Radio and wireless communication systems

Abstract

A radio device and a radio communication system are provided that are capable of appropriately setting the reception direction in a radio communication environment where multiple networks exist. [Solution] A radio that forms a network with other radios and sets the receiving beam direction for the other radios using a beamforming function, wherein the network is in the same frequency band as an adjacent network, and the network or an adjacent network is wirelessly connected with a setting that offsets the center frequency, and the beam scanning range in the beamforming function is limited to a specified range to set the receiving beam direction that results in good transmission and reception conditions.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe wireless systems that improve the SINR (signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio) in a wireless communication environment where multiple networks exist by using communication signals with overlapping frequency spectra and different center frequencies for each network.Since multiple networks share the same frequency band, such wireless systems are effective when it is desired to use only specific frequencies in order to efficiently use frequency bands or reduce propagation loss due to atmospheric absorption. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 3982555 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2013-519269 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, when the performance of the above-mentioned background art was confirmed in a wireless communication system having a beamforming function, it was confirmed that when the center frequency offset (frequency offset) amount was set to approximately 120 MHz, the throughput of the network in which the distance between communication devices was closer among multiple networks improved, but normal communication was not possible in the network in which the communication distance was longer.

[0005] That is, the wireless system of the background art employs a method of setting the receiving direction based on the strength of the received wave (radio wave strength) in accordance with the SLS (Sector Level Sweep) procedure, which is a beam direction selection function of the beamforming function in 802.11ad. Therefore, even if an offset is set to the center frequency, if the strength of the received interference wave is relatively strong, the receiving beam is set in the direction of the interference wave, and the receiving direction is not set properly. In a wireless communication environment where multiple networks exist, setting the receiving direction properly is an important technical issue.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide a radio device and a radio communication system that are capable of appropriately setting the receiving direction in a radio communication environment where multiple networks exist. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention employs, as a first solution relating to a radio device, a radio device that forms a network with other radio devices and sets a receiving beam direction for the other radio devices using a beamforming function, wherein the network uses the same frequency band as an adjacent network, and the network or an adjacent network to the network is wirelessly connected with a setting that offsets the center frequency, and the receiving beam direction is set to provide good transmission and reception conditions by limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a predetermined range.

[0008] In the present invention, as a second solution related to a radio device, a means is adopted in which, in the above-mentioned first solution, the beam scanning range is limited based on the receiving beam direction when wireless communication is performed only through the network.

[0009] In the present invention, as a third solution related to a radio device, a radio device is adopted that forms a network with other radio devices and sets a receiving beam direction for the other radio devices using a beamforming function, and that sets the receiving beam direction to ensure good transmission and reception conditions based on noise-dependent parameters.

[0010] The present invention employs a fourth solution related to a radio device, which is the third solution described above, in which the receiving beam direction is set by automatically controlling a beamforming function using the noise-dependent parameter.

[0011] The present invention employs a fifth solution relating to a radio device, in which, in the third solution described above, the beamforming function is automatically controlled by the noise-dependent parameter, thereby setting the receiving beam direction in the same manner as the transmitting beam direction.

[0012] The present invention employs a sixth solution relating to a radio device, which is the third solution described above, in which a measurement value of the noise-dependent parameter is obtained after a radio connection with the other radio device is established, and the receiving beam direction is set based on the measurement value.

[0013] The present invention employs, as a seventh solution relating to a radio device, a means for obtaining the sector value of the transmitting sector after establishing a radio connection with the other radio device in the third solution described above, and setting the direction corresponding to the sector value as the receiving beam direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention employs, as a solution relating to a wireless communication system, a solution comprising a radio device relating to any one of the first to seventh solutions and the other radio device that communicates with the radio device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radio device and a radio communication system that are capable of appropriately setting the reception direction in a radio communication environment in which multiple networks exist. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 3 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a communication sequence diagram showing a beam setting operation of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 4 shows measurement results showing the interference reduction effect of the wireless communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a communication sequence diagram showing a beam setting operation when radio devices do not move relative to each other in the radio communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a communication sequence diagram showing a connection establishment procedure when performing beam selection in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a communication sequence diagram showing the procedure for aligning a transmission beam when a radio device does not move in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for selecting and reading a beam table suitable for the direction of the communication partner at the time of wireless activation in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a wireless communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, a wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment includes four wireless devices 1 to 4. Of these four wireless devices 1 to 4, the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 form a first network 5, and the third wireless device 3 and the fourth wireless device 4 form a second network 6.

[0018] Here, in the first embodiment, a wireless communication system A including four wireless devices 1 to 4 and two networks 5 and 6 will be described as an example, but the number of wireless devices is not limited to four, and the number of networks is not limited to 2. In other words, the present invention is applicable to a wireless communication system including two or more networks.

[0019] The first network 5 and the second network 6 are each assigned a unique identifier (SSID: Service Set Identifier) ​​and perform individual wireless communication. The first network 5 and the second network 6 use the same frequency band. Furthermore, the first network 5 or the second network 6 is set to have an offset center frequency. In the first network 5, one of the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 is an access point (AP) or PCP, and the other is a station (STA). The first wireless device 1 is another wireless device that performs wireless communication with the second wireless device 2.

[0020] Such a first radio device 1 and second radio device 2 are provided facing each other as shown in the drawing. That is, the first radio device 1 is provided facing the second radio device 2, and the second radio device 2 is provided facing the first radio device 1. The first radio device 1 and the second radio device 2 perform wireless communication using a first identifier (first SSID).

[0021] In the second network 6, one of the third radio device 3 and the fourth radio device 4 is an access point (AP) or PCP, and the other is a station (STA). The third radio device 3 and the fourth radio device 4 are provided facing each other as shown in the figure.

[0022] That is, the third radio device 3 is provided facing the fourth radio device 4, and the fourth radio device 4 is provided facing the third radio device 3. Such third radio device 3 and fourth radio device 4 perform wireless communication using a second identifier (second SSID) that is different from the first identifier in the first network 5.

[0023] Of the four radio devices 1 to 4, the second radio device 2 and the fourth radio device 4 are located relatively close to each other. The first radio device 1, which configures the first network 5 with the second radio device 2, is located in a position facing the second radio device 2 but relatively far from the second radio device 2. The third radio device 3, which configures the second network 6 with the fourth radio device 4, is located in a position facing the fourth radio device 4 but relatively far from the fourth radio device 4.

[0024] The four radio devices 1 to 4 are each equipped with RF modules 1a to 4a. That is, the first radio device 1 is equipped with a first RF module 1a, and the second radio device 2 is equipped with a second RF module 2a. The third radio device 3 is equipped with a third RF module 3a, and the fourth radio device 4 is equipped with a fourth RF module 4a.

[0025] These four RF modules 1a to 4a are radio frequency modules that can set the transmission beam direction of the transmission wave and the reception beam direction (reception direction) of the reception wave using a beamforming function. The four RF modules 1a to 4a set the transmission direction (radiation direction) of the transmission wave and the reception direction of the reception wave within a predetermined range by selecting (designating) one beam sector from multiple beam sectors defined in a beam table.

[0026] That is, the four RF modules 1a to 4a do not manually set the receiving beam direction, but set the receiving beam direction by automatically controlling the beamforming function using noise-dependent parameters. Note that the four RF modules 1a to 4a may be configured so that the receiving beam direction is manually set as needed.

[0027] The first RF module 1a specifies an arbitrary beam sector from its own beam table (first beam table) to appropriately set the radiation direction of the transmission wave to the second RF module 2a and the reception direction of the reception wave incident from the second RF module 2a.

[0028] The second RF module 2a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmission wave toward the first RF module 1a and the reception direction of the reception wave incident from the first RF module 1a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beam table (second beam table).

[0029] The third RF module 3a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmission wave to the fourth RF module 4a and the reception direction of the reception wave incident from the fourth RF module 4a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beam table (third beam table).

[0030] The fourth RF module 4a appropriately sets the radiation direction of the transmission wave toward the third RF module 3a and the reception direction of the reception wave incident from the third RF module 3a by specifying an arbitrary beam sector from its own beam table (fourth beam table).

[0031] Here, the four RF modules 1a to 4a do not set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave based on the strength (receiving power) of the received wave as in the background art, but set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave based on communication parameters (noise-dependent parameters) that depend on the noise of the received signal obtained from the received wave.

[0032] The noise-dependent parameters are, for example, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), a bit error rate (BER), a packet error rate (PER), a throughput, or a modulation and coding scheme (MCS), etc. Each of the RF modules 1a to 4a acquires a measurement value of such a noise-dependent parameter, and selects a beam sector for setting a receiving beam direction (receiving direction) based on the measurement value.

[0033] The noise-dependent parameter is not limited to one. That is, a beam sector for setting a receiving beam direction (receiving direction) may be selected based on any two or more measurement values ​​of the above-mentioned signal-to-noise ratio, bit error rate, packet error rate, throughput, MCS, etc.

[0034] In addition, the four RF modules 1a to 4a use noise-dependent parameters to set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) and also limit the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a predetermined range. That is, the four radio devices 1 to 4 limit the selection range of the beam sector to a limited scanning range narrower than the beam scanning range specified in the beam table, and then search for the receiving beam direction that provides good transmission and reception conditions.

[0035] The limited scanning range is set based on the direction of the receiving beam when wireless communication is stopped in the second network 6. In other words, the beam scanning range is limited based on the direction of the receiving beam when wireless communication is performed only in the first network 5.

[0036] The four radio devices 1 to 4 reduce interference between the wireless communication of the first network 5 and the wireless communication of the second network 6 by setting the receiving beam direction and limiting the beam scanning range using noise-dependent parameters in each of the RF modules 1a to 4a.

[0037] The second wireless device 2 in the first network 5 and the fourth wireless device 4 in the second network 6 are connected by a wired communication line 7. This wired communication line 7 is configured by a combination of, for example, LAN (Local Area Network) cables, switches, etc. Such first network 5 and second network 6 form a multi-hop network.

[0038] That is, the first network 5 and the second network 6 use the same communication channel, but the frequency spectra of the communication signals overlap and the center frequencies are offset by a predetermined amount. In such a first network 5 and second network 6, although the frequency spectra overlap, the center frequencies are frequency offset to reduce mutual interference in wireless communication.

[0039] Next, the operation and performance of the radio devices 1 to 4 and the radio communication system A according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0040] First, in a wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment, a first wireless device 1 and a second wireless device 2 constitute a first network 5, and the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 face each other. In addition, of a third wireless device 3 and a fourth wireless device 4 that constitute a second network 6, the third wireless device is positioned at an oblique angle of 90° or less with respect to the second wireless device 2 that constitutes the first network 5.

[0041] In such a positional relationship between the four radio devices 1 to 4, if the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second RF module 2a in the second radio device 2 is set based on the strength of the received wave (radio wave strength) as in the past, there is a risk that the receiving sector (receiving direction) will be set in the direction of the third radio device 3 rather than the original direction of the first radio device 1.

[0042] For example, if the strength of the transmitted wave (radio wave strength) of the third radio device 3 is greater than the strength of the transmitted wave (radio wave strength) of the first radio device 1, when the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio device 2 is set based on the strength of the received wave (radio wave strength), the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio device 2 may be set in the direction of the third radio device 3 rather than the direction of the first radio device 1.

[0043] Furthermore, if the distance between the second radio device 2 and the third radio device 3 is shorter than the distance between the second radio device 2 and the first radio device 1, when the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio device 2 is set based on the strength of the received wave (radio wave strength), the receiving sector (receiving direction) of the second radio device 2 may be set in the direction of the third radio device 3 rather than the direction of the first radio device 1.

[0044] To address such concerns, in the wireless communication system A, the first network 5 and the second network 6 establish a wireless connection according to the procedure shown in Fig. 2. That is, first, the wireless interfaces of the four wireless devices 1 to 4 are activated (step S1). Then, when the wireless interfaces are activated, the second wireless device 2 reads a beam table stored in advance (step S2).

[0045] Then, the second radio device 2 in the first network 5 limits the range of use of the beam sector in the beam table to a range (limited range) stored in advance (step S3).Then, the third radio device 3 and the fourth radio device 4 in the second network 6 set the frequency offset of the communication signal to a predetermined amount (offset amount) stored in advance (step S4).

[0046] The above-described series of processing steps S1 to S4 completes the preparations for wireless connection between the first network 5 and the second network 6. When the above processing step S4 is completed, the first wireless device 1 is set as a station (STA) and the second wireless device 2 is set as an access point (AP) or PCP in the first network 5. Then, the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 of the first network 5 establish a wireless connection using the first identifier (first SSID) (step S5).

[0047] On the other hand, in the second network 6, the third wireless device 3 is set as a station (STA) and the fourth wireless device 4 is set as an access point (AP) or PCP. Then, the third wireless device 3 and the fourth wireless device 4 of the second network 6 establish a wireless connection using a second identifier (second SSID) (step S6).

[0048] Furthermore, the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) and the first radio device 1 (STA) of the first network 5 perform beam setting based on the beam table according to the communication sequence shown in Fig. 3. First, the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio device 1 (STA).

[0049] The first wireless device 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second wireless device 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. Then, the first wireless device 1 (STA) and the second wireless device 2 (AP / PCP) search for a beam sector with good transmission and reception conditions as a transmission and reception sector by SLS (Selector Level Sweep) based on the measurement values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters described above.

[0050] Furthermore, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) search for a beam sector with good transmission and reception conditions as a transmitting and receiving sector by performing a BRP (Beam Refinement Process) based on the measurement values ​​of noise-dependent parameters. Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) mutually transmit search result data, i.e., the transmitting and receiving sector (beam sector).

[0051] Figure 4 shows the measurement results showing the interference reduction effect of four wireless devices 1 to 4 and wireless communication system A. In this measurement, a wireless signal with an occupied bandwidth of about 1.8 GHz was used. The measurement results show the throughput measured when the frequency offset of the wireless signal in the second network 6 is "none" and when it is set to 0.12 GHz, and when the beam scanning range of the receiving beam is set to the usual "90°" and when it is limited to "15°".

[0052] These measurement results show that by limiting the beam scanning range of the receive beam to 15° and setting the receive beam direction (receive direction) using noise-dependent parameters, it is possible to ensure the throughput required for normal wireless communication.

[0053] Here, when the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) are both base stations, the first radio device 1 and the second radio device 2 are fixedly installed and do not move. In such a case, beam setting is performed based on noise-dependent parameters and a beam table by wireless communication as shown in Fig. 5.

[0054] First, the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio device 1 (STA). Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) establish a connection by using a preset transmitting / receiving sector.

[0055] The first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) then transmit and receive test data while changing the transmitting and receiving sectors, and acquire measurement values ​​of noise-dependent parameters related to the test data for each transmitting and receiving sector.The first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) then finally set the beam sector that provides the best transmission and receiving state as the transmitting and receiving sector based on the measurement values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters in each transmitting and receiving sector.

[0056] Instead of this method of setting the transmitting and receiving sectors, only the transmitting sector may be optimally set based on the measured values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters. Figure 6 shows a communication sequence in which the receiving sector is determined after the transmitting sector is optimally set based on the measured values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters. In this case, the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio device 1 (STA).

[0057] The first wireless device 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second wireless device 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. Then, the first wireless device 1 (STA) and the second wireless device 2 (AP / PCP) search for a transmission sector (beam sector) by performing a selector level sweep (SLS) and a beam refinement process (BRP) based on the measurement values ​​of noise-dependent parameters.

[0058] Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) determine (set) the sector value of the receiving sector (beam sector) to the same value (same direction) as the sector value of the transmitting sector (beam sector).Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) mutually transmit the sector values ​​of the receiving sectors (beam sectors).

[0059] 7 shows a communication sequence in which the receiving sector is optimally set based on the measurement value of the noise-dependent parameter when both the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) are base stations. In this case, the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) transmits a beacon as a broadcast signal to the first radio device 1 (STA).

[0060] Then, the first wireless device 1 (STA) transmits an association request to the second wireless device 2 (AP / PCP) in response to the beacon. Then, the first wireless device 1 (STA) and the second wireless device 2 (AP / PCP) search for a transmission sector (beam sector) by performing a selector level sweep (SLS) and a beam refinement process (BRP) based on the measurement values ​​of the noise-dependent parameters.

[0061] Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) mutually acquire the sector values ​​of the transmitting sectors (beam sectors) after the connection is established, and set the sector values ​​of the receiving sectors (beam sectors) to the same value (same direction) as the sector values ​​of the transmitting sectors (beam sectors).Then, the first radio device 1 (STA) and the second radio device 2 (AP / PCP) mutually transmit the sector values ​​of the receiving sectors (beam sectors).

[0062] Furthermore, in the wireless connection procedure shown in Figure 2, the beam table is read and then the range of use of the beam sector is limited, but it is also possible to prepare a separate beam table that scans only in a specific direction, and select and read the beam table appropriate for the direction of the communication partner when wireless communication is started.

[0063] 8, first, multiple beam tables are stored in the second radio device 2 (step S1a). Then, the wireless interfaces of the four radio devices 1 to 4 are activated (step S2a). Then, the second radio device 2 selects and reads from the multiple beam tables a beam table suitable for the direction of the first radio device 1, which is the communication partner (step S3a).

[0064] Then, in the first network 5, the first wireless device 1 is set as a station (STA), and the second wireless device 2 is set as an access point (AP) or PCP. Then, the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 establish a wireless connection using a first identifier (first SSID) (step S4a).

[0065] In the second network 6, the third wireless device 3 is set as a station (STA), and the fourth wireless device 4 is set as an access point (AP) or PCP. Then, the third wireless device 3 and the fourth wireless device 4 establish a wireless connection using a second identifier (second SSID) (step S5a).

[0066] The second radio device 2 according to the first embodiment is a radio device that forms a first network 5 together with the first radio device 1 (another radio device) and sets a receiving beam direction (receiving direction) for the first radio device 1 (another radio device) using a beamforming function, and sets a receiving beam direction that provides good reception conditions by limiting the beam scanning range in the beamforming function to a limited scanning range (predetermined range).

[0067] According to the first embodiment, the beam scanning range of the second radio device 2 is limited to a restricted scanning range (predetermined range), so it is possible to suppress or prevent the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) from being set in the direction of the third radio device 3 of the second network 6 rather than in the direction of the first radio device 1 (another radio device).

[0068] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, in a wireless communication environment in which multiple networks, namely a first network 5 and a second network 6, exist, a second radio device 2 can be provided that is capable of setting the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to an appropriate direction, i.e., the direction of the first radio device 1 (another radio device).

[0069] Furthermore, in the second radio device 2 according to the first embodiment, the beam scanning range is limited based on the reception beam direction when wireless communication is performed only through the first network 5. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to set the reception beam direction (reception direction) to a more appropriate direction.

[0070] In addition, the second radio device 2 according to the first embodiment is a radio device that forms a first network 5 together with the first radio device 1 (another radio device) and sets a receiving beam direction (receiving direction) for the first radio device 1 (another radio device) using a beamforming function, and sets a receiving beam direction that provides good reception conditions based on noise-dependent parameters.

[0071] According to the first embodiment, the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) of the received wave is set based on a noise-dependent parameter related to the received signal, rather than the conventional strength (receiving power) of the received wave, so it is possible to suppress or prevent the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) from being set in the direction of the third radio device 3 of the second network 6 rather than the direction of the first radio device 1 (another radio device).

[0072] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, a second radio device 2 can be provided that is capable of setting the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) to an appropriate direction in a wireless communication environment in which multiple networks, namely a first network 5 and a second network 6, exist, similar to when the beam scanning range is limited to a limited scanning range (predetermined range).

[0073] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, the receiving beam direction is set by automatically controlling the beamforming function using noise-dependent parameters. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) more appropriately and in a shorter time.

[0074] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, the beamforming function is automatically controlled by a noise-dependent parameter, so that the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) is set in the same manner as the transmitting beam direction (transmitting direction). According to the first embodiment, the transmitting beam direction (transmitting direction) and the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) can be set appropriately and in a short time.

[0075] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, the measurement value of the noise-dependent parameter is acquired after the wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device) is established, and the reception beam direction is set based on the measurement value. According to the first embodiment, the measurement value of the noise-dependent parameter is acquired after the wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device) is established, so that the reception beam direction (reception direction) can be set more appropriately.

[0076] Furthermore, in the wireless system A according to the first embodiment, after a wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device) is established, the sector value of the transmitting sector is acquired, and the direction that matches the sector value is set as the receiving beam direction. According to the first embodiment, after a wireless connection with the first wireless device 1 (another wireless device) is established, the receiving beam direction is set to match the transmitting beam direction, so that the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) and the transmitting beam direction can be set appropriately.

[0077] Moreover, the wireless system A according to the first embodiment includes a second wireless device 2 and a first wireless device 1 (another wireless device) that performs wireless communication with the second wireless device 2. According to the first embodiment, it is possible to provide a system A that can set the reception beam direction (reception direction) to an appropriate direction in a wireless communication environment in which multiple networks, namely a first network 5 and a second network 6, exist.

[0078] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, the wireless communication system B according to the second embodiment is the wireless communication system A according to the first embodiment, in which the second radio device 2 and the fourth radio device 4 are integrated. That is, the wireless communication system B according to the second embodiment includes a combined radio device 24 facing the first radio device 1, instead of the second radio device 2 and the fourth radio device 4.

[0079] The combined radio 24 configures a first network 5B together with the first radio 1, and also configures a second network 6B together with the fourth radio 4. As shown in the figure, the combined radio 24 also includes a second RF module 2a and a fourth RF module 4a.

[0080] The combined radio 24 uses the second RF module 2a to establish a wireless connection with the first RF module 1a using a first identifier (first SSID), and also uses the fourth RF module 4a to establish a wireless connection with the third RF module 3a using a second identifier (second SSID).

[0081] According to the combined radio 24 and wireless communication system B of the second embodiment, similarly to the second radio 2 and wireless communication system A of the first embodiment, the beam scanning range of the reception beam is limited and the reception beam direction (reception direction) is set using a noise-dependent parameter, so that it is possible to appropriately set the reception direction in a wireless communication environment in which two networks 5 and 6 exist.

[0082] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10. A wireless communication system C according to the third embodiment includes a second network 6C in which a third radio device 3 and a fourth radio device 4 face each other in the same direction as the first network 5, as shown in Fig. 10.

[0083] That is, the facing direction between the third radio device 3 and the fourth radio device 4 in the second network 6C is the same as the facing direction between the first radio device 1 and the second radio device 2 in the first network 5. Also, the second network 6C is arranged at a predetermined distance from the first network 5 as shown in the figure.

[0084] In such a wireless communication system C, the facing direction between the first wireless device 1 and the second wireless device 2 in the first network 5 is the same as the facing direction between the third wireless device 3 and the fourth wireless device 4 in the second network 6C, so there is a higher risk that the receiving sector (receiving direction) will not be set properly than in the wireless communication system A of the first embodiment and the wireless communication system B of the second embodiment.

[0085] However, according to the wireless communication system C of the third embodiment, in addition to limiting the beam scanning range of the reception beam, the reception beam direction (reception direction) is set using a noise-dependent parameter, so it is possible to appropriately set the reception directions of the second wireless device 2 and the fourth wireless device 4 in a wireless communication environment where two networks 5 and 6C exist.

[0086] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the following modifications are possible. (1) In the above embodiments, a wireless communication environment in which two networks exist has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the number of multiple networks in the present invention may be any number equal to or greater than two.

[0087] (2) In each of the above embodiments, the beam scanning range in the beamforming function is limited to a limited scanning range (predetermined range), and the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) is set using a noise-dependent parameter instead of the strength of the received wave (receiving strength). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0088] In addition to limiting the beam scanning range of the receiving beam, it is more preferable to set the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) using noise-dependent parameters, but it is also possible to adopt either limiting the beam scanning range of the receiving beam depending on the positional relationship and number of multiple networks, or setting the receiving beam direction (receiving direction) using noise-dependent parameters. [Explanation of symbols]

[0089] A~C wireless communication system, 1~4 radio equipment, 24 combined radio equipment, 5 first network, 6, 6C second network, 7 wired communication line

Claims

1. A radio device that forms a network with other radio devices and sets a receiving beam direction for the other radio devices by a beamforming function, the network is in the same frequency band as an adjacent network; The network or a network adjacent to the network is wirelessly connected with a setting that offsets the center frequency, By limiting the beam scanning range in the beam forming function to a predetermined range, the receiving beam direction is set so that a good transmission and reception state is achieved; A radio device characterized in that the limitation of the beam scanning range is a limitation of the range of use of beam sectors in a beam table.

2. 2. The radio according to claim 1, wherein the beam scanning range is limited based on the direction of the receiving beam when wireless communication is performed only through the network.

3. A radio device that forms a network with other radio devices and sets a receiving beam direction for the other radio devices by a beamforming function, A radio device characterized in that the receiving beam direction that provides good transmission and reception conditions is set based on a noise-dependent parameter.

4. 4. The radio device according to claim 3, wherein the receiving beam direction is set by automatically controlling a beamforming function based on the noise-dependent parameter.

5. 4. The radio according to claim 3, wherein the receiving beam direction is set in the same manner as the transmitting beam direction by automatically controlling a beamforming function according to the noise-dependent parameter.

6. 4. The radio device according to claim 3, wherein a measurement value of the noise-dependent parameter is acquired after the radio connection with the other radio device is established, and the receiving beam direction is set based on the measurement value.

7. 4. The radio device according to claim 3, wherein the sector value of the transmission sector is acquired after the establishment of the radio connection with the other radio device, and the direction that matches the sector value is set as the reception beam direction.

8. 4. A wireless communication system comprising: the wireless device according to claim 1; and the other wireless device that performs wireless communication with the wireless device.

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