Communication device, communication method, and program

Abstract

Provided is a communication device in a communication system for supporting a wireless multi-hop network, said communication device comprising: a communication unit that receives a wireless signal transmitted from another communication device; a determination unit that, on the basis of the radio wave intensity of the wireless signal received by the communication unit, determines whether or not to use said other communication device as a path construction target in the wireless multi-hop network; and an output unit that, on the basis of said radio wave intensity, causes a light source to emit light.

Description

Communication device, communication method, and program CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-026993, filed on February 26, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a communication method, and a program.

[0003] IEEE802.11s is known as a route construction method for a wireless multi-hop network (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By using IEEE802.11s, communication devices can be connected to each other to configure a wireless multi-hop network.

[0004] JP 2008-124813 A

[0005] Because wireless multi-hop networks use radio waves, it is important to install relay devices in appropriate locations, taking into account radio wave strength, in order to ensure stable communication. Therefore, when determining the location of a relay device, it is necessary to first perform a desktop station design that takes radio wave strength into account, and then measure the radio wave strength using dedicated equipment before installation to determine the actual installation location. However, using dedicated equipment after considering radio wave strength on a desktop is time-consuming and requires specialized knowledge.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique that enables easier determination of the installation location of a communication device that performs wireless multi-stage relaying.

[0007] A communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication device in a communication system that supports a wireless multi-hop network, and includes a communication unit that receives wireless signals transmitted from other communication devices, a decision unit that decides whether or not to include the other communication devices in route construction in the wireless multi-hop network based on the radio wave intensity of the wireless signals received by the communication unit, and an output unit that causes a light source to emit light based on the radio wave intensity.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a technique that makes it possible to more easily determine the installation location of a communication device that performs wireless multistage relaying.

[0009] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a relay device; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a hardware configuration of a relay device; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an input / output device; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional block configuration of a relay device; FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by a relay device; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a light emission method of a light source; and FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of visualizing a wireless signal, etc.

[0010] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals denote the same or similar configurations.

[0011] <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system configuration of a wireless communication system 1 according to an embodiment. The wireless communication system 1 supports a wireless multi-hop network and includes relay devices 10-1A to 10-1F, which are fixed stations, and relay devices 10-2A and 10-2B, which are mobile stations. When the relay devices 10-1A to 10-1F, which are fixed stations, are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are referred to as "relay devices (fixed stations) 10-1." When the relay devices 10-2A and 10-2B, which are mobile stations, are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are referred to as "relay devices (mobile stations) 10-2." When the relay device (fixed station) 10-1 and the relay device (mobile stations) 10-2 are not particularly distinguished from each other, they are referred to as "relay devices 10." The number of relay devices (fixed stations) 10-1 and relay devices (mobile stations) 10-2 included in the wireless communication system 1 is arbitrary and is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the relay device 10 may be referred to as a wireless relay device, a relay device, or a communication device.

[0012] The relay device (fixed station) 10-1 is intended to be a relay device 10 that is basically stationary and is installed inside or outside a building, etc. The relay device (mobile station) 10-2 is intended to be a relay device 10 that is basically mobile, for example, mounted on a vehicle or carried by a user.

[0013] The relay device (fixed station) 10-1A is called a parent device, parent station, or root node because it is connected to an external network 30 such as the Internet. On the other hand, the relay devices (fixed stations) 10-1 other than the relay device (fixed station) 10-1A are called child devices, child stations, or nodes because they are connected to other relay devices (fixed stations) 10-1 including the relay device (fixed station) 10-1A.

[0014] The relay device 10 operates as an access point and can communicate with the terminal 20 via a wireless LAN, a low-power wide-area network (LPWA), Bluetooth (registered trademark), a wired LAN, or the like. The terminal 20 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a mobile phone, a personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or a home game console. In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal 20A communicates with the relay device (mobile station) 10-2A, and the terminal 20B communicates with the relay device (mobile station) 10-2B. FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the terminal 20 can also communicate with the relay device (fixed station) 10-1.

[0015] Furthermore, the relay device 10 configures a wireless multi-hop network according to an arbitrary protocol and performs wireless multi-stage relaying. The relay device 10 may configure a wireless multi-hop network in the entire wireless communication system 1 by, for example, configuring a route according to a procedure defined in IEEE 802.11s. In IEEE 802.11s, communication routes are configured based on a weight value, called a metric, which indicates the cost of each route between relay devices 10. Note that the relay device 10 may use any protocol as long as it can realize a wireless multi-hop network.

[0016] In this embodiment, the relay device 10 constructs routes in a wireless multi-hop network based on the radio wave intensity of wireless signals transmitted from other relay devices 10. For example, a master relay device 10 transmits (broadcasts) a route construction frame with a metric value of 0. Next, a neighboring relay device 10 calculates a metric value (hereinafter referred to as an "accumulated metric value") by adding the metric value included in the received route construction frame and a metric value based on the radio wave intensity of the route construction frame received from the relay device 10 that transmitted the route construction frame.

[0017] The metric value indicates the cost of a communication path. Therefore, it can be said that the integrated metric value indicates the total cost of a path from the relay device 10 that serves as the master device in the wireless mesh network.

[0018] In this embodiment, as an index indicating radio wave strength, an index indicating received power (RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)), an index indicating received strength (RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)), or an SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) may be used.

[0019] Here, since the relay device (mobile station) 10-2 is assumed to be mobile, if the relay device (mobile station) 10-2 is included at an intermediate point of the route, there is a possibility that the route will be frequently switched. If such route switching occurs at various points within the wireless multi-hop network, the communication quality of the entire network will deteriorate, which is undesirable. Therefore, in this embodiment, the relay device (mobile station) 10-2 may not transmit a route construction frame. Also, the relay device (fixed station) 10-1 may transmit a route construction frame. This makes it possible to prevent the relay device (mobile station) 10-2 from being located at an intermediate point of the route (relay devices 10-1B, 10-1D, and 10-1E in the example of FIG. 1).

[0020] The relay device 10 may use IEEE802.11ax as the communication standard used between other relay devices 10. The maximum communication distance for IEEE802.11ax is approximately 200 m, and the transmission speed when the distance between devices is approximately 200 m is approximately 100 Mbps. Furthermore, the transmission speed gradually decreases as the number of relay stages increases. Note that the use of IEEE802.11ax is not essential, and other communication standards can also be used.

[0021] The relay device (mobile station) 10-2 may also use IEEE 802.11ah as the communication standard used between the relay device (mobile station) 10-2 and the terminal 20. IEEE 802.11ah is an unlicensed communication method that uses the 920 MHz band, has a communication range of approximately 1 km radius, and a maximum communication speed of 20 Mbps. It also uses a standard protocol used on the Internet. Note that the use of IEEE 802.11ah is not essential, and other communication standards may also be used.

[0022] The wireless communication system 1 may use the wide communication bandwidth (high-speed communication) of IEEE 802.11ax for communication between relay devices 10, and the long-distance transmission of IEEE 802.11ah for communication between relay device (mobile station) 10-2 and terminal 20. This makes it possible to realize monitoring and sensing over a wide area such as a farm or factory, inventory management using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), and radio wave monitoring using a wideband receiving module.

[0023] In this embodiment, the relay device 10 visually displays the communication status by measuring the radio wave intensity of radio waves received from other relay devices 10 and illuminating a light source based on at least the radio wave intensity. For example, the relay device 10 measures the radio wave intensity (signal strength of the radio waves) of radio waves received from other relay devices 10 connected to the relay device 10, and visually displays the communication status by changing the color, intensity, and / or blinking interval of light using a light source connected to an input / output device mounted on the relay device 10 according to at least the radio wave intensity.

[0024] For example, when the radio wave strength is visually displayed by the color of light, the color of the light may be changed according to the radio wave strength, such as green when the radio wave strength is -70 dBm or higher, orange when it is less than -70 dBm and greater than -75 dBm, red when it is less than -75 dBm, and off when the radio wave strength is so low that wireless relay is not possible.

[0025] Furthermore, when the radio wave strength is visually indicated by the intensity of light, the light intensity may be varied depending on the radio wave strength, for example, by increasing the light intensity when the radio wave strength is high and decreasing the light intensity when the radio wave strength is low. Furthermore, when the radio wave strength is visually indicated by the blinking interval of light, the blinking interval of light may be varied depending on the radio wave strength, for example, by increasing the blinking rate when the radio wave strength is high and decreasing the blinking rate when the radio wave strength is low. A user installing a relay device 10 can build an optimal wireless mesh network by installing the relay device 10 in a location that optimizes communication conditions while checking, for example, the color of the light. Even after installing a relay device 10, the user can remotely check the color of the light and determine whether or not to change the installation location. This eliminates the need for dedicated equipment when installing a relay device 10, and allows a user to install a relay device 10 that takes into account optimal communication conditions without specialized knowledge.

[0026] The following description is based on the assumption that the relay device 10 causes the light source to emit light based on radio wave intensity, but the present embodiment is not limited to this. The present embodiment can also be applied to cases where the communication status is visually displayed by causing the light source to emit light based on multiple pieces of information including radio wave intensity.

[0027] <Hardware Configuration> Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the relay device 10. The relay device 10 has a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), a memory (for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory)), a storage device 12 such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and / or an SSD (Solid State Drive), a communication IF (Interface) 13 for wired or wireless communication, and an input / output device 14 for accepting various inputs and outputs. The input / output device 14 is mounted on a board of the relay device. A light source 15 is connected to the input / output device 14.

[0028] The light source 15 may be a light bulb, an LED, a laser beam, an electroluminescence (EL) plate, or any other light source that emits light itself. Alternatively, the light source 15 may be a backlight of a display device such as a liquid crystal module or an LED display panel, or a display light-emitting element.

[0029] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the hardware configuration of the relay device 10. The relay device 10 illustrated in Fig. 3 includes a USB (Universal Serial Bus) port 16, and the input / output device 14 is connected to the relay device 10 via a USB cable inserted into the USB port 16. Points not specifically mentioned are the same as those in Fig. 2. Note that the input / output device 14 may be connected to the relay device 10 using a GPIO (General-purpose input / output) instead of the USB port 16 and the USB cable, or may be connected to the relay device 10 via a wireless transmission line such as a wireless LAN or Bluetooth.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the input / output device 14. The configuration of the input / output device 14 illustrated in FIG. 4 is applicable to the input / output device 14 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the input / output device 14 may include an LED output device 14-1. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the input / output device 14 may include an LED output device 14-1, a signal input device 14-2, and a signal output device 14-3. The signal input device 14-2 receives a contact signal, a digital signal, or an analog signal to be transmitted to another relay device 10 or a terminal 20. The signal output device 14-3 outputs a contact signal, a digital signal, or an analog signal received from another relay device 10 or a terminal 20. The digital signal or analog signal input to the signal input device 14-2 is transmitted to another relay device 10 via wireless multistage relaying and output from the signal output device 14-3 included in the other relay device 10.

[0031] <Functional Block Configuration> FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional block configuration of the relay device 10. The relay device 10 includes a storage unit 100, a communication unit 101, a measurement unit 102, a determination unit 103, and an output unit 104. The storage unit 100 can be implemented using the storage unit 12 included in the relay device 10. The communication unit 101, the measurement unit 102, the determination unit 103, and the output unit 104 can be implemented by the processor 11 of the relay device 10 executing a program stored in the storage unit 12. The program can be stored in a storage medium. The storage medium storing the program may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The non-transitory storage medium is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a storage medium such as a universal serial bus (USB) memory or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).

[0032] The storage unit 100 stores network configuration information indicating the connection configuration between relay devices 10 in the wireless multi-hop network. The network configuration information includes, for example, an identifier of a relay device 10 at a higher level (i.e., on the parent device side) in the wireless multi-hop network, and an identifier of a relay device 10 at a lower level (i.e., on the opposite side from the parent device) in the wireless multi-hop network. The storage unit 100 also stores an integrated metric value. The integrated metric value may be included in the network configuration information.

[0033] The communication unit 101 receives a wireless signal transmitted from another relay device 10. The communication unit 101 also transmits a wireless signal to another relay device 10. The communication unit 101 may also receive a path construction frame (e.g., a broadcast signal) transmitted from another relay device 10. When the communication unit 101 receives a path construction frame having a sequence number different from that of the previously received path construction frame, the communication unit 101 may update the integrated metric value stored in the storage unit 100 to an initial value (the maximum value that the integrated metric value can take).

[0034] In addition, when the relay device 10 operates as a fixed station, the communication unit 101 may communicate with other relay devices 10 using IEEE 802.11ax, and when the relay device 10 operates as a mobile station, the communication unit 101 may communicate with the terminal 20 using IEEE 802.11ah.

[0035] The measurement unit 102 measures the radio wave intensity of a radio signal received by the communication unit 101 from another relay device 10. The radio signal whose radio wave intensity is to be measured may be a route construction frame or a predetermined reference signal.

[0036] The determination unit 103 determines whether to set another relay device 10 as a target for establishing a route in the wireless multi-hop network, based on the radio wave intensity of the wireless signal received by the communication unit 101. For example, when the determination unit 103 receives wireless signals from a plurality of relay devices 10, the determination unit 103 may set the relay device 10 having the stronger radio wave intensity than a predetermined threshold as a target for establishing a route in the wireless multi-hop network.

[0037] The output unit 104 causes the light source 15 to emit light based on the radio wave intensity measured by the measurement unit 102 .

[0038] <Processing Procedure> FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the relay device 10.

[0039] In step S10, the measurement unit 102 measures the radio wave intensity of a wireless signal received by the communication unit 101 and transmitted from another relay device 10. The radio wave intensity to be measured may be an index representing received power (RSRP), an index representing received strength (RSSI), or a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

[0040] In step S11, the output unit 104 causes the light source 15 to emit light based on the radio wave intensity measured in step S10.

[0041] Here, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to the first state when the measured radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than a first threshold. Furthermore, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to a second state when the radio wave intensity is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold. Furthermore, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to a third state when the radio wave intensity is less than the second threshold and equal to or greater than a third threshold. Furthermore, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to a fourth state when the radio wave intensity is less than the third threshold. The first threshold is a value greater than the second threshold, the second threshold is a value greater than the third threshold, and the third threshold is a value greater than the fourth threshold.

[0042] Furthermore, the first state may mean a state in which the radio wave conditions are good (for example, the state in which the indicator in FIG. 7 is green), the second state may mean a state in which the radio wave conditions are normal (for example, the state in which the indicator in FIG. 7 is orange), the third state may mean a state in which the radio wave conditions are poor (for example, the state in which the indicator in FIG. 7 is red), and the fourth state may mean a state in which communication with the upstream (parent device side) relay device 10 is not possible (for example, the state in which the indicator in FIG. 7 is off).

[0043] The output unit 104 may also change the light-emitting method of the light source 15 depending on whether the relay device 10 is a master device or a slave device. For example, when the relay device 10 operates as a master device, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to the first state. When the relay device 10 operates as a slave device and the measured radio wave intensity is equal to or greater than a first threshold, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to the first state. When the radio wave intensity is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to the second state. When the radio wave intensity is less than the second threshold and equal to or greater than a third threshold, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to the third state. When the radio wave intensity is less than the third threshold, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a manner corresponding to the fourth state.

[0044] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a light emitting method of the light source 15. There may be multiple light sources. In the example of Fig. 7, the relay device 10 has five light sources 15: POWER, STATUS, 2.4 GHz communication, INDICATOR, and OPERATION. "INDICATOR" indicates the wireless communication state between the relay device 10 and another relay device 10. "OPERATION" indicates whether the relay device 10 is operating as a master device or a slave device.

[0045] Furthermore, the output unit 104 may calculate the radio wave intensity of the radio signal received by the communication unit 101 by adding up the radio wave intensity of a previously received radio signal and the radio wave intensity of a newly received radio signal at a predetermined ratio, and may cause the light source to emit light based on the calculated radio wave intensity. Specifically, instead of causing the light source 15 to emit light using the radio wave intensity of the received radio signal as is, the light source 15 may be caused to emit light based on the radio wave intensity averaged by using a primary filter or the like.

[0046] For example, the averaged radio wave strength may be Pave_old, the measured radio wave strength may be Pnow, and the number of averaging may be N, and the averaged radio wave strength Pave may be calculated using the following formula.

[0047] Pave = (Pave_old × (N-1) + Pnow) / N, where N can be set to any value. If N is set to a small value, the relay device 10 is more susceptible to the influence of the radio wave strength of newly received wireless signals, making it suitable for environments where the radio wave strength fluctuates frequently. In other words, it is suitable for cases where the relay device 10 operates as a mobile station. On the other hand, if N is set to a large value, the relay device 10 is more susceptible to the influence of the radio wave strength of previously received wireless signals, making it suitable for stabilizing the radio wave strength for fixed stations. In other words, it is suitable for cases where the relay device 10 operates as a fixed station.

[0048] The output unit 104 is not limited to a primary filter and may use other averaging methods. For example, the output unit 104 may average the values ​​of radio wave intensity for a predetermined number of past times. By making the light source 15 emit light based on the averaged radio wave intensity, it is possible to stabilize the light emission mode of the light source 15 even when the radio wave intensity changes frequently.

[0049] In step S12, if the relay device 10 stops emitting light (for example, if the power of the relay device 10 is turned off), the process ends. If the relay device 10 continues emitting light, the process returns to step S10, and the measurement of the radio wave intensity and the emission of light from the light source 15 are repeated.

[0050] <Supplementary Information> Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of visualizing a wireless signal, etc. As shown in Fig. 8, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light based on information other than radio wave intensity. The light source 15 of the relay device 10 may include multiple light sources, and the light source that emits light based on at least radio wave intensity may be different from the light source that emits light based on information other than radio wave intensity.

[0051] For example, when the output unit 104 detects an unauthorized communication device (e.g., a spoofed AP (Access Point)), it may cause the light source 15 to emit light. For example, when the output unit 104 detects a wireless signal from a communication device (e.g., an AP or the relay device 10) having a MAC address other than the MAC address registered in the relay device 10 itself, it may determine that an unauthorized communication device is present and cause the light source 15 to emit light.

[0052] Furthermore, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light based on the usage status of the wireless multi-hop network. For example, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a color that corresponds to the amount of communication between the relay device 10 and another relay device 10. This allows an administrator of the relay device 10 or the like to remotely grasp the usage status of the wireless multi-hop network.

[0053] The output unit 104 may also be configured to cause the light source 15 to emit light based on the number of accesses and / or the access communication capacity. For example, the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light in a color corresponding to the number of one or more terminals 20 that access (communicate with) the access point provided by the relay device 10. The output unit 104 may also cause the light source 15 to emit light in a color corresponding to the amount of data transmitted and received between the one or more terminals 20 that access (communicate with) the access point provided by the relay device 10. This allows the administrator of the relay device 10 to remotely grasp the load status of the access point function provided by the relay device 10.

[0054] Furthermore, the output unit 104 may be configured to cause the light source 15 to emit light based on the connection status of a communication line between the wireless multi-hop network and an external network 30 connected thereto, such as the Internet. For example, when the communication line to the external network 30 is disconnected, the output unit 104 may output a notification informing the user of the disconnection. The output unit 104 may detect whether the communication line is disconnected based on whether communication with a predetermined device present on the external network 30 is possible, and change the color of the light source 15. This allows an administrator of the relay device 10 or the like to remotely grasp the connection status with the external network 30.

[0055] Furthermore, when the output unit 104 detects radio waves of a predetermined frequency transmitted from a communication device other than the relay device 10, it may cause the light source 15 to emit light based on the presence or absence of the detected radio waves. The frequency of the radio waves to be detected may be specified in advance or may be arbitrarily specified. Note that, in order to detect radio waves of the frequency, an external device (such as a dongle) capable of receiving radio waves of the frequency may be connected to the relay device 10. For example, the pre-specified frequency may be a frequency used for a wiretapping device or a drone operation. This allows the administrator of the relay device 10 to remotely grasp the presence of other communication devices around the relay device 10.

[0056] The output unit 104 may also be configured to cause the light source 15 to emit light based on an output signal from a camera or a sensor connected to the relay device 10. For example, the relay device 10 may be connected to a motion sensor installed in a predetermined area, and the output unit 104 may cause the light source 15 to emit light when the motion sensor detects a person. This allows the administrator of the relay device 10 to remotely know, for example, that a person has entered an area near the relay device 10.

[0057] <Summary> According to the embodiment described above, it is possible to provide a technique that enables easier determination of the installation location of a communication device that performs wireless multistage relaying.

[0058] The above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The flowcharts, sequences, elements included in the embodiments, and their arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, sizes, etc., described in the embodiments are not limited to those illustrated and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, configurations shown in different embodiments can be partially substituted or combined with each other.

[0059] 1 Wireless communication system, 10 Relay device, 11 Processor, 12 Storage device, 14 Input / output device, 14-1 LED output device, 14-2 Signal input device, 14-3 Signal output device, 15 Light source, 16 USB port, 20 Terminal, 30 External network, 100 Storage unit, 101 Communication unit, 102 Measurement unit, 103 Determination unit, 104 Output unit

Claims

1. A communication device in a communication system that supports a wireless multi-hop network, comprising: a communication unit that receives wireless signals transmitted from other communication devices; a decision unit that decides whether or not to include the other communication devices in route construction in the wireless multi-hop network based on the radio wave strength of the wireless signals received by the communication unit; and an output unit that causes a light source to emit light based on the radio wave strength.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the output unit: causes the light source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a first state when the radio wave strength is equal to or greater than a first threshold; causes the light source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a second state when the radio wave strength is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold; causes the light source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a third state when the radio wave strength is less than the second threshold and equal to or greater than a third threshold; and causes the light source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a fourth state when the radio wave strength is less than the third threshold.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit: when the communication device operates as a parent device, causes the light emitting source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a first state; when the communication device operates as a child device, causes the light emitting source to emit light in a manner corresponding to the first state if the radio wave strength is equal to or greater than a first threshold; causes the light emitting source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a second state if the radio wave strength is less than the first threshold and equal to or greater than a second threshold; causes the light emitting source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a third state if the radio wave strength is less than the second threshold and equal to or greater than a third threshold; and causes the light emitting source to emit light in a manner corresponding to a fourth state if the radio wave strength is less than the third threshold.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit calculates the radio wave strength of the radio signal received by the communication unit by adding together the radio wave strength of a previously received radio signal and the radio wave strength of a newly received radio signal at a predetermined ratio, and causes the light source to emit light based on the calculated radio wave strength.

5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit communicates with the other communication device using IEEE 802.11ax when the communication device operates as a fixed station, and communicates with the terminal using IEEE 802.11ah when the communication device operates as a mobile station.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit causes the light source to emit light based on the detection of an illegally installed communication device, the amount of communication between the communication device and other communication devices, the number of one or more terminals accessing an access point provided by the communication device, the amount of data sent and received between one or more terminals accessing an access point provided by the communication device, the connection status of a communication line between the wireless multi-hop network and an external network connected thereto, the presence or absence of radio waves of a specified frequency transmitted from communication devices other than the communication device, and / or an output signal from a sensor connected to the communication device.

7. A communication method executed by a communication device in a communication system that supports a wireless multi-hop network, comprising: a step of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from another communication device; a step of determining whether or not to include the other communication device in route construction in the wireless multi-hop network based on the radio wave intensity of the received wireless signal; and a step of emitting light from a light source based on the radio wave intensity.

8. A program for causing a communication device in a communication system that supports a wireless multi-hop network to execute the steps of receiving a wireless signal transmitted from another communication device, determining whether or not to include the other communication device in route construction in the wireless multi-hop network based on the radio wave intensity of the received wireless signal, and illuminating a light source based on the radio wave intensity.

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