26 performs settings necessary for wireless communication on the first communication unit 24 and the second communication unit 25. The settings necessary for wireless communication include, for example, setting an SSID (Service Set Identifier). The setting unit 26 acquires the setting information by, for example, reading out the setting information stored in an external memory or dynamically acquiring the setting information via wired communication, and performs the setting.

[0050] Next, a method for changing the size of a wireless communication frame will be described.

[0051] The generation unit 21 changes the size of the wireless communication frame, for example, by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame.

[0052] Furthermore, the generation unit 21 reduces the size of the wireless communication frame when there is a high possibility that the transmission unit 22 will switch the wireless link used to transmit the wireless communication frame, and the generation unit 21 increases the size of the wireless communication frame when there is a low possibility that the switching will occur.

[0053] More specifically, the generation unit 21 increases the size of the wireless communication frame when the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate. The generation unit 21 can estimate whether there is a tendency for deterioration based on the communication quality history (e.g., FIG. 7). When the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate, switching of the wireless link is not necessary for a while. Therefore, by storing as many data frames stored in the transmission buffer 27 as possible in the wireless communication frame and transmitting them, it is possible to improve the efficiency of wireless communication.

[0054] Furthermore, the generation unit 21 reduces the size of the wireless communication frame when the first communication quality is tending to deteriorate and the second communication quality is tending to improve. In such a case, there is a high possibility that switching to the second wireless link will occur eventually. Therefore, the size of the wireless communication frame is reduced, prioritizing switching the wireless link at an appropriate timing. In this way, it is possible to avoid a deterioration in communication quality due to an inability to switch to the second wireless link until transmission of the wireless communication frame is completed.

[0055] Furthermore, the generation unit 21 reduces the size of the wireless communication frame when the difference between the first communication quality and the second communication quality is smaller than a predetermined range. In such a case, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 20 is located near the boundary between the range of the first wireless link and the range of the second wireless link. Therefore, the size of the wireless communication frame is reduced, prioritizing switching the wireless link at an appropriate timing. In this way, it is possible to avoid a deterioration in communication quality due to an inability to switch to the second wireless link until transmission of the wireless communication frame is completed.

[0056] Next, an example of the operation flow of the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0057] The generating unit 21 retrieves a data frame from the transmission buffer 27 and generates a frame for wireless communication (step S101). The transmitting unit 22 transmits the frame for wireless communication via the first wireless link or the second wireless link (step S102).

[0058] The measurement unit 23 measures a first communication quality, which is the communication quality of the first wireless link, and a second communication quality, which is the communication quality of the second wireless link, at predetermined timings, such as at predetermined time intervals (step S103).

[0059] Furthermore, the generation unit 21 changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality (step S104). After the change, the generation unit 21 generates a wireless communication frame of the changed size in step S101.

[0060] Furthermore, the transmitter 22 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality (step S105).

[0061] As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the wireless communication device 20 includes the generation unit 21, the transmission unit 22, and the measurement unit 23. The generation unit 21 generates a wireless communication frame. The transmission unit 22 transmits the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link. The measurement unit 23 measures a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link. The first wireless link is a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame. The second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame. Furthermore, the generation unit 21 changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates a wireless communication frame of the changed size. Furthermore, the transmission unit 22 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality. The transmitter 22 switches the wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame between the time when the transmission of the wireless communication frame is completed and the time when the transmission of the next wireless communication frame is started.

[0062] In this way, it is possible to increase the size of the wireless communication frame when the communication quality is such that there is a low possibility of switching the wireless link, and to decrease the size of the wireless communication frame when the communication quality is such that there is a high possibility of switching the wireless link. Increasing the size of the wireless communication frame allows more data to be transmitted at once, thereby improving communication efficiency. Furthermore, decreasing the size of the wireless communication frame allows the time required to complete transmission of the wireless communication frame to be shortened. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility of communication quality deteriorating before the wireless link is switched. Therefore, it is possible to reduce deterioration in communication efficiency and data loss that occur due to switching the wireless link.

[0063] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment changes the size of a wireless communication frame by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame. This makes it possible to reduce the deterioration of communication efficiency and data loss that occur when wireless links are switched in the wireless communication device 20, which can change the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame.

[0064] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment increases the size of the wireless communication frame when the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not show any tendency to deteriorate. In this case, switching of the wireless link is not necessary for a while. Therefore, by storing as many data frames as possible in the wireless communication frame and transmitting them, the efficiency of wireless communication can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment reduces the size of the wireless communication frame when the first communication quality is deteriorating and the second communication quality is improving. In such a case, there is a high possibility that the link will be switched to the second wireless link eventually. Therefore, by reducing the size of the wireless communication frame, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the communication quality is degraded due to the inability to switch to the second wireless link until the transmission of the wireless communication frame is completed.

[0066] Furthermore, the wireless communication device 20 of this embodiment reduces the size of the wireless communication frame when the difference between the first communication quality and the second communication quality is smaller than a predetermined range. In such a case, it is assumed that the wireless communication device 20 is located near the boundary between the range of the first wireless link and the range of the second wireless link. Therefore, by reducing the size of the wireless communication frame, it is possible to avoid a deterioration in communication quality due to an inability to switch to the second wireless link until transmission of the wireless communication frame is completed.

[0067] [Hardware configuration example] An example of the configuration of hardware resources for realizing the wireless communication device (10, 20) in each of the above-described embodiments of the present invention using one information processing device (computer) will be described. Note that the wireless communication device may be physically or functionally realized using at least two information processing devices. The wireless communication device may also be realized as a dedicated device. Also, only some of the functions of the wireless communication device may be realized using an information processing device.

[0068] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device that can realize the wireless communication device according to each embodiment of the present invention. The information processing device 90 includes a communication interface 91, an input / output interface 92, a processing unit 93, a storage device 94, a nonvolatile storage device 95, and a drive device 96.

[0069] 1 can be realized by a communication interface 91. Furthermore, the generation unit 11 and the measurement unit 13 can be realized by a calculation device 93.

[0070] The communication interface 91 is a communication means for the wireless communication device of each embodiment to communicate with an external device via wired and / or wireless communication. When the wireless communication device is realized using at least two information processing devices, the devices may be connected via the communication interface 91 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0071] The input / output interface 92 is a man-machine interface including a keyboard as an example of an input device and a display as an output device.

[0072] The arithmetic device 93 is realized by a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other arithmetic processing device, and a plurality of electric circuits. The arithmetic device 93 can, for example, read various programs stored in a nonvolatile storage device 95 into the storage device 94 and execute processing in accordance with the read programs.

[0073] The storage device 94 is a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that can be accessed by the arithmetic device 93, and stores programs, various data, etc. The storage device 94 may be a volatile memory device.

[0074] The nonvolatile storage device 95 is a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a flash memory, and is capable of storing various programs, data, and the like.

[0075] The drive device 96 is, for example, a device that processes reading and writing of data from and to a recording medium 97, which will be described later.

[0076] The recording medium 97 is any recording medium capable of recording data, such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor flash memory.

[0077] Each embodiment of the present invention may be realized, for example, by configuring a wireless communication device using the information processing device 90 illustrated in FIG. 8 and supplying a program to this wireless communication device that can realize the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

[0078] In this case, the embodiment can be realized by having the arithmetic unit 93 execute a program supplied to the wireless communication device. Also, it is possible to configure some, but not all, of the functions of the wireless communication device in the information processing unit 90.

[0079] Furthermore, the program may be recorded on a recording medium 97 and stored in the nonvolatile storage device 95 as appropriate when the wireless communication device is shipped or when it is in operation. In this case, the program may be supplied by installing it in the wireless communication device using an appropriate tool during the manufacturing stage before shipping or during operation. The program may also be supplied by a general procedure such as downloading it from an external source via a communication line such as the Internet.

[0080] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0081] (Appendix 1) generating means for generating a wireless communication frame; a transmitting means for transmitting the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link; a measuring means for measuring a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link; Equipped with the first wireless link is a wireless link currently used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame; the generating means changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size; The transmitting means switching a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link during a period from completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame to start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality; Wireless communication device.

[0082] (Appendix 2) The generating means changes the size of the wireless communication frame by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame. 2. The wireless communication device of claim 1.

[0083] (Appendix 3) The generating means increases the size when the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate. 3. The wireless communication device of claim 1 or 2.

[0084] (Appendix 4) The generating means reduces the size when the first communication quality is tending to deteriorate and the second communication quality is tending to improve. 4. A wireless communication device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 3.

[0085] (Appendix 5) The generating means reduces the size when a difference between the first communication quality and the second communication quality is smaller than a predetermined range. 5. A wireless communication device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4.

[0086] (Appendix 6) transmitting a wireless communication frame via the first wireless link or the second wireless link; measuring a first communication quality that is a communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is a communication quality of the second wireless link; the first wireless link is a wireless link currently used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame; changing a size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generating the wireless communication frame of the changed size; switching a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link during a period from completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame to start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality; Wireless communication method.

[0087] (Appendix 7) The size of the wireless communication frame is changed by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame. 7. The wireless communication method of claim 6.

[0088] (Appendix 8) If the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate, the size is increased. 8. The wireless communication method of claim 6 or 7.

[0089] (Appendix 9) When the first communication quality tends to deteriorate and the second communication quality tends to improve, the size is reduced. 9. A wireless communication method according to any one of Supplementary Note 6 to Supplementary Note 8.

[0090] (Appendix 10) When the difference between the first communication quality and the second communication quality is smaller than a predetermined range, the size is reduced. 10. A wireless communication method according to any one of Supplementary Note 6 to Supplementary Note 9.

[0091] (Appendix 11) On the computer, a generating function for generating a frame for wireless communication; a transmitting function for transmitting the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link; a measurement function for measuring a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link; Realize this, the first wireless link is a wireless link currently used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame; the generating function changes a size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size; the transmitting function switches a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link during a period from completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame to start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame, based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality; A computer-readable recording medium on which a wireless communication program is recorded.

[0092] (Appendix 12) The generating function changes the size of the wireless communication frame by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame. A computer-readable recording medium having the wireless communication program described in Appendix 11 recorded thereon.

[0093] (Appendix 13) The generating function increases the size when the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the wireless communication program according to Supplementary Note 11 or Supplementary Note 12.

[0094] (Appendix 14) The generating function reduces the size when the first communication quality tends to deteriorate and the second communication quality tends to improve. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon the wireless communication program according to any one of Supplementary Note 11 to Supplementary Note 13.

[0095] (Appendix 15) The generating function reduces the size when a difference between the first communication quality and the second communication quality is smaller than a predetermined range. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a wireless communication program according to any one of Supplementary Note 11 to Supplementary Note 14.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0097] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-187500, filed on November 18, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. [Explanation of symbols]

[0098] 10, 20 Wireless communication device 11, 21 Generation part 12, 22 Transmitter 13, 23 Measuring section 24 First Communications Department 25 Second Communications Department 26 Setting section 27 Send Buffer 50A, 50B, 50C wireless base station 60 Information Gathering Device 90 Information processing equipment 91 Communication Interface 92 Input / Output Interface 93 Arithmetic unit 94 Storage device 95 Non-volatile storage devices 96 Drive Device 97 Recording Media

Claims

1. generating means for generating a wireless communication frame; a transmitting means for transmitting the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link; a measuring means for measuring a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link; Equipped with the first wireless link is a wireless link currently used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame; the generating means changes the size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size; the transmitting means switches a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link during a period from completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame to start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame, based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality; the transmitting means repeats transmitting the wireless communication frame until a response to the transmission of the wireless communication frame is received; the completion of the transmission of the wireless communication frame is the reception of the response to the transmission of the wireless communication frame; Wireless communication device.

2. The generating means changes the size of the wireless communication frame by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame. The wireless communication device of claim 1 .

3. The generating means increases the size when the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

4. The generating means reduces the size when the first communication quality is tending to deteriorate and the second communication quality is tending to improve.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

5. The generating means reduces the size when a difference between the first communication quality and the second communication quality is smaller than a predetermined range.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 1.

6. transmitting a wireless communication frame via the first wireless link or the second wireless link; measuring a first communication quality that is a communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is a communication quality of the second wireless link; the first wireless link is a wireless link currently used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame; changing a size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generating the wireless communication frame of the changed size; switching a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link during a period from completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame to start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality; repeating transmission of the wireless communication frame until a response to the transmission of the wireless communication frame is received; the completion of the transmission of the wireless communication frame is the reception of the response to the transmission of the wireless communication frame; Wireless communication method.

7. The size of the wireless communication frame is changed by changing the number of data frames stored in one wireless communication frame. The wireless communication method according to claim 6.

8. If the first communication quality is better than a predetermined threshold and does not tend to deteriorate, the size is increased.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 6 or 7.

9. When the first communication quality tends to deteriorate and the second communication quality tends to improve, the size is reduced. The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. On the computer, a generating function for generating a frame for wireless communication; a transmitting function for transmitting the wireless communication frame via a first wireless link or a second wireless link; a measurement function for measuring a first communication quality that is the communication quality of the first wireless link and a second communication quality that is the communication quality of the second wireless link; Realize this, the first wireless link is a wireless link currently used for transmitting the wireless communication frame, and the second wireless link is a wireless link that may be used for transmitting the wireless communication frame; the generating function changes a size of the wireless communication frame based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality, and generates the wireless communication frame of the changed size; the transmitting function switches a wireless link used for transmitting the wireless communication frame from the first wireless link to the second wireless link during a period from completion of transmission of the wireless communication frame to start of transmission of the next wireless communication frame, based on the first communication quality and the second communication quality; the transmitting function repeats transmitting the wireless communication frame until a response to the transmission of the wireless communication frame is received; the completion of the transmission of the wireless communication frame is the reception of the response to the transmission of the wireless communication frame; Wireless communication program.

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